Beets or Radishes

"Agh! I just don't understand why you can't just train back home!"

"I'm sorry Ichigo. This is the choice I've made. But, don't worry, since we'll both be Soul Reapers, I'm sure we'll see each other again!"

Orihime spent three days talking and hanging out with her friends. She decided to leave early since it would be better than prolonging it. When she was saying her goodbye, Toshiro Hitsugaya arrived at the Medical Relief Station.

"Captain Hitsugaya, its good to see you again. How is lieutenant Hinamori doing?"

"She's away from danger, thanks to you. I am here to escort you to the Spiritual Arts academy."

"C-captain Hitsugaya… It's fine you don't need to personally…"

A mature woman with long hair stepped in from outside and rested her large breasts on Toshiro's head. This was naturally possible due to his short stature. The woman smiled towards Orihime and gave her a wink.

"So, you're the girl who saved my captain? I think we will become good friends…"

"Agh! Rangiku get off me!"

"Lieutenant Matsumoto, it's good to meet you!"

Rangiku walked over and hooked Orihime's arm before leaning in close.

"Orihime, right? Just call me Rangiku. Let's walk together to the academy. Ask me any questions you have."

Orihime nodded her head and walked arm in arm with her. Orihime stayed close and whispered toward Rangiku.

"Actually, Rangiku, I do have a question… How do you keep your boobs from falling out? I'm new to these kinds of clothes."

Rangiku laughed and looked at this young girl lovingly. She grabbed Orihime by the shoulders and turned her so that no one could see her front. Then, Rangiku untied her sash. She repositioned the garments a bit before tying the sash in a special way.

Orihime suddenly felt her breasts were nice and snug in this set up. Rangiku was truly a master. She suddenly turned red after realizing that Rangiku had a full view of her front.

"Those flowers are really pretty." Rangiku said as she winked. This caused Orihime's face to burn hotter. However, the comment made her realize the issue with her powers.

'Hogyoku, what's going on with my powers? Why are they inactive?'

[Fusion and Evolution of Abilities. Progress: 13%. Estimated time: 71 days.]

'Ah, I guess that's fine since I'll be in the academy during that time period. Seventy-one days, that'll be mid-October by the time it's finished.'

"Orihime, tell me about yourself. How did you end up becoming a soul?"

"Hmm I'm not too sure. As I grew stronger, I started to feel not completely human."

"What's your specialty?"

"Well… Kido, Hakudo, Hoho, and barriers… I guess?"

"Wow, you're incredible. Ah how nice it is to be young and full of potential."

"Ah, Rangiku, you're still young yourself."

They continued the banter the whole walk to the neutral distract where the academy was located. As they approached there were many people outside in two columns in front of the entrance. They had come out here to see the captain that was visiting them.

Orihime lamented at her situation. She wanted to keep a low profile and possibly hide the fact she was one of the Ryoka. However, someone must have told captain Hitsugaya to escort me to make it hard on me.

It was most definitely the captain-commander Yamamoto. That old man is a sly fox. He is full of schemes even though he's so powerful. But it also makes sense. The academy is his proudest achievement. He probably wanted to subtly warn Orihime not to cause trouble by putting her in an awkward position.

"It's the genius Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya and his Lieutenant Rangiku Matsumoto…"

"Who's that other girl with them…?"

"Rumor has it, she's a soul in the world of the living that was hiding with a substitute body."

"How is that even possible?"

"Urahara Kisuke, the previous captain and founder of the research division had a play in it."

"I heard a rumor that Urahara was framed by Aizen, and he was cultivating this soul as a secret weapon against him."

"Well, I heard that Yoruichi, the head of the Shihoin family personally trained her."

"…"

Orihime heard all the chatter around the students and she was stunned. 'What a brilliantly weaved lie!' She thought. She was surprised by the fact that such rumors were circulating. She hadn't even a chance to do it herself. Rangiku nudged her slightly.

"Don't worry, dear. Although some people would have you painted a villain, you have many allies too. Honestly, your charisma is quite good."

Toshiro gave her a glance and nodded. Orihime realized that she had gathered more allies in the Gotei 13 than expected. Although, she felt a little regretful that Byakuya wasn't the one to escort her. But that was simply be impossible…

"Oh, Captain Kuchiki, what brings you here?"

Once they got through the front gates of the academy, Byakuya was there talking with one of the academy administrators. Orihime's heart started racing and Rangiku who was still holding her arm could naturally tell.

"I had some business to attend to. I was just leaving."

Orihime was stunned because he looked directly at her before disappearing with a Shunpo. It was imperceivable to the normal person, but her perception sped up to match his speed again. She had investigated this and it was one of the enhancements the hogyoku gave her.

'Does he actually use his speed to cover up his actions like this?' Orihime wondered if he had done this to Rukia, causing a misunderstanding. But this was different. 'There's no way Byakuya was here for me, right?'

"O-hoh, looks like you've got a thing for captain Kuchiki. It'll be tough, but I'm rooting for you."

Rangiku whispering to her like that did not help the situation. Byakuya was long gone, but she still wondered. If this was truly him checking on Orihime, or even talking to the academy for her…

'If he did, that would mean he's actually really cute, right?'

However, she didn't get her hopes up. Rukia had just been saved but didn't have her powers. Perhaps he was discussing something related to that. Orihime wasn't going to try guessing. She just wanted to focus on learning.

"Student Orihime Inoue, come with me to receive your uniform and complete your entrance exam. Captain Kuchiki has already notified us that you will be staying off-campus. However, I do recommend staying in the dorms as it will increase your feeling of belonging."

"I will consider it Sensei, thank you. Captain, Rangiku, thank you for the escort."

"Graduate quickly!"

"Oh, I forgot to mention, if either of you goes to Karakura town, you can stay in my house. Let Ichigo show you where it is. The key is under the radish-shaped flower pot…"

"Sensei, did you just say that Captain Kuchiki spoke to you on my behalf?"

"Mm, that's correct. We had some business to take care of and the Captain mentioned it in passing. You are lucky, the semester starts in less than a week. If it were anyone else, you would have to wait until the next semester."

Orihime's face turned beet red as she followed the instructor.

'What the fuck, he can't be this cute right? Isn't he supposed to be some cold and aloof lord? I must be overthinking it. He probably mentioned it offhandedly.'

She changed into the uniform which consisted of a red shitagi, white kosode with red stripes, and a red hakama. The boys had the same, but in blue. She had been given an exception to carry the wakizashi instead of a standard Zanpakuto since she had already begun to imprint.

Then she was led into a small room with a small desk and chair. She knew that her posture and handwriting would be graded so she was very careful in her actions. After seeing the questions on the test, she was elated.

Orihime did not spend those three days just resting and lazing around with her friends. She had taken the time to learn the third- and fourth-year curriculums. Fortunately, there wasn't a lot of new information, just more difficult versions of the previous years.

Orihime did not find a single question that she couldn't answer on the written portion. Next was testing her on the four combat forms. Zanjutsu was her weakest skill. Yoruichi didn't use a sword, so Orihime only knew theoretical knowledge. Fortunately, her fast reflexes and enhanced perception allowed her to score decently.

Next was the Hakudo test. This was not even a challenge for her. She took down the instructor three times in a row within three moves. Afterwards, it was a test of her footwork, Hoho. When the instructors discovered she had already reached the minor realm in Shunpo she passed with highest marks.

Finally, it was the Kido test. Kido is the combat form Orihime is most proud of. After firing off a perfect Red Flame Cannon without a chant at the target dummy, the instructors were left baffled. Some were even relieved that she was weak in Zanjutsu, otherwise they would be too embarrassed to have her as a student.