Hana enjoyed the lessons in Zanjutsu when Arashi was the teacher. Not only she could improve her ability's, she also could make a lot of fun with Arashi. Sometimes she was playing so much that he made her fall so she would get concentrated again. She grew from her lessons with him and felt proud to be a student at the Academy. Outside the lessons she had became friends with Arashi and she liked the moments and chats with him. She liked his flute playing and learned how to drink sake without getting drunk. 

The years had passed and the day Arashi left was a sad day for Hana. By other students she was called a teachers pet, because she always smiled and did more her best when Arashi helped her. She had trouble to fight against the tears, she was now fifteen and soon she would reach her sixteen birthday. ''I had just wished that you would be there at my birthday Arashi-san'' she said and smiled some. She had put a little bottle with sake in his bag and a small plate which she had decorated with some paint by herself. She hoped he would like it. ''I promise to enter the Gotei 13 soon... Yet I'll aim for squad 6 I think.. Or maybe even squad 11..'' she said and the last was a little joke, which he knew of course. Then he left and she had stand there for another thirty minutes.

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Hana's exam was on the exact date that Arashi had left, now almost three years ago. She would be nineteen soon and she knew it was time for her to pass the exam and find out if her friend was still knowing her. The short blond hair had grown and was now halfway her back. During training she wore it in a ponytail or braided, when she had normal lessons, she wore it loose. The exam was though yet she did pass and was told that she would enter Squad 6, as a second lieutenant together with Renji Abarai, which was there already. She thought it would be fun to share the same rank, it would give a little competition probably.

On her goodbye there were not much other students, only Maddie came to say goodbye. ''I will not be there soon.. But do your best'' she said. ''Silly girl.. Your healing work is magnificent! Have more trust in yourself okay?'' Hana said. Maddie smiled and nodded. ''Thank you Kaori-chan'' she said. ''Your welcome'' Hana said and then turned around. She walked to the portal that brought her to the Gotei 13. 

When Hana entered the Gotei 13, she went to see her Squad and Captain first. She knew that Captain Kuchiki wasn't a soft one. His pride was something he would die for and she smiled, she felt the same about it. Yet she also knew she would die for one other thing, her friends. She looked around and was curious, would Arashi-san know that she was here now? She knew he was ranked in Squad 13, yet she didn't know which rank he had now. Maybe lieutenant? Maybe even Captain! She had learned that Captain Ukitake had health problems, but he was still able to fight. She thought that was the true definition of being strong. 

While she was thinking so much, it happened. She bumped into someone and fell to the ground. ''Look out where your walking!'' she said and looked up, she saw a very familiar face and a smile appeared on her face. ''Arashi-san!'' she said. ''How are you? How have you been? Did you become lieutenant? How is your Captain?'' she asked and got up. She had a smile around her lips and looked at him happily to see her best friend again.