Rei training with a new friend?

Hiroe was elated. She had been granted the rare visit of her choice to one of the eight divisions in the Gotei United under the supervision of one of her teachers. Since she was excelling relatively well in her classes, most of her instructors felt now was as good a time as any to visit a division and decide on which one she would ultimately choose.

She was indecisive about her choice so far, but that's what made exploring each division that much more exhilarating. Well, almost every division. She didn't envision herself in the fourth. Unending combat wasn't her style. Eighth and Seventh were likely the long-term aspirations here.

Walking through the barracks of the eighth division, Hiroe noticed a woman with an eyepatch swinging her sword around, practicing her stance and execution. At the moment, her teacher wasn't present. Perhaps she could humor a spar before she caught up to her? Worth a shot!

"Hey, you! I don't mean to interrupt your practice or anything, but what would you say to a spar? I want to see how I compare to a division member!"

"A newbie, huh? How long have you been in the eighth?"

Hiroe wasn't particularly excited to simply use training swords, but perhaps this was a good way of refining her own swordplay. It certainly didn't hurt. Rei had acquieseced to her challenge, after all. This could be an opportunity to develop a friendship with a future - albeit theoretical - squadmate. Shifting her body into forward stance, practice sword positioned above her right shoulder, Hiroe allowed Rei the first move.

"My name's Hiroe Miyashiro, by the way. Remember it. We might be squadmates soon."

"Yeah. I have a few divisions I've been looking at, and most of my instructors say I fit into quite a few places based on skillset alone. Another possible option is the 7th."

Hiroe maintained her own stance, sliding her left foot forward until she was close enough for Rei to execute a swing. A sudden step-in with her right foot, shifting her hip to the side to evade a preemptive strike, Hiroe swiftly swung her sword into her sparring partner's hip.

"Did you get to choose?"

A four step to the right counter was impressive, but precisely because she expected a counterattack to begin with, Hiroe shifted her body inwards, persisting in her current route of offense to land a mutual strike against the woman's midsection. She didn't expect to be as agile as Rei, content to earn a strike against her while her blade swung into her arm.

To be sure, she didn't exactly know the woman's capability. This was a test to see how she stood up to a division member, and, of course, to make a new friend in the proccess. After all, Rei might well be her future division mate. Drawing her body back a few meters to allow the woman space, regardless of the result, she assumed another stance - Gedan.

Postioning her sword in front of her, presenting openings, Hiroe hoped to fool Rei into attacking this time. From this stance, she was confident she could counter and strike in a single stride.

"I'm no kido expert or healer myself. I'm pretty good with a blade and I think I excel pretty well at the other techniques that comprise a Shinigami's skillset."

Rei rushed forward to swing at her blade. Hiroe countered by shifting her body backward by a single centimeter of movement, her blade shooting upward to thunderously oppose Rei's training sword, aiming to divert her weapon off course. If the counter technique proved successful, Hiroe would stride forward to press the advantage by swinging the wooden blade against Rei's hip.

"Me too. I think we'll get along together really well. How've you enjoyed your time in this division, Rei?"