"When we get to later lessons, you'll learn that being a serious student is about action. I won't leave you room to worry about your appearance," Rukia tells him with a small smile. It's respect that she appreciates, but unnecessary. Better pushed out of the way.

However hard she's worked to weave herself into the Kuchiki clan, at the end of the day, Rukia's still a girl who grew up barefoot in the streets.

Tugging her zanpakutou out from its sheath, Rukia balances the blade on her hand with a small shake of her head. "The zanpakutou doesn't have to physically resemble its wielder in any way. Doesn't necessarily have the same personality, either. The zanpakutou is your partner. Sometimes the best partners contrast with ourselves," Rukia points out, arching her brow. "My best friend's zanpakutou has two intelligent heads, one a baboon and the other a snake. He is kind of a monkey, though."

She smiles fondly at the memory before holding her sword out by the hilt. "Since Urahara-san isn't one who often releases his zanpakutou, I'll show you what happens when I release mine. You won't see the spirit, but you'll feel her power."

Gaze growing distant, Rukia's expression turns determinedly neutral. "Mae," she declares, spinning her sword slowly with a turn of her wrist. As it moves, the blade, hilt, and tsuba turn completely white, and a white ribbon starts to stretch from the pommel. "Sode no Shirayuki."

As the transformation completes, cold air rushes in all directions. Rukia remembers shivering, the first time she'd discovered her sword's power.