Waterfall Eclipse

To The Academy

Chapter Three: 

To The Academy

"AH!" Rani yelled in a combination of fear and pain. She had doubled over and was laying in the fetal position on the ground breathing heavy. "That was a mistake." She observed. She then got her composure and tried again, but did not push herself again like that.

Two days later she made her way back to District 59 to her home.

"Rani! You're back!" Yasuo yelled once he saw her walk in. "How did it go?"

"I think okay. How's everyone here?" She inquired and then looked at her brother. "What is it?" She asked as she placed her bag down and sat down.

"There was another visitor here, with one of those white haoris again."

"Was he looking for me?"

"I don't know. I didn't talk to him." He answered. "But, I believe Lily did."

"Oh, okay. I'll talk to her later about it."

Within moments, Lily walked through the door.

"MISS RANI!" She yelled excitedly. "Welcome back!" She added as she sat on her lap.

"How are you Lily? Anything happen while I was away?"

"I am good, and yes, something did happen. I met another captain from the Gotei 13." She said excitedly. "His name is Hitsugaya Toshiro, and he's the captain of the 10th Squad."

"You had that much of a conversation?"

"Well, he looked really lost yesterday. So I helped him out."

"Why was he here?"

"He said he was looking for someone, but didn't know their name or anything. I found that odd. But he did say that the exam was moved to tomorrow."

"WHAT? TOMORROW?" Rani asked in shock.

"Yeah, oh sorry. Forgot to mention that. He said he wanted me to tell anyone in our District that was interested in taking the exam that it was moved up. And he was also there to find someone."

"LILY! You need to start to remember these things." Yasuo scolded. "Rani?"

"I guess I don't have a few more days here. Tomorrow it is."

"Good thing you came back today and not tomorrow. You'd be in trouble."

"I would have just waited until next time." Rani replied as she shrugged her soldiers.

The trio relaxed and played some games before calling it a night. In the morning, Rani made the trek to the gate to enter into the Sereitai to head to the Shin'o Academy.

"Hello Mr. Danzomaru!"

The gatekeeper glanced down over to Rani.

"No entrance permitted."

"I thought you were going to say that. My name is Tómasu Rani, and I am requesting permission to enter so I can take the entrance exam to the Shin'o Academy." She proudly stated.

"You're going in this time, then?" He asked with a smile. She nodded. "Well, then, I wish you luck." He replied and then opened the door for her.

She looked up at him and smiled.

"Have a great day!" She yelled as she passed the gate frame.

It wasn't until the door was closed that she realized her predicament.

"Now where do I go? I should have asked him for directions." She said with a sigh.

"Directions to where, young miss?" Someone asked from her right side.

Startled she turned to face him. She was standing face to face with a lieutenant.

"Oh, the – uh Shin'o Academy." She stammered.

"I am Lieutenant Kira Izuru." He introduced. "Are you here for the entrance exam?" She nodded. "Well, good luck to you. And it's just along this route right in front of you." He directed her. She thanked him and proceeded to walk.

It took her a few minutes, but she eventually made it to the entrance to the Shin'o Academy, where there was a check in table, and the captain she met a few days prior.

"Ah, Miss Tómasu. Glad you decided to come!" Captain Kyouraku stated.

"Hello Captain Kyouraku." She said with a bow. "I almost didn't with the change in the date."

"Yes, we sent another one of our captains to dispatch the news." Another captain answered. He had long white hair and two Shinigami fawning over him. "Now that you have been checked in, you may proceed into the doors. Follow the directions of the helping Shin'o Academy students to where you need to go."

"Thank you, captains." Rani replied with a bow again and made her way inside.

"I told you she'd come."

"I had no doubts in your find, Shunsui, but do you think she is capable?"

"Jushiro, I surely hope so, but the young lady hit a chord with me. She was so polite and her manners were perfect."

"Manners are one thing. Fighting against Hollows and other enemies are completely different."

Inside, Rani found herself amazed by the school. She could hear some other students already practicing.

"RANI?" She heard someone yell. "Is that really you?"

Rani turned and saw her friend.

"KIYOMI!" She yelled back before Kiyomi attacked her in a hug.

"I am so glad you finally decided to enter. I have been waiting three years!"

"Sorry about that."

"It's okay. I'll walk with you to the exam room so we can chat." She replied. "How's everything going?"

"It's going good. Yasuo and I still help the incoming kids get settled."

"That's good to hear. Everyone else is doing okay?"

"Yes, Daisuke says hi and all that." Rani said and then got quiet.

"Everything all right?"

"Yes, well no. I'm nervous."

"Don't be. All you have to do is show you have Reiatsu, which isn't hard. Just focus."

"How do they know if I have it?"

"They'll see it." She replied. "Oh, but let me tell you something. Your exam heads today are strict. There's the captain of Squad Two, Sui Feng, the captain of squad Ten, Hitsugaya. He's a non-bullshit kind of captain. Then there are the captains of Squads Eight and Thirteen – Kyouraku and Ukitake."

"I've met Captain Kyouraku before. A few days ago actually."

"Good. Then you have one vote for you." She said with a smile. "Although, I have to admit I am personally curious as to why the captains are doing this exam. They normally don't."

Kiyomi waited outside with her until it was her turn.

"Good Luck!" She said and watched her friend walk into the examination room.