Waterfall Eclipse

Lieutenant Abarai

Chapter Nine:

Lieutenant Abarai

In the morning Rani made her way down to the Squad Six barracks to drop off the letter. She handed it to one of the Shinigami hanging around outside.

"Can you please make sure Lieutenant Abarai receives this for me?"

"Sure thing!" He replied with a smile and then went inside.

"Is he trustworthy?" She asked the other Shinigami hanging outside.

"Oh, Takeo? Yeah! The lieutenant will get it." She reassured Rani, who then smiled.

Rani made her exit and went to the academy cafeteria before her first class started.

~~Inside Squad Six~~

Lieutenant Abarai was down at his desk dealing with the morning paperwork before an unseated Shinigami interrupted him.

"Excuse me, Lieutenant Abarai, a Shin'o Academy student dropped this off for you."

"Oh, hey, Takeo." He greeted as Takeo handed him the letter. "Did the student say who it was from?"

"It may have been from her, but she never gave a name, now that I think about it. My deepest apologies for not asking."

"Don't worry. As long as Captain Kuchiki isn't here, I'll let it slide."

"Thank you!" Takeo replied and then excused himself.

Lieutenant Abarai opened the letter and read it.

"Dear Lieutenant Abarai, My name is Tómasu Rani, and I request a meeting with you to discuss my possible position into Squad Six. I recently had a meeting with the Captain Commander regarding my placement and was surprised when all of the captains were in attendance, so I am trying to finalize my decision. Please let me know when you are available, or come and find me during lunch at the Shin'o Academy's courtyard around noon. Thank you for your time. Sincerely, Tómasu Rani, Sixth Year Student."

"Well, she's got guts." He said out loud as he smiled.

"Who has 'guts', as you put it?"

"Oh, hi Captain Kuchiki. A Tómasu Rani." He finally answered as his captain came over and grabbed the letter and quickly read it.

"You're right. She does. Make sure you meet with her today. She usually sits by the large cherry blossom in the northwest corner."

"Thank you, sir." Lieutenant Abarai answered as he wondered how his captain knew that.

~~Shin'o Academy~~

"Where were you this morning? I came to get you for our morning jog, but you weren't in your room."

"Sorry Kiyomi. I ended up going to the Squad Six barracks to drop off a letter for Lieutenant Abarai." Rani answered as they walked into the classroom.

"Oh. Okay."

"But Lieutenant Hinamori stopped by last night too and wanted to speak with me. She just told me it was her decision to want to recruit me and that I should follow my heart in deciding where I want to go."

"Wow. She's really nice then."

Their class started and was eventually over a few hours later. They went to get lunch and were discussing what she wrote in the letter. For safekeeping, she had brought the letter she had written for Lieutenant Matsumoto with her and showed it to her.

"Wow. That's bold." Kiyomi stated as she handed it back to Rani.

"Too much?"

"Nah, but it's nice. At least you explained why you want the meeting." Kiyomi said with a smile as Chiharu came over. "Hey Chiharu!" She greeted. Chiharu stopped walking and looked up into the cherry blossom tree. "You okay?"

"Uh – did either of you notice a sleeping Gotei 13 Lieutenant in the tree above you?"

The girls, in shock, stood up and looked where she was looking. As soon as they saw him they started to laugh, which then caused him to wake up startled and fall out of the tree.

"Oh! We're so sorry!" Kiyomi and Rani said in unison.

"Are you all right, Lieutenant..." Rani started and then saw his left arm. "Abarai?" She finished realizing it was the lieutenant from Squad Six.

"I believe so. Which one of you is Tómasu Rani?"

"That would be me. But how did you know where we sat to have lunch?"

"Captain Kuchiki told me."

"Come on, Chiharu. They've got business to discuss." Kiyomi stated and then grabbed the third girl away as they waved goodbye.

"So," Lieutenant Abarai started, "What did you want to know about Squad Six?" Rani couldn't help it. She started to laugh. "If you're laughing at me falling out of a tree, it isn't funny."

"Sure it is. It's like you came here purposely to do that and to stalk me as well."

"Well if that's how you're going to talk to a lieutenant, maybe I should just go." He said as he started to walk away.

"No! Don't! I'm sorry!" She quickly replied causing him to stop walking and start laughing. "You were teasing me, weren't you?"

"Yes. You should have seen your face! But in all seriousness, what specifically would you like to know about Squad Six?"

"Well, first what's it like? You know, working under Captain Kuchiki?"

"Okay, well, he is strict, expects the best from everyone at all times. He returns loyalty and respect where it is earned. You have to be a strong fighter, most of the time, in his opinion." Lieutenant Abarai rambled out and then looked at her. "But since he requested you, along with all of the other captains, do not feel like you're not worthy of serving under him."

"Why do you say that?"

"I can see your expression. And I have been there before." He said and then paused. "Let's see, you said you're trying to finalize your decision, right?"

"Yes."

"Then choose for yourself. Don't do this research stuff and asking the lieutenants. I am honored you want my opinion, don't get me wrong, but this is your choice."

"Would he be upset if I didn't choose Squad Six?"

"Now that I don't know. Captain Kuchiki doesn't show emotion, like ever. The only time he did was - "

"You don't have to say it. I know. I think everyone does." Rani said stopping him. "So, he would respect the decision?"

"Yes, since it is yours to make. No one else's." He said and then paused again. "I have to admit you're the first potential squad-mate that has ever sent me a letter to speak with me about the squad."

"Sorry about that. It was a suggestion someone gave to me."

"Miss Chiharu?"

"Yes." Rani answered. "Can I tell you why I am having a hard time with the decision regarding Squad Six?" Lieutenant Abarai nodded. "Back when I was eight years old, I was living in the North Rukongai 59th District. Hollows attacked the area and Captain Kuchiki saved my life. I thanked him when he brought me to the Captain Commander for my advancement hearing, but I still don't think that was enough."

"So you think joining us will somehow help you repay him better?" She nodded slightly. "Don't worry about it. He has saved many lives in the Rukongai Districts and there aren't many of them who have the nerve to speak with him and thank him for what he did. You can always save him in the future. Worry about now." He added and then excused himself to go back to work in the barracks leaving Rani to contend with her thoughts.