Waterfall Eclipse

Squad Ten Barracks

Chapter Eleven:

Squad Ten Barracks

"I can't believe we have two days to go!" Hiroku exclaimed as the four were sitting in the courtyard. "We graduate in two days! We get our Asauchis in two days!"

"We get it! You're excited! Now get over it!" Kiyomi teased and then turned to Rani. "So, Squad Ten, huh?"

"Yeah, well, I told you I wouldn't be able to deal with the blood." She answered with a sigh.

"Is something wrong?"

"Huh – what? Oh, I forgot to tell you guys. How forgetful of me." Rani replied as she sat up piquing their interest. "Remember how I always thought someone was watching me?"

"Yeah?" The three questioned simultaneously.

"Well, I wasn't paranoid. Someone was."

"And?" Chiharu asked.

"It was Captain Hitsugaya – well his lieutenant. He asked, or ordered, her to spy on me from time to time."

"Can't he get into trouble for that?" Hiroku asked concerned.

"Maybe. He apologized and all."

"Wait – you spoke with him? When?"

"Oh, last night. He was waiting for me on the roof of my dorm. If I didn't shunpo from Squad One, I probably would never have noticed him."

"But you should have – with his spiritual pressure and all." Chiharu commented.

"Yeah, well, anyway, he admitted to me about watching me. And he apologized if he scared me."

"That...is odd." Kiyomi commented. "Captain Hitsugaya? Apologize?"

Rani shrugged off her friend's comments and continued to eat her lunch. They relaxed a little before their final exam in Hakuda, which would be in an hour.

After the exam, which the students were immediately graded on, the students were directed to go to the graduation rehearsal.

Two days later, all of the students were in their newly issued Shihakusho for their graduation. Up on the podium were all thirteen captains, and the head of the school. The instructors were on the bleachers to the left. After a lengthy speech by both the head of the school and the Captain Commander, it was then the commencement officially began. When their names were called in order of the squad they were going into, counting down to Squad One, they were given their own Asauchi, by their (new) captains. After everyone received their Asauchis and were sitting down, the ceremony ended.

Rani, Kiyomi, Hiroku, and Chiharu made their way to their dormitories and removed their belongings. They escorted each other as best as they could. Rani was the first one to be dropped off at Squad Ten.

"Well, I guess we'll be seeing you." Kiyomi replied as her eyes became glassy.

"Geez! We're in our own squads. It's not the end of the world." Rani teased as she gave her friend a hug. "We'll see each other, I am sure."

The three left Rani in front of the doors and she eventually headed in. As soon as she walked through the doors she stopped.

"Why do I not ask for directions when I walk in?" She asked herself out loud shaking her head. Memories of when she came into the Seireitei for her exam popped into her mind.

"Can I help you?" A woman's voice asked.

Rani turned around to see the squad's lieutenant standing before her.

"Um, yes, please Lieutenant Matsumoto."

"Oh, you – you're Tómasu!" The lieutenant responded enthusiastically.

"Can you tell me where I am supposed to go? Where my room is?"

"Sure thing, hun. Follow me!"

Rani followed Lieutenant Matsumoto to the barrack dormitories. She was directed to a small room.

"You have to share with one other squad member. She's been here for a year, so you might remember her from last year. As soon as you're settled in, come to the captain's office. He likes to meet with the new charges to assign them duties."

Lieutentant Matsumoto then left Rani to her own devices. Rani put her stuff down in a corner of the room and waited a few moments before deciding to head to the captain's office. Just as she was about to walk out the door, she bumped into someone.

"Oh! Sorry!" She apologized, and then gasped in horror. "Captain Hitsugaya! I am really sorry!" She said completely embarrassed.

"It was my fault. Did Matsumoto tell you to come to my office once you're settled?"

"Yes."

"Okay. If you can, come in fifteen minutes."

"Sure thing!" She replied and then bowed. She didn't stand back up until she was sure he was gone.

Rani then turned around and went back into the room and sat down on the large pillow that was there. Her attention was diverted when someone walked in.

"Oh, you must be Tómasu Rani! I am Sasaki Umeko." The girl introduced. "Are you okay?"

"I will be. I just had the unfortunate luck of literally bumping into Captain Hitsugaya."

"Wow. That's bad. Did he chew you out for being a klutz?"

"No. He actually took the blame. I was heading out the door to go to his office and he was standing right there."

"He took the blame? Wow. Something must have happened. He never does that."

The two girls got to know each other a little before Rani had to go to the captain's office. She leisurely walked over to the office, which wasn't far from the dorm, and waited outside the door until the other newcomer left. She was about to walk in when the captain told her to come in. She obliged carefully.

"Captain Hitsugaya." She said with a bow.

"Don't worry about bowing anymore. I know it's a sign of respect, but it's a waste of time in my opinion. Come and have a seat." She did as she was told and sat down on the chair in front of his desk. "Normally I would have had you relax for a day before assigning you anything. However, the Captain Commander requested that I send you to the Living World." Rani swallowed, but didn't say a word. He looked up at her puzzled. "Miss Tómasu? Are you all right?"

"Yes, sir."

"I know it sounds scary, but he wouldn't have requested it unless he knew you could handle it."

"For how long?"

"Just a night. Until the official change in guard can happen, it's a small coverage time span." He answered. "Don't worry. With all that has happened recently, the Substitute Soul Reaper, Kurosaki, will also be there." He added, with no enjoyment in his voice.

"I take it you still don't like him, captain?"

"He's a great fighter. His manners are atrocious." He answered and then looked up at her. "Report to the Senkaimon in an hour. Grab some food first."

"Yes, sir."

"You are excused."

"Thank you captain." She said and then quickly got up and left the room.

Rani then headed to the squad cafeteria and ate something small.