Waterfall Eclipse

First Solo Patrol

Chapter Twelve:

First Solo Patrol

Rani made her way to the Senkaimon and stood before the massive doors in awe. The two Shinigami that stood guard opened it for her and she made her way through the Dangai Precipice world to the Living World.

Rani found a nice spot on top of a tall building where she could keep watch on Karakura town.

After a solid hour, she started to travel throughout the town, not knowing when or if a Hollow was going to attack. She did, however, run into a little soul with a chain hanging from her chest.

"Hello little one."

"Oh, hi." The girls said startled. "You can see me?"

"Yes, I am a Shinigami from the Soul Society. My name is Rani." She introduced forgetting the formalities as she squatted down to be eye level with the young girl.

"I'm Aria." The little girl introduced as she stayed by three little flower vases. "Can you help me find my mommy? And my daddy?"

"I can try, but there is a problem."

"What is that?"

"Sweetie, if you and your mommy and daddy died, they probably moved on into the Soul Society already, especially if they are not here with you."

"Oh." She said sadly.

"I can help you get to the Soul Society, although the chances of you finding them are slim." She said and then paused. "But if you stay here, you will never find them."

"Okay. Help me get to the Soul Society." The little girl eventually said.

Rani smiled and performed a Konso on the little girl. She disappeared and Rani was left alone again. However when she stood up and turned around she was face to face with a Hollow.

"Sorry. It seems I took your snack away." She said calmly. She then jumped back when the Hollow went to swat at her. "Sorry again. You're not getting me as a replacement!" Rani added as she raised her Asauchi.

She dodged its attacks before performing a Ryodan on the Hollow, which sliced it in two. As soon as she set her feet back on the solid ground, she heard someone clapping from behind.

"Who are you?" She asked after turning around and saw an orange haired boy.

"Kurosaki Ichigo." He introduced. "Substitute –"

"Yeah, yeah." She said cutting him off. "Captain Hitsugaya said I might run into you."

"How is Toshiro?" Ichigo asked without skipping a beat.

"And he wasn't kidding when he said your manners are atrocious. The captain is fine. Is there a reason you came?"

"I sensed the Hollow. I am just doing my job as a substitute. But, clearly you had everything covered, including performing a Konso on that little girl."

"Clearly." Rani replied unamused.

"So, I told you my name. What is yours?"

"Sorry. I'm Tómasu."

"Is there another name to go along with that?"

"Yes, but as far as your manners go, you need to earn it, so you can call me by Tómasu until you have."

Ichigo smiled at her.

"Well, I should get home. If you need help, give a holler!" He said, and then shunpoed away from her.

"Good riddance!" Rani said rolling her eyes.

Rani focused on the town again. If Kurosaki was walking in that direction home, she could focus in the other direction away from him.

"Only twenty-two and a half hours to go." She said out loud to herself.

There was no activity for the next twelve hours, and she was able to watch the sun rise on Karakura Town in peace. She watched as the residents woke up and headed out for work.

She glanced down on the street after hearing a familiar voice. She noticed the orange haired boy, Kurosaki, walking with some friends.

"He must be going to school." Rani thought as a smile came to her lips.

She stayed on top of the current building she was sitting on all day. Those eight hours went by quickly and there were no other incidents, much to Rani's relief. Usually the Hollows don't attack during the daytime in the Living World, so she knew she was lucky.

"Two hour to go. And these two hours are going to by so slow." She said out loud as she made one final sweep of Karakura town.

Rani looked to the sky and saw the Senkaimon opening up, so she waited below to see who was coming out. Once she realized it was a normal Shinigami, she approached them.

"Hello! Are you my relief?"

"Yes, sorry. I am Kuchiki Rukia. You must be Tómasu Rani."

"Yes." She said with a smile.

"Feel free to go back now. Report to your captain. He'll be waiting."

"Can I ask you something first?"

"Sure."

"Is Kurosaki always that arrogant?"

"Oh. You met him?"

"There was almost a Hollow attack. I was able to perform a Konso on a little girl before the Hollow came to get her."

"Oh. And he showed up?"

"Yes."

"Yeah, well he is arrogant. And can come off as rude, but I wouldn't let it get to you."

"Okay. Good to know. Have fun!" Rani replied slightly sarcastic before walking through the Senkaimon herself to return to the Soul Society.

As soon as she got back, she stopped by the captain's office to find it vacant. Puzzled, she went to her dorm.

"Hey Sasaki! I'm back!"

"Oh, hey Tómasu! How was the Living World?"

"Pretty boring. One almost Hollow attack and one Konso."

"Hey, you said boring! A Hollow is big news for a newbie such as yourself, especially since you just graduated the academy yesterday."

"My relief said I should report to the captain as soon as I got back, but he wasn't in the office. Neither was the lieutenant."

"The captain is in a captain's meeting. Lieutenant Matsumoto might be in a bar at this point of the day. It is around dinner."

"Oh, right. I'm hungry. Did you eat?"

"Nope. Not yet. Let's go!"

The two girls made their way to a little restaurant instead of going to the barrack's cafeteria.

"This is a nice place."

"Yeah, the food is great. You're going to love it!" Umeko said as she walked in and abruptly stopped, leaving Rani to walk into her. "I guess the captain's meeting is over."

Rani looked to where she was looking. Captain Hitsugaya was sitting down at a table by himself. A few seconds later, he glanced up, saw them, and then motioned for the two to join him. They looked at each other and gulped before nervously sitting down with him.