Waterfall Eclipse

Aizen

Chapter Thirteen:

Aizen

"How was your patrol?" Captain Hitsugaya asked once the girls were able to order.

"It was fine. One Konso, one Hollow, and I ran into Kurosaki – or rather he showed up after I finished with the Hollow." Rani reported.

"Good. I forgot to give you a communications phone."

"Captain Hitsugaya?"

"Yes, Sasaki?"

"Forgive me for asking this, but is everything all right? You look extremely worried about something."

Captain Hitsugaya looked down to the floor on his right before looking at his two charges and sighing.

"We are about to face an enemy that was an old friend." The girls' eyes got wide.

"Aizen?" Rani questioned.

"Yes." He admitted. "It might get really bad."

Rani and Umeko swallowed. They mutually decided to finish the rest of their meal in peace.

After they ate, the two walked in silence behind Captain Hitsugaya until they reached their dorm.

"What do you think will happen?"

"Don't know, but whatever it is, it won't be anything good." Umeko replied as the two sat down.

"Do you think he's worried for us? Since we're new here?"

"Maybe. It's hard to tell with our captain. He doesn't show emotions. He's not easy to read."

The next morning, the girls woke up to find the squad barracks busy as ever. They quickly got ready before the fourth seat officer came to get them.

"Girls! Head to the back practice field now!" He ordered.

The girls did as they were told and quickly headed to the field. They ran through practice drills in preparation for the attack. After a long day, they were excused.

"Before you all go, please be aware that you are on high alert. You may or may not be utilized, but you cannot slack off."

"Yes, sir!" The group of Shinigami said in unison.

The girls were assigned a post together and made their way.

"Do you think anything will come of this?"

"I am hoping not." Rani replied.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, the battle between the Soul Society, Kurosaki Ichigo, and his friends versus Aizen and his Espada ended up taking place in Karakura Town, or rather at first a fake Karakura Town in the Living World. Rani and Umeko waited and still stood watch from their position just in case Aizen realized the trick.

And it wasn't long until he did. Soon, the girls saw him arrive and went to stand up against him. However, they were no match for the former captain of the Fifth Squad. When Umeko went up against him, he quickly used Hado 33 without a second glance against her. Umeko was pushed back into a wall when the blue flames hit her. Rani watched her friend get blasted back and then quickly turned her attention to the intruder wide eyed. Aizen, again without a second thought, fired Hado 63 and just before the yellow arc of energy hit her, she quickly put up Bakudo 39, the arc shield. With the force of his attack, although she thought her Bakudo would suffice, she was injured and put out of service for a little while.

Rani regained consciousness before Umeko did, and once the coast was clear, she moved Umeko to Squad Four for the two girls to receive treatment. The available Squad Four members in the barracks quickly took them in and immediately got to work with their healing. Rani was alert during this whole process, and she slightly regretted it.

Captain Unohana eventually came into the room where the two girls were to check in on their progress, about three days later.

"Miss Tómasu. How are you feeling?"

"Better, Captain Unohana." Rani replied as she sat up. "How's Sasaki?"

"She is doing much better. It would have been worse, I have been told, if you didn't bring her here right away."

"That's good to hear."

"Once I give you the once over, and if I agree with Lieutenant Kotetsu's decision, you can go back to your barracks."

"Yes, ma'am."

Captain Unohana double checked Rani's Reiatsu and then discharged her. Rani reluctantly left and headed back to her room where there was a note taped to the door.

"Sasaki & Tómasu, please come to my office as soon as you are able. Captain Hitsugaya."

"Well that was short and to the point." Rani said out loud before making her way to the captain's office. She lightly knocked on the door.

"Come in." The captain called.

Rani slowly opened the door and proceeded in.

"You wanted to see me, captain?"

"Yes, Tómasu, how are you doing?" He asked and then realized the door was still open. "Would you mind closing that back up?"

"Yes, captain." She quickly replied and then closed the door. "I am okay, I guess. I was just discharged." Rani added partly confused.

"Good. I heard about you being in the Squad Four barracks for treatment." Captain Hitsugaya commented as he continued with his current pile of paperwork on his desk.

"Oh, yes, both Sasaki and I were in there."

"Why?" He curtly asked. "You should have just stood guard, am I wrong?"

Rani could feel her heart racing.

"We were captain, but then Aizen showed up –"

"I kind of figured that's what happened. Who attacked first?"

"I think it was a mix of Sasaki and Aizen. I wasn't going to, but he went for a Kido attack against me and I tried to block it." She explained as she was fidgeting in her place.

Captain Hitsugaya looked up at her.

"You went up against Aizen?" He questioned partly amused.

"I had to defend myself, no? It came naturally to me to use a Bakudo spell against his Hado, even if it only half worked."

Captain Hitsugaya raised his right eyebrow in amusement and smirked before the door opened. His smirk quickly disappeared.

"Hello Matsumoto."

"Hi captain!" She greeted. "Oh, hi Miss Tómasu! Am I interrupting something?"

"No, get to your work. We're almost done here." The captain curtly answered. "One more question, Miss Tómasu, and then you can go back to your room to relax."

"Yes, sir?"

"How is Miss Sasaki?"

Rani was taken aback. Was he normally this concerned with his subordinates?

"She is recovering well. Captain Unohana mentioned to me that she might need a few more days there and then light duty back here, if possible."

"Thank you, Miss Tómasu. You may go." He replied quickly dismissing her catching his lieutenant's curious gaze as well.