Waterfall Eclipse

A Bad Decision

Chapter Fifteen:

A Bad Decision

The two weeks the girls were assigned to the Living World quickly ended, much to Umeko's delight and Rani's disappointment. During those two weeks, Urahara gave the girls a Gigai and Umeko delighted in the shopping of Karakura Town. Rani barely used hers, but she did visit and talk with Karin from time to time. The first time she ran into Karin, it turned out Karin was looking for her.

Back in the Soul Society, the girls reported in to Captain Hitsugaya. They told them about their successes in exterminating the Hollows, and once their report was finished, they headed to the room to take a nap before going to dinner.

"How was Karin when you left her?"

"She was good. She said Ichigo was happy to learn my first name finally. She was sad to know I had to come back here."

"Did you tell her you'd probably be assigned that post again?"

"Yes and she was relieved."

Two weeks later Rani was assigned a month long patrol. This time she was excited to use the Gigai Urahara had created for her. As soon as she arrived back in Karakura Town she headed to Urahara's shop to pick it up.

"Have you tried for Shikai yet?" He asked her before handing the Gigai back.

"No. I am doing what you suggested."

"Good. Here you go."

Rani took it and then switched into it.

"THANK YOU MISTER URAHARA!" She yelled as she ran out the door.

Rani went to find the Kurosaki residence, and to find Karin and Ichigo. She rang the doorbell a few times, but there was no answer.

"Can I help you?" A girl carrying two shopping bags asked.

"Oh, you must be Kurosaki Yuzu."

"Yes."

"I was wondering if your sister was home."

"Karin? She's still at school. She has a soccer game this afternoon."

"Oh, right, my time is all messed up."

"Would you like to come in and wait for her?"

"No, I'll come by later. I wanted to surprise her. It's been a while since I've seen her."

"Okay! My lips are sealed!" Yuzu replied and then headed inside.

Rani was left alone outside. She decided to walk around the town for a while and then return to the shop to put the Gigai back so she could go on duty.

She eventually did see Karin a few days later and when Rani decided she would take a break, they met up and hung out. She never saw Ichigo though, although it upset her, she didn't show it. Rani was happy to find another friend, even if she lived in the Living World.

"So, you're month is almost over."

"Yeah, it sucks."

"But you'll get to go home to the Soul Society, won't you?"

"Yes, only to go back to normal duties. But I will be anxiously waiting to come back here again."

"Yeah, maybe next time you can see Ichigo." Karin replied. "I am still amazed you never saw him in the whole month you were here! That's not like him."

"It's okay. You gave him my message the last time I was here. And it wasn't like I asked you to tell him I was back. It's partly my fault."

"Can you do me a favor when you get back?"

"Sure, I guess."

"Can you tell Hitsugaya I said hello?"

"No problem." Rani said with a smile. She's learned to not question anything anymore.

A few days later, right before she was to report to the Senkaimon location, Rani headed to the shop to drop off the Gigai.

"Ah, Rani, good to see you."

"Hello Mister Urahara. I came to drop this off again."

"Okay, just set it on the table. I'll take care of it in a little bit. Have a safe trip back." He said with a grin.

Rani smiled back and then left. She was back in the Soul Society a few minutes later. She again made her report to the captain, who listened with half opened ears, or at least that's what she thought.

"Oh, captain, before I forget, I have a message for you."

"From who?"

Rani smiled. He was still looking down at the papers on his desk.

"Kurosaki Karin says hello. That was it." She said and then left the office.

Rani then quickly hurried to the library to find anything on the one word clue that Urahara gave her. She found it in a dictionary of all places.

"Jinzen. Noun. Blade zen or sword meditation Shinigami use to achieve Shikai." Rani read quietly out loud to herself. "So meditation, huh? Sounds easy enough."

Now that Rani knew what it meant, she made her way back to her dorm to sleep. She found a letter from the captain waiting for her.

"Tómasu, You left my office too soon. You have three days leave starting tomorrow. Rest tonight and enjoy. Don't be late coming back, either. Captain Hitsugaya." She read out loud. "Oops!"

Rani made arrangements for her leave to be allowed in the Living World and she quickly made her way in the morning to the Senkaimon to get there.

Once she arrived, she decided to not swing by the Kurosaki residence or Urahara's shop. Instead, she went west to the mountains and found a quiet place to camp out.

She sat herself down with her Asauchi and meditated.

"I do not think you realize what you are trying to do at such a young age." A woman's voice stated.

"I know, but I truly do think knowing Shikai will help me fight. I was at a disadvantage when I was attacked by Aizen."

"Disadvantage or not, knowing Shikai comes with trusting one another."

"Do you not trust me?"

"I never said that I didn't trust you. I just think you have a lot of growing to do, so do not use me in battle until I say you are ready. I am only allowing this to go this far because you are adamant and stubborn like me."

"So, you will tell me your name and command?" Rani asked confused and worried.

"Yes. My command is 'Rush'. My name is Taki Nisshoku. You may practice with it now, but do not let it overwhelm you."

"I understand."

"Good. Now try."

Rani came out of the meditation. She blinked a few times before realizing she was awake so she stood up with her Asauchi in her hands.

"Okay, here it goes." She said and then focused her energy. "Rush - Taki Nisshoku." Her blade transformed into a flowing water whip before her eyes. She moved her arms and wrists to try to get it around a tree trunk in front of her, only to have it backfire and wrap around herself. The water started to emit electric pulses rendering her weak and immobile. She collapsed slowly to the ground. "Now that's just wrong." She thought out loud as she lost consciousness.