Waterfall Eclipse

Back to the Grind

Chapter Nineteen:

Back To The Grind

Rani and Kiyomi talked for the rest of the day to catch up and other things. After they ate, Kiyomi headed back to Squad Five leaving Rani to head to her room alone.

"Hey Umeko! How was work today?"

"Boring without you there." She answered. "But I got what needed to be done finished."

"Hollow?"

"Three."

"Konso?"

"Five."

"Impressive."

"Thank you." Umeko stated as she stood up. "I know you already ate with your friend, so I am going to head out now. I'll be back soon." She added and then walked out the door. "Oh, hi, Lieutenant Matsumoto." Umeko said surprised as she almost walked into her.

"Is Tómasu in there?"

"Yes, go ahead in. Rani! The lieutenant is here for you."

"Thanks! Come on in Lieutenant Matsumoto. I'll be right with you."

"Tómasu, this letter..."

Rani stopped what she was doing and came out from the back room.

"Lieutenant, I was serious when I wrote that. I can't let you lie to the captain on my behalf."

"Tómasu, I really don't think it's a good idea. I know you feel guilty, but this letter you wrote me, it's not necessary to – "

"I know you are looking out for me. I should have just flat out told him I wanted to try for my Shikai and see if he would assign someone to help me. I did it the wrong way, and I suffered, and my work, and I was injured. I need to own up to my actions. I need to tell him how sorry I am for being a pain."

"But you seriously think you aren't worthy of being a Shinigami under him?"

"I don't think I am worthy of being a Shinigami at all. I am no good. I was a better person before I met Captain Kyouraku back four years ago. I was happy then. I don't think I am happy now." She said then paused. "And I know I shouldn't base this whole thing on my happiness, but – "

"You're feeling like you don't belong here."

"In a way, yes. Although I know with the level of power I have, resigning from the Gotei 13 may put me in the Maggot's Nest."

"No, you have to be a criminal for that sweetie. You're good, and you should stay. Try and work this whole thing out. Find a new reason for being in the Gotei 13."

"I guess that will all depend on the captain." Rani replied as she pulled out the letter for him. "Can you give this to him? Tell him I'll come tomorrow at one o'clock?"

"Oh, sure I'll take it, but tomorrow he has a meeting with the Captain Commander at one. I don't know what time it will be over. Can you come at eleven?" She said as she stood up and walked to the door.

"I want to go back to doing my work. I've missed too many days."

"Okay, I'll tell him to come find you after the meeting, so I'll give him the letter right before he goes to the meeting with the Captain Commander."

"Lieutenant?"

"Yes?"

"Please don't tell him about your letter." Rani pleaded.

"I won't. This is your decision. I know my place."

"Thank you."

Lieutenant Matsumoto left and put the letter in her Shihakusho as she was leaving. Rani eventually fell asleep and was woken up by Umeko the following morning.

"Huh? What?"

"Come on! Captain Hitsugaya just called a special meeting with everyone. We need to get to the main grounds. We're going to be late."

"Oh okay." Rani said as she sat up.

The two girls made their way and lined up in their designated spots.

"Everyone's here now, Captain Hitsugaya." Lieutenant Matsumoto stated once she saw the girls slip into their lines.

"Good." He replied as he looked around. "I have a minor announcement to make. We are going to be increasing our practice and training in all of the arts in our barracks. A new schedule will be posted in two days. When you get back to your rooms, you will each have an assigned color, which will then distinguish your new schedule. Everyone will be helping by doing many different jobs around the barracks, and I do mean everyone. That is all. You are excused."

"Was that it? That was lame." Umeko joked. "You would think it would have been something more urgent, like an attack or something."

"Umeko, please don't joke about that. Maybe it's in reference to something that's coming." Rani stated as Lieutenant Matsumoto ran up to them.

"Tómasu, I will be giving the letter to him right before he leaves for the one o'clock meeting. Want me to say anything when I give it to him?"

"Just that I wanted him to read it before I spoke with him, and since he was about to go to a meeting, that he could find me later."

"Sure thing!"

Rani and Umeko then headed off to do their chores. Three hours later, the clock tower chimed for noon. On their walk back, Rani saw Captain Hitsugaya with a piece of paper in his hand and hoped it was her letter to him. She hurried along before he caught wind of her and went back to filing in the back office with Umeko.

~~Three Hours Later~~

Captain Hitsugaya left the meeting with the Captain Commander and the other captains alone. He walked carefully as he read her letter again, and again.

"Dear Captain Hitsugaya,

I am not comfortable talking with you for some reason, and frankly have never been, so I am usually short and to the point. I feel I can better express myself in a letter with physical words, so I hope you do not mind.

After I went up against Aizen, I was eager to get stronger. The only way I knew how was to obtain Shikai, and then eventually Bankai. Although I searched and asked around, I received no help here at Squad Ten. However, Urahara Kisuke, when I was on patrol for a month in the Living World, eventually gave me a one-word clue. When I got back, while on leave, I attempted to obtain it. I was partly able to, but it drained me. You are aware of my state, as Sasaki Umeko was the one that found me and had Squad Four bring me to their barracks for treatment.

I need to apologize for lying. I did not suffer a bump on the head, which Lieutenant Matsumoto suggested. She did not want me to get into trouble for trying Shikai without consent or support from anyone, especially you. Sasaki was convinced to not tell you what she had originally told Lieutenant Matsumoto, which was that she saw my Zanpakuto in its Shikai form. Lieutenant Matsumoto actually suggested that I train with her behind your back as well. After a day, I have decided that I cannot willfully do this. It is lying to you, and I am ashamed of all of the lying I have done regarding this whole situation.

I understand if you do not think me worthy of being your subordinate and being in your squad. I honestly do not think I am worthy of being a Shinigami anymore if I have already started to act deceitfully so soon after graduating from the academy. I may have let the attention I gathered while being in the academy get to my head, but that is no reason to act as I have. I am not sure what is to come of me now, whether it be disciplined by you, or anyone else. I am truthfully wondering if I should ask about the possibility of resigning my low post on your squad and see if I can go back home. I do not feel like I fit in here, or should be here.

Again, I am sorry for lying. I thought Lieutenant Matsumoto was right, even if her intentions were good she took the wrong actions. Please do not punish her for looking out for me.

Come find me if you want to talk. You know where I usually go.

Sincerely,

Your subordinate,

Tómasu Rani"