Waterfall Eclipse

Recovery

Chapter Twenty-Three:

Recovery

Squad Four came and brought Rani back to their barracks and put her in their intensive care department, where Captain Unohana and Lieutenant Kotetsu worked diligently on her for a couple of hours.

Meanwhile, Lieutenant Matsumoto caught up with the others, told them she found her and called Squad Four to help.

"Then I guess it's time to go back." Captain Hitsugaya replied. "Lieutenant, you should be there when Tómasu wakes up. I am going to talk to the Captain Commander."

"Yes sir." She replied and made her way to Squad Four where she ran into Lieutenant Kotetsu.

"She's not doing well, Rangiku. She's stable, but it will be a long time before she wakes up. This is worse than the last time. What is going on with her?"

"Last time was an accident as she was learning her Shikai. This time, I think she tried to kill herself."

"Oh, no. That's not good. Should we remove her Asauchi from the room?"

"No, just put it out of arms reach if possible."

"Will do. I'll get right on that. You should go back. If there are any changes, I'll come get you personally."

"Okay. Thank you."

Lieutenant Matsumoto left and headed back to the Squad Ten barracks.

Captain Hitsugaya made his way to the Squad One barracks where he was granted a meeting with the Captain Commander.

"Captain Hitsugaya, Lieutenant Hinamori has told me everything from her side. Are you here to tell me everything from yours regarding Tómasu Rani?"

"Yes sir." He answered. "But first, I think you should read something."

"Give it here."

Captain Hitsugaya walked over to him at his desk and handed him the letter Rani had written to him.

"Now explain."

"I finally talked with Tómasu about the letter and during the conversation I ended up telling her she could have two weeks off to finalize her decision on whether or not she would stay in Squad Ten or leave the Gotei 13 completely. I realize now that it was not my choice, but seeing the enjoyment in her face when she talked about what she did before going to the academy kind of broke my heart."

"Ah, so our ice captain does have a heart." The Captain Commander teased. "It may not have officially been your decision to give her that long of a leave for that reason, but I completely agree with you on it. You were well within your right to do so. I am not angry with you, but you must be mindful of your subordinates a little better from now on. This is the duty of all of my captains."

"Understood, sir."

"As far as her Shikai, has anyone witnessed it?"

"Possibly her brother, as far as we can tell, but he's not talking. He didn't tell us where she was."

"All right then. I will have someone go and get him."

"Ask Kiyomi from Squad Five, sir. She knows him the longest besides Tómasu."

"Will do. Thank you Captain Hitsugaya. That will be all."

He left and made his way slowly back to his squad. He paused outside the doors for Squad Four, debating on whether or not he should go in. He decided not to and kept on walking, where again he stopped outside of Squad Five when the doors open.

"Lieutenant Hinamori." He said partly shocked.

"Captain Hitsugaya."

"Do you have a minute?"

"Sure. I was going to see how Rani was, but it's fine."

"I am sorry for yelling at you before. I guess you were telling the truth that I did not want to hear and I took it out on you."

"It's okay Shir-Captain Hitsugaya." She caught herself again. She was trying to do better. "I was out of line, completely. I have my own problems to deal with and Rani was a nice distraction, however small it was."

"Your heart was in the right place. Mine is not because it's all ice."

"But I think Rani is thawing it. You care for her, more than you care to show. I can see it, and so can Rangiku."

"She's told you too?"

"She told a bunch of us how you had her spying on the poor girl in school. Really, captain? Was that really the best idea? It could have backfired on you."

"I know. I told her and apologized to her back when she said she wanted to be in my squad. I am now wishing she chose yours or the third. Maybe being under me isn't the best thing for her."

"That's up to you, but if you choose to transfer her to my squad, she would be more than welcome. And I know of another North District 59 person who would be happy to have her in Squad Five."

"I will think about it, Lieutenant Hinamori. Thank you for the talk." He said and then continued on.

Lieutenant Hinamori made her way back to Squad Four to check in on Rani. She also chose to sit down with her for a while to pass the time while she filled out some paperwork.

Yasuo was brought before the Captain Commander the next morning. He was questioned about Rani's Shikai. At first he didn't want to say anything, but eventually told the Captain Commander everything at the encouragement of Kiyomi and out of fear of the Captain Commander. Once he was finished Kiyomi brought him by to see his sister with the permission of the Captain Commander.

"Who is this, Miss Kiyomi?"

"This, Captain Unohana, is her brother, Yasuo."

"Well, young man. You may sit for a little while, but we'll be doing another healing round on her and you'll have to leave."

"I am okay with that." He replied.

Kiyomi left him in there alone with her while she watched from the door. About an hour later, he was brought back home.

A week after she was found unconscious she was moving around the Squad Four medical unit slowly has she regained her Reiatsu. Other than her required exercise, she mainly kept to herself in her room, refusing any and all visitors. There was only one person she allowed in her room when she was feeling better, and that was the Captain Commander, who had sent a letter requesting to visit.

"My dear Miss Tómasu," he started as he sat down next to her, "Although everyone here is proud of you for attaining Shikai at such a young age, you have caused quite a bit of trouble recently. I do hope you realize that."

"I do. I am sorry." She managed to spit out.

"You need to think about what you want to do. Captain Hitsugaya was honest when he said in those two weeks you could decide what you want to do: stay in the Gotei 13 or go back home. I know we have our rules and policies, but there are some rules that are made to be broken on occasion. So, I leave the choice up to you. Once you are healed, please come see me."

"Yes, sir." She answered as a tear came out of her left eye.

The Captain Commander left her room and Captain Unohana walked in to perform another healing session. Fifteen minutes later she finished.

"Anything I can get you?"

"Can you get me paper and pen and ink?"

"Sure, I'll get Isane to bring some to you."

"Thank you Captain Unohana."

"You're welcome, my dear."