Waterfall Eclipse

Shikai

Chapter Twenty-Five:

Shikai

Rani quickly followed Lieutenant Abarai after bowing to Captain Kuchiki.

"So, you're in our squad now? Is that right?"

"Yes."

"Why? Was it so bad with Captain Hitsugaya that you wanted to leave? Is he that bad of a captain?" Rani stopped walking. "What is it?"

"I know you're a lieutenant, but please forgive me when I say this – please don't talk like you know anything about me. Or when I was in Squad Ten. Or what it is like being under Captain Hitsugaya's command. I am trying to move on from there, starting fresh here."

"Sorry." He replied as she started to follow him again.

He introduced her to the Squad Ten Seventh Seat, Okada Yumiko, where she took over from there.

"So, welcome to Squad Six."

"Thank you Seventh –"

"Just call me Yumiko. I have always hated that 'Seventh Seat' stuff. Only do it while in the company of the captain, lieutenant, and other seated officers, whom I'll introduce you to."

"Okay, you can call me Rani then." She said with a smile. "Is Chiharu here?"

"Oh, you two know each other?"

"Yes. We graduated together from the academy."

"She's probably working at the moment." She answered. "You know what, let me see if she has a roommate. She may be solo right now, and if you'd want to room with her I can make it happen."

"That would be great, if it's possible." Rani replied with a smile.

The two made it to the end of the building with the office was. Yumiko went through the room assignment file to see if Chiharu was in a room with anyone.

"Ah! You're in luck! Her roommate moved in with someone else about a month ago. I can't remember that, but it's great news for you. Follow me."

Rani complied and followed her to the third floor.

"This is your room. I think she's commandeered the left side, so you can have the right side." Yumiko explained as the two walked in. "Now we have rules – they always have to be clean. The captain has us do random checks."

"Okay. No problem." Rani said as she looked around. "Do I have a desk?"

"Ask Chiharu. She may have moved it somewhere."

"Okay."

"Let me give you the grand tour of the barracks. It's set up slightly different than every other squad's."

Rani followed her around learning where everything was. After getting a meal, Rani headed back to the room to relax.

"Rani? Is that really you? Are you really in Squad Six now?" She was bombarded with questions when she walked in the room.

"Hi Chiharu!" Rani greeted as she was embraced in a hug. "Yes, it's me. Yes, I am in Squad Six now."

"We have to sit down right now and talk. I need to know why and how."

"So you want the whole story?"

"Yes, and don't leave out any details." Chiharu said eagerly.

Rani smiled as she sat down as she started. An hour later Rani was done talking.

"So, Shikai?"

"Yes, I have mine. I am not great at it, but I have found out how to get it."

"Whatever you do, don't tell me. We're supposed to find out on our own. Captain Kuchiki is really adamant about that."

"I won't." Rani replied. "What's it like being in this squad?"

"It's not bad. We have our duties in the squad, and have scheduled training sessions throughout the grounds for the subjects. Captain Kuchiki wants us to keep at it so we don't get rusty."

"That's good. The same went for Squad Ten." Rani replied as there was a knock on their door.

"I'll get it. You're wrapped up in the blanket like a burrito." Chiharu said as she got up. When she opened the door another Squad Ten member greeted her with a letter for Rani. "Thank you Michio. I'll give it to her."

Chiharu handed Rani the envelope.

"It's from the captain." Rani said puzzled. "'Tómasu, please come to my office at nine o'clock in the morning. We have business to discuss'."

"That's his fancy way of saying he needs to give you your work duty and schedule for the practicing. It's not so bad."

"Well, if that's all it is, I'm okay with that." Rani said with a smile.

In the morning Rani got up with Chiharu, who walked with her to the captain's office.

"I hope you're not nervous."

"No, for some reason I can talk to him no problem. I just can't talk to Captain Hitsugaya. I get all hot and my hands sweat like I am nervous."

"Oh. My. God. I think I know why, but I'll talk to you later about it. I have to get to work before I get in trouble."

Rani smiled as her friend ran off. She then knocked on the captain's office door and opened it when directed to.

"Good morning Captain Kuchiki." She greeted in a small bow.

"Miss Tómasu, have a seat. I'll be right with you." A few moments later he got up from his seat and walked over to her. "This," he said as he handed her a piece of paper, "Is the schedule you will need to follow, unless I direct you otherwise."

"Yes, sir." She replied as she glanced at it. "What does 'S.T.' stand for?"

"I'll tell you in a minute. How was your first night?"

"Oh, it was fine captain. I was roomed with Nakano Chiharu, whom I know from the academy."

"That's good." He said as he stood up. "Come with me. Keep up."

Rani stood up and followed him. She then realized he was about to shunpo somewhere and she kept up with him to the Squad Six practice grounds.

"Now, 'S.T.' stands for Shikai Training, which you will be doing here with either myself, Lieutenant Abarai, or Lieutenant Kuchiki if she can fill in." He explained as the latter two appeared. This also caused Rani's eyes to widen in surprise.

"Shikai training, captain?"

"Yes. Are you afraid?"

"No. Just surprised is all." Rani lied.

"So, let us see it."

This made Rani worried. She pulled out her Asauchi and let it transform into her katana Zanpakuto. She focused her energy before calling.

"Rush – Taki Nisshoku." Her zanpakuto transformed into the water whip.

"Now that's a different zanpakuto Shikai." Lieutenant Abarai commented.

"What does it do?" Lieutenant Kuchiki inquired.

"Emits electric pulses at the opponent." Rani answered as the captain approached her. "But I haven't figured out how to whip it so it doesn't attach itself to me and electrocute me."

"That is something we will work on first then." Lieutenant Kuchiki stated.