Waterfall Eclipse

Patrol

Chapter Twenty-Six:

Patrol

Rani's training was progressing well under the watchful eye of Captain Kuchiki Byakuya. She followed her schedule to the minute and made sure she did not upset the captain by being late to anything. After a month, he sent her with Chiharu to the Living World for a 48-hour patrol.

"I wonder how this is going to go."

"I am not worried."

"Yeah, because you have an awesome Shikai. I've got my Asauchi still. It's ridiculous."

"Chiharu, seriously? It's not that bad."

"So, I hear the captain has been praising you in front of some of the other captains, including Hitsugaya." She teased.

"I still can't believe you thought I was getting that way because I had a crush on him."

"Yeah, but even you got wide-eyed when I mentioned it. Like you were in disbelief."

"He was my captain. I admired him for his talent. He was a prodigy too, you know."

"And the fact that he looks the same age as us doesn't hurt. He is dreamy, even if he has stark white hair. It's his eyes that get me."

"CHIHARU!" Rani said in disbelief as she started to laugh and then suddenly stopped. She saw Kurosaki Karin.

"You should go and talk to her. Tell her a quick summary of what happened to you."

"You're right. I'll be back."

"Besides, maybe she knows where we can stay."

"Crap! I'll go get my Gigai from Urahara first. Maybe she can take me to see her brother."

Chiharu laughed as her friend bolted away. Rani swung by Urahara's shop to pick up her Gigai. She did not stay long though before making her way back to where Karin was.

"KARIN!" She yelled as she made her way over to her.

"Rani? Is that really you? It's been so long."

"Sorry. I have a lot to tell you. Know some place we can sit?"

"Sure. Come to my house." Karin said with a grin.

Rani followed her and eventually started to tell her about what she did, how she got injured, and how she wasn't under Captain Hitsugaya's command anymore.

"Seriously? Wow. That sucks though. I lost my 'in' to him."

"Sorry. It happened fast, and I was completely stupid."

"What happens to a Shinigami who commits suicide?"

"I have no idea. I may have been the first to try." Rani joked as someone came through the front door.

"ICHIGO! We have a guest so please be nice." Yuzu commented as she cooked their dinner.

Ichigo walked in and stopped in his tracks.

"Hi Tómasu." He eventually greeted. "What brings you here?"

"Work." She replied. "And I thought I told Karin to tell you my name."

"She did. Your last name was the first thing to pop into my head." He admitted as he sat down. "How have you been?"

"Oh you know, almost dead, revived, changed squads."

"Changed? You switched? Why?"

"A lot of inner turmoil. But I am in Squad Six now with Captain Kuchiki and Lieutenant Abarai."

"Oh, so Byakuya and Renji – are they happy about it?"

"I would like to think so, and your manners are still atrocious."

"Are you staying for dinner, Rani?" Yuzu asked. "We have plenty."

"Oh, well, I wasn't planning on it. I have somewhere to be. Thanks, but I'll have to decline."

"That's okay. Come and visit again!"

"Sure thing." Rani said as she got up. "I don't know when that will be though. I am only here for two days."

Karin walked her to the door and out.

Rani brought her Gigai back to Urahara's shop and then went back on patrol.

"Any reports?"

"Nope. Not yet. This might be a boring patrol."

"I'm counting on it." Rani joked. "I could use a relaxing day after my intense training session yesterday with the lieutenant."

"What did he do?"

"In Shikai training? He used his on me. Not fun, or nice."

"But that's how you're supposed to get better, right?"

"Yes, and I have now that I can control the whip."

"What about Lieutenant Kuchiki?"

"She's awesome. She doesn't like to go one on one with me if she can help it. I know her routine, so I am getting better at beating her."

"I heard she achieved Bankai."

"She did. She won't show anyone yet. I don't know if I want to see it."

The girls continued to talk to pass the time. When their two days were over they headed back to the Senkaimon and returned to the Soul Society and gave their bland report to the captain. Chiharu was excused, but Rani was asked to stay for a moment.

"Shikai training in two hours, Tómasu."

"Yes, sir."

"Today, you will be training with me."

She nodded and then left the room. She caught up with Chiharu.

"The captain is doing the training with me today. Should I be worried?"

"Maybe?" Chiharu replied unsure. "How long?"

"I have two hours."

"I'd say go to the field and get your head in the game, but that's just me." She teased. "But let's get some food first."

Rani smiled and let out a small laugh. The two made their way to a restaurant outside of the Squad Six barracks, where they saw Captain Hitsugaya having a meal with Lieutenant Hinamori.

"Well, it's nice to see Captain Hitsugaya out and about." Chiharu commented. "Jealous he's eating with Lieutenant Hinamori?"

"Seriously Chiharu? I told you I do not have a crush on him."

"You just won't admit it. But, did Lieutenant Hinamori change her hairstyle? Usually isn't it in a bun?"

"She did. She cut it. It looks good on her." Rani replied realizing Chiharu was right.

"I wonder if I should do that? My hair is obnoxiously long."

"You don't have the face for that style." Rani teased as the waiter came.

After their meal, Rani headed to the practice field to see if it was in use. Luckily for her, it wasn't and she found a place in the middle to perform Jinzen.