Waterfall Eclipse

Poison

Chapter Forty-One:

Poison

Lieutenant Kotetsu was in Captain Kuchiki's office giving a report on Rani, at the request of Captain Hitsugaya.

"Do you have any idea why her Reiatsu fluctuates?" He asked her.

"We have no idea, Captain Kuchiki. We have healed her. She is stable and lying in her room." The lieutenant answered and then paused.

"What is it?"

"I don't want to go poking and prodding at her. It's not right, but –"

"Captain Kurotsuchi may be able to find something out." He finished.

"Possibly." She said, as there was a knock on the door.

"Come in."

The door slid open and Chiharu was there with a worried expression.

"You wanted to see me, captain?"

"Yes. Come in. And please close the door."

Chiharu did as she was told and then walked over to the two officers.

"Miss Nakano, are you aware of Miss Tómasu's condition?" The lieutenant asked her.

"Condition? Is she sick?"

"She had an ordeal this morning before her training session. It seems it's similar to what happened to her in the academy."

"Oh, I think I know what you are referring to. When those three students tried to attack her?" He nodded. "She was found two days later by Kiyomi in her dorm room sweating. Kiyomi went to get help, and got Captain Unohana instead."

"Yes, that is the one. Back then we couldn't find anything wrong, but we just stabilized her Reiatsu."

"Rani eventually told us that they apparently had a grudge because she was the class prodigy. Other than that, I don't know anything else." She said and then got quiet.

"Miss Nakano?"

"Captain, I don't know if it has anything to do with it, but could it be connected to her feelings? Her heart?" Chiharu questioned and then looked at the lieutenant. "As crazy as it sounds, since she's so confused?"

"I'll have to have a discussion with Captain Unohana about that. I am not sure Reiatsu is ever dependent on feelings of that sort."

"Tómasu could be a special case, lieutenant. I know she is powerful when confident, or severely upset in some cases."

"As we all are, am I right captain?" She retorted his comment. "This time it's different."

"Wait. Did it happen again?" Chiharu asked confused. "Was she attacked again out of nowhere?" The expression in her captain's face told her yes. "When?"

"She was waiting in the practice grounds this morning before her session. Before Captain Hitsugaya and I arrived, she was approached. We sensed a rise in a group of Reiatsu and both arrived seeing she was being confronted by three Shinigami." Captain Kuchiki explained. "She only defended herself when needed."

"Lieutenant Kotetsu?"

"Yes?"

"Could it be poison?"

"Poison?"

"Yes. Could someone have poisoned her when we were in the academy? Minute traces that are slowly affecting her?"

"Miss Nakano, are you some conspiracy theorist?"

"No, at least I don't think so captain. But if we don't know what we're looking for, we need to consider all possibilities, right?" She questioned. "Okay so each incoming academy student has a sample of their Reiatsu taken, right? Can't Squad Twelve compare a sample from back then to one of now? Maybe see if there's something different inside?"

Lieutenant Kotetsu and Captain Kuchiki looked at her puzzled, and proud.

"I'll go talk to Captain Kurotsuchi. Lieutenant, get a sample of hers from now and meet me there. Also inform Captain Unohana." Captain Kuchiki stated as he stood up. "Miss Nakano, your orders for the rest of the day are to keep an eye on Miss Tómasu."

"Yes, sir." Chiharu replied and quickly excused herself.

An hour later, Captain Kurotsuchi had everything he needed to compare samples, much to his delight.

"You know, I always wanted to analyze Miss Tómasu." He replied in his creepy sort of way as he read through the results. "Ah, there it is. Miss Nakano was right, captain. You should be proud of her instincts."

"What is it?"

"It's a poison." He stated. "It's actually called tetrodotoxin." Captain Kuchiki raised his eyebrow. "Found in pufferfish. Very minute traces, but there is some there."

"Will she heal?"

"It'll take time for her to heal on her own."

"She wasn't just given it. She's had it in her system for over a year."

"Then she's lucky she's not dead, Captain Kuchiki. If this is the amount left right now, she had a lot put into her system."

"So she'll live?"

"Oh yes, but if you want her one hundred percent now, I have the antidote right here." Captain Kurotsuchi answered as he pulled out a vile. "Here. Take it. Have her drink all of it."

Captain Kuchiki took the vile and put it into his Shihakusho.

"Do you know how she was poisoned?"

"Well, I am guessing she ingested it."

"Thank you Captain Kurotsuchi."

"Have a nice day!" The Squad Twelve captain replied.

Captain Kuchiki made his way back to Squad Six and to the girls' room.

"Hello Captain." Chiharu greeted as she saw him in the doorway.

"Any change?"

"Not since I got here. Can I ask if Captain Kurotsuchi found anything out?"

"He did. You were right. She was poisoned." He said as he handed her the vile. "Have her drink this as soon as she's awake."

"Yes sir."

"Let me know an update when possible. I am going to go talk with the Captain Commander."

"Yes sir."

An hour later Rani woke up to find Chiharu seated next to her.

"Chiharu? What happened?"

"Your Reiatsu was crazy again."

"Oh right. After I was attacked." She said as Chiharu handed her the vile. "What's this?"

"You need to drink it. Captain's orders. I don't know how it tastes, but it'll help you. I'll explain after it's gone."

Rani, although puzzled, opened the vile and drank it, cringing at the bitter taste.