Waterfall Eclipse

Squad One

Chapter Sixty-Five:

Squad One

Rani and Lieutenant Abarai followed Captain Hitsugaya to Squad One. Outside the door, they were met by the other captains and lieutenants as well.

"I'm the only Third Seat here." Rani said scared, feeling a bit intimidated.

"Don't be. You need to be here, since it pertains to you." Captain Hitsugaya commented. "Follow me in, and stand behind Captain Kuchiki." She nodded as she nervously followed her lieutenant.

The captains filed in line, as did the lieutenants. Rani stood behind Lieutenant Abarai closer to the wall.

"I called everyone here regarding a serious matter." Captain Commander Yamamoto began. I have received a notification from Captain Kuchiki regarding the behavior of one of his officers. It seems that he has not only invaded the privacy of a couple, but he has also admitted to helping in the attempted murder of Squad Six Third Seat Tómasu Rani while she was attending the Shin'o Academy."

Captain Sui Feng stepped forward.

"Captain, what does this have to do with all of us?"

"It is because of what Fourth Seat Katayama said to Captain Kuchiki and Captain Hitsugaya while in the Squad Six office." He said then paused as he looked at Fourth Seat Katayama. "Yes, I know what you said about how Tómasu should not be in the Third Seat. I also know that this thinking makes many believe that you are, in fact, sexist." The Captain Commander stated. Katayama's eyes got wide. "Do you have something to say?" He stayed quiet. "Well, then, do you think yourself a wise and respected Fourth Seat officer who knows his place?"

"Yes sir."

"Then enlighten us here as to why you did not bite your tongue regarding the affairs of someone's love life? As to why you saw fit to expose a secret that would not have harmed the Gotei 13 if it was still under wraps?"

"I thought it was deceitful of Third Seat Tómasu to be sneaking around our captain's back." Katayama stated. "Isn't being deceitful also unbecoming of an officer?" He questioned as he looked towards Rani.

"When it is in regards of the Gotei 13, then yes. If it is of a personal nature, then I will say no. Dating someone is personal, not business." The Captain Commander replied as he approached Katayama. "Do you have a grudge against Tomasu, Katayama?"

The question caught everyone by surprise, even Rani, especially since it came out of his mouth. But what surprised everyone more was Katayama's calm response.

"Yes."

"Care to enlighten us?"

"It's as I told Captain Kuchiki. I deserve to be by his and Lieutenant Abarai's side, and be in the Third Seat. It should have been me that was promoted there. Not her. Not some fresh into the squad, recently graduated girl who thinks she's better than everyone else."

"Ah, there it is. He's admitting he's sexist." Rani thought to herself.

The Captain Commander nodded his head as he turned around towards the other end of the room.

"Katayama, how many captains are in this room?"

"Eleven sir." He replied confused.

"How many of them are female?"

"Two sir."

"And how many lieutenants are present?"

"Thirteen sir."

"And how many of them are female?"

"Seven, sir." Rani formed a grin at his answer.

"So, out of twenty-six top two positions, a third of them are female, am I correct?"

"Yes sir?"

"Do you not think it wise to keep your sexist opinions to yourself?"

"I am not sexist sir. I just do not - "

"Don't lie and don't try to deny that you are sexist. Everyone here can see it. You do not approve of a woman holding a higher position than you." He calmly stated as he walked over to where Captain Kuchiki was standing. "Third Seat Tómasu, please step forward." Rani jolted in her place but then made her way forward and stood next to Captain Kuchiki when she was motioned to stop. "Now, Katayama, do you feel that your Shikai is more powerful than Tómasu's?"

A grin formed on his face while a worried expression formed on hers.

"Yes. I do."

"Well, then. I will give you your chance to prove it. Just once. Squad One's practice field in two hours. You will go against Tómasu in a one on one battle. Then, if you should win, you may pick any other female lieutenant or captain and go against them if they agree to it."

"And if I lose?"

"Simple. You apologize profusely to all of the women in this room, how they see fit." He said then looked at Rani before continuing. "And you lose your position in Squad Six."

Rani's eyes got wide with surprise, but she also wanted to bust out laughing. He had a Shikai, but was told once before that it's not as powerful as he thought it was.

"Do you agree?"

"What if I win? What will happen with her? Does she stay in the Third Seat?"

"I will consider switching her into Fourth Seat." Captain Kuchiki stated speaking before the Captain Commander.

"I can accept that." Katayama replied then turned forward. "I accept Captain Commander Yamamoto."

"Very well then. Prepare yourselves for this battle. I will see you in two hours. This meeting is adjourned. Everyone may return to their squads, but feel free to come back for the battle."

Katayama ran off to go back to Squad Six as soon as they were out of Squad One.

"Anything you need?" Lieutenant Abarai asked Rani.

"Captain, can my friends see this?"

"Yes."

"I'll go find Miss Nakano and inform her." Lieutenant Abarai stated as Lieutenants Hinamori and Matsumoto approached.

"I will see you in a little while." Captain Kuchiki stated and then left.

"Can you two ladies tell Kiyomi and Umeko?"

"Sure thing!" Lieutenant Matsumoto answered.

"Boy, he's in for it!"

"Actually, I am thinking of throwing the battle."

"WHAT?" Lieutenant Matsumoto yelled.

"I want to see him battle one of you...and lose miserably. That would be a sight to see, don't you think?"

"I really hope you're joking." Captain Hitsugaya said from behind the lieutenants.

"Well, partly. It would be nice to see him take on Captain Unohana or Sui Feng." Rani joked.

"What's your plan for the next two hours?" He asked.

"Meditating in the Squad One practice field. Not much else I can do to mentally prepare myself for this." Rani answered.