Waterfall Eclipse

Aiborikiba

Chapter Seventy-Six:

Aiborikiba

Rani sat and waited while Chiharu hopefully managed to obtain her Shikai. She debated on whether or not she should meditate with her own to pass the time, knowing that Taki Nisshoku would tell her when someone was approaching, but she decided not to.

It took Chiharu two hours to complete her meditation. Once she was finished, she slowly opened her eyes.

"So?"

"It took a while, but I was able to convince my zanpakuto that I was worthy."

"And? Can I see?"

Chiharu hesitated.

"Sure?" She said as she stood up and held the Asauchi by the hilt. She took a nervous deep breath and called, "Bite – Aiborikiba."

Rani watched in awe as her Asauchi transformed in her hand to a katana immediately, and then as it split into thousands of small ivory slivers and impaled the small tree the attack was aimed at. Some pieces of the tree fell off, like a tree limb here and there.

"Wow." Rani managed to sputter out. "That's...uh..."

"Crazy." Chiharu finished. "I didn't realize it could do that. At least not that bad."

"It's like Senbonzakura's Shikai." Rani realized. "Imagine if the two of you used your Shikai's at the same time."

"That would be horrible."

"For the enemy, sure." Rani said with a grin. "Makes me wonder if your Bankai will be the same as well."

"I am not ready to go up against my zanpakuto for my Bankai yet. Don't push it."

"Don't worry. I won't." She said and the paused. "I don't think there's much I need to work with you on this. You aimed it really well. And it didn't backfire."

"So, now what?"

"Now we head back to the office. Wait for the captain and lieutenant to return."

"But shouldn't you have at least tried to spar with me?"

"Shit. If I don't attempt that the captain will not be pleased." Rani said scratching her head.

"Don't worry about it." A calm voice said behind causing the girls to turn around.

"Captain Kuchiki!" Chiharu said in surprise.

"Your Shikai did that?" Lieutenant Abarai questioned as he went up to the tree. He received a timid nod. "Damn."

"We'll worry about official Shikai training after this impending war." The captain started. "Tómasu, I want you to go now to spend time with my daughter for the rest of the day. I don't know when you'll be able to see her next."

"Yes, sir." Rani replied and then left the practice grounds.

The captain turned his attention to Chiharu.

"Abarai, practice with her for two hours. I'll be in the office."

"Yes, sir." He said as the captain walked away. He then turned to Chiharu who was looking at him with a puzzled expression. "You okay?"

"Didn't he just say that he'd worry about training me officially later?"

"Yes. He does that sometimes. But this is just practice. He wants me to see how well you are with aiming and your strength."

"Oh."

"Come with me. Help me get some target models."

"Yes, sir."

While the lieutenant was working with Chiharu, Rani went to her quarters to pick up Lily's birthday gift and then made her way to the Kuchiki Manor and was let in by Lord Kuchiki.

"What brings you here, Miss Tómasu?"

"Sorry I am not in a kimono." She apologized bowing. "Captain Kuchiki told me to come to see Lily."

"Because of the war that is coming?"

"Yes." Rani answered sadly.

"She's in her lessons right now, but I think we can manage canceling them for the day."

"Actually, can I secretly watch her?"

"If you wish. Follow me."

Rani obeyed and followed him to one of the buildings on the grounds. Lord Kuchiki left Rani there and headed to continue his business. She stayed out of Lily's sight and watched her walking with two books on her head. The instructor saw Rani, but Rani immediately signaled to not make her presence known.

Twenty minutes later, Lily was excused and she headed out the door bumping into Rani.

"RANI!" She screeched. "What are you doing here? Is everything all right?"

"Yes. Everything is fine." Rani said with a smile as she hugged Lily.

"How are you? Are you all healed from that battle?"

"Kind of. My head still hurts, but it will go away."

"You have to tell me about your vacation, but first let's go to the gardens. Everything is blooming so nicely."

Lily led Rani to the gardens where they sat down at a bench near the small pond. A servant brought the girls a small lunch.

"Mister Hiroshi made me three more kimonos."

"Three? That's a lot! How many do you have now?"

"Thirteen." Lily answered sheepishly. "I think it's too much, but two of them are for special occasions."

"Actually, doesn't Captain Kuchiki have an event coming up?"

"Yes. Are you coming?"

"If this war –"

"War? What war?" Lily choked.

"Oh shit! I probably shouldn't have mentioned it."

"Rani?"

"Don't say a word to anyone that I am telling you this."

"I promise."

"There's an enemy that has started to attack the soul society. As it stands right now, we don't know who it is, what they want, or why they even want to attack us. I do know that Captain Commander Yamamoto authorized Urahara Kisuke to devise a way for Kurosaki Ichigo to get his Shinigami powers back. And if he did that, he is expecting to need all the help he can get."

"Did it work? Kurosaki getting his powers back?"

"As far as I know, yes."

"So, with you being a Third Seat, will you have to battle as well?"

"Most likely. But that's why I am here now. To spend time with you." Rani answered as she reached into her Shihakusho and pulled out a small box. She handed it to Lily. "I know it's early, but Happy Birthday!"