Waterfall Eclipse

Sternritter

Chapter Seventy-Nine:

Sternritter

At one point, Rani had passed out due to the stress; leaving the girls to stand guard over both her and the post she was originally at. The girls took shifts and first outside guard shift consisted of Chiharu and Umeko while Kiyomi stayed with an unconscious Third Seat.

"So, your captain?"

"Rani said she could no longer feel his presence, which means he's most likely dead. Lieutenant Abarai wasn't that far behind."

"So she'll be captain when this is all over?"

"She might be. She does have a Shikai, and I have no doubt that she'd pass the test."

"But?"

"She's not mentally sound to even think about it. She can't even issue orders right now. This whole thing is insane."

"I don't know what's worse though. A dead captain or a zombie captain."

"If anything, Captain Kurotsuchi will figure out a cure for that, if he hasn't already."

"You think my zombie captain is going up against him?"

"Yes. He was walking over that way."

"I think all of the battles went away from us." Umeko observed.

"We're probably not worth the enemy's time." Kiyomi stated startling the two.

"Where's Rani?"

"Out cold. I needed some fresh air." She answered. "Anything new?"

"I can't feel the Captain Commander's pressure." Chiharu noted. "He is one of the few I can feel, and I don't feel him anymore anywhere."

"This is bad." Umeko noted.

"Let's go back to Rani. See if she's awake, and if she is we need to figure out a plan." Chiharu suggested.

The two followed her and went back into the hiding place. They found Rani sitting up and alert.

"I am such a pathetic excuse for a Third Seat." She said as her friend's approached.

"No, you're not. Just because you aren't as emotionless as our captain, doesn't mean you're bad. It was a shock to all of us."

"But now we need you." Kiyomi stated in addition to Chiharu's comment.

"I know." Rani quietly stated as she stood up. "We need to get back and stand guard. It's what the captain would have wanted us to do."

The girls agreed and they carefully made their way to the top and retook their posts.

"Third Seat Tómasu!" someone yelled from the ground.

"Yes?"

"We have no idea what to do."

"Do what the captain originally told you to do. If that is no longer an option, just find a spot to defend yourselves and stay alive."

"Yes ma'am." He said and then left.

"There's our bossy Third Seat." Chiharu teased.

"In all reality, that was just plain common sense. I shouldn't have had to tell him the obvious choice." Rani stated as a Sternritter showed up out of nowhere.

"Ah, new victims. Who's first?" He asked as he armed himself.

"Chiharu, I don't care if you hit me in the process, but let's kick this guy's ass. Kiyomi and Umeko get out of the way." Rani barked as she drew her blade. "Rush – Taki Nisshoku."

"Bite – Aiborikiba." Chiharu said at the same time as Rani said her command.

The two zanpakuto Shikai attacks ended up cooperating with each other and severely damaged the Sternritter in front of them. Rani became a slight victim when Aiborikiba's fragments hit her arms and legs, but she held onto Taki Nisshoku with all of her might.

The girls then started to double team the enemy with Zanjutsu attacks, much like that had rehearsed.

The enemy was able to slice Rani's stomach deep and get Chiharu a couple of times in the legs and arms. He pushed Chiharu down causing her to hit her head on a rock, which knocked her unconscious. He then focused on Rani by picking her up by her Shihakusho and then throwing her far away. Rani hit a wall and was also knocked unconscious. He then left them to die slowly of their wounds.

Kiyomi and Umeko watched silently in horror as this whole battle took place. As soon as they were clear, they headed to attend to their two friends.

"This is bad. This is very bad."

"Umeko, calm down. Get Chiharu to Squad Four. I'll get Rani. They need to be treated immediately."

"Aye!" Umeko said with a nod.

The two girls carried their friends to Squad Four and they were immediately treated. The girls laid low by their friends' side, worried for what was about to happen.

Two days later, Chiharu regained consciousness relieving Kiyomi's and Umeko's worry.

"How's Rani?" She managed to choke out as the girls were visiting her.

"Not good. She's still in a coma." Kiyomi sadly said.

"She lost a lot of blood. Her Reiatsu still hasn't increased enough. They have her in intensive care and have been working nonstop on her."

"What's going on out there?"

"Still fighting, but it headed up to the Soul King himself. We lost Captain Unohana, by her choice. Lieutenants Abarai and Kuchiki, as well as Captain Kuchiki and Kurosaki were taken up to the Soul King to be healed."

"Healed? Captain Kuchiki was dead."

"Apparently he was able to be saved by Squad Zero." Umeko explained. "I still can't figure it out."

"And Captain Hitsugaya?"

"Captain Kurotsuchi figured out how to heal him, and everyone else that became a zombie. He's been in Squad Ten for the past day."

"Who else died?"

"The Captain Commander. Our new Captain Commander is Captain Kyouraku." Kiyomi answered. "There are loads more, but they are still piling up the names. I think the Soul King was also assassinated."

"Has Captain Hitsugaya seen - "

"He doesn't know. He won't see anyone, and messages can't be delivered to him. We tried. The members here have tried." Umeko curtly said as she cut Chiharu off.

"That's bullshit. He needs to come here and see her." Chiharu said aggravated as the door opened.

"Glad to see you are awake Miss Nakano."

"Thank you. Is there any change in Rani's condition?"

The Squad Four member swallowed hard before answering.

"Yes, but it's not good." She finally replied softly. "We've tried everything, but nothing is working. Her condition is getting worse. If you girls need to, you may want to start saying your goodbyes."

Umeko quickly stood up, pushing the chair back a few feet, before leaving the room, and leaving the girls dumbfounded.