Waterfall Eclipse

Promotion

Chapter Eighty-Five:

Promotion

The room was silent as everyone filed in and lined up in their assigned places. This was different from the other times Rani had been in the room. It seemed tenser since most of these officers had no idea what was going on.

The newly appointed Captain Commander, Kyouraku Shunsui stepped forward clearing his throat, while his lieutenant, Nanao Ise stood a couple of steps behind him.

"As you all are aware, there have been quite a number of losses to contend with here in the Gotei 13. We have various vacant positions open in each squad, but we are here today to focus on the open captain and open lieutenant positions." He started. "I guess I should thank you all for coming, though, shouldn't I?" He said sheepishly before getting down to business again. "First up is Squad Four. We lost Captain Unohana, by her own decision, and she will be greatly missed. However, it does leave her position open, therefore, I have come to the conclusion that current Lieutenant Isane Kotetsu should remain in Squad Four and be promoted to the level of Captain." He explained as he walked over to her.

The lieutenant's eyes got wide, and those who could see her expression smiled.

Captain Commander Kyouraku removed her armband and handed it over to his lieutenant before taking the haori from her and helping Kotetsu into it.

"Do you have any suggestions for your lieutenant position?"

"Yes. I would like to promote current Third Seat Iemura Yasochika." She answered.

"Oh no. Is Lieutenant's idea not going to happen?" Rani thought to herself.

"Please step forward, Iemura."

The Captain Commander handed the now Captain Kotetsu the armband she was wearing moments before and she wrapped it on his left arm smiling.

"Thank you." He eventually stated.

"Now we move to Squad Six. Captain Kuchiki, I understand there will be a minor shake up in ranks with your squad." Captain Kuchiki just nodded. "Lieutenant Abarai, please step forward." He followed the command. "As you will be given a new position, please remove your armband." Abarai did as he was told. "Third Seat Tómasu, please step forward." Rani did as she was told. "It is with my great honor to approve of your promotion to Squad Six Lieutenant. Now, Abarai, please place the band on her arm." He nodded and did so with a grin.

Once he was finished, Rani bit her lip, because he had wrapped it too tight. She hoped she wouldn't pass out from losing circulation.

Captain Commander Kyouraku then took the haori from his lieutenant and smiled.

"And it is with my great honor to approve of your promotion to Squad Eight Captain." He said as he handed Abarai the haori.

He took it and put it on before heading over to where the Squad Eight Third Seat was standing and waiting.

"Now, Captain Abarai, you have an open lieutenant position. Who would you like to promote?"

"Nakano Chiharu of Squad Six." Captain Abarai stated with a grin.

To say that most people in the room were surprised was an understatement, but those involved were not. The Captain Commander took a couple of steps back and made eye contact with her.

"Please come here, Nakano Chiharu." Captain Commander Kyouraku stated after looking back at her.

Chiharu slowly stepped past Rani and stood next to Captain Kuchiki.

"Follow me." He said with a smile. She obliged and then was directed to stand next to Captain Abarai, who was handed the Squad Eight lieutenant badge.

Captain Abarai wrapped it around her arm grinning, but changed his expression when she grimaced.

"I'll fix it later. Sorry."

"Lastly, we must contend with Squad Thirteen." The Captain Commander said slightly choked up. "Although you have only been recently promoted to lieutenant, I am going to promote you to captain." He said as she faced Rukia. "I have had a lengthy discussion with the other captains and they all agreed it would be for the best." He carefully stated as he took the haori from Lieutenant Nanao. "Please remove your armband."

Rukia, although in shock, did as she was asked and handed it to Lieutenant Nanao. Captain Commander Kyouraku then helped her into the haori.

"Now who would you like to promote to lieutenant?"

She was quiet for a few moments before responding.

"Current Third Seat Kotsubaki Santaro." She calmly answered.

"Please step forward."

Kotsubaki did as he was told and Captain Kuchiki then wrapped the band on his arm.

"With this, this meeting is now adjourned." He stated. "You are all dismissed."

Rani took a deep breath trying to calm herself before leaving the room, which her captain caught.

"Are you okay?" He asked puzzled causing her to jump.

"I'll be fine. I need to loosen this just a little." She said as she pointed to her arm.

"Captain Abarai, are you trying to put my lieutenant back into Squad Four?" He partly joked as he took her arm and loosened it for her.

"Sorry Captain Kuchiki. I didn't mean to." He said as he loosened Chiharu's.

"Better?"

"Yes. Thank you captain." Rani answered.

"Let's go. We've got some business to discuss."

Rani smiled at Chiharu and gave her a "thumbs up" before leaving with her captain to Squad Six.

"Get a piece of paper and make a list of current seated officers up to the 10th. I don't mind having empty positions below that for right now. And don't worry about us."

"Yes, sir." Rani said as she sat down at her desk and started to write.

A few minutes later she was finished.

"We should have three open positions, right?" He asked as he walked over to her.

"Yes. Third, fourth and tenth."

"Shirogana can be promoted to Third Seat. He's been working hard lately. Omada can be promoted to Fourth Seat."

"Yes, sir." She said as she carefully crossed out the names and moved them up. "So now it's Seventh, Ninth and Tenth."

"We don't have any other seated officers with Shikais." He realized. "I probably should see who-"

"That's not entirely true." She said interrupting him.

"Who do you – you're not thinking of Katayama?" He asked puzzled.

"Well, we're discussing the options, right?" He nodded. "Why not give him a second chance? Put him in the Tenth Seat."

"I'm surprised."

"I know. I am too. But I think he deserves a second chance, and since the incident, he has been working really hard. At first I thought it was funny that he was to lose his position, but that wasn't entirely fair to him."

"If you are sure you don't mind –"

"I don't, captain, or else I wouldn't have brought it up."

"Very well. Katayama can have the open Tenth Seat position." Captain Kuchiki responded causing Rani to write his name in.

A/N: This is all hypothetical, by the way, since it takes place after the last arc in the manga (which is taking too long in my opinion to be finished). Please don't hate me for this!