Waterfall Eclipse

A New Recruit?

Chapter Eighty-Nine:

A New Recruit?

Rani enjoyed the rest of her assignment in the Living World until its end. Once it was over, she headed to the Senkaimon and headed home to the Squad Six Barracks and her recently acquired digs. She went into her private bath and relaxed before headed to meet the girls for dinner.

"So how was it?" Kiyomi asked.

"Quiet. No attacks, which was odd." Rani answered. "I had maybe one incident, but after that, nothing showed up."

"You sound so disappointed." Chiharu stated. "Oh, while you were gone, I had to run over to Squad Nine a few times this week for Captain Abarai."

"Nine? Why?" Kiyomi asked in a concerned panic. "You didn't talk to Lieutenant Hisagi about me, did you?"

"I didn't ask him, but he did ask me about you." Chiharu said with a grin. "I said all good things, don't worry. I wouldn't put you in a bad light."

"I am not sure about that."

"Kiyomi, I am sure Chiharu didn't embarrass you. But, what did he ask?" Rani asked thoroughly confused.

"Just about her, her favorite flowers and color and such."

"Do you think he was asking for himself, or for someone else?" Umeko finally chimed in.

"I am hoping, and I assume, himself. He didn't start with the old 'I have a friend who likes Kiyomi' bit."

"This is an interesting turn of events. Don't you agree Rani?" Umeko stated with a glint in her eyes.

"Yes, indeed." Rani agreed.

"This is bad. This is very bad." Kiyomi finally stated as she shook her head and the door opened. "Hi Lieutenant Hinamori! Hello Captain Hirako!"

"Hello Kiyomi." Her captain greeted. "Ladies, I hope you are enjoying yourselves."

"We are, Captain Hirako." Rani answered. "Thank you."

"Glad to hear. Kiyomi, do not get carried away."

"Yes sir." She said with a smile.

"Oh, Rani, didn't you just come back from a patrol?" Lieutenant Hinamori inquired. Rani nodded. "How was it?"

"Quiet. It was nice to get back down there finally."

"Good. I go tomorrow." She responded and then excused herself before she joined her captain who was already walking away.

"She seems happy." Rani noted out loud.

"I think she's just relieved that she's no longer doing the work of a captain and a lieutenant. She can rest now and join the rest of us lieutenants." Chiharu stated. "Captain Abarai is happy she's gotten a normal work load again. Even he said to me he couldn't do both the work of a captain and a lieutenant at the same time."

"Rani?"

"Yes Umeko?"

"I was wondering whatever became of Hitsugaya's meeting with your captain after that party a few weeks ago? Did he ever tell you?"

"Oh, that, I never told you, did I?" She asked realizing her mistake. After the three shook their heads, Rani took a sip of her drink before starting. "Okay, well, I was at the dojo training a group already while Toshiro made his way to the office for his meeting. It wasn't Gotei 13 related, which struck me funny because Captain Kuchiki is all business nowadays. Anyway, when I saw Toshiro that night for dinner he told me."

"And?"

"Well, let's just say Captain Kuchiki grilled Toshiro about the traditions of courting and stuff. Although he and I haven't been going out longer than six weeks by that point, he asked Toshiro if he had plans on proposing to me, talking about the ceremony and how we could have it on the Kuchiki Manor grounds, among other things."

"I know he's a lord and all, but wasn't he overstepping his line by talking to him about that with you?"

"Yes. I'll get to that Umeko. Anyway, Toshiro was embarrassed to tell me all of this. He finally spilled and I busted out laughing. Sure, I was a little mad at Captain Kuchiki for not speaking with me first and leaving poor Toshiro to deal with this, but it was hysterical in the long run. The following morning I spoke with Captain Kuchiki about his meeting and he did apologize for not speaking with me first, or with Toshiro at the same time."

"So now what?"

"Nothing. He's put it to rest as far as I know. Toshiro and I have had a talk about it and we want to take this relationship slowly. He and I are not ready for marriage just yet. We keep getting interrupted in it so it's like we have to start over."

"That's..."

"It's funny. That's what it is." Chiharu finished for Umeko.

The girls continued to enjoy their meal before they had to head back to their barracks.

In the morning, Rani reported to duty at the Squad Six office and gave a report to Captain Kuchiki before she headed to the dojo for a practice with some of the Squad Six Shinigami.

All was well within the Gotei 13 and Rani took the peace as a sign for a better future. After a four-hour session, she called it a day for the training soldiers and let them have the rest of the day off. It was just one of the perks of being a lieutenant and giving them an intense workout.

As Rani was cleaning up, she sensed the presence of Captain Commander Kyouraku and looked towards the door.

"Hello Captain Commander." She greeted with a smile. "How can I help you?"

"I see you waste no time with your duties." He stated as he walked inside. "I heard you had a minimal patrol."

"Yes, sir. Nothing too major. One small Hollow incident, but otherwise, a quiet two weeks." Rani explained. "Will that be the norm now again?"

"I should hope so." He said and then cleared his throat. "Will you do me a favor and come to my office in an hour and a half? There's someone I need for you to meet."

Rani stopped putting the batons on the rack and stared at him confused.

"Sure. See you in an hour and a half." She said obliging to his request puzzled.

He excused himself and she finished cleaning up before heading to her chambers to bathe and change into a clean Shihakusho. She then headed to the Squad Six office to find it empty. Rani decided to leave a note for her captain to inform him of where she would be.

Rani slowly made her way to Squad One and was directed to the Captain Commander's office by Nanao.

"Sir, Tómasu Rani is here for you." She announced and then left Rani inside with the captain commander and a third person.

"Ah, Lieutenant Tómasu. Right on time, my dear." He said as he got up from his chair. "This is Onishi Mei. She's a current fifth year student at the Shin'o Academy. She wanted to meet with all of the lieutenants." He started causing Rani to raise her eyebrow slightly. "Sound familiar?" the Captain Commander asked causing Rani to nod and smile.

"Is this because she's another prodigy?" Rani inquired remembering her situation.

"I don't consider myself a prodigy, lieutenant, but apparently I have met all of the requirements for each division, and frankly, I am scared."

Rani smiled at the young girl.

"Well, if the Captain Commander approves, why don't we hang here and discuss what there is and is not to be afraid of. I may have only come here about a year ago, but I have learned so much in so little time, and frankly, not all of it was good." Rani started with a smile. "And don't let my title fool you. A lot went into earning that, and again, not all of it was good."