Just a couple of notes:
1. If you haven't read the first part to this story, you may want to. You might miss jokes that I may reference, etc. This story starts pretty much right where the first part ends.
2. I finished WE-I back in April 2016, which means my captains and lieutentants don't really match up to what Tite Kubo did in his manga. I am keeping my list for the most part. The only ones I got right were Rukia Kuchiki and Isane Kotetsu. If you would like me to write up a list of my captains and lieutenants, leave me a message and I will reply. If I get enough requests, I may make a side chapter that shows it.
3. Still unsure on how long I am going to make this. Just finished this chapter (finally) today. I had hoped to update this quicker, but I have had a lot going on in the past few weeks.
Waterfall Eclipse II: The Lost Clan
Chapter Two:
~At the Kuchiki Manor~
Captain Kuchiki was inside of his office when he requested that his daughter be brought before him. The manor staff quickly obliged and went to get her.
When Lily arrived she bowed quickly before entering his personal office. Once given a nod of acknowledgement, she walked inside and went down onto her knees.
"You wanted to see me, father?" she asked confused, and wondering if she did something wrong.
"Yes, Lily." He said as he stood up. "I know you have been keeping busy with painting for the past two months in your new studio, but I need to request you take a week off for right now."
"Yes, father." Lily responded and then bit her lip. "I have no problem with that, but may I ask why?"
She couldn't see it since his back was turned, but Captain Kuchiki had a small grin forming on his face.
"I want you to get more familiar with the history of the Soul Society and the Seireitei." he answered as he turned around. "Go to our records hall and start reading."
Lily swallowed. The entire history of the Soul Society was massive, going back thousands of years, and to start at the beginning was semi-insane in her opinion.
"Do not feel overwhelmed. There is a lot to learn, but you may find something that will help Lieutenant Hitsugaya."
"Rani?" Lily asked puzzled as he handed her a piece of paper.
"I am going off to Squad Six. I will be back for dinner. Make sure you arrive on time."
"Yes, father." Lily replied with her customary nod as she followed him out the door.
She waited until she saw him exit the compound before she made her way to the hall. She opened the piece of paper and read it.
"Volume Twelve. Huh? Twelve? How is that supposed to help me?" Lily asked out loud causing some of the servants nearby to look at her puzzled. She sheepishly grinned and went on her way where she holed herself up for a few hours.
Luckily for her, Hayashi already knew of Captain Kuchiki's request and was able to bring Lily some light refreshments and her lunch.
"Hayashi?"
"Yes, Lady Lily?"
"What do you know of the history of the Soul Society?"
"Not a whole lot, truthfully. I was only taught the basics while I was living in the Rukongai myself, but never wanted to learn more." Hayashi paused. "So, I couldn't even begin to try and guess what Captain Kuchiki's clue for you was or what he meant by it."
"Thanks." the young girl said sadly. "Hmm…something that could help Rani? But what? And volume twelve of which series?" Lily thought to herself as she held her chin by her hand and had her elbow on the table.
Hayashi left her charge as soon as she set up the plates and let Lily know she'd be back to clean up in about an hour. Lily nodded before going back to looking through various twelfth volumes that she had started with.
Before she knew it, Hayashi had come and gone again, and then came back a third time to get her in time to freshen up for dinner.
"Any luck Lady Lily?"
"No, Hayashi. Father's clue was really vague." Lily replied sadly and with a sigh.
She followed Hayashi out, but stopped to tell the guard to make sure nothing is moved. He agreed and would tell the library attendants who were dismissed for the day per her father. Lily found that odd as she walked to her room to freshen up and then head to dinner.
Although Lily wanted desperately to ask her father for another clue, she kept her thoughts to herself and only spoke when spoken to.
"Great-granddaughter?"
"Yes, sir?" Lily almost choked out.
"I went to see if you were in your studio today, and only found it locked with no response from you. Where were you today?"
Lily went wide-eyed.
"I asked her to take a break from her painting for the day." Captain Kuchiki interrupted. "And sent her on her own mission of sorts for her own sake in the records hall."
Lily was relieved at her father's interference. She wasn't sure if she should have answered him.
"Oh?" Lord Kuchiki Ginrei responded suprised. "Find anything of interest?"
"There is a lot to read and learn, but nothing that stood out yet." Lily said embarrassed.
"Well, I am sure you will be successful."
"I can only hope so." she answered unsure of how her results will be.
Lily got through her meal without any further discussions about her father's mission, as he called it, for her.
Captain Kuchiki walked with Lily back to her room, but Lily stopped once she saw the records hall out of the corner of her eye.
"Lily? Is there something wrong?"
"Would it be all right if I headed back to work on my mission, father, for a few more hours?" she asked softly.
He was quiet for a few moments before answering Lily.
"Yes, just don't strain your eyes too much by candlelight."
Lily nodded.
"Thank you."
"And check in with me so I know you came out again." Lily smiled as she nodded again before quickly bowing and running off.
Lily headed back inside and went back to reading the volumes that were strewn about the table. Once she would finish one volume, she she would put it back on the ground on her right side and pick up one from her left and open it and start reading.
"None of these are helping me." she said out loud and aggravated. "What can help Rani? She was found in the arrivals area like I was of the Rukongai. She was raised in the North Rukon's 59th District. There was a Hollow attack when she was about my age." Lily added as she rubbed her temples and then placed her head on the table "I need more clues." she paused as she looked up at the ceiling. "And more help."
She closed her eyes for what she thought was a moment. Once she opened them again, she looked over to the window and noticed the sky outside was a lot darker than it was before.
"I fell asleep?" Lily asked herself as she rubbed her eyes. "ACK! Father will not be pleased." she added as she semi cleaned up her mess.
Lily then placed a note telling the hall attendants to leave everything as it is before she headed out and made her way to her father's quarters. She crouched down and waited for him to turn around.
"Yes?"
"Father, I am finished for the evening."
"Goodnight, Lily."
"Goodnight."
She then got up and headed to her room slowly. Hayashi helped her change before Lily made her way to bed.
In the morning, Lily quickly got up, and fixed her hair quickly before Hayashi had a chance to. Once decent looking, Lily rushed off for an early breakfast and then made her way to the hall again. She almost ran into someone.
"GAH! I am so sorry Aunt Rukia!"
"Lily! What's the rush?"
"Oh…umm…I want to get back to my mission."
"Did you find a breakthrough or something?"
"Uhhh…no. Just eager. I think father gave me access for only a week, and I blew it last night."
"How exactly did you blow it?" Rukia asked intrigued.
"I sorta…kinda…fell asleep." Lily said nervously.
Rukia let out a small chuckle as she smiled.
"Okay, so what exactly is this mission?"
Lily took in a deep breath and then sighed before answering.
"He asked me to learn the history of the Soul Society."
"Wow." Rukia said and then paused. "I haven't even read through all of those books and records in there."
"So, do you think a week is too little time?" Lily asked worried.
"Maybe. Did he give you anything else?"
"Uh, well, only a slip of paper that said, Volume Twelve."
Rukia, puzzled, had no idea how to respond to that.
"So, I am reading the twelfth volume of every series to minimize my reading."
"Hmm..smart move." Rukia commented. "Well, I need to head off. I'll see you later at dinner."
Lily nodded and then headed off once Rukia was on her way out the door. She arrived back at the hall of records and then made her way to the table. The previous day's schedule imitated her day two, except for the fact that she didn't fall asleep.
Her days three and four were unsuccessful as well, much to her dismay.
Lily was about ready to give up by the end of her fourth day, and was about to ask her father to remove her from this mission, but she refrained from doing so for the sake of Rani. She wanted to ask for more clues as well from the first day, but Lily stayed quiet about that too.
~Squad Six Office~
Rani was diligently working on some new paperwork that had come into the office just as she had when her captain casually walked in.
"Good morning Captain Kuchiki." she greeted as she worked.
"Good morning lieutenant. You seem to be….nevermind. Anything I should know about today?"
Rani formed a half smirk.
"Besides the fact that I really want to know where your last statement was going to end, not really anything knew to report. Captain Commander Kyoraku was thinking of having a meeting at one o'clock but he hasn't officially decided. I have a lieutenant's meeting at one myself."
"Noted. You train today?"
"Uh, well, I am helping Lieutenant Nakano at ten o'clock."
Captain Kuchiki nodded.
"Do me a favor." he started as he walked over to her desk. "And hand this to Captain Abarai."
Rani took the envelope and nodded.
"Yes sir. No problem."
"Thank you."
Rani smiled as he walked back to his desk. She went back to working before she headed out to Squad Eight to meet up with Chiharu and Captain Abarai.
"Hello Lieutenant Hitsugaya." Chiharu greeted when Rani walked in.
"Hello Lieutenant Nakano." Rani quickly shot back.
Their greeting was a routine and inside joke now, and one that Captain Abarai also knew about since he heard it every time Rani came to train his lieutenant.
"Are you two ever going to stop with that?"
Chiharu and Rani looked at each other before answering.
"NOPE!" they said in unison and then giggled.
Rani then walked over to Captain Abarai and handed him her captain's note.
"What's this?"
"From Captain Kuchiki."
"What is it about?"
"It's addressed to you. I didn't open it, nor did I ask him." she retorted with a grin. "I just figured it was captains business." she added and then stuck her tongue out at him knowing she'd make him laugh.
"Come on Rani! Let's go have some fun!" Chiharu stated as she grabbed her friend's arm and pulled her out the door. Rani only laughed as they left.
Captain Abarai chuckled to himself as he opened Captain Kuchiki's letter.
~Kuchiki Manor~
When the morning came of her fifth day of her mission, Lily was surprised to find Captain Abarai with his lieutenant coming into the Kuchiki Manor as she walked to the dining hall.
"Good morning, Captain Abarai and Lieutenant Nakano." She greeted as they were within earshot.
"Good morning Lady Lily!" the guests said in unison.
"What do we owe this pleasure?"
"Actually, Lady Lily, Captain Kuchiki invited us over for breakfast and a meeting." Captain Abarai stated.
"Oh, well, then, follow me." she replied surprised.
They followed her and she announced their arrival and then sat them down.
At the end of the meal, they chatted for a little while before the two captains went off on their own leaving Lily to entertain Chiharu.
"Uh…so, what should we do?"
Lily blanched. She hadn't even thought about what she could do with Chiharu, mainly because her mind was solely focused on the task set by her father.
"Oh, well, daddy actually has me on a small mission in our hall of records. I guess you could accompany me there?"
"Sure, maybe I can help you."
Lily formed a small smile and then transformed it into a larger one. She led Chiharu to the hall and walked to her table.
"So, what exactly are you looking for?" Chiharu asked as she noticed all of the books that were around the table.
"I…uh…really have no idea." Lily nervously confessed.
"What?"
Lily squeezed her hands on both sides of her komono and looked like she was about to cry.
"I actually want daddy to remove me from this mission. I have been reading through mountains of books for four days with no luck. I don't even know what I am supposed to be looking for!"
"Did he give you any search parameters?"
"Parameters?" Lily questioned confused.
"Oh, well clues?"
"Oh, well, there was this." Lily said slowly as she rummaged through and found the small note he had handed her. "And then he said that I may find something to help Rani."
Chiharu then opened the piece of paper to see the first clue.
"'Volume Twelve'." she read out loud. "Huh? What is that supposed to mean?" she commented as she scratched her head.
"My thoughts exactly, so I have been reading the twelfth volume of every series in here."
"Hmm…you must be overlooking something." Chiharu softly stated.
Lily drew in a breath and exhaled before grabbing a book.
"Well, I guess I'll help you out." the Squad Eight Lieutenant stated as she took the book Lily was holding. "At least until Captain Abarai comes for me."
Lily beamed a smile from ear to ear at hearing that and picked up another book and the two started to read. The next three hours went by quickly, and that is when Captain Abarai and her father came into the records hall.
"Lily?"
"Lieutenant Nakano? Where are you two?"
Both Lily and Chiharu jumped as they looked up at each other and then looked to the main hallway.
"Captain Kuchiki, we're down here." Chiharu stated as she saw the two about to walk right past the aisle they were in.
"Ah! How are things coming along?" the Squad Eight captain inquired.
Lily let out a semi-loud moan before putting the book she had just finished reading in the massive pile on the floor. She then went wide-eyed and sat straight up clearly embarrassed, which also caused Chiharu to bite her top lip to refrain herself from laughing.
"That good, huh, Lady Lily?" Captain Abarai asked before her father could say anything.
"Yeah." Lily said sadly.
Chiharu looked over at Captain Kuchiki, who darted his eyes from Lily to her.
"Yes, lieutenant?"
"Oh, nothing." she replied earning herself a raised eyebrow from her former captain. She swallowed hard before deciding to continue. "Well, I was thinking, that could you maybe give her another clue? She has spent four days looking and has found nothing."
Captain Kuchiki was silent for a few moments before he answered.
"I'll think about it. For now, it's time for you and Captain Abarai to head back to Squad Eight where you belong."
"Thank you for helping me Chiharu." Lily commented as the two stood up.
"No problem! I'll see you soon!"
Lily nodded as the two Squad Eight officers left the aisle. She then turned to see her father looking at her.
"Don't be late for dinner."
Inside Lily wanted to scream. Instead, she nodded and watched as her father left the aisle and proceeded to make his way to exit the hall of records.
Lily went back to reading until Hayashi came in again to retrieve her for dinner.
"Lady Lily, it's almost time for dinner."
"Oh, thank you Hayashi. Let me finish this book. I have a few more pages left. And then I'll head over to the dining hall."
"I am not leaving until you do."
Lily smiled as she continued to read. A few minutes later, she closed the book and put it on the pile before standing up and stretching.
Hayashi walked with Lily in relative silence to the dining hall. Once Lily was inside, Hayashi made her way back to Lily's room and prepared her bed and pajamas.
Dinner went by quickly and Captain Kuchiki escorted his daughter back to the records hall.
"How many books have you read through?"
"I lost count, honestly." Lily admitted. "I'm not sure what I should be trying to find at this point. Not that I don't appreciate your clues, but they were a bit vague."
Captain Kuchiki smirked as he opened the door for her.
"Hmm…I am not sure if I can think of another clue for you."
Lily remained quiet as she made her way to her table. He picked up the book she had currently on the top "to read" pile to read the title and smiled.
"Well, at least you've made progress in the stacks. If you have this one it means you're about two-thirds of the way through the records."
"Really? It doesn't feel like it." she commented as she took the book from him.
"Lieutenant Nakano helped a little today, I assume?"
"Yes. Although she's not sure really what I am supposed to try and find." Lily answered and then swallowed nervously.
"Well, I still have high hopes that you will be able to complete your mission. Also, I requested Lieutenant Hitsugaya to stay for dinner on Monday. I know usually she leaves, but it has been a while since we all enjoyed her company."
Lily smiled and held back a laugh.
"Did you also happen to include Captain Hitsugaya in that invitation?"
"I did mention it was open for him as well, but it was not necessary for him to come." he answered and then paused. "I will be hosting an officer's party in the near future soon, however. He should be coming to that."
Lily smiled. She enjoyed the parties that the Kuchiki Manor hosted, and especially the ones where Rani attended.
"Don't stay too late. Check in with me, as usual, as you make your way to your room."
"Yes, father."
Lily went right back to work reading the book and finished it before calling it a night. She checked in with her father, as she was requested to do so. Once back in her room, and after she changed, she laid down on the futon and went right to sleep.
Lily woke up and slowly sat up. She was feeling frustrated and her mind was racing as she thought about all that she had read so far. As far as Rani, Lily hadn't read anything that might help her, in her opinion.
She threw her covers off of her as she stood up. She quickly changed and then headed to the hall of records, where she was met by Lord Kuchiki Ginrei.
"Good morning, great-grandfather." Lily greeted with a smile.
"Off to do more of your research?"
"Yes, sir."
"I am glad to see that you are so determined and dedicated."
"Thank you great-grandfather. That means a lot." she responded, although slightly confused.
He nodded before leaving her to her mission. She headed inside and went right back to reading. However, when she arrived back at the table, she saw a new word written on her clue from her father.
"'Clans'?" she read out loud. "I wonder who wrote that. It's not father's writing. Nor Aunt Rukia's." she added puzzled and then went wide-eyed. "Great-grandfather must have."
Lily walked through the remaining stacks to find any series that had to do with the clans of the Seireitei to find the twelfth volume. It took her a little while, since there were a few sprawled out among all of the stacks. Once her hands were full, she decided to bring them back to the table. She stopped short when she saw a door between the stacks she hadn't seen before.
"Where does that go?" she questioned.
Lily put the books on the table and then headed back to where the door was. Noting no signs, she nervously approached the door and slowly reached for the handle. She attempted to open the door, but found it locked.
"What a disappointment." She said as she then made her way to the table and organized the books she just found before beginning to read again.
Well, there you have it. Chapter two. I hope you enjoyed this. If you have any questions pertaining to this story, please feel free to message me or ask in a review. If I feel it's a question that should be answered privately, I will do so.
Thanks to Rileyyheartt, Taiski, and Tara Luinwe for favoriting this.
Thanks to Rileyyheartt and the guywiththehat77 for following this story.
Thanks for reading!
-Kirby42280-
