Apparently I did end up falling asleep as I wake up to find Rangiku gone and Haineko sitting talking to another girl with dark long hair. I would say she appears younger than me and she wore a white and purple kimono. Her name was Tobiume.
We spent that entire morning talking about the other Zanpakuto and the soul reapers. They named all of the Zanpakuto which are presently manifested and about their masters, in hope I will be able to match names with faces.
"Tobiume and I are both lieutenant level Zanpakuto, meaning that, if we are at the same level of our masters, we are at lieutenant strength" explains Haineko,
"I wonder which level I would be" I say,
"You'll have to find your master to know that," says Tobiume,
"MY MASTER!" I remember, "I learnt his name, I found him!"
They both seemed excited until Haineko mentions that this means the end of my freedom. The soul reapers never intended on giving me freedom, I don't think I was free in the first place. If it never existed it cannot be taken away.
I tell the story of last night, meeting that captain. I also mentioned that I had to go to the squad eleven barracks.
"Do you know where the squad eleven barracks are?" I ask. They sit thinking for a painfully silent minute.
"Nope" says Haineko. I sigh heavily; at least I know his name.
There is a knock at the door, and Haineko walks over to answer it. Before she touches the handle a man enters with red hair and tattoos.
"Where is Rangiku?" He demands, "She missed the lieutenants meeting this morning" I can imagine her skipping her duties; she doesn't come across as one who takes responsibility.
Haineko stands up and paces around him. She halts suddenly and puts her hand on one hip- "she's not here Hun," she teased "But who needs her, you're welcome to stay"
He stands frozen, and he looks very uncomfortable. "Uh-"He stutters and side steps Haineko. This is my chance.
"Do you know where the squad eleven barracks are?" I question,
He regains focus and says- "Of course I do"
"Would you be able to take me there?" My voice shakes slightly,
"Why would you want to go there?" He says, almost suspiciously,
I look down- "There's someone I have to find"
"Come on Renji," a Zanpakuto enters; it consists of two people, a woman and young boy connected by a long chain.
Renji stares down at the clock, "Eh, I've got time" he shrugs. I almost can't believe it; I stare at him almost crying. "I'm Renji Abarai, by the way"
"Kodokuno" I point to myself.
We walk through the streets of the seireitei to the barracks, along with Tobiume, Renji and Zabimaru, his Zanpakuto. The woman of the duet is named Monkey, she has dark green fur covering her body, the young boy is Snake, who has a snake tail which follows behind him. Haineko waited at the apartment for Rangiku to come back. What a strange sight it must be, seeing a soul reaper with so many Zanpakuto. We come to a stop in front of the gates which leads to the squad eleven barracks. Two men, one rather tall and lanky and another smaller, but still taller than me, were guarding the entrance. The taller one blocks our pathway while the shorter one speaks.
"Hey! You're not a part of squad eleven! These barracks are off limits to anyone other" He shouts
Renji walks up introducing himself- "Renji Abarai, squad six lieutenant" as he reveals his badge. Both realize their mistake and bow in recognition.
"Sorry sir" One says,
"Go straight in" Says the other.
The gates open to reveal a large open space in front of the main building. Members of the squad are here training and sparring with one another. We walk straight through with no other trouble. Although I'm not showing it on the outside, excitement is overtaking me. We enter the main building through a rather oversized door. While we walk I look franticly around to see a familiar face, but he was not here.
"We should look for Yumichika and Ikkaku, they should know who you are looking for" says Renji as he makes his way to the living quarters.
Ikkaku and Yumichika are not what I expected. Ikkaku is a medium sized, but bald man, with red tattoos on the corners of his eyes. Yumichika is a skinny, dark-haired man with coloured feathers reaching from his eyes.
"Abarai!" calls Ikkaku,
"What brings you here?" asks Yumichika,
"What's this?" questions Ikkaku before Renji can answer, referring to me.
"Her name's Kodokuno, apparently someone she's looking for is in squad eleven" Explains Renji,
"My master" I look up at them,
"What's your Master's name?" asks Yumichika,
"Well..." I look around nervously "I'm not sure but I believe his name is Kenpachi Zaraki"
"Captain Zaraki?!" Renji gasps in shock,
"You're-?" stutters Yumichika,
"So" Ikkaku is the only one who seems confident, "You're the captain's Zanpakuto" He sits back down, "You don't look like much.." he adds,
Yumichika circles me, inspecting me "I dunno Ikkaku, look at these" he says as he points to my scars, "sure looks like his Zanpakuto to me" I believe what he meant to say was, 'damaged enough'.
"Oh yeah" agrees Ikkaku, "And what about those bells on her wrist?" I have bracelets with bells on them; they made it difficult to move silently.
"Where's Zaraki?" asks Renji,
"Probably training" replies Yumichika
"Do you know where?" I ask,
"Follow us" smirks Ikkaku.