Waterfall Eclipse

Affairs of the Heart - Part Two

Chapter Thirty-One:

Affairs Of The Heart – Part Two

Lieutenant Abarai kept his word the next day. While Captain Kuchiki was figuring out which of his soldiers to send to the Living World, he paid attention to when Captain Kuchiki hinted for assistance.

"Captain, are you having difficulty deciding?"

"Yes, slightly. I have one more week slot to fill."

"May I suggest Tómasu?"

Captain Kuchiki looked up from his desk at his second in command with a curious expression.

"Why?"

"Honestly, captain, she asked me if it would be possible. I had mentioned that we would be coming up with our month assignments."

"So she wants to go? That is fine. Then my paperwork is done. Would you mind bringing this copy to the Captain Commander and the other one place in the common room once he approves?"

"No problem, sir." Lieutenant Abarai replied with a small grin.

"How was she?" He calmly asked as the lieutenant took the papers.

"She seemed fine, except for something bugging at her. I didn't pry." He answered and then left the room.

After dropping off the Captain Commander's copy for approval and records, Lieutenant Abarai made his way back to his squad and hung the assignment on the wall. He then found Rani and told her when she would be going, which was in a few days time.

"Really? He went for it?"

"Yes. I had no doubt that he would, especially when he was so frustrated with trying to figure it out."

"Thank you very much, lieutenant!" Rani exclaimed. She would have given him a hug, but that would be out of line.

"We miss that around here, you know."

"I'm sorry. Miss what exactly?"

"Your smile. Have a great day, Tómasu. See you tomorrow for training."

"Yes, sir." She said and then went on her way back to work.

Rani was successful at keeping herself busy and out of sight from anyone from Squad Ten over the next few days. When the time came she made her way to the Senkaimon and headed to the Living World. Her first order of business was hitting Urahara's shop to see if she could stay there when she needed to sleep. Thankfully he agreed. She then immediately went on patrol.

~~Back in the Soul Society, Two Days Later~~

Lieutenants Matsumoto, Abarai, and Kuchiki, and Hinamori were eating dinner enjoying each other's company in their usual hangout.

"So, Momo, what is going on with you and Captain Hitsugaya? Everyone keeps saying you two are dating."

"No, we're not." She replied softly. "He likes someone else." She added then stopped herself.

"Well, we all knew that – and who." Lieutenant Matsumoto added. "I mean, even I've told him he likes the girl and she liked him. And what does he do? Lets her switch squads. He's miserable now." She stated and then chugged her sake in front of her.

"Oh, you didn't hear Rangiku? He kissed her and wrote her a rather lengthy confession about everything. He gave it to her about a week ago."

"Wait? Who are you two talking about?" Lieutenant Abarai questioned.

"Yeah, really? Who?" Lieutenant Kuchiki asked.

"Tómasu Rani." The two answered.

"Momo, he really kissed her?" Lieutenant Matsumoto inquired shocked. "Where was I?"

"Apparently not in the office." The Squad Five lieutenant answered as she looked up. "Why, hello Miss Nakano. Would you like to join us?" She asked as Chiharu walked by.

"No, thank you Lieutenant Hinamori. I am looking for Kiyomi and Umeko."

"As far as we know, they aren't here yet." Lieutenant Matsumoto replied. "But while you are waiting," She added then pulled Chiharu down next to her and Lieutenant Kuchiki, "Stay with us. Join the fun!"

"Sorry, Nakano. She's a bit drunk." Lieutenant Abarai stated. "Rangiku, I would appreciate it if you didn't manhandle my squad members."

"Sorry Renji. But I had to. After all, she's now our informant on the matter of Miss Tómasu."

"Rani? What do you want to know?" Chiharu asked confused.

"Well, as seeing as you're one of her closest friends, is it true my captain kissed her? What did she say? And what was in the letter he gave her?"

Chiharu tensed up and looked at her lieutenant, who was shaking his head in shame and embarrassment.

"Oh, well, yes he kissed her. She didn't say anything to him, as far as I know." She started to respond. "I don't know what he wrote in the letter, but it was enough for her to change her personality until a couple of days ago."

"So this letter made her out of it the other day?"

"Yes, Lieutenant Abarai. It disturbed her so much that's all she could think about. But she's in the Living World now for a week. She wanted that so she could distance –" She said stopping herself. "I shouldn't finish that sentence.
She said catching herself.

"Is she trying to avoid Captain Hitsugaya?" Lieutenant Kuchiki inquired.

"Yes." Chiharu admitted. "She thought that was the best option for right now."

"Avoiding him might not be the best option."

"Momo? What do you mean?" Lieutenant Abarai asked.

"He's not going to give up easily. Trust me. I've been talking to him a lot lately. Everyone here knows it. He's always been a fighter. He can't shake these feelings for Rani. He thought it was a phase, but four years later, he has finally realized otherwise."

"Is there anything Rani can do or say?" Chiharu asked.

"I don't know." The Squad Five lieutenant answered. "I do know she won't have to worry about seeing him when she gets back. He's going on leave for a week, right Rangiku?"

"Yeah, leaving me with all the paperwork." Lieutenant Matsumoto whined.

Kiyomi and Umeko arrived soon after and Chiharu excused herself and joined them.

"What did the lieutenants want?" Kiyomi asked.

"They were asking about Rani, about the kiss and what not."

"And you told them with your lieutenant there?"

"Yes. I wasn't about to lie to them. Lieutenant Kuchiki and Abarai were the only ones who didn't know the juicy details so I informed them and got some information from Lieutenant Hinamori."

"Like?"

"Like the face that since she's been talking to Captain Hitsugaya a lot lately, and that he won't give up easily on Rani." Chiharu replied. "But, at least she gets a reprieve – your captain, Umeko, will be on leave for a week."

"Rani will be pleased about that, as will the entire squad. We like to relax when he's gone, although we say we've done work. The lieutenant is the only one who actually has work to do. I may help with the filing though. That back office got messy again."

"Well, enough talk about Rani – let's discuss our leave. Did we all manage to get it at the same time?" Kiyomi inquired. "I want to go to that beach in the Living World." The other two girls nodded. "And do we know about Rani? Did she get hers, Chiharu?"

"I think. I'll ask Lieutenant Abarai tomorrow to confirm."