Waterfall Eclipse

Vacation Interrupted

Chapter Thirty-Five: 

Vacation Interrupted

Rani, Kiyomi, Chiharu and Umeko left the room and headed down to the pool as soon as they were properly dressed. They found that they weren't the only ones who decided to enjoy the heated pool, as other guests were playing around it.

"Let's sit at those lounge chairs." Umeko said pointing to a group of four empty chairs. "I think that has the best vantage point to scope out all the hotness."

"What kind of hotel did you book us in?" Rani asked as she realized there were many hot lifeguards and pool attendees walking around.

"Sorry. This came at the suggestion of Lieutenant Matsumoto."

"No wonder Hitsugaya knows where I am."

"Oh, Rani, stop worrying. Just lie down, drink to no end, and relax. This is why I booked this trip. We all needed it."

"So what else is on the schedule besides enjoying ourselves at the hotel?"

"We thought some sight seeing and shopping." Chiharu answered, as she got comfortable on the chair.

A waiter came over and took their drink order.

"You're ordering a drink with rum in it?" Kiyomi asked Rani surprised.

"Yeah, I was thinking about vodka or gin, but this is just a starter." Rani replied as she started to pull off the dress. "Besides, if we're by a pool that's similar to a beach, shouldn't we be like pirates and drink rum?" She asked sarcastically.

"Rani, not that being a pirate wouldn't be fun and all, but you could barely handle the sake last night." Chiharu commented.

"At least we'll all see what you mean by her talking in her sleep tonight." Umeko joked.

"I still want to know what I said last night. You didn't tell me."

"Rani, you don't want to know. Trust me. Although it was comical after all that has happened."

"You, Chiharu, are such a freaking tease...and you're mean!" Rani said as the waiter came. She eagerly grabbed her drink and drank it through the given straw.

"Rani, it's not a shot, so don't gulp it down." Kiyomi scolded as a figure was walking towards them in the direction of the sun. Once her eyes focused, she realized who was standing there. "Lieutenant Matsumoto."

"Sorry, to intrude on your vacation ladies. There were reports of a Menos here, and some Hollows."

"A Menos? Seriously?" Umeko questioned as she stood up. "Do you want our help?"

"Nah, the captain doesn't know I told you about this place. He doesn't know where you're staying, but stay here and don't move, no matter what you hear. Got it?" She ordered as Captain Kuchiki approached.

"You sure? We can. It won't be a bother." Kiyomi asked again.

"Ladies, stay here, especially you Tómasu. We can handle this." Captain Kuchiki said and then left with the lieutenant.

"Well, I suddenly feel naked." Rani stated causing the girls to laugh.

"Naked? Why?"

"The captain has never seen me in anything besides the academy uniform and our Shihakusho. Now he has seen me in a bikini, which leaves little to the imagination."

The girls laughed again.

"I wonder why he said, 'especially you Tómasu'." Umeko commented. "Do you think he's trying to keep you away from Hitsugaya?"

"I have no idea." Rani said as she put her dress back on. She then reached into her bag and grabbed the glove she used to switch out of her Gigai. "What do you say girls? Shall we?"

"But Captain Kuchiki."

"Look, Chiharu, I'm not saying we just go and help. I am saying let's be at the ready. Our Gigais will still be sitting, or rather laying, here. From the naked eye, it'll look like we're just sunbathing and not moving while talking."

"You really want to help?" Kiyomi asked.

"Yes."

"Okay. There goes our vacation." Umeko replied as she also got her glove out.

Within moments the girls were carefully laying their Gigais on the lounge chairs and heading in the direction the captain and lieutenant went to. They stayed back far enough they wouldn't be noticed right away.

A Menos appeared out of nowhere and they watched the captains and lieutenants of the sixth and tenth squads battle it. Once they were attacking that one, another two showed up, along with three Hollows.

"Oh no!" Kiyomi yelled as she was about to go, but Rani stopped her.

"Let's wait and see what happens."

As the girls watched, Lieutenant Matsumoto and Lieutentant Abarai were both knocked out of the way by two of the Menos when they came up from behind, swatted like flies and knocked unconscious.

"They got smarter." Chiharu observed. "Seven against two now. Think we should help?"

"No. The captains haven't unleashed their Bankais yet. They only have their Shikais out." Rani calmly stated.

"How are we supposed to help when you're the only one that has achieved Shikai among us?"

"We have to outsmart the Menos. Let's go. Split up. Defeat the Menos to give the captains a chance."

"Since when did she become in charge?"

"Technically, among the four of us, she would become a seated officer if Captain Kuchiki had an open chair." Chiharu replied.

The four girls made their way behind three of the Menos. Chiharu and Kiyomi both sliced one from opposite sides and then helped Umeko get the one she was aiming for. Meanwhile, Rani was preparing herself.

"Rush – Taki Nisshoku."

With her zanpakuto formed, Rani went up against the Menos that was about to get Captain Hitsugaya. She swung her arm and the flicked her wrist and had Taki Nisshoku extend itself and wrap around what would be the waist of the Menos and electrocuted it. Once it fell, she saw Captain Kuchiki looking at her in shock.

"You can discipline me later, captain." She stated and left.

Captain Hitsugaya, on the other hand, was still trying to process what had just happened. He saw Rani shunpo away to where her friends were. They were trying to defeat some oversized Hollows.

"Thank you!" Kiyomi yelled once she realized Rani was able to defeat the Hollow. "These are bigger. And faster."

"I noticed. Go help Abarai and Matsumoto. You're better at that than I am."

"On it!" Kiyomi said and then left.

Rani focused on Umeko and Chiharu next who were fighting the same Hollow. After a few more attempts, they were finally able to slice it down the middle.

"Holy hell! That was hard!" Chiharu stated out of breath.

"That's all of them, right?" Umeko asked as she stood up and the captains came over to them.

"Captains." Rani greeted.

Kiyomi and the lieutenants arrived next.

"Sorry about that, captain."

"It's fine, lieutenant." Captain Kuchiki replied as he looked at Rani, who noticed and gulped.