Waterfall Eclipse

Sleep Talking

Chapter Thirty-Six:

Sleep Talking

Captain Kuchiki took Rani aside after all was said and done. She wanted to start saying how sorry she was about not following his orders and not listening, but she chose to be quiet as she followed him. When he stopped, so did she, and he quickly turned around.

"Captain Kuchiki, are you mad at me?"

"No. I just didn't want to say this in front of your friends." She swallowed again. "Thank you. If you didn't disobey, we probably would not have defeated the Menos and Hollows."

"You're welcome." She said slightly confused.

"You noticed it too, right?"

"Noticed what captain?"

"They were smarter."

"Oh, that, well actually Chiharu did. She pointed it out and then I noticed she was right."

"You and your friends make a great team, even if you're from three different squads. It came in handy. You should be proud they followed your orders."

"Captain, they are my friends. We would have followed each other's orders no matter what."

"I see. Well, thank you again. Enjoy the rest of your vacation." He said then walked off.

Rani followed him with her eyes and upper body before facing normal, and being face to face with Captain Hitsugaya. She gasped in shock.

"Sorry to scare you like that."

"That's okay Captain Hitsugaya." Rani nervously replied.

"Thank you for defeating that Menos. I would have - "

"You're welcome, captain. I saw that the lieutenants were knocked out. Primary instincts kicked in and did what I thought I should, regardless on who I was saving." She said cutting him off. She took a deep breath as she stared at him. She was about to speak, but he stopped her.

"You should be with your friends, Tómasu. You're here on vacation. Not work. Thank you again." He said and then left her standing there dumbfounded.

"How's that for a surprise!" Chiharu exclaimed as she came up behind her. "You okay?"

"Yeah, so I saved Hitsugaya, he said thank you, and when I was about to mention his little note from this morning, he stopped me and said I should just enjoy myself here. I am thoroughly confused."

"He's a guy."

"But I thought it was us girls who were supposed to confuse them?"

"Tómasu? Can I talk to you for a minute?"

"Sure, Lieutenant Matsumoto. What's up?" Rani asked as Chiharu left.

"The captain may have written that note, but he wasn't the one who put it in your room last night. I did." The lieutenant confessed. "I knew he wrote it after you left him last night. And yes, I knew you were there since I sensed your presence. I saw him put it in his desk drawer and I took it after reading it."

"Why would you do that? I was about to comment to him about it."

"I know. I'll regret my actions later when he accuses me of taking it anyway. I wanted to let you know the truth."

"Lieutenant?"

"Yes?"

"I forgive you, but do you think there's a way I can make it so he leaves me alone in that manner? Or am I totally screwed?"

"Honey, you've been screwed since the first day we felt your spiritual pressure." She teased. "But, if you want to make him hot and bothered for kicks, you should show him that bikini." She said and then walked off.

"Bikini? Damn!" Rani realized that Lieutenant Matsumoto must have gone shopping with Kiyomi.

She made her way back to the poolside and switched into her Gigai with the girls.

"Now give me my rum." Rani said as she reached for her glass.

"Here, you Shinigami Pirate." Umeko teased as she handed it to her and rolled her eyes.

They stayed at the pool for a couple more hours before heading inside to change for dinner. After dinner the girls called it a night. Rani was the first one out.

"She drinks like a pirate, and the darn rum makes her fall asleep like a pirate." Kiyomi teased. "How long until she starts talking in her sleep?"

"Give it a few. It should be soon. She's been out for an hour." Chiharu answered.

Within a few moments, the girls could hear Rani mumbling.

"Captain, although I am honored and surprised that you decided to tell me, and show me, that you have had an attraction towards me, I am sorry to say that I cannot return such affection."

"Shit! Is this what she said to Hitsugaya before we left?" Umeko inquired.

"I may have idolized you in the past as some sort of celebrity because we share the same 'prodigy' label, but I cannot in good standing consider that to be a healthy basis to start any relationship with anyone."

"It must be." Kiyomi answered Umeko. "Why are you quiet, Chiharu?"

"I am sorry, but our relationship cannot be anything more than a captain and a Shinigami from another squad. I know, in time, you'll find someone else that is worthy of your love and affection, but sadly it is not me."

"That is what she told him. When she and I were discussing the letter and the kiss before she went on that week patrol, she said she was going to sacrifice her happiness and close off that part of her heart." Chiharu said sadly. "She really can't look at him without thinking about all she did while in Squad Ten that affected him and the squad."

"But she loves him."

"As would any fan girl, but she's trying to keep a level head, Kiyomi."

"Chiharu, seriously? When it comes to having a level head, there is no such thing with love. We need to find a way to change her mind."

"Don't force her, Kiyomi. She's living with a lot of guilt because of what she did. Squad Ten still won't let her live it down, and she's not even in the squad anymore. I hear it all and have to turn a blind eye to it. But, of course, no one will say anything near the captain or lieutenant, so it's hard to get them to stop."

"Oh, Umeko. We didn't know."

"Let's just pretend we didn't hear her sleep talk. Let's say it must be sake that does it. Sound like a plan?"

"Yes." Kiyomi and Chiharu agreed.

The girls continued to enjoy the last six days of their vacation. They did not want to return back to the Soul Society, but they had to.

Eventually the four made it back. Umeko arrived at her squad first and then Chiharu and Rani separated from Kiyomi as they walked into their squad.

The two walked slowly to their room and Rani started to lose the grip on her stuff so she stopped to fix it before continuing on.

"What time do you have Shikai training tomorrow?"

"At nine I believe and I think it's with Captain Kuchiki this time. I am not looking forward...to...it." Rani answered as she opened the door to their room to find it filled with roses. "What. The. Hell." She said as her luggage fell off of her arms and onto the walkway. She put her right hand to the bridge of her nose and rubbed it. "He seriously can't take a clue." She stated and then left.