Waterfall Eclipse

Operation: Flabbergast

Chapter Forty-Five:

Operation: Flabbergast

Once the girls were finished with their fitting, they headed back to their squads chatting amongst themselves. Before departing each other's company, they were approached by Lieutenant Abarai.

"Hello lieutenant." Rani greeted with a smile.

"Hey, wanted me to tell you to take the next four days off. He already discussed the leave request with Captain Hitsugaya and Lieutenant Hinamori. They both agreed for the two of you ladies."

"So, we can leave like now?"

"Yes, just let your captains, or lieutenant, know. I already put a call into the hotel and they had a room available. I booked it."

"Okay, how much do we owe you?" Rani asked.

"Nothing. Think of it as one of my presents." He said with a smile.

The girls, unsure if he was playing a trick on them, went to their barracks and talked to their officer in charge before meeting back with their luggage at Rani and Chiharu's room.

"So he was telling the truth."

"Guess so. He randomly lies, and when he does it's usually for a good cause." Chiharu answered.

"So when does Captain Hitsugaya go on his leave?"

"Tomorrow ironically." Umeko answered with a grin. "This worked out better than I thought." She added then turned to Rani. "Did you pack the bikini?"

"Not funny and yes." Rani answered.

The girls made their way to the Senkaimon and back to the Living World, got their Gigais, and then made their way to the resort in record time. They checked in and went up to their room. Rani made her way to the balcony.

"This is a much better view. I can see all the way down the beach. It's beautiful."

"Yeah, well, let's head down to the beach then. It's warm enough. Hopefully we can grab some lounge chairs." Umeko stated.

The girls quickly changed and headed out the door. Rani was wearing the cover-up dress over the bathing suit after having to get it out of Kiyomi's grip. When they arrived in the elevator, Umeko, Kiyomi and Chiharu were able to get in the car that came, but there was no room for Rani.

"I'll meet you three down there." She called not worried. Or, at least she wasn't until she saw their shocked expressions and felt a hand on her shoulder.

"Tómasu, why are you here?" He asked as he pressed the "down" button on the wall.

Rani turned around to see a preppy clothed Captain Hitsugaya.

"This was a rushed trip, as you are aware, cap-."

"Nix the 'captain' crap here, especially when I am in a Gigai." He said cutting her off.

"Sure, that'll take some getting used to though. Anyway, Lieutenant Abarai booked this hotel for us as a gift to me. I had no control over it."

"He has no clue that I am also on leave?"

"I'm guessing no."

"Okay." He said as the elevator chimed. "Come on, your friends are waiting." He said as he ushered her inside the elevator.

"So, when did you get here?"

"Just after you ladies did. When I came inside the lobby I saw you heading to the elevators."

Rani smiled. She suddenly found herself getting nervous, as she looked at her reflection in the mirrored paneling on the walls of the elevator. It took her that long to remember she only had a barely there bikini on under the cover up dress.

"So, what do you plan on doing while you're here?" Rani asked breaking the awkward silence.

"Just relax I guess. What else is there to do?"

"Good point." She said with a smile as the elevator stopped. "So, if you get lonely, you can come hang out with us. We wouldn't mind." Rani said before exiting the elevator in front of him.

"Thank you." He said and then made his way to the bar.

Rani walked over to the girls, who had waited a little out of the way.

"He's already hitting the bar? He must not be in a good mood."

"I think he's pissed we're here, but when I told him Lieutenant Abarai booked this for us, he seemed to calm down. And we're to not use the captain title. Just call him by his last name. He doesn't want any funny expressions from strangers."

"Got it!" The three girls chimed.

They then made their way to the beach and found four empty lounge chairs in the perfect sunning position.

"So, is our Shinigami Pirate back?" Umeko teased.

"Maybe, although I did like that other drink I tried. The one with the raspberry vodka."

"But you had shots of that. Straight up vodka."

"I know. I slept like a log that night and was recharged in the morning."

"I am still trying to figure out how that happened. We were seriously hung-over." Kiyomi commented.

Rani pulled the cover-up dress off and draped it on the back of the chair.

"Still feel exposed in that thing?"

"Yes, Chiharu, I do. It's the only suit I have currently. I haven't gotten a chance to go shopping."

"Good, because I think Hitsugaya's eyeballs just popped out of his head."

Rani stood up straight, eyes widened at the comment.

"I don't want to look, but seriously?"

"Yeah, and his chin's to the floor." Umeko answered as she stifled a laugh.

"Girls, you know what this means, right?" Kiyomi hinted.

"Yeah," Chiharu and Umeko replied with a grin.

"Operation: Flabbergast is a go!" The three said in unison causing Rani to blush in embarrassment.

"Oh great! I thought that was over."

"It was, until you showed him your bikini and awesome body." Umeko stated.

"That was completely unintentional. I mean I am at the beach. Why was he looking this way anyway?"

"I don't know, but give me a minute. I'll get our drink order in." Umeko answered and then made her way over to the bar, and to where the captain was standing. Once she ordered her drinks, she looked over at him. He was nursing the same drink because he was staring at Rani. "You know, captain," She said in a whisper ignoring his request, "It's not polite to stare at a lady."

He jolted in his seat, and then turned to face her.

"Call me Hitsugaya. Didn't she tell you?" He asked then turning back to the way he was facing.

"She did. I forgot." Umeko answered as she turned around. "She's self conscious in that bathing suit, but I think she looks gorgeous. Rani won't listen to us though." Captain Hitsugaya was quiet. "What was that comment you made to me, 'your silence speaks volumes'?" She questioned finally garnering his attention, along with a confused look. "We caught you staring at her when she pulled off the cover-up. And I do mean staring." She said grinning as she walked with the waiter with their drinks leaving him behind.