Waterfall Eclipse

Set Up

Chapter Forty-Seven:

Set Up

Captain Hitsugaya kept an eye on the time before making his way down to the lobby. He was a few minutes early, so he sat down in one of the provided chairs and waited. Soon after the girls arrived.

"Hello, Ca – Hitsugaya." Umeko corrected herself. "Were you waiting long?"

"No, just a minute or two." He answered as he stood up. He carefully observed the dresses they each had on and formed a small smile. "Shall we go, ladies?"

"Sure! Follow us!" Kiyomi stated as she grabbed Umeko's right hand and Chiharu's left hand and pulled them leaving Rani to walk with the captain.

"They won't hear the end of this later." She muttered.

"I don't mind." He said casually as the he started to walk. "What?"

"I'm not surprised, but a little warning: Umeko is a horrible drunk. She gets really blunt sometimes, to the point where she always embarrasses me somehow. She might say something that's a bit shocking."

"Duly noted. Come on. We're losing them." He said as he grabbed her hand and gently pulled her.

They caught up to the girls and eventually made it to the restaurant, where they were seated.

"You had reservations?"

"Well, Kiyomi called to make sure there was a table for us. They don't really take reservations unless they get really busy."

"So, Hitsugaya, will you be going to the party at the Kuchiki Manor on Tuesday?"

"Yes, now that I know what it is."

The girls gave him a puzzled look, but Rani just grinned.

"He received an invitation, but it didn't say what the reason was for."

"Oh, that's odd. You would think someone like Captain Kuchiki would have realized that." Chiharu commented.

"No, not really. I think he is surprising everyone with my promotion. I only told you three because he said I could. And I told Lieutenant Hinamori because I couldn't contain my excitement, but she knows not to tell anyone."

"Then how did Matsumoto find out? She's the one who told me."

"Maybe Lieutenant Abarai?" Rani questioned. "Oh well. She knows. That's fine. As long as she doesn't blab too much."

"Tómasu, it's Matsumoto. She's a blabbermouth, especially when drunk, which is pretty much all the time." He stated causing the girls to start to laugh.

"Well, if everyone knows before Tuesday, then it'll be on the lieutenant for telling her. He, above all people, should know better." Rani said as their drinks came.

He smiled as he looked down at the menu.

The evening meal went by smoothly for the most part. Umeko only drank soda, and then switched to water, so she wouldn't embarrass her friend. After dinner the group of five walked back to the hotel slowly, and separated again.

"Are you okay?" Rani asked the captain.

"Yeah." He replied. "I just have a lot on my mind."

"Now you sound like me." She joked causing him to smile.

"Hey Rani! Are there fireworks on the beach tonight?" Kiyomi called back.

"I believe so. It's Friday, so there should be."

"Okay. We'll go back to the room, relax a bit and then grab a spot. Sound like a plan?"

"Sure." Rani answered and then turned to him. "You're welcome to join us."

"I may go down. I haven't decided yet."

"Wow. You really sound depressed."

"Sorry. I just don't want to take up all of your time from your friends. I am happy you invited me along, but you came here with them."

"And you think I'm not enjoying myself with you?" She asked as a chill went up her spine. "I should have worn a different dress." She said as she folded her arms and rubbed her shoulders.

He stopped and took off his jacket and draped it on her shoulders.

"Won't you be cold?" She asked absentmindedly.

"Nah, the cold doesn't bother me." He answered. "You know, ice zanpakuto."

"Right." She said embarrassed causing him to let out a small chuckle. "I can't believe I even asked that."

"Don't worry about it. If you aren't thinking about work, I could see anyone forgetting."

Rani looked up to see the girls not in her line of sight.

"Damn. We lost them."

"No, I'm pretty sure they purposely lost us." He answered.

"Even better."

The two made their way into the hotel and got on the elevator to go back to their rooms.

"So, the fireworks start at nine, but the beach may fill up by half past eight. We'll save you some room, so come and find us." Rani said as the two got off the elevator. She handed him back his jacket before she forgot.

"Thank you." He said as he nodded and then walked in the opposite direction of Rani.

She made it back to the room and glared at the girls.

"Seriously?"

"Sorry Rani. You two looked so cute together."

"And it was so romantic how he gave you his jacket." Chiharu replied with a grin.

"I wouldn't call it romantic, just a nice gesture."

"But we all know he really likes you. And you should have seen how romantic it looked with the two of you walking like that. And on the jetty earlier."

"You should have seen me getting off the jetty earlier. I think he purposely made it so he had to help me off of the biggest rock."

"Really? That's great."

"So that's two sly moves he put on you that seemed innocent enough." Umeko stated.

"Shit. You're right." Rani realized, deciding not to mention is compliment from earlier as well.

"So, did you invite him to join us tonight?"

"Yes. He said he might come. I told him we'd save some room for him in case he shows up."

"Good." Umeko said with an evil grin.

"I don't know what you're planning, but please don't. It was awkward enough when you left me to walk with him by myself."

"Oh no!" Chiharu stated where Rani's thoughts were leading. "You've finally come to terms that you want a relationship with him, and actually date him, haven't you?"

"Maybe." She said with a sigh as she picked up the clothes she was changing into and headed to the bathroom. "I don't want to talk about it right now."

The three looked at each other and smiled, mutually agreeing on letting Rani do this on her own and in her own terms.

Once she was ready, the four headed downstairs to watch the fireworks display, but were not joined by the captain.