Waterfall Eclipse

A Piece of Her Past

Chapter Forty-Eight:

A Piece of Her Past

In the morning, the girls slowly got up and went out on the balcony for room-serviced breakfast.

"So, are we beaching it, pooling it, or shopping?" Kiyomi asked.

"I think I want to go shopping. I need a different bathing suit."

"No. No. NO. The one we bought you is perfectly fine." Umeko replied.

"You may think so, but I'd rather have a one piece as an extra. You know, a little more coverage?"

"We can go shopping for other things as well." Chiharu agreed. "You know, be tourists."

"I'll go with shopping too."

"Three against one? That's not fair. I thought you'd side with me, at least, Kiyomi."

"Not this time."

The girls finished their breakfast, got changed, and headed out. They walked on the street and window shopped until Kiyomi stopped short.

"Kiyomi?"

"I think I want to go in here." She slowly replied and then went to the door.

The girls followed her into the store. It was filled with kimonos and accessories.

"Oh, wow! These kimonos are gorgeous!" Rani replied as she admired one on display.

"What does your kimono look like? I don't think you've told us." Chiharu asked as they slowly looked at the hair pins and clips in a glass case.

"I think Captain Kuchiki would prefer me to keep my lips sealed on that, although I will say it is very well made." Rani replied as she stopped. There was a beautiful hair clip that would match her kimono perfectly.

"See something you like, dear?"

"Oh, yeah. Can I just see that clip right there, with the purple and white flower?" Rani asked the clerk.

The woman smiled and went into the case and pulled it out.

"This one is very old, but sturdy."

"Wow. It's beautiful." Rani said admiring it.

The woman came out from behind the counter and pulled Rani's hair back and placed it in.

"Wow."

"It looks beautiful on you dear. Do you have a kimono that it will match?"

"Yes. We have a party on Tuesday when we get back. Sadly I can't afford it."

"Aw, Rani, that's beautiful." Umeko said after she came over and saw what the woman did.

Rani carefully took it out and gave it back.

"I'll have to do some number crunching while walking around, ma'am."

"I'll just keep it to the side." She said with a smile.

Rani followed Umeko to where the other two were.

"More hair pins?"

"I think I like these." Kiyomi said as she pointed to two identical clips. "I think the stylist can figure something out with them, don't you agree?"

"Girls, are we even supposed to buy accessories? Wouldn't the tailor have all parts to the outfit for us?" Chiharu asked worried. "I mean, I do love a lot of the items in here, but would we be over stepping the line?"

"I don't think Captain Kuchiki would mind." Rani replied. "Not if it's something we thought would look nice to go along with the kimonos he's having Hiroshi make for us."

"Oh, Kiyomi, look at this one! This really matches the fabric of your kimono." Umeko commented as she was staring at another clip.

"Let me know if you see anything you like, girls. I'd be happy to help."

"Thank you ma'am. Can I see this one?" Kiyomi asked wanting a closer look at the one Umeko just found.

"Girls, I am going to sit outside." Rani said sadly and then headed for the door.

Once she was outside, Chiharu turned to Umeko and Kiyomi.

"She seems so sad."

"I've seen a clip like that before." Kiyomi stated. "A week before her mother died, she gave Rani a clip just like that one. She told Rani when her parents found her they found that clip inside her clothing. It took them a while to realize it was there."

"Where did it go?"

"That's the sad part, Umeko. Somewhere along the way, she lost it. Or it was stolen, for no other purpose than for someone else to possess it. It's not magical or spiritual, but it was a part of Rani's history." Kiyomi replied than paused. "It's funny. I didn't think about it until now." She added and then turned to the clerk. "How much was that clip our friend was admiring?"

"Let me go check. I am not entirely sure. It's been sitting here for a long time." The woman said and then walked over by the register and started to leaf through a binder. Suddenly the door opened and the clerk looked at the new customer. "Hello, young man. Let me know if you see anything you like."

"I will. Thank you." He answered.

The girls recognized the voice immediately.

"Hitsugaya? What are you doing here?"

"Hi ladies." He greeted. "Why is Tómasu sitting outside by herself?"

"She got tired of walking around in here." Chiharu quickly lied. "Kiyomi is taking too long deciding on something for Tuesday."

"Hey! Don't blame me! And don't lie to him." She said defensively causing him to raise an eyebrow. "She saw a hair piece that looks exactly like one she was found with before she was adopted. She said she couldn't afford it, so the nice lady is looking up the price. I want to buy it for her if I can."

"And get yours as well?" Umeko asked confused.

"Yes. This one I can definitely afford. That one, I am not so sure."

"Which one was it?" He casually asked getting puzzled expressions from all three girls. "What?"

The three giggled as Umeko walked past him. The clerk handed it over to her.

"Thank you ma'am. It's this one."

"Ah, found it. It's 8000 yen, miss."

"That's...darn." Kiyomi said realizing she still needed to be able to pay for food, drinks and whatever else she wanted to buy. "I can't afford it."

Captain Hitsugaya walked over to where Kiyomi was standing.

"I'll buy it and you can slowly pay me back." He stated softly in her ear. "Just don't tell her."

"S-sure. Thank you." Kiyomi said shocked.

"All right, young man, I'll ring you up as soon as I take care of the young lady." The clerk managed to stammer out, also shocked at his generosity.

Five minutes later, the two sales had been completed and Captain Hitsugaya handed his purchase over to Kiyomi.

"Don't forget. Don't tell her I bought it, and you pay me back slowly."

"Sure. Thanks again, but why don't you want her to know?" Kiyomi asked confused.

"I've finally realized I rushed things. I'm giving her space, and buying her a gift like that should only come from friends, or a boyfriend. I don't know where I stand with her at this point. Trust me. It's better this way."