Waterfall Eclipse

The Party - Part One

Chapter Forty-Nine:

The Party – Part One

Two days later, the girls vacation had ended and they made their way back to the Soul Society. Kiyomi and the girls never gave Rani the hair clip. They wanted to surprise her as the stylist was finished getting them ready for the event. When they got back their plan was to unpack and relax, but Lieutenant Kuchiki had other plans, as she met them at the Senkaimon.

"Lieutenant, are you heading into the Living World?" Umeko asked.

"No, I came to escort you girls."

"Escort us where?"

"To Kuchiki Manor. You have lessons today and a fitting."

"Did you say lessons? What kind of lessons?" Kiyomi asked, terrified.

"Simple etiquette. It's not so bad. I'll be with you."

Rani started to chuckle.

"Well, it's probably for the best. Let's just make the most of it." She declared and then turned to the lieutenant. "Lead the way, Lieutenant Kuchiki."

"All right! Girls follow me! And feel free to call me Rukia."

The girls made their way to the Kuchiki Manor and met with the family tutor. They went through a three-hour intense training session on etiquette basics, which luckily for them, they were quick studies. They then had a quick lunch and then headed to see Hiroshi for their fitting.

"You made all of our kimonos that quick?" Umeko asked in shock.

"My dear Miss Sasaki, we work night and day in shifts. I have a lot more assistants than you have met previously."

Kiyomi smiled as she admired her kimono that was hanging up.

"Mister Hiroshi?"

"Yes, Miss Kiyomi?"

"You wouldn't be offended if we had purchased some hair accessories that we thought complimented our kimonos, would you?"

"Not at all. Although, may I see?"

"Sure. I have to go through my bag to get it out."

"Quickly. Go. Come right back!"

"Yes, sir." She replied and then went to the main entrance.

Their bags had been left there at the request of the tutor. Once she rummaged through her bag, she made her way back.

"Is Rani getting into her kimono?" Kiyomi quietly asked.

"Yes. So is Umeko." Chiharu replied.

"Mister Hiroshi, this is what I found."

He came over to her and was handed the hairpin.

"Very beautiful. You found this in the Living World?"

"Yes."

"It's gorgeous. Tomorrow bring it back." He said handing it back to her. "We will put it in for you." He said and then looked in her other hand. "What is that? Another one?"

"It's a surprise for Rani. A gift from all of us. We don't want her to know about it." Kiyomi replied and then nervously opened it.

"This is another gorgeous piece. But how did you know it would match her kimono? She was sworn to secrecy."

"She found it in the store. It actually looks like one she was found with by her adoptive parents in the Rukongai district. She lost that one, saw this one, and got really upset." Kiyomi explained as Captain Kuchiki walked in.

"Ah, Captain Kuchiki. What do I owe this pleasure?" He asked as the captain approached.

"Hiroshi, I just came to see how things are going. I saw Miss Kiyomi outside before. Now I know why." He said as he looked at the hairclip. "Was she set on getting this down there?"

"Well, I know it won't replace the one she lost, but it is a gift, captain. And she had mentioned that she had to number crunch, which in Rani's case, means it was too much money."

"I am surprised to see you, as friends, were so generous with your money while on vacation."

"We, uh, technically weren't." Chiharu confessed.

"CHIHARU!"

"I don't care, Kiyomi. You may have made that agreement, but I sure as heck didn't." She replied and then turned to Captain Kuchiki. "I can't lie, captain. You know this about me." He nodded. "Captain Hitsugaya actually paid for it, under the condition that Kiyomi pay him back slowly. I don't know why, but he didn't want Rani to know the truth."

"I will not let Miss Tómasu know, but one of you has to come clean. And I won't let Captain Hitsugaya know either."

"Thank you Captain Kuchiki." Kiyomi said hiding Rani's gift again.

"Now, go get into your kimonos. I want to see you all in them."

"Yes, sir." Chiharu and Kiyomi said in unison as Umeko walked out.

"What did I miss out here?" She asked as she carefully walked. "Oh, hello Captain Kuchiki."

"Are you comfortable?"

"Well, besides the shoes hurting, I can at least breathe." She joked. Her cheeks turned rosy immediately after. "I am so sorry for being disrespectful." She said mortified.

"Do not worry. It was an honest answer."

Chiharu and Kiyomi came out not too longer after, and the big reveal for Rani in front of the girls happened immediately after.

"Oh my God! Rani! You look beautiful!" Kiyomi exclaimed.

"Did you choose the color?" Umeko asked.

Rani was about to answer, but Captain Kuchiki answered instead.

"No, she didn't. I chose for her."

"You did, captain?" Chiharu asked confused. "But then why not choose for us as well?" She asked puzzled.

"Truthfully, allowing her to invite you was an after thought. I really only wanted captains, lieutenants, and other Third Seats at the party. I then realized how uncomfortable Miss Tomasu might become. She needs you by her side."

"Thank you Captain Kuchiki." Kiyomi responded. "We really appreciate it." She added with a smile.

"I can't walk in this thing." Rani stated. "I almost fell before."

"That would have made a great entrance into here." Chiharu teased.

"Ladies, you may carefully practice walking on the grounds. Just please do not ruin the kimonos." Captain Kuchiki said and then excused himself.

Lieutenant Kuchiki came in moments later.

"Follow me. I'll give you some pointers on walking."

"Shouldn't you be at Squad Thirteen?" Rani asked confused.

"Captain Ukitake is having a good day so he excused me for the day."

After an hour of walking practice, the girls headed back and changed into their regular clothes. Their kimonos were taken by Hiroshi's associates to be steam pressed before the big day. Kiyomi held onto the hair accessories tightly as they approached the main gate and grabbed their stuff. She put the clips in the front of her bag and joined the girls.

"I am so nervous about tomorrow." Rani eventually admitted as she and Chiharu walked into their room. "What if I screw up?"

"It's just a party. There's no ceremony to really worry about. You'll be fine."