Waterfall Eclipse

The Party - Part Two

Chapter Fifty:

The Party - Part Two

At half past eight in the morning the next day, Kiyomi made her way to Squad Ten before she had to be at the Kuchiki Manor. She found Umeko in her room.

"What's wrong, Kiyomi?"

"I can't lie to Rani. I need to tell Captain Hitsugaya that I need to tell her the truth. She's been through so much, and a friend lying to her isn't something she needs, especially today."

"Want me to come with you? He should be in his office."

"Would you mind?"

"Nope. We have an hour and a half before we're supposed to be at the Kuchiki Manor. Let's go."

The two made their way to the captain's office. Umeko gently tapped on the door and opened it when permitted.

"Captain Hitsugaya, we need to talk to you." Umeko said nervously.

He looked up from his papers to see Umeko and Kiyomi standing there, with Kiyomi nervously playing with whatever was in her hands.

"Have a seat. What's wrong?" He asked as he stood up and walked over to join them.

"I-I can't lie to Rani. I can't tell her that I bought this. She knew the price. We all brought the same amount of money. She would figure it out." Kiyomi stammered looking at the item in her hands. "Rani deserves honest people in her life. And she doesn't deserve a best friend who would lie to her about this. Sure, it's trivial - a little hairclip, but it's a ripple effect." She added and then looked up at him.

"I see." He softly stated. "But you two understand my point of view too, right?"

"Yes." They chimed.

"I'll still give it to her, but I want to be able to tell her the truth."

"How much of the truth?" He asked worried.

"The whole story on how I have it in my hands for her. That you paid for it, but are requiring me to pay you back. That you would have given it to her yourself, but -"

"Tell her that I paid for it there, but only because you couldn't afford both, and you knew how much it would mean to her. If you want to include that I am making you reimburse me, that's fine, but that's all you are to say." He said calmly.

"Really? You're not mad?"

"No. You girls go relax before having to go get ready for tonight." He stated and then glanced on the other small table in the room. "Oh, Miss Sasaki?"

"Yes, captain?"

"Those two packages are for you and Miss Nakano."

She looked over to where he was looking and went to get them.

"Thank you captain." She replied and then left with Kiyomi.

"What are they?"

"I had gone back to that shop before we left, running into him outside the door. He and I talked for a little bit while I paid for two hairpins. I then realized since I only said I was going to go for a walk that it would look suspicious. I asked him if he would mind bringing them back and I'd pick up the package today."

"You bought hairpins?"

"Yeah, one for me and the one Chiharu was admiring constantly." She answered as she opened the box. "I wanted to wait to see if I had enough left over money to buy them."

"Oh, wow. They're gorgeous."

"I know. I figured since you and Rani will be wearing new hair accessories that Chiharu and I should also be able to too."

An hour later, all four girls met outside the Kuchiki Manor and were allowed inside unescorted. They made their way to Hiroshi's designated hut.

"Okay, well this will be a busy day. Let's get going. I leave you ladies in the care of my associates for the bulk of the day." He said and then let his associate take over.

"Wait, what?"

"Ladies, this way to the back room. We have everything set up."

The girls followed the associate and saw two tubs filled with water and suds. Hiroshi closed the door behind them and blocked it from any visitor.

"Oh dear. This is going to be a long day." Rani stated.

"Miss Rani and Miss Kiyomi, you're first. Get in."

Rani and Kiyomi reluctantly agreed and bathed under the eyes of Hiroshi's associates. Chiharu and Umeko were next while the first two were getting their hair done.

Two hours later, they were partly dressed and ready to go. They were in temporary robes while they waited for the right time to get their kimonos on.

"Why do we have to wear makeup?"

"Shush Umeko. They aren't putting a lot on. Just enough to look presentable."

"Actually, we aren't putting any makeup on. We're just giving you facials." The youngest associate commented. "It just feels like it."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah, although a soft lip color has been requested for each of you."

"Who requested that?"

"Lady Kuchiki. She thought it would be nice."

The girls smiled. Before they knew it, it was time to finish getting ready.

The four girls were fully dressed in their kimonos by the time that Captain Kuchiki and Lieutenant Kuchiki came to see how they were making out.

"Miss Tómasu knows this, so listen well: I don't give compliments often." Captain Kuchiki started causing Rani to smile. "You ladies look stunning."

"Thank you Captain Kuchiki." Umeko, Kiyomi and Chiharu replied.

Rani was still smiling, starting to shake her head at the memory from the academy.

"Captain Kuchiki?"

"Yes, Miss Kiyomi?"

"I was wondering if you could put the finishing touch on Rani." She asked and then bit her lip as she held out the hair comb.

"Finishing touch?" Rani questioned and then saw what she had. "Kiyomi, how did you?" She asked puzzled. "You couldn't afford that during our trip."

As Captain Kuchiki gently took the hair comb out of Kiyomi's hand, he never lost eye contact with her.

"I didn't buy it. I owe Captain Hitsugaya the money." She answered causing Rani to raise her eyebrow. "I wanted to buy it so bad, and he saw that, but I couldn't afford both that one and mine. He offered as long as I paid him back." She explained. "Please don't be mad at us."

Rani stopped the captain from putting it in her hair, just long enough that she could look at it again.

"You remembered. You remembered how I had one just like it, didn't you?" She asked as tears started to form. She walked over to her friend. "You remembered when we were kids and I somehow lost it. I was devastated."

"Yes. Now stop crying, let the captain put it in your hair, and let's have some fun." Kiyomi scolded as she grabbed a tissue and wiped her friend's tears.

Rani smiled and then backed up to where the captain was. He placed the comb in her hair and basked in the smile that was now beaming across her face.