Waterfall Eclipse

The Party ~ Part Three

Chapter Fifty-One:

The Party – Part Three

As nervous as Rani was, she was glad she had her friends with her at the party. She stayed in the ballroom of the Kuchiki Manor as the guests arrived, greeting them and talking with them as they approached.

It wasn't as formal as she thought it was going to be. It was very casual and welcoming. Kiyomi and Chiharu found their stride in greeting guests, but Umeko was still trying to find hers. She found she couldn't completely enjoy herself without having some sake, but she didn't want to get drunk.

"You know, you can have a drink." Lieutenant Kuchiki stated realizing Umeko was nervous.

"I know, but I can't risk my behavior when I drink here. It wouldn't be polite, or –"

"Sweetie, have you met Lieutenant Matsumoto?" Umeko smiled. "There you go! Have fun and mingle. Rani will be fine. As long as she sees you having a good time, she will too."

"Okay, but can I walk around with you?"

"Sure."

Rani watched as Umeko started to walk with Rukia.

"HEY TÓMASU!" Someone yelled from across the room. Rani cringed. It was Lieutenant Abarai. She knew the voice.

She was shaking her head in shame of the behavior of her lieutenant.

"What?" He asked innocently.

"Really? From across the room? I am sure Captain Kuchiki is cringing just as I am at that."

"Oops!" He replied then looked to the captain and mouthed 'I'm sorry' to him causing Rani to laugh.

"Did you want something important?"

"Nah, I just didn't get to say the official congrats when I arrived. You had a line out the door. Oh, and to give you this." He added handing her a bag.

"Thanks, yeah, I am glad that is over now." She said as she peeked in the bag. "Sunglasses?"

"Yes. You deserve them." He said with a cheesy grin.

"Captain Ukitake and Kyouraku just arrived." She replied as she was being approached by the two captains she just named.

"Congratulations, Miss Tómasu." Captain Kyouraku stated as the other Captain Kyouraku nodded in agreement.

"Thank you Captain Kyouraku, Captain Ukitake." She said with a smile.

"Will you be making a speech later?"

"Speech?" She asked, as her eyes were widened with surprise. "Do I have to make a speech?" She asked her lieutenant worried.

"Captains, please don't scare her like that." Lieutenant Abarai jokingly replied. "And as far as I know, no you don't."

"You have come a long way, and I am glad Captain Kurotsuchi was able to solve your Reiatsu problem." Captain Ukitake stated.

"So am I. That's in the past now."

"Yes, it is." He replied with a smile.

The two captains left and went to talk with some others in the room.

"You could walk around. You're standing here like a statue."

"I'm nervous. And I'm getting quite flustered. The window here has a nice breeze coming in."

"You can't walk in the shoes, can you?"

"Well, not well, but I am fine here." He raised his eyebrow. "Okay, so I can't move my feet. I think they did a fresh coat of lacquer and it was still wet in this spot. I'm stuck."

The lieutenant broke out into a bout of uncontrollable laughter causing everyone to look. Rani turned red.

"I think I'm going to cry." He managed to say in between laughing.

Lieutenant Kuchiki came over and glared at him.

"What is going on?" She asked him causing him to laugh again.

Every time he was about to say what the problem was he would just break out again in hysterical laughter.

"I think the sake got to him." Rani said calmly.

"Rani?"

"Please don't laugh like him when I tell you."

"Okay?"

"I'm stuck." She said quietly. The Squad Six lieutenant burst out laughing again.

"Stuck?"

"Yes, stuck. Stuck as in I can't move my feet." She stated again. "Help." She pleaded quietly.

Lieutenant rolled her lips under trying to suppress her smile.

"You can smile. Just don't laugh, at least not like that bozo."

"How?"

"I don't know. Did they put fresh lacquer on the flooring in here for the party?" Rani asked causing Rukia's eyes to get wide.

"Oh dear!"

"They did. Didn't they?"

"Yes. Let me tell Byakuya. Maybe he can think of a way that it won't be so embarrassing for you." She said and then left leaving Rani to have a laughing lieutenant still by her.

"Go. Away." She said sternly. "And don't tell ANYONE."

"Okay. I promise I won't." He said as their host approached. "Hello Captain. How are you?"

"Lieutenant, leave." He replied and then turned his attention to Rani with a puzzled expression.

"I don't know." Rani stated. "I have the worst luck." He was silent. "I know no one ever sees you laugh, captain, but I think they'd expect it because of this."

"I'll laugh about it later, after we get you out of this predicament."

"How? I really don't want to ruin your floor. I could slide out of these ever so uncomfortable shoes, but how bad would that be?"

"You'd be going barefoot." He said in response. "You've sunken in pretty deep and the sock is now also attached to the floor."

"What?" Rani asked shocked. "This can't be happening to me!" That's when she noticed Captain Hitsugaya walking in with Lieutenant Hinamori. "God this is embarrassing." She then paused. "Lieutenant Kuchiki, can you, um - "

"Just say your thanks while I figure this out." The captain interrupted her.

"Hello Captain Hitsugaya, Lieutenant Hinamori. Glad you could make it."

"Rani? Is everything all right?" Lieutenant Hinamori asked.

"Oh yes, just fine." She quickly answered in a higher pitched voice.

"Congratulations, Miss Tómasu." Captain Hitsugaya stated as he looked at her puzzled.

"Thank you captain, and thanks for helping Kiyomi with this." She said as she pointed to the comb in her hair. "It means a lot."

"You're welcome." He said with a small smile. He then left to go talk with the others.

"I'll go join him. Congrats again." Lieutenant Hinamori stated before leaving.