Waterfall Eclipse

The Party - Part Four

Chapter Fifty-Two:

The Party – Part Four

The captain couldn't figure out to easily get her out of the floor without causing a scene.

"Stay here. I'll be right back."

"Where else am I going to go?" She sarcastically asked then immediately covered her mouth. He gave her a glaring look as well.

"Do you crack jokes to get you through sticky situations?" Lieutenant Kuchiki asked causing Rani to glare at her. "What?"

"Really? Sticky situations?"

"I am so sorry Rani. I totally forgot." She answered starting to laugh.

"I'm about to say forget manners here."

"And do what?"

Rani took a deep breath in and exhaled.

"Boy I am going to regret this. And the response from your brother is going to be horrible." She stated. "Can I have everyone's attention please?" She asked loudly. Everyone turned to face her. "Great, so I am happy you all came to this party that Captain Kuchiki is hosting, but I seem to be in a very odd predicament right now. And please don't laugh, since that won't help. I am stuck to the floor, shoes and socks, and I can't move. So, if anyone has an idea on how to get me out without ruining this freshly lacquered floor, it would be greatly appreciated. That is all. Thank you."

Lieutenant Kuchiki turned to look at her and smiled.

"I can't believe you just did that." She commented as Umeko, Chiharu, Kiyomi, and Lieutenant Hinamori came over.

"Hi." Rani said grinning.

"I think you just shocked the whole room into silence." Umeko commented as Captain Kuchiki came back in.

"What happened?"

"Rani just announced it to the whole room that she was stuck, sir." Kiyomi answered causing him to look at her.

"Sorry. I figured it would be better if they knew anyway. It would explain why your employees were coming over to inspect me."

"Captain?"

"Yes, Miss Nakano?"

"I know I shouldn't suggest this, but why don't we move the party to the courtyard. It's so nice out tonight. It would give Rani the privacy of getting her out of the floor."

"I think that's a great idea." Lieutenant Kuchiki agreed. "Brother?"

"Dining al fresco isn't the norm in the Kuchiki Manor, but it will have to do for the time being." He finally agreed. "Rukia take care of it, please."

"Okay. Girls, help me please."

The girls helped inform the party guests and servants that the party would be moved outside.

"Abarai! Get over here! Rukia, you too!"

"Yes sir. Coming!" He replied grinning. "What can I do for you?"

"Yes, brother?"

"See if you can at least find her another pair of socks. Maybe shoes. And quickly."

"Sure. I'll be back."

"Renji, pick her up." He said as he drew his katana. "And hold her still."

"Uh Captain Kuchiki? What are you going to do?" Rani asked. "I could just slide the socks off." She asked as she was being lifted by her lieutenant and the socks being stretched. Before she knew it, she could move her feet, and she felt a draft. "Uh...You can put me down now, Lieutenant."

"Oh, sorry." He said sheepishly as he placed her gently on the floor away from where she had been standing for two hours.

"How long had you been there?" The captain asked her.

"Two hours?"

"And you just noticed it before?"

"Well, yeah. I can stand in one spot for an hour or so before needing to move. It never occurred to me that I was stuck." She answered as Rukia came back in. "I know, it's weird."

"Stop with your nervous defense mechanism." Rukia scolded as she handed her a new pair of socks. "You three – out!"

The three men that were left in the room quickly exited so Rani could put the socks back on.

"Well, that was embarrassing."

"Did Renji hoist you up over his shoulder?"

"Yeah, and almost forgot to put be back down." Rani replied as she put the shoes on. "Okay. I'm good. I'm not stuck to the floor. And I am hungry."

"Come on. Let's go outside."

Rani and Rukia made their way outside to staring eyes. Rani just smiled as she made her way over to the food table. The servant gladly made her a plate and she found a seat on a bench not far away.

"Are you okay?" Kiyomi asked.

"I am now. I can eat."

"Is that when you realized you couldn't move? When you wanted to get food?"

"Yes, sadly." She said as she carefully stuffed her face.

"Manners Rani. Remember the etiquette." Kiyomi teased.

"That etiquette stuff went out the window when I got stuck to the floor." She joked and then laughed. "Hello Captain Hitsugaya." She greeted with a smile. Kiyomi excused herself leaving the two alone.

"Stuck to the floor?"

"Yes. I had only just realized before you and Lieutenant Hinamori arrived. You missed Lieutenant Abarai's nonstop laughing though." She answered. "Sorry, please, sit down." She said as she moved over.

He took her invitation.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah why? Maybe a little embarrassed about it, but it's fine now." Rani said as Captain Unohana came over with Lieutenant Kotetsu. "Hi captain! Hi lieutenant!"

"Tómasu, that was one odd announcement."

"Um, yeah well, what can I say? I always bring excitement wherever I am. And I decided that it would be best to be honest about it than to have everyone wonder why so many Kuchiki Manor staff were circling me like vultures."

"That's an interesting way of putting it." The lieutenant observed smiling.

Across the way, Captain Kuchiki was talking with Captains Kyouraku and Ukitake.

"It was a smart decision moving her to third seat status."

"She's strong. She may surpass you, Captain Kuchiki." Captain Kyouraku stated with his trademark grin.

"I am well aware of that," He started, "But for right now perfecting her Shikai is the most important thing to do, especially now that it's changed into something more magnificent."

"Oh really? You think she would want to spar with either of us one day?"

"You would have to ask her on that matter. It is her decision to make. I cannot force her or prevent her from using it anymore now that she's a Third Seat."