Waterfall Eclipse

Something More

Chapter Fifty-Five:

Something More

Captain Hitsugaya couldn't help but laugh at Rani's predicament. Her friends left her with him at a fancy restaurant, obviously setting the two up on a date. His subordinate asked him to join them at the restaurant saying it was just a casual outing and the girls enjoyed his company after their last vacation.

He chose to approach her on the subject.

"We can either make the most of this and eat here, or you can go after them." Rani jumped and screamed, and then turned around. "Sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"No, it's okay. I just wish they wouldn't do things like that." She said aggravated. "Yeah, let's just make the most of this set up and I'll pay them back some other time."

"Come on. I somehow think they might have made the reservation in my name."

Rani smiled as she walked with him inside. The maître d' escorted them to a table by a window and handed them their menus.

"So what are you going to do to them when you see them again?" He asked her as they looked at the menus.

"I have no idea. It's hard with Chiharu since we're in the same room, but I could still give them all the silent treatment, just to mess with them."

"How long would that last? I don't think I've ever seen you girls fight."

"It might last a day, in all honesty. I just want to mess with them long enough to worry."

"But how mad are you at them?"

Rani sensed the worry in his question.

"I'm not one hundred percent mad at them, but I am a little." She answered. "I want them to understand that doing stuff like this isn't okay. It's a variation of a blind date, except we know who the other person is we're eating with. And I have come to the conclusion I don't like blind dates."

He smiled at her as he listened to her talk. Not just about the how the dinner played out, but also about how she was doing in her position.

After they ate, they walked with each other and ended up in a local park. They walked for ten minutes before finding a bench.

"Did you at least have fun?" He asked as he sat down next to her.

"Yes, I did." She admitted. "Did you?"

"Yeah." He slightly nervously said. "When did you want to head back to the Soul Society?"

"Did you have to?" She asked sarcastically as she turned to face him.

"Sorry." He said with a small laugh as he turned his head down and shook it. "I still always have work on my mind."

"I know. But it's expected since you're a captain, right?" She asked rhetorically.

"I've wanted to know something, but have never asked you."

"Oh? What's that?"

"Why are you still roommates with Miss Nakano? I know Third Seats have their own room."

"Oh, well, I asked Captain Kuchiki if she and I could still room together. I don't like being alone. It's a form of security for myself, I guess. I know I have neighbors, but it isn't the same."

"He went along with it?"

"Yes, I was shocked too. He actually said it was fine until I started to have issues differentiating between work and friendship, then he would change it. However, Chiharu and I talked about it. We never discuss work at home."

He nodded in acknowledgement, but got quiet.

"Hey Rani?"

"Mm?" She responded and then looked at him. She could see he was having a hard time putting into words what he wanted to say. "Toshiro, are you all right?"

"I – I can't do this anymore."

"Do what?"

"This. Us. Us just being friends. I know you don't mean to, but I feel like you're toying with me. I've tried to be good and give you your space, but your friends aren't even letting me do that. They want us together as much as I want to be together with you. I love you too much, and I don't want to lose you or let you go."

Rani gulped at his statement. She realized it was bound to happen eventually. She just didn't want it to be this specific night.

"Oh."

"Rani, you know how I feel about you. But I don't know if what I hear about you is true. That you have feelings for me as well." He said then paused. "I want something more than being only friends with you. I know you've said you're not interested in dating anyone, but this waiting I have been doing isn't fair."

Rani listened to him carefully before she responded. When she did, she spoke softly.

"I know it's not, and truthfully I have wanted to talk to you about it as well." She said nervously as she looked at him. "I think I have come to terms regarding my feelings for you. Yes, I do really like you. It may even be love, but I can't call it that yet." Rani added as he turned to face her. "It's too soon for me." A smiled formed on his face causing one to slowly form on hers. "I think I may be ready to dive into this dating world."

He leaned closer to her, grabbed her by the back of her head, pulled her close and rested his forehead on hers.

"Well, then, Rani, would you officially be my girlfriend?" He asked her.

"Only if you would officially be my boyfriend, Toshiro." She replied back grinning.

"I think we have a deal." He whispered.

Rani wasn't one to be that daring regarding manners of affection, but this time she took the situation into her own hands. She reached her hands up, grabbed him by the back of his head, tilted her head, and pulled him into a kiss. When they slowly pulled away, she noticed his teal eyes were wide with astonishment.

"I don't want you asking permission anymore. Any time you want to kiss me, you can." She stated with a mischievous grin.

He grinned back as he put his hands on each side of her head over her ears and gently pulled her towards him for another kiss.

"I can agree to that." He stated before kissing her.

A little while later the two were heading back into the Soul Society.

"You sure you're okay with this?" He asked her.

"I am fine. Just don't tell anyone yet. We can play it off like we had a normal dinner. I need to make the girls sweat a little."

"And here I thought you were all innocent."

Rani raised her eyebrow at him after going through the Senkaimon.

"You're going to find out I can be either innocent or a devil. You'd better be prepared for what you just got into." She said playfully.

"Duly noted." Toshiro commented.

He walked her to her squad barracks and her room. Noticing that her roommate wasn't back yet, he snuck another kiss after making sure no one else would see. He then left and made his way to his barracks. His wasn't watching where he was going when he bumped into his lieutenant.

"Sorry Matsumoto."

"It's okay. You're back late." She observed giving him a look. "Care to say why you've been out just as long as I have? You never have before."

"Just go home, Rangiku. We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."

"Yes, captain. Good night!" She said and then headed to her house.