Waterfall Eclipse

Not So Silent Treatment

Chapter Fifty-Six:

Not So Silent Treatment

When Rani woke up the following morning, she saw that Chiharu wasn't there. She was worried that they never made it back from the Living World the previous night, but then decided to not worry about her. She got up, got ready, and headed to the office to start her day.

She was in the filing office when Lieutenant Abarai came in to see her.

"Good morning Lieutenant." She greeted.

"Hello Tómasu. Are you okay?"

"Yeah, why?" She asked puzzled.

"You didn't come by the office. Usually you do."

"Oh, sorry. I wanted to put these away before I forgot. Then I am due for training in the dojo."

"Are you okay with training them?"

"Yeah, it's not a problem. Why?"

"Nothing really." He replied. "How'd dinner go last night? Did you have fun?"

"Oh, dinner was great. It was fun. The food was delicious."

"But?"

"But, my so-called friends set me up on a date."

"With who?"

"Captain Hitsugaya." She answered causing him to laugh. "Actually we all went, but the girls ran off leaving he and I there. We decided to make the most of it and just eat there."

"Did you talk to Miss Nakano about it?"

"No. I thought I came back before her, but she wasn't in the room this morning. I haven't seen her, although I planned on giving the three of them the silent treatment. It was a cruel joke."

"She's here. I saw her a little while ago. Do you want me to tell her to avoid you cause you're mad?"

"Nah. She'll figure it out. I hope." She replied, as there was a knock on the door. "Hello Captain Kuchiki."

"Morning Third Seat Tómasu." He greeted and then turned to the lieutenant. "Let's go. You and I have been summoned to Squad One."

"Yes, sir. See you later!"

She was left in the office alone and decided to head down to the dojo before telling the Fourth Seat where she was going and where the captain and lieutenant went should they need to find her.

She walked slowly and watched all of the squad members working and smiled. She wished she could be that busy again.

Rani arrived at the dojo and prepared herself for the day's three hour long class. By the time she made it back to the offices, the captain and lieutenant still were not back yet. She went in and looked at the lieutenant's desk to see if there was work to be filed.

An hour later, the two arrived back and the captain immediately left again.

"You already filed those papers on my desk?"

"Yes, sorry, lieutenant. I had nothing here and just went to see."

"It's no problem. I was just surprised." He said and then looked at her. "You okay?"

"Yes, and no. I am bored out of my mind. I have nothing to do."

"Idle hands a problem again?"

"Yeah." She said with a small laugh.

"Give me five minutes. I'll be right back."

Rani nodded as he left the room. He came less than five minutes later with a huge grin on his face.

"Are you okay Lieutenant Abarai?"

"Let's go. To the practice ground."

"But the captain?"

"He won't care if we're practicing. He knows you hate it when you get all of your work done and have nothing to do. He hates it too."

"Okay." She replied.

The two made it to the practice ground and went into one of their insane Shikai training sessions for her.

"Man, I missed this." He said with a smile.

"Are you sure you want to go up against me? You know, I believe the last time I went up against you was before they found out I had that poison in me."

"And your point?"

"Okay, your loss." She said with an evil grin. "Rush – Taki Nisshoku."

Her zanpakuto's Shikai formed and when she extended it in the defensive attack against Zabimaru, two of the tails grabbed him. The third latched onto Zabimaru, and she decided to slowly tighten them.

"I can hurt you or you can just say you've been defeated."

"Shit. That was unexpected." He said as Zabimaru went back to the katana form. "Why wasn't I told of this new Shikai form of yours?"

"I haven't really battled anyone with it. I found out about it on accident one day by myself." She said lying.

"The captain will want to know."

"And I will tell him." She replied. "Don't worry." She added with a smile.

"Good. Let's head back. I have a lot of paperwork that I need to get to before the captain yells at me for this."

She agreed. He went to work and so did she.

Eventually it was time for her to leave.

"Are you still going to give your friends the silent treatment?" The lieutenant asked.

"Yeah, for tonight at least. Maybe." She replied then sighed. "I can't not talk to them. It's not me, so being angry like that isn't going to happen."

"No, but you could talk to them." He stated. "And you'll have your chance since they're coming now."

"What?" She said as she looked over. "Well, this is going to be interesting."

"I'll see you in the morning. Have a great night!" Lieutenant Abarai said and then walked away.

"HEY RANI!" The girls yelled as they approached her.

"HI!" She said back to them.

"Look, we're sorry about last night." Kiyomi started. "It was really mean of us to do that to you and Captain Hitsugaya."

"It was my idea, Kiyomi. Let me take the full blame."

"Girls, it's okay, really. You know I don't mind eating with just him sometimes."

"But we set you up again." Chiharu stated confused. "Did something happen?"

"Huh? No. He and I ate like we normally do. I had wanted to give you girls the silent treatment, among other things, because I was really pissed, but he calmed me down."

"Oh did he?" Umeko teased.

"Not funny." She replied then started to feel guilty. "I can't lie to you three."

"Rani?" Chiharu asked worried and confused.