Waterfall Eclipse

Hollow Attack

Chapter Fifty-Seven:

Hollow Attack

Rani stared at her friends and bit her lip. She closed her eyes before explaining.

"I can't lie to you. I can't not tell you the whole truth either." She restated and then looked at them. "I had a great time last night with him. It was a romantic setting. The food was great too. After dinner, he and I went for a walk, ended up in a park on a bench." She said as a smile formed on her face. "And we officially became a couple, with kissing involved."

"WHAT?"

"Ssshh. He and I don't want anyone to know. I wasn't supposed to tell you. He'll succeed in not telling anyone else." She scolded. "So you can't let on that you know. Got it?"

The three nodded their heads in shock.

"You have to tell us more!" Kiyomi pleaded.

"Okay, but first let's get to our room. I don't need the whole squad to know." Rani agreed as she looked around.

The four girls hurriedly walked over to her and Chiharu's room where Rani closed the door and Chiharu made a pot of tea.

"There's not much else to tell. We talked about all sorts of things, but then he got quiet. When I asked him what was wrong, he said he couldn't keep just being friends with me anymore. He has been so good giving me my time and space, but you girls didn't help him last night with that set up." She said then paused. "I finally admitted my feelings about him to him. We just agreed to become boyfriend and girlfriend, and before I knew it I took the initiative and kissed him. I shocked him with that move, but he didn't mind."

"Wow Rani. This is so great!"

"Kiyomi, no one is to know. He can tell your lieutenant. I feel bad about telling you three when we promised each other not to tell anyone."

"I think Captain Hitsugaya will understand, Rani. Just tell him the truth."

"I will. Maybe tomorrow."

"Good." Chiharu stated with a grin forming.

Umeko caught her facial expression and grinned as well.

"So, Rani?"

"Yeah?"

"When can we start planning the wedding?"

"UMEKO!" Rani yelled as she threw a pillow at her.

"Even I have to say that was bad, Umeko." Kiyomi stated. "Funny, but bad." She added shaking her head.

"Sorry. But we needed to lighten the mood a little in here." She apologized.

"So, Rani, how is dating him going to affect us?" Chiharu asked.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we have a standing dinner date three times a week. What about him?"

"Oh, I guess it stays the same. Don't forget he made a habit of meeting once or twice a week with me too. That should stay the same."

"Will the days of the week change?" Umeko inquired.

"Probably, now that I think about it. I'll discuss it with him when the time comes. He's busy being a captain and all, so it might not be too bad."

"Good, 'cause we need our quality bonding time." Kiyomi commented

The girls stayed for another hour before calling it a night.

The following morning was slow until around noon when all hell broke loose. There was a report of a Hollow attack in one of the North Rukongai Districts. The captain and lieutenant each took a mini squad to eradicate the Hollows. Rani and the Fourth Seat were ordered to be on standby while they took care of everything.

"This is so boring. We should be out there." Fourth Seat Katayama stated. "I don't know why the captain is so set on doing our job. It makes me feel like we're not wanted."

"Would you stop complaining?" Rani rhetorically asked. "We were told to stay here for a reason, so we are. Those are our orders. If you can't follow orders directly issued by Captain Kuchiki himself, maybe you should resign your seated position." She scolded him shutting him up, if only for a few moments.

"Fine, but I don't even know how we're going to be told to help them if we're so far away."

"Are you really that much of an idiot you don't remember Hell Butterflies or Kido? How did you even become a seated officer?" She asked frustrated.

"I was appointed by your previous seat holder when he found out I had a Shikai. The captain approved it."

"Nice." Rani said unamused. She then walked away and then rolled her eyes as she found Chiharu in the room.

"You okay?"

"I never realized how stupid the Fourth Seat was until now, and disrespectful."

"But at least if you give him an order, he has to follow it, right?"

"Yup. I could make his life a living hell, but I won't."

"Right, because you are better than him." Chiharu said with a smile. "Do you know which district it is that is being attacked?"

"I haven't been told. I am worried, since the North Rukongai District is my home, and Kiyomi's."

"I think the captain would have brought you with him if it was yours, don't you?"

"I would hope so."

~~North Rukongai District #59~~

The captain, lieutenant, and a handful of other Shinigami arrived to find five Hollows attacking and destroying the district.

"Lieutenant, on your left. Take out those three. I got these two!"

"Yes sir!" He replied and left.

The captain insisted the locals move out, and they obliged with no objections. Out of the corner of his eye he saw a young man grab a little girl out of the way of one of the Hollows that was about to attack them.

Captain Kuchiki then turned his attention onto the Hollow coming his way and used Senbonzakura to wipe it out. It was then he noticed the other Hollow about to do a cero attack. That young man was still trying to out run the Hollow, but it seemed to be chasing him. He shoved the girl to one side and then ran to the other. All Captain Kuchiki saw was the cero blast. He immediately came from behind it to deal with it before it did anymore damage.

"Captain?"

"Hi Lieutenant. That's all of them?"

"Yes sir, they're all gone."

"Good. Get everyone over here. See if there are any survivors." He said as he heard a whimper.

"It's this way, captain." Lieutenant Abarai stated as he started towards a pile of rubble.

The lieutenant and another Shinigami uncovered where the soft cries were coming from. They uncovered a little girl, about ten years of age. She opened her eyes to be greeted by Lieutenant Abarai's. She took in a small breath of air and spoke.

"R..Rani. I...need...Rani." She said and then passed out.

"Captain?"

"We need to get her to the Gotei 13. She needs attention from Squad Four."

"Yes, sir." He obliged as he picked her up.