Waterfall Eclipse

The Cat's Out Of The Bag

Chapter Sixty-Three:

The Cat's Out Of The Bag

Two weeks later Rani was roughly woken up by Chiharu with her shaking her.

"I'm up! I'm up! Stop that!"

"Oh my god! Rani! The whole Gotei 13 knows!"

"Huh? What? They know what?"

"Someone saw Captain Hitsugaya walking you home last night. They saw you two kiss here. That damn someone started a chain reaction. Now the entire Gotei 13 knows, or at least that's what I am assuming."

"SHIT!" Rani said as she got up. "He's not going to be happy. Not at all."

"Will Captain Hitsugaya do anything?"

"Not much he can do besides scold them for concentrating on someone else's love life and not their job." Rani stated as she heard someone knock on the door. "Can you get that while I freshen up?"

"Sure."

While Rani brushed her hair out, Chiharu went to open their door.

"Lieutenant Abarai, good morning." She greeted. "To what do we owe this morning visit?"

"Captain Kuchiki requests Third Seat Tómasu in his office right away."

"I'm coming Lieutenant Abarai!" Rani yelled as she was slipping on her shoes. "Let's go. Chiharu, I'll see you later!"

Lieutenant Abarai smiled as Rani closed the door.

"What?"

"Nothing. Did you just wake up?"

"Why? Is my hair still a mess?" She asked as she tried to redo the ponytail. "But yes. Chiharu woke me up rather abruptly."

"I know why. It's because Fourth Seat Katayama saw him walking you home and decided to follow you two here. He witnessed the kiss."

"Damn him!" Rani replied. "At least I know who it was. Captain Hitsugaya won't be pleased."

"We can figure out how to tell him later. For right now, you have been requested to meet with Captain Kuchiki and Lord Kuchiki Ginrei for some reason in the office."

Rani gasped at the thought. It's been two weeks. She never personally got back to Lord Kuchiki about the marriage thing.

"Shit." She said out loud as they started to walk into the building. "You can go. You don't need to escort me."

"Have fun!"

"I have a feeling I am going to need some sake tonight after this." She joked causing him to smile. She then knocked on the doorframe and walked in. "Good morning, Captain Kuchiki, Lord Kuchiki."

"Ah, Third Seat Tómasu, please come in and have a seat." Captain Kuchiki responded.

Rani did as she was told and sat down after they had.

"Miss Tómasu, I want to apologize for what I had said the last time we met. Byakuya was kind enough to inform me that you and he spoke about it, and that you were already seeing someone. I understand that you were afraid to tell me, and I am not mad about that." Lord Kuchiki spoke. "Besides coming for my sincerest apology, he and I have been discussing Miss Lily."

"How is she doing?"

"We thought okay, but it seems she is not. Her attendant believes that she has become depressed. She does her lessons and eats, but she seems withdrawn."

"We were wondering if you had any ideas why." Captain Kuchiki added.

"Not really, sirs. I know her friends are all still in the Rukongai, so she might be sad she has no one to play with." Rani suggested.

"I am surprised that you didn't include yourself in that statement." Captain Kuchiki observed. "I know you miss her."

"I won't lie. I do miss her, but I understand that there are rules. She and I talked about it on the way when I was dropping her off."

"You, my dear Miss Tómasu, are wise beyond your years." Lord Kuchiki stated. "But I feel that both you and my great-granddaughter have a question you have been wanting to ask us."

Rani's eyes widened.

"Ah, so there is something."

"Well, there is captain, but I told her to not ask until she felt earned requests like that. I didn't want to be demanding, or just a plain bother, to the Kuchiki Clan."

"Miss Tómasu, please believe me when I say you are not a bother. What was the question?"

"It was really more of a small request. She wanted to know if it would be possible for me to have a standing visitation date either on the grounds, or if I could take her somewhere within the Sereitai once a week."

"I am surprised you didn't bring this up with me at the meeting that day."

"I, if you remember captain, had other things on my mind."

He nodded and then was quiet for a few moments.

"I do not see a problem with you taking her anywhere. You are fully capable of guarding her should there be a problem, and I want to see her happy." He finally stated causing Rani to smile. "What day works best for you to come over and spend time with her?"

"One of my days off would be nice. That way it can be a whole day with her, if you don't have any objections."

"That is fine with me. I'd prefer you do it on Mondays."

"Thank you captain, but can we make this a surprise to her?"

"I think we can handle that. We will see you Monday morning promptly at ten o'clock." Lord Kuchiki agreed.

He then excused himself before returning to Kuchiki Manor.

"Thank you for coming to me about this." Rani said as he made his way to his desk.

"You are welcome. Thank you for your input. I haven't seen a smile on her face since the first two days. I should have asked you earlier, but was too stubborn."

"That's okay. So is Lily." Rani got up and started to walk to the door. "Well, since I am here I am going to start work early. Would you like me to bring up tea?"

"Yes, please, but hold on a minute."

"Yes, captain?"

"Captain Hitsugaya?"

"Oh, right. That. So you heard."

"Are you happy with him?"

"Yes, I am. I know it's weird because of all that has happened, but I am happy with him. And I do love him."

"I am glad." Captain Kuchiki replied. "Don't tell anyone I ever said that word."

"My lips are sealed. I'll go get the tea now, captain. I'll be right back." She said and then walked out the door and right into Captain Hitsugaya. "Shit!"

"Sorry." He said as he embraced her. "Well, the cat's out of the bag."

"Yeah, and I know who squealed. I'll tell you later, but you need to get to your own squad."

"Actually, I have business with Captain Kuchiki. Get me a cup too?"

"Sure. He's in there. I'll be back." Rani said with a smile before he kissed her quickly. "Not the time or place, mister." She teased.