Waterfall Eclipse

Cheap Shot

Chapter Sixty-Eight:

Cheap Shot

Rani didn't know what happened. One moment she was casually walking alongside a Squad Four medic and the next her captain had appeared by her side using a Bakudo thirty-nine Enkosen arc shield. She turned around to see Katayama's outstretched hand.

"Captain?"

"That was a cheap shot." He remarked. "Go get yourself treated at Squad Four."

"Yes, sir." She stated still not sure what had happened, especially what he saved her from.

Rani made her way to Squad Four where she was immediately treated for minor cuts and bruises, and her injury to the back of her head.

"Rani!" Lily yelled as she came inside the room. "What was that last attack he tried to do?"

"I don't know. I had my back turned."

"But daddy saved you. Do you think he anticipated that?"

"I have no idea. He's quick at shunpo so that probably saved me, and his Bakudo spell." She guessed as Chiharu came in. "Hey!"

"Hey! So I just had a word with the captain. Katayama tried to use a Hado number fifty-four on you, if that means anything."

"Haien. Abolishing flames. Lovely." Rani mumbled and then looked at the two girls. "It's an attack where the purple energy will incinerate a target of low strength when it hits it." She explained.

"That doesn't sound very nice." Lily observed.

"So apparently the captain and lieutenant are livid because he lied about his Shikai. If he was honest with them, he would have been appointed Third Seat a long time ago."

"It just shows lying gets you nowhere."

Captain Commander Yamamoto and Captain Kuchiki then walked into the room. Chiharu walked towards the wall bringing Lily with her.

"How are you doing?"

"I am fine, Captain Commander. Thank you for coming and checking up on me."

"You are welcome. You did very well today, and have met my expectations. I commend you for that, and your level head. Get well. I will see you soon, my child." He replied and then excused himself.

"Captain?"

"I am sending you on leave for a week, after you have been released from Squad Four's care. Miss Nakano can join you. Go have fun at the beach."

"Thank you, sir." Rani said confused.

"It's a reward you definitely have earned. And I know Captain Unohana will want me to give you light duty, so I figured you could just have off."

"Captain, you didn't have to explain. Thank you again."

He nodded and then looked at Lily. She nodded and made her way to follow him, but she first stopped and gave Rani a hug.

"So, he gave us a week's leave. Do you think Kiyomi and Umeko can get off too?" Chiharu asked.

"I should think so. You can talk to Lieutenant Hinamori. Leave my boyfriend to me." Rani said slyly.

"Get him to come too. You two deserve some complete alone time." Her friend joked before going out the door.

Captain Unohana walked in right after.

"What is she planning?"

"Oh, hello Captain Unohana. She's not planning anything too crazy."

"Good. Captain Kuchiki told me he is sending you on leave once you're released from my care." Rani nodded. "I'll discharge you later, maybe. You seemed to heal mostly already. Your head is what we need to focus on, so maybe one more session in a few hours."

"Right. That was a hard hit." Rani said as she moved forward slightly while Captain Unohana treated her. "How's Katayama?"

"He'll live. Your Shikai is strong, but I have a feeling you didn't go full force on him."

"No. I didn't. I did just enough to disarm him. Was that bad?"

"No. Even the Captain Commander realized you didn't. If he didn't scold you just now, don't worry about it."

Rani smiled. Not too long after Captain Unohana left and Rani ended up drifting off to sleep. She woke up two hours later to see Captain Hitsugaya sitting on the chair to her left.

"Hey." She said groggily.

"Hey." He replied partly startled. "How are you feeling?" He asked then kissed her on her forehead.

"Good. My head is the only thing that's bothering me, but other than that I am fine."

"I am glad. That was one hell of a battle."

"You've been in worse." Rani bluntly stated. "So, the captain gave me a week off after I get out of here. He suggested the girls and I go to the beach."

He smiled.

"Is that your round-a-bout way of asking if Umeko can have off too?"

"Yeah, maybe." She admitted grinning. "So?"

"I don't see a problem with it. She's been diligently working. She's earned it too." He answered.

"And, if you can manage a couple of days that would be great."

"I'll see. I'll have to talk to Captain Commander Yamamoto about it and get his approval."

"Keep me posted." She said and then saw the look on his face. "You all right?"

"How long until you're released from here?"

"Well, I'm due for another healing session soon. Then Captain Unohana will decide if she's going to release me or not."

"Good. Would you be up for dinner tonight?"

"Sure. Your place or are we going out?"

"I'm not sure yet." He said unsure causing her to giggle.

Captain Unohana came in moments later and treated Rani once more.

"Well, I think that about does it. You are all set Miss Tómasu. You can leave once you're ready."

"Thank you Captain Unohana."

"You're welcome. Have a good week off and come back here if anything changes."

"Yes, ma'am." Rani said with a smile.

A few moments later she made sure she had everything before she slowly got up with Captain Hitsugaya's help. He walked with her back to Squad Six and her quarters.

"So I decided I don't feel like cooking. I'll come back in a couple of hours to pick you up. You okay with that?"

"That's fine." She said as she wrapped her arms around him and smiled.

"What?"

"I just realized that the only kiss I had from you today that can be classified as a kiss was this morning outside Captain Kuchiki's office. You think we can change that?" She asked receiving a nod and mischievous grin from him.