Waterfall Eclipse

The Teacup Incident

Chapter Eighty-Seven:

The Teacup Incident

Three days later, Rani attended the party at Kuchiki Manor, along with all of the newly appointed Squad Six officers and other top officers in the Gotei 13.

"I am so bored." Umeko complained.

"Shush!" Chiharu scolded. "You're a guest here."

"Yes, but besides you, Kiyomi, Lily and Rani, there is NO ONE I want to really talk to."

"Good point." Chiharu agreed. "I guess I should make my rounds." She said with a sigh as she looked over at her captain. "And make sure he doesn't do anything stupid."

"That might be hard." Rani joked. "You and I both know him. Captain Abarai will, undoubtedly, do something stupid."

"Just as long as you don't get stuck again, this party will be normal." Chiharu retorted smiling.

Rani let out a small laugh as Chiharu went towards Captain Abarai. It was then she noticed Captain Kuchiki Rukia coming over to the three remaining friends.

"Hey girls. Rani, Lily is requesting your presence in her room for some reason."

"I was wondering where she was. Thank you Cap-"

"Just call me Rukia. It gets too confusing here at the manor between myself and Byakuya." Rukia said half embarrassed.

"Gotcha. I'll be back soon, and hopefully with her."

Rani excused herself and made her way to Lily's room where her attendant was standing outside the door anxiously.

"Is everything all right, Hayashi?"

"I do not know, ma'am. She refuses to let me in. I saw Lady Kuchiki and asked for her to retrieve you."

"It's okay. I'll take care of it." Hayashi quickly bowed and then left leaving Rani gently rapped on the door. "Lily-Bean, it's me. Can I come in?"

"Yes." Lily softly answered.

Rani opened the door and walked in. She saw Lily crouching on the floor.

"I ruined it."

"Ruined what?" Rani asked as she saw a pale orange kimono on the floor with a broken teacup lying on it. "Oh! It's okay Lily."

"No it's not! I am such a klutz. This was going to be the first time I was going to wear this kimono. It was made especially for the party." Lily said in between quiet sobs.

Rani pursed her lips and then called for Hayashi.

"Yes?" The attendant said cautiously.

"Hayashi, get me a bowl of cold water and a cloth. We need to blot the stain so it doesn't set."

"Yes ma'am." The girl said and then quickly left.

"Now, Hiroshi made you two new kimonos that I have yet to see you in. Where are they?"

"In my room." Lily answered still sad.

Rani left her there as she went to the back room where all of her kimonos were kept. She went through the kimonos hanging up and found the two new ones. She picked out the sky blue one and the appropriate matching pieces and went back out to Lily. Hayashi had also returned and started to work on the stained kimono on the floor.

"Thank you Hayashi. Just do it carefully. I will leave a message with Hiroshi about that to see if he has any ideas." Rani said and then turned to Lily. "Let's go. Wear this."

"But that's meant-"

"If Captain Kuchiki has an issue with it, he can take it up with me. Do not worry. I will handle him. You need to present yourself as being a member of this clan and a tea-stained kimono won't do. You know this."

Lily hesitantly agreed and then quickly got dressed.

"I will continue working on the kimono Miss Lily and Miss Tómasu. It might come out if I am careful and am diligent."

"Okay. Thank you. Before I leave this evening I will come back to see if I do need to leave that note. And I am sorry for ruining your night."

Rani then excused herself and brought Lily to the party, where the young girl made her grand entrance. As soon as she walked in, Rani focused on her captain's expression and knew she had to speak with him and explain. Rani left Lily in Rukia's care and then made her way to Captain Kuchiki. He was speaking with Captain Kotetsu, but she quickly excused herself.

"Mind explaining –"

"I know. Lily told me that kimono was meant for something else. She had a slight teacup accident before coming out here apparently."

He darted his eyes between Lily and her and just smirked.

"Will the stain come out?"

"I believe so. Hayashi is working on it now for a little while. I'll go check to see how it is looking before I leave this evening."

"You are not one of my servants."

"I know. I am doing this because I want to." Rani said with a determined look on her face. "So don't try to stop me."

Rani excused herself a few seconds later and made her rounds to mingle with everyone. She eventually had to go outside to get some fresh air to find Toshiro outside.

"I was wondering where you were." She said as she approached him.

"Hey! Where did you disappear to?"

"Lily had a small accident in her room and wouldn't see anyone but me. Everything's fine now." She answered as she gave him a hug.

"You okay?"

"Kinda chilly, actually." She answered as he wrapped his arms around her.

"I have a meeting with Captain Kuchiki in the morning."

"Oh? What about?" Rani asked curiously.

"I'm not entirely sure. He just asked me about ten minutes ago to be there at nine."

"I have to be in the dojo at that time, so I probably won't see you."

The two continued to chat for a few more minutes before deciding to head back inside. The party concluded an hour later and Rani made her way with a sleepy Lily back to her room. When they walked in, Rani found Hayashi had fallen asleep on the kimono. Rani smiled and then brought Lily to her room and put her to bed. She then made her way to wake up Hayashi gently.

"Oh! I am so sorry ma'am!" Hayashi said as she quickly got up.

"Calm down. It's fine. It's only me. I won't tell Captain Kuchiki." Rani said with a small laugh. "Lily is in bed. Thank you ever so much for working on the kimono. It looks perfect!"

"I hope the stain is out though."

"In the morning take a look at it again with the natural light. You'll be able to tell. If there is still a stain, just ask Hiroshi to look at it when you bring it to him. Tell him it was my request."

"Why won't you let me say anything on behalf of me?"

"It's better for you to keep your job. Lily loves you. And everyone is more forgiving when I put myself as the cause for some reason. That and I do not want you to get into trouble. Go home and rest."

"Thank you ma'am."