Waterfall Eclipse

Plans Are Set Into Motion

Chapter Ninety:

Plans Are Set Into Motion

The meeting with the Shin'o Academy student took Rani longer than she had expected it to. Luckily for her, the Captain Commander makes a good scapegoat when he really is the reason for Rani missing out on work.

She headed back to her squad and rushed through the pile of work that had accumulated on her desk. Much to Rani's relief Captain Kuchiki was out of the office, but she suspected he would be back soon and she didn't want to make him mad.

Rani finished within a few hours, which meant she was able to be back at her place at a decent hour. She opted to dine in and just relax before her second busiest day of the week.

~Four Months Later, In Squad Five~

While Captain Hirako was out at a meeting with Captain Sui-Feng, Lieutenant Hinamori was relaxing in the office when there was a knock at the open door. She looked up slowly and smiled.

"Hello Captain Hitsugaya. How can I help you?" She asked sounding all professional, which caused him to smile.

"What? No 'Shiro' or 'Toshiro'?" He teased.

"Hey, I've been getting a lot better, if you haven't noticed." She retorted. "Captain Hirako is at Squad Two if you wanted to speak with him, unless I can help you?"

Toshiro walked into the room and sat down on the couch. The lieutenant followed him with her eyes giving him a puzzled expression.

"Matsumoto driving you nuts again?" She managed to ask realizing this wasn't going to be a complete Gotei 13 visit.

Toshiro let out a sigh before looking at her.

"Well, no more than she usually does." He said softly. "I am here for something...on a completely different matter."

"Oh really?" She asked interest piqued. "And what is that?" She continued as she stood up and walked over to him.

"What else would it be? You know why I would be here."

Lieutenant Hinamori raised an eyebrow at the statement. It wasn't like her to be used to seeing Captain Hitsugaya so down and slightly vulnerable.

"Aren't things going great between you and Rani?" She asked confused as she stood up to get him, and herself, a cup of tea.

"They are. It's great. My grandmother loves her."

"I sense a 'but' in there."

"You're right. There is one." He said as he looked over to his childhood friend. "But do I continue on this slow path or take the next step before I start getting bombarded by everyone?"

"Next step?" She questioned not thinking clearly. It then dawned on her. "Oh wait! Are you thinking of officially proposing?" She asked a bit louder than normal connecting the dots.

"SShh. Not so loud." He scolded. "I don't want the whole Seireitei to know."

"Sorry." She said with a giggle as she sat down next to him. "So you're actually thinking about it?"

"Yes." He said and then took the cup from her. "Help me." He pleaded as the door opened.

"Ah, Captain Hitsugaya. Welcome!" Captain Hiraku greeted. "To what do we owe this visit?"

"Uh, it's of a personal nature." He stammered as he stood up.

"Relax. I am well aware of your past with my lieutenant. I am just here to pick up something before I head over to Squad Eleven."

The captain then said his farewells and left the two alone again. The lieutenant looked at the remaining captain with her eyebrow raised again.

"How can I help?"

"Help me plan the perfect proposal." He half ordered, half pleaded.

"Sure thing! Let's get cracking with ideas." Lieutenant Hinamori replied with a huge grin.

~With Rani, Squad Six~

Rani was in her office with her captain when Chiharu and Captain Abarai came in. Since they were expected, Rani requested the Third Seat to prepare some tea for them.

"So, why'd you want to see us, Captain Kuchiki?" Captain Abarai asked confused.

"Technically, I only needed you Captain. The ladies can continue their daily duties in the other room as we discuss our business." Captain Kuchiki answered his former lieutenant.

Rani couldn't help but smile, but also be confused at the thought. Rani excused herself and Chiharu to exit the room. Once they received 'the nod' from her captain, Rani grabbed the large folder off of her desk and the two left.

"What do you think he's up to?" Chiharu asked her friend.

"I have absolutely no idea. But, I may as well get some work done."

"Same here. Abarai made me bring this folder." Chiharu said as she sat down. "Are we doing dinner later?"

"We can. I don't have plans." Rani said as she opened her folder. "Did you get the new forms too?"

"Yes. The constant changing is driving me nuts. It's like they can't decide on what information they want."

"My favorite is the Shin'o Academy page that kept changing." Rani said with sarcasm completely intended.

"Oh god! You're right! I completely forgot. It changed practically every day. It was so annoying." Chiharu agreed with Rani.

The girls continued with their work as their captains continued with their meeting. Once the girls were done they sat with their tea and relaxed before Captain Abarai interrupted them to return with Chiharu.

Rani then brought her file back into the office and put them on top of the cabinet to be filed later. She silently made her way to her desk where there had been a few more documents that accrued there. She quickly filled them out and put them with the others.

"If you're finished, you may go Tómasu." Captain Kuchiki stated as he stood up.

"Thank you sir." Rani said half surprised as she started to clean up a bit.

"But, there is one thing."

Rani turned her upper body to face him and wait for him to continue.

"Are you available tomorrow evening for dinner at the Kuchiki Manor?"

"Yes, I am."

"Okay. Good. Please arrive at half past six."

"Yes, sir." Rani said with a nod and a smile before he walked out of the office with her trailing behind.

Once she got to her quarters, she freshened up before heading out. Chiharu said she'd get Umeko and Rani agreed to get Kiyomi as soon as she was able. Rani made her way to Squad Five and picked up Kiyomi before the two headed over to their favorite spot.

"I am so glad you're the one to get me and not Chiharu, no offense to her."

"What? Why?" Rani asked with a chuckle at the surprise statement from her friend.

"She and Umeko keep pestering me about Lieutenant Hisagi." Kiyomi answered sadly. "I know the situations are a little different, but this crush is insane. It's been, what, seven months since I told you girls? And I can't get up the courage to tell him. I feel like a loser."

"You aren't a loser, Kiyomi. Let me talk to him on the side next meeting I have with the lieutenants. He's approachable, which is great for me."