Waterfall Eclipse

Pop! Goes the Question

Chapter Ninety-Two

Pop! Goes the Question

No amount of prepping or planning could have prepared Rani for the surprise that her boyfriend, and captain of Squad Ten, had in store for her. Sure, she had packed enough clothes to either go on vacation on top of Mount Everest or spend a week in Tahiti in two separate suitcases per Toshiro's message the previous night, but he wasn't giving her any hints besides that. Frankly, it irritated Rani to no end.

So, here she sat, the morning of her departure in her quarters waiting for her boyfriend to arrive to whisk her away on this vacation that her captain approved of behind her back. She looked out the windows more times than she would dare to admit, and she was getting anxious about going away with him. Rani had a job to do and was flat out shocked when Captain Kuchiki pretty much ordered her away from the office saying that, "she was working too much" when he never took a week off.

Toshiro finally made it to her place about an hour and a half after she was officially ready. He knocked on her door and opened it when she gave him permission to do so. He walked in and found the two suitcases on the floor by the door and smiled.

"Sorry I'm late. Last minute meeting with Matsumoto and the Captain Commander." He apologized.

"Uh-huh. Sure." Rani teased as she came out of the bathroom. "So where are you taking me?"

"I told you. It's a surprise." Toshiro quickly answered causing her to raise an eyebrow and walk towards him.

"I hate surprises."

"But you'll like this one, I promise." He assured her. "Please trust me."

"Oh, I trust you all right, but not this scheming boyfriend personality you have acquired recently. Which suitcase am I bringing? Warm or cold?"

He glanced back over at the two suitcases and smiled, and then sighed.

"Warm."

"I wish you would have just told me that in the note. I wouldn't have wasted all that time to pack stuff for the cold weather." Rani said out loud as she pushed the 'cold' suitcase against the wall. "Are you ready to go?"

"Yes. Let's head to the Senkaimon."

After a short trip through the Dangai Precipice World and into the Living World, they made a pit stop at Urahara's shop before continuing to the spot Toshiro chose. They eventually made their way to a secluded island and onto a rocky beach.

"Okay, where are we? I have never been here before."

"I know this isn't our usual vacation spot, but I thought a change was in order." Toshiro started as the two walked down a path, which opened to a hotel.

"Well, this is in the middle of nowhere. How did you find out about this place?"

"I had Momo and Rangiku help me with some research. I was tired of going to the same place every time. I wanted to try to something new. I hope you don't mind."

"No, I don't mind, but you didn't have to be so secretive about it." Rani said as they walked into the hotel and headed through the large lobby to the desk.

"I'll get us checked in. Wait here." He instructed leaving her with the suitcases by a column.

A few minutes later he came back and a bell boy came and grabbed the bags. He followed the couple up to their room, brought their luggage into the room, and then left after gladly receiving his tip.

"Damn." Rani said as she saw the room. "You spared no expense." She joked as she started to walk around. "This is awesome. It's the the living area and a separate room for the bedroom! How much did this set you back?"

"It actually costs less than the room I get in the other place." He answered as she turned on the hallway light. "And this one has a balcony too, which also overlooks the beach."

Rani meandered outside and gazed at the view.

"And a volcano." She added as he joined her outside. "Did you know about that?"

"I knew there were some rooms with a view of the volcano. I just didn't know we'd be placed in one as well." He said and then shrugged.

Toshiro then wrapped his arms around her and just held onto her for a few minutes until there was a knock on the door.

"What did we forget?" She asked confused. "Or did you already order room service?"

"Nope, no room service." He said with a chuckle. "I'll go answer it. Stay out here."

With that, he walked to the door, opened it and talked with the person at the door. Rani couldn't really hear anything that was said, so she brushed it off. He soon came back.

"So? Who was it?"

"Just the bell boy who brought something I had asked the front desk for." He answered with a grin. "It's on the table for us later."

Rani took a deep breath in and loudly exhaled.

"Maybe I needed this vacation after all. I already feel relaxed." She commented as she shot him a smile.

"Good. Feel like going for a walk?"

She nodded in agreement and the two made their way out of the hotel. She followed him along the beach to a secluded area way from the public and they came upon a picnic set up on the beach.

"What in the world is this?" She inquired stopping short, which caused him to as well.

"Well, I may or may not have planned this." He teased. "Come on. Aren't you hungry?"

Rani nodded her head and then smiled. She followed him to the blanket and got comfortable as he served her some of the food.

"See? A nice relaxing picnic on a beach with no one else around. I could get used to this."

Rani let out a small giggle before responding.

"Is Rangiku driving you nuts as usual?"

"More so than ever." He admitted as he bit into the sandwich he was holding. "But we aren't here to talk about work, so stop."

"Okay...but if we aren't in this beautiful location to talk about work, what ARE we here to talk about?" She retorted with pursed lips.

"Uh, well," He started causing her to start laughing.

"What the heck to have planned for me during this trip, exactly? Why so secretive? And why did Momo and Matsumoto give me a warning of an impending trip a week ago with that the only information?"

Toshiro snapped his head towards her at the last part surprised.

"They told you?"

"Just that you were taking me away on a week long vacation. What is it that has you on edge that they didn't tell me?"

"Uh...well.."

"Oh. My God!" Rani exclaimed. "Am I seriously witnessing you being nervous?" She asked and then laughed. "I never thought I'd see the day when that would happen." She teased.

"It's really not funny." He said embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, but it kind of is." She said as her laughing calmed down. "But seriously, just say what you want to." She added.

Toshiro got up and walked over to her and pulled her up so she'd be standing. He then knelt down onto one knee and pulled out the ring case that he had been secretly hiding. Toshiro kept a decent grasp of her left hand and then took in a deep breath and exhaled before asking her his important question.

"Tómasu Rani, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"