Waterfall Eclipse

Plan Altered

Chapter Ninety-Three

Plan Altered

After the utter shock wore off of Rani, she eventually said yet to Hitsugaya Toshiro, much to his enjoyment and pleasure. The newly engaged couple made the most of their time while on vacation and enjoyed the remainder of it in peace. Once the week was over, they headed back to the Soul Society to get on with their daily lives.

"So, how are we going to break the news to everyone?" Toshiro asked before they officially arrived from the Dangai Precipice World.

"What? You didn't plan for after you proposed?" Rani teased and then gave herself a few minutes to think about it. "Well, I suppose we could inform our closest friends." She started and then stopped short. "You might want to refrain from telling your lieutenant though."

Toshiro let out a laugh.

"Yeah, definitely. Once she finds out, the whole Gotei 13 will know within a week, maybe less."

"I'll tell Captain Kuchiki and the girls. You can tell whoever you think should know right away."

"Sounds good." He agreed as they finally arrived. "I am assuming you'll tell the girls tonight and your captain tomorrow."

"That's the plan."

After walking Rani to her quarters, Toshiro made his way out of Squad Six and to his own residence leaving Rani to her own devices. She unpacked her luggage to do the laundry. Once that was started she unpacked the other suitcase and made herself some tea before there was a knock on the door.

"Coming!" She called as she made her way over to the door and opened it. "Hello Captain Kuchiki." Rani said surprised as she greeted Rukia. "Come on in. Would you like some tea?"

"Hello Rani. And yes, please."

Once Rukia was inside, Rani made her way to the kitchen to prepare a cup of tea and then brought it out to the living quarters.

"To what do I owe this visit?" Rani inquired as she sat down.

"You just got back right?" Rukia asked nervously.

"Yes. Why? Is something wrong?"

"No." Rukia said with a high-pitched voice. "Um, I need your opinion on something, and I really can't talk to Byakuya about it."

"Okay, I'm intrigued."

"Okay, so I just got from a two day patrol and Ichigo just admitted to me that he loves me and wants to be by my side forever."

Two seconds was all it took for Rani to digest the information and process it before forming a small smile on her face.

"Did he propose?" She asked. Rukia shook her head. "Did you want him to?"

"I don't know. Ichigo and I have been through a lot, yes, but I never thought about this before."

"What did you tell him?"

"Surprisingly, I was calm when I told him we would have to see. I said I sort of had feelings for him, but there was a lot to deal with first."

"You were thinking of your brother's approval, weren't you?"

"Yes." She shamefully admitted. "I always think of him first before I commit to anything."

"Be honest - do you have feelings for Ichigo in that way?"

Rukia looked up at Rani eye to eye before taking in a deep breath and answering.

"I do." She said and then groaned causing Rani to let a small laugh slip. "It's not funny."

"In a way, it is. You've known him just as long as I have known Toshiro. For Ichigo to admit this now, it's a good thing in a way, no?"

"I don't know." Rukia replied and then decided to change the topic. "So, enough about me. How was your surprise vacation? Where did you go?"

"Sure, now we talk about me." Rani said sarcastically. "It was fun. He took me to an almost deserted tropical island. Very private."

"I know I am not one for gossip, but anything romantic happen?"

Rukia's question caught Rani off-guard. So much so that she didn't answer right away.

"If I told you something, would you promise to not tell your brother before I get the chance to?"

"Sure." Rukia replied worried. "What is it?" She asked as there was a knock on the door.

"Uh, hold on." Rani said as she got up and answered it. "Umeko! Chiharu! Kiyomi! You're all here! Why?"

"Well, don't let us stand out here. Let us in." Chiharu stated causing Rani to sheepishly smile.

Once they girls were all inside, they said hello to Rukia as they sat down while Rani got them some tea as well.

"I saw Captain Hitsugaya back in Squad Ten, which meant that you were also back. I got the girls and we headed here." Umeko explained and then took a sip of her tea.

"So, how'd it go?" Chiharu eagerly asked.

"Well, it was fun. Secluded. Out of the way." Rani started.

"And?" Kiyomi urged her on.

Rani formed a large grin on her face before answering.

"And he asked me to marry him and I said yes." She quickly stated causing the four other girls in her room to gasp in shock. "BUT I need you to tell NO ONE. I am pretty sure once I tell Captain Kuchiki, he'll bring up his offer that he told Toshiro months ago about using the Kuchiki Manor, but no one else is to know at this time."

"RANI!" Kiyomi yelled as she tackled her friend causing the other girls to erupt in a bit of laughter.

"This means we can plan the wedding." Umeko teased receiving a pillow to the face.

"You ladies are something else." Rukia commented as she joined in on the laughter.

"We know." Chiharu replied grinning.

The girls continued to discuss the whole thing and Rukia eventually left to head to Kuchiki Manor before Byakuya got worried, or mad at her being late.

Meanwhile, as soon as he knew the coast was clear, Toshiro made his way to Squad Five and headed right for Momo's quarters. He knocked on the door and it was soon opened. Instead of waiting for her to say anything, he barged right in.

"Okay, so welcome back. And I am assuming by the smile on your face, it went well?" Momo inquired as she closed the door and her turned around to face her.

"Yes. It went almost as planned."

"But?"

"But now what do I do? I really didn't think this through."

"Okay, so there are steps to prepare for a wedding, Toshiro." She replied. "Would you like some tea? I just made a pot."

"Sure."

"Okay, so as I was saying," She started as she poured him his cup of tea, "There are steps to prepare for a wedding. You and Rani need to discuss a variety of things from if you want it to be a traditional ceremony, or a western civilization theme, and then they have their own list of items to do from where you'll have it to who will be in the wedding party."

"That alone seems like a lot."

"We'll take it one step at a time." Momo smiled as she hugged him. "I am just glad that all of that planning paid off. Congratulations."