Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Soul Society has been at peace for long, it was crazy to think that a long time ago there was a reality breaking war against the Quincy ever happened. The sky was clear and sun shined triumphantly in the endless blue sky. For Soul Society, today was the day when the battle against  Aizen ended. For some there soul reapers celebrated this the victory, for others it was a painful reminder of defeat and loss. For Rangiku, it was a reminder that he was dead as she devoted herself to her paper work all for the rest of the day. As the sun started to set, Rangiku got up from her desk and walked out of the barracks to get a drink of sake. Even after having many drinks, the painful reminder that her childhood friend is dead and she wasn’t strong enough to protect him. As she stumbled drunkenly back towards her room at the barrack, the dizziness started to get to her as she tripped and fell into a spiral of cloudiness.

“Rangiku, are you alright? “ a familiar voice said as she felt a soft and gentle hand on her forehead before it was gone.  “Your burning up, please lie down. Don’t worry I’ll take care of you.” She opened her eyes slightly, was it all a dream she thought to herself. Her vision blurred she recognized this place from the poorly made roof from the hard floor under her. It was where the two of them lived before he left, it was simple back then when it was only the two of them together. A child figure with ragged clothes approached, she regained her vision. “Gin.” She said sleeply as he place a wet cloth on her head. Was everything from her becoming a soul reaper to the war against the Quincy was just a dream, it felt so real. As she reached for his small arm, she didn’t want him to leave her and never let go of him.

The scene changed they were on a dusty hill, Rukia’s execution. Everyone was in there places like it was a play, she was holding his wrist. He was in his captain’s uniform and she was in her shinigami uniform holding with her other hand her sword from behind him. She trembled slightly with regret, as she whispered sadly in his ear. “ Gin, don’t do this please. I know what your plan is, it’s going to get you killed.” Her grip tightened around wrist, this was when he -. As her body involuntary jolted back dodging the yellow beam surrounding him as he said. “ I wish you could have held on a little longer Rangiku. Goodbye Rangiku. I’m sorry.” The way he said he was sorry, had more meaning now after all these years. “Gin!” She yelled out to him as her vision blurred again.

She was being held this time by him as he flash stepped, he was wearing a white uniform this time. She struggled out of his hands  as they land on one of the rooftops of Karakura town. “Please Gin, if you do this you’ll…” Rangiku stuttered as he slowly walked towards her.  “I’m begging of you, please Gin I lo-.” “Really Rangiku, you’re in the way.” He said before her vision blurred again.

Nothing else mattered as she found his body once again in the rubble, her tears escape her eyes as closes in on his unmoving body. “DAMMIT! Why won’t you listen to me Gin! Please don’t leave me alone again, just when we are finally together!” She sobbed her tears fall uncontrollably sliding down her face. “Please don’t go…. I love you.” She said sobbing. This is when the dream usually ended however, something was different. With his remaining arm,  he reached for her face as he used his thumb to wipe one of the tears off of her soft face. “Please don’t cry Ran-chan, it hurts to see you sad.” He whispered sadly as his hand abruptly falls from her to the ground. No! No! Please don’t make this harder for me to move on! As everything vanished into the void of nothingness, she felt the world around her disappear into dust.

 When she woke up, she had an extremely painful headache. She was in her room on her bed, next to her bed was a half finished bottle of sake. As she reached her hands to rub her eyes from the drowsiness of sleep, she noticed her face was wet as stared at her ceiling. Gin… 

Karakura Town

“Okay, first day of as a middle school teacher. Harukawa! Try not to be the cool home room teacher or the boring teacher.” A young man saying to himself as he packed his brown briefcase with papers and headed out the door. I hope the students don’t find me too odd or anything, maybe I could have after school tutoring one to one with students. That way I can get to know the students and they can get to know me. He thought with a unique smile on his face as he walked to Karakura Middle School.

Chapter Text

The world of the living was greeted by the sunrise with all its glory in Kamakura Town. The birds were chirping every so sweetly and there was nip of coldness in the morning air. In the Kurosaki household, there was a teen with carrot orange hair snoozing in bed, wrapped around his blue blanket pulling it tighter because he could feel the nip of cold air from his window. As a beam of sunlight peered through the window, the teen whined and pulled his blanket over his head to avoid any discomfort as he slept. There was a soft knock at the door, however it wasn’t noticed at all as the door creaked open and a woman walked towards the bed. “Good morning Kazui, did you sleep well?” The woman asked softly  as she gave a slight nudge her sleeping son. “I can make you some super special breakfast this morning to -“ She was interrupted by the young man jolting up and awake, saying to his mom “It’s okay mom, you don’t have to do that really.” As the Orihime walked out of her son’s room with a warm smile on her face.

Kazui’s walks down the wooden stairs later in his black middle school uniform and white socks joining his parents in breakfast. “Good morning, Kazui.” His father said reading this morning’s newspaper, the headline was stating the carnival will be held in two months and people of Kamakura are excited. “Morning, dad.” The young teen said while eating his toast and cutting up his eggs with his fork and knife. “ They were all at the table eating together like a family does, as Ichigo finishes up eating and says to his son as he is finishing up his toast. “ Listen son, I want you to be in school today. I don’t want to see you try to fight any hallows unless it’s an emergency or skip class and try to make the mod soul do all your homework.” Kazui baffled by his father’s claim, he gets out of the wooden dining room chair and says not looking at his father’s eyes. “I-I was with Ichika fighting some hallows and that was last year.” His mother interjected by voicing her concern with a worried look. “You almost failed math and science class, if it wasn’t for your friend Sayaka then you would have never passed.” Ichigo got out of his chair and walked over to his son as he was packing his backpack. He gave Kazui a serious look, but he had a small smile on his face. “I understand you want to protect the people around you, but you have an entire future ahead of you. Have a great day at school kid and if you try to ditch then we can simply follow your spiritual energy.” Kazui pouted for a moment as he hugged both his parents and walked out the front door as he said his goodbyes.

Outside of his house, across the street was a girl in a middle school uniform who had a red backpack. Kazui sighed and walked over to her while saying. “Morning Sayaka, ready for our first day of middle school.”  She had short light brown with hints of reddish hue and had brown hazel eyes. “Good morning Kazui, I am excited today.” She said cheerfully as they walked together away from his home headed towards school. “ Did you get into another debate with you parents again?” She asked as he slightly blushed a little and replied. “ Ugh, yes.” He looked at her for a second, and realized something had happened. He gave a mischievous smile and asked her. “Did your parents take away your video games again?” She sighed in defeat as she complained. “Yes, they don’t understand that I have to practice to win the Super Monster Pals tournament. At least you and Masaru still have your game systems, lucky.” She pouted as they continued on their walk. “By the way I heard we are getting a new home room teacher.” She said to quickly change the subject. “Really well let’s hope they can make it through the end of the semester.” He said looking at the blue sky.

~~~~

Okay plan A was a success, now for plan B… do whatever I want before I get caught. Thought Ichika as she skips away from her task of cleaning up the training room in the Kuchiki manor. I should go ask Mrs. Hinamori for more kidō advice since she practices it a ton. She flash steps out towards the 5th division barracks, with a giant smile on her face. 

~~~

The class room was buzzing with students talking as Sayaka and Kazui arrive opening the sliding door. Looks like we aren’t late, thank goodness. He thought as he takes he seat in the middle row next to Sayaka as she sits down as well. The bell rings and everyone takes their seats as they wait. It only took two more minutes until the door slid opened and the teacher panting stepped  into the classroom. Out of breath, he takes a moment to collect himself as he reaches for a whiteboard marker. “ Good morning class, sorry I’m late I just moved into town and I didn’t know my way around.” He was in a grey suit, he had unusual silver hair and a smile of a mischievous snake or a scheming fox. He wrote his name on the whiteboard and faced the class as he introduced himself. “My name is Gin Harukawa. It’s nice to meet you all.”

Chapter Text

She finally made it to the 5th barracks, as she walked without a care in the world towards the 5th division’s captain’s office. As she walked through the hallway she could hear a conversation between the lieutenant and another slurred female voice. She recognized the voice instantly since she has heard before whenever the voice got drunk with some of the other shinigami. 

“Please if you’re going to be here, can you at least try not to vomit on the floor.” Momo said with concern. Momo was focusing on working, while the other person was lying on the couch. “Rangiku-san, I’m worried about you. You have been drinking at odd times of the day and you looks like you haven’t gotten any sleep.”

Rangiku hiccuped and huffed out a sigh before she took another drink out of the bottle of wine. She took a few gulps before she removed it from her lips and placed it on the small wooden table in front of the couch. “It’s not like I have anymore work I can do since I finished it last night. I can get all sleep I need later *hic*… besides I can handle a mid afternoon hangover.”  

Momo sighed for a moment deep in thought. Maybe I should talk to Shiro about this, maybe he can talk her into taking a vacation or something. As she finished signing her last documents setting it in the pile of finished work, she noticed the bags under Rangiku’s eyes sag slightly and every time they drift off she jolts herself awake. 

“Hey!” Ichika said breaking the awkward silence between the lieutenants as she walked in the office as if she owned the place. “Hinamori-san, Rangiku-san are you both busy at all?” She sat down on the other couch across from Rangiku and continued to speak with a certain carefreeness. “ I heard that you’re really good with kidō do you think you can teach me?” Momo blushed slightly from the complement as she went to sit next to Rangiku.

”Well no I just finished my paper work.” As she grabbed some tea next to the bottle of wine on the table and poured three glasses for the three of them. “Kidō can be both a resource of support and a weapon that’s meant to protect others.” Ichika nodded, sipping some tea as Hinamori continued to speak. “Kidō falls into two categories, one is Hadō that is meant for direct attacks. The second is Bakudō which is meant to help with supporting others on the battlefield.”

Rangiku chimed into the conversation. “ They aren’t *hic* meant as a way to get a date or out of your chores.” Eyeing Ichika who blushed and looked like she was figured out. Momo looked at Rangiku and sighed as she sipped some tea. “I learned that from experience trying to get out of *hic* paperwork.”  As she took another sip from the bottle of wine, she noticed the concern look on Momo’s face for one moment before she focused on Ichika.

”Rangiku is right in some ways, but there are forbidden types of kidō that aren’t meant to be used at all. They are extremely dangerous and it could harm the caster or anyone in the surrounding area.” Momo lectured, Ichika took note of the way the lieutenant spoke with a serious look in her eyes. Her expression changed softly as she cleared her head of any previous negative thoughts. “There’s always the academy Ichika, that’s where I was taught kidō.” 

Ichika, who drank her tea who coughed a bit before she said. “No way, I heard the academy is boring. There isn’t anyone my age there and I won’t be able to hang out with Kazui in the human realm as much anymore.”

“Ichika I know you don’t like the idea… but that’s where I met your parents and many other friends who are here.” Momo said with a light smile reminded of the past.

Ichika flash stepped towards the window as she left she exclaimed. “ The academy is boring and there’s no way ever that I will go.” Leaving Momo and Rangiku alone looking at each other before giggling together as Ichika reminded them of her father’s determination through his kidō lessons.

Meanwhile

Nearing the end of the school day, made it harder to pay attention for Kazui. Kazui is looking at the window, hoping that something would happen like an attack or something. “Kurosaki, can you answer the last question to this problem before we leave.” Mr Harukawa said pointing at the chalkboard problem. Puzzled by the question itself, Kazui looked it over for a moment as he was speechless on what to say. He hasn’t studied this yet, maybe he should have never skipped reading that book, “The Great Gasbey”.  Before he can say a single work a single hand was raised in the air in two rows ahead of Sayaka and him.

”Okay, Mrs. Shizuku Futaba do you know the answer to this question? “ Mr Harukawa said as the girl got up from her seat, her long raven hair flowed slightly from her slightly pale skin. Her grey eyes looked lifeless as her facial expression. Today she was voted as class representative, because of her smarts and beauty. 

“When Gatsby died, barely anyone came to his funeral. Daisy threw him and his feelings away, not even admitting that she was the one who drove the yellow car that day killing the mechanic’s wife.” She said her voice was cold and accurate as she sat back down.

”Very good Mrs. Futaba, you are all dismissed.” Harukawa said as the students started to pack up and get out of their seats. “Before you all leave.” He said before any one can leave. “If anyone wanted some help with some of their school work after school. I’m offering after school tutoring. I will be here grading some papers here. You guys can go that’s all.” With his odd smile still on his face erasing the question off the chalkboard.

As Kazui left, he looked back to see Futaba surrounded by their peers asking questions about her looks and if she would like to hang out. There’s no way I would take after school tutoring even if it meant showing Mrs smarty pants that she’s not the center of the universe. Besides I have to better things to do, like killing hallows.

Chapter Text

One Month Later

“Matasmoto!” Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya yelled with annoyance when he walked through the entrance of the 10th division barracks, finding her napping on the tan couch. She stirred slightly, opening her droopy eyes, sitting upwards and turning her attention towards her very upset captain. 

“Evening captain, I thought you were going to go out to do something with other captains.” She said as she brushed some strands of her golden blond hair out of her face. Noticing that her captain was still annoyed.

“That was yesterday night Matasmoto, it’s now the next day October 5th, twelve in the afternoon.”

She turned away from her captain and looked through the window to see the the afternoon’s bright blue skies with no clouds. “Oh… I-.”

“Yesterday was a meeting for the captains of sorts, some of the lieutenants and you were requested to be there. But the head captain gave me permission to talk about this situation in private I am truly grateful for that.”

Alert by the news Rangiku’s dazed sleepy look vanished as she lifted her off the sofa so she can sit and pay attention properly. Bewildered all she said was, “I-I apologize captain, I haven’t been feeling-.” 

Toshiro sighed looking less annoyed, walking towards the couch that’s across from her and sat down. “Your behavior throughout the past few months have been earned many complaints to not only from residents in the Rukongai, but other shinigami from countless other division. From your drinking and constant disruption of other people’s work while you’re drunk has been disrespectful.”

“What! I thought they loved talking about juicy gossip and getting Monday through Friday drinks at night.” She complained, giving her captain a pouty expression even though she knew it wasn’t going to work. 

“I also noticed that you have been working on your paper work in during the night, even going so far as to push yourself into your work.” He said looking watching her cross her arms.

“Isn’t that what you wanted for me to be more productive with boring paperwork, besides I don’t see a problem with that.” She said to her captain who was giving her a serious look.

“We have decided to give you a three or probably six month vacation to the human world. Matasmoto if you do not listen I am going to have to order you to stay in the human world until you start feeling like yourself.”

“Captain, you can’t be-.” Her captain wasn’t joking around, he rarely does that with anyone. 

“We know that you went to see captain Isane as well, though we didn’t push for any personal information we did ask for what she thought how to resolve this issue.” Noticing her reluctance he continued. 

“I’m fine captain seriously nothing has been extremely wrong I just went to Isane for some girl talk that’s all. Besides-.” She said in a fake cheerful voice trying to get find a way out of this conversation quickly until she was interrupted by him.

“Matasmoto, no more excuses I order! Nanao has already packed your things while me and Izuru were looking for you. We already made arrangements with Kisuke to get your gigai ready.” He says getting up and waking towards his desk. “I hope that you have a good vacation and get some proper rest in the human world.”

She got up from the sofa and turned towards the door, she said with her one of her hands curled into a fist. “Yes captain.” As she walked out and walking down the long hallway out of squad 10’s barracks leaving it, she thought to herself that didn’t want to loose her title as a soul reaper or a lieutenant, not after the hard work and … sacrifices.

She remembered as the snow fell how cold it was, she wasn’t afraid of the cold. However, she was afraid of the silver haired boy holding a blood soaked sword and wearing a soul reaper uniform. She was afraid of him leaving even once she had him, his declaration towards her was it true? In the end he failed and his failure cost him his life, he left her trying to pick up the pieces of her heart that he broke. How did he live behind his mask so casually even now she wishes that she could have seen the real Gin, the one who had saved one last time. To finally confess her feelings towards him to get this raw guilt clawing it’s way through her life.

When she arrived at the human world, she thanked Nanao as she flash stepped towards Urahara’s shop. 

Chapter Text

If anything, finding her gigai at Kisuke Urahara’s store where she was transported meant that he was also filled in on whatever this was. It was some time since she had been around the living world as she stepped out of Kisuke’s store to a note attached to the front of the door. Out at the store, phone is in your back pocket if you need anything. She scrolled through the contacts on her living world phone. She would have to ask Orihime about how to use these new phones sometime, as she sighed moving back a strand of her long, wavy, blond behind her ear. As she walked past a store window, she saw herself. She had a dark jacket with silver buttons , her shirt was white while wearing a dark business skirt. She looked down to she was in grey flats which she felt like throwing into the nears thrift store. Then she looked back at her self, her hair long once again as her hand brushed another strand behind her ear. She would need a haircut to update her current look, she thought as she reached a bus stop nearby. The cloudy sky began to part for a few moments as the bus arrived.

There weren’t many people on, an older couple, a sad business man who looked like his tie was about to choke him as he was on a call with someone. Two other women in the back speaking in English as they look like they were not from Japan and were taking pictures of each other. In the front, a tired man who was impatient by the sight of his leg bouncing as the sat there. She decided to near the middle and sit by the window looking at the street. Same old Karakura Town, as stares at the buildings from the window as the bus starts to move. Some new clothing stores nearby the shopping area, some tall grey office buildings with many glass windows, there was plenty of new changes with this town since she last here. Some carts that were selling warm pastries  a couple of years ago made a nice bakery part restaurant as the smell of fresh bread baked in an oven almost made her hungry despite having something two hours ago.  

Buildings tall or short, brick or white, some looked the same as others as she overheard the old couple speaking. “Kaito has sure grown up hasn’t he? I still can’t believe he got us reservations for at your favorite restaurant for your birthday.” The older woman spoke with a soft and gentle voice.

“He really has grown, I can’t be more proud of him.” The older man said with a smile as he held his wife’s hand. When the bus stopped the older man got out of his seat and help his wife off as well. As he went for a cane, there was a slight jostle that had it fall back onto the bus floor. Rangiku scooted away from the window as she reached down to grab the cane. As she handed the old man his cane, there was a warm thankful smile. “Thank you, young lady.” He said as he and his wife exited the bus. The old couple looked sweet and happy as Rangiku thought about them. She scooted back to her spot to stare out the window once more, more clouds start to cluster somewhat. It was only three minutes later, looking at background that something had caught her eye.

That building. She thought as she saw the white somewhat tall building. That’s where…

———-

”Let me go!” She said struggling out of Gin’s grip and onto the roof of a white office building. As she landed on one side, he landed on the other as his slightly torn up uniform coat from the battle with Ichigo tussled from the wind as he stood there.

She tried to think about those he betrayed he had hurt Izuru who would follow him as his captain. He betrayed Soul Society who he swore to fight for, he betrayed his squad. Was everything a lie? Did he just string her along to mess and manipulate her feelings, to crush them as he watched her eyes fill with despair. She had to ask him, it was the one question.

”Why are you working with Aizen? Why did you betray Soul Society, your squad, even Izuru for what?” She said, wishing for a reason any reason. No, an answer. There was no chance for Gin to salvage anything as he’s the enemy. If he was caught, he would surely be executed for all the captains and lieutenants was watch as his body burst into flames. There would be nowhere to hide or run him after this war.

”Betrayed him even though he trusted me…. Are you sure you’re talking about Izuru?” He said as she froze there with cold sweat crawling down the back of her neck. She couldn’t plea or say some to him as if her words had failed speak. As he began to move closer to her, she couldn’t move from where she stood. “Aw…. Why did you have to show up?” He spoke as he touched his hand to her necklace. Her chest felt heavy with sorrow as his once warm hand on her necklace near her chest lifted as she saw his zanpakuto pointed at her face. The smile on his face as he pointed his near her chin as her eyes widen in shock.

“You’re in the way.”

———————

She clutched her fists on her lap as that memory played out in her head. Gin… She thought as held herself together as best as she could. A few more minutes to the next stop and then five minutes to Ichigo’s place. Looked outside to see a young couple as they held hands and talked. The girl with long brown hair gave a small laugh as the boy with the raven hair scratched the back of his head with his other hand. His face faintly pink of embarrassment as he chuckled as well. She couldn’t help but think about the young and old couples she had seen. Maybe we would have been like this in a different life? Happy, going out to restaurants, holding each other’s hands. But it’s too late now, yet here I am thinking about you after all these years. She sighed as her thoughts were interrupted by the bus stopping. She arrived at her location as the sky darkens to a grayish color, trying to think of anything else other than the pain she feels in her heart.

Chapter Text

The clinic looked the same as it ever did as Rangiku walked up to the front door and gave a knock. “Coming.” The female voice from inside said as the sound of footsteps drew closer and closer to the front door. The door opened to see Orihime with her long, wavy,  burnt orange hair as she smile appears on her face. “Rangiku, It’s been a while since we have got to talk face to face. Please come inside.” As Rangiku walked and took off her shoes inside, she notice the collection on photos hung on the wall. Some were of Ichigo’s friends in the living realm back before he and Orihime got married. There was one with Renji and Rukia who were taking couple’s photo with Ichigo and Orihime on a double date. A couple of Ichigo’s family pictures and some of Orihime as a child with her older brother. The one closest to Orihime was a picture of a baby wrapped in a white soft bundle, sleeping peacefully without a care in the world. 

“Orihime!” She said with delight to reunite with her close friend and pulled her into a tight hug. Orihime wore a reddish orange turtle neck with dark blue jeans as she hugged back. Rankigu pulled away feeling something off reishi surrounding her friend. Closing her eyes for a moment to locate whatever she had sensed. She felt the reishi inside Orihime, it was small but was very noticeable. Rangiku opened her eyes, beaming with joy and gave her a grin. “Oh my gosh, you’re going to have another baby! Congratulations! We should have a celebratory drink. No you can’t drink, well then more for me. ”  

Orihime smiled back and almost shyly said with a bit of blush on her face. “Thank you, me and Ichigo are so happy that we will have another little one crawling around.” As she lead Rangiku to the dining table and went to the kitchen nearby preparing some tea. She got the stove and the kettle set up, as she looked back at her guest. “We haven’t thought about the gender reveal, but we are hoping that Kazui will start to learn a little more responsibility to his life other than playing video games or going off to fight hallows. Also Ichigo recently spoke to Renji, and told him hide the liquor. ”

Rangiku who pouted a bit. “Can’t believe Renji, such a party pooper.” She grumbled under her breath, as she watched her friend sit across the table with some crackers and cheese. She perked up a bit after having two crackers with cheese. “Wow can’t believe that kid has grown up so quickly. How’s school been going for him? Is he acing his grades like you or is he like Ichigo?” Orihime looked flinched a bit before she responded as she responded nervously. “Well he definitely takes after his father in more ways than one.” She made a nervous laugh. “When we got a call from his home room teacher, we were surprised to find out that he and his friend, Masaru were cheating off another student which they teased in class.” 

Rangiku huffed and looked a bit surprised by this. “No way! I can’t believe it. What did you guys do?” 

Orihime still looking a bit embarrassed before she shifted into her somewhat serious look. “I decided to take his video game privileges away for a month. Ichigo forbid Kazui from trying to confront any hallows unless it was an emergency.” She looked back at the still warming kettle. “We decide as parents and as suggested by his home room teacher to do after school tutoring until he and his friend can manage to do their own work.” When she turned her back to her friend, and looked into her eyes. “How has things been going for you?”

Rangiku didn’t want to burden Orihime with her problems, this wasn’t before the war where the two of them lived in Orihime’s apartment. Things were different now, Orihime didn’t have to have those dreams where she rewatched the one person she cared about most leave her over and over again. “It’s good, same old Soul Society.” She said with a false smile and a fake unbothered expression. “Although, one time me and Momo were talking when Ichika came in and wanted to learn kidō.” She gave a small chuckle, as she continued. “When she heard from Momo that the best place to learn is from the academy, she bolted like a firecracker yelling that there was no way she would join the academy.” Orihime wasn’t to bee fooled by that story as had a concerned look of worry. “Sigh, I guess you both know why I’m here then. I-“ 

Did she want to say it out loud. That she has been dreaming about Gin so much that sometimes she would sob at night until she couldn’t cry anymore. That she missed someone who has been by nearly everyone as devious snake who enjoys crushing others emotions. The traitor who left her stunned in silence as he went with Aizen. No the boy who left her alone on that snowy day with the blood of a soul reaper uniform on him. The man who laid out bleeding on a piece of rubble with one of his arms torn off and bleeding to death in her arms. The young boy who found her starving and on the ground with a smile as he saved her, fed her, and soon lived together in that tiny abandoned wood house in the woods.

”I’m just thinking about someone I knew a long time ago.” She said sadly as she almost can her the kettle whistle in the kitchen with Orihime still focusing on her. 

“Rangiku, did you ever say anything to him. Or try to-.” She saw Rangiku’s eyes, grief and pain. “Oh…. Does this person have a grave or somewhere buried in Soul Society?” Rangiku shook her head no. Gin Ichimaru would be given no proper burial even when she and Izuru practically begged the 1st captain to do so. It so many to tear her away from his dead body as Mayuri gave a fiendish smile at the news as he took Gin’s zanpakuto as the rest of the division went to take the rest of the corpses. Mayuri hated Gin, everyone knew that the traitorous captain annoyed him. Although the body was found quickly, his arm torn from his body was never recovered. Aizen might have likely disposed of it. 

“I-I can-.” Rangiku was about to change the subject when she remembered that Orihime didn’t know Gin like the other Soul Reapers did. But that really didn’t change anything. Behind Orihime, the sound of the kettle screeched with a high pitched sound as the Orihime quickly got up to turn off the stove. She turned back to the front door to see a blue umbrella next to a red one on the coat hanger.

Orihime eyes widen in surprise. “Kazui forgot to get his umbrella before he went to school. I thought I reminded him this morning to carry it with him.” She said talking to herself out loud. Rangiku pounced on the opportunity to avoid the pervious conversion. She stood up from her chair and headed to the front door. “Rangiku where are you heading to? The just finished.”

As she got her shoes on, she grabbed both umbrellas with her. “I can bring Kazui’s umbrella to him. I will need to barrow your umbrella. Don’t worry it won’t be long. Maybe another we can have tea.” As she opened the door Orihime looked nervous as she almost dropped the kettle.

”Wait Rangik-.” She said before she was cut off. “See you later.” Rangiku said with that false cheerfulness as she closed the front door.

——————-

The sky had a gloomy grey and the smell of rain drifted as Rangiku opened up the red umbrella and began to quickly walk from the front doorway. The sound of rain drops pattered on the umbrella then slid down the surface like a tear running down a cheek. It was refreshing to hear the rain, it kinda relaxed her thoughts as she walked towards the middle school. Kazui’s reishi has gotten powerful, but not as strong as her or even Ichigo yet. Still she can kinda guess why he would want to prove himself to be more than just a kid. 

The grey in the sky blended with the street slightly, as puddles begin to form on the ground. As she heard the sound of laughter by small children in a nearby, as they jumped for joy with their rain boots and raincoats onto puddles. She caught a glimpse of the children, each one wearing different color rain jackets as the one in the green splashed by a huge puddle near little girl in the pink coat. The young girl began to cry, soaked as another boy in a light purple raincoat asked her if she was okay. The little boy in green apologized as she stopped crying. The boy in the purple coat held out a hankie for the girl bashfully. She blushed and thanked him with a kind smile.

Rangiku smiled at the thoughtful gesture as she continued her way. It wasn’t about 10 to 15 minutes later that she made it to the school building. As she saw the young spiky orange haired half Soul Reaper looking board by the entrance inside. When he caught a glimpse of he did a double take, as his eyes widen. She simply waved to him as he quickly walked through the pattering of rain outside the entrance of the school gate. “Mrs, Matsumoto! What are you doing here?” He asked as she smiled at him.

She replied. “Your mom got worried since you didn’t have your umbrella, so I volunteered to drop it off.” She handed him is umbrella just as the sound of footsteps nearby Kazui’s school. They both heard the sound of an umbrella open as the figure walked out of the gate.

“You did really well today Kazui. Oh I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt anything.” A familiar male voice said as the adult figure with a grey umbrella turned towards them. The voice sounded like him as she saw figure adjust their umbrella to make his face seen. His silver hair, with a calm and collected smile on his face before he asked her. “You must be a family friend of the Kurosakis. I’m glad you brought it, normally I would have a spare if this ever happened, but I already gave it to another student. He said sheepishly. “My name is-.”

————

The world just slowed down completely for Rangiku, as sounds began to drown out. Her eyes wide with shock as her hands begun to shake. He-he-he’s, how is this possible did happen! Did Kisuke do something to mess with her mind, was this some sort of sick joke? Is this another dream that would turn into a fucked up nightmare. He died that day in her arms, she held him till his last dying breath as his heart stopped beating. Her reasonable Soul Reaper duty said she needed to report what the hell she is seeing. But her heat and her mind agreed to one thing as soon as she saw him alive and breathing.

She dropped her umbrella onto and hugged him, the rain was able to mask her tears running down her cheeks. Her frame trembled from the slight shiver of the cold air of fall. “Gin.” She said her voice trembled as a rush of emotions burst through her thoughts.

She can’t let him go again, she can’t see him die again in her arms. 

She won’t let go.

————

“Excuse me, Mrs. Do I know you?”

Chapter Text

It was night, he was standing in a forest as the moon peaked from behind the clouds. He saw a tall man with brown with dark brown eyes with jet black framed glasses. The stranger’s face may have looked kind to those who saw it, but to him what he saw was something far worse and wicked. He saw that the stranger wore a dark uniform just as he does except that the stranger has a badge on his arm. The stranger smiled, instincts tell him to run even though he stared back as the man analyzed him. He was saying things, things that made no sense and the stranger listened which caused goosebumps on his arms. He couldn’t hear his own words, even can’t control his body not even a single finger. Then the moonlight extended as the clouds drift away revealing what had been perviously obscured.

Bodies, dressed in the same uniform as him and the stranger except for the crimson blood splatter that begun to soak into the earth. At first he saw three one moment, the next more as the blood starts pool by his feet. He didn’t even realize that he was holding something in his hand. A bloody katana. He then noticed them, his foster parents among the bodies of the dead. He trembled, finally gaining movement as his eyes widen in shock and terror. “Somebody help!” He yelled searching frantically for a make shift bandage as he knelt by his foster mother’s corpse. He wanted to close the stab wound and instead more blood poured from the wound onto his hands. He started to have trouble breathing as he saw his hands covered in blood. His mind was racing, with his thoughts as he looked back to see the stranger looming behind him. There was no sound nothing as he tried to scream for help, still nothing happened. He turned around towards the stranger only to be met by a pain. He was stabbed in the stomach by the stranger, as an iron taste filled his mouth when he opened it. The stranger just smiled like nothing had happened and finally spoke something that he can understand.

”You never had a chance against me, Gin.” As soon as he said that pale arms sprouted from the crimson fluid beneath him grabbed onto harshly him. He screamed for someone, his foster parents, anyone for help in pure terror as the hands began to pull him down into the blood. His ears started to ring, struggling to fight off the grip of the cold hands that dragged him lower and lower. Parts of him like his legs and whatever was pushed to the ground started to sink into the crimson pool. His throat felt raw as he felt his neck submerged in burning warmth that made him think he was caught on fire. The last thing he saw was the stranger’s figure, but was obscured as the moonlight disappeared.

—————

Darkness, he was standing there alone with nothing on him. He looked down to notice his hands were smaller, like that of a child. His uniform was gone, leaving him exposed with nothing to cover his body. He started walking forward in the void on darkness as underneath him the ground rippled like disturbed water even though the disturbance didn’t affect the surface he was walking upon. “Are you sure you want to go that way?” He heard his own adult voice say from his left. He turned to the source to look around, nothing in front of him. “Down here.” He looked down to feet a few feet away from him reflected on the other side of the surface was himself as an adult. But he was different, there was something sinister about him as the other him smiled. His other self wore torn up white loose pants and around his arms, ankles and torso were chains. “I was getting bored waiting here for you. Well at least we have time to talk again.” The other self said carefree as the chains on ankles start to constrict with each step. 

“Again? What do you mean?” He asked as he moved forward towards his other self. The other version sadly chuckled under his breath. The other him stared at him with his calm striking blue eyes looking for something, something he didn’t find. 

“Kid, I’m going to say something and you better not forget it. Even if you forget anyway edge this into your heart.” The other version’s chains on his arms started to him back. The young man gritted in pain before continuing. “Don’t forget her. Even if she forgets about you and has moved on.” The young man mumbled something else that he couldn’t hear as the something began to slither on the chains. But before Gin Harukawa could ask who her is, tar like hands reached out for his arms and legs pulling him away. Another hand reached out for his throat, slimy as its dark liquid dribbled from the hand onto his bare pale body. He thought he saw someone standing there in the darkness, getting closer to him. She was surrounded by light, hardly any distinguishable features at all as she was practically made of light. But the tar like arm squeezed tighter and tighter, his breath leaving him as he is pulled into that darkness. 

————

He jolts awake in a cold sweat from his bed. Fear and panic rushed back as he jolted towards his bathroom. He couldn’t even turn on the lights when he ran towards the toilet and began to vomit what remained of his supper. After emptying out what remained,  he remembered the blood on his hands frantically as if he was in a hurry scurried to the sink. He turned on the water not caring if it was hot or cold, he just wanted the blood off his hands. He scrubbed painfully until his hands were pruny as a rush of warm water started to tinge his hands pinkish red. After turning off the water to his sink, he slowly knelt in the fetal position as started to take trembling deep breaths to calm his nerves. 

Chapter Text

Huh… She looked up at him, his expression on his face looked dumbfounded and confused. Her head spun, she hadn’t had a drink for a while and yet he was real. This wasn’t a dream or even a nightmare, but she didn’t care. Until her mind slowly reeled to what he had said as it echoed in her mind   “Excuse me, Mrs. Do I know you?” She backed away from him, the rain pattering against her clothes and skin. 

What? She her thoughts came to a halt as what he said felt like a slap in the face. I know. I know it’s you, Gin. But why? Why are you treating me like we just met? Is this some sort of effect from not doing the captain’s ritual for him after he died? I-I-I want to scream at him and punch him or anything!? But… I can’t. Goddammit Rangiku! I can’t be blubbering like a child, I have to make up for this. “I’m sorry sir, I-I thought you were someone else.” She said as hoped that the rain would cover where her tears were. 

He seemed to understand as his confusion faded and was replaced with his usual smile. One that was not out of intimidation or to look sinister, just a calm calculating smile. “It’s fine. Nowadays, there seems to be a lot of people who thought I was someone else.” He stepped forward past Rangiku as he knelt down to pick up the umbrella on the sidewalk. “Though you are right, my name is Gin. I’m Kazui’s homeroom teacher, Gin Harukawa.” He said as knelt back up with both umbrellas as he walked back to her. Kazui is standing there, very confused by the exchange itself. “I just moved here a month ago with my little brother. I haven’t had time to explore the town though. So sometimes I get a little lost.”

Now! She thought as she turned to Kazui who finally seemed to snap out of his thoughts. “Kazui, can I barrow a piece of paper, a notebook, and pen from your bag?” He nodded, as he took out both. “Can you please hold my umbrella? It won’t be long.” She handed him the umbrella as he held it so that she doesn’t get any rain on the paper as she scribbled something down. Then quickly took out her phone for one moment to check something before she continued to write. As quick as possible, she handed Kazui his school stuff and he handed her the umbrella back. She then walked to Gin, as she handed him the note. “I’m Rangiku Matsumoto, I’m an old friend of the family. I know this place really well, if you ever need someone to show you around. Give me a call sometime, we can chat and I can show you a great restaurant.” She said with a fake smile, it took all her willpower to not slip up. Gin looked from her to the scribbled down note and then back at her as there is a little bit of a blush on his cheeks. 

“Sure I would love to. It’s very nice to meet you-.”

“You can call me Rangiku. I feel more comfortable with that.”

“Well it was really nice to meet you Rangi-.” Before he could say another word a young girl in a dark pink track uniform with a baseball cap raced by grabbing hold of Rangiku’s arm and running with her as they start to move farther away from him. He was stunned, by the sudden appearance. “I’ll call you later.” He yelled, hoping that she would hear. As Kazui says a quick goodbye to his teacher before heading home. 

As much as Kazui wants to know how Mrs, Matsumoto knows his home room teacher. He just really wants to go home right now and talk to Kon. Maybe he knows something?

————-

By the time the young woman stops they are inside an abandoned building a mile or two away from where they were. “What’s the big idea!?” The very upset lieutenant said as she closed the borrowed umbrella.

“I should be asking you the same question!” As the former lieutenant of the twelfth division yelled back with the same amount of fury despite her short stature. She growled then she shouted. “Why did you talk to him; you’re going to mess this all up!”

“Mess what up? I was simply talking to him!”

“Oh really! Then why did you-.”

“Hiyori, that’s enough.” Another recognizable voice said behind them as they walked in. Kisuke Urahara, the shop keeper and former captain of the twelfth division. On his left side of to him was Hachigen and the other was Love. “I can tell you want answers. I will give you what we already know. If you-.”

”I’ll do it.” Rangiku said. 

Urahara “If you keep your eye on him and get any- eh.” He looked somewhat stunned by the quick response as he recomposed himself. “Okay. What are your burning questions?”

She knew what she was going to say as she gave a serious stare at Kisuke. “Did you do this? Did you somehow bring him back?”

It was a quick response back. “No. Nor would I any way, I could not do that since any DNA of his would be back in Soul Society.”

She gritted her teeth, holding back the anger she felt. “Do you know who would have done this?”

“No, we don’t.”

Rangiku hands clench tightly into fists. “How do you all know about this?”

Kisuke scratched the back of his head and made a nervous laugh. “Well you see it all happened when I was tiding the shop and restocking my new products. He came in asking for some candy-like cough drops or something. I was taken a back even shocked, I was about take action when someone else arrived.” He looked at Hiyori who crossed her arms and mumbled something under her breath with a smirk. “She had attacked him and it was very brutal even I winced, it not pretty. That’s when I noticed three important things, first his reiatsu was just like that of a normal human soul kinda. Second, Hiyori wasn’t in her gigai and couldn’t see her at all as he was completely unready for her assault. Lastly, he doesn’t remember anything, he has no memory of Soul Society or anything related to it. We had to replace his memory so that he didn’t remember how he got injured. He is human, when I asked Hachi and Tessai for emergency healing they helped check if it was gigai or some sort of knock off. It wasn’t a knock off at all.” He said the last part in a very serious tone as he watch her flinch back in shock as she processed the information.

“I have one more question.” The tension in the air swarmed. She thought back to her chat with Orihime before she left. “Who else knows?” 

Kisuke sighed before he responded. “Ichigo and Orihime know along with Uryū, Sado and a couple of Ichigo’s human friends who saw him during when Aizen attacked. No one at the Soul Society knows other than that Afro guy who I have… bribed to keep his mouth closed. The Visords take turns keeping an eye on him in case if anything happens. However, I have had no luck figuring out who could have possibly done this and how. That’s why instead of telling you to stay out of this, I would like you to see if you find anything about him or any clues to find whoever did this.” 

He has no memories at all, not even from before he became a Soul Reaper. It’s more a monkey’s paw wish now…. He here, but he doesn’t know me. How am I supposed to do this without thinking about the Gin I knew. She thought as she looked down at the umbrella in her hand that he had helped pick up off the ground. 

—————

Elsewhere, in a unknown location in the living realm.

Something had split reality, a mysterious barefoot stranger appears out of it. They give a large toothy smile, their shark like fangs as they walk to meet up fifteen other hooded figures. As others see their comrade as one of the hooded figures left of a more muscular and taller hooded figure started to walk up and stop halfway.

“I take it that everything has still been going to according to plan with both projects?” The tallish lankier hooded male figure acquired as they tilted their head a bit waiting for an answer.

The sharp toothed figure smiled as they crossed their pale arms and responded with a voice that could either me a man or a woman’s. “Everything is going better than planned. Guess who arrived here and meet Subject S?”

The male figure’s head tilted back to its normal position as a sinister grin formed. “Excellent.” He said pleased by the news. “Now we can move onto stage two of our experiment.” Suddenly there was a powerful reiatsu felt by the hooded figures, as a hooded figure with a broken emblem on their neck looked a back at the others.

”They are coming, let’s move back to base. I don’t want to waste time on pieces of the Soul King.” They said as they all vanished into a purple portal. 

One minute later, an exposition is heard nearby as gun fire is shot from farther away. “God damn it, those slippery bastards.” A male voice said disappointed by the late arrival. There standing where the hooded figures had teleported was the leader of the Xcution, Ginjō. He look out his cellphone and begun to call someone. “Yeah I got there, but they got away again. Tell the rest to meet back at headquarters.” He paused for a moment to think before he spoke again. “I have a hunch where their main point of interest might be.”