Gin x Rangiku fic chapter 2!!
Okay here is chapter 2 of my Gin/Rangiku fic. Again, this is a rough draft. I am very open to constructive criticism. Thank you in advance.
* * * * *
“Man is improvable.” quote by Horace Mann
Book 1: “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” quote by Anais Nin, diary entry, March 1937
* * * chapter 2: Halls of Illusions by Insane Clown Posse * * *
“Hey look! It’s snowing!” Rangiku peeked out through the crack in the wall while her friend stoked the fire. She could hardly believe six months had gone by that she’d met the odd, silver-haired boy. Turning, she regarded his narrow slits for eyes and mocking mouth. A pretty blush tinted her cheeks when he noticed her staring.
Gin’s smile grew. “Dinner?” He put some stew into a bowl as she sat opposite him. Rangiku swirled her chopsticks around making a face. “Sorry. We’re getting low on food again…” She sighed and lifted the bowl to her lips. “Hey.” The bowl returned to the floor. “When is your birthday, Rangiku?” Her friend asked, a rare serious expression on his face.
“I don’t know. I never really counted days until I met you…” Food was shoved into her mouth. To her surprise, his brow raised and his mouth gaped open in shock. Gin scratched his head. He stared at the floor with a sigh, lost in thought.
“…Then, the day you met me is your birthday.” He grinned reassuringly. “How about that, Rangiku?” The strawberry-blond blinked at his hopeful expression. “September 29th, right?” She blushed that he remembered the exact date.
“Yeah…” Once more her food touched her lips. “Hey, what happened to Ran-chan?” The little girl giggled trying to lighten the mood.
“You seemed kinda miffed I called you that last time.” Rangiku flushed, a pretty pout crossing her expression.
“No! I just…” She played with her food. “I just didn’t feel good and you were teasing me!” Her voice was harsher than she meant it to be. “That’s all… I like it when you call me that.” Suddenly, the boy was in front of her his eyes open and a wide grin upon his face.
“Really?” The strawberry-blond nodded. His hand popped up between them with his pinky extended. “We’re gonna be best friends forever, right?” She nodded cheerfully linking little fingers with him.
“When’s your birthday Gin?” Rangiku observed anxiously as his eyes opened and blinked as if taken off guard.
He scratched the back of his head. “September 10th…” His friend pouted.
“I missed your birthday then…” Laughter broke out of the silver-haired boy.
“You didn’t even know me yet silly.” Suddenly, surprisingly strong arms wrapped around his shoulders.
“We missed both of ours then, huh! We should celebrate together!” Her bowl spewed stew over the rough wood floor. Gin frowned at the wasted meal. “Oops…” His friend blushed. Her arms started to pull away only for him to pull her closer and fall forward.
“You wasted food.” His smile took on a sinister tone while positioning himself so that she couldn‘t move. “Revenge…” He growled through his evil grin. With her body pinned to the floor, the fox-child sent her a barrage of tickles. Rangiku writhed and giggled. “So wiggly!” The torture heightened.
Her cheeks flushed bright red. Hands broke free to hold her chest. “Ow…” She frowned up at her friend.
“Ran-chan’s squishy…” His grin widened before continuing his assault. “Squishy!!!” He yelled out sending her into a fit of hysteria. Just as suddenly as he began, Gin stopped. His elbow rest on the floor while his head was propped in his hand. “Ran-chan, do ya trust me?” He asked, his eyes open and his expression amused. Rangiku nodded watching his hands. “I don’t know. You don’t look like you trust me.” He teased letting his free hand jolt just to watch her jump.
“I trust you.” Her brow furrowed in concern that her friend would doubt her.
“Good! Come on!” Gin got up and offered his hand.
“Well, shouldn’t we clean up first?” His fox eyes surveyed the room.
“I cooked!” He cast her a toothy grin escaping from clean up duty and darting across the room to the supply bag. “Besides, you made that mess.” Rangiku fumed her mouth pursed and her eyes narrowed.
“Fine…” Heaving a great sigh, she set herself to her task as her roommate dug in the bag. Moments later, dinner was cleaned up. She turned to find he’d pulled several articles of clothing out of the bag.
“It’s cold out. We gotta put this stuff on.” The little girl raised an eyebrow.
“You got hanten, but no shoes?” His mouth gaped open as he stared blankly at the wall. Once more, she released a heavy sigh. “Boys are so hopeless when it comes to clothes…” He continued to stare at the wall hoping shoes would magically appear out of the charred wood. Long thin fingers held up scarves with an overtly innocent grin plastered to his face. Rangiku shook her head and chuckled. “Goofy…” They dressed themselves and headed out. “Where’re we going?” Baby blues eyed the wakizashi at his waist. “And where’d you get that?” His grin widened as he led the way.
“Don’t worry. You said you trusted me.” With a light jog, the strawberry-blond caught up to wrap her arm around his and lean against him. The narrow passage she feared lay ahead as the sun began going down for the night. It grew nearer and nearer making it obvious where he was taking her. Rangiku’s legs slowed. Her arms went limp as her friend stepped ahead of her several paces.
When her warmth was replaced by the chill night air, Gin turned to find his roommate standing still behind him. Her hands were closed and raised to her chest and chin nervously. Legs shook yet remained planted to their spot. Her strawberry bangs hid her eyes from view. “I trust you…” Quivering, her voice whispered. “I do…” A shadow cast over her features hiding her expression with her hair.
* * *
Gin remembered. His mother lay quivering on the floor, battered and bruised. “Mama?” He crawled over toward her. The man had left for the night as tears fell from her bludgeoned cheeks.
“Gin!” She gasped her tear filled eyes raising to suddenly notice the boy nervously sitting in front of her. Her face buried in her hands. She ran her fingers through her hair while sucking in a cleansing shaky breath. Her arms reached out to hold the boy to her. “Gin…” She cried in his silver-hair. “Promise me Gin. When you start playing with girls, even if they frustrate you, be gentle. Promise me?” Numbly, the little boy stared at the floor and nodded against her. “You’re such a good boy.”
* * *
“I told you.” He breathed a frustrated sigh at her ongoing fear. “I’ll protect you from the bad people.” Gin stood in front of her without touching her, his expression soft yet irritated. “That’s what I brought this for.” The sword clanked when he adjusted it on his obi. “It’s okay.” He raised his hand to brush her shaking fingers. “Just stay with me.” Rangiku lifted her eyes to find her friend smiling softly. Unsure of herself, she took his palm letting him walk her slowly toward the narrow pass.
As they reached the village, the sound of laughter and drums echoed about the whole town. Lanterns hung everywhere. Children played running freely through the streets. Lovers kissed and frolicked. Sparklers danced along the walls of the alleys. Music and the smell of food filled the air. “It’s the winter festival! See? It’s okay Ran-chan!” He grinned at her wide open mouth and starry eyes. “I saved up money too!” His grin widened.
“Really?” Her grip on his arm relaxed. Baby blues blinked up at her friend registering why he’d left so often for the past month. With a giggle, Rangiku threw her arms around the fox-boy. Eagerly, he returned her hug as a toothy grin and a mischievous chuckle floated over his features.
“Let’s go get some candy!” Gin gripped her hand to run with her into the throng. Black eyes followed the children into the crowd.
“She looks familiar and so does that wakizashi…” A man stepped from the alley. He crossed the street to return to his post at his store front.
Rangiku stuck her tongue out in concentration. She waved a wooden ring back and forth in an effort to aim properly. It slipped from her fingers to fly into the box of upright bottles. The ring bounced from rim to rim before falling to the ground beneath. Her shoulders slumped as proverbial steam puffed from her ears and nostrils. “One more time.” Her hand jutted out toward her friend.
“Ran-chan, you’ve already done it nine times now. Don’cha think that’s enough?” Gin held the bag of coins out of her reach.
Pouting, her face flushed red. “I have a feeling ten is my lucky number.” Baby blues twitched with anger and resolve. Hesitantly, he passed her another coin. “Cough it up Mister!” She presented the money, a wild look in her eye. Three more rings were handed over. “Okay. I can do this.” Rangiku spoke to herself out loud. “Just gotta stay calm and aim…” Softly, she let a ring fly. With a clatter, it rolled around the clay bottle. “Yes!”
At a far distance in the crowd, the tall, black-eyed man watched the pair. The strawberry-blond bounced up and down hugging her friend when another ring hit the mark. “Where do I know you from?” She turned her eyes closed as she kissed the last ring. With a deep sigh, she searched the spaces between the crowd for the necessary skill to get three hits in a row. The man’s eyes widened in recognition. “She’s mine now.” One of his men had given him the message. The young recruit of his organization had overheard the boy’s words before hearing screams echo through the alleys. “You’re the one…”
The last ring bounced and wiggled on a clay bottle. “YES!! I TOLD YOU!!” She pointed her finger at her friend making him laugh out loud. Rangiku picked out her prize. “Here!” Her toothy grin was wide mimicking his fox-like expression.
“Huh?” Gin was taken aback at the mask held in front of him. He regarded the playful fox depicted in the disguise. “Are ya sure? You won that Ran-chan.” To his surprise, she nodded enthusiastically turning it around and pressing it to his face.
“It’s you!” She laughed. The boy’s expression softened as he took the gift and put it on. “Yup!” He moved it aside so that it stuck to the side of his head before handing the carnival game owner another coin. In three swift throws, the rings hit their marks.
Rangiku pouted at the ease in which he won the game. “Show off…” Disregarding her irritation, he pointed to another mask. He grinned holding it out for her.
“Now we both have one!” Baby blues widened at the cat disguise. Gin slipped it over her head to put it in place. He touched his masked forehead to hers and giggled brightly. “You’re a kitty cat!” She cocked her head to the side cutely.
“Why am I a kitty cat?” Her voice was curious against the mask.
“Cause you’re ornery.” Gin teased grabbing her hand and running further into the crowd, disguises in place.
“Hey…!” Her voice was slow and annoyed, yet bounced from jogging along side the fox.
* * *
Sparks of light soared across the sky. Two sets of blue watched in wonder as explosions echoed about the festival. Gin’s mouth gaped open, a dried persimmon touching his bottom lip. The strawberry-blond sitting beside him looked up at her friend. She tugged at the bottom hem of his yukata. “Sit down.” He was frozen in place staring at the colorful sky. Rangiku scoffed holding the hem against his leg. “I don’t wanna see your…parts!”
His gaping mouth grew into a sadistic toothy grin. He nudged her head with his thigh. “Then don’t look.” The girl screamed covering her eyes and his legs. Gin laughed batting at her hands to keep her from blocking the view.
“Stop it!” They smacked at each other until the fox grabbed her wrists. Long fingers weaved around her wrists holding both with one hand. He adjusted as she struggled, his evil grin turning menacing. Rangiku bit his calf in her effort to break free. With a pained laugh, he lifted his yukata and shoved her head under it. A muffled scream sounded from beneath the cloth. She thrashed. Gin lost his balance dropping to the ground and releasing his friend.
A strawberry nest emerged from his yukata. Her face was red. Gray-blue eyes twitched with anger. The fox laughed hysterically pointing a finger at the disheveled girl. “Boys are so gross!” Rangiku shuddered before launching herself at him.
Gin scrunched his face as her nails raked along his chest. “Kitty’s got claws!” His laughter grew.
“I am going to kill you!” She straddled him grabbing at his hands to pin him to the ground as he had done to her earlier that day.
“So, boys are gross huh?” He wrestled with her purposely letting her think she had the upper hand. Breathing heavy from exertion, baby blues glared at her captive’s confident toothy grin. “Well, girls are squishy!” Gin chuckled lifting his head to give his friend a peck. A brilliant blush grew over the strawberry-blonde’s face. His legs broke free to wrap around her waist. He threw his hips flipping them over. Long fingers gripped her wrists above her head. The struggle had left her yukata loose. To her horror, he blew hard against the space between her breasts making a farting sound erupt off her skin.
Gin laughed, grinning at his friend. To his surprise, her lip quivered and her blush deepened. The fox cocked his head to the side and opened his eyes. Baby blues darted about refusing to look at him as an embarrassed frown trickled over her features. He adjusted, slowly wiping the spit off her skin and fixing her yukata. “Better?” He dug through their bag of candy to pop a sugar stick in her mouth. “Candy?” He kissed her cheek and grinned nervously.
Rangiku’s eyes narrowed. Her knee jerked into his groin. Pale blue rolled. He released her wrists and flipped onto his side. She sat up with a huff and pulled the stick out of her mouth. “Stupid…” Growling, she stuck the candy back in her mouth to return her attention back to the fireworks.
* * *
“We should start getting home...” Gin held his friend’s hand and led her to one of the shops. Baby blues widened at the tall man behind the counter. She remained quiet, gripping the fox’s arm as he pointed to the supplies he needed.
“You’re friend is a bit shy.” Black eyes gazed down at the strawberry blond. “Very pretty though.” Gin smiled big pretending not to notice the frightened look on the girl’s face. “Is that everything you need then?” The fox nodded closing the deal and gathering their things to return home. The man watched as the two children left. “Follow them.” He spoke to the darkness within his store.
“Sorry I kicked you…” Rangiku pouted. She adjusted a bag over her shoulder and gripped her friend’s hand tightly for the long walk home.
“No you’re not.” The silver-haired boy sang cheerfully a grin plastered to his face.
“Well, you went too far! What’dya expect!?” She burst out. “That was my first kiss…” A frown weighed heavily on her expression.
“Mine too.” His grin widened. “But we’re family, it doesn’t count.” Gray-blue blinked in disbelief at his response. Her brow furrowed at his logic. “Hey, Ran-chan. That guy back there…” Rangiku shook her head still letting his words roll around in her mind. “The guy who sold us this stuff. Is he a bad person?” She snapped out of it to regard his question.
“I remember him. Before I met you. Something felt off about him. I don’t know.” He nodded and squeezed her hand.
* * *
Gin lay awake. Strands of strawberry-blond tickled his chest and neck. He twirled a lock of silky hair between his fingers. The sky had been so clear for the festival, but now it was cast over with dense clouds. “Something felt off about him.” Pale blue drifted toward the wakizashi on the floor within arms reach of him. With a sigh, his friend adjusted herself against him. Her arms were wrapped around his torso so that her fingers twitched against his shoulder. Her breath was hot against his chest. He regarded her for a moment before smiling and returning his attention to the crack in the wall. Thick, fluffy snow had begun to fall just outside. He rubbed the silky strand of hair he’d been playing with against his chin enjoying it’s smoothness.
“Something felt off about him.” The quote repeated in his mind over and over. The various men he’d killed from the village filtered in and out of view in his head. None were strong in mind or in body. All seemed to be following orders of some kind. Gin closed his eyes remembering the intricacies of the man’s expression. “You’re friend is a bit shy.” The man had blushed. Onyx beads had wandered over her form. “Very pretty though…” His smile was guarded and his stare lingered. “Get in there!” He remembered the little girl from the sack had been thrown into a room. Other children had whimpered behind the door.
Gin untangled himself from the sleeping girl. He cast her one last look before covering her with the blanket and fastening his weapon to his obi. Without looking back, he slipped out of the crack in the wall. Rangiku adjusted under the covers. Her eyes peeked to notice she was alone. She sat up to catch a glimpse of her friend amidst the snowfall. His fists were clenched at his sides as he walked away with a determined stride. Baby blues fell to her hands upon the blanket. “Where are you going this time?” She asked in her mind afraid of how her voice would cut through the silence.
* * *
“How old are you, boy?” The man had asked him while his mother cleaned up after dinner. Gin simply smiled unsure of how to answer his question. With a masculine sniff, the man scratched himself and glared at the grinning youth. “’Spose you don’t know, do ya…” He coughed and spit into the dirt beyond their small porch. “Just a baby when she brought you home.” The man stood and dusted himself off. “Reckon it’s about time though. You old enough to understand and all. Ain’t gonna be long before those girls in town are gonna start lookin pretty good to ya.”
Gin continued to smile, though nervously. He ducked at the man towering over him, his eyes watching him intently. “What’chu starin at? I ain’t gonna hit you, boy.” Disbelieving, pale blue merely remained fixed waiting for the man’s fists to make a move. “Just watch. Yer Old Man’s gonna show you how it’s done.”
His eyes widened in horror. The blond woman screamed only to get beaten into silence. Tears streamed down her face. Fabric ripped. Gin sat frozen as his mother was violated. The man grunted like a rutting boar. His hand covered her mouth. Blood trickled down her chin. Moments later, the man reemerged from the one room house. He watched the child tremble with eyes wide from trauma. “You remember that boy.” The man tied his obi around his waist and left.
Gin blinked. “Mama?” She sobbed curling into a ball naked on the floor. A small hand touched her shoulder. The woman jumped registering who the palm belonged to.
“Gin?” Tangled blond hair was moved aside. “Go get Mama the blanket.” As if in a dream, his feet moved of their own accord across the room. He barely felt the cloth against his fingers. “You’re such a good boy…” Her voice trembled. She wrapped the blanket around her and pulled the child close. “Don’t you listen to him. Remember what I tell you. When the time comes, be the good gentle boy I know you are.” He nodded against her chest. “That’s a good boy. Such a good boy…” His eyes remained wide open as she rocked him back and forth tears staining his shoulders.
* * *
Baby blues widened at the sound of branches cracking on the outskirts of the property. Rangiku scrambled out of the blankets. She stuffed them into a bag and hauled it over her shoulder before running out of the house. She ran in the opposite direction of whatever was approaching. Ditching the bag in the bushes, her bare feet ran through the snow. The smell of smoke billowed behind her. She turned around mid-run to see an orange glow pierce through the trees at a distance.
Suddenly, shadows faded in and out of view amidst the trees and rocks. The forest halted making way for the surrounding wasteland. Rangiku opened her mouth to scream. Her vision went black.
* * *
Gin stepped up to the long hut where he’d killed his first yakuza member. The door flew open forcing the fox into the shadows. The man who emerged from the building breathed a loud sigh before adjusting his obi and filling his mouth with sake. Sweat rolled down the man’s forehead. Whimpering could be heard from within the hut. The sounds of the children mingled with the remembered screams of his mother. Deadly red narrowed. His short sword slid from the sheath. “We can’t have that now can we.” A voice sounded from behind. “I can’t have you killing off my clients. Then where would I be?”
The boy growled and turned plastering on a sadistic smile. “Do I look like I care?” His voice was deceptively cheery.
“Oh, I’m sure you’re itching to carve me up and every man who enjoys that house of love right there.” Gin scoffed at the title of the hell house. “But think of this, every time you come here that pretty little thing you leave behind is all alone.” His expression never wavered though his mind screamed at him. The man met his opponent’s grin with his own. He chuckled knowing he had the upper hand. “You know, I kind of like you. You’re ruthless. We could use a guy like you in our organization.” With his hands behind his back, the tall man circled the fox.
“I don’t work with cowards.” The boy’s grin appeared menacing. There was a chuckle.
“What makes you think I’m a coward?” Gin’s smile grew.
“All of your men are cowards! And they‘re weak!” He laughed. The fox’s grin turned more sadistic. “A man who picks on little girls is a coward.” His chuckle ceased. The blade slid from its prison.
“Now, hold on there kid.” The man put his hands out at the sight of metal. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. But these girls aren’t being picked on.” Silver eyebrows furrowed through the fox grin. “These girls are being loved. You met the mother right? There is no love in that woman at all. If I didn’t take these girls, they wouldn’t get the love and affection they deserve.” Narrowed slits twitched.
“Nah, I ain’t buyin it, mister.” Gin lunged at the man.
“Stop!” He yelled out just barely dodging the blade. A trickle of blood dripped down his cheek. “Look!” The man pointed toward the horizon. Pale blue opened to see smoke curl in the far distance.
“Ran-chan…” The boy breathed.
“As soon as I saw you two, I knew I recognized you from somewhere. That girl belongs to me. She’s a goldmine. Blond-haired blue-eyed beauty like that is very rare here.” Eyes closed into narrow slits while the grin disappeared. Gin turned to regard the man. He white knuckled the hilt of his short sword. “You really think picking off my men is going to go unnoticed? There are consequences little boy.” Uneven teeth smirked and chuckled. “If you want her, you gotta pay the price just like every other guy. That’s the rule I’m afraid. But if you put that sword down maybe I’ll be nice and let you take the first ride.” A frown melted over the fox’s expression.
Suddenly, the boy disappeared. A flash of metal flipped through the air to bounce against a nearby wall. Gin rolled out of the way. He stayed low. One leg was stretched out to the side, his foot pointed, while the other bent. Silver bangs hid his narrowed eyes. “If you think you can take me on with half a wakizashi, you’re sadly mistaken kid.” The taller man pointed the tip of his katana toward his crouched opponent.
“You’re a soul reaper.” Gin stated matter-of-factly. Though his sword had been sliced through, he continued to point it at the man threateningly.
“Yes. Squad 11. I’m a seated position.” Black eyes glared confidently at the boy. “I’m impressed with the level of your spirit energy, but I can tell you’re not trained. You don’t even have a zanpakuto yet.” He gripped the sword to the side. “Take him, Shuten-doji.” The katana melted into a long, nine-link, chain whip. He spun the end of the chain. The red scarf at the end of his weapon became a haze of color.
Gin dodged when the whip was thrown. Blood burst from his shoulder when the red clothe revealed it’s deadly bladed center. The man pulled and adjusted curving the chain. Russet eyes widened realizing what was directly behind him. He raised what was left of his sword just in time to wrap the chain around it. Only to drop it and leap away when the hidden blade nearly sliced off his hand at the wrist. Gin turned to get a heel to the face. He bounced along the dirt to smash his head into the opposite wall. “Without training and a zanpakuto, you’re nothing but a kid.” With a swift kick to the stomach, the fox coughed up bile.
Long thin fingers wiped blood and spit from his mouth. “If you think you’re the first guy who’s beat me up, you’re wrong.” The man laughed picking up his whip. He spun it while approaching the boy.
“I’m sure.” Black eyes lifted at the sound of a scuff against the dirt. “Ah, you’re back. Right on time.” A loud thud dropped against the bleeding youth. Red widened at the sight of strawberry-blond against his hip. He turned finding his friend unconscious on the ground. Her yukata was loose revealing her chest. “So young and already a woman, huh.” The man’s sandal nudged her torso. “Now, I told you if you put your sword down I would let you take the first ride. That’s an awfully generous offer, you know. To let her get it from someone she trusts. But you decided not to play by the rules, so now-” He nodded toward the man grinning in the shadows of the alley. The shadow grabbed his friend’s ankle dragging her to the opposite end of the open passage.
Gin’s brow furrowed. His narrowed eyes twitched. He flashed out of view to lunge toward the man in the darkness. Spinning red dug into the fox’s side followed by a kick to the stomach. Blood seeped from the wound. He grit his teeth as a glint of metal shone from the edge of the alley. The nine-link chain of his opponent’s zanpakuto twisted toward the boy. Gin blocked letting it wrap around his arm. The blade spun. He pulled allowing the tip to stick into his forearm. Thick blood cast off to splatter over his enemy’s clothes. The man wrenched his chain back throwing the fox into the building behind him.
Gin dropped to the ground. His breathing was heavy. He had no weapon. The flat of the shadow’s knife traced down her cheek between her breasts to the sash of her yukata. Cloth slicing echoed along the space between the huts. “Call me.” A voice drifted into the fox’s mind. Her obi was tossed aside. “Call my name.” Laughter floated through his conscious. “What’s your name?” Gin asked the voice. “You tell me.” It responded as red watched the shadow expose his friend‘s skin to the night air.
Black watched the boy’s expression though it was hidden by his silver bangs. “So much for her being yours.” A mumble was whispered into the dirt. The fox bent to wipe the blood from his face with the hem of his yukata. His other arm crossed under him so that it was hidden under his open clothes. His fingers wrapped around a pale blue hilt. The wakizashi extended through the back of his yukata. It slipped past the ribcage of his opponent pushing the man through the wall of the long hut. Girls screamed and dodged as their captor was impaled against the opposite interior. Gin pulled only to slash the man in half and retract the blade. He flipped onto his stomach to aim. Metal flashed in a line toward the opposite end of the alley. The shadow hunched over. Gin raised his sword wrenching it out of the shadow’s back.
In a flash, Gin disappeared from the ground to tackle the body out of the way from the strawberry-blond. He rolled, blood streaming down his body to stain the dirt beneath him. Slowly, he lifted himself to stand beside the girl, his yukata nearly sliced in half and hanging limply against his chest. “Shinso.” Pale blue stared at the gleaming short sword in his grip. The pressure of a sheath bore into his side. Numbly, he slipped the blade into its wooden home.
The fox bent. Long fingers touched his friend’s face before wiping the blood from her cheek. Children ran in panic from the hole in the wall to disappear into the night. Gin picked up her obi only to tie the sliced sections around his wounds. He nudged the detached ties of her yukata with his feet. Her strawberry hair hid her closed eyes. The dirty white kimono was open. Blood had smeared over her exposed body. “My Ran-chan…” He covered her and lifted her into his arms holding her close. “I’m glad you’re unconscious.” A sheepish fox-grin trickled over his features as he began the long walk home.
* * *
Rangiku groaned in pain. She shifted uncomfortably. The scent of iron and sugar filled her senses. Her body was wet and cold as she shuddered violently. Vision blurry, she blinked her eyes open. Gin adjusted his arms around her shoulders. He pressed his cheek to hers while scooting closer against her from behind. “Gin…?” A smile pulled at his lips.
“I had to put you down. Sorry…” His voice was barely a whisper in her ear. In his mind, he thanked the sky for letting her wake up at this moment instead of earlier. The snow had gathered in the wasteland. Gin had chosen not to tell her what nearly happened. In haste, he’d stripped his friend and washed the blood off her body with snow to dress her in a newly stolen similar yukata. His own hygiene had followed shortly after before he sat against her back to hold her close in an effort to warm her back up. The fox ran his hands up and down her arms trying his best to stop her shivering.
“The house is…” His brow furrowed through his fox smile. “I saw fire…” Once more, his arms wrapped around her tightly. “There’s a bag in the bushes though. I hid it.” Droplets fell onto his skin. “So, we still have stuff. And, you still have your birthday present. Okay?” Her body shook. She hiccupped as tears spilled down her cheeks.
“My Ran-chan…” Gin kissed his friend’s cheek and rocked her back and forth. “You know, we have to find a new house now.” He felt her nod.
“What happened?” He massaged the goose bumps from her arms. “You left. And I saw it. I saw your back and it was snowing. The fire and the smoke. Then, there was just black. And now-” Her breathing was shallow and ragged. “How did I get here? And why am I wearing different clothes? And why am I all wet and cold? And you’re bleeding and, and-” Head bowed, Rangiku shook from cold as tears streamed down her cheeks. The warmth at her back left her. Gin stepped in front of his friend and turned around. He crouched, motioning for her to climb on. “Not until you answer me!” A sad fox expression stared off into the snow covered wasteland.
“Just come on. We gotta keep moving. I’ll tell ya on the way there.” Hesitantly, she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his shoulders. Gin lifted himself. He bounced, adjusting her on his hips, before continuing the journey home. Rangiku held on tight and rest her head on his shoulder.
“Talk…” She kicked her feet trying to be forceful, yet not succeeding.
The fox drew a long sigh. “That guy was bad. He tried to hurt you, but I took care of it. It’s okay. I wouldn’t let him hurt you.” His friend buried her face in the nape of his neck and sniffled. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, Ran-chan.” He spoke more to himself than to her.
“Are you okay? You’re bleeding…” Her breath was shuddering and hot against his neck.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry ‘bout me.” He lightly chuckled.
“And my clothes?” A sad smile drifted across his lips.
“They were all dirty. White is hard to clean.” Rangiku nodded making his smile broaden.
* * * * *
“Man is improvable.” quote by Horace Mann
Book 1: “Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” quote by Anais Nin, diary entry, March 1937
* * * chapter 2: Halls of Illusions by Insane Clown Posse * * *
“Hey look! It’s snowing!” Rangiku peeked out through the crack in the wall while her friend stoked the fire. She could hardly believe six months had gone by that she’d met the odd, silver-haired boy. Turning, she regarded his narrow slits for eyes and mocking mouth. A pretty blush tinted her cheeks when he noticed her staring.
Gin’s smile grew. “Dinner?” He put some stew into a bowl as she sat opposite him. Rangiku swirled her chopsticks around making a face. “Sorry. We’re getting low on food again…” She sighed and lifted the bowl to her lips. “Hey.” The bowl returned to the floor. “When is your birthday, Rangiku?” Her friend asked, a rare serious expression on his face.
“I don’t know. I never really counted days until I met you…” Food was shoved into her mouth. To her surprise, his brow raised and his mouth gaped open in shock. Gin scratched his head. He stared at the floor with a sigh, lost in thought.
“…Then, the day you met me is your birthday.” He grinned reassuringly. “How about that, Rangiku?” The strawberry-blond blinked at his hopeful expression. “September 29th, right?” She blushed that he remembered the exact date.
“Yeah…” Once more her food touched her lips. “Hey, what happened to Ran-chan?” The little girl giggled trying to lighten the mood.
“You seemed kinda miffed I called you that last time.” Rangiku flushed, a pretty pout crossing her expression.
“No! I just…” She played with her food. “I just didn’t feel good and you were teasing me!” Her voice was harsher than she meant it to be. “That’s all… I like it when you call me that.” Suddenly, the boy was in front of her his eyes open and a wide grin upon his face.
“Really?” The strawberry-blond nodded. His hand popped up between them with his pinky extended. “We’re gonna be best friends forever, right?” She nodded cheerfully linking little fingers with him.
“When’s your birthday Gin?” Rangiku observed anxiously as his eyes opened and blinked as if taken off guard.
He scratched the back of his head. “September 10th…” His friend pouted.
“I missed your birthday then…” Laughter broke out of the silver-haired boy.
“You didn’t even know me yet silly.” Suddenly, surprisingly strong arms wrapped around his shoulders.
“We missed both of ours then, huh! We should celebrate together!” Her bowl spewed stew over the rough wood floor. Gin frowned at the wasted meal. “Oops…” His friend blushed. Her arms started to pull away only for him to pull her closer and fall forward.
“You wasted food.” His smile took on a sinister tone while positioning himself so that she couldn‘t move. “Revenge…” He growled through his evil grin. With her body pinned to the floor, the fox-child sent her a barrage of tickles. Rangiku writhed and giggled. “So wiggly!” The torture heightened.
Her cheeks flushed bright red. Hands broke free to hold her chest. “Ow…” She frowned up at her friend.
“Ran-chan’s squishy…” His grin widened before continuing his assault. “Squishy!!!” He yelled out sending her into a fit of hysteria. Just as suddenly as he began, Gin stopped. His elbow rest on the floor while his head was propped in his hand. “Ran-chan, do ya trust me?” He asked, his eyes open and his expression amused. Rangiku nodded watching his hands. “I don’t know. You don’t look like you trust me.” He teased letting his free hand jolt just to watch her jump.
“I trust you.” Her brow furrowed in concern that her friend would doubt her.
“Good! Come on!” Gin got up and offered his hand.
“Well, shouldn’t we clean up first?” His fox eyes surveyed the room.
“I cooked!” He cast her a toothy grin escaping from clean up duty and darting across the room to the supply bag. “Besides, you made that mess.” Rangiku fumed her mouth pursed and her eyes narrowed.
“Fine…” Heaving a great sigh, she set herself to her task as her roommate dug in the bag. Moments later, dinner was cleaned up. She turned to find he’d pulled several articles of clothing out of the bag.
“It’s cold out. We gotta put this stuff on.” The little girl raised an eyebrow.
“You got hanten, but no shoes?” His mouth gaped open as he stared blankly at the wall. Once more, she released a heavy sigh. “Boys are so hopeless when it comes to clothes…” He continued to stare at the wall hoping shoes would magically appear out of the charred wood. Long thin fingers held up scarves with an overtly innocent grin plastered to his face. Rangiku shook her head and chuckled. “Goofy…” They dressed themselves and headed out. “Where’re we going?” Baby blues eyed the wakizashi at his waist. “And where’d you get that?” His grin widened as he led the way.
“Don’t worry. You said you trusted me.” With a light jog, the strawberry-blond caught up to wrap her arm around his and lean against him. The narrow passage she feared lay ahead as the sun began going down for the night. It grew nearer and nearer making it obvious where he was taking her. Rangiku’s legs slowed. Her arms went limp as her friend stepped ahead of her several paces.
When her warmth was replaced by the chill night air, Gin turned to find his roommate standing still behind him. Her hands were closed and raised to her chest and chin nervously. Legs shook yet remained planted to their spot. Her strawberry bangs hid her eyes from view. “I trust you…” Quivering, her voice whispered. “I do…” A shadow cast over her features hiding her expression with her hair.
* * *
Gin remembered. His mother lay quivering on the floor, battered and bruised. “Mama?” He crawled over toward her. The man had left for the night as tears fell from her bludgeoned cheeks.
“Gin!” She gasped her tear filled eyes raising to suddenly notice the boy nervously sitting in front of her. Her face buried in her hands. She ran her fingers through her hair while sucking in a cleansing shaky breath. Her arms reached out to hold the boy to her. “Gin…” She cried in his silver-hair. “Promise me Gin. When you start playing with girls, even if they frustrate you, be gentle. Promise me?” Numbly, the little boy stared at the floor and nodded against her. “You’re such a good boy.”
* * *
“I told you.” He breathed a frustrated sigh at her ongoing fear. “I’ll protect you from the bad people.” Gin stood in front of her without touching her, his expression soft yet irritated. “That’s what I brought this for.” The sword clanked when he adjusted it on his obi. “It’s okay.” He raised his hand to brush her shaking fingers. “Just stay with me.” Rangiku lifted her eyes to find her friend smiling softly. Unsure of herself, she took his palm letting him walk her slowly toward the narrow pass.
As they reached the village, the sound of laughter and drums echoed about the whole town. Lanterns hung everywhere. Children played running freely through the streets. Lovers kissed and frolicked. Sparklers danced along the walls of the alleys. Music and the smell of food filled the air. “It’s the winter festival! See? It’s okay Ran-chan!” He grinned at her wide open mouth and starry eyes. “I saved up money too!” His grin widened.
“Really?” Her grip on his arm relaxed. Baby blues blinked up at her friend registering why he’d left so often for the past month. With a giggle, Rangiku threw her arms around the fox-boy. Eagerly, he returned her hug as a toothy grin and a mischievous chuckle floated over his features.
“Let’s go get some candy!” Gin gripped her hand to run with her into the throng. Black eyes followed the children into the crowd.
“She looks familiar and so does that wakizashi…” A man stepped from the alley. He crossed the street to return to his post at his store front.
Rangiku stuck her tongue out in concentration. She waved a wooden ring back and forth in an effort to aim properly. It slipped from her fingers to fly into the box of upright bottles. The ring bounced from rim to rim before falling to the ground beneath. Her shoulders slumped as proverbial steam puffed from her ears and nostrils. “One more time.” Her hand jutted out toward her friend.
“Ran-chan, you’ve already done it nine times now. Don’cha think that’s enough?” Gin held the bag of coins out of her reach.
Pouting, her face flushed red. “I have a feeling ten is my lucky number.” Baby blues twitched with anger and resolve. Hesitantly, he passed her another coin. “Cough it up Mister!” She presented the money, a wild look in her eye. Three more rings were handed over. “Okay. I can do this.” Rangiku spoke to herself out loud. “Just gotta stay calm and aim…” Softly, she let a ring fly. With a clatter, it rolled around the clay bottle. “Yes!”
At a far distance in the crowd, the tall, black-eyed man watched the pair. The strawberry-blond bounced up and down hugging her friend when another ring hit the mark. “Where do I know you from?” She turned her eyes closed as she kissed the last ring. With a deep sigh, she searched the spaces between the crowd for the necessary skill to get three hits in a row. The man’s eyes widened in recognition. “She’s mine now.” One of his men had given him the message. The young recruit of his organization had overheard the boy’s words before hearing screams echo through the alleys. “You’re the one…”
The last ring bounced and wiggled on a clay bottle. “YES!! I TOLD YOU!!” She pointed her finger at her friend making him laugh out loud. Rangiku picked out her prize. “Here!” Her toothy grin was wide mimicking his fox-like expression.
“Huh?” Gin was taken aback at the mask held in front of him. He regarded the playful fox depicted in the disguise. “Are ya sure? You won that Ran-chan.” To his surprise, she nodded enthusiastically turning it around and pressing it to his face.
“It’s you!” She laughed. The boy’s expression softened as he took the gift and put it on. “Yup!” He moved it aside so that it stuck to the side of his head before handing the carnival game owner another coin. In three swift throws, the rings hit their marks.
Rangiku pouted at the ease in which he won the game. “Show off…” Disregarding her irritation, he pointed to another mask. He grinned holding it out for her.
“Now we both have one!” Baby blues widened at the cat disguise. Gin slipped it over her head to put it in place. He touched his masked forehead to hers and giggled brightly. “You’re a kitty cat!” She cocked her head to the side cutely.
“Why am I a kitty cat?” Her voice was curious against the mask.
“Cause you’re ornery.” Gin teased grabbing her hand and running further into the crowd, disguises in place.
“Hey…!” Her voice was slow and annoyed, yet bounced from jogging along side the fox.
* * *
Sparks of light soared across the sky. Two sets of blue watched in wonder as explosions echoed about the festival. Gin’s mouth gaped open, a dried persimmon touching his bottom lip. The strawberry-blond sitting beside him looked up at her friend. She tugged at the bottom hem of his yukata. “Sit down.” He was frozen in place staring at the colorful sky. Rangiku scoffed holding the hem against his leg. “I don’t wanna see your…parts!”
His gaping mouth grew into a sadistic toothy grin. He nudged her head with his thigh. “Then don’t look.” The girl screamed covering her eyes and his legs. Gin laughed batting at her hands to keep her from blocking the view.
“Stop it!” They smacked at each other until the fox grabbed her wrists. Long fingers weaved around her wrists holding both with one hand. He adjusted as she struggled, his evil grin turning menacing. Rangiku bit his calf in her effort to break free. With a pained laugh, he lifted his yukata and shoved her head under it. A muffled scream sounded from beneath the cloth. She thrashed. Gin lost his balance dropping to the ground and releasing his friend.
A strawberry nest emerged from his yukata. Her face was red. Gray-blue eyes twitched with anger. The fox laughed hysterically pointing a finger at the disheveled girl. “Boys are so gross!” Rangiku shuddered before launching herself at him.
Gin scrunched his face as her nails raked along his chest. “Kitty’s got claws!” His laughter grew.
“I am going to kill you!” She straddled him grabbing at his hands to pin him to the ground as he had done to her earlier that day.
“So, boys are gross huh?” He wrestled with her purposely letting her think she had the upper hand. Breathing heavy from exertion, baby blues glared at her captive’s confident toothy grin. “Well, girls are squishy!” Gin chuckled lifting his head to give his friend a peck. A brilliant blush grew over the strawberry-blonde’s face. His legs broke free to wrap around her waist. He threw his hips flipping them over. Long fingers gripped her wrists above her head. The struggle had left her yukata loose. To her horror, he blew hard against the space between her breasts making a farting sound erupt off her skin.
Gin laughed, grinning at his friend. To his surprise, her lip quivered and her blush deepened. The fox cocked his head to the side and opened his eyes. Baby blues darted about refusing to look at him as an embarrassed frown trickled over her features. He adjusted, slowly wiping the spit off her skin and fixing her yukata. “Better?” He dug through their bag of candy to pop a sugar stick in her mouth. “Candy?” He kissed her cheek and grinned nervously.
Rangiku’s eyes narrowed. Her knee jerked into his groin. Pale blue rolled. He released her wrists and flipped onto his side. She sat up with a huff and pulled the stick out of her mouth. “Stupid…” Growling, she stuck the candy back in her mouth to return her attention back to the fireworks.
* * *
“We should start getting home...” Gin held his friend’s hand and led her to one of the shops. Baby blues widened at the tall man behind the counter. She remained quiet, gripping the fox’s arm as he pointed to the supplies he needed.
“You’re friend is a bit shy.” Black eyes gazed down at the strawberry blond. “Very pretty though.” Gin smiled big pretending not to notice the frightened look on the girl’s face. “Is that everything you need then?” The fox nodded closing the deal and gathering their things to return home. The man watched as the two children left. “Follow them.” He spoke to the darkness within his store.
“Sorry I kicked you…” Rangiku pouted. She adjusted a bag over her shoulder and gripped her friend’s hand tightly for the long walk home.
“No you’re not.” The silver-haired boy sang cheerfully a grin plastered to his face.
“Well, you went too far! What’dya expect!?” She burst out. “That was my first kiss…” A frown weighed heavily on her expression.
“Mine too.” His grin widened. “But we’re family, it doesn’t count.” Gray-blue blinked in disbelief at his response. Her brow furrowed at his logic. “Hey, Ran-chan. That guy back there…” Rangiku shook her head still letting his words roll around in her mind. “The guy who sold us this stuff. Is he a bad person?” She snapped out of it to regard his question.
“I remember him. Before I met you. Something felt off about him. I don’t know.” He nodded and squeezed her hand.
* * *
Gin lay awake. Strands of strawberry-blond tickled his chest and neck. He twirled a lock of silky hair between his fingers. The sky had been so clear for the festival, but now it was cast over with dense clouds. “Something felt off about him.” Pale blue drifted toward the wakizashi on the floor within arms reach of him. With a sigh, his friend adjusted herself against him. Her arms were wrapped around his torso so that her fingers twitched against his shoulder. Her breath was hot against his chest. He regarded her for a moment before smiling and returning his attention to the crack in the wall. Thick, fluffy snow had begun to fall just outside. He rubbed the silky strand of hair he’d been playing with against his chin enjoying it’s smoothness.
“Something felt off about him.” The quote repeated in his mind over and over. The various men he’d killed from the village filtered in and out of view in his head. None were strong in mind or in body. All seemed to be following orders of some kind. Gin closed his eyes remembering the intricacies of the man’s expression. “You’re friend is a bit shy.” The man had blushed. Onyx beads had wandered over her form. “Very pretty though…” His smile was guarded and his stare lingered. “Get in there!” He remembered the little girl from the sack had been thrown into a room. Other children had whimpered behind the door.
Gin untangled himself from the sleeping girl. He cast her one last look before covering her with the blanket and fastening his weapon to his obi. Without looking back, he slipped out of the crack in the wall. Rangiku adjusted under the covers. Her eyes peeked to notice she was alone. She sat up to catch a glimpse of her friend amidst the snowfall. His fists were clenched at his sides as he walked away with a determined stride. Baby blues fell to her hands upon the blanket. “Where are you going this time?” She asked in her mind afraid of how her voice would cut through the silence.
* * *
“How old are you, boy?” The man had asked him while his mother cleaned up after dinner. Gin simply smiled unsure of how to answer his question. With a masculine sniff, the man scratched himself and glared at the grinning youth. “’Spose you don’t know, do ya…” He coughed and spit into the dirt beyond their small porch. “Just a baby when she brought you home.” The man stood and dusted himself off. “Reckon it’s about time though. You old enough to understand and all. Ain’t gonna be long before those girls in town are gonna start lookin pretty good to ya.”
Gin continued to smile, though nervously. He ducked at the man towering over him, his eyes watching him intently. “What’chu starin at? I ain’t gonna hit you, boy.” Disbelieving, pale blue merely remained fixed waiting for the man’s fists to make a move. “Just watch. Yer Old Man’s gonna show you how it’s done.”
His eyes widened in horror. The blond woman screamed only to get beaten into silence. Tears streamed down her face. Fabric ripped. Gin sat frozen as his mother was violated. The man grunted like a rutting boar. His hand covered her mouth. Blood trickled down her chin. Moments later, the man reemerged from the one room house. He watched the child tremble with eyes wide from trauma. “You remember that boy.” The man tied his obi around his waist and left.
Gin blinked. “Mama?” She sobbed curling into a ball naked on the floor. A small hand touched her shoulder. The woman jumped registering who the palm belonged to.
“Gin?” Tangled blond hair was moved aside. “Go get Mama the blanket.” As if in a dream, his feet moved of their own accord across the room. He barely felt the cloth against his fingers. “You’re such a good boy…” Her voice trembled. She wrapped the blanket around her and pulled the child close. “Don’t you listen to him. Remember what I tell you. When the time comes, be the good gentle boy I know you are.” He nodded against her chest. “That’s a good boy. Such a good boy…” His eyes remained wide open as she rocked him back and forth tears staining his shoulders.
* * *
Baby blues widened at the sound of branches cracking on the outskirts of the property. Rangiku scrambled out of the blankets. She stuffed them into a bag and hauled it over her shoulder before running out of the house. She ran in the opposite direction of whatever was approaching. Ditching the bag in the bushes, her bare feet ran through the snow. The smell of smoke billowed behind her. She turned around mid-run to see an orange glow pierce through the trees at a distance.
Suddenly, shadows faded in and out of view amidst the trees and rocks. The forest halted making way for the surrounding wasteland. Rangiku opened her mouth to scream. Her vision went black.
* * *
Gin stepped up to the long hut where he’d killed his first yakuza member. The door flew open forcing the fox into the shadows. The man who emerged from the building breathed a loud sigh before adjusting his obi and filling his mouth with sake. Sweat rolled down the man’s forehead. Whimpering could be heard from within the hut. The sounds of the children mingled with the remembered screams of his mother. Deadly red narrowed. His short sword slid from the sheath. “We can’t have that now can we.” A voice sounded from behind. “I can’t have you killing off my clients. Then where would I be?”
The boy growled and turned plastering on a sadistic smile. “Do I look like I care?” His voice was deceptively cheery.
“Oh, I’m sure you’re itching to carve me up and every man who enjoys that house of love right there.” Gin scoffed at the title of the hell house. “But think of this, every time you come here that pretty little thing you leave behind is all alone.” His expression never wavered though his mind screamed at him. The man met his opponent’s grin with his own. He chuckled knowing he had the upper hand. “You know, I kind of like you. You’re ruthless. We could use a guy like you in our organization.” With his hands behind his back, the tall man circled the fox.
“I don’t work with cowards.” The boy’s grin appeared menacing. There was a chuckle.
“What makes you think I’m a coward?” Gin’s smile grew.
“All of your men are cowards! And they‘re weak!” He laughed. The fox’s grin turned more sadistic. “A man who picks on little girls is a coward.” His chuckle ceased. The blade slid from its prison.
“Now, hold on there kid.” The man put his hands out at the sight of metal. “You’re right. You’re absolutely right. But these girls aren’t being picked on.” Silver eyebrows furrowed through the fox grin. “These girls are being loved. You met the mother right? There is no love in that woman at all. If I didn’t take these girls, they wouldn’t get the love and affection they deserve.” Narrowed slits twitched.
“Nah, I ain’t buyin it, mister.” Gin lunged at the man.
“Stop!” He yelled out just barely dodging the blade. A trickle of blood dripped down his cheek. “Look!” The man pointed toward the horizon. Pale blue opened to see smoke curl in the far distance.
“Ran-chan…” The boy breathed.
“As soon as I saw you two, I knew I recognized you from somewhere. That girl belongs to me. She’s a goldmine. Blond-haired blue-eyed beauty like that is very rare here.” Eyes closed into narrow slits while the grin disappeared. Gin turned to regard the man. He white knuckled the hilt of his short sword. “You really think picking off my men is going to go unnoticed? There are consequences little boy.” Uneven teeth smirked and chuckled. “If you want her, you gotta pay the price just like every other guy. That’s the rule I’m afraid. But if you put that sword down maybe I’ll be nice and let you take the first ride.” A frown melted over the fox’s expression.
Suddenly, the boy disappeared. A flash of metal flipped through the air to bounce against a nearby wall. Gin rolled out of the way. He stayed low. One leg was stretched out to the side, his foot pointed, while the other bent. Silver bangs hid his narrowed eyes. “If you think you can take me on with half a wakizashi, you’re sadly mistaken kid.” The taller man pointed the tip of his katana toward his crouched opponent.
“You’re a soul reaper.” Gin stated matter-of-factly. Though his sword had been sliced through, he continued to point it at the man threateningly.
“Yes. Squad 11. I’m a seated position.” Black eyes glared confidently at the boy. “I’m impressed with the level of your spirit energy, but I can tell you’re not trained. You don’t even have a zanpakuto yet.” He gripped the sword to the side. “Take him, Shuten-doji.” The katana melted into a long, nine-link, chain whip. He spun the end of the chain. The red scarf at the end of his weapon became a haze of color.
Gin dodged when the whip was thrown. Blood burst from his shoulder when the red clothe revealed it’s deadly bladed center. The man pulled and adjusted curving the chain. Russet eyes widened realizing what was directly behind him. He raised what was left of his sword just in time to wrap the chain around it. Only to drop it and leap away when the hidden blade nearly sliced off his hand at the wrist. Gin turned to get a heel to the face. He bounced along the dirt to smash his head into the opposite wall. “Without training and a zanpakuto, you’re nothing but a kid.” With a swift kick to the stomach, the fox coughed up bile.
Long thin fingers wiped blood and spit from his mouth. “If you think you’re the first guy who’s beat me up, you’re wrong.” The man laughed picking up his whip. He spun it while approaching the boy.
“I’m sure.” Black eyes lifted at the sound of a scuff against the dirt. “Ah, you’re back. Right on time.” A loud thud dropped against the bleeding youth. Red widened at the sight of strawberry-blond against his hip. He turned finding his friend unconscious on the ground. Her yukata was loose revealing her chest. “So young and already a woman, huh.” The man’s sandal nudged her torso. “Now, I told you if you put your sword down I would let you take the first ride. That’s an awfully generous offer, you know. To let her get it from someone she trusts. But you decided not to play by the rules, so now-” He nodded toward the man grinning in the shadows of the alley. The shadow grabbed his friend’s ankle dragging her to the opposite end of the open passage.
Gin’s brow furrowed. His narrowed eyes twitched. He flashed out of view to lunge toward the man in the darkness. Spinning red dug into the fox’s side followed by a kick to the stomach. Blood seeped from the wound. He grit his teeth as a glint of metal shone from the edge of the alley. The nine-link chain of his opponent’s zanpakuto twisted toward the boy. Gin blocked letting it wrap around his arm. The blade spun. He pulled allowing the tip to stick into his forearm. Thick blood cast off to splatter over his enemy’s clothes. The man wrenched his chain back throwing the fox into the building behind him.
Gin dropped to the ground. His breathing was heavy. He had no weapon. The flat of the shadow’s knife traced down her cheek between her breasts to the sash of her yukata. Cloth slicing echoed along the space between the huts. “Call me.” A voice drifted into the fox’s mind. Her obi was tossed aside. “Call my name.” Laughter floated through his conscious. “What’s your name?” Gin asked the voice. “You tell me.” It responded as red watched the shadow expose his friend‘s skin to the night air.
Black watched the boy’s expression though it was hidden by his silver bangs. “So much for her being yours.” A mumble was whispered into the dirt. The fox bent to wipe the blood from his face with the hem of his yukata. His other arm crossed under him so that it was hidden under his open clothes. His fingers wrapped around a pale blue hilt. The wakizashi extended through the back of his yukata. It slipped past the ribcage of his opponent pushing the man through the wall of the long hut. Girls screamed and dodged as their captor was impaled against the opposite interior. Gin pulled only to slash the man in half and retract the blade. He flipped onto his stomach to aim. Metal flashed in a line toward the opposite end of the alley. The shadow hunched over. Gin raised his sword wrenching it out of the shadow’s back.
In a flash, Gin disappeared from the ground to tackle the body out of the way from the strawberry-blond. He rolled, blood streaming down his body to stain the dirt beneath him. Slowly, he lifted himself to stand beside the girl, his yukata nearly sliced in half and hanging limply against his chest. “Shinso.” Pale blue stared at the gleaming short sword in his grip. The pressure of a sheath bore into his side. Numbly, he slipped the blade into its wooden home.
The fox bent. Long fingers touched his friend’s face before wiping the blood from her cheek. Children ran in panic from the hole in the wall to disappear into the night. Gin picked up her obi only to tie the sliced sections around his wounds. He nudged the detached ties of her yukata with his feet. Her strawberry hair hid her closed eyes. The dirty white kimono was open. Blood had smeared over her exposed body. “My Ran-chan…” He covered her and lifted her into his arms holding her close. “I’m glad you’re unconscious.” A sheepish fox-grin trickled over his features as he began the long walk home.
* * *
Rangiku groaned in pain. She shifted uncomfortably. The scent of iron and sugar filled her senses. Her body was wet and cold as she shuddered violently. Vision blurry, she blinked her eyes open. Gin adjusted his arms around her shoulders. He pressed his cheek to hers while scooting closer against her from behind. “Gin…?” A smile pulled at his lips.
“I had to put you down. Sorry…” His voice was barely a whisper in her ear. In his mind, he thanked the sky for letting her wake up at this moment instead of earlier. The snow had gathered in the wasteland. Gin had chosen not to tell her what nearly happened. In haste, he’d stripped his friend and washed the blood off her body with snow to dress her in a newly stolen similar yukata. His own hygiene had followed shortly after before he sat against her back to hold her close in an effort to warm her back up. The fox ran his hands up and down her arms trying his best to stop her shivering.
“The house is…” His brow furrowed through his fox smile. “I saw fire…” Once more, his arms wrapped around her tightly. “There’s a bag in the bushes though. I hid it.” Droplets fell onto his skin. “So, we still have stuff. And, you still have your birthday present. Okay?” Her body shook. She hiccupped as tears spilled down her cheeks.
“My Ran-chan…” Gin kissed his friend’s cheek and rocked her back and forth. “You know, we have to find a new house now.” He felt her nod.
“What happened?” He massaged the goose bumps from her arms. “You left. And I saw it. I saw your back and it was snowing. The fire and the smoke. Then, there was just black. And now-” Her breathing was shallow and ragged. “How did I get here? And why am I wearing different clothes? And why am I all wet and cold? And you’re bleeding and, and-” Head bowed, Rangiku shook from cold as tears streamed down her cheeks. The warmth at her back left her. Gin stepped in front of his friend and turned around. He crouched, motioning for her to climb on. “Not until you answer me!” A sad fox expression stared off into the snow covered wasteland.
“Just come on. We gotta keep moving. I’ll tell ya on the way there.” Hesitantly, she wrapped her legs around his waist and her arms around his shoulders. Gin lifted himself. He bounced, adjusting her on his hips, before continuing the journey home. Rangiku held on tight and rest her head on his shoulder.
“Talk…” She kicked her feet trying to be forceful, yet not succeeding.
The fox drew a long sigh. “That guy was bad. He tried to hurt you, but I took care of it. It’s okay. I wouldn’t let him hurt you.” His friend buried her face in the nape of his neck and sniffled. “I won’t let anyone hurt you, Ran-chan.” He spoke more to himself than to her.
“Are you okay? You’re bleeding…” Her breath was shuddering and hot against his neck.
“I’ll be fine. Don’t worry ‘bout me.” He lightly chuckled.
“And my clothes?” A sad smile drifted across his lips.
“They were all dirty. White is hard to clean.” Rangiku nodded making his smile broaden.