A/N:So this is in two parts, and based off a slight headcanon I have. Second part should be uploaded later this week.
Enjoy! ^.^
"Damn it!" Rangiku fell to one knee. She dug her sword into the ground, using it as a clutch to keep from completely falling to the ground.
Why was this so hard? She's been a Fuku-Taichou for years now. She should be stronger than this.
'Haineko, if you're making this more difficult than it should be…' She thought bitterly. She wouldn't put it pass her Zanpakuto to make this harder on her just because she didn't want to cooperate.
"I'm not at fault here. Maybe you're just past your prime" Her Zanpakuto replied mockingly.
"Bitch," Rangiku muttered. Past her prime? Yeah right!
Taking a deep breath, she stood, cursing under her breath at how unstable her legs were.
'Concentrate' Rangiku chided herself. She needed to focus more if she wanted to summon her Zanpakuto spirit.
"Why are you so determined to do this? You never bothered with Bankai before"
It was true. Up until now, Rangiku didn't care to learn passed Shikai. She was happy where she was at, happy with her current position of Fuku-Taichou. So why change that now, after all this time?
She knew the answer to that.
Toshiro.
It's been five years since her taichou disappeared. Five years since he went off the world of the living, never to return. They still didn't know where he was, or if he was still alive.
Back then, Toshiro had already began his Bankai training. It bothered her, but mostly because she didn't like the idea of the Third Seat surpassing her so quickly. It bothered her, but deep down she knew he would become a taichou at a young age and she was okay with that. In fact, she was proud of him at the time.
But now, the thought of him achieving all that, worried her.
Shiba-Taichou was missing. She should have been there to watch his back but couldn't because she wasn't strong enough. Had she gone, maybe things would have turned out differently. Maybe he would have come back. Or maybe they'd both be missing, leaving Squad 10 without either of them.
She wouldn't let that happen to Toshiro though. If possible, she will become the next taichou. She will protect him from that fate.
"What if you can't though?" Haineko said, the cat serious for once. "What if you can't gain Bankai, and he becomes taichou?"
"Then I will watch his back," Rangiku said, her gripping tightening on her sword. "But, until that happens I won't stop trying."
Haineko fell silent, which she was grateful for. If she could get Haineko to fully materialize, than hopefully everything else after that won't be as hard.
Rangiku closed her eyes, sending a silent pray that it will work.
She pictured the snow leopard in her mind, how her fur would go from a dark red to faded ash depending on her mood. She pictured her beside her, amongst the trees.
Sweat started pouring down her face. Her chest hurt as she tried to keep her breath even. Her arms started to shake, but her grip never wavered.
"Haineko!" Rangiku felt her Reiatsu waver for a second before exploding around her. She opened her eyes, and had to squint them from the dust in the air.
"Well, that was dramatic," A familiar, sarcastic voice chimed. It was close, clear.
Rangiku smiled, falling to the ground as her legs gave way. She felt weak, but proud. For Haineko was standing in front of her, clear as the flowers by her hand.
"Oh, shut up. Annoying cat," She said. She fell backwards, allowing her body to sink into the ground as exhaustion took over. Whether so passed out or fell asleep, she didn't know. Either way, she was pretty sure she heard Haineko compliment her before darkness embraced her.
