Gin and Rangiku are my very favorite couple, and I found Gin's death to be unbearably tragic. The more I thought about it and the more it was just brushed aside like it was not a big deal, especially in the anime, where he never even seemed to have been seen as anything but a villain, despite having given his entire life to trying to find a way to stop Aizen, the more determined I was to write a fix-it.
But then, while reading everyone else's, which I've loved, I came upon the Hitsugaya as Gin and Rangiku's child theory, and I just couldn't resist it. It's too perfect, even if I had to really push the timelines to fit his birth into their lifetime. Rangiku likes to talk like she's old but she was maybe a mid-teen in the hundred-years-ago bit, so she can't be that old, not if Rukia's the hundred fifty she implies in the first episode.
Anyway, I've had way too much fun writing this. I hope someone enjoys reading it. I'd say it's done, but I keep adding extra bits. There's just so much to play with.
Dozo yoroshiku onegaishimasu
Rangiku chewed nervously on her thumb nail as she paced back and forth in the dark room. It wasn't much good for pacing as it was small and pacing across tatami never did feel right. Stupid fifth division! She very nearly growled out loud. Why were they so stuck on their traditions?
She glanced at the shoji wall every few times across the room. The sunlight was gone, and only the gentle glow of moonlight shown through the rice paper. Everything about the room was gentle and calming, and that did nothing but annoy her. She did not want to calm down. She wanted to scream and yell and very possibly hit someone, this room's occupant if he would just show up already.
Ten minutes later she was sliding back the painted door of his closet and looking through his things. He never drank with her, but that didn't mean he never drank, did it? And right now she could really use a drink. She dug through carefully folded shihakusho, getting more annoyed by the second. Not only was she not finding any liquor, she had yet to find anything remotely personal.
"Ran-chan! Imagine running into you here!"
She turned slowly to face Gin, a very fox-like smile on his face as he looked down at her going through his property.
A blush spread across her face. It was, now that she thought about, probably a bit rude to dig through his things. "Why don't you have any sake?" She demanded to hide her embarrassment.
His smile became a little more natural at her words. "Because you drink enough for both of us," he answered. "Now what brings Ran-chan to my room at night? Did your captain order you not to go out drinking again? I'm sorry I haven't got anything for you, but I could probably pinch a bottle from one of the other officers if you're desperate."
Rangiku turned around slowly as he spoke. She sat back against the closet door, drawing her knees up to her chest, and wrapping her arms around them. She stared down at her tabi covered feet as she spoke. "Gin, I messed up the kido."
The smile faded from his lips, and his head slowly tilted to one side. "What kido, Ran?" he asked slowly.
She raised her head, and her large gray eyes stared up at him, watching his eyes widen as he realized what she was saying. An expression very like fear took the place of his smile. He almost looked sick. "What kido, Ran?" he repeated.
"I'm pregnant," she said, fighting back tears. She'd known he wouldn't be thrilled. He wasn't the family man type, and any hint of a scandal now, when he'd just made lieutenant could be disastrous for his career, but until that moment, she'd never doubted he would stand beside her through it all.
He looked away, staring past the wall of shoji, at something she couldn't see. She watched the fear on his face fade, hidden like every other real emotion. It was at times like this that that habit of his really frightened her. "How far along are you?" He asked, without looking at her.
"Three months," she admitted miserably. She'd managed to lie to herself for nearly two and then found an amazing number of reasons to put off telling him for the last couple of weeks. She had been completely ashamed of herself until this moment, when she realized how right her instincts had been. Not only did he not want a child, the very idea horrified him.
"Does anyone else know?" he asked, and he still didn't look at her.
"No," she said, getting slowly to her feet. "And they don't have to."
She reached out her hand slowly, desperate to touch him but afraid he would pull away. "I'll take a survey mission to Rukongai; there's one starting next week that'll keep me away from everyone long enough. I'll find someone kind to raise it after it's born. It'll be fine, you know? I'm not really the mother type anyway."
She found herself jerked into his arms, held so tight she could barely breath, and his arms, always so strong and so stable, were trembling. "I'm sorry, Ran," Gin whispered into her hair. "I'm so sorry."
"Gin-kun," Captain Aizen called out as his lieutenant raced down the hall, late, as usual, for morning exercises.
Gin turned instantly, stopping in front of the Captain with his trademark grin lighting up his face. "Yes, Captain?"
"A moment in my office if you would. I've already asked Third Seat Shirakawa to cover for you."
"What have I done now?" Gin asked, his grin only growing larger as he followed Aizen into the office. "I can't think of anything," he continued making a great show of thinking it over. "I haven't annoyed anyone important, have I?"
He closed the door behind him, and turned back, his smile freezing when he saw the frown on his captain's face.
"I have done something," he said, uneasily.
Aizen sat calmly and folded his hands on his desk. He looked deeply disappointed. It was an expression Gin had often seen directed at himself before, but always before in the presence of others. The idea that he had done something that might actually have disappointed Aizen had a shiver running up his spine.
"You are very young, Gin-kun, and because of that I have overlooked many of your careless and irresponsible actions, certain that with patience and guidance you would mature into an honorable and respected leader among the Gotei 13. However I fear I have allowed you too much leeway, and your shameful behavior has led to consequences that cannot be ignored. I will not have a lieutenant who does not take responsibility for his actions. "
Gin paled. Aizen knew. How did Aizen know? Rangiku swore she had told no one, and she certainly wasn't showing. Her behavior hadn't changed. She hadn't complained of any symptoms that might hint of pregnancy. Of course, she was always so lazy about work that she could have had any number of symptoms and no one would ever have connected her absenteeism to any actual cause.
Gin swallowed back his panic, hiding it behind a smile. "Ran's offered to take care of it, sir, and I didn't want to trouble you with such a small problem. No reason to let it complicate..." he broke off as his captain's frown increased. "Of course, if you approve I'm sure we'd both much rather keep the child."
"Matsumoto will make a beautiful bride," Aizen said, his frown vanishing, "And any child of yours will be a blessing to all of Soul Society. I am sure I will be glad to mentor the child as it grows into a shinigami."
Gin just stared at him, struggling to find anything to say. It wasn't a comfortable feeling and not one he was at all acquainted with. He could always think of something to say.
"Did you know, Gin-kun, that the reiatsu of children of shinigami often exceeds that of their parents? Especially when both parents are shinigami. You and Matsumoto should consider having a large family, considering how much of a blessing it would be to Soul Society."
"A large family?" Gin repeated.
Aizen smiled. "Nervous, Gin-kun? Not the family sort, are you? I'm sure everyone will enjoy watching Rangiku drag you to the altar at the latest possible moment."
"I suppose I will do right by her if you insist, Captain," Gin answered, responding immediately to the implied instruction.
"I've no idea why everything with you must turn into the talk of the entirety of Seireitei. Some people might think you wanted to be infamous."
"I really don't, sir," Gin said, his fox-like grin returning. "I just can't seem to keep track of all the rules at once. I don't see how it's all my fault when they're the ones who made so many."