A/N: This is sort of a continuation of my prev. fic, "Lost in Translation." To the reviewer who wanted a sequel...this can sort of be considered one, but be warned: it doesn't end happily either.
Please enjoy and review! Getting feedback makes my day.
The moon is still high in the air when she sits up, sweat-drenched and shuddering, fingers curling around the edges of her blanket so tightly they imprint crescent marks onto her palm even through the thick fabric.
Rangiku hears the echo of a scream reverberating off the walls of her room, feels the ghost of its existence in the throbbing of her throat. She tries for words, but only scratchy whispers bubble from her mouth, and suddenly, tears rise, unbidden.
She had been dreaming about him again. God, she had dreamed of Ryujin Jakka, flames everywhere, scorching all creation to ash as the terrifying zanpaktou was willed to do. She saw his face among the smoke and debris, grinning. She remembers thinking it was the end of the world.
And then he was engulfed in the searing fire, and Rangiku could not help but reach for him.
Rangiku places both hands on either side of the bed to steady herself. It does not have the effect she hopes for.
Her breath is uneven; her entire body is shaking. There is no going back to sleep now, so she stumbles out of bed and changes into her uniform. Ignoring the unsteadiness in her legs, she rushes out the door and flash-steps across the Squad Ten Barracks, past buildings and houses until they rush together in a blur.
When she reaches the forested training grounds her legs finally give in, and she crashes to the ground, panting heavily. The intake of breath sears her lungs; with every exhalation she feels as if she's burning.
Even when you're gone, you still have this effect on me.
Her heart twists.
She curses him for it.
Because when Rangiku put the blade to his throat the day he left- betrayed Sereitei, betrayed her – she thought that was the end. She thought her resolve to face him in battle was impenetrable, a will of steel.
That will had been weakened when she started having the nightmares. Nightmares of him dying, her rushing to meet him. It was broken when Rangiku remembered that the reason she even joined the Gotei 13 was because of him. He was behind her every decision, her every thought, because in the past her world began with him.
And now she was afraid not of ending her world with him, but of how she would end it.
Because if those dreams reflected reality, then she will not be the one to kill Gin.
But she will be the one to take the blade for him.