Entangled
Author's Note: Hello~ I feel like it's been two months...(because it has been -_-). I apologize, especially to the one reviewer who I told I would update it before March ends...That never happened -_-. It took me two months to write the prologue which ended up being 22 pages and counting. T^T It took me long because there were alot of events and Rangiku's P.o.v kinda...irked and struggled with me. Sooo~ I split it up and this is the first part ^_^
I decided to update this before my friend fruitcups ahoy read this and edited it since she's busy. Check out her stories tho :) I updated this, since well, I'm bored. Studying for exams does not help the short-attention spanned...Will update the edited part when she has time to read it :)
Thanks to those who reviewed the Epilogue of The Red Stringed Promise (which is sort of like the prologue to this prologue XD): Hyourinmaru10, and UnbelievableAnimeFreak.
This is the story continuation of The Red Stringed Promise. It is highly reccommended that you read that first (and review as well :D) because this is only understandable with that. Actually, this is how you should read it:
1. Epilogue of The Red Stringed Promise
2. Part 1 of Prologue of Entangled (this chappy here)
3. First and Second chappy of The Red Stringed Promise in order. :)
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Bleach! I do own Akai, though not the concept of The Red String of Fate. But would it be cool if I did; I could pair up myself with...*looks away and blushes*
Happy Reading! ^_^
"Good afternoon, Matsumoto-fukuutaicho," greeted the division officers, albeit hesitantly. She had been dragging herself to work when she had been ambushed by their 'peppy morning smiles.' Rangiku supposed she had looked like the living example of "woke up on the wrong side of the bed."
It was already bad enough that the sun had persecuted her with laser rays, threatening her to get out of bed or face severe heat. But when she saw the clock, she raced to finish her usual 'hour-morning routine' in fifteen minutes flat—a new personal best.
Her usual thick, glossy red hair which she took pride in, was a rat's nest and knotted in endless tangles. Rangiku could not even swipe a brush through in hopes of taming them without wincing each time. The black death god robes in which symbolized the Thirteen Court Guards were thrown own haphazardly and added to her "dishevelled" look. Along with the adjutant's badge tied loosely on, Rangiku was sure that she looked like she came barely out of a Hollow's fight—she certainly felt like it.
And with her head pounding like a drum at each sound, even the softest of greetings killed her with each echoing decibel.
"Ughh…not too loud," moaned Rangiku as she waved her hand in front of them. "It's still early for me…" The red head rubbed at her temples, trying to soothe her nerves.
"We apologize, Matsumoto-fukuutaicho," one girl said, much more softly. "Please excuse us." Her dark blue eyes were slightly down cast.
She waved her hand again, dismissively. "Yes, yes. You're fine." She sighed. "Don't worry. I just have a headache from a late night," she alleviated.
The young officer next to the girl looked sympathetically at her. "Would you like us to send for some tea?"
Her eyebrows perked up. "Yes, yes. That would hit the spot. Send some right away," she said hurriedly.
They nodded and walked down the barracks.
She watched their backs as they turned the corner.
What kind souls….Rangiku sighed. We need more of them around here…
A spasm of pain rang through her head and she leaned against the wall for support.
Ughh…And I need some good tea. They better be quick about it, she thought bitterly.
Pushing herself off the wall, Rangiku trudged all the way to her office.
Last night had been a late light. She had gone drinking with her old captain, Kyoraku-taicho, much to her captain's knowledge. Kyoraku-taicho had strung her in to a 'celebratory drink' as he finally managed to get Nanao to hug him (though he had forgotten to mention she had accidently fallen upon him and immediately removed herself). But, as Rangiku knew, every occasion deserved a drink as it was the flower-robed captain's motto; "live life fully with each small moment." Rangiku was hesitant at first, considering she still had to finish up the analysis reports from her captain's mission and was behind her daily work. But, it did not take much to let her cave in as a bottle of premium sake was brought right under her nose. It was practically begging for Rangiku's lips to touch it!
So through the whole night, in the back of her fogged-mind, Rangiku prayed and repeated the mantra 'what he doesn't know won't hurt him,' over and over again in hopes that some higher deity would have mercy on her.
And she would rather not have frostbite on her butt. The last time she had angered him was when she woke him up from his nap. After much shouting and an angry ice dragon, Rangiku had ended up sitting in the bath tub to defrost her frozen derriere.
But lately, his attitude had gotten worse.
And not just the 'grumpy-dwarf' attitude that she once knew. Oh, no, no. Rangiku missed those days. Compared to this, those had been a breeze. She could've just teased him. It had been quite adorable, almost reminding her of a moody teenager.
But now it was like a permanent storm cloud was hanging around over his head, and he shot lightning bolts out of his eyes and thunder clapped out of his mouth.
Well, that was how it seemed to her in her dreams…
And that was why she was careful around him.
But now…
Rangiku braced herself as she stood in front of the shoji doors. She could already feel the dark funk seep through the slits like black sludge. Rangiku could swear there was an eerie change in the atmosphere and the area surrounding the door became mono-chromatic.
That's the last time I get a hangover…Rangiku thought, though she knew that was far from the truth.
Taking a deep breath and calming her nerves, she opened the door. It was like pushing a stone wall to the side and Rangiku struggled. With a final heave she thrusted the door to the side and walked in, feeling slightly confident.
"Matsumoto, where have you been?"
She stopped dead in her tracks. He glared at her from behind desk. But, considering his request for a smaller desk hadn't been approved yet, it looked almost comical to see him glowering at her.
Rangiku straightened up. "I…woke up late, taicho."
He raised an eyebrow at her. "Do you mean in a puddle of sake?"
She rolled her shoulders and glanced to the side. "I just…just had a late night, taicho." Not good; she still felt ice daggers being thrown at her. "It won't happen again," she alleviated, in hopes of escaping.
He growled. "That's not good enough, fukuutaicho."
She raised a speculative eyebrow at him. "Fukuutaicho? You never call me that, taicho."
Rangiku jumped as he slammed his hands down. "Fuu-kuu-tai-cho," he gritted through his teeth. "I am your superior and you will treat me as such."
She raised a finger. "But taicho…"
"Listen when I tell you something Matsumoto-fukuutaicho! Don't question my authority!" He yelled. "You have been careless with your work and tardy and I have graciously been lenient. But be warned that I will not spare a thought in relieving you of your position. Do I make myself clear?" he asked darkly.
Rangiku could only nod, as she really didn't know how to act. Her captain had never acted like this before towards her, and it was strange that he would choose now to start.
"My deepest apologies…Hitsugaya-taicho," she said.
He stood still, watching her before sitting down with a huff and resuming his work. He didn't spare a second glance at her as he ordered, "Go finish your paperwork. Statistic reports need to be sent in from the Human World data."
Rangiku mutely went to her desk, her blue eyes never wavering from him. She pulled out a few sheets and started to read them but would steal glances at her captain. He was deeply in focus on his paperwork.
Or he was trying to be.
She could see his teeth were clenched and his grip on his pen was a little too harder than normal. His eyes were downcast and it seemed like he was glaring at the paperwork. Now, as any good vice-captain would know, Rangiku could tell something was deeply bothering her captain. She had never seen him so stressed over paperwork. Yes, he would go after her to finish her work like a slave driver, but he never threatened her.
He was never this cruel…
But it seemed that ever since the Human World mission he was assigned two weeks ago-
Snap.
"Stupid brush," Rangiku heard her captain mutter. He briskly pushed his chair back and got up, mumbling under his breath. His back was faced to her as he reached on the shelf for more utensils.
"Taicho…Did something happen on the Human World mission?" she asked warily.
He froze, his back rigid. The question hung in the air almost like poison gas; no one spoke or breathed. She watched him expectantly, waiting for a response. It would be the only logical explanation.
"Nothing happened, Matsumoto," he said quietly.
"But Taic—?
"We're out of brushes," he said coldly before walking to the door and slamming it open.
She winced as the door closed with a thud and she could hear the splinters of wood break.
Doesn't seem like nothing to me…
…
After "the brush" incident (as Rangiku referred to it), she was more tentative around her captain. But, that didn't mean she had forgotten the whole thing. It wasn't that easy when later that day there were several complaints from fellow divisions about the "damn freezing cold weather." It seemed that her captain had gone to a secluded place to train, as reported from the fellow recruits. But, his cold spiritual pressure was felt all the way from there to even the Sixth Division, as Kuchiki-taicho was seen wearing a scarf.
The news didn't faze Rangiku at all. It just meant that she had to be more secretive while she dug around deeper.
She continued to walk around her captain like broken glass. He didn't pass any comments but at least there weren't any complaints of leaking spiritual pressure.
However it did puzzle her when she came into office one day to find her the office empty. She checked the clock, making sure she hadn't accidently came "too early," which seemed the only plausible explanation. But what caught her eye was among the stacks of paper on her captain's desk was a short curt note written in his strict-line writing:
Finish the budget cuts. Don't be late.
-Hitsugaya-taicho
She immediately slammed open the door and almost ran into the eighth seat with a stack of papers.
"Ma-Matsumoto-fukuutaicho!" he said quickly, shaking the mop of black hair from his green eyes. "My-my deepest apologies, I was not looking."
She waved off his apology. "Have you seen taicho? He hasn't come in yet. Is he sick?" she asked hurriedly. Her captain had never missed a day work and she could feel panic bubble inside her stomach as her mind whirled different 'death' scenarios.
He pushed up his block glasses and looked at her curiously. "You mean he didn't tell you?"
She looked at him pointedly. "Tell me what?"
He stood up with his papers, straightening them out before tucking them under his arm. "Hitsugaya-taicho submitted a leave of absence form yesterday." He looked off into the distance. "I believe he said he was taking two days off…Well, I'm sure he'll be back…?" He turned his head but found he was addressing a blank space.
"Matsumoto-fukuutaicho?"
…
As soon as the butterfly fluttered its wings out of the shoji doors she left. It was against the rules to leave without permission to the Human World but right now Rangiku couldn't care less about the rules.
Something inside was tugging her and she felt herself being pulled. As she followed purely on instinct, old memories arose of the time before…
She abruptly stopped running and slowed down her breathing, waiting for the familiar feeling of darkness. As soon as the shadows crept, a soft red light wafted through. Its brightness grew and grew at a quick pace until it lighted up the whole area. She reached to touch it.
Like before, it snapped itself around her wrist and pulled her fast. She flitted past coloured roof tops until they melded into a quick blinding blur. The whole sensation gave to butterflies in her stomach but she knew where her ride would end, so she did not fret.
Suddenly, the movement halted and everything fell into a stop. The red string faded into nothing and Rangiku found herself standing on top of a school building roof.
A crowd of human bodies were exiting the building and she could hear them talk in huge mumble. They were all wearing an extra jacket or scarf as there was a slight chill in the air, though late in the season. But what caught her eye was the white fluff of hair below her, sitting on the clock.
He stood out from the school picture; a young boy with shocking white hair and black robes. Seeing him sitting there reminded Rangiku how young her captain really was, though how hard he tried to act with a superior bravado.
It seemed he hadn't noticed her for he was staring out at the sea of students with a distant look and furrow in his eyebrows. She could see her captain scowl a bit, as if frustrated but he remained still like a statue.
"So this is how you spend your vacations…looking at girls in their uniforms…" she said, leaving the thought lingering to settle in his mind.
His shoulders twitched a little before they relaxed against the wall.
"What are you doing here?" He turned his head and shot a glare at her. "Shouldn't you be doing work?" he asked testily.
Rangiku laughed. "And miss my taicho staring at girls?" She leaned over the railing. "This is the first time I've seen you take any interest in the opposite sex," she mused.
"Shut it Matsumoto or else," he said, but there was no threat in his words.
A silence grew in between them and the only sounds that could be heard was the crowd as it shifted and murmured. A few individual voices would pipe up but they were all the same loud noise to her.
"So…" Rangiku let the statement linger in the air.
"How come you aren't mad at me for ditching work and following you?" she asked, casually.
He stared out and shrugged his shoulders. "I had a feeling you'd follow me. Your sense of nosiness wouldn't have ignored this any longer."
Rangiku chuckled and flipped her hair. "Wow taicho. I'm surprised you knew me that well."
"Well, I have to spend every day with you in the office, whether you show up or not," he grunted.
"But I didn't know you could see over your desk," she teased.
He looked over his shoulder to send her an exasperated look and she smiled cheekily at him. "Be quiet," he muttered.
The crowd of students had thinned by then into small clusters of giggling girls or bragging boys. From her perch up on the rail, they were all either laughing or smiling on inside jokes. It seemed like watching through a screen for Rangiku. She had never really experienced these kinds of things. There was the Academy but it hardly offered much socialization as the main thing was to be hammered into the disciplinary conduct. She smiled wistfully.
Rangiku rested a chin in her hand. "Taicho…why don't you tell me what's really wrong?"
"It's none of your concern, Matsumoto," he said with a clipped tone.
She sighed with exasperation and rolled her eyes. "Come on taicho. We've already beaten around this bush once so why don't you stop being such a grouch and tell me?"
When he didn't answer she placed her hands on her hips and glared at him.
"If you don't tell me now I'm going to spread around that—"
He immediately stood up, stopping her in mid-sentence. But instead of reprimanding her, his eyes were dead set on something below. Rangiku tilted her head down and followed his gaze to the moving object.
A girl with a long ponytail had just exited the building and was walking out. She stopped midway and waved to a couple of boys and immediately started running. Rangiku heard her captain growl a bit and the girl fell down, her book bag skidding to the side.
Two boys, one with spiky crimson red hair and a blond, stopped to help her up. From what Rangiku could hear, they were scolding her but she easily laughed it off. The girl turned around to pick up her school bag and that's when Rangiku got a closer look at her face.
She wasn't drop dead beautiful but she had a sweet, innocent face. Rangiku glanced at her captain and saw him look down at her with a set of concentrating eyes, as if trying to figure out something.
Then it started to click.
"Taicho?"
"There is nothing to see Matsumoto."
Before Rangiku could respond he flash stepped away, and she was left with a puzzled look on her face.
"What the…?" she huffed. "Why is he still acting like this?" she said with an annoyed tone. Frankly, she thought she was going to finally break through his shell and figure out what he was hiding but now…
"Ughh, this is stupid," she complained dryly as she laid her head in her hands.
She could see down below most of the students were gone. All that was left were the drifting couples holding hands and whispering soft affections into each other's ears.
Rangiku sighed. I feel like an old lady watching young love…
"Oh, young love's so adorable!" a melodic voice gushed.
Rangiku jumped and quickly twisted her head to the side. Next to her, sitting a little too casually was Akai. It had been a while since she had last seen the girl but she was still recognizable. Her flame locks were left free and uninhibited. But instead of her flowing sun dress she wore a sailor school girl uniform, much like the humans below.
Rangiku pointed an eyebrow up. "Give a little warning next time, kay? You almost gave me a heart attack."
Akai pouted. "Sorry," she said apologetically. "It's just…" She squealed. "Young couples make me so happy!" She looked down with a wistful look in her eyes. "It's one of the purest kinds of love: young people."
Rangiku scoffed. "Yeah, that's why my captain isn't telling me anything." She crossed her arms. "I asked him nicely but all he did was give me the cold shoulder and leave. Yeah, young people are so pure," she said sarcastically.
"It is true…"Akai said, sounding slightly wounded.
Rangiku's face fell as she watched the little girl look down while biting her lip. She sighed. "Look," she alleviated. "I'm sorry. I'm being a total grouch."
Akai looked up at her with hopeful eyes.
"It's just…" Rangiku said uncomfortably before throwing her hands down in frustration. "I come all the way here, worried, and all he does is give me his snooty, ice cold attitude. Like, seriously?" She looked at Akai, waiting for some sort of affirmal. Akai bit her lip hesitantly.
"Well…"
"And I was worried! Worried!" she said again for emphasis. "He hardly takes vacation, the slogging machine—it's totally out of character! And then out of nowhere he comes here and watches high school students!" She stopped mid thought and looked up. "Which isn't really that bad," she said thoughtfully. "I kind of thought he was gay…but that isn't the point!" she exclaimed, remembering her rant. Rangiku stared at Akai. "The point is that he didn't tell me anything! Me—his fukuutaicho! Shouldn't there be some relationship between us? Doesn't he trust me?" Rangiku looked down. "Everyone leaves without telling me anything…"she said dismally.
"That isn't true Rangiku-chan!" exclaimed Akai.
She turned her head to look at the young girl. "What?"
Akai took her hands with hers and looked straight into Rangiku's eyes, her coal black eyes unwavering. "That isn't true!" she exclaimed again. She shook her head. "Your captain needs you now more than ever! He's so confused he doesn't know how to handle things! That's why he takes it out on others."
Akai looked at her softly.
"Don't give up on him. Force it upon him, but stay with him. He needs you right now. Only you can help…" she said wistfully.
Rangiku just stared at the small girl but her words hung heavy shadows of doubt from what she had said before.
"Needs me?"
Akai nodded. "Yes! And you have to go follow him and explain everything now! He's starting to remember Momo and needs someone to guide him."
The words dug their way deep inside of her and unearthed all those old angry sentiments.
That was why she was chosen.
That was why she became his fukuutaicho.
Because only she could help him.
Rangiku took her hands from under Akai's and held her gaze. "You're right Akai. I can only help him because I'm his fukuutaicho," she said proudly. "He may not want it, but who gives a damn! It's good for him and I'm going to force it!" she exclaimed.
"Yes!" Akai shouted. "Now go after him Rangiku-chan! Don't let him go!"
"Oh, I won't," she smirked.
And instantly, she left off, feeling a whole new light feeling inside of her. It was as if she newly energized and could do anything.
Flash stepping through the roof tops, she searched for her captain's spiritual pressure. When she couldn't feel it, she wasn't surprised. He seriously meant for her to leave. But that didn't matter…
Rangiku closed her eyes and instantly the red ribbon drifted and grabbed onto her. It pulled her, faster than she was before, and in a second she was standing above the cherry tree from before.
Rangiku could see the girl through her bedroom window as she was reading a book. She had a soft smile on her face and a serene attitude around her.
And watching all of this from a distance was her captain, sitting on of the thick branches of the cherry tree.
Rangiku quietly slipped down next to him. "Who is she, taicho?"
He jumped a bit, a first for her to witness, and he glared at her. "I thought I told you to leave Matsumoto."
She leveled his glare with a hard look of her own. "And I'm here to tell you I won't leave."
"What part of, 'it isn't your concern', don't you understand?" he asked irritably.
"The 'your' part," she said promptly. He glared at her quick remark. Rangiku sighed. "Taicho, whatever you say I'm not going to leave—and you know how stubborn I am."
He affirmed that with a grunt.
"But," she said loudly, "I can help you. And, technically," she pointed out to him, "a fukuutaicho is supposed to watch out for her taicho. So. It. Is. My. Concern," she stuck each word with a jab in his shoulder. He swatted it off and glared at her.
They remained staring at each other, either one not willing to give up before he sighed in defeat. "Well, I don't think even you can help me in this situation, Matsumoto," he remarked. "So it's pointless."
"You have memories of that girl but you don't how she's in your life," she stated.
He twisted his head and turned at her with wide emerald eyes, startled and surprised. This is one of the first times she had ever seen him caught unguarded.
"How did you—?"
She held up a hand and stopped him. "It's a long story."
And she explained to him everything that she knew: the first time she had seen him in the Human World, the tree, the first time she had seen him in Soul Society, Akai, and lastly the explanation of the Red String of Fate.
His face remained calm and impassive but she could feel an anxious aura come out from him. When she finished explaining about the Red String of Fate, he was staring at the girl with a distant look in his eyes.
"So that's why I always see her," he said.
She nodded.
"And these flashbacks…" he drifted, "they're my old memories," he clarified.
"Yes," she said. "Wow, taicho. You're getting this faster than me. It took me a while for it to all settle in. Guess that's why you're a genius," she laughed and ruffled his hair.
He didn't move or say anything which caused her to look at him.
"Taicho?" she asked warily.
"She has reiatsu, Matsumoto."
That caused her to stop. "What?"
"The increase in hollows is because of her source of reiatsu," he stated. "It's feeding their instincts and she's been a constant target."
"How come I can't feel it?"
"Though not much, it still leaks at times," he said dismally. "I have to watch over her."
"Taicho, have you told anyone about this?"
He remained silent, and Rangiku's worry grew.
"But…you haven't made known your existence have you?" she asked warily.
"No. And I don't plan to." He paused and shook his head. "It would be too much for her to bear…" he said sadly.
"Taicho?"
"Thank you Matsumoto. But, I would like to watch her, alone for now."
She simply muttered a 'yes,' before flash stepping away, leaving her captain staring at the girl with a far off look in his eyes.
…
As soon as she stepped into Soul Society, two guards loomed in front of her, standing straight up with their hands behind their back. Though a little taken back at first, Rangiku knew she had it coming.
"Matsumoto-fukuutaicho, you are ordered to appear before the Soutaicho for illegally using the Hell butterflies, and visiting the Human World," they said in their clipped tone. "Do not resist."
She eyed them warily before replying, "I'll come."
They nodded and flash stepped away. Even though they were gone, she knew that they would trail behind her inconspicuously, making sure she followed orders. It ticked her a little that they didn't expect her to go as ordered. It wasn't as if she was a rebel or anything.
She flash-stepped to the First Division, not wanting to be accounted for tardy. If she was going to ask for compliance then she was going to have to play by the rules a bit.
Rangiku stood in front of the tall black doors of the General's office. They were much taller and more regal than any other and exerted a superior attitude.
She knocked. "Excuse me, but this is Matsumoto-fukuutaicho. I was requested to come before the Soutaicho…"
The words died on her lips as the door abruptly opened and the serious, stoic lieutenant, Sasakibe guarded over the entrance with two guards on each of his sides.
He stared at her with those grey eyes. "Matsumoto-fukuutaicho," he addressed.
"The Soutaicho ordered me to come here," she said.
He stepped in her line of vision. "I'm sorry but the Soutaicho can't delve into these matters on such notice. He's busy at the moment."
Rangiku quirked an eyebrow. "But he ordered for me to come and see him." She placed her hands on her hips and glared up at him. "How can he be busy?"
"We do not have time for such imprudence." The guards inched closer. "Leave now or further be detain—."
"Let her in, Sasakibe," the general's voice boomed.
Matsumoto stopped in her tracks and watched as the General appeared out of nowhere.
"B-but sir!" he sputtered. "I-I was just about to send her—!"
"It's fine Sasakibe," he simply said. Even though he did not raise his voice, Rangiku could feel the superior authority behind each of his words.
Sasakibe and the guards fell to their knees. "My deepest apologies, Soutaicho. If you will please excuse me for my incompetence."
The old man nodded. "Very well."
They disappeared and Rangiku stood there mystified, still watching the place where they last knelt.
"Come with me, Matsumoto-fukuutaicho. There are things we need to discuss."
Rangiku nodded.
Author's Note: And CUT! End scene. So that was part 1 of the Prologue. The Second part will be uploaded later on when the story takes a shift in its tone. I do warn you of that.
Soo~ Since exams are reigning havoc over my room and short-attention-spanned-mind I will try to update soon. The First chapter is written and I'm counting and finishing the second one soon ^_^ That's my new schedule. Expect an update within a week at the least. Or if not..I am swamped.
With exams being taken in consideration I might not reply to people :( BUT I will read over reviews repetitively so I get some motivation! :D Constructive criticism, feedback, and love appreciated! PCE