Title: The Promise Of A Brighter Tomorrow

Author: AppleL0V3R

Beta-reader: Terror-Of-The-Crimson-Night

Fandom: Bleach

Pairing: Ichimaru, Gin and Matsumoto, Rangiku

Rating: T

Type: One-shot – Complete

Summary: Matsumoto didn't know where she'd be without him. Without his ever-present grin, closed eyes and cheery seeming nature. She owed him her life at the very least.

Word Count: 525

Disclaimer: If you've heard of it before, then it's obviously not mine.

..:Xx0o0xX:..

Matsumoto, Rangiku inhaled softly before exhaling slowly as she over looked the wide expanse of desert from her perch on a large tree at the end of the forest. It brought back so many memories. They rammed there way through her minds eye every time she let them. And she let them now. A fox-like grin that never fell away or faltered no matter what the circumstance. Always closed eyelids that covered hardly ever seen crimson that held more warmth than its owner would ever let show. That cheery seeming nature that had helped her stay strong through so many tough situations that would have otherwise knocked her down and never let her back up.

She smiled and let out another soft breath.

Where was the person in those flashes now? Was he off causing mischief again? Or was he carrying out his duty as a captain?

"Ya here 'gain?" She squeaked with surprise. No, he was sneaking up on her again.

The strawberry blonde haired shinigami threw him a grin over her shoulder. "Gin, you scared me," Then she laughed "again"

He raised an eyebrow and even though she couldn't see his eyes she knew that they were laughing at her. "Then that's not a very hard thin' to do."

She pouted, "Hey! Don't be mean!"

He snorted and plopped down beside her. "Are ya hungry?"

He always asked that when he saw her here. For a very good reason too. Because it was tradition for them. Because the first time they'd met was in the wasteland before her where she'd past out from hunger. And he'd been there to wake her and offer her food. He'd also taken away the pain and tears, he hadn't gotten rid of it completely but he'd taken away most of it. But most importantly to offer her a chance for a new life.

And for that she owed him. She owed him her life at the very least.

She nodded and took the food he offered just like she always did even though she wasn't really hungry. She still ate anyway and scooted just a little bit closer to the lavender haired male. He didn't move away from the close proximity. The seemingly young woman with eyes matching his hair color didn't quite know what they were. Savoir and Saved? Comrades? Friends? More than friends? Maybe she'd find out one of these days. Perhaps today even

She'd find a way to repay him.

Because if it weren't for him she wouldn't have the promise of a brighter tomorrow. The one he provided when they met and still provided now.

And so she'd repay him, one way or another, she'd repay him.