When Tomorrow Comes
Melancholy
Rangiku stood outside the porch of her quaint little house, leaning against the wooden railings. Garbed only in the rose pink terry robe given to her by Inoue from the mortal world, she stared at nothing in particular, the night air cool against her exposed skin.
Gin had agreed to have dinner with her. The foods she was preparing still cooking in pots and pans in her tiny kitchen, which also served as dining/living room. She went back inside to start preparing the table and see if the foods are ready.
Sitting in front of the table after setting up everything, Rangiku thought of what to wear. "I have to get ready. Gin will be here in less than an hour."
She went in to her room and started rummaging in her chest of kimonos. She chose a black kimono made of silk. An image of a woman standing at the edge of a mountain cliff staring at the sun setting down was embroidered at the bottom half of the kimono. It was a mirage of colors. It was Gin's gift for her on her last birthday.
Standing up, she put on the kimono over the peach chemise robe she was wearing as an undergarment. Rangiku then tied a wide pearl-white sash around her waist to keep her kimono close. She coiled her long blond tresses and chose a mother-of-pearl comb to stay her hair in place. It was another gift from Gin.
There was a soft pitter-patter of footsteps just outside the door of her room. Opening the sliding door, she was met with Gin's slightly frowning face.
"Ichimaru-taichou, I am glad you are able to come," Rangiku said playfully with a smile, making a mocking bow.
The gesture brought a smile to Ichimaru's lips. "I am very honored to have been invited by you, Matsumoto-san. How could I possibly let it pass?"
Rangiku laughed, holding out her hand to Gin. Taking it, he remarked, "I see you are dressed exquisitely," smiling still.
It's good to see him without his mask, she thought. "We haven't done this for quite some time. I wanted this night to be special."
He opened his eyes. She thought she saw sadness in the deep red depths. But he dropped his lids too soon for her to be sure.
"Aren't you going to invite me to sit and eat?" He asked teasingly.
Rangiku laughed in response. She seems to laugh a lot in his presence. "Please join me at the dinner table, Ichimaru-san."
They talked about their day, mostly about the responsibilities and missions and paperwork piled high on their tables. Gin was mostly subdued throughout dinner. It did not escape Rangiku's notice.
After dinner, Rangiku cleared the table and began cleaning the dishes, bowls, and pots and pans. To her surprise, Gin stood up and helped her wash and dry them. Mostly, he just sits and waits for her to finish while drinking sake. It was a rare thing for him to do. Helping her with her chores.
His moves, they were melancholic. "Maybe he's just tired. He's a captain after all, with plenty of responsibilities," she surmised.
Having finished Gin hurriedly dried his hands with the rag hanging by a hook beside the dish rack and walked to the door. Turning around he said, "I am leaving now."
"Aren't you going to stay for a little more while? I missed you."
At those words, he muttered a fetid curse and strode back in front of her. "Rangiku," he breathed, his lips a millimeter away from hers, staring into her sad, questioning eyes.
"Gin, I–"
He grabbed her, pressing her body close to his, her chest flush to his and claimed her slightly parting lips.
His kiss was fierce, hungry, passionate…and said volumes.
"Oh, yes. We haven't done this for quite some time."