I Don't Know Him
Disclaimer: I own nothing!
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"Will you be alright?"
"What do you mean captain?"
"You might have to fight him."
"I know."
"Are you alright with that?"
"Captain, I have been thinking a lot about Gin and me since he left and I have come to the conclusion that I don't know the Ichimaru Gin who is in Hueco Mundo."
Hitsugaya Tōshirō turned to looked his vice-captain straight in the eyes and waited for her to elaborate. After a considerable pause, Matsumoto Rangiku did, "I don't think I knew the Ichimaru Gin who was captain of squad three or the Ichimaru Gin who was the vice-captain of squad 5 or the Ichimaru Gin who was the 3rd seat of squad 5. Perhaps I never knew Ichimaru Gin but I would like to think that I did, at least the Ichimaru Gin who saved me from starvation. Who looked out for me. The Ichimaru Gin who was my whole world and whom I desperately loved," she said, shutting her eyes tight, as if to keep back tears, "But you know captain, that Gin is dead. I am not sure when he died. Perhaps he died as we made our way to the spirit academy, the only time he took me with him when he left our little shack for one of his walks. Or perhaps he died after we entered the academy and were inevitably separated. He of course graduated within a year and I... well I took my time and did the six year course in six years."
"Probably because you were sleeping and drinking sake instead of working," stated Hitsugaya, he didn't believe for a moment that Matsumoto had taken six year to finish because she needed six years to finish.
Matsumoto smiled, "I was never fond of the whole hard work thing," she admitted, "Things between me and Gin changed only slightly after I joined the Gotei 13. While I was still at the academy, Gin would sneak into my room during his birthday and mine, usually bringing with him a box of dried persimmons, but only during our birthdays. After, I joined Gotei 13 he would sneak in a little more but not that much more. Thing is that he would always sneak in through the window... I always wondered about that. I think I finally understand now. See, if he came in through the door he would be who he is but when he sneaked in through the window... he was for that short time once again the Ichimaru Gin from Rukongai," she closed her eyes as if to hold back tears.
"Matsumoto..."
Finally she smiled and opened her eyes wide, "The Gin from Rukongai isn't a traitor and as long I live, he'll live on too, even if it is just in my memories. But more importantly, he won't be there on the battle field. The Ichimaru Gin who will be at the battle, the one who will be standing by Aizen Sōsuke is all but a stranger to me and him I will fight with all my strength for he is a traitor and an enemy of Soul Society," her face hardened and determination shown through her vivid eyes.
After contemplating her for a moment Hitsugaya nodded, "Let's go Matsumoto, it's time to end this," Matsumoto nodded and followed her captain to the rendezvous point.
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Author's note:I really had to get this off my chest. I know a lot of people would really like Ichimaru Gin to return to the good guys side but I don't think it going to happen. Than I saw this two second Gin and Rangiku moment during the "Rolling Days" opening (episode 116 plus others) which really made me sad and well, this is sort of both me and Rangiku accepting that Gin for what he is and not have any false hopes about Gin betraying Aizen or anything of the sort. I mean, Gin's been helping Aizen ever since Gin joined the Gotei 13, 110 years ago. Why should he stop now? Anyway, it's off my chest. Time to go back to writing Silmarillion fanfiction.