Bleach © Tite Kubo
I. Race
It was already night! The moon was shining on the dark blue sky. Some fire-flies, named stars by humans, were dancing all around the Quinn of the Night. Little spots were floating on the dark sky, sometimes taking the slight light. The wind blew cold even if it was summer.
The moon was brightening the road. Down there were many people wearing helmets. All of them stood next to their car prepared for the race. A young man waited the start signal next to a white car with some blue models that looked like ice. He put his right hand on the car's door so he could jump in the car faster than the others racers. Despite the helmet it could be seen two turquoise eyes that you could lost in. His attitude was different from the others. He looked cold and full of himself; he was so sure about his victory. That guy didn't look older than a teenager, maybe because he wasn't so tall, but he was at college – one of the best. His classmates used to call him 'midget' some years ago because he was the shortest of the class. Even so, now he was one of the most popular guys in the college. He didn't know where this popularity came from because he just grew taller, but his attitude was the same.
Finally, the signal! All the racers jumped in their car and the competition started. All that remained was the fume from the cars. As expected, that cold guy was on the top, he was the first until the last kilometers. Then a green car with some dark purple flames came next to his. A girl that looked a bit younger than him drove it. The only thing that he could see to her was the eyes; some dark blue eyes. That little woman overcame him raising her hand as a greeting.
Now, that was a little bit annoying. 'I was never beat by a girl and I won't start now, Kurosaki!' whispered the boy, and then he push the acceleration. For some time they just played but they became serious when they saw the finish line. Both of them wanted to win! Once the race ended with his victory – as he expected – they jump out of the cars.
"Good to see you alive" joked one of them. She didn't wear her helmet when she talked – just as him. Karin came close to him so the winner could see her better. Her hair grew in the last years and now it fell over her shoulders until the middle of her back. A little shine from the moon played trough it. As they both grew taller, the different of their high was almost the same. Since they met last time passed some years so he realized that her chest seemed more like a woman. He looked on her without saying a word. "Anybody there?" asked her.
"…Yeah" the boy answered rising his head. He was just like she remembered – same white spiky hair, same turquoise eyes and the same cold attitude. "Did you think you could own me, Kurosaki?" on his face appeared a smirk.
"I was just playing with you, Tōshirō" she turned around and then asked. "Like what you see?"
"You're not the first woman that I see; nothing impressive." He didn't want to admit, but he was a little shocked by her…she changed a lot. Of course, compared with his secretary she was nothing, but still more that he expected.
"Woman?" the girl said surprised. "You stayed too much in your office. I'm not woman yet, I'm still 16. And you have the permission to call me Karin."
"Very funny" he said bored. "So…what are you doing here?"
"Well…you see…I wanted to see a race" she avoided his eyes because every time she tried to lie him, it didn't work. Karin was still a tomboy but the truth was that she was bored and took her brother's car – without telling him – so she could met him again after all those years. "I haven't seen you playing football for a while"
"I don't have time for such things" he sighed remembering about the work which he hasn't done. All those documents will wait him next morning.
"What does your secretary do?" she said with a voice that says much.
"Like usual, drunk" he answered simple. 'It's good she doesn't do that when I have a meeting'
Before they could finish their talk a black car stopped next to the white one. Both of then looked to it and saw a tall and thin guy dressed formal. The man was smiling and kept his eyes closed.
"I thought ya dun race anymore" said the man with silver hair – just as his name says, 'Gin' meaning 'silver' - without changing his usual expression.
'Great…my 'baby-sitter'' thought Tōshirō. "Who send you, Ichimaru?"
Gin didn't say a word. He just got back into the car and sit with his hands crossed waiting. He knew that was an answer enough for his 'friend'.
Apparently they were friends…or supposed to be. Same elementary school, same middle school, same high school and even same college, without saying that their houses were one next to the other. They also had the same first love in childhood. She was the most popular girl in the school, but she didn't even know their name then. That beautiful woman was the same age with Gin, but three years older than Tōshirō. Perhaps, I don't think there was one boy who didn't have a crush on her. She was tall, slim and had a generous chest. Her blond hair was short in the middle school, but now it fell perfect, a little curly, on her back and on her shoulders. She had two light blue eyes just like pieces of ice in a pool. She participated to many parties, but her only problem was sake – that strong alcohol. She was funny, friendly, beautiful – she was Matsumoto Rangiku.
The few people who knew about their rivalry weren't sure why was that hate between them. Most of them thought it was because of love, but they didn't have a reason anymore.
Being in the same class Gin came closer and closer to Rangiku. First it was just her beauty but then he had a strange feeling. Every time they met he felt like thousands of butterflies flew in his stomach and he wasn't so sure on himself when they talked, being afraid not to say something wrong. He was so cute like that and he was so gallant with her. One day he reached to get a date and they felt pretty good. Then came another date and another and another. When she first kissed him he felt like nothing can ruin his happiness.
On the other, Tōshirō felt a bit left alone. He has never felt lonely before and it was pretty annoying seeing Ichimaru dating his first love. He wasn't sure if that strange guy dated her to make him jealous or he really loved her. First Tōshirō had no doubt he could win her heart but soon he noticed that she saw him like a kid. There wasn't such a big different between their age…three age…no big deal! But compared with his rival who was a lot taller and older, he had no chance…
As he drove the car, he took a look at Gin. Still smiling, he had a reason after all. Just two months and he will marry Rangiku. 'Good I'm not still in love with her' the boy sighed. After some kilometers the two cars stopped.
"Why did you come after me?" asked one of them raising his left eyebrow.
"I'm yer bodyguard, right? That's mah job!" answered the other with the same smile that Hitsugaya hated.
"You're not; Madarame is guarding the company"
"I said yer bodyguard, not company guard" repeated the taller man.
The boy looked at him wondering what he talks about. He never trusted that man and he never knew what to expect from him. Suddenly the light had come; Gin wasn't referring to the proper sense, he wasn't engage for guarding, but there was somebody who always worried when was so late and Tōshirō still missed. Remembering of his comment about 'babysitter' he turned his back to Ichimaru when he heard him saying "A thanks would be nice".
"Go home and sleep. Good night!" he replied hoping to leave Gin as soon as possibly. Gin murmured something and went to his house next to Hitsugaya's.
