Author's Note: Thanks goes to xOProcrastinator and liltle to reviewing. You guys are amazing. :D And thus, here's theme numero dos. Beware of ultimate clicheness.


Theme #2
Birthday


"When's your birthday?"

Awkward silence seemed to drift between the duo after Gin's simple question. Rangiku didn't reply immediately; she placed both hands on her lap and looked down at her feet. "I don't know." Her voice came out as a mere whisper. "I don't remember."

The only change in expression was his raising of his brows. The smile never even wavered. "'That so?"

She twiddled her thumbs and pulled her legs closer to her chest. She inclined her head ever-so-slightly. "I don't really remember anything."

Gin made a small sound of acknowledgment, and the silence took over once more. Rangiku, with her eyes still focused on her tabi-clothed feet, looked up only when she heard shuffling clothes. Gin was now standing, hovering over her small form. "Where are you..."

His back was already to her as he headed towards the door. "Goin' out for a stroll. I'll be back soon."

"Hold on, I'll come with--"

"No." He looked at her over his shoulder. "No, you stay here. If I'm not back in a couple hours make sure you lock the door."

She could only watch as he left the shack.

As blackness began to take over the sky, Rangiku sat at the window, eagerly awaiting the return of her gray-haired friend. "Where could he be? I hope he's alright..."

It had only been a couple days since Gin had saved her. He apparently lived alone, in a small little shack away from most of the town. The district of Rukongai they were from... Well, it was best to keep a good distance from the others.

"I guess I'll start to lock up now..." she mumbled to herself. Hopping off the bench, she maneuvered her way towards the door and picked up the wooden block on the ground. Just as she went to secure it into place, the door was pushed open, causing her to stumble backwards. "Aa...!"

"Hm? Oh, sorry 'bout that, Rangiku." Gin stepped into the shelter, his trademark smile still plastered onto his face. He closed the door behind him, cutting off the biting wind from entering the household.

"Where've you been?" she asked as she furrowed her brows angrily. She walked passed him and put the block into place, firmly locking the door. Out of the corner of her eye, she watched as he shifted to the side, though he kept his hands behind his back.

"The town was real crowded, so it was hard to get back here," he informed.

"The town?" she questioned. "What were you doing there?"

"Gettin' you a belated birthday present, o' course," he stated, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world.

She blinked at him in confusion, her mouth hanging agape. "Belated... What are you talking about, Gin?"

His only answer was to widen his smile and thrust his right hand out. Clenched in his palm was a long pink scarf. "G-Gin!" she exclaimed, the look of shock never leaving her face. "Where did you.. How did... What do you mean my belated birthday?"

"Well, since ya can't 'member, I figured that we make your birthday the day we met, yea? It's a little late, but..."

His explanation was cut short when the strawberry blonde suddenly threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his waist in a tight hug. She wrapped her fingers around the scarf and shook slightly as she tightened her embrace.

Gin's smile softened for second. "Happy belated, Rangiku."


Word Count: 582

Kekeke. Fluff and cheese -- my favorite.