Well this chapter turned out to be longer than expected. I hope you stick to it, because I had to make so many changes (the original version would've taken me to break it down in two parts it was so long)
On a side note I wanted to say that although I appreciate the many who have decided to follow my story I would also like for you to PLEASE review, I really need to know if I am taking this fic to the right direction and every Author deserves a little bit of feedback so please be so kind and tell me if I entertained you.
I promise to release the next chapter within this week, its just been difficult because I have twins to take care of and if one is not crying it's the other.
Disclaimer: I do not own bleach, wish I did because if that were to happen damn Aizen wouldn't evolve more than a digimon.
Warning: Coarse language and some disturbing imagery. And some angst but fluff at end.
~Unconditional~
Rangiku awoke shivering and curled up under the covers of the shared futon and with a ghost hand she roamed searching for her bedmate but found emptiness. She slowly got up, her head was spinning and after a short moment she regained her concentration, she noticed that the fire place they used for cooking and warming the shack was newly lit, at least he considered doing that before he left.
"Where did he run off to this time? How can he leave in the middle of a snowstorm" she shook her head.
It has been more than a couple years since she had been found by Gin. Since then birthdays have been made and celebrated, they often went to the market place to look for a quick meal but Rangiku more times than not lingered with want around the shops that held pretty kimonos wishing she could afford them and then Gin surprising her when he managed to steal one buttercup yellow robe, she promised to only wear it every so often as to not get it worn out.
"I only got it so you can stop making that sad long look of your face every time we pass by that shop, I hate dragging you away last time I had to pull you away by you hair" Gin looked at her through his peripheral vision to see her admiring the softness of the silk.
"Your lucky I didn't make a scene, what the heck were you thinking yanking my hair like that" she was looking around for a proper place to fold the kimono shaking her head at finding none.
"We were there to find food not to stay there looking like we're a pair of poor dummies" he replied.
"Then next time go by yourself" she didn't mean it but she hated when he was right. How she regretted saying those words now.
Since then Gin has been running off on his own for long periods of time sometimes making the young girl wonder if the worse has happened to him or the unthinkable thought ran through her head that perhaps he abandoned her.
And he would always arrive just before she would give up hope. He would come in as he was just out for a stroll, his signature Glasgow smile in place. Before she would go over and scold him he would wave his prize in the air and her stomach would growl in response.
"I hate it when he does this, he knows how I hate to be alone" she walked towards the fireplace to keep warm, she wondered how long would it be this time.
What she didn't realize was that she had another nightmare that only came when she had not eaten for several days, she would scream and struggle, clawing at an invisible assailant in the middle of the night. When Gin would wake up and subdue her she would cry in her sleep as he rocked her and told her she is safe. It puzzled him when in the morning she would have no memory of ever having the nightmare, Gin thought it was perhaps when those three shinigami that hurt her those years ago but Rangiku had told him before she had no recollection when that had happened.
A clue came in when in one of her nightmares she would call out for her mother and father while begging to stopped being attacked. Rangiku had no parents that he knew and later it came to him that it was a suppressed memory of when she had lived in the human world. He decided it was better not to tell her for he felt it was a dangerous realm they would cross if they try to delved too deep.
As Rangiku shivered and put more wood to keep warm a gust of cold wind blew in as a ghost covered in white came in to the shack. She recognized it as soon as the fire caught a glint of his silver hair, he shook all the snow off his thin frame and ran towards the fire throwing a bag near them. As he sat down in front of her he took off his sandals and Rangiku saw he his toes were blue and painfully curved inward, the first stages of frostbite.
"Are you crazy, why you go out there in the middle of a blizzard! Just look at you your feet, they're chilled to the bone" Rangiku leaped up in shock.
"You had another one last night...I had to get something for you till the storm dies down and we can go back to the market" he chattered through his teeth.
"I'm just afraid you'll get sick...please don't do that again" she went over and tossed more wood to stoke the fire.
"Aren't you gonna open the bag?" he turned his head to show her the bag.
She grabbed it and peeked inside and immediately jumped up in amazement. Dried persimmons slightly frozen by the dozen lay inside, she reached in and took a bite but found it too hard.
"Ya should let them thaw first" he added.
"Where did you get them?" she went to sit by his side and place the bag close to the fire to speed up the process.
"I saved them a couple months back when it started to get cold, I buried them and the ground preserved them" his teeth stopped chattering and he began to uncurl his toes.
"Why do you think I have them?" she took Gin's hands and rubbed them between hers, she always thought it was strange that they were so like thin branches but they had considerable strength when needed and unbelievably delicate as well.
"Maybe it's your past life, your trying to remember whatever bits and pieces you had left"
"Do you remember yours?" she looked up at him questioningly, light eyes hoping for an answer.
"No..." Gin said quickly closing his eyes as he grabbed a persimmon and began to eat it.
"Hmm I guess that happens with everybody who comes into Rukongai" she came into conclusion before reaching into the bag.
He hated lying to her even thought they flowed so smoothly when he told them. He suffered from the nightmares long ago, so far back that he doesn't remember them even occurring anymore. The feeling has since then dulled themselves and he began to lose memory of the fond voice that has lulled him when he was still living. Since he has met Rangiku, he no longer looked back at that time, he focused on the present and possible future but then her nightmares started, and it slowly crept up from the recess of his mind. He sighed and began to unconsciously touch his face as he tried to remember the feel of her skin.
"Hey there's that blind kid, don't he look creepy? Let's go see what he's doing" A tall child that was walking along with a friend spotted a small boy that he has heard the locals mention about.
"I don't wanna, my mother said he's possessed by some demon that eats other peoples souls if they come too close" the latter said grabbing the sleeve of his friend's robe to pull him away.
"I wanna see if he's really blind, bet you he won't eat my soul" the taller boy yanked his sleeve free and went to grab a couple of pebbles to throw.
The small boy was crouching in front of a recently deceased cat, he stroked it's fur and soon felt it's spirit come towards him and heard it meow to which he meowed back. The cat went forward and the the boy extended a small frail hand to it which the cat began to sniff curiously then nuzzled his hand and went closer to him. He gave the cat a wide grin and reveled at the sensation, he knew it was a spirit but it felt as if the cat was real and alive still. The world of the unknown was all he could 'see' everything else was just sound and touch.
"Look he's laughing to himself and touching a dead cat, he really does seem possessed" he went on to throw the first rock and missed, it caught the attention of the boy and he stood up from the cat, he sensed him getting ready to throw the next rock.
"Why you still smiling you freak? I bet you won't see this one coming, I'll make sure I won't miss" as soon as he threw the rock he didn't notice how quick the boy ran to him and palmed his face to the ground in one swift motion leaving the taller boy stunned on the ground.
He looked up to see that he had ice blue eyes that seemed to penetrate into his core, pale skin that went along with his surreal grey hair. He truly had a menacing aura that seemed like he was being constricted by snakes.
"Your really ugly you know that" the small boy above him hissed as he was feeling his attacker's face through his fingers, the older boy couldn't believe how strong he was for he was struggling to get out of his grip.
His younger friend came rushing in to help the older boy, running towards them with a thin branch in his hand he began to swinging. The small boy got up and easily dodges him, he skipped back counting his steps as he does so and addresses to them that they should leave.
"I'm telling what you did to me! I'll make sure they'll burn your house down" he staggered up obviously angered and frightened.
"I told you we shouldn't have been near him, he doesn't seem blind" the younger boy grabbed his friend away from the demon child.
The small boy turned their back on them as he turned his attention on to the cat. It meowed and he waved goodbye as he went down a dark path towards the outskirts of town, counting steps along the way. He was blind since the day he was born but he had the ability to 'see' things others could not, they sometimes came in the figures of white which were souls of the dead. Along with the white figures often came people that he said men covered in red strings and had a strong peaceful presence, then mysteriously the white figures would vanish then they would as well. But there was one presence that horrified him the most, the reason why everyone called him a demon child.
Hollows.
He hated them when they came, it made him sick whenever he sensed one. They were large creatures covered in black, powerful beasts that often attacked both the living and the dead. The villagers told him ever since he was born they came to claim more lives and to terrorize more people. What he didn't know was that they were in search of him for his strong spiritual power, the villagers assumed it was because he was cursed and out casted both him and his mother to the outskirts of town.
He knew he neared his house for the scent of anise seeds boiling permeated their home. His mother believed it kept evil away, so she forever boiled or roasted them,
"Mama I walked 256 steps today" he announced proudly as he walked into their quaint home, he sensed his mother was lying down on their cot and walked over.
"Mama, ya still sleeping? Wake up it's already the middle of the day" he rubbed her back to wake her and soon he felt her soft hand on his face, no matter how hard she worked the fields the softness of her skin remained.
"I'm sorry, I was just taking a small nap and got carried away child, how far did you say you walked?" her voice was always full of love, she never blamed him for any of their misfortunes.
"256 steps, and I even got a cat to purr...he was dead though" he never felt judged or reproached for seeing spirits when he told her, for she had somewhat of the same ability.
"I told you not to go to far into town Gin, the villagers don't like it when they see you, they're enough trouble as is child" she got up and went to prepare their meal at their fireplace.
"One tried to throw a rock at me but, it's okay he knows not to do that again" he smiled and followed her to the fireplace.
"You know the summer is dying down a bit, you know what that means right?" he jumped up to her hoping to hear the right answer.
"Your birthday, Gin" she turned and cupped his chin with her hand, she loved how infectious his joy could be.
"Yup this year I'll be eight!" he went forward and hugged his mother rubbing his face to her clothing, inhaling her scent.
Never letting go
As Rangiku went over to lie down on their futon she saw Gin keeping the fire burning so they could sleep warmly through the night. He turned and crawled over to her laying by her side and she quickly wrapped her arms around him as to keep him bound to her, poor girl hated to feel alone. She rested her head on his shoulder and breathed softly, his hands traveling up to rest on top of hers.
"I guess there was no need to light the fire, your more than warm enough as is" he teased her as he felt her hot skin touch his.
"Do I scare you when I scream at night?" she whispered quietly, he turned his face to see her baby blues glow against the fire, she was sleepy but wanted to keep them open on him.
"No, I just hate seeing you suffer...I don't want to watch you cry" he told her truthfully "I feel like I gotta do something so you won't have them anymore so I brought out them persimmons"
"Thanks Gin, I'm glad your here..." she paused to gently cough a couple times.
"Oh I think it's this cold air it's making my throat all dry and scratchy" she went back to embrace him. Gin slowly closed his eyes and nudged himself closer to her, she was soft and warm it was soothing to have each other for warmth against the blistering cold.
As their breathing became shallow and slow the fire around them began to die down as well. Gin already on floating on the river of dreams began to make it's runway with his memories.
"Mama are ya feeling alright? C'mon we gotta collect the fruits this season" he woke up in her arms, he noticed that they had overslept and it wasn't like his mother to sleep so much lately.
His fingers went up and slowly traced the outlines of her face, he always doing so whenever they were alone. They went to her eyes and down her nose, her full lips were parted slightly and her warm breath tickled his tips, he could tell she was beautiful for he barely sensed any lines under her eyes or wrinkles by her mouth. He guessed that she was young, for her voice was not heavy like older women and her hair was long and silky. Gin asked one day if she had hair like his and she said, replied to him that he was special and it didn't matter to her if her hair and eyes were dark, for she loved his silver hair, and ever blue eyes.
"Mama, wake up…we gotta go already" he brushed her cheek softly but she still didn't respond. He began to wiggle under her grip, shaking her along.
"Huh, oh my Gin…I'm sorry I didn't know, I just feel so tired and my bones are aching" she groaned as she got up. Gin went by and put on his sandals, he walked in their hut and changed his robe.
"Mama, have you lost weight I can feel your bones when I hug ya" he reached out for her wrist and she pulled him closer.
"I don't know child, I just get too tired to eat sometimes, it aint nothin' to worry about" she led him out their home and along the pathway to the village.
They picked out barley and oats for the lord of the land who unlike most people had no ill feelings towards the mother and child. He was surprisingly caring and took special interest in them, it was because of him that they had a home outside of town. Gin wondered why someone so powerful would be kind to them but his mother often told him it's because he was generous and pitied them, nothing more.
"Its cold Mama, you don't feel it?" he had taken his thin coat and questioned why his mother went along as if it was still summer.
"No, I actually feel nothing at all. Let's hurry it up Gin we have much to do" she sped up along the path passing the town and over to the vast fields that only Gin felt but never saw.
It wasn't even past midday when he heard his mother collapse by his side and didn't wake up, warm sticky fluid flowed out her mouth alarming him. He screamed for her to wake but she didn't move, the manager of the fields came to tell the lord what had happen and he ordered them to be taken into the mansion for rest. Gin stood by his mother's side waiting and feeling the outlines of her face.
The snow had finally stopped and an eerie silence flowed throughout their shack. Gin felt clammy hot flesh that tremored near his leg and he turned over to find Rangiku shivering violently beside him. He put his hands to her face and they scalded his hands, she was unbelievably hot, he thought she might combust any second. He turned her to her back and her eyes opened to his horror her soft blues have become dull grays and surrounded by a piercing redness that consumed her whole eyes.
"Gin, it's so cold…I feel so weak" she chattered through her teeth.
"Rangiku, its going to be fine we had colds before remember? Ya just going to get through this one too" he felt something deep down that this wasn't going to go like a regular flu, it was much more serious than that. She then rolled over and began to retch violently, all the persimmons she had consumed before lay close to her intact, but there was blood coating them.
"I don't know, its so hard to breathe…I feel as if my throat wants to close in on itself" She tried to take a gasp of air but her lungs began to cough hard and it sounded if it was filled with fluid.
"Just lay down, I'll go get ya something just stay put" he got up and quickly put on his cloak, he turned back to see her close her eyes slowly as she wrapped herself tightly in blankets.
He ran out of their home and knew he had to head to the market and find something for her, his heart began to race as he thought of a million things that might happen. A dreadful feeling was creeping up on him as if it was déjà vu all over again. He ran through the snow and for the first time in years he started to feel fear, the fear of losing someone beloved.
Gin knew that children who had spiritual energy had a high mortality rate, from many factors. He was lucky enough to survive all of them, but he had forgotten how vulnerable Rangiku could be especially since those shinigami left her defenseless when he had found her. He had made himself take care of her, and to see her on the verge of death was horrifying him, he would do anything to not let this one go again.
As he raced into town he noticed that people were barely going out of their homes, meaning it was still early in the morning. He looked for the medicine shop that usually was hidden from the rest. Finally finding what he was looking for he opened the carpet that led in and the heavy scent of anise filled him, in that instant he was reliving his past.
"What do you want, it's still early in the day" a frail old man stepped out to meet the boy that blended in with the snow from outside.
"I need something, I can't let her die…not again"
It was midnight when she finally stirred, her small son was sitting by her lap awoke as soon as he sensed her voice. Her hands traveled to where he had been pulling him up to her, she smiled weakly as she felt him embrace her. She felt his cheeks and they were stained with a cold wetness that only could come from his eyes, and she soothed him by telling him she feels alright.
"They told me you were sick Mama, how come you didn't say anything before" he murmured through her neck he didn't want to start sobbing again.
"My boy, my beautiful precious boy, don't worry about me, its just I feel a little down…I might need some rest for a couple of days but I will be back on my feet" she wiped the little droplets that began to form on his eyes, she thought it was strange that when he closed his eyes to try to stop his tears he looked like a fox.
"I will work double so you don't have to worry, I promise I will talk to the lord so that he can let me take your work" She put a slight finger over his mouth to shush him and said there is no need for that and that they wouldn't take him on anyway because he was blind.
"We're leaving in the morning alright Gin, we going to collect our earnings for the week and just rest at home, you don't need to do more than just stay by my side" her soft voice convinced him to her plan, he moved to lay down next to her and she patted his smooth hair that was long over his neck. She hummed a small tune and Gin felt the vibrations of her voice reverberate to his skull and in his conscious, he remained still and felt her heartbeat on his back.
It was before dawn that Gin awoke to sounds of men shouting and stomping nearby, he listened closely as to what they were trying to say. He heard the word monster, devoured, demon, and most especially child. Before he could wake his mother the door into the large room burst open and a large swarm of men entered the room, he counted their footsteps as the swarmed in he noticed that there were five men. He sensed that they were after blood and he clung to his mother desperately, their shouts apparently have alerted her for she instantly grasped her son and gasped in shock.
"There's that demon child, it's because of him we were attacked again and a demon took my wife. I want to kill him and that witch of a mother that bore him and drag both their bodies and feed it to the beast" A burly man with an axe raised it but before he could swing down Gin ran up and tackled him to the ground, he couldn't see a thing but he heard all their movements.
His mother shouted for him and another man came forward and grabbed her by her hair, she cried out causing Gin to pause from attacking the man further. The man took advantage of the distraction to punch him in his lower stomach, the boy doubled over and the heavy man got up and threw him against a supporting beam, Gin screamed out in agony as he felt his ribcage crack. His mother began to kick and claw at the man holding her back desperately trying to defend her son, her screams became louder and tears flowed for she wondered why nobody is coming to help them.
"Don't you ever try that with me, boy" He gave one swift kick to his torso and Gin rolled on his back, for the first time in a while he cursed himself for being blind. His mothers screams was alarming all his senses, he tried to get up but found it hard to even breathe.
"Kill him now, while he is on the ground" the man behind his mother shouted, she struggled with all her might but her current sickness has weakened her considerably, she has never felt so helpless.
The man took his ax from the ground and stepped up to stand in front of the battered child, he gave one hard breath as he raised both his arms and Gin looked up his head towards his mother. He heard one harsh grunt as he waited for the ax to pierce him
A sharp gasp was heard above him, and instead of pain he felt a heaving body on top of his. He felt a familiar softness on his cheek and warm fluid flooding his robes. Gins fingers reached up to feel lips that had a thin river of blood pouring, and as his fingers touched her eyes he felt her tears. A wretched cry tore from his lips as he realized his mother was the one above him. She had elbowed the man behind her in a final attempt to save her child.
"Run….my child…run as fast as…you can" she mustered all her final strength to tell him to survive.
"Shit the bitch got right in between!" The man went forward to take his ax from her and at that moment Gin's legs acted on their own even though he didn't want to leave his dying mother, he got up and bolted through them and jumped out through the wide window.
As he ran out he heard the men shouting to themselves to chase after him, his adrenaline was pumping through his whole body giving him a speed he never knew he had. He didn't know where he was going but he felt that he was outside heading to the fields, he kept pace and didn't even slow down when his feet felt the soft grass of the meadow leading to the forest. He heard dogs barking close behind and knew that those men would soon catch up to him if he didn't find somewhere to hide.
"Mama, I'm so scared I don't know where to go" he cried quietly as he slowed down when he felt twigs and pine crackling under his step. He stopped momentarily and then the smallest scent of anise reached his flaring nostrils that was rapidly inhaling air, he turned his head towards the direction and remembered that his mother always left it to burn outside. Hope emerged through him and he soon started running towards that direction.
"I see him he's not too far in the forest" A shout alerted him and he kept going farther his arms in front of him to make sure he doesn't run into a rock or a tree.
"Let the dogs go after him" His heart raced as he heard the dogs bark viciously and he sped up hoping he would reach the path towards his home before they can reach him.
He continued sprinting, jumping over roots and rocks trying desperately not to slow down. He felt a soft branch slap his cheek and soon he felt weightless. He yelled as his body fell forward and began rolling and his body felt nothing but blunt boulders smashing into him, before he reached the end he felt his world enclosed in an unfamiliar darkness that not even his thoughts could come through. It all happened so fast.
In a final moment he felt at peace, something was taking him away from this torment.
"My sister she's sick, I need help" he began panting out his sentence hoping the man would help him.
"I've never seen you before, what she got" the man eyed him suspiciously and he began to shuffle towards a cabinet that was to his right.
"A high fever, she's shaking violently feeling cold, she's burning…and wont hold down food" All came out rapidly from his mouth. He eyed the man closely as he rummaged certain containers and soon pulled out a jar that had thick yellow liquid inside.
"You got money" he looked at Gin and put the jar down by a table, wanting to here his confirmation before handing over the jar to him.
"15 kan…" it was all their savings, it killed him to part with it never know how they're going to make more but Rangiku's life was hanging by a mere thread, he couldn't bear to live knowing he let the opportunity to save her slip through his fingers
"Hmf! Half this jar alone is worth 60 kan…I wouldn't sell you a spoonful" he spat as he soon turned to put the jar back, Gins anger flared and his spiritual pressure rose up unbelievably. He grabbed an empty glass jar and smashed it, picking up a long shard he jumped behind the man and shoved the weapon by his jugular. Gin could see it pulse in fear.
"You will give me that jar, don't think I wont slash you like a pig…I will feed her your blood if it will save her life" his voice was harsh and the man felt a insane force that was making it hard to even stand. He soon felt it was too much and his eyes rolled back as he felt his life leaving him, and he dropped to the ground. Gin quickly snatched up the jar and ran out the shop not looking back at all.
The first thing that came to him was blinding light, he didn't know how to register it and he looked around, he couldn't believe that he was seeing, everything was so vibrant and green for the first time he had sight. He noticed he was on his back and as he turned he saw a young boy lying next to him with a peaceful expression painted among his features, he noticed his gleaming silver hair, and light skin but what was strange was that his eyes were a deep and penetrating blue opened staring right back at him. He looked further down and saw his back, he jumped as he saw the boy's neck twisted in a gruesome manner.
As he leapt forward he noticed a chain attached to his chest, it connected him to that boy but as he pulled further he saw that it was severed. He didn't know what was going on, he didn't know if this was a dream or if that was really him lying there on the ground. He could never see before and all was coming so fast to him, the sounds of dogs barking made him freeze and he turned his head up to see several men with their dogs over on the top.
"He…looks like the bastard jumped over the cliff, serves him right" Gin hid behind a tree hoping they wouldn't see him, he stood still as he heard them talk about the body. Was that really him, and why was there a severed chain attached to him? He got out of hiding and went by his body, the men didn't say a thing…realization soon hit him that he was dead and he was now in spirit form. His eyes widened in shock, he could not believe it. He tried to pull the chain off of his chest but found it rather difficult, it hurt to pull it
"Well at least we got him and the witch" when he heard them mention his mother his heart sank, he had to go find his mother. As he tried to get out of the ditch he turned back momentarily to look at the body he had left, his silver hair gleaming and those eyes that looked back at him, he was disgusted most of all by the smile he left behind. Gin could now see what people feared in him, he really did look like a demon child.
He left the forest wandering aimlessly around the fields, he tried to remember how to get back to the mansion but all he saw was the endless rows of oats growing alongside. The sun was beginning to set and he was tired, his chain swinging back and forth from his chest. Gin stopped and collapsed, his face hit soft dirt and he began to cry, all finally sinking in. He was dead, along with his mother, he couldn't find her and nobody came to help them. As he quietly sobbed a regal cart began to pass by he looked and saw an entourage of servants surrounding a carriage with a man inside, soon a messenger came through and handed him a letter through a small window, his voice filled with urgency. It did not surprise him that they didn't see him.
"I command that we head to my estate immediately" He boomed after a moment of reading the letter, Gin's head went up when he recognized the voice, it was the lord who owned the mansion. He took his remaining strength and climbed into the carriage and sat alongside the lord, he gasped when he noticed his long white hair and near skeletal frame. His body jolted from being sped up the path and his eyes that were in slits opened revealing sapphire orbs, Gin couldn't recognize the expression they held but it gave him a sinking feeling.
It was night by the time they reached the south side of the mansion and Gin saw a crowd of people surrounding a small guest house, he sensed a familiar presence within the home. The lord got out of his carriage as soon as it was lowered down, and commanded that the people make way Gin followed behind when they entered the man rushed to the body of a woman.
Gin did not notice the Shinigami near the corner of the room, his eyes tried to make of the scene before him, the young lord knelt by the body of his mother and turned her over he gasped when he saw the blood surrounding her. The boy slowly stepped up and crouched down near the lord he put his hands on her face and quickly retracted when he recognized its features, it was his mother. For the first time he could see how the woman who has given her life for him looked like and she was even more beautiful than he could've imagined. He looked to see the lords face contort with sadness then rage, it puzzled him as to why his own mother mattered to him so much.
"I let this happen…how I could have let this happen without me knowing" he muttered through his teeth, Gin flinched when he ran up back to the door roaring.
"I want the men who did this and I want to know who are the ones who allowed them in my estate, I want them now" Everyone flinched at his order, they have never seen him express this much anger, everyone ran in a state of disarray.
He ordered his guards to go into the village and capture the men, Gin listened as he mentioned to search for him as well. All of this was so confusing to him, he hoped it was a horrible nightmare and that any second he would wake up and everything would have been as they were before.
"You still don't get it huh, kid?" He turned to see a man in a black robe walking towards him he clutched his mothers clothes in fear, how come he could see him?
"I've been ordered to monitor this area for a while now and you were the only one that can sense what I see, unfortunately now I have been called to take you away" his voice was calm as he were having a casual conversation.
"Who are you, and what's going on why is everything like this" Gin cried out meekly.
"Well isn't it obvious, your that guy's bastard son…It seems he had a thing there between your mother and of course being a high and mighty noble he couldn't have a kid by just a lowly peasant so he just secretly pensioned her off, wiped his hands clean. Guess that backfired on his face" He began to unsheathe his sword causing Gin to crawl back afraid of what he would do next.
"Relax kid I aint going to hurt you, I'm just going to send you to where I sent your mother" at that statement Gin got up in hope of hearing about his mother.
"You saw her, where did you send her? Is it far…tell me please" he still remained cautious at the shinigami for his weapon was still drawn.
"A place called Rukongai, where all recently deceased spirits go to…unfortunately you may not find her right away" he muttered at the last sentence, not wanting to have more questions from the poor child.
Gin was about to speak when he heard the nobleman's footsteps enter once again the room, he was accompanied by several attendants and the went towards the woman's body they gently picked up her body and wrapped a white sheet over her, Gin wanted to stop them from taking his mother but the shinigami intervened saying there is nothing more he can do. The nobleman paused before leaving and turned around one last time, he opened his eyes and looked straight at Gin, a sorrowful expression painted on his sharp features.
"I'm sorry…I wish I would've apologized before" The shinigami chuckled at the comment while the boy next to him remained dumbfounded.
When they were both left alone the shinigami quickly raised the bottom of the handle towards the silver haired child, he told him he will mark him allowing him entrance towards the spirit realm. Gin nodded his head he wanted to be with his mother quickly and away from this deceitful and evil world. Before he was about to start the Konso ceremony the man said one last thing that left a great impression on him.
"You got powers kid, hone them, learn to control it and you wont be weak anymore, you'll see"
He placed the seal on his forehead and the feeling of lightness washed over him, he closed his eyes as his world was enveloped by white for the first time.
The cold bitter snow kept was sweeping by as his silver hair bounced to catch stranded snowflakes that melt slowly. His mouth producing little clouds of steam that came in rapid succession, his heart was the only sound he heard as he made his way back home. He saw his shack, alone in a land that was barren and white, he sped up hoping to make it in time. Holding the precious jar in his hands he was careful of not jostling it too much as to not shake up its contents, he was glad that he actually managed to get of hold of medicine even though its method is quite questionable.
He opened the thatch door to their home and found Rangiku lying on her side by the fire still shaking bitterly. When he neared her she rolled over to meet him, her skin was a clear vellum her eyes had dark circles around them and her lips red from her biting them raw. If he wanted to make a joke he would say she looked like a clown but in her state he wanted that look to go away.
"You're back…." She looked surprised which confused him at her tone of voice as well.
"Of course where else would I be?" he picked her up and made her sit up against the wall she groaned at the effort to stay up.
"You always leave Gin, I'm afraid you'll leave for good one day" Gin shook his head at her comment and grabbed the jar and began to open it. Rangiku's bloodshot eyes stared aimlessly at it. A horrible stench permeated as soon as he twisted its top, he was doubtful it would taste any better. He wondered if Rangiku would be able to stomach it down.
When he presented to her the jar she took it without questions, he felt pity as she weakly opened her mouth to accept it. Luckily for Rangiku she has loss her sense of smell therefore she could not even tasted the thick yellow syrup that went through slowly down her throat. She swallowed more than half of the jar and waved it away for she felt she had enough. Gin retreated it and returned its top, he sat beside her. Rangiku closed her eyes and let her breathing become shallow and slow, Gin noticing this decided it was better to keep her awake as long as possible.
"Hey Rangiku, you remember when you asked me if I remembered my past life before coming here to Rukongai?" his voice low, he almost didn't want to discuss it but he felt this maybe the only way to get her to stay alert.
"Yeah, what about it"
"I lied…" she smiled briefly when he told her.
"Yeah, I know…you're a horrible liar" she opened her eyes and turned to him, he placed her hand in his and began to tell her everything.
He told her what it felt like to be blind for eight years of his life and to suddenly wake up staring at your own body. He mentioned his mother and how he looked for her all over until he found out how vast Rukongai is and it may take him years before he might see her again, and that he wasn't the only child that had been orphaned the same way. He didn't forget to tell her about the shinigami and the nobleman who turned out to be his father, he added that he has yet to forgive him for allowing those villagers murder him and his mother. Hours seemed to have gone by as he was retelling his whole life, he had never done that before and found it difficult to relive certain moments especially his last day. It comforted him to know whenever he paused over a painful moment Rangiku would quickly squeeze his hand as to reassure him to keep on going. He would swallow the lump that had stuck itself on his throat and crossed over it. He was coming to terms with his past life and Rangiku was walking alongside him. For the first time since his mother he felt that he was no longer alone, he had someone who he cared for and the same for her. He cherished this girl who accepted him unconditionally.
"So that explains it…" Rangiku whispered she laid her head close to his shoulder, her coughing has now ceased itself.
"What" he turned back surprised to hear a different voice beside himself.
"Why when we sleep you always put your hands on my face and brush over my eyes, nose, and lips" her smile has now fully returned, he slightly blushed at the revelation but it didn't matter she didn't stop him when he did so.
"Are you feeling better?" she nodded her head, Gin raise a hand to her cheek and it wasn't as hot as before. She was going to pull through.
"Gin…"
"Yeah" he got up to put more wood on their fire.
"I'm hungry" Gin turned to face her with his wide smile.
"I think that's the first time I am happy to hear that" she giggled at his response.
Rangiku was glad that she was recovering but what had made her heart soar was how Gin confided in telling her what was his life before he found her. She wished she could remember but her memory before being rescued was fuzzy, hopefully time will allow her remember.
But sometimes the past is worth being forgotten…
Wow if you have made it this far then that makes me happy for I have kept you wanting to read the whole thing.
Next chapter will be the last of the Rukongai arc, it will be a little darker considering there will be more swearing and there will be blood…hehe no pun intended.
Oh and in celebration of Gin's final birthday( because we all know he is already six feet under although some of us are in denial) I am releasing a GINRAN smut ( don't kill me) its not a full lemon but it's a softcore fic so stay tuned.