Disclaimer:
I do not own Bleach. Bleach is by Kubo Tite.
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The Last Spring:
Silver
Holding my breath
Last one I've got left 'til I see you
Deliver my heart with the pieces and parts of me left
Every last day seemed to carry the weight a life time
I can live with your ghost
If you say that's the most I'll get
Distance can't take what is hidden here safe in my chest
Sweet sun, send me the moon, empty the skies out
…
Bringing me one step closer to you
(Send me the Moon, Sara Bareilles)
Hitsugaya Toshiro arranged his robes properly as he gazed on the slow sunrise. The cool wind of the early morning kept reminding him of the day. A strange flutter kept lurching in his stomach – a mixture of pain and a sense of letting go. After all, he knew it is where she was heading.
If anything, Hitsugaya remembered it clearly that he could see it happening all over again whenever he recalls it.
It was one thing that defined the relationship of the 10th squad's captain and vice-captain. Despite their many complaints about each other, they always had each other's back. Loyalty, faith and respect – it is what Hitsugaya had always had for his vice-captain, and what he always felt Matsumoto had always had for him. An excellent example of a superior and subordinate – that was what they were. But beneath that, the unwavering understanding was born from their friendship – an unlikely friendship that allowed them to support each other.
It was why, without Hitsugaya saying anything, Matsumoto understood what Hinamori was for him. It was also why, despite all circumstances, Hitsugaya understood why Matsumoto held on Ichimaru.
He never faltered in complaining about her constant slacking from work, the same way he never faltered in trusting Matsumoto with his back.
It was why he did as she said.
"Go now Taicho." She said, speaking from behind him, facing the enemy. "I'll take on this one."
Wasn't it the same way she said she'll handle Kira when the 3rd squad vice-captain impeded their way to the Central 46? Wasn't it the same way she said she'll handle Halibel's fraccion while he'll attend to the espada?
"Are you sure?" Hitsugaya asked, as he always did whenever they get to this scene.
He heard her draw her zanpakutou. "Yes."
He poised for flight. "Be careful Matsumoto," he said then he was off.
He still heard the first clank of crossing sword before a strong glint of silver from her direction made him turn around.
It was the reflection of the sun to her zanpakutou, apparently just before she called out her shikai. For Hitsugaya saw nothing but a cloud of ash enveloping her fight.
It should have been a premonition but he was too stubborn to admit.
That's why he did his best to bring her back, summoning the 4th squad captain herself with a hell butterfly while rushing back to Seretei at the same time. That's why despite him barely knowing anything on healing, he tried his best to attend to her. That's why he insisted, even if she asked him to let her go, on getting her treated.
His grandmother used to tell him of souls tied up from the beginning, travelling universes and times together. It's called by many names, as anything legendary is. Some calls it soul mates, some destiny, others fate, serendipity, and some hitsuzen. He was a witness to her unwavering belief in him, loving him across the distance that inevitably separated them, just as how he was a witness to how he is someone else for her, how he'd change, flee as well as fight a battle for her.
It made him believe that if hitsuzen is real, Gin and Rangiku are undoubtedly caught in it.
Perhaps that's why it had to happen that day, in the night flooded by the moon's light that the lake in the edge of Soul Society was glistening in silver. The calm look at her face was another sign. And Matsumoto told him, as she gazed lovingly at the moon while Hitsugaya held her broken body, that she met him that day.
"The moon taicho." He remembered her saying, her failing voice.
"It is full moon tonight." He answered, fighting off the tears that were welling in his eyes.
"Gin…"
She meant silver, as in the silver shine of the moon, but Hitsugaya understood. So he let her go as he let his tears go. It was there his vice-captain bid him farewell.
He carefully placed the white chrysanthemum he was holding on for the entire time to the grave marker before him. It was uncharacteristic with sunrise but a wild wind blew and sent a shower of the fall's leaves. He dragged a heavy sigh as he resigned himself to thinking that he had it in him for awhile – that insistent feeling that with Gin gone, Rangiku would inevitably follow.
It made him smile despite the weight of loss in his chest. He didn't just lose a vice-captain anyway, he lost a friend. But just as Matsumoto would always have his back, it is in him to be happy that his vice-captain is now free – free to be born somewhere else with him.
And perhaps, he wished, as he prepared to leave and return to his squad barracks to formally introduce the squad's new vice-captain, they'll have a better story that next lifetime.
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A/N:
Song reference: Send Me the Moon by Sara Bareilles
I took in here the concept of hitsuzen from CLAMP.
A belated birthday fic for Rangiku Matsumoto (September 29).