Chapter 12: Gotta tell the truth to someone. Right?
When the group had reached Orihime's apartment again Rangiku announced she would be making dinner. Orihime thanked her and smiled as the boys took notice of her gaming systems.
"They're all already hooked up, play as much as you want, I have plenty of games."
Moving to a cabinet she opened the door revealing rows of games for Playstation 4 and Xbox one including Call of Duty: Black Ops, Doom, Dead Rising and Force Unleashed One and Two. After getting them settled in with a game she headed back to the kitchen to help Rangiku. As she approached her friend she could see her shoulders shaking as though she were crying. Moving around to see her face she noticed a piece of paper in the shinigami's hands and upon reading the top line sighed, "Rangiku, it's not as bad as it sounds. See I am standing here. It's okay."
To her credit Rangiku is able to keep enough of a reign on her emotions that they don't spill out into her reiatsu alerting the boys to her distress but her sorrowed filled eyes met those of her sweet friend and she couldn't keep the pain from her voice, "It's not ok Orihime. You're dying! I mean, it's says they tried everything! What happened?"
Taking a deep breath Orihime explained in low tones, "It's call Congenital Heart Disease. Usually it's spotted close after birth but because my parent's didn't give a shit and my brother couldn't afford to take me to the doctor it wasn't found. I'm a rare case to have survived as long as I have without treatment prior to this." Running a hand through her hair she continued, "They did the best they could with surgery and whatever the doctor couldn't fix I did what I could with my powers. I know everyone always thought I was weak but I have a strong will Rangiku and I've lived five years longer than I was projected to. So for now, until my heart gives out, I live each day the best I can while popping a cabinet full of medication."
Turning her head to look at the boys she implored, "Please don't tell Hisagi-san or Izuru-kun. I don't want them to walk on egg shells. For some reason when friends they care about, especially a woman, are sick men start to walk on egg shells." She chuckled lightly turning her face back to Rangiku, "When I told Mr. Shizuki he almost had a heart attack; said he wanted me to move in with him so he could take care of me. Ha! I told him no, he's a sweet man but doesn't mean I want to live with him."
Suddenly overtaken with anger at her friend's flippant attitude regarding her own life Rangiku hissed out, "How can you be so calm Orihime? You're dying and yet here you are laughing and smiling like it's nothing."
Placing hands on the taller women's shoulders she smiled wider, "That's because it is nothing Ran-chan! Death isn't scary for me anymore because I know where I'm going. I'll be in your lives again and even though I may not remember you when I first get there that's ok too. It just means I'll find a way to be your friends again. Who knows? Maybe I'll even become a shinigami!"
Rangiku glared, "I don't doubt you'll become a soul reaper but it will be so hard for all of us for you to not remember us. Especially Izuru, it will break his heart."
"I highly doubt that Rangiku. He's still pining after Momo, what difference will it make to him if I remember him or not? He'll probably be relieved that he doesn't have to deal with me anymore."
Forgoing further argument due to the boys entering the kitchen Rangiku put false cheerfulness in her voice as she announced dinner was ready and asked them to help Orihime set the table. The task completed the four took their seats around it and began to eat. Orihime smiled as she enjoyed her food, "Thank you for cooking Ran-chan, it was really nice of you."
Rangiku waved her hand in a gesture of dismissal, "It was nothing Hime-chan, but tomorrow the boys will be cooking." As Orihime took another bite of food she failed to see Izuru watching her out of the corner of his eye before he agreed it would be no problem to make dinner the following night. Hisagi hadn't said anything other than a muffled, "Food's great Ran," so busy was he stuffing it into his face earning a giggle from his girlfriend, a shake of the head from Izuru and a soft smile from Orihime.
Looking around the table Orihime asked, "So how is everyone in Soul Society?"
Laughing Rangiku clapped her hands, "Oh yes, I need to fill you in on all the gossip. Let's see," she trailed off tapping her finger against her chin before her eyes brightened, "Rukia and Renji got married, not sure if you heard about that yet or not. Kommura resigned from captaincy of the 7th division. Captian Hirako, Captain Rose, and Captain Mugaruma all hang out with Head Captain Kyoraku to keep him for losing it. That brought about the shocking revelation that Nanao has the hots for Shinji though how that could possibly be I have no clue. He's so weird!"
Orihime laughed softly, "Aww Shinji-kun isn't that bad, though he is a bit high strung. I remember when he came to our school to try to convince Kurosaki-kun to join the visards. He kept teasing and flirting with me, calling me his first love. I know he was just teasing but it was still sweet, especially since no other guys really asked me out." Her eyes softened as she cooed, "Poor Shunsui-kun, I bet he misses Captain Ukitake a lot. They were best friends. Like brothers. But I am sure he keeps busy trying to keep Nanao-chan from being near Shinji huh?"
Rangiku nodded.
"Do you know why Kommura resigned?" They all shook their heads.
"I did know about Renji and Rukia, but I was busy, and I couldn't be there but they visited me shortly afterwards and I gave them their present. It was good to see them so happy together. Anything else happening?"
Rangiku laughed, "Want more? Well, I think Soi-Fon might be dating someone but I don't know who yet. The rumor mill is that she is dating Byakuya, but I can't say for sure."
Izuru leaned to Orihime and whispered in mock secrecy, "She means she sent Yachiru out to find out the truth, but that girl gets so distracted that it never turns out well."
Orihime laughed, "Oh I know, but if Soi-Fon is dating Byakuya she better sleep with one eye open. Yachiru loves Byakuya, says he is a perfect man because he's silent and gives her sweets. If she finds out that Soi-Fon is with him, well, brace for hell that is on a whole other level than a war."
The though makes the three shinigamis shudder.
The rest of the night was made up of laughs and stories of the past ten years and by the time they were done with food and remembrances everyone was exhausted taking to their beds.
