Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge. This is slightly AU. Theme 30: Kiss.
Written in the Stars
Toushiro watched the woman enter the museum with a sigh, following as close behind her as he dared. He had been watching this particular young woman for years. He and Hinamori had discovered her by accident on mission years ago, and Hitsugaya had been sure from the moment he spotted her of her identity. Hanae Matsutani might have only been eight at the time, but almost anyone would have been able to tell that she was Rangiku Matsumoto's reincarnation.
Hitsugaya still remembered the day that they had lost Matsumoto. It had been during the Winter War. The moment was still engraved in his mind. Gin had clutched Matsumoto's body to him, her blood staining his clothes. She had not been able to survive the wounds the fraccion had inflicted on her. And when Matsumoto had finally died, Ichimaru had snapped and turned against the arrancar. He had not survived the fight. Hitsugaya doubted he had wanted to. They wouldn't have had much of a future together if they had survived anyway.
It had been a hard loss for everyone. Matsumoto's cheerful presence had affected far more shinigami than she probably realized. But finding her reincarnation had made Toushiro determined that this time around Rangiku would get a happy ending. Hanae was now twenty and a beautiful young woman in art school. She had a fairly happy life with one exception: Hanae had yet to have any romance in her life. That might be about to change. Hanae volunteered here at the museum, and while she might not have noticed one of the other volunteers watching her, Toushiro had. But then, the man was also a familiar face to Hitsugaya.
Hanae made her way through the museum with, stopping to drop off her bag and get her volunteer badge. Then she headed for the impressionist exhibit where she was working for the afternoon. It didn't take long before Hanae had a small cluster of people around her asking questions. However, an hour later things were more deserted, and a young man with silver hair made his way over to Hanae.
Toushiro watched as the two of them talked. As they chatted, their hands seemed to creep towards each other until the tips of their fingers brushed together. Hanae laughed. Hitsugaya wasn't close enough to hear what they were saying, but he could read the interest and attraction between them. The two stood in front of one of Monet's paintings, speaking softly. The redhead leaned in closer, and the silver haired man whispered in her ear. She giggled and then suddenly kissed his cheek.
Toushiro smiled. They finally had a chance at a new beginning. It really only seemed fair.