Don't own Bleach

Groggy was the best word to describe how Rangiku felt as she felt her eyelids pull open. The blinding light forced her to instantly shut them again. Carefully, Rangiku opened her eyes and slowly adjusted to the lights. She sat up and looked around, she was still outside. The sun had risen in the Seireitei and Rangiku was on a light blue web. Kido? But how did I get here? Her memory was hazy. she continued to survey her surroundings and saw the large pond to her right. 13th District? What about my Captain? Did I abandon my post?

Rolling herself the edge of the web, Rangiku slung her legs of the side and dropped to the floor. She wandered down the streets of the District and found remnants of the buildings that were there before, all piles of rubble. I wonder if Daichi is okay she tried her hardest to remember anything about how she got there and what happened but all she can remember is seeing her Captain fall. Is he okay? How many people died? Dark thoughts infiltrated her mind, the images of Captain Hitsugaya, Daichi and all her friends, dead and broken all across the Seireitei.

Rangiku rounded the corner, trying her hardest to ignore the smear of blood leading the round the same corner. Here, she found the bodies of several Shinigami she didn't know nor recognize. Their bodies were contorted in ways she thought impossible and she had been in many positions, their lifeless eyes stared back at her. To her, they seemed almost accusatory as she was at fault for their deaths.

Continuing down the path, blocking out the images of the dead, Rangiku heard voices, "I can't believe he died. He was always there and now he's not." She heard a familiar voice say. Rangiku could barely hear it her own thoughts. Rangiku picked up her pace the best she could and rounded another corner and found the woman she had heard.

It was Kiyone, she was sat slumped against a fallen building clutching her side. Rangiku could see the blood trickle between her slender fingers. Who is she talking about? Daichi? It can't be Daichi, I would have felt it. Rangiku approached Kiyone, "Are you okay, Kiyone?" she asked as much of a smile as she could to reassure the smaller woman.

All Kiyone did was shake her head, "He's gone, he helped me all the time and I can't remember ever thanking him for it and now it's too late and he'll never know how I felt." It all came out in a rush.

Rangiku struggled to understand her but thought she got the gist of the conversation. It made her worry more, the images of Daichi's broken and bloody body being beaten by a Giant invaded her mind, "I'm sorry, I'm sure your Lieutenant knew you were thankful." She tried to keep her voice from shaking.

Kiyone suddenly looked up, "Lieutenant Senshi as well?" She asked before tears streamed down her face. Squad 13 was a close knit family and the loss of a member would affect them all but to lose another Lieutenant would put a lot of strain on not only Captain Ukitake but all of them.

Startled by the tears, Rangiku reacted instinctively, "Oh sweetie, no. I thought you were on about your Lieutenant. I'm sure he's fine." She kept up her smiling façade, "Who were you talking about if it's not Daichi." She kept the sigh of relief contained.

Her bottom lip was still trembling when Kiyone responded, "Sentaro, he... he's dead. It...it..." she couldn't continue as she started crying again.

She was sympathetic toward Kiyone. Rangiku didn't know how she would react if her Captain or Daichi had died, the thought alone brought her chills, "I'm sorry, Kiyone." Rangiku eyed her wound and gently lifted the smaller woman to her feet, "Come on, let's get you some help."

Allowing Kiyone to use her as leaning post, Rangiku moved slowly through the streets with Kiyone directing her back to where everyone would be. The walk was a struggle, they had to move slow to try and prevent aggravating Kiyone's wounds. It was a miracle she was still alive, Kiyone was pale and coughing but they both knew it would take a lot more than that to take out a Shinigami.

The fallen buildings began to thin out as they came to plaza, the first thing Rangiku noticed was the large white barrier where the Sekkiseki wall used to be. There were Shinigami bodies everywhere, collected into one area. To Rangiku, it seemed that Squad 13 took heavy losses. The survivors were running around treating the survivors as best they could until the other Squads had dealt with their Districts. They headed to where the survivors were being treated. She saw many badly beaten and bleeding, some she recognized, some she didn't but the feeling of guilt and sadness surged through her.

After leaving Kiyone, Rangiku took a quick look round for Daichi. It was difficult to spot anyone specific. It was all a blur of people rushing around in all different directions. It wasn't until she looked back to the large barrier that she saw the familiar orange kimono. She moved as quick as she could, weaving in and out of the Shinigami racing around the area. The closer she got, the more she saw of him and saw the blood that adorned his kimono. As he turned around, she saw how drained he looked, his face darkened with dirt and dust.

She smiled sadly at him when she saw the look on his face. It was a look of unbridled sadness and guilt. Rangiku stood opposite him and grabbed his hand, "Hey, turn that frown upside down, Mister." She said trying to lighten the mood.

Daichi smiled a little at Rangiku, glad to see she was no worse for wear, "I'll work on that, just for you Princess." He paused for a moment and took a look around the battle ground and his Squad rushing around, he had to talk to Rangiku about the kiss before the battle, "Look, Rangiku, about before the battle..."

Knowing what he was talking about, Rangiku bit her cheek to stop the grin from splitting her face. The memory the kiss before the battle, bought warmth to her face, "What about it?" she asked teasingly.

A small smile crept on to his face, "It was amazing." he started, "I would like to do that more often."

Rangiku tilted her head to the side, "Who says that I'll let you do that?" she asked as her lips parted and she began to lean in.

In a whisper Daichi responded, "I don't know, I figured I'd take my chances." He captured her lips in a kiss. His hands finding their way into her hair, entangling his fingers into her honey coloured hair.

Her hands found themselves at the back of his neck and she raked her fingernails gently across his skin causing him to shiver slightly. Pleased with the reaction, Rangiku moved her hands to his chest and separated herself from him, "I'm glad you take your chances." she whispered as she leaned her for head against his.

Before either could do anything else, Yamauchi appeared, "Lieutenant Senshi, Squad 4 have sent a team to heal the wounded and take away the dead. We took heavy casualties. Captain Ukitake is on his way back." She went back to the injured and helped the Squad 4 team.

Daichi turned back to Rangiku, "You should get back to your Squad, I'm sure that you'll have to answer some difficult questions." He squeezed her hand gently, "I'm here if you need me, Princess.."

She smiled slightly, an uneasy forming in her gut at the thought of the questions, "Of course. You always are. Don't worry about me, I'll be fine." She saw the sceptical look on Daichi's face and chuckled, "I mean it, Mister. Don't worry, I'll be all right." With that, Rangiku nodded and kissed Daichi on the cheek and shunpoed away back to District 10.

He watched her go with a goofy grin on his face and wondered if that was what Kaien looked like when he first got together with Miyako. Daichi watched on as his subordinates rushed around helping the injured and the Squad 4 team while he waited for Captain Ukitake to return.