Welcome back, Me! It felt weird not posting last week, thanks everyone for your patience!
Heba – I have not forgotten about your request! It's in the re-writing stage because it needs to be done better justice (also I keep crying trying to write the sads) xD give me a few more weeks!
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Fort
Rangiku knew a storm was coming. Not for the charcoal coloured clouds looming over the Seireitei ominously, not from the static in the air or smell of approaching rain.
Rangiku knew a storm was coming from the way Toshiro's mood shifted after the third seat's afternoon nap. He had started groggy, almost lazy as he returned to his paperwork, but an hour later he stopped to stare out the window for a moment. After that he became excited; the first time he had grinned in three days since the weather had been hot and sticky.
A summer storm was approaching; the only reason Toshiro tolerated summer, and the only reason Rangiku had to dislike the hot season.
Rangiku hated storms. Heavy rain was fine, unless it made her hair go frizzy, but storms were just awful. Thunder in particular was what Rangiku hated – each loud clap had her burying her face in her pillows, her bedcovers pulled all the way over her head as her body would tremble like a leaf. She hated thunder – it reminded her of one too many bad nights in the Rukongai before Gin had found her.
It felt kind of pathetic for a grown woman to still be so afraid of a little bit of lightning and the loud noise that followed, but the lieutenant hadn't grown out of it. Normally Gin would be with her on days like today – first in the Rukongai, then later in the Seireitei; he always came over and stayed to comfort her.
But now they had broken up. Now Rangiku was on her own.
She was terrified.
"I wonder if Captain will get wet coming back from his meeting?" Toshiro mused, though he didn't sound all concerned as he stood by the window, his hands and face pressed into the glass as he stared at the clouds.
He was basically bouncing on his toes.
Hyorinmaru's wielder would love storms, Rangiku supposed, since his first power was to conjure one.
Rangiku swallowed, her knuckles white around the tea cup in her hands. It was a miracle the china hadn't shattered in her tight grip yet.
"Hopefully not," Rangiku murmured quietly.
Right now she was torn – between going home to suffer alone and without worrying about how pathetic she looked fearing a relatively common weather event, or whether she should stay in the office with Toshiro and Isshin (when he returned) so at least she had the company, even though she would be thoroughly embarrassed.
"Do you think he will let me train out in the storm?" the boy asked then, before he must have caught sight of a flash of lightning and made an excited gasp.
Rangiku closed her eyes and counted the seconds.
One, two, three, four, five, six- distant rumble.
The lieutenant's eyes fluttered back open.
Six seconds. Divide by three.
Two kilometres. That's how far away the storm was.
It wasn't far enough.
Even Toshiro's lizard, Tobio, knew what was to come as Rangiku spied the reptile in the tank at the end of the office quickly disappear into one of its' hides for the night.
"I don't think he will," Rangiku answered Toshiro's initial question as she tried to take a breath. "Captain doesn't like you training in the rain."
Isshin surely couldn't like him training out in the lightning either, especially with a metal sword.
Toshiro pouted before peeling himself away from the window. He all but skipped over to the couch where Rangiku was sitting and jumped up onto the cushion beside her.
"What if I stayed undercover?" he asked, those big teal eyes full of life and playfulness now, beaming in excitement. "I could train in the quad!"
There was another rumble of thunder, one that was slightly louder and Rangiku's muscles tensed. She closed her eyes again and tried to shrug.
"You'll have to ask the captain when he comes back," she managed, her throat tightening.
There was a moment of silence. Well, silence from Toshiro – outside it started to rain. The drops were gentle at first on the roof of the office but after a moment they grew heavier. Rangiku swallowed; it was almost getting too late to make the dash to her quarters but she still hadn't decided what to do.
"Lieutenant…" Toshiro's voice was softer now, unsure of himself. "Are- are you okay?"
Rangiku nodded stiffly, but then another rumble of thunder, that was louder again and much closer to a clap, sounded overhead and Rangiku flinched, tensing again. In her hand, the tea cup finally gave way, cracking and breaking in her unforgiving grip.
"Lieutenant!" Toshiro gasped and Rangiku opened her eyes when she felt the boy's little hands over hers.
She didn't know what to say as the young third seat shook the broken pieces of tea cup from her hands and turned over her palms, revealing a myriad small cuts that's were beginning to bleed. He didn't hesitate in starting healing kido, the muted green light glowing around his hands as they warmed Rangiku's and took away the sting.
"What's the matter?" he asked her, and when Rangiku looked up at him, shock and worry was etched all over his innocent face, his earlier excitement forgotten.
"It's nothing," Rangiku answered, her voice just louder than the bucketing rain above them. Toshiro's expression was disbelieving.
"Is it about… you know?" he asked cautiously, and Rangiku knew he meant Gin.
"No," Rangiku shook her head and tried to smile at the boy. "It's silly, it doesn't matter."
Imagine telling a little boy a grown woman was scared of a bit of thunder?
"If it matters to you, it matters," Toshiro informed her matter-of-factly, causing Rangiku to chuckle involuntarily.
That was a new phrase the boy had picked up, and Rangiku sensed Mari was to blame, even if it had come through Isshin.
The lieutenant sighed as Toshiro's hands stopped healing her and they drew back into his lap. Her hands were perfectly healed and Rangiku reached down to collect the broken sections of the tea cup from the floor. Thankfully it had been empty so there was no spilt tea but she would need to run a broom over it so none of them stepped on any hidden shards later.
"I just don't like storms very much," Rangiku admitted softly, feeling Toshiro's eyes boring into her still.
"You don't like storms?" Toshiro asked, voice surprised and when she looked over at him, his jaw was dropped, like he couldn't comprehend that.
Rangiku got up and collected the broom and dustpan from the kitchen, returning to sweep up the rest of the tea cup from the floor.
"It just reminds me of my Rukongai days," the lieutenant sighed. "Before Gin. I always slept under trees and one time during a storm, a tree near mine was struck. It was so loud, I almost jumped out of my skin and my ears ached for weeks after. That tree collapsed on mine and nearly killed me… again."
She had chuckled at the last bit, trying to make a joke of it, but the whole ordeal had been terrifying. She had run and run, through multiple districts while ignoring the cat calls she got even then, until she had collapsed from hunger and that was when Gin had found her.
Toshiro seemed to mull over the words silently, which Rangiku was almost grateful for except she could hear the rain getting louder as the storm moved over the Seireitei and closer to the Squad Ten barracks.
She didn't know if Toshiro understood her fear or not. He had lived on the streets of the Rukongai too, and no doubt experienced a storm or two during his time there, but now his powers were heavily connected to the weather that he couldn't afford to be afraid of it. Toshiro was a storm.
"Do you want me to make it go away?" the boy asked seriously then. "I can do it."
He seemed uncertain, but Rangiku suspected that was more to do with what Isshin would say about him using his powers like that, and not about his ability to actually do it.
"No," Rangiku answered quickly and firmly. "You can't abuse your powers like that, even for me."
"I don't want you to be scared," Toshiro murmured sadly.
Rangiku sighed and shook her head.
"Don't worry about me," she tried to assure him.
Of course that was the moment that lightning decided to flash brightly through the windows and a second later (too soon for Rangiku to prepare), a clap of thunder tore through the small office so loud and abrupt, it caused Rangiku to drop her broom and cover her ears, a whimper leaving her lips as her eyes clenched shut. The office almost seemed to shake under the storm, or maybe it was her who was shaking.
A moment later she felt thin arms come around her waist and she realised Toshiro was trying to give her a hug. He wasn't usually one for obvious physical affection, but Rangiku had seen him opening up to it more and more as he grew comfortable with her and Isshin over the years, and he always made exceptions to cheer someone up.
"It's okay, Lieutenant," he told her, though his voice was muffled as she still had her ears covered, and his arms squeezed her gently. "You're safe with me."
Rangiku choked on a chuckle. This boy was a little Isshin in the making and she didn't deserve him.
Exhaling shakily and pulling her hands away from her ears, Rangiku returned the boy's hug and cracked an eye open to look down at the kid. The boy had turned his head, resting his cheek against her stomach as his arms tightened as much as they could around her.
Rangiku relaxed for a moment, but tensed just as quickly as the lights around the office flickered in uncertainty. Great, now the power was probably going to go out. What was worse than enduring a storm? Enduring it in the dark.
Toshiro pulled back from her suddenly.
"I have an idea!" he announced and that earlier excitement was flooding back into his eyes. "Give me five minutes."
Before Rangiku could even answer, he was leading her back into the kitchen.
"You make the hot chocolates," he ordered her, his tone leaving no room for disagreement as he suddenly decided to outrank her. "You make them best. Better make one for Captain too, I think he will be home soon."
Rangiku went to argue, or at least ask for an explanation, but the boy was running off.
Sighing, the lieutenant turned back to the kitchen. She caught a glance of herself in the reflection of the window, and her face was completely pale – easily whiter than Toshiro's hair. She tried to calm herself as she began making the hot chocolates. Yes she did make the best ones, even though she had to remember to put less salt in Toshiro and Isshin's cups as they didn't have her strong tastebuds.
Focusing, Rangiku made the hot drinks and thankfully no super loud thunder hit in those few minutes. Just as she was finishing up, Toshiro returned and he was once again bouncing on the balls of his feet. He had changed into his sleeping yukata and he held out one for her.
"Get changed," he handed her the garment. "I'll take these."
Again, before Rangiku could even ask what he was up to, the boy had snatched up the steaming mugs and hurried off with them, only slowing when she called back for him not to run with hot liquid. She was going to tell him off for carrying three at a time but she supposed they were safer with him than they were with her right now. The shattered tea cup from earlier was proof of that.
Changing quickly into her fluffy pink sleeping yukata (she'd done away with the standard black uniform ones years ago), Rangiku flinched as another loud clap of thunder had the lights flickering again. Toshiro was back in an instant, his eyes covered in case he walked in on her changing.
"Are you ready?" he asked, hand out for her to take.
Rangiku would have been swooning at how cute he was being but her throat felt too tight, her voice not to be trusted. Instead she simply reached out and took his hand.
Toshiro's other hand fell away from his eyes to look up at her. He beamed in excitement before he turned and led her back out into the main office area.
Rangiku gasped slightly at the sight before she began to chuckle.
Toshiro had built a blanket fort. From the outside, he appeared to have hung some sheets over the two couches that sat opposite each other, and had used his and Isshin's desk chairs to prop the sheet up higher on each side.
"Come on," the boy said with giddiness and he pulled the lieutenant inside the fort.
Inside was possibly even more impressive.
Toshiro had taken the couch cushions off and placed them on the floor in the middle to make a padded floor. He also appeared to have dragged his own mattress in from his bunk in the dorms. He had brought in pillows to lean against the base of the couches as back rests and brought in plenty of blankets. The coffee table that normally sat between the two couches was turned and pushed to the side, becoming the side table with their hot chocolates on them. He had found some of the good biscuits that Isshin had hidden away so Rangiku wouldn't eat them all and put them on a plate.
Best of all, he had found some old white Christmas lights, and had them stung up along the blanket ceiling. It looked magical, and it felt like a sanctuary.
"We will be safe from the storm in here," Toshiro told her. "I brought torches if the power goes out and some games to play."
Rangiku couldn't help but grin as she crawled further into the fort and made herself comfortable.
"This is a really good idea, Toshiro," she told the boy.
It was. Rangiku didn't know why sitting under a blanket on a cushion felt safer than sitting on the couch without a blanket roof, but somehow it did.
Toshiro tucked a blanket around her before he settled close to her, so close that he was practically curled into her side as she handed him a hot chocolate.
They started playing a card game first so they could use their free hands to drink. Lightning could still be seen casting quick flashes of light over their sheet walls and instantly the thunder would hit. Toshiro would grab her hand as she tried to bite back the whimper, before they continued on like they hadn't heard a thing.
After a while, they heard the office door slide open, and a moment later, Isshin's voice.
"What is going on here?" the captain laughed.
Toshiro grinned at Rangiku before he crawled away, sticking his head out of the fort.
"Blanket fort pyjama party, Captain!" the boy answered happily. "We made you a hot chocolate!"
Isshin's voice had a grin to it as it often did when he saw Toshiro acting like the kid he actually was.
"Give me a minute to change then," he chuckled.
Toshiro hummed and returned inside the blanket, immediately settling back into Rangiku's side. Their cards lay abandoned for a moment as he cuddled close to her, his arm thrown over her waist. Though she was still very much aware of the storm gaining intensity overhead, Rangiku felt calmer now. Toshiro had that effect on her, she wasn't sure why. Ever since her break up with Gin, he had been at her side most moments of the day, always wanting to spend time with her. She supposed he was trying to cheer her up, or to fill the hole in her heart.
Whatever the case, Rangiku was utterly grateful for his presence.
It wasn't the same as having Gin, but it was different kind of good. A different kind of love, one that was pure and beautiful, and was never going to turn on her. This was family love, and Rangiku found that much more reliable.
"Are you feeling better?" Toshiro asked softly as two teal eyes peaked up at her.
Rangiku hummed, and let her free hand fall into Toshiro's hair, stroking it softly.
"Storms might not be so bad with you by my side," she squeezed the boy gently, "especially if we can build blanket forts again."
Toshiro hummed and closed his eyes, sinking down to lay his head in her lap.
"This is my new favourite way to pass a storm," Toshiro murmured against her.
"You don't want to be out there training?" Rangiku teased.
"No," the boy sighed. "I want to be in here with you."
Rangiku had to purse her lips to hold back a flood of emotion that was threatening her. This kid was the purest Soul she had ever met. Isshin had been afraid he would lose his heart in becoming a Soul Reaper but it seemed they didn't have to worry about that. Not even the ice in his soul could freeze his warm heart.
The lieutenant leaned over and pressed a chaste kiss into the boy's hair, passing her thanks and gratitude to him.
Isshin's entrance to the office went unheard with the even heavier rain this time, but they felt his Spiritual Pressure approach and a moment later, he was crawling into the fort, looking far too big for it.
Rangiku giggled when the captain managed to sit beside them, his head almost touching the blanket roof, his limbs folding awkwardly under him as he tried to fit and get comfortable.
"I see you've found the chocolate biscuits," Isshin sighed once he was settled, glancing at the plate and narrowing his eyes.
Rangiku snatched one up quickly in case he was going to take them away, while Toshiro grinned cheekily.
"I've always known where you've hidden them, Captain," he smirked, pulling himself back into a sitting position.
The captain sighed again, this time in resignation.
"I suppose it's biscuits for dinner tonight then?" Isshin sent Toshiro a disapproving look as the boy grinned and nodded, reaching for a biscuit too and the rest of his hot chocolate.
The captain's expression was grim but he didn't argue, reaching for the last hot chocolate and sipping on it. He didn't ask why they had built a fort in the middle of the office, but Rangiku suspected he knew when another clap of thunder – the loudest one by far – had Rangiku gasping and covering her ears again. She felt a strong, burly arm that could only belong to her captain come around her shoulders and pull her into his side. He said nothing, continuing to talk to Toshiro about his meeting today with the Head Captain, but the gesture spoke a thousand words.
The power eventually cut off in the middle of a game of 'Go Fish' but luckily Toshiro's torches did the trick as they finished off their game. Rangiku was so distracted by it all, she found herself no longer being scared – she was too busy yelling at Isshin to give up his Eights.
Toshiro finished his hot chocolate and another few biscuits before he wrapped himself in a blanket of his own and squeezed himself between them with a book.
Isshin read to them quietly, but they heard him over the rain. Toshiro fell asleep quickly to the sound of his captain's voice, his hand entwined with Rangiku's and playing loosely with her fingers until he drifted off. Rangiku's own eyes felt heavy as she snuggled closer to him and her captain; she felt safe, warm and, even as thunder clapped again, calm. She knew everything was going to be okay, and that this storm would pass soon too, because she had her two favourite men beside her and they would do anything to look after her.
…
Rangiku woke early, after yet another terrible dream about Gin.
She opened her eyes blearily and lifted her head just enough to see her surroundings.
They were still in the blanket fort, all three of them. Isshin must have shifted them slightly last night so they were all lying down across the cushions instead of sitting against the couches. It was a tight but it didn't matter because they were all snuggled close anyway.
Isshin laid on his side, his arm stretched out under both Toshiro and Rangiku's heads. His lips were slightly parted and his snores soft and soothing. Toshio was squeezed between them but he slept on peacefully, his blanket kicked off in the heat. Rangiku grinned and reached for the blanket, pulling it back up to his waist so he wouldn't grow cold with the early morning chill.
The lieutenant settled back down, head on Isshin's arm and her own arm thrown casually over Toshiro beside her.
Overhead, the rain was softer but constant, and no thunder could be heard.
She closed her eyes and went back to sleep, the dream of Gin forgotten easily, and the storm long passed.
…
Please drop a review if you're still following this story, I really appreciate them :)
Next week we're all going camping! Pack light xoxo