Dedicated to my dear friend, iz-stardust on tumblr and Ao3 – check out their works, they're an incredibly talented artist and writer, especially for Toshiro and Rangiku, pairing or friendship.
For The Seireitei Discord Server's April Writing and Art Challenge 2021, prompt: frogs in the rain.
This is intended as a friendship piece, but it may be seen as pre-romantic if you wish!
…
If We Were Rain
1.
Rangiku crept between the bunks of the seated officer dorms, careful not to wake the sleeping men. Her eyes adjusted quickly to the dark, though the light of dawn was starting to creep in between the curtains. The lieutenant moved quickly to the back of the dorm, spotting the small body sleeping on a top bunk. She made her way over to the bed and climbed the ladder halfway, leaning over to blow in Toshiro's ear.
Toshiro's tired eyes opened quick enough that Rangiku knew he hadn't truly been asleep. He didn't sleep much these days, not that he ever had. If it hadn't been for Isshin enforcing a strict nine o'clock bedtime and 'no access to the office before seven in the morning' rule, Rangiku was sure the little third seat would have stayed up perpetually, twenty-four hours a day working and training, sleeping only in minute micro-naps to keep himself functioning.
At least that's what Isshin used to do – the past tense was something Rangiku was still adjusting too, as they all were.
"This is the boys' dormitory," he murmured, though he didn't seem surprised to find her breaking the rules like this.
"And it's gross," Rangiku giggled as she reached forward to brush the hair back from his face. "Come on, today is a big day. I have something to show you."
Today was a big day. It was the day of Toshiro's promotion ceremony – to Squad Ten Captain.
Toshiro's eyes reflected nothing but tiredness as he blinked at her. He said nothing as he simply sat up and followed her down the bunk ladder.
Despite his promotion, Toshiro hadn't been able to bring himself to move into the living quarters that were now rightfully his. Baby steps, Rangiku would get him out of the dorms eventually.
She told him to meet him on the roof of their office once he was in his uniform before she ducked out of the dorms.
Five minutes later, he arrived on the roof, flash stepping silently in front of her.
"Lieutenant?"
He glanced down at the picnic rug Rangiku had set up, and the small wicker basket containing all his favourite breakfast goodies.
"I thought we could watch the sunrise together," Rangiku told him softly. "After all the rain yesterday, it should be really beautiful."
Toshiro seemed to only hesitate for a moment before he nodded and they both moved to sit on the rug and face the bright horizon. A pale orange light was bursting up from behind it, the sun waking up. It was nice to see it, after the last few days in which it had rained relentlessly.
Rangiku reached into the basket and pulled out a flask of green tea, pouring both of them a cup. Toshiro thanked her as he accepted it and held the cup in his two hands, content to let the tea warm them as his expression went thoughtful. Rangiku left him to it, put her cup to the side and fished out the various pastries she had brought, placing them on the rug between them. Lastly, she pulled out a familiar white fabric along with her sewing kit.
Toshiro eyed it for a moment as she flipped the haori around to work on the hem.
"It should have been you," he murmured, looking away. "You deserve the promotion."
"I used to think so," Rangiku hummed, "but now I know there's only one person who can look after our squad and it's you."
"My Bankai isn't near matured-"
"Being a captain isn't just about having a Bankai. We've talked about this."
"You talked about this," Toshiro corrected.
"And you know it's true," Rangiku pointed out, "even if you don't want to admit it."
They both knew what really made a captain. A Bankai was a technicality, being the most powerful in the squad a mere consequence – what really made a captain was leadership ability and heart. Toshiro worked harder than anyone else, on paperwork and training himself and others. He led from the front, putting more hours in than any other officer, and he always made decisions quickly and with empathy for all involved. He knew the squad better than he knew himself, and his soldiers were behind him, having his back like they knew he had theirs.
"I don't want to be captain," Toshiro muttered, staring into his tea. He was sulking and it reminded Rangiku sadly that he was still just a boy.
Being a captain was a horrible burden, and Rangiku truly didn't wish it on him. Neither had a choice though, so she always tried to make him see it as something more positive. If he was captain, he had the control; he could look after the squad that was his family now and that was still grieving the biggest loss it had ever known. In turn, Rangiku's job would be to look after her captain.
"You've agreed to be captain though," she sighed, continuing to hand sew the hem of the haori. "You agreed for the squad, for me… for him."
Toshiro swallowed. Rangiku thought he might cry, but he didn't. He couldn't, because he had to be stronger than that now. He stared at the sunrise, and Rangiku took a break from her sewing to watch it as well.
The pale orange sky had grown brighter as the sun started to peak up over the horizon. It was beautiful, a symbol of a fresh start, but it almost mocked them. It was a new day and the rain had gone, yet yesterday's pain hurt just as much.
"It's been a year," Toshiro murmured, his voice broken.
Rangiku glanced at him, seeing the pain. She put down the haori and her sewing needle, and reached over to throw her arm over the boy. He leaned into her side and Rangiku pressed a kiss into his hair.
Captain Shiba had been missing for a year.
They had searched for him everywhere. They had even taken Squad Twelve's most advanced Spiritual Pressure detector and scoured the Soul Society and the World of the Living, desperately trying to find their captain. They had even entered Hueco Mundo illegally over several nights to search there too.
They had been questioned relentlessly about their captain's disappearance, but nothing could be proven, and not a trace of evidence could be found. The Gotei Thirteen eventually gave up, and decided the position should simply be replaced.
Toshiro and Rangiku didn't give up though. They continued to search, even when the Shiba Clan decided Captain Shiba was dead and came to collect his belongings, even when Squad Ten was ordered to hold an official funeral for him, and even when Toshiro was told to take the captain's exam.
It almost killed Toshiro, and it almost killed Rangiku to watch it kill Toshiro. Every day they failed to find their captain cut him deeply; it caused him to cry himself to sleep and to stop eating or being able to keep down food. So in the end, Rangiku told him she believed that Captain Shiba had died, and that he needed to stop searching.
She didn't believe it, but Toshiro needed to. Grieving Captain Shiba's death would get easier with time, but knowing their captain was out there, alive and either unable or unwilling to come home to them… Well, that pain could only fester.
Rangiku didn't want that for Toshiro.
"He'd be proud of you," she told him, and that she wholeheartedly believed.
Toshiro sighed at that but when he pulled away from her side, he had a slight smile that distracted from his teary eyes. All he had ever wanted to do was make his captain proud.
Rangiku squeezed him before she held up the haori. "Okay try this on, I think I'm done."
Reluctantly, he put down his tea and stood, slipping on the symbolic haori. Rangiku grinned as she adjusted it on his shoulders; she had tailored it to his measurements when it was delivered too big, and it fit him well now. His expression was unconvinced though, still unsure of himself.
"You look very handsome," Rangiku told him, chuckling when he rolled his eyes at her.
Releasing him and leaning back. Rangiku watched as Toshiro crossed his arms and tucked each hand into the opposite sleeve as he often did. He sat back down and glanced out to where the sun was now sitting comfortably above the horizon, the sky glowing light yellow.
"Thank you, Lieutenant," he said simply.
"You're welcome," she smiled at him, before tilting her head and grinning widely, "Captain."
Toshiro smirked at that, the first time she had seen him smirk in a long time.
"Finally," he muttered sarcastically. "Some respect from you, Matsumoto."
Rangiku grinned.
Toshiro might not want to be captain right now, or even feel ready for it, but Rangiku believed in him, as did Squad Ten.
...
2.
In the days following the Ryoka invasion, and the betrayal of the three captains, the tone around the Seireitei was dull.
The soldiers were exhausted, physically and mentally, and there was no time to recover. A war was brewing. It felt like the light rain that was growing heavier, into what would eventually be a destructive storm.
Toshiro was released from hospital days ago, but Momo was still comatose. When she would eventually wake, it would be to the horror of knowing what her captain had done. Toshiro didn't know where he stood with her now, their last interaction a horrible one in which she raised her sword to him, her loyalty to her captain stronger than it was to her childhood friend.
But there was nothing Toshiro could do but wait for Momo to wake up and talk to him, or for Aizen to show his face so Toshiro could kill him.
Right now, he had other urgent concerns.
Rangiku had been holding the fort for him, during his hospitalisation and during the countless captains meetings he'd had to attend since. She was working unbelievably hard, yet she was suffering too, maybe more so than any of them.
Gin Ichimaru, though Toshiro hated the man's guts, had been Rangiku's classmate and friend – more than that, if the rumours were to be believed. Well, Toshiro didn't entertain rumours, but he did know they were close. Gin had been her family, and he had betrayed her.
How she found the strength to draw her sword against Gin, Toshiro didn't know, but he was grateful. If it hadn't been for her, Momo would be dead.
Toshiro owed Rangiku everything – from events well before the Ryoka invasion – and he hated seeing her so sad. He missed her bright smile, and even her incessant singing around the office. He'd never find it annoying again.
On his way back from the most recent depressing and half empty meeting at the First Division, Toshiro picked flowers from every garden he passed, until he had a vibrant – albeit mismatched – bouquet of fresh flowers. He added daffodils from his personal garden outside his living quarters, and some extra special flowers made from Hyorinmaru's ice. He tied the flowers together with a bow an unseated officer fetched for him.
Slipping into the office, Toshiro sighed seeing his lieutenant asleep at her desk. A stack of completed paperwork sat in front of her.
Toshiro swapped the paperwork for the flowers before he leaned over to tuck her hair behind her ear. He pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek, his thank you silent.
Her nose wrinkled but she didn't stir. Toshiro returned to his own desk, and started to sort and file the paperwork she had done for him.
Two hours later, Rangiku stirred and Toshiro glanced up from his research on the Hogyoku – since that was something he needed to look into now – to see her waking up. She blinked at the flowers for a moment, until they seemed to register.
The smile that stretched over her face was worth every terrible meeting, and every ache Toshiro still had from his wounds.
"Captain," she swooned, melodramatic as ever, as those blue eyes turned to him, lighting up in delight. "You brought me flowers?"
Toshiro nodded and turned back to his research. Really, his cheeks were heating up.
"Well, you've worked hard for me, and looked after the squad," Toshiro spoke gently. "I wish I could do more for you."
"No," Rangiku's voice was thick and when Toshiro glanced up at her, she was wiping under eye. "These are beautiful, they've made my day. Thank you, Captain."
She was up and carrying the flowers to the vase on the coffee table, humming as she went. It wasn't quite singing, but it was close, and Toshiro fought back the smile.
"No," he murmured. "Thank you, Matsumoto."
…
3.
Rangiku glanced up from her book as Toshiro stirred awake. He blinked up at the bright fluorescent lights overhead before wincing.
"Pain?" Rangiku asked.
"No," Toshiro sighed, but the grimace said otherwise.
Shaking her head, Rangiku pressed the call button for a nurse before she lifted herself from the plastic guest seat to the edge of the bed.
"Move over," she ordered, and Toshiro huffed.
"I get stabbed and you make me move over in my hospital bed?" Toshiro groaned, moving himself over on the bed with an element of drama he'd never think himself capable of. "Anyone would think you're the cold-hearted captain here, Matsumoto."
Rangiku snorted and laid down beside him, on the space he had vacated when he moved. She caught his hand and squeezed it, relishing in being close to him again.
The nurse came, administered a new dose of painkillers, before leaving with a disapproving expression at the position she found them in. Rangiku didn't care; the last few days had been tense, to put it lightly. Rangiku had felt helpless, sitting inside her quarters, just waiting for any news her captain was okay. Seeing his expression the moment before he took off after Kusaka was all she had of him until Renji brought her the blood-stained haori, and then Toshiro appeared on top of Sokyoku Hill with the enemy.
Toshiro had apologised to Rangiku and the squad for disappearing, and for leaving them behind to face the consequences. He said he should have known better and that was true. After all, they knew first hand that the squad will always be blamed when their captain disappears.
Rangiku forgave him of course, because he meant the world to her. She hated seeing him hurting, and he was hurting badly. Kusaka had died; there was no saving him. It must have been awful for Toshiro to have had a sliver of hope that maybe he could have fixed the past.
"Do you miss him?" Rangiku asked. So far Toshiro had been reluctant to talk about it, but she wanted him too. He never did well, bottling up his emotions until it broke him.
"Yes."
"I found out where he was buried," Rangiku murmured. "We could visit?"
The site of Kusaka's final (or first final) resting place wasn't easy to find, since Central Forty-Six did like to cover their tracks as much as possible, but Rangiku had set Nanao onto finding out, and of course, Nanao had been successful.
Toshiro swallowed and Rangiku saw his eyes wander to the broken sword that was sitting innocently on the counter across the room, like its existence wasn't impossible and it hadn't just tried to destroy the Seireitei.
"That would be nice," the captain nodded. Rangiku smiled and made a mental note to arrange for a visit when Toshiro was released from hospital. For now though, he was stuck in the Fourth, and that meant he needed some love and comfort.
Rangiku nudged him playfully. "Did you see what I'm reading?"
"My Gods, Matsumoto," Toshiro frowned, glancing at the book she was holding up to him. "Are you aware that isn't a fashion magazine?"
"I know," Rangiku laughed. "It's a book from the human world. Orihime lent it to Rukia who lent it to me."
"I hope Orihime knows she'll never get it back."
Rangiku shrugged and opened back to the page she was on. "Want me to read to you? It's good so far! The humans have such odd perspectives on death, you'll find it interesting."
"It's one of those young adult books, isn't it?"
Snorting, Rangiku nodded enthusiastically and grinned at how Toshiro groaned. She suspected he only hated the genre because of the dreaded 'young' word – she doubted he'd ever read one.
He couldn't resist being read to, however. It was something that had always brought him a lot of comfort, from when Captain Shiba used to read to him. Eventually he gave her the go ahead, albeit reluctantly, and Rangiku started to read aloud. Toshiro's head seemed to find its way to her shoulder, his eyes closing. She didn't think he was even listening to the story, until he hummed.
"I like that," he murmured, interrupting.
"Hmm?"
"The quote about the rain. I think it's relevant to us."
Rangiku frowned and read it back. 'If people were rain, I was a drizzle and she was a hurricane.'
"Are you calling me a hurricane?" she asked incredulously.
"Absolutely," Toshiro smirked, his head still against her shoulder, his eyes still closed.
"Destructive and life-ruining?"
"Fierce," Toshiro corrected. "Strong. Powerful. An incredible force."
Rangiku rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"You're not a drizzle though," she told him. "You're whatever is stronger than a hurricane."
There was a sad sigh followed by a beat of silence.
"I don't feel like one," he admitted. "I'm weak, boring, something people see out their window and decide to stay in to avoid it."
"As opposed to hurricanes, which people just run into the streets to enjoy-?"
"You know what I mean."
"I don't, Captain," Rangiku tilted her head to rest on top of his. "You're much more than a drizzle to me. You're above rain – you're a blizzard."
There was another moment of silence before Toshiro seemed to exhale before he curled further into her side.
"I'm glad you're here, Matsumoto," Toshiro spoke quietly. "You're a great lieutenant, and an even better friend."
It was rare to get such an obvious compliment for Toshiro. He usually spoke with actions.
Rangiku squeezed his hand again.
"You're my best friend, Captain," she murmured. "I wouldn't be anywhere else."
…
4.
Toshiro thought there would be something about throwing up copious amounts of wine before lunchtime on a work day that told a person they had hit rock bottom.
That's where Rangiku was – rock bottom, not that she could admit that.
The Winter War was over. Aizen wasn't dead, but Gin Ichimaru was.
Rangiku hadn't been to work in days, spiralling in private. Toshiro had visited a lot, though he was unsure of how to help. She kept insisting she was fine, despite the heavy drinking. He hadn't seen her cry yet, almost like she was refusing to. Rangiku couldn't hide it forever though, and Toshiro knew she was breaking when she had started locking him out of her quarters.
It hurt, but Toshiro wasn't turning her back on her. She had never done that to him.
It was cold and pouring with rain outside when he blasted a hole in her front door and reached through to turn the lock and let himself in. He could hear her in the bathroom and made his way to her, sighing when he found her. She looked so tormented, torn between anger and sadness.
Rangiku stopped retching at his appearance, but groaned as she leant back against the bathroom wall. She looked annoyed to see him but Toshiro ignored it and moved to the vanity, turning on the tap.
"You can yell at me," Toshiro murmured as waited for the water to go warm, his back to her, "you can blast me with kido or stab me with Haineko, but I'm not leaving."
"Why not?" Rangiku asked. "You would push me away."
That stung, but Toshiro may have deserved it.
He glanced at her over his shoulder and shrugged.
"That wouldn't have stopped you coming to look after me," he told her, and Rangiku shook her head and looked away, beaten by the truth.
Toshiro turned back to the sink, wetting a fresh flannel cloth under the warm water. He turned off the tap and wrung out the excess water before he moved to Rangiku and crouched beside her.
"Talk to me, Matsumoto," he pleaded, wiping her face with the cloth. "Scream, cry, punch me, but don't push me away."
"There's nothing to talk about," Rangiku muttered.
"Ichimaru was-"
"Don't say his name-"
"-your family," Toshiro continued. "Everything he did, he did for you."
It almost killed Toshiro to admit it, but Gin Ichimaru, for all his faults, had died a hero. He wasn't a good man, after all the things he had done, but he was a brave one, and he had truly loved Rangiku. He had sacrificed everything to get back what had been stolen from her all those years ago.
"He was an awful man," Rangiku hissed and when Toshiro pulled the cloth away, her eyes were filled with rage. "He kept secrets, he hurt people. He was terrible – as a man, as a captain, and- and as a boyfriend."
Toshiro leaned back but he did not look away from her. He could see the cracks appearing, the parts of Rangiku's strong, angry façade. She was trying to cover her grief in fury, because anger always appeared stronger on the surface.
"Gin Ichimaru didn't do that for me, I never asked him to do that," Rangiku continued, tone venomous. "He did it for himself. He was selfish. He didn't think I could look after myself or that I could help him with Aizen. He saw me as weak and he froze me out, up until the moment he di-"
She cut herself off but Toshiro nodded, understanding. He sighed and reached to cup her cheek with his hand, stroking her skin gently.
"It's easier to say you're angry than to admit you're hurt," he murmured. "It's okay to be sad."
Overhead, the rain continued to drum on the roof. It was the only sound for several moments. Rangiku stared back at Toshiro, her façade crumbling quicker now.
Steely blue filled with tears and then the dam broke. Toshiro pulled her quickly into his arms as the first sob tore from her. Her hands gripped him tightly as she continued to cry and tremble. He murmured quiet words to her, telling her she wasn't alone, and nor was she weak. Really, Toshiro had never known anyone stronger.
It lasted a long time, and though every second of it hurt Toshiro to witness, he was glad that she was getting out her emotions finally. From here, she could start to grieve healthily.
When her crying hiccupped to a stop, Toshiro cleaned her face again. He made her take a shower and brush her teeth (while he swept through her quarters, hiding alcohol away) and get back into bed. He climbed into her bed after her and let her curl against him.
Outside the rain continued to pour, but inside it felt warmer, soothing almost.
"I still have you, don't I, Captain?"
"You'll always have me, Matsumoto."
…
5.
Renji and Rukia's wedding came at a rare time of peace, following the end of the second major war in only a matter of years.
The Seireitei had announced its recovery period had ended, now that the city had been rebuilt and the Spiritual Arts Academy had churned out enough graduates to almost replenish the numbers lost… but Rangiku knew the truth; while the city had recovered, its residents had not.
Some Soul Reapers were doing better than others. They were the ones that had a focus and drive, something to work for, something to live for.
Renji and Rukia for example, had found love. Rangiku sipped on wine, watching them dance together in the middle of the floor, such happiness in their eyes. They hadn't recovered from the wars completely, but they had found something to keep living for. It was a beautiful sight, like the sun emerging through stormy clouds.
Other couples and groups of friends moved to the dancefloor when encouraged by the (self-appointed) MC, Head Captain Kyoraku. Ichigo and Orihime, Sentaro and Kiyone, even Byakuya joined the floor, stealing Rukia from her new husband. Ukitake sat across the room in a wheelchair, frailer than he had ever looked, but he smiled at the scene, eyes filled with happy tears.
Rangiku spotted Toshiro back at their table, staring off into his half-eaten dessert.
He was one of the ones that weren't doing as well.
He still led Squad Ten of course, and he led them to one of the quickest 'recoveries' of the divisions, but mentally he had taken a hit. Squad Ten had lost twelve soldiers, each having been members since Toshiro was a third seat. He thought he had failed them.
His bankai had finally matured, but using it was exhausting. Toshiro still, after twenty odd years, complained that he wasn't strong enough to be a captain, but Rangiku knew he was insecure about more than that when his leadership was called into question.
Though he didn't talk about it, the zombification had also taken a huge toll on him. As it had on Rangiku; it was why they moved in together, and shared a bed most nights. The nightmares were crippling, but they were easier when they didn't wake up alone.
Weaving between the guests, Rangiku made her way over to him, downing the last of her wine as she went.
"Are you going to ask me to dance or what?" she teased him playfully.
Shaking himself from his retrieve, Toshiro glanced up at her.
"I thought you would have been snatched up by now," he smirked. "Hisagi has been staring at you all night."
Rangiku rolled her eyes. "Who wouldn't? I'm gorgeous."
Toshiro made an amused hum, but nevertheless he stood and placed his hand on the small of her back, leading her out to the dance floor.
He spun her briefly before pulling her close. It was a slow beat, so they swayed gently, arms around each other. He was still shorter than her, but slowly the gap was closing. Rangiku rested her head against his as he leaned on her shoulder.
It was a love song, but Rangiku found only sadness in it. She had always thought she would marry Gin.
"Do you think Ichigo and Orihime will get married next?" Toshiro asked then.
"I'm giving it a year," Rangiku snorted. "Kids soon after."
"Gods," Toshiro breathed. "They make it seem easy."
-moving on from the war.
Rangiku hummed her agreement. As she said, some were doing better than others.
"Hey, Captain?"
"Hmm?"
"I've decided to train for Bankai."
"Oh?"
Rangiku nodded against him. She had thought about it years ago, if she was being honest, but finding out part of her soul and power had been snatched by Aizen had meant she would probably never achieve Bankai, and well… Rangiku hadn't wanted to try if only failure awaited her.
"I don't have plans to become a captain or leave the Tenth," she murmured. "I just want to be stronger, for you and the squad, and for myself. I know it will be difficult-"
"You'll get it, Matsumoto," Toshiro cut in over her self-doubt. "I've never been surer of anything."
Rangiku smiled, lifting her head to look her captain in the eyes.
"Will you help me?"
"Of course." Toshiro nodded. "I'm still training my matured form, we can do it together."
Rangiku grinned; they did everything together.
They danced for a while longer before Toshiro suddenly straightened.
"Oh!" he grinned. "I've had a great idea. I'm excited."
"Excited?" Rangiku repeated sceptically. Toshiro wasn't the 'excited' type, but he looked it now. His eyes were alight with something she hadn't seen in years from him.
Passion, happiness, and... Well yeah, excitement.
"You, me, Bankai training," he chuckled. "Tomorrow at four o'clock."
Rangiku frowned. "We have drills at four."
"Not afternoon, Matsumoto," Toshiro drawled cheekily. "Morning."
Rangiku blanched. Four in the morning?!
"But Captain!" she wailed. "We're at a wedding tonight and I'm drunk. I can't be up at four!"
"You will be and you will love it."
Rangiku groaned theatrically, mildly regretting the timing of her announcement.
She didn't regret the delight and mischief in her captain's eyes though. It seemed Toshiro had found a new drive to get him through his personal recovery period.
…
+1.
Four in the morning came quickly, and Toshiro knew he was going to face some resistance in waking Rangiku up. She probably wouldn't have gotten out of bed if it hadn't been for him freezing the mattress solid to get her up and moving.
It was closer to five by the time he was pulling her out the door of their now shared living quarters.
The morning air was cool, but not freezing.
"This isn't a ruse to get me to do paperwork, is it?" Rangiku asked, surprised when Toshiro dragged her away from the training grounds and instead towards the office.
"It was tempting, but no."
Toshiro flash stepped, pulling Rangiku with him. They landed on the roof of the office and Rangiku stilled, seeing the picnic rug set up, and that same old wicker basket.
"The morning of one of the scariest days of my afterlife, you brought me up here," Toshiro murmured. "We watched the sunrise while you hemmed my haori. That's how we started the new phase of our careers. I am always grateful for that morning."
Rangiku stared at him, those blue eyes remembering that bittersweet morning.
She hesitated for a moment. "This is another new phase for us, isn't it, Captain?"
"Hopefully one of peace," Toshiro agreed. "I know you must be scared to learn Bankai, but like when I became captain, we'll go through it together."
Rangiku nodded, thoughtful.
"I don't think I am scared anymore, Captain," she told him. "I know it will make me stronger than ever, and that you won't let me fail."
Toshiro's lip twitched at that, agreeing wholeheartedly. This woman continued to amaze him every day,
She had been through two wars, and lost people she had considered family – Hell, she had even been turned into a damn zombie – but each and every time, she had survived, and she'd only come out stronger.
Rangiku was right; learning Bankai would make her stronger again, and Toshiro knew she wouldn't fail.
They took a seat on the rug, facing the sun as it rose. It cast the most beautiful golden light into the sky. They shared green tea and pastries, and laughed about the drunken antics they'd witnessed later into the wedding last night.
The sun was all the way up when Toshiro pulled her to her feet told her to grab her sword, explaining how morning would be the best time for her to train, while the grounds were empty and her need for an afternoon nap was at a minimum. She giggled guilty at that last bit.
"Remember that quote about the rain?" she interrupted him as they walked into the training grounds. "You thought you were a drizzle?"
"You told me I was above rain and that I was a blizzard," Toshiro recalled, smirking slightly.
"Well you are still a blizzard," Rangiku grinned, "but I also think you're a drizzle."
"Weak and annoying?" Toshiro queried, putting on an offended tone.
"Gentle," Rangiku corrected. "I think there's a lot of beauty in gentle rain, don't you?"
Toshiro frowned thoughtfully. He supposed drizzles had an element of beauty in them, though he had always considered himself biased, being such an avid fan of rain and snow.
But Rangiku was right. Drizzles made people want to stay inside with their loved ones and curl around something warm. Drizzles provided a comforting sound on roofs and windows. Drizzles were when rainbows appeared in the distance, encouraging a sense of hope from the viewer.
For Rangiku to compare him to that… well, that made Toshiro's icy heart melt.
"Perhaps," Toshiro titled his head at her, not giving away how much her words had meant to him, "but don't think I'll be drizzle on you in these training sessions, Matsumoto."
"I wouldn't expect you to," Rangiku's grinned widened as she pulled Haineko from her sheath.
Toshiro smirked, raising his own sword.
They were going to be fine, because they had each other. They always did take care of one another, and they always would – whatever the future brought.
…
The book Rangiku is reading and where the original quote comes from is 'Looking For Alaska' by John Green. I personally haven't read it, but I like the quote.
Please review if you liked this piece :) It would mean a lot to me!
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