Disclaimer: sadly, Bleach is not mine
Gin what are we doing?We're gonna get in trouble if the storekeeper finds us on the roof of his house!
We can tell him why later.
Gin! Where are we going!
You'll see, be patient.
Wow! You can see everything from here!
I told you it was good.
Gin! Look! it's a shooting star!
Make a wish Rangiku.
Okay! I wish that we could stay up here forever!
Years had passed since Rangiku had made that wish. It had been her birthday and Gin had wanted to give her her very first birthday present. They had sat on the roof watching the stars until they fell fast asleep. Gin had quietly picked her up and brought her home a few hours before sunrise.
Today was Rangiku's birthday. After Gin had graduated from the academy two years before her, she had stopped celebrating her birthday with him. He was the only person who had known her birthdayback then and always planned something special.He had always remembered, but now they were too busy for trivial things such as presents for birthdays. She surely had enough presents since Histugaya taichou always enjoyed making the snide comment of how most of her birthday presents had telephone numbers enclosed of shingamis she barely even knew, yet she always hoped, which always ended in disappointment each year, that Gin would celebrate with her as they had done since they were kids.
"Happy birthday Matsumoto."
"Thanks taichou."
Hitsugaya threw a badly wrapped lump at her feet.
"I asked Hinamori to help me buy it so you better like it"
Rangiku grinned at the earrings that Hinamori had undoubtedly chose with care.
" Tell Hinamori I said thanks, taichou"
The rest of the morning went on as usual to Rangiku's disappointment. She had received some chocolate from the other vice captains and resumed the usual day's work. by the time she had come back from an emergency meeting, it was already late.
"I guess he forgot again"
She half heartedly started on her paperwork only to be interrupted by Hitsugaya.
"You have a letter"
Rangiku gingerly took the envelope and took out the contents. The card was made from cheap paper like the ones Gin and her used to take and make paper cranes out of on the streets of Rokungai.
Come to the roof near the 1st division office at midnight. There's a surprise for you.
"Another pervert asking for a birthday date Rangiku?" asked Hitsugaya amusedly.
"shut up taichou"
"You better go or else you'll be late for your birthday date. It's 11:50" he grinned.
She stomped out of the office.
Rangiku leisurely walked to the 1st division building then used the narrow flight of stairs in the corner to access the rooftop. When she arrived, there was no one there.
"hey Rangiku Happy birthday"
Rangiku jumped. She turned around and noticed Gin grinning at her.
"Gin what are you doing here? You'll get in trouble if anyone finds out you're up here!"
"Same for yourself"
Gin began walking, nonchalantly motioning a hand for Rangiku to follow.
" Gin, where are we going?"
"You'll see, be patient"
Rangiku hid a grin and reminisced about an all too familiar conversation that happened years ago that was quite similar to the one they were having now. They quickly walked across from the 1st division building and jumped across to the watchtower that was the highest point in the shinigami headquarters.
" you can see everything from here…" rangiku breathed
"I told you it was good"
They sat down on the thatch roof just like when they were in rukongai and quietly watched the midnight sky.
" Gin! look! It's a shooting star!"
"Make a wish Rangiku"
Rangiku smiled as she remembered the years before.
"Fine. I wish we could stay up here forever"
" Me too"