A/N: Here's chapter five like I said. I'll be leaving on a one month trip starting next month, so I won't be able to update most likely. If I can, I will, but don't expect anything. I'm not sure, I'll be able to finish up chapter six before I leave. I'll try but I don't feel like I'll make it. For now, enjoy this chapter!
Chapter Five
"My goodness! Ye really need a new pair of clothes, my dear," Rangiku told Rukia and shook her head as she frowned at the current state the young lady was in.
"After staying for a few days in this… room, I am rather unsurprised at my lacking appearance.
"And we even went to the trouble of washing them and cleaning you up, but I guess tis no use?" Rangiku sighed.
"As I have been denied leave from this room, I suppose there is nothing that can be done," Rukia also shook her head and sighed in agreement.
"Since we're docked at the port right now, I could go and get you some things – though I would've prefer you to accompany me but I'll have to do without…" Rangiku mused over her options.
[If Momo were here, things would be easier. They aren't very different in body size.] Rangiku thought and the feeling of sadness and guilt welled up inside her again.
"Scarlet... I must apologize... about Ruby," Rukia hesitantly spoke.
"What's there t' apologize 'bout?" Rangiku grinned and leaned against the wall, "It went rather fast but it can't be helped. I did get the feeling that one day we would have t' part."
"No, I was not pertaining to that," Rukia denied and shook her head, "I… I have a letter from Ruby to you. Though she requested me to give it to you only tomorrow, I shall hand it to you now."
Rukia stood up and went over to one of the shelves and took out a small light brown envelope and pressed it into Rangiku's palm.
"You can read it now or tomorrow how Ruby had intended it for you to be read," Rukia said with a soft smile, "And please buy me a new hat and a pair of shoes as well."
Any negative feelings Rangiku was having vanished with Rukia's last sentence. It was too random that she temporarily got stunned before breaking out into a laugh.
"Alright," she agreed, "I'll make sure to coordinate the perfect outfit for you.
"Deduct the price from this," Rukia added and took out a small necklace, "Sell it and the expenses should be covered."
Rangiku shook her head in disapproval, "Keep it. There's no need for it. Consider it my thank you."
Both girls clarified a few more things on the topic of clothes and then Rangiku finally left for the deck in search of Gin. She needed his permission to leave the ship or at least inform him.
"Captain!" Rangiku called out once she saw him.
The silver haired man turned around to face the approaching woman.
"Whatcha want?" he asked with his usual grin.
"I need t' go in the city t' buy some stuff," Rangiku answered.
"Again? Yesterday wasn't 'nough fer ya?" Gin questioned.
"Have a problem with it?" Rangiku challenged.
"Nah, jus' saying."
"I'll get going then!" Rangiku informed quickly and left the ship for the city centre.
Gin gave a nod before turning back to the group of six surrounding him. For the appointment he had today, he chose only a handful of people to accompany him. Though it was not necessary to bring people with him, he always thought that it would be nice for the people who knew each other to meet every once in a while instead of staying on the ship. The members of his group were Karin, Kenpachi, Jinta, Soifon, Tessai and Kensei. Originally he was going to let the doctor, Retsu Unohana come with him, but she abstained from it.
"Shall we get going too?" Gin suggested but it was more like an order, "We have some business t' attend to as well."
"Aye, Cap'n!" the group answered enthusiastically.
Only the few who were selected would know where they were headed for this time and what kind of business their captain had meant. It was something that happened occasionally and although most of the crew knew about this "business", not everyone knew when this business occurred each time and who would be allowed to go with the captain. It was in itself a meeting between two "old friends" if one looked at it from the outside, but in reality it was a meeting between two men who shared the same secret with yet different circumstances and who decided to partner up to exchange information for their own interest while trying to keep the other in check. In the past, their heads would have rolled if anyone else had found out their real identities. However, now that both were no longer under such threats, why would they keep up those meetings? Their current relationship wasn't exactly that of friends nor that of companions – they were some time ago though – instead the only thing they still shared was the secret of their identities. In the end they themselves probably didn't know either but may say that they just met for the heck of it. Still they wouldn't be able to deny that the current main usefulness was mostly the information exchange they held.
Inside a tavern of the port city a group of six were already waiting for the aforementioned group. Leading them was a white haired young man of around nineteen. He may have seemed rather young to be a leader, but his talent for it and hard work had brought him to the position he was in today.
"Ya here already? On time as ever, eh?" a carefree voice entered their range.
"Shut up Gin and you're as late as ever," replied the leader of the group.
"Well, don't be such a prick Toshiro," Gin answered the grumbling white haired boy.
The young man called Toshiro glared at the similarly white haired man in front of him. They were only a couple of years apart in age, but in maturity, Toshiro considered himself to be more advanced than Gin. Without waiting for their captains to settle down, the people accompanying both side split off into different groups and sat down on the tables nearby.
"Let's order something, shall we?" Gin suggested and went on to call the waiter.
A young boy came up to the table and Gin order a mug of beer and Toshiro did the same. They didn't talk much while they waited and only exchanged pleasantries. Once the waiter brought their drinks, they finally started talking about what they came for.
"Well, how was your recent heist. I hear Byakuya was defeated?" Toshiro asked.
Gin nodded in response before continuing to explain, "We got him as he let his guard down with a bit a trickery. One of my men did a good job in discovering the trap he laid out."
"How rare of you praise someone," Toshiro remarked.
"She was a good addition to the crew," Gin nodded in reply.
"'She'? So it was a woman – must have a good head – and 'was'?" Toshiro echoed.
"She quit," Gin stated.
Toshiro rose an eyebrow, "What did you do?"
"Why are ya just simply assuming that I did something to drive her out~?" Gin shook his head.
"So ye didn't?" Toshiro simply ignored Gin's indignant tone.
"Apparently she had other plans already. 'Least her friend stayed and she's doing pretty well too," Gin said and propped up his elbow on the table.
He leaned his head on his hand before asking his own question, "So whatcha doing yerself?"
"I found a certain diary that supposedly leads to a forgotten treasure, but I need someone to decipher the code and language used. Can't do it by myself – it would take too long as my vocabulary's limited, plus I don't even know the full code," Toshiro sighed, "Tis just parts of it that I have seen somewhere."
"What kinda code and language is it?" Gin asked in curiosity and took a sip from his glass.
"It's a code that those in the higher echelons use – I can probably get it from one of the old nobles' or the big general's house but it's going to be difficult," Toshiro elaborated, "And the language is the Nameless Language from what I could see."
Gin frowned a bit though his usual grin didn't waver in the slightest.
"Nameless Language, ya say?" Gin chuckled darkly, "It's 'bout that treasure, ain't it?"
Toshiro gulped down some of his drink before replying, "Yeah, ye guessed right."
"I ain't gonna be much help to ya , since even I have forgotten large parts of it," Gin shook his head, "Don't even think of askin' fer my help."
Toshiro didn't answer and the two men drank their beer in silence for a while. After some time, Gin was the first to break the silence. An idea had popped up in his mind during his silent contemplation.
"Ya know how I told ya 'bout the girl with a good brain?" Gin started.
Toshiro somewhat startled from the suddenness only tilted his head in confusion before remembering the earlier conversation part and nodding.
"She's called the Ruby Princess – have you heard of her?" Gin continued.
"Not really," Toshiro's tone indicated that he wanted to know what Gin was getting at.
"Maybe you're more familiar with the name Crimson Blades?" Gin tried again and this time Toshiro nodded.
"Yeah, I heard of the Crimson Blades. Someone who is very skilled at the swords and tends to leave a bloodbath due to the number of opponents killed. A fearsome pirate some say," Toshiro recounted the rumours he heard.
Gin nodded but added more, "Did ya know that Crimson Blades consists of two beauties who each are referred to as Crimson Blade or their nicknames. One of them is called Scarlet Goddess and the other is called Ruby Princess."
"Ye mean that you had both of them on your crew for a while?!" Toshiro was surprised at the detailed information he was receiving.
Gin nodded and continued, "Scarlet stayed while Ruby left."
"I get it but why're ye telling me this?" Toshiro asked as he started to get impatient.
Gin would have loved to smirk but only did so inwardly as he had fully caught Toshiro's attention.
"The Ruby Princess is very knowledgeable in such things. She is known for her scholarly level of knowledge and vast amount of information on the royal history. She knows the Nameless Language or where to get the code. However, she only takes on requests and jobs that interest her. She doesn't seem t' care much 'bout money," Gin explained nonchalantly.
Though Momo had never said a word about knowing the Nameless Language or the code, Gin knew that from her background, she would most definitely have to know both – if not then at least one of them and the other she would know where to get. Unaware of these calculations, Toshiro expression changed. His composed face lit up with interest.
"Continue," Toshiro urged Gin on.
"If you want to find her you need to go a certain tavern, where she'll likely be headed towards and stay 'round fer some time."
Toshiro frowned, "And where's that?"
Gin indicated for Toshiro to come closer. Toshiro leaned over the tabled and Gin whispered some things into Toshiro's ear which made him widen his eyes. After saying what needed to be said in secret, Gin leaned back and so did Toshiro.
Gin added, "You might want ta collect a bit more information on her before going off ta find her and rope her into yer crew. She'll definitely join. She did mention ta me once that she wanted ta get on your ship. Ya just need to act like yer trying ta persuade her."
Toshiro nodded, "I'll heed your advice. So.. what d'ye want in exchange?"
Gin raised an eyebrow at the question. Originally he just wanted to get Toshiro and Ruby – or rather Momo together and observe a rather interesting reunion. If he could get something else for it in addition, there was no reason he should not take up that offer.
"Hmm.." Gin thought about what he should ask for in exchange when he remembered the little guest he still had on his ship.
"D'ya know anyone who could bring a prisoner back ta Byakuya?" Gin questioned.
This time it was Toshiro's turn to raise an eyebrow. He was not expecting such a request. He thought about it before deciding to consult his crew members.
"Give me a few minutes," Toshiro said while standing up and called his group together.
"Sorry for breaking your reunion time but does anyone remember if Ichigo is coming to this port or not within the next few days?" Toshiro asked.
A blonde haired man with a white and green striped head answered, "Hmm… I heard that he's already here. Yoruichi actually saw Orihime the other day working at a bar."
"Don't just push it all on me Kisuke," a purple haired woman elbowed the man she called Kisuke, "You were there as well."
Kisuke gave a light chuckle as a response.
"Eh? Brother's here?" a teenage girl named Yuzu said surprised, "I've gotta tell Karin 'bout this!"
With that she ran off to the other side where Gin's group was. Toshiro looked at the remain members who were a short blonde woman – but she looked like a young girl – and tall blonde man called Hiyori and Shinji respectively. The pair shook their heads to indicate that they didn't know anything.
Toshiro nodded in understanding and turned back to Gin.
"Ichigo's in town. One of his crew members was seen the other day so he should be docked somewhere at the port," Toshiro relayed the information he gathered.
"That guy's here?" Gin chuckled, "Well, that might actually work out."
"I'll try t' set up a meeting between you and him maybe today or tomorrow. I'll send you a messenger once it's set," Toshiro suggested and Gin agreed.
"Alright, then we should get going. Our drinks are empty as well," Gin said and stood up and stretched out his hand.
Toshiro followed up with a "yes" and shook Gin's outstretched hand.
"We'll be even after this," Toshiro finalized and his group left first.
Gin's group also left afterwards.
#####
After taking the whole afternoon to find the right clothes for Rukia, Rangiku returned to the Ashen Spear with three bags.
[I'm usually such a shopping maniac but I was able to hold myself back this time!] Rangiku happily laughed inwardly as she looked at the amount of things she bought.
A big smile filled her face as she readily went down the stairs to Rukia's room and opened the door with a bang.
"I'm back!" Rangiku said loudly with a grin.
Her gaze swept over the room filled with shelves, boxes, kitchen utensils and other things. During the earlier days after Rukia got captured, Rangiku and Momo had brought in various things into the storage room where Rukia was supposed to stay. There were no more free rooms to be used which was why Rukia would have to stay there. Additionally Rukia was a prisoner, so this was the best place she would get or so had Gin argued even when Rangiku and Momo had proposed to let Rukia stay with them in their room. They brought in a hammock, so that Rukia wouldn't have to sleep on the floor and a blanket to cover herself and other practical things. Rukia had been very grateful for those and the three girls had bonded quite a bit.
However, Rangiku couldn't find a trace of Rukia at the moment. She stepped into the dim room and looked around. As she got nearer to the hanging hammock, she saw a small part of the blanket peek out. Rangiku found Rukia lying there and sleeping rather peacefully.
[Did she get bored and went to bed?] Rangiku wondered.
She gave a light push to Rukia's shoulder.
"Hey Rukia, wake up," Rangiku told the sleeping maiden.
With an unsatisfied face, Rukia finally woke up and glared at Rangiku.
"What is it?" Rukia asked rather grumpily.
"I've brought the clothes back," Rangiku replied with an unperturbed smile.
Rukia's eyes brightened up.
"Very well, I shall get up and receive your present now," she jokingly answered.
Rangiku laughed and watched Rukia get up from the hammock. She remembered how Rukia had quite a hard time at first because she was not used to it. She almost fell down a couple of times. Had Momo and Rangiku not been there to stabilize her, she probably would have.
[Maybe she actually fell down when we weren't there.] Rangiku giggled at the thought of it.
"What are you laughing about?" Rukia asked with eying the female pirate with suspicion.
"Nothing my dear," Rangiku brushed Rukia off and went on to change the topic, "Let's have a look at what I brought, 'kay?"
Without waiting for an answer, Rangiku started pulling out the clothes she had bought and laid them over the hammock. Rukia could only go with the flow and push her previous thoughts aside. With a scrutinizing eye, Rukia went over the pieces Rangiku laid out.
"You have a good eye for fashion," Rukia commented satisfied.
Starting with the one on the left most, Rukia put them on. Rangiku stood by the door and made sure that there were no unpleasant visits.
The first was a knee-length gown which was white from top to bottom and almost made Rukia look like a bridesmaid.
"Oh, this is a good one. Ye look like an angel!" Rangiku complimented.
"It seems good but I wish I had a mirror, " Rukia sighed.
Rangiku thought about it for a bit and then suddenly cried out, "Ah! I know!"
With quick steps she left the room and left behind a confused Rukia. After a while Rangiku came back with a big sized mirror.
"Where did you get that from?" Rukia asked dumbfounded.
"I got this from the Cap'n's room – saw it a while ago and jus' remembered it," Rangiku said with a victorious smile.
Rukia returned a smile as well and gave her thanks half-jokingly, "I am grateful for your help Scarlet."
"My pleasure," Rangiku replied and put up the mirror against the wall.
Rukia turned around in front of the mirror and observed her appearance. She had cleaned herself up while Rangiku was gone. With the new clothes, she was feeling rather fresh and well compared to before.
Together with the white dress which had a ribbon on the back, Rangiku had bought a wide-brimmed hat and a pair of shoes – high-heeled of course.
"Very pretty," Rangiku nodded her head in satisfaction while talking.
Rukia was in agreement. She like the outfit.
"Let's try the next one," Rukia said and started taking off her clothes once more.
The next set was mix of soft colors of blue, orange and green for the shirt and beige pants. It was a rather boyish outfit.
"I thought it might come in handy in case you need to dress up casually," Rangiku explained.
"But is this not boy's clothing?" Rukia was rather doubtful.
"No, tis for girls," Rangiku denied and took out a large brown hair clip and a pair of brown dress shoes.
"With the hair clip, you'll put your hair up at the back," Rangiku explained and showed it to Rukia.
The black haired girl nodded, "I see."
Because the girls were preoccupied with coordinating Rukia's clothes, they didn't hear the nearing footsteps but only once that person knocked on the door and startled the girls, did they realize.
"Just a sec!" Rangiku called out and both, her and Rukia, quickly tried to clean up and return everything into their bags.
However, the one knocking only waited for a while and started opening the door. The girls were not ready yet and the whole scene was revealed to the one entering the room.
[It's the Captain!] Rangiku nervously realized.
Gin on the other hand only raised an eyebrow at the frozen pair and went on with his business with his usual strange smile.
"I'm just here to tell ya that ye might get to meet your brother sooner than I thought – that is, if the man we'll meet tonight decides ta take ya on his ship. Maybe ya should dress up a little," Gin told Rukia and lazily pointed over to the pile of clothes with his last sentence.
After that he turned to Rangiku, "We'll be eating out tonight with the whole crew, so get ready before we leave."
Without waiting for an answer, Gin left the room with quick strides.
The suddenness left both girls stunned and they stayed that way for a while until the information sunk in.
"That means we're goin' to the same place," Rangiku concluded.
"Should I really dress up?" Rukia wondered.
"Perhaps?" Rangiku herself was unsure on whether Gin had been joking or not.
"..."
"..."
... ...
…
..
.
#####
Prior to the exchange between Gin and the girls – it was around five o'clock in the late afternoon when a short blonde girl stood in front of the Ashen Spear. Her red bright outfit was rather eye catching together with the contrast to her rather yellowish hair. With a displeased face she went up the connecting plank onto the ship and was greeted by the sight of a few men glaring back at her.
"Hey Missy, what ye doin' 'ere?" Grimmjow came over once he saw her, "Are ye lost?"
"Get me your captain. I'm 'ere t'give him a message," the girl answered with a gruff tone.
Grimmjow raised an eyebrow at the attitude and was about to simply grab the girl and drop her off the ship, however, Kenpachi came over and stopped him.
"Hiyori, jus' go over to the Captain's cabin and knock while announcing your name. He'll let you in," Kenpachi told her as he recognized the girl or rather woman from this morning.
Hiyori nodded and passed the two men.
"Whozat girl?" Grimmjow grumbled in irritation.
"A crew member of the Ice Ring. They an' the Cap'n got business to do. Jus' leave her alone," Kenpachi explained, "She might actually be the same age as ye."
"Huh?" Grimmjow's expression went dumb.
Kenpachi's last sentence had shoved him off track.
"That little girl is?" was all he could say before returning to his post with his previous irritation all blown away.
In the meanwhile Hiyori had already reached the door and knocked three times on it while calling out her name and purpose of visit.
"Come in," a low voice told her and she entered.
Inside there was only one person sitting behind his desk with some papers on front of him and a pen in his hand which he was returning to its holder. Captain Ichimaru seemed to have been working on something.
"Welcome Hiyori, Captain Toshiro works pretty fast," Gin remarked and folded his now free hands together then leaned back on his chair.
Hiyori did not return the pleasantries but went straight to the point instead, "I'm here to deliver a message regarding yer meeting with Captain Kurosaki."
Gin understood why she was acting rather apprehensive with him. Hiyori had always seemed to harbour a certain dislike towards him together with her long time friend Shinji – quite a number of other people seemed to dislike Gin or be uncomfortable with him as well. Gin guessed that Hiyori must not have been very delighted to be chosen to bring him the message.
"Deliver your message then," Gin gave a nod for her to continue.
"Your meeting will be at the same place as today this evening at eight o'clock. He'll be bringing his whole crew because they've planned to have a get-together and suggested that ye should do the same. 'Just to meet old acquaintances' he said," Hiyori told Gin.
Gin thought about Hiyori's words for a while and gave a nod, "Alright, tell him I'll do that."
Hiyori nodded and turned around to leave but stopped and turned back with some last words, "By the way, Cap'n Toshiro said that ye better not be late."
After saying all that she needed to, she left the room while leaving Gin with a bemused feeling.
"Guess I should go an' tell her," Gin told himself and stood up.
He decided that it would be good for him to take a short break and took his time on his way to Rukia's temporary room.