The Art of Moving On
Summary: It all started when Rangiku's love for Gin was questioned in a public interview. It made her rethink what she really felt about him. Rangiku then asks Shuuhei to join her in going the distance to find the answers to the questions of love, hate, and even life itself.
Disclaimer: Bleach, along with its characters, is owned by Kubo Tite and his team.
The Reminiscence
Shuuhei lowered his head as he was being pushed by the aspiring shinigami behind him. He looked at the whole thing at least five times already and he still haven't seen his name. He could hear girls giggling as they announced that they passed the entrance examinations. The boys were also triumphantly giving each other smiles. And there he was, still searching for his name. It was hopeless. He thought he was going to get in this time but it seems that he still won't be able to study in Shino Academy. It was his 2nd time taking the test. It was his 2nd fucking time. It was so depressing. He turned around and walked away from the crowd filled with a triumphant mood. It was so sad but he was used to it. To get over this, he decided to go to the forest in campus and eat some food. As he walked away from the building, he felt the gravity of the situation. He had already taken the test for the second time. And he failed. He knew he was meant to be a shinigami. And he wanted to thank the captain who had a cool 69 tattoo on his abdomen. He was a good swordsman. But fuck written tests. Well, he loved writing. But the entrance test of Shino Academy made his head buzz. If he could just enter the academy without taking that test.
"Excuse me, are you a new student here?" Shuuhei turned his head when he heard a high pitched voice. It was a blonde woman who had baby blue eyes. Shuuhei's eyes wandered to her chest which was relatively large for him. He froze and looked up again to her face. Her hair was hanging on her shoulders and she wore a smile with her full lips. She was wearing the girl's school uniform of Shino Academy and she was probably a junior or a senior. "Oh no, I just came to look at the results," Shuuhei tried not to look depressed. "Oh, so you're going to attend here perhaps?" she smiled, excited for incoming students. "I hope so, soon" he faked his laugh. The woman tilted her head and raised her eyebrows. "Oh screw it. I actually failed again," he grumbled. Shuuhei wanted to cry. What was wrong with him? Is he not good enough? "Oh, don't you worry my dear! I'm sure you're going to be a shinigami one day and maybe you'll even become a seated officer," she patted his back. Shuuhei looked up and gave the shino academy student s warm smile. It made his heart melt; the fact that there were still ones who believe in others, more so strangers. He wanted to ask her name. She was actually the type of girl he'd love to date. She was beautiful and even kind. But he was too shy to ask. She too didn't ask. She just invited him to chat with her near the forest. It was refreshing. She was so animated that her remarks never had him not chuckling.
The two didn't notice that an ample amount of time has passed by. "Oh my, I'm late for my next class. I'd better go," she said in a worried tone. Shuuhei felt disappointed because he really liked hanging out with this girl. Maybe, she was even his crush. "Oh if that's the case you'd better run to your class!" they stood up in unison. "It was really nice hanging out with you, what's your name?" she asked. "Shuuhei. And you?" he asked in return. "Ran," she answered and waved him one final goodbye before disappearing in the crowd. "She's perfect," Shuuhei sighed.
He sat down facing Gin's table. In all fairness, he had kept his room neatly, contrary to other male shinigami. The materials on his table were mostly paper and writing materials. He must have written a lot of things, memoirs perhaps? Shuuhei placed the box on top of the table and tried opening it. It was locked. He examined the box and saw nothing but "Rangiku" engraved on it. He was sure this box was filled with things about Rangiku or maybe even explanations why he went with Aizen. But damn how will he open this? He didn't want to break it. It may be precious to him and the tenth division lieutenant. If only there was some way to open it.
He kind of owed his life to Gin Ichimaru. He was the fifth division lieutenant back then under Aizen Sousuke. The incident that bore his scars was something he'd always remember. He was now a graduate of Shino academy and is a seated officer in the ninth division. He was lucky to get in the division he dreamed to be in. After all, it was where his inspiration to become a shinigami came from. But it was a shame Kensei wasn't around anymore. No one actually knew where most of the captains and vice captains disappeared to. He knew they weren't dead. There was something he just didn't know. But hey, he was grateful that his captain was so righteous and respectable. He loved his captain. And so, he worked hard every day.
It was a fine sunny day and Shuuhei was walking along the streets of Seireitei. A lot of people were busy that day but his captain told him he didn't have to do anything for the mean time. 'I guess I'll explore for a while,' he said as he walked through areas he had never been to before. He wanted to visit Rangiku, actually. He hasn't seen her for a while now and he was happy she was already the lieutenant of the tenth division under Isshin Shiba. She's been quite the talk of the town for a while now. Who wouldn't notice her anyway? He spotted Rangiku walking with her third seat, Hitsugaya Toshiro. They were having an argument about their captain again. Captain Shiba was a very strong and skilled man but he loved slacking off and going to places without telling anyone where he was going to. But most of the time Rangiku would find him resting on tree branches or chilling in the forest. Rangiku was kind of responsible. Or her captain just slacks off too much that she was seen as a responsible woman. But nevertheless, she deserved her position as a vice captain. But to hell, the little third seat was the most responsible of all. Plus, he's a kid genius. He's sure to have a lieutenant or captain rank in the future.
"Let him be, Matsumoto. He just loves it when you're stressed in looking for him," Toshiro sighed. "But we need to find the captain! There is so much work to be done you dumbass," Rangiku crossed her arms. The conversation went on until Shuuhei decided to call them. "Oi, Rangiku-san!" He waved. "Huh?" Rangiku turned around and looked for the one who called her. "Rangiku-san!" Shuuhei ran to her. "Oh, Shuuhei! It's been a while since I last saw you!" she put her arms on her waist. "Matsumoto, I'll be going now. I'll do the captain's paperwork," Toshiro said with an annoyed expression and left. "What's with your third seat?" Shuuhei scratched his head as he looked at the figure from afar. Rangiku laughed and told Shuuhei that Toshiro has always been like that. The two had a chat and caught up with each other's lives. "My my Shuuhei, you've grown a lot! You're now a handsome shinigami with a rank!" she patted his shoulders with such grace. Shuuhei felt his cheeks redden and shook his head. "Oh stop it Rangiku-san." She chuckled, "I told you you're going to be a shinigami!" As Shuuhei and Rangiku exchanged stories, someone from behind Shuuhei approached the two. "My, my, and what are you two doing in such a busy day?"
It was Captain Ichimaru. He was promoted to captain rank in the third division a while back. He was wearing his signature grin which scared a lot of people but got women's interest as well. His fox face has always been a tease to everyone he talked to. And Shuuhei felt as if he was unwanted in the situation. Rangiku paused for a while and looked up to Ichimaru. "Ichimaru Taicho! We were just having some catching up! Shuuhei here is part of the ninth division," she turned to Shuuhei. "My apologies, Ichimaru Taicho!" He bowed his head. He wondered why Rangiku was so comfortable with the creepiest man (not counting Kurotsuchi Mayuri that is) in Seireitei. Maybe she just had too much confidence that some grin didn't faze her. "No need to say sorry, Mr Shuuhei Hisagi. Nothing beats some time with precious friends," he turned to Rangiku, He knew Shuuhei's name. How weird. But it made Shuuhei proud. He had a feeling though that the captain wanted to talk to the lieutenant. "I'll be going now, Matsumoto Fukutaicho, Ichimaru Taicho. Tousen Taicho would be needing me now," he bowed and walked away. He looked back as he walked away. Rangiku was cheerfully tapping Gin's shoulders and tugging on his shikahuso. People said that Rangiku was a flirt and was comfortable with boys but he knew Gin Ichimaru wasn't just someone she flirted to. For Ichimaru to actually stop and chat with her? They must have something special in between them.
Every time Shuuhei saw the two together, he felt happy that Rangiku was all smiles. She was laughing and was slapping Gin's chest as the captain smiled. She really looked happy whenever the captain was talking to her. But aside from that, he felt jealousy. He's always liked the lieutenant of the tenth. He's always tried telling her and making a move but to no avail. He was scared that the lieutenant of the tenth would kill him. That was how much he feared Gin Ichimaru. He knew he felt something for Rangiku. He's observed the captain's actions.
He really never had the chance to talk much to Gin Ichimaru back when he was still the 3rd division captain. He just knew about him from stories and of course he'd ask Rangiku about him from time to time. This box was the key to knowing him better and uncovering the truth behind the betrayal, or the double betrayal at that. But there was no key to the box.