DISCLAIMER: I do not own Bleach or any related titles.
A/N: Hey everyone! I apologize for the lack of updates in ages, but I've been really really busy lately, and it's made updating rather difficult. Now that most things are out of the way, I can get back to my stories, so thank you all so very much for being patient. And please enjoy!
Chapter 8: The Lost Book
The graceful arc that was Rangiku's bowed head became a sight more common over the next few days. There was a rare moment when Hitsugaya would walk into the office to see Rangiku without her head down, eyes focused on a small book he'd yet to get his hands on. It bothered him, more than he'd even let on. It ate away at him, his curiosity tearing him to shreds. He had to get his hands on that book she seemed to hold so dearly.
But every plan seemed to be foiled before he even had the chance to get close. Being as quiet as possible, he'd attempt to glance at the pages over her shoulders, only to meet her glaring eyes face to face as she slammed it shut. And if she were to fall asleep, which happened on many occasions, the small leather-bound item was snuggled comfortably within her bosom, a place much too dangerous for the likes of Hitsugaya to even dare endeavor.
No. He would have to catch her off guard. Send her off to fetch a few papers for him, perhaps? Unfortunately, he'd already tried that. The beautiful woman left the room with the book tucked securely under her arm.
Muttering angrily to himself, Hitsugaya went back to his work, forming plans in his mind. Slowly, an idea struck him and he lifted his head to peer at his Lieutenant whom had already buried herself deeply into the book.
"Matsumoto!" he said sharply.
The book nearly fell from her hands as she jumped at the abrupt sound of his voice.
"Yes, Hitsugaya-Taichou?" she asked politely.
He held a hand outstretched, his cold blue eyes lingering on her wide brown ones. "Give me the book," he ordered.
Rangiku blinked back at him, holding the book closer to her. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," he said calmly, his eyes failing to close even for a moment. "Hand it over."
Rangiku shook her head only to be cut off shortly by Hitsugaya's voice once again, this time a bit more impatient.
"You heard me, Matsumoto!" he growled. "Give me that book!"
When she didn't respond, Hitusugaya rose to his feet in hopes of making himself more intimidating, but only succeeding in adding about two inches onto his height.
"Do you dare defy an order, Matsumoto?" his eyes flashed dangerously. "There are serious punishments for that, you know..."
Rangiku stared at him, unsure of what to do. Her lips were sealed firmly together, creating a small line to prevent her from saying anything she'd more than likely regret in the future. She couldn't just hand the book over. She wasn't sure if she wanted to yet, nor had she discovered everything the book had to offer. She needed more time. If she gave it to him, she'd never know why Gin gave it to her.
And what would happen to Gin if the pages revealed something terrible? If Hitsugaya could trace it back to him, then he'd be headed straight for the gallows with no chance of being spared. Rangiku couldn't possibly bear to see something like that happen. Especially when she was almost certain he had finally had the best of intentions.
"Do I need to count to three, Matsumoto?" Hitsugaya asked, staring at her like she was some kind of child, though an onlooker would have seen quite the reverse by their appearances.
Rangiku's gaze remained hard as the grip she had on the book became tighter. She could feel sweat forming beneath her fingers as she began to tremble.
"One..." Hitsugaya's voice resonated in her ears, but still she did not move. "Two..." he added after a brief pause. "Thr-"
Rangiku's hand shot out, the book extended toward his outstretched palm. Her eyes were still focused on his, competing with his for dominance. For a moment, Hitsugaya did not move. He felt as though this were some kind of game Rangiku was playing with him and as soon as he reached for the book, she would pull it away.
But pull away, she did not. Instead she stood and placed the book into his hands roughly, towering over him once again. He took it from her and slowly opened to the first page. His eyes finally left hers to scan the scribbled words, his fuzzy eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"What is this?" he asked, unable to make out many of the words.
Rangiku shrugged, crossing her arms defiantly. "You wanted to read it..."
"But how?" he asked, flipping through a few more pages, still only able to catch a word or two here and there. "How am I supposed to read this?"
Rangiku shrugged once again, this time moving toward the doorway. It was no longer her problem.
Turning to glance at him over her shoulder, she gave him a smirk quite uncharacteristic of her, "I'd suggest reading it upside down..."
GINXRANGIKU
"Good evening, Rangiku..."
The shadows fell across his pale face, hiding the familiar grin from her view as she stood on the other side of the bars. Her delicate fingers wound around the metal as she tilted her head against them, peering at the man crumpled on the floor.
"The book's gone..." she said softly.
He turned his head slightly to get a better look at her. "Come again?" he asked, chuckling lightly. "Musta heard you wrong, love. I thought you said my book was missing..."
"The book was yours?" Rangiku stared at him curiously. The handwriting had not been his, she was sure of it. She'd seen it numerous times. No, the handwriting could not have been his.
"Coulda been," Gin answered, shifting himself to a more comfortable position. "And now you've gone and lost it. Guess you'll never know..."
"Stop playing games, Gin..." Rangiku said, her voice nothing more than a hushed whisper. The guards would surely hear her if she wasn't careful. "I know the book wasn't yours..." She lifted her head. "And I didn't lose it. I gave it to Hitsugaya-Taichou."
"You gaveit to him?" Gin's voice had changed suddenly, no longer retaining that mysterious tone he was well-known for.
"Yes..." she answered calmly, turning her back to him to lean against the bars.
"You gave it to him?!" Gin's voice was right behind her this time as he loomed over her shoulder. "After all I went through to get it? You just handed it over?"
She felt his long fingers close around her through as his thin arm slid through the bars. For some strange reason, she no longer felt threatened by this form of touching. She knew he could never go through with such threats that accompanied that particular gesture.
"I oughta kill you, you know..." his voice drawled, his lips barely brushing the tip of her ear. "Do you know what I went through to get that book? Do you know what kinds of secrets that book contains? In the wrong hands, love...it could lead to your end as well..."
"I'm not afraid..." she whispered, her head turned toward the sound of his voice. "Not anymore..." She shook her head, feeling his fingers slip away just a bit. "Especially not of you..."
His head leaned against hers briefly and she could feel his soft breath on her ear. She had missed that, but could have done without the cold, damp surroundings. She missed feeling close to him. Missed the sound of his voice in the early morning hours. Missed the smell of him on her skin hours after he'd left.
"Something wrong, love?" his voice was soft and low as he moved toward her.
A strange chill ran up her spine at the sound of his voice. Lately it had been causing such reactions more frequently and she could do nothing to stop them. She shook her head quickly and moved toward the desk, busying herself with one of the many books stacked atop it.
"You're awful tense..." he whispered, standing just behind her, his hand trailing up the side of her arm lightly. "You shouldn't be so tense, love...it's only me..."
She didn't respond as his hand continued upward, pulling her long hair from her neck. The chills returned as his thin lips pressed to the soft skin, his breath dancing along it lightly.
"It's only me..." he whispered.
Rangiku sighed lightly as she felt his arm wrap about her waist. The book fell from her hands with a soft clatter on the desk as his mouth continued to make small circles along her neck.
"Gin..." she breathed.
"Mmm..." he grinned widely, turning her around to face him, his arms still locked around her waist. "S'my name..."
"I know..." she whispered back, her mouth hovering just above his.
It took longer than she expected to finally move forward, taking his lips into hers, kissing him deeply. Her fingers moved up his arms, twisting into his silver locks. Though her eyes were closed tightly, she couldn't help but peek them open for a moment to peer at the look on his face. She was rather stunned to find that at that precise moment, Gin's eyes had flickered open as well.
"Can I have you?" he asked, his eyes remaining open for the longest time Rangiku had ever witnessed. She wanted to continue staring into them, in hopes that he would keep them open forever.
"Forever..." she replied, pulling herself closer to him.
He kept his eyes open as he reached for the pale pink sash that tied about her waist, pulling it away from her. She let her hands fall to her sides, the robe falling apart. When his hands stopped moving, she finally brought her own back up to pull away the signature white robe of Division Three.
Taking a deep breath, she braced herself to feel his fingers move across her bared chest. Though she constantly flaunted the most prominent part of her body, she was quite shy about it when it really came down to things, and she was certain she could never had imagined herself being here, with Gin, allowing him to touch her in such a way.
It was crazy how fast things seemed to be moving, and at the very same time, the whole world seemed to have stopped for the two of them. Before she knew it, she found herself pinned beneath him, her hands grabbing at the back of his neck, his arms, chest, back, every single inch of skin she could possibly reach. Her heart was beating wilder than she'd ever imagined possible and her breath grew shorter with every gasp and cry she gave out.
"Forever..."
"I miss it too, love..." he whispered, as though he could read her very thoughts. His hand slipped down from her neck and rest just above her chest, his breathing still echoing through her ears. "Get that book back. For both our sakes..."
A/N: Sooo...I hope you guys enjoyed that little bit of GinxRan-ness, and once again I thank you all for being so very patient. I really really hope to update soon, so keep your eyes peeled. This time I PROMISE!! Thank youuuu!
