Surprise, surprise. I wrote 'Dearest' almost immediately after reading chapter 416 and 417 of the manga. Watching the anime had a similar effect on me, I guess, so I GIVE YOU A BONUS CHAPTER! Isn't that great? =]

Pleaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase read and review.

DEAREST: BONUS CHAPTER

Cobwebs have accumulated at the corner of my ceiling.

Contrary to popular belief, I am hygienic enough to keep my humble home clean… most of the time. I even spent three hours tidying up this place last month. That was autumn. So yeah, last month—that's really decent since all of us had been extremely busy during the winter.

I bet the only room that was squeaky clean even in times of war was Ukitake-taicho's. His Twiddle-Dum and Twiddle-Dee third seats probably did all the cleaning for him.

It's strange that I didn't notice the cobwebs until now. After all, I've spent quite some time staring up at my ceiling ever since returning from Division Four. Don't get me wrong, I would rather much spend the night with the usual gang at the bar, but Unohana-taicho issued an alcohol ban on me and she's hell of a scary woman… I was forced to give up on the sa-ke at the celebration after the war, too. However I'm not too sure if I was upset over that—I wasn't in the mood to enjoy liquor but I was definitely in the mood to get drunk.

And now, the sickening feeling of alcohol-deprivation sinks in and I doubt I could ever sleep at all tonight. Maybe I should get an early start on spring cleaning.

Yes, I'll do that.

"Look, Ran. This is where we'll stay, fer as long as we like. We ain't gonna run no more. I've scouted, no bandits! And we can always get food in the village nearby," he stood in front of the shack and looked at his companion expectedly.

"Really?" her face glowed in hope. She was frail—underfed and lacking sleep. He knew she was exhausted; the villagers of the previous district had given quite a chase.

His back to her, he entered their new home and opened his eyes, and with much heaviness he replied, "Yep." Then, he listened to her soft footsteps as she came in behind him and hooked onto his arm. He heard her sigh, probably in relief or anticipation.

"So whatdya think? We shall start by cleaning up shan't we?" he asked merrily.

"Growl, Haineko." Cobwebs, RIP! I watch the dust of my blade fly to the corner of the ceiling and gather the webs into a grey cloud before directing it to the bin.

Hah, I'm proud of myself for utilizing my zanpakutou with such creativity. And a certain someone used to say that my shikai was a total representation of my lack of care for tidiness. Eat your words, Mister.

Who knew cleaning could be fun? The bitterness of all the suffering we went through is still on my tongue but for now, it's alright. I'm done with grieving and I still have a life. See? I am being productive and… optimistic.

Yeah.

This is life after you, Dearest.

I am not the little girl who trotted behind you through smelly alleys in Rukongai. Nor am I the damsel in distress whom you pushed out of the way when the rocks from the hawkers rained on her.

I am here now, safe and sound. I am the Lieutenant of Division Ten.

"Ah, how rare of you to visit, Gin."

"Hmm, is that so? I spy on you all the time, you just didn't know," he chuckled. He shifted about the room before finally looking back at her. "You like it here?"

"It's not bad," she ran a hand in her hair. "Though taicho can get really cranky sometimes (he'll be back soon). But all in all this office is a good second home. I like the couch," she smiled brightly.

"Aren't ya gonna ask what I'm here for?"

"To congratulate me?" she arched a brow.

"Now, now. I would love to do that but ya didn't even send me a note when I was appointed captain!" he teased.

"That's because I don't like you being a captain," her smile faltered.

By the way, look now, my living quarters in the Gotei is a spotless, dust-free unit under my care. The name and the shikai of my zanpakutou most certainly have nothing to do with actual cleanliness, despite all that you say back then.

"Yer getting rusty, Rangiku. Shun-po's too slow and that zanpakutou leaves dust everywhere… not cuttin' anyone ya know?"

"Oh, quit it Gin! Be nice to the beginner!" she yelled at her sparring partner, flushed and out of breath.

"That shikai is sure like ya! Lazy, makes a mess…"

Our shack sat at the edge of a desert-like village. Dust became a prominent memory of my childhood so I suppose it became yours too. It's funny how you were like a clean freak who insisted on sweeping the sand out of the door and wiping all the dusty miserable furniture we had. You never let me help. You said you could do it all on your own and I was too slow for the job. You smacked the back of my head when I argued, only occasionally handing me a chipped bowl to be washed.

You kept my hands clean and I'm glad that you did. I've grown wonderfully because of you and for you. It's nice to know that I…

I've been loved.

"You've got pretty hands."

"So?" she asked haughtily, hands on her hips as she glared half-heartedly.

"Shall do the dirty work so you keep'em that way," his grin widened just a fraction.

I just wish I had known that your definition of dirty work was beyond extreme.

Strange, now that I'm done cleaning, sleep seems to come easily. So strange, lying on the futon, I suddenly remember what it felt like to have your hand holding mine in the dead of night when we both dreaded the morning, wide awake. You were vigilant; I was insistent on staying up with you. Your hands, cold and pale; mine, warm and wanting to assure.

When you looked down to study my fingers, were you proud that they were not worn like yours? Did you find out that I wanted to let you hold them for as long as possible?

Goodnight, Dearest.

PLEASE REVIEW. ALSO, THERE'S A SISTER FIC TO 'DEAREST', THAT IS, 'DUST IN THE WIND'. READ IT IF YOU WANT TO! =)