You were always very annoyed whenever I tried to protect you, even when we were younger. I learned quickly I had to do so indirectly, treating it more like a chore than something I actually wanted to do if I didn't want to anger you.

You would get offended so easily, storming off whenever I tried to shield you from anything varying from rain to suggestive comments men threw at you as you walked down the street to unsheathed swords once we'd become shinigami.

You believed very strongly—and very rightly—that you could protect yourself.

"I do just fine when you're gone, Gin," you'd told me acidly one night. "I don't need you to protect me."

I'd threatened a man who'd been ogling you in the marketplace earlier.

He'd come up to you, draping a dirty arm around your shoulder. I saw you stiffen, and I could feel the spike in your reiatsu as he whispered suggestive things to you. I didn't hear what he said, but from the look on your face, I knew you weren't happy.

"Oi, Ran-chan, what's this?" I drawled, sidling up beside you.

The man's casual, suggestive demeanor vanished when he saw me. His arm immediately fell from your shoulders.

He, like most of the villagers in the town nearby out little hut, was frightened of me.

My ever-smiling façade made them uncomfortable, and I'm sure not a one of them trusted me farther than they could throw me. And considering none of them could or would ever be throwing me anywhere, the amount of trust they had for me was very small indeed.

I preferred it that way.

You glared at me as I continued to smile, anything but innocently. I felt your annoyance turn from the man towards me.

"Is this man botherin' ya'?" I asked, cocking my head to the side.

You said nothing, just continued to glare at me.

The man, however, stuttered. "N-no, just sayin' hello."

I continued to smile at him.

"Oh? Don't look like that," I said slowly, raising an eyebrow. The man was practically shivering in the sunlight now. "Might wanna be careful, next time," I told him, "Ya' never know goin'ta be watchin' or what they're gonna think."

With that, I slipped my arm around your waist and steered you away as the man mumbled rushed apologies at our backs.

I was more than a little surprised you let me.

I think, at the point, you were torn between annoyance and amusement that I'd gotten so worked up over another man touching you. I wasn't jealous—I wouldn't be jealous of another man for many years—but I did not want him touching you. He simply didn't deserve to.

Not, that I'm suggesting, I ever had the rights to you either, Rangiku.

Annoyance had won over by the time we'd gotten back home. Lucky for me, you cooled off as the night wore on, enough that I was able to convince you to leave your pallet for mine.

You were always so independent, Rangiku, I think that was something that drew me to you.

It amazed me that a little orphan girl could grow into someone so strong and so bubbly. You were always quick to smile, quick to laugh…I realize now those are two things I miss here in this white stone hell.

There were many other times you fought me when it came to my 'rescuing you', both in the streets as the years wore on, stretching into our days at the academy when someone would comment on your body or call you any number of lewd names.

I tried protecting you with my sword only once—by the time the hollow I'd been trying to keep away from you had been detroyed, you had your own sword at my neck, your body crackling with raw power that was magnified by your annoyance and anger.

I knew you never really needed rescuing, Rangiku.

I think after a while you realized I wanted to protect you not because I thought you needed it, but because I wanted to.

I'm sure you knew this, and know it still now, but I'm very protective of things that I consider to be mine.

And to me, I think, you will always be mine.

I'm surprised how many hits this is getting-- it makes me very happy.

I liked how this part came out. I've been re-watching the Soul Society Arc (I atually fnished it last night-- I love the episode after it with Radio Kon, and Renji and Ichigo fighting in the booth, and then Ichigo storming into Bya's room in the hospital-- his face is priceless. Hitsugaya is also a riot, especially when Renji and Ichigo slowly come up over his shoulders...I never cease to find that amusing) and trying to figure Gin out some more...it's not really working, but oh well. I love when Aizen gets cornered and Gin's just like 'Oi, what a ruckus...' and then he goes to do something and Rangiku grabs him-- he makes the best noise of surprise.

Anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter/part. Pleaaaaaase review!

-Luin