Bleach belongs to Tite Kubo. I am just a loyal, borderline obsessed fan.

Spirit Stallion of the Cimarron score and songs belong to DreamWorks Pictures, Hans Zimmer, and Bryan Adams.

Sound The Bugle

Character: Gin

Sound the bugle now - play it just for me

As the seasons change - remember how I used to be

Now I can't go on - I can't even start

I've got nothing left - just an empty heart

Gin Ichimaru grimaced in pain as each shallow breath he took seemed to rip the wound in his chest even greater. He glanced over at what used to be his right arm, cursing it for not being quick enough.

"Damn you Aizen. Damn you."

I'm a soldier - wounded so I must give up the fight

There's nothing more for me - lead me away...

Or leave me lying here

Gin heard a distant voice calling his name, but he paid it no heed. Couldn't they just leave him to die in peace? The voice kept getting closer. He wondered who it was, but he dared not open his eyes. It hurt too much to open his eyes. It hurt too much to do much of anything.

Warm droplets landed on his face and Gin began to blink in surprise. "Is someone crying for me?" he thought to himself, "Who would cry for me?"

As the figure came into view a small smile graced his lips, "Rangiku," he breathed before hissing in pain.

"Shh," she soothed, giving him a tearful smile, "Don't speak, I'm here."

Gin glanced up at her tear filled eyes, a rare frown forming in his lips. He had failed, Rangiku wasn't supposed to cry.

"I failed you Rangiku. I failed you."

Sound the bugle now - tell them I don't care

There's not a road I know - that leads to anywhere

Without a light I fear that I will stumble in the dark

Lay right down - decide not to go on

Gin cursed himself. All he wanted was to make Rangiku happy. All he wanted was for her not to cry. And yet here she was, spilling her tears over him. Would things be different if he hadn't followed Aizen? Would Rangiku be laughing with him, instead of crying for him? He should have just run away with her when he had the chance. The two of them could be off somewhere in the Rukongai countryside, wasting the day away, eating dried persimmons together, and having a jolly goodtime. He knew they would have been happy; all they needed was each other. Instead he choose to follow Aizen, thinking that getting close to the man who hurt Rangiku, and betraying him would make her not cry. And yet he failed. He failed miserably.

"I'm sorry Rangiku. I'm sorry I failed you."

It was Rangiku's turn to frown, "Failed me? What are you talking about Gin, I don't understand?"

"I became a soul reaper so you wouldn't have to cry anymore. I followed Aizen so you wouldn't have to cry anymore. You're crying Rangiku, I failed. I'm glad I said I was sorry, though, My Rangiku. My love."

More tears spilt from Rangiku's eyes, "Oh Gin…"

"If you were to turn into a snake tomorrow and begin devouring humans, and from the same mouth you started devouring humans, you cried out to me 'I love you,' would I still be able to say 'I love you' the same way I do today?"

"Yes, Gin. Yes."

"Good, I'm glad."

Gin closed his eyes and Rangiku shouted in panic, "Gin? Gin!"

She held him tight in her arms, "Please open your eyes Gin, please."

Gin didn't want to. He didn't want to see anymore of her tears.

Then from on high - somewhere in the distance

There's a voice that calls, "Remember who you are"

If you lose yourself - your courage soon will follow

So be strong tonight - remember who you are

A rumble shook the foundation and Gin's eyes shot open once more, eyes narrowing into the dust. Ichigo Kurosaki appeared, his hair longer, covering his face, with his father slung over his shoulder. Determination was in the kid's eyes, when only moments before there had been despair.

He looked back at Rangiku, who was still spilling silent tears over him. Maybe this kid could defeat Aizen. Maybe this kid could stop Rangiku's tears.

His eyes traveled back over to Ichigo, "No," he thought, "not maybe, he will. He will defeat Aizen, and Rangiku will no longer have to cry. I'm glad Rangiku will no longer have to cry."

Yeah you're a soldier now - fighting in a battle

To be free once more - yeah, that's worth fighting for

Author's note:

My Second songfic. Yay!

I miss Gin . :'(

Reviews are most appreciated!

God Bless,

~SingingButterflyRose