Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is AU and set in the same universe as Tales of the Kingdom.

Afternoon

This was not what Rangiku had expected. However, she found that being an apprentice geisha rather suited her. It was hard work, but also a lot of fun at times. And Rangiku never needed to worry about going hungry now. Lady Ayame was strict, but she was also kind, and Rangiku had learned a lot in her first year. She didn't see Gin as much any more, but half the time she was too busy to worry about that. Rangiku knew that Gin was just as busy with his own training. They both had their own trades to learn.

Being a geisha was much more complicated than simply looking pretty. And even looking pretty could be hard work. Rangiku found herself in lessons concerning music, dance, and literature, not mention manners and conversation. Once she had mastered her first set of lessons, Rangiku knew that she would be receiving one on one training for things like the tea ceremony with Lady Ayame. She also was required to assist her "older sister" with preparing for her appointments. Rangiku had to admit she was definitely learning a lot.

There were a second set of lessons she was getting as well, though those weren't quite as frequent. Gin seemed determined that she know how to use just about all of the weapons he could. There were times when she thought he was a little paranoid, but it didn't hurt to know how to defend herself. With a sigh, Rangiku shook her head and turned her attention back to the music she was studying. It was hard to believe that she had been at this for nearly two years now. Rangiku knew that if she proved competent, in the next few years she would become a maiko. That would be the last stage of her training before becoming a full geisha.

She still had a lot of work to do before she got that far though. Setting her shamisen on her lap, Rangiku began the piece of music once again. This time she was going to get it perfect.

Gin was sore, out of breath, and tired, but he wasn't about to concede this fight yet. He had been singled out for the advanced sword class early on, and he wasn't about to give in even if his opponent was older and larger than him. Gin knew that to attract the kind of attention he needed to, he had to be exceptional. Sword fighting wasn't the only thing that he had been singled out for.

He had been barely there for a month when several of the senior captains had approached him about training as one of the Shinigami Knights intelligence officers. Apparently, some of the knights were rather concerned about the activities one of their own members, and they needed an operative who wasn't already a part of their intelligence division. Gin had agreed, and he found that the work suited him. The position also provided him with a better ability to keep Rangiku's existence quiet. He knew very well that Ran was an avenue of attack if someone wanted to hurt him.

There were other reasons to keep Rangiku secret as well. Due to her own position, she was much more in touch with what was going on in the general public than he was. Gin could move inside the court and the other knights with impunity, but at times getting information about merchants or other middle class groups could be difficult. Rangiku heard things simply by the virtue of what she was, and she had means of getting information that he didn't. She could be an incredible asset in that.

He also didn't want the knight he was investigating to know about her. As far as Sir Aizen knew right now, Gin was completely on his own in the world. And if he was going to keep Sir Aizen's interest, he needed to win this fight.