Summary: As of late, Rangiku has been more and more depressed even though it's been four years since the defeat of Aizen's army. Ichigo has been reclusive of late since their is hardly any hollows to fight since the fall in Hueco Muendo four years ago and rarely finds anything exciting. Friends of both parties have tried everything to cheer them up and yet everythinmg failed. In a last attempt, they bring the two of them together and it's an instantaneous click. But will forces of the unknown threaten to tear the relationship apart?
A/N: I thank all my reviewers so much! They have given me needed advice and confidence in this story. Now for disclaimers ^ ^! I do not own Bleach! (Though I wish I did) The series and manga belong to the author/creator and the animators who brought it to its existance.
"", ''- Speaking Normally, thoughts
''- Private Thoughts
"" or ''- Hichigo, zanpaktou's, etc speaking
Chapter 4: Missing you
"Captain!" Rising from the sand quickly, Rangiku brushed as best as she could the sand off her body.
"I see that you two were having fun." Toushirou remarked dryly seeing his lieutenant and the substitute soul reaper covered in sand. "In any case..."
"Where have you and my captain been!?" Coming from behind the stoic captain, Dawn marched up to the shocked lieutenant and poked her in the chest. "Answer me woman!"
"Ummm, Rangiku? Whose this?" Standing up himself, Ichigo was confused to who the young woman was that was trying to interrogate Rangiku.
Raising an eyebrow, Toushirou regarded his lieutenant. "You didn't tell him?"
Snapping out her stupor, Rangiku responded to him. "I thought Momo would."
Sighing, the ice captain chanted peaceful mantras in his head to block the on coming migraine of dealing with this situation. "Ichigo, this is Dawn, Momo's lieutenant."
Hearing her name called, the violet haired female turned to the one they called the savior of soul society. "You're the one who took down Aizen? You don't look so tough."
"Hey!"
"Easy Ichigo." Moving near him, the blonde prevented a fight from happening.
"You didn't tell me she was going to be an arrogant little prick."
Staring up at her companion, she replied back with a hint of sarcasm in her voice. "You sure that you two are not related? And besides, I didn't know that they were going to come and find us."
"Related!? That's an insult!"
Watching the two go at it, Toushirou smiled and shook his head before turning his back on them. "Come Dawn."
"But! Captain!" Wanting to give Ichigo a piece of her mind, she stuck that thought in her back pocket and followed Toushirou instead. "Why are we just leaving her?"
"We'll contact her later, right now it's time to find your captain and I have a very good idea of where she is staying at."
"More tea Momo?"
"Yes." Holding out her cup, the smell of jasmine enticed her nose when she brought her cup back. "Domo Arigatou Urahara- san."
"Never a problem. So tell me, how does it feel to be captain?"
"To be honest, it's a lot less scary than I figured it be. Sure the paper work sucks and the hours are longer than when I was a lieutenant the benefits outweigh the cons of the situation."
Giving a knowing smile, the ex- twelfth captain could relate to the feeling. "Well if you ever need any advice you know that I have an open ear for you."
"Thank you very much." Bowing to him, quick reflexes made her pull back just in time to avoid getting hit in the temple with a book.
"Hey! What the hell!? Whose throwing shit in here!?" Hearing the crash, Jinta raced out front with broom in hand to the front of the store leaving the two in the common room confused.
"Easy little one, were just here to see Urahara."
"Hun? I know you, you're that captain that uses ice. Look here pal, you just caused a mess of trouble for me! I gotta clean this up now otherwise Tessai will have my ass!" At the sounds of the boards creaking in a certain way, the red head yelped and sped off into another part of the shouten.
Shaking his head at him, Urahara arose from his seat and greeted the two new occupants that came in. "Welcome Captain Toushirou and ..."
"Lieutenant Dawn."
"Whose lieutenant?"
"I am Momo's lieutenant, speaking of which..." Walking over to her captain, with swiftness no one saw whacked her on the back of her head before sitting next to her.
"Nice to see you too." Smiling sheepishly, Momo handed her the tea she was going to drink and took another cup and poured some for herself.
"So this is where you've been hiding out." Sitting on the other side, Toushirou sent a icy glare at the now timid captain.
"Easy, easy guys." Holding up a bottle, he offered it to Toushirou. "Sake?"
He thought about it briefly before nodding his head yes. "Might help calm my nerves." Taking the cup offered, Toushirou downed it in one shot. "Phew... Quick question, mind if we stay the rest of the night? Were heading out early in the morning."
"Sure, it's not a problem."
"Captain Hitsugaya, are we going to tell them?" Peering past her captain, Dawn regarded Toushirou with a curious look.
"When we return to soul society."
Looking between the two of them, Momo assumed that whatever it was it would be spilled at the right time.
"We leave at dawn, be ready Momo."
"So does that mean I can't stay up?" Turning to her childhood friend, he shrugged at her.
"Do what you want, just make sure you're ready."
Nodding at him, she excused herself to the back porch with her tea. Taking a seat, she stared up at the moon. 'Enjoy your last night...'
"That was fun!" Holding her stuff animal close to her, Rangiku followed Ichigo back to his car. "Did the others go back already?"
"Yes, they did." Ichigo took notice of they running car and the still warm seats in the car. "They took the stuff with them too."
"Does anyone else drive?" Placing her prize and bag in the back seat, Rangiku hopped up into the front passenger side.
"Chad and Uyru." Getting into the drivers seat, the teen started the car and took off from the beach...
"... It's too quiet, you sure they're aren't any hollows around?" Peering out the windows, Rangiku looked around for any traces of abnormal spiritual pressures.
"Relax, you think I'd be this calm if there was anything wrong?"
"You're right." Leaning back into the seat, Rangiku started to drift off before something silvery caught her eye. 'A hollow? No... It's a hell butterfly.' "Ichigo, open the window please."
"Uh, sure." Rolling down the window, he saw the small creature land on Rangiku's outstretched finger.
Listening to the message, Rangiku nodded before sending the butterfly off.
"What's up?"
"It's nothing."
The trip was silent after that.
"WELCOME HOME DAUGHT-!"
"Old man!" Kicking his father in the face, Ichigo let Rangiku pass into the house before kicking Isshin out on his ass.
"Welcome home Rangiku-san."
"Thanks Yuzu." Placing the beach bag near the door way, Rangiku headed upstairs, giving a small wave to Karin before heading upstairs.
"There's food on the stove for you and Rangiku if you want it Ichi-Ni." Tying her hair back, Yuzu went into the kitchen and started the dishes.
"Alright, thank you Yuzu." Taking the beach bag, Ichigo ruffled Karin's hair before dashing upstairs to avoid her wrath.
"We leave tomorrow at dawn, be ready."
'Tomorrow...' Sliding down so that any thing nose down was covered, the tenth lieutenant was frustrated that she had to leave so soon. Taking into fact that she did indeed leave with out permission, it was the best decision in a while that she had ever made.
"Are you okay Rangiku?"
"I'm fine Yuzu!" Putting on a cheery tone to not frighten or worry the girl, when Rangiku heard footsteps lead away from the door did she finally curl up into a ball. 'I don't want to go...'
'How long has she been in there?' "Hey Rangiku! Open up!" Hearing shuffling, the next thing Ichigo sees is Karin standing above him wrapped in a towel.
"Baka, she's in your room." Kicking her brother lightly, the tomboy slammed the door closed in her brother's face.
Rubbing his head, Ichigo muttered a curse towards the bathroom door before getting up and going to his room. Opening the door, he froze in panic when he saw a dark figure but relaxed when the moon light showed that it was Rangiku. Walking in, he closed the door and took a seat on the bed next to her. "Hey there." Moving her summer dress fabric from underneath him, he noted how it matched her eye color.
Giving a nod in his direction, she continued to focus on the moon.
Frowning, before he could move, Rangiku leaned into him.
"I have to go back to the soul society tomorrow."
"Oh."
Leaning into him more, she looked up at him.
Putting an arm around her, Ichigo tried to give her some small amount of comfort without pushing his boundaries.
Sitting there in silence, it was interrupted by the sudden arrival by a knock on the window by Toushirou.
"Captain?"
"Let's go Rangiku."
"But I thought that we left tomorrow." Untangling herself from Ichigo's embrace, Rangiku walked over to the window.
"The situation has changed and we need to go now."
Looking back at the teen who changed her whole outlook, she smiled sadly at him before climbing up the still.
"Wait, Toushirou!" Getting off the bed, the orange haired teen stopped the lieutenant. "Whatever is going on, tell me as soon as it happens."
Staring at the teen hard, the white haired captain sighed before sighing. "Fine, but ONLY if it's dire. Until then keep vigilant watch."
"Alright." Turning to Rangiku, he brushed stray hairs away from her face. "Take care okay?"
"... I will." Getting ready to follow her captain, she was stopped again by something going around her neck. "What's this?"
"It was my mother's necklace, please take care of it."
Stunned that he would give him something so personal of value, she gave him a kiss on the cheek before officially going through the senkaimon.
Arriving in the world already dressed, Rangiku was blindsided by a blur before realizing it was Momo dragging her along. "Whoa! Slow down!"
"Can't! Captain and lieutenant's meeting!" Pulling them up on the roof, they joined Dawn and Toushirou who was heading the same way.
"Does she know yet?"
"No, Dawn. She'll be told when we get there." Dragging her friend down with her, the four of them made their way inside General Yamamoto's chambers.
"Good, everyone is here." Opening his eyes briefly, they locked on Momo and Rangiku before closing again. "Lock the doors and make sure that no one gets in!"
Closing the doors, the lock rang out clear in the silent room.
"Now, as most know, there was a report that came in a few days ago about their being movements in Hueco Muendo."
'Say what?' Looking up at her captain, he made no indication towards her.
"That being said, recon was sent out and recovered two bodies of lower class arrancars. Unfortunately, when Captain Kurotsuchi tried to preform autopsy on the corpses they exploded."
A quiet shudder of revulsion ran through out the room when that was said.
"Until further notice, all connections to the human world are cut to focus on the search of Hueco Muendo for any arrancars stronger than Adjuchas. You are dismissed."
Following the other captains and lieutenants outside, Rangiku tried to process what was just said in that short meeting.
"Rangiku... Are you okay?" Walking over to the silent lieutenant, Momo pulled back when she moved slightly.
"Yea, I am..." Touching her neck, the cold feeling of a pendant sent the necessary shock to her brain for her to get moving. 'I will be strong through this...'
Four weeks later
"More paper work coming in!"
Looking up from her desk, Rangiku sighed before calling the lower seat over and having him place the files on her desk. Waving him off, she finished the document on her desk before handling one on the top file.
"Wow, another one done properly. I am impressed Rangiku!"
Glaring at her captain, she knew that he meant it in a good gesture. "Then maybe I can get a break? I've been sitting in the same posture for over five hours, almost seven days a week since I came back."
"Hmmm... Nope. You're still under punishment."
Huffing at him, baby blue irises flickered over to the open window where the indications of summer were fluttering within arms reach. "Oh, and it's so nice outside."
"Don't even think about it." Rubbing his temples, Toushirou glanced up briefly from the document he was reading.
Making a face at him once he was down, the pendant rubbed against her breast bone stopping her mockery. Picking up the tear drop, she noticed how the amber brown colored was similar to a certain substitute soul reapers.
"Who gave you that?"
"Gave me what?"
"That pendant."
Preferring not to bring up any memories, Rangiku returned to her work.
"Three cheers for Rangiku getting nearly all her paper work done!"
"Oh ha ha." Taking the cup of sake passed to her by Nanao, Rangiku downed it in one shot. "What's the real reason you got me out here? You do know I'm still under punishment right?"
"Of course but I don't think it hurts to miss a couple of hours does it?"
"Good point." Resting against the wall, she thanked Nemu for the refill before sipping on the sweet liquor.
"So tell us, how was it playing hooky in the human world?"
"Mmm, to be honest Kiyone it wasn't as exciting as you expect it to be. Sure it was fun but it also was relaxing to not have to worry about the stress of daily papers and squad seat issues."
"Ohh, sounds so relaxing, I think I need to pay a visit there." Rolling on her back, the younger Kotetsu sister imagined about what she would do once she got there.
"Kiyone..." Eyeing her younger sister, Isane couldn't help but agree with her in the fact that a day away from the hustle and bustle of the fourth division would be welcome.
"And how was Ichigo?"
Spitting out her sake, Rangiku turned to Nemu who was sitting with a stoic face. "What?"
"How was he? Was he a good quote on quote lay?"
Blushing, she coughed to hide her embarrassment. "Who told you I was with Ichigo?"
"Momo."
"Oh really?" Glaring at the captain, she had her head turned away whistling innocently.
Grabbing the sake bottle, Rangiku poured two more cups and downed them before facing a room full of interested woman. "Okay, okay, first off, there was no sex at ALL. So get your minds out the gutter and the trash cans please."
"So what did happen?"
All heads turned to the door way to see a mass of green poking her head in.
"Nel! Come take a seat! You're just in time for the good part!" Patting the cushion next to her, Momo barely dodged a whack towards her head from Rangiku.
"I see." Sitting down next to her, Nel took the cup offered to her and stared at Rangiku. "So spill, what happened with Berry-tan?"
Muttering obscenities at the green haired female, she took notice that the ibex skull was missing off of Nel's head. "Hey, what happened..."
"Im in a modified gigai that hides it. It a way for me to walk around freely without having to worry about someone from the other squads attacking me. But back to the other topic, what did you two do?"
"Ugh. If you must know, nothing happened. He let me stay at his house, we went out shopping and then when Momo came over we went to the beach before we were dragged back." Leaving out the part they shared the same bed, the others seemed to be satisfied with her answer.
"Hmmm, besides not kicking you out his room that sounds like something Ichigo would d-."
"What's that around your neck?" Noticing something shimmering around her neck, Yachiru walked over to Rangiku.
"Oh, you saw it?" Pulling out the pendant, Rangiku held it up to the light and admired how the golden amber set around in the tear base highlighted the larger dark amber in the center of the necklace. "It's Ichigo's mother's necklace, he gave it to me before he left."
"Awww! That's so cute!" Jumping up and down, Yachiru ran around as if she was hyped on candy which she probably was.
"Oh no." Getting up from her seat, Nanao began trying to calm down the hyper active lieutenant.
Watching the chaos unfolding, Rangiku couldn't help but grin before looking down at the pendant and sobering up somewhat. 'Miss you...'
"Something wrong Ichigo?" Adjusting the bag on her shoulder, Orihime turned back to her friend who stopped suddenly.
"No, sorry about that." Jogging to catch up with Orihime, he touched his chest gingerly as if someone had touched him there. 'You're gone but the lingering feeling still remains here...'
A/N: UGH! Damn you fanfiction and motivation! Finally re-written and got this damn chapter done! Time to work on the other ones!