Wow. I'm one-quarter through with the drabbles. That just blows me away, especially since I'm still going strong, that's so exciting! Also exciting, I have a date, woo!
Thanks to: Blueberry Absinth, Solar Kitty, Renji's Girll, and MissTeak. You guys all get a pie or cookies or your choice
Contest reminder: the 100th reviewer will get a GinxRan one-shot to the idea of their choice! It's coming up O.O
25. Forever and a Day
Rangiku was lucky if she caught a glimpse of Gin once a week as they went to their classes. She knew they were working towards a better future, but at the moment, it felt worse than living in the old shack. It was true she ate good meals and had a good roof above her head, but she was lonely.
Every night, she woke up, crying out for what was not there.
After a month of this, the dorm head sat down with Rangiku. "It sounds like you're having trouble adjusting to living here at the dorm. Your roommate says you don't sleep through the night."
"Yeah, I guess so," she said. Rangiku did not see the point in denying it.
"Would it help, do you think, if you had a single room? Or would that make it worse?"
"Well, at least then I wouldn't wake up my roommate," Rangiku said. It would not matter. Either way she would not sleep through the night.
"I see," the woman said. "Then let's try a single room. I know this can be a hard transition sometimes."
Rangiku nodded, and after dinner, she moved her things to a new room. Then she had to study. There was always something to do, which was why she could only catch glimpses of her friend; he was even busier than she was.
A week later, she crawled into bed. She stared at the ceiling. Rangiku was still not sure which was better, silence or strange breathing.
Something banged against her window. Rangiku frowned and opened the shutters and peered out. All at once, a shape came hurtling through the window frame. A warm, rough hand covered her mouth before she could yell.
"Shh, I don' wanna get thrown out b'fore I can say 'lo," Gin said.
Rangiku threw her arms around her friend and held on tight. Gin's hand left her mouth and he hugged her until she could hardly breathe. It was a wonderful hug, just what she needed. "How'd you know I was here? How'd you get here?"
"Listened ta a lil' gossip, snuck around a little," Gin said and grinned.
"I haven't seen you in weeks."
"Yeah, they got us so busy. Learnin' stuff right n' left an' they jus' put me in a couple year 4 classes," he said.
Rangiku yawned. She was busy enough with her advanced coursework in year one, she could not imagine how Gin could do it all, but then, she knew her friend was far smarter than most everyone. "Yeah, I'm always tired."
"Le's go ta bed."
She nodded, and Gin led her to her bed. They curled up together, basking in the familiar presence. Rangiku slept through the night.
Fluff, weeeeee.
