First, man, five more days and we'll be at 50 drabbles in a row. *dances* Second, I've had a number of comments about how random some of the drabbles are, which makes me wonder if I wasn't really clear about what these are. Basically, I have a pre-made list of 100 themes I got off the 'net somewhere, and for each theme, I come up with a Ran-Gin centric drabble/one-shot sort of deal. Some of them are loosely connected, but for the most part, are completely random and subject to the whims are the themes. The themes are also the title of each chapter, if that helps explain things. Sorry for any confusion.

Thanks to: MissTeak, blackteaplease, Blueberry Absinth, Beautiful Nightmare07, and Care Bear on Fire


45. Everyday Magic

Rangiku barreled through a stand of trees and threw herself at Gin. "This place is hard to find."

"S'worth it," he said, keeping his arms around her just a moment too long. Sometimes, he never wanted to let go.

"But what is it?"

"Told ya, s' a surprise. A good one."

"Tell me."

"Nah, I'ma show you instead," Gin said and took Rangiku's hand, leading her farther into the meadow. "Now, sit down."

Rangiku hesitated a moment, looking around at the wildflowers, but the pressure of Gin's hands on her shoulders led her to sit amongst the flowers. Gin sat beside her.

"Now what?"

"Shh. Hold still."

"Why?"

Gin turned and looked at her, his blue-green eyes flashing open at her for a long moment. He smiled, and Rangiku wondered if anyone could have more amazing eyes. She held his eyes until she forgot what she was doing. Gin turned away, still smiling, but his mask veiled his eyes once more.

A butterfly flitted in front of Rangiku's nose; it was not an everyday butterfly, but one of fabulous blues and greens that flitted across a black background. She did not dare gasp or make a sound, scared she would frighten the lovely creature off.

It perched on the tip of Rangiku's nose. She stared at it, feeling her eyes cross.

A few seconds later, Gin's laughter scared the butterfly away. "Tha' was some sight."

"You scared it!"

"Jus' wait."

Rangiku did, secretly hoping the butterfly would return. Instead, the meadow around her began to erupt in flying color; dozens of butterflies swooped and swirled, displaying their wings in a dance of such artistry she could only watch in silence.

After a time, Rangiku felt eyes on her. "What is it?"

"Ya got a butterfly in yer hair. Pretty."

He was watching her with opened eyes; it was a Gin she saw very rarely. "Thank you. You have a butterfly too."

"Ah, that's not very manly."

"It's perfect. Don't move," Rangiku said, and Gin followed her command for a number of minutes before the butterfly flew off on its own. "Thank you, Gin. This is just… amazing."

"Guess a present'd about go unnoticed after this."

"A present?"

"Yup."

"For me?"

"Uh huh."

"Why?" Rangiku said, but she was edging closer, excitement making her eyes wide.

"'Cause it reminded me of ya," Gin said and drew out a long, narrow box wrapped neatly in silver paper.

Rangiku tore through the wrapping and yanked the lid off the box. "It's the scarf I wanted!"

"Yep."

"Thank you!" Rangiku said and lifted the silk out gently. She examined every inch of it before donning it. "It's so pretty."

"Tha's why it reminded me of ya."

"You're silly," she said and wrapped her arms tight around him in a long bear hug.


Man, I really need to cut out a chunk of time to write up like... 10 drabbles, so I'll have a stock-pile while I'm in Europe.... and time to work on Twist of Fate AND the contest one-shot. Working 5-6 days a week really eats at time.