Author's Note: Aiya, late update. Sorry 'bout that folks. :3 But I must say that I am the happiest author ever. Why? Because I finally reached 100 reviews! You guys are absolutely amazing. And thus, this chapter is dedicated to all of you. For your encouragment, your inspiring words... Just, thank you. Whether you reviewed once or every chapter; every single one made me grin like a moron. Thank you (in order from the first reviews):
xOProcrastinator, liltle, Thien Minh, Elle R-M., Cheese Maiden, imisscalvin, Erena G.T. Rose, Edge, Silver Chrysanthemum, phinkness, Yume Matsuri, Winterglow, Alaena Night, My10315, Tatsumaki-sama, nessie6, mooneasterbunny, hippi926840, Lobo-chan, Deshwitat's lover, and sailormars5194.
Theme #20
The Infamous Question
Breathing in shakily, Rangiku entangled herself within the covers of her worn futon, basking in the small amount of warmness it provided. She closed her eyes and attempted to sleep. In a matter of a few minutes, she had flipped over onto her other side, and repeated. She continued doing so until she finally gave up, and lay on her side, facing the closed door of her room.
Gin had returned hours ago, much earlier than normal. Strange enough, however, he stalked to his room right after, and hadn't left since. She contemplated on knocking on the door or peeking inside, just to see how he was fairing. But she decided against it. He had his rights to privacy, after all.
But something was bothering him; she could tell. With the short amounts of time that they had together, he was quiet. Not the usual, solemn kind of quiet he normally elicited, but a mysterious quiet. A quiet that told her that he was hiding something.
"What are you hiding from me, Ichimaru Gin?"
Her breath caught in her throat and her eyes snapped shut when a pair of footsteps sounded near her door. The door quietly creaked open, creating a gap only large enough for a familiar figure to slip through. Almost eerily, he crouched next to her side, unaware that she was fully awake.
He brushed a hand against her cheek, a sorrowful smile played out on his lips. "I'm gonna be gone fer a while, Rangiku," he whispered. "But I'll come back, alrigh'? Take care." Soundlessly, he pulled himself up to his feet, and in one swift step, exited the room.
As soon as she was sure that he couldn't hear her, Rangiku sat upright and crawled over to the door, which had been left open. Almost afraid to see, she pushed it open ever-so-slightly and peered through the crack.
With his back to her, and only the black yukata he wore everyday, Ichimaru Gin ventured into the snowfall of the night.
Rangiku slumped against the side of the door and inhaled deeply. "Gin... Where are you going?"
Word Count: 357