Author's Note: I bet you're all getting frustrated with Rangiku not getting the bright idea to just join the Shinigami Academy. Well, keep in mind that this is supposed to be in chronological order, and 100 Themes. I don't wanna rush anything, and at this point, Rangiku's just confused. Just be patient with me. :3

Theme #24
Opposites

Gin stood over the neatly folded futon, taking in the simple pattern stitched into the cover. His eyes grazed over the now-empty dresser, to the bland walls and the wooden floor. His room felt so cold, he realized. Even if this little shack was poorly warmed, his room always seemed so much cooler than the rest of the house.

With a barely audible sigh, he made his way for the door frame, resting his bony fingers on the wood before trailing into the main room. He peered around each corner, memorizing every crook and nanny, until he came to Rangiku's room.

Walking on the tips of his toes, he softly pushed aside the door, expecting to find her fast asleep in her futon. Nothing. No one. Her futon was done neatly and folded in the corner, and there was no sign of her anywhere. Furrowing his brows, he walked further into the room.

Immediately he felt as though he was basked in warmth. The two always seemed to contradict each other: cold and hot, empty and full, winter and summer. And yet, despite their difference, they always managed to meld in to each other, as though completing each other.

He made his way around the room, running his hands along the wall and her dresser. Visually, their rooms were almost exactly alike, but the feel and atmospheres were completely different.

Hoping to find the strawberry blonde before taking off, he checked every corner of the shack, but to no avail. She was no where in sight. Knowing that his time was up, Gin stepped out of the house, and turned once to get one last look at the place that had housed him for so long.

The trademark grin was almost nonexistent. His grip tightened around the drawstrings of his bag as his breath hitched. "See ya... Rangiku." With his lips quirking into the smallest hint of a smile, he turned his back on the shack, and retreated over the hill. He didn't look back once.

Word Count: 337

This one focused mostly on Gin's view of his departure. The next one'll be about Rangiku's view.