Author's Note:

Junior year is the bane of my existence. So, why exactly was I dumbass, and why did I decide to take two AP classes? Oh, that's right — because I'm a dumbass. Someone smack me with a wock.

Anyways, been a while since I've updated. And it's been a while since I've actually written anything for my personal enjoyment, so I decided to work on this. (And I also cannot sleep at the moment.) Aaaand the recent Bleach chapters have made me quite happy (ILOVESHUUHEIOMG). 8D

I love you, my wonderful reviewers.

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Kaleidoscope
a Bleach (© Kubo Tite) drabble set

Theme #38
Unprecedented Attack

Opening Song: "Viva La Vida" - Coldplay

This wasn't right — she was supposed to be happy. She was supposed to be cheering, she was supposed to be grinning, she was supposed to be jumping up and down. Everyone else was. Everyone else was cheering ecstatically. She should have been the loudest, the most excited — her best friend was graduating.

"Ichimaru Gin."

The room broke out cheers as the youngest graduate made his way across the platform, bearing his trademark grin. He shook the headmaster's hand, and the volume of the cheers escalated. People called out his name, friends shouted in support, teachers smiled approvingly. Gin stole a quick glimpse into the crowd, his gaze focused intently on the middle seat in the front row. He seemed to nod, then bowed to the crowd, and tracked back across the platform.

Rangiku could feel her heart drop.

The ceremony continued on without her. The crowd calmed down, the headmaster delivered another speech, the graduates stood up, the crowd cheered once again. Gradually, everyone departed, and she was the only one who remained.

Fireworks went off in her mind, nonrhythmic notes played in her ears, weariness and fear blinded her. Her hands were folded neatly in her lap, and she sat completely still. She had remained sitting throughout the whole ceremony.

She was being selfish. She wanted more time with him; she had only entered the Academy six months ago. And in that short time, she had been unable to spend any real time with him. They had both been caught up in their own training, their own things.

Breathing a weary sigh, Rangiku suddenly slumped in her seat in order to droop her head backwards. The lights in the large room had long since been shut off, and the strawberry blonde found herself shrouded in solitary darkness. Stupid, she thought bitterly.

"'Ey."

She jerked her head upwards, quickly bearing a small smile. "Hey," she greeted in return. "Congratulations."

"Thanks." She blinked once, and he was already in the seat next to her, with his legs comfortably drawn up against his chest. "S'wrong, Rangiku?" She glanced at him out of the corner of her eye, and found him cocking his head to the side. For some reason or other, she flushed and directed her eyes forward.

"Nothing."

"Hmmm..." Going against her better judgment, she glanced at him again, and this time found a thoughtful expression on his face.

She furrowed her brow. "What?"

"Nothin'." She frowned. "Jus' thinkin' about somethin'."

"What?"

"Hmmm..." She found herself growing irritated; it was something that Gin excelled at. "I guess it won't hurt."

Before she could fully register his words, he had leaned forward and pressed his cold lips against her cheek, pulling away before she could react. When she finally understood what had happened, her eyes widened and her jaw dropped, and her cheeks had developed a nice tinge of pink. "G-Gin!" she squeaked.

His only reply was to grin as he reached over and took her hand in his, pulling her up as he jumped to his feet. "Ya worry too much." Giving her hand a light tug, he headed for the exit.

Closing Song: "L no Kabe" - Death Note

Word Count: 522