Author's Note:

Written in Vietnam.

So I'm sort of really pissed 'cause some little brat at one of my gramma's parties stole my USB, which had all of my written works on it. I had a good... ten or so themes written out, but I managed to salvage one, as well as a multi-chaptered fic I started. -sigh- I guess that's what I get for not backing up anything on my laptop.

In any case, thank you to everyone who reviewed while I was away. I was able to check my e-mail a couple times, and wow, you guys really know how to make a writer happy. :) So another wonderfully huge thank you to Jigoku-HI, Charmane, Tatsumaki-sama, ManonLeChat, Air Sniper, xushi, Batsu Espada, Yugioh freak, coco munchie, Baxter54132, happypocky, lili, and SoulessReaper. Jesus Christ, you guys are amazing. :))

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Kaleidoscope
a Bleach (© Kubo Tite) fanfiction

Theme #47
makeup

Opening Song: "I Can't Do It Alone" - 3OH!3

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Gin had faced many formidable foes in his time; foes who were three times his size, foes who seemed to predict his every move, foes who seemed to see right through him, and foes who seemed to have no weaknesses at all. Gin had made it through them all, though often by only a small string of luck. He had encountered many frightening enemies, yet nothing could compare to the opponent standing before him now.

"... I don' know 'bout this, Rangiku."

The strawberry blonde often complained about the Shinigami Academy's food, and though he personally thought it wasn't half bad, he thought he'd do his longtime friend a favor. He invited her over to his house for dinner, and he now sit strapped to a chair with a stick of lipstick pointed just centimeters away from his face. He planned to make her an extravagant meal, and she repaid him by attacking him in his own home. Was there no mercy for a man's pride?

"Come on, Gin," she pleaded, her lower lip stuck out in a pout. "Mayumi-chan bought me this new makeup set, but none of my friends will let me do their makeup." Of course, she had never applied makeup before; she knew that and her friends knew that, but Gin didn't need to. "I'd feel bad if I just let it all go to waste."

"I'm not yer doll," he replied blandly.

"But Giiiiin..." She blinked large eyes at him, but the adamant frown on his face didn't falter. She huffed, realizing that her pleading would get her no where, and placed both hands on her hips. "Well, Gin, I can see you won't be coming willingly."

He quirked a brow as he looked down at the ropes keeping him tied to the chair. Did free will ever have a part in this?

She ignored his stare and smirked as she twisted the tube of lipstick so that the red point extended. "Looks like we're gonna have to do this the hard way."

"Rangiku, don' get anywhere near me," he said warningly, though both of them knew he was in no position to make threats. Rangiku advanced on him, and out of fear for what was left of his pride, he kicked out. His foot hit her leg with enough force to knock her off balance, and she went tumbling towards him, sending both her and Gin, still in the chair, to the ground.

She groaned as she sat up, rubbing her forehead. "Ugh, the hard way sucks..." She looked at Gin to make sure if he was alright, but before she could ask, a laugh caught in her throat. First she could only blink, then came the giggles, then the chuckling, and then the full out cackling.

Gin, still slightly dizzy from the fall, looked at Rangiku with confusion. "Did'ja hit yer head too hard?" he half asked, half groaned.

At first his answer was only laughter, but she eventually managed to gather enough of her bearings to shove a mirror in his face. What he saw made him wish he was facing another one of those ridiculously formidable enemies instead. Aside from the blood red mark smeared crookedly across his lips, the lipstick also traveled over his left cheek and the bridge of his nose.

He groaned as he tilted his head back against the floor. He opened his mouth to demand that she relinquish him, but Rangiku was suddenly on her feet, a look of shock on her face. "Oh shoot! Curfew was five minutes ago; I'm gonna be late! Sorry, Gin, I'll see you later!"

"Hold on, Rangiku, untie―"

Without even glancing at him, she was out the door, leaving Gin with only the mirror to keep him company. He glared at the mirror, who in turn only taunted him with his own reflection.

Matsumoto Rangiku was truly one of the most frightening opponents he had ever faced.

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Closing Song: "Don't Stop Believin'" - Journey


Word Count: 659

-sigh- I'm so irritated right now. Though I guess it's a good thing I didn't take AP Language, 'cause then all my work would be on it and I would have sobbed hysterically. (... Not that I didn't shed a couple of tears while raping my room in search of the USB.)