Author's Note:

NaNoWriMo starts in three days, which means my writing time is cut down. I will most definitely try update throughout the month of November, at least once or twice, though I can't make any promises. D: I love you guys, though, and I will try!

In other news, I went to see Inception again. For a third time. I CAN'T WAIT UNTIL IT COMES OUT DECEMBER 7, HOLY SHIT. /dies

The 900th review is coming up - remember to make your claim for that one-shot of your choice, whoever you are! :D

BUT, a massive thanks goes out to everyone who reviewed the last drabble - cappychan, Soomin, Ryfee, Charmane, Aosugiru Sora, CrossroadsofLife, and EmmaMarie! I LOVE YOOOOOU~

Kaleidoscope
a Bleach (© Kubo Tite) fanfiction

Theme #64
babysitting

Opening Song: "Suteki Da Ne" - Final Fantasy X

"Rangiku."

She blinked up at him innocently. "Yes?"

He gave her a blank look. "Ya told me this was important."

She pouted. "It is!"

He almost glared. "Rangiku." The unnaturally stern tone in his voice made her shrink back and rethink her strategy. She clung to his arm and perched her chin on his shoulder, giving him the most intense set of puppy dog eyes he had ever seen (which was quite a feat in all his years of knowing Rangiku). Rather than giving in, having immunized himself from most of her tactics, he simply shook his head. "No."

"But Gin!" she wailed. "Gin, I don't know what to do! I… I'm not a certified nurse! I left that behind at the Academy!" He quirked his brow at the last bit, painfully remembering her abuse of disinfectant spray, but again shook his head.

"I don't got time fer this. Seriously, Rangiku, I got a lotta work to do and…"

Oh God. Was she actually crying?

Rangiku's lower lip was trembling and, sure enough, pools were gathering in her eyes, already threatening to spill over. "B-b-but I don't know what to do, Gin! H-he's so sick and he won't take the medicine 'cause it tastes gross and Unohana-taichou is breaking up a fight in the 11th Division and I can't find the watermelon-flavored vitamins shaped like dinosaurs and…"

After trying to fight her off with a sharp look (and failing), Gin gave in with a sigh and lightly flicked her forehead. "Alright, alright. I'm just gonna check his temp and get him some medicine, but I gotta leave after that, deal?" She bobbed her head enthusiastically and took a seat in Hitsugaya's chair as he walked over to the slumbering captain. The silver-haired man crouched down beside the futon, looking down at the boy and taking in his ragged appearance. "How long's he been sick for?"

She shrugged as she picked up a bowl of cherries, dropped it on her lap, and began sorting through for the red ones. "He's had a cough and a sore throat for a couple of weeks now. It just started getting worse this week; probably because he hasn't gotten any sleep."

After placing a thermometer in Hitsugaya's mouth, Gin looked over his shoulder at her accusatorially. "Because he's been stayin' up doing yer paperwork?"

Her only response was a sheepish grin.

"Well, he's got a pretty high fever. He's gotta stay in bed for a while." After folding a wet a towel, Gin carefully placed it on top of Hitsugaya's head, in which the younger captain promptly rolled over onto his side. "I feel like I'm just babysittin' another kid," he commented blandly as he picked up the fallen towel and angled it properly so that it wouldn't slip again. "Or two," he added, quirking a brow at Rangiku, who was already in a fit of giggles. "I dunno why I deal with this."

"Because you loooove me?" He paused while unscrewing the cap to the medicine, stared at her, chortled, and proceeded to pour the liquid into a spoon. She 'humph'ed in reply before popping another cherry into her mouth.

"Alright, I gotta go," he announced after literally prying open Hitsugaya's mouth and shoving in the medicine before said captain could bite him. "Good thing he's still half-asleep," he thought, dismally wondering what would have happened if Hitsugaya were fully conscious.

After he stood up, Rangiku promptly sneezed. Three times in a row. She let out a low groan of disapproval as she hung over the back of the couch, reaching over for a tissue.

"Yer sick," was all Gin said.

"No I'm not!" she protested. "ACHOO!"

Sighing heavily, Gin walked over and pressed her down by the shoulders, forcing her to lay down on the couch. Before she could protest (much), he grabbed a blanket and cast it over her body, tucking her in. "We might as well prepare fer the day ahead o' us." He unscrewed the cap to the medicine and poured it into the spoon, then held it in front of her expectantly. "C'mon," he chided. "Say 'ahhhh'."

Rangiku narrowed her eyes at him, ready to tell him off (even if she was stuck in a cocoon), when she suddenly sneezed in his face. "S-sorry," she apologized impishly, grinning lopsidedly.

He wiped his face with the back of his sleeve, smiling at her eerily. "Yer lucky yer sick."

She simpered, but sneezed again. Fortunately, Gin managed to reel backwards quick enough to avoid it, but winced nonetheless. He ran his fingers through his hair, shook his head, and forced the medicine into her mouth. "Why do I feel like this is a common occurrence?"

"Because you looove me."

He chuckled. "I guess that's the only answer."

Closing Song: "Lucky" - Glee

ICHIRUKI ICHIRUKI ICHIRUKI. That's what I got out of the last chapter and it has made me happy (despite the very, very, very light implications), so I am content with life.

Je t'aime,
Renoh.