Author's Note:

Ugh ugh ugh I am the worst! I have not updated this drabble series in over a year; I am truly sorry and very appreciative to those who have continued to support me regardless. I have neither read nor watched Bleach in nearly two years (though I heard the anime ended!), but I can't ever really forget about these two. I'd always hoped that Gin never actually died, but… Ugh, my heart.

Anyway, I am still working on this, even if it takes another… four years, haha.

Thank you to Charmane, EmmaMarie, CYLi, Xx Ryo xX, hitsugayataichoda, CrossroadsofLife, K.a.R. , mochicocoa, PW, JoiZ. D, ByakuyaHisana, Sneaky Muffins, the human principle, ManonLeChat, Ebony, peiye, Yachiru, yoyomama, and Bullet2tm, who reviewed. :) I adore you all.

Kaleidoscope
a Bleach (© Kubo Tite) fanfiction

Theme #67
shadow

Opening Song: "Come Away" - Maroon 5

Rangiku had never really been alone.

She can hardly remember a time before she met Gin and they began their life together. He was with her wherever she went - to the market, down by the stream, out in the field. As children, he always by her side, like a shadow.

Even when he went off Shinou-Reijutsuin, she never really feared being attacked or taken advantage of. He'd stuck to her so often and so adamantly that, even years later when she was living on her own, her neighbors in Rukongai automatically assumed he was nearby. It was a little annoying, she'd think sometimes, when those who were afraid of him would scurry off when they saw her.

It was worse when she joined him at the academy. She couldn't even count all the times she'd lost out on a date or potential suitor when they found out she was the Rangiku. ("The Rangiku?" "Yeah, Ichimaru's Rangiku.") Sometimes even her friends would run away when they saw him approaching. She'd yelled at him about it a couple of times, but he always just smiled and she always caved because could he really help if he was just an intimidating person?

Obviously, the Gotei Thirteen did not agree with her. When she entered, she knew he was respected, but she didn't discover how afraid people were of him until after she told a group of them who she was. ("You're the Rangiku," they said.) And even though she was a full-fledged shinigami and even though she could protect herself, Gin was always there. Perhaps it wasn't so much of a physical definition anymore, but it was just something she knew.

After everything that had happened, though…

"He isn't trustworthy."

Rangiku didn't have to ask to know who her taichou was talking about. She remained silent, though, not wanting another argument to erupt.

"You still think he's innocent."

She didn't answer again, because she knew it wasn't a question and because he already knew the answer. She'd been hounded relentlessly by everyone (especially the white-haired prodigy) after the scene Kira and Hinamori had caused, but each time she refused to reply. The irritation and anger (whether it was towards them or him, she was still unsure) was boiling, and it was only a matter of time until it completely exploded.

"I think I'm gonna get a breath of fresh air," she announced airily, stretching her arms. "Being cramped in here all day doing paperwork sure is tiring!" Hitsugaya watched her with a careful eye as she got up and walked over to the veranda, but he let her be.

"Bastard," is what ran through her head, and it was a vivid image of Gin in her mind. At the very moment she leaned over the railing and looked down, the accused greeted her with a smile. He'd been walking through Seireitei apparently, but she couldn't help but wonder if his going by the Tenth Division was at all just a coincidence. (Because things with him were never a coincidence.)

"G'mornin'," he cheered, as though everything were fine and dandy and Aizen-taichou weren't dead and he wasn't the prime suspect.

"Bastard," she uttered aloud, her tone indistinguishable between stifled affection and anger.

When all he did was wave his fingers at her and walk off, she couldn't help but feel disappointed in how truly alone she finally felt.

Closing Song: "Lover is Childlike" - The Low Anthem

I never realized how much I enjoyed writing angst and woe until I got into the Hunger Games fandom and now it is basically all I right and I'M SORRY I'M TRYING.

Ich liebe dich,
der kapitan