Author's Note:

Bah, all you guys are so super fabulous. I love you. Special thanks to Baxter54132, Guest, Charmane, lucidum somnia sub sidera, Guest, and TigressfromFiore for reviewing the last drabble! My 1000th review is close approaching and I am so excited and you guys are the best. Thank you so much! :)

Kaleidoscope
a Bleach (© Kubo Tite) fanfiction

Theme #69
kidnap

Opening Song: "La Couer Au Bonheur" - Les Misérables

Gin has been lying low for a while now. Just as he, Aizen, and Tousen have planned, the others have cast their doubt and suspicions onto him, allowing for the supposedly dead taichou to commence the conspiracy. It isn't too hard, slipping around and staying in the shadows, as everyone is so focused on capturing the ryoka and trying to restore order to Seireitei. It's a nice break, he thinks, from all the chaos he's had to endure over the past couple of weeks.

From his comfortable seat on the 3rd compound roof, he can easily make out Rangiku's figure below. Come to think of it, it had been a while since he last had a real conversation with his old friend.

With incredible agility and stealth, he jumps down from the roof, snatches her around the waist, and drags her into a secluded area all in one instance. She's still shouting her surprised, "Hey!" when he has her pinned up against the brick walls. "It's been a while, ain't it?" he says cheerfully, grinning despite her immediate look of contempt. "Aw, c'mon Rangiku, is that how ya greet a friend?"

"Shut up," she snaps bitterly, eyes portraying such an intense emotion that he actually winces.

"It's for the best," he thinks, even if something squeezes inside his chest. He has to constantly remind himself why he's doing what he's doing, and today is no different. Everything will serve it's rightful purpose in the end, no matter how painful it may be now.

"Owch," he replies playfully, feigning a look of hurt. "Not the kinda greetin' I was hopin' for, to be honest."

"What were you hoping for? For me to hug you and tell you I missed you?" Her words sting him more than they should. "If I did, would it even matter? You've already made it very clear what side you're on, Gin." His grip on her wrists tighten despite her snarl, his body leans forward threateningly. Rangiku knows him, though, knows him better and longer than anyone, so she does not fear him. Instead, she glares up at his grin with a sneer.

The corners of his lips twitch, but only ever-so-slightly. "But ya have missed me, haven't you?" It's not a question, she's aware, but she won't give him the pleasure of answering. Her silence is just as good as a vocal reply, though. "Sorry," he mumbles, his forehead now touching hers.

"I don't need you to say 'sorry,'" she mutters, eyes dropping to the exposed skin of his neck.

"Otherwise, ya wouldn't forgive me."

"It's not about that anymore," she says quickly, aggressively. "This isn't about you and me. This isn't about personal things. It's about what you've done to the Gotei 13, to Hinamori-chan, to Kira, to- to Seireitei. It's so much bigger than me just forgiving you."

"This has always been about us," he whispers, so quietly that she can't even hear him.

"What?"

"Sorry," he replies, louder this time, simpering. She opens her mouth, ready with another retort, but then there's pressure against her lips and everything she wants to say just vanishes. "I really am, Rangiku." She sees a flash of blue, a droop of his lips, and he's gone just as quickly as he appeared.

Closing Song: "I Can't Go On" - Bayside

I'm really terrible at keeping time and dates, but I just realized that I go back to school in less than a month. I am super excited and super not excited at the same time, but I really hope I'll keep up with my writing this school year. If not… well, you guys know how I get, haha.

je t'adore,
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