Afire Love (Bleach: Ichiruki)

XXXIV

Rangiku Matsumoto

Kira. He can't be dead. I don't believe it.

And I don't believe that Gin is either.

Those two are close. Always together, even though they aren't in the same Squad anymore.. But maybe they could be in the same original squad now that Captain Rose is dead...

Rangiku, you heartless bitch. Why the hell are you thinking that? Why the hell would you think that?

I had tried to sense out Gin's reiatsu. But it was like he disappeared from the map.

He can't be dead. I don't believe it. I can't believe it.

"Rangiku!"

I turned my head to see the small form of Rukia approach me, a serious expression on her face.

"I have to find him, Rukia. You can't stop me." I said.

"I know. I want to help."

I rose my eyebrow.

"Really?"

She nodded.

"Since when did you start liking Gin?"

"Since I learned he wasn't really that bad of a guy. When he died."

I nodded my head. That was not a fond memory I like to think of.

In fact, just even picturing it a little bit brings pain and uneasiness into my heart.

"Why are you helping me again?" I asked, curious.

"I don't want you to lose the one you've cared for the most."

I nodded. I assumed this probably had something to do with her and Ichigo either, but I decided not to question it, just setting off on the roofs, trying to find even a hint of Gin's reiatsu.

Ten whole minutes passed of us running around Seireitei like idiots, and not even a tiny speck of Gin's reiatsu.

I was beginning to fear the worst.

I collapsed on my knees, tired, weak, as Rukia bent before me, her hand on my shoulder.

"Rangiku?"

"Why did any of this have to happen?"

"I ask myself that everyday."

I looked up at her calm expression, giving her a sad smile.

"I'm sorry. I know you must be in a more unstable condition that I-"

"Really, I feel fine, Rangiku."

I took in a shaky breath, trying to hold all the negative thoughts back.

But it was hard to.

"If I could have just gotten there quicker.. If Gin didn't have to knock me unconscious..."

"That wasn't your fault."

"But it is."

"Rangiku, that's in the past. And Gin is alive. Right now."

"You don't know that."

"I do and-"

"-Rukia, he did it all. All of it. For me?"

She frowned in confusion.

"What are you talking about?"

"He only joined Aizen's side to retrieve back the treasure Aizen took from me."