In which Human!Rangiku has a nightmare that Human!Gin left her alone, once and for all (aka the AU where "Everyone Is Happy")

Rangiku woke to darkness and a dusty room.

"Gin?" She whispered. No answer. She sat up and looked around fearfully. Rangiku appeared to be in a small, dirty one room house. Pale light filtered in through small widows near an open door.

Gin was nowhere to seen.

Rangiku stood up shakily. Where was she? Last time she checked, she'd gone to bed in her apartment, which she shared on-and-off with her similarly on-and-off partner, Ichimaru Gin.

But wherever Rangiku found herself now, it certainly wasn't there. Gin had disappeared that afternoon, leaving only a note saying "Don't wait up". Just like always...

Rangiku sighed and shook her head. She loved Gin a lot, even if he confused and frustrated her when he left. But he always returned. Without fanfare, without anything but a rose and a sly grin, he would appear and ask what was for dinner.

And Rangiku would laugh and set the table for two. She always cooked extra, just in case.

Smiling fondly, Rangiku decided to look around. When she rose from her blankets, she found herself dressed in a strange black kimono. Now that she looked again, there was a sword by the blankets, too.

Rangiku frowned slightly and padded towards the door. Honestly, where AM I...??

She stepped through the door. The rising sun outside indicated that it was a little past dawn. Still no sign of anyone else. Suddenly, she heard a familiar voice.

"Ran..."

Rangiku whirled around to see Gin - dressed in white robes and wearing a sword - leaning against a rock.

"Well, if this ain't a suprise." The silver-haired man raised his eyebrows.

Rangiku blinked rapidly. "...Gin?" She finally whispered. The man opposite her nodded.

"I came back t' say g'bye. I gotta leave, Ran."

Rangiku's eyes widened. "Gin, what are you-" She began, but Gin kept talking.

"If... for some reason... I don't make it till th' next time we meet, this's my last chance, ya know? An' even if we do meet, I'll prob'ly be fightin' you." Gin shrugged. He acted calm, but Rangiku - who was used to trying to read his well hidden emotions - could sense something sadder there.

"Gin, you're scaring me. What are you talking about??"

But Gin didn't answer. He only turned and started to walk away. Away from her, and from everything she still wanted to say to him.

Gin tossed his first and last goodbye to the shocked girl behind him. "Bye, Ran. It's been fun."

For some reason, Rangiku's feet wouldn't move. She wanted to run after him. She wanted to stop him and demand he explain himself. She wanted to kiss him and tell him she hated saying goodbye.

But she did none of that. She just watched as he got farther and farther gone.

Why are you always leaving, Gin? Where do you go?

Why won't you take me with you?

Rangiku opened her mouth to shout.

And woke up in a cold sweat.

For a minute, Rangiku sat there in the dark, trying to figure out what was going on. Looking around, she could tell that she was back in her apartment. Rangiku had on her pajamas, and it was far earlier then sunrise.

Rangiku breathed slowly and closed her eyes before snapping them back open and getting up.

She walked to her kitchen area and sat down, placing her head in her hands. It'd been a nightmare, that's all. Just a bad dream...

Rangiku had no idea how long se sat there, staring at the counter and trying to calm down. But suddenly she became aware of someone's presence. She looked up slowly.

Gin stood there, his brow furrowed with concern. There was a moment where neither spoke.

"...Ran?" Gin asked, his usually light tone clouded with confusion. "What's going on?"

As if his words freed her, Rangiku got off her chair and clumsily launched herself at him, throwing her arms around his neck and holding him close. Gin curled his arms around her waist on reflex.

Ran buried her face into Gin's neck and realized she was crying. Gin patted her back softly before speaking again.

"Seriously, what's this about, Ran? You're never like this."

Rangiku took a shuddering breath before replying. "I had a... a nightmare. Let me finish," she added when she felt Gin stir. "We were in someplace I didn't recognize, and you told me you were leaving, for- for good. You said you wanted to tell me goodbye because you "might not make it". I was so scared, Gin. I can't bear the thought of you dying, or leaving me... not forever." Rangiku felt lighter having gotten thoughts she had hardly known before off her chest.

Gin pulled back just enough to see her face.

"I don't understand it..." He murmured. Rangiku's tilted her head. Gin licked his lips hesitantly.

"How you could keep on loving someone like me. If you had grown up to be like me, and told me you loved me... would I, in your place, have been able to say I loved you too?" He finished in a whisper and for once, met her eyes full on.

Ran was quiet as she thought. Then she smiled and leaned her forehead to press against his. "I know you would. Because I know you, Gin, I know you. And I love you, Gin... I love all of you, even the parts you don't want me to see."

Gin chuckled fondly. "Thanks, Ran. Sorry I left ya." He placed a kiss on her lips and she smiled at him, nodding.

They stood there for a little longer, holding each other close. Gin to keep her safe. Rangiku to reassure herself that he was there.

It was a while before Gin said anything else.

"Hey."

"Mm?"

"Let's... get married, Rangiku. I won't ever leave you alone for good."

For the first time in weeks, Rangiku truly, fully smiled.

"That sounds perfect," she whispered. And they held each other tighter. But this time, it wasn't from fear. It was because they both knew the love they felt for each other.

***The End.***

I can't write angst to save my life so of course this ended in fluff -w-;

SPOILERS!

Sorry if Gin seemed a litte OOC, I tried to channel how he was when he died more then pre-Aizen-alliance Gin.

Hope you enjoyed!

Deuces~