5 Gins change (2/2)
”…”
Failing to find a subject to change to, Itsuki was just left there with an open mouth unsure of how to proceed. Seeing the antiques of her friend, Rangiku burst out laughing, her previous gloomy air being washed away. Realising he was being laughed at, Itsuki closed his mouth as he returned to his apathetic self with a hint of red appearing on his face. As the red receded a small smile then crept onto his face as Rangiku was now back to normal. However, a faint glimmer of worry passed both their eyes at the same time.
The day passed on as normal as Itsuki went to gather some firewood, seeing that Gin wasn't coming back anytime soon, while Rangiku stayed and took care of the hut. No matter how small, home was home for the three of them. As the sun was starting to set, Itsuki returned home carrying a sizeable amount of firewood unfit for someone that looked the age of 13. Itsuki realised that possessing reiatsu gave a boost to his body's capabilities. Even Rangiku could lift more than the average man. However, for Itsuki he could lift more than both Rangiku and even Gin possessing more reiatsu than normal and he trained his body. His reiatsu also felt a bit more denser than Rangiku's or Gin's as he always emptied his reiatsu to push himself in training.
”I'm home” uttered Itsuki as he entered with the pile of firewood.
He placed them on the side and grabbed a couple to light up a fire in the middle of the room. As the sun finally set and the darkness slowly engulfed soul society, there was still no sign of Gin returning home. A worried voice travelled to his ear
”Is Gin here yet?” Rangiku asked while handing him some rice and egg.
The three's living condition became much better as Itsuki always went out to do miscellaneous tasks for a small amount of kan. Kan being the currency of soul society. So, every now and then the three are able to have a proper meal. He was also able to buy more comfortable beds, although second hand, for the three and get better utensils and plates to eat out of. Overall, you could say that there living condition had improved.
Seeing the worried look on Rangiku's face, Itsuki reassured her as he ushered her off to bed after enjoying a meal together. Although Rangiku may have feelings for him, both Gin and Itsuki thought of her as someone that they need to protect. As Rangiku drifted off to sleep, Itsuki started meditating while lying down as he slowly increased his reiatsu and made progress in getting his fourth partition which will allow a total of 256 thoughts processes.
Time gradually passed by and there were still no sign of Gin and as soon as Itsuki thought that he wasn't coming, a faint sound of footsteps travelled to his ears. There was a certain heaviness to these footsteps, but they were undoubtedly Gin's. As Gin entered the hut, he gently placed his collected firewood with the others and walked towards his bed. No change could be seen on his face apart from the lack of a smile but Itsuki can feel a trace of killing intent being emitted from Gin.
'He must've seen Aizen'
Itsuki said nothing and continued to pretend to be asleep as Gin laid down and drifted off to sleep with Itsuki following not long after.
The following days, this situation repeated itself and although Rangiku didn't show it, Itsuki could tell that she was worried. There were times when Gin never came home at all and only arrived in the morning and sometimes, he came home smelling of blood. Although he tried to hide it, Itsuki with his heightened senses was still able to perceive it.
Finally, Itsuki could take it no more and decided to do something. So, one night, after Rangiku fell asleep, Itsuki stayed up and waited outside the hut for Gin to come home. He didn't wait long as he saw Gin coming out of the forest.