Rangiku is all dressed up to spend a night in the city~. While staying beautiful.
I wouldn’t be lying if I claimed this artwork wasn’t inspired by Bleach anime’s 23rd ending song. While Rangiku’s outfit isn’t the same as in the actual ending, the song inspired me greatly by what came to the general vibe of this artwork.
Artwork: @tuliharja
Note: I’m fine with reblogging, but ask me first for my permission, if you want to repost/otherwise use my artwork.
The Tenth Division has such a unique and well-developed partnership; the main aspect of that partnership being that their team is unlike any other division. In no other division do we see a situation like theirs, where a subordinate leapfrog a superior officer to be their commanding officer. We see on rare occasions the optics being addressed in some context, but it is usually when an officer would transfer divisions to accept a higher seated position – not within the same company.
Since there isn’t any clear-cut explanation or timeline as to when Rangiku took on the mantle of vice-captain within the Tenth, it can be left up to personal interpretation. The first instance we see of Toshiro and Rangiku’s interactions is prior to Toshiro joining the academy, since it is well documented that Toshiro graduated within a year, it’s safe to assume that this is automatically prior to him joining – one, because it isn’t within Toshiro’s character to drag his feet now that he is aware that his spiritual pressure is harming his grandmother, who he is deeply devoted to, and two, their reappearance within the TYBW flashback are nearly identical. It could be argued that at the time of Toshiro and Rangiku’s first interaction, Rangiku is already the fukutaichou of the Tenth, the only counter point (that doesn’t really matter) is that she isn’t wearing her badge, like she does in the TYBW flash-back. This could have been simply overlooked, or as I assume, she’d in the first district on leisure (and yet she’s carrying Haineko). The other possibility is that at the time of Toshiro and Rangiku’s first interaction is that Rangiku is currently the third seat of the Tenth and her promotion happens in the year in which Toshiro is within the academy, leaving the officer’s position vacant and open for Toshiro to fill upon his graduation.
Now, with that being said, we only know the that the events of TYBW flashback take place 20 years out from the start of Bleach – however, I can’t see those previous events having happened within only a few years of Isshin’s disappearance. There had to have been length of time between Toshiro graduating, joining the Tenth and then Isshin’s disappearance because the dynamics of all three of them is well developed and clear – even in the few short panels we get. Rangiku and Isshin display a certain level of understanding, playfulness – at the core, a friendship/partnership. This isn’t a new dynamic, this isn’t a new officer coming into her own, she knows her place, she knows her role, she knows her captain and she knows her division. The same can be said about Toshiro, even as a third seat, he is displaying a level of confidence that is just so him.
But this brings me back to my original point, Toshiro and Rangiku show a level of sibling-like bond in the TYBW arc. An older sister/younger brother dynamic (and honestly throw in Isshin as older brother because the only one who is an adult in this group is TOSHIRO), they annoy one another, bully and tease but they still respect each other. This is shown when Rangiku wants to rush off (the ever dutiful and loyal fukutaichou she is) to follow Isshin, but Toshiro pulls back on the reins. She is his superior at the moment, she doesn’t have to listen, she could command him to follow or go off on her own – but she doesn’t because she respects his opinion and insight. They already trust one another.
Once Isshin’s disappearance happens and the Tenth’s captain position is open, Toshiro would ultimately fill this void. And that base foundation of Rangiku and Toshiro’s partnership, understand, trust all come into play. Rangiku could have been salty over the fact that she was the previous superior officer and not promoted (girl get your bankai and then we can talk), but that isn’t Rangiku, nor do I even remotely see this as a possibility. I have always personally headcanon’ed that Rangiku supported the notion of Toshiro being promoted, even as far as nominating him herself (to respect Isshin’s wishes).
This is why their bond continues to work. That sibling-like bond, their friendship, their trust and respect (even if Rangiku annoys Toshiro to no end when it comes to work), is shown time and time again. They look to one another in times of need. I always found it remarkable that Toshiro continued to ask, time and time again during the events of the Soul Society arc, if she was alright – because he was in tune to the position Rangiku was in revolving around Gin. He checks to make sure that she’ll be okay, that she can handle whatever is thrown her way (or whatever task she is given). He looks to her during the events of TYBW, training and fighting alongside her (in the most adorable fashion, sweet, flustered Toshiro is a blessing to us all). And she is loyal, protective and caring towards him. She has never treated him differently, which is such a point in Toshiro’s character development – that he was never understood and teased and disliked, but Rangiku showed him kindness (after she called him a brat and a crybaby and screamed at him) and continues to do so throughout their partnership.
Toshiro could have gone to any division when he graduated, he could have even probably gotten the vice-captain position in the 13th at the time, but he went to the Tenth – you can’t tell me that Rangiku didn’t have a little something to do with that.
But now comes the angsty part you’ve all been waiting for – Toshiro is the youngest captain and the newest by all accounts at the beginning of Bleach, and he faces so much. Throw Isshin’s disappearance into the mix, and the grief of knowing he was harming his grandmother as a child, the boy got trauma. However, he carries the mantle and the burdens of leading and commanding a company, knowing his orders could ultimately get his members killed, or hurt (he’s seen his fukutaichou come close to death twice) with grace and authority. He is mature beyond his years, and it shows in his actions, but it doesn’t mean that he doesn’t struggle.
And in this, Rangiku carries a burden as well, seeing as how her advice lead him down this path. Toshiro had no interest in joining the academy when Momo was thrilled at her acceptance. He didn’t follow Momo when she left, but once Rangiku told him what he was doing and how if he became a Shinigami, he’d learn to control his spiritual pressure he was off running. She set about that journey for him, but there was no way of knowing what the future would hold for him. What trials he’d face, what struggles he’d see, and there are times Rangiku knows it was due to her actions (suggesting the academy; and hc – nominating him for the captaincy) that he has to go through these terrible events. Which is why she stays close, why she is loyal and protective. She tries to help shoulder his burdens however she can (so like do your paperwork girl), and remain at his side for however long the universe will allow.
Toshiro could hear the commotion from down the hall before he even set foot inside their office. For a moment, he contemplated turning around – these reports weren’t urgent, there was no need to get into the middle of another one of their squabbles – and yet, his steps continued to carry him down the corridor until he stood at the threshold of the office doorway.
Shiba-taichou stood opposite of Rangiku, her desk situated between them – was he finally giving her the business about doing her paperwork, and not passing it off to him? Isshin’s arms were crossed against his chest, Rangiku was defiantly poised with hands squarely on her hips as she they continued to glare at one another. Neither seemingly have yet to acknowledge his presence – Toshiro took in the sight before him, wondering just what their petty quarrel was about this time.
“What have I told you about having personal items delivered to the office, Matsumoto.” Isshin growled, “You better not try to expense this to the division.”
A snotty little chuckle escaped the blonde opposite of Isshin, as Toshiro heard the ripping of tape from the small package that sat on her desk between them. “Ha, I already expensed it three months ago when I ordered it. Which you already approved. You should really check the miscellaneous figures more carefully, Shiba-taichou.”
“You did what?” Isshin bellowed – Toshiro couldn’t recall a time in which he had seen his captain this annoyed or would a better word for it be, pissed? Especially at Matsumoto, he let her get away with everything it seemed. Before he could blow another fuse at his fukutaichou’s breach of protocol a high-pitched wail came from Rangiku. The small bundle had been opened, the white packaging material pulled out and from it a green scarf was clenched in her grasp. Disbelief, disappointment graced the features of the blonde.
“They sent me the wrong color!” She screaked again, “I ordered pink, and they sent me…. THIS!” Her hand thrusted towards Isshin’s face. Toshiro’s own expression must have mimicked his taichou’s for Isshin’s brows were nearly up to his hairline in utter shock at Rangiku’s outburst.
The tall blonde slumped down into her desk chair, the scarf draped over her lap as she let her head fall back, “This doesn’t suit me at all….” She whined nearly on the verge of tears.
“Just send it back,” Toshiro’s own voice surprised him, his vocalized thought drawing their attention towards him at long last. Rangiku was clearly going through a rollercoaster of emotions over an accessory – for her pitiful expression quickly shifted into a pointed glare.
“Just send it back…” She mimicked, mocking him with her tone of voice. “Aren’t you the little genius,” She chided, “Too bad I can’t. They don’t take returns or even exchanges.” She shifted forward, palm cupping her chin as she used her elbow to support herself. Her other hand still holding the disappointing order.
“I waited three months, now I’ll have to wait even longer to get the right scarf.” She continued to pout.
“You aren’t expensing it this time Matsumoto,” Isshin hollered, knowing what his fukutaichou was probably already planning.
“You wanna bet?” She shot back, which caused the two of them to get into another petty little screaming match. Toshiro took the opportunity to leave before he was either dragged into their squabble or was forced to play referee.
***
The following day Toshiro entered Isshin and Rangiku’s office to find their silly squabble had been put to rest and all was harmonious within the Tenth Division’s office. The only indication that the event had ever transpired was the fact that the green scarf was draped over the back of Matsumoto’s chair.
But peace wouldn’t last long in their office.
“So, you’re really not going to wear that because it’s the wrong color?” Isshin commented as he stood in front of Rangiku’s desk, a stack of paperwork outstretched towards her. Rangiku’s brows suddenly furrowed, lips twisting into a pout as her hand snatched the papers from his grasp. In a flourish she gathered together a few reports, aggressively shuffling them before shoving them back towards him.
“We went over this yesterday,” She replied sharply, “The color is all wrong, it doesn’t suit me.”
“So, what, you’re just going to let it hang there?”
“Is that a problem?”
Toshiro couldn’t help but groan both at Isshin’s idiotic statement and how he continued to press Matsumoto’s buttons. He had distracted himself as they continued to go back and forth only listening once more when he happened to hear his name mentioned.
“…No maybe I’ll give it to Toshiro.”
“What’s he going to do with it?”
“I don’t know, wear it. Why do you want it? You want to be all stylish like Kuchiki-taichou, huh?” Rangiku gave a little wiggle in her seat, back of her hand coming up to rest under her chin as her elbow propped up her hand and chin by resting on the edge of her desk.
Toshiro’s gaze left his two superior officers to glance at the scarf partially obstructed from view by Rangiku’s form. He wouldn’t say he had an eye for fashion, but he didn’t mind the color – he wasn’t sure why Rangiku was so against it, other than her clear affinity to the color pink. There was no point in continuing to listen to them debate a silly topic, so Toshiro instead choose to turn his attention back to the paperwork at hand. It was only when a shadow darkened his workspace he did bother to look up.
There she stood, his fukutaichou, the questionable scarf folded and clenched tightly in her hand that rested on her hip. She wasn’t looking at him, no, her attention was clearly on that on their taichou. Her pale blue gaze pointed in a deadly stare.
“Here, Toshiro, you can have this,” her hand outstretched the offered scarf, but she hadn’t yet bothered to look at him.
“Oh, come on Rangiku!” Isshin was moaning about something, and if Toshiro didn’t know any better, he’d guess that the red mark he was rubbing on his cheek was from Rangiku pinching or smacking him.
“No. I’m giving it to Toshiro. You want a gift from me so badly, behave and maybe I’ll think about it for your birthday.” She snapped, finally bringing her attention down to her third seat.
“And what am I supposed to do with it?” Toshiro questioned dryly. He was at a loss, what was he going to do with a woman’s accessory such as a scarf?
Rangiku gave a little shrug as she extended the offer once more, “I don’t know…” Her gaze raking over his form until he fell to his zanpakuto resting at his feet. Due to his height and the length of his blade he had taken to carrying Hyōrinmaru strapped to his back, a tattered, old, threadbare off-white sash dangled from the blade’s scabbard. Rangiku smiled, stepping around the table in front of him and retrieving the sheathed blade from the ground.
“What are you doing?” Toshiro couldn’t help but hear a small amount of panic in his voice, which he quickly attempted to squash by glaring at her. “Did I say you can touch Hyōrinmaru?”
“Trust me,” She waved a dismissive hand at her third seat as she took a seat on the couch next to him, placing the blade across her lap as she untied the ratty sash from his zanpakuto. “This thing looks like it’s going to fall apart any day. Clearly not befitting of your zanpakuto…” She was buttering him up, and it might have been doing the trick because he was silent in watching her fix the green scarf into a new sash for Hyōrinmaru. The knots she had created at either end were secure and were tied intricately.
Suddenly standing she beckoned him up, and placed the newly sashed Hyōrinmaru over his form, letting the blade rest securely across his back as the green sash draped over his chest. His form leaned back slightly as he peered down at his chest and the new addition to his ‘look’. Rangiku stood poised with her hands squarely on her hips in triumph, a bright smile gracing her features as she turned her attention back to Isshin.
“See, now it’s getting used. So, you can stop complaining,” Their taichou crossed his arms defiantly over his chest but said nothing. Toshiro ran his fingers over the green sash, he’d admit that he like the color and it was much nicer than what he had previously been using.
“…. Thank you…Matsumoto…” He managed to stammer out, looking away as he quickly removed Hyōrinmaru from his back, propping the blade up against the edge of the table so that it stood upright, and sash didn’t fall to the ground. He didn’t want to admit that it may have been the nicest gift that he had ever received – so he kept that thought to himself.
“You’re welcome Toshiro,” She placed her hand on his shoulder, giving him a little squeeze before walking about the couch, brushing by Isshin as she stuck her tongue out at him childishly. He returned the action, following her back to her desk.
“You never do anything nice like that for me Matsumoto!” Isshin pouted in between his childish acts of sticking his tongue out at her. His remark earned him a pinch to the cheek and a flick to the tip of his nose.
“Maybe if you stuck around the office more and did you work I would!”
They squabbled worse than an old married couple, but at the end of the day they’d smile at one another before bidding each other good night. Toshiro glanced between the two of them before turning his attention back to Hyōrinmaru and the gifted scarf.
“Toshiro!” Isshin’s voice broke his idle thoughts. “Come on, we’re going to go get lunch.”
“The three of us?”
Rangiku was leaning against Isshin’s side with a smirk on her features, “The three of us,” Rangiku confirmed, “Shiba-taichou is buying.” She jabbed her thumb into Isshin’s chest which caused an over-dramatic ‘oof’ to come from the older male.
“I never said that Rangiku!”
She was out the door before he could protest much, but her blonde head bobbed back into the frame as she smirked, “Too late, already told Toshiro you were, can’t take it back now!” He was quick to scurry off after her, yelling about not being made of money and the like. Toshiro shook his head, they were both childish, but he wouldn’t have them any other way.
In the waning twilight hours, Toshiro sat at the ready – dawn would be breaking soon and so too, the new day. It was a new beginning, the next chapter in his journey – and yet, he felt unable to turn the page. He had been awake for hours – when, in reality, he just simply couldn’t sleep. He’d deny saying he was nervous – or anxious, or worried – he was prepared. He’d been practically running that division since the minute he had stepped inside it, but now…
His hands, resting against his thighs clenched and released, wrinkling the fabric of his hakama. Sharp turquoise gaze narrowed in on the wrinkled fabric, palms carefully unclenched, pressing against the rich, dark material to smooth out the creases. Steadily, his gaze rose to the item he had been sitting in front of for the last few hours, contemplating its meaning. The stark white fabric of his captain’s haori hung on its bamboo rod, the emblem of the division that had come to accept him, appreciate him, welcome him – need him – stared back at him.
‘—Toshiro! You don’t mind finishing up this paperwork, do you?’
‘Toshiro! That’s exactly what I expected from the next captain of the Tenth!’
He could hear their voices so clearly, one he doubted he’d ever hear again – the other…he searched for every day. A sigh escaped him as his brows furrowed at the haori, rising from his seated position he slowly stood and approached the wardrobe’s form. The white fabric slipped smoothly off the bamboo rod, with precision he carefully folded the haori, clutching it to his form as he turned and exited his apartment.
His steps halted before he realized the direction he had walked – where he stood, in the early morning hours. He was knocking before he registered the thought of ‘would she even be awake?’ – but the door to her apartment slid open after the second rap against the wood frame.
“—Tosh…” Rangiku paused, her gaze falling on her former third seat, “I guess I shouldn’t call you that anymore.”
The jest fell flat between them – was it truly a jest or was there a hint of jealousy behind it. He hadn’t even stopped to consider how she must feel today – he had leapfrogged her in position. Had he taken the normal route, he wouldn’t even have been out of the academy at this point and yet…
“Come in,” Rangiku stepped to the side, one hand waving him in. His steps were slightly hesitant – but he complied with her request, after all, he had the one to come to her door in the early morning hours because he simply needed a reassuring presence.
The door slid closed behind him, as Rangiku stepped around his frozen form to head back into her apartment. Upon realizing that she didn’t hear a second set of footsteps following her, she paused, glancing over her shoulder at him. A soft sigh escaped her as she turned on her heel, a hand coming to pat the back of the small couch that sat in the middle of the room. “Are you just going to stand there?” He made no reply, another sigh escaped her as she shifted her weight onto one hip, “You might be ready, but I’m not, so come in and sit down.” In the silence that followed, she realized the sharpness of her tone, recoiling a bit at how snappy she sounded.
“Tea?” Her question clearly shook him from his thoughts as his snowy white head lifted some, turning to lock turquoise and blue hues.
A nod followed, “Please, thank you.”
A flicker of a smile tugged the corner of her lips upwards as she rounded the couch, heading to the small kitchen to put the kettle on. While she disappeared out of his sight Toshiro did as she had instructed and entered her apartment, the folded haori having never left his grasp until now. Carefully he placed on one end of the couch before he took a seat opposite of it.
He quickly was lost in the thoughts that had plagued him all night, but there were new ones now – ‘Why is she up?’, ‘This is wrong, I shouldn’t have come here,’ ‘Get a hold of yourself, Toshiro.’ The rattling of the tea tray against the coffee table snapped him from his thoughts, a warm mug was extended out to him as was a kind smile.
“I only had Jasmine, sorry.” Rangiku offered, “Probably should have checked to make sure I had tea before I offered…” She mused, clearly, she was trying her best to put him at ease but even the warmth of the tea had yet to melt the frigid silence.
So, she sat, taking a sip before her gaze slowly came to level on his form across from her. So far, she had managed to extract a total of three words out him – he hadn’t always been this quiet. Another sigh, another sip.
“Rangiku, I’m sorry.”
“Hm?” Rangiku’s mug lowered as her gaze leveled once more on him before following his turquoise gaze towards the haori that sat across from her. She had realized what he had come here for the moment she had seen the head of white hair standing in her doorway – how he must have felt today. Their situation wasn’t unheard of, but it was certainly unique. She had the seniority, but he had the potential – others may not have taken too kindly to being usurped but it had never been her goal to become a captain.
“Don’t be,” She leaned forward a bit, placing her mug on the table between them, her other hand waving dismissively, “Honestly, I had my fill of the position these last few months. So, good luck, it’s all yours.” A teasing smile formed on her features as she sat back, fingers effortlessly running through shoulder length blonde tresses to push a few stray pieces back into place.
“Besides, it’s what…” his name hung in knowing silence between them. She had hardly been able to say his name without some sense of distain these last few months – she was still angry, still hurt, still broken – she still didn’t understand. Neither of them did. “…Isshin wanted.”
“—I know, but…” Toshiro’s gaze had never left the haori, how was he supposed to articulate how inadequate he felt, how he worried if he wasn’t ready for the mantle of responsibility the captaincy brought – how it felt like he was…replacing a mentor, a friend. That his promotion felt rushed – as if they were trying to ease Shiba-taichou.
But none of those thoughts, feelings, words came – his eyes closed momentarily and when they opened, he found Rangiku standing in front of the haori, reaching for it. He nearly tumbled over himself trying to prevent her from grabbing it, but she was much faster. The folded fabric unraveled, revealing the short jacket – she chose not to remark about the size, he already had enough on his mind.
“So, you went sleeveless…” Her fierce pale blue gaze shot down at him, he saw the smirk tugging at the corner of his lips as he felt his brows furrowing, a low annoyed growl escaped him as he pushed his undrunk tea mug onto the coffee table. “I really thought you’d go with sleeves.” She had turned on her heel, her back facing him as he pushed himself up.
“Matsumoto, put it down,” Toshiro snapped, falling into line with her as she walked around the back of the couch.
“I’m not doing anything to it, calm down….” She tossed back at him, “not like it would fit anyways,” so much for not making a short joke at his expense this morning.
She was behind him before he realized she had used shunpo against him. His clenched fists at his side were already slipped into sleeveless void of the fabric, her movements were graceful, drawing the fabric up in such a way that it never touched the ground and was never balled up. It hung as pristinely on his shoulders as it had on the rod in his room. He felt her palms smooth over his shoulders before she stepped around him, hands resting gently against the lapel of his haori before dropping effortlessly to her side.
“A perfect fit…” Her tone was tender, soft – the same way she had spoken to him years prior, telling him to listen to the voice, to learn to control his spiritual pressure. Neither of them realizing then where they would stand only a few years down the line from their first encounter.
Me: HAVE YOU ACCEPTED THAT THE TENTH DIVISION HAVE THE MOST WELL DEVELOPED AND HEALTHIEST PARTNERSHIP WITHIN THE GOTEI. TOSHIRO AND RANGIKU ARE TOTAL OPPOSITES BUT HAVE PROVEN TIME AND TIME AGAIN THAT THEY TRUST AND RELY ON ONE ANOTHER. THEY SHOW UNQUESTIONABLE LOYALTY AND DISPLAY A LEVEL OF UNSPOKEN UNDERSTANDING UNSEEN WITHIN ANY OTHER DIVISION. THEY ARE PERFECTION.
