Unohana Retsu was the ideal model for a motherly figure, but when she forces a shinigami to stay and recover, she will undoubtedly have her way. So there Gin sat, three hours from the time that he'd left Shinsou back in the vice captains quarters, and was not being permitted to leave.

Heaving a sigh, the strict captain had him lay down on his stomach while she healed his side and his back- which had gotten bruised without his knowledge. She had already finished healing his bitten neck that had arrived in haphazardly applied bandages ( he was sure Shinsou had tried his best).

The one thing that he liked about this strict captain was her usually easygoing nature. Though she becomes frightening when people disagree with her, she only does things within reason and she cares for everyone that she heals. Never had he known the women to make a mistake, for she never acted without a clear purpose. He was relieved when she didn't question him on his battered state of being, rather opting to heal and be done with him. It was possible that she respected his privacy, which in turn earned Gin's respect.

He didn't complain too much when some of the healing kido became uncomfortable because he knew he was in safe hands. To Gin, Unohana was a captain that seemed trustworthy, but she always had an air of mystery surrounding her. Needless to say, he felt more at ease with her than any other captain around.

Once she was finished healing him, she advised that he rest as to not disturb any of the healing injuries. With a loose promise to not do anything strenuous, he left the main healing quarters and walked through the garden. The 4th division quarters was probably one of the most harmonious environments in all of the gotei thirteen squads. The luxurious gardens extended wide and went in a circle that wrapped around the whole of the squads living quarters. At its heart was a grand pond with coy inhabiting it and a bridge that extended over the body of water. The path that he walked on was made of brown cobblestones that weaved themselves into many pathways to various buildings. He felt at peace, especially when he passed a few cherry trees that wafted gently in the breeze.

It was a nicer day than it had been before- gone was the cold and raining nights that was a constant reminder of approaching winter. The sun was weakened by a thin sheet of grey in the sky, but it was better than snow or rain. Knowing that this weather wouldn't last for a while, Gin enjoyed the slow walk back to his quarters, letting the stray beams of sun hit his pale skin and deliver a bit of warmth.

He arrived within his barracks and slid the door open quietly, removing his waraji. He decided to just go barefoot all together and not bother with socks either. His feet touched the cold, wood surface of the floor as he quietly walked into his sleeping quarters. It was hardly a surprise for him to see Shinsou laying on his back staring at the ceiling with his arms crossed behind his head. The swords face broke from it's bored stare and focused on Gin, silvery eyes full of mystery were now shining in welcome as he smiled.

Sitting up, the swords' white robes fell delicately about his features, giving him a very celestial look. Sweeping silver hair was shifted to flow down one of his shoulders, reaching the floor in a thick cascade of moonlight. Gin knew that his sword was pretty, he'd always known even before he'd seen him in his physical state. But the snake zanpakuto could turn instantly ugly with his quick temper and cold, calculating ways. The young male saw first hand how quickly his sword could snap into anger.

Gin walked to sit in front of Shinsou, fixing him with a considering gaze and a frown. All of the questions that he'd wanted to ask lingered on his tongue, but he found himself unable to summon the will to open his mouth. Shinsou must have sensed this and scowled, "If there's something that you'd like to say, then say it. I don't see why you'd be hesitant with me," he huffed irritably and crossed his arms.

If Gin didn't know any better, he'd have told Shinsou that he was acting like the child in their relationship, but refrained from saying anything, knowing full well his sword would throw a fit. Gin smiled widely, " Gee, Shinsou, you're actin' more tetchy than usual today, eh?" he decided a bit of light teasing wasn't very harmful.

Shinsou waved a hand nonchalantly, " Staying in this form for too long is bothersome. I get restless because my energy isn't stored away like it would be in sword form, right now it's too much," he explained as if it were the most simplest thing in the world. Gin frowned once more, bemused.

"So, when you're a sword your power ain't as free as it would be than when you're humanoid?" He asked. It made sense to him when put in that way. Most shinigami control their swords, not the other way around. It was possible that when swords turn into their corporal form, they were given more freedom than they would in their receptacle form.

Shinsou nodded in response, " My master controls my power as a sword fully, but as a human you can only control part. That was why I was permitted to attack you when you wanted to have full control of me as a sword. Each test for swords is different, some may be similar, but each have distinguishable differences."

With a tentative nod, Gin laid down next to Shinsou and sighed, " Unohana Taichou said I'd had better rest a bit for the sake o' my healin'," He then looked up at Shinsou, taking some of his silvery hair in his hand and running his fingers through it, " When do ya go back ta becomin' a sword?" he asked, letting go of Shinsou's hair.

The male placed his hands within his sleeves, " Soon. When moonlight first strikes the sky, I'll have to turn back. It's not that I don't want to stay in this form, for your sake, I do. But in my receptacle form you'll be able to use me better," he leaned down and pressed a kiss to Gin's forehead, " Now sleep. You'll need your energy back. As much as I don't want to admit it," his features turned dark, "you're going to have to face Aizen later... by then, I'll only be in my sword form."

Gin furrowed his eyebrows, knowing that he would probably have to meet with his captain to give him his report about the previous nights events. He turned over and shook the thoughts away, hoping that he wouldn't have to meet with Aizen too soon. He felt Shinsou shift behind him, but didn't pay much mind. His thoughts were becoming unfocused and foggy as sleep started to claim him, he hadn't any idea that he was so tired.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

When Gin had awoken, it was with a groggy start. His body ached mildly and his eyes stung from his sleep. Sitting up gingerly and rubbing his eyes, he sighed as a pain ran down his spine. Unohana Taichou had told him that there would be discomfort, but he didn't know it would be so apparent. He winced as he tried to stand, cursing himself and thinking that it may have been better if he'd slept on his stomach. Luckily, he found that there was only a dull throbbing on his side that wasn't nearly as painful.

Managing to stand and maintain his balance, he looked down to the futon where Shinsou had been seated. Shinsou was gone and in his place laid a familiar zanpakuto, blue and silver handle and short blade that was about the length of his forearm. He picked up his sword and sheathed it, sliding it carefully into his belt. He already felt saddened by the fact that the silvery haired male couldn't stay longer than he had. Shinsou was truly a good friend, he had taken care of him even after their fight.

He shook his head, trying in vain to pull himself together and shake off the lingering effects of sleep. He had things to worry about, and one of those things included his captain. A quick look out his window told him that it was early into the night, which meant he could take a quick trip to see Aizen and give his report. With a dejected groan, he decided to be done with it.

The stroll out to the captain's quarters was a cold, but a quick one. Luckily, he hadn't encountered any of the members of the squad- it wasn't his desire to repeat what had happened a few months ago. He still didn't know what to make of them, as they didn't think very highly of him due to the circulating rumours about him sleeping with his captain. Which was partly true, but he didn't want to admit it to anyone else, most of all himself. That reason certainly wasn't why he'd earned his spot as vice captain, but he was guilty to admit that it possibly helped him keep it.

He knocked hesitantly on the door awaiting a response. He didn't have to wait long before the door slid open, causing Gin to take a step back. Aizen - clad in his night time kimono which was open at the chest- had a soft and welcoming smile on his face.

"I'm glad to see you alive. When you didn't report to me immediately, I became worried for your safety. Luckily, Unohana told me that you'd been to see her, so I assumed that you were resting," he stepped away from the door to allow Gin in.

The room was dimly lit with candlelight emitting a soft golden glow throughout the room. Gin could smell a faint scent of lilac in the warm air, making him feel very at ease and calm. This was the sort of thing that Shinsou had warned him about- letting his guard down was too dangerous to do, especially since this was Aizen's room. He sat down on the futon that Aizen had gestured to, but he held the older males gaze.

"Ah, well, it wasn' as bad as it could o' been. I got out of it with a scratch o' two. I managed to gain my zanpakuto's power, though," Gin said with a small smile.

Aizen nodded approvingly, "Good. Due to the fact that you are still in the healing phase, you will not participate in any dangerous missions. You've done well in completing your task, especially since you'll be of greater use to me."

"What will I be able ta do, then?" Gin cocked his head curiously. If he wasn't allowed to fight Hollows alongside his captain, then he feared that he would be stuck with a secretarial job of sorts. Doing paperwork was the last thing that Gin had wanted to do.

"You will be doing secretarial work," Aizen began. At Gin's moan of protest he held his hand up, " No need to be upset, it isn't as bad as you make it out to be. In addition to the task of paperwork, you will also be accompanying me to the Soul Reaper Academy for an orientation meet. This is simply something that every captain and his vice does to give students a lesson on how to work under a squad and also an introduction to the various types of squads. Because the fourth squad had done this the previous year, it is now the fifth divisions turn to do this. It's also my first year doing an orientation as a captain, not as a vice. Your task will be to tell them of your duties and give advice as well as insight on what to expect when entering a squad."

Gin fiddled with the hem of his sleeve, "So … I have ta talk ta people? I'm pretty new to this position an' all ..."

"There's no need to worry," Aizen's gaze softened, "I was once in your position - newly joined, given the expectation of aiding in an orientation- I had absolutely no idea how to go about talking to these strangers. The best thing to do is to tell them the basics of what is expected as a vice captain and to offer personal insight."

It was strange to Gin that Aizen was being unnaturally nice to him. Not that Gin had given him a reason to be cold, but he also had never given him a reason to be extremely nice either. Gin suspected it was because Aizen felt mildly guilty that Gin had gotten hurt during his battle with Shinsou. Though Aizen hadn't been there to have him harmed, he may feel partly responsible since Gin preformed the task under his orders. Was Aizen capable of feeling guilt? Somehow, it seemed surreal to think of Aizen as a genuinely caring type of man mainly because he used Gin for his own entertainment any chance that he got.

"I understand Capt'n," Gin smiled wide, " Ya can count on me ta be a good example and teach the academy kids a thing o' two."

"Delightful," Aizen smiled back with an undertone of amusement, "I shall be expecting you tomorrow then. You should go get your rest, the orientation begins at an hour past noon. You are dismissed."

Gin stood and bowed low to Aizen. Before he slid open the shoji to leave, Aizen called to him once more.

"Are you forgetting something?"

"Forgettin' sumthin'?" Gin turned around nonplussed. He didn't bring anything else with him besides his body and his sword, and as far as he knew both were still very much on his person.

Aizen rose from his sitting position and walked towards Gin until his chest was pressed flush against Gin's, the young man's nose nearly touching the pleasant smelling skin. A large hand gripped Gin under the chin followed by a calloused thumb rubbing his bottom lip.

Gin's eyes opened with a sudden realisation of what Aizen had meant. He could hear all of Shinsou's warnings in his head, but all of the words were a jumbled mess in the haze of panic that rose up from his chest to his head. He promised himself that he wouldn't let Aizen touch him again, especially not as intimately as he had done before. He flinched back and closed his eyes as Aizen leaned down, freeing himself from Aizen's grip. Gin's back hit the Shoji with a loud clatter, his heart hammering mercilessly within him small ribcage.

He opened his eyes apologetically, refusing to meet his captain's eyes. As much as he didn't want to be touched by the man, he knew that he needed to apologise as to not anger him. Before he spoke, a hand had stricken him across the face. A sharp sting formed on his left cheek as he stood stunned that his captain had harmed him.

Before he had time to recover his senses, he heard a low whisper in his ear, " You'd do well not to refuse me again. After what I have done to you, you should know that you are not in any position to defy me."

A hand gently touched Gin's stinging skin and began healing it. The touch was so soft and deceitful that it made Gin almost want to hit Aizen back. Anger bubbled up inside of him, but he knew that it would be idiotic to lash out at Sosuke Aizen- a person of whom could destroy and ruin him in an instant.

He felt a pair of lips touch his and he hadn't realised that his eyes were tightly shut. He relaxed them and moved his lips against the kiss, tasting every bit of the bitter hatred and resentment that he felt for the man. Aizen's kiss was poisonous, but he had no way of getting out of it with his body pinned between Aizen and the door.

After a few prolonged seconds, he felt Aizen's lips leave his own. He remembered that he needed to breathe and let oxygen slowly fill his lungs again. Aizen turned his back on Gin and waved his hand in dismissal, " Tomorrow by noon," Was all he said.

Gin turned and opened the door quickly, closing it quietly behind him as the cool night air greeted his skin. He heaved a shaky sigh and began walking down the stone pathway towards his own barracks.

"Lovely night to be out, but you should be resting." Gin heard a soft voice say to his left. He stopped walking and turned in the direction of the voice to see the slender form of Matsurai Kujufuri approaching him with files tucked securely under his arm. His long raven hair flowed down his right shoulder in a loose tail while shorter strands framed his lovely pale face.

"Hello ninth-seat Kujufuri," Gin greeted half-heartedly. It wasn't that Gin had disliked the male, but he was never really given a reason to fully trust him. He was the former lover of his target, after all.

Kujufuri bowed deeply with a soft smile on his face, " Please, no need to be formal. Would you mind if I walked back to your barracks with you?" He asked with a blink of his strikingly long eyelashes.

Gin considered this for a moment and the shook his head, " I wouldn' mind. Please accompany me, Matsurai," he started to walk back towards his barracks with Matsurai falling into step beside him.

"I couldn't help but overhear your … conversation earlier when I was going to pick up some reports from the communications barracks," he commented lightly, almost carefully.

Gin groaned, " Which part did ya hear?"

"You're not angry?" Matsurai asked with a surprised raise of his eyebrows.

"Not really," was Gin's blunt response.

Matsurai shifted the files to slide underneath his other arm and gave a light sigh, " I heard the part where you hit the door and Aizen had stricken you."

Gin's face went pale and he stuttered, "Oh .. ah... did you?"

"I did," Matsurai said slowly and then heaved a sigh, " It won't be the first time that he'll do it, either." He said, his tone was one of sympathy.

Gin gave a wave of his hand, " It's fine. I can deal with it all. After all, Capt'n can do whatever he wants since he's the head o' our squad." Even as he said those words they became dry in his mouth. He wasn't alright with the thought of Aizen touching him let alone hitting him.

"Do you want my honest opinion?" Matsurai asked gently. He took Gin's silence to be a leeway to continue, " If you want to stay by his side- for whatever reason that may be- you'll need to learn to be obedient. As much as you'll dislike having to be … shaped into what Aizen wants you to be, you'll need to tolerate every whim that he may have. Otherwise he'll cast you away without so much as a second glance..." Matsurai became silent and his eyes became dazed as if he were recalling a far off memory. He then drew his attention back to Gin as they approached his barracks, "Well, anyway, think over what I said. I wish for your safety, Ichimaru - Fukutaichou." He bowed and left as Gin stopped in front of the shoji.

He slid it open and kicked off his waraji, heaving a shaky sigh as his fingers subconsciously touched his cheek. He stepped into the bathroom and looked at his reflection, not seeing any trace of Aizen's hard slap. The male had done a good job healing it, which could only be a result of his previous training with squad four, Gin surmised.

He was a mix of anger, confusion, and most of all resentment. He resented himself for having even a bit of a reaction to Aizen in any form- weather it be physically, mentally, or sexually. Aizen made him feel ways that he would never have dared felt with anybody else. What confused him the most, however, was his underlying bitterness at having angered Aizen.

It wasn't as if he truly loved the man, but part of him was berating himself that he'd angered Aizen. He felt bitter that he'd reacted like he had- foolishly and childishly, and he knew full well that that sort of behaviour wouldn't earn him a close place with Aizen.

With a groan of grief, he exited the bathroom and splayed himself out on his futon. He decided to give his self loathing and hatred for Aizen a break in favour of getting a bit of sleep. He closed his eyes tightly and let his mind wander until he finally was able to fall asleep.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxX

The academy was just as he'd remembered it- immense with lots of corridors, rooms, and training grounds. It was his first home when he trained to become a soul reaper. Many students entered into the room and sat with their legs folded underneath them, quietly and attentively watching Aizen and Gin.

Luckily, Aizen wasn't angry at Gin when they had met with one another before their departure- he had even acted more kindly towards Gin than usual and gave him a light kiss on the cheek. Gin would have been fine with this gesture if it hadn't have been on the cheek that Aizen had injured the previous day.

He stood presently next to his taller captain as Aizen began to speak and explain what being apart of a squad entailed. Gin was only half listening- his gaze wandered about all of the engaged faces of the male and female students. Many of them seemed interested, excited, and willing to do whatever it was Aizen was explaining about. Only a handful seemed disinterested and bored, but looked like they tried to care nevertheless.

His eyes stopped once they fell upon a young girl that sat towards the back. She had shoulder length blonde hair that shone in the dim light of the sun that beamed through the windows. Her bosom was notably large for her age and she had an angelic face. What struck Gin most of all were those eyes- silvery eyes, warm, strong, and focused. They were focused directly on Gin alone.

"Rangiku..." He whispered faintly.

"Yes, Ichimaru Fukutaichou? Is there something else you'd like to add?" Aizen's voice surprised Gin as he snapped his focus away from his childhood friend.

"Oh... I er... ah" he began. A few students laughed at his surprised stammering.

"I was discussing when it would be appropriate to summon your captain when not on duty..." Aizen hinted with a bit of impatience in his voice.

"Right! Well, ya shouldn' bother yer capt'n when he o' she is in a meetin' with the Soutaichou. It would be right rude to barge in there an' demand ta see yer capt'n, especially if it's for a petty problem. If ya need a word with yer capt'n immediately, then it would be best to ask yer vice capt'n. Also, if your head doesn' want ta have visitors, then that's yer first guess when not to bother them. Other then that, capt'n's are usually available," he said with his usual mysterious smile.

Aizen nodded in approval, "Good. Any other questions?"

Only a few students had questions, but all of them were for his captain. His eyes went back to Rangiku once more, only to find that she was no longer there. Was it only his eyes playing tricks on him? He felt greatly disappointed yet slightly happy at the same time. If she truly was there, then he knew that she was safe. For whatever reason, she had gotten over her fear of soul reapers and had decided to become one herself. That, in a sense, made Gin feel extremely proud. His closest friend was no longer the helpless and crying little girl that he had known. In her silvery eyes, he saw an unwavering soul.

XxxxxxxxxxxxX

They had a total of three classes to talk to after their first, and all went very smoothly. Gin answered questions and offered insight, despite his fleeting and distracting thoughts. Once their last class was over with, Gin said that he'd meet Aizen at the front gates due to an urge to use the bathroom. Aizen consented and Gin hurried along the corridor. He had only taken a few steps more towards the bathroom when he was gripped by the front collar and pulled into another hallway.

"Oi! What're ya doin'-?" His mouth was silenced as he looked down to see the face that had been occupying his mind for the past four hours. A small, soft hand was removed from his lips as he stared shocked at the unmistakable face of Rangiku Matsumoto. '

"I missed you..." she said softly, giving his torso a hug. Gin didn't know how to react at first, but slowly he drew her into him.

"Ran..." he breathed and closed his eyes, enjoying the familiar warmth that emitted from her soft body. He recognised this warmth, and he loved it dearly.

They drew apart for a moment as she surveyed him with critical eyes, "How am I ever supposed to catch up to you if you keep getting stronger? You always leave me behind..."

"Sorry..." Gin began, but was silenced as her fingertips pressed lightly against his lips.

"No, no need to be sorry. I'll catch up to you one day, just wait," she gave a wink. It felt nice having Rangiku so close to him. She was his first friend, apart from Shinsou.

Gin wanted to stay with her and tell her everything that had happened to him, but he knew he couldn't. If she learned that he was doing all of this to kill Aizen for her, then she'd surely be angry with him. He couldn't afford to lose what they still had between them, even though it may not be much in the years to come when they spend them apart.

She leaned up and gave a chaste kiss to his cheek- the cheek that Aizen had not kissed or harmed. It felt so right to have her with him in that moment, but he knew full well that the moment wouldn't last.

"Work hard, and I will too..." she said before she gave his right hand a small squeeze. She turned and left without another word, leaving Gin standing there wistfully wishing that he could go with her. Through this unexpected encounter, he gained back the warmth of a friend, only to lose it again with the realisation that he would have to go back to his captain and brace the chilliness of winter without her.

Author's note: Hey. Hi. I know it's been a while. Problems, lots of them. Anyway, hope you liked this chapter. It's shorter than previous ones, but I didn't have much time to write more anyway. Thank you all for staying with this! It will only be one or three more chapters in before I close it. It's strange how I started this in 2010 and still haven't finished it- mainly due to procrastination, school, and also changes in interests. As much as I love Bleach, I haven't been feeling it since a certain something happened to Gin (not going to give out a spoiler, sorry). But the Arrancar arc was definitely my favourite. This was also a very bitter-sweet chapter? I don't know, it feels like it. My writing has improved since 2010 as well, so that helps a ton. Let's see if I can get this all done in 2014. Also, big thanks to the people who like His master, Demon! I love Kuroshitsuji, and I am enjoying writing a fic for it. Anywho, *Waraji are the straw sandals that the shinigami wear (also worn by samurai and common Japanese people), not to be confused with the geta that Kisuke wears.

An editor would be nice to have since my other one is too busy.

I think that's it...

I hate having to eat yoghurt without a spoon, it's criminal, but I did end up having to sip it today.

And so we go...

- Darkness-sama