Unlikely pair

'Now this is interesting,' thought Ichimaru Gin as he smiled, more widely than usual, at his current source of amusement. He was curious indeed. This girl who could pass as a younger version or a sister-doppelganger of his beloved Rangiku–

"So we have one thing in thing in common, eh?"

"Yes," Orihime replied calmly. Gin had to give her points for adapting so quickly to his smile. Unlike Izuru and Hinamori-chan, who never really got used to it. She was not the least bit fazed by it anymore. In fact, she was currently sketching something, having asked the at-present absent Ulquiorra for pencil and paper, and surprisingly obtained it.

Curiouser and curiouser.

However, ignoring him as though he were not a threat would not tolerated.

"And what would that be, Sunshine? Ya strength?" Gin made the sarcasm drip in his supposedly innocent tone.

She tensed. He had unsheathed the beginning of Shinsou and pressed it to the delicate column of her throat, one light touch away from breaking her skin.

She took care when turning to look at him. Her eyes were unexpectedly solemn.

"Nothing like that, Ichimaru-san. That would be silly. My powers are healing, not offensive." She sighed before turning carefully back to her sketch, apparently adding the final touches.

Very quietly, as though intending it for his ears alone, she said, "We make all the wrong choices for all the right reasons." She suddenly stood up and handed him her sketch.

At the same time, the Cuatro Espada arrived. Did she actually time and sense his arrival? She has good spiritual awareness then…

The Number Four of Las Noches glanced meaningfully at his drawn zanpakutou.

"Now, now, no need to be so uptight, No.4. We were just having an interesting conversation," Gin sing-songed. His only response was a narrowing of verdant eyes and a "Come, Onna".

Orihime stood. "Please excuse me, Ichimaru-san." She made her way to the door. He took a glance at the paper, and for a fraction of a second, his smile wavered. Looking up, he suddenly called out, "Ya know wat, Sunshine? You get to call me Gin."

She turned back in surprise. A heartbeat later, she smiled hesitantly, "Alright, Gin-san." An impatient huff from Ulquiorra drew her away from him at last.

Allowing the corners of his smile to actually turn downwards, Gin contemplated the drawing. His eyes slightly opened.

From the white background, Rangiku smiled at him.

A/N Please review, minna! Constructive criticism is highly welcomed. Flames shall be ignored. And I do not own Bleach.