Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Justice is Blind ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

Chapter Two

 

Rangiku truly felt bad for Kira . . . the guy just didn't know how to have fun!

 

It always seemed to be work, work and more work. It was true enough that work was important, he was a lieutenant after all and thus stood out as an example to his entire division, he was meant to be the guy people looked up to and said `hey, that's our lieutenant' and looked on with pride . . . That was all well and good, but if she was to be brutally honest Kira didn't exactly have the same presence as other lieutenants, and no one really ever seemed to look at the poor guy with pride either. The way she saw it what was the point in doing all the work for a squad, when that squad couldn't even say `thanks' at the end of the day. He was wasting his time. His men only ever showed him common courtesy when Gin was in earshot, the rest of the time they seemed to snub him and pretend like he was just part of the fixtures, always going to someone higher up or even the third or fourth seats when Kira gave them a command they didn't like. If he didn't get an gratitude, any favours or any respect then why did he seem to care so much about doing everything and anything for his entire squad? All the odd jobs, all the errands, and all the paperwork - he did it! Jeez, sometimes he really could be a bit of a pushover.

 

Then again it seemed that although most people saw that kind of behaviour as weak the captains really went for it. Her own captain was always calling her lazy but he always said Kira's behaviour was commendable, then there was Aizen-Taichou who seemed to admire Kira the same way he admired Momo, and come to think of it Unohana-Taichou seemed to like Kira a lot too. Maybe it was more of a reflection on her that she came to find such workaholics downers; it did kind of show a lethargic attitude to work after all . . . but let the captains like what they like! She wasn't going to change, life was too short, and if a Hollow tomorrow killed her at least she could say she went out with a bang - no regrets! - whereas poor, little Kira's last thoughts would probably be about paperwork or wondering about how his division would cope. What good were promotions, commendations and approval to a dead man? Surely there was more to life than such simple things?

 

Yet to her knowledge Kira had always been that way. She'd first met him through Hisagi-san, and it had taken a while but she'd like to think that they'd become good friends, able to talk to each other and confide in most things. It was pretty common knowledge that Kira had passed his academy entrance exams first time around, that he was an expert at kido and advanced relatively quickly to the rank of lieutenant, all of which not only showed skill but determination and effort. He was the sort who wanted to get better not for a need to prove himself, like those from the Rukongai tended to feel compelled to do, or even because it was expected of him, like other noble families often did. No, the reason why he felt the need to get better was because of his own undying loyalty to those around him.

 

In the academy he had excelled for his love of learning, but in the Gotei Thirteen it was because of duty, because if there were so much as one weak man in a squad that squad would be weaker as a whole. He'd always wanted to protect those he loved, stand up for what he believed in, and be strong enough to avoid what he had deemed the unnecessary and despairing elements of war. Now he was a lieutenant he was bound by duty to serve his captain and lead his men, he felt it necessary to be the best he could be, to set an influence on those who followed and be a solid pillar of support for his captain above. Now he worked even harder because there was a burning need inside of him to prove himself capable, a desire to help those around him and a want to repay those above for his promotion, to make them proud, to be the best in order so that they wouldn't regret their decision.

 

Not that there was anything wrong with that of course -! It was good to be so dependable, loyal and selfless, but no one could surely disagree there was a limit to such characteristics? Hell, even Hitsugaya-Taichou knew better than to work all the time! Sometimes her captain would take naps or sit back and enjoy a nice cup of green tea, he knew as well as she did that to overwork oneself left one open to exhaustion physically and mentally, sometimes leading one to feel claustrophobic, trapped and to miss out on socialising and thus forging strong bonds with friends and family. Although Hitsugaya-Taichou preached the importance of work he also knew when to step back and take a break, because if one didn't then one ran the risk of all those bad things she'd just mentioned, and in the end that was good for no one. If a Shinigami was depressed, exhausted or just plain bored from so much admin work, then it'd affect the whole squad! It meant his reflexes would get weak, or his reaction time would slow down, or if the Shinigami missed too many social events he'd get lonely and stir-crazy, kind of like that creepy Kurostuchi-Taichou . . . now there was a guy who needed to get drunk, laid or take a holiday! Maybe all three! Didn't Kira know that too much work was bad for him? Didn't he realise he was going to make himself ill? He already had lost so much weight, his eyes heavy with dark bags and his expression always so gloomy . . . Surely Gin had noticed the stress his lieutenant was under?

 

Ah, then again, maybe not. No . . . no, he definitely knew, he had to! Knowing Gin as she did she could probably bet the man was just choosing to ignore the issue at hand, after all he was probably the most observant captain in the whole of the Seireitei. He knew what buttons to push when he wanted to annoy someone, he knew what to say when he wanted to gloss over an issue and make things better, and he could always guess with outstanding accuracy the motives of a person . . . even if he joked it off afterwards. That was the thing . . . he knew so much, he had such a great understanding for human emotions and psychology, often manipulating people on a daily basis, sometimes with a smile alone! Why did he always have to use that smile? Why did he always have to joke and pretend? What was he hiding behind that fox-like expression? What was he hiding . . .?

 

Sometimes he could be so kind . . . he'd fed her when she was starving to death, he'd given her a birthday so that she felt special and not just a number in a population statistic, and he'd given her hope with a warm smile hardly anyone else had ever shown her. He'd always stop to share conversation with Kuchiki-Taichou, always spar when he could with Zaraki-Taichou and sometimes even training or tutoring new cadets at the academy . . . Sometimes he'd open his eyes and give Rangiku a meaningful glance, a look of complete love, a look that although platonic and fraternal seemed to symbolise their whole relationship, and he'd smile - . . . he'd smile so warmly, so sincerely, that it could melt Rangiku's heart in an instant.

 

So why - why? - did Gin find the need to always hide behind a mask?

 

She wasn't a fool. She knew there was more to him than met the eyes, she knew that he could be capable of cruelty even she couldn't fully imagine. She'd seen him purposely linger around Kuchiki-Taichou just so he could enjoy that look of fear Rukia always emitted around him, relishing in it as if he had some hidden sadistic side, and she'd seen the way he would constantly tease Kira knowing how the blonde could take things so damn seriously! She knew about his ruthlessness in battle, the cruel rumours he'd killed his superior officer when he'd joined the Gotei Thirteen as a child, just so he could be promoted, and she knew his penchant for playing pranks and mean-spiritedness.

 

It scared her, frightened her and always left her wondering . . . There was two people behind that smile; a being of unimaginable kindness, warmth and love, a man who would give anything he could to see his loved ones healthy and happy, a man who would sell his soul to see no harm came to his men, and then there was that other man . . . Then there was that man who was cruel and callous, teasing subordinates for humour and playing cruel jokes on those he knew he could get away with it, always delighting in the pain and humiliation of others. Which was it? Which one was Gin, which man was he, and how could he borrow from the two with such ease, changing persona as if he were nothing but an actor playing two contrary parts? Was he neither man or was he both? If both were acts, if both were lies, then who was he really, what was the true nature and motive of the man they called Ichimaru Gin?

 

The sad thing was she would never know . . . Gin was a mystery, a riddle that could not be solved for to solve it would be to break its very essence, to lose what had made it so unique and alive, and to leave it unanswered could likewise cause nothing but pain . . . Was that what he was hiding? The answer to the riddle? She wished he would tell her, wished she could know, and yet each time she came close he would leave without a trace, without a word! Where did he go? What reason had he to always walk away as if he were nothing but a ghost, a man with no attachments, a man with no responsibilities? Did he go because each time a new part of him was revealed he felt compelled to take a step back, to make sure no one saw the true part of him he strived so hard to keep hidden, or was it more than that? Did he simply not care, was he devoid of emotion and feeling, simply moving as the wind took him because he had no roots in any place, nothing to hold him to any one person? Gin . . . Why? What was so awful, so wrong, that you have to hide behind a smile, hide behind an act? What was so wrong that no one could be let in, that no one could ever see that heart you hid so well, so well it was as if it didn't even exist . . .?

 

Man, these thoughts were too depressing! No one wanted to think about such things on a Wednesday afternoon, this was the middle of the workweek, a time to celebrate half a week gone and only half a week to go! Even if it wasn't time for `Rangiku's Sake Hour' as she liked to call her lunch breaks, she still didn't want to be thinking too hard about Gin, it was always an instant downer. Each time she thought hard on her friend she'd be overcome with a fear that he'd leave, a dread that one day he might just go and not return, and she'd still be none the wiser as to who he really was, just who was the man behind the smile . . .

 

Maybe that was the problem, maybe that's why the rumours got started . . . Kira and Gin were just a bad match as lieutenant and captain.

 

Gin's smile meant very little trusted him save his own men, his own squad sharing that mean-spirited and practical nature, loving a good joke at the expense of others. It meant that he could deny something and even if he was to tell the truth no one would believe it, and no one could be expected to either, not when he said every word with a condescending grin. In fact sometimes she had to wonder if he didn't purposely lie just so people would distrust his answer and believe what he wanted them too . . . Then there was Kira-kun who worked himself to the bone, spending every minute in his office working himself half to death, and although his heavy workload and change in personality can be contributed to many factors, when you throw in a suspicious captain like Gin people start talking.

 

Hell, it was just so ridiculous! She knew Hisagi-san had made a complaint but she knew exactly what that would lead to: `Yo, Gin! You abusing Kira?', to which the answer would be `Nah, course I ain't!', but who would believe that when the answer would no doubt come with a sly smirk? Oh, and god forbid anyone ask Kira: `Hey man, you getting hassle from yo' Taichou?' and that would be followed with `N-N-No! Of - Of course not! Please, don't say such things! I'll get in trouble!'. Yeah, an answer like that was just screaming `abuse victim'. The two of them were just the way they were, with conflicting natures, but unfortunately that would no doubt lead to misunderstandings as the two were just . . . too conflicting. She'd have to have a word, not that it'd do much good, getting Gin to be sincere was as impossible as getting Kira to loosen up! Yet it was weird, Gin used to have a somewhat serious side and Kira used to be so light-hearted . . . maybe the two just brought out the worst in each other? One's intimidating presence making the other shier, the shy ones weakness bringing out the teasing prankster of the other, thus creating a vicious circle that only added to the rumours and worry.

 

Still, it wasn't anything a bottle of sake couldn't solve! Right?

 

Admittedly she should have been working back in the office, but some errands just had to be run and sometimes there wasn't any choice, one simply had to leave the office in order to get things done! Papers had to be filed, requests had to be made, Hell Butterflies needed to be sent . . . today she'd gone with the excuse that she'd needed a specialised opinion from the Twelfth Squad, and of course it wasn't her fault that on the way she'd found a sake bottle or just came across her beloved Kira! Coincidences happened to everyone, even Taichou sometimes became sidetracked, and so was it really any fault of Rangiku's if she happened to come back just a few moments later than expected? Anyway, no doubt Captain expected it! If she came back on time he'd probably faint from shock or accuse her of being tricky, so really it was kind of best to be late! It was a responsibility to be late!

 

She'd expected Kira to be in his own office, after all with his heavy workload and obsession with work it made sense, but when she peeked her head inside he was oddly absent. The next place she tried was Gin's office, just in case the two were in a meeting or working together the way she often did with her own captain, and lo and behold that was exactly where Kira was! Except . . . except Gin was nowhere to be seen . . .

 

The office itself was large and spacious, a nice comfortable area although quite dark as its windows seemed to face away from the sunlight, but overall there was plenty of space to work and just enough light to be able to see any paperwork that needed to be done. Gin's desk was in front of the main, large bay window, as if trying to exploit what little light came through for all it was worth, and the view was from the traditional, dark-wood window was breathtaking as ever! Looking out there was an amazing view of a small section of Seireitei and the gardens of several squads. The Squad Three garden could be seen not too far away with large, blossoming persimmon trees blooming everywhere, they seemed to live in conjunction with the bright, pink sakura trees that were scattered around, both giving colour and life to the expanse of land that surrounded them. If Rangiku had to bet any money she'd say this room was probably originally designed for a lieutenant, it wasn't anywhere near as bright as Kira's or as well organised as far as décor went, but the view was so beautiful that Gin had probably commandeered it for himself on his promotion. She only wished her captain's view was so nice too!

 

However it wasn't the captain at his desk, but the lieutenant . . . It was odd. Granted it wasn't a capital crime and lieutenants often worked alongside their superiors, but to be in the office of a higher-up without explicit permission - or even with the owner present - was very much frowned upon and probably against rules and regulations . . . She'd have to check into that actually, she often used Hitsugaya-Taichou's office to nap, she'd hate to realise it was against rules to do so! Nonetheless, why was Kira working at Gin's desk? It'd be one thing to look for papers or documents, another to be working in a far corner, but to actually be using the desk? It wasn't really right.

 

“Kira! What're you doing at Gin's desk? Naughty boy! I bet you're stealing office supplies, aren't you?”

 

“Ah! Rangiku-san!”

 

The scream that left Kira's lips was just too adorable! His little `ah' sound was just so high-pitched and childlike, a mixture of shock and horror, kind of like a kid with his hand caught in the cookie jar!

 

His cheeks were even a startling shade of red, his eyes wide as if he'd seen a ghost, and he was beginning to stutter incoherently as if he'd been caught doing something indecent. He'd pushed himself away from the desk and was flapping his hands around as if shooing away as bad smell. Poor little guy, had she really been that quiet on entering she'd startled him? Or maybe he really was doing something he shouldn't! That really would make for some super, good gossip! Oh, and what Gin would say too -! She would love to see her friend's reaction upon hearing his subordinate had been caught doing something compromising, like actually stealing supplies or changing his name on the staff rota so he got a better shift! Maybe she could use this as blackmail!

 

“Rangiku-san! It - it - it's not what it seems! I just -!”

 

“Oh! `Not what it seems'? Does that mean Gin's underneath the desk? Were you two doing something rude? Oh, I never thought Kira-kun could be so kinky!”

 

“N-No! That's not it at all! I mean - how could you -?”

 

Okay, maybe she was a little more like Gin than was probably healthy . . . It seemed that along with a shared love for dried persimmon, they also both had a shared love for teasing Kira! She'd never realised until now how gullible and naïve the poor lieutenant was when it came to such matters, always terrified what people thought and making sure his image stayed prim and proper, and even just the insinuation of her words had him spluttering and stuttering! It as adorable! Kira Izuru was a grown man, a lieutenant in a strong squad, a friend of the rather crude, manly men such as Abarai-kun and Hisagi-san, and yet he could get all flustered over a simple joke! She had to admit, if she were Gin she'd be playing with her little lieutenant all the time, just for the satisfaction of seeing that little blush play on his cheeks!

 

The little blonde had almost immediately jumped to his feet, his blue eyes wavering as if searching for something that couldn't be found and his hands raised into a defensive position of surrender, his back and knees were slightly bent as if to make himself smaller and as if by doing so he could hide away in safety. His cheeks were still crimson and his expression was one of horror, like he truly thought Rangiku believed what she'd said, and his eyes held dark bags in the corners, as exhaustion seemed to creep in where it could not be held at bay. His skin was also deathly pale in the places where his blush did not touch, almost as if he'd been eating a bad diet or even not at all, and there was a solid indentation in his finger and thumb from where he'd obviously been clutching a pen hard for long periods of time. Come to think of it his hair seemed slightly out of shape and his uniform a little dishevelled . . . It couldn't be, could it?

 

“Ichimaru-Taichou is very overdue on his paperwork and he promised me he'd be back in time to do it, but I can't find him anywhere! I found him talking to Tousen-Taichou and he said he'd be up, I guess he must have gotten sidetracked . . .”

 

Kira turned his head to the side, his blush now gone as his blue eyes stared morosely upon the floorboards, looking with such longing and betrayal it was sad to see. His right arm clutched his left, fiddling with his badge as if that could make everything better, as if by reassuring himself of his position it'd somehow bring about the ability to cope with the stress. Didn't he know lieutenants were only human?

 

“I wasn't doing anything wrong, Rangiku.” He continued, “Ichimaru-Taichou often allows me to do his work -” Rangiku rolled her eyes at the word `allow' but said nothing “- so I just came in here to make sure it got done. You know?”

 

“Then you fell asleep, right?”

 

“Yeah -. What? No! I mean, of course not!”

 

“Oh please, it's so obvious!”

 

Rangiku let lose a rather all-knowing grin, her mouth pulling at one corner so her beauty spot became all the more prominent, her eyes half-lidded with a subtle yet dangerous glow. She bent forward as if sharing a secret, but that was ridiculous considering how she lurked at the door and Kira stood behind his desk, the distance was too great for them to be sharing things in confidence. Then she raised the sake bottle and swung it around in nonchalance, pointing her index finger out as if making sure Kira knew that she was addressing him and no one else. Truthfully she was feeling a little mischievous, Kira brought out a playful side in her and it made her feel a little like teasing him, kind of like how a sibling would to a kid brother, because all in all that's what he was really: a little brother.

 

“Your hair's a little messed up,” She began, watching him trying to fight the temptation to comb it through with his fingers, “Your cheeks all red, your eyes are all heavy and your kind of out of it . . . You were either getting head under the table, smoking an illegal substance or sleeping on your captain's desk. You pick!”

 

“Okay, okay! I was sleeping, but please -! I - I could get into trouble, don't tell anyone, I don't want to seem unprofessional or like a bad lieutenant. I don't want Ichimaru-Taichou to be disappointed in me.”

 

“Don't be silly! If anything Gin will find it amusing! If anyone has a sense of humour it's that silver-haired fox,” She bounced back up to full height with a conspiratory wink and a cute little smirk, the sake bottle waving beside her head as she placed on hand on hip and the occupied hand higher into the air, “So what say you and me have a drink? You look like you could do with some! You get anymore wound up and we'll have to uncoil you like a spring!”

 

Kira's face seemed to fall even more, if that was at all possible. His eyes began to shimmer with a sheen of water, his lips pressed tightly together, and his body had curled in on itself as his right hand clutched even tighter upon his left arm.

 

He really did look like he was on the verge of breaking down, the poor thing! If he were anyone else he probably would have booked a vacation already, had some down time to relax and recuperate, take a break from work in order to save his sanity! Kira-kun was truly one of a kind, so uptight about getting all his work done that he was willing to sacrifice his own emotional well being for the good of his squad . . . Of course it was probably more to do with the fact that, if poor Kira dared to take a week off from work, then they'd still be a week's worth of work waiting for him as he returned. Gin certainly wouldn't pick up the slack and the other officers probably wouldn't do it either, and to have to catch up on a whole week's worth of work whilst doing your captain's share too . . . No wonder he didn't take any time off! She really should have words with Gin, he was overworking Kira far too much and it wasn't healthy! He should be a good, little captain and take care of his men, not ignore his responsibilities and make others do his share of the work, although to be fair what was the point in being captain if you couldn't make other people do things for you?

 

“Come on, Kira! It's delicious and A-Grade stuff! You know you want to!”

 

“Please, Rangiku-san, I have to work. Ichimaru-Taichou report is due in tomorrow.”

 

“So what?”

 

She pouted childishly at his comment. Her arms crossed across her upper abdomen so quickly that her breasts jiggled somewhat indecently, the sake bottle digging uncomfortably into her right side as she tried to look a mixture of both putout and hurt.

 

Seriously, what was wrong with Kira? Did he just have such an undying love for his captain, such a strong sense of duty, such a passion for his squad that he felt compelled to do any task that came his way? It couldn't be because he enjoyed work, she knew that because she'd tried hundreds of times to convince him to do her work for her, but he always said no! Maybe he was just so scared of Gin he felt like he had to do the man's work for him? Although that sounded ridiculous in itself . . . Sure Gin was frightening, but if he really scared Kira that much then surely the blonde would have asked for a transfer to another division? If she had to be honest she'd have to admit to some jealousy that Gin didn't have to do anything, that he had a devoted slave to obey his every wish . . . Man, if she had that she wouldn't have to do any work ever! She could just shop and nap all day! It wasn't fair, if she had to occasionally work then Gin should too, shouldn't he?

 

“If it's Gin's work then let Gin do it,” She said dismissively, “It's not like anyone will blame you because your captain's too lazy to do his own work.”

 

“Rangiku-san . . .”

 

“Oh Kira! I'm hurt! You really mean to say you'd pick boring, old, troublesome paperwork over my delightful company? I brought the sake especially! You know you want some, and what's ten minutes out of the day, huh? Just ten minutes, then you can get back to doing all the writing you want. What do you say, huh?”

 

She gave her brightest smile yet and waved the body seductively in the air. Kira's attention it seemed had been caught as he was already eyeing up the liquid in its depths, his expression seemed somewhat calmer and his hands were now in his lap, he was still fidgeting but at least this time it was his obi sash and not his badge. There was even a little twinkle in his eyes, kind of as if to say `well, just one wouldn't hurt', but she wasn't stupid, she knew that just because he was tempted didn't mean she'd lured him to the side of good just yet. He was still frowning a little bit, which meant he was still debating what to do: work or play? She'd need to dangle the bait just a little more, make him crave not only the drink but her company and a chance to unwind, make him give into his untapped lust for fun, reject that demon they called `work'. She was so close!

 

“Come on Kira,” Her voice was almost sing-song, high-pitched and melodic and as she kept up her smile and soft expression, “We can talk about Ichimaru-Taichou, we can desecrate the persimmon trees you hate so much, or we can even stalk Renji at work and make him mess up so that Kuchiki-Taichou yells at him! Plus the sake tastes so good as it goes down your throat, warms your sense, relaxes your mind, and the taste - can you really resist the bittersweet taste of this holiest of all nectars?”

 

“I suppose the work could wait until later . . .” He winced slightly and shook his head, “But it really has to be done, if I leave it too long then I'll have to be up all night and I won't get any sleep . . .”

 

“Ah! That's the beauty of it! You'll be so hung-over that you'll have to call in sick, so Gin will have to do all his work on his own and you even get an extra day's rest! Can you really say no to that? One drink, Kira, one drink and all your problems will vanish! I'll even let you have an extra-large cup! You know you want to . . .”

 

“Well . . .”

 

His whole expression seemed to change in an instant, meaning she'd won! His blue eyes seemed to soften, now half-lidded and not so wide and alert, his mouth pulling slightly into the beginnings of a smile as he gazed on at his friend, the little colour he had from blushing fading away as he became more comfortable with his surroundings. He was still slouching somewhat but at least now he'd stopped fidgeting entirely, instead he pushed back his hair and made a quick gesture of straightening out his paperwork, walking out from behind the desk with slow, languid movements . . .

 

This was great! She'd finally gotten Kira to give in! That meant she could have some fun before heading back to the office, after all if Hitsugaya-Taichou was going to chew her out then she might as well give him a good reason, right? Besides, Kira was so touchy recently, always so shy, always so easily hurt, always so damned down-in-the-dumps, the only times he ever opened up and became confident seemed to be when drunk, so why not get the kid intoxicated and let him spill the beans? If she got him drunk enough she might get to the bottom of the whole thing, find out what was really bothering him, and if it turned out to be nothing then at least she could take some provocative photos of him and use it as blackmail! Nothing ever got a Shinigami talking faster than a threat to post naked pictures in the Shinigami Women's Association newsletter! Not that she'd ever had to resort to that of course, usually a man would bend to her every will with a promise to flash some flesh, but Kira wasn't really a usual man, in fact he'd probably have a heart-attack or throw a fit if she tried to flash him! So it was much better to just try and get him drunk, not that it was hard to get Kira drunk, but still - win number one for Matsumoto!

 

She raised the bottle high in victory as Kira began to walk closer, refraining from yelling out in joy, and instead gave a loud laugh and an all-knowing wink to her friend, urging him closer with her bright smile and wide-armed gesture of acceptance. It was cold out so it wasn't best to venture outdoors, but to stay indoors meant to get caught, so maybe her best bet was to convince Kira to help her find Abarai-san, Hisagi-san and maybe even some of Squad Eleven, that way they could start a drinking party in Squad Eleven barracks, Zaraki-Taichou wouldn't mind at all!

 

Yet as Kira came ever closer he suddenly stopped. His eyes narrowing once more but with an essence of fear, kind of raised higher with a visible shake, his mouth was also partly open as if he were about to begin stuttering again, and his throat jumped as he swallowed hard. Rangiku didn't need to look behind her to know what had Kira's panties in a bunch, because right away on her wrist she felt the icy cold, bony fingered hand of someone with a much more powerful Spirit Pressure than her own. Her first thoughts were obviously ones of crude exclamations, but once she figured out who it was she was pretty hopefully she could get out of trouble, maybe some playful flirting would help? It certainly couldn't hurt.

 

“My, my, Rangiku,” The tone of the voice both facetious and drawling, “It's not everyday I come back to my office to find two lieutenants just standing around, with a bottle of alcohol no less. Were you perhaps waiting for me to return? Or were you trying to tempt my lieutenant into abandoning his work and duties?”

 

“I-I-Ichimaru-Taichou, I really -!”

 

Rangiku cut Kira off before he could speak. The moment she made to open her lips Gin relaxed his grip and allowed her to lower her hand, at which point she used her free one to push back her hair in an almost arrogant manner, trying to affect an air of nonchalance, as if to prove to both her and Gin she was entirely innocent. Of course it was impossible to believe in the innocence of a lieutenant loitering in captains's office, especially when carrying a bottle of sake and in a captain's office other than their own, but it was worth a shot, right? He might just buy it. It wasn't likely, but he might! The trick was not to let Kira speak, the moment he got a chance to open his mouth he'd start apologising like a little kid caught taking candy from a stranger, so she'd just have to do the talking for the both of them!

 

“I just stopped by to see how my favourite captain was doing,” She said with a large grin and bright features, her tone however slightly pompous and annoyed, “I haven't seen you for so long Gin . . . I even brought a bottle of sake for us to share, it is our lunch hour after all! I couldn't find you anywhere though so I thought I'd help poor Kira-kun with his workload, it seems like someone has been overworking the poor guy! How mean, Captain! You should know better than to give so much work stress to your own lieutenant!”

 

“Eh? I've been overworking Izuru-kun? Really?”

 

She turned around to see Gin pouting somewhat; his lips were pushed outwards like a babe and his face fallen into a narrow, long expression of hurt, his head had even tilted to the side as if deep in thought and his eyebrows raised as if he were rather shocked. He kept his hands tucked inside his sleeves, crossing his arms across his chest in an elegant and graceful manner, and overall he seemed like a mild-mannered and confused man simply waiting in the doorway . . .

 

Rangiku wasn't going to be fooled by an expression like that though. Gin had to know how much work he had as a captain, and he also had to know that he never did anywhere near as much as he was given, so who did he expect to be working hard to make up for the slack? Even if it wasn't for that obvious logic she knew well enough by now not to trust him when he decided to play the victim, because his expressions of hurt and his questions of confusion were no more innocent than the expressions and question she used with her own captain. `Ah, were those really due today, Captain?' or `Well you see, I didn't really ditch work, I just happened to leave for an errand and -!' were common phrases of hers, but just because hers were more transparent than Gin's didn't make his any less false! The little sneak was just trying to weasel his way out of work; he might as well just be honest about it!

 

“I don't understand,” Gin said, tilting his head again as if searching his memory, “I don't remember ever giving my lieutenant more work than he can handle . . .”

 

“Oh? Then why is he doing your paperwork, Gin?”

 

“My, my, Rangiku, I didn't know lieutenants had permission to backtalk their superiors, I really must speak to Hitsugaya-Taichou, I wonder if he can tell me how long that allowance has been in place.”

 

He smirked devilishly as Rangiku suddenly became rather embarrassed and `distracted'. Her hands automatically went behind her back, hiding her sake bottle and also allowing her to look younger and more submissive, she also made sure to stand straight whilst arching her back, making sure her large chest was clearly on display and the first thing one saw when looking in her direction. The little pout on her mouth was rather innocent and childlike, and when she lowered her head she seemed a replica of a regretful yet sulking child being disciplined by a fatherly figure. She really was laying it on a little thick but in her experience men didn't really go for `subtle', so by being acting the part of a clueless, innocent and sorry woman she could tend to make even the manliest of men melt at the sight, plus by emphasising her boobs she'd found that most men at once made allowances for her. If it stood a chance of working for Gin then she'd certainly give it a shot!

 

“I'm sorry, Captain,” She said with an almost whine, “I didn't mean to question you . . . I was just so worried over Kira-Fukutaichou that I couldn't control myself -” She gave a little jump at this and let her pout wash away into a soft smile, her chest bouncing with her movement, “- I simply had to say something, even if it was really naughty of me . . .”

 

“Ya never change, do you, Rangiku?”

 

The look on his face was almost serene, a very subtle expression of nostalgia and wistfulness, with his lips curled into an almost genuine smile and his eyes relaxed and free from all tension. His shoulders had slumped into a less taut pose and his body language seemed calmer, for anyone else they might not have noticed such changes, but Rangiku knew from experience he was actually in a good mood, actually reflecting on all that had been and all that would be. It wasn't often he ever showed a serious or sincere side to her, but at times like these she'd find herself melting her exterior and dropping the act, giving a warm smile of her own and looking at him with an expression of love. He really was a one of a kind man, even if he sometimes drove her insane. She couldn't ask for a more interesting friend.

 

“If ya must know,” He continued, “I never asked Izuru-kun to do my work for me, so if he's in here doing it then it's his own choice. I can't be held responsible for other peoples' choices, can I?”

 

“Whatever I say in argument you'll just take as an act of `insubordination', won't you?” Rangiku said curiously, folding her arms in mock defiance.

 

“Nah, whatever gave ya that idea?”

 

His grin seemed to grow brightly at this, his eyes becoming narrower with his face somewhat plumper with such heavy smiling, a dangerous glint in his expression that seemed to indicate that at some point she'd crossed a line . . .

 

She gave a sigh and titled her head to the side, giving a rather questioning look. She hadn't really expected Gin to squash her attempt at fun, but he was a captain and it probably was quite an insult to find someone in his office without permission, whether that person was a friend or not. Still, Gin wasn't someone who was totally adverse to fun, in fact he was quite the joker and the prankster, it didn't really make sense for him to be in such a grumpy mood, let alone ruin a good day for Kira and herself! It would mean having to head back to Squad Ten and actually do some more work, and poor Kira-kun would probably be forced to do his captain's work too, whether he wanted to or not! Although it was admittedly possible Gin wanted a word with Kira alone, in fact maybe that was why he was trying to shoo her out of his office in his own way? If that was the case she wanted to know what he was going to say! Would it be a disciplinary matter or maybe something personal? It was hard to say but she knew she'd be unable to eavesdrop, not with Gin in the room, he'd notice her spying right away. So she'd simply have to wait and ask Kira what happened later, if he was able to say that way.

 

Still, where was she going to hide the sake bottle? If she returned with it then Captain would definitely know she'd not been on errands! Then she'd be in even more trouble than she was already going to be in . . .

 

“Ah, well I better head back to the office,” Rangiku said cheerfully, “Although if Hitsugaya-Taichou asks I was here to run errands. If he catches me ditching work again I'll be in real big trouble!”

 

“Don't worry, I won't say a word.”

 

“Right, well, bye Gin!” She said with a bright smile, “And take care, Kira-kun! Don't let nasty, old Captain bully you around, okay? See you at the bar later! Bye!”

 

Gin watched with the same ever grin as Rangiku left the room. Her pace was quick and there was an evident bounce in her step, she seemed not quite eager to leave but likewise not particularly eager to stay, she moved like she was caught between two places. It was possible she sought to stay for Kira but was too afraid of the wrath of a captain to stay, because no matter how close she was to Gin - or how much they cared for one another - it was still impossible for her to ever discern his true motives, his true feelings. It was almost a disappointment to see her leave, to know that lively nature and bouncy attitude to life would disappear with her, but it wasn't as if today was the last day he'd see her . . . There'd be more days . . . enough to say goodbye at least . . .

 

When he turned to see Kira he saw his lieutenant looking sheepish and scared, trying to make himself look as small as possible, almost like he was trying to disappear completely. He was holding himself tightly, gazing at the floor like he couldn't bear to make eye contact with his captain, and visibly shaking kind of like he was afraid. It was a very adorable appearance but one that made him seem weak and childlike, kind of like he needed protecting and looking after, not at all the look one expected from a lieutenant at all. It made Gin smile wickedly and narrow his eyes to the maximum he could manage, gazing at his lieutenant with an expression that seemed both angry and joyful, almost sadistic in a way. It was a look that only served to frighten Kira all the more.

 

“Ja!” Gin began in a happy enough tone, “I think it's time we had a talk . . .”