The sky over fake Karakura was calm and blue. Its enigmatic smoothness never acknowledged the chaos occurring below. Looking into those sunny expanses, stretching over the widened horizon, one could believe the war of world is nothing but a figment of some tired mind. Even the silhouettes of warriors, when looked from afar, seemed like spots nicely composed into the whole picture and one pattern, having their roles planned well beforehand.
In a way, it was exactly like this.
All the strongest Shinigami came to fight Aizen, wishing to stop the darkness he brought with himself - even though there was an irresistible temptation to forget about this darkness, when day was so bright. Vizards joined as well, though their motives were far more simple and easy to understand: revenge. The fight continued, full of pain, tears, and suffering. It was not epic, it was despair. Shinigami, gods of death, were the only ones to die alone, with no-one to bring them to the other side. They had already agreed for this sacrifice, and now they were fighting the upcoming storm with all they had. 'Till the end.
A stray kidō flew by, ruffling Gin's hair. It had to be truly powerful to come all the way here. He brushed a hand through his hair and sat more comfortable in the warm sun-glare, that lightened up his robes. Izuru sunk into the shadows, partly due to his innate urge to become invisible, becoming a blur of black shihakushō. Gin smiled with more enthusiasm than usually.
"The persimmon harvest was really abundant", Izuru continued with the talk.
"Ya say tha' even the one by office-window bore the fruits?" Gin was truly amazed.
Izuru nodded vigorously. "The Third Officer picked five baskets. I ordered the drying right away."
Gin beamed. "I'd never trade ya fer any other vice-captain, Izuru." He mused. "And... wha' about Captain Kuchiki's koi?"
Izuru shook his head.
"Vanished into thin air."
"Ratha inta water. The question is whose water..."
The contemplative silence fell between them. The sounds of fighting, coming from afar, composed some kind of chaotic suite. Izuru looked over his shoulder.
"Shouldn't you be somewhere else?", he asked almost casually.
Gin looked at what seemed like improvised fight Aizen had with Kurosaki.
"Nah", he replied in a tone clearly indicating he had more interesting activities to attend. "They'll do withou' me."
Izuru nodded. Gin stretched himself like a cat in the sunlight of early afternoon. He didn't need to ask Izuru the same question. After all, where else should Izuru be, if not with Gin Ichimaru?
Izuru relaxed a bit, leaning over the wall. Never before had he enjoyed the fact of being forgotten so much.
Wabisuke slept peacefully by Shinsō's side. The day was truly beautiful.