"But, Taicho..." A tear formed in the corner of Kira's eye, and rolled down his cheek. His knuckles turned white as he balled his hands into fists, and his body shook, appearing as though it was lacking the strength to hold him up. Gin's heart broke for his lieutenant as he watched him avert his eyes, seemingly unable to look the captain in the eye. Understandable, he thought.

"I'm sorry, Izuru, but I have to go. Aizen-sama will kill me if I don't." He took a step towards Izuru, wanting nothing more than to reach out and touch him. Truth be told, he really wanted nothing more than to stay with him here forever. Able to hold him, to hear his voice any time he wanted.

"Please, Taicho... I need you. You can't leave me," His voice shook. Captain Ichimaru hung his head sadly. He wished he could bring Izuru along with them, but Aizen wouldn't allow that, regardless of Izuru's loyalty to Gin... or maybe because of it. Either way, he saw Izuru as a threat to his operation.

"Come here, Kira," he sighed, extending his arms towards the assistant captain, who ran to him and collapsed in his embrace. A quiet sob escaped his throat, as Gin stroked his golden hair, taking in the feeling of him being this close; the clean smell of his skin, the sound of his breathing, his warmth, the electricity that surged between them... Gin pushed him back, a little too forcefully, Izuru's surprise mixing with the sadness in his eyes.

"Oh, Izuru..." He wanted to say more, but he couldn't think of any comforting words. There was only one thing he could think to do... Something he'd wanted to do for a long time, but had never gotten the chance. And right now, in the dim light of Izuru's room in the squad three barracks, his lips looked too perfect to pass up...

The lieutenant's skin felt warm beneath his cold hands as he laid them upon his face. Gin opened his eyes, and for once took a proper look into Kira's... And before he could object, Ichimaru pulled Izuru into him, and pressed their mouths together. His lips were like velvet, Gin noticed. And they tasted pleasant, slightly sweet. He wanted to remember everything about this kiss forever, and assumed he wouldn't have long to note everything he was feeling before Kira pulled away. He was trying to take in all the sensations quickly, when he felt Izuru begin to reciprocate, pushing their lips together a little harder. This moment was perfect, he thought. He may have been leaving the Soul Society forever, leaving everything he once knew behind, betraying almost everyone who had ever cared for him... But right now, he was in Izuru's arms, and nothing could take that away from him.

After what seemed like hours, they broke apart... Still far too soon for Gin's liking, but they both needed to catch their breath. Suddenly, he remembered the reason he'd come here in the first place.

"I need your help," He sighed. "I need you to distract anyone who comes to the central 46 headquarters tomorrow. Take them far away from there. And kill anyone who tries to hurt you along the way. Aizen-sama needs to... say goodbye to Hinamori. In private."

"He... won't hurt Momo, right Taicho?"

"No..." Gin felt a twinge of guilt for lying to him.

"Then I'll do it, Captain Ichimaru. I will do anything for you." Gin kissed Izuru's forehead.

"Thank you, Kira-chan." He walked towards the door, having to meet soon with Aizen. He turned to look at his lieutenant over his shoulder. "This is the last time we will speak privately... I just hope you know that I love you. And I'll think about you every moment I'm in Heuco Mundo."

He barely heard Izuru whisper that he loved him too, as he slid the door shut behind him, and left to meet his Taicho.