Ophidiophobia


The several encounters with Gin mentioned by Rukia in episode 53. WARNING: SWEARING, DARK CONTENT, MATURE SEXUAL THEMES. –basically it's not light reading and Gin is a twisted bastard.


"Fear can't hurt you. When it washes over you, give it no power. It's a snake with no venom. Remember that. That knowledge can save you." — Maureen Johnson.


Rukia Kuchiki takes small steps to keep the pace in which she will not be choked. The red bloody ropes attached to the staffs held by the prison guards cause her collar to tighten when the ropes receive strain. It aches, the Sekki sekki has exhausted her damaged soul.

The bridge moves minutely with the swells of wind up so high and the flimsy white yukata wrapped around her puny body does close to nothing to keep out the nipping cold. Up here Rukia can see the whole of soul society all the way even to the first of Rukongai's districts. Suddenly Rukia stops as spiritual pressure roars to an incredible intensity in the eastern levels of Seireitei.

Twisting sharply to face her right she looks frantically out over the gold-brown tile roofs.

"Renji" she whispers, panicked. "No…" I couldn't tell before because it was too far away… but the spiritual pressure that just disappeared had to Renji's! Recognition slammed into her followed by another blow of realisation.

"Why! Why did you? Renji!" The guards seized her shoulders and the cruel collar to keep her in place but Rukia continued to struggle, desperation and helpless rage making her fight. Then another Reaitsu over took over her inhibited senses and triggered the men surrounding her to tense and return to their original positions. Rukia drowning with dread peered around them and saw her worst nightmare strolling across the bride toward her, his stagnate smile stretched as if holding behind it venomous fangs.

"How are ya farin' Rukia-chan?" he hissed.

"Gin Ichimaru." she choked. Her puny body constricting with terror, snakes at her throat.

"Such bad manners" he croons, mocks, frightens, "You have a rude mouth as always. Surly Rukia-chan I do not need to teach this to ya? " he sighs theatrically- all part of a perverse act.

"It's not 'Gin' Its Cap-tain… Gin… Ichi-maru." His words were drawn out. That of the patient carer of a young child, degrading and demeaning. "You keep that up and you brother will scold you. "

But Rukia had endured enough and the exhaustion and fear condemned her willpower to crumble.

"I'm sorry… Captain… Ichimaru." Rukia keeps her gaze level and manages not to cower, in her fragile state his Reaitsu gouges into her like needles.

The sickening smile widens "Heh. Did you think I was serious? I won't tell him. Don't worry lil' princess, we're friends aren't we?"

"What…? What are you… doing here?" she can't do this, not now.

"Oh, nothin' important, just thought I'd take a walk and … tease you a bit."

Rukia, powerless and a prisoner can only glare.

I hate this man… A short time before I joined the 13 court guard squads my brother became Captain of the Sixth Company taking the mantle from Jii-sama. Sometimes when we would be walking together this man who became Captain of Third company around the same time would come over to talk to my brother. A casual observer would have seen nothing special, just two Captains talking. Their conversations were meaningless… but… that wasn't what I saw. The first time I saw Gin Ichimaru… I broke into a cold sweat.

His fingers… his mouth… the way his eyes moved… all reminded me of a hungry snake. He was talking to my Aniki but… it was like his hands were around my throat, I couldn't even blink. I hated him.

Into the small cracks of everyday his venom seeped. And before I knew it… the poison had penetrated deep inside. That's the kind of fear I felt around this man.

I don't know why… but something inside me, was repulsed by everything about him. No matter how many times I encountered him that feeling never went away, it intensified…

-X-X-X-

Unsure and silent Rukia walked at a respectful two steps behind her new Nii-sama. Today she would meet with Captain Ukitake at Squad Six offices for the issue of her enrolment into his squad of the Gotei 13. It was this ill-fated journey early in cold autumn that Rukia first met Ichimaru Gin in a passing corridor with her brother.

She was terrified.

The aura around him choked her like poisonous snakes about her neck. His eyes were hidden and for the first time the little noble girl had been glad of her noble brothers company. She resisted the urge to hide behind the Kuchiki lord who had adopted her. He will not offer shelter, or affection, Rukia reminded herself viciously.

When Gin let down to inspect her like she was some sort of dog at the heels of its master she stepped back out of instinct. Her brothers furious eyes caught her own and Rukia realised she was being rude, why else would he be angry? So she stepped forward and bowed before a monster, feeling the cold dread of her neck being exposed as she bent low.

"I am Rukia Sir." she stuttered, terror binding her tongue from further speech.

Byakuya cast her an odious glare, his face forever smooth, but Rukia could read it all in his stone grey eyes,

"What squad are you in lil' one?"

Was it everything about him. No matter how many times…

"…"

"Not a talker eh?" he lent closer and Rukia shrank back. Please leave me alone. Cold scaled bodies twisted.

"She is to be verified for a placement in the Thirteenth squad a week from now," her unapproachable brother cut in -"I am meeting with Captain Ukitake today, please excuse us Ichimaru-san."

Without waiting for Gin to hiss a reply Byakuya Kuchiki strode swiftly forward and Rukia lowered her head and flinched past Gin. She could sense his serpent eyes on her back as she hurried after her elder sibling.

When they turn the end of the corridor and were obscured by a corner but still with Gin's virulent reaitsu clinging to Rukia like chilling tendrils of mist her brother stops.

"Calm yourself immediately." He commands without facing her. Rukia continues to tremble. "Now." Byakuya ordered his voice cutting ice.

"I can't!" Her voice came out as a panicked cry, the weight and scaled cool smoothness of snakes still brushed her throat and trembling shoulders.

"I will not be shamed by you, now control yourself before we proceed."

And Rukia forced back a sob as her tiny heart screamed.

-X-X-X-

She saw him next when she was delivering a message to Tenth Squad.

These types of jobs were often given to new recruits and Rukia didn't mind as she got to see more of Seireitei on these errands and blow off steam at her extra exuberant and exceedingly compassionate Vice-Captain who had taken recently to putting her paperwork in high places she couldn't reach. Between Kaien-dono's antics and teasing and the co-forth seats Sentaro and Kiyone's constant battles it was a wonder that Rukia didn't lose her head in that squad.

He was wandering around the entrance and when he saw her he waved and stalked over. Rukia felt her stomach clench in fear and started to retreat but his large spidery hand closed on her shoulder.

"Ohayo Rukia-chan, how are ya?." Adrenalin surged. Her heart thumping like the wings of a little bird. Remembering social formalities and the expectation on the good submissive little sister of Byakuya Kuchiki, Rukia bowed low and stammered-

"G-g-good morning I-Ichimaru T-Taichou."

She waited in petrified silence for him to give her permission to rise. Rukia nearly screamed when his hand gripped her chin and tilted her head up, fingers caressing her throat like the rope of a noose entwining with the snakes already there. Then suddenly he let go and Rukia jerked back, stumbling and desperate.

"So you made it inta squad thirteen, that's' a real shame, I woulda just loved ta have you beneath me."

"I'm sorry." Is all Rukia can say, little fists shake.

"Sorry for what? For being in Seireitei? I know that everyone's sayin' ya don't belong here but… well I suppose ya don't, do ya?" The grin never leaves his face and Rukia wishes that there were more people around, I'm alone…

"I–I don't know…"

"You know what else they say? That Renji kid was sayin' ta Kira that you were nothin' but some lil' fuck toy for noble Kuichiki bastard. Is that how it is?"

"Renji wouldn't say that! Nii-sama would never!" she shrieks hatred and humiliation coursing through her arteries. And deep down Rukia recoils because Gin has struck and snapped two threads that she has guarded so securely. How can he tear me so easily?

"See ya 'round Rukia-chan, give my regards ta yer big 'brother.'"

-X-X-X-

To be continued...


This
is dedicated to Hylla, Mally and Kevvy Talks who all reviewed my first story- Thanks
girls. Have a nice day!