Kira walked back into the small apartment he had in the squad three barracks. Rangiku had just asked hi to join her, Hisagii, Momo and several others for some training out in the north field. Kira had been waiting for his captain, Gin Ichimaru, to return from his daily meeting with Captains Aizen and Tousen. He had finished what little paperwork there was to do that was not sent to Squad 11 and was thinking over what he should do for lunch. Though he didn't know exactly why it had happened, Gin seemed to be spending more and more time with him; not that Kira was complaining, he truly enjoyed the company. He looked up to his captain and admired the man greatly. After taking him on as lieutenant, Gin had always been there when Kira needed someone, and Kira was determined to repay the dept he owed the man. So when Rangiku and the others came by, he had politely declined and went back inside to wait, though inside he felt icy coldness grip his heart as he remember the words his captain had said some time ago concerning those he had called his friends. "I overheard them the other day on the training field, Izuru. They don't really want you along with them, they just invite you out of obligation and said they prefer you wouldn't join them. You need not feel bad about it though, you are so much better than they are Izuru, you are above them in so many ways- even if it is not in your strength alone. Don't waste your time with the likes of them." So he hadn't- ever since that day, Izuru had been distancing himself farther and farther from those he had one time called his closest friends. So now he was sitting on the edge of the bed waiting for his captain to return from 'important' business.
The soft scrape of the sandals could be heard outside as Kira sat there on the bed, his head in his hands. The door to the room slowly slid open and Gin walked through the archway, his face creased in the familiar smile.
"Oh, hello Kira." Gin tilted his head to the side slightly when Kira didn't answer. "What, no hello?"
Kira looked up at the sound of the familiar voice.
"Oh, captain, I'm sorry I didn't hear you come in" Kira said as he stood and bowed slightly.
"Now ,now Izuru, none of that," Gin said as he walked over and gently touched Kira's shoulder, a slight grin spread across Kira's face as he stood again.
"The meeting go well?" Kira asked as he glanced out the window where Momo and the others still training.
"Hmm, oh the meeting… Yes, it went well."
Gin turned and made his way to the desk that was set against the wall of his room and sluipped off the pack that was slung around his shoulder. Carefully he set it on the desk and ran his hand through his silvery hair. Aizen had entrusted Gin to turn Kira away from his friends, making it so that Kira would only rely on Gin for information or support. The quicker Kira isolated himself from others, the better; things were going just as they had planned. Aizen and Gin had separated Renji, Momo and Kira several years ago, sending Momo to Squad 5, Renji to Squad 6 and keeping Kira in Squad 3. Renji had broken ties with Kira soon after their placements into their new squads, which caused Kira to turn to Momo and surprisingly, to Rangiku for friendship. Rangiku and Kira quickly became drinking buddies with Hisagi, the lieutenant of Squad 9. Hisagi would be another problem. He was a lot like Renji. Strong personality, believes in himself and extremely intelligent but it would be easy for Tousen to deal with his lieutenant. For some strange reason, despite the differences in the lieutenant's personalities, the four of them were tight. Tousen had Hisagi under control for the most part, Kira was coming under his own control nicely and Momo was so enthralled in her Captain that she would never doubt a word he said; yes, Gin new things were coming together nicely.
"What did you do while I was gone, Kira?"
Kira shook his head as he turned from the window.
"Nothing much... Captain. I... ummmm... Rangiku and Hisagi came by. They are outside training right now."
"And you didn't join them?" Gin asked as he looked sideways at Kira, closely watching his reaction.
"No... I, I don't want to go today... I don't... need to be with them" Kira said quietly as Gin grinned big, his back still to Kira.
"Well you are right there Kira." Gin turned and walked up behind Kira and looked out the window with him at the other lieutenants training.
"I had always thought they were my friends, that they would always be there when I needed them..." Kira's voice trailed off .
"You have grown wiser since then Izuru, you now know better. You know that I am the only one who won't leave or turn my back on you."
Gin came close to the blonde man and stood behind him as they looked out the window. Hisagi and Rangiku were busy sparring with each other while Momo and Renji were sitting under a nearby tree, watching and taking. It was quit the beautiful day, the sun was shinning and bird were singing in the nearby cherry tree.
"Soul Society is a strange place, isn't it Kira?" Gin could have sworn Rangiku looked straight at him, but he wasn't sure. What a waste. Soon, she'll be dead, just like the rest of them. "You think you know someone so well, but when it comes right down to it, you're easily deceived."
Kira nodded slowly as he looked out at his friends. His captain was right. He was being deceived. At least when Renji had moved to Squad 6, he had the guts to come and talk to Kira, face to face and explain why he couldn't talk to Kira anymore. He tried to explain to Kira that now that they were in different squads they wouldn't see each other as often. As much as it hurt Kira, he was glad Renji had told him- Momo however was too excited about being in squad 5 with Captain Aizen to really give Kira much thought. That had been years ago, but Kira still remembered how much it hurt, and he had finally broke down and told Gin about it one day. Since then, he was slowly starting to accept that things change, people change, and sometimes friendships change and fade. Momo gave a little wave to them from under the tree, recognizing Kira's light blonde hair from a distance. Gin sighed.
"Sometimes, old friends become new enemies."
Kira turned and faced his captain, his eyes wide with a mix of sadness an confusion.
But just... because I'm not as close to them... that doesn't mean they are my enemies... does it?"
"Sometimes it does. Sadly that happens at times, Izuru. You know what I have told you before. Soul Society has fallen from the glory she once had. Yamamoto isn't fit to oversee us anymore- and its had an effect on everyone- from the captains to the lieutenants. Friends have turned on friends, betraying their trust. You know it as well as I do. Little Momo use to be one of your closest friends, yet over the years, she has lost all space for you in her life. Hisagi and Rangiku have grown closer, also shutting you out of their lives. Friends are so fickle, Izuru. They turn on you and betray you. Its important to remember who it is you can really trust. And if a lieutenant cannot trust his captain, who then can he trust?"
Kira nodded slowly as he turned from the window and faced Gin. Dropping to his knee he looked down at the floor as he spoke.
"I will follow my captain- even unto death. That is the oath I took and I still hold to that... Captain."
Gin grinned as he reached out a hand and laid it on Kira's head gently, almost lovingly.
"And you have my gratitude Izuru; you shall be rewarded for your loyalties in the end."
"My… my… my…" Gin thought to himself. "This is going to be easier than I thought. Kira is so desperate for friendship, love, and understanding, and this is just what I need, a person who would do anything I ask of him."
"Kira, please stand up. You're embarrassing me with such a show of loyalty."
Taking Kira's hands in his, Gin helped him rise from the kneeling position. Gin stood there, Kira's hand in his for a moment as the two looked at each other. This was the perfect time to put Aizen's plan into motion. In one of the rare moments, Gin's eyes came into view as he looked fully at Kira.
"Kira, would you be so kind to do me a favor?"
"Anything, sir."
"Would you help me change out of this uniform and into a yukata?"
Kira stood and looked at Gin for a moment, something like a mix of surprise mixed with a slight smile came over his face.
"Of course, Captain" he said softly.
Gin turned slowly, taking a glance over his shoulder at Kira as he slipped off the captain's haori and started to undo the sash that held the black shinigami robe. A wicked grin passed over his face; it was like pulling the strings of a marionette. Kira was his fully and completely, and all he had to do now was keep it that way until the time was right for Aizen to put the final step of their plan into action. Kira took the haori and carefully folded it and brought over a clean, simple grey yukata.
"Captain.."
"Yes Kira? What is it my boy?"
" N.. nothing..." Kira said as his voice trailed off.
"Kira, do not be afraid to talk to me- speak what is on your mind."
"Its just... you've seemed rather troubled lately and I... I was wondering if everything was alright. You've been meeting with Captain Aizen and sometimes Captain Tousen almost every day..." Kira stopped as he handed the yukata to Gin, their hands brushing slightly, causing a slight shiver to run up Kira's spine. "I was just worried that…."
"You were worried that I was thinking about transferring you to a different squad weren't you, Izuru?"
Kira hung his head and nodded slowly.
"Izuru, you think too much. I chose you as my lieutenant because you have something that very few others do- and that is loyalty. You have a strength that many others are lacking, though it is not of the physical nature it is still very important, and Soul Society could do with a good deal more of it in our ranks. Do not worry yourself my Little Kira. You will never leave this squad unless it is by your own choice and of your own free will."
"Thank you, Captain Ichimaru."
Gin smiled as he took the yutaka and turned his back to Kira, letting the black silky shinigami robe slide down his back. Kira felt something inside him as his breath caught in his throat. Why was he doing this? Why was he reacting this way? It wasn't like he hadn't seen naked men before. He saw them every day in the showers of Squad 3's barracks. So why was the sight of his captain, stripped nude, affecting him the way it was? Kira felt his face get hot as Gin turned slightly and looked at him over his shoulder and grinned slightly, and he knew his cheeks were red from the heat. This was different… it was like his captain was trying to seduce him, and Kira could not deny that he was affected by it.
Gin pulled the yutaka on and looked at Kira for a long moment and then took one final step towards his vice captain. It happened so fast, before Kira really knew what had happened he felt his captain's lips against his own- a mix of soft gentleness and power, it made him shiver in fear yet also made him long for more… and he felt an emptiness inside when Gin stepped away from him, those blood red eyes looking at him.
That had been a week ago, and Kira had spent every spare moment he could at Gin's side- which did not go unnoticed by his neglected friends. Rangiku wandered around Captain Hitsugaya's office for what seemed like the tenth time in less than an hour. Her captain was out on a mission with Captain Ukitake and Captain Zaraki so there was currently no paperwork for her to finish. That would all come later, after the mission. Dropping down on the couch, Rangiku considered taking a nap. Shifting this way and that way on the lumpy couch, she just couldn't get comfortable. Sighing loudly, her voice echoing in the empty room, Rangiku gave up on getting comfortable on the couch and got to her feet once again. Maybe a nice long walk would pull her out of this strange mood she was in. Her Zanpakuto at her side, Rangiku left the office and started down a familiar path, her belly clenching in worry. There in the distance, she could see Kira and his captain, Gin Ichimaru. Gin was the last person she wanted to see but the thought of spending time with Kira pushed all those worries aside.
Gin's face was half turned to her and she could see that his eyes were slightly open. Strange. She'd only seen those red eyes opened one other time. It had been the first time she'd met him, out in the vast wasteland in the poorest section of the Rukongai district and he had found her passed out from hunger. Those eyes were the first things she'd seen once she'd regained consciousness. A sly smile crossed Gin's face and Rangiku's mood grew strange again. Turning away from her, Gin spoke to Kira, drawing Kira's attention towards Rangiku. A flutter of worry lay heavy in her stomach as she came closer to Kira. Once, he'd been such a good friend, open and happy to be with all of the other lieutenants but now...Rangiku couldn't quite put her finger on what happened to change Kira so much.
"Kira! Hello!" She waved to get his attention.
Kira turned slightly and looked in Rangiku's direction as she approached and she wasn't sure but it was almost like she saw a flicker of annoyance pass over the lieutenant's face as he saw her.
"This is three days in a row now" he muttered under his breath to Gin. "Three days she has asked and three days I have said no, and yet she keeps on asking."
Gin smiled and laughed slightly as he took a step towards Kira, his back to Rangiku for a moment.
"Why don't you go Izuru? might do you some good."
Kira was about to say something when Rangiku called out to him again. Turning away from his captain slightly he smiled politely at her.
"Hello Matsumoto" he said with a slight bow.
"Izuru... I..." her eyes met Gins and she had to tear them away. "I was wondering if... you would like to join me for some sake. We use to all the time... before. Remember? Its been ages it seems since we have spent any time together..." her voice trailed off as she felt Gin's eyes boring into her.
Why was she so un nerved? Was it because seeing Gin with his eyes open? Or was it because of the inexplicable fear she felt growing inside her when she thought of her long time friend and what was happening to him. Rangiku stood there still and silent for a moment as she looked at Kira. He was so different. He had always been somewhat timid and a little on the shy side at the academy but he had gotten so much better after they graduated and was a wonderful lieutenant- one any of the captains would have been grateful for. For years they had been friends and confided secrets to each other and enjoyed each other's friendships. But lately, Kira had changed... he was spending more and more time with his captain, even outside of normal lieutenant duties, and it was like he was shutting out everyone else.
"I... I've missed you Izuru, that's all" she whispered softly.
"Yes, well, I've been busy with my duties as lieutenant for the past few months." His voice was cold and somewhat harsh, taking Rangiku aback a bit. Pushing her red hair out of her eyes, Rangiku turned her attention to Gin.
"Hello, Captain Ichimaru." Those harsh red eyes closed.
"Captain Ichimaru? Why Rangiku, there's no need to be so formal." He bowed and then straightened up. "What brings us the honor of your presence?" Smiling, he waited for Rangiku to speak.
"Captain Hitsugaya is out on a mission and I'm all caught up with my paperwork. I thought I'd take a walk and then I spotted Kira and even though he's turned me down three days in a row," Rangiku gave Kira a mock frown. "I thought I'd try just one more time."
Gin turned to Kira. "Why, Kira. Turning this lovely lady down three days in a row? My, my, my. Surely I'm not working you that hard that you feel the need to stay by my side every minute of the day?"
Kira turned and looked at his captain. There it was again... that tone in the voice, that smile, that look in those half opened eyes. What was it about this man that made him feel the way he did?
"That's easy" he said to himself "he's the only one who really understands me" Kira turned and looked at Rangiku as a thought crossed his mind. "She use to be your closest friend. Izuru" he thought to himself. "You told her things you trusted no one else with..." "But that was then and things have changed" he thought shaking his head slightly as he managed a smile and laughed slightly.
"Of course not Captain," he said with a slight bow. "I just wanted to make sure I wan not neglecting any of my responsibilities to my squad... or to my captain..." he spoke the last few words in a lower tone as he looked at his captain.
Gin took Kira by the arm and turned his back to Rangiku as he pulled Kira close.
"Excuse us just a minute my dear" he said with a grin over his shoulder.
"Kira... you cannot stay with me every waking moment... even as much as you may want to" he said holding a finger up to his lips, silencing Kira's protest. "Go with her. This might be the best time to see where her loyalties truly lie" he said as he laid his finger against Kira's lips softly. "See if she can still be trusted" he whispered as he leaned in closer to Kira.
She could hear their voices but couldn't make out what Gin and Kira were talking about. With Gin having his back to her, all Rangiku could do was watch the play of emotions as they crossed Kira's face. Just what was going on with these two men? It wasn't as if their personalities were alike and this was the reason they seemed to be so much closer lately. Gin's finger lay softly against Kira's lips, silencing whatever the blonde man had been about to say.
"Rangiku seems loyal to Captain Hitsugaya but surely she can see how Soul Society has fallen to the place where it is now." Gin leaned closer to Kira's face. "Maybe she's only loyal to him on the surface. As one of her closest friends, my Little Kira, you are the one who can get her to open up and reveal her true feelings."
"But, Captain..."
With his lips only a whisper away from Kira's cheek, Kira could feel the rush of breath against his skin as his Captain spoke to him.
"This is not an order, Kira." A brush of skin against his skin. "I'm asking as a...friend." Kira felt his heart race as Gin's lips moved softly and quickly over the corner of his mouth. Kira felt his face grow hot and fought it back as Gin smiled, that same convincing smile and turned back to Rangiku.
"Well well now, I think I have some paperwork waiting for me among other things. Kira…" he said as he turned and looked at Izuru, who had been silent up till this point, "have fun" he said with a quick wink.
Kira bowed slightly as he watched his captain leave. He stared after him for a long moment, almost forgetting Rangiku. When he finally turned to her, she had a confused look on her face.
"What... what was he talking to you about, Kira?"
"Nothing... just Squad Three stuff" Kira muttered as he walked past her. "So we going or not?"
Kira's insides were in knots and his mind was racing with what had just happened. He could sense Rangiku's eyes on him all too clearly as they walked. When finally they stopped, at their usual spot under the large cherry tree, they sat down, the flask of Sake between them.
Rangiku was silent as she poured the glasses and handed one to Kira.
"So, how are things going with squad three?" she asked, her voice soft as she looked up at Kira hesitantly.
"Things have been calm, despite the problems that seem to be plaguing Soul Soceity at an alarming rate."
Rangiku let out an involuntary shudder- Kira was even starting to talk like Ichimaru. She fell silent as she took a sip of the sake and let her eyes drift over the empty field that surrounded them. Normaly they would have had a large group there with them, but Rangiku wanted to be alone with Kira, to talk to him.
As silence settled over them, Izuru realized just how long it had been since he had spent time with Rangiku and the others. Many afternoons they had spent there under that same tree- sometimes being joined by Hisagi, Renji, or even Ikkau and Asewayge would join them from time to time and enjoy drinks. He didn't know why things had changed… well that wasn't entirely true, things had changed because of Gin. Gin Ichimaru, his captain and behind close doors when it was just the two of them, the one person he turned to for comfort., he was the one Izuru looked up to. He was the one Izuru wanted to be with. He was the one Izuru looked up to. He was the one Izuru loved.
It had started out innocent enough, but over time, Izuru could no longer deny the feelings he had towards his captain. Had that been it, feelings and foolish imaginings, things might not have changed at all. However, that was not the case. Much to his surprise, his captain seemed to return the feelings, at least in part. Izuru felt a slight blush creep over his cheeks as he thought back to a few days ago. They had been in Gin's study finishing up some paperwork when it had happened.