Character(s): Gin Ichimaru, Byakuya Kuchiki.


At first glance no one would think that they were friends, that they got along at all. When in public, they had casual exchanges, words of politeness between two captains, nothing more. However alone, at night or when neither was busy, they talked. Or rather, Gin talked and filled the room or the garden with sound. His voice was always likened to a snake, and in those moments he was a little garter snake through the grass.

It was one of those times. Byakuya seated under a sakura tree and Gin walking around the koi pond, one practicing calligraphy and one chatting away. If anyone had seen them it would appear that Gin was speaking to himself and Byakuya ignoring him. Yet the noble listened to each word the other man said despite not always responding.

There were moments the night haired man lost track of the snake, and in those moments Gin always ended up at his side, peering down at him with that smile wide on his face, almost looking at him through his snow white eyelids.

They were friends like the night and the moon. The night cold and dark, encompassing and almost frightening. The moon bright, standing out in the blackness, and yet just as discomforting, but for different reasons. The night was frightening because of its never ending darkness, because you never knew what was truly there, a fear of the unknown. The moon was frightening because it was cold, it was so far away, appearing warm, a guiding light in the dark, yet just as foreboding. How many people had seen the moon just before they died?

It had been that way between them for years, since the day they both became Captain's. Gin, of course had been the first one to say hello.

Byakuya had been walking through the gardens of squad one, merely three days from the Captain's ceremony, and he would never admit to being nervous. He was alone, and for that single moment he allowed himself to let out a single shaky breath. He was trained and prepared, but still nervous.

"Now what's gotten int'a ya?"

He would have jumped but he forced himself still and from the corner of his eye he saw silver hair, bright, almost reflecting the sun. Ichimaru Gin. Byakuya recognized him, Captain Aizen. It took only a second to remember that Ichimaru would soon be a Captain as well.

Byakuya only gave the thin man a cold look, saying nothing. The pale man's smile looked so much like a mask to him, a grinning Kitsune mask really.

"I do not know what you mean, lieutenant Ichimaru." He spoke sharply, politely.

The other man's smile only grew, "'Course ya' don't." Gin approached Byakuya, stopping to stand next to the noble and he wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "I thought if we're gonna both be cap'ins, we should be friendly, ya?" Byakuya felt as though if Gin's eyes were open they would be staring through him. Granted, he felt that same feeling, simply through the thin barrier of pale eyelids. "And with us becomin' cap'ins so close together, thought I should introduce myself."

Byakuya pulled away from the other man. "A Captain should not act so casually."

The other's mouth opened slightly, smile parting to a grin, "We ain't cap'ins yet."

The night haired man narrowed his eyes and he once more found a long arm wrapped around him. "So, whadda like ta do?" Gin was met with silence, his grin reforming to a smile, and that smile shrinking. "Ya play chess?"

A curt nod was his only response and his smile grew again. "Great!" And Byakuya was nearly dragged to the barracks of squad five.

As time had gone on, Byakuya found Gin's actions and sporadic nature to be… charming, in a way. He found that despite all appearances, Ichimaru was a good Captain, with much respect from his men, though it was equal with the fear they held for him. The snake always said it was a perfect mix, have them respect you enough that they'll listen, but fear you enough not to think thy can get away with anything.

Apparently the noble was good at that as well. While Gin's freezing smile sent shivers down the spines of others, Byakuya's emotionlessness made others afraid to get close.

Yet Gin stayed, like the moon in the night sky, and perhaps that was fair.

The times Gin and Byakuya spent together were comforting. For Byakuya it was because he knew Gin wouldn't let the little mess ups, the little flickers of emotion affect his attitude towards him.

It was in those times that Byakuya also noticed the differences in the snake. How when around his ex-captain there was a thread of apathy, one that was fairly clear to anyone. Yet when he spoke of Aizen, it was always bitter sweet, no apathy, but no love either, as if they balanced each other out.

He never asked for the story behind it.

In their own way, the two Captain's were inseparable. There would always be a small piece of Byakuya that only Gin held, for it was Gin who held him when he lost Hisana.

Byakuya found himself watching Gin as the other stared into the koi pond, the smile on his face was, for once, real, but not truly happy. He watched the man for some time, and he was about to say something, but Gin turned to look at him, the mask of a smile returning to his face.

"So, ya' hear that Yachiru wants ta' put ya in a women's kimono?"

Every time Byakuya was about to question something, or rather, whenever Gin seemed to show a real emotion, he always covered it up in some way.

The noble's hand tightened around his brush and his eyes closed as a sharp sigh escaped his lips.

He wanted to know what was behind that smile, he wanted to know what the dark side of the moon concealed, but for the time being, he was satisfied with his secret friendship with Gin.


Chapter 3 Character(s): Byakuya Kuchiki, Gin Ichimaru.

Chapter 4 Character(s): Ichigo Kurosaki, Rukia Kuchiki.

Chapter 5 Character(s): Grimmjow Jeagerjaques.

Chapter 6 Character(s): Gin Ichimaru, Sosuke Aizen.