1. Introduction
Characters: Hitsugaya Toushiro, Ichimaru Gin, Aizen Sosuke
Pairings: none
Summary: Hitsugaya Toushiro and Ichimaru Gin were completely different people with hardly any similarities. Yet, Aizen Sosuke knew better.
Hitsugaya Toushiro and Ichimaru Gin were nothing alike.
The only obvious similarity was their hair. But even that had some differences. One was white like fresh snow while the other was silver like the side of a blade.
And if one were sober enough to remember, Matsumoto Rangiku would giggle in drunken stupor that her childhood friend and current captain has similar eye color. But even that had some differences. Everyone knew that the Tenth captain's eyes were teal but, if one were sober enough to remember, Matsumoto knew that the Third captain's eyes were sapphire blue.
Physical similarities aside, they were really nothing alike.
One was diligent in his duties, punctual in turning in paperwork, and fastidious in taking naps during his free time.
One was whimsical in his duties, capricious in filing paperwork, and zealous in cultivating his persimmon grove practically all the time.
One was well respected for his accomplishments and trusted for his dedication.
One was well feared for his accomplishments and distrusted for his inconsistency.
Both captains had completely opposite reputations among the soldiers of Gotei 13. Well, there were the few who were loyal to the silver fox and the few who were envious of the ice dragon.
But generally speaking, not that Seireitei Communication did a poll on the soldiers' favorite captains or anything like that, Hitsugaya Toushiro was favored over Ichimaru Gin.
They were completely different people with different interests, different goals, and different personalities.
Yet, Aizen Sosuke knew better.
The first time he met Hitsugaya Toushiro was during the captain initiation. Fitted into the captain's haori, the small boy looked even smaller with the long sword slung across his back. Head held high and eyes sharp, the newly appointed Tenth Squad captain looked pointedly ahead of him as if daring anyone to question his height or apparent youth.
The first time he met Hitsugaya Toushiro, Aizen remembered thinking:
Another fool. Another ant. Another nobody.
So the second time he met Hitsugaya Toushiro, he smiled and greeted his fellow captain warmly. His cold eyes hidden by the thick lenses of his glasses, Aizen observed the shorter captain with apathy while his lips curled in a benevolent smile.
Maybe it was because that day he wasn't wearing his haori. Maybe it was because the boy had yet to realize who he was. After all, the waxing crescent moon provided scant light.
That night had also been a dark one.
But the boy had nicked his glasses.
Thin fingers plucked his glasses from its perch.
"It would be unwise to hide such hostility. Someone might accidentally get the wrong idea."
"With all ya hostility, don't ya think someone's gonna get the wrong impression one o' these days?"
Piercing teal eyes met his cold, brown ones. Aizen felt a sensation that he had last experienced a century ago when another boy, silver haired and pale skinned, smiled up at him.
"Aizen-taicho."
Experimentally, he let some of his spiritual pressure leak. Curious if this child genius would have the same reaction. As the air grew heavy, the tenth captain gave him a look of almost annoyance.
It was subtle and almost nonexistent that Aizen wouldn't have caught it if he weren't looking for it, but, in those teal depths, a spark of knowing shined through. The same knowing of a certain snake's smile.
"Come to the Tenth Division tomorrow and I'll return them to you then."
With a well executed shunpo, the younger captain disappeared into the night. The only indication of his presence was the absence of Aizen's glasses.
That night he told Gin and the man laughed.
"So whadda ya know? Me n' lil Shiro-chan have much more in common than ya would think."
But it was truly a pity.
No, not the glasses since he didn't need them anymore.
As he cut the boy down, the traitor thought that it had been a pity.
Pity that the boy was so attached to his dispensable vice captain. The boy could have kept Gin company in Hueco Mundo.
After all, the two were very much alike.
-END-
A/N: Well this is the start to a 100 theme challenge! Eh, it kind of has nothing to do with the theme of "introduction" but maybe you could see as the introduction of this challenge?
Well, I hope to finish this challenge before my school work piles up later in the fall but the probability of that happening areā¦zero to nil? Ah, positive thinking, positive thinking! Either way, I'll do my best!
Thanks for reading! Please review and impart some feedback!
~sodesne
