Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
A/N: This is set just before Aizen's betrayal. There's a bit of Gin/Matsumoto in this. Please enjoy.
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Goodbye
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It was coming, she could feel it. Chaos was everywhere in the Seireitei. If it were she, the time to strike would be now, while everyone's attention was on the Kuchiki Rukia's execution and her Ryoka friends.
Therefore, Kurotsuchi Nemu kept as closer eye on Gin as her captain's constant work would allow. Her piercing green eyes would watch him constantly when fate permitted them near each other.
Aizen appears to be dead.
She does not believe it.
Nemu is sure that Gin and Aizen are partners. Aizen's death does not make sense to her.
To her, Ichimaru Gin seems almost sad. He has stated to spend all his available time with Matsumoto Rangiku, the large breasted, often drunk, 10th Division fuku-taichou. His only friend. His only true one at least. She can see that it's hard for him to let her go... how hard it must be for him to know that he must let her go. Never again can they be friends.
She cannot empathize with him for she has never had to lose anyone close to her... not that she has anyone like that anyway.
He is no longer watching her as closely, if at all. It seems that what she knows, or guesses anyway, is no longer of any matter.
They have spoken many times since he first began to watch her and have some kind of strange friendship. In a way, Nemu will miss him when he leaves.
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Nemu is overseeing the preparations for the execution tomorrow. If things do not go smoothly, her captain will be blamed and she is likely to get extra abuse that night. She does not feel like it and so she works harder than anyone else does.
It is getting dark and most of the other shinigami have left but Nemu doesn't notice. She works on. Eventually she becomes aware of his presence.
Such a familiar reiatsu to her now.
"Captain Ichimaru."
"Nemu-chan?"
From his slightly creased eyebrows and tone of voice, Nemu can tell that her presence is a surprise to him.
"Please state your purpose in coming here Ichimaru-taichou."
He remains silent. How very unlike him. Usually he would give her some kind of feeble excuse that only idiots would fall for but will likely get him out of trouble anyway. He always gives her an excuse. She knows he lies but she accepts his lies anyway. One reason he is so useful to Aizen.
"Say Nemu-chan, do you think Kuchiki Rukia should die?"
"I am in no position to judge that."
"But don't ya have an opinion at all?"
"No."
"Many think that she should not die."
"Yeah but the fools don't say nothin' do they?"
"True but that does not make them fools."
Silence descends between the pair again.
She breaks the silence.
"Those of Chamber 46 are dead."
"Yeah. ' Bin dead for a long time."
Silence threatens again but Gin refuses to allow it a strong hold.
"Will ya be here tomorrow?"
"No."
"Why not?" He looks a little disappointed.
"Mayuri-sama does not see a need."
"I see... well I guess this is goodbye then."
"Goodbye Gin."
This is the first time she has used his first name. She felt it was the least she could do.
"See ya Kurotsuchi-fukutaichou."
This is the first time he has used her proper title. It scares her a little.
It hits them both that this really is goodbye.
Gin turns and walks away. Turning his back on a friend, like he does to Matsumoto all the time.
Nemu realises that this is what it's like to lose a loved one. It's a horrible felling. Nemu can feel her stomach sink and hot, salty water trickle down her cheeks. Nemu lets the tears fall without shame, relishing the new feeling of loss.
I will miss you Ichimaru.
Gin realises that there are two people in his life who he cares about enough to miss... to make his heart burn with anguish. But he does not care enough to stay. He will do what he needs to do to get where he wants to go. Rangiku would not understand but he thinks that perhaps Nemu does.
Until we meet again, Nemu-chan.