Sorry for the long time it took to update this. I just couldn't get it to where I was totally satisfied with it. Please review. Thanks to dukefan01. My only reviewer so far. Enjoy 3

Kira stood perfectly still beside the small, filthy window; there was still the matter of what to do next. The squad nine barracks were quite expansive. He knew that by hiding on the edge of the woods, they could remain unnoticed far longer than anywhere else within The Court of Pure Souls. Plus, if someone caught on, it would be his friend Hisagi Shuhei, who knew Kira better than anyone else. Still, Kira would have to be cautious not to give him the chance.

"Damn!" he shouted suddenly. The hell butterfly that had landed on his finger was a reminder for the next Lieutenants meeting… to be held in half an hour. He looked behind him, blonde hair flowing briefly over the bridge of his nose. It quickly settled back into place. Kira frowned.

It would be a risk to leave him here. Kenta was fast asleep, thanks to the penetration potion Kira had administered to help him rest. Returning his gaze to the distorted colors beyond the window, he decided to leave and return as quickly as the meeting allowed. It would be far more suspicious if he did not attend. Captain Ichimaru was bound to find out, and he would hold it over Kira's head until he discovered what his Lieutenant was hiding.

Kira avoided using his flashstep until he was farther from the barracks. It would be best if Hisagi caught up to him closer to Squad 3. But, his wish would not be granted so easily.

"Kira!" The young man shouted from behind him. Kira cursed his earlier plan now. He spun around to see Hisagi running at full speed.

"Hisagi-san," He said as casually as possible, even attempting a small smile.

"What are you doing out here? I thought I would meet you at your quarters, but I find you here instead." Hisagi stopped a few feet away, putting one hand on his waist – Kira couldn't help but notice it was only a few inches from the hilt of his sword, Kazeshini.

"I was… well… I had to…" Damn. He had nothing to say. This was bound to end badly.

"Kira," Hisagi said calmly. Kira swallowed hard as Hisagi looked him over. "Just tell me the truth. If you had to get away from Ichimaru, all you had to do was say it."

Kira sighed, then looked his friend in the eyes. "Am I that obvious?" he asked sheepishly, looking down at his feet.

"Unfortunately, you are," Hisagi replied with a chuckle.

After an awkward silence, Kira cleared his throat and nodded in the direction of Squad One. "We had better be going. It doesn't suit us to be the last to arrive."

"Best leave that to Matsumoto-san." Hisagi said, much to Kira's amusement. The two began walking side-by-side. Hisagi glanced over to his friend. Kira may have been the most honest guy he knew, but there was something hiding in his friend's demeanor. It would be a bad idea to confront him over it now. He would have to take his time, think this through. Only then could he be sure of anything, and clear the suspicions hiding within his thoughts.

… … … …

With Kira and the other Lieutenants stuck in the meeting, Gin was free to move about as he pleased. His second-in-command was clever, but he was transparent. This was going to be fun. He would find out the truth, and watch as that traitor Nakano was blamed for his transgression.

"Such a beautiful afternoon… hate to waste it hidin' away from everybody." He tilted his head toward the clear sky, eyes unseeing. "I don't have much time until Izuru returns. I must be quick wit' my searching."

He hadn't been surprised that Squad 3 was empty. Kira was smart enough to know where his captain would search first. The air was so pleasant, Gin was having a hard time concentrating. But, that night was something that kept playing over and over in his mind. He couldn't shake her from his thoughts.

… … … …

2 years ago.

Her sand-colored hair was tied in a tight ponytail that fell just below her shoulders. She was sitting with her back to him, at the edge of the small pond. Her sandals had been discarded long ago, laid beside her in the grass, so she could dip her feet in the cool water.

"Good evening, Kima-chan." She turned to look at the man approaching her.

"Ichimaru?" the look on her face was both curious and frustrated.

"Lackin' in formality tonight, are we, Kima… chan?" His pace slowed even more as he neared her. Reaching out a slender hand, he stroked the side of her face with two fingers. She recoiled quickly.

"I'm not interested!" she snapped.

"My, my. How rude you've become. Ever since you met him."

"It isn't because of that," she insisted. Gin had known better than that. Since she met Kenta, she had withdrawn from the captain immediately. It was almost as if she was being told to.

"Allow me to share a diff'rent opinion," Gin reached out and wrapped an arm around her waist. Pulling her in, he lowered his lips to hers. Though she tried pushing both hands against his chest, she couldn't force him away.

Then the sound came that he had been expecting…

… A katana being drawn from its sheath.

"Pleasant evening to you, Captain Ichimaru," Kenta stood perfectly still behind the person he was addressing. "But I would appreciate it, if you left Kima alone, and went on your way."

Kima was shaking slightly, she knew what would happen. Kenta had never been one that was good at controlling his anger. Her fears were realized when the high-pitched scream of two katanas slashing against each other.

His gaze was fierce, warning, foreboding… as he stared Ichimaru down.

"Leave. Now." It was more a threat than a command. Gin couldn't help it, his smile widened.

"Who is she to you?" He questioned with a laugh." Kenta charged him again, and for a moment, Gin frowned as he lost his footing.

"Last warning, Ichimaru."

"I refuse," he sneered. And before Kenta could react, Gin glanced behind him, and pointed his katana. "Shoot to death, Shinsou."

Kenta couldn't move. Everything seemed to stand still in the pitch black night. Finally, his hearing returned to him, and he would never forget the sound of Kima screaming. The horrific sound would never leave him.

Much like the sound like rushing wind, as Gin flash-stepped away.