Chapter 7: All Good Things Must Come to an End

Gin cocked his head towards Rangiku. "Hmm, well, I don't suppose I'd be allowed to do both, would I?" he buzzed.

Rangiku raised her hands, spreading her palms, shrugging. "If that's what you want…"

Gin's smile spread wider. "Well, I'll let you get to work on that then," he cooed as he stuck his fingers in his ears, and began to melodically sing a wordless song.

Through Gin's slit eyes, the fair haired Captain watched as the other Lieutenants and Soul Reapers fussed over his question. They laughed and smiled together, pointing fingers at one another, cracking jokes that he couldn't hear over the sound of his own voice.

His eyes danced over the group, and he felt his smile falter for a fraction of a second.

Izuru Kira was the only Soul Reaper of the pack not wearing a genuine smile. He was indeed smiling, though. His lips were stretched tastefully, his perfect teeth peeking out from behind. But, Gin knew Izuru better than most, and he could tell when his Lieutenant wasn't being sincere. Gin was subject to that smile frequently, and Izuru subject to his own. He couldn't help but think how alike they were. They smiled, they grinned, they beamed, but it was a default reflex for them both. Gin smiled enough for an army of men, and Izuru mirrored him in hopes of keeping up with his Captain. Izuru knew his Captain wore his smile like other men wore medals. It was a symbol of who he was, and Izuru, though he only desired to fulfill his orders and duties as a Lieutenant, he knew the smile would never be truly his.

Gin wondered if there was ever a time when Izuru smiled out of pure joy. He was sure there had been a moment in the blond haired boy's life, multiple even, but Gin hadn't been there to witness it, and it was for that reason that he believed that Izuru had never experienced true happiness.

Why attend something like this, Izuru? thought Gin, his voice rising louder, completely drowning out the murmur of voices in the room. Why attend something that will only make you miserable?

What Gin wasn't aware of was the fact that Izuru was most definitely enjoying himself. He was spending a night with his closest friends, he'd laughed harder and louder than he'd ever done before. He'd gotten drunk, he'd almost given his body to his own Captain, but despite it all, he was elated. He was soaring with bliss. His smile was unsteady, fake even, but only because he dreaded to hear what his Captain would say to the question the group would soon ask. Izuru was happy, and it only made him more so to know that his Captain would be none the wiser.

The amount of time it took for those thoughts to cross the minds of the Captain and Lieutenant of Squad Three went by faster than the most effortless of Flash Steps, meaning that it didn't take long for the others to find a question for Captain Ichimaru. They'd all wanted to ask him the same thing from the moment he entered the room.

Renji volunteered to ask Gin the question. Izuru had initially been nominated, but he vehemently refused, his face set askew with a multitude of different, painful sentiments.

"We're ready, Captain Ichimaru," said Renji.

Gin, seeing that the others were not planning on sitting down once again, lazily got to his feet and faced the group. He glanced at Izuru, but nobody noticed. Nobody could notice if they tried to.

"What did you think of Izuru's prank from earlier?" asked Renji as he began to laugh at the memory of the video Yumichika had shown everyone earlier.

Gin swayed, chuckling. "Oh, well," he began, turning to face the very pained looking Izuru Kira, "I kind of wish it wasn't a prank."

The other players began jeering loudly, pointing at Izuru as he ducked his head. Gin laughed, and everyone else did the same.

To settle the poor Izuru's heart, Gin said, "I'm only joking, Lieutenant," as he Flash Stepped forward and slung an arm around Izuru's shoulders.

I hope you understand that I don't mean to make things difficult for you, thought Gin.

Izuru stiffened, but then relaxed as realized that he could not avoid his own Captain forever. His stomach, wound tight in anxiety, fell loose, and he realized the ultimate truth of the matter: that Gin was his Captain. There was no hiding from the one man that Izuru spent the most time with.

It's only the Captain, thought Izuru. He'd never disrespect our relationship. He can't damage it more than I already have.

"I understand, sir," he said meekly, peeking up at the ever smiling man from beneath his bangs.

Gin, seemingly satisfied that he'd repaired his relationship with his Lieutenant, patted Izuru on the head.

"Good, good! Now, onto the dare, if you will. I'm giddy with excitement," said Gin as he slipped back to the other side of the room. He plugged his ears once more, and began to sing.

Gin, though appearing to be content with his status with his Lieutenant, was ultimately displeased with himself. He could tell that Izuru was still uneasy, and he planned to restore their relationship before the sun came up.

This might be a bit tricky, thought Gin, as he tried to determine a way to make things right with his Lieutenant.


"What should we do?" said Renji, his eyes dancing with possibilities.

"I say we make him serenade someone," said Rukia. "He's got a nice voice."

Rangiku coughed, choking on her sake. "I've got it," she said, her face glowing, "We should make him give someone a lap dance."

Everyone started laughing at the thought of the Captain performing such a scandalous act, especially in front of the other Soul Reapers.

"All right, great, but who gets to be the lucky victim?" asked Shuhei, his eyes shifting around the faces of the crowd.

There was a great pause, until one by one, each and every head turned to look at Izuru Kira.

Izuru's eyes doubled in size as he realized what the others were implying.

"No," he stated, "No way. Nope. Absolutely not." Izuru shook his head, his blond bangs whipping around his face.

I am not screwing things up more than I already did, thought Izuru. I have to work with this man for the rest of my life. I can't let this go any further.

Rangiku and Renji began grinning impishly.

"Fuck no" Izuru said, his face paling. He made slicing motions with his hands, signifying that he would have nothing more to do with this. He refused to do anything remotely sexual in nature, implied or not, with his Captain. He refused to worsen the situation between himself and Gin.

Shuhei smirked and threw an arm around his waist.

"Over my dead body-" Izuru was cut off midsentence.

"All right, Gin!" called Rangiku as she waved her bottle of sake in the air.

Izuru continued to shout protests, but the others ignored him. Shuhei dragged Izuru over to a chair, sat him down, and held him there by the shoulders.

"Shuhei!" yelled Izuru. "I am not going to just sit here and let this happen! Let me go!"

Yumichika pulled out his Soul Pager once again and trained it on Izuru, snickering playfully.

Gin approached the group, tilting his head curiously, but not saying anything. "Let's hear it," the Captain said almost hungrily.

Renji had gone over to help Shuhei hold down the struggling and swearing Izuru, while Rangiku relayed the dare.

"Would you both fuck off?" screamed Izuru.

"We dare you to give Izuru a lap dance," said Rangiku, laughing as she did.

Gin looked over at his positively petrified Lieutenant, murmured a faint, "Oh my, poor little Izuru," and began to approach the restrained boy.

Gin loomed over Izuru, his smile offsetting the giant shadow he cast over the blond man.

"Captain, please-" Izuru pleaded, but Gin would have none of it.

"Relax, Lieutenant," he said, his tone full of teasing intents. "You'll be just fine."

With that, Renji and Shuhei let go of Izuru, and sprinted to join the crowd of observers.

Izuru immediately tried to stand and flee, but Gin moved faster than he did. Before he could blink, Izuru became pinned down by his Captain for the second time that night.

Gin plopped down onto Izuru's lap, his hands tucked neatly into the sleeves of his robes. Gin's back was to Izuru, and Izuru fought the urge to reach forward and push the Captain off of him, or raise his knees a little and send him tumbling to the ground.

Goddamn it, thought Izuru. Well, now things can't get any worse.

The crowd watched, waiting for Gin to begin.

He needs to get off me. Right now, thought Izuru.

Izuru fought the urge to scream at the top of his lungs. Instead, he forced himself to speak.

"Captain," wheezed Izuru, "You're heavy."

Gin sighed. "My, that's not a very kind thing to say, Izuru," scolded Gin, obviously toying with Izuru.

"My apologies, sir," Izuru gasped.

There was a pause, and the crowd of Soul Reapers began laughing at the sight of Gin Ichimaru, perched delicately atop his Lieutenant as he used to poor boy as a seat.

"You know what," Gin said, looking over his shoulder at Izuru, "I think I'll just sit here for the rest of the night."

The Soul Reapers cheered, and Izuru groaned.

Gin giggled daintily. "I'm only kidding, Izuru," he said as he removed himself from his Lieutenant. "I'm not cruel now, am I?"

Izuru, panting due to enduring his Captain's full body weight for an extended period of time, turned to his Captain. "No… No, sir," he said, rising to meet his Captain's eyes.

Gin cocked his head to once side. "You're upset with me," Gin said plainly, his words tinged slightly with sadness. You have every right to be, Izuru, thought Gin.

Izuru glanced away, unsure of what to say. He was indeed upset, but he was this man's Lieutenant in the end. It doesn't really matter what happens to me, he thought glumly, as long as the Captain gets his way.

"Izuru," said Gin, his tone serious.

Lieutenant Kira looked up, startled by the sudden change in his Captain.

"I apologize for my behaviour this evening. I do hope you can bring yourself to forgive me for my actions," said Gin sincerely.

Izuru stared blankly at his Captain for a few moments.

The crowd behind the pair was hush, watching as the duo resolved their unrest. Yumichika had politely put his device away, promising himself to delete all of the footage from the night later.

"I forgive you, sir, but, there is no excuse for my actions, either," said Izuru tiredly. "I broke into your room-"

"Oh, Izuru," sighed Gin, "You're too serious, you know that?"

Izuru blinked, caught very off guard once again. "Sir…"

"Let me see," pondered Gin thoughtfully, tapping his chin as he collected his thoughts. "How about we both agree to put this behind us, and move on, okay? How does that sound?"

Izuru blanked. He wanted to agree, but his lips refused to form the words.

Gin simply laughed. "Well, good. I'm glad we're on the same page, Lieutenant."

Izuru snapped out of the stupor, his features softening as the tension he'd been feeling all night left his body. "Me too, sir," smiled Izuru.

Gin's own smile widened only a hair's breadth in length, so subtle a change that nobody would see it. Gin felt fully pleased with himself. He'd finally done it.

He'd finally seen the delicate Izuru Kira smile a real smile.


Byakuya Kuchiki was torn from his tranquil dreamland as the sound of shrill laughter and cheering rudely penetrated the peaceful solitude of his office.

He opened his eyes, slowly getting to his feet. He reached his slender arms above his head, stretching out the sore, cramped muscles in his body. He began to regret allowing himself to fall asleep in his chair.

The night was still lingering, but Byakuya could see the light of the moon fading as pale, orange and red streaks lit the sky, far off into the distance. The wind had died down at last, and Byakuya stepped forward, pulling his window shut.

Just then, another round of laughter cut through the air.

I knew they would not be able to remain quiet, thought Byakuya as he sleepily rubbed the grit out of his eyes.

As he pulled his hands away, he noticed that his fingers had come away stained, dyed black from touching his face.

I see they had no boundaries as well, thought Byakuya, as he felt anger boiling up within him. I shall see to it that this never happens again.


The large mass of friends and Soul Reapers milled happily about the Squad Six meeting room, sharing food, drinks, secrets, and each other's company. There was nobody left to challenge, and the group felt relieved and saddened by this at the same time.

Rukia was very content with how the evening had gone. She was beyond elated, so much so that she felt she might begin to shed tears over the overwhelming feelings of companionship that flowed through her veins. She'd had a little to drink, plenty to eat, and in that moment, she wanted nothing more than to proceed with the sleep part of the sleepover.

Rukia's thoughts were tossed aside with the jarring sound of the meeting room's doors being thrown open.

In the doorway stood the brooding Byakuya Kuchiki, his face adorned with soft, grey smudges, glaring heatedly at the room.

The room became as silent as death, and all eyes present focused on the Captain of Squad Six. Byakuya looked about ready to tear the room, and everyone inside, to pieces. He radiated a violent torrent of energy, and everyone could only stand frozen, watching the Captain's stern figure.

Byakuya opened his mouth, preparing to speak, when he was interrupted by a shrill voice.

"Brother!"

Rukia, Byakuya thought, his rage cooling as if he'd been doused in the frigid waters of a river.

Rukia rushed to her brother's side, her face glowing in happiness. "Did we wake you?" she asked virtuously, her voice filled with concern.

Byakuya looked at his sister, the anger he felt completely dissipating as he caught her gaze with his. His hostility melted away like the thawing of an iceberg.

She looks so happy, he thought, his expression softening.

Rukia stared up at her brother, her eyes wide and bright, her cheeks tinged red, smiling exquisitely at the elder Kuchiki.

Byakuya did not know what to say.

That smile, he thought, she is truly happy.

The Kuchikis looked at each other for a long, tense moment, where the other occupants of the room waited, sweating in anxiety, for Byakuya to make his next move. Captains Toshiro Hitsugaya and Gin Ichimaru were not as outright afraid as the others, but they too felt uneasy with Byakuya fuming only a few feet away.

Byakuya blinked as he remembered why he entered the room in the first place. He turned away from Rukia, more than satisfied that she was contented, and faced the other members of the room.

"Which one of you had the audacity to break into my office and vandalize my face?" growled Byakuya.

There was no response from the partygoers.

Byakuya was starting to get agitated, when Rukia spoke up.

"It was Renji!" she yelled, her face bright red.

Renji let out an enraged, startled cry. "What?! It wasn't me! It was-"

"Silence," said Byakuya, raising his palm to quiet his Lieutenant. "Not another word, Lieutenant Abarai. I must take action for the sake of my pride as a Kuchiki."

Byakuya took one, single step forward, the dull clap of his footstep echoing around the room.

Renji swore, and began to turn away, prepared to jump out of one of the windows if necessary, the other members of the room following his example.

Time seemed to slow down for Rukia as she watched her brother draw his sword, his lips carefully forming a pair of deadly words.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura."


Rukia woke to the warmth of sunlight on her face. She forced her eyelids apart, fighting off the tiredness that threatened to drag her back to her hazy world of dreams.

Light streamed in through the windows of the meeting room, the sounds of singing birds lacing the air. The room smelled of bodies, alcohol, and sugar: a strange, companionable scent.

She'd fallen asleep on her stomach, but not on the floor. She struggled to remember the events of the night as she shifted against the object she'd passed out on top of.

Byakuya came in and… she faintly furrowed her brow in recollection. Oh, right. He chased Renji, and then we apologized… Hm… Her thoughts trailed off as she snuggled against the soft, sturdy structure beneath her. What did I fall asleep on?

She cracked her eyes open again and caught sight of the thin, white fabric beneath her, and the dark, jagged tattoos that were visible underneath. She saw the rise and fall of a chest, and as her eyes trailed upwards, she noticed the waves of red hair pooling around a pair of broad shoulders.

She smiled. Renji, I hope you're not too upset about me setting you up.

Rukia gently raised her head off of her friend's chest, being very careful as to not stir him from his slumber.

Looking around the room, she saw her brother propped up against a wall, leaning on a pillow, still clutching his Zanpakuto as he snored quietly.

Shuhei, Izuru, and Gin were dozing off in a corner inside of three, neatly organized futons. Gin continued to sigh delicately with his every exhale.

Ikkaku and Yumichika had fallen asleep in a large tangle of limbs, blankets, and cushions. A discarded Soul Pager lay beside the pair, as did the fragments of a shattered kendo sword. Ikkaku frequently muttered garbled statements, and Yumichika occasionally moaned in response.

Rangiku, Momo, and Toshiro were leaning against a wall. Toshiro was in the centre of the three, with Rangiku snoring noisily on his right side, a bottle of sake held loosely in her grasp. Momo was sleeping soundlessly on his left, her arm tucked around her brother's.

Isane and Kiyone had tucked themselves under a large blanket, each clutching a pillow to their chests, their cheeks flushed for reasons unknown.

Nemu and Nanao leaned on each other's shoulders, their chests rising and falling flawlessly as the two hardworking women rested.

Rukia smiled once more, shutting her eyes as she lowered herself back onto Renji's chest.

Though the sun was out, the night she'd experienced had been anything but restful.

Wild or not, she thought, that was the best night of my life. She smiled against her friend's t-shirt, breathing his familiar scent. I finally understand what happiness is.

I finally feel like I belong.

-END-


Author's Note: And that is it! Tada! The last chapter of this fic! This was a blast to write and immensely satisfying to share with the fanfiction community. I apologize for being late with the upload, but my vacation took a little longer than I expected it to xD Thank you all for reading, and hope to hear from you in the reviews! Every time one of you speaks up, I get motivated to create more content for this community. Thank you again, and until next time!

-Shan