This chapter was inspired by Behind closed doors by Peter Andre. Good song. Since writing this I've since built up an extensive playlist of songs to listen to whenever I write these stories. Music is one of the things that influences what I write.

"Tempt him not so too far; I wish, forbear:
In time we hate that which we often fear."
- William Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra

Chapter 5: A quiet word

Gin stretched out with his hand, gesturing for Kira to follow him.

"Why don't'tchya come wi' me?"

"Ha- hai taichou."

Kira followed Gin that day. Still a little nervous, but he did follow Gin. And for the first time Gin knew what it felt like to have somebody follow him like that. They didn't really do anything important, they were just going for a general walk, to attempt to put the new fukutaichou at ease, and just so that they could talk. Get to know each other more. They were going to be working together from now on, so it made sense that they should at least talk to each other. They were getting on quite well, but later on in the day they ran into Aizen passing by through one of the courtyards. And he and Gin had a rather quiet discussion.

"So Gin, how are you finding it?"

"It's alrigh'. I'm still kinda getting' used to it."

"As expected." he smiled again, looking down at Kira. "Not giving you any trouble is he?"

He watched as Kira silently shook his head as he looked up at them both as the then looked away and continued their conversation in lowered voices so the lieutenant couldn't hear them. And Aizen's voice suddenly became harsher.

"He still distrusts me."

"Then make him loyal to you. I don't care what it takes."

"You mean threaten him."

"Threaten him, drown him, do whatever you want. I strongly suggest you drown the whelp if he proves useless."

Gin glanced down at 'the whelp' quickly. Guilty, surely he wasn't what Aizen was saying that he was. Because to Aizen, Gin was a trembling whelp, and Kira was better than that. Gin wasn't as pure as that. Not any more.

The both of them exchanged knowing glances, Gin's smile wavering minutely.

"Well, I'm sure you two have to get going." Aizen smiled again, his voice flicking back to normal, the act. Softening again to be the voice that everybody knew.

The lie.

"I'll see you two later." He smiled, continuing to walk on. His voice again lowering when he spoke quietly to Gin.

"Friday."

Gin froze. He knew what that meant. And he could only watch and wait, dreading that day. He'd want him on Friday. He had five days.

The time until then didn't seem to be long enough. So when that Friday eventually came around, Gin was on edge. Even though he wouldn't let it show. He couldn't let it show, it would make him look weak and vulnerable. Both he and Kira were working late that evening, because he forgot some things that should have been done earlier that day, but his memory had suffered greatly recently. It was late, very late in the evening now. And Gin knew that he couldn't put this off forever, no matter how hard he would try. He let out one long sigh, Kira was growing tired. And making him stay up for much longer would just be harsh.

"Oh Kira-kun… ya can finish early t'day if ya want. I gotta go see Aizen Taichou fer somethin."

Gin's gaze drew downwards; he really didn't want to have to do this. Go through this pain and humiliation again. But maybe there was a chance that it wouldn't happen this time.

"What? This late at night?"

"Hm? Yeah." Gin looked up momentarily, his eyes glazing over, not really looking his second in the face now. His reply was forced; he didn't want to have to answer any more questions.

"Please Kira, please to gods Kira just don't ask any more questions…"

What he really didn't want to have to explain was why he had to go see Aizen at this hour. He didn't want to have to go through making up some inconvenient lie, hiding the real reason.

"Why don't ya go take a hot bath or somethin'. I'll finish up here tomorrow."

There. He had attracted the kids attention away from question asking. He didn't have to go through the uncomfortable sensation of explaining. He was ashamed enough as it was that it had happened, and didn't want to actually acknowledge the fact that he didn't know what to do about it. He could handle it, right?

"Oh, thankyou taichou. I'll see you tomorrow morning then."

After that he got up and left. He really didn't want to go. He wished so much that he could run away. But he knew what Aizen was capable of, and that he really had no choice but to go. He walked slowly, dragging each step out for as long as possible. Only delaying the inevitable.

"You're late."

Nothing was said. Excuses were futile. So was apologising.

"So, does he trust you now?"

"No."

"What? Surely by now he would have at least warmed up to you."

That was true; his bond with Kira was indeed growing stronger. But if Aizen knew about that then what would he do? Make him hurt Kira?

"If we are to make any progress then you are to gain his trust by whatever means necessary, understand?"

Oh, so that was his plan. Gaining the boys trust. But for what? Just so that he could make Gin break it again? Just so that he could watch him fall apart when he got betrayed? If Gin was going to gain the trust of Kira, then it would be on his own terms, and for his own reasons.

Aizen raised his eyebrows.

"Gin?"

"Oh, I understand. Bu' I aint gonna do it."

"What?"

He seemed taken back, not really expecting Gin to refuse. He had even stopped writing. Gin swallowed and somehow managed to screw together all of his courage to stand up for what he thought.

"I said… I aint gonna do it. Not just to watch ya break him again."

Aizen said nothing. He only quietly got up off his chair and stepped over to gin, whose fists were clenched and trembling by his sides. Staring him out as he watched quietly as Gin stood there, trying not to show his fear.

Then he slapped him. So hard that Gins head was forced to the side. Gin didn't even look at him; he kept his head turned away. It hurt.

"Going to defy me again?"

Still Gin didn't look. He didn't want to look. He didn't want to face him again, or meet those cold emotionless eyes that would see red. Another facial slap resulted.

"Look at me."

It happened too quickly. The hand was in his hair again and pulling harshly, his head smashing the corner of the desk and making him bleed as he was thrown aside like a rag doll. Like an unwanted puppet. He struggled to get up but another blow to the ribs stopped him.

"Fucking bitch!"

"Ugh."

Gin was beaten again, receiving multiple blows to the head and his stomach, getting bruises on his arms from trying to defend himself from Aizen's hits. He tried to get up and run, despite the immense pain he was in. But Aizen grabbed his arm, twisting it behind Gins back, causing yet more pain and rendering him immobile. He twisted Gins wrist further, making him scream for the pain.

"Excruciating isn't it?"

"Yes!"

"This is the price of defying me Gin."

He twists Gin's wrist around more and Gin screamed again. The pain was unbearable.

Aizen let a sinister smile come across him, contemplating the amount of damage he could cause.

"Hm, you know, I could chop your arm off right now. If I so desired it…"

"No please don't!"

"Hmph. It is my arm now, I will do as I like with it."

"God NO!"

"You are helpless now, correct?"

"Yes."

Gin breathed harshly, replying to him through gritted teeth and growling slightly. But Aizen heard this low growl and pushed Gin's arm up further behind his back.

"Are you going to gain his trust now?" he asked, tightening his grip on his wrist.

"No!"

"Wrong answer." Aizen said, again twisting Gin's arm and squeezing his wrist hard, digging in so much that it caused blood to pour onto the back of his hand, causing pain to shoot through Gin's being, making him screech in agony.

"I shall not ask again, are you going to gain his trust for me?"

Gin's wrist made a rather loud click and Gin howled.

"Hai!"

"Good."

Aizen then dropped Gin so that he hit the floor, and left. Gin broke down shortly after. And still cradling his throbbing arm, he slowly started to cry.