Gin woke in a startled manner, sitting upright and pushing the covers off of his body. He felt hot, and upon placing his hands on his cheeks he felt a blush forming. Retsu fired him awake from his slumber as it kicked persistently into his veins. He didn't know why, but for some reason he felt as if something were in pursuit of him. All of his senses were on alert even without his knowledge. Looking about himself, he could conclude that he was indeed alone, yet there were faint traces of another type of Retsu. It was almost smog-like in it's distinctly distasteful smell -of which made Gin wrinkle his nose. He recognized that smell, for he had endured it only a few hours ago in front of the squad five barracks.

Standing steadily in the dark, Gin felt his way to the shoji, sliding his hands and feet carefully across the floor. Once he found the door, he slide it open slowly and stepped outside.

Fool! The spirit of his sword hissed. Gin jumped back startled and slammed the shoji shut. Panting, he clutched his chest.

The hell are you yellin' about ya crazy nut? Gin hissed irritated, taking short breaths.

Subconsciously, Gin saw Shinsou flick his tail impatiently, You should know whose retsu that is! That grotesque scum from earlier who insulted and harassed you.

Gin drew in a breath and gasped, " Rikunsho Fuum …." sounded off his tongue with detest. He began to grow angry, How did you know?

I sensed his retsu before you did, so I flared out your retsu to make it seem like you were awake, Shinsou explained calmly, His intent was to hurt you … or worse. If you would've taken another step out of that door, he would've noticed and come back.

Shivering slightly, Gin placed his fragile hands on his shoulders, holding himself tightly, Thank ya, Shinsou...

Shinsou rolled his eyes, This is why I hate having a child for a master … you're so naive and careless. You know you should be on alert more, especially with the company you keep.

Gin bit down on his lip, How the hell 'm I suppose ta know if I'm gonna be attacked in my sleep?

Shinsou made an irritated sound, Fool, if you manage to conquer me then you will have access to all of my power. We will be connected with an unbreakable bond, that is, if you manage to conquer me at all.

You are crude as usual, Gin grumbled.

Like master, like sword, Shinsou shot back.

XxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxX

"Ya want me ta do what now?" Gin asked dubiously. He stood in Aizen's office after receiving leave from training duty to visit his captain. The reasoning was unknown until just that instant when his Captain spoke words which led to disbelief.

" I believe that I didn't slur on my words, Ichimaru Fukutaichou," Aizen said rather coldly, peering at him over his squared spectacles.

Shaking his head, Gin objected, " Absolutely not! That would be murder in itself Capt'n! I don't need-"

"- and I don't need a Vice Captain who cannot defend himself in battle. It's as I said, Ichimaru, you are let off for now to train in the Rukongai mountain lands. Simply put, you will train under the harsh conditions and learn to deal with your Zanpakuto on your own par. As a wielder- even though you seem to have a close relationship with your sword- you still need to strengthen your bonds. At this stage as it is now, your sword can betray you or consume you. The reasoning as to why it hasn't already is a mystery to me as well, " Aizen sighed and replaced his glasses, rubbing them on his hakama, " I don't like this any more then you do, but I need to know that you can protect yourself and rely on a sword that won't turn on you."

Shinsou is deceptive … Gin mulled over in his head, Though he has never expressed an interest to, would he really betray me..? He remembered the loyal words that his sword spoke to him when he first used it, and even after that had he still spoken the same words; "' When you call upon me in battle, and raise my head to drink the blood of the enemy, I will always be on your side..."' Were such words true?

Patiently, Aizen placed his glasses on the bridge of his nose, folding his hands neatly in front of him atop his desk. Observing Gin closely.

Slowly, Gin grinned. A curious grin to all who would see, as if he were extremely pleased with something he had secretly concluded, " Of course Taichou, I will go. I mean, ya gotta 'ave a strong vice capt'n ta have your back right? An' I'm more than willin' ta train hard. "

Aizen hesitated for a moment before answering Gin, " Yes … why the sudden change in heart, Ichimaru?"

"Ah, well, I had a lil' resolution if you will, a mere understandin' in what I have ta do and what needs ta be done in order ta attain a higher status. I mean, I can't be a capt'n if I can't even use my Bankai right? The sooner I learn, the sooner I can service ya."

Aizen leaned back in his seat and nodded slowly, " Indeed... that is one of the reasons that I want you to become a captain. Do you know what this choice will also entail?"

Silently, Gin shook his head. Aizen drew in a breath and continued, " It means that once you gain your bankai, you will have no choice but to compete for the chair of a captain. The decision also entails that you and I are to part as subordinate and superior."

" If that' the case, then it's fine. You wanted me ta become a capt'n, so no sense in worryin' about those things now. I'll cross that bridge when I come ta it," Gin answered with sure dignity. He knew that Aizen was testing his ability to deal with the separation that will occur once he moves on to a higher rank. To Gin, this poses a slight problem. He won't be as close to the captain as he once was, but at the same time he will be able to meet with him on the same level. Gin hadn't any idea what went on during the meetings of the captains, and he wanted in on the information that was being given. It was the only way that he could keep a closer eye on Aizen besides being beneficial in the bed area.

He knew he would have to play his part well in order to gain access to the inner workings of the soul society. Aizen himself masterfully worked his way through the ranks, and to a boy who grew up knowing almost nothing about the world, Gin found it as awe-inspiring as his own talent to manipulate others. Meeting Aizen was almost like meeting another form of himself. Yet he knew what set them apart clearly. The cold heart that Aizen bears holds no love like the love that Gin had found. He may claim he loves him, but deep down Gin knows he is being used as a toy.

" Very well Ichimaru Fukutaichou, I find you worthy to complete this task. You will take your leave tonight. I expect you will pact light, yet accordingly. Most of all, do not forget: If you let your sword consume you, inevitably you will die. To be honest, I wouldn't send you on this task if I didn't believe that you were ready. That spiritual energy that you radiated last night was spectacular. To anyone who didn't know the truth, they would have assumed that you were already at captain level. But to the eyes of one who does know, you were merely lucky to attain such high retsu in a short life. Even if you know your sword and trust it, it still needs to be tamed. "

"Understood Capt'n," Gin answered evenly. He still kept his unreadable smile on his face, which gave him the impression that Aizen was irritated by it.

" Very well," Aizen said and picked up a paper on his desk, handing it to Gin, " Give this to Yamamoto Soutaichou and inform him of your travel. He will approve of it, but be sure to ask anyways. There's no need for him to be suspicious of your motives as well. "

Gin took the paper and bowed, " Thank ye kindly Capt'n, I won't let you down..."

"See that you don't," Aizen said neutrally, and with that Gin left without another word.

XxxxxxxxxxxxX

Aizen sat back in his chair and watched as the silver haired beauty left his office. Indeed he, himself was strained by such a request. Time without Gin by his side was torturous for him. He saw the boy as the only person to ever meet with on a different level of understanding … never would he share his love and affections with anyone else. He didn't know how he would get by without the younger male near him … But decided it would be for the best.

For him to attain his goal, such sacrifices were necessary …

XxxxxxxxxxxxX

He arrived at the cold of the night, where the snow had stopped falling onto the mountain. His footsteps were muffled as he walked atop the powdery white. A thick blanket covered everything, casting it into a barren void of white.

Gin opened his eyes to look about him, pulling the scarf over his mouth. He wasn't smiling, he had no reason to put up an act seeing as how no one was around. He felt at ease in such an empty place because no one was there to interrupt his thoughts. Until the voice came.

You have chosen to claim me, have you? Shinsou asked lightly, as if discussing a casual matter. Something about his words gave Gin a slightly cold feeling.

Wouldn' I though? Think about it, one way or another I was plannin' ta take ya anyways. Might as well be now, Though Gin sounded sure of his words, something bothered him. It was more or less the fact that he would have to fight his own sword. Shinsou was his friend, not enemy. In some ways, it felt like the sword already was devoted to him fully.

I will not make it easy, you must prove that you are worthy of being my master, Shinsou said calmly. His tone and demeanor wasn't in the least mocking nor jesting. It was like he was talking to anybody, treating Gin almost like a stranger.

Gin inhaled and shook off this feeling. Shinsou must have known how he felt since they were connected by spirit. His sword said nothing in response to the lonely feeling that Gin was having, but Gin knew that Shinsou shouldn't have need to show any form of comfort. He was there to fight him; no feelings were to be involved.

I'm ready ta fight you, Gin whispered softly to Shinsou, and the sword listened. If Gin didn't know any better, he would have thought that Shinsou seemed sad in what he said next,

Your fate will be decided once you enter my realm, weather or not you live or die will be your choice. Let's hope you have a strong will …

XxxxxxxxxxxxX

[ Author note: This chapter was short[er] because I have to quickly update the other stories since apparently people like to read my latest installments (( Winning ^ )) so I will update this one soon as well. In this chapter, I wanted to feed the plot more. So one important thing to do is to Read Between The Lines. I hope you liked it and if you liked it that much then don't be shy to review, add to subscription, and/or favorite it. I'm now going to work on my Kuroshitsuji addition, so check it out if you love some hot butlers, shinigami's and shotas. * wink wink* So peace~ ]