Chapter Eight

Ten years ago, a few weeks after the Winter War ended

"As the Central Forty-Six have not yet been replaced, the trials of the prisoners caught during the Winter War shall be conducted by the Gotei Thirteen. The verdict is to be decided by the remaining Captains." Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni, the Sou-taichou of the Gotei Thirteen, announced.

The Captains were gathered in the meeting hall of the First Division, where the Captains' meetings were usually held. It had been modified a little for the trials, with desks for Shinigami who would serve as clerks to record down the entire event and seats for the captains in their customary standing spot. However, some of the captains' spots were noticeably empty, with most of their would-be occupants dead.

"First to be tried for today is the traitor Ichimaru Gin." Sasakibe Chojiro, fukutaichou of the First Division, read out from a scroll at the right side of Yamamoto, standing at his desk.

Yamamoto, seating at his usual spot on the raised dais with his zanpakuto hidden as a walking stick, nodded and said, "Bring him in."

The doors to the meeting hall opened and in walked Ichimaru Gin, dressed in the traditional black Shinigami garb instead of his traitor's robes. He was flanked on both sides by two stern-looking guards from the Secret Ops. Everyone in the hall turned her heads to watch the traitor walk in.

Gin was restrained with a reiatsu-sealing handcuff, developed by Kurotsuchi Mayuri, the taichou of the Twelfth Division, for the purpose of sealing the power of whoever who wore it. Gin was walking like a robot; his arms held stiff in front of him; and he was wearing his usual look, with his eyes closed and a smile on his face. However, this time everyone could see that his smile was really forced. Gin looked more like he was grimacing than smiling, and everything could see the tension he felt in his body movements.

"Ichimaru Gin betrayed Soul Society along with the deceased former captains and traitors Aizen Sousuke and Kaname Tousen; and he attacked the Vizard Sarugaki Hiyori, during the course of the Winter War." Sasakibe continued reading. "He is hereby charged with treason."

Yamamoto waited till Sasakibe was seated and had picked up a brush to record the verdict. Meanwhile, the clerks at the sides of the hall were busily scribbling at their desks.

"Ichimaru Gin, previous Taichou of the Third Division, do you plead guilty to the charge of treason?" Yamamoto questioned, getting down to business.

"I plead guilty," Gin said, bowing his head.

"Very well," said Yamamoto. "The other captains and I have already expected this reply and we have already discussed an appropriate punishment for punishment for me."

Gin tensed as Yamamoto continued, "Ichimaru Gin, you are hereby sentenced to serving the Gotei Thirteen for punishment as the Taichou of the Third Division." Yamamoto said, not wasting any time. There was still much to do, and they were very short on manpower.

Gin's smile faded at this and he lost control of his composure. He demanded, "Why won't you sentence me to death?!! I have no reason to live anymore!!!"

Yamamoto looked at Gin and said, with a hint of weariness in his tone, "So many have died in this war. No one will be sentenced to death unless it is totally necessary. This is what everyone agreed upon."

Gin was about to argue some more when Hitsugaya's voice rang out, clear in the silent hall, reminding him, "Remember your promise to her, Ichimaru."

Gin slumped in defeat. He was bound by his promise to Rangiku and so he had to accept his punishment. "I accept." He said.

"Very well," Yamamoto said and nodded to Sasakibe. Sasakibe scribed something down on his scroll and disappeared behind one of the doors leading from the meeting hall. "Besides," Yamamoto continued, gazing at Gin with pity in his eyes, "Asking you to live is a worse punishment that sentencing you to die… … …"

Gin hung his head. Was it that obvious to everyone? That he wanted to die?

"It's the least we could do for Matsumoto fukutaichou. We lost many good people that day, people that cannot be replaced. And yet… … …" Yamamoto continued, lost in his own thoughts.

Sasakibe re-entered the hall and walked over to Yamamoto and whispered something in the old man's ear, waking Yamamoto up from his daydream. Yamamoto came to with a jerk, and almost dropped his stick; most of the people in the hall sniggered at seeing the imposing Sou-taichou in such and embarrassing situation. However, Yamamoto did not bother to reprimand them, a testament to how wearied he was.

'The Winter War had truly taken a lot out of him.' Gin observed. The other captains too, were less reserved than normal. Soi Fon was friendlier with everyone, though she did not seem to notice. Perhaps it had something to do with the Vizard whom she helped in the War. Even the cool and remote Kuchiki Byakuya was not so stiff and formal now. He had laughed at the Sou-taichou earlier, but managed to disguise it as a cough.

"Come," Yamamoto said, regaining his stern and imposing look. Gin's guards un-cuffed him and Gin walked forward towards Yamamoto. Sasakibe re-appeared on Yamamoto's right and handed him a haori.

Gin stopped at the foot of the dais, and like what he had done many years ago, knelt down. "Welcome, Ichimaru Gin, Taichou of the Third Division. Do a better job this time." Yamamoto said as he passed Gin the haori.

Gin accepted the haori with both hands and he carefully wore it over his kimono. 'Just like the last time,' He thought. 'Except……… Some aren't around ta see it anymore'

A wounded but healing Hitsugaya watched as Ichimaru received the haori and wore it. Hitsugaya felt a bond of sorts to the man that he always regarded as a sadistic bastard through the common person they mourned.

"Matsumoto... ... ..." Hitsugaya said, more to himself, "I'll ensure that he keeps his promise…"


Author's note: What exactly happened? And what did Gin promise Matsumoto? Although… that's pretty obvious since it's in there... ...