Business: only owning Cherry, Tsuku and the Heirverse ™. Song Gin sings is Crusher-P's Thunderstorm, though only certain lines are taken/used. Love to Sesh the grammarhound who is a sapphire gem for making sure this didn't look like a piece of shit [at least grammarwise] before I posted.

Notes: FFE :D mid Game era.

Dedication: For Ganymede Lullaby for her birthday [October 16]. Much love. Stay awesome.

a/n: Last October post. Oh god. Finally... it's over. I'm free! *cries from joy* Enjoy. I'm done. Will catch up with comments etc soon after I rest more. *makes like Braveheart yelling 'freeeeeedooommmm!' and charges to hibernate in recovery cave*

Thunderstorm

Gin sat humming to himself in his armchair, reading through his flower dictionary one evening when the thunder boomed outside. He looked up out of the window and towards the doorway, as a streak of white shot by and vanished under the sofa. He saw the lightning flash and again heard the rumble of thunder outside, promptly followed by pathetic little fox whimpers that just about broke his heart.

"Che-Che? He called softly. Another miserable whimper answered him. Gin sighed softly as the sound of the rain against the windows permeated the living room. Sousuke would be drenched if he were caught out in it.

"I see ya still hate thunderstorms," Gin commented. Cherry just whined, whimpering again with the next crack of thunder.

Gin slid off the chair and onto his hands and knees in front of the sofa, ear to the floor so he could see Cherry's attempt at hiding from the terrible noises. He smiled and stuck his arm underneath, reaching out to her.

"C'mon, come on out, th' storm aint gonna hurt ya."

Cherry eyed him with uncertainty, but crept forward towards him on her belly. When she was close enough, he scooped her out from underneath the chair and lifted her into his arms. Cradling her like he had when she was just a kit and he'd rescued her from a storm like this one.

Lightning flashed outside again, followed by another loud booming of thunder, making Cherry yelp and try to hide herself in Gin's armpit away from the noise.

"Alright, alright now," Gin soothed her softly. "s'just thunder, it aint gonna hurt ya none."

Cherry whimpered and just hid herself further into his armpit. Gin shook his head slowly.

"You big baby," he said gently. "C'mon, come sit with me."

He rose to his feet again and settled himself back into the armchair, Cherry safely snuggled in his arms.

"Did the big noise scare you, Che-Che?"

Cherry poked her head out, whined softly, and lay her head back down on him.

Through the window, Gin caught sight of more lightning, and braced for his pet's reaction to the thunder. As expected, Cherry hid again and started trembling as the thunder rumbled through the house. Gin gently stroked her head and cooed soothingly. "Shh, s'okay baby, s'just noise. Noises won't hurtcha."

He lifted her up so her face was out of his armpit and settled her on his chest, so he could cuddle her better.

"There now, see?" he smiled, giving her a little squeeze. "Yer all safe, nothin's gonna come get ya. No big, bad monsters stompin' through th' house after ya. S'just you an' me."

Cherry lifted her head and looked around, checking for herself. Satisfied that her master was right, she settled back down again and huffed a sigh.

"See, what'd I tell ya?" Gin smiled down at her.

They heard the thunder rumble again, and Gin sat holding her until it stopped.

"I know what I can do," he said brightly, a smile on his lips at his idea. "Shall I sing to drown out that horrible, nasty thunder?"

Cherry yipped softly in the affirmative and Gin chuckled. "A'ight. Settle down an' get comfy, then."

Cherry did as she was told. Gin cleared his throat. "'kay. Ready?"

Cherry snuggled closer to him in answer and he smiled down at her and began to sing.

"It's raining, it's pouring. Out there it's thunderstorming. It's raining, it's pouring. Out there it's thunderstorming."

Cherry sighed softly, perfectly content to lie there and listen to his soft singing voice. Lilting and soothing, with just a touch of melancholy.

"I'll do anything for the eye of the storm. We were a natural disaster in the realest form."

Gin sighed and stroked her fur soothingly, wishing Sousuke could accompany him on his piano. This song lent itself perfectly to soft, dulcet piano tones. But Sousuke wasn't here so he supposed he'd make do without.

"I was the lightning, you were the sound that followed me. The storm is coming, streets are flooding but I can't leave."

He watched his pet close her eyes and slowly drift off to sleep as he sang. He wished Sousuke were here, but again, he'd make do. At least until the man came home. Hopefully the mission wouldn't take too long and he would be back soon.

Until then, he'd wait. And sing his little Che-Che to sleep.

"It's raining, it's pouring. Out there it's thunderstorming. It's raining, it's pouring. Out there it's thunderstorming..."

He let his singing die off slowly, and soon there was only the sound of the thunder and the rain hitting the windows. Cherry let out a deep, happy, sleepy sigh and completely relaxed on his lap. Gin smiled tenderly at her and stroked her head gently, resigning himself to not being able to move now just in case he woke her up. Hopefully she'd sleep through the storm and wake up refreshed and ready to play, her fearless self once more. Hopefully by then Sousuke would be back so he could take over and give him a little rest. The little scallywag was running him ragged, so full of energy she was.

He sat back in his chair and softly ran his fingers through Cherry's white fur. He was just drifting off to sleep himself, when the door opened.

"Gin?"

Gin opened his eyes a crack, and dragged himself back to reality.

"Mm... Sou?" he blinked his eyes open, still sleepy, and saw his lover walk into the living room, absolutely soaking wet.

"Well look'at the cat dragged in," Gin smirked. "Wondered when you were comin' back."

Sousuke kept a deadpan expression, water dripping off his hair and down his nose. "Yes, very funny. You are hilarious."

"I am." Gin smiled, more than a touch smug. It was then that he noticed the bag slung over Sousuke's shoulder. "What's in the bag?"

Sousuke gave Gin one of his most enigmatic and charming smiles. "A friend," he said.

Gin raised his eyebrows, a little skeptical. "A friend?"

"A friend."

Sousuke opened the canvas satchel and Gin watched as a small white head poked out of the opening. Dark blue eyes cautiously taking in their surroundings. A set of black-tipped ears twitching.

Gin's face cracked into a massive grin. "Is that a fox?" he asked, unable to hide his excitement.

Sousuke smiled down at the fox in his bag – who also looked like a drowned rat – and nodded. "Yes, it is." he answered. "He got caught in the thunderstorm, too."

Gin smiled softly. "Aw, so you saved him."

"Only after he started following me home."

Gin's smile broadened considerably at the thought of his Sousuke telling the creature to stop following him, and when it persisted, sighing and relenting the way he did with Cherry. And then bundling the sopping wet animal into his bag to keep him out of the rain. Sousuke was a soft touch like that, when it came to foxes.

"Speaking of that, I better get him dried off before he catches some illness." Sousuke said. "Do we have any clean towels?"

"Bathroom," Gin said. And then watched his lover carry the fox – still in the canvas bag – up the stairs.

"Looks like you'll have a new friend when ya wake up, Che-Che," he said softly to the peacefully sleeping fox still curled up on his lap. He couldn't wait to see how they'd get along. And hey, if all went well, maybe there'd be the pitter-patter of tiny little fox paws in the house and baby kits underfoot.

He guessed they'd just have to wait and see.

For now though, Gin would settle for spying on his lover and the new fox. It was always cute to watch and warmed his heart to see the composed Captain Aizen Sousuke turn into a soft mushy thing when it came to a certain little fox. Well... now two certain foxes.

He smiled to himself, gently lifting his sleeping Cherry up and settling her back on the chair to sleep comfortably. It was time to do some spying.

. . .

Gin crept quietly up the stairs – carefully avoiding the creaky one – and stealthily made his way up to the bathroom, pausing just outside the door to listen. And just n time to hear Cherry thundering up the stairs after him. Gin sighed and watched her come prancing over to him, tail in the air.

"I thought you were asleep." he whispered. She just sat down, as if to say 'that was then. I'm awake now'.

Gin just shook his head. "A'ight you can stay an' watch too. But ya gotta be quiet."

She yipped very softly in agreement. And so Gin opened the door just enough so they could see inside and knelt down to observe.

Gin could see Sousuke drying off his new little companion with a large fluffy towel with a smile on his face.

"There, do you feel better now you're clean and dry?" he asked the fox, who looked up at him and gave a single tail-wag in answer.

"Not a talker, eh?" Sousuke said, the soft smile still spread across his face. "That's alright. I don't like small talk, either."

Gin watched him set the towel aside. The little fox stood quietly and shook the rest of the water off him, to which Sousuke didn't even react. He was too used to bathing Cherry, who was much naughtier.

"Better?" Sousuke asked. The fox yipped and climbed onto Sousuke who just sat holding him.

Gin struggled to keep quiet.

"I guess you're kind of cute," Sousuke mused aloud. Gently stroking his new, yet somewhat damp pet. The fox let out a huge yawn, and Gin and Cherry watched his head droop onto Sousuke's arm, his eyes growing heavier. The fox sighed heavily.

"Yeah, it's been a long day," Sousuke said, still stroking the fox. "We'll go sit in the warm and you can sleep."

Gin resorted to covering his mouth to try and keep silent, but a tiny squeak still escaped him. Dammit, it was all just so cute!

"I know you're there so you may as well come in," Sousuke called out to him.

Gin pushed the door open fully and Cherry walked into the bathroom.

"Aw, how'd you know?" Gin whined.

Sousuke smirked. "You have a lot to learn about cloaking your reiatsu."

Gin sighed, but crawled into the bathroom, too. "Can I see 'im?"

In answer, Sousuke lowered his arms just enough so Gin could see the new fox. Cherry, too, came over and gave him an inquisitive sniff.

"He's cute," Gin said softly, smiling tenderly.

"He is." Sousuke smiled. "Let him sleep, though."

"'Course." Gin nodded. "Ya hear that, Che-Che? No pesterin'."

Cherry huffed a sigh but nonetheless obeyed and sat down.

"Can't wait to fuss him when he's all dry and fluffy," Gin said. Just imagining him running around the house with Cherry. Gin had a feeling he'd fit right in, playing with Cherry. And okay yes, causing all sorts of trouble for Sousuke. "Whatcha gon' call 'im?"

Sousuke thought for a few moments, silent. Mulling over various name choices. Gin watched and waited, knowing better than to interrupt him when he was deep in thought. And names were important decisions.

"Tsuku," he said finally.

"Tsuku?"

"Yes. Because he reminds me of you a bit, and I wanted a masculine version of tsuki, for the moon."

Gin smiled softly at him. "I think it's perfect," he said.