Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach or any of the related titles.

A/N: Hello everyone! Despite being away at camp all this week, I have managed a few short moments on the computer, which allow for updates! Yaaay! So, if you didn't notice, I have upped the rating to M, because you seemed to be deprived of Gin-Ran-ness. This chapter, unfortunately, lacks that particular form of…Gin-Ran-ness…but it will be very much present in the next chapter, I promise!! Anyways, enough of my babbling. Please enjoy!

Chapter 7: Interrogation & Decisions

"Likewise, I'm sure, Ichimaru…" Hitsugaya's voice was low and taunting, however, Gin failed to flinch. "In fact, I don't believe I'll be the only one please by your sudden reappearance. In fact, I'm sure the whole Soul Society has been dying to see you."

"Taichou-!" Rangiku started, stepping toward them.

Hitsugaya held out a hand to stop her. "That's enough Matsumoto. If you wish to not be charged with treason, I'd suggest you keep your mouth shut."

Before Rangiku could open her mouth a second time, Gin spoke up, agreeing with Hitsugaya, much to everyone's surprise.

"He's right, Rangiku…" he said calmly, his voice no different than it had ever been before. "T'would be a shame for you to be pulled into this when I came here on my own accord." His squinted focus was locked onto Hitsugaya's icy one.

Hitsugaya merely nodded, turning back to the door. "It would be best if the two of you followed me without struggle."

Gin faltered a bit. He was fine with him following Hitsugaya alone, for if any funny business were pulled he could easily fend off the Captain as he'd done before. But he'd already said he didn't want Rangiku involved. Why would she need to go with them?

"I would prefer to keep an eye on Matsumoto this evening," Hitsugaya explained as though he could read Gin's mind. "Just as a precaution."

This wasn't entirely a bad idea once Gin thought about it. If Aizen discovered he was missing or caught wind of his capture, Rangiku would very well be one of the people he'd go after first.

Nodding shortly, Gin followed, Rangiku at his heels. Hitsugaya led them to a long meeting hall, stopping short to tell Rangiku that he didn't need her any further.

"Stay here…" he instructed. "If anyone arrives, I want you to hide. If the situation permits it, please find shelter somewhere else."

Rangiku looked back and forth between the two Captains, unsure of what was going on. What was she in danger of? Did Hitsugaya plan on an attack this evening? Her eyes locked onto Gin, who seemed to be avoiding her gaze at all costs. Slowly, she saw him nod and turn away from her.

"Very well," she responded, bowing shortly, then disappearing into the shadows.

Hitsugaya turned to Gin, his eyes narrowing even more dangerously than before. He hardly needed to say a word for Gin to follow him to a small room at the end of the hall. Once they were inside, Hitsugaya locked the door firmly.

"Cozy…" Gin noted mockingly.

"What are you doing here?" Hitsugaya asked, turning to face him finally.

Gin raised his eyebrows, leaning against a nearby table. "I would have thought that obvious, Hitsugaya-Taichou…"

Hitsugaya stared at him, expecting a clearer answer, for it was most unobvious to him why an ex-Captain would return to the place where several had put a price on his head.

"I missed my friends…" he answered slowly, though this had not been the real answer.

Hitsugaya grew irritated. "Ichimaru, this is no time for your games…"

Gin raised his eyebrows innocently. "Games?" he said. "I see no games. Do you doubt my honesty, Cap'n?"

Hitsugaya didn't need to answer that, for Gin already knew that he was perhaps the one person who trusted him least. Sighing, Hitsugaya moved away from the door, his arms still folded under his long sleeves.

"I hope you understand the penalty of finding you here, Ichimaru…" he said slowly, moving in a circle around Gin. "After your antics with Aizen-Taichou…"

"Antics?" Gin repeated, following the small Captain with his semi-gaze. "Would you call them antics?"

Hitsugaya glared at him for only a moment before continuing with his pacing. "I could do one of two things for you, however, they both turn out rather unfortunate on your end."

Gin didn't respond, suddenly curious as to why he'd decided not to gather any of the other Captains to help him. Was Hitsugaya going to let him off?

"I could accuse you, and you only, on grounds most obvious…" Hitsugaya started. "Where you would receive the highest penalty-"

"I'm not sure I-" Gin butt in.

"Let me finish!" Hitsugaya snapped. "However, if you choose to be cooperative, and reveal us information about Aizen's whereabouts, your sentence could be dulled a bit."

"And the second choice?" Gin asked hesitantly.

"I accuse both you and Matsumoto of treason, where, no matter how much information you pass on, you will both receive the highest penalty…" Hitsugaya said briefly, no hint of sympathy flashing in his eyes.

It was more than cruel. How could he possibly think Gin would even consider letting Rangiku face that sort of punishment, especially over something that had been entirely his fault in the first place?

"Had enough time to think about it?" Hitsugaya asked, turning to face him finally. "Or are you still considering your options."

"What exactly would be my punishment once information was given?" Gin asked, his voice low.

Hitsugaya shook his head. "I'm afraid that is not for me to decide. It could very well be the same punishment, or something worse, if they decide, but one would hope they'd at least let you off a little."

"And what if I've already provided you with enough information to take down Cap'n Aizen and his whole team…" Gin suggested.

Hitsugaya gave a half-hearted laugh. "Oh really now?"

Gin nodded shortly, giving no further vocal assurance.

"And where is this information?" Hitsugaya asked, suddenly curious.

Gin shrugged, "Not sure if I'm gonna tell ya…" His voice had suddenly returned to its playful tone. "Do you think ya deserve it after locking me up like this?"

Hitsugaya pulled his zanpaku-to from his hip, placing it against Gin's neck. Gin barely looked threatened, nor did he make any move to unsheathe Shinso.

"Do you really think you have a choice in the matter?" Hitsugaya hissed through grit teeth.

"You're taking this all very personally, Cap'n…" Gin teased. "Something got you all hot under the collar? Things not all right with your little friend Hina-"

Hitsugaya's zanpaku-to moved dangerously close to Gin's neck as he glared up at him fiercely. "How dare you speak of her as though nothing happened?! She's lucky to be alive thanks to you!"

Gin laughed. "I don't recall that being any of my fault. It was all Cap'n Aizen's doing, if I remember correctly."

"But you played a part in it, Ichimaru…" Hitsugaya snarled. "Don't deny it."

Gin frowned, though they both knew his grin would be back momentarily. His face looked blank without it. "I'm past denial, Cap'n…no need for it anymore…"

"Then why the hell are you-?" Hitsugaya started roughly.

In a small flash, the blade of Shinso rest gently against the skin of Hitsugaya's neck. "I would be careful where you point your zanpaku-to, Cap'n…" Gin warned, the corners of his lips turning up in a jeering smirk. "You don't want to go blamin' the wrong person…"

"Lower your weapon…" Hitsugaya ordered.

"And why, may I ask…" Gin started slowly, raising himself to a standing position, looming over Hitsugaya's short stature. "Should I listen to you?"

Hitsugaya opened his mouth. "Because I-"

"Because there's no one else here to defend you?" Gin sneered, glancing up at the securely fastened door. "Because you thought you could handle me yourself, without the help of other Cap'ns?" Gin slowly shook his head. "And what if I fought back, what then? Rangiku is the only one standin' outside that door, and do you really think she'll side with you at a time like this? At a time where you were just considerin' sendin' her to the gallows without a second thought?" Gin stepped forward, causing the small Captain to falter back a bit. "And if Cap'n Aizen shows up, much like you were expectin', who will he side with then? You think you can face Cap'n Aizen all on your lonesome?"

Hitsugaya was a bit frightened, but wasn't about to show it. He would take them all on if he had to. He'd fight each and every one of them, and die a hero's death if the time called for it.

But hopefully, there would be no need for that. He knew something Gin didn't. Luckily, the man's eyes had been so tightly squinted shut on their jaunt over there, he did not notice the black butterfly that they'd come across; the one that swooped away toward the quarters of the other Captains and Vice-Captains.

"No…" Hitsugaya growled, regaining his footing. "But I can take you on, Ichimaru…" he threatened. "I've done it before."

"And if I beat you?" Gin asked, his grin becoming even more sadistic as their conversation continued. "What then? Should I kill you and get I over with?"

"That's not going to happen…" Hitsugaya replied, his ears catching the sound of shuffling feet outside the door.

"And why is that?" Gin stepped closer.

"GET HIM!"

The door behind him flew open as several officers, Captains and Vice-Captains soared into the room. A good number of them took hold of Gin as Shinso fell to the ground. Gin struggled only after the initial attack, but finally grew limp in their arms. Smirking, he let them know he had no intention of making a scene from the beginning.

"Thank you, Hitsugaya-Taichou…" A large officer said, bowing before the ruffled Captain. "I'm sure everyone will be pleased to know you've found him…"

Hitsugaya nodded shortly. "Yes. But please…" his eyes lingered for a moment on the captured Gin. "Do not kill him."

Gin looked at him quickly. He had not quite been expecting this. 'The highest penalty', hadn't that been what he'd said only moments ago?

"Lock him up for now," Hitsugaya instructed. "Let his fate be decided later."

The officers nodded shortly, dragging Gin from the room, though they hardly needed to for the man nearly skipped his way out. Hitsugaya watched until the large symbol of the Third Company had disappeared from his sight. It had only been gone for a moment before it appeared once again, this time in a much smaller form.

"What are they going to do to him?" a small voice asked.

Hitsugaya looked up into the fair face of Kira Izuru, who seemed to be watching his Captain being led away like some mournful puppy dog. Hitsugaya couldn't help but feel sickened by Kira's undaunting loyalty to the bastard of a Captain.

"I'm not sure, Kira…" he answered honestly, trying to keep his answers as un-blunt as possible. Kira was sensitive. Everyone knew that.

"It's alright, Kira…" another voice butt in to his left. Hitsugaya's eyes fell onto the tiny form of Hinamori. Her hand landed on Kira's arm. "Come with me…" She didn't bother to look back at Hitsugaya as she led the shaking Vice-Captain to the door.

"Momo!" Hitsugaya called after her, once many of the others had disappeared, chattering loudly about their latest capture. She turned suddenly, looking quite frightened herself.

"Yes?" she asked, her voice no higher than a delicate whisper.

Hitsugaya cleared his throat uncomfortably. He hadn't seen Momo like this in quite a while and it bothered him. Had he done something that had upset her? Was she angry with him, or just bothered by the whole Ichimaru situation? Shaking his head, he told himself that he hardly had the time to deal with this now.

"You will find Matsumoto hiding in the shadows at the end of the hall," he explained. "I told her to hide in case anyone were to show up. If she is not there, it is your duty to uncover her location and guide her safely back to my office. Neither of you are to leave until I return, you understand?"

Momo nodded shortly, turning back to Kira, his arm still held firmly in her grasp. Hitsugaya sighed deeply, glancing around the empty room he'd been left in, no sign of a single officer left. In the distance he could hear Momo's faint calls of "Rangiku-san!" and Kira's helping faint voice echoing hers "Rangiku-san!"

Something wasn't quite right anymore. He couldn't quite place it but a strange feeling had washed over him, making him quite uncomfortable.

Why on Earth did he suddenly feel like he'd made the wrong choice?

A/N: So there it is. Hitsugaya's feeling guilty. I feel bad making him look like such an ass in this chapter, but…I dunno, sometimes he can be, and I can't imagine him acting any different in this sort of situation. I mean, come on. You've seen the show and read the book. Would Hitsugaya honestly let Gin go free after all that he'd done? I don't think so. One would hope, but hey, I'm trying to be realistic here.

Anyways, like I said, look forward to some awesome Gin-Ran-ness in the next chapter. I know you've all been waiting oh-so-patiently for it, so I've decided to give in and give you what you want. There may be some more definite hints of MomoxHitsugaya stuff too…cause I think that pairing's just adorable…but yeah, those will be in the upcoming chapters as well.

I'd like to thank all of you who have reviewed so far. If I don't get the chance to reply to your review, know that I am thankful for each and every one I receive! I am going to try and do my best to respond to them in the near future. Thanks again!