Valjean. At last, we see each other plain . . .

Just kidding. That was filler. This chapter is only 1400 words long.

Even though he could see that Hisagi was becoming exhausted, Kira insisted wordlessly that they continue training long into the afternoon while the sun moved from east to west across the sky.

"How can you possibly have so much energy?" Hisagi asked at around 5, watching as the sun crept closer to the horizon line. Kira shrugged in response. In truth, he was probably more tired than Hisagi, but would rather work out his aching muscles than return to his building at the current moment.

Finally, about half an hour later, Hisagi shook his head and sheathed his sword. "Can't – anymore," he panted, leaning over to catch his breath. Kira sat down to do so, resting his sword on the ground beside him and watching Hisagi silently. "You," he pointed, regaining his upright position, "should go home and rest."

Kira shook his head and gave him a thumbs-up, as if to say, "I'm okay."

"I insist," Hisagi continued, raising an eyebrow.

Kira shook his head again and smiled feebly. I'll stay here by myself if you want to go, he thought, but he couldn't say anything, lest Hisagi realize he was feigning illness.

Hisagi folded his arms across his chest, glaring down at Kira. "If you don't want to talk to me, that's one thing," he said. "But don't waste my time when we both have work to do. So you can cut the crap."

Kira gave his friend a puzzled look. What was that supposed to mean?

"You mock my intelligence," he continued in a tone that suggested he would have laughed in a similar scenario. "I know you're not sick."

"Shit," Kira muttered aloud and stood up, brushing the dirt from his uniform. He wasn't afraid that Hisagi would be angry, but now he was bound to ask even more questions.

"I get the hint, though, that you don't want me to ask anything," he went on, trying to make eye contact even as Kira avoided it. "So I won't. For now."

Kira smiled a little, grateful that Hisagi read his actions correctly. "Thank you."

Hisagi nodded in acknowledgment and was silent for a few moments while Kira put away his sword and stretched. But as Kira began to walk away towards the trees, Hisagi spoke loudly at him.

"Don't want to go home, huh?"

Kira looked back at him, shaking slightly. "No, I'm heading there this way" he said, pointing somewhere in the direction of Squad Three. Perhaps if he danced around this question for a while, Hisagi would probe no further.

"Right," Hisagi said abruptly. "Sorry I asked. Listen, I'm going to go." He pointed over his shoulder. "You can stay out as long as you want, but I'm heading in. When--" He hesitated for a moment. Kira could tell that he was wondering if he should say anything at all. "When you want to talk," he continued, deciding to go for it after all, "you know where to find me."

"Talk about what?" Kira retorted, regretting he said anything the second it escaped his lips.

"These past few days . . . don't think we haven't noticed," Hisagi noted. "But no one likes an inquisition. So talk when you're good and ready."

Meaning, never, Kira thought, but smiled and thanked Hisagi. So they did know something after all, he thought, watching Hisagi walk back to his own squad. He smiled to himself for having such good friends, but frowned again when he realized this meant they expected an answer eventually. All this could do was perhaps give him time to make up something, something good enough to explain everything, yet also something that would not cause any more concern. And in the meanwhile, there was the real problem that he had to deal with. The real person to deal with.

As Hisagi disappeared from view, Kira walked off towards the forest again, remembering the time when he took out his frustrations on a tree. That time, Gin had made him into a choleric being, talking back to his friends and full of pent-up rage. Now he was secretive, so much so that his friends had given up pressing him for answers.

He ran a hand over the nearest tree's bark. So what was he going to do now? He certainly didn't want to go back, but he couldn't stay out the whole night. He had the worst luck when it came to wandering around Sereitei after dark. Maybe the library was still open. It wasn't too far away and then he could come back here and sleep . . .

This is ridiculous, he thought, shaking his head. Planning to sleep in the forest, just to avoid confrontation? He couldn't hide forever. No doubt he couldn't even hide for another day. He swallowed. If he wanted to confront his Captain, he had to do it tonight.

"Thought I'd find ya here," came a voice from behind, and Kira froze again, hand still on the maple. "I know how much ya like trees."

It was as though Gin had read his mind. Kira didn't turn around, heart racing in his chest. He wasn't ready yet.

"There's still a pile a' work on the desk," Gin said, and Kira could feel him getting closer. "Didja take a walk an' get lost?"

"No," Kira replied in a small voice, "I . . ."

It was now or never, ready or not. Taking a deep breath, he turned around and stared straight into the face that made his knees shake. "I didn't want to see you." He could feel that he was blushing even though he fought against it, heart pounding so hard he could feel it in his head.

Gin was not taken aback. It seemed he was expecting this sort of an answer. Though the sky was now turning a deep blue, Kira could see every detail of his face, the small smile, the emotionless eyes, the soft but aging pale skin, the shining silver hair that fell onto his forehead so delicately. He took a casual step forward and asked obviously, "Why not?"

Kira stepped backwards. "Because . . ." Kira started, and his eyes automatically traveled off to the side, "because of last night."

Gin brushed aside Kira's bangs and brought his hand against Kira's cheek. It was warm against his skin, cool from the night air. "Are ya embarrassed?" he asked in a soft, almost teasing tone. "About us?"

"Us . . . ?" The word sounded pleasant in his ear and tasted sweet in his mouth. But it couldn't be. This was wrong, he knew it. This was the man who had violated him, disgraced him, hurt him both physically and emotionally over and over again. But he was also the one who saved him all the times he needed saving, and the only one who could fully understand what he was going through, the only one who could be a real comfort; he was very good at that. And he was his Captain, the one who would probably lead him for the remainder of his existence.

"We . . ." Kira struggled to say, finding his mind was hazy, "we can't do this. Someone . . . someone is – is going to find out. It's not . . .we can't--"

"Shutup," Gin said hastily, pressing his index finger against Kira's lips, and Kira obeyed at once. He put his arms around Kira's neck, running one of his hands through the blonde hair. "Sure we can. Jus' gotta be careful is all."

"I mean . . ." Kira racked his brain for the right words, trying to concentrate as warm breath beat upon his cheek, "this is wrong." He began to tear as he looked into Gin's face, unable to describe the desperation in his heart: he almost wanted Gin to come up with an excuse for them to continue their relationship, but at the same time wanted the option for a prolonged relationship to disappear so he no longer thought about it.

"Who decides wha's right an' wrong?" Gin replied, lowering his voice. "It's sumthin' ya decide fer yerself. An' besides . . ." He brought his face down to a spot right near Kira's shoulder. "Doncha want this, Izuru?" he whispered gently.

"No," Kira replied as a tear fell down his cheek. He couldn't ignore it any longer, desperately wanting Gin to hold him closer, tell him everything was going to fix itself, but he couldn't let this continue. It was better for the both of them this way.

Gin's smile widened. He combed his fingers out of Kira's hair and brought his lips closer to his ear. "I've said this before, Izuru," he muttered. "Yer a terrible liar."