After stopping by Ichigo's room to grab the swimsuit that Isshin had thankfully packed, Gin told Nel to meet them at the pool after she too changed. She ran off down the hall, leaving the two men with an impatient toddler, who was currently looking up at them with his big brown eyes.

"Don' look at me like tha' squirt," Gin said with a smile, "Aizen-sama and I just have to change and then we can go swimmin'."

Gin changed first so Ichigo wouldn't be left alone, Aizen helping him don his swimsuit as they waited. Once everyone was changed they began heading towards the room in the center of Las Noches that held the pool. As they walked Aizen thought of something very important.

"Ichigo, can you swim?" He asked.

The small boy looked up at him with an expression like the lord of the hollows had grown an extra head. "Mommy taught me to swim last year. I'm a big boy!"

Aizen smiled down at his young charge, "Yes, you are a big boy. I just wanted to make sure you were a big boy who could swim. Otherwise you would need a life vest or a noodle."

Gin opened his eyes slightly and took on a serious expression. "That's right Ichi, we don' want anything to 'appen to you while we swim. You're sure you don't need a floatie?"

Ichigo nodded, "I'm sure."

Gin nodded and smiled. They continued in silence until they came to a large black door, hanging on it was a small sign saying 'Water hazard'. Aizen frowned upon seeing the sign. "What's that there for?"

"Ah, that's cuz I found out some of our Arrancar are allergic to water. Somethin' that 'appens when they become Adjucas."

"I see," he said quietly, "And why was I not informed of this latest discovery?"

Gin smiled sheepishly, "I was supposed to tell ya, but I kinda forgot."

Aizen rolled his eyes, "Honestly Gin, how can you be my second in command if you don't remember to tell me things that could potentially cost us the war?"

"Sorry Aizen-sama, it won't happen again."

"That's all right. What's done is done. We just need to be more vigilant from now on." The brown haired man said with a sigh.

Ichigo reached up and tugged on their sleeves. "Can we go in now?"

Gin smiled, "Course we can Ichi. Let's see if Nel's here yet."

As soon as the door opened the little green haired girl came running up, "Hi Itsygo! You ready to swim?"

Ichigo nodded enthusiastically, "Yeah! Let's go!" They both started to run off and almost made it to the pool before the adults caught up and grabbed them.

"Ichigo, Nel!" Aizen said with a slightly raised voice, "You must wait until we get in the pool. And you must never run near the edge. What if you fell?"

The two children looked at each other before their eyes began to fill with tears. Nel managed to stop herself from crying since she was a little older, but Ichigo burst into loud wails and sobs, throwning himself into Aizen's chest.

"I'm sorry!" He cried, "Don't be angry!"

Aizen wrapped his arms around the little boy and patted his back. "I'm not angry Ichigo, you just scared me. I'm sorry for raising my voice. That was wrong."

Ichigo's tears stopped, but he sniffled a little bit, "You're not mad?"

Gin squatted down next two the two, "No Ichi, we're not mad, just don' run off without asking permission. And don't run near the edge of the pool. If ya slipped ya could be hurt."

Ichigo sniffled once more before nodding. "Ok"

Gin and Aizen both stood back up. Aizen took Ichigo and Nel's hands and led them to the water's edge. "Now that that's settled, let's swim."