May 2009; 462 words. Character study I wrote while trying to get a little more deeply into Gin's head. Feedback is so loved.
Gin Ichimaru liked to be liked
*
Gin Ichimaru liked to be liked.
In all his life, he had only known two people who honestly, genuinely, for reasons he couldn't entirely explain to himself, liked him: Rangiku Matsumoto and his former Third Division lieutenant, Izuru Kira. The rest of Soul Society---allowing for variations of temperament and perception---tolerated him, ignored him, dismissed him, avoided him, feared him, mistrusted him, despised him.
He didn't blame others for disliking him, though he didn't forgive them (Kuchiki's adopted sister, who could barely even hide her feelings, least of all). Unfortunately for others, Gin Ichimaru liked to amuse himself, and people were the most amusing, complicated, and exhilarating toys in the world. Gin enjoyed pain, enjoyed pretty little teasing games, enjoyed the honest thrill of lifting one hope, the dark rush of crushing out another. Sometimes Gin liked breaking toys.
But deep in his twisty inconstant heart, he still liked to be liked.
Gin had been delighted when Izuru Kira expanded Rangiku's previously exclusive membership in the Club of People Who Genuinely Like Gin, though he suspected the young shinigami had far less an understanding of his character than the former. Rangiku, who continued liking Gin despite her much better judgement, which consequently made her more incomprehensible and... very difficult to let go. Childhood affections aside, he also had to admit it was ridiculously flattering to be inexplicably liked by the most well-endowed and attractive woman in the Seireitei.
Flattery was close enough to liking to make Gin very susceptible to its effects, especially when he felt the flattery deserved. For a long time, Gin had thought there might have been a third person who liked him. The person who had trained him, encouraged him, and lovingly led him on a dark ascending path. Certainly, he had experienced a nagging suspicion that, along with possibly being liked by Aizen, he was probably being used. Still, Gin unquestioningly, even enthusiastically, followed. He was of Aizen's kind; treachery and backstabbing did not disturb his slumber. Gin had always been an excellent sleeper.
Gin didn't fully understand until he watched Aizen plunge a sword into the lieutenant who worshipped and adored him. Ah, so that's how it is, he thought behind a smile, and avoided treading in her blood. Better to know where one stands.
And now he stood as right hand to the impending ruler of heaven, second in command to a new God. Guaranteed to live forever. Guaranteed obedience, respect, and terror; all souls, dead and living, subject to his delight and whim. Guaranteed this triumphant, awesome achievement that would likely come at the price of the unhappy and sticky ends of the two people in existence who actually liked him.
And that thought was beginning to keep Gin Ichimaru awake at night.