Chapter 8:

The Smiling Fox

Gin was so very chippy the next day, or at least to one Matsumoto Rangiku he was. He had come over during his break and was currently pulling some Hoshigaki* out of a small woven basket while he sat opposite her at a low table in the middle of her small room. He had come over and insisted she have lunch with him with such a long and cheerful smile she simply hadn't the heart to deny him. Humming, Gin laid the fruit gracefully down on a platter in the middle of he low table. Once he had most of them out he took one and bit part of it and left it in his mouth as he picked up the basket and set it off to the side. Matsumoto smiled while she watched him. He looked absolutely adorable to her. Like a little fox found some food and was holding in its mouth so none of the others would get it. Gin had been so wrapped up in his own thoughts of his leader he hadn't noticed Rangiku staring at him until he finally sat forward and went to take the fruit out of his fruit. He blinked a few times before simply staring back and taking a bite out of the hoshigaki. Matsumoto couldn't help but smile back at Gin as he chewed his food with such a grin.

"What happened, Gin?" Gin tilted his head slightly to the side as he continued to chew. After swallowing he moved to pick up another piece while he responded.

"What d'ya mean, Ran?"

"You seem... Cheerful."

"I'm always smilin'. " Gin took a few bites of the fruit and chewed quickly. As Rangiku spoke he swallowed.

"But, it's more real this time. Like you are generally happy about something... Oh! Were you promoted?"

"No. Well, not yet. I don't doubt I will get one though. I think I'm better than half of the idiots there. They don't know squat about the Soul Society workings."

"Oh. Why so cheerful than..?"

"I came to see you. Spend time with you."

'That would change the subject fairly fast with Ran.' - _Gin slyly thought as Matsumoto smiled.

"C'mon, Gin! Don't make me blush so much, you!"

"Can't help it, your my girl."

"You've gotten better at your slang, haven't you..?"

"Huh..?" Gin looked at Rangiku before he thought of it more. He couldn't help but smile at the thought of his lover. "Oh, heh. Yeah, I s'pose somewhat, yeah."

"That's good than! What else have you done so far?"

"Oh... Um, definitely learned 'self-control.' " Ichimaru shivered unintentially at the thought of the training session. "And... Oh, all the boring paper work. No one ever told me I would have to sit on my ass and write shit all day long!"

"Ahahaha, it's work, Gin! You'll have to do even more of it when you become a Taicho."

"Naw-uh."

"Yes, you will."

"Nope. My Fukutaicho would do it all." Gin nodded in smug acceptance as he spoke. Matsumoto couldn't help but slap her right hand to her face in defeat. Was he ever going to change? Than she pulled her hand away and looked up at Gin.

"Do you have any idea which Division you'd want to be apart of?"

"Uh... I dunno' which one... Maybe the one with that Kyoraku guy. Seems to be real easy since he's always lazing around." Gin picked up another fruit piece.

"That's because Yadomaru-fukutaicho does all his work."

"And you give me shit over it?"

"Fine, do it. But don't think your Fukutaicho will love you 'cause of it."

"They will." Gin smiled. "They would be my best friend." Than he took a huge bite out of the fruit.

'I won't wind up like Aizen and his Taicho. I'll be on the best of terms with my fukutaicho.' - Gin thought as he chewed the tasty treat turned meal.

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Else where Aizen was signing his report that he would drop off at the 9th later on as Hirako came up and watched from over his shoulder. Sosuke smiled a split second before sitting straight and pushing his glasses up his nose.

"How may I help you, Taicho?"

"Whatcha doin,' Aizen?"

"Preparing to go to the 9th Division in order to give them my report of the week. Or am I not allowed to do that much, Hirako-taicho?" Aizen half-turned to his superior in rank and gave a nonchalant smile in a greeting. Hirako frowned slightly and leered at him.

"Tch. Don't think too highly of yourself, Aizen. Go there and be back soon. There'll be more work for you when you get back."

"As you say, Taicho."

"Eh, get goin' if 'ya gotta' go already!" Shinji lazily waved his hand as he turned and walked back to his own office. Aizen smiled more slyly before standing and picking up the document and taking to the door. He knew Hirako's curiosity would get the better of him. Too bad for him Kyoka Suigetsu had been in effect since Aizen had begun writing the document. It was no report. At least not to the 9th. It was a report of the experiments he had conducted the other day. He thought he could get it done while in the office that day. He only used the excuse of the 9th so he could stop by and see Kaname and relay his orders as usual. People were simply ignorant of their relationship. Most everyone waved it off as them being old friends from the same squad from awhile ago. Every great now and than some wonderer would see the two 'interacting' and rumors would start up of them being more than friends. They were usually the ones that were wipe out most quickly. But for some minor reason Aizen had always been interested in what would happen if the rumors were left to spread and corrupt. As Aizen walked without rush over to see Kaname he took in the quiet, uneventful afternoon and the clear, soft blue sky with a few lingering clouds, thick and drifting. He would come across others every few hundred or so steps and greeted them properly and smiled like any other would. After a bit something caught Sosuke's attention as he walked by a minor building. His pet's reiatsu sparking and than relaxing. Too much. Aizen walked to a slow stop and than turned in the direction of his lover's energy pulsing in excitement. Sosuke paused, thought, and decided not to interrupt. He'd have plenty of time to ask what that was all about later that night when he 'trained' his Kitten. And he most definitely would ask.

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Sorry if this chapter wasn't as good, it was slightly forced. More story for about two or so chapters, than smut again. :D

*Hoshigaki - Dried persimmon fruit, usually hung and dried naturally outside.