Jumping right into chapter 7. This one is a little longer. I want to apologize if anyone (more so GIn) seems a bit Out of Character. This was meant to be more of a fluff/friendly chapter, and the original chapter seemed to have a worse OoC issue. I tried to keep in some of it, but I wasn't going to keep all of it in.

Unohana let out a gasp. The sight of a bloody and unconscious Izuru shocked her.

"What happened?" She asked.

"Long story short," Gin began, "the kid was abducted and beaten. He's got a gash across his eye that needs to be addressed."

"Bring him here."

Unohana guided Gin into one of the rooms, calling in several other medical specialitst along the way. Gin gently placed Izuru on the bed, before Unahana forced him out of the room. She didn't want to have any additional chaos by having Gin hang around.

He got himself situated on a chair outside of the room, waiting. A sense of concern and curiosity seemed to linger in the back of his mind. As it did, he watched as Isane and a few of their extra hands going to and from the room, grabbing whatever items they may have needed. All the while he could hear the occasional moan or scream of pain coming out of the room, proving that Izuru was thankfully alive.

A few hours would pass as Unohana worked on Izuru. Gin was still waiting outside as Unohana and Isane exited the room, resulting in the vice-captain getting up from his seat.

"How is he?" Gin inquired.

"He's stable." Unohana confirmed. "It's a good thing you got him here when you did. He could have gone blind if the blood loss didn't kill him first. He's also got a few broken ribs and a broken wrist."

"That's nice to know."

Gin's attention shifted for a moment, taking note of a bundle of bloody debris in her hands.

"What do you have there?"

"Just the bloddy remains of his uniform and your sleeve." Isane replied, showing him the items in question. "Didn't you notice me coming in with a new set of clothes with all those bandages?"

"I think I stop paying attention to what was being brought in and out of the room aafter the first hour or so." Gin admitted, turning his attention back to the fourth division captain. "So, he staying for the night?"

"Yes." Unohana replied. "I'd like to keep him here for observation, and give him a little medical assistance in the morning before I discharge him. That's all I have for you, so you can report back to Aizen now."

"Actually, I'd like to watch over him tonight. If you don't mind that is. I'll make sure he stays here. Though let's be honest, I doubt he'll be going anywhere. Plus, he doesn't exactly have any family to come and visit."

Unohana and Isane were both surprised by his request. He never showed much interest in other people before, with the exception of maybe his captain and Rangiku.

"Sure. I don't see a problem with that."

"Thank you." Gin responded with his usual smile. "Besides, Aizen knows I'm going to be here and wanted to give the boy's friends the good news himself."

"Alright. A nurse should be checking in on you guys in about an hour."

Gin nodded. Unohana and Isane left Gin to his request, walking away. Gin walked in the room, quietly walking over to the chair nestled next to the bed. He started to observe Izuru in his updated state.

He was sleeping peacefully from what Gin could tell. His eye was covered with a fresh bandage wrapped around the side of his face. Any blood stains that may have covered him had been wiped away and another bandage could be found wrapped around his wrist with a third one hiding beneath the shirt he had been given.

A part of him felt pity for the boy, having been starved and beaten. He wasn't entirely sure how he felt about it. A part of him felt upset about what they did to him, but at the same time he felt interested in the boy's resilience as well.

~A few hours later~

Sapphire eyes slowly began to open. Izuru begrudgingly woke up from his slumber. The first thing he noticed was that it was just how late it was as he noticed the light of the moon beamed through the window. He then took notice of the bandage over his eye, lightly tapping at it. It felt tender, as a dull sense of pain throbbed with every tap. He started to roll onto his side, feeling the pain from his ribs and wrist with every motion.

The first thing he noticed was Gin, which caused him to jump into a sitting position out of shock. Gin appeared to be slouched back in the chair, but due to his eyes always having a closed persona, Izuru couldn't tell if he was asleep or not.

Izuru moved himself to the edge of the bed. With one finger ready to go, Izuru slowly moved it in an attempt to poke him.

"So the beast has awakened has he?" Gin inquired.

Izuru jumped back with a startled gasp. Gin placed a hand on his shoulder, in an attempt to calm the teen down.

"Scared you, didn't I?"

"Yes." Izuru whispered.

Gin let out an amused chuckle.

"So, how are you feeling?"

"Tired, a bit hungry, and sore, but I think I'll be okay."

"Emotionally rattled by the incident?"

"No."

Gin was silent, noting that the boy was lying.

"You sure?"

"Yeah."

He was still lying.

"You're lying."

"What?" Izuru gasped. "I'm not lying."

"I'm not stupid. I know when someone's lying."

"Well I'm not!"

At this point, Izuru was standing, angered by the vice-captain's statement. Gin was as well, his smile no longer present, and both of his hands now holding onto Izuru's shoulders. This made Izuru nervous, never having seen the man frown before.

"You are scared." Gin stated. "Considering how you freaked out when those Hollows were about to kill you guys, I don't see how this is much different on an emotional level."

"That was a year ago. I've learned how to handle my emotions."

"That's not an excuse, nor can you prove your changing emotional state. At least from where I stand. They beat you, starved you, nearly blinded you, and could have killed you. Do you honestly expect me, someone who's all too familiar with people's emotional responses, to believe that you're not shaken in the slightest?"

Izuru looked at the man. Gin's, albiet emotionless, glare pierced him. It began to unnerve him, resulting in Izuru averting his gaze.

"Okay, I was scared." Izuru finally admitted. "My own heritage could have killed me. Not that the death of my parents helped much either. I don't want to be afraid, but I can't seem to get away from it. I'm pathetic … weak even."

Gin noticed the tears starting to ooze from Izuru's eyes. A subtle smile returned to his face.

"You're not pathetic." Gin confided. "Nor are you weak."

"My emotions are a mess. They always have been. They've effected how I function, how I respond. I wish I never had them."

Gin was entertained by the statement.

"You're still young Izuru, so of course your emotions are all over the place." Gin admitted. "They maybe a little more so in your case given your past. Recognizing them is the key."

"But…"

"There are only a select few people who can conceal them, me being one of them. You on the other hand not so much. I expect you to show them. Growing up alone and nearly dying twice doesn't help either. Just don't bottle them up until the worst of times."

Izuru was silent, taking in Gin's statement. He didn't expect Gin to pull him into a hug moments later, but at the same time, he found himself enjoying it. More tears made their way out, while Gin just let the teen have his long awaited moment.

I hope Izuru's emotional moment didn't seem to forced. I did originally have him coming to a realization, but I tried to make it better than it was.