Author's Note:

Written in Vietnam.

We call my cousin Oc, which means snail. (... I don't really know why.) I guess snails are really popular here, and everyone's been trying to get me to eat one (I refuse, kinda like how I refuse to eat dog), but the point of this comment is how confusing it all gets. For example:

My aunt: "Are you sure you don't want to try oc?"
Me: "... Excuse me?"
My aunt: "Oc. Do you want oc?"
Me: "... How do I even respond to that?"
My aunt: -thrusts plate towards me-
Me: ... OHHHHH! ... Um, no thanks.

In any case, thank you to Air Sniper, Soulless Reaper, aznjtgirl, IluvBleach, Artificial Life Creator, Flying Through Infinity, Charmane, Batsu Espada, xushi, Miko Ceres (good Lord, your reviews had me cackling and giggling like a maniac) for reviewing the last drabble. YOU GUYS ROCK -- MORE THAN THE BLEACH ROCK MUSICAL. That's pretty rockin'.

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Kaleidoscope
a Bleach (© Kubo Tite) fanfiction

Theme #49
whipped

Opening Song: "Burn My Dread" - Persona 3

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"Alriiiiight! Looks like the man o' the hour's here!" Kaien greeted Gin with a loud slap to the back, to which the silver-haired shinigami returned a smile. Having recently been promoted to vice captain of the 5th Division, the vice captain of the 13th Division felt it was necessary to throw a congratulations party. It would have been rude to decline, and since Gin had always been so polite, he agreed. Besides, every guy needed a break once in a while.

Once several cups had been downed, Gin still remained sober, though he couldn't say the same for the dark-haired man next to him. "Sooo, where've ya been? I haven't been seein' ya around all that much lately," Kaien slurred as he waved around a flask of sake.

Gin seemed reluctant to answer. Rangiku was going through another one of her "must-shop-or-I'll-die" phases, and unfortunately he had been dubbed as her bag carrier. Sure, he could have just said no, but things were rarely requests with Rangiku when it came to things like this. "I've jus' been spendin' some time with Rangiku," he said eventually.

Kaien nodded understandingly; after all, he had a wife, and as much of an angel as she was, Miyako still had those cursed womanly urges. "I get'cha, I get'cha..." He shook his head, as though it were the saddest thing he'd ever heard, but then a large grin overtook his features. "But enough of that! Tonight's a maaaaan's night! Drink up!" And with that, he downed the remaining sake in the flask.

"Try not to get too carried away," Aizen warned with a small smile. "I don't think Miyako would be too pleased if she had to carry you back to your house because you passed out."

Kaien waved his hand dismissively, though he looked a little weary.

"His wife's totally got him whipped," whispered one shinigami from the 13th Division.

Gin chuckled, though it made him think of his own position. Had he ever said no to Rangiku...?

"Oh Giiiiiiin~"

The raucous laughter and noise in the bar died down as the clearly not-masculine voice traveled towards them. The men in the room all looked towards Gin, as though blaming him for the intrusion on their man's night. Sure enough, Rangiku poked her head inside, grinning ear-to-ear, completely oblivious to the animosity resonating from those within. "Come on Gin, let's go shopping!"

Kaien lurched across the table to clamp his fingers around Gin's wrist. "This is the test of real manhood. I know I said I understand, but we gotta stand up to them sometimes. Have some respect for your dignity, man."

Though he was being a little over dramatic, Gin had to admit that Kaien was right. He had to be able to hold his ground, to tell her no. He was not going to carry around her shopping bags anymore! "Listen Rangiku, I―"

"Gin." She was now glaring at him, as though daring him to finish his rejection.

Gin switched his gaze from Rangiku to Kaien, who was still adamantly shaking his head no. Sighing in defeat, Gin stood up and headed towards the doorway, in which Rangiku giggled and skipped out. "Later," he mumbled as he followed after her.

Kaien shook his head, both in disgust and defeat. "Man, she's got him whipped."

"I think it's rather endearing," said Aizen, still smiling.

Kaien stared blankly at him. "You would say that."

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Closing Song: "C-C-C-Cinnamon Lips" - OK Go

Word Count: 579

My sister has a crush on my cousin (Oc), which is creepy. She's only twelve, so it's the kinda crush where you smack the guy then run off giggling. And you mention him everytime you're given the chance when he's not around.