This was originally written about two months ago for a contest at FanLib (dot) com. Thus, it hasn't the continuity I've recently been making a habit of. In terms of chronology, this would probably be best put right after the titular chapter, #5.

Once again, our old pal Gin makes an appearance. As does Kazuhiko, albeit once again only in passing. I should write him into a chapter sometime. Figure out just what sort of guy he was.

Well, enjoy. And go check out FanLib. This story here was 1/50th of the reason I now own an iPod, and it was all because of that site. Rather generous of them, I'd say.

"I met yer new cap'n today, Rangiku-chan..."

Matsumoto turned, raising an eyebrow, as Ichimaru slipped out of the shadows and into the open, that perpetual grin that was so undeniably him plastered on his thin face.

"Huh?" she said, frowning. "When did you meet Hitsugaya-taichou, Gin? He's been working in his office since he first went in it."

The silver-haired man shrugged. "S'where I met 'im. Figured I oughtta meet me the new head honcho f' my friend's Division, ya know?"

Matsumoto crossed her arms. "Oh? And what do you think of him?"

Another shrug. "Think he's got 'is zanpakutou shoved up 'is ass, honestly. Too serious, 'at one. Asked me 'f I had an appointment. Didn' answer none o' my questions with anythin' but a grunt."

Matsumoto smiled.

That certainly sounded like her new captain. If there was one thing that she knew immediately after meeting the golden child of Soul Society who called himself Hitsugaya Toushirou, it was that he took his work very seriously.

"He is a strict one," she acknowledged.

"Ya like 'im?"

"Well...sure. Definitely an improvement over his predecessor. At least he doesn't try to force me to date him. It's nice. Refreshing, you know?"

"Guess I see that. Y'oughtta work on gettin' the kid t' loosen up, though. Won't make much of a drinkin' buddy if ya can't get 'im drunk."

"Oh, I don't think I'll end up drinking with Hitsugaya-taichou anytime soon. He says he hates alcohol."

Gin's fox-like face scrunched up incredulously. "The hell? 'At's just kinda weird, Rangiku-chan. Y'sure he's sane enough to be a captain if he don't drink?"

"They let you become a captain, didn't they?"

He thought that over. "...Fair 'nuff."

"Zaraki-taichou, Kurotsuchi-taichou...I don't think sanity is a requirement for captaincy."

Ichimaru nodded. "Yeah. Guess 'at's true. But I tell ya, Rangiku-chan...he's got a problem. Y'should work on that drinkin' thing. Ain't natural t' hate alcohol."

"You don't drink much, either, Gin."

"Yeah, but that don't mean I hate to."

Matsumoto smiled slightly. "I think I like that about him. Perpetually sober are two words I'd never want to describe me, but I certainly find them appealing when they're describing my male superior officer."

Ichimaru chuckled.

"Well...s'long 's you like 'im, I guess. You tell me 'f he does anythin' funny, though, huh?"

"You said the same thing about Kazuhiko-taichou. I talked to you a lot about things that he did, but you never did anything. Nothing happened."

The Third Division captain's expression didn't change, and Matsumoto thought that was most unsettling when he finally replied, after a contemplative silence that honestly made her wonder if it was a joke or the cold truth.

"...He died...didn' he?"

She laughed, but it sounded slightly forced. "You have a weird sense of humor, Gin."

He said nothing.

"...Gotta go, Rangiku-chan. Izuru's prob'ly lookin' f' me. S'posed to be workin'. Have fun wi' sober-boy."

She watched him leave, the grin slipping from her face.

And she wondered.

And tried to remember just where Gin had been when her previous captain had died.

For clarification's sake, I'll interpret the various phrases I used in the last chapter.

WTF - This one is probably self-evident, as it's a very...popular one. "What the fuck?"

L2P - Typically L2play or some variant thereof. "Learn to play."

LOL - Another popular turn of phrase, and one I hate vehemently. "Laugh out loud."

ROFL - A variation of the above acronym. "Roll on the floor laughing."

And for the record, Siyaa, I completely agree. And might I add that Aizen would be a Lock. 'Cuz he has demon minions to do his fighting while he sits back and watches, and is vastly overpowered.

Nerf Aizen!

To those who didn't get that...ignore it. It doesn't mean anything.