A poisonous smile...

Gin Ichimaru No. 3, 1st Floor of the Aeryn Condominiums Works for the Government Policy Analyst

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Lips part to respond, though her tongue is quick to press up against the roof of her mouth. Visibly shifting back to think about everything he asked.

Would she? To return back, the war over and.. loss, his loss. To live with that loss in it’s most raw state. It hurt now even though he stood before her. What if this actually was some strange dream that she would wake up from at any moment? Finding herself on that roof unknowingly running to look for a dead man, or a man who was about to die. Would she know of it? be prepared?– But how could Rangiku tell what was true or not going by the present? There was no confirmation that all of this was a dream. Nothing there to say she would return. There were no answers.

Even if it were a lucid dream of sorts.. Never one to back down from anything, confirming her answer.

Glancing up, “do you honestly believe that I would spend the rest of my days drying up like an old prune over the amount of tears I’ve spilled over your death?” There’s a teasing smile in her eyes, slipping down to pull at her lips. “Gin, if I wake from this ..dream. I will have to accept what happened. Just as I’ve had to come to terms with every choice you’ve made without me in mind. You would want that of me, to hold my head up and live on.” –and she would hold onto that until her dying day.

A sigh, “we don’t know what’s going on, but even if this were a dream. Why wouldn’t I take advantage of that and experience what I never had a chance to?” Shoulder’s dropping some, “if this really isn’t a dream and it is all that I’ll ever know. Would I be content not doing anything with it? I know that I wouldn’t.." Brows lifting, "would you?”

For all she knew he honestly didn’t want the same. Maybe his back-peddling was his own way of avoiding her all together? would he do that?

[silverlacedpoison]

“Will ya now?  Really bad I won’t be ‘round ta see that fer myself...” he had a decision to make.  One that will decide the path he will take so long as he was in this city.  At least it may be a temporary path.  If he had to do something drastic, he would.  Certainly things wouldn’t go that far.  Who knew?  He wouldn’t try to predict it.  The future would wait while he decided on the present.

“I know ya better than anyone, though.  I know that yer heart is ‘n a good place, and it’s plenty strong.  Ya would survive without me, but I know yer heart will feel so much durin’ that time.  A lotta pain ... but yer gonna have yer friends, too.  Yeah, I left ya in good hands..” he spoke out, aloud.  It was as if he was looking to convince himself.  Trying to find a way to make some good out of his life before it was ended once more.

“Aaaah.  Before I answer anythin’, I wanna ask ya this. If ya were ta turn into a snake tomorrow and begin devourin' humans, and from the same mouth you started devourin' humans, ya cried out ta me 'I love you,' would I still be able ta say 'I love you' the same way I do today?”

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Slim digits loop and tangle in the gift around her neck. Moments like this had Rangiku wanting to twist the chain around her finger, tug out of pure frustration. Pull with all of her might until her surroundings became hazy. The lack of focus, fleeting relief from his spiraling words.

The constant in every single moment these last years concerning Gin was his need to keep her distracted and away from his doings. Rather then having trust in her, he opted to shake the foundation of their.. –?

Licking the salt off her lips before they purse. Lids squeeze shut in finally hearing her dear friend confirm what she had held onto for so very long. What she clung to silently under her Captain’s doubtful gaze. –He did it for good reason, all of it. He became the very thing no one would, with good intention; he gave his life for it. Oh, Gin.

“If we are here and there’s no going back, if we remain human..” Even she was a little uncertain, “why do you continue this? Why cant we go back to what it was, before we became Shinigami.. before your sacrifice to that system?”

[silverlacedpoison]

Did she catch on?  She may have, and it didn’t make him too pleased.  He wasn’t really pleased to begin with due to this meeting.  What he held onto was a tiny belief.  If they were to disappear from this world, would they reclaim their memories? would it all seem like a dream?  He didn’t exist any longer, so what would be of him and his time?  What was the point?  He had questions, but he also had answers.  Answers to the questions that no one was asking.  If they could remember ...

Would the future change?  He would either find out if he woke up back in the Soul Society, or he would no longer exist.  No longer be a conscious being.  Lost in a madness swirl of souls looking to reincarnate.

“Before ya start askin’ me all o’ these questions, why don’tcha stop an’ ask yerself a couple o’ things.  Would ya be able t’ accept the lack of a future with me?  Would ya be able t’ cope wit’ the loss o’ me after this place disappears?  If ya return home after bein’ with me, walkin’ the halls o’ the Tenth Division; would ya be able ta move on knowin’ that yer happiness was nothin’ more than a tortured dream?  T’ have what yer heart yearns with the fear o’ wakin’ up ta yer home...”

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Unwilling to accept the nonsense he was spouting off. – Did he not understand choice? He made the choice to take her in, made the choice to be in such an factual part of her being, to help her grow. Made the choice to join Aizen, to throw his life away! –  and now was he making the choice to abandon everything.

“..doesn’t it matter to you?” Rangiku spoke softly Staring at his retreating form once again.

“Gin?”

Blue eyes drop to the ground between them. Suddenly overwhelmed with the repetitive feeling of being kicked to the side. Fast coming to terms with the fact he was making the choice to walk away from her. Fate didn’t put them on these ‘paths’ he spoke of so often, he did. “Nothing but you is making the choice to turn away from me. Even if I somehow returned back.. and you.” Licking her lips, another tear slips down her cheek. “..do I really disgust you that much?” because nothing made sense. –What else could it be?

[silverlacedpoison]

“Aiiyaya...”

A soft breath left him at her comments.  She really had no idea, and he couldn’t blame her.  Hell, he was incapable of teasing her about it.  He left her in the dark, he left her without answers, and he is responsible for all of her questions and misery.  He could not do anything about it, either.  It was both very troublesome and ... satisfying.  Why did he enjoy this so much?  Enjoying the suffering of another?  He hated that Rangiku was stuck like this, but he also found a sick pleasure in it as well.  It was very conflicting to the snake.

To enjoy his dear friend’s misery while feeling terrible about it.

“Ya just don’t get it, but I’m not gonna lecture ya ‘bout it.  Yer really lost, and I really can’t save ya from that.  Man, oh man.  I really got us all messed up,” he found himself chuckling a little as he lowered his head.  He wasn’t about to look at her tear-stained face.  He wasn’t about to look into the eyes that held the pain.  He wasn’t about to face his biggest sin.  Not right now, at least.

“I can play it like this, though ... I’ve done all I’ve done fer good reason.  Against a foe like Aizen, do ya really think any o’ us stands a chance?  Even when we were much younger, he was unkillable t’ us.  Unkillable yet so very weak in comparison t’ what he is now.  I knew this very well, so ... I decided t’ slither my way in an’ join him.  That’s the phrase, right?  If ya can’t beat’em, join’em?  Becomin’ so close t’ Aizen, an’ learnin’ all of his strengths...”

“And weaknesses...”

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Death.

The word repeats it’s self in her mind; a hissed hymn, a lullaby. Bouncing aimlessly as if it were initiating a game of tag. Thin brows rise, lips pulling apart - still, while the reality of his reply sinks in. A flash of herself on that roof in the human world, before she ended up here. When she couldn’t feel him anymore upon waking up..

death.

Jaw snapping shut, moisture wells up in her eyes causing their hue to brighten. She existed because of him! Supported, acknowledged, protected. For the longest time he was her world. Would wait days, weeks, however long for his return. The image of a boy blinded her. Breathing in the smell of the small shack they lived in. It smelled of him, of dried persimmon, soil, crisp cool air: Gin.

Following the story: Rangiku looks up quickly.– Did he.. was he trying to take down..  Hand reaching up to her chest, a small step back just as he pulled open his shirt. Gaze falling to see the horrific mess. A tear rolls down her cheek while following marred skin. Landing on the rounded scar just over his heart. Another tear, face twisting.

Panic fluttered madly in her chest, slipping up into her throat. Reacting by reaching up to clutch her own, “nn..no, Don’t!” Retreating back into the little girl that ran after him during each and every departure. “Don’t push me out again, don’t run away from me again..!” Shaken over his final words as if he were rejecting her. It wouldn’t happen here, not again. She would follow him this time.

[silverlacedpoison]

“I ain’t runnin’.  Never had ran before ‘n my life.  No ... I told ya before.  We’re on different paths.  On occasion we may cross one another, but we are destined t’ stay on different paths.”

It was truly painful to see her like this, but he could not falter.  If he did, she would chase him and stay with him until the end.  The end did not have him alive.  She was chasing a dead end, and he would have to keep her away from that at all costs.  Could he...?

“Not only that ... but I ain’t got a future.  All I got is whatever time this Pandora gave me, an’ that’s it.  If yer taken back home, there won’t be a me.  Ya already know my future, an’ I doubt it’s safe t’ change it.  Follow yer own path, Rangiku.  I’ll follow mine.  Gomenai..” he spoke before his hand moved up to tilt his hat down.  His back would turn to her as the ex-captain fumbled to deal with the buttons of his shirt.  He couldn’t go around public with half-done buttons now could he?

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Nose scrunched a bit at his blend of sarcasm and teasing. Honestly, she just got here and it was a lot to take in. Resorting to a small pout while looking down the street. –It wasn’t just that, being here away from everything and everyone opened up an opportunity to avoid everything for a moment. Opting for this over her second option, something she would be doing later on tonight; drinking.

Fitting in was something this Shinigami fancied herself good at. Already gaining a job, some money, a place to stay, things to do.. things to buy. The want to avoid accepting everything that’s happened was being replaced with her desire to know more. Finding a familiar face helped cause that, even if what he was saying was to deter it.

A sigh, “I spent a lot of time in a library you know.” smirk forming.

– “it was one of the only places Captain would leave me alone when it came to paperwork.” She didn’t exactly use the time for reading, but it did happen once in awhile. Coming across a few books from the human world; fashion, music, astrology and what not. The adult book section was wonderful, which is where she’s heard of the seven deadly sins.. Not that any of that was relevant to this.

Gaze flickering back to his neck, Wrath. It upset her greatly that even in this world Gin was followed by such. Not at all understanding where it was all coming from. Granted he managed to screw a lot of things up for reasons she didn’t understand yet. But his heart was kind, it was. Rangiku being here could attest to that. “I have the idea but..” pushing her own mark aside. “What happened to you Gin?” voice soft. Hard eyes moving to look at him. “what do you remember last?”

[silverlacedpoison]

“I remember .... Death.”

A very cold thing to speak with a tone as sickening as the words he spoke.  He was not about to sugarcoat this, and he was going to wonder the effect it would have on her.  There was a bit left in the air, so he would move to clarify with another visual.  A hand would move once again to begin unbuttoning the vest and the shirt.

“Greed ... power .... revenge.  It all led t’ one moment.  A snake that stalked its prey for so long.  I slithered right behind an’ waited.  Tongue flickered, tasting the air.  Bitter, stale ... So long I waited for my moment, an’ I finally bit inta him.  I delivered by poison, but it only furthered his evolution.  My quest ended.  So many years, I waited.  So many years, I wasted.  Y’ already saw the scar on my arm.  That was the first price.  What came next...” he would pull back on the vest and shirt to reveal the skin underneath.  A long diagonal scar from the shoulder and going down to his stomach.  Then there was the single scar over his heart where the final blow was dealt.

“Time ... Space ... Life ... Death.  Let that sink in.  Let all of that sink in, Rangiku.  That’s what we are up against here ... and what more ... The enemy and this world is destroyed, so am I.  I’m a dead man brought back for their needs.  Where am I t’ go after here?  Ya spoke before of who I’d be fighting for; that I should be on your side as we are one in the same.  You’re wrong. I’m gonna side with what benefits me.”

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Expression contorted with curiosity while watching the other fumble with his wear. If the situation wasn’t so dire, she would welcome his disrobing with a bit more excitement and maybe even a few drinks.

A human. That’s right, they are now simply humans. And while she already considered what he was saying: The male before her was doing well in drilling that point home. The hope she felt in finding an out of this situation gradually dissipated with the stark reality the present.

Rangiku let out a gasp before reaching forward. With no care on whether he would appreciate being touched. Fingers ran over the scar, following what obviously was not created with a blade. Blue eyes widen; Concluding that it had been.. torn?! Hand dropping from his person while trying to figure out who would have done this to him. It was barbaric, hardly anyone was in the real human world at that time. Head tilting up, appearing a bit shocked to say the least. “..the last thing was.. I woke up from when you used hakufuku.” It was evident that she was trying to connect the dots. “Men.. soldiers? they surrounded me. I couldn’t feel your.. I wanted to..” ..I wanted to stop you. To save you.

Shutting out the growing knot in her stomach. “So you suggest we simply live? Blend in with the rest of this city as if nothing else happened?” Attention moving to the mark on his neck, “what do these symbols mean, does it look different from my own?” Once again ignoring his personal space by reaching up. The moment her fingers drew close the mark began to glow, a deep red. Jerking her hand back, “shii.. did that hurt, Gin?” worried she caused him harm.

[silverlacedpoison]

So that was her last memory.  Fair enough.  She was taken moments before his life was ended.  It wasn’t too far off, but it was still dangerous.  What could he do about it?  If she got close to Aizen, she’d risk disappearing just from his presence. 

He simply chose to ignore what she wanted and chose to go on with all the information he had gathered so far.  Being a clever of sort, he made sure he had the information needed before pursuing any further of this city.  He rolled his sleeve back down after she seemed finished with the scar and now it seemed like she was more interested in his tattoo, one of which was glowing from her touch.  He didn’t see it glow, but he could feel a bit of heat from it.  Nothing painful, and he could only find himself grinning once more.

“Sins and Virtues ... Those are what the marks represent.  Ya can learn a lot from the ol’ Library,” he spoke as he took a step away from the woman with his hand moving to the back of his neck.  “Each symbol represents a trait, Rangiku.  From what I’ve looked inta, I got m’self the mark of a sin: Wrath.  Now for you, I believe ya were marked with the virtue of Humility.  What does that mean?  Could mean anythin’, or it could be nothin’.  It goes along with this game that Pandora wishes t’ play.  So t’ answer yer question ... yes.  That’s exactly what we’re s’pose ta do.  As I said ... This enemy makes Aizen look like a harmless butterfly...” he spoke but paused at that.  Rather amusing to think, but he had to remember he was killed by that butterfly.

Sometimes, he really did hate himself for some things.

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Could clearly picture the scowl on her Captain’s face upon hearing the male’s reply. While the desire to retaliate was strong, Ran couldn’t help but bite her tongue once he followed up. Absently tapping against the fold of her skirt while clutching the bag, digesting every word mindfully.

Head jerking up to look her old friend, eyes widen at his assessment. – it.. it’s hopeless? No, that couldn’t be. There had to be a way, there was always a way! “Are you so fast to play possum?” Rangiku shakes her head as, lids dropping, “there must be a way around this. While we are hindered we are not dead.” Apparently the strength in her voice gained the attention of a man passing by. Expression souring before scurrying off on his way, the Shinigami finds this a little strange.

“Isn’t it about time we play on the same team?” once again glancing up. Her tone conveying the hurt she’s felt from being left in the dark all these years. Even though Soul Society deemed him a traitor, and while she agreed considering everything that’s happened. A large part of her still.. held on. To what exactly? Hope. Hope and love.

After all, if not for Gin..

Pursing her lips before adding, “I just don’t want to stop looking for answers.” Brows perk when recalling the mark on her neck; Reaching up, the young woman pulls her hair back, tilting her head to show him. “You have one of these too, Gin?” Thin fingertips slip over the symbol, creating a trail of blinding-blue in their wake. “Do you know anything about this?”

[silverlacedpoison]

“... That only confirms what I believe ...”

A hand moved up to start rolling and pulling up on the sleeve of his right arm.  For her to mention that they were not dead meant that she did not know what he knew.  This meant she had yet to see what had befallen him.  In doing this, he could be endangering himself and her as well.  He could be risking the future.  Then again ... He remembered Ichigo and those eyes he possessed.  He had no reason to worry.  No amount of information he could tell would change the future.  Ichigo would beat Aizen.  No doubting it.

“Most o’ the enemies an’ allies we know hold very great strength.  Amazing power and abilities that cannot be equaled.  This new face before us ... Is nothin’ compared ta those enemies and allies.  In fact, let me give ya a much more clearer viewpoint.  The enemy before us took away our powers.  We are all left as simple human bein’s.  Every last one o’ us.  Ya know what that means?  Even someone like Aizen would be left powerless.  Our enemy is stronger than Aizen.  Not only that, but...” he pulled up his sleeve to reveal what was hidden underneath: A jagged scar all along his arm from where his former captain ripped his arm right off.  “Last time ya saw me, I had both my limbs attached, right?  If ya don’t remember what happened after the spell that knocked ya out, that means ya were pulled from a different time than myself.”

And there was no promise she would even remember that. 

Finally, Gin would turn to face the woman with his smile fading away. 

“Space and time ... Our enemy can manipulate both principles an’ create their own world such as this city. We can sit back an’ try ta fight, but what will be the point?  The end result will be the same: complete failure.”  He saw no hope in the matter, but this was someone that was just defeated by a man that became immortal because of him.  He escalated a situation, and he had to leave it in the hands of a child.  For him to get involved, he wouldn’t dare try.  Sure, he would play along in the game.  He simply wouldn’t try to fight against the person that put him here.

When he saw the tattoo along her neck, his own hand moved behind his own neck.  “Yeah ... I got one, too.  I don’t know much other than it is a sort o’ tracker.  A tracker ... and will be used fer these ‘tests’, no doubt.  My memory is a lil’ hazy.” One thing he knew he didn’t touch on was the matter of ‘being on the same team.’  He purposely kept quiet on that.

[mxtsxmxtx-deactivated20161105]

A flash of what happened just before she ended up here.. in this city. The warmth of his person, tone low, sharp. He didn’t kill her, no..  but made her believe he would. Didn’t answer any questions, did nothing but what he’s always done. Again. Damnit!

“Maybe if you stopped walking away from me, Gin.”

In all honestly Rangiku was shocked. Doing her best to hide that fact, gaze slipping towards the street. “Cats have nine lives. Didn’t satisfaction bring it back? Isn’t that how it goes?”

Why was he here! Of all the people to turn up in this strange city, why him? Was he apart of this madness? Was this all apart of Aizen’s plan? That woman, Pandora.. branding everyone with these strange marks that clearly had a power of their own. 

Focus returning, “do you have something to do with this? us.. being here?” Most would assume it was a bit of a stretch, but was it? Everything leading up to this point in it’s self was a lot to come to terms with. – Despite the warning signs surrounding this coincidence the blonde couldn’t help but really take him in. Gin seemed much the same, a little strange seeing him out of his robe though.

[silverlacedpoison]

“I haven’t been walkin’ away, Rangiku.  We’ve been on separate paths that occasionally cross one another on a good day,” he spoke more of a tease than anything else.  He had no other comment to make as far as messing with her went.  Instead, it would take a more serious turn.  The accusation that he was behind this.  Behind something, anyways.  He couldn’t blame her.  He had left more questions for her and the rest of Soul Society and gave very little answers, if any at all. 

“If I was behind this, do ya think we’d be powerless as we are?  Nah, I’m as much o’ a victim as you.  Rather unsettlin’ ta see this sorta power.  Hell, Aizen ain’t got anythin’ on this,” he would speak out his innocence which may as well be a first and last thing to ever happen.  He also spoke out more in thought than anything else.  The reason he addressed Aizen as just that: Aizen.  He no longer saw the man as his captain, and he failed in his assassination attempt.  He was a lone snake now, or he would wish to believe that.

“If I’m right ... It’s hopeless t’ fight what is goin’ on.  Whether or not ya realize it or not, we’re pretty much playin’ this game ‘til that Pandora decides she’s through with us.  After that-” he stopped as a bit of a dark grin came to him, “who knows what will become o’ us, then.”  Would he go back to being dead? or would he just appear moments before?  He wasn’t sure at all, and he may not find out.  No, that wasn’t it.  He’d never realize it.  That was death, after all.

[mxtsxmxtx-deactivated20161105]

It took a good week to adjust to everything that happened. As of this point there has been no way to return back. No information provided about her arrival, no familiar faces, nothing informative in the slightest. In fact, the few Rangiku tried to question relating to any of this seemed quite confused, some even bothered or.. scared? Leading her to assume that mind control or perhaps fear and punishment played an important role in this world? Not shocking, most political systems used this method, including her own back home.

What the semi-shinigami was having a difficult time with was the lack of reiryoku. Unable to recall a time she’s been with such a low amount. Even as a child she felt more aware of this aspect, enough to feel her lack of control over it. While the blonde was skilled enough physically speaking, it wasn’t the same. A rehabilitation of sorts of her own stamina? eh! work no less.

Heaving out a sigh while walking down the street. A bag from the market lightly bumping into her thighs with each step. Breathing in the autumn air, her favored time of year for good reason! It’s a good thing she spent so much time in the human world. Already a strong understanding of how things went, it was quite similar after all. Work was a blast, good pay, and lots of welcomed attention. – About time people truly appreciated her assets!

A warm breeze tugged at the hem of her skirt, reaching up adjust her black scarf before noticing something strangely familiar about the man up ahead. Rangiku doesn’t change anything about her speed, continues on casually. Though the cars passing muted considerably, the laughter, light conversation, fading completely. Replaced with the repetitive thump of her heart. Fingers instinctively reaching up to find her chain, a security blanket of sorts. Steel blue eyes shift to look him in the face as they closed in.

[silverlacedpoison]

No escape.

No chance to run.

How could he not had noticed this?

Because he had no power just as her.

He didn’t realize the other had approached, and he thought nothing of it.  The shadow that cast on the ground could had belonged to anyone.  The countless beings that could be here, dragged from their home, would only mean the odds were stacked.  It was why he had zero thought of such a chance meeting.

So why was he smiling?

“Did’ya get tired o’ the view of my back...?”

He was caged in, and he knew it.  He knew for a fact he was not going to escape this.  Slitted eyes turned just enough to know the figure beside him now.  It was a figure that he had been by since he was a child and up to the point of his betrayal.  He was in a mental panic but his face remained the same: the mocking smile that spoke a language that no one knew.  He spoke with a poison that held no antidote.  His first words to her would be enough for his poison to seep into her ears and infect her mind.

“Curiosity killed th’ cat...y’know?”

[silverlacedpoison]

This was quite an amusing day to say the least.  Memories that fade that would bring him back into those final moments.  It felt like his very soul was being pulled around, but he was not about to sit back and complain.  Oh no, he wouldn’t complain at all.  To him, it was something he deserved.  A man that coiled around the very souls of his victims and pulled at their minds until they snapped.  He deserved this more than anything. 

So what was his first step?

Gin Ichimaru walked along the city of Pendulum wearing a new outfit he found more suiting for what his line of work was.  A long sleeved white button-up shirt, a sleeveless vest, the black pants, and a hat that hung just enough over his face to conceal slitted eyes.  Sure, he still had his kosode.  He parted with that for now as he had no reason to wear it.  He was no longer a Shinigami, and he wasn’t with Aizen’s army.  He was a soul with a temporary freedom, he felt.  It was still odd to not have his abilities, though.  No shunpos, no zanpaktou, and no kidou really did leave the ex-captain at a loss.  He’d get use to it soon enough.  Probably around the time he got use to the tattoo branded on his neck.

“If this is the game she wants t’ play, then I’ll play for now.  Ain’t got much t’ lose...” he spoke to himself, showing the amusement still within him.

[silverlacedpoison]

“Aiyaya..” he was sitting back and simply enjoying the day.  Nothing much else.

[silverlacedpoison]

prodigyitachi:

Ichimaru Gin?

… Ah.

Itachi’s smile remained fixed upon his features, the elder Uchiha having lost nearly all interest in consulting with the newly appointed staff member. He had not forgotten what Rukia had shared about this man. 

“A mere meet and greet, I assure you. I don’t wish to take up too much of your time… I’m sure you have patients to attend to. I hope you’ve adjusted well to the academy?”

“Well ... I assure ya there ain’t much fer me t’ do right now.  Bein’ so recent, I really ain’t got many patients right now.  Kinda a good thing when ya think ‘bout my line o’ work.”  Which was pretty much how he figured things would go.  He was into very serious details with his line of work, and he did wonder just how many cases he may have with the people of this academy.

“So ... Anythin’ else ya need?  Really, no need t’ be in a rush now.  Surely ya got some sorta question fer lil’ ol’ me ~”

[cursed-chidori]

Standing not too far from the other, Sasuke wondered just who was this guy- and why he had been sitting on a bench right outside the academy cafe for so long. Either way-

“Hey- you have to order something if you’re going to connect to our wifi.” 

[silverlacedpoison]

“Oh, my apologizes...” looks like he was finally caught.  It wasn’t a surprise with how long he had been there, and this was only an opening for something a bit more.  Now it was just a matter of what he will do with his new-found entertainment.

“Still quite new t’ some things here.  Guess I got a lil’ side-tracked ~” No mention of ordering or even stopping, Gin was going to have his fun with this boy.  For how long, who knew?

[silverlacedpoison]

-wraps arms around leg and hugs tightly-

“..........” Wait... what?

[glassesandperfume]

“I never said I believed you!” How dare he? She had simply been playing it cool, fucker. This guy was really getting on her nerves with that creepy smile and his assumptions! And yeah, what with his many many years he really was starting to remind her of Orochimaru…

“A shinigami?” She snorted. Yeah sure. “You mean some kind of death god?”

[silverlacedpoison]

“Why yes, I am.  Former Capt’n of the Third Division, Ichimaru Gin.  Let me assure ya there are others like me here, too.  I know of one that may look the same age as ya, but she’s been ‘round fer a couple hundred ~” Ah, the longevity of the soul.  It was quite a fascinating thing.  The fact that the Captain Commander was at least past three thousand years and still could destroy anythin’ he pleased if he wanted.  Old age meant nothin’.

[kudakero-blog]

“I can imagine,” Aizen returned to his walk, he knew the other would follow despite how much he might despise it. Well, if Gin was still willing to play then so was he. Perhaps he could even find some more uses for the shingami before his ultimate demise. It was a shame… Gin was perhaps the least incompetent of all his subordinates. Tousen had always had his uses it was true but sadly that man was blind in more ways than one. “I am sure there are a few here who could certainly use some council. Perhaps your position will even help you to gather some useful information, hm?”

How long had they played this charade? What did it take for a child to do all this just to repay the debt he felt he owed some runt he had clung to simply because neither of them had anyone else? It was foolish. All he had accomplished was to sever any tie he had once had to the girl and leave her more alone now than she had been back when Aizen had defiled her. 

“The plan? Well it seems that returning home is not an option at least until I can look into this ‘headmaster’ that seems to control the barrier around this place.” It was an annoyance, that something was keeping him here. Though was it really so different than time keeping him in his own stone palace in Hueco Mundo? “Ah yes, Ulquiorra. It would seem he has been here quite some time and the intel he has given me will be useful. It does seem there are one or two people of interest here, I don’t suppose you have run into anyone that has piqued you’re curiousity, have you?”

[silverlacedpoison]

“Ain’t much knowin’ there, huh?”

That was possibly the greatest thing about this place.  Not even Aizen could prepare for someone like this headmaster.  A barrier that prevented escape, and he had no doubt there was much more hidden behind the thing.  Perhaps that was why he was so intrigued.  There was a mystery and he didn’t know the outcome.  No chance to predict, and all he could do was do what he did best.  The sly smile grew on Gin as his head rose a bit.  It was truly an excellent setting, and this could stage the end of it all. 

Wait ... A thought came to Gin that was almost enough to cause Gin to falter.  If he did kill Aizen, what would happen?  Killing someone from the past ... That would alter the future, would it not?  As much as he hated that the man before him was responsible for his death and responsible for the pain that he brought Rangiku on that night, he knew he had no future.  Whether Gin was alive or not, he had no future outside of Aizen’s death.  The Gotei 13 would have him killed, and there would be no sparring him.  Only Rangiku would defend him, and he wouldn’t allow that.

He was stuck.

“One of use, another I’m gonna seriously try an’ help out.  I’m curious of this one’s condition, and I wanna see what I can learn about it.  The other, I’m wantin’ ta see how far he can be manipulated.  Kinda fun how that’s the job of a therapist.  Playin’ with the mind an’ emotion ‘n order ta obtain results.  Anyway, I can’t say much else due t’ rules placed.  My apologizes, Taichou...”  Which wasn’t too far from a lie.  He had promised to keep his patients and their information to himself.  He also knew if Aizen truly wished to know, he would find out.  There was no stopping him.

[glassesandperfume]

Karin, squinted at him, a frown forming on her lips. She suspected he was lying but her powers of perception weren’t working quite so well on these strange people.

“Huh, still sounds too old to be going round making comments on young girls’ hair!”

[silverlacedpoison]

“Oh... Ya did believe that.  Wasn’t expectin’ it.  Truth is, I don’t really remember how old I am ~ Shinigami tend t’ age so slowly in appearance, it’s hard t’ keep track.”  Now that she believed the lie, he would tell the truth.  Why?  It would make things more fun that way.  Plus, he really didn’t have a way to mess with her.  Or ... did he?