The night don't sleep in Seireitei.
It just waits.
Even with the Jigokuchō back in their nests and Kira snorin' somewhere in his quarters, the city hums. You just gotta know how to listen for it.
I make my way down the west garden path, takin' my time. No need to hurry. The meetin' spot ain't gonna get up and walk away. Besides — it's bad manners to show up before your host, y'know?
Moon's still high, silver light spillin' across the rooftops. Perfect kind of night for secrets.
I stop by a little footbridge, lean casual against the rail. A lazy breeze stirs the leaves. No patrols this way, no butterflies. I made sure of that.
Didn't have to wait long.
A soft pulse of reiryoku brushes against mine. Precise. Familiar.
Aizen-taichou steps from the shadows like he was born there. That calm, unreadable smile sittin' pretty on his face.
"Gin," he greets, voice smooth as old silk.
I grin back, tilt my head.
"Well now, Aizen-taichou. Out for a midnight stroll, are ya?"
His eyes crinkle faintly, the way they do when he's amused.
"I thought it best we speak somewhere… undisturbed."
Ain't that the truth.
I push off the rail, hands stuffed into my sleeves.
"Relay station 34's line got cut," I say, keepin' my tone light. "Found it dead two hours past sunset. No sign o' damage. No bodies. Just… empty."
Aizen-taichou's smile never falters.
"I see. And the replacements?"
"Up an' runnin'. No one'll be the wiser, long as nobody goes pokin' 'round my butterflies too close."
A brief nod.
"You've done well, Gin."
I scratch the back of my neck.
"Gotta keep the lights on, Aizen-taichou. Hard to run a rebellion in the dark."
He chuckles, low and soft.
I watch him carefully. Behind that polite face, wheels're always turnin'. Movin' pieces on a board nobody else can see.
Except me.
"Was it your doin'?" I ask, casual.
He lifts a brow, feignin' mild surprise.
"Why would you ask that?"
I shrug.
"Cuttin' a relay like that… it ain't random. Someone wanted somethin' to pass through Seireitei without bein' noticed."
The corners of his mouth lift just a hair.
"You're perceptive as always, Gin."
"Can't afford not to be, Aizen-taichou."
Another beat of silence. Night air heavy between us.
Then Aizen-taichou steps closer, voice low.
"It was a test. A minor… adjustment. I needed to confirm the effectiveness of certain individuals under specific circumstances."
"Ah," I say, noddin' like it makes perfect sense. Truth is, I already figured it. Man loves his games.
"And the result?" I prod.
He glances up at the sky.
"Promising."
I hum.
"Well, long as ya ain't makin' too big a mess. Some of us gotta clean up after ya."
His gaze returns to mine, sharp as glass beneath that smile.
"Do you object, Gin?"
I flash him my usual grin.
"Now, Aizen-taichou. I ain't never objected to nothin'."
Lie, of course. But he don't need to know that. Not yet.
He studies me for a moment longer, then nods.
"Very well. Continue as planned. Keep your division tight. I'll require their… cooperation soon."
"Mm. We'll be ready."
He turns to go, steps soundless on the stone path.
"Oh, and Gin."
I raise a brow.
"You handled Kira well. Keep grooming him."
I chuckle.
"Kid's eager. Won't be long 'fore he's hangin' on every word I say."
Aizen-taichou's smile lingers in the dark.
"Good. Loyalty is a valuable commodity."
Then he's gone, vanishin' into the night like mist.
I stay a moment longer, starin' up at that wide empty sky.
He don't know.
He don't know I already told the old man everything. Don't know I've been layin' my own pieces. Don't know I ain't playin' his game — I'm settin' the table for my own.
I sigh, tug my haori straight.
"Promisin', huh…?"
I murmur, startin' the long walk back to 3rd Division. Stars glitter overhead.
Aizen-taichou's bold. Movin' faster now. That means the real game's comin' soon.
And when it does —
I'll be waitin'.
Smilin' like always.
Right where he expects me to be.