Bleach: Starting as a Vasto Lorde

“Heading out at this late hour, Harribel?”

The soft voice drew Harribel's attention, and she turned to find Izumi clad in a loose t-shirt and denim shorts, looking awfully cozy in the rather warm environment.  The former Quincy had settled in as if she’d always belonged here. And despite her clear yearning for Kazuya’s affection, Izumi seemed untroubled by his roster of other lovers—an attitude that Harribel found both admirable and refreshing.

Less conflicts among them meant fewer headaches for Kazuya, after all.

“My mind wanders every time I sit idly. I need a walk to cool my head.”

Izumi nodded in understanding. “I can relate to that. I also can’t stop thinking about Otouto… which happens every other minute. I miss being in her warm arms.”

The raw longing in Izumi’s expression softened Harribel’s gaze. “Izumi, it’s only been a day. Be more patient.”

“It feels like forever...” Izumi said with a sigh before shaking her head. “In any case, try to come back before dinner.”

“That is my intention.”

With a parting nod, Harribel took her leave, setting out for her favorite spot to quiet her restless mind—the bridge overlooking the gently flowing river, the only one in the town. Bathed in the orange hues of the sunset, she reminisced about her times with Kazuya. She had gotten his messages through the Hell Butterfly but they couldn’t make up for the lack of his warmth around her.

‘This mission will come to pass soon… And we’ll be together again.’

Lost as she was in wistful remembrance, Harribel almost failed to notice the approaching spiritual pressure until its owner was nearly upon her.

“My, my… you look really sad out here, Harribel. Is your companion not around to keep you company?”

Her solitude thoroughly shattered, Harribel glanced up to find a familiar silver-haired Shinigami hovering above her, his smile no less unsettling in the fading sunlight. He was the only man capable of setting her on edge with his mere smile.

“Did you have a fallout?” Gin asked, his grin widening a tad. “I’m usually good for relationship advice but lesbians are outside of my expertise.”

Harribel narrowed her eyes. “I do not need your advice on anything. Nor do I recall extending an invitation for your company.”

She had little reason to believe the captain’s presence signaled a purification attempt on her—Kazuya would’ve informed her of the Soul Society assembling an expedition. No, Ichimaru's motives were more personal in nature and likely tied to Kazuya in some fashion.

“You look calm in the presence of a Captain. Do you not fear me ratting out your location to the Soul Society?”

“Your organization has nothing to gain from expending resources for a harmless Vasto Lorde, which will severely affect the balance of souls in three realms.”

Kazuya had answered many of her questions, among these was the question every Vasto Lorde had in mind — what stopped the Shinigami from invading Hueco Mundo and hunting down the most powerful Hollows?

Gin raised his brows, smiling. “You’re more educated than I—we assumed. Did Kisuke tell you about the balance?”

Harribel maintained her disinterested expression. “If you have no pressing business with me, I’ll take my leave.”

“I was getting to that jeez.” Gin jumped down and landed on the bridge, facing her squarely. “Let’s say there have been… circumstances that require me to meet your beloved. Could you please direct me to her? Pretty please~.”

“No, Kaz—” Harribel caught herself before calling her beloved’s name. “—Has no intention of meeting you. She made that clear when we met in Hueco Mundo.”

Gin turned to lean against the railing, his gaze trained on the sluggish flow of the river below. “My reason for coming here benefits her as well. The Shinigami she wishes to kill is my mortal enemy. I want to see him trampled, his arrogance smashed.”

The sudden spike of bloodlust in Gin's aura nearly stole Harribel’s breath—the man before her craved revenge. A revenge so thirsty that he would sacrifice his life to fulfill it.

“Aizen…” Gin muttered the name, his jaw clenched. “Right now is the best chance to kill him, when he is vulnerable. Your friend and I can put an end to his mad reign once and for all.”

Harribel had heard the name from both Kisuke and Kazuya’s mouth — Aizen Sosuke was the man they both despised. An unexpected opportunity had presented itself, one that could potentially bring Kazuya’s mission to a decisive close.

She was tempted.

So incredibly tempted to agree to Gin.

After all, the reward would be staying by Kazuya’s without interruptions. A reward worth going through all the trouble in the world.

Considering the risk behind it, she shook her head. “Kaz doesn’t need anyone’s help. She can handle her own revenge.”

Gin’s smile evaporated, replaced by a concerned look. “She’ll never get another chance because Aizen isn’t leaving the Soul Society. If he does, he’ll be more powerful than ever. Just take my deal. I’ll bring him to Hueco Mundo and isolate him with your friend. Once he is gone, you won’t have to worry about a schemer targeting your peaceful life.”

He sounded genuinely desperate, or he was a god at faking emotions — Harribel leaned towards the former rather than the latter as she was decent, if not excellent, at judging people.

She crossed her arms, sizing up the creepiest Shinigami she had crossed paths with. “What if this is a setup to get rid of Kaz? How can a Hollow like me trust you, a Shinigami, to keep his words?”

Gin turned to face her fully, his icy blue eyes glimpsing from half-closed lids. “No one in the current Soul Society has the power to stop your friend from leaving. She is abnormally powerful for a Hollow…”

She was once again reminded of the ridiculous strength of her lover. In the likelihood she was deceived by Gin and everything turned out to be a trap, she was confident in Kazuya’s ability to escape with his life.

Her lips curled up. “I can say the same about Aizen… someone like him shouldn’t exist among the Shinigami.”

Gin smirked. “Let’s correct that little mistake. Are you in?”

Harribel hesitated, torn between her desire to see Kazuya’s mission concluded and her instinctive wariness of Gin’s motives. “I will... discuss the matter with Kaz. Though I cannot guarantee her agreement.”

“Fair enough.” Gin tucked his hands into his loose sleeves and gave a smile that was far less creepy, seemingly genuine. “I’ll meet you here tomorrow. Give me your decision then.”

With a curt nod, Harribel turned to leave, her mind already racing ahead to her next steps. She would need Kisuke’s expertise in contacting Kazuya, and quickly.

She turned around to leave. She had to hurry home and borrow Kisuke’s expertise in sending a message to Kazuya.

“Gin Ichimaru,” the Shinigami called her, prompting her to glance back. “Since we might well be working together soon, I thought you ought to know my name. Until tomorrow, then.”

And with that, he vanished in a flickering blur of Shunpo, leaving Harribel alone with her troubled thoughts and the looming darkness of the night.