#[ verse: new generation ] the most unlikely triumph; to still be breathing and trying to improve

[godkilller]

" N-No, Gin! You're not old. Sorry about Kazui! He's...still learning a few things...!" is in dad mode rn doing so many things at once while searching for his son. Is this what merlin felt like trying to find nemo?

          YES, GIN WAS STILL FACE-DOWN ON THE FLOOR.

          ❝ It's too late, kid, th' damage's done. Go ahead 'n leave me here to die. ❞ Was this karma? Probably. Ichigo's life as he knew it was made via a series of manipulative tweaks by Aizen's hand, observed in proximity and assisted in by ( as well as discussed with ) Gin ---- he likely had this coming, graduating from 'fox-faced bastard', words spoken in rambunctious ( yet endearing ) bravery after their swords briefly clashed in the wake of Jidanbo's lost arm at the gate -- to this, now, spoken oh so innocently by Ichigo's offspring; 'fox-faced old man' ah... oh, how time flew.

          ❝ I imagine explainin' to him how I'm over a hundred years old's probably not gonna help my case much either, huh? Hey, at least I ain't terrorizin' him like I did you, I behaved. ❞

[godkilller]

I know we're all in angst town but all I can think of is little Keiko visiting Gin at the time Mayuri's hologram came up and jumping into Izuru's arms because daddy, the scary clown is visiting us again!

(Bonus points if Gin asks Mayuri if he really needs to be a creep about this and Mayuri goes "like you're one to talk")

          And cue Gin, who's trying not to laugh, peering down at his fallen lieutenant ( Keiko absolutely bodyslammed into Izuru when she panicked at the sight of Mayuri's hologram, she's around the same age as Ichika, they'd be good friends... ) with a curious look. Once Keiko makes her reasoning for pummeling over poor Izuru clear via her calling Mayuri a 'scary clown', Gin decides he can handle his division getting sent a bill from the Twelfth and promptly draws Shinso to destroy the hologram bug / device. Thus, the projection ceases. Keiko comes first, if the message was important enough -- then text it to him using these so-modern-and-useful phones, Tenteikura, or a Hell Butterfly.

          Don't scare his daughter.

          Gin will most definitely be bringing up a few words with Mayuri, but it won't be as gentle as 'stop being a creep' -- because Gin's also self-aware enough to know he's one to talk. Instead, he'll bring up Mayuri's unnecessary visual form of communication, seeing as "nobody needs to 'n definitely doesn't wanna see yer ugly fuckin' face when yer jus' sendin' a verbal message ya dumb vain fuck."

          Someone cover Keiko's ears. It's probably Izuru who routinely does so, familiar enough with Gin to recognize the telltale signs of his captain about to unleash a series of curse words. Rangiku still has to tell Keiko not to call people dumbshits, or to not yell 'fuck yeah' when Gin says he'll take her out for ice cream.

          Just little Ichimaru Household things.

[godkilller]

I'm not sure how to go about this, but after reading the interaction between Aizen (KEIKAKUDORI) and Rangiku (DOKUHAI). I had to wonder what the interactions would be if Aizen met Keiko. I don't know if this is an idea any of you would be interested in and I don't know if asking all 4 (3) of you would be appropriate, just a thought - and sorry if I ask you too much.

          out of character. ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT !! THE GIN IN ME FOUGHT ANSWERING THIS FOR SOME TIME NOW BUT I MUST RELENT. At last. Gin fought the good fight.

          So, if @keikoh ever met @keikakudori, Gin would absolutely lose his shit first and foremost. Keep his daughter away from Aizen, please. @dokuhai’s Rangiku is going to have to hold Gin back from physically sending Aizen into space with the power of his punch for so much as looking at his daughter. Overprotective father? Overprotective father. But in fairness, it’s Aizen, is Gin truly being ‘overprotective’ or simply protective? One should never assume it’s utterly harmless to even merely chat with the man. Aizen has an insidious way of uprooting or entangling people with a few choice words alone, don’t give him a conversation’s chance less you believe yourself immune to his sly ways. And chances are you’re not immune. Even Gin, at the end of the day, for all of his silver-tongued ways and manipulation mastery, fell prey to what Aizen wanted from him.

          Gin wants his daughter to live a life freed from that stain, even if it means ignoring her questions / a self-fulfilling prophecy of avoiding Aizen as a topic so much so that she seeks out answers on her own. Which is exactly the scenario that would have to happen, albeit still incredibly rare to actually unfold in Keiko’s favor considering Aizen’s locked in Muken and she’d have to be granted permission to visit. Gin being a reinstated captain lifted of all his restrictions post-Blood War means he would sense, know, and be able to act upon feeling Keiko heading towards Muken. You know he’d show up in a fucking blink if he felt that. You just know. Carts her back home by her ear. Tells her something about how “making stupid life decisions surroundin’ that man must run in my blood” -- and she’d have to be sneakier about it.

          But what is an Ichimaru if not a lil sneaky gremlin, right?

          Keiko is fearless, or even when fearful is determined to appear and act bravely. Internally, if she ever was to meet Aizen? Keiko would be understandably nervous, if not afraid, knowing from stories that this man almost destroyed Karakura Town and nearly killed her dad. But she’d want answers, namely ‘why’ questions as to what Aizen wanted, why he did what he did, why her father joined him, what Aizen and Gin did. Things Gin hasn’t told her, hasn’t elaborated on, out of his own fear and lack of communication that he’s still working on to this day. She’s generally going into this meeting wholly uninformed, save for rumors and whispers from the Shinigami population who were present during the Winter War, and even then? What happened between Aizen and Gin that day’s almost completely undisclosed. She’ll ask what happened, why, how, and what Aizen thinks now. Things that would make for a very interesting discussion if Aizen dared to humor her.

         There aren’t very many others, if any, who know what went down that day. Even Rangiku only came in at the tail end. Tatsuki and friends perhaps know an important slice of the picture, a notable moment in which they exclaim ‘hopefully they kill each other!’ whilst escaping Aizen’s focus because Gin intervened. From outsiders perspectives, Gin shows up, the kids run off, Aizen’s reiatsu drops dead, and then comes slamming back down a few minutes later. Gin’s cut down. Ichigo arrives. It’s easy to fill in the blanks with rumors as to why the two had a ‘falling out’ as Tatsuki and co. observed after Aizen defeated Gin.

          That’s as much as Keiko knows, and it frustrates her, because if anyone asks her about it, all hushed like gossip, all uninformed as she is, shouldn’t she know more about her own father? When people bad-mouth her dad, or bring up that he’s a war criminal, wouldn’t it be nice to know more than them? Gin’s betrayal of Soul Society and then his subsequent betrayal of Aizen aren’t just small moments to not know about. The traitorous trio’s rebellion against Soul Society’s one for the history books, and then one of the main reasons Aizen was both unable to destroy Karakura Town, as well as why he’s now immortal, is tied directly to Gin. Keiko may even seek out @njnth’s Tousen, who survived and became an outcast after the events of the Winter War, for answers. Gin wouldn’t keep her from him, either, because he knows that Tousen wouldn’t be malicious in his retellings, nor would he really want to linger on the past during his own healing. They’re both, for lack of better wording, recovering victims of abuse and trauma -- the topic won’t be carried along lightly. Gin knows and respects Tousen for keeping his answers to Keiko’s questions short and not... harsh.

          And Keiko would respect Tousen enough to know not to overstep. She wouldn’t hound the man. He’d be like an uncle to her. She’d be gentle. She’ll bring him snacks and sit out with him by his humble abode and I’m sure Tousen’ll get some deja vu with the days in which he sat with a young newly made Third Seat Gin, though as he’s said in canon about children, unlike her father, Keiko would be a pure soul.

          Speaking of souls and purity, I also have a headcanon that since Rangiku was canonly a Soul King piece host, and Tokinada's clan was all about finding those hosts and 'breeding' them etc. etc.  ( that’s a very rough description and I’m still a newbie at this other Bleach content )  in CFYOW ... -- anyways, with all of that said, it's implied that bearing a piece of the Soul King is a genetic-driven “gift” of some sort. Bearing a piece isn't promised, but it's heightened for people with higher reiatsu. So Rangiku's child would have a higher chance of housing a piece of the Soul King due to her genetics and Gin’s combined reiatsu with hers, etc. which is also what's within Aizen's hogyoku -- and it'd make for an interesting moment of, for lack of better wording, 'soul recognition' between her and Aizen and the Soul King / soul piece within the Hogyoku that Aizen harvested from Rangiku. The piece of Rangiku which is within the Hogyoku which Aizen became one with.

          It’d be a very interesting meeting with that subtle factor of understanding linking them together, indeed. If Aizen noticed such a pull, perhaps, then Keiko best be prepared for answering some of his questions, too, and we all know how much of a slippery slope that can become.

          TL;DR ... Keiko has the potential to open a huge can of worms, and she’s going to be grounded for a whole year once Gin finds out.

[godkilller]

THIS IS GIN WITH HIS DAUGHTER YOU CANNOT CHANGE MY MIND

[godkilller]

gin probably: it’s been more than ten years since i realized vowing to murder someone for making a loved one cry is wrong and does more harm than good, i’ve become better, i’m a father now, i’m stable, i’m on a steady path of atonement, things are lookin’ up, keiko: ( cries because someone was mean ) gin, drawing shinso: anyways,

[godkilller]

          out of character.  Gin @ Rangiku about Keiko when she’s in trouble, probably: I’ll be th’ bad cop, you play th’ good cop.

          The real joke is he utterly fails and she gets away with murder.

[godkilller]

          out of character.  Given that I absolutely caved and dusted off my Ginran child  ( @keikoh​ )  original character, I’m making a specific verse for this timeline that MUST BE REQUESTED PRIOR TO OUR INTERACTION by writing partners in order to properly interact within it. This is not my default canon divergent verse. Do not automatically assume that Gin is now a father in my Redemption verse threads and all future content in that verse. This verse is separated, a different path.

          Seeing as this takes place well after the canon events of Bleach’s ending, this is also not a verse for everyone -- an example being that any of the Karakura Gang should not be teenagers anymore when interacting with Gin in these circumstances, as they would’ve had ample years to grow in the meantime. Take note that if you opt into writing in this verse with me, it means you’ll have to develop some kind of framework for your own character’s timeline to match up with the time that’s passed for mine. GIN AND RANGIKU WILL NOT HAVE THEIR CHILD DURING A WAR OR CONFLICT. These are times of peace, well-earned, by now.

            If the topics of pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting in general ain’t your thing, please feel free to either unfollow or blacklist the tag  #[ verse: new generation ] the most unlikely triumph; to still be breathing and trying to improve   !!  Again, this isn’t my main divergent verse, so don’t expect heaping amounts of content pertaining to it, but nonetheless the verse has become an interest.

         TO NOTE, this is a branch-away verse connected to / in continuation of my main canon-divergent Redemption verse. The changes from that are as follows: - At least ten years have passed since the Blood War arc ended. - Gin’s parole / the restrictions placed upon him following the Winter War have been lifted given his actions of protecting against and fighting off invaders during the Thousand Year Blood War - Gin has had his right arm restored well before having a child with Rangiku, given that his carrying of that wound was symbolic of him needing time to heal from the entire ordeal with Aizen -- the deed is done either by the Fourth Division, Orihime, or Mayuri’s methods - Gin and Rangiku got married only a few years after the Blood War, so they’ve been official for upwards of seven years once Keiko’s born - Unfortunately, Yamamoto’s passing during the war means he was never able to witness either moment of immense growth on Gin’s part; Gin still sometimes gets really sad about that, as the man became a mentor to him following the fall of Aizen -- he really wanted to repay the old man for standing up for his redemption, and prove worthy - Regardless of whether or not Karakura Gang muses follow Bleach’s canon ending, kids etc., Gin will bring Keiko along to the Human World when he knows it’s safe to do so -- he wants her to explore, make friends, and be surrounded by good people - Due to his restrictions dropping after the Blood War, Gin was actually granted clearance to visit with Aizen -- he finally did so, once, and then never again. No one knows what they discussed, what happened, but one could say Gin found some semblance of closure.

           VERSE DO’S: - Gin and Rangiku are married well before they have their first and only child, Keiko. Their relationship is established and known by now, ever since the events following the Winter War and Gin’s subsequent reinstatement. - You can ask him about her !!  It’s, to my understanding, not relatively common for Shinigami to pop out a kid, so by all means pry about her !! - Playdates ????? Does your character have a kid around Keiko’s age ?  Does your muse feel comfortable enough around Gin to let them go on playdates with his daughter ????  Explore whatever residual tension there may be with an ex-war criminal and his kid. Gin knows there’ll always be gossip about that part of his life. - FEEL FREE TO BE MEAN ABOUT THIS SHIT: like, what the fuck, apparently an ex-war criminal can settle down and have a kid. Aizen’s rotting in Muken and his right-hand man is playing house with one of the Gotei 13′s lieutenants. Shit’s a bit weird when you squint at it. Is Gin domesticated or playing a long-con ?????  - Keiko is a troublemaker, so if you’re drawing a blank on how to start an interaction with Gin within this verse and your character is a Shinigami or Karakura Co. member, just bring up that she’s probably caused chaos recently. He’ll be so proud.

          VERSE DO NOT’S: - Do not godmod knowledge on Gin and Rangiku, like Rangiku’s stolen soul piece fed into the Hogyoku  ( a connection only Gin himself actually distinctly knows, and has kept secret )  and certainly do not randomly know things about Keiko that she hasn’t deliberately shared or publicly showcased. She’s a child, you shouldn’t know personal information on her unless you’re her family or, you know, Izuru probably. - Despite becoming more open about their relationship and being officially married, Gin and Rangiku are a private couple. This connects into the above; do not godmod and give your character mun-based knowledge. This is something so many people are unknowingly guilty of doing with my character. Unless Gin has actually spoken to your character about things, assume they don’t know anything beyond rumors. - If your character is threatening, menacing, creepy or just overall disliked by Gin, chances are you will not be allowed within thirteen kilometers of his child. Gin’s already had the one person closest to him hurt to the point of him making a murderous century-long vow, don’t be the person to reignite that part of Gin. If you do, don’t be upset when my character goes feral on yours. Respect his power, because your character’ll certainly taste it if they try him, do not underestimate Gin, and especially respect his unrelenting protectiveness over his daughter.

          ANYWAYS, HAVE FUN !!

[godkilller]

@madestars​

( orihime ) "neeehh, ichimaru-san, why don't you bring keiko-chan over for a playdate? you know my door's always open to you and your family!"

           ❝ H’oh ?  Willingly offerin’ yourself up ?  Y’know, I might take ya up on that, but I gotta preface it with a warnin’... KEIKO’S BEEN PRETTY ROWDY LATELY, we’re tryin’ to teach her some basic consequences. So if she, for example, breaks somethin’ of yours... don’t fix it with your powers right away where she can see, otherwise she’ll think everything is fair game. Not that she’s gonna go rippin’ through your house’n all....... well, no, that’s a lie. She will. ❞

          A PROUD GRIN. GIN FOUND HER UTTERLY ENDEARING THAT WAY.

          ❝ How’s th’ lil guy ? It’s takin’ me some time adjustin’ to havin’ humans as friends, you guys’re all growin’ too fast. ❞

[godkilller]

@keikoh​

"dad, how'd you meet mom?"

          BLINDSIDED; GIN REALIZED, ABRUPTLY, HOW HE HAD YET TO EVER MENTION THIS TO HER.  He was not so secretive anymore to hold such stories in him until thy ached, no. Keiko was old enough to wonder, to contemplate, he’d just have to omit certain parts; the state he found Rangiku in, what happened to her.

           ❝ — we were jus’ about your age, actually. Out ‘n the Sixty-fourth district. Your mother wasn’t feelin’ so good, she was reeeeeeal hurt, hungry and tired. I shared some of my snacks with her ... ‘n she got stuck with me ever since. ❞

          The sly smile he sported carried a sad nostalgia, a fondness, the first winter’s snowfall melting away and the mourning that went with it; so much, and it was simply gone, faded away. THERE WAS NO HELPING IT, what Gin proceeded to do with his childhood would forever stain his meeting of Rangiku. He turned into that snake, he marred those memories with his own hands. Smashing stone against skulls, stealing away Shinigami robes in the chill of winter. SNOW DYED CRIMSON, FOOTSTEPS SWALLOWED UP, a name called out into the winds. And again, cleaving through the Third Seat of the Fifth Division, he felt the way body and bone could cave. Hypponzashi, they called him, carrying a hundred blades on him, a hundred different deaths. AND AGAIN, AND AGAIN, he killed whilst coveting that day they met in his cold heart, as though it could still offer some semblance of warmth within. How foolishly selfish, masquerading as selflessness, as he became a monster. He couldn’t look back on that day, from the cusp of a hilltop, twigs jutting against his midsection as he looked on into the clearing and saw Shinigami crowded close. Saw the girl discarded down the dirt path.

          Gin wished for purity in a memory his own actions tainted. But the mangled mess of his deeds entangled into it, around Rangiku herself, and he’d yet to find a way to dissect his feelings on the matter. This would simply be something Keiko still didn’t, and never would, fully understand.

          His smile wasn’t necessarily faked, wasn’t like those days of old where he twisted it, sneering, wielding intimidation as though adorning himself with a demonic mask so terrible and damning. BUT IT STILL ACHED A BIT, how even the first words his wife spoke to him were shrouded by his mistakes.

          ❝ Didya know she called my name weird when I introduced myself ?  Rude, right ?  But not wrong... ❞

[godkilller]

          headcanon.  Gin has, in fact, placed a discreet tracking kido onto his own daughter, yes. Once she entered her pre-teens and started running off on her own. But her privacy’s still important to him, so he made it so it’ll only activate a signal if her heartrate, breathing, and reiatsu all simultaneously react as though panicked. The reiatsu bit’s the most important part of his little secret kido equation, because Gin doesn’t want it giving off falseies whenever Keiko decides to run a few laps outside.

          He has put something similar onto Rangiku before, but removed it quickly after admonishing himself for potentially  ( giving the appearance of )  coddling a lieutenant-ranked Shinigami. What was he thinking. Instead, he’s had plenty of practice over the years in keeping awareness of her particular reiatsu signature. He could find Rangiku in his sleep.

          Gin reckons he could do the same for Keiko, too, but her reiatsu isn’t as prominent so he’s not taking any chances of her slipping away from his mind’s sight.

[godkilller]

          out of character.  In the New Generation verse, as a gift from a young @keikoh​, Gin wears a black threaded bracelet with a handful of different shades of blue beads on his right wrist. Typically hidden from view via a lengthy black sleeve from his Shinigami uniform... it’ll still reveal itself whenever he raises his arm to a certain height and angle. Gin keeps it on for years, and only stops wearing it when it breaks off during a mission much later down the line. Luckily, Keiko’s a bit older so she isn’t heartbroken, she’s actually a tad bit embarrassed that he kept it that long. Gin’s a little more upset over the loss than she is.

          They grow up too fast for his liking. He’s not talking about bracelets, either.

[godkilller]

          out of character.  A day in the life of a feral father constantly having his patience and restraint for not murdering someone tested: