10

Kyoji stood at attention in the Captain's Hall of the 1st Squad's counsel area. Six Captains stood on each side of the room with their Vice-Captains by their side, with the obvious exception of Renji. It was obvious that something massive was about to happen as Head Captain Shigekuni Yamamoto-Genryuusai took his place in the chair in the back of the room, his Vice-Captain standing slightly behind him and to his side. "I have called this executive meeting including Vice-Captains because there are some likely contiversal decisions to be made here today in regards to 9th Squad's 3rd Officer Kyoji Kurohane. It was suggested that I get as much input as possible on each of them to prevent unrest in the ranks." He cast a glance at 13th Squad's Captain Jyushiro Ukitake. "Firstly is the most critical matter! The fact that the young man before you is a VIzard who is unable to control his Inner Hollow. The evidence of this accusation is something I'm sure every one of you has heard by now, this man killed his own sister in a berieved rage over the lost of several of his fellow squadmates. The laws are rather clear when it comes to cutting down fellow Shinigami, it is forbidden! And the penalty is death!"

"Objection!" Hitsuguya stepped out of line to emphasize his outburst. "As the highest-ranking officer present, I can attest that, without question, Hakumisu's death was a result of a reflex to a percieved attack from behind. Kurohane merely did what we trained him to do."

"That may likely be the case," Captain Soifon countered, "but someone as skilled as that should easily be able to tell the difference between Shinigami and Hollow Reiatsu."

"Soifon," Ichigo Kurosaki, newly appointed Captain of the 3rd Squad, pointed out, "I can tell you from experience, that during those internal struggles with an Inner Hollow, ALL approaching Reiatsu feels like the enemy."

"I had assumed that much," Yamamoto continued, "so I assumed the issue of his sister's death would not be the deciding issue of the boy's fate. So, on to the next issue, that he is a Vizard who, after two recorded instances, has yet to gain dominance over his dark half."

Kyoji raised his hand, even though he knew that correcting the number would make him look worse, he felt that an informed judgement would be the right one.

"Yes?" the Head Captain cocked his eyebrow.

"I was a child for it, but there was another times it happened."

"I see," the Head Captain found a new level of respect for Kyoji, being willing to condemn himself for an informed decision. "Thank you for being so forthcoming with such a thing."

Kyoji bowed slightly in response.

"Three times, and still no dominance. Input? Kurosaki, I would very much value your views on this."

Ichigo walked out of the lines and got close enough to Kyoji to have a private conversation, "three times?" he asked somewhat suprised, he'd dominated his on the third, but he'd had help.

"Yes," Kyoji's shoulders drooped slightly, "and I've lost someone each time."

"hmmmm," Ichigo thought about what questions he could ask to figure out how much control Kyoji DID have. "Has your Inner Hollow dominated your Zanpakuto's Spirit?"

Kyoji gave a quizzical look

"I mean when you speak with your sword in your Inner World, does it look like it originally did, or does it look like him?"

"It still looks like a tree."

Ichigo knew that was a good thing. "How long does it take you to defeat your Inner Hollow and regain control of your body?"

"Once my mind regains enough focus to battle him, only a few minutes. I don't know how long I'm out of it before that."

Looking over his shoulder, "Hey, Toushiro!"

"That's Captain Hitsuguya..."

"Yeah, my bad. Could you tell how long was it from when he first went Hollow to when his mask broke two days ago?"

The young Captain thought for a moment, "around three or four minutes."

Ichigo put his hand on Kyoji's shoulder. He turned to face the Head Captain, "He has way more control than I did when you guys first hired me."

"But is it enough control that he can dominate it soon?"

"I can't say that. Back when Shinji and those guys were training me to use my Mask, I heard all sorts of numbers about how long it took them to dominate their Inner Hollows, but as each one did, they taught the others."

"Would you be able to teach him?"

Ichigo brought his hand to his chin and considered it. after a minute, he shook his head, "I learned pretty much everything as I fought my way through Hueco Mundo. It was instinctual learning, I wouldn't even know how to explain what I know. If we could find the others-"

"NO!" The Head Captain bellowed, "they were exiled! they may have aided us when we needed it most, but the laws are what they are."

"Yama-Jii," Captain Shinsui Kyouraku of the 8th Squad commented, "need I remind you that Ichigo there originally came here as an invader? but now he stands here as one of the strongest soldiers on our side."

"Be that as it may, I doubt they would help us."

"I don't know," Ichigo countered, "they actually sought me out. maybe they'll try to find him."

"Thank you for your help Captain, you may step back in line."

Ichigo nodded to Kyoji before taking his place next to Rukia again.

"Kyoji Kurohane."

"Yes Sir?"

"Tell me your views on this."

Kyoji's views were known to several in the room as 'stop me before I kill again', plain and simple. "I..." Kyoji stammered as he started. "I don't want to kill anyone else. I've lost enough friends in the past ten years to last a lifetime. And killing those I love myself cuts me deeply, even if I'm not the one controlling my actions... But I don't want to die. I take pride in being a protector of those weaker than me, and I wish to one day be as strong as yourself so I can protect everyone."

"A noble goal to be sure. But have you considered the consequences of being as powerful as I am and losing control then?"

Kyoji remained silent.

"Power is something that has two sides to it, light and dark. Take Aizen for example, his power would have been invaluable to the Shinigami. However, he choose to squander it, taking with him two Captains and, using their combined power and resources, nearly destroyed us all. All because he felt his way was better. Power is duty."

Kyoji absorbed what was said before nodding in understanding. "I still wish to protect others," he eventually said as the Head Captain gave him a chance to respond.

"Very well," Yamamoto closed his eyes for a moment. Slowly he opened them, "If you would wait in the corridor, we will discuss your fate."

Kyoji bowed and quickly tried to judge from facial expressions how many were on his side. He listed the ones he could tell in his head, "Momo, both Kurosakis, Abarai, Histuguya, Matsumoto, Kusajishi, Ukitake, Kyoraku..." After a moment he turned towards the door and realized two things, that was only nine out of the twenty five people in the room and he'd completely forgotten to add their titles in his head.

Kyoji had reached the door when Yamamoto called out, "one last thing! Leave your Zanpakutou with your Captain."

The thought caused Kyoji to feel cold. "Must I? Regardless of whether I'm armed or not, I'd never defeat any of the Captains in here if you decide against me. If I may, I'd like to have my blade as long as I still hold the title of Shinigami."

When the intense eyes of the oldest Shinigami remained lock with his own, Kyoji knew the answer. He strode reluctantly over to Captain Abarai and stood in front of him. Sighing heavily, he slowly pulled Boyomi, sheath and all, from his hip. He held out his weapon, half of his soul, to his Captain.

"Don't worry," Renji assured him as he grasped the dark wood of the scabbard, "I'll take good care of him."

Kyoji felt his hand begin to tremble as he released his own grip. Without another word or backwards glance, he almost ran towards the door before slamming it behind him and collapsing against it, feeling empty inside without the presence of his sword.