Disclaimer: I have no affiliation to Bleach and Code Geass.

An Important Decision

First Division Barrack, Hall for the Captain Meeting

The Captain of 10th Division, Tetsuaki Kusanagi was giving his report to the Captain-Commander and along there hearing the report was the Captain of the 3rd Division, Seiji Takemitsu, Captain of the 4th Division, Retsu Unohana, Captain of the 6th Division, Ginrei Kuchiki, Captain of the 8th Division, Shunsui Kyoraku, Captain of the 11th Division, Kenpachi Umemiya, Captain of the 12th Division, Kirio Hikifune, and the Captain of the 13th Division, Jushiro Ukitake.

"And with that, that concludes my report," Kusanagi said.

"Hmm, so that what has happened," Yamamoto said.

Kusanagi nodded sadly, "Yes sir, we are still unable to know their reason or why they targeted certain individuals in the Rukongai and we have not sense their reiatsu ever since. I suspect that they went back to Hueco Mundo."

The other captains were curious of the information that was giving to them and they all discussed of what Kusanagi had heard and then soon, Yamamoto adjourned the Captains Meeting and the Captains of the Gotei 13 were exiting out of the hall. Kusanagi sighed as he walked through the hallway of the First Barrack.

"Hey Tetsuaki," Kyoraku called.

Kusanagi turned to see Kyoraku and Ukitake, "Oh Shunsui, Jushiro."

"Tetsuaki, are you all right?" Ukitake asked concerned.

"We're sorry to hear about Rie," Kyoraku said sadly, "we know you two were close."

"I am ashamed of failure…" Kusanagi said sadly.

Raku'uta

Lelouch sat on the porch of Rie's house and had his head down and was depressed. Euphie came out of the house and saw Lelouch and sat next to Lelouch.

"Lelouch," Euphie spoke.

Lelouch didn't answer as he was deep in thought and thought about Rie and the year he had spent with her and Euphie and how the times were pleasant and it then he thought about the moment when Rie shielded him from the attacking Hollow and when she was dying. Euphie had tears in her eyes and hugged Lelouch, surprising her brother.

Lelouch faced Euphie, "Euphie…"

"I miss her Lelouch," Euphie said, "I miss her so much."

Lelouch nodded sadly, "Yes, I miss her too. I'm so sorry Euphie."

"Why are you apologizing Lelouch?"

"It's my fault, Rie died protecting me."

"No Lelouch, it's not your fault."

"It is!" Lelouch insisted.

Euphie was surprised, "L-Lelouch…"

Lelouch was shaking, "It is my fault. Rie shouldn't have died but she did helping me. That's always been the problem with me, people dear to me dying or their lives ruined, my mother, Nunnally, CC, Shirley, you…I should have been left alone, if I had, Rie wouldn't have been killed and you and her would still be living happily."

Euphie let go of Lelouch, "Lelouch."

Lelouch turned to Euphie, "Yes?"

Euphie slapped Lelouch across the face surprising Lelouch. Lelouch held his cheek where Euphie slapped him and looked at Euphie and was surprised to her with tears ready to cry.

"Why? Why do you insist to say such horrible things about yourself?"

"Euphie…"

"Lelouch, you're the only one who thinks you're not worth a damn but you are. If I didn't think you were worth it, I wouldn't have bothered with you in the first place. Shirley is so happy when you're around, so is Urabe, and Rie, to her, you were like a son to her, you brought her happiness just like I did and I know, I know she doesn't regret what she did for you and if were to start again, she would have made the same choice."

Lelouch looked away ashamed.

Euphie continued, "By saying such things, you're disgracing Rie's memory and I won't have that!"

Lelouch's eyes widened and looked at Euphie, "Euphie, I…"

"Rie loved you as much as I do so please, stop condemning yourself so much. Rie wouldn't have bothered with you if she felt you were a bad person. Remember what she said to you and I as well, live on, she wants us to live on. So live Lelouch, if not for yourself, then live for her because if you can't do that, it'll just make her sad."

Euphie broke down and cried. Lelouch regretted the things he said and not thinking about the effect it would have on his sister and the others if he died.

"Euphie, Euphie, I'm so sorry," Lelouch said, "I wasn't thinking," Lelouch hugged Euphie, "I'm so sorry."

Euphie hugged back still crying.

Takemitsu Manor, Seireitei

"Rie is…dead?" Shirley asked shocked.

Seiji nodded sadly, "Unfortunately…"

Shirley was saddened, "What about Euphie and Lulu?"

"They're okay but I'm sure that they're hurt emotionally…Shirley…"

"Yes Grandfather?"

"If you want, you can go pay them a visit."

Shirley was surprised looking at her grandfather, "Grandfather, are you sure?"

Seiji nodded, "Yes, I'm sure those two would be happy to see you."

"Grandfather," Shirley nodded happily, "thank you."

Seiji nodded, "Take Kosetsu with you."

"Yes."

After a bit of time, Shirley was talking to Urabe, Senba, Asahina, and Kirihara, telling what happened and what she was going to do.

"I see," Kirihara said, "such a tragedy."

"Hollows, they really are dangerous creatures," Senba commented.

"Yeah," Urabe said.

Asahina frowned and looked down and Shirley looked at Asahina.

"Do you have something you want to say Shogo?" Shirley asked.

"…No, I don't," Asahina said.

Shirley looked at Asahina suspiciously, "I hope you're not thinking that Lulu should have died instead."

Asahina was surprised and looked at Shirley and Shirley looked at Urabe.

"Kosetsu, let's go."

Urabe nodded, "Sure thing."

Shirley and Urabe began to leave to manor and Asahina was about to leave as well.

"Shogo," Senba called, "we need to talk."

Asahina stopped and looked at Senba.

Raku'uta

Kusanagi was in front of Rie's house and took a deep breath. Lelouch came out of the house and saw Kusanagi.

"Oh, Captain Kusanagi," Lelouch spoke.

"Hello," Kusanagi replied.

Euphie came out of the house and saw Kusanagi, "Captain Kusanagi, how are you?"

"I'm okay, what about you two? How are you two holding up?"

Lelouch and Euphie had sad expression and Kusanagi nodded sadly.

"I see…well, that's to be expected. I owe you two an apology."

The siblings were surprised.

"An apology…for what?" Lelouch asked.

"For failing to protect Rie and you two for that matter…for failing to stop that Hollow."

Lelouch shook his head, "There's no need for that. You did everything you as a Shinigami, I'm sure of it."

"It's still a disgrace for me for not realizing their plan."

"Plan, what plan?" Euphie asked, "Whose plan?"

Kusanagi sighed sadly and later on, Kusanagi told Lelouch and Euphie about what happened yesterday when he fought Kewell and what Kewell told him. Lelouch and Euphie were shocked to hear the things that were told.

"I see," Lelouch said, "so that what happened."

"Yes, if I had realized what their plan was, Rie would still be alive."

"Kewell Soresi…I know that name," Euphie said.

"You do?"

"Yes, Lelouch…"

Lelouch frowned and had his thoughts, "Kewell Soresi, he was a member of the Pureblood Faction with Jeremiah, if he was part of it, then he somehow learned my identity as Zero, but when and how did he become this Arrancar creature…he's probably not the only one, I wonder who the others are…"

Kusanagi had his thoughts, "I'm guessing that Lelouch has an idea…"

"Lulu, Euphie!" Shirley called.

Lelouch, Euphie, and Kusanagi looked and they saw Shirley coming toward them with Urabe with her.

"Shirley," Lelouch spoke.

Shirley ran to Lelouch and hugged, "Oh Lulu, I heard what happened."

"Shirley," Euphie spoke.

Shirley went to Euphie and hugged her as well.

"Lelouch," Urabe spoke with concern, "we're sorry to hear about Rie."

Euphie nodded, "Thanks for coming you two."

"Is there anything I can do for you two?" Shirley asked.

"Just the fact that you're here is enough Shirley," Lelouch said, "thank you."

Shirley took Lelouch's hands, "Think nothing of it, I'm willing to do whatever to takes to help you two get through this, especially you Lulu."

"Shirley…thank you, I mean it," Lelouch said grateful.

Shirley noticed Kusanagi, "Oh, Captain Kusanagi."

"Hello Shirley, it's nice that you came to see them," Kusanagi said.

"Of course, they're my dear friends."

Kusanagi nodded, "It's good to have friends and loved ones close to you, especially in hard times."

"Captain Kusanagi, can I have a moment of your time?" Lelouch requested.

"Hmm?" Kusanagi replied, "Oh, sure."

Lelouch looked at Euphie, Shirley, and Urabe, "I'll be right back."

"Um, o-okay Lelouch," Euphie said.

Shirley and Urabe nodded and Lelouch went with Kusanagi to have to discuss something.

"Euphie, how's Lelouch been through all of this?" Urabe asked.

Euphie sighed sadly, "Lelouch blames himself. He believes that it's his fault that Rie died."

"But he didn't cause her death," Shirley said, "it was that Hollow that killed her," Shirley said, "I'll do whatever I can to help you two through this."

Euphie smiled and held Shirley's hand, "Shirley, thank you."

"No problem, we're friends after all."

Euphie smiled, "That we are."

Urabe smiled, "Yeah."

Meanwhile, Kusanagi and Lelouch were by themselves on a hilltop and they had a view of the Seireitei.

"So Lelouch, what can I do for you?" Kusanagi asked.

"Captain Kusanagi, yesterday, you said that you feel that I have a decent amount of spirit energy to become a Shinigami," Lelouch said.

"That's right."

"And one of the duties of a Shinigami is to defeat Hollows, right?"

"That's right."

Lelouch closed his eyes for a moment and then opened them again, "If there's anything that I learned from the Hollow attack that killed Rie, it is that I'm weak and powerless. Frankly, I'm fed up with it, I'm sick of not really being able to do anything for the people I care about and I'm sick of losing to others. Rie wants me to live on…then I will make sure that the gift she gave will not be wasted."

Kusanagi nodded, "I believe that's a good idea and you know what, if you train hard and stay focus, there's no doubt that you'll be a strong Shinigami. Rie was once a strong Shinigami and she started from the bottom, I'm sure you'll be able to do it as well."

"I see…then first, I need to train in the place called the Shin'o Academy, right?"

"Yes…"

After sometime, Kusanagi decided it was time to return to the Seireitei and he looked at the sky.

"Rie," Kusanagi said in his head.

Euphie, Shirley, and Urabe joined Lelouch on the hilltop and looked at the Seireitei.

"The city is huge," Euphie commented, "every time I see, I'm amazed."

"Yeah, it's is big," Shirley said, "I still haven't seen all of it."

"There's something I need to tell you all," Lelouch said.

The three looked at Lelouch and they wondered.

"What is it Lulu?" Shirley asked.

"I'm going to become a Shinigami."

Euphie, Shirley, and Urabe were surprised.

"A Shinigami, Lelouch?" Euphie asked.

"Yes, from what Captain Kusanagi said, there are individuals that are after me, likely from a grudge against me and they certainly don't care who get's in their way. We don't know who they are but the Hollow attack was orchestrated by them and Rie paid for it with her life. I want to be prepared this time and not only that…I'm fed up of not being able to really do anything."

"Lulu?" Shirley spoke.

"I believed that I could win anything by coming up with the right tactics as long as the game was set in the way that I could play but I was wrong. When that Hollow attacked, I couldn't come up with any solution and I was helpless. This time, I fight, I will fight so that I will find and defeat whoever is after my life and then…just maybe, I can find the answers that I've been looking for."

"You're referring to Kajiro and your sister Nunnally?" Urabe asked.

"Yes."

"You're really going to do it?" Euphie asked.

"Yes, Euphie, I think this would be the best for me but don't worry, I'll visit you as often as I can. I believe it's my way to repay Rie for saving my life."

"I see…there's one thing you need to know."

"Hmm, what is it?"

"You will not be visiting me."

"Wh-What?" Lelouch asked shocked.

"Lelouch, I'm going with you."

Lelouch was surprised again as well as Shirley and Urabe.

"Euphie, you mean…"

"That's right; I plan to become a Shinigami as well."

"Euphie, there's no need for you to do that. I don't know how it will be and how tough it will be."

"It just adds to more reason for me to come along as well."

"Euphie—"

"Lelouch, I'm set on this," Euphie interrupted, "I'm going to become a Shinigami as well and besides, I also fed up of being helpless as well."

"Euphie…"

"Looks like I know what I'll be doing," Shirley said.

"Shirley?"

"Count me in as well; I'll become a Shinigami as well. Let's all be Shinigami as a way to open new path for ourselves."

"Shirley…"

"Ah what the hell," Urabe said, "if you all are going for it, I might as well too."

"Oh Kosetsu, you don't really have to and I'm sure I can convince my grandfather—"

"No need, I want to…besides, for me, I believe it's for the best."

"Yes, it will be like old times, but this time, we're not fighting Britannia," Lelouch commented.

"True."

Lelouch looked at Shirley and Euphie, "I see that you two have made up your minds and there's no way I can convince you otherwise, right?"

"That's right," Euphie said with a smile.

"You can try all you want Lulu and give your reasons but we're still going to do it," Shirley added. We want to fight by your side, that's all there is to it."

Urabe and Euphie nodded in agreement.

Lelouch sighed, "Fine, I give up," Lelouch then smiled, "let's do it then," Lelouch looked at the Seireitei, "let's become Shinigamis."

"Yes," Euphie said.

"Sure," Shirley said.

"Absolutely," Urabe said.

They continued to look at the Seireitei and Lelouch and Euphie thought about Rie.

"Rie, I will be a Shinigami and be strong enough to live on," Lelouch said in his head, "thank you Rie, I promise to move forward and not give up. I'm very grateful to you."

"Rie, thank you," Euphie said in her head, "I promise to live on and I will watch over Lelouch. Thank you Rie for everything you've done for me. My two years with you have been one of the most pleasant times in my life."

That's it for this chapter. Next chapter: A year back in the Human World with Kallen facing the 98th Britannian Emperor with the plan of the Ragnarok Connection.