"Yutaka-Sama? I'm Kuromeiun Tenchuu, I was one of your rescuers," explained the Shinigami. The official opened his eyes and looked at him. "Oh, yeah. You were the one who paralysed that Hakkyou person. What do you want?"

"You noticed my Shikai, didn't you?" Tenchuu asked him quietly, nervous people around him might hear.

"Yes, why?" Yutaka replied, frowning.

"I'd like you to keep that secret for me," Tenchuu told him. "I fear my life will change for the worse if word gets to my superiors about it." There was an awkward silence for a moment, but slowly, a sickening grin began to form on his face. Tenchuu knew this wasn't going to go well.

"I will keep it from everyone else," he said. "If you become my personal assassin."

These words shocked Tenchuu greatly. He had to restrain himself from falling off his chair.

"Are you mad?!" He whispered to the man. "I'm a Shinigami of the Twelfth Division, not a commercial assassin looking for a permanent job!"

"That's exactly why I want you," replied Yutaka, looking into the eyes of the Shinigami. It was a very penetrating glare. Tenchuu felt as if he was reading his very soul. "You're not some arrogant, cocky fool. You're the best. Once you released you took out Hakkyou as if he was human, not Shinigami. You don't even realise just how much value people like you actually are to society. To people like me."

"Look, if I end up working for someone like you no doubt I'll end up killing off people who haven't done a thing wrong," Tenchuu said bluntly. "I work for justice. I'm only in the Twelfth because the Twelfth is justice. I will never work for political gain."

"Just because I'm a politician you assume I'm instantly going to make you take out my competition?" Asked Yutaka, who was also keeping his voice down. "I'm hurt, Tenchuu-San. I just so happen to be well connected to the First District Policing Force. It pains me that so many criminals slip past the power of the police. Some who are caught are just thrown in jail because no one actually has the time to execute them. The police lead very busy lives. I'm very sure that if some of the more dangerous criminals at large were to be... disposed of... the police might have more time to focus on other, smaller matters." There was another silence as Tenchuu thought hard. He was beginning to become torn. But he knew where his loyalties lay. The staff in the room had left, and only Tenchuu and Yutaka remained, meaning they could talk a bit louder now.

"I made an oath the Twelfth. I can't go around killing Rukongai criminals. That's not my job," he told Yutaka, rubbing his head. "I'm sorry."

"Then I guess I can't guarantee this secret will stay secret for very long," Yutaka said spitefully as he lay in his bed, grinning sinisterly. Tenchuu growled. By coming to see Yutaka he'd actually done more harm than good. If he had have kept quiet Yutaka wouldn't have known it was supposed to be a secret fact and completely ignored it. However now that he knew that Tenchuu needed it to be a secret he'd made the smart move and threatened Tenchuu with it.

What a manipulative idiot... Tenchuu thought. I can't do it... I can't betray the Twelfth like this...

"You know what? Screw this," Tenchuu said, giving up. "If I get separated from Seigi to take on more dangerous missions, whatever. That's my duty. I can't toss it aside for personal preference, especially if corrupt politicians like you are going to take advantage of me." He turned his back to the man in the bed and sighed from relief. "Thanks for showing me that very helpful life lesson, Sir."

Tenchuu was about to walk off, but he heard something he didn't like the sound of - Yutaka's cackles. He looked over his shoulder again.

"What's so funny?" He asked, with a look of pure venom on his face.

"I think I might vaguely remember something about you having some kind of 'temper problem'," He said to the Shinigami, winking. "Hmm... I can imagine being a danger to people you aren't supposed to kill doesn't look good on a Shinigami, does it?" He laughed quietly to himself again. "I guess, though, if this person is helping me it would be cruel to report this problem to the Gotei. Very unappreciative of a good subordinate." Tenchuu grinded his teeth so much that it made a horrible sound. He clenched his fists so tight he was sure his nails were cutting his palm. But he didn't care.

"You!" He shouted at the politician, angrier than he ever had been in his life, even at a target. The urge to kill him was rising. "I hate you! I saved your life and now you're threatening me to make me your slave?! You're sick!"

"I bet you feel it right now, don't you?" Yutaka said, still chuckling. "That anger of yours really is a problem for you."

"People like you make it worse," He snarled. "What is there stopping me from killing you right here and now, when nobody is looking?"

"You are the only person in this room with me. It'd have to be you. Oh, and you have morals," Yutaka answered, that grin still on his wrinkled, middle-aged face. "You will work for me, or else the hunter will become the hunted." Tenchuu could not believe the situation he'd been placed in.

He would either be dismissed for being a danger...

Or he would have to betray the whole Division...

"Choices, choices. Hmm, Tenchuu?" Yutaka taunted, lifting up his arms and placing his hands behind his head in a relaxing position. He was still smiling.

"You expect me to make a decision like this right now?" Tenchuu asked the man. He was completely torn at the seems. He didn't know what kind of man he was anymore. His life could branch out in two completely different ways by making this one decision. His choice would make him one of two men, each equally vile.

"I'm not that cruel," Yutaka told him. "I assume you know the address of my private residence? Come along tomorrow with your decision." He turned onto his side, facing away from Tenchuu, waving at him as if to tell him to go away. "Oh, and I'll have my hidden cameras in the room. In the event I am killed I will have to footage sent to the Twelfth. How would you explain my death to your superiors without telling them the truth of your nature, hmm? Oh, and one other thing. I won't hound you with jobs. I'll let you continue your life in the Twelfth and let you do these jobs when you have spare time, if it helps you change your mind."

Tenchuu stood in the ward alone, watching the man he loathed the most in the whole world peacefully fall asleep without a care in the world. The very thought of it made him nauseous. The Shinigami left the room a few moments later, made his way to the nearest toilet and threw up violently.

*

"Tenchuu, where have you been?" Seigi asked as Tenchuu traipsed through the gates into the Twelfth Division grounds, evidently very concerned. It was sunset, and the two had not met all day. "You look awful! What the hell happened?"

"I think I ate something bad while I was out," Tenchuu muttered as he dragged his feet towards the barracks. "I need sleep."

"Here, let me help you," Seigi said, rushing to his partner's side.

"No, it's fine," Tenchuu told him. "But... can you answer me this?"

"Sure, what is it?" asked Seigi, always willing to help his friend.

"Do you think the Twelfth'd come after me if they knew I was a danger?" He asked him, looking up at him. Seigi could see deep, deep sadness in his green eyes.

"Depends how bad your anger gets," he said, frowning. "But they aren't going to find out, are they? I mean, that Yutaka guy wouldn't report you after saving his life. He'd have to be a really cruel git. And I'll be around to make sure no one else knows!"

Irony is so cruel... Tenchuu thought as he nodded at Seigi's answer, saddened further by his words. "I'm off to bed, now."

"Then stop being stubborn and let me help you to bed!" Seigi demanded in a friendly manner. Tenchuu looked into his eyes and became lost in deep thought for a moment.

This is the man I have grown up with every since we met in Rukongai. We share a bond that no one can break. We've stuck through thin and thin, and even over something so trivial as 'food poisoning' he worries and tries to help me. Can I really betray my best friend?

"Tenchuu?" Seigi said, placing his arm on Tenchuu's shoulder. "What's wrong?"

"Seigi," Tenchuu said, sluggishly pulling his arm away from him. "It's okay, I can make it myself."

Seigi stood alone in the wavering sunlight and watched as Tenchuu slowly hobbled towards his dorm. A tear formed in his eye at the very sight of it. It trickled down his cheek as Tenchuu walked around the shouji screen into the building, not even looking back once.

Tenchuu... what actually happened today? Seigi asked himself as the last drop of sunlight disappeared behind the beautiful landscape of Seireitei.

*

The Shinigami lay in his bed, alone in the room. In his hand he held a coin he'd picked up from Rukongai one day. He was still trying to decide which path to choose, and no memories or positive thoughts comforted him in the slightest. He spun the coin around in his fingers, staring at both the sides of the shining object.

I can't do it. I just can't decide what to do. There isn't any way out, either, he thought, completely disheartened by the days events.

Perhaps I could help with an answer.

*

Tenchuu found himself lying in the fields of silver grass once more, looking up into the relaxing lilac sky. The breeze tickled the grass, causing it to sway gently. But none of this comforted the broken man.

"You are letting this one man manipulate you," Came the calming voice of Shiruba the silver wolf, who appeared as an image in the sky above him.

"Well what else can I do?!" Tenchuu shouted, angered by her. "He's forced me into a situation where no matter WHAT I do I will be either betraying my Division or signing my death wish."

"What is your goal in life, Tenchuu?" the wolf asked of him in her relaxing voice. Tenchuu calmed slightly and sighed.

"To be a herald of justice," he told her. "But how does that help in this situation?"

"If the Twelfth imprisons you, you will not be able to be that herald," she said. "If you accept this man's offer you will still be purging criminals." Shocked by her sharp opinion, Tenchuu's eyes opened wide.

"You're telling me that betraying the Division is justice?" He asked her, his tone becoming harsher every second. "That isn't right. How can it be? Society will never accept me as either a traitor or a danger to people. Both are vile."

"It is up to you to decide what is right and wrong for you. You are your own person. Whatever path you take I will follow you. Know that."

*

Tenchuu found himself laid in his bed in his dark room once more. The covers felt soggy. Had he been crying while Shiruba was talking to him? He wiped his eyes and found tears.

Society would expect me to give up and accept my imprisonment, yet justice would expect me to continue the killing of criminals. He thought, staring at the wooden ceiling. Is this fate's idea of a joke? Then an idea struck him. Could it have been the solution to his choice? Fate... He took the coin that was now on the bed sheets into his hand once again. Maybe it does exist after all. If that is so... and I entrust my decision to this coin... would it be influenced by it? Or is the chance really fifty-fifty? I guess... it's worth a try.

Tenchuu placed the coin on his thumb and thought again.

Heads I go and tell Yutaka no. Tails I tell him yes. This is it. The coin could pick either path for me. I'm entrusting my life to fate, now.

He flipped it up into the air. It seemed to move so slowly as it spun through the air, reflecting light from the moon outside...

Heads... Tails... Heads... Tails...

Tenchuu snatched the coin from the air and slammed it down onto his other hand.

Here goes nothing.

He took his hand from the coin and looked at the coin.

*

The next morning Tenchuu walked up to the private residence of the accursed Yutaka, who had been discharged from the Infirmary the night before. It was a tall building, three floors, each easily the size of a regular house in the First District, the richest District in Rukongai. The walls were covered in a pleasant beige colour and his garden was filled to the brim with life, including an assortment of flowers, trees, and brightly-coloured insects.

The Shinigami of the Twelfth Division walked up to the large mansion and knocked on the large, black doors.

Such a nice place. Shame it belongs to such a corrupt politician.

The doors opened with an eerie, stereotypical creak. A familiar man was stood on the other side.

"Ah, Tenchuu-San! Good to see you!" He said, another smile stretching onto his old face. "Come in, come in."

Tenchuu nodded and walked inside. The hall was just as spectacular. The walls were decorated from tip to toe with expensive paintings, sculptures and ornaments.

"What is your answer, Tenchuu-San?" Yutaka asked, his smile gone. The two men stood in the hallway, alone.

AUTHOR'S NOTES: What is Tenchuu's answer? Will he become the pawn of a corrupt politician or will be noble and accept his fate as a danger to missions.