Review Time:

gamma2015 - That is what keeps even me going. All the sorrow will make the eventual turning of the tables are the more cathartic.

silveruzu44 - I felt really sad writing it! It doesn't help that his Japanese voice actor, Kinryu Arimoto (you might know him more as Whitebeard in One Piece) died just last year :(


Chapter 69 - Hypertension

"Oh…..my little girl….."

She looked up, trying to look for the source of the voice.

"All alone…..again…."

But there was nobody there in the void. The girl ran and ran, and the voice spoke and spoke.

"Don't….you want…..to give me…..another chance?"

Of course. That's who it was, wasn't it? The girl stopped running. Her heart still had to heal from what had happened.

"It's okay…..I'm still…..your mo-"


"Ah!" Mitzi woke with sweat dripping down her face. Unfortunately, a good night's sleep was the last thing she had been allowed. Three days had passed since the incident with the jogger, all plagued by torturous dreams.

Each one seemed to taunt her more and more….she eyed her diary.

"Raggy…that was you…..wasn't it…?"

But there was little time to reflect. Mitzi had a routine now. She slid the diary under her bed to avoid suspicion, and hurried to get dressed for school. Each day she managed to save a bit more time and beat Noel to the breakfast table.

"Cereal good, love?"

The mother was still a stranger, though. Her obliviousness annoyed Yachiru. She hadn't even bothered to learn the woman's actual name but she didn't see the point. She wondered if Mitzi was just as ignored as she was before this all happened.

"Morning, Mitzi."

On the flip side, she had come to like Noel's company. Even if she didn't know the truth, she needed all the friendly faces possible. Noel frowned at the next part of Mitzi's routine.

"What's it say there?"

Yachiru had to force herself to read the hard words within the unfamiliar English prose. She even went to the trouble of watching the news on TV, every channel dripping with serious politicians and activists. Shinigami had become a blight to humankind. They were hated.

"Uhhhhhhhhh….the trial….."

"Good god you're worrying so much about that," said their mother. "It's just some Japanese affair. Let it be, I say."

Mitzi and Noel shared a glance. Let it be? This trial would decide the fate of Don Kanonji, Jin Kariya…..and everyone that had supported all Shinigami had done. Armed guards and U.N forces would be surrounding the courthouse. The decision would be felt across the world in an instant.

"You should be more worried about the murders going on here! Police picked up this letter opener in the park, right next to this warped man!"

Yachiru tensed up. Would they trace it back to the jewelry shop? Would the shopkeeper implicate her? This was nothing she could solve with a zanpakutou. Noel gave her a comforting pat on the leg.

"Let's get going, Mitz. Don't want to be late."


London would never be the same as home. Home didn't have cars, planes, weird internet fads she still didn't understand….maybe in another life she was the one hanging around Ichi and trying out juice boxes.

Once again she got on the city bus that smelled and was too crowded. Once again she gave some coins to the driver for fare and sat next to the same old woman that rambled on and on.

"Aren't you glad detention is over, Mitzi?"

Sure, it was great to have to spend time in a boring classroom more than she had to. But both sisters knew detention was not the end of Mitzi's previous altercation.

"Mitzi…..I can't believe I'm asking but….Dad doing alright?"

Uh oh. Yachiru searched Mitzi's brain for something but anything before waking up in a killer's storage unit was completely blank. She didn't like the sound of this Dad, so maybe she had to play into Noel's cynicism.

"He's…..the same, really."

"Ugh. Called me last night. Was raving on and on about how good you were, and he wants ME to visit him! It's not happening."

How would she even find out what he did without drawing Noel's suspicion? Yachiru had learned to ask questions to chip away at the right places.

"Will Mom forgive him?"

"Hell no! Wasting our money, cavorting around with that tramp…..!"

Ken-chan wouldn't do any of that stuff. Every day she thought about him. One of her dreams had him bursting on the scene to save her. But she had enough guessing.

She was going to figure out what happened in the Soul Society.


"See ya around, Mitz."

Mitzi 'pretended' that her shoe was untied so Noel could disappear into the school while she lingered outside…and it didn't take long before the other members of her encourage were there.

"Morning, Mitzi! Ready for another day of school?" Olivia asked casually.

They weren't seen as friends before it all, but across these few days Mitzi had talked to them more and more to appear as if she was gaining their friendship. Some students guessed the catalyst was Bianca being punched, which unfortunately made them think they joined together out of spite towards her.

Not like Yachiru cared.

"Yeah. Hey girls, why don't we go hang out after school. Detention is over!"

"Sorry." Samir shook her head. "I'm expected to be home promptly to join my family in prayer."

Yachiru still didn't understand this human faith, but if there was anyone who was good at being silent, it was Mummy-chan.

"Well alright. We can still have lunch together."

"Mitzi, you sound a lot better compared to the incident few days ago," Alice noted. "Things been going well at home?"

"My sister sure is nice." The school bell rang, so the girls had to file in. "I don't care about my mom. That's pretty much it. How about you gals?"

"Ugh, Dad's been drinking again," Maggie said. "Not as British as you lot, that's for sure."

"Mother called me fat again," said Ella with a rather blank smile. Mitzi looked her up and down. She was thin as a zanpakutou blade! Was her mother blind or just stupid?

"Well, let's talk some more later."

XXXXX

Like every day, Yachiru was not in a position to want to learn anything, but she had to at least try enough to not fail Mitzi out of the school. But things had changed. She knew the students were whispering about her.

Rumors had spread.
Mitzi Niihashi was Noel's younger sister but also someone that a) punched one of the popular girls without any hesitation and b) stopped a school shooting. And that kind of reputation left many students in awe. She (unlike them) was not afraid of Shinigami and Hollowkind. She would not be intimidated by society into accepting her fate.

"Niihashi, could you read from this passage on the War of the Roses?"

War of the what? Yachiru quickly flipped through her history textbook. But when she glanced around, the students seemed to be waiting on her every word. Even though she was reciting something from a book. She read the passage.

"Hmph. Paying attention, I suppose."

She definitely was not. She had made a barrier of her other books to block out what she was REALLY doing - collecting all the information she had on her "friends", in classic Yachiru bad handwriting. In fact, she had written her notes in the characters she was accustomed to. At least that way no one could read it.

"Oh, students, I just got word from the headmaster."

Mitzi stopped writing.

"There's…..an assembly to be held. Attendance is mandatory."

Mitzi looked up. Uh oh….


It instantly reminded Yachiru of the Holy Tower meetings. Droves of students filing in, all fearing the worst. Whatever was going on, it would be in her favor. She was trying to spot each of the five girls in own seat, before finding Noel next Spangle right in the front row.

"Headmaster's such a chump. Get ready for some garbage about authority and being obedient."

"Does he even know there was almost a shooting? Geez, someone here could have a gun right now."

Mitzi looked around frantically. Once everyone was seated, the headmaster took the podium flanked by the staff.

"Good morning, students. Sorry to pull you all of class, but….there's been some rumblings, some rumors….and we all have to take things seriously moving forward. Our institution is under attack."

Yachiru sulked. Anti-Shinigami rallies?

"I've gotten report after report…..students leaving class…..students breaking down in tears….students attacking each other…." the headmaster scanned the crowd. "….and it's time we address the elephant in the room. We're all feeling the pressure from these….spirits."

"At least they're doing something! You idiots are just sitting on your arses!" one student shouted. Many voiced their agreement.

"You're siding with those terrorists?" another blurted. Agreements on that end.

"ENOUGH!" Headmaster shouted. "This is not a public forum! We are not here to discuss the spirits in gross detail, no! I am here to say…no more! We WILL have order at this school! Without order….we fall into destruction and degradation!" The students all started up again, but this time…..they were silenced by the whining pitch from a police bullhorn.

"I'll take over, Headmaster," said a new voice.

Mitzi watched the intimidating figure saunter up to the stage. He was grizzled, years of hard police work reflected in the sterness of his face. He was dressed inexpicably in his finest suit. He also had no hair on his head. For a second Yachiru thought of Baldy.

"What a disrespectful lot you all are," he growled. "This man, lord of your education is trying to take control of the situation. And it's not just you. All of London is in jeopardy. I've been doing police work for 40 years, and if there's one thing I learned…..it only takes one person to break things to ruin. One odd card. One weak chain."

Why did Yachiru feel like he was addressing her? Luckily someone asked who he even was. The man simply pointed to his badge.

"Commissioner Tudor. I'm here to make sure you all know….nothing will escape the London police. With the massive rise of crime and unrest, we cannot let it overrun this city. You think spirits will stop me?"

"Should we even listen to you? I mean, they're ones with magic powers and you all…..y'know, pistols and flares." Spangle smiled at her cheekiness, but within 2 seconds the commissioner was directly in her face.
"You saying you wanna join them, girl?"
"N-Not particularly, sir."

"That goes for all of you! Let me show you….just how much we can't rely on these things."

Mitzi gulped. The commissioner had a slideshow prepared, and the first image was of the two victims in the park. The headmaster was aghast, but he didn't dare cross this intense man.

"Look. Dead jogger a few days ago, and someone stabbed her killer. With a letter opener. This is what chaos is leading to! Here's the next slide."

It was blurry, but Yachiru definitely recognized the Shinigami that had konsoed both bodies: one Soi Fon. Was she the one that originally konso'd Mitzi? She hoped not.

"Do their Shinigami magic, then poof! Vanish!" Tudor slammed the podium. "You'd rely on these things then the very people that keep you alive?!"

Silence.

"I thought not. Right now, we're trying to track down the second killer. I will not tolerate vigilantism in my city. And if the Shinigami won't do anything, then they can go to Hell. Raise your hands. Who knows about the trial in Japan coming up?"

The whole room did, even Mitzi.

"Lemme tell you something. Every world leader is savoring the outcome of that trial. The very second the guilty verdict is given, all the Shinigami will have their reckoning. But it's a political stunt, you see. I'd go out and slap chains on the first one I see, but the Queen, god bless her, is the only thing holding me back."

Yachiru did not like this man. She scoffed at the idea! Someone arresting Bee-chan.

"Moving forward we're enacting a curfew. All non-police must be inside by 7:00 PM, no exceptions. If I catch you getting home at 7:01 pm, we'll take a trip to the station."

"This is absurd. The common folk is supposed to suffer because you police are overcompensating?" It was Noel herself that said it.

"Care to explain yourself, girl?"

Noel flinched slightly at Tudor's icy stare. "I suppose you're going to wiretap all our phone calls and make unlawful searches? You're only one department. You cannot solve the Shinigami crisis and make our crime rate drop to 0% at the same time."

"I respect your concerns, girl, but this is war. And you either comply, or be accused of plotting and treachery." He got in Noel's face. "You with them?" He jolted up at the paper ball thrown at his head. All the students didn't dare move. "Someone thinks they're funny, huh?"

Mitzi was still as a statue. So many students trying to give her a high five for the ball.

"Well….." Tudor uncrumpled the ball and ripped it to shreds. "I'm not laughing!" He took a second to compose himself. "Effective tomorrow police will be stationed all around these halls. We'll have a metal detector and mandatory searches each day."

"That's really great! Maybe if you guys thought of this sooner, Benny wouldn't have almost sho-" Mitzi had to cover the mouth of the student sitting next to her. Tudor shot them a look.

"None of you kids can save anyone. Have your little rabbles. But I know what I'm doing."

"Tell him Mitzi!"

"Yeah, this guy's full of it!"

But she wasn't in a position to defend her honor. She was supposed to avoid suspicion! How could she explain this to Noel? However, she realized the time to figure things out was running out.

It was do or fall.


All of the students filed out of the auditorium. Why even care about the rest of the day's lessons? Tomorrow would begin a tighter, less desirable school day.
It was next to impossible to avoid Noel, but Yachiru had done it for now. She hid in one of the girls' bathrooms with the other five girls that knew her secrets. Naturally Maggie was the first one to round on her.

"What the hell was that? You want that bald guy to arrest you?"

Mitzi couldn't even look at them. "The school's talking about it. I'd better hide it." She jumped on one of the toilets to check the vent. "Uh oh. It's not here."

"What's not here?" Ella asked. Reluctantly Yachiru told them about the incident with the would-be shooter.

"Well that commissioner guy is gonna be on your ass if he makes the connection!" Maggie scolded her. "What do we do? This place is gonna have tighter security, how do we stay in touch?"

"We should exchange numbers and converse that way," Alice suggested. "At least, when none of the parents are watching…..and in your case, your sister."

Yachiru could hardly work the phone as it was, though she agreed. But she wasn't going to leave so emptyhanded.

"None of you girls have a good home life, do you?" She showed them her notes. "You covered up your arms that time. Your clothes had stains on them. Tell me what's going on. You're just living these lives without doing anything?"

"You'd rather we arise more suspicion?" Samir stared at her. "You're the only one that's not obeying this advice, Mitzi. Getting the police to target you will spell disaster for all of us."

Yachiru sighed. "Mitzi's dad is a bum, and her mother ignores her. I'm lucky to have Noel, but do any of you have a sibling?"

"Sister's off at college."

"The two five-year olds I have to watch while Daddy drinks? Barely counts."

"It's just me and my parents…."

Mitzi wrote down the responses. "We can't stay like this. Sooner or later…..we'll make the move and escape this place." The other girls looked alarmed. "Come on. Can we really lay low forever? It's not going to last. When that trial happens….."

"But we can't just leave. We have no way out. Authorities will find us."

"If we're gonna be watched like this…..then we're running out of chances." Yachiru glared at all of them. "Tell me what happened in the Soul Society."

"Mitzi we-"

"Shut up! I have a right to know, okay?! You call yourselves my friends when I have to dream every night about them? About Ken-chan?!"

"Listen…..you're not going to take it well."

"I don't care!" Mitzi snapped. "I can't live like this!"

Now the other girls were glaring back. Olivia proposed the solution to gain back peace: "We'll make you a deal. We'll tell you everything - not here - IF and only IF you tell Noel the truth about your identity. We need assurance that you're a big girl about this."

Yachiru's eyes widened. Fake sister or not, she was beginning to accept and even appreciate her comfort. But Noel had both an attachment to Mitzi and a dislike of Shinigami. Telling her would destroy the ally she was lucky enough to have in this form. And yet…..could she really take more nights wondering about the fate of her club members?

So she marched out of the bathroom.

"Mitzi wait!"

XXXX

"Niihashi you're late for class!"

She blatantly ignored the teacher, drawing more stares her way. She went down the stairs, around the bend…there she was. Checking her locker with Spangle nearby.

I just need to tell her.

She walked towards Noel.

I tell her, I learn the truth. She learns the truth.

Spangle greeted her from afar. Noel turned around.

She learns her real sister was murdered and I've been taking her place.

Mitzi froze in place. In an instant, the world receded into the void, with only a white spotlight under the girl's feet. She heard it, the goading from the five asauchi.

Noel…Mitzi is dead. I'm not her.

Why couldn't she do it? Why couldn't she move just a bit further? Noel was right there.

I'm not her.

I'm not her.

I'M NOT HER!

I'M NOT HER!

Yachiru fell to her knees, defeated.

I…I can't do it…..

She knew she was crying.

I can't…..ruin her life…..not another one…..

"Mitzi!" The world resumed and Noel helped her up. "What's wrong? Why are you crying?" Mitzi responded by crying into the other girl's sweater. Noel being the good sister she was hugged her even if she didn't know the source of her tears.


Agent Manizaka pulled up to headquarters. Other agents helped him with the door, the boxes of reports and other files. One by one he passed each security clearance.

"Your investigation is complete, sir?" asked a trailing intern.

"Yes. Prosecutor Amagai has all he can use."

"Manizaka, he's in room 3," said another agent.

"Thank you."

He steeled himself to enter the conference room. He was early but considering the guest he had to be. An assistant provided him a glass of water as he organized his notes.

"Agent Manizaka, excellent work. I've heard much about your investigation. Thank you for allotting the time to see me personally."

The prime minister himself sat down and shook the man's hand. The agent bowed quickly in respect. "Thank you, sir."

"I have been reading your correspondence as it was delivered to me," said his superior. "This is dire. A thousand trials will not be enough to erase our country's shame."

"It is regrettable," Manizaka said. "Word has the judge has been selected?"

"Oh yes! A very very good friend of mine, she's been practicing law for decades."

"…..she, sire?"

He gave him a disappointed look. "People might be expecting a grizzly old man, but my choices were so limited. The man in our radar entertained millions for years, and you know the younger generation….always with the activism! I'm trying to reduce accusations of rigging as best I can."

"But you claim she will deliver a guilty verdict?"

"Of course! The deck is stacked in Amagai's favor. Even so…." The prime minister wiped some sweat away. "Night and day, the world's leaders have been calling me. The U.N will certainly condemn us if Kanonji and Kariya walk away free men."

"It's not a situation I envy," Manizaka agreed. "Conservatives and politicians on one side, supporterss of basic liberties on the other….but the police needed to do what they can. This is an international crisis. We need to mount a defense against the Shinigami."

"Agreed. I hope you understand you will be called to the stand."

"Yes."

There was no keeping things from the prime minister.

"The police forcefully arresting and beating those youths in Karakura Town…..a grave misstep on their part. But guilty must be the outcome no matter what."

"Will it come to light?" asked Manizaka.

"Only if the defense is clever enough. But he's technically a prisoner as well. How much could he gain to defend himself? Well, I think I must be going now. I have a press conference."

"Sir, wait. The arrested, the accused….and those that face the death penalty….how many must be offered just to fix this problem? One of the Karakura residents arrested was a single mother."

The older man simply sighed through his nose.

"As many as it takes. We must take responsibility. Each citizen is but a piece of our country to wager with."


And what of Karakura Town? The suburb was still under heavy lockdown, even though Manizaka had finished his investigation. The populace could not travel, had to be indoors by 8:00 pm each day, and sweeping interrogations had made everyone miserable and fretful.

Including one police detective in particular….

"I'm home…."

It was no use. Each day he came home to greet his wife, Goro Honsho would only receive hateful stares from his wife. She had blamed him for Chizuru's arrest, but he was tired of arguing about it.

"Any updates?"

"They'll be detained until the trial is over."

He had said that for the past few days. Maybe Chizuru's mother was hoping today would be different. So she got up and left the door, slamming the door in the process. Goro collapsed on the couch.

"It might be a matter of seconds before you see them, too. Then who's the crazy one?"

He wished he could've learned more from Yoshino Soma. He didn't remember where he was or what exactly he was doing but something clicked, and the appearance of an actual Hollow flashed before his eyes.

It was terrifying. More frightening than what Yukio's video could've provided. Goro laid there as the TV continued to play. Every channel, some report about Shinigami or more trial news. Nothing was the same anymore. As a detective of the town he loved…..it hurt him.

"Chizuru…." Goro wanted to see her face in person, not from a television.

KNOCK KNOCK

"No one's home, damn it!"

KNOCK KNOCK

"I'm part of the police!" Goro threw his coat off and sauntered to the door. On his doorstep was a very upset college student. "Who are you?"

XXXXX

"Here." He placed a cup of tea in front of Mizuho Asano. "You can't stay here for too long, curfew is almost here. Tell me what you want."

"What I want?!" Mizuho was on the verge of tears. "My brother was missing for days and then he gets attacked by authorities?! I found out you're Chizuru's dad. Can't you get him out?"

"If I could do that, Chizuru would be home right now! And if you know anything they did, you better keep your damn mouth shut!"

"You call yourself a cop?!"

"Don't give me that crap!" Goro snarled. "I've had all kinds of people harass me, like it's MY fault the town is under lockdown! Tokyo's government is in charge, not Karakura Police!"

"UGH!" Mizuho shoved the tea to the floor with an accompanying crash. "I don't even understand why this is happening! Your generation is so stupid! Reacting first and thinking second!"

"If you're just gonna insult me in my home, then get out!"

Mizuho took a moment to gather her thoughts. She knew it wouldn't help but she told the detective about the situation with the Kurosaki twins. How their father paid the town a visit. Of course, this made Goro finally start pay attention to her.

"They…..the Kurosaki family….all became Shinigami?"

"Yes! But they care about this town. Keigo's friend, that….Ichigo, he'd be the one to verify Kanonji's story! He didn't kidnap some random kid, it was his mother reincarnated!"

Goro glanced at the split tea. He'd clean it up later. "I think we've moved past that part. Child endangerment is jaywalking compared to heart of the crime - collusion with the Shinigami. They'll fry that medium for betrayal of the country. They'll punish him to prove a point to the world."

"Even if he's not guilty?!" Mizuho was outraged. "Will they punish my brother too?"

"Accomplices, so definitely." It broke Goro's heart to imagine Chizuru in prison for the remainder of her life. "Japan doesn't want to be seen as aiding the Shinigami. Rest of the world will follow that example."

"They're making a mistake! They're…." Mizuho wiped her eyes. Even if her brother could be annoying on his worst days, she wanted him home. "…the Shinigami don't need obnoxious people bossing them around! Did you SEE that thing on TV?!"

Goro had thrown up after he saw Reio.

"D-Do you know who's the judge?"

"Yes…..Sayuko Mitsureba. She was apparently the only judge the prime minister had in mind for this. Respected and well-liked across Tokyo. But I don't envy her position. She either makes a guilty verdict….or a move that would destroy her career and reputation in an instant."

"Would she do that just for one person? If it was me, I'd…." Mizuho hung her head. "Keigo….."

Goro comforted her. Because he too knew what was on the line.


At the detention center where Jin Kariya was held, he quietly prepared himself for the trial. Not only would it be the biggest of his career, it would probably be the last of his life. But he knew this was a possibility from the very second he defended Yachiru Kusajishi and Momo Hinamori.

"Kariya! There's an important visitor!"

Don't tell me…..his suspicions were confirmed corrected. He was soon seated across Amagai in a plain white room. His opponent smirked at him.

"It's been years, hasn't it, Kariya? Or should I say…..Eugene?"

"I heard from the grapevine you'd be my opposition, Amagai. I'm not surprised," Kariya said. "This your ultimate way of humiliating me?"

"Well that's just a side bonus. I was hand-picked to oppose you because they know of my record. You scum. You had all the chances to denounce the Shinigami and especially that failed medium."

"I still believe in them," Kariya replied seriously. "As for Kanonji…..I wish I could do more. There's more evidence stacked against him. And a guilty verdict for him translates to one for me. But be warned. I'll raise every objection I need to."

"Then you'll simply be stalling, Currier. I intend to beat you at your own game so I'll try to give you some fighting chance…but I've got the ultimate witnesses." The dangerous glint in his eyes was not to be ignored. "Actual Shinigami."

What?! Who?! It can't be Yachiru or Momo! How would they be allowed as witnesses….? Kariya pondered the answer. Maybe by testifying for Amagai they'll avoid capture? "Why do this? Do you really hate the spirits that much?"

"…..I can't say I do, no. But we can't offer them amnesty in these times, not when there's too much on the line. Safety. Order. Human worth!"
"We could be trying to understand them, maybe work with them. What's the point of being their enemy? We're just wasting time and energy for nothing!"

"That's what you think?" Amagai shook his head. "We don't have superpowers, so legal battles like this are what the public needs. Are you so selfish to deny that?"

"All of this started….because Don Kanonji wanted to right his wrongs. That's it. You've seen the riots, the hysteria, the violence. He didn't tell the world about Shinigami, that Hollow attack forced it on humanity!"

"Where does the responsibility lie, then?! Someone needs to take the blame. And considering they refused the accords…."

"I've had enough of this, Amagai!" Kariya stood up. "Save your arguments for the courtroom. I don't care what happens to me. I won't let Kanonji suffer for doing what his heart told him to. I can beat you and this sham of a trial. I'm leaving."

But right as he got to the door-

"You think a not guilty verdict means innocence, Eugene?"

"…"

"There's a reason why we don't use the latter term. Accusations carry a heavy weight, and there will be plenty of people prowling the streets angry at the justice they were denied. You think that's better for Don Kanonji then accepting his fate? The people are scared, more than ever thanks to that Reio."

"…."

"They need this scapegoat."

Kariya banged the doorway with his fist, mad at the whole world.

"That's not an excuse for misblame. I'll see you in court, Amagai…."


Across the globe, Berlin was yet another city under the painful grip of lockdown. Armed guards, endless police cars…..it was as if the entire world was bracing for something, not just the trial. Other major cities were doing the same thing. And within the company premises owned by one young man….

"Mmmmmm. This tea is excellent."

Yukio had a busy few days. It all started with the appearance of a man, dark hair and neat suspenders, that showed up at his house. He didn't mince words. He knew of Yukio's cooperation with Jackie, their exploiting of Don Kanonji. But he wasn't interested in blackmail. He had something to offer him.

"Hmph. Aren't you going to something else than drink tea?"

"I've missed it!" Tsukishima said cheerfully. "You think they give you beverages down in Hell? Now….might who I ask we're meeting with today?"

"Some…..business partners from Russia."

The man had promised something beyond his wildest dreams. But the second he saw his prize, fear washed over him. Were he to use it too rashly and draw more attention to himself, he would see the power fade away in an instant. So he thought about who else could use it, at no risk to himself.

"I must say, you're quite intelligent for a child."

Yukio glared at Tsukishima. "Shut up. You think you stroking my ego will make us friends? I don't trust you as far as I can throw you. I'm in charge."

"Sure, sure…." The two entered the elevator towards their destination. "Whatever happened to that Jackie woman? Maybe she'd be good company."

The question went ignored.

I won't let him trick me. No question he's not lying about what he promised but these types of deals often come with a price. He carries that sword by his side….. Yukio glanced at the warped zan. …if I were to take that from him, could I keep it for myself? "We're here. Shut up and don't talk unless you're addressed."

"Can do, Yukio-kun." Tsukishima smiled. How it was an annoying one. He ordered the older man to sit a chair at the corner of the room. Yukio himself sat at one side of a large black table, Roman was there to adjust the seat for him. Coolly he carried himself across from the group of rugged "businessman".

One whispered in the boss's ear.

"He's not part of this, whoever he is."

"He's someone to keep an eye on," Yukio half-warned, half-explained. "He has what we need."

That gained some attention towards the tea-sipping man. In a form of a pistol pointed at his face.

"He hands over the weapon then."
"You can't-"

"Oh let me amuse the men, please." Certainly they weren't expecting him to respond, and in perfect language. Where was he even from? Tsukishima kept his promise and handed over the katana.

"Take it," the boss told his underling in Russian.

Yukio carefully watched the reactions of the men. The one holding the sword was unimpressed at first, but then…..he was transfixed. Something was infused in this simple blade. Something otherworldly….ominous…..and it made his arm shake inexplicably. He broke out in a sweat. "Boss, I…."

"It's too much at once," Tsukishima's voice said. He was behind the man now, so every pistol was pointed at him. "This reaction is normal, don't worry."

I didn't even see him move! Yukio thought. He's this powerful without the sword in hand?

"How does this…thing work?! A cursed totem, Yukio?!"

"May I?" Tsukishima offered. The men readied their triggers. "I'm being polite, gentlemen. Don't you already see that Yukio isn't trying to scam you?" He casually took the sword back. "Just watch."

As he touched a piece of the sword, both he and it glowed with a menacing, warped aura. But what terrified the men was the fact that he was still smiling about it. One tug, and a sizable piece of the blade was removed. He handed it out for the boss to take. "See? I diluted it for you."

"….where did you find this man, Yukio?"

"Does that matter? He's clearly not working for anybody but me. I'm offering the gateway to something new…..something our kind needs. You want a fighting chance against Shinigami and Hollows?"

"Tch. This could just be a trap."

Yukio glanced at Tsukishima. It could be. "But I have no reason to kill you. My company has operations all over the world. Security will get harder to break through. This is the chance to spread it around…..improve yourself…..improve your people. And why not make some money in the process?"

Most of the men were contemplative.

"Show us."

"Huh?"

The boss pointed at Tsukishima. "Show us a fraction of what this power can do. Something that makes it different from just killing a nobody. Kill a soul."

Yukio gulped. He wasn't expecting it to go this far but Tsukishima, of course, was happy to oblige. He stepped forward and whispered something to the boss.

What is he….?

Tsukishima rested the sword by the wall. He briefly issued an apology that they'd have to leave as soon as he did it, but anything to help out "Yukio-kun's deals".

Then suddenly, his hand was through the chest of one man.

"Y-Yuri?!"

"Don't shoot!" Their boss shouted. Horrified, the other men could only watch their comrade barely even register what had happened- blood was shooting out of his chest while his heart was firmly in Tsukishima's hand.

Then he effortlessly crushed it.

He…. Yukio was frozen.

"Now then." Tsukishima wiped his hand as the body fell. "Eventually the soul will arise from the body from the Chain of Fate." At this point the other men were either vomiting or trembling, but Mimihagi's servant assured them things would be fine. The soul soon appeared, tethered to its ruined body. "Excuse me sir." With one yank he ripped the chain.

"AH…AH…..AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

The soul of the dead man screamed in agony as its form warped and shifted to resemble that of a Hollow.

"Do something, damn it!" Yukio panted. "You want the Shinigami to find us?!"

"Oh, it's really not an issue."

They couldn't even see Tsukishima disappear. Just the the screaming soul vanishing from their sight. Unfortunately the dead body with the bloody hole was still there.

"There. Does that please you?" he asked the boss.

"Boss he killed Yuri!"

"I know." Their leader handed over a briefcase filled with money to Yukio. "I told him to, and he did it. That's proof enough we're not going to even think of crossing him. Now about my weapon…."

XXXX

It wouldn't be the last. Being an international company meant getting clients without any chance of suspicion from the outside world was easy. The sword pieces were special. Metal detectors didn't even pick them up (they were also wrapped up to prevent improper handling).

And as Tsukishima explained:

"All one needs is the desire for power. If they can handle it, they can achieve possibilities they haven't dreamed of! So why not try it for yourself?"

"Not yet." Yukio looked at his own piece, kept in a black box. "There's something about this you're not telling me. Your sword keeps restoring itself even though you remove a piece."

"Yes. It's special."

"But there's stuff you're not telling me…..right?"

Tsukishima sipped his tea again. "I could say the same thing about you, Yukio-kun. If we're to be partners, then we need some level of…cooperation, shall we say. I don't prod where you don't want to be prodded, and vice-versa."

"Just tell me one thing. Why help me like this?"

"Simple, really. I have my own grudges against the Shinigami. This is my way of finding what they took from me."

Yukio didn't want to guess what "thing" they took from this…unusual man.

"Why go through with this yourself?"

"Simple," he echoed back. "I'm tired of being a bit player. I want the power the Shinigami selfishly keep for themselves. And if they won't share, then I'll do the next best thing. They can fight droves of monsters but can they fight droves of people?"

Tsukishima looked amused. "You're going to fight one yourself?"

"Don't be stupid. Don't you know how this thing works? You let others do the dirty work. Then you reap all the benefits when the chaos begins. Why don't we retire for the day? I've got that stupid trial coming up…."

The other man wished him well. But when he got to his room, his butler had to intervene.

"M-Master Yukio….don't you feel this is getting…..too out of control? You've effectively become an arms dealer for the black market."

"So? This is where you start getting doubts, Roman?"

"N-No, it's just…..that man. I…..I can barely look at him. It's hard to explain but…..there's something so deeply unsettling about him. He hardly sleeps to begin with!"

In reality, Yukio shared these sentiments. But he wasn't going to let some smiling tea-sipping suspenders man crush his dreams.

When the time is right…..I'll be sure to get rid of him before he gets rid of me. I won't share the spotlight, Tsukishima.


Mitzi finally was within sight of her home. But she had to ready herself for what was going to happen between her….and Noel.

"Mitzi! You were in a rush to get home, huh?"

There was she, trailing behind the girl. Yachiru took a deep breath.

"Hey Noel. I'm sorry, I….I'm just tired."

"Is that why you were crying earlier? Overwhelmed by all of this?"

"Yeah," both Yachiru and Mitzi said. "Noel, I…I want to tell you something but I can't."

Noel looked at her with sympathy. "Mitzi, you can tell me anything. I've said this since we were little kids. Whatever secret…..I won't judge you."

"Yes you will. You won't look at me the same ever again. It's better for you."

"For me? What about you?" Noel shook her head. "You've been acting odd since you got back from Dad's. Please, can't you tell me?"

"No!" Mitzi shouted. "You don't understand what will happen….the consequences."

"Mitzi, you're being stubborn! Don't you trust me?"

"YES! That's why I CAN'T TELL YOU!" Yachiru's tears returned. It tormented her on how much trust she had lost from the people she knew, how she let them down. "If I tell you and something happens to you…..because of me….!"

That's when Mitzi and Noel heard a clicking sound. The cocking of a firearm, to be exact. They both turned their heads at the same time to see….Bianca.

Then Yachiru felt something very hot pierce through her body. She had been shot, and her body fell in slow motion. She heard Noel scream Mitzi's name but the world was getting dark. She collapsed on the pavement.

What happened after? Did Bianca fire another shot? Did Noel chase her down? In the haze she realized the girl she had punched in the schoolyard probably found the gun Yachiru hid in the vent. She didn't know what was going to happen as consciousness slipped away from her, but she was not going to make it end like this.

Noel…I'll….survive…..!

Not just for Noel, but for anyone that might still be counting on her. Like Raggy.


To be continued...


Yes, that Amagai is Kariya's opponent. I didn't have a place for him within all the beginning stuff with Rurichiyo so I was resigned to not using him...but then I found the perfect chance. This fic is already filled with me repurposing movie/anime only characters. One less OC.

Next chapter will focus exclusively on the trial, with something unexpected about the judge, and the star witnesses being...the two that started it all. Chapter 70 will go out with a bang!