Chapter 11: Decisions
Lucius lay awake in the darkness. His thoughts were racing. I lied to the Dark Lord and I am plotting to betray him, perhaps even getting him killed by these Gods of Death. Am I still sane? When did I abandon our cause? Sometime today? When I saw Draco with the Mark? Or the moment I passed to the Afterworld? Did the passage somehow alter my soul? Or did those people do this to me? They have been merciful even though I did not earn their mercy nor their trust. Just a few days ago I was plotting to use their secrets for my own goals. What are my goals now? Who am I? Am I still Lucius Malfoy, Lord of Malfoy Manor?
After a quiet and lonely breakfast, he was left to his musings. It was around midday that the door was unlocked again.
Two of the captains stepped into the room. One of them was wearing a wide straw hat and flowered kimono, the other had long white hair despite a young looking face. He stifled a cough and offered Lucius a warm smile.
"Allow me to introduce ourselves, Ryoka-san", he said. "I am Ukitake Juushirou, captain of the 12th division, and this here is Kyouraku Shunsui, captain of the 9th division. We came to discuss our options to help you."
They settled down on Lucius' futon. After a moment's hesitation, he sat down on the floor opposite them. Kyouraku casually produced a bottle and three cups from the folds of his pink flowered kimono.
"Let's have a drink!", he said. "And then you could tell us how exactly this spell you used works."
Lucius took a sip of the offered drink and suppressed a gasp. Its alcohol content was higher than he had anticipated. "I would have to talk to the creator of the spell for that", he said. "I just know that he claimed it would be the exit to any dangerous situation. I would have to travel to the Living world to ask him for details."
"And this other spell that was used", asked Ukitake. "Which purpose does it have?"
"The 'Avada Kedavra' is the Killing Spell", replied Lucius. "Its only purpose is to end life."
"I wonder whether Kurotsuchi-taichou could find out how it works?", mused Ukitake.
"You would have to create a passage to fulfil your task, Malfoy-san", said Kyouraku, swirling the contents of his cup and draining it in one gulp. "Once opened, how do we keep them from passing? Or would that even be necessary if the passage did not lead to Soul Society?"
"I see your point, Shunsui", said Ukitake and coughed. "If the gate was dangerous enough, could we scare them off to use the spell ever again?"
"But they'll notice if I alter the spell", objected Lucius.
Kyouraku made a thoughtful face. "That might indeed be a problem", he mumbled. "There's no possibility to alter it just slightly?"
"I wouldn't dare to", said Lucius. "Messing with spells is pretty dangerous. I might ask Severus, the one who invented it, whether it can be altered."
"Can you trust him?", inquired Ukitake.
"No", replied Lucius. A heavy weight had settled in his stomach. "But I might have to."
He set down his cup. "Well, I better talk to him as soon as possible", he said. "Will Abarai-fukutaichou accompany me again?"
Ukitake gave him a sad smile. "I fear this won't be possible, Malfoy-san", he said. "Abarai-fukutaichou is in the Living World right now, fighting."
"Who would he be fighting?", asked Lucius, baffled.
"We are at war", replied Kyouraku calmly. "We have to fight against our own. Three captains of the Gotei 13, comrades we trusted, turned against us and strive to destroy Seireitei for their own gain."
"Their betrayal runs deep", said Ukitake, standing up. "We found out that they had been plotting against us for years, slaying many fellow shinigami for their experiments and even killing the Central 46, our court."
"Woe for the traitors!", said Kyouraku, gathering the bottle and the empty cups. "They shall be judged mercilessly for having deceived us."
"You see that we have bigger worries than a bunch of the living coming here", said Ukitake at the door. "You should be grateful that you were not executed to settle things quickly."
"If Abarai-fukutaichou returns, we will advise to let you go consult with this Severus-san", added Kyouraku. The door shut behind them, the 'if' hanging heavily in the air.
Lucius paced his cell with agitation. Will that red-headed punk return?, he asked himself, wondering whether he cared. And what was that sudden talk about traitors? Were they warning me against betraying them? Or should I indeed be wary to betray my own? If the Dark Lord finds out, he will show no mercy. All that I have achieved will have been for naught. When I think of that old fool Dumbledore and his precious Potter it gives me the creeps. What side is there to choose except the one I have been standing on all along? Look at Severus standing in between, in the end belonging nowhere, being miserable.
He stared at the barred window, cursing his situation. Hating himself for his weakness that had landed him in this mess, having to choose between two painful ways to die. He stared at his hand, still bandaged. What had driven him to prove himself rather than taking the chance to run? He remembered the cold look in the captain's grey eyes. His elegance and aloofness, alluring him because it reminded him of himself. And yet, how had that brash red-head earned his esteem? He had helped him without needing to, even despite his contempt. Lucius touched his chest. He had almost felt the blade tip cut his skin.
He balled his fists, again cursing his own weakness. He straightened his shoulders, coming to a conclusion. Even if he was judged here, if the Dark Lord was pleased with him, Draco would be relatively safe.
Lucius drew a breath he had not been aware of holding, when he saw a speck of crimson crossing the yard, followed by a thick throng of people. He thought he saw the fukutaichou smile and make a dismissive gesture, but his black clothing was ripped and stiff with dried blood.
A few hours later, a shinigami opened his door and gestured for Lucius to follow him. They walked through the corridors, bustling with people, until his guard slid open a door. Lucius stepped in and the door was immediately closed behind him.
Kuchiki Byakuya sat at a low table, a brush in his hand, doing paperwork. His white haori lay on the floor as if elegantly draped. His fukutaichou stood beside him, arms crossed. He had changed into a fresh set of clothes and was arguing in a low voice with his superior.
Both looked up upon Lucius' entry.
"Ah, Malfoy-san", said Byakuya, setting his brush aside. "Do take a seat." He pointed towards a cushion at the other side of the table. Lucius sat down with as much grace as he could muster.
"I have been informed that Kyouraku-taichou and Ukitake-taichou have talked to you", stated the captain. "They have recommended that Abarai-fukutaichou should accompany you to the Living World again. That is not acceptable."
"But taichou...", began Renji, only to be silenced by a gesture.
"We have discussed this at length", said Byakuya. "You are indispensable. All captain-class shinigami have to remain in Seireitei to be ready in case of another attack. Your last fight has proven that the enemy is not to be underestimated. The Gotei 13 cannot allow you to be involved in this minor matter."
Renji sighed and rolled his eyes. "I know that already, taichou", he spat. "I was merely asking to allow me to see this through to the end. It will only be five more days."
Byakuya gave a slight shake of his head. "I will not revoke my decision", he stated. "You are to stay here. A member of the 2nd squad will guard you, Malfoy-san."
Lucius jumped, when he realized that a black-clad, masked person had suddenly appeared next to him without even the slightest sound. He came to his feet and inclined his head.