Review Time:

gamma2015 - Rip indeed. I wanted to do him justice.

Wheel0fDawn - Hey, thanks for reviewing on Ao3. I appreciate you going through this mammoth of a story again.


Chapter 72 - Do the Right Thing

Kirinji wanted to do so much in such a small time frame. He wanted to break down the door and try to smack some sense into Retsu Unohana, his protégé. He wanted to console her for the fate she had accepted. He wanted to apologize to her husband, Jushiro Ukitake.

No….he wanted to apologize to many more than just them.

But he didn't.

He just stared at the closed door some more.

"…..damn it….."

It was truly a pyrrhic victory. Yachiru and those willing to defy the system had escaped, but the shadows of their actions remained. Reio had control, but it was not the control he or the Royal Guard had anticipated.

And it was nothing Tenjiro Kirinji had wanted.


"Master…."

"Hmm? What do you want?" he glanced over at his student. She was learning so much and following every step of training he had given her. He vowed she would stop killing mindlessly and right now, the two were sitting by the stream.

"Is it true? You cannot stay here forever?" Seireitei was a mere fraction of what it would become. One man named Yamamoto was proving himself on the battlefield.

"No. Eventually we'll head back to Reio-sama. And when it happens, you can be the healer of Soul Society instead."

"I see." Retsu had yet to form her iconic braid. But her eyes didn't have the same bloodthirst they had when he first met her. "Master…..at times I still feel…hungry. Hungry for battle. What if I cannot suppress my instincts?"

"Think of it like this. With killin'…." he glanced at the water. "You're just taking away. You take and take until there's nothing left. When you save lives….you give things back. And you have a lot to give back, don't you?"

"Yes", she whispered. "But not everyone will follow that example."

"Of course not. But you're special."

"I am?"

Kirinji grinned. "Yeah. I see your potential, Retsu. Why be something only takes and destroys when you can be something that saves and guards? People will follow you. Think you're a hero. That's more fulfillin' than being the strongest."

"Is that you what wanted to be?"

"…"

"But you can't anymore. You have to leave."

"…..yeah."

"I see." She studied her own reflection. "Most Shinigami won't be as strong as me or you."

"That's right. So you gotta be the one to heal them, no matter what. Don't be afraid to pick up your sword or anything, just know when's the right time to do it."

"I see." Retsu would smile one of her first 4th Division smiles. "I've never had a friend before."

"I ain't your friend!" Kirinji snapped. "You can't get too attached to me, or you'll never reach that potential when I'm gone."

"…..thank you, Master."


Kirinji bent down and began to punch the ground with his fist.

He couldn't even follow his own advice.


Following the untimely passing of Ginrei Kuchiki, one of oldest Shinigami that had served…the dark shadow looming over the Seireitei was only beginning to expand.

Kirinji saw it with every step.

No smiles.

Just misery. Sorrow for the one of the greatest men to serve the Gotei had died, as if another piece of the lives everyone had once known was gone. Fear in wondering what else would be eternally lost. Frustration in wondering how did everything so wrong so quickly.

"A damn shame we lost Ginrei. I remember that day he lost his son…." It was Marenoshin, walking with his remaining son. "…even when Yamamoto offered him time to step away from duty, he couldn't."

"What?" Marechiyo asked.

"Yeah. He said….Sojun wouldn't want me to."

"Dad….I…I gotta check on Mareyo. You can go home and keep Mom company." The usually carefree Marechiyo Omaeda never looked so angry. "It's all that damned Kusajishi's fault. She tried to kill herself!"

"Ssh, don't make so much noise, boy…."

Yachiru Kusajishi had cemented herself was public enemy #1 for what she did. But Kirinji knew the truth. She became more and more of a threat the harder Reio pushed against her.

She was still tortured. And it brought bile to Kirinji's throat everytime he remembered how much his remaining comrades reveled in it. It was even time to briefly meet up with them, and the facts were swirling in his mind.

The Shinigami weren't stupid. Some of them might have already pieced together the truth, but they had to keep themselves quiet out of fear of what could happen to them.

Ironically, Reio had lost control by trying to impose it.


"This will be quick," Ichibe said once he had the two seated at the same table. "But Reio-sama has asked of me a very important request. To deny it would be to deprive him of the power he needs now."

"I understand. We shall maintain order in your stead. With Kyoraku and Kuchiki acting alongside us, we will hold out for as long as we can. Right, Kirinji?" Shutara asked.

He tried his best to mask the utter contempt he had for the multiarmed woman. She had taken her power and used it to taunt, even abuse many. She was allowing the madness to continue, as was Ichibe. But Kirinji just thought about Retsu.

"Yeah. Hey, listen. The plan went belly-up, hasn't it? So Reio-sama needs an alternative."

"Yep," Ichibe replied. "I was hoping it didn't come to this, but…."

Come to what? You already tortured, abused, treated these people like they're lab rats. Can you really put the moral card up now? Kirinji had to control his anger lest he ruin his cover. "I spoke with Unohana. If it happened to her, I'm guessing it has happened to every other female Shinigami."

Shutara stared at him. "Alas, she miscarried."

Alas…..ALAS? You…..that woman has given up so much because of me, and now we took away her very own child!

"Are you alright?" Ichibe asked the other man. It was clear he was on the verge of snapping. He had to compose himself.

"Alright, alright….so this means to happened to the ones that were already expecting - Matsumoto, Kuna, and McAllon. Might be hard to console them."

"What other choice do they have?"

The raw anger in Kirinji's body was getting hotter and hotter. It was taking all of his own self-control not to start swinging.

"Hyosube, how long will this….other plan take?"
"I am not sure. But it is imperative I do it. Be mindful the both of you, the will of Reio-sama must continue. Do not the Shinigami intimidate you. You are stronger."

To Kirinji, this was just a lie Ichibe was telling not only to him, but to himself. Yachiru had punted them around like they were ragdolls and nearly killed all 5 of them. She was stronger already.

"I gotta wonder, though…..things are getting dicey in the Living World. Hueco Mundo too. If we don't maintain things here….all that control is gonna fall apart."

There. There it was. The sign of brief fear on Senjumaru Shutara's face. But she composed herself just as quickly.

"Hyosube, if you're occupied with assisting Reio-sama, that means those of us remaining cannot let Seireitei's control slip away. Kuchiki and Kyoraku…..we need their assistance, immediately."

"I agree. Tomorrow will be very different. I trust in the both of you to make sure they don't overstep their bounds. I'll send word for them. The ritual must not be interrupted!"

Ritual?

"Let these upstarts rebel as much as they want to, their options get more and more limited by the second. They've lost the right to have it their way when they crossed Reio-sama."

If I'm gonna do something….I have to feel things out first. Those two….would they risk it all with me?


Before he was summoned, Byakuya had requested a walk alone. His grandfather was gone, and with it, centuries of Kuchiki pride. But he also had given him his foreboding final words and a tearful plea. To start parroting them without figuring it all out would only have his efforts be in vain.

The night is a blank to me, Master. I suspect it is the same for many zanpakutou. Who knows how many Shinigami are piecing together the mystery?

There cannot be panic. Those who probably have figured it out are laying low until they can overturn the Royal Guard.

But they do not have such time nor an opportunity. You do.

What can I do? My strength pales in comparison. I have to play the role of obedient soldier. But what I've learned…..it disgusts me beyond words. It is the confirmation those above value us more as toys following orders, not of actual Shinigami.

It echoes a troublesome attitude you once had.

Even I at my worst would never force Rukia to…. Byakuya stopped. He had to compose himself. Something clearly went wrong in their machinations. Such a plan seems so…..uncalculated and sloppy. But they remain all the more insidious.

Internally, a rage that he had never had before was gathering in the pit of his very soul. The Shinigami would have their revenge and make Reio and his guard pay for mistreatment.

Hikifune and Nimaiya both left. This means balance among the five has been destroyed. All it takes is one defector to make things fall apart.

You're saying I need to feel which one is equally repulsed? That is difficult without revealing what I know.

Senbonzakura agreed.

But it is my only choice. I swore to Grandfather I wouldn't let this shameful display continue. Not just him but all of Soul Society.


And before he was summoned, Shunsui Kyoraku was watching the moonlight. For once, he had taken off his signature straw hat - a way to honor his old friend Ginrei.

Don't tell me this is your only option. You're not seriously going to work with these….oppressors?!

If I make a move at the wrong time…..it'd be the end. I want to help the Soul Society, all of you. You zanpakutou deserve to be free.

Well think of something, Kyoraku. We cannot twiddle our thumbs and wait for Kisuke Urahara or Yachiru Kusajishi to return and stir up more chaos.

Right. I have to feel around for who can be trusted.

"There you are…."

Perhaps the woman he trusted the most - Nanao Ise - was there. She didn't approach any further. She only sat down….and from her face it was clear she was in agony.

"Nanao….are you alright?"

"No. Nemu, she…..refused to cooperate. She accepted torture rather than denounce our friend."

"Torture…." Shunsui hated the word. "I'm sorry this has caused a such a rift in your own relationships…..but choosing self-preservation is not a crime."

"Oh really?!" she snapped, glaring at the man she trusted the most. "So I had to arrest you, it'd be okay?! Lisa probably thinks I'm a sell-out, too!"

"I can assure you she doesn't." Shunsui paused to drink from the sake bottle directly. "She told me….you're free to do whatever you need to stay alive. I'm doing the same, Nanao. I have to be one tier above the A-ranks."

Nanao turned away. "Then why does it hurt so much? We're staying alive, but I feel like dying."

"Because Nemu-chan is still your friend. Yachiru-chan might be different, but you still care about her too, don't you?"

"No," she replied hastily. "She's made her choices."

You don't truly believe what you're saying. You two became friends and started a club together. Deep down there's a part of you that wants her back. "Nanao-"
"You stay back!" She commanded. She was shaking. "That night is STILL a blur to me….you and I don't know what happened…."

"What are you assuming?" he asked, anticipating her answer.

"You know damn well what I'm assuming, Shunsui Kyoraku."

Any other man would've gone silent, confirming what she indeed suspect. But Shunsui was in no position to definitively confirm or deny. He needed his own answers. So he put the hat back on and used it to cover his face.

"I see. Perhaps we should part ways, then."
"I-I…."
"Maybe it did happen like that. In that case there's no excuse I can give, and the less pain I cause you, the better. Like I said. You can pick whatever keeps you safe. I'm sorry."
"S-Shunsui….." To lose him as well?

"It's for the best, Nanao. We'd only be putting each other in more danger. What if I had to arrest you?"

"We both know….." Nanao let her tears fall. "…..you'd never do it. Then they'd kill you."

Shunsui couldn't let their eyes meet. "A moment of peace is worth a lifetime of misery, right? Whatever happens, just know…..you were someone special, Nanao-chan. And you still are."

And then he left, before he could see her break down.


Across the Seireitei….

"What?! Uryu Ishida….!"

His decision to suffer with Nemu horrified Shino and Ryunnosuke, but they saw the look of powerlessness on both Ichigo's and Orihime's faces. Their hands were tied. They had to let their friend go.

"Good night," said a weary Orihime to them as she followed her husband to their room. With her locks chopped off, she looked completely different than the Orihime they knew.

And when they were in bed together, Ichigo and Orihime could only stare at the ceiling, both hating the world around them.

"Ichigo…."

"You can't talk me out of helping Rukia with the trial. It's something we both feel responsible for."

Orihime understood. But it still pained her to think of what could happen. "What…..if this gets the both of you killed? Or our family?"

The use of "our" made Ichigo's stomach fill with lead. In some way he felt guilt choosing one friend over the other, nay, the rest of his family. Every option had its own suffering attached. Exactly what the regime had wanted.

"Then….." he couldn't even find the words. He couldn't give her false hope.

"Ichigo…." she cried and held him close. "If these are the last nights we have as husband and wife, then I'll remember it forever."

"O-Orihime…."

"Whatever you do….whatever happens….I'll always love you." The cries turned into weeps the harder she thought about Uryu. "…but we both need to do the right thing. All of us."

Ichigo didn't know what the "right thing" truly was.

"I'll always love you, Hime," he said while embracing her. "I'm sorry you had to put up with me. I'm supposed to protect you all."

"Don't apologize," she whispered. "I won't let you. I'm just as much to blame." She struggled to keep her voice steady. "…..c-can we ever go back to how our lives were?"

"No." Ichigo took a moment to think about his mother, his father, and his sisters. "Best we can do is try to keep what we have."

He had prayed Kon had done what he could before leaving.


Kirinji said nothing to both men when they arrived in the chamber. Just listened to Shutara's commands of "enforcing order" while Ichibe would do….whatever this ritual was. They had no complaints, no hesitation. How could he determine what they would really want?

"Kirinji, don't you have anything to add?" Shutara suddenly asked, interrupting his thoughts. He scratched his head, trying to "act" as he normally did.

"Yeah, yeah….you know what, I have your first assignment. There's two problems at the medical center, and I have some stubborn Shinigami in the middle of it. Go bring them in."

"That's a good start," Shutara observed. "I've heard reports Mareyo Omaeda and Neliel Tu Oderschvank are skirting command. Yasochika Iemura was treating the former….he was Yachiru's therapist was he not?"

"Yeah." Damn it! "They shouldn't take long."

"Bring them here once you have them," she instructed of Byakuya and Shunsui.

XXXX

The dead of night. Where many would be sleeping to try to starve off another day of misery. But for Kirinji, he was trying to signal them to act.

"Hey, hang on a sec. Before I show you….are you really okay with this? Being the bosses of the Shinigami you all associated with?"
"It has to be done," Byakuya replied. He didn't dare fall into any traps. "Those are our orders."

Of course they'd say that. Damn it! I'm not good at trying to tiptoe around this…but this might be the best time we're alone.

Tenjiro Kirinji had to make his decision right then and there.

He thought about Retsu again. Wasn't she married to…..

"Kyoraku, did you have any chats with Ukitake recently? He was the Head-Captain. Sorry if your friendship has to suffer because of….you know, this."

"We both have our commands," Shunsui said somberly.

"Yeah…..I mean, he lost his child, that's what Unohana was telling me."

Kirinji reached for the door but paid attention to the other man's face. He had to cover it with his hat. It was clear Jushiro Ukitake didn't tell him….now he had to tell his dear friend.

"And Kuchiki….well, your grandfather was a good man."

"Thank you."

"At least his blood continues on in you…." It was a vague hint, enough to try to play to Byakuya's respect for Ginrei. But Byakuya perceived it differently. For a brief moment, he looked some (angry) emotion beyond stoic. "Sigh. You guys really gonna make me do this?"

Neither men answered.

"You two aren't idiots and I'm tired of pretending you all are. If we keep things quiet….we can save this world before it's too late."

"….."

"…."

"Don't trust me? That's okay. But this is your only chance. If you don't have any idea what I mean, I'll drop the matter."

They briefly glanced at each other.

"I can answer any question you have….but just one."

XXXXX

Hanataro was trying to sleep but he was jolted awake. And before he could get up to investigate, he was pinned by Kirinji's sandal.

"W-What are you…!"

"I warned you, Yamada."

He heard a clatter in the nearby room, then Neliel's voice. To his horror Byakuya had dragged her out with his sword to her neck, and her body bound by kido.

"S-Stop! Neliel-sa-!"
"Shut up!" Kirinji knocked Hanataro out with a simple chop to the neck. "Get her out of here, Kuchiki."

Byakuya said nothing. Neliel on the other hand-

"Please…..no, C-Captain, you can't….!" without her sword, she couldn't try to break free. "Why are you doing this…?!"

"My orders," he said simply.

"ORDERS?!" Neliel tried to stand, but it was in vain. "Don't you….don't you see what following orders has done to this world?! Rukia, she wouldn't-"
"What she thinks is of no importance here. I am done talking." Neliel's eyes went wide. Kirinji gave them one look before checking on the other situation.

XXXXX

Similarly Mareyo Omaeda had been woke up and bound with ease. Of course, her therapist was the bigger target, and also he had been restrained.

"C-Captain Kyoraku….!" she whimpered.

"Sorry," Shunsui said. "It's not personal, I promise. Just something I have to do."

Iemura was steadily calm. "Please do not hurt her, I beg you. Take me instead. She's just a child dealing with her own pain."

"He's right," Kirinji drawled. "You can have the asauchi look over her and make sure she doesn't slit her wrists. It's him Shutara really wants."

"W-WAIT!" Mareyo was panicking. "Are you going to kill him?!" She got no answer from Shunsui but Kirinji grabbed her face and glared harshly at her.

"None of your business, brat. You don't want to cause any more trouble? You keep that mouth shut until I say, understand?!"
"But….!"

"Listen to them!" Iemura commanded. "Go peacefully. Mareyo….you have more to lose than I. Your father….your brother…your mother…..don't make them worry anymore."

"I-Iemura-san….!" she began to cry.

XXXXX

And then, Neliel Tu Oderschvank and Yasochika Iemura had both been thrown to Shutara's feet. She nodded in approval.

"Well done. But the Omaeda girl?"

"She ain't worth the trouble," Kirinji said. "Girl was suicidal but she's just a kid."

"Hmmm." It was unclear whether or not the woman accepted the call. But she looked down at the two, starting first with Neliel. "Zaraki's squeeze, that Arrancar's comrade….I don't suppose you have any intention of cooperating?"

"No," she said. Shutara slapped her face and forced her to look up at her. "You KILLED my brother! I will never follow your commands!"

"Tch. Take some time in the chamber and think it over, overnight. I have no patience for your soapbox." A snap of her fingers, and guards dragged the green-haired woman away. But she gave one last heartbroken look at her former Captain. "As for you, Iemura…"

"What? I'm not that powerful. There's not that much I can give you."

"Yachiru Kusajishi's psychological profile. After all she's done, all the misery she's caused….we have to understand what makes a monster like that form."

Iemura hid his resentment towards his patient being judged. "I'm sorry. It's confidential. I gave her my oath."

"Your oath?" This was the wrong thing to say. Shutara used one arm to pick him up and throw him hard against the wall, cracking his glasses. "Your oath means nothing now, do you understand?! She has caused the near destruction of Soul Society! She deserves no mercy, no coddling!"

Iemura shook his head. "She is still my patient. Her treatment is not complete. Neither is the treatment of Mareyo Omaeda. As a therapist, I-"
"You are a Shinigami!" Shutara shouted, smashing her foot into his face. "The 4th is no more. You are a fool to be bound by these oaths and vows when the fate of all worlds is at risk!"

Byakuya and Shunsui were both motionless. But for Kirinji, he was thinking of a plan. A plan needed someone with this much convinction.

"When…..someone needs…my help…." Iemura spat up some blood. "….I….do not….refuse…!"

Now he choked on the woman's thick reiatsu.

"You shell of a man. Are you truly this stupid that you'd die for a meanlingless oath? Do you think Retsu Unohana would approve of you risking it all like this? She is complying, why can't you?"

"She…the Cap…..tain….." Iemura grit his teeth. Shutara released her power to let him speak more clearly. "….she….she's the one that taught me how to be a healer. You truly know nothing about her if you think her ideals can be compromised….SO EASILY!"

Kirinji had to step in before Shutara lost her temper.

"He's not worth this aggravation! He'll fold after a bit of convincing….in the meantime, they can just find his notes."

"Tch." Shutara glowered at the medic. "I despise those that have to make things difficult. If this is the hill you want to die on, so be it. Take him away! And you two-" she began, looking to Byakuya and Shunsui. "-I suggest you get whatever sleep you can. Your new missions will start early in the morning." Iemura was taken away, and she promptly disappeared in a huff.

Kirinji held up a hand.

"I suggest you two don't ask me together. Figure out who goes first."


It was another day of training. A gloomy, downpour of a day had Retsu follow her master through the wide berths of Soul Society. He had insisted neither would be armed with their swords.

"Master….do you expect us to fight Hollows bare-handed?"

"No you dunce. We're not doing ANY fighting today. This is Kido practice. You see some injured people, you help them."

Retsu looked around. She had recognized some of the land she had used to terrorize. It all looked different under the scope of saving, not hurting. Instead of a bounty of opportunity, it was much more melancholic.

"Alright. We got something."

Some stragglers had fought each other with sticks and knives, even removing some of their own eyeballs. Was it a turf war or awakened souls fighting for food? From the dead bodies and blood traits, the true cause would remain a mystery.

"Go on."
"Me first?"
"Yes you!"

Retsu Unohana approached the band of thugs. "Excuse me. You all need some medical assistance."

"Heyyyyyy…..look at this, boys! Some entertainment!" said one of them, removing his weapon from one other corpse. "About time. I was getting bored fighting."

"Yeah…." Another licked his lips, forgetting about all the cuts he had. "Gotta unwind after a brawl like that."

"If you stand still and cooperate, I can heal you all with ease," Retsu promised. She was aware of the threat around her…..the thugs were circling around her.

But the problem was she had to save them, not kill them.

"Oh baby you can heal us all right…." Hunger was on all of their eyes. It was like their fight never happened. Kirinji stood out of sight but still nearby to watch. He knew she was in no danger.
They were.

"I suggest you stand back. I cannot heal you all properly if you surround me."

"Hear that boys?! First one gets to have fun first!"

But they would make a deadly mistake. They all made their pounce, and Kirinji was able to see the glint of murder emerge in his student's eyes. In a flash, they were all killed.

Not by Retsu.

"Master…."

He kicked her into the dirt. "Those bastards, they shouldn't have gotten greedy! If they played nice, they would've lived!"

"Why did you…"
Snarling, he grinded her face into the mud. "You. Don't. Kill. Patients. If you can't disarm them and heal them, then you're just a killer. Plenty of selfish people will want healing! You think being a medic means you're weak?! It's the opposite, Retsu!"

He vowed she would learn this lesson above all else.


Yoruichi was aware she could not be out this late. But the funeral had given her ample opportunity to speak with her closest friends. The risk was high.

"You need to turn back."

There her student was, sitting outside her abode. Yoruichi removed her hood.

"Soi, I know we're thinking the same thing. I won't get any closer, but-
"Yoruichi, go home. You're not putting your mother and your family at risk," Soi stood up. "We have nothing to discuss. Is it any shock Urahara was involved?"

"But you don't get it!"
"Get what?!" Soi clutched her side…in pain? "You know how it feels now. You know what that pain causes. And he calls you your husband…."

"I'm sure h-he-"

"YORUICHI!" Now Soi was getting angry. "For once, you do not know what Urahara is planning. Consider that your blessing. You have plausible deniability. Now go home!"

"And do what?!"

The meeting with Shutara had done the impossible…..shake up Yoruichi's usual confidence, her will. She was always one to stay composed, have the answers, inspire others.

But not now.

"Do what, Soi? Follow the whims of a God that doesn't care about us? I think you know more than anyone I'm not one to blindly follow orders!"
"But we both know you will. ….with Urahara gone, you would put Ururu and Jinta at risk? What do they have left?"

The reality pained Yoruichi. "It's just what they want."

"Yes," Soi wanted to hug her, to drive off some of her suffering. "But there's been enough gambling with lives. Don't be part of the problem. Don't be like-"
"-Yachiru?" Yoruichi couldn't even look at her student. "Sorry. But I know what she was trying to do, however reckless it was. All it takes is for one person to say enough is enough. They can't make us forget her."

"Go ahead then. Start the revolution, and you'll be on the chopping block by sunrise." Soi turned around….Yoruichi noticed some staggering in her steps, right before she shut the door.

Then, a whoosh.

"Heh…." Yoruichi's smile was bittersweet. "It's like old times, Byakuya-bo."

"I suggest you head home immediately."

"What's the matter. Grandpa's in the ground less than a day and you're already cotowing to them?" She held her arms out. "Do this right. Make sure I don't have any hidden weapons, and escort me over there."

For once, Byakuya was on the same page as his old friend.

XXXX

"Urgh…."

The blurry vision. The lack of energy. The confusing, frightening dreams. All these had gotten more frequently and more noticeable. Soi knew she needed medical help. But she feared what it could all mean. She found herself being helped up.

"Xen…."
"Go. Your wife will be in hysterics if she does it."

"I can't keep her out of this," Soi pushed past her cousin but nearly fell over.

"Your whole reiatsu doesn't feel right at all." Xen helped her up again. "If you go alone, they're more willing to cooperate and help. But any club member will deplete their patience."

"There is no club anymore!" She snapped. But upon seeing the sadness on Xen's face, she relented and turned around. "Please. Don't keep her in the dark for long."


Now alone, Kirinji was up sorting through his medical documents, his only light a single lamp in the room. All the physical profiles….he cursed his life. The plan was destined to backfire from the very beginning. But Reio was blinded by what he wanted. What he wanted of his Shinigami, his playthings.

"Maybe if we had more time…..but even then…." his hands shook when he looked over Retsu's file. The sweet smile in the picture. One of the ones hurt the most. "….those two were right. We're all fucking idiots."

"Kirinji-sama! You have a visitor!" An asauchi's voice rang out.

"Send them in. We're discussing important Shinigami business so beat it!" he snarled. A few seconds later, Shunsui came in. "You got two minutes."

"How you can sure we won't be heard?"

"It's why I'm giving you two minutes." He shoved the documents hastily into a drawer. "Ask your question, then beat it."

"….."

"Don't worry about Hyosube. He's busy with Reio-sama, which is why we only have so much time. Shutara you can only fool for so long. She ain't one to mess with."

"Jidanbo had a brother. What happened to him?"

Kirinji watched the other man's face for a few seconds. Yeah, this was his question. "Reio-sama erased him. From existence. Didn't want him to be martryr for that SSS. In the amphitheater it happened. Wiped the memory of you Shinigami…how did you figure it out?"

"You're allowed to ask me questions?"

"Answer it and you get one more."

"One source clued me in. I guess Reio didn't tie up those loose ends at the beginning. Not that it matters. They can't help us now." Shunsui then chose his question carefully. "Why go through so much trouble?"

"Because. Order and control. It's what Reio wants. He became obsessed with it, especially when the SSS all escaped AND Yachiru started to cause chaos. The truth is….you guys that won the war, survived it? You're the shrinking class. You have so much convinction you'd never submit willingly, your souls are too strong. Reio wanted you to submit. With new academy students there're blank shells, easy to mold. Not you guys. It's what makes you so dangerous."

There was so much to process in so little time.

"Just do what you're told. The truth is…..this is a farce. We have shit in Hueco Mundo, the Living World…all this GARBAGE is not fixing stuff there. And I'm done with it."

"…"

"You were smart to distance yourself from Ise. Less reason to be suspicious of you. If we do this….the truth will be revealed, to all."

Shunsui said nothing. But he sensed many, many dark secrets in the wing. He remained quiet when another asauchi burst in.

"HEY! I said GET OUT!"

"B-B-But sir! One of the A ranked Shinigami needs medical treatment!"


For Iemura, he had to languish in a cold and dark cell. He was unsure if he would see the sunrise but he prayed for one thing.

Yachiru…..whatever happened to you….I hope you find help.

"Geez that guy hasn't moved at all," remarked one of the guard asauchi. "He's pretty pathetic. It's getting boring just beating him."

"Yeah…..meanwhile THIS one won't stop crying!"

Mareyo's cell was less miserable (the guards were told not to lay a hand on her, only keep her wrists together) but she still cried. She cried for her missing brother and sister. She cried for the pain she had no doubt caused her family.

"Mareyo…."

"Stop talking, inmate!" A guard threw a rock at Iemura's glasses, cracking them even more. "Do you want Shutara-sama to up the punishment?"

I…..won't let them break me. They'll never get those notes. I wish I knew the full story. I wish….I could do more….


The morning had arrived. Rukia had hardly slept. She turned and saw a lack of Byakuya in her bed…she didn't even know what time he had come home.

She got dressed and grabbed her zanpakutou without saying a word.

Rukia….I'm sorry. There is a wall between you and Byakuya. He is distant. He has orders to follow. Will he allow you to go off for the trial?

There's no allowing me. I'm doing it, one way or the other.

But you could-

He already knows. But no one else does, except for Ichigo. You can't talk me out of this.

Rukia, the system down there has made up their mind. The Shinigami are their enemy. You want to save Don Kanonji, but do you have to play by their rules?

In the middle of her trek to the breakfast table, Rukia stopped. She exhaled through her nose.

Not playing by their rules only made things worse. I know I don't have much of a chance, but….I can't let him get executed because of me. It's the only thing left I can control.

The lack of Ginrei at the table was immediately felt. Rukia was always greeted by his warm smile. And with Byakuya out of the house, she realized she had to make breakfast for her and the two souls she had been housing.

"Good morning, Rukia," they said in unison. She could only look at Shizuku and Homura with a heavy heart. They were academy students. They had been indoctrined long ago. There was no helping them.

"Good morning." She grabbed the tea kettle. "Byakuya left early but I have time to feed us all. It's kinda like the old days, right?"

The two only nodded, before diving into their academy literature. Rukia didn't have to look inside to see that it was probably militant pro-Reio material.

Rukia. They can still be saved from this fate.

I can't do a damned thing. I can only try to help Kanonji down there. And he's just one person. That's it.

Rukia wiped the mist from her eyes and started the rest of her day.


"Are you ready for another day?"

Retsu had just finished dressing and had picked up her sword when she heard the question. No, she wasn't, but that was irrelevant. She rubbed the underside of the zan, delighting Minazuki.

"I suppose I am."

"Are you….alright?" Jushiro asked, concerned. "You're….not even looking right at me."

She didn't trust herself to do so. She didn't want her façade to crumble to pieces. But she watched his reflection in the mirror.

"I can only be so alright, my love. The world we live in….we have to make sacrifices." She gave a smile. Her husband stepped over to embrace her from behind.

"There's something you want to tell me, isn't there?"
"It can wait."
"Can it?"

No, it can't. Retsu glanced at his white locks. But your heart doesn't deserve it. Not now. Forgive me, my love. I couldn't keep our child. "For now," she murmured.


Retsu Unohana being the student of Tenjiro Kirinji was known to every prospective Shinigami, but it was a fact neither had shared, personally. She cared little for rumors or wonderings. Today he had given her a rather odd request.

"Change your hairstyle."

"My hair?"

"Yeah. It's long….and unwieldly. You want control, start by applying it to aspects of your life. Make people not want to run when they see you."

So there she stood, in front of a mirror. Maybe she should cut it off? She mused as such with a nearby knife. But it would just grow back. She fingered the lower strands….and wrapped them neatly around her finger.

"How fragile it is….I could just pluck out it, strand by strand."

Yet she wrapped more around her finger. Perhaps she could try that.


The medical center was abuzz with activity- word quickly spread that it was Soi Fon that had checked herself in, and the symptoms were only getting worse. The woman was in severe pain, and she didn't even know why!

The first thing suggested was a nice, long soak in the hot springs (the usual answer). It cured all ills. But every asauchi and worker was stunned when the symptoms only kept coming back.

"F-Fever! Her temperature is spiking!"

"Get those medic Shinigami in here!"

But the anxious healers couldn't do anything to fix it. They tried all kinds of kido, but the patient remained in deep, deep pain.

"R-Run a body scan!"

"ENOUGH of this!" Her forehead drenched in sweat, Soi lifted herself off the bed and pushed herself past all the medics. "You're all just wasting my time!"

Every step was torment. But when anyone tried to help her, she knocked them away. If she couldn't get the best healer in Soul Society, she had to settle for the only other option.

"Tenjiro….KIRINJI! REVEAL YOURSELF!"

"Yo."

The man that had trained her. He did the same thing she did, knock all the help away. He grabbed her arm so she'd stop wobbling around. She glared at him.

"What…..is….wrong with me?!"
"Guess we have to operate," he said. "I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to that."
"Operate?!"

He knew exactly what was wrong with her. It disgusted him to the very core. He had hoped every other trick would work before trying it, but…..

"Yeah." He got around her. "Accept it or you die."

She felt a syringe pierce her neck.

Everything went black.

XXXX

As he prepared for operation, a thousand more thoughts had spawned in his head:

Did it mean it couldn't work for any Shinigami?

Was it doomed from the very start?

How could it even be explained?

No doubt word would reach her relatives and loved ones. No way he could keep it a secret for too much longer. It was a ridiculous thing that only happened because Reio-sama had gotten overly ambitionous. The idea was Hiyori Sarugaki's.

He chuckled bitterly. She was already being tortured over her respect and broken heart for Kirio Hikifune. If she knew what her own mind had caused, she'd be more of a mess.

"Kirinji, what is this nonsense? Soi Fon is going under the knife?"

Of course. Can't keep a damned thing secret from her.

"Yeah. Obviously, she can't control what she didn't know was in her own body. Think there's a word for that?" He meant it sarcastically, of course.

"Damn it….do not let this report get out of control. She was just sick, is all. Yachiru's creeping reiatsu must've compromised it."
Kirinji shut off the sink water and glared at Shutara's reflection.
"What is wrong with you, Senjumaru? Yachiru or not, we obviously are not in any promise to keep it a secret. Do you think she's an idiot? She will not accept random sickness!"

"Then invent a condition if you have to! Are you saying it wasn't her?"

"I….I don't know!" Kirinji slammed the sink. "Maybe it was a good idea that needed a LOT more testing before being used. And when they were conscious of it."

"Well…with Hikifune and Urahara both implicated, we can invent virtually any excuse. Do not let things collapse into hysterics. I will inform Kuchiki and Kyoraku you will be occupied. Fix this."

Fix this? You piece of…..

But he had no time to yell at her. He made his way through the halls, angry at Shutara and angry at himself for being a part of it all.

"Excuse me, Kirinji-san…."

"You?" It was Hanataro, but….there no was spark in his eyes. No, he seemed as if he had learned something painful. "Hey! What the hell's up with you?"

He tilted his head up at him. There was a heavy weight around his body that clued Kirinji in.

"Well…..Meninas was just here…..she was complaining about some sickness….she was throwing up this morning….."

No…..

"And the readings said…..well, she lost it." Hanataro's eyes looked so…..empty. "There was nothing I could say. She didn't have anything for long, but…..it still hurt her."

"Kid…." He put a hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry." Damn it, Retsu, this kid was your subordinate!

He had to make all of this right.


Nanao checked every place she could think of. The closests, the cabinets…every record the 4th once had. But nothing. There was no sign of Iemura's notes on Yachiru. How could she deliver a successful report otherwise?

You don't want to see them.

She paused. The voice of Ryumen. It had been a while since the two had conversed.

I want to find them.

But you don't want to SEE them. Yachiru is still your friend.

Stop it. Don't do this. She checked yet another filing cabinet. Don't make me to be the villain! Why are you judging me?

Because you never could lie to yourself, Nanao. It's the first thing I learned about you. You hate being a pawn in their machinations. You say it's for survival.

It is.

But is it truly surviving if you're alone? You're cutting everyone loose.

Nanao tightened her fist. Shut your mouth. Yachiru DID destroy the compound, and if you don't know what happened that night, that only proves Shunsui DID do what I suspected.

Maybe, maybe not. But that doesn't excuse Nemu.

That was HER choice! We accepted we had made different choices!

Where was this attitude when Lisa was gone?

Nanao slammed the door of where she had been looking so hard, it nearly came off the hinges.

Don't you DARE. Don't involve her in this. She said I could do what I wanted to do! I AM NOT AT FAULT HERE!

Nanao…..I just don't want to suffer like you did before you had me. Alone.

She took off her glasses and pressed her forehead to the wall. I don't want to think about those days. Where I wasn't who I wanted to be. In a body that didn't feel like mine.

Do you feel like yourself right now?

No…..but I don't have a choice.

Honey, we all have choices. Every second of every day of our lives. But right now, you can choose to go back and say you found nothing. And not exert yourself with this task you don't really want to do.

Why did she have to take torture? Why did Yachiru have to….

They chose that. You can still choose what's ahead of you.


One young Shinigami had chosen to make a memorial. She had stayed up all night making a plot, gathering flowers, fixing a headstone, and painstakingly carving a name into it.

Rurichiyo Kasumioji had refused to let Sakumo be discarded to the world.

"Hey! You're not supposed to be bricklaying, Shinigami! Get to training!" commanded an asauchi.

"No," Her whole body ached. She had bruises from using a rock. Her fingers were bleeding. "Not until you give her a sendoff."

The asauchi patrolling didn't understand why the girl seemed to care so much. Passing Shinigami also didn't know why.

"Because her NAME WAS SAKUMO!" She shouted to the world around her. "A woman….a mother….someone that deserved so much more! Don't let this society treat her like garbage!"

"Yeah well, Yachiru Kusajishi did!"

Rurichiyo spun around. It was Mareka Omaeda, wiping her eyes with a hankerchief.

"How horrible does someone have to be to murder their own mother! How dare you defend her, Rurichiyo-dono!"

"I am doing no such thing." Rurichiyo said firmly. "I cannot explain Yachiru. I am only here to mourn Sakumo."
"You think people will care about the streetwalker?!"
"Mareka-dono, I suggest you walk away if you disagree this badly. I am a principled girl, but if you keep dishonoring the dead I will not be able to control myself."

"The dead?!" Mareka sobbed into her cloth. "I'm a mother too! My baby girl tried to kill herself and two of my children are gone! Why does THIS woman matter more to you?!"

"Because…"

"Is it because you still feel indebted to Yachiru? You owe her nothing! This world owes that monster nothing!"

"Because…."

"Or are you still in some noble bubble, and think your problems come first?!"

WHACK

Those watching gasped when Rurichiyo drew the rock at the woman's face. She was panting now.

"You…..dare be presumptuous?! Sakumo is like my own mother. Died before her life was really beginning! The most I could do….no, the LEAST I CAN DO IS HONOR HER AND NOT TAKE CRAP FROM PEOPLE LIKE YOU!"

Mareka yelled for help. A shadow creeped over Rurichiyo's body.

"C…..Captain Kyoraku….."

"Rurichiyo, I think you need to apologize to her. It's clear you're both grieving, and that's fine, but don't pretend she isn't suffering either."

"I will apologize for the rock, not for Sakumo."

Shunsui sighed. "I don't think the higher-ups want you wasting time standing here on behalf of Sakumo-san."

"I don't care what they want. Am I the only sane person still out there?! I WILL defend her memory….in fact…." She picked up a makeshift knife she had carved out of rock. "Please tell Kenryu and Enryu I'm sorry."

"Rurichiyo, disarm yourself or else I'm going to have to."

The former noble teared up. "And do what? Imprison me like a dog? Have we truly fallen as a society when this is what gets people in trouble?"

"But you're intending to attack someone."

"Someone? You have it all wrong. Destroy the memoriam if you must."

To the older man's shock, Rurichiyo stabbed her arm….but not with a desire for pain, no, with careful and cold accuracy. She was carving the characters for Sakumo's name into her own flesh. She didn't scream in pain, not once. At this point Mareka had already fainted.

"I will be…..a walking memorial….!"

Because she knew. Any surface pain was trivial compared to what Sakumo had faced.


When all the high-ranked Shinigami were preparing to leave, the absences were not unnoticed. Shunsui and Byakuya had new priorities, but there were less Vizards, no Ikkaku, no Yumichika, no Soi, no Neliel and so on.

"Hey, Yoruichi, have you seen her?" Kukaku pressed her friend. "If she's not here now, that means something bad happened."
"I don't know." she couldn't admit she talked to her. "But did she seem a little off to you?"

"Maybe recently, but…..you think she's sick?"

"Or MAYBE!" The leader of the Vizards wasn't well either. "….she, like my STUPID Hiyori….got herself….locked up for bad behavior." Shinji Hirako was completely drunk. "Kensei and Mashiro, those idiots…..DID IT too!"

"Hirako, maybe you should sober up," Isshin told him. "You reek."

"I dun give a s-shit." Shinji took a swing from the bottle in his clothes. "….c-can still fight."

"Neliel-san….Madarame, Ayasegawa…..they're gone too," Rukia noted. "And they're not ALL sick."

"Isn't it fucking obvious?!"

The outburst was from Lisa, normally the paragon of quiet and reasonable. Between Shunsui, Nanao, and the fate of her friends, she looked extremely on edge.

"They refused to cooperate and got locked up. And now I have to deal with Drunkie over here." Lisa smacked the bottle out of Shinji's hand. "We ALL are thinking it. We ALL know it. But we're totally fucked, so I suggest all of you stop talking before I lose it. Understand?"

"Like it's our fault Ise sucked up to them," Kukaku challenged. "Until I see Soi safe and sound, I ain't kissing any boots."

"Oh, so now I'm her keeper?! She's an adult!"
"She's a backstabber! Nemu got locked up because of her!"

Then, a particularly strong burst of reiatsu nearly knocked everyone to their knees. Retsu's stare was something everyone could fear.

"All of you, cease this fighting. We have duties to fulfill. If you cannot take this seriously do not call yourself Shinigami."

The arguments were quietly dropped but there was still clear point of contention between the club members around.

Jushiro Ukitake could only wonder what his wife was keeping secret.


An even darker secret was unfolding during the surgery. Heavy doses of anaestheia had been used to keep Soi unconscious but her physiology was in severe danger. Her temperature kept rising and falling, her blood pressure going out of control, the heart rate had to constantly be monitored…..

It was nothing seen before in the medical history of Shinigami.

Which made it all the more painful for Kirinji to operate.

He zeroed on the region that was causing it…..a malignant zone forming within her uterus. Something that shouldn't have been there. The whole region was compromised. The asauchi watching were paltry compared to the experienced former officers of the 4th, but Kirinji refused to let Shinigami witness this.

She was violated.

With pinpoint precision he had to make the cut.

All of them were violated.

Her heartbeat stopped again. The nervous asauchi quickly resuscitated her.

I stood by and let it happen.

He removed both the malignant abnormality and the uterus.

I'm no healer. I'm just scum.

But the damage had affected more than just there. He had to deal with some organ damage.

Why, Reio? Why did you make us do this?

She would survive the surgery. But the consequences would be nothing hot springs could fix.

And more importantly….why did we agree?

He had to stop, for a brief second - he didn't want his tear to drip into the patient's body.


Kirinji's face was unreadable when he looked over the result of his student's first surgery - the patient could not be saved. The wounds had caused too much blood loss.

"Master….I have failed you."

Retsu's head was already touching the dirt.

"The patient….."

"What do you want me to do, Retsu? Bash your head with a stick?" He dragged her up to his scathing eye level. "You can't be a healer if you let every lost life slow you down."

"I followed your instructions….why didn't it work?" she asked, frustrated with her failure. "Was I not fast enough?"

"Moron!" He threw back her to the ground. "Healin' isn't about being too fast or too slow. It's about weighing all the options and acting. Sometimes….it's just out of your hands."
"I don't want to this happen again."

"Well tough balls, it's gonna. And you'll feel as shitty as the patient's friends or family. It's on people like you to save them. They're trusting you. You can't break that trust."

Retsu didn't understand. "This patient died. That means I already did."
"No. Having them die isn't breaking the healer's trust. It's when you don't do your best. Did you do your best?"

"…."

"Answer the question!"

Now shame had crossed her features. "Did I? No."

"Then that's the drive that will save the next one. Don't let me down. Don't break MY trust."

"Master…."


Under his strict orders, Soi Fon would receive no visitors until she was stable and awake. As the asauchi wheeled her away, he could only sit in his office, wondering what was the exact number of Shinigami he had made suffer.

Retsu…..your friend…..how do I even explain it?

A knock on his door.

"Go away!"
"Shall I come back?"

Kuchiki. "Come in!" He let the other man sit down in the same seat Shunsui had once occupied. "Well…..what did you want to know?"

"Before I ask…." In reality, Byakuya wanted to believe the story wasn't true. "….I will tell something important, if only to secure that what I will hear is the truth."

"…"

Byakuya stared at the other man. "Rukia and Ichigo Kurosaki both intend to participate in a Living World trial concerning Don Kanonji. He is under prosecution for aiding the Shinigami. She has agreed not to interfere in whatever I do and I will not interfere with she does."

"…tch. I don't think it really matters. Here's the reality - we're losing ground to cover all bases. I know for a FACT that Hyosube and Reio-sama are both occupied. Shutara can't do everything. Do you know what will happen if Kanonji is found guilty?"

"Short-term? He will likely die. Long-term? ….I do not."

"There ya go. You want control over the rest of the worlds, we solve the problem here. Go ahead. Ask your question."

Byakuya glanced at the door.

"The asauchi know not to bother me. They know I'm stressed."

"…very well. Is it true….." Byakuya kept his voice steady. "…during Yachiru Kusajishi's rampage, all of the Shinigami were caught in something so vile….that we all have the same foggy memory?"

Kirinji looked down at his desk. "We were all following orders until Hikifune and Nimaiya both had enough of it. Shutara thought she could take Hikifune's cooking talents but she's an amateur."

"Answer the question."

"What do you want me to say? I could describe it all in detail, but we've both known you've figured it out. How?"

"Grandfather had memory of it….before he passed." Byakuya's voice was quiet.

"Hmmm….knew she was an amateur."

Kirinji didn't flinch. Byakuya had his sword pressed to his neck….drawing a small bit of blood.

"Do you realize what you have been a part of, Tenjiro Kirinji?" Now Byakuya was getting angry, a berserking rage he usually didn't expel. "You all have violated all of us."

"Yeah."

"A callous disregard for our health, dignity, safety, and state of mind. I can only imagine what would befall the younger Shinigami whom realize it."

"You're right," was all he could say. "I have no excuses. None of us do."

"Perhaps the better question is-" Byakuya pressed harder. Slightly. "How will you make amends? How will you explain yourself to all the people you've wronged? And what, will be your punishment for such an insidious act?!"

"There's only one thing I can really do. Come clean with it all." He looked at Byakuya. "Give control back to you all of you. But you just have to wait a bit longer."

"For what?" Byakuya was barely resisting the urge to behead him then and there. "For you to hide more secrets?"

"I need someone to take the fall for Soul Society, and there's only one man that will agree. But you have to trust me."

"I never did."

"You don't follow me, it's not going to work. You should thank Yachiru for screwing everything up for Reio. He's a paranoid, emotional mess. If you all don't fix your society before he becomes his former self, you all will NEVER be free."

Byakuya withdrew his blade.

"It is even more insidious you all would attempt to pin everything on not only Yachiru Kusajishi, but also Kisuke Urahara and your associates."
"I know. I'm fucking scum." Kirinji tightened his fists until they were near bleeding. "…and you all don't even know the half of it all."

"I will play the part a bit longer. If you do not have a solution, then I will form my own demise." Byakuya turned to leave. "I will not follow the society that caused Grandfather to suffer on his deathbed."

He left.

Kirinji never needed a cigarette so badly.


What of the budding pool of new Shinigami, at the academy? As usual, E rank Shinigami helped whip them into shape….but their organization and attitude had been molded to a precise degree by one woman.

"March, all of you! You are the soldiers of Reio-sama!"

Shutara always scanned the lines for those not keeping up with pace. She enforced the curriculum, punished the dissenters, kept tabs on whatever she could. She patrolled the halls with diligence, and looked in on every class.

"The Eldrich is still missing, but we will find her…."

She had forced several troublesome Shinigami to be their teachers, and she always advised the students to leave comments to see if they stuck to the scripts. They always did. All the students knew was serving Reio-sama. If they wanted to live, they'd serve Reio-sama. If they wanted power, they'd serve Reio-sama. Their God was the key of existence.

…..but why did she have no idea what state he was in?

Shutara respected Hyosube's power. He was the leader of the Royal Guard. He knew more than she did. He would help restore Reio-sama, no doubt. Yet she didn't know how long it would take. What utter developments could happen. Uncertainty was the bane of control.

"Shutara-sama."
She relaxed. "Ise. What have you found?"

Nanao cleared her throat. "Well…..the surgery involving….Soi Fon….was successful. She only needs to recover." The other woman didn't know why she was in surgery in the first place. "Rurichiyo Kasumioji was sent to the center for carving up her arm."

"Ise. Do not waste my time with trivial details!"

"I…..did not find the journal."

Now this frustrated the older woman. "Ise, I have no patience for failure. He was a 4th Division Shinigami. Keeping a record of something has to be locked up somewhere!"
"I apologize but-"
"But nothing!" Shutara clicked her tongue. "If I recall, Iemura revealed some information regarding the girl. How she tried to put everything on herself in order not to lose any of you, correct?"

"Y-Yes." Nanao remembered the note they all signed that they wouldn't leave Yachiru….

"Iemura's notes are the key to her madness. You could discover why she killed her own mother to begin with. Why such a disturbed, warped child managed to gain so many allies in such a short time…..don't you want to know?"

Nanao remembered the day Yachiru had declared the name of the club.

"…..yes. But there's more to the report. Kirinji-sama said if he won't cooperate, he will be sure to reveal the answer before…..an execution."

"Yes….." Shutara thought of the outcomes. "….he isn't that strong. He will fold. I am sure of it! Now be gone. I have more to do."

"Yes. I will take my leave."

XXXXX

With a simple order, all of the academy students…..all of those molded due to their own powerlessness….students like Shizuku, Homura, Ganju's gang, Yuichi, his mother, Jackie Tristian..….gathered together, all in a neatly formed crowd.

Shutara stood in the center of the courtyard.

"Students! Listen…..and listen well. You are the future of Soul Society. Do not worry about the dangers you've read so much about. There is one fundamental truth you must all know," she claimed. "Without Reio-sama, there is only ruin. Destruction. Loss. Agony. Disorder. All of those that work against or even work with reluctance are the enemy. They will cause your own demise. Pay attention to the world around you. Know what is truth and what is fiction! And if something happens to me…..the arbiter of Reio-sama's will…..do not submit to the heretics."

An evil smile fell on her face.

"Fight until the end. Fight for Reio-sama, and only Reio-sama! You will see him at his apex. And tremble with awe upon who is the TRUE GOD!"

And as she had molded for some time….every student got to their knees and bowed to the ground.

"It is not Yachiru Kusajishi! It is not Orihime Inoue! No Shinigami out there can match the power of Reio-sama! Never! I swear on it!"

In the back of her mind, though…she prayed he would be restored quickly. The uncertainy of not knowing when had terrified her.

XXXX

Nanao chose to make one stop before leaving. In a dimly lit room, she saw some of the mentally drained teachers…..namely, Orihime. She was sitting with Akon. But they saw her immediately.

"Nanao-san! You….you shouldn't be here."

"I was only delivering a report to Shutara-sama. Have….you been well?"

"Fine."

"You cut your hair. It looks…..different." She couldn't believe she had just said that. "They have you doing this?"

"It's….better than having me run off on my own…." Orihime laughed nervously. "How….how are you?"

"I'm…..fine."

Akon scoffed. "Stop vamping, both of you. You're thinking of the same problem…..and frankly, I want to know too. Nemu Kusamiya. What is her fate?"

"She…..refused to denounce Yachiru. She didn't intend to cooperate."

"She's being tortured….like Ishida-kun," Orihime said quietly. "….right?"

"….yes."

"Tch. Don't they realize Captain Kusamiya faced torture all her life? She'd gladly endure all of it. Vice-Captain Kusajishi is too special to her."

"But why?" Nanao asked not only of Akon, but herself. "At what point does someone realize enough is enough? Why would someone willingly do this?!"

Akon stared critically at her. He understoond her own plight, but the answer was always obvious to him.

"The physical pain always hurts less than the mental one. Now I suggest you leave unless you want all of us to be next."

"No! There….there has to be a way to resolve this!"

"Can you be like Nemu-san?" Orihime stared at her. Not judging. Not angry. But….wanting to know. "And can I?"

Nanao didn't know.


As for the tortured…..they had gotten a brief surprise when Neliel was added to the mix. But she held true to her word and refused to cooperate for the regime's role in Bawabawa's death. She had been whipped until she was bloody, burned with a prod….and now she and the others were all chained up, naked in a chamber with below 0 temperatures.

"Is this it?!" Ikkaku would often shout, to no avail. "Didn't realize we were goddamn babies! I could do this in my sleep!"

"Will you shut the f-fuck up?!" Kensei barked at him. "This….this isn't…going to end…!"

"Kensei…"

He looked at Mashiro, shivering painfully. She hadn't felt well in quite some time, but the guards did not accept his requests for medical aid. She had already thrown up a few times.

"Why…..did you…..you were….innocent….."

"Because of you…..you fucking idiot," he shivered. "I'm just…..fixing your mistakes….!"

Nemu, in the corner, wondered what was wrong with her. She glanced at Uryu, who glanced back…..they were both in agony but they were at least suffering together. Would it be truly be forever? Unforunately, her breath hitched when she looked over at Hiyori.

"Hiyori! Stay awake!" Kensei shouted.

Hiyori's arms were made of metal, which meant her surrounding nerves were freezing faster. She already had frostbite. She bit her lip, and it being frozen meant it was already bleeding.

"Kirio-san….."

"She keeps….mumbling that," Yumichika said. His skin was a wreck but he would endure any injustice for his missing Captain and Vice-Captain.

"She…..didn't…..do….it….." Hiyori was in a deep haze and struggling to stay conscious. But the painful reality of what happened kept replaying in her mind. Her tears had frozen on her face. "Kirio…..san…"

Uryu was facing a similar problem with his own metallic glasses. "They're…..not g-going to….l-let us….d-die. You….you c-can't torture the….d-dead."

Neliel, in the center, said nothing. She kept thinking about Bawabawa and Kenpachi. Then Pesche and Dondachakka. For all of them, she couldn't give in. Not to despair.

XXXXX

Iemura had considered himself lucky. Their screams of torment he had heard in his cell. How long was he in there? Mareyo had been taken out a while ago….hopefully back to her family. The poor girl would fold under any torture. She didn't deserve it.

"Hey. Gimme some time with the prisoner."

"Yes sir!"

Now in his field of vision was Kirinji, who entered his own cell.

"Came to free me?"

"No. Since we can't find yer notes…..you're on the chopping block." He reached down to punch the other man in the stomach. Iemura took it with a grunt. "Unless, you want to tell me where they are?"

"You will never…..find them….."

Casually, Kirinji lit that cigarette he had been saving. "Retsu taught you a lot, didn't she? You'd really accept death?"

Iemura stared at him. "My life is secondary to my patients. I will not compromise them for….my own selfishness."

For good measure, he "punched" him again. "You're a healer, all right. Have you spoken to Retsu?"

"Captain Unohana? ….it's been a while."

"Iemura. How much do you value her?"

"What are you even….getting at?" He asked. "I cannot quantify my loyalty to her. But if you're asking will my dying upset her…..of course it will. But she would understand my resolve."

"….what if I were to say…." Kirinji pretended to muse over his words. "…..you dying would give her and everyone else more time…..more time, to free themselves."

"….."

"Don't play stupid Iemura, I know you're not. You doing all this just proves you have this much faith in Yachiru. If you trust me, we can spread that faith….hopefully."
"Why should I trust you?"

Kirinji crouched down. "I can tell you the truth of what happened with her."

"Again, why should I accept your truth when I cannot verify it?"

"….good point. You're not an idiot."

Iemura considered his options. "Give me an account that is inconsistent with the official story."

"Yachiru did lose control, that's not a lie. And she did kill Sakumo, that's not a lie either. But she had been impersonated during the show. She never danced with her. …..she was being tortured."

The look on Iemura's face said it all. "You bastards….she was a CHILD!"

"Yeah. Do you believe me or not?"

"What's giving you this….change of heart?!" Iemura panted. "….if you've been complacent so far, what NOW is what makes you reconsider?!"

"Retsu you fucking idiot."

"…"

Indeed, Kirinji's hand was shaking when he put out the cigarette. "All of you Shinigami were tortured in a different way….and when I learned she actually lost her would-be child because of my involvement…..that's what made me not want to be a part of it anymore."

"That's…."

"I know. Selfish. I'm disgusting, I know. That's why I have to make it up to her. I can't keep going with all these lies. It's true you all don't mean as much as Retsu…..but that's also why I have no right to treat you all like cattle. But you have to follow this plan."

"….don't you see?" Iemura's voice had gotten somber. "….whatever truth you have me say will not be universally accepted. The fact that Yachiru did destroy the compound has eroded the trust in not only her, but of the truth in general. People don't know what to believe anymore."

"But not you."

"…"

"You always believed in the girl, didn't you?"

"…."

"Iemura."
"The fact that….Sakumo is gone….is a pain Yachiru will have to endure for the rest of her life. ….but…how could we truly cast judgement when we don't know all of the facts? Why did she do it, even in an uncontrolled state Yachiru would not kill her own."

"…Shutara. She coaxed her and used her to mess with Yachiru."

"Wait, what?" Iemura's eyes went wide. "Her dream."

"Yeah," said the other man grimly.

"The dream she only told Sakumo…..and myself. How vile….striking there…..but perhaps…that is what…I need. I don't expect everyone to believe me but…..all it takes is one. One moment of sacrifice to spurn others. How are we going to do this? Shutara…."

Now Kirinji knew he had placed trust in the right person. "I'll deal with her."


Retsu had finally chosen her look - she tied the bulk of her hair into a braid that hung neatly at the front of her body. When she showed to Kirinji…..he actually smiled.

"Damn. Not bad."

"I feel so different looking like this," Retsu said while glancing at her reflection.

"Does it feel wrong?"

"No…..I feel….calm. Even down to the way I step. I cannot wait for my new lessons with this….inner focus!" But she saw he had stopped smiling. "Master?"

"Actually, uh….today's the last day. I'm leaving by sunset. Seiretei…..the compound has been established. Yamamoto will lead it."

"I see." She briefly mused she never got to settle the score with him. "But surely there's more you can teach me?"

"Not a thing. Only thing now is to go out there and teach other Shinigami. Learn that way."

"Master….." She knew it was going to happen, yet it still was not something she could accept so easily. What could she say? She decided to bow neatly, as a proper medic would. "….thank you for teaching me."

"Ha! You SHOULD be apologizing to me, for making me waste my time on you."

Retsu said nothing. She just held the bow.

"Retsu….you're going to be GREAT! Okay? Just remember all of my lessons and you'll be the best medic out there."

"I already am."

"Huh?"

She raised her head, not ashamed at all of the tears she was shedding. "I had you as my teacher. I promise….I will do you proud!"

"Stop crying, you baby. Who'd want to get a sobbing weird woman as a doctor?" he joked, but the truth was he was already proud.


The night was quiet when Kukaku came home to her abode. There her brother had made them dinner, but she was in no mood to eat.

"C'mon sis, have some."

"No," Kukaku said, looking for the bottle to drink herself to sleep. "I don't eat without her. What's the fucking point, Ganju?"

Xen cleared her throat. "I'm s-sure she'll be fine."

"Something bad happened to her. She's probably being ripped apart right now!" Kukaku found one bottle Ganju had tried to hide. She threw the cork out the window and began to down it.

"Kukaku, knock it off!" Ganju tried to pull it away but he earned a fist to the face for trying. "This isn't fixing anything!"

"Fuck off, Ganju." Kukaku smashed the bottle when it was finished. "Something….something was wrong with her and I couldn't help her," she hiccuped. "I'd go over there….but then they'd PROBABLY brainwash her once I blew something up. Right?"

Her brother had no answer and he hated that.

"Shaolin….Shaolin will come back to you, Kukaku!" Xen vowed.

"Ain't you cute, kid?" Kukaku tussled her hair rather roughly. "It's nice to have hope. Must be nice." Then she staggered her way to bed.


It was all the more unfortunate to how Soi Fon was really suffering.

You killed me. I thought you wanted me.

"….."

How will you tell her?

"…."

Wake up! the buzzing of one Suzumebachi shouted. Please, you have to wake up! Don't let these dreams torment you anymore!

"Su…zu…..me….."

I'm here! I'm always here for you! PLEASE!

"….ba….chi….."

Your desires….lost…..

Soi wearily opened her eyes. She didn't know what time it was, but…..she was in a hospital gown. No zanpakutou in sight. She felt tired. Weak. And yet….it was a different sensation to what had she felt before. Carefully she lifted up the blankets.

No missing limbs….

But her eyes saw something. She hastily threw the covers off.

"What the….?!"

A long and jagged scar was visible on her pelvis. She touched it briefly only to pull back from the intense pain of sensation.

They had removed something. So she did the only thing she thought of.

She ripped out all the IV and ran.

XXXX

But the cold and unfamiliar walls brought more and more panic. She was not totally steady on her feet, and thus not in prime condition to escape (every moment caused the scar to burn ever so slightly), but she just kept running.

What did they do to me?! What HAPPENED TO ME?!

"The patient's running!" shouted a voice, causing her to quickly duck into a washroom. She splashed water on her face.

"They did something. Something horrible." Soi checked her eyes and face into the mirror. "Why, why did they do this…..Suzumebachi!"

She ran out the room and kept running down the halls.

"SUZUMEBACHI!" She shouted. Soi pushed through another door, but in her post-surgery haze she was seeing things. She saw herself entangled with Kukaku in carnal lust. No, she was seeing this for all of her allies. What was she dreaming?!

"Stop, please!" she heard another voice. So she quickly turned a corner and kept running. But the haze was far from over. Now she was seeing the same thing happen to Xen….it made her heart nearly stop. Sweat was building and building on her face.

It's just a dream. It's just a dream. It's just a dream!

What's the matter, Bee-chan? Yachiru's warped voice rang in her ears. Dontcha remember?

Remember…..?

Yeah. Remember!

Now she saw an appartion pierce another version of herself, one that was sound sleep. Its hands trailed over its stomach….rubbing it like it would for a….

No…..no…NO! Soi covered her eyes and kept running. The madness had to stop. When she finally saw a glass window, she ran right for it. I HAVE TO WAKE UP!

She jumped through the glass…..

…..only to fall into a dark hole. The apparition from earlier came through the fading light.

"S-Stay back!"

It traveled into her mouth and began to make her choke. She desperately grabbed her neck, her air fading and fading until…..

XXXX

"AAAAAH!" She shouted, waking up in another bed in a deep sweat. Her vitals were unstable again. Several asauchi tried to hold her down but Kirinji ordered them to stop.

"Let ME deal with the patient, idiots! Get the fuck out!"

"But sir-!"

He physically threw all of them out. Carefully, he made Soi lay back down. "It's okay, it's okay. You're safe."

"What did they take?!"

"What?"

Soi was panting. "What did they take, Kirinji?! Tell me what happened!"

"I dunno….you're not really stable enough to really comprehend it all….."

"You don't-" she gasped when her eyes caught something in a jar. The shape of a…..yes. Now it all made sense. "You removed it….."

Kirinji looked to the jar. "Listen, it was do that or you'd-"

"Why did you do it?!" Soi was shaking, overcome with a vast barrage of emotions. Nothing made sense anymore. "Why did you remove my womb?!"

He had no choice, lest she start shouting and making her blood pressure spike again.

He had to subdue her with a syringe again.

I'm sorry. There's not much I can say to fix it. You….you were just a victim in our cruel games.


The news spread like wildfire. Yasochika Iemura was on the verge of execution, as he continued his support for Yachiru and refused to provide the location of his notes. Some were outraged, others believed he was making a foolish mistake for no reason.

Until the time would come he stayed in his dark cell. Shutara was insistent he would still have a chance to free himself.

"He just has to say the right thing. It's a stubbornness that can be broken. He won't die for nothing."

He kept himself calm. He was bruised and hungry. He couldn't sleep from the continued sounds of tortured Shinigami below. He just kept thinking of Yachiru and Retsu.

He was risking it all on a final play to save the people around him.

"Inmate! Let's get moving!"

XXXX

He recoiled at the rays of sunlight when led outside. To make matters worse, the first person to see was Shutara herself.

"Yasochika Iemura. Surely you've had enough time to reflect."

"I have."

"And?"

"I'm not giving you what you want."

"Very well."

It then dawned on him she was not going to kill him so quickly. No, she was making a show of it. He was led further through the compound, to be executed in front of so many Shinigami. He would be the example she had so craved. The first to be outight eliminated for disobedience. Iemura held his head up, looking at the masses. To his disgust she had commanded the academy students to witness this.

"Don't worry," she told him. "The A and B rank Shinigami went off to the Living World. I assumed you didn't want to let Retsu Unohana see you like this."

"…."

Finally he was led to a platform in the middle of the crowd. To his left, Byakuya. To his right, Shunsui.

"SHINIGAMI! LOOK BEFORE YOU!" Shutara commanded. "This man - Yasochika Iemura - stands guilty before by supporting the Eldrich, Yachiru Kusajishi! By supporting her…..he has denounced Reio-sama himself!"

It was no surprise the bulk of jeering came from the academy students and loyal asauchi.

"But there is always time to fix your mistakes," Shutara looked at Iemura. "Perhaps he has given it enough thought."

Kirinji was standing right next to the taunting woman.

"….Yes."

"Then, you have a statement for us?"

Iemura cleared his throat. "I only have so much time."

"Then enlighten us, prisoner."

"…..My loyalty remains to my patients. To that end, I will not denounce Yachiru Kusajishi."

"What?" Shutara was appalled. "Do you think this is some kind of cruel joke?" With a motion, both Senbonzakura and Katen Kyokotsu were placed at Iemura's neck. "Think about who you're supporting! The monster that destroyed the compound?"

"Monster…..no…you all truly do not understand Yachiru," Iemura began. "She is many things. Someone that craves friendship and connection. Someone that holds grudges but also forgives. Someone that had her dreams tampered with, as did all of you."

"Enough! Speak no more! If you're not going to support Reio-sama then your words mean nothing to me!"

Iemura stared at Kirinji, who stared back.

"…I'm not taking orders from you anymore."

"What?! You dare…..!" But Shutara was too focused on her anger. She was just about to give the command to end Iemura's life forever…..but something grabbed one of her arms. "What….?"

Suddenly, Kirinji had smashed her through the crowd, and zoomed to get her. The crowd was shocked but Iemura kept speaking.

"Friends! Shinigami! I was Yachiru's therapist, and while I cannot deny the proof of her destruction…..I know the truth. The truth that was hidden from all of you!"

Byakuya and Shunsui both withdrew their swords.


Shutara immediately got to her feet, throwing off any rubble. Kirinji arrived soon after.

"How dare you, Tenjiro Kirinji! Attacking me?! What side do you really serve?!"
"Not Reio-sama! Not anymore!"

He immediately lunged to grab her but her arms blocked it.

"Oh ho…now it all makes sense…you've been doing these manuevers behind my back! Has the corruption of Nimaiya and Hikifune infected you as well?!"

"It's not corruption when they have a fucking CONSCIENCE!" He smashed his fist into her face so hard, she went flying. He followed but was immediately blasted by a high-level lightning kido.


"The truth! The truth of that night is….." Iemura took a deep breath. "….we were nothing more than pawns in their twisted games. All of us! ALL OF US! Drugged without our consent to debauch ourselves! Why, you might ask?!"

The chaotic sounds and lights of the Royal Guard battle echoed through the compound, behind him.

"Because it was Reio's will. He wanted to restore the soul balance. So that meant using us in the most horrific ways imaginable! Think of how much is a mystery to you all. Can you really trust that over Yachiru herself?!" It was starting. "Yachiru was physically tortured and lost control over a power she didn't UNDERSTAND! Reio had pushed her to the breaking point! As I speak, our own allies and friends are being brutally tortured like she was!" Iemura felt his body getting weaker. "She….she has lost a lot. And they framed her for the bulk of it. I know the story might seem….impossible to you all, but…."

Iemura's strength was fading. He was forced to one knee before he got back up.

"….I believe in her! She is the only one that managed to stand up the tyranny controlling us! Can we really say we're better than her when we coward against our base instincts?! My friends…." his vision was getting blurry. "…..she had a dream. A dream she only told me and her mother. Her dream…..was…."

More explosions and chaos behind him. He wouldn't live for much longer. The serum wasn't going to delay.

"….her dream…..was to ensure generations of her club. To have everyone live in happiness. Find their special one. But the actions in this compound….have warped that….." Iemura panted. "…..the reason her notes are hard to find are simple. I burned them. They only exist in my own memories. Perhaps many of us will never quite understand Yachiru Kusajishi."

This was it. His time was coming. But he was happy to go out this way. Of his own choice.

"….NSWA club members….you were the closest to her heart…..please. Do not believe the lies. Do not forget about her!" Iemura thought about his Captain. He hoped she would be happy, one day. "….She has brought you all together…..she has brought many together!"

Yasochika Iemura stood proud as he shouted his final words.

"SHE IS THE ONE I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE IN! WHOM WILL YOU ALL CHOOSE?!"

And then, it was over. The serum he had accepted from Kirinji finally kicked in. He dropped to the ground.

Captain…..Vice-Captain…..Hanataro…..Yachiru…thank…..you…

His role as a healer, as a therapist, and as a Shinigami…..was finally finished.

He would ask for no better ending.


But the battle between Shutara and Kirinji raged on, with no one capable of stopping the duo. Their clashes threw them both into the Holy Tower itself.

"ENOUGH!" Shutara shouted. "Don't you understand?! To defy Reio-sama…..why are you causing more disorder?!" She blocked his attack again. "WHY?!"

"BECAUSE!" He smashed her into a wall. "Look at what we did, Shutara! Look at what we were a part of?! Why are you following him so blindly?! He hasn't even told all the secrets to you!"

"My….will…..is to serve! You let yourself get attached to them, Kirinji! You cannot call yourself a member of the Royal Guard any longer!"

"GOOD! All it did was…." Kirinji shook with rage. "…..make us into puppets! These are people we toyed with!"

"Enough of this. Reio-sama…..Reio-sama will ERASE you! He'll erase ALL of those dissenters!" Shutara quickly disappeared but Kirinji followed her reiatsu to the chamber their leader usually was. He couldn't stop her in time from blasting the door open. "Reio-sama!"

But Shutara's gleeful face morphed into one of shock.

There was nothing there. No atom or trace of their God. No Ichibe. Nothing. The chamber had been vacated.

"What…..?! WHAT?! Reio-sama! REIO-SAMA!" Shutara's eyes darted around. "W-Where did Hyosube go with him?!"

"Heh…..so he's not here."
"This isn't funny! Reio-sama is gone!"

Kirinji just burst out laughing. Even he couldn't see it coming. "Man…..guess this was the emergency plan, huh?!"

"He…he can't be gone! Our might….our might is fractured as it is!"

"No, your might." Kirinji closed the chamber door. Both stood in darkness. "And I can deal with just you."

"Kirinji….fighting me will be a mistake."

"Great, who cares? I'd need a thousand of my lives just to make it up to the Shinigami. But if I take you with me, then that's one more obstacle removed from beating Reio."

With an incantation he quickly sealed the door shut.

"What on earth are you doing?!"

Kirinji used his fingertip to illuminate near his face. His grinning, finally-free-of-regrets face. "The Shinigami don't need either of us anymore. Now that I have you in here, you won't be getting out."

"Fool!" Shutara did the same, only her extra arms gave her more light. "Do you think Reio-sama being gone is a good thing?!"

"Yeah….?"

"The compound will accelerate towards the ground, and there will be no more barrier protecting the Living World. More chaos. More destruction." Shutara never looked so panicked before. "No….no, I cannot let that happen. I will destroy you, then restore order."

"You can't beat me that easily, Senjumaru." Kirinji ripped off his coat so he was standing shirtless and ready to rumble. "If what we did is order, then I'm ready to give them chaos."

"NO! I WILL NOT LET YOU CURSE THIS REALM TO OBLIVION!"

But he just laughed. "We already did. Man! …..I can't wait to make you stop talking forever."

And thus, two more members of the Royal Guard charged towards each other. One that wanted to keep the lingering will of Reio, and one that wanted to give the will back to the Shinigami.


As for the last remaining member….

"Hmm." He shifted ever so slightly in his deep meditation. "I sense bad tidings, Reio-sama. But don't worry. My mission is clear. You will have your power back."

Ichibe Hyosube was linked to his God through the same black symbols that once claimed the lives of Hachigen Ushoda and Tessai Tsukabishi. Reio stood before him in stasis….almost in a deep sleep.

If he couldn't get balance by creating lives in the realm of Shinigami, he would get balance the opposite way - destroying lives in the realm of humans.


To be continued...


Everytime I say this was my longest chapter, I end up outdoing myself. I was actually kinda rushing to get this out today, on this date...but I had to make sure it was all I wanted to put in. Because Nov. 2 marks five years. Five years since this all began with the first chapter of SWA. Multiple one-shots, hundreds of thousands of words, a TV tropes page, and over 100 chapters of collective content between SWA and NSWA.

It's...been a long journey so far.

I've been wracked with so many emotions. My fanfiction presence expanded from a simple story about Yachiru and her friends. I am truly grateful to everyone that has read this saga, but I am still regretful that some of the work within...was not my best.

I still have the ending I had imagined long ago. I still don't know when I'll ever get there. And in my darkest day, I've thought about abandoning this because of my self-critique; in many ways, it's a lmessy compared to how SWA turned out.

But it's been a part of my life for so long. And a part of me wants to see it to the very end. I'm sure there's plenty of readers that feel the same way, because I still see the same faces reviewing. Thank you, all of you.

2020 is a grim year for not only this world, but our real world. I can't say how 2021 will play out for irl, but we've reached a turning point where the Shinigami, no, all of the good guys we're rooting for - can finally turn the tables.

With that, have a happy holiday, stay safe, and thank for you reading.