Review Time:
Wheel0fDawn - thank you! Glad you enjoyed.
gamma2015 - I'm a sucker for those one-hit underdogs. It's not unlike how Tessai and Hachi got a final send-off to save everyone, while in the manga their potential was hardly realized. I know all don't have the same *punch* but even minor characters like Iemura can get their time.
AgiYoi779 - Indeed!
Sairey13 - All the time but I feel as if the idea was/is done a lot better by other authors and stories. In this fic I gave glimpses of my own interpretations but not the full picture. Still, despite how much Yachiru is tied to her club, I always make sure the love between her and Kenpachi is never in the background.
Chapter 73 – Only Human
The time was 11:32 pm.
The date was October 3rd.
"Ha….ha…."
An once quiet apartment shared by a high school graduate and his younger sister was now the scene of multiple horrific crimes. The least horrible? Breaking and entering, evidenced by the door off its hinges. Then came robbery, the opened and ransacked drawers and missing valuables.
"E…..Ena….."
Up the chain came the death. First, the death of the sister, a bright girl with a future cut tragically short. She suffered as her body was continuously used like a cheap toy.
"….y…..ou…"
But the suspects – street thugs that had taken things too far in their sick games – had suffered too. Once the graduate found them removing the last of his sister's life…..he showed them no mercy.
"THIS IS THE POLICE! DROP THE WEAPON!"
Indeed, Kokuto's listless eyes looked at the thugs' remains. He wanted them to suffer in the same way Ena did. He tortured them for far longer than they had assaulted her. He briefly heard one of the police officers vomit at the grotesque scene around them.
"No….good…"
"STOP! DON'T MOVE!"
But Kokuto ignored their orders. Instead, he crouched down in the near sea of blood and semen to hold his dead sister, one last time.
"You…why was it…..you…"
"W-We need backup!" One of the officers called into his walkie. But now their new suspect had stood up. Was he going to surrender without any violence? Carefully….they had to approach.
"How many…..how many….will it take…..?"
"J-Just calm yourself!" The senior officer tried. But he and his partner were loosing their steele every passing second they had to see the crime scene. It was nothing they had even seen before. Was this man…..human?
"You're…arresting me…..?"
"You…..you did unspeakable things to these people!" The junior officer readied his handcuffs. "Why….why is it a question?!"
But the look. The look Kokuto gave the man made him freeze like a deer in headlights.
"Arresting me….when THEY…they did this to her."
"You…..you say that but-"
"THEY DID THIS TO HER!" Kokuto shouted. A man with nothing more to lose. "AND YOU'RE CASTING ME AS THE GUILTY ONE?! GO TO HELL!"
He moved faster than either had predicted. One swing of the pipe smashed the junior's skull, and the other smashed the senior's hand, causing the gun to drop.
"AAAAAAAH!"
"What's left for me…..in this rotten world…WITHOUT HER?!"
A man that had lost his guiding voice, his source of light…..succumbed to the darkness. He would eventually be caught. Five days later.
The bodies only had piled up.
"Hahahahahahaha! All that for some girl?"
Kokuto had told some version to his story to the souls trapped in Hell. Some shrugged at his plight, the occasional face gave him some sympathy. The truly wicked ones…..like the ex-Espada with him….laughed.
"Yeah. Doing unspeakable things just because you lost someone…..maybe me and Tsukishima are the weird ones."
The people of Hell had been rallied by Tsukishima's leadership….the promise of change. The idea that they wouldn't be stuck in their endless torture. But it was unclear what exactly he was doing, or how long it would truly take. Either way, the two men that gotten to know him…..seen his power…..knew he would do it.
"You know, Kokuto-kun….what he said before departing has only made me consider how wrongly we are imprisoned."
"Tch. You said yourself you conducted all sorts of horrific experiments."
"But that was just me as a Hollow," Szayel held up a finger. "Perhaps you need a bit of a refresher course. How does one get to Hell? And please, don't say the doors."
Kokuto stared at him. Where was he going with this? "The Shinigami. Their weapons do it."
"Yes! But….the zanpakutou is only designed to cleanse the sins of someone as a Hollow. The doors only emerge to cast the sins of the soul underneath, if they are truly vile."
"….."
Szayel flashed the grin one Liltotto Lamperd had seen in her nightmares. "You were thrown in here for merely grieving over your sister? I mean, those thugs had started it, right?"
"And you're in here…..from what you've told me you did some really terrible experiments….the hell did you do while alive?!"
"I don't remember," said the ex-Espada casually. "But do try to understand the greater point behind all of this. It proves Tsu-kun's point perfectly. It's a broken system."
"You're kidding, right?" Kokuto gave a pointed look to the wasteland that was their (not)lives, the mix of demented and vengeful individuals, the beasts. "You don't need to treat me like an idiot just to say HELL BAD. I thought you were supposed to be a genius?"
"Hmph." Szayel pretended to look hurt. "Doesn't it prove there's no such thing as being good?"
"Huh?"
The pink-haired man sketched a few things in the dirt beneath them. "Is there even a stage to directly send people to Hell without them being a Hollow first? You know, to get a Shinigami's attention?"
"Uh….."
"You were a Hollow for a while….weren't you?"
Kokuto's eyes widened. The truth was, he had no memory of what happened after he finished his killings. Being processed by the police, sent to the electric chair…..and what had happened beyond….no, all he could remember was blackness. "I…..I don't know."
"Well how about this? If your sister died, what do you think happened to her?"
"Ena's not here." Kokuto exhaled. "So for that, I'm grateful. She was a sweet girl….so I'd say your theory is proven false."
"Quite the opposite," was the reply.
What?!
"Remember the fate for a human that has died…." As he spoke, Szayel continued to sketch. "….your sister either became a Hollow because a Shinigami was too late….and devoured her fair share of souls….or maybe became lunch for another."
"You…what are you saying? She could've been konso'd to Soul Society!"
"Yes. But Soul Society is not Heaven. I'm not even being exaggerative. It's not called that. We live in a reality where Hell is a very real punishment but Heaven is not a reward."
"….."
"Fufufu…..do you see now?" He beckoned for Kokuto to look at his drawings. One of which was a small girl with tears running down her face.
E-Ena…..no…..you became a Shinigami…..right…..?
"Soul Society is merely a rest stop before reincarnation happens," said Szayel rather coldly. "Their time is finite. Whereas a soul suffers in Hell for eternity."
"….get to the damn point," Kokuto hissed. He jumped a bit when the other man got directly in his face, looking rather gleeful to share his conclusion.
"Being good in this world is a farce. It gives you nothing. Suffering never stops."
Would this truly be changed?
Back in the Living World – the destructive outcome of the trial was being processed far and wide. Japanese authorities had more deaths on their hands, and they had to act fast: people wanted blood. Not just to avenge the prime minister, not to just to avenge the judge, but every citizen that had perished.
"Well, Voralberna-san…it doesn't seem like there's anything linking you to the incident."
Yukio had sat passively the whole briefing. He knew the authorities would be less willing to put him through the ringer (as head of an international conglomerate), but him returning home in the midst of perceived terrorism….
"I'm sorry. We request you remain in Japan for the time being."
Hmph. There's not much left for me to do, but I can't risk being tried for something else. "I'd be willing to help in any way I can, agents."
"Well….."
"Yes?"
One of the agents checked to make sure the door was truly locked. Then carefully…..a folder was placed onto the table. Yukio took that as his permission to look.
"The body of Don Kanonji…was discovered in the Emperor's private chambers."
"I see." Tsukishima, he's the only one. A little over the top, don't you think?
"Xcution….whatever it is, it's no doubt a statement. Is this the Shinigami's way of telling us we're all going to be killed for trying their field agent?"
Yukio hid his smile. "Could be. Kurosaki and Kuchiki were not found, correct?"
"Yes. Jin Kariya is missing as well. It almost points to them as the culprits, but…"
They're reluctant? But why? Yukio thought carefully. There's not much evidence to suggest they DIDN'T do it. And I think the government needs scapegoats to diffuse this situation. I can't let them get distracted on whatever that hack Kariya tried to prove! "Gentlemen….I know this is a lot to process. You're all concerned for the public. I bare some responsibility for all of this. It was my video that pressed on the gas pedal, if you will. As such, my company will dedicate all the manpower, time, and money it has into making sure the Shinigami do not run afoul. It's only fair, right?"
The agents thought the proposal over.
"Just give us a second."
Yes…..keep the blame moving. That Tsukishima…..I hope he wasn't stupid enough to show his face or even reveal his name. I can't be linked to him! But I'm stuck here while he's running around as usual….
Yukio clenched his fists.
And Roman. You betrayed me. I have to settle that. "Um, gentlemen. Could I just have my phone call?"
"Fine, but you'll need to make it here with speaker turned on. Security purposes, if you understand…." An old flip phone was passed to him.
Fine. He dialed a number. "I have to let my housekeeper know I'll be preoccupied. She can pass the message onto my butler."
"Hello?" came a German-accented voice.
"Yes, Francine. I'm stuck in Japan as part of an investigation. Let the others know. Make my bed, dust my shelves…..and get rid of that old weed in the garden."
A pause. "Sure. I will do that, sir."
"Thank you." And with that, he hung up. "See? Nothing unusual, right?"
"Sorry for all this. We're just trying to go over all the leads."
"No problem at all." His smile fooled them even more. But both sides knew the clock was ticking. Something had to be done.
Not too far away…some familiar souls had been languishing at the detention center ever since the police had forciablly arrested them…..they called Karakura Town home. How long had it been since they were taken from that home?
"Hey! You're up first! Move it!"
Ryo raised her head slightly. Words did not properly express the amount of pain she was feeling. Beaten by the police, denied her phone call, offered little food…..but she knew Mahana, Chizuru, and Michiru weren't faring much better. Even if she was stronger, for how long?
"State your name, please."
Ryo winced at the camera light. "R-Ryo Kunieda."
"Ryo….you and your friends have been in here for a very long time. Still have nothing to confess?"
"Confess the amounts of police brutality? Confess being treated like animals?"
"You shut your damn mouth!" shouted the agent. "We know all of you were cooperating with Don Kanonji! And now nearly everyone at the trial has been KILLED by an explosion!"
Her breath hitched. Explosion? She tried to picture what happened. "Who…..died….?"
"The judge! Several officials of the Japanese government! THE PRIME MINISTER!" The agent banged the table. "You all have had Shinigami contact. Tell us where the witnesses went!"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" Ryo insisted. "We've been in here for days! Check all the security footage! What Shinigami have stopped by?"
An open folder was thrown in front of her eyes. With a picture of Ichigo.
"Ichigo Kurosaki was your classmate throughout high school. According to his own testimony, Don Kanonji was sheltering a little girl he was convinced was the reincarnation of his mother!"
"What does one thing have to do with the other?" Ryo tried to focus but even she was slowed down by hunger. "Are you implying that's motive, agent? Do you know where the little girl is?" Kyoko….
"She….she's been under child protective services…."
"If Kurosaki wanted to find her he would've busted Kanonji out of prison!" Ryo argued.
"Tch…..yet these Shinigami willingly restrained themselves AND gave up their swords just to be on the stand…." The agent laid down a picture of Rukia. "It was no doubt to give everyone a false sense of security. Now talk!"
"No."
"No?!"
Ryo glared at her interrogator. "There's nothing I can give you. You all have treated me and my companions as monsters and have broken several of our human rights. Just take me back to my cell."
"Is that right…so you're anticipating being freed by more Shinigami?!"
"What?!" Mahana gawked. "Her?" A picture of Kukaku. "No, I mean….she was Kurosaki's cousin! She might have helped us escape the police but-
"-That's exactly WHY we believe you're all going to be freed! Kurosaki…Kuchiki….this woman….and Unohana? That makes FOUR of these that have been in contact with you all!"
"Please…..please just let me call my parents! They're worried sick!"
"You've put us in a difficult situation!" The agent shouted. "As the open link between our world and multiple Shinigami operatives….you've doomed our country! The whole world!"
Mahana gulped. "But…..but what on earth can we do? If you want the Shinigami and you think they're going to free us, you….you can just wait, can't you?"
"Waiting? You think we any MORE TIME TO WAIT?! DO YOU KNOW WHO JUST DIED?!"
"I'M SORRY!"
Michiru was the one quickest to cry, and she hadn't stopped for most of her time in confinement. Unfortunately, it only made the agent angrier with her.
"SHUT UP! ….Calm down! What are we supposed to do now that our top two suspects are gone?"
"I….I…..don't know!"
"This country needs accountability. We can't let you all go free when you're connected to this case, and we can't let the Shinigami free you like nothing happened!"
Michiru wiped her eyes. "But….p-please…I don't know anything about the courtroom! You took all of our phones, we have don't windows, and I DON'T EVEN KNOW WHAT DAY IT IS!"
"Perhaps some secret location you all-" the agent looked at the door knocking. He marched over to answer…..Michiru tried to listen in.
"Emperor's….WHAT?!"
"Um…..w-what's g-going on?"
"Xcution?" Chizuru looked over their just-received report. "I….I don't know what that is!"
"The Shinigami must've placed him here as a declaration of war…this is a emergency. It's vitally important you tell us where they're going!"
"B-But I don't know! Wouldn't the Shinigami want to save Don Kanonji, not kill him?" She wanted to mourn for the medium, but showing open sympathy was not a good move right now. "They don't just kill humans for sport!"
"How do you sound so confident?!" the agent demanded.
"Oh for crying out…." Chizuru pointed at a picture of Orihime. "My lovely Hime, she's one of them now. And that's not a secret! I can't vouch for EVERY Shinigami but what do they have to gain by fighting the entire world?!"
"Hm….Orihime Inoue…if she's such a good friend, then why didn't she save you all from the beginning?"
Well…..it was because of that Reio, right?
"Ichigo Kurosaki…..could've saved you all, too. Yet you're here."
Keigo was at his wit's end. He didn't want any of this to happen. He didn't want to be continuously blamed and mistreated just for trying to help a world that refused to understand. He numbly looked at Ichigo's picture.
"Look….what do you guys even want….? You think I know where Ichigo is?"
"I suggest you say something to try to prove you're on the right side here, Asano. There's no reason a boy with a future like yours…..should fold like this."
"….."
The agent sat down. "Right now my associates are investigating your friends. Maybe we'll feel some sympathy for you at the end, but the fact is….you all chose to help the Shinigami. Foster the responsibilities they passed onto you. You could've refused."
"I didn't do it for them!"
"Explain."
Keigo buried his face into his hands. He thought of his parents….they just wanted him to have a good job and not be a waste on society. And as much as his sister ragged on him, she always had his best interests at heart. I just want to see them….."I did it for Ichigo."
"Kurosaki?"
"Yes! He wasn't always a Shinigami! Years ago, before I even had an IDEA this crap was happening…..we were just buddies in high school! He was strong, tough….always made sure no one bullied me….I did it for HIM okay?!"
"Risk your whole future and possible freedom?"
Keigo banged the table. "It was just a favor! Then it spiraled out of control!"
"It did. That must frustrate you."
"WELL IT DOES!" he finally snapped. Looking straight at the agent, he refused to let these feelings build and build. He was tired of it all. "I…..I DIDN'T ASK FOR ANY OF THIS! All I wanted….ALL I wanted….was just live my life! I try to be a good person, and…..and it all just blows up in my face!" He banged the table two more times. "WHY?!"
"Perhaps if you're willing to publicly denounce the Shinigami…..I can organize a deal that gives you some freedom?"
"Oh don't insult me," Keigo glared. "I wouldn't-"
"-You make good points, Asano. You're all just regular people. Why have your lives taken away by the same people that will not help you back?"
"Because I don't wish to follow your command."
Mizuiro had been the most difficult suspect for the agents to interrogate. He always kept a calm look, even though violence and hunger. He was giving them hardly anything to work off of.
"The circumstances have changed, Kojima. If Kanonji can die so horrifically, so can the rest of you. Do you not all feel some guilt for his death?"
"It is rather unfortunate he died but…." Mizuiro kept his gaze on the interrogator. "….like us, he chose to get involved. He could've refused when Urahara-san gave him the materials. I think it's rather insulting to suggest we should feel sorry for his own decisions."
"You know, your friend has really shown his grief over this. You…..not so much."
"Ah, Keigo…..I'm sorry. His sister must be really worried. Please release him if you can."
What's with this kid….. The agent looked over Mizuiro's file. …..so calm, so….nonchalant about everything. Does he have the same weakness? "Asano said he only did this for Kurosaki."
"Yes, so did I. I do not feel any greater loyalty to the Shinigami as a whole. But Ichigo is my friend, and I wanted to do him a favor."
"Pretty lousy way to repay a favor."
To his utter bewilderment, Mizuiro smiled.
"I guess you truly know nothing about him. The amount of pain and suffering he's been through, since the day his mother died….all the battles…..you think I'm giving too much being detained by the police like this? I'm not giving enough."
"But your family! Is their worry not enough?"
"Well, they already probably know I'm being abused by the police. If you're trying to run a savior angle, it's not going to work. Have they reached out, trying to find me?"
"Er….." Now the agent checked all the attempted calls off their logs. "Kunieda's family, Natsui's, Ogawa, Honshou, Asano…"
"But no Kojima, right?"
"….."
Mizuiro seemed oddly….relieved. "See? My parents and I aren't very close. In fact, I'm willing to bet they don't want anything to do with me considering the amount of trouble I'm in now. It's not like I lived with them to begin with. So what do I have to lose?"
"Is this a pride thing?!" the agent demanded.
"No," replied Mizuiro. "If your superiors want someone to blame, you'll pick us. And even if you're forced to release us, plenty will still think we're all guilty. Perhaps that's the bargaining chip you're counting on. Pressure us to denounce Ichigo and the others just to gain some sort of societal favor back. But that's not what I intend to do. He has little allies in this world to begin with. I will not sell out my friend just to make you all feel like you've done something."
"Are….are you saying this is OUR fault?!"
"Consider your theory. If you think the Xcution is a sign the Shinigami have grown cross with you, making Don Kanonji your scapegoat was the wrong move from the start. But please. Fight a war with the beings that can take down monsters larger than the Tokyo skyscrapers."
This….this little punk….!
"And when the casualities pile up, the governments of the world will be left begging for forgiveness from the people that didn't want a war in the first place. A domino effect, if you will."
As for their last suspect….
"Unagiya-san, please. You don't deserve this."
Ikumi had refused to cooperate but the fate of her son left her depressed and unresponsive. She just wanted to see him. Her Kaoru.
"There's no reason to fall with these kids. Help us and you can see your son."
"But they're not kids I can just toss aside!" She snapped. "I'll only help if you guarantee they'll leave and go back to their families!"
"I….can't promise that….."
Ikumi sulked. Again. "I met the father of the Honshou child. We're both parents. How can I selfishly save my kid and leave his to drown?"
"But that's just it. You're a single mother. Your son…..we've had him under watch. He won't stop asking about you."
"Then let me talk to him! You owe me that much!"
Her interrogator sighed and took out a flip phone. "One call, on speaker. What will you do when he begs you to come home?" A number was dialed. Anxiously, Ikumi waited for the sound of her boy's voice.
"H-Hello?"
"Kaoru, it's Mama!" Ikumi shouted into the speaker. "I'm okay, I promise! A-Are you okay?"
"Mama…where are you…..!"
"Trapped with the police for helping out those kids. I'm sorry." She banged her head. "I'll never be able to make it up to you!"
"Mama…..you're helping your employee, right?"
"I am, but….."
"Come home! PLEASE!"
"Kaoru, I love you!"
"That's enough!" The agent hung up. "Your choice is rather easy to make, Unagiya-san. You all want to see your families. We can bring you back, but you have to work with us."
"…"
"Excuse me. I'll need to have a word with my supervisor."
The head of the interrogation had called in the agents that had interviewed each suspect. He was a middle-aged man, somewhere in his 50s, and the circumstances proved to be the most difficult case he had worked on yet.
"Chief Aoyama." They all saluted him.
"Listen, all of you….the Emperor's declared a state of martial law. With the prime minister AND Don Kanonji killed…..we must all prepare for war with the Shinigami. As such we cannot waste time interrogating these people."
The agents all stared in shock. The residents of Karakura Town were their only tangible lead into the Shinigami, now that their main suspect had been brutally killed.
"Sir, with all due respect-!"
Aoyama held up a hand to silence them. "Why spin our wheels trying to get them to confess….when the tables have turned? The world is mobilizing as we speak. There's a very simple way to get them to cooperate. They're all still human. They have families."
"So we're to let them go, no consequence?"
"I didn't say that. The promise of their families will get them to say or do anything, even drum up anti-Shinigami solidarity. It won't be a waste of time and effort."
"B-But these people cooperated with the Shinigami!" shouted an agent.
"Use your head!" Aoyama snapped. "These people are tired and desperate. They want this to be over as much as we all do. They can return to Karakura Town…..under intense military lockdown. In fact…we have plans for that town….."
"CHIEF!" Another agent quickly barged in. "We've got a major emergency! The research facility!"
In order to comply with government demands, both Ichigo and Rukia had to surrender their zanpakutou. This meant the long sort after Shinigami weapons…were now under human control. The two swords were rushed to a secret facility somewhere in Southeast Asia…..researchers from many countries hungered at the chance to study.
"Get those swords in the machine! Hurry!"
First, the breakdown.
"The physical composition seems to be…steel and iron."
"But how?" a scientist demanded. "If they were made of those materials, the weapons would degrade over time! Any radiation?"
"No detected Uranium or Plutionium. Nothing!"
Second, the actual breaking.
"How much should be torn off?"
"0.00001%. We cannot risk ruining the integrity, but we need samples to study! The goal is reproduction!"
But nothing seemed to work. Temperatures below 0 degrees, pinpoint lasers….nothing physical could get the swords to break off, even slightly.
"Damn!"
"These weapons are user dependent, it seems. Kurosaki's sword is not the same as Kuchiki's. See? The guard, the hilt…."
Third, the response test.
"Data suggests zanpakutou are first activated with a command. Every Shinigami has a different command. Do we have anything on these two?'
"Yes! For Kuchiki…." One scientist hurried through endless notes. "…..the command is Dance."
"Wait! The command must be combined with the zanpakutou name. Her weapon is named….Sode no Shirayuki. It is an ice type."
So the team transferred Rukia's zan into a sealed room, surrounded by thick walls that wouldn't let the cold come through.
"Okay, we'll say the command through the speaker…Dance, Sode no Shirayuki!"
"Check the monitors!"
To their dismay, nothing about the sword had changed. No response.
Fourth, the sharpness test.
"So these swords are still sealed by their users….how do they compare to the average Japanese sword? We'll be cutting through this aluminum sheet."
But it seemed Zangetsu and Sode no Shirayuki had cut the sheet in the same way the regular sword did. Even when 20 different people replicated the cut.
"How can this be…."
"I thought you guys were geniuses? You're fucking morons if you ask me," came a voice from the intercom. Instantly the scientists all grabbed their own weapons and prepared themselves.
"Whoever you are….come out!"
"Here's the deal. I already knocked out the guards staking out this place. I'm actually being generous here. Gimme those swords, where they belong…..or I'll just take them from you."
"Are you…..a private mercanery hoping to sell these on the black market?!"
But the voice just laughed. "Holy shit! You guys are too stupid for these. Treating them like they're your own private toys….they're not yours!"
"C-Check all the feeds!"
"I-I am! No one's showing up!"
But then the wall broke down and destroyed hundreds of thousands of dollars in lab equipment. Out stepped one Grimmjow Jaegerjaques….with the grin only his enemies and comrades knew too well.
"The faster you hand them over….the more of you survive."
The footage only left the agents horrified. This blue-haired Shinigami came through and laid siege to the entire facility.
"He…..he's dodging all the gunfire…."
"Such power…..!"
"Damn it…..this is only ONE of them! The beginning! If we don't free those people, what's to say the Shinigami won't come after us next?"
"Chief, what do we do?"
Aoyama, however, did not look concerned. In fact, he looked…..satisified. "This is what we need."
XXXX
So the footage of Grimmjow was shown off to the Karakura captives. Normally such an incident would tried to be downplayed or covered up to prevent people from losing faith in the governments…..but Aoyama had no reservations with showing it.
"See? A Shinigami causing all this destruction and colataral damage….it's best you all do not tie yourselves too firmly. Do you recognize this character?"
"N-No….." Michiru lowered her head. "Honest, we don't. We didn't know he'd attack that place!"
"Listen. I know all you probably have a good opinion of Shinigami, but you are bound to the ones you know, including Kurosaki," Aoyama said. "Remember the U.N? Was Sosuke Aizen not a Shinigami as well? And Yachiru Kusajishi? Trusting them completely is a mistake."
"…..what do you want?" Ryo asked, softly. "There's a limit to the amount of things even we know. We can't provide you with Shinigami weaknesses or secrets…."
"Well, things have changed. You all look miserable and hungry….and to be honest, we all have new priorities. Do you want to see your families again?"
"Yes!" Keigo shouted. "Don't make us rot here!"
"Wait a moment….." Mizuiro stared Aoyama down. "If you're going to offer to send us home, then what made you change your mind? You all had no problem with beating us. You're the leader of those agents, so I don't believe it's a question of your conscience."
"Hm." Aoyama gave a cool smile. "You're right. There's a catch. You can all go back to Karakura Town, WITH your families….under military watch. You cannot leave your homes. Your phones and computers will be taken. You will be this way until the Shinigami have been dealt with, perhaps long after."
"I see. Can we think it over?"
"Mizuiro!" Keigo grabbed his friend's arm. "What's the other choice? Staying here where we have even less freedom? Look at Unagiya-san! She needs to see her kid!"
"They took you all away from your families to begin with. I fail to see how giving us what was taken back will settle the matter."
So the report was correct. Kojima is the smartest of the lot, and he clearly has much less to lose than the others. There's nothing more dangerous….and more annoying than someone who shrugs off any threats. But the others….
"Well fine," Aoyama crossed his arms. "But the truth is your Shinigami allies could've freed you at any point. In the trial, Momo Hinamori tried to free Jin Kariya, and he refused. What do you think of that?" He watched their faces and resolved to dig deeper. "They had no problem saving you from the police before! So what makes now so different?"
"They're clearly dealing with more stuff…."
"Right, my mistake. Let's just give them more space. You all give and give your time and safety for them, so they should be paying it back in spades."
"You're just trying to make us resent them," Mizuiro argued. "It fits your agenda."
"So you want to give more time?!" Keigo fired back. "You don't get to decide for all of us!"
"Very well. Raise your hand if you wish to go home."
Keigo and Michiru shot up their hands immediately…..than Mahana, Chizuru…..followed by Ryo. Ikumi eventually followed suit. But Mizuiro didn't do it.
"No, Kojima?" Aoyama pressed. "I see. Seems you should all decide what you want. If some of you wish to stay, that's fine with me."
"What?! But sir-" Michiru tried.
"Those who want to go home, you agree to our conditions, including keeping quiet about the nature of your arrest. Those who think the Shinigami will free you, then you don't need to worry!" He smiled coolly once again at Mizuiro, who countered with a smile with his own.
"Then they simply will."
"Then I suppose there's nothing more to discuss. My agents will come back and see what you've all decided." Aoyama waved to the room before turning to leave. "Best if it'd be unanimous, right?" He looked back, expecting Mizuiro to fold….but he did no such thing. "Goodbye, people of Karakura Town."
The news of Don Kanonji's death and the courtoom exploding had spread across the world in no time. Almost unanimously, the governments were declaring martial law and formal war on the Shinigami, the Hollows, and even Reio.
After Yachiru Kusajishi and Momo Hinamori spoke to the U.N, a task force was formed to monitor their activity on a global scale, with dignitaries and funding from all its member countries: ICASA.
The International Coilation of Anti-Spirit Activity.
So when the news broke….a meeting had to form.
"Okay, everyone, this is major! I need everyone to pay attention!" In the meeting room, in a location only the seated members knew of, agents from across the world had gathered. One agent from America (codename: Eagle) was starting the meeting. "We are all looking for Jin Kariya and his associates!"
Images of the BOUNTS were plastered on the main screen.
"Originating from Japan, these individuals have shown to be the most vocally supportive of the Shinigami. Their leader risked it all just to defend them in a court of law. If left unchecked and uncaught, they will undermine every anti-Shinigami movement out there."
"We don't know if he survived the explosion, but no report came in for his body," said an agent from Canada (codename: Logjam). "Like the two Shinigami acting as witnesses, he vanished from the crime scene. They must've escaped with him?"
"That is the current theory at the moment," Eagle replied. "They must've realized Kariya has more to offer them, while Kanonji was a sinking ship."
"What I don't understand is…." An agent from India checked his notes (codename: Viper). "…those two were willing to testify. If they wanted to let Kanonji burn, why even bother with the trial?"
"Lull us into a false state of cooperation? Or maybe those two were just really guilty? The boy-" Now Ichigo's picture came up. "-came from Karakura Town. The girl gave him powers originally. They have a personal connection to the town, after all."
What the agents didn't know, however…..one of them had managed to enter the top-secret meeting from the outside. But she gave no signs that would even suggest that….as she dressed as usual, took notes as usual, even went by her codename as usual. She was only there to gather more information.
"Um yes, Agent Thunder?"
"Karakura Town remains a hotspot of both Shinigami and Hollow activity….no doubt the government of Japan will take extra steps to keep it under their control. Do you have insight as to their full intentions?"
"Glad you asked." Now the screen changed to the town's layout within the greater Tokyo area. "Right now the town is equipped with armed soldiers from block to block. Like the beaches of goddamn Normandy, the Shinigami will probably try to storm it and take it back."
"Based on what?" asked an agent from Egypt (codename: Sapphire).
"Surveillance has shown multiple high-level Shinigami converge there at the same time every day, Japan-time. They must return home there. They won't get the chance to convene with their allies. But…..we've found another key outpost." Eagle turned to his next slide…..a picture of an orphanage.
"What? What is this?" Sapphire asked.
"The Regenbogen Tage. Just outside the Berlin area. German authorities have revealed that three girls….that once lived here….are now active Shinigami. The current director knew them as a child, but their apparent lack of aging didn't seem to truly sink in." Up came a picture of Angela. "Psychologists believe her treatment there has really affected her mind."
"Who are these other girls?" asked an agent from China (Codename: Lotus).
Next was pictures of Candice, Meninas, and Liltotto. Agent Thunder didn't show any surprise, instead she took notes like the others.
"Candice Catnipp. Meninas McAllon. Liltotto Lamperd. These girls lived at the orphanage in post-war Germany, decades ago. On their final day there, they killed the chef that was abusing the other children, and left. Authorities never found them."
"There's another angle to this," said an agent from France (Codename: Bistro). "Most of the Shinigami population have Japanese names. It is simply impossible for all of the dead people to be from Japan, so this must mean the souls that lose their memories – as stated in the trial – take the type of names of the majority. These three still remember their lives, correct?"
"Yes," Eagle verified. "The director gave an account of when they visited her."
"In the statements taken by the U.N from Yachiru Kusajishi and Momo Hinamori, they spoke of a Vandereich….composed of…..let me see….Quincies. When did the director speak with them?"
"Two years ago. She said they were dressed as civilians, although it is unknown if they already were Shinigami."
"I disagree," said Bistro. "The fact that their names are not Japanese either suggests retention of their past or recent convergence with Shinigami. What do you think is more likely?"
"Interesting….and your basis for claiming they were Quincies…?"
"If not Shinigami, how else would you explain them being gone, not aging, and reappearing all those years later? As both parties almost brought the end of the world AND the Shinigami are on record of wiping most of them out…..it's chilling."
"Yes," Eagle agreed. "You see, everyone….there's a silver lining to this. Nothing drives people together than hating the same target. If the nations of the world act in solidarity to punish these…spiritual terrorists….then perhaps after all the war is over we will have a new world. A world united."
"Idealistic, Eagle," said an agent from Sweden (codename: Hammer). "There's multiple pro-Shinigami websites and forums that worship the ground they walk on. There's even a site that specifically worships Yachiru Kusajishi. They cannot be martyrs. They cannot be idolized."
"Maybe we're getting off track…." said Lotus. "Eagle, you brought up this orphanage."
"Yes. German authorities have already placed forces around the area. We'll need some agents to take point there….some need to head east. There's been an emergency with the facility testing the zan. So we do not have much time left to sit here and chitchat. Any other updates?"
"Welll…." An agent from Russia (Codename: Snowfall) stood up. "There has been a growing unrest across more….contentious parts of the world. Civil wars turning bloody, civilians being mass murdered…."
"And….?"
Snowfall referred to her notes. "Some witnesses that managed to survive noticed dark auras….almost….un-human like strength."
The agents fell into hushed buzz before Eagle silenced them.
"The Shinigami arming insurgents to cause unrest?"
"Intelligence doesn't suggest either way, but one thing is clear…..people are getting weapons more dangerous than whatever modern warfare can put out."
"Hmm…..we'd better all keep an eye for this. Get some more patterns, a narrative….let's discuss our new missions…"
XXXX
"Agent Thunder, a word?"
She turned to see Eagle catch the elevator. What does he want? "Yes Agent Eagle?"
"I want to know what you think of Snowfall's report." Eagle clicked the lobby. "You're always so analytical. You were right to be sent here."
"Thank you. If the report is true…..then we've got a global crisis on our hands. More bloody and dangerous than the last world wars put together."
Eagle scoffed. "World War III. What a tacky headline. By the way, would you mind joining the group to Germany?"
"Me?" What are the chances…..the orphanage where those poor girls suffered…. "If you think I'll be a help, but isn't Karakura Town….?"
"More crucial? Absolutely. There's a plan in motion for that place as we speak, and it's prepared for either way it can go."
Either way…..
"One outcome will make the Shinigami give up. The other, perhaps the more likely one…..will only strengthen our cause. We might be divided now, but those terrorists picked the wrong world to intimidate. We'll fight them and Reio, to the last possible breath."
"Yes."
And from there, the two went their separate ways…like she always did, Agent Thunder would walk for a few blocks and arrive at her car, where she always parked it in the same alley. She got in….and took a moment to reflect on what the meeting had revealed.
Time's running out…when will she show herself?
Kirio was preparing herself for the new plan. With Urahara, she would hide in the human world and observe what was happening. The shopkeeper had already thought of a plan for Kon. And they had agreed on the same thing.
"We cannot contact each other, Kirio-san."
"Yes. We might not even see each other again, if things truly turn for the worst."
Kisuke nodded. "I'm aware of that possibility. But if what you said is true, then there is no reason to worry. Yachiru managed to contact you before, and so, she will do it again. Those asauchi will ensure her safety and keep her invisible to the world."
"That's the problem. We don't know how long before Yachiru regains her power…..and if she isn't careful, she will alert Reio of her location…we might be betting on too small of a chance." She heard a chuckle behind her, in the void. "What?"
"Well, you were a Captain of the 12th. We take any chance as long as it's not zero."
After Aoyama had left, it had to be decided what the next course of action was.
"Mizuiro…..you're my friend, damn it. There's got to be some way to change your mind!" Keigo exclaimed. "I don't want you to rot here!"
"I appreciate that, Keigo, more than you know. But as far I'm concerned, we're only lessening our freedom, not gaining more."
"Kojima, they might take your lack of cooperation as means to tighten the lease on the rest of us," Ryo said. "Our families….it's a subtle threat. The rest of us…..we have to comply."
"I understand. But your families at least tried to call. Mine did not. If you want to go back to them, go ahead."
Ikumi stepped over to him….and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Kid…..you're not being as brave as you think. They'll just try to break you even more. There's nothing to be ashamed of if you choose to go home. Please…."
"Unagiya-san…." Mizuiro stared down at his shoes. "….I already have shame. Normally I don't care about such things, but….I let my friend down. His reincarnated mother….Kyoko…..we lost her and they haven't given us her location. Ichigo had counted on me."
"Are you still on this?!" Keigo snapped. "Ichigo counted on me too! Things got out of hand! It's not your fault! There's only so much we can do!"
"That's the problem!"
The girls of the room blinked. Mizuiro wasn't prone to yelling.
"I…..can only do so much in this body…..what power do I have…?" Mizuiro looked at his hands. "…to be useful, in any way I could….that's what a friend does. I….don't want to be dead weight. I can still think of something."
"Mizuiro, you're being stupid!" Keigo tried to grab him but his hand was smacked way.
"I am not. I won't cave to the authorities just because they can think they can treat a civilian so roughly. I chose to help my friend. I go with them now, I'll only hate myself more."
"You….you're nuts!"
"Stop this!" Ikumi demanded. She got in between the bickering friends….and looked down at Mizuiro. "Kojima….if you choose to stay, they're not gonna let you change your mind."
"I know."
"Do you really believe…..the Shinigami will free you?"
"Of course they will."
"WHAT?! Ikumi-san, knock some sense into him!" But his boss only got in his face next.
"And you, you really think you're wasting time just waiting on them? Even your friend Kurosaki?"
"I…" Keigo looked at the others. They didn't want to admit it. They had the same feeling. But just like him they just had too much to lose and not much to gain. "…..yeah. I don't want to blame Ichigo but…..I'm sorry. I need to see my family!"
Ikumi nodded. "You're both over 18. You're allowed to make your decisions. To be honest, I want to hit Kojima right now but….." she sighed. "….I can't change his mind. And the agents just want us to hate each other by arguing non-stop. We can't give them that, if nothing else."
"Thank you, Unagiya-san. I wish I could thank you more for all you've done."
"Don't thank me. If you want to do this, then you look your friends in the eyes and appreciate them, for fuck's sake!"
Mizuiro looked up…at Ryo, at Michiru, at Mahana, at Chizuru….and finally, at Keigo. All of them didn't want him to do this. But he did. And if he wasn't going to be free, he wanted his last choice to be his.
"Thank you, everyone. We've had some good times, haven't we?" And he smiled, in the same aloof way he often did. Ichigo…..they don't believe in you anymore. "Maybe we'll meet again." But…..I still do. I promise….I'll fix my mistake.
I promise.
Eventually the agents came back, and all but Mizuiro had said they wanted to leave, accepting whatever conditions given to them. Mizuiro on the other hand was taken back to his cell to sit in the dark….how much longer he didn't know.
But he was glad the decision was his.
In contrast, a certain butler back in Germany was conflicted by his decision. Giving Japanese authorities information about his master…..a glimpse into his criminal activity….he had promised, on the graves of his former employers….he would always watch over their son.
"Lady Eiko…..Lord Matthias….I'm sorry." Whenever he needed time to think, he would dust their portraits above the fireplace. "But your son…..he's getting into something he cannot get out of. Dealing with the black market….making deals with a dangerous man that carries a sword….I had to do something. Something….."
What would happen if the world knew he was arming people for war?
"Perhaps…..perhaps I needed to stop him after Miss Tristan was killed. She wasn't evil. She was merely assisting him. And she was gunned down like a dog!"
Roman sat down, exhausted. "It's too late…..to stop him…..and now, I can't even protect him."
"Because he doesn't need you, you old bitch."
Instantly he turned around to see….one of the criminals under Yukio's network. She held out a tape recorder to play back the call audio.
"Yes, Francine. I'm stuck in Japan as part of an investigation. Let the others know. Make my bed, dust my shelves…..and get rid of that old weed in the garden."
"That's Master Yukio's voice….who are you?!"
"Francine, duh. And guess who's the old weed?" The merc drew closer, sporting a devilish grin. "The one guy that doesn't fit in this operation."
He…..he ordered me to be killed…? Roman drew back, panic on his face. "W-Wait! There's nothing to be gained from killing me! I won't say anything!"
"Sorry." 'Francine' cocked her gun. "Boss's orders. Don't feel so bad. You'll lure a Shinigami to us!"
"MASTER YUK-!" BANG
His body crumpled to the floor….blood now pooling from the shot to the head.
As for the Shinigami on the run…..all attention had been drawn to the mark on Ichigo's hand. Both he and Kariya had seen how it looked during the trial proper…with the former knowing it was not Reio's doing. Their white-haired savior had been watching over the group as they rested to recover a bit.
"Ichigo….if this has happened to you, it must have happened to everyone else that has the mark," Jushiro said. "I only wish I knew what it means….."
"Reio? Could he be-"
"Whatever the case, something has disrupted his power….."
Ichigo and Rukia shared a glance. Yachiru.
"I can tell we're all thinking the same thing. Now….regardless of what you two think of her at this moment, she has been invisible to the world, wherever she is. And yet….I can feel her reiatsu from this mark alone."
"So she gained more power?" Rukia asked. She looked to the other room of the empty cabin….Sogyo and Kotowari were sitting by Kariya's bedside. "We're not prepared for all this, sir. We don't have our zanpakutou, we're lost…..and we can't stay here."
"I agree. But Kariya-san needs a little more time before we can move."
"No!" shouted the BOUNTS leader. He tried to get up but the twin boys watching him held him down. "…Don't….put yourselves in danger….because of me….!"
"We got to find him." Ichigo narrowed his eyes. "Dark hair, suspenders….how the hell did he get so powerful? How does he have all these connections? How long has he been doing all this, Ukitake-san?"
"…."
"All of this, just for the previous substitute…." Rukia's throat still burned, but her hatred of Kuramadani's killer burned even more. "….he's slid under the radar for too long! We have to tell the other Shinigami on patrol!"
Jushiro nodded. "I'll send the message. In the meantime….Kariya-san, you must rest. Please."
"No…..no, you Shinigami…..you've done too much…I….I can't stop. Kanonji would want me to help!" He coughed up some blood which only made the twins put him back in bed.
"Let the people who can contribute help."
Heads spun to the doorway…..there was Grimmjow. He handed over Zangetsu and Sode no Shirayuki.
"Grimmjow! What the hell did you?!"
"Shut up, Kurosaki. We can't get shit done if you can't fight." He had several wounds of his own, but he didn't look too bothered. "I tailed them, got them, then got the hell out of there. Just what Ukitake told me to do."
"Ah, thank you! If you'll give me a second, I can patch you up a little!"
"Whatever." He slumped to the floor as the other man went out to use Tentei Kura. "The two of you should talk to your spirits. They're probably dying to speak with you…what the hell is with that look, Kurosaki?"
Ichigo said nothing….but showed him his hand. Grimmjow had the same mark.
"What the fu-"
"It's Yachiru, Grimmjow. Wherever she is…..she's giving off enough power that even we can feel it."
"….."
"Grimmjow…..what happened when you went to get our zan?" Rukia pressed. "How many fought you?"
"How many? Tch…did you really think I went there just to kill them all? Give me a break! Do I have to grovel at your feet to get any respect around here?"
"That's not what she means!" Ichigo exclaimed. "Did any of them….have dark auras? Quicker reflexes? Strength…..they shouldn't have?"
"…what's really going on, Kurosaki?"
"Another problem we have to deal with….before the whole world pays for our neglilence. Again."
To be continued...
5 months! Longer than I thought, but sometimes you just get too busy. I'm working on trying to wrap up another fic to have more time, but I can definitely say it won't be 5 more more months for the next one. :Y I have a certain trajectory in mind.
Until next time, all.
update 5/10/2021 - changed "Hawk" to "Eagle", to avoid confusion with the already existing Hawk from Ganju's gang.