Silence filled the grand hall as the large reaper stepped up onto the stage at the front and addressed the reapers before him. In the front row there sat a rather relaxed looking blond with an extremely bored redhead to his left, and a serious looking dark haired reaper sat next to him. Just next to the serious reaper sat yet another blond, but this one had a rougher appearance and was accompanied by an also somewhat serious, but slightly more relaxed looking reaper to his left. All of them faced the front as the man on stage started to speak.

"Now, I'm sure you're probably all wondering why I have called such a large meeting today, which is not something we normally do unless necessary." He paused for a moment and looked around, surprised at the large amount of reapers that actually worked there; it had been a while since he'd seen them all together like this. "The reason for this is that we have recently received notification that we are to expect a large number of souls in the surrounding area, the reason for which is still as of yet, unknown. As such, it is our duty as the London Division to provide an adequate number of reapers to deal with the situation to avoid any unnecessary complications and to reduce the risk of demons getting there first."

Grell, who had stopped listening a while ago, looked over at Ronald, who also looked half asleep. "Does this guy ever stop talking?" he asked him, laughing slightly. He got irritated when Ronald didn't answer and wondered why until he turned back around to find William staring at them with a look that could kill.

"Do you ever listen?" he asked, gripping his scythe in a manner that suggested it would soon be used. Grell smiled nervously and faced the front again.

"...and this also means that you will perhaps be able to find out the cause of the soul increase, as well as be able to help assist with the problem. Now, because of the danger and work involved, I will be assigning you to groups of two or three and dispatching each group to a different area. Before I do so, are there any volunteers who would be willing to help?"

Once again, it was Grell who looked around and was surprised to see a few hands in the air. He was in the process of counting them when William grabbed his hair and forced him to face the front again. "Can't you just sit still and face the front?" he asked angrily.

Once the reaper at the front had finished counting, he cleared his throat and spoke again. "Very well then. It seems that nine of you have volunteered, so you will be placed in three groups of two and one group of three is that alright?" Murmurs of agreement filled the room as the nine volunteers proceeded to split themselves into groups. "Now, are there any more before I divide some more of you myself? Obviously you can't ALL go, as we need some to remain here for the more daily matters, but-"

"WE'LL GO!" A voice called out suddenly, accompanied by Grell standing up and pulling Ronald with him. "Ronald and I will go!"

"Are you crazy?!" Ronald asked, pulling himself free. "Why the hell would I want to go? Why would YOU want to go?"

"It'll be fun!" Grell said. "We'll finally get out of the office and away from paperwork! Besides, it's been ages since I had a fun assignment to do!"

"Very well then," said the reaper in charge, despite Ronald's protests. "However..." He paused and regarded them closely. "You two are known to be two of the biggest morons in the entire division, and I think you should have someone responsible with you also." He paused again and looked at William, who had to stop himself from internally crying as he realised what was coming. "William, you are their supervisor, yes?"

"Yes..."

"And you deal with them on a daily basis, therefore knowing how to handle them, yes?"

William sighed. "Yes..."

"Right then, it's decided; you shall accompany them on the assignment."

"WHAT?!" screamed Grell and Ronald in unison. "Please, you can't!" pled Grell. "If he comes, it'll be no different to working in the office! We might as well not go if he's there!" William looked slightly hurt by the fact that both Ronald and Grell appeared to hate him, but only slightly; he didn't exactly like them much either.

"That is quite enough, Sutcliff!" Shouted the reaper at the front, moving forward to yell in Grell's face and causing him to sit down again. "Who do you think you are to question my authority? Do you not think that with as high a status as I have that there is not some reasoning behind my decisions? Do you think you're better than me?!"

"Uh- I...um... I didn't-"

"Now we're answering back are we?! Right that's it, now you're definitely having William accompany you, AND I'm sending your group to one of the busiest areas we're expecting. I also want a full report of everything that happens in minute detail from all THREE of you, am I clear?"

"Grell, you idiot! This is all YOUR fault!" groaned Ronald, glaring at Grell who was now cowering under the gaze of the man that stood above him.

"As for you two," said the now angry reaper, directing his gaze at Eric and Alan who sat to William's left, "I'm sending you off as well."

"What? Why?" asked Eric angrily. "You know we can't go anywhere because of Alan's condition!"

"Don't worry, I'll ensure that you get sent to a quieter area. As for why you're going, I was considering sending you anyway, and have confirmed my choice as a way to emphasise that I take absolutely no nonsense from anyone; if one of you causes trouble, it affects you all and this is true for everyone," he said, looking at everyone sitting in the thousands of seats. He cleared his throat and stepped back. "As for the rest if you, I have a list of names here that I shall now read out..."

"I don't believe this..." grumbled Eric. He turned to look at Alan and was surprised to find that he was smiling. "What the heck are you smiling at?"

"Why are you so angry?" Alan asked, still smiling. "I think this'll be great! It's been far too long since I got to do something exciting like this!"

"But what about-"

"Forget the whole thorn thing! I'll be alright, I know I will! Besides, he said he would send us somewhere safe!"

"Are you sure?" Eric asked, shocked at Alan's eagerness to go. "If you want me to, I can have a word with the big guy up front..."

"Don't worry about it! Seriously, I'm looking forward to this. I was going to volunteer before, but I was worried about what you would say..."

"Tch... You don't need my approval for everything you know. You complain about wanting independence but you're always worried what I'll think..."

"I didn't want to cause a fuss..."

"What are you two whispering about over there?" said Grell grumpily, leaning over William so he could hear what they were saying.

"Nothing to do with you, Sutcliff," Eric replied. "And I think you'd better get off Will before he MAKES you get off."

"For the last time..." William started, punching Grell in the face to get him off him, "...it's WILLIAM."