Tsuzuki watched his shikigami go and his shoulders slumped a little as he fought to remain in control. He felt Hisoka with him, a powerful presence as the young empath kept his shields low, synchronizing with his lover, letting him know he wasn't alone.

"Hisoka, don't," he whispered.

The green eyes were hard as granite, the resolve strong, and Tsuzuki smiled a little.

I love you, he thought. Thank you.

Tatsumi had been silent as Watari vanished with the two shikigami to spread the word of what had really been happening in all those years... decades... even centuries, before his own time here, but now he turned to leave.

"Tatsumi!" Tsuzuki called, running after him. "Tatsumi, where are you going?"

"JuOh-Cho."

"But... it's too dangerous!"

The blue eyes softened and Tatsumi smiled gently at his former partner. "No, Tsuzuki, not for me. I'm a small fry compared to everyone else. Watari is even now in GensouKai and informing the Council. Enma-Daiou has lost and he won't do anything to me."

"You don't know that!"

"No, I don't, but there is something only I can do. I also have to keep the Shokan Division running. Four of my shinigami are down for the count. The world is still moving, Asato." He stroked over his friend's cheek. "And souls are still lost. Let me do my job. I want you to be safe. Stay here, wait for Watari's return, and be safe."

"Seiichiro..."

"Hisoka, keep him here." The blue eyes were on the man in the mask. "Count..."

"I will protect him," was the solemn answer.

"I'll see you later, Asato."

And with that he was out the door.

Tsuzuki felt his fear return and he took two steps toward the exit before he was stopped by a firm hand. Hisoka met his turmoiled eyes.

"He'll be safer than you if you leave here," the empath said.

"But..."

"He is right, Tsuzuki," the Count said, still invisible, still keeping his distance. "Trust in him. He's a Shadow Master and Enma-Daiou has more than enough problems to take care of right now. Tatsumi will be fine."

Tsuzuki prayed for it. He really did.

° ° °

For Tatsumi it was like entering a different world. After everything that had happened in the last days, after the shocking revelations, coming to his place of work was like switching the channel on TV. From a true crime series to a soap opera.

He smiled humorlessly as he walked among the bustle of people that kept the Shokan Division running.

Yes, two different worlds in one realm, and aside from those who already knew, no one else would most likely ever get to know the truth. It would destroy everything.

But someone knew.

It was something he had realized throughout Watari's explanations, and so many things made sense for Tatsumi now. So many little incidents that the others had never witnessed. As the Secretary, Tatsumi had worked closely with Konoe, the only shinigami longer in the Division than Tsuzuki, who had been there for seventy years. Konoe was the head of the Division, he answered to Enma...

Yes, a lot made sense now.

Too much.

It was frightening.

Tatsumi first went into his office to change from his slightly smelly and stained clothes into something fresher. He ran his fingers through his hair and met his reflection in the mirror. He was too pale, there were lines in his face that spoke of the marks this had left on him, and he was so worried about Watari.

Pushing those thoughts aside, he left and walked down the corridor to the office of Konoe himself.

"Ah, Tatsumi," the chief of the Shokan Division greeted him with a smile. "I have been looking for you and some of the others. What..."

His voice trailed off as Tatsumi just looked at him, silent, menacing, keeping his shadows in check.

Konoe looked his age. About fifty, maybe mid-fifties, with gray hair, a square, clean-shaven face, and narrow eyes. Like Tatsumi he tended to wear immaculate suits, but unlike Tatsumi he tended to have temper outbreaks when it came to Tsuzuki.

"Where are Tsuzuki and Hisoka?" the older shinigami asked, finding his voice again.

Tatsumi knew he could be frightening. He knew he had scared his chief often before, and he was counting on his menacing aura to help him do what he had come here to do now.

"Safe," he only answered.

"Safe? From what? What happened, Tatsumi?"

Tatsumi's face was hard. "You and Enma-.Daiou lost, Konoe. We know now."

"W-what? What are you talking about?"

Tatsumi let a shadow twitch a little more and the chief jumped.

"Watari has found the truth inside the Mother computer. Everything. Tsuzuki is safely out of reach from Enma and Watari is currently informing the Council of GensouKai. It's over."

Konoe lost all color. "Tatsumi, I never wanted to harm him! You have to believe me!"

"You were the eyes and ears of Enma-Daiou. You helped him in his manipulations!"

"Never to harm Tsuzuki!"

"But he got hurt. Repeatedly!"

"Tatsumi..."

"I don't want to hear it," Tatsumi snapped. "I don't want to listen to your lies and explanations. It's over. Everything. And there will eb changes. I suggest you make your own before someone makes them for you."

Konoe drew himself up, dark eyes blazing. "Are you threatening me, Tatsumi Seiichiro?"

"No." The Shadow Master smiled coldly. "I'm suggesting you resign before even that decision is taken from you. Leave while you are still honorable and respected."

Konoe gazed at the younger man, took in the diamond blue eyes. "You leave me no choice," he said after a moment.

"I do. The choice is always yours. Leave with honor or wait what will happen should Enma-Daiou fall."

"He won't fall," was the even reply.

Tatsumi felt his control slip for a second. "Nothing will be as it was before," he growled.

Konoe chuckled slightly. "No, it never will be again, that much you are correct. And I will leave. My time for ascension has been a long time coming." He wiped at an invisible spot on his suit jacket, then closed it over his ample stomach. "I was here for Tsuzuki, Tatsumi, never believe I wasn't. I wanted to protect him as much as you, but I knew what Enma-Daiou had planned. Not in every detail and really, I don't want to know. It would pain me too much. Whatever happens now to this Division, it's in your hands, Shadow Master. I know you will do well."

Tatsumi watched him pack up his things and close down the computer, switching it off.

"You were always the man in charge, Tatsumi. I respected you. The announcement about my retirement will be out by tomorrow. I wish you all the luck in the world, Seiichiro. Tell Tsuzuki I regret not saying good-bye personally."

Their eyes met and Tatsumi bowed his head slightly in respect. Shock of what was truly happening began to seep in. As he watched the smaller man walk out the door, it settled.

He was in charge.

Konoe had left Shokan to him.

He was the new chief.

Tatsumi hat to lean against the desk, inhaling deeply.

Damn...

tbc...