Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the finale chapter to the politic's arc for "The Death and Life of Erza Scarlet". Needless to say, things will be VERY different from canon Bleach from this point onward. The how's and why's of that I'd rather leave to your imagination. I'm hoping that you enjoy this conculsion to the arc and eagerly await your reviews. Well, I think I've delayed this more than long enough, let's get onto the chapter!
"Are you ready?"
It was quite early in the morning. Momo smoothed out Erza's pants, brushing off non-existent dust from her captain's coat. The fussing was completely unnecessary; her girlfriend had already personally made sure every last part of Erza's appearance was immaculate. The big day had come, and sooner than Erza had expected—with the necessary support garnered, more time only meant more opportunities for things to go awry. She had filed a petition with the Central Forty-six—well, the Central Thirteen at this point—and two days later they had deigned to hear it.
"I am," Erza said, trying to hide her nervousness. "A speech… I still hate the spectacle of it. That I have to go up there and officially pretend that I only just brought this up, and that enough people just so happen to agree with it out of a commitment to ideals and virtue…" She shook her head. "We both know it's not true. Everyone knows. We're all just lying to make this seem acceptable. It doesn't sit well with me, Momo, even like this…"
"Shush now," Momo said firmly, readjusting Erza's coat one final time. "You've gone through this whole thing without having to offer a single bribe—"
"Just favours."
"Perfectly innocent and legal favours," Momo said, even more firmly. "No bribes, nothing that made you compromise who you really are. You caught a criminal of the worst kind in the process, saved a princess from assassination, and you settled not one but two family matters."
"A pretty generous way of putting it…"
"Erza, stop beating yourself up and give yourself the credit you deserve," Momo said, a little steel in her voice. "This could have gone terribly wrong, and it didn't. You don't have to like the way the system works, but you worked through it just fine. For a first try, that's not half bad."
"I… guess you're right," Erza said, smiling at her lover. "I have been looking at this pretty glass-half-empty, haven't I?"
"Yes, you have. Now, get in there and sound your most authoritative. Think the speech you give to new recruits, the tone you have when you talk about sacrifice and service."
"You sure? That's not too severe?"
"These old geezers won't respect anything but severe," Momo insisted. "Don't hold back. And, if you doubt, think about the people this will save, and what it'll look like for them without this protection."
Erza nodded. "I… will."
It was for them, after all. Not for her own power or glory, but for the little people, trampled and left behind by people with her kind of power. She could not forget that, or one day she'd turn out just like him.
The chambers were hauntingly empty, a bleak reminder of the culling that had taken place before Aizen's official betrayal. The thirteen members validated and able to vote all sat in the first row in a half-moon shape, wearing their most officious and elegant robes. Erza almost felt underdressed in her uniform, and as she approached the speaker's podium from which one would address the body as a whole, she felt herself wavering.
None of them have any real power, save what we give them, she reminded herself. The body existed by the consent of Yamamoto, and they were weaker now than ever before. They could not look down on her. No, despite their seats being higher up, she looked down on them. What did any of these people do to deserve to act superior? She was in the right, and for once, she would get to make that actually matter.
"Respected delegates of the Central Forty-six, honoured patriarchs of our society," she started, going through every last appropriate honorific in her most authoritative tone, "I come here today to propose to you a patriotic piece of legislation, aimed at strengthening our position in these unstable, chaotic times…"
The speech was long winded, at least for Erza's tastes, but she'd had Yoruichi go through it and had been assured that it was actually relatively short by these standards. The framing was simple: the Gotei, aiming to maintain stability, would take this measure for the greater good, et cetera, with a particular emphasis on deference to the central council and respect for the status quo. The words felt like bile in her mouth at times, but she thought of the people this would help and endured it. If it cost her nothing but discomfort, it would be worth it.
"…and so I humbly propose that the Central Forty-six, in their superior experience and wisdom, deliberate upon this proposal for ratification with appropriate expediency."
There was a murmur amongst the thirteen assembled, until old Kuchiki Yoshikata stood up.
"The Central Forty-six hear and recognise the petition of Captain Erza Scarlet, captain to Division Five and slayer of tyrants. The council will consent to deliberate upon this proposal. You may exit the chamber, Captain Scarlet."
Erza bowed and walked out, her heart thumping. This was it, then. Short of a betrayal—which was not to be discounted—she had just gotten through her first initiative. Her first step towards a better Gotei, from within its backward, selfish system.
Erza sat down in the antechamber just outside. She really should have been headed to the division; this would take many hours and she was wasting time, but she needed a moment. She was on the precipice now, so close to find out if this could work…
"Captain Scarlet?"
It was Rurichiyo, decked out in what Erza recognized as formal clan robes in the Kasumiouji colours. She had no escort with her save for one retainer in more modest clothing, waiting at the back of the room.
"It's Erza. Don't you remember?" Erza said, smiling weakly.
"Erza," Rurichiyo conceded, smiling back. "May I sit with you?"
"Be my guest," Erza said, shrugging. The young clan head sat down on the bench next to Erza, her feet dangling off the edge.
"You seem troubled," she said, looking Erza in the eye. "I'd have thought this would be a happy occasion for you."
"I'm not counting my chickens until they've hatched. All sorts of things could go wrong. Until I hear that they approved this, put this policy into law… I am taking nothing for granted."
"You really think they'd turn on you now?"
"I certainly wouldn't put it past them. All it takes is just one person, and it will not pass."
"It won't happen," Rurichiyo said confidently.
"I hope so," Erza nodded. "Never mind me. How have you been holding up? Look at you, walking around without an armed escort and everything…"
"Better than ever," Rurichiyo said, positively beaming. "I'm back as clan head, and I'm told Kumoi will be going to prison. Apparently, his hired thugs confessed to everything. I… invited the Stealth Corps to do a full sweep through the clan, actually. More evidence was found, and a dozen people or so were arrested for having been part of his web of corruption. The elders did not like it, airing our dirty laundry like that, but… I have to assert my authority some time, and that seemed like a good place to start. With Kumoi and his people out of the way, I can finally look forward. I can finally be at home in, well, my own home. And, I have you to thank for that."
"Think nothing of it," Erza said, feeling uplifted. This, at least, was good news. No matter what, she had achieved at least this much.
"Will you come visit me some time?"
"When I can. You'll have to nag me a bit, I think, but I always love making new friends."
"Especially powerful clan heads, right?"
"You know it's not—"
Rurichiyo laughed. "I'm just messing with you. Besides, you have way more powerful friends than me, don't you?"
"…I suppose I do. I don't think of it that way. I don't use people."
"You might have to, on some level at least. You have connections. You have relations. If you want to make change, you have to lean on them. You're too powerful to only have friends, I think."
"…Looks like you've really started to think like a clan head, huh?" said Erza, knowing she was being evasive. Something in her resented what Rurichiyo had just said, mostly because it rang true. If she walked this path, she'd have to push harder than this. This was only a start, a first step—and how much had she had to fight for just this?
"Like I said, I'd better start some time," Rurichiyo said. "I think I want to rely less on advisors from now on. I can't be a little girl forever."
Erza nodded solemnly. "You're not wrong. But, don't forget to be a little girl from time to time, yes? What you want and need for yourself still matters."
"I promise," Rurichiyo smiled.
"Want to go grab a bite to eat?" said Erza, sitting up straight all of a sudden. "These chambers are too gloomy for me, and they'll be at it all day."
"I'd be happy to."
Together the two friends headed out.
The hall was as spartan as Soifon remembered it, decorated only with weaponry. The Feng had little use for beauteous things, and used them sparingly.
"The good captain made fine use of that halberd," Yua said, approaching Soifon from behind. "She is not like us, but she understands the value of a good weapon; that is certain. Although, I do wonder why you would fixate on it, granddaughter. It is not your weapon of choice, nor do you have much of an appreciation for the past."
Soifon had come here intent on keeping her cool, and she took a deep breath. She could sense the barbs readying to launch under her grandmother's tongue. No, she would not lose her temper—but she would not let the news drop so quickly.
"It is an apt metaphor, I think," she said, keeping her eyes fixed on the weapon, even as her grandmother came to stand next to her, "well kept and cared for, but without purpose. An aging relic, left behind without knowing its time has passed."
"A blade will never be found without its use."
"Which is why we keep it on this wall, right? Useful only to look at as a curiosity."
"Perhaps if we saw fit to use it, it might once again serve."
Soifon suddenly turned to look her in the eye. Yua reeled back, ever so slightly.
"I tire of these euphemisms, these double meanings," Soifon said frankly, "and I tire of having to go back and forth exchanging petty insults."
"Then—"
"I was not finished speaking," Soifon said sharply. "I am through with this family. I will not denounce you openly, but it's clear to me our paths have long since diverged. Do as you wish. If slavery is your choice, then seek it if you must. The corps I built is far greater than this little clan and its grudges. It is my heart and soul, where I belong. To manage that is all I want."
Yua's wrinkled face cracked open in a rare smile. "Then… you will no longer interfere with our reconciliation?"
Soifon nodded. "Whatever bargain you struck with Scarlet will have been worth it, I am sure. I detest the course you seek, but… you were right about at least one thing. I have all I want. There is no reason you should not."
"You have no idea how long I have wanted to hear you say that," Yua said, almost warmly. "After all these years—"
"Do not start with me as if the rift is mended and we are a happy family," Soifon said harshly. "You feed us into the meat grinder and make us servants."
"And, look what it made you," Yua retorted. "Strong. Dedicated. Disciplined. The best of us all. You may resent it, but you embody the greatest of our families."
"Not quite the tune you sung before," Soifon said dryly. "But, if rebellion against these servile attitudes is a fine quality, then I won't object to the comparison."
Yua cocked her head, realizing the trap she had walked into—and then shrugged. "This house will always be open to you, even so."
"Do not hold your breath. We are through here, grandmother. I have said all I came to say."
Soifon turned around. She heard the noise of something being taken off the wall, the creaking of metal—and something sailing through the air. She spun around, and caught the polearm by the hilt, the blade stopping an inch away from her face. Her eyes narrowed.
"A gift, to remind you where you came from," Yua croaked. "Perhaps you will find real use for it. Perhaps it will stay on your wall. Either way, it is yours to keep."
"What are you playing at, old woman?" Soifon demanded.
"Nothing. But if you are not to come back, if you are to forsake us... then you ought to have at least something to remind you. We made you who you are, a brilliant thing—just like the weapon."
Soifon hefted the weapon in one hand, briefly considering just hanging it back on the wall, refusing it. It would certainly spite the old crone.
But, the time for spite had passed. She was moving on. And, come to think of it, most of the décor in her home—all of it, actually—had been Yoruichi's doing. She could just as well put up something of her own.
Slinging the weapon over her shoulder, she turned around and walked away without another word. Maybe she'd come back one day. She doubted it, but who knew?
The door would still be open for her.
It was early morning, and Rukia was having breakfast with her brother. It was a new and strange privilege, but they shared the first meal of the day every day now, usually interspersed with some conversation about clan affairs. Or, if she was lucky, some sort of lesson about the intricacies of clan life.
"You are not eating."
"I beg your pardon, brother," Rukia said, hastily digging in to her scrambled eggs.
"You were not distracted by nothing," Byakuya observed. "What troubles you?"
Rukia chewed and swallowed down the mouthful she'd gracelessly wolfed down, and sighed.
"What doesn't trouble me? I… I hope you do not mistake this for weakness, brother, but the weight of being named heir… I can feel it quite strongly."
"As you should," Byakuya said, and Rukia was surprised to see him nod in approval. "I would be concerned if you were entirely cavalier about it. As a young man, even though I was groomed for the role, I often felt doubt or even fear for my ability to carry such a weight. But, once mastered, such a fear is not a detriment but a potent reminder of the importance of one's role."
That, too, was new. In the last few days, her brother had shared more of his personal life with her than he had done in their entire time as brother and sister. It made her feel deeply privileged, to have such an intimate and personal view of his past, and she always listened eagerly.
"I defer to your wisdom, brother. Although…"
"Do not speak halfway through. Commit to your words once spoken," Byakuya chided her gently.
"Although I am hesitant, I am also… surprised."
"Surprised."
"In a way, everything is different. But, in another, also nothing is. My life is… mostly exactly the same, except for the lessons taken on our clan's history and its politics."
He nodded. "The role of heir is inert. In older times the heir would often serve as an envoy or military commander to prepare them for leadership, but those times are long past the clans. The heir needs only prepare; otherwise there is not much else to it. Service to the Gotei is itself a good education. As a vice-captain, you will learn much about the responsibility needed to command a clan. It does not require quite the same political savvy, but it is the closest thing outside the clan itself. In short, you need not worry. Carry on with your duties as normal."
"Yes, brother…" Rukia said thoughtfully.
"And, make sure to take time for yourself," Byakuya added. "Work is a just and ethical pursuit, but to be committed to only that is to deny oneself one's humanity. It harms the soul in the long run."
"…Yes, brother," said Rukia, not a little surprised. Her brother was famous for his strict work ethic and the long hours he kept; he was not a person she would have expected to hand out that lesson.
"I meditate, read poetry and practice calligraphy, and I take lonesome walks in our garden to reflect upon myself and my place in the world. Not every day, but still regularly. I find it soothing, a fair reward for hard work. Find such a pursuit as a balm for your soul, and it will serve you well."
Rukia nodded, taken aback. She wondered how well he, himself, had heeded this advice; she knew that he was still seeing Isane for therapy. Best not to go there…
"Something still troubles you."
Rukia flinched. How—how was her brother doing this? How did he of all people have such a good read on her? He had spent an entire life distant, and—
No, focus. He'd addressed her, and she had to answer.
"Yes, brother," she admitted.
"That being?"
Rukia sighed.
"I still feel ashamed for the way in which I allowed myself to be manipulated by Shihoin Yoruichi," she said, shaking her head. "It was an obvious trap, at such an important time… I allowed our clan to be manipulated as a whole through my foolish mistake."
"You take responsibility, which is to your credit," Byakuya nodded. "Nothing has changed since I last advised you, though. It is water under the bridge. Mistakes will be made, and the best way to handle them is to learn from them. The shame you feel will induce you to speak with more caution the next time you find yourself in such a situation, will it not?"
"Very much so, brother."
"Then think nothing further of it. People will attempt to take advantage of you. People will lie, directly or by omission, to your face or indirectly. You will be manipulated, and you will be made to manipulate in turn. This is why we have a council of elders to handle business; no clan head can be expected to keep up with all the new developments.
"Yes, people will attempt to use you for their own benefit, especially when you are new to the mantle, before you have made your strength and savvy known. You are lucky that the first instance was this benign."
"You think it benign?"
"Compared to the sharks out in the proverbial pond? Certainly," Byakuya said dryly. "I have no love lost for Shihoin Yoruichi, but you could do worse than a patriotic do-gooder like Scarlet on a crusade to empower the downtrodden."
Rukia nodded. "I suppose… friendships like those will be important."
"A power base inside and outside the clan will certainly pay off," Byakuya agreed. "Now finish your breakfast. Time runs short."
"Yes, brother," Rukia agreed, processing what she had just gone through. This was a new side to her brother she was seeing: invested, more open…
Of all the changes, she liked that one the best.
A functionary in fine robes emerged, and Erza's name was called. Momo waited next to her for the verdict. Predictably, the assembly had taken their time debating the motion—the foregone conclusion was not enough to make them pretend like it wasn't a serious issue contemplated with all due seriousness, apparently. They had lost valuable time, of course, but this was more important. The division could hold up for half a day without them.
Erza squeezed Momo's hand one last time, then headed inside. Momo waited outside with bated breath. It took unreasonably long, she thought, but then again that had been the flavour of the day.
She felt tense. She did not share Erza's passion for the underprivileged, per se—she knew what it was like, of course, and she felt sympathy for them, but she did not burn for this cause the same way her girlfriend did. This was Erza's heart and soul, everything she had worked for—it would crush her if this was stopped. Worse still, it might convince her the Gotei was not worth helping anymore. The thought of what she might do…
And, Momo knew that if Erza decided to go renegade one way or the other, she would follow her. No matter the sacrifices, no matter the cost, she'd go with her.
She wondered if the old men in that chamber knew how much was riding on this decision. How many of their fates might be rewritten, erased, if they decided to betray her. What did they know of Titania? What she was capable of?
Consumed by these thoughts, Momo waited, waited, waited. The comfort and luxury the building offered seemed hollow to her, pointless; what use were they?
Finally, finally, just as the tension started to feel truly unbearable, the door opened and Erza walked out. She looked harrowed, and Momo's heart dropped. Oh no…
She hurried to her feet. Erza would need her support. She approached, taking her captain's hands in hers.
"So, what happened?" she asked, knowing the answer.
"I…"
"It'll be alright," Momo said hastily. "We'll try again. We'll—"
"No—what—wait," Erza said, sounding bewildered. Slowly, her stunned look transformed, as her face cracked up in a wide smile.
"It worked, Momo. They approved it, for the coming ten years. It'll have to be renewed then, but…" She shook her head. "Ten out of thirteen votes, Momo. Once it became clear which way it was going, all the Kuchikis and Kyourakus sided with us. It's unbelievable. It worked, Momo!"
Momo's fears washed away, in an instant replaced with tremendous joy.
"But, you looked so…"
"I was just, um, shocked," Erza said with a shrug. "I thought they'd go grudgingly, but once it was done it was done. Now they all get to say they were part of this great initiative, and all that."
"That—that's incredible!" said Momo, overjoyed. "Erza, you—you really did it!"
"It's only the beginning," Erza said hastily. "I still have to create a police force for those areas, and more or less make up a government from scratch, and if I don't produce a steady stream of viable recruits then I can forget about renewal…"
"You can do it," said Momo firmly. "All of those things, we can do. Inspiring people, training them, organizing them—that's the easy part compared to this."
"It'll get harder up ahead," Erza muttered. "This was just a single, small first step, and if I want to make a difference I have to do much more. More dealings like these… lots more. We have to work while the Central Forty-six are still filling up. Build relationships. Alliances. There's so much work to do…"
"Erza," Momo sighed, squeezing her hands, "stop for one second and just enjoy this, okay? You won. Savour it for a few seconds."
"I… yes. Thank you," Erza whispered.
"Congratulations, Captain Scarlet."
Erza had been so caught up in the moment that she had not noticed the clique of nobles approaching. Leading them was a man in the Tsunayashiro colours. Of the dozen or so men following him, most but not all seemed to share his familial line. He was an elder man, still with some colour left in his hair, and he had the haughty look of a man used to being obeyed.
Erza stiffened. "I don't believe we've been introduced," she said cautiously, turning to face them properly.
"Tsunayashiro Torii, at your service," he said, giving the slightest of bows. "I was so very proud to have participated in this historic moment, captain."
"You voted against," Erza said, choosing her words carefully.
"Dissent is such a vital part of any healthy political process," Torii said smoothly. "But your arguments carried the motion through, and persuaded our burgeoning council. Who am I to question such wisdom?"
"Then don't," said Momo bluntly.
"Ah, the dear vice-captain," Torii said, giving Momo a self-assured smile. "Tell me, how fares your division these days? I am sure you both share the burden of leadership… well, it's one of many things I am sure you share."
Erza steeled herself. She could see where it was headed. A parting shot from the opposition, some attempt to embarrass her publicly by making her boil over.
"I accept your congratulations gratefully," she said sharply. "It gladdens me to see you so gracious in defeat, Councilman Tsunayashiro. Hopefully, you will take the next one in stride as well."
"The Tsunayashiro are nothing but gracious, captain. We are, of course, also quite invested in the moral character of this institution. It would not do to allow less than upstanding elements to dominate the discourse."
"Perish the thought," said Erza, the sarcasm dripping from her mouth. "You'd have to look elsewhere, though. We are all morally upright people here, I'm sure."
"None can doubt the valour and character of the tyrant-slayer, the red angel," said Torii smoothly. "No, Captain Scarlet is beyond reproach. But, as this last war has proven, even the most seemingly noble can hide a treacherous heart. What elements in our midst might not seek to lead such a mighty hero astray?"
"If you have a point, make it," said Erza, no longer caring that she was being too direct.
"We will be making inquiries regarding some types of conduct among the officers. Such as, oh… dangerous and unsanctioned use of kido, perhaps. The methods developed by the central bureau are necessarily strict, after all. Wild modifications to such potent power would demand close scrutiny."
"Kido, eh?" Erza could feel Momo stiffen next to her. "That's your angle?"
"We have no angle, dear captain," Torii said, faking surprise, "only the best interests of the Gotei at heart. Do you not agree that such things need be regulated? Inquiries made of those who would overstep? I have a cousin in the upper echelons of the kido corps. I am sure he will be quite helpful in such an endeavour."
Erza grit her teeth. A tidal wave of anger was rising inside her, and she was glad she'd been made to relinquish her blade before entering. She balled her fists, and it took an effort of sheer will to keep her composure.
They couldn't go for Erza, so they'd go for Momo. They'd go for the weaker link, to hurt her, to bring her down. This was cease and desist, or she's up on the chopping block. Her eyes narrowed, and she took a step forward. The noble entourage behind Torii flinched, but the old man himself stared her in the eye defiantly, as if daring her to strike.
You'd like that, wouldn't you? Erza thought angrily, for me to lose it, assault a member of the council, face charges and have my career undone immediately. But it won't be that easy, you little snake.
She would not rise to his goad, but he'd made a threat on somebody she loved, and that could not go unanswered.
"I would wish you the best of luck in such an endeavour," she said coldly. "Of course, in the interest of public morality and all that, I'd feel compelled to join in your crusade."
"…Join?" said Torii, suddenly seeming surprised, rattled.
"Yes, join." Erza leaned in close, until their faces were only inches apart.
"You think that would happen all smooth and easy, you rat bastard?" she hissed through her teeth. "You go ahead. You launch your probe. The next thing you know, the Stealth Corps will go through your family business with a fine comb. How many skeletons do you have in your closet, old man? How many of them are you willing to show to the world? You can do this, but you'd better know you're going to war if you do. And, you might have powerful friends, but I have the ear of the captain-commander and I'm personal friends with the head of the Gotei's policing unit. If you do anything to harm the people I care about, I will make it my personal mission to grind your entire house into the dust, until you're a footnote in the history books. If you think I'm just puffing my chest and grandstanding, look into my record. I once told the captain-commander to go to hell, and that Aizen was right. He made me a captain for it. I believe in my loved ones, and what I believe in I'm ready to die for. I don't care about glory, or fame, or power, or money. I can't be bribed or intimidated.
"So, you launch your investigation, but think long and hard about what kind of trouble you're inviting."
Torii took a couple of steps back, wide eyed.
"You—you dare threaten—"
"Nobody is making threats, honoured Tsunayashiro," Erza said, suddenly stepping back and smiling. "I am speaking plainly, so there may be no more misunderstandings between us. I look forward to a long and prosperous working relationship. I have so many changes to make, and so many friends to share them with."
Torii stared at her, seemingly at a loss for words.
"I bid you good day, gentlemen. Duty calls; you know how it goes," said Erza chipperly. "Come on, Momo. The division needs us."
"Yes—yes, captain," Momo said. Together, they marched out, leaving a stunned group of nobles behind them.
"Was that wise?" asked Momo as the door closed behind them.
"Maybe not," said Erza ponderously, "but politics or no, I want them to know where I stand. Some things, I don't want to compromise on. Those I love are my life, Momo. I want them to know I'll wring their necks if they try to get me through them."
"…I'm not sure if you meant that metaphorically or literally," Momo said, sounding in between intimidated and aroused.
"Me neither," said Erza. The anger that had welled up inside her was gone, replaced by a burst of elation. She'd done it all, and told them off to boot—this was as much as she could have hoped for.
"Let's hope I don't have to find out."
It was afternoon and Erza, drowning in paperwork as always, was all too glad for the distraction but nevertheless surprised when Soifon walked in, Yoruichi in tow. Soifon carried a simple, white cardboard box, and she had the strangest expression on her face.
"Soifon?" said Erza, blinking. "Well, do come in, I suppose. Can I help you?"
"Well…" Soifon said. She looked strained, weird, like she'd bitten a lemon and was struggling not to make a face.
"Go on," said Yoruichi, nudging her in the side with an elbow.
"These—these are dumplings," Soifon muttered, dumping the box on Erza's desk. "I don't know what your favourite sauce is because I'm not that good of a friend, apparently, but it's—it's soy sauce. Who doesn't like soy, you know?"
She sounded irritable, and Erza felt even more confused. Who got this upset about food?
"I'm not very hungry right now, but I'll have them in an hour or two, I suppose," said Erza, carefully putting the box aside. "Thank you?"
"You're welcome," Soifon grumbled.
"I'm… what's this about, really?" Erza said, leaning back. "I'm sure you didn't come all the way here to just deliver me some food."
"Hint: no, it's not about the dumplings," Yoruichi said, rolling her eyes. "Go on, you can't be that proud. You can do it."
Soifon sighed.
"Last time—last time we spoke—well, personally at least, because we've spoken professionally since, but last time we spoke—" She stopped herself to take a breath, and groaned. "It shouldn't be this hard."
"I'd help if I knew what the hell was going on," Erza said, in between confusion and amusement.
"I apologize, alright?" Soifon spat. "I—I implied you were using me like any other cynical bastard noble, and I know that's not you. It keeps haunting me, which is obnoxious. What good is friendship if it eats at you the moment you happen to step on somebody's toes, anyway?"
"She means, 'I'm sorry. I didn't mean it'," Yoruichi added helpfully.
"It's… it's fine," Erza said, finally catching on. "That thing? I'd almost forgotten about it. It was… hurtful, but I realize you had a sore spot. I figured that was all there was to it. I'm glad you decided to try to make things right, though."
"See, I knew I was making too big a deal out of this! God, I hate this…" Soifon muttered. "I'm sorry, this is not exactly a graceful way to apologize…"
Erza laughed. "It's fine. You did the right thing in the end, so what can I complain about? Everything worked out well."
"Because it was the right thing. Yes. It's… ah, I hate apologizing. I'm no good at it," Soifon muttered.
"You're doing great, baby," Yoruichi said, giving Soifon a hug from behind.
"Not—not in front of—not when I'm at work!" Soifon protested. Yoruichi laughed, and let go.
"If it helps, I can just look away," said Erza with a sly smile.
"Since when are you the suave, sarcastic one?" Soifon snarled, although the venom was quite half-hearted.
"Since you've become the awkward one, apparently," Erza laughed.
"I… damn it," Soifon muttered.
"Oh, before I forget," said Yoruichi, "are you and Momo doing anything this Sunday?"
"…Not that I recall?" said Erza.
"Good, because you are now. Soifon and I are having you over for dinner. We're trying this new thing called 'having a social life.' It's a pain, but it's worth it."
Soifon rolled her eyes. "This woman, see what she's roping me into?" she sighed. "One moment you move in, the next she sets all the décor—"
"You just hung that ugly blade on the wall the other day," Yoruichi cut in.
"—and before you know it you're having people over for dinner on a regular basis," Soifon finished, without breaking her stride.
"Women, am I right?" Erza snorted.
"We're the worst," Yoruichi cheerily agreed. "See you Sunday."
"…See you Sunday," Erza agreed. The world was becoming a very strange place, but it was not always for the worse, it seemed.
Erza watched them go, a little perplexed but still in a good mood. Social lives? Friends over for dinner? Things really were getting peaceful again. It felt a little alien after the war she had just been through, but the more she thought about it, the more she liked it. It was always the little moments that made things worth it. Just spending time with friends…
And trying to build a better future at the same time. After all she'd been through, she figured she'd earned it. They'd all earned it.
Finally bored with her duties and in need of something to justify a break, Erza got up to do a routine inspection. The troops would be practicing drills at this hour; since the war, every division had intensified its training regimen, as much for the surviving veterans as for the new blood coming in to fill the ranks of those lost to the crucible of combat. She felt all eyes on her as she walked through the courtyard, although none paused their exercises—thrust, parry, thrust, stab—as veteran seated officers directed the training.
In the midst of it, she noticed an… oddity. A man wearing a breastplate of gleaming metal over his uniform, a crimson sash tied around his waist. She made a mental note to ask about it later as she did her round…
Then she saw a second, and a third, a fourth… she counted well over a dozen armoured men among the fifty or so soldiers training in the courtyard.
"Who is in charge here?" she demanded loudly. A senior officer hurried up, saluting sharply and standing to attention. Seventh Seat Akagi, she recalled, a young woman with cropped hair who had not seen much action before the war.
"Sir!" she said loudly. "Drills proceeding as per our schedule, captain. To our satisfaction if I may say so, sir!"
"Yes, they're all… doing quite well," Erza said, glancing at the troops. There seemed to be a more intent stare now, every soldier in the courtyard seeming focused on the two of them. She would have to do something about that, Erza decided.
"Eyes forward, focus up!" she snapped loudly. As the troops obeyed, doubtless still glancing her way, she turned back to Akagi.
"They're all doing well, yes. I was wondering about… you know, the armour?"
"Oh. Oh, that," said Akagi, with the awkward tone of a teenager caught doing something they maybe shouldn't have been doing. "It's… complicated. I mean, it's actually quite simple, but, uh…"
"If it's simple, then explain," Erza said firmly.
"Well," said Akagi, scratching her head. "We've been having some… get-togethers for the war veterans pretty much since things got back to normal. Started simple, just a place to stick together, drink, tell your stories, and get some emotions out about what we lost, what we saw that day. Lots of people drinking till they cried, and all that. Then it became a pretty regular thing, not really like a club, more informal, but… an association, I guess. Just a couple hundred of us meeting up to talk, maybe spar, drink, play games… and then there was Tenth Seat Kasui, you know?
"He decided to save up to buy a breast plate. Didn't find anything in the regulations that prohibited the use of armour, and decided to run with it. Said if it's good enough for the captain then it was good enough for him. Before long, all his friends did the same, and somebody came up with the red sash to… to uh, to honour you, captain. Then we started a bit of extracurricular training, too, to make sure those of us who'd lived were as good as we could be. So we could teach the new kids what's what."
Erza blinked. "Well, that's the first I ever heard of this," she said, surprised. "You're having this… club where you do what you usually do, plus drinking?"
"The war changed everything, captain," Akagi explained. "People saw you, defeating that espada. Everyone knows what you did that day, and everyone here is proud to have served under you that day. The armour… it's our way of saying we're with her, the one who saved us all. And you can't exactly fault the sense in wearing armour, right? I'd have mine on, except it's getting enchanted for extra protection right now. Cost me a pretty penny, and no mistake."
Erza blinked again, processing this. How busy had she been? "And, I was not told about this because…?"
Akagi shifted uncomfortably. "Well, people weren't sure exactly how you'd feel about it. We know you're the humble sort, captain."
"You are organizing what is effectively an elite veteran company, and nobody told me?" said Erza, in disbelief.
"See, when you put it like that, it sounds really bad," Akagi admitted. "Look, the—the soldiers, they—I—we need this. We lost people that day. Good friends we'd known since forever. We lost our confidence, our faith in the Gotei was rocked… and there was you, our beacon of hope. Sounds corny, but it's true. Hanging on to your example: that got a lot of us through this."
Erza sighed. "It's not just about me, then?"
"I suppose not. Yes. No. Sort of?"
"Carry on, seventh seat," Erza said dismissively. "But I want a full roster of members, and a formal association created. No backdoor things; no secrets. We've had quite enough of those, I think. Set up a proper club with a leadership, then we'll see about this."
"Yes, sir!" Akagi said, saluting again. "I'll call 'em together tonight, we'll work it out!"
She seemed oddly relieved. Well, you could do worse than people working harder and protecting themselves better, Erza supposed… but it felt odd, awkward, to have so many people try to follow her example so openly. Who was she, really, to be adored like this?
Then again, captains left their mark on their divisions. Sixth were renowned as stern, immaculate professionals. Second were credited for their long work hours and discretion. Eighth were considered easy-going. Eleventh were known for their thuggery and violence. Fifth… a fifth division recast in her image, led by armour-clad hardened veterans? It was something to think about. A new identity for people who badly needed one…
Deciding to shelve that for further thought, Erza moved on.
Erza continued her sweep of the division, mulling over this new revelation. It tore her in between feeling flattered and uncomfortable—she had not set out to become somebody's role model, but looking at it, she had been foolish not to expect it. A captain was meant to be one, an exemplar.
"Erza?"
Torn from her reveries, she looked up.
"Ichigo? What are you doing here?"
He looked different. She hadn't noticed much at the Kuchiki event, being preoccupied and only having seen him briefly, but he seemed… older, somehow. His demeanour was calmer, and he looked more mature. War, she thought. It's the war, isn't it? That grievous thing had taken their innocence, ripping it from them with raw force.
"Oh, I just finished a session with Captain Kuchiki," he said, shrugging. "I figured I'd stop by, say hello. Don't be a stranger, you know?"
"Captain Kuchiki, is it?" Erza said, raising an eyebrow.
"He insists on the formalities," Ichigo said, grimacing. "I kinda do it by habit now, sort of. Honestly, I don't mind doing it, not terribly. I'm not suddenly bursting with respect for these stuck-up nobles, but it seems like a fair trade for what I get."
"I'll say. Byakuya is a master of his craft, always has been."
"So are you, but we only trained briefly, I guess. I wonder which of you…?"
Erza shrugged. "I don't know, and I'd rather not find out. I suppose I have a broader range of skills, even if the blade is my primary weapon, whereas he will have practiced with one and only one weapon his entire life. Make of that what you will."
"Actually…" said Ichigo hesitantly, "I was wondering—with all that's happened, all the real experience and training I've got, I wonder… where I stand compared to you now. Of course, I have a long way to go," he said quickly, "but I know I've made progress. So…"
"Kurosaki Ichigo, are you asking for a spar?" said Erza patiently.
"Uh. Kinda, yeah. If you're free."
"You know, I run a very hectic division," she said, her tone almost mockingly strict. Ichigo seemed not to pick up on it, though.
"Right, of course. I won't bother you, then. Some other time?"
"Shush, dummy," Erza said, smiling. "I'm never catching up to that mountain of paperwork anyhow. Come on, let's grab some bokken. There's a proper dojo just down this way."
Suppressing the guilt of knowing she really should have been at her desk, Erza led Ichigo inside a nearby division training facility. The dojo was empty, and she gestured for Ichigo to step onto the training floor. She removed her coat and picked up two wooden training swords, tossing one to Ichigo. He caught it smoothly, taking a stance. Erza rolled up her sleeves, taking her time to walk up opposite Ichigo, reading him carefully before holding her blade up.
"You've grown," she commented, her voice serious.
"I would hope so. Hell, I'll show you."
"Not just as a warrior. I remember you from when you were a toddler, and here you are, more man than boy. It makes me proud to have been part of that."
"Sheesh, auntie, you're embarrassing me," Ichigo said awkwardly. "Thanks—"
And just like that, Erza attacked, coming down with a heavy strike from above. Ichigo reeled back in surprise, pushed back and nearly unbalanced as she unleashed a vicious flurry of blows. But the boy was sure-footed and slowly recovered, managing to parry or evade each blow until a slashing counter-attack forced Erza to step back.
"That was a dirty trick, Erza," Ichigo huffed.
"Just checking to see if you were paying attention," she chuckled, circling him. Ichigo, on full alert, followed her movements carefully. When she launched into her next attack he was ready, and it turned into a swift, equal set of exchanges. Although she was not giving it her all yet, testing the boy carefully, Erza marvelled at his progress. His movements were sharper, more precise. Whenever he needed to be in one place or another, the movement to get there had begun well ahead of time; he was never out of place. He was something else now, entirely unlike the brash, untempered youth she had started to train only months earlier.
"Very good," she said, nodding in approval as she broke off, taking a step back. "You do your mentor proud—Byakuya, that is."
"I still owe this to you."
"You are your own now, and I see more of him in you anyway. Which is not a bad thing," she added hastily. "I never had the time to train you properly. My only warning is that his style is… inflexible. Very good at one thing, but lacking versatility."
"You think so?" said Ichigo, sounding amused.
This time, he took the offensive, pushing Erza hard with a set of strong, offensive series of attacks, each sequence forcing her to give ground. He was putting power behind those strikes; in battle, he could not keep this kind of pace for very long. What was his game? With expert precision she caught his blade, using his own momentum to pin it down with the length of her own blade. She knew her next move, to shove him back and follow up with an attack before he could recover, but she saw him smiling too late…
As his blade was pinned down he pointed two fingers at her shoulder. Erza's eyes widened.
"Byakurai!" He said triumphantly. A jolt of electricity rocked Erza's body; the spell had been weakened enough that it didn't break her skin, but it was more than enough to give her a shock. Suddenly she was the one stumbling back, trying to recover. She grit her teeth, in between impressed and infuriated.
"Shakkahou!" Ichigo said, holding up a palm. The explosive spell struck Erza dead on, and she was knocked off her feet, sent tumbling across the dojo floor. Erza rolled with it, cursing under her breath as she turned the tumble into a controlled spin, coming up on her feet. Ichigo was not done yet, having used the time to mutter an incantation.
"Rikujokourou!" He cried, and six pillars of light formed around Erza, holding her firmly in place. Ichigo rushed forward, placing the blade of his wooden sword to her neck.
"And that's game," he said, self-assuredly.
"And to think you had the nerve to chide me for a dirty trick," Erza snorted. "I see Byakuya taught you well."
"My kido's not the best, but it turns out that with the right teacher and the right motivation…" Ichigo shrugged.
Not the best? Spells at that level would be rare for a student in his very last year at the academy. You've been doing this for how long?
How long might he go in the end? There was no telling, apparently.
"Figures. But I think you forgot one of his lessons."
"Yeah? What's that?"
Erza flexed, the binding spell shattered, and with one hand she yanked his sword aside. At the same time she brought her bokken down, slamming the flat of the blade onto his forehead, hard. Ichigo yelped, and fell on his back.
"Don't get cocky," she said, extending a hand. "It's not over till it's over. That was a neat surprise, but surprises do not carry the day."
"Yeah, yeah…" Ichigo grumbled, letting himself get pulled to his feet.
"Look at you, though," Erza said proudly. "Slinging kido? I would never have imagined it."
Ichigo grimaced. "Very incomplete. Captain Kuchi—Byakuya would have chewed me out to no end if he'd seen how I executed 'em. But, it's a pretty good thing to have in a tight spot, and if I want to be good at this, I should try to learn how to do more than just swing a sword, I figured."
Erza nodded approvingly. "No reason not to."
"Sometimes I wonder," Ichigo said, shrugging. "Like, the war is over, and we have a peace with Hueco Mundo. What'll come up next? Why don't I just… go back to normal? But, I can't. Not anymore."
"And, no matter how stable it may seem, the future has a way of surprising you," Erza retorted. "To build strength is the best way to secure peace. You're making the right call, Ichigo."
"I hope so, yeah. I won't give up on my life back in Karakura, but even so, I need to be able to protect it. I can't let that happen ever again."
Erza nodded. He'd been right there, smack dab in the middle of it all, at ground zero when Aizen had enacted his mad scheme. He'd personally been struck down by him. How helpless would that make someone feel? She knew that all too well. Luckily, he seemed to be taking that grief somewhere productive.
"It's all you can do, I suppose," she said, unsure of how to respond.
"It's funny, actually. People look at you real different, don't they? They look at me like I'm something else. People are respectful these days. Hell, I had to dodge out of Kenpachi being… polite on the way here?"
"Polite?" said Erza, raising an eyebrow.
"I think that's what he was shooting for. Friendly-like, and then he insists we have a spar. With sharp edges and all, till we're both half dead. Not gonna lie, I made a paper-thin excuse and just ran for it."
Erza laughed. "I don't think he'll let go of that one easily. He badgers me for a rematch all the time."
"Crazy…" Ichigo muttered.
"Another one?" Erza offered. "Swords only this time."
"Swords only," Ichigo agreed.
They took their stances once more. Her heart swelling with pride, she made ready. This time, she would not hold back. He had a long way to go, and he would need to be pushed hard.
Night came at last, and a tired and worn Erza made her way back to her personal room in the apartment at the division. Momo was there already, sorting the papers on Erza's personal desk. It was less oppressive here, mostly personal messages, affects; books and ornaments, but even here the the dreaded paperwork reached her.
"You really need to delegate," Momo huffed. "You're going to fall a week behind at this rate and half of it will stop being relevant."
"I know. I know," Erza muttered. "Our bureaucracy wasn't amazing to begin with, and when half of them died in battle… I wonder if it was a good idea to make soldiers into secretaries in the first place. I'll see about finding more suitable people. In fact, tomorrow I want you to take a look at our budget to see how many positions we can realistically fill."
"I'll take care of it. We're not short of funds, at least."
Erza nodded. You couldn't do everything yourself; she'd learned that the hard way. Tiredly she slumped down on the bed, yawning. She lay back on the bed, and let out a small laugh.
"You're in a good mood," said Momo, still sorting papers.
"We did it, Momo," Erza muttered. "It worked. The first step… it's been taken. I'm going to prove him wrong, Momo, if it's the last thing I do."
Momo stiffened a little; there was no mistaking who he was. "Well, you've certainly headed in the right direction. But, what… if it doesn't work out?"
"We'll find that out when we get there," said Erza evasively. "One step at a time, Momo. The world is an uncertain place. You never know what'll come next—so I'll focus on here and now. There's a lot of work to be done here, anyway."
"Well, it is your pet project. Is it your old district?"
Erza nodded. "Finally I get to do something for that village. I think I'll head out there myself, make sure the transition goes smoothly. Soldiering: that, I think I can handle."
Momo finished the last stack of papers and walked over to the bed, sitting down next to where Erza lay.
"Just don't overdo it, okay?" she said softly, taking her lover's hand. Erza squeezed it, smiling at her.
"I don't think I know how not to overdo it, really. I'm always moving forward. I… I don't know if I know how to stay still anymore."
"Well, you're going to have to learn. One of these days things will quiet down, and I will want a vacation. Just the two of us, together."
"You think the division can handle it?"
"Once I'm done delegating? The bureacracy I'll make for us will be practically like a perpetual motion machine," Momo said proudly.
"Somebody's confident," Erza laughed.
"Well, somebody has to be. The worst is past us, and we have to look ahead. There will be peace again, Erza, and when there is we'll need to do more than just work, work and work."
Erza nodded. "You're not wrong. But, for now…"
"For now we're going to rest, and get up bright and early for another long day," Momo said. "But, one day…"
"One day," Erza agreed.
When she fell asleep that night, Erza felt content in a way she had not for a very long time.
And so the arc finally comes to a close. Erza was finally able to overcome her first hurdle in the hellscape that is Gotie politics, Ichigo has managed to learn Kido, Rukia is coming into her own, and Soifon and Yoruichi have come to terms with their past.
More adventures will follow of course, but for now, I'm taking a brief break. Only about a month or so this time, so I can further plan out how the rest of the story will go. I have a broad idea of plot points and how I want to get there, but I'd like to work out the particular's first.
I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and look forward to your input.