A/N: I cannot apologize enough for the late chapter. Believe me, I do not plan on letting any of my projects die. I just haven't found the time (nor the ambition) to write any more prior to this release. Thank you to all who have subscribed and looked forward to this story, I hope to not let you down. Before I start let me say to Cheesecake, who reviewed my story (whose profile doesn't exist, therefore I cannot respond to her review in a message) that I know Toshiro is out of character, but for me to be able to have him and L grow closer for the aspects of my storyline I needed at least one character to be, seeing as how both of them are pretty closed off in their respective anime, one of them needed to take the initiative. And lastly, for anyone who wants to, ask me a question about the story(ies) or anything they want, I recently created a formspring to answer such questions. Ask and I will be happy to answer them .me/dpunk3. Again, any and all reviews are welcome.

Chapter 5: A Clear Suspect

Toshiro, L, and Matsumoto were led outside Seireitei into the western area of Rukongai. They prepared themselves mentally for anything to come when investigating Ayonama. His house wasn't far from the gate, maybe 6 or 7 residences further into the district. The house they approached was abnormal, given its surrounding district. It's gate opened to reveal a house that was at least a third the size of Captain Kuchiki's residence. Which meant it was pretty big. They were greeted by an old man, of about mid 50's to mid 60's.

"Hello, may I help you?" Asked the man. Toshiro looked to him, a little taken back by his age.

"Uuh, m- my name is Toshiro Hitsugaya, Squad 10 captain of the Gotei 13. We have some questions to ask Mr... Ayonama?" He asked.

"Yes, that is me..." He said with confusion in his voice.

"Am I to understand that your name is Shinsuhei Ayonama?" Toshiro asked.

"I am sorry, you have the wrong person. Shinsuhei is my grandson. He is in his room." replied the old man. Toshiro was slightly relieved, his suspect was still a possibility.

"May I speak with him sir?" asked Toshiro

"Might I ask what buisness a captain has with my grandson?" the old man inquired. Toshiro was unsure of what to say, he didn't want to tip off Shinsuhei, if he told the old man he might be able to warn him prior to the arrest. He looked at L, hoping he would give him some hint of what to do. L looked up at him, then back to the old man.

"We need to ask a few questions. He may be a witness to a crime that was committed 3 nights ago about 2 kilometers away." L responded.

"I heard something about that. How would he be a witness? He was at the market when that happened. I sent him to get garlic for dinner that night." the man responded.

"How long was he gone? And which way did he leave?" L asked.

"He was gone for an hour. And he went west. That's the direction of the market."

"As well as the direction of the crime scene. It was perfectly plausible for him to be on his way home and saw something out of the ordinary." L said. The old man looked at L and the captain with hesitation. He didn't know what they were really up to. After a few moments of concern he let out a sigh.

"Very well then, follow me." The grandfather turned around and walked into the main house. The captain took off his tabi, and walked into the house, seeing the main room, he noticed the sandals of another person. He nudged L, who looked at them. L leaned over to Toshiro and whispered in his ear.

"Size 10. Looks special ordered. He couldn't have gotten them from anywhere but the shinigami he killed." Toshiro nodded, and looked to the old man, now a few rooms ahead, and leading them to the suspect they knew was able to kill a shinigami. As they walked towards the room, Toshiro could sense a very minute amount of spiritual pressure. Either he was extremely weak, or deliberately hiding what pressure he had. Either way, he wouldn't be able to fight on the level of a captain. However, Toshiro did fear for L's safety in this case. He had absolutely no spiritual energy, after all.

"L, why don't you wait here, we don't need two investigators in the room at once. We don't want the witness feeling overwhelmed or as if he's being attacked." Toshiro looked in L's eyes with intent. L knew that wasn't the real reason, he suspected Toshiro was looking out for him.

"Of course." L responded. He took a few steps back as the captain slid the door open to the boy's room.

Inside, he saw a young boy, appearing to be about 19, meditating with a sword on the ground in front of him.

"Excuse me, Mr. Ayonama." Shinsuhei looked at the captain, almost with anger.

"Well, its not every day I'm paid a visit from a captain. How can I help you?" Shinsuhei said with disgust. He clearly did not like shinigami, giving Toshiro even more reason to believe he was the killer.

"I was wondering if you had been a witness to something unusual. A murder occurred about 2 kilometers west of here. I heard that you had been to the market that night and I was wondering if you had saw something unusual." Toshiro asked. His voice was deep, he was on guard. At any second the boy might attempt to attack the young captain. He wouldn't win, but either way he didn't want to lose his only suspect. Shinsuhei looked at the captain with greater disdain.

"No, I'm afraid I didn't" He responded, lying clearly through his teeth.

"We found your blood and clothing at the crime scene." L chimed in inappropriately. "Your right sleeve in the clothing basket is torn, made of the same fiber and color as the torn clothing we found near the crime scene. The blood we have already matched to you, I bet we would be able to match the sandal you have near your front door with the same sandal as the shinigami who is now dead." L walked into the room and stared at the swordsman with accusing eyes. Shinsuhei looked at L, almost as if he would lash his sword out and lop L's head off then and there.

"I'm sorry, are you accusing me of something?" Shinsuhei asked, faking a surprised voice.

"That's it, leave this place immediately!" the old man yelled at the two detectives.

"No, grandfather, these two are only doing their jobs. They are keeping the streets clean of killers. Or at least the killers who have the courage to kill a shinigami. Meanwhile the ones who kill young women and children remain free, with no justice available to the true victims of this government." Shinsuhei said sarcastically.

"Either way, we're here for you." Toshiro said, knowing now was the chance to catch him. He started towards Shinsuhei, just as he grabbed his sword and junged at L abruptly. L ducked, Toshiro drawing his blade in time to block Ayonama's attack. L quickly drived his leg and body up, and into the jaw of his attacker, knocking him up and onto the ground. Ayonama quickly steadied himself back up, taking a guard stance and preparing for a fight. For a shinigami killer, this guy wasn't as tough as Toshiro thought he would be. L moved back, Toshiro taking point. Ayonama started to undercut Toshiro, who blocked the blade with his foot. This kid didn't even have enough spiritual energy, latent or active, to even cut Toshiro. Toshiro brought the hilt of his sword onto the top of Ayonama's head, knocking him unconscious.

"GET OUT OF HERE IMMEDIATELY!" the old man yelled.

"Sorry, but he attacked a shinigami and evidence shows that he killed a shinigami. We are taking him into custody." Toshiro said as he looked at the old man. Toshiro binded him with a Hadou, and picked him up.

"I wish there was something like that in the real world." L said. Handcuffs were completely unreliable, after all.

A/N: Again, I cannot apologize enough. I hope to find the ability to post a new chapter soon. I have had insomnia recently (and badly, might I add), so hopefully I will be able to use the spare time I have to update as much as possible. School is starting up soon. To everyone I wish good luck in the coming year.