Title: He who keeps the keeper

Rating: Action

Pairing / Characters: The puppeteer, Shunsui, Jyuushirou, Kisuke, Ishida

Word Count: 765 words

Warnings: Nothing

Summary: The puppeteer reveals where he came from, and proceeds to wreak havoc

A/N: Are things becoming clearer now?

Shunsui blinked. 'Well, that's unexpected,' he remarked carefully. 'Although, seeing as Urahara Shoten lies in pieces, we shouldn't be surprised, should we?'

Kisuke's reiatsu was increasing slowly, but steadily, and Jyuushirou flung up his arm to prevent him from committing murder before they could get answers.

'Calm down, Kisuke,' he said sharply.

Kisuke was in no mood to listen. 'Who the hell are you?' he repeated, a dark note in his voice that brooked no insolence.

'I told you, Urahara Kisuke, I have no name. You shinigami saw to that many, many years ago.'

'That's all good and well, but we don't know you,' Jyuushirou told him. 'You clearly know us, but why are you here?'

'Take a good look at what you see, Ukitake Jyuushirou, and you'll answer your own question,' the puppeteer replied scornfully.

Kisuke's eyes narrowed. The figure was not as large as a hollow, but he had several distinctive hollow characteristics – a mask, dark red eyes, massive arms and legs, hands that ended in claws, despite the fact that he wore torn, tattered shinigami robes. A wakizashi instead of a zanpakutou was sheathed at his side.

A dreadful suspicion began to grow in the former shinigami's mind when he recalled the events that had led to his defection from Soul Society all those years ago…

'Urahara-taichou, the specimen is complete.'

'Very well, prepare for the integration of the souls. Has the lab been locked down?'

'Hai! No one is allowed in or out until the experiment is complete.'

'How many squad members are here?'

'Four, taichou, including yourself.'

'Did you check to ensure the area was cleared?'

'Not personally, but I had one of the juniors do it.'

'All right. Let's begin the experiment. Has the subject been briefed on what's expected of him?'

'We thought it best for you to handle that, Urahara-taichou. I'm sure he understands, but perhaps you should make sure.'

'I'll do that now, before we continue. I don't want any unwilling subjects here.'

'Taichou – were Kyouraku-taichou and Ukitake-taichou filled in?'

'Not as yet. I'll inform them of the results later.'

'Hai!'

'A merging,' Jyuushirou murmured, bringing Kisuke out of his memories. 'A merging…'

'Correct, Ukitake Jyuushirou. A merging. You could go so far as to say that I'm an unfortunate byproduct of Project Spearhead.'

'And you're blaming me for it,' Kisuke said quietly.

'Well, you are the one who began the project, Urahara Kisuke. Under your direction hundred of souls were destroyed, including mine. How can I not blame you for it?'

It was all Kisuke could do not to lunge forward there and then, but Shunsui moved swiftly and grabbed his shoulder.

'Kisuke, stop it,' Shunsui said shortly. 'Don't let him antagonize you.'

Byakuya glanced between the merging and Kisuke, the latter who looked furious.

'Is this true, Kisuke? Were souls destroyed in Project Spearhead?'

'No, of course not,' Jyuushirou said grimly.

'It's true that several gikon souls were used initially, and then sanctioned for destruction, but no a single soul, shinigami or otherwise, were used in the experiments.'

'You lie!' the merging roared. 'Look at me, at what I've become! Had you not created such a project, I would still be human! You destroyed me, and you did it behind Soul Society's back!'

With a visible effort, the merging calmed down and continued.

'Why do I want you dead, Kyouraku Shunsui? The answer I think, is obvious. Aside from Urahara Kisuke, you, Ukitake Jyuushirou, and Kurosaki Isshin were all privy to the details of the experiments performed in Project Spearhead, and yet neither of you did anything to prevent it. As for you, Kuchiki Byakuya, and Hitsugaya Toushirou, you know what your fellow captains are capable of and yet you still stand by them!'

Hitsugaya's eyebrows shot up. 'This is ridiculous. Stupid old men, always getting into stupid fights…'

'Silence!' the merging snapped. 'It's a waste of your time and mine to even continue this discussion. This time, you'll feel the true power of a merging, and you will feel my wrath!'

Closing his eyes, the merging lifted his hands skyward and reiatsu exploded around him.

Ishida's eyes widened in horror as dark, jagged tears sundered the blue of the sky, and hundreds of indistinct shapes could be seen moving within them.

'I'll ask one last question before I watch you die,' the puppeteer said menacingly. 'When you pass into the next world with tears, ask yourself who is he who keeps the keeper?'

The first Menos Grande dropped to the ground, and there was no more time for talking or thinking.