"Eh! Ukitake-taicho went where, now!"

"T-The detention cell! We're headed over there right now!" Sentaro and Kiyone both saluted. I rolled my eyes, "No need for you two to come. Just stay here and keep an eye on things."

"But, Mamori-fukutaicho, we insist-"

"No. Stay here. We can't have all four of our top officers leaving the barracks at once! Ridiculous."

"Aw, but Kaien would have let us-"

I froze. Kaien. How long had it been since I had heard that name? We'd rarely utter his name after he died, especially around Rukia. "Don't... don't say that name. And don't compare me to him. I'm a different person, understand?"

"Ah, yes ma'am. So, can we go?"

"My answer still stands. Now, I have to go. If I find out you guys left against orders I will kill you two." I shut the door on them and ran from the barracks, annoyed with Ukitake that he hadn't told me where he was going. Weren't the lieutenants supposed to flank their captains?

"Dang it!" I uttered in exasperation. A few other shinigami gave me a strange look, but neither them nor I made too big a deal about my random outburst. The detention center was a good distance away, which didn't make it any easier. However, when I neared the steps, I could already feel a huge amount of reiatsu, all mixed together. I recognized only two of them however: Kuchiki-taicho and Ukitake-taicho. The other one was familiar, but I couldn't tag it to any one person.

I ran through the maze of buildings and finally I reached the right path that led to the outer building that connected the Senzaikyuu to the main part of Sokyoku Hill. But when I reached the building, the reiatsu that I had not recognized had disappeared. I nearly ran into Kuchiki-taicho when he turned the corner, but I made sure not to, or else I would regret it right there and now. "Sorry!" I said, dodging him by a thread. He ignored me. Good ol' Kuchiki-taicho.

On the other side, Ukitake-taicho was standing on the bridge, with Rukia collapsed nearby and Hanataro beside her. Someone I didn't identify was all bloodied up and lying on his back in the middle of the bridge; he was most likely a ryouka.

"Sir! Sir, what happened?" I called, sprinting to Ukitake-taicho's side. He smiled, "Ah, Nazeka, good, you're here. Glad Sentaro and Kiyone got the message to you. So, would you mind getting Unohana-taicho here?"

"Eh, what for?" I asked. It didn't look like any of ours were hurt.

"For that man over there," he gestured to the ryouka. I smiled, "Of course, sir. I will get Unohana-taicho immediately." But before I left, Ukitake sighed and called, "Hey! Sentaro! Kiyone! Come out here!"

The two third-seats jumped out of their hiding spot and kneeled in front of Ukitake-taicho. "You called, taicho, sir!" They both asked. I felt my eye twitch, "You two! What did I say back at the barra-"

"So you did follow me. How long were you there?" Ukitake-taicho asked. Sentaro immediately responded in salute, "From the time you said, 'My, my, how dangerous', and stopped Kuchiki-taicho, taicho, sir!"

"From the very start, then? Didn't I tell you not to come because it was dangerous? You were supposed to stay and tell Nazeka where I was."

"Forgive me, sir! I respect you so very much, that I simply had to follow you here!"

Kiyone pouted, "No fair, Kotsubaki!" She stepped in front of him, "Taicho! I feel the same! I love y... N-No...! I respect you very much!"

"Ha-h! I respect him much, much more than you, by far!"

"Ha-ah! Shut up, Mount Fuji-head!"

"Wanna fight, booger face!"

"Fine with me!"

"Wait... what! How did you two get here before me!" I asked. That just wasn't right.

They stopped right away, "We knew a shortcut, ma'am."

I felt my shoulders sink, "Oh. Well. Uh... teach me that later... when you're not in trouble."

"Yes, ma'am!" They said, saluting. I shook my head and sighed, muttering, "Idiots..."

"Well, never mind," Ukitake-taicho pressed his hand against his forehead, "Anyhow, since you two are here, change of plans. Kiyone, you will contact 4th Squad. One apprehended. Wounded."

"Yes, sir!"

"Send for an advanced relief squad ASAP. Sentaro, you take Kuchiki back to the cell."

"Yes, sir."

I looked at him in astonishment, "We're putting her back? Why!"

"You know the reason, Nazeka. If we let her out, it'll be treason. We can't do anything right now."

I grumbled under my breath, but I obliged to his reasoning. No need to get a captain out with their lieutenant when four others are already gone. I suddenly heard groaning from behind me, and I saw the ryouka shuddering on the ground, bleeding everywhere.

"Sir, is this Kuchiki-taicho's work?" I asked, feeling pity for the man. Note to self, do not ever give Kuchiki-taicho a reason to hurt me.

"Yes. It was ruthless..."

"Um..." A small voice spoke up behind us, and Ukitake asked Hanataro, "You want to know why I'm helping you?"

"Uh... yes."

"Of course, I'll help you. We don't know who killed Aizen yet. And it's very likely that you outsiders know something about it. We can't kill you without investigating first. And above all else... Though your methods were bad, you tried to rescue my subordinate. I can't let you die."

"Actually, uh, sir..." I began, "That's something I came to talk to you about. Hitsugaya is working on the case right now. But, uh, we both suspect something else. However, due to the circumstances, I'd rather we discuss it in private now. It could be considered treasonous as well."

He raised an eyebrow, "Oh? Well, I suppose if it has to do with Aizen's death, it's important."

I nodded, glanced at the ryouka one last time before shouting to Kiyone, "Oi! Kiyone! Knock it off and get going! This ryouka isn't going to last much longer if the relief squad doesn't get here, stat!"

Kiyone and Sentaro stopped fighting and split up, doing their separate duties. I stared at Ukitake-taicho with an extremely irked expression on my face. He chuckled, "What?"

"Are you ever going to call them out! Or do I have to do it every time?"

"I don't mind."

"I do. Man, you are such a lazy captain. You've been hanging around Kyouraku-taicho too much." Ukitake-taicho just laughed again. I rolled my eyes and crouched by the head of the wounded man, "Who is he?"

"I'm not sure."

"Um... his name is Ganju-san," the young shinigami piped up again, "Ganju Shiba."

I felt my body tense up, "S-Shiba? Did you say Shiba!"

"Uh..."

I felt tears well up. It was the second time today that he had been mentioned and it had been months... no, years sense we last talked about him. "Does everyone insist on bringing up old memories today?" I tried to laugh it off, "I guess it's just a coincidence. Ha, ha."

"Nazeka..." Ukitake-taicho sighed, "I know it's painf-"

"What are you talking about, taicho? I'm fine. I'm great, actually!" I said enthusiastically, a fake smile plastered to my face. Before Ukitake-taicho responded, the fourth squad officers appeared, kneeling in front of the both of us.

"Ukitake-taicho, sir!"

"Please, take care of the ryouka here. Also, would you have a look over Kuchiki in the cell? She was very faint."

"But, sir..."

"I expect this job to be completed to its fullest as if they were any normal shinigami. No, as if they were captains themselves."

"Yes, sir!" They bowed their heads and split up, four of them examining the Shiba man and two going to the cell to examine Rukia. "Sir, do you mind if we go and talk about the uh, Aizen-taicho situation?" I urged. He nodded, "Oi, Sentaro! Make sure they're nice to this shinigami here, understood?"

"Yes, sir!"

Ukitake-taicho and I walked back to the barracks together; however, we faced only one challenge on the way back: Ukitake-taicho had a minor attack due to his illness. I immediately took him to his room and helped him settle down back in bed. I grabbed a rag out of one of the closets and handed it to him so he could wipe the blood from his mouth.

"Thank you, Naze- gah!" He started hacking up blood again, coughing into the towel. He moaned and pressed his hand against his forehead again, "Argh, honestly, at a time like this?"

"I'm sure if you rest for a little bit you'll be back on your feet in no time."

He nodded, "Agreed. Now, what was it that you and Hitsugaya thought of?"

"Well, while you were sick, I've been helping Hitsugaya with the investigation of Aizen's murder." I explained everything that we had been ruling out and confirming due to our findings, as well as my belief that it was Ichimaru-taicho that had assassinated Aizen.

"Ichimaru? What are Hitsugaya's thoughts on that suggestion?"

"He agrees. We thought it through, and though we haven't found a decent motive, there is a strong possibility that he did it."

"I see..."

We were interrupted when there was a knock on taicho's door. I opened it, and one of the messengers kneeled at the door, "This is a message for both Juushirou Ukitake-taicho and Nazeka Mamori-fukutaicho. It was signed by both Yamamoto-soutaicho as well as Hitsugaya-taicho. Attention all shinigami, this an urgent update: Kenpachi-taicho was defeated in battle by a single ryouka. Kusajishi-fukutaicho has confirmed it to be the same ryouka that defeated Abarai. That is all."

I nodded, "Thank you." The messenger left and I shut the door. I glanced at Ukitake-taicho, both of our eyes wide. "Taicho... this ryouka... I know who it is. It's Ichigo Kurosaki, the same boy that Kuchiki-taicho said he kil-"

"I know. He was there, at the bridge this afternoon."

"He's getting stronger."

"He is. The question is, what are we going to do? That's another captain, and I'm practically useless."

"Don't say that."

"It's true though, Nazeka. Though after a little while I'll be able to get out of bed again, that doesn't mean I won't have another attack soon."

"But who's to say you'll have one? Maybe you won't. Anyway, I think you should get some rest so it doesn't happen."

"Alright. Take care of the barracks until I'm better, okay?"

"Sir, when have I not?"

"Exactly. Just as a point for the future, you do understand that you're already beginning to think like a captain, right?"

"Meaning...?"

"You already know how the barracks work, how to run one, paperwork, all of the political stuff. Now all you need are some barracks of your own to manage and you'd be a captain."

"Eh..."

"Just think about it. The only difference is that you're the leader. Anything that goes wrong in your squad is something you must take the blame for. It's a big responsibility."

"Which is why I don't want it. Okay, now that we've got that over with, go to bed, taicho!" I opened the door again. He rolled his eyes, "You'll have to talk about it again eventually. You know that right?" He called when I shut the door behind me. I wasn't too interested to hear another speech about how I would make a great captain, wether or not it was from Ukitake-taicho. I was still hardheaded about it. No way... no way was I ever going to be captain during this century!

It was nearing the evening as I walked back to the office. Another end to another day with another captain down for the count. What the hell were these ryouka? Able to withstand all of this? It's completely unrealistic! No, it was completely ridiculous! But then I remembered my promise. That was so stupid of me! These ryouka... the more they fend off captains, the more chaos they cause, the higher on our priority list they are, the worse the death penalty! That is, if they're even willing to kill them after a trial!

I walked into the office and sat down at my desk, putting my feet up on the table. I took out a blank piece of paper and some ink and started scribbling all over the paper like a little five year old. My brain kept running, everything that had happened during the past few days was only now beginning to sink in. If I were to help him... its goodbye Soul Society, hello Sokyoku hill.

"Maybe you should have thought of that when you agreed to help them."

"I don't need you criticizing me."

"Oh no, I don't have a problem with you helping them. You just do what you want. I'm merely pointing out the fact that before you agree to anything just make sure you can pull through without hesitating. Helpful advice: if you ever feel any hesitation in your heart before you agree to something, don't agree. Refuse it, flat out. Hesitation only causes weakness and weakness causes death."

"Thanks, Syugoryuu."

"Wow, how long has it been since you've talked to me with a good mood like this?"

"Don't ruin it."

"Does that mean no jokes? 'Cause I've got a really good one!" Instead of simply telling me, he suddenly appeared in front of me, taking up a great deal of room in the office.

"Syugoryuu! Get back inside my head!"

"But... I wanted to tell you the joke!"

"And it really requires you to be present here in front of me?" I asked him skeptically. He nodded and changed from his dragon form to his human form... well, mostly human. He sat on my desk and asked, "Knock, knock."

I sighed, "Who's there?"

"Interrupting cat."

"...Interrupting ca-"

"MEOW!" His smile was ear to ear and he began to chuckle. I stared at him, completely unemotional. He frowned, "Oh come on, you gotta admit that was funny! Huh? Hilarious, right!"

"Syugoryuu, you've gotta do better than that. Besides, that did not require you to get out of my head."

His frown turned to a scowl, "No, but this one did. Knock, knock."

"Who's there, Syugoryuu?" I scowled as well.

"Interrupting starfish."

"Interrupting starf-" Suddenly his palm smashed my face in and he disappeared, "What the hell! Syugoryuu! Get out here!"

"But you didn't want me out there. Besides, I prefer it in here. I don't have to see your face! How was that?"

"SYUGORYUU!"

"No."

"Syugoryuu! I am your master and you will do as I say! Now get your ass out here!"

"I don't want to."

"SYUGORYUU. GET. OUT. HERE. NOW."

He was silent. I thought about going in after him, but decided against it. He was so much bigger than me as a dragon that even if I still wanted to punish him, I wouldn't have much of a chance to do so. He'd crush me before I'd even touch him.

"You are so lucky you're bigger than me."

I put away the ink and threw out the piece of paper on my desk before shutting off the lights and leaving the office. Night had fallen and the Seireitei was quiet as I entered the living quarters, where I soon fell asleep after feeling the exhaustion seep in from the tiring day.

The next day, I woke up a great deal later than I had planned. But, I had made my decision on what I was to do about dealing with the ryouka. I knew where they were being kept. Even though Toushirou couldn't ask me to talk to them as a captain, I would be responsible for my own actions. If this would tell us who killed Aizen, then I would risk it, even if it meant I would lose my rank or execution.

I left the barracks secretly, hoping that no one would ask for my help or try to stop me. Thankfully, I knew I wouldn't have to worry about anyone stopping me in the fourth barracks. They didn't know what I was going to do. I would be performing treason right under their noses.

When I arrived at the barracks, the place was already up and running, everybody running every which way to do whatever they were supposed to. I passed through quickly heading for the stairs to the basement cell. The ryouka were kept down there.

I slipped past the two shinigami watching the hallway and descended the stairs. The voices below me hushed up when they heard the muffled tapping of my feet on the stairs. When I came around the corner, I was extremely surprised to see a familiar face.

"Yo, Ishida." I held up my hand. There were three of them. Ishida, Ganju, and another man I had yet to meet. He looked to be of some other ethnicity. I received surprised gaping faces from them all.

"Ishida... do you know her?" Ganju asked. I smiled, "Good to see you're doing much better. You took quite a beating from Kuchiki-taicho, Ganju Shiba."

"How the hell do you know my name!" His face was pure shock.

"My captain and I were the one that helped you after you were injured by Kuchiki-taicho. You should honestly have a much better attitude for me."

"What, that you locked me up in here?"

"That we didn't execute you on the spot. Same for Hanataro. Normally for treasonous actions like that, we would put him up for execution but... my captain and I have a different view of the situation than the rest of the Gotei 13."

"Uh, so, Nazeka, you told Inoue and I-" Ishida began. I nodded, "I know. I know I made that promise. But then I thought about it... and well, my zanpakutou helped me make the decision on what I was going to do. And I'll do it full out. The Gotei 13 is wrong, and Rukia doesn't deserve to be executed. I will risk my rank of lieutenant and my life to help you guys achieve your goal with this Kurosaki kid."

"But, don't you guys think we killed one of your captains?" The guy in the back spoke up. I smiled, "Who are you?"

"Yasutora Sado."

"It's nice to meet you. I'm Nazeka Mamori-fukutaicho of the thirteenth squad," I bowed. "In answer to your question, most of the shinigami here believe that. It's a pretty plausible idea. However, Hitsugaya-taicho and my own captain, Ukitake-taicho, as well as myself, believe that Aizen-taicho wasn't assassinated by any of you. Hitsugaya-taicho and myself believe that it was another captain, but we're not quite sure. We're looking into that now. But, that's why I came here. I wanted to get liable proof that the claims we're making are correct. So, if I could just get a little amount of your reiatsu, I can analyze it side-by-side with the reiatsu found in small traces on Aizen-taicho's body."

I pulled out three white popsicle stick-like devices and handed each of them one. I had never used one of these gadgets from the Technology Department myself, but I had seen others perform this task and it didn't look painful, "Alright, just concentrate on putting your reiatsu in the device and when it's full of your reiatsu, it'll glow blue. Just hand it to me when it's done."

I waited patiently for all three of them and soon I had all of them and put away in my shihakushou. I thanked them, and then turned to Ganju, "Ganju..."

"What?" He ground his bottom jaw as if annoyed.

"Did you know a man named... Kaien Shiba?"

His face went from annoyed to shock in an instant. I nodded, "I assumed so."

"He was my brother. How did you know him?"

"He was... he was a good friend of mine. When I first arrived here as a soul, he helped me out in the beginning. You see he was lieu-" I stopped when a Hell Butterfly flew in and paused in front of me. I held out my finger and listened closely.

"Reporting to the Captains and Lieutenants. A change has been made concerning the execution date for prisoner Rukia Kuchiki. The execution will take place twenty-nine hours from now. This ruling is final. There will be no further changes. That is all."

This time, I was the one whose face was plastered with shock. The Hell Butterfly left and I backed up to lean against the wall. We have such little... such little time now! What are we going to do!

"What's wrong?" Ishida asked. I told them the news. "You guys... I'll do what I can. I'm going to find a way to stop this execution, you understand? But for now, you're going to have to stay here. Just give me some time. I have to go find one of the captains right now."

I ran up the stairs and carefully looked around before entering the hallway and shutting the door behind me. I locked it and watched for any other shinigami before turning the corner. However, immediately, Rangiku and Toushirou left one of the rooms. I dashed back behind the corner. They just startled me, so I regained my composure and turned the corner again. He was exactly who I was looking for.

"Toushirou!" I called, running up to him while he had his hand on the doorway. It was sealed with a filmy yellow barrier. A kido I easily recognized.

"Nazeka, what did I say about calling me-argh, forget it. What are you doing here?"

"Looking for you. Did you get the announcement yet?"

"What announcem-"

"Sir!" Rangiku said, a Hell Butterfly perched on her finger. He sighed, "Oh, that announcement."

"Yeah, the higher ups made a ridicu-"

"Taicho!" Rangiku said urgently. She repeated the same message that I had received, and Toushirou looked at me in shock. I lowered my eyes, "Yeah, and mostly likely..."

"Once we capture all the ryouka, they'll be killed too."

"Toushirou, I've made my decision. What's yours?"

He stared at the floor for a long time before raising his head and walking down the hallway, "Let's go, Matsumoto, Nazeka."

"Taicho?" Rangiku asked. He glanced back at the both of us and stopped, "The execution and the release of the Sokyoku's power... If that's Ichimaru's aim, I can't let this execution proceed. Come with me, Matsumoto, Nazeka. We're stopping the execution."

"Yes, sir!" Matsumoto and I said. We followed him out of the barracks, myself confident in the decision I had made. As long as I wasn't the only one, I felt a little more comfortable. Rangiku asked where we were going, and Toushirou said that we were going to the Daireisho Archives. Maybe there was something in there that could explain the importance of Rukia being executed.

"So what was that about Ichimaru and the release of the Sokyoku's power?" I asked, remembering what he had said. Tension rose between the three of us, and I knew that something bad had happened. I asked a different question, "Who was behind the barrier?" This time, Toushirou stiffened.

"Was it Hinamori?"

"...Yes."

"Last night... someone's spiritual pressure spiked. It was yours, wasn't it?"

"Yeah. Ichimaru... I believe he tampered with Aizen's letter."

"Letter? What letter?"

"Hinamori was given a letter addressed to her. Aizen apparently wrote it before he died, but... I think it was tampered with. It even said that... that..."

"What?"

"That I was the one who wants to release the power of the Sokyoku. Hinamori... Hinamori believed it."

"And she attacked you. I see... I'm sorry, Toushirou."

"Now no one can hurt her. She's behind that barrier that you saw."

"I'd be more concerned that she's going to come after you again."

He said nothing. I felt bad for Rangiku. It must have been so awkward for her to just walk with us and listen to our conversation. Especially when it was an awkward conversation to begin with.

"So, about the Sokyoku... how exactly do you release its power?"

"That's what we're going to find out. I'm not even sure if that part's true or not but... we'll just have to see."

We arrived at the Archives. It's usually off limits even for captains, but I was sure they'd make an exception for us because of our reasons. Toushirou knocked on the door, announcing, "This is Hitsugaya Toushirou-taicho of the tenth squad! Matsumoto Rangiku-fukutaicho of the tenth squad and Mamori Nazeka-fukutaicho of the thirteenth squad are here with me. Please, let us in!"

There was no answer. I reached for the door handle, to see if we could get in, but Toushirou stopped my hand, warning, "If anyone tries to get in by force, the alarm will go off. Then we definitely won't have a chance of getting in."

I nodded and stood back. He tried again, "This is Hitsugaya-taicho! Let us in! We wish to perform research on what could possibly affect the entire survival of the Seireitei! It is important for us to enter immediately!"

Yet again, there was no answer. I sighed, "Well, so much for getting in peacefully."

"Why aren't they answering?"

"Why don't we just go to the library? Maybe there's something there..."

"About the Sokyoku? I doubt it. It's mainly census records and information about all of us and the rest of the citizens of Soul Society. I highly doubt there's something there about the Sokyoku."

"We could always look for records of other people being executed by the Sokyoku. That's a good place to start. Other than that, we honestly don't know where to start. There's the history, what the Sokyoku is, it's power, and so on."

He frowned. I was right. Duh. But he looked back at the door of the Archives. I sighed, "Just standing here won't get us anywhere. Make a decision Toushirou. Are we going to the library or are we going to try to get in?"

He crouched near the base of the door and brushed his finger along the edge. I hadn't noticed, but a dark crusty substance was along the bottom of the door.

"Is that...?"

"Blood. Old enough to have been done a while ago. We're getting in, Nazeka. Whether they want us to or not. You two, stand back." He drew his sword as Matsumoto and I complied. He made a single slash in the wood, large enough that it split the whole thing in two. He pushed on the side with the hinges and stepped through, "Let's go."

Matsumoto went first, I following her and letting the half of the door fall shut. There was no alarm, no order to leave, nothing. It was dead silent. Toushirou was staring at something behind me, grimacing. I spun around and nearly screamed. The single guard that took care of this place was stabbed in the gut on the wall. He hung there limp. He was killed a long time ago.

"Tch, what the hell? What is going on here?" I grimaced, pulling the lodged sword from his stomach. He crumpled to the floor and I tossed the katana to the side.

"Something's going on... but what it is I have no idea..."

"Taicho!" Matsumoto called from the room beyond. She waved, "I've got it up and running!"

We both ran into the next room. Toushirou went to the main controls and typed in 'Sokyoku', Matsumoto and I waiting for something to go through. But when a few of the results started coming up, a red screen came up, flickering the message, "Access Denied. Password required."

"Password?" Matsumoto asked. I pressed my face into my hands, "We're screwed."

Toushirou groaned, "How the hell am I supposed to know the password!"

I slammed my fist on part of the machine, and the red screen disappeared. More results came up. I smiled, "Ha! Take that you stupid-"

Then, the screen went blank altogether. I backed away, defeated, muttering, "Oops."

"Nazeka..." Toushirou uttered threateningly.

"I didn't mean to! It's not my fault it can't handle a little physical punishment!"

"It's a machine! It's not supposed to handle things like that! Haven't you ever worked with something like this before?"

"No! We lieutenants don't get access to stuff like this! Jeez... what are we going to do now?"

"I don't know! You tell me! You were the one who just ruined our chances of finding out about the Sokyoku! You're such an idiot!"

"Shut up! We can go to the library, like I mentioned before."

"Seems like that's the only thing we can do right now."

"You know what, you should've gotten the password first! Had you thought this through, we probably wouldn't be in this mess."

"Or, had you been patient and let me go find the password instead of slamming your fist on it, we could've avoided this!"

"You two... cut it out please?" Matsumoto sighed.

"He started it!"

"No, she started it!"

"Shut up both of you! Let's just do what we need to. Taicho?"

He shut his eyes and fixed his haori around his neck before sighing, "Fine. We can go to the library like Nazeka suggested earlier."

I smirked, "Let's go!"

"You're not the captain."

"Oh, whatever."

He stepped past me and clambered through the destroyed door, motioning for us to follow.

"Thanks, Matsumoto."

"It's no big deal. Anything to keep taicho from getting too hotheaded."

We followed Toushirou out and flash-stepped to the library with him. I told him that I would look on the top floor for information. They were the earliest records. He would search the bottom floor with Matsumoto.

We spent a little over five hours just searching. In that time, we managed to find a total of four accounts, all on the top floor. Over thousands of years, it was impressive the lack of executions by Sokyoku. You'd think that those jerks over at Central 46 would've executed a lot more.

"This one just states that they were executed by Sokyoku. Nothing else. And... this one says the same. Same with this one."

"This one is the same. Well, so much for getting information this way."

"Hm... well, it's kind of like the kido cannon, right? It's sealed up and requires several people release it."

"It also has the attack power of one million zanpakutou in it's single blade... and the takka has the same defense power."

"Well then, if it's main seal is kido, then maybe the records on those in the kido corps can tell us who made it and, if possible, information on its true power." I got up from the table and headed for the stairs again. It took me less time this time, but by the time I got downstairs again with eight books, Toushirou was resting with his head against his hand.

"Where'd Rangiku go?" I asked. He shrugged, "She asked if she could go."

"You actually let her?"

"Well, if you're here helping, it's fine."

"Helping? I'm the one doing all the work."

"I'll look through those records. Just hand them over."

"Fine. Here," I handed him the books and sat down at the table, yawning, "What time is it?"

"Hm... I would think around... two o'clock?"

"Already? No wonder I'm starving. Want me to go get us something?"

"Sure."

"Anything in particular?"

I received no answer. He was already scouring the first book for any information. I shrugged and left the room, off to fetch us a meal.

Later that evening, we had finally searched through every record we could think of that might possibly hold some sort of information on the Sokyoku. But even through all that, we didn't find what we were looking for. We had searched through more than sixty records, yet we still didn't find any information on the release of the Sokyoku.

Toushirou through down one of the books in fury, "Why can't we find anything! There's absolutely nothing in here about the Sokyoku's release!" He shoved several of the books of the table, causing more of them to fall off in a pile. He put his head in his hands and groaned, "Damn it all."

I picked up the books and set them neatly on the table, hoping he wouldn't throw another fit. "Maybe that part was forged. Maybe Ichimaru wanted us to spend all day looking for some information that didn't exist. It certainly seems like something he'd do."

"I don't know anymore. Everything... everything seems to be falling apart."

"That's not true. Once we figure everything out, it's going to be fine."

"But we don't know what anything is anymore! We don't know if the information that Ichimaru gave is true! We can't tell what's real or not anymore."

I couldn't argue with that. There was no way for us to tell who was being truthful anymore.

"Okay, well, let's think this through agai-"

"No. I'm going back. I can't think straight right now. Could you clean up the books for me? Sorry, but I'll see you tomorrow."

I sighed, "Fine, make me do all the work. No, go ahead and go home."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome," I rolled my eyes while picking up the first stack. He stood up and didn't say a word after that. Once he was gone, I slammed the books back down and rested my forehead agains the top one, groaning, "Everything's falling apart, Toushirou. You were right. I just didn't want to admit it when you were around. Sorry."