Summary: The Council of 46 makes their decision. .
"Order, order!" A council member demanded. "Captain Kurotsuchi, you have already heard our ruling allowing the quincy to testify. Do not interfere. You will be allowed to cross-examine the witness later."
"Acknowledged council members." Mayuri snarled as he reluctantly returned to his spot. "You can be sure I will have many questions."
"So we're good?" Shunsui asked innocently.
"You may proceed Captain Kyōraku. Be aware we will not tolerate any more interruptions or outbursts."
"Understood council members." He replied with a bow. He turned to face Uryuu.
"Ishida-san, you are the last of your tribe, is that correct?"
"I am the last quincy." Uryuu replied.
"You are aware of your people's history with Soul Society? How it is you became the last of your kind?"
"Very aware."
"Then you can understand Captain Kurotsuchi's concern with this case. It would be only natural if you felt resentment towards shinigami. Isn't it possible that you would wish to resurrect your tribe? Maybe get revenge on those who wronged your people? Wouldn't using the daughter of your enemy for that purpose make your revenge all the sweeter? Is that your plan?"
Uryuu scoffed. "That is absolutely absurd. I harbor resentment against the shinigami, yes. But I have no wish for revenge. We Quincy are a proud people. Sometimes too proud. As the Christian Bible says, 'Pride goeth before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.' No, the ancient Quincy earned their fate. They should have let go of their pride and listened to the shinigami. I agree with their sentence and forgo vengeance."
"What about bringing the Quincy back?" Shunsui pressed. "In agreeing the quincy deserved their sentence, do you also agree with Captain Kurotsuchi that bringing back the tribe would threaten existence?"
"Let me answer that with another question." Uryuu said pushing up his glasses. "How do you know you're not threatening existence by letting us die out?"
"I'm not sure I follow." Shunsui replied pretending not to understand.
"It's pretty simple when you think about it." Uryuu answered "The Quincy were given their powers for a reason. They fill an ecological niche. You can say we are pests, you may not even see any reason for us to exist, but when we are gone, it will be far too late to discover what role we played in keeping the spiritual realms in balance. You could find out that you need quincies very badly then. Wouldn't it be ironic in the future if you found out the people you hunted and killed for threatening existence were the only ones who could save it? What would you do then?"
"We cannot know what threats will present themselves in the future, Ishida-kun. We do know the threat from too many quincies is real. How can we be assured Captain Kurotsuchi's prediction will not come true?"
"My grandfather thought about this very question. He sought a new way for us to help in the struggle against hollows, a way for shinigmai and quincy to work together. I know he talked to delegations from Soul Society. His suggestions were rejected, but if you looked them up in your records and gave them another chance, you may see that they are good ideas, sound ideas, ideas that can serve as a platform for a new way that benefits everyone and helps maintain balance. I am committed to carrying out my grandfather's vision. The methods he sought to use that would keep the world in harmony are the ones I will use and pass on to my children."
He turned to smile at Nemu. Her heart swelled with pride. He was being so brave, standing tall and straight. answering forcefully with pride and courage. For the first time since the trials began, she felt safe and hopeful.
"Ah yes, the child." Shunsui said following his gaze. "Why did you choose Lieutenant Kurotsuchi to bear your child? Is it true you needed her to breed some kind of super quincy?"
Uryuu sneered at the thought. "That is absolutely absurd! If I wanted to, I could easily find dozens of spiritually gifted women to bear children. We have several in Karakura alone! With a little planning and a complete abandonment of morals and principals, I could simply trick an entire harem's worth of women into bearing the next generation of Quincy."
"What?" Nemu exclaimed.
"Not that I would ever do such a thing." He hastened to assure her. "No, there was no choosing involved. We fell in love. Simple as that. If there is any more to it, I would have to say its fate. That we were destined to find each other. I know shinigami believe in destiny. Let me follow mine. Let me take Nemu home. You know what I've done in Soul Society's service. I don't ask for any kind of reward or favor for that. I only ask that you look over how I've interacted with the Gotei 13. Look at the ties I have to the shinigami with Kurosaki Ichigo, with Abarai Renji, with Kuchiki Rukia, with Nemu. Do you think I would raise my children to harm my friends? Do you think their children would disrespect their ancestors by ignoring their wishes? I urge you council members, don't make the same mistake the ancient Quincy did thinking they alone were right. Take this opportunity to make a new beginning, one where shinigami and quincy work together in mutual respect and support. Let me take my family home."
Shunsui took out a handkerchief and wiped at his eyes. "You have to admit, the boy sure can talk." He blew his nose with a thunderous squawk. "No further questions."
"Very well. Captain Kurotsuchi, you may now question the witness."
"Thank you council members." Mayuri said as he strode up to Uryuu. "I'm going to enjoy this."
"As will I." Uryuu said. "Considering the Gotei 13's charter and all."
Mayuri abruptly stopped walking. "What did you say boy?"
Uryuu stood relaxed and casual, a wicked grin on his face. "I said, I am more than anxious to answer your questions, especially in light of the Gotei 13's charter."
Mayuri turned his back on the council and stalked up to Uryuu, going nose to nose with him. He spoke in a low voice that only Uryuu could hear.
"Just what the hell are you hinting at, boy?"
"I'm thinking no matter what you ask me, I should be able to fit in the little experiments you performed on my people when you were supposed to be watching over them."
"You can't prove anything." Mayuri hissed. "Not a single quincy died by shinigami hands."
"They certainly weren't protected by those hands either." Uryuu shot back. "I have no doubt a few accidents happened that might not have if someone else had been on watch. Not to mention what you did afterward."
"Nothing I did was illegal." Mayuri snarled. "There was no law prohibiting my experiments."
"Why would you make a law against something that never happened before?" Uryuu pointed out. "Do you think if the council were to see your records, they wouldn't have a problem with your methodology? What would you do if they start looking through your files?"
Mayuri gave a mocking grin. "They would find nothing. That information is hidden where they'll never find it."
"Really?" Uryuu said. "Maybe they can't find it, but what about her?"
Mayuri followed Uryuu's gaze to where Nemu stood.
"Well Captain? Does she know where it is? Do you think she would tell the council if I were to ask her to?"
"Captain Kurotsuchi." A council member sternly called out. "No private discussions with the witness. You must question him in a manner that allows us all to hear. Do you have any questions for the witness?"
Mayuri didn't answer. He stood with his back to them, shaking with rage.
"Captain Kurotsuchi?"
"No questions!" Mayuri snapped. He stomped back to his position ignoring Uryuu's triumphant grin.
"Very well. Ishida Uryuu, you may stand down."
Uryuu left the way he had came, held held high. His eyes met Nemu's as he walked to the exit. He held her gaze for as long as he was able, giving her a confident smile. She kept her eyes on the closed door a long time after he had gone.
"Captain Kyōraku, Captain Kurotsuchi, come forward." Both men met in the center of the room before the council. "Do you have any other witnesses or evidence you wish to produce at this time?"
"None, council members." They replied.
"Very well. We will hear your closing statements at this time. You may begin Captain Kurotsuchi."
"Nothing I have seen or heard has changed my opinion." He began. "There is nothing to assure us that we won't be facing a newer, deadlier breed of Quincy in the next century. When that happens, will you, Council of the 46, have the nerve to issue the extermination order again? If you do, will we be able to wipe them out? Think about that as you make your decision."
Mayuri returned to his side of the room.
"Captain Kyōraku, you may now make your closing statement."
"Captain Kurotsuchi may very well be right." He drawled. "We may be witnessing the birth of an improved and more powerful breed of Quincy. If that's so, doesn't it make sense to have them on our side? If you order Lieutenant Kurotsuchi into her father's custody, you may contain this incident with this child. That doesn't mean you can stop the boy from having more. Not unless you are willing to order his execution. And you can be sure, if you take the Lieutenant away from him, his future descendents won't forget what you did. Ishida Uryuu already interacts and assists the Gotei 13 in ways no Quincy ever did and has helped us out a lot. Shouldn't we encourage this cooperation to grow? Won't that only help us in the long run? Do the right thing council members. Let this family stay together."
Shunsui returned to Nemu's side. He gave her pat on the shoulder for encouragement.
"We have heard both sides of the case and require time to deliberate before reaching our verdict. You will have a one hour recess. Return at that time."
They all bowed and made their exit. Nemu was careful not to look at her father. She wanted nothing to shake the feeling of hope she had in her heart.
"What happens now?" she asked.
"Now, we have lunch." Shunsui replied. "Nanao should have something ready for us by the time we get back to the sixth division compound."
Nanao was waiting for them at the door when they arrived.
"Nemu-san, I have a surprise for you." She said taking Nemu's hands. "Right this way."
It wasn't that much of a surprise. Leading Nemu to the interrogation room, she opened the door to reveal Uryuu waiting for her.
"Hi." He said with a nervous smile. She bowed her head, suddenly shy.
"Hi." She replied.
"Is that okonomiyaki?" Shunsui asked as he entered the room. "It smells delicious."
Nanao grabbed his collar and yanked him backwards.
"Get out of there!" She scolded. "Can't you give them a few minutes alone?"
"But Nanao-chan," he whined, "I'm hungry..."
His protests were cut off by Nanao closing the door. Nemu and Uryuu looked at each other, neither one sure of what to say. The silence began to feel awkward.
"So…" Uryuu began. He waved his hands towards her, not sure how to go on.
"So..." She repeated. They fell silent again. Nemu took a deep breath. "I'm glad to see you here. It made me very happy to hear what you said. I want you to know I won't hold you to it. I know raising a family is difficult in the real world and you did not ask for this. I release you from your responsibility. I will not try to make you care for us."
Uryuu rushed across the room and put his finger to her lips.
"Shhh. Don't say things like that. I don't want to be released. I want you to be with me."
He pulled her close and held her tight. She wrapped her arms around his neck returning his embrace. They stood that way for a long time.
"I was going to tell you myself." She whispered in his ear. "I'm sorry you found out this way."
He pulled back a little to look at her face.
"It was a bit of a shock." He conceded. "Captain Kyōraku broke it to me as gently as he could. It was still a lot to take in."
Indeed, he was more than happy to accept a shot or two from Shunsui's flask after he was told. He put his hand over Nemu's stomach.
"It's still hard to believe." He said smiling. "So I'm not the last quincy anymore, eh?"
"Maybe." Nemu said. "He may have shinigami powers like Kurosaki-san."
"Bite your tongue." Uryuu responded. "The world doesn't need another loose cannon like Kurosaki running around."
She laughed a little at his indignant tone. "So what are we going to do now?" She asked.
"We'll do what we can." He said stroking her cheek. "We'll make it work out somehow. Together as a family."
She smiled as he pulled her closer, welcoming his lips as they came together for a kiss. It seemed a though it had been years since the last time. The world seemed to shrink away leaving just the two of them. And one more.
"I can't wait anymore, Nanao-chan." Shunsui complained as he opened the door. "We only get one hour to eat." He spotted they young couple still locked in their embrace.
"Hey, hey, enough of that now." He said breaking them up. "That's how you got it in this mess in the first place. Let's sit down and eat our lunch, all right?"
Blushing, they did as they were asked, sitting side by side to eat.
"Lieutenant Kurotsuchi Nemu, step forward."
Nervously, Nemu took her place before the council, bowing respectfully. She could hardly breathe. She had to keep telling herself that everything was going to be all right. No matter what, everything was going to be fine.
"Lieutenant Kurotsuchi, this council as examined all the evidence, deliberated on the testimony given and reviewed all pertinent laws. Are you prepared to receive your sentence?"
"Yes, council members." She replied.
"Lieutenant Kurotsuchi, as we have already established, you are guilty beyond any question of doubt of fraternizing and illegally conceiving a child with a member of the living world. For this transgression, you will be stripped of your rank, removed from your position in the Gotei 13 and banished to the mortal realm. Do you understand this sentence?"
She could hardly believe her ears. They were letting her go. They were setting her free to be with Uryuu.
"Yes council members." She acknowledged, tears of joy in her eyes. "I do understand."
"Are you people insane!" Mayuri bellowed. "Do you have any idea what you have done?"
"Be silent Captain Kurotsuchi." A council member ordered. "Her banishment will be conditional. She will be under surveillance from one of the division of the Gotei 13 for the rest of her life."
"Then my division will take that responsibility." Mayuri said.
"I don't think so." Shunsui said. "It's too much of a conflict of interest. Besides, people might get the wrong idea if something were to happen while her family was under your watch."
Mayuri whirled to face Shunsui. He could tell by the man's face that he knew. It had to be that damned quincy! He told Shunsui about his experiments. So he was going to use that against him now? He could see he had no choice but to back down for now.
"This is a farce." He snarled as he headed towards the exit. "You'll be sorry you didn't listen to me. You'll see!"
"Captain Kurotsuchi, you have not been given permission to leave. If you do not return immediately, you will be held in contempt!"
He ignored them and continued out the door, slamming it as he left. The murmuring from behind the screens was loud and angry at this display of disrespect. After a minute or two if quieted down.
"Captain Kurotsuchi will be dealt with later. The division responsible for monitoring Kurotsuchi Nemu will be the one currently responsible for patrolling Karakura town. Lieutenant Kurotsuchi, you will now be released to the first division for disposition. You and your counsel are dismissed."
Nemu bowed low, then turned to leave. She had to fight to keep from running. Shunsui joined her, walking calmly by her side as they left the chamber. Nanao and Uryuu were waiting for them in the hallway, nervous anticipation on their faces.
"Well?" He asked.
She broke out in a huge smile. "I'm to be banished."
"You are?" He asked stunned. "You mean we did it? We won?"
She could only nod. Uryuu began to laugh in triumph over their victory. He held out his arms. She rushed into them, laughing along with him as they embraced. Shunsui went to stand my Nemu, smiling as he watched the happy young couple.
"You did it Captain." Nanao said looking up at him. "I'm proud of you."
"Really?" Shunsui replied, his hand slowly reaching around her shoulders. "Then I suppose you wouldn't mind…"
She rapped his knuckles with her fan.
"Don't push it."
"Enter." Captain-Commander Yamamoto said without looking up from his paperwork. He looked up as Shunsui entered and stood before his desk. They exchanged the usual greetings.
"What did you need to see me about Kyōraku?" He asked while signing another form.
"Yama-ji, I found out why the twelfth division's files are classified." He answered.
Yamamoto stopped writing. He leaned back to meet Shunsui's eyes. They were filled with sadness and accusation.
"Why did you let Mayuri-kun kill off the Quincy?"
Yamamoto sniffed. "There is no evidence that any shinigami was directly involved in the death of the Quincy after the truce came into effect."
"There are many ways, through action and inaction, that he could have caused their deaths." Shunsui pointed out. "Isn't that what the reports show."
"You could spot such a pattern if you were so inclined." Yamamoto conceded.
"Perhaps even if you were not inclined." Shunsui countered. "Why else would you hide the records? Why did you let him do it Yama-ji? It had to be obvious to you after a while. You saw the reports every day."
"Have you forgotten those times Kyōraku?" Yamamoto asked. "We were all living in terror wondering how much longer the very fabric of reality could hold out. It looked as though we were seconds away from the end. The Quincy were a danger we could not allow to return. Their extinction was fate."
"What about now?" Shunsui asked. "It looks like Ishida-kun will be reviving that threat. Isn't that fate too? Or are we going to take him out as well?"
Yamamoto looked away. "I will abide by the council's decision. If the Quincy become a threat once again, we will deal with them at that time."
"With Ukitake watching over them it's a lot less likely they'll just conveniently disappear this time."
"So be it." Yamamoto huffed. "It is no longer my concern. If you are quite finished, I have work to do."
"One last question, Yama-ji." Shunsui said. "Did you know what Mayuri-kun was doing with the Quincy after they died?"
"No." The old man stated flatly. "I did not."
"But I bet you had your suspicions, didn't you?"
Yamamoto's silence was all the answer Shunsui needed.
"So what are you going to do about him?"
"Nothing." Yamamoto said. "There were no laws broken. This is all in the distant past. We have no need to dig up old problems and Captain Kurotsuchi is far too valuable a resource to throw away."
"This goes against everything we stand for Yama-ji." Shunsui protested. "We are supposed to help people and protect them."
"And how would we protect anyone if the whole of existence is tipped into the void?" He shot back. "We have to make hard choices sometimes Kyōraku. Sometimes they are not fair. We do what we must for the greater good. Now if you will excuse me, I have to complete my work and make preparations for tomorrow."
Shunsui sighed. "Yama-ji…"
"Enough!" Yamamoto said his eyes blazing. "I will not discuss this with you anymore. Goodnight Kyōraku."
Shunsui lowered his head in defeat. "Goodnight, Yama-ji."
His heart weighed heavy in his chest as he walked home. He still had a lot of love and respect for that old man. He knew Yamamoto had done a great deal of good in his time and was the very foundation for all their traditions and customs. Still, there was a wide gulf between them. Yamamoto was from another time. His values and beliefs were very different, almost alien. He truly believed what he had done was right and nothing Shunsui could say was going to change that. Yes, he still loved that old man, but he was very disappointed. It's hard for anyone to see their hero was just another flawed being with feet of clay.
Nemu looked over her uniform one more time to make sure nothing was out of place. This was going to be the last time she would wear it. Taking a deep breath, she entered the assembly hall. Every captain and lieutenant was lined up on either side of the room in their respective spots. She took a good look at all the familiar faces. Faces she may never see again. They all looked back at her, some with smiles, some with sad faces, some completely unreadable. She noticed the gap right away. No one was standing in the twelfth division's place. Her father was not there. Letting her breath out, she marched up the center of the room to stand before Captain-Commander Yamamoto. She bowed low in greeting. He nodded back shallowly in return.
"Captain Unohana, please come forward." He ordered.
Leaving her position, Unohana stood at Nemu's right side, giving her a reassuring smile.
"Lieutenant Kurotsuchi Nemu," He continued. "Because of your crimes, you are here today to be discharged from the Gotei 13 prior to your banishment to the mortal world. Do you have anything to say?"
She shook her head. "No Captain-Commander."
"Then surrender your badge of rank." He commanded.
Lieutenant Sasakibe came forward. Nemu bowed to him and removed the badge from her left arm. She placed it in his hands. He bowed as he received it and stepped back to his place at Yamamoto's side. Nemu felt a pang of regret go through her. She hadn't expected giving up her rank would affect her that much.
"What crimes is he talking about, Ken-chan?" she heard Yachiru whisper behind her. "Nemu-chan didn't do anything bad did she?"
Kenpachi hissed at her to be quiet.
"Does this mean she has to go away?" She asked with a quaver in her voice.
"Hush." Kenpachi growled.
Yamamoto glared at them for interrupting the ceremony. He continued. "Kurotsuchi Nemu. You are no longer a Lieutenant. You are no longer a shinigami officer. You are no longer a member of the Gotei 13. You are relived of all your duties and responsibilities. Go forth from this place to receive your punishment."
Nemu bowed low again in farewell. Yamamoto nodded to acknowledge her. Unohana touched her sleeve.
"Please follow me." She said.
Nemu turned around to exit the hall. She took one last look at everyone to seal their faces into her memory. The men's faces were closed off, displaying no emotion. Matsumoto, Isane, Nanao and Kiyone looked very sad. Yachiru was crying, huge tears rolling down her chubby cheeks. Unohana gestured to her to start walking. As she marched, she once again stared at the gap where her father should be. She forced herself to look forward and keep moving.
"Yachiru! What are you doing?" Kenpachi barked.
"I'm going too!" She shouted. Nemu kept her eyes forward. This was already so hard.
"Let go of me Ken-chan!" Yachiru sobbed. "Put me down! Put me down!"
Nemu could hear the sound of Yachiru's fists as she struggled to get free. She couldn't help herself. She looked back to see Yachiru hitting Kenpachi in the face as hard as she could. He bore it stoically with no expression as he held her tight. Yachiru stopped when she saw Nemu looking at her, holding out her arms towards her in supplication still struggling to get out of Kenpachi's grasp.
"Oni-chan!" She cried her red face wet with tears. "Oni-chan!"
Nemu covered her face and hurried out the door. It wasn't until that moment that she realized how hard it was going to be leaving the ones you loved.