Mayuri Kurotsuchi walked down the dimly lit hallway, Nemu following close behind.

"I don't see what the big rush is," Mayuri said. "We have the Reincarnates and he's asking for immediate analysis on them... Doesn't he know I've got other matters to deal with? My research is at a critical stage and I'm having to put that on hold."

As they moved closer to the main research computer, it seemed that there was music flowing from inside. Opening the doors, a dark figure wearing long robes and a wide black hat was sitting in front of the console which appeared to be a giant organ. The figure was pretending to play the organ, singing out a piece of dark classical music. When they approached, the figure stopped.

"Toccata and Fugue in D Minor," the figure said, turning around slowly to reveal the left side of his face. "Johann Sebastian Bach."

"Tamotsu?" Mayuri said. "I was under the impression that you had fled Soul Society."

"Well," Tamotsu said, turning all the way around and revealing a white mask covering the right side of his face. "It would seem I've decided to come back."

"Oh, my, my. Undergoing Hollowfication as well..."

"Huh? Hollowfication? No- This mask is rubber!" Tamotsu pulled the mask off and tossed it on the ground, the piece of rubber bouncing on the floor. "Come on! I was trying to go with the whole Phantom of the Opera look! Giant organ, black robes- It's classy!"

"Ha! What would you know about such things?"

"More than you, Captain Kurotsuchi. I'm not the one who changes their outfit every six months."

"Tamotsu, if you insist on doing something do it quickly. Although I think it would be easier for you to surrender. You see, the Captain Commander has asked that I begin an immediate study on your kind."

Tamotsu smiled mischeviously. "Has he now?"

"What is your purpose here?"

Tamotsu jumped off the chain in front of the console and walked over to the rubber mask he had thrown. "I need you to make a few things for me. And then I'll be on my way."

"Make things for you? I'm sorry but I just don't have the time to do so. I don't know the reasons for your betrayal but honestly I don't care right now."

"Oh, well... If you don't think you're capable of making something for me... I suppose I could always go ask Kisuke Urahara. He always seems to be a few steps ahead of you anyway."

At the sound of Urahara's name Mayuri gritted his teeth. "You would dare go to him over me?"

"As I recall, he also reportedly betrayed Soul Society."

Mayuri tapped his chin with his finger for a moment and paced the floor. "Suppose I consider your offer. What would you do in return for me?"

Tamotsu smiled. "I could give you what you want. The only thing you've ever wanted. Information. Don't you want to know the truth about what I've done? The truth of Soul Society itself? How you're being played?"

"Very well. Give me this information, then I shall decide wether or not to help."

Rocking back on his heels, Tamotsu pretended to consider for a moment. "Um... No. You see, this is how it is going to work. I'll give you the information up front. And by the time I'm done speaking with you- You will be offering your services to me willingly."

Mayuri snorted at the apparent challenge at his intellect, then his lips curled into a slow smile and a chuckle escaped him. The chuckle grew until it became a maniacal laugh. He folded his hands in front of him and looked at Tamotsu through eager eyes. "Interesting..."

Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya sat at his desk, the large piles of paper being slowly transferred from one stack to another as they were filled out. He normally did not work this slowly but he had been distracted lately. He had known Tamotsu Toshiyuki during the year he attended the Academy, even if it was only for a short time.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he had done wrong. "Captain Shiba," he said. "If only you were here. Did we do the right thing?"

32 years ago

Captain Isshin Shiba looked out over the courtyard. It had been a slow day, slower than normal. And although he would have liked nothing more than to sit and do nothing, it seemed as if something was lacking.

"Captain Shiba," a voice said. "I have finished the filing."

"Excellent job, Toshiro," Isshin said. "Go ahead and take the rest of the day off."

"With all due respect," Toshiro said. "I would prefer you call me by my title."

Toshiro Hitsugaya was the third seated officer under Isshin Shiba, Captain of the Tenth Division. He had graduated a few years earlier during his first year at the Academy. People often praised him for his accomplishment, but he just wanted to serve. Isshin was not the most productive of the Captains, but he was strong. Toshiro had actually joined because of someone else.

Rangiku Matsumoto, who currently served as Lieutenant under Isshin, had helped him discover his power and convinced him to become a Shinigami. She was the only one other than his grandmother that treated him as any other person. Without fear or contempt, she viewed him as just another soul.

"Where is Matsumoto?" Toshiro asked.

"Rangiku? I think she went over to the Academy. Seems there's a student there she frequently visits."

"Any idea who?"

"Yeah. She met him a long time ago. Tamotsu Toshiyuki."

"Toshiyuki? He's still in there?"

Isshin nodded and slumped his head. "Poor guy can't seem to catch a break. I've heard the rumors and checked in a couple of times. He tries, but he's just not cut out for it. He never seems to get kicked out because of lack of ability, but he can never seem to graduate either. You know him?"

"I met him a couple of times. How long has it been for him?"

A moment of silence followed before the Captain responded. "Forty years."

"That seems a bit excessive. Even in the one year I was there I could recognize that being in there could only serve to teach up to a certain level."

"I've been thinking the same thing for a while now."

Another long pause followed and Toshiro took a deep breath before leaving.

"Leaving so soon? Okay, Toshiro. Don't work yourself too hard. Its not healthy."

"Hello, Tamotsu!" Rangiku called out, waving her hand. Tamotsu turned and smiled. His friend often came and visited at the Academy and it always cheered him when she did. For forty years he had been working hard to graduate and she was the only one who treated him as a person rather than a failed student.

"Rangiku," he said. "Thank you for coming."

"I've got something special for you today."

From around the corner stepped Tamotsu's mentor, Satoshi Kaneko. He was accompanied by Toshiro Hitsugaya and Captain Shiba. They formed a line, standing side by side, and all looked at Tamotsu.

"What's going on, Rangiku?"

"Tamotsu, I have some special news for you," Satoshi said. "But perhaps you should hear it from them."

Isshin stepped forward and placed his hands on his hips. "It would seem you've been here a long time," he said. "A lot longer as a student than the four of us combined."

"Captain Shiba," Tamotsu said. "Why are you here? I'm the lowest class student there is. Why did you come to see me?"

Isshin folded his arms and closed his eyes as he spoke. "My third seat, Toshiro Hitsugaya, as well as my Lieutenant, Rangiku Matsumoto, have spoken to me concerning you and I have brought their suggestion before the Instructors. There were some who disagreed, but it was concluded that there is nothing more that you can possibly learn while attending this Academy."

"So its finally happened." Tamotsu took a deep breath and looked at his Student uniform. The whites were darkened and the blue faded, the entire image gave the impression of someone that had spent far too long in a place they were never meant to attend. "They're letting me out. So will I be returning to Rukongai?"

"Not exactly. There is still much for you to learn, but not here. The only way for you to progress now... Would be in the field."

"What?" Tamotsu's eyes widened. "The field? Then... That means..."

"Under special conditions, and under the watchful eye of Rangiku Matsumoto. As Captain of the Tenth Division, I would like to formally congratulate you and set you apart as a member of this division. Well done."

"Me? Tenth Division? I'm... Graduating?"

"It will not be easy, but the time has come for you to take the next step. Toshiro, if you would please present him with his uniform?"

Toshiro stepped forward and presented a box, uncovering the top to reveal the black robes of a Shinigami. Tamotsu approached slowly and ran his fingers gently over it.

"You finally did it," Rangiku said.

"Thank you," Tamotsu said, unable to stop smiling. "Thank you all!"

A full fledged Shinigami. He couldn't believe it. Fitting himself into the black robes, he couldn't stop staring at the uniform. It felt odd, having become so accustomed to the blue and white, but it felt just as good. Stepping out into the streets of Seireitei, he looked at the map to where the Tenth Division was and began walking.

"So ya finally did it, eh Tamotsu?"

Tamotsu turned to see Gin Ichimaru leaning against the wall, his eyes always shut and his lips curled into a twisted smile. "Lieutenant Ichimaru..." Tamotsu said, the bitterness swelling.

"Captain Ichimaru now. Can't you see the haori?" Spreading his arms, Gin showed off the white sleeveless haori, signifying the rank of Captain. "You'd do well to remember that."

"You've kept me in there for a long time. Don't think that just because I'm out now I won't forget what you did to me."

Gin raised his hands defensively. "Oh, no, I deserve whatever resentment you hold toward me. I just wanted to come here and personally congratulate you." Gin clapped his hands onto Tamotsu's shoulders and gave him a firm squeeze. "Good luck." Then, kneeling down so that he was face level with the recent graduate, his smile seemed to fade and was replaced by a look of what seemed to be concern. "And be careful."

Present Day

The door creaked as Tamotsu opened it slowly. Dressed in the robe and hat to conceal his reiatsu signature, he entered the room in the infirmary to find it empty. He approached the bed and spread his fingers above the mattress. Rangiku was here, he could feel it.

"She left yesterday," a soft voice said. Tamotsu turned to see Captain of the Fourth Division, Retsu Unohana, standing in the doorway. "I could not feel your reiatsu, but I knew you would be coming here."

"I see," Tamotsu said. "How is she?"

Unohana entered the room, leaving the door open. "She is depressed, and she feels betrayed by you."

"I don't blame her." Tamotsu left the bedside to look out the window. "Aren't you going to ask why I'm here?"

Unohana entered and stood next to Tamotsu. "I know you well enough that you would not do anything without good reason. And right now, there is more suspicion of others than for you."

"So you've figured it out then."

"Not completely, but we know enough."

"Who else?"

"Captains Kyoraku and Ukitake, and possibly Captain Hirako."

"That's good. It should help me with some time if I don't have to explain fully to some of the Captains."

Unohana looked back at the doorway, then to Tamotsu. "Someone is approaching. You should leave."

"I think I'll head back to Hueco Mundo."

"I see. Will you speak with the other Captains privately?"

Tamotsu closed his eyes for a moment and breathed deep and slow. "No. I think its best to leave the knowledge as it stands. Captain Kurotsuchi knows the truth. You can speak with him about the details. Other than that, I think it would be best for the rest to believe me to be insane." Pulling the rubber half mask from his cloak pocket, he looked at the plain white face and empty eye. "All part of the illusion."

The escape from Seireitei had been easy enough. Tamotsu didn't dare open the Gargantua while within the city limits. Too much attention would be drawn should the dimensional gateway be opened while within the city's barrier. He was a good distance away now, far enough that should the gateway open there wouldn't be anyone within a good distance to take much notice of it.

Spreading his hands and concentrating, he stopped as several shining pink flower petals began to appear. There was no question that he had been found out. "I should have figured I'd run into you before I left." Tamtosu turned to see Captain Byakuya Kuchiki standing about thirty feet away, pink petals swirling around him. "You did well at hiding your reiatsu."

"You must pay for what you have done," Byakuya said. "You are a criminal in the eyes of Seireitei. And criminals must be brought to justice."

"Oh, I agree completely with you. Justice must be brought to criminals. But are you certain you have the correct person?"

"You attack your commanding officer and a Lieutenant of the Gotei Thirteen, then attack your former Captain."

"Hey, he attacked me. That was self defense."

"On top of that, you flee into Hueco Mundo and have begun to undergo Hollowfication. Both are also crimes against Seireitei."

Tamotsu pulled the mask off and flopped it around in his hand. "It... is... rubber... Well as long as you're here I might as well tell you some information that I believe you would find insightful."

The petals began to swirl in a tighter formation around Tamotsu, cutting off any chance of escape. "You may speak, but should you trip on your words I will not hesitate."

A smile crept across Tamotsu's lips. "Tell me. What do you know concerning the Blade of Judgement?"

Byakuya's eyes widened in surprise, but he did not lose focus. "How do you know of that blade?"

"The blade is already in my possession. It has been for a very long time."

"And you are able to call upon its power?"

"I could if I chose to, but have not at this point. Please. Give me seven days. If I have not cleared myself by then, I will turn myself in."

The pink petals swirled for a moment longer and then dispersed and reappeared to form the blade of Byakuya's zanpakuto. Taking deliberate steps forward, he stopped directly at Tamotsu's side. "I will give you three days in which I will not interfere," he said. "If you have not cleared yourself by then, I will kill you myself."