Chapter Nine

Conversations

Sadao stopped and stared at the four figures in front of him. His gaze lasted a second or two longer on Hiroki, but then continued as if he took a mental note of something.

"And what is it you wish to discuss?" Sadao asked.

"We were sent here by our Head Captain," Captain Hitsugaya answered. "He wanted us to talk about the possibility of working together and helping you find a home."

Hiroki noticed that Sadao's expression remained unchanged. He was surprised because he thought the Splintered leader would be shocked at the news. But while Sadao's expression was one of uninterest, Hiroki thought he could see quiet rage behind his eyes.

"Unfortunately, I'll have to decline your offer," Sadao responded.

"But isn't this what you want?" Hiroki spoke up. "You wanted a home, and they're willing to help."

"Too much has happened in the past for us to consider help from Shinigami," he stated. "We must find our home on our own."

"Think of the others. They need-."

"I AM thinking of the others. If it was up to them, the three Shinigami you brought would be dead right now. Possibly you as well for bringing them here. I am trying to keep people alive."

"Do you think you could kill us that easily?" Byakuya asked.

"I never said it would be easy. I understand you three are Captains. That much is made abundantly clear from your uniforms and the way you present yourselves. But yes, I do think we could kill you."

"Why don't you give it a try?" Zaraki asked, grinning maliciously.

"We are not here to fight," Hitsugaya interrupted. "We are here to talk. And that means I can't return unless some agreement is made or violent action or threat of action is taken upon us."

Sadao sighed, "Use reasoning. We outnumber you, and your powers are sealed. I will give you this one chance to return to the Seireitei. Hiroki shall remain here. He is one of us, and he should be with us."

"And if we refuse," Zaraki said.

"Don't."

"Once again, we were sent here on orders to talk, not to fight," Hitsugaya said. "That's all we want to do. Why don't you want to talk?"

"Twenty years ago, you had your chance. I watched as there was no response to our past leader's pleas. I watched as it drove him to paranoia. And I watched as the paranoia led to a civil war amongst us. So now I can't trust anything a Soul Reaper says."

"We have no records that say you approached us. Why are you lying to us?"

"You accuse me of lying, but did you even consider that your records are wrong? That they could have been destroyed or altered to deny our existence. Think of how your old Captain would have reacted if he knew about us. Half-Quincies running around freely, the children of Shinigami who had a relationship with the enemy. What would your old Captain have done if he knew?"

"He…" Hitsugaya began to say, but stopped. He lowered his eyes, "He would have seen you as threats to the Soul Society."

"And doesn't it make sense that maybe, just maybe, one of our parents snuck in and destroyed the records to prevent us from being known?"

"Even if that's true, that doesn't account for the Shinigami you supposedly asked for aid," Byakuya spoke up again.

Sadao sighed, "There were fifty of us. It's possible that we had somebody that could alter memories. We could have simply made them forget. I was not privy to the discussions between our leader and the Shinigami he met with. I was only fourteen at the time."

"If they did forget, then we didn't have records in the first place, and your denial of those records does not make sense. It only appears as if you are making excuses for something your group did in the past. But if we did, in fact, have records then somebody knew. If somebody knew, they would have had no reason to not tell their superiors. To put it simply, we never had records. Maybe you altered their memory, but that would mean you did it before they could even report to their superiors about you. Twenty years ago, there was no Captain's meeting about your group."

"I know what happened," Sadao shouted, which was the first time Hiroki truly saw fury on his face. "I was there when we met Shinigami. I may have not been present for the talks, but I saw the Soul Reapers. What happened afterward was that we never heard back from them." He seemed to calm down. "I can only assume that they never reported it or that someone didn't care enough about us. It wasn't that hard to believe considering all of us have lost parents either due to Shinigami incompetence or Quincy arrogance."

"All of us?" Hiroki asked. "What about mine?"

"I'm sad to say that I don't know about your parents. I didn't even know about you until nearly a year ago, and I'm sure you were not the only Splintered of whom I had no knowledge. But enough of the talks. I gave you your one chance. That chance still applies. I will walk away now with Hiroki behind me. I can convince the others to take him back. If you try to follow us, I will be forced to resort to violence. And none of us want that. Return and tell your Head Captain not to bother us anymore. Hiroki, let's go."

"Why did you take my body?" Hiroki asked.

Sadao hesitated, and looked a bit surprised before answering, "To keep it safe. You did just leave it out in the open, after all."

"Except that I left in my apartment. Unless someone entered it, they wouldn't have found my body. Either you didn't know I was coming back which means that you took it knowing I may never see it again, or you did know, and instead of leaving someone to guard it and wait for me, you went ahead and took it anyway. But why would you do that?"

"I said to keep it safe."

"No. I think you took it to use as a bargaining chip. Let me guess: if I refuse to come with you, you kill me?"

Sadao was silent for a moment, "You are…smarter than you look. But while we did bring it to bargain with, we have no plans on killing you. Why would we do that when there's already so few of us? But we will be keeping it until you decide to join us."

"So you're blackmailing me with my own body? Why would I join you after that?"

"Because where will you go if you can't go back into your own body? Will you return to the Seireitei? Do you think they'll accept you with open arms? Don't you realize they only let you go so that they could find where we're hiding?" He then directed his next question at the three Captains. "Would you all just accept a half-Quincy running around unchecked?"

"Well, we already have one," Hitsugaya replied. "What's one more going to change?"

Sadao looked surprised once again, "You have another Splintered already there?"

"We shall not reveal his identity to you," Byakuya said. "We owe him a great deal."

"And even if we did tell you his name," Hitsugaya added. "You would not be able to convince him to join you."

Sadao recovered, "Well, no matter. I'm sure he's not the only one of whom we have no knowledge. Back to the point though. Hiroki," he turned to the nineteen-year old, "surely you know now that you need to come with us. Your body will be returned to you, and Makoto shall be pleased with your return. She's been worried about you though she doesn't say it out loud."

"I want to speak to her first," Hiroki answered.

"You can speak to her there."

"I'm not moving until I can talk with her. Then I will decide what to do."

Sadao sighed, "I have been patient for a while now. I have given you the chance to return and for them to leave. I have told you my reasoning for not wishing to make a deal. And you all refuse my wishes. My patience is finally at an end." Since he was holding his umbrella with his right hand, he reached up with his left and snapped.

All of the lights in the warehouse flipped on causing Hiroki and the three Captains to wince as their eyes were used to the dark by that point. When Hiroki recovered, he looked around the room and saw that the four of them were surrounded. All of the Splintered were in the room with them. They were in the same locations as when Hiroki first came to the warehouse. And all their eyes were focused on him. He knew Makoto was behind him, but he didn't want to turn around and look at her. He didn't want to see her expression.

"I knew something like this would happen," Sho was the first to speak because of course he was. "I said that we didn't need him. That he was useless, and wouldn't help us. Not only did he not help us, he brought these Shinigami with him. I don't even know why we're still here."

"And I don't know why you won't shut up," Zaraki interrupted. "You're loud, and in my experience, the loud ones always die first."

"What was that?" Sho shouted. "You think you can kill me, Shinigami?"

"Zaraki, we're not here to fight," Hitsugaya said.

"I bet I could kill you without even drawing my sword," Zaraki continued, ignoring the much smaller Captain.

"I'd like to see you try."

Zaraki grinned, "Alright, let's-."

"ENOUGH!" Sadao shouted. It was the loudest Hiroki had ever heard him, and it caught him, Sho, and even the three Captains by surprise. Sadao then spoke in a much calmer voice. "None of us wish to fight, but if that's what it comes to, it will. Now, Hiroki, come with us and the Captains can return."

"Hiroki won't be going with you," Hitsugaya said. "You kidnapped his body and are now blackmailing him with it. Why would he-."

"I'll go," Hiroki interrupted. He had been thinking about what to do, but he too didn't want a fight. And now he felt this was his only option left. He didn't know who would win the fight. He wasn't familiar with hardly anyone's techniques in the room. But he did know that a fight wouldn't end well. He didn't want to see anyone injured or worse. Especially…

"Hiroki," Hitsugaya responded. "You don't have to do this. You can come back with us, and we'll find a way to retrieve your-."

"I said I'll go," Hiroki interrupted again. "Go back to the Seireitei. You don't need to be involved in this. I'll figure it out on my own."

"If you're worried about us being in a fight, we won't lose."

"It's not you I'm worried about. Now go back while you can."

Hitsugaya was silent for a moment before nodding, "I understand." He turned to his fellow Captains. "Our orders were to retreat if the talks broke down, so that's what we're doing."

"I don't like this," Zaraki said.

"It doesn't matter. It's the Head Captain's orders." Hitsugaya walked past Hiroki. Neither of them looked at each other as Hiroki stared at the ground, and the Captain stared straight ahead. And neither said a word to each other. Hiroki didn't need to turn around to feel the other two Captains leave as well. He then heard the entrance to the warehouse shut and assumed that Takeo had done it, and the Captains were gone.

"Hiroki-," Sadao began.

"Where's my body?" Hiroki asked before the leader could get any further.

"Your body's in a safe place. You can have it back after we move. Until then-."

Hiroki didn't wait for Sadao to finish. While still looking at the ground, he made his way past the leader and toward the back of the warehouse. Not even a "Hiroki" from Makoto slowed him down. He had never been in the back, so he wasn't quite sure where he was going, but that didn't matter to him at the moment. Right now, he felt a mixture of betrayal and rage. He knew that if he had stayed in that front area with the rest, he would do something he'd probably regret.

Finally he stopped, took a breath, and looked around. He was amongst towers of boxes arranged so that there were alcoves everywhere. In multiple alcoves were personal belongings and Hiroki assumed that this was where the Splintered slept while here. Why they couldn't find a better place to stay was beyond him. His gaze fell on one alcove and remained there. There was a futon and bags of clothes. But amongst the various belongings were textbooks. College textbooks.

He looked at Makoto's sleeping area and grew even more furious. Even before he knew that these were their living arrangements, he wanted to give them a home. And now, seeing this mess, his ambition grew even stronger. But he also realized that he would have to convince everyone to accept aid. He wasn't sure how he would do that, especially with the stubbornness of some of them, but he had to try. He would probably have to convince them one at a time, and he knew exactly who to start with. He was pulled from his thoughts by footsteps approaching behind him. He turned to see Makoto standing there staring at him.

"What is it?" he asked, probably a little harsher than he meant.

"I should ask you that," she responded. "You've made some…weird choices in the past twenty-four hours."

"They only seem weird to you. I did what I thought was right for this group. You guys wanted a home, and I was trying to get that for you."

"I understand that, but the way you did it. By going to the Shini-."

"Why? Why do you hate them so much?"

"I've already told you."

"Not the group. I mean you specifically. Why does Makoto hate the Shinigami?"

Makoto sighed, "They were indirectly the cause of the death of my parents."

"Indirectly?"

"My mother was a Shinigami and my father was a Quincy. I don't remember much because I was only four, but they were attacked by a particularly powerful Hollow. They ended up killing it, but they were both fatally injured in the fight. They died soon after."

"Why blame the Shinigami for that though?"

"It's not just them. I blame the Quincy too. If my parents had been able to just be safe with one of the groups… But they couldn't. Who knows what would have happened if they tried. And while I could blame the Hollow for being the direct cause, it's dead now. I could also blame my parents for getting themselves killed, but they're gone too. That only leaves the two groups. After they were killed, I was on my own up until three years ago when I was found by this group. A collection of people like me."

"But what if I told you that not all Shinigami are bad? I was in the Seireitei for an entire day. I met several of them including their new Head Captain. They don't seem like bad people."

"And how do you know that wasn't a facade? That they didn't just put on a kind face to trick you into joining their side?"

"I don't. I don't know, but it didn't feel like one."

"You know I've been curious as to what the Seireitei looked like. Maybe in a different universe, it's my home."

"You know that it could be in this universe as well, right?"

Makoto just shook her head and smiled sadly, "I know what you're trying to do, but I just can't trust them. And be honest: would they even let us live there or would we still have to live here in the Human World?"

"I…I don't know. But now that they know you exist, there's no reason to run anymore. If they were going to hurt you, they could have by now. We can all coexist. And after our two groups are on the same side, then we can try and bring in the Quincy as well."

"You need to stop," Makoto replied, her tone now less sad and more serious. "I trust Sadao when he says that they have known about us for a while. In fact, I trust him to lead us as he has for the past several years. We're still alive thanks to him."

It was now Hirkoki's tone that grew serious, "This is the same man who is using my own body to blackmail me. Did you…" He couldn't even finish the sentence, but he didn't have to.

"Yes," Makoto answered. "I showed him where your apartment was, and I helped him take your body. But I only did it to keep you safe. I…I didn't know he was going to use it in this way, but he knows what he's doing."

"Where is it?"

"I…"

"Where is it?!" He shouted which caused her to step back in surprise. He pulled his sword from where it was hanging from his waist and sat down, placing the sheathed blade next to him. He rubbed his face with his hand and sighed.

"I'm sorry," he said. "But right now, I want to be alone." Makoto went to say something, but instead just nodded and walked away.

Hiroki lied down and placed his arm over his face, covering his eyes. He laid there for several minutes, trying to make sense of the thoughts and emotions that were going through his head, when he heard footsteps approaching.

"Makoto, I said that I wanted to be alone," he removed his arm to look at the approaching person, and was surprised to see not Makoto, but Chiyo. "Oh…uh, hey Chiyo."

"We've barely spoken and you're already using my first name," she said with an exaggerated look of astonishment. "How daring."

"Yeah, not really in the mood for jokes right now. But sorry, Kuroda."

"No, no, you've already used Chiyo. Might as well stick with it."

"Fine. But as I said before, I want to be…" Chiyo sat down next to him. "...alone." As Chiyo sat down, Hiroki realized that she was wearing a skirt, and he quickly turned his head, which was now a bit more red than before.

"Chiyo, you're wearing a skirt," he said.

"So?"

"So, I can see…" he gestured.

"Oh, what? My panties? You're nineteen, get over yourself. Also they're just a piece of fabric. It's what's underneath that-."

"What do you want?" He quickly interrupted her before she could continue.

"Answer me truthfully: Do you have feelings for Makoto?"

"What?" he turned to her in surprise before immediately turning away again, realizing the conversation they had just had.

"Well, you seem to like her, so I'll give you some advice. You're not the only one in this group that does."

"Let me guess: Sho?"

"You would be correct. He's liked her for a while now. Practically ever since she joined."

"Great, we're doing a love triangle now. That's just what I needed. Look, there is far more important stuff to handle right now than my feelings, whether or not I actually have them. Like seeking help with the Shinigami. Actually, what about you?"

"What about me?"

"Why do you hate the Shinigami? What's your story?"

"I don't hate them."

"Wait, what?" Hiroki turned back around out of shock, but this time the surprise was too great for him to register anything else, so he didn't turn away again this time.

"I don't have a reason to hate them. My dad was a Shinigami, and my mom was a Quincy. Everything was fine until she killed him though."

Hiroki wasn't sure what shocked him more: the fact that Chiyo just admitted that her mom killed her dad, or in the nonchalant tone with which she revealed this information. It took him a few seconds before he could figure out how to respond.

"But why would your mom do that?"

"I don't know. I assume she was given orders to do it, but I can't prove that. And after she did it, she just ran away, leaving me. I was alone for a few years, but eventually Sadao and the others found me and took me in. So no, I don't have a reason to hate the Shinigami. In fact, I don't really hate the Quincy either since I have no actual proof that they ordered the attack. But as for that bitch," Chiyo's face darkened. "If I ever meet her, it's death by a thousand cuts."

A thousand cuts? Hiroki thought. Surely, she's exaggerating. He sat up, partly so he could talk to her face to face, and partly because it was evident that she wasn't going to change positions.

"Well, if you don't hate them," he replied. "Then would you help me convince Sadao to talk with the Shinigami?"

"Nope."

Hiroki groaned, "Why though?"

"Because I owe Sadao for a few things, and not just for helping me when I was alone."

"What else do you owe him for?"

"That's a secret," she answered with a smile and wink. Hiroki felt a little worried about the implications of that wink.

"You two aren't…you know?" Hiroki began to ask. He hoped that she would finish the question for him, but she simply raised an eyebrow in confusion.

"Together?" he finished.

The question was met with snickering, "Oh definitely not. That's…someone else's job." The laughter then turned to a flirtatious smile. "Though if we were, would that make you jealous?"

"Not really. But it does tell me a few things."

"Well if you ever do need any company, you know where to find me," she winked again and stood up. Hiroki's face had grown red and he was unable to look at her as she walked away without saying another word.

So if you're not his lover, then I still might have a chance of persuading you, he thought to himself. But 'someone else's job'? Does that mean Sadao does have a relationship with someone? If it's someone within the group, the only logical person is Akane. Should I try to persuade her? No…no, we'll save her for later. I know who I should try to persuade next, and maybe, just maybe, she can bring her ass of a brother over to my side as well.

As he was thinking to himself, Hiroki heard voices arguing in one of the back corners. He could barely make them out, but it sounded like a man and woman. He tried to quietly make his way as close as he possibly could though there were still towers of boxes in his way. Finally he managed to get to where he could hear them clearly. They sounded like Sho and Maiko.

"Keep your voice down," Sho said. "Last I checked, he was still back here talking to Chiyo."

"Sorry," Maiko responded. "I'm just still not sure why you're so against Hiroki. He hasn't done anything to you."

"He hasn't…He brought three Captains here. That alone should be enough, but he's also the reason we're moving, and the reason we had to change the plan."

"The plan hasn't changed that much. As soon as we teach him how to get Ban-."

"It has changed. He's now a Shinigami sympathizer."

"Well whose fault was that? You're the one who was so hard on him during training, and everytime you see him."

"I was just trying to get him ready for battle. That's what Sadao wanted me to do. That was my part of the plan. That and…well, you know."

"It'll be fine," Maiko said in a reassuring tone. "We'll persuade him to join us before we attack the-." She was immediately shushed by Sho.

"I said keep your voice down."

"I'm sorry. Though I'm still not convinced that this is the best plan. You know I don't really like violence."

"I know. But this is what Sadao wants. He wants to send a message, and it starts with those three Captains. Just as Sadao predicted."

Hiroki's eyes widened at that last sentence. He had to warn the Captains if they hadn't left already. He moved away from his hiding place and back toward the center of the room. He knew he wouldn't be able to leave from the front without being seen, and that he wouldn't be able to fit out any of the windows. He had to look for a back door.

After a few minutes of searching, he finally found it. He was both surprised and glad to see it was unguarded. He slowly opened the door and noticed that it was still raining and that it was close to evening now, so the light that did shine through the clouds was dimming. He used Hirenkyaku to move to the top of the building behind the warehouse. He knew he had to hurry.