Chapter 38: Promotion

Again they found themselves within the daunting walls of justice.

People were gathering in the rows and Shizuo's gaze followed a few nobly dressed men heading for the top.

He disliked this place. Not for what it was supposed to be.

A court or in this case, some kind of place to gather and talk about future decisions was absolutely necessary as long as the setting was objective and fair.

But these walls were anything but fair.

Just remembering the last time they were trying to make Shizuo testify for Izaya's lacking leadership skills made his blood boil.

Glares settled upon the old geezers taking their all too mighty position ahead he leaned towards Izaya.

Standing next to him they were in the middle of this entire ordeal, waiting for whatever it was they were trying to blame them for. But what exactly did they even have that they could accuse them of?

"What's this about?" Shizuo whispered quietly, making sure only Izaya heard his words, but the flea merely shrugged as he made sure to keep his glance straight at the podium.

"Sadly this time I have no clue either, Shizu-chan."

It was worrying to say the least.

But what could they possibly flame them for when literally not a single person died on their last mission?

The opposite, they even returned with valuable information. This trip was probably the most successful they had ever been on, so why?

The judge's hammer met the podium's top and within seconds the entire hall was brought to deafening silence. A guy, older than all of them appeared at the podium and Shizuo recognized him as the same guy from last time that had tried to make him betray Izaya.

Just his sight made his hair stand on ends instantly.

"Is it true that no soldier died on this mission?" The judge's voice hallowed through the now pressuring silence inside the hall.

Hesitating shortly, Shizuo glanced towards Izaya. But his eyes were set straight at the judge with no detour to the blond.

What was he supposed to do? Answer?

The question didn't strike him as a bad one, especially considering the recruits surviving being a good thing overall. And yet he somehow had a feeling confirming his question was going to cause more harm than good.

"Heiwajima?" the judge repeated to ensure the blond knew it was his turn of speaking.

And so, clearing his voice shortly Shizuo did.

"Yes it is." An appreciative nod was given by the judge as he gathered a few documents off his podium. Reports Shizuo guessed. Probably from Izaya as well as that goddamn bastard Shiki. He would give a fortune to know what that rat had written as the judge scanned their contents.

"Judging reports you saved the troop from getting swarmed by titans," he announced shortly while adjusting a set of half moon glasses on his crooked nose. Seemed he was reading Izaya's report first.

"I guess so, why? Is that forbidden?" Shizuo asked warily. Were they trying to blame him for punching that guy? What was his name? Kida?

Izaya had mentioned at the site that his actions were not going to be appreciated by their uppers. Was that why they were here?

But it seemed it wasn't as the judge hummed.

"No, the opposite, it is remarkable." The papers were set aside, and suddenly the judge stood. Following the motion the rest of the folks up next did the same. All along with Shiki- who was suddenly smiling, and Shizuo's guts churned at the sight. "And that's why we would like to reward you accordingly." The judge announced, "Heiwajima Shizuo-san, as of this moment you are promoted to the position of the new survey corp´s captain."

…

The what?

Confusion wrecked Shizuo's head as cheerful applause followed from the sides. It was staged, cold and clammy and the sensation of dread impending on Shizuo didn't exactly help him understand what had just happened.

Him? Captain of the survey corps?

… he understood somewhat that this was bad. It had to be, simply judging from the way Shiki was smiling at the announcement.

But why?

What use did it have for Shiki if Shizuo was promoted?

It made no sense-

Turning his head, Shizuo looked at Izaya, trying to get him to explain just what the consequences of this action were- but his expression made him freeze.

Izaya looked shocked.

Unsettled worse than when they thought they were going to die and Shizuo's guts plummeted.

"Izaya-?"

Frustration spread like a wildfire in Izaya's eyes as he lowered his gaze to the ground.

"So this is what they were aiming for." The words were just a whisper. Shizuo wasn't even quite sure they were directed at him at all when the judge's voice hallowed once more.

"Orihara Izaya," lifting his gaze, the demoted captain of the survey corps gazed at the judge.

"Yes."

Files were selected and quickly skimmed through while the judge spoke. "Your services have been substantial to contribute to our victory against the titans. As you are released from your duties, you are now free to return to your hometown by nightfall. Remaining family will join you by the evening."

… released?

Eyes widening, Shizuo felt a momentary gush of relief surge through his body.

Released from his duty, that meant he no longer had to fight the titans, right?

He no longer had to bear the blame for soldiers dying, Shiki was no longer his superior- in other words he was free from his clutch, right?

Unreasonable happiness marked his expression as he glanced at the flea- but it instantly dropped as he saw his Captain's expression had grown only more bitter.

There was not a trace of joy. Not a spark of relief- instead his eyes were hard and his body tense.

Why?

He could return home with his siblings so wh-

And suddenly Shizuo's blood ran cold.

Home.

All of a sudden the mirror or pretense shattered as he saw the generous judgment for what it really was.

He remembered Izaya's words. About how he had made a deal with the uppers to let his siblings stay inside wall sheena. How he was fighting to keep them from harm and how their home resided inside wall rose.

Being sent back to their home meant nothing but to send them into the open arms of the titans that had infested the area.

This- was a death sentence.

Approving murmurs arose as either most of the public missed the point or welcomed having Izaya die the way they thought he deserved.

It was sickening- the smiles, the eyes, the whispers and mumbles cast upon a man that was carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. That saved their asses daily- and for what?!

Hammer meeting the podium once more the judge nodded, "The court has spoken."

"Guess I need to get my gear ready." It had been Izaya who whispered the words of sarcasm.

He had seen it coming. Maybe not right now and not this way, but he had always been prepared to find himself and his sisters endangered.

He wouldn't deny being shocked, but he was prepared.

He had been fighting for so long, with his expertise and strength he would just have to watch the two outside. He could protect them.

No matter how, no matter where.

But Izaya definitely wouldn't just yield to his fate.

And Shizuo knew what he was planning to do.

But that plan was insane.

Grinning like a madman Shiki was sitting in the rows, just so awfully pleased with his actions. He finally got what he wanted. He got rid of the one eyesore in his eyes.

No way in hell was Shizuo going to let that happen.

"I refuse!" Loud and hallowing the words echoed in the hall. Irritation as well as confusion marked the judge's expression as he divided his attention.

"Excuse me?"

Stepping up Shizuo moved to the center to make himself heard clear enough for those damned bastards.
"I refuse to take the position of the survey corps lead."

Had anyone ever dared to battle the courts decision? Probably not. Considering how most people reacted Shizuo could only conclude as much as his glare battled the one of the judge.

He seemed pissed.

Good.

Because Shizuo was too.

Murmurs arose between the flocks of dumb folk and the judge lifted his hand in a short call to silence.

Displeased eyes settled upon the blond before the old guy spoke once more.

"You can´t refuse the title that has already been bestowed to you." It was a clarification, not a question.

Shizuo had close to no knowledge about ranks about promotions or anything political at all. But this right now, this was something he could handle.

Arms crossed he didn't break his glare once as he continued.

"Then I'm leaving the survey corps entirely."

Again mumbling arose and Shizuo noticed how Izaya stirred.

He was probably shocked. He couldn't blame him, none of this had been a decision or plan of his own. Shizuo knew he was risking Kasuka's treatment at this very moment, he was very much aware of that- but having Izaya and his sisters tossed before the titan's as an afternoon snack?

He had to take the shot.

"Heiwajima-san, are you aware of the consequences?" the judge inquired and Izaya stirred as well with a soft whisper on his lips.

"Shizuo stop-"

No. He couldn't stop. Not now.

Not when he had seen what Izaya had been enduring for all this time only to be tossed away like a rabid dog.

His blood was boiling, yet he remained unreasonably calm as he ignored Izaya's words and battled the judge in his game of wits.

"If you want me to stay then only under two conditions."

A chair screeched somewhere and from the corner of his eyes Shizuo could see how Shiki had raised to his feet.

"You think you are in the position to demand things?" He seemed ludicrous. "Don't make me laugh!" Like a snake his words soaked in poison as he spoke. "You are just one small blotch of red."

Shizuo wasn't stupid.

He realized that what Shiki was saying came pretty close to a death threat. And yet-

"A blotch that brought everyone back from the mission or not?" Shizuo's calmth seemed to annoy the rat even more as he bit back whatever it was that he wanted to spit next. Shizuo wasn't even going to let him speak.

Turning to the judge he continued. "But I can tell the people out there if you want to, that you would rather have me leave the corps and cause all of their children to die again on future missions, instead of granting me a favor."

Again murmurs arose- and Izaya, Izaya could do nothing as he watched this horrible situation unfold.

Shizuo was blackmailing the judge. He was openly degrading Shiki- No matter whether he was successfull or not, this was bad. Shizuo had no idea what he was getting himself into.

He had no idea what kind of hardships Izaya had to endure to survive up until this point and now- wasn't it going to be Shizuo who was going to be their next target?

"So speak, what is it that you demand?" the judge suddenly spoke and the rows turned quiet as they wanted to see the events unfold.

Straightening his stance the blond rose his voice once more.

"All I'm asking for is for Kasuka Hanejima and the Orihara family to gain a lifelong right to wall sheena."

"You little-" quiet hisses stemming from Shiki reached Shizuo's ears but he paid them no mind as the judge thought about his offer.

This was a gamble. Shizuo really hoped it would turn out in his favour, but what if it didn't? They might as well expell them both. Kasuka too, and Izaya's sisters.

Deafening silence battled the soft ringing tune inside Shizuo's head as he waited for the reply.

And finally he got it.

"So it may be." Low and grumpy the sigh from the judge followed as he rose to his feet. "New captain of the survey corps, Heiwajima Shizuo, your brother and the Orihara siblings will be granted safety within wall Sheena for lifetime. In exchange you are now in charge for lifetime. I suspect this meets your condition?"

Relief washed over the blond as much as Izaya's face dropped in horror and so he replied.

"Yes, sir."

to be continued~

WEELLLL- I bet you didn't see that coming xD We are having a bit of a switch here haha Needa spice everything a little up for the endgame xD