Does Man Make The Monster?

Chapter 30

Conspiracy

(A/N As promised here in a new chapter just for all of you. I'm sorry about the delay my mom got out of the hospital with a heart scare and her birth came up too. Taking care of came first so that's why this is so late. Please, enjoy, what I have to offer.)

SOUNDS/sounds

Thoughts

(Last Time)

"That's understandable. She may or not stop by on her own with a friend today. She's still the same height and body build you remember. She's fair skinned with freckles, pale blue eyes, and super curly, black hair. She'll introduce herself as Fujimoto Moriko. Trust me, you can't miss that attitude."

"Still a bossy bitch?"

"Barks all the time."

Nishio gave a small grin to that and let go of Uryu's satchel. Uryu fixed that strap back on his shoulder straight. He looked at his watch. He needed to hurry on to the next class.

"Any particular time?" Nishio asked.

"I have no idea when," Uryu said, walking off. "Sorry but I need to head off to my next class."

Uryu walked out the door of the cafeteria as Nishio turned to look back up the large TV screen. He pushed up his glasses and crossed his arms. She was fine, huh? He just couldn't wrap his mind around all this. How does one person's soul get rip from one body and then shoved into another? That made absolutely no sense whatsoever. He hadn't seen much was Uryu and his little friends could do but he knew enough it bored on the truly wondrous and absolute terror. He would just have to hope she stopped by while he was working. He really wanted to see what she looked like and if any of this was true.

(Present)

It was close to dinner time as Moriko and Megumi walked down the sidewalk headed for the café. They both decided it was best to do it in the late afternoon when most of the staff was working. Megumi pulled at her braided hair as she kept a couple of steps behind Moriko. Their nervousness grew once the café was in view. Yoshimura would expect Moriko somewhat just maybe not so soon. Megumi, however, was going to a major surprise. Ryoko being a brand new body was going to be surprise to everyone. She wondered if Yoshimura and Touka would catch on to her quickly of it would a major surprise like when Ichigo placed her in the bird.

They stop at the entrance to Anteiku as a couple of high school girl stepped out a box. Most likely a small cake. Moriko drew in deep breath and opened the door. The bell rang over the door as she walked in and held the door open for Megumi.

"Welcome to Anteiku," Kaya walked by with tray of food and drinks. "Take a seat wherever you like."

"Thank you…" Moriko spoke in a low tone as they found a booth by the front window.

Megumi felt really awkward now and kept her violet eyes focused on the table. Truth be told they both looked a like of couple of frazzled cats. Well, that made it this far at least so that was good. Moriko finally scanned the area and saw Touka behind the counter filling up a cup of coffee. She had her eyes glued to Moriko. She didn't look too happy but she didn't let that get in the way of her work. She finished preparing the cup and set it on the tray with one lemonade and other cup of coffee. Touka walked around the counter to deliver the item to a table on the other side of the room.

Moriko had expected to have Touka hurry over to them but Nishio walked up to their table instead. He handed each of them a small menu before pulling out his pad and pen from his apron.

"Is there anything I can you, ladies, or do you need a minute?"

"Uh, just… I-I guess a cappuccino…" Moriko stumbled over words a little.

"How do you want that?" he scribbled down her order.

"Mocha flavor…?" she shrugged.

"Mocha… And you?" he turned to Megumi who looked even more frazzled than before.

"S-s-s-same…" she continued to stare at the table and menu.

"Okay… I'll be back shortly," he put the pad away and walked off. He stopped at one more table that flagged him down.

"Are you sure you're going to like that? It's going to be rather sweet compared to straight coffee," Moriko said and Megumi just nodded. "Well, if you want to try it I'm not going to stop you."

A minute passed and they soon found Touka standing by their table. She had on a smile but it looked a little strained. She most likely wanted to know why Moriko was back again so soon and with a companion no less. Honestly, Touka figured it would be quite some time before Moriko showed up again at Anteiku. Actually, she would have preferred that the bitch never showed up again.

"So, back again I see," Touka's eye twitched a little looking at Moriko's grumpy face. "Just why are you here?"

"It's not for you so chill. I was invited to come back when I wanted to."

"Did you have to come back so soon?"

"You're not showing very good customer service…" Moriko gave nasty a grin. "Maybe I should tell your manager."

"Don't you dare," Touka bit out.

"Stop, please! Don't st-start something! Not here… N-not now…" Megumi's voice cracked a little to get them to stop arguing. "She's j-just here because of me… I-I didn't want to c-come alone."

"Huh? Didn't want to come alone?" Touka studied the jittery woman. "Okay… And not to be rude but who are you?"

Megumi let out a small squeak remembering how well Touka took the news of her being in a Hetare's body. That of course didn't go over well and now she was sitting in Anteiku with a brand new human body. No doubt Touka would freak out over this development too. Perhaps they should have showed up around closing time instead. That way if Touka freaked again there would be an audience. This was a mistake to come back by this time of day. Maybe they should excuse themselves for now. Uryu would be off work too by then and they could come back together as a full group and explain everything in a better setting.

"I think w-we came at a bad time… M-maybe we should get our dr-drinks to go…"

"Seriously…?" Moriko droned. "We're already here. Why go now?"

"I just th-think it would be better if w-we came back later…"

"Neither of you are making much sense," Touka crossed her arms. "I'd like to know what going on."

Moriko sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose.

"I'll do it… I'll say it as subtly as I can…"

"No! You don't have to do that!" Megumi flinched.

"Why not? You promised Ishida you'd come by today as we didn't do it yesterday."

"Ishida? How is he involved in this?" Touka hummed and her eyes narrowed.

"J-just get Yoshimura f-for us instead, please," Megumi's violet eyes finally looked up at Touka.

Now that Touka got a good look at the woman's face she seemed uncannily familiar in some way. She seriously felt like she knew that woman's face from somewhere. She was sure, however, that she didn't know this blonde with the bright violet eyes.

"Why?" Touka mused.

"Just humor us, Kirishima," Moriko drawled. "Let's just say this is a bit of a long and rather unexpected development. We're really here to see him to begin so it's just better to get it over with."

Touka pursed her lips at those words. She could understand Akane, no, Moriko wanting to see Yoshimura but she still wasn't sure about this new woman before her. She had something to do with Uryu and that was suspicious enough. Touka was really hoping that after Akane got her new body that all of the weird stuff would come to an end but that wasn't going to be the case. Clearly there was so much more to come and nothing was going to stop it.

Touka groaned with a sigh as she twitched her gaze between them with her eyes still narrowed.

"Alright… I'll get Yoshimura…" Touka unfolded her arms and turned sharply.

She just missed knocking into Nishio as he returned with the ladies' cappuccinos. He watched her walk in a bit of a huff towards the stairs. He shrugged it off as typical Touka crap as he set down the cups in front of each of them.

"Is there anything else you'd like to order?" he droned as he tucked the tray under his arm as he set out a couple of napkins. "We have a special on our cupcakes. Most people seem to enjoy the banana with the strawberry icing or the double chocolate."

"Don't sound so enthused about it…" Moriko sighed and picked up her coffee.

"I do apologize," Nishio put on a strained grin. "But we also have a few different fruit tortes that I hear are wonderful."

Moriko sighed as she looked him up and down. Clearly he didn't know who she was and that was just as well. That meant it work and she could live her life freely again; even more freely than ever before. No one knew who she was and she was just another face in the crowd. She had literally vanished. Watching Nishio right now was proof of that as the man just treated her like any other customer that walked through the door. He honestly had no idea who he was talking to the woman that as off couple of nights ago and been staying in the café.

"I'm fine for now, thank you," Megumi gave a sweet grin.

"Yeah, I'm good with this, too," Moriko picked up the white handle up her mug.

"I'll take your menus then." Nishio held out his hand and each of the women handed over their menus. "Let me know if there is anything else you need."

"We will," Moriko sighed looked out the window into the twilight streets.

Nishio left them while they waited for Touka get Yoshimura for them. Megumi watched her companion take of sip of her cappuccino before looking down at hers. She always had black coffee so this going to be different for her. Even over at Ishida's she still had coffee but the flavor had changed quite a bit now that she had a human's pallet. It wasn't the richness she remembered it being. She drew in a breath and picked up the white mug. She looked at it for a moment before finally trying it.

"Ah!" Megumi jerked the cup away from her lips and almost spilt it.

Moriko glanced back at the woman in front of her not sure what just happened.

"Huh? Did you burn yourself?"

"No… I just wasn't expecting that," Megumi quickly answered with the shake of her head.

"Now I told you it was going to be sweet. If you don't like it…"

"It's fine, really! I'm just not used to this yet… But I need to try things like you and Ishida said. Besides I always wanted to try different coffees so I don't mind this at all."

"Still it's okay if you don't like it."

"No, really, I just need to get used to it. I'm going to drink it."

Moriko turned towards the stairs to see Touka walking down with Yoshimura. She pointed at the approaching pair. Megumi turned to look at them just before they reached the table. Yoshimura had grin on his aged face as greeted them.

"It's nice to see you again to so soon, Fujimoto. How have you been?"

"Good I guess. I'm still adjusting to things obviously but I'm going to meet up with my dad tomorrow."

"That's good to hear. I see you have a companion with you," he bowed the blonde. "I'm Yoshimura. I'm the owner and manager of Anteiku."

"I'm… I'm Hirasawa Megumi. Um, h-here's my card."

She pulled her small purse around and opened a cute yellow wallet with a sunflower print. Her hands were trembling a little bit as pull out the small card and held out. Yoshimura took the small offering and read it. A surprised look ran across his wrinkled face as he switched between the card and the blonde in front of him.

Touka noticed the strange reaction coming from Yoshimura and the awkward embarrassment coming from this Hirasawa woman. What was on that card that had startled Yoshimura? She tried to look at but Yoshimura moved it out of the way just in time. What was such a big secret?

"I-I see. Please, let's go upstairs for now and talk."

He stepped back from the table as the women got to their feet with their drinks in hands. He lead them to the stair and up into the break room. Touka followed behind a little bit not sure if she was allowed or not to join. What did that woman hand him and why did Akane bring her? Touka hung out in the door for a moment. No one said she needed to keep out so she stepped in and light shut the door behind her with a soft click. Yoshimura found at seat on the couch opposite the women and Touka made her way over to sit next to her manager.

"I am correct in thinking that Urahara had a hand in this?" Yoshimura breathed and gestured to her.

"Yes… He f-figured since he was down here that he might j-just do something with me as well," Megumi scratched the back of her head. "I wasn't expecting any of this… He did give me a choice if I wanted this and of course I agreed."

Moriko took a sip of her drink and before slouching back into the couch.

"Urahara dropped her off the same night I left here. She's been staying with us until she could make it over here to talk to you. She needs some place to stay for now. Uryu can't keep us both as the apartment owners already find it shady that he now has two women staying with him. He barely managed to convince the owners that I'm his cousin and that she was a friend that brought me to his apartment. So, you see she can't stay and the place is unbearably small even for two people."

"Hmm? Yes, I suppose you would rather stay here with us."

"Only if it's not a bother to you but she's right. Ishida can't have both of us living with him. I can help out around the café if you would like, now that I'm able to."

"I don't see why you couldn't if you wish to stay here. We can always you an extra hand or two."

"Hey, not to just butt in but what's going on?" Touka finally spoke up.

Yoshimura put a firm hand on her shoulder and held out the card to Touka. Her dark eyes read the few short words and her face blanched. She tried to jump to her feet but Yoshimura pulled her back down into her seat expecting such a reaction. Touka covered her mouth tightly to keep from yelling out.

"Surprise," Megumi, no, Ryoko said with a small wave. "Urahara figured that I would like this body instead communicating through Hetare all the time. But unlike Moriko I'm not tied to it. I can leave it at any time if I wish."

"So it's not a true living body?" Yoshimura asked.

"Well, yes and no. As long as I'm inside this body it functions like any living body. And just like Moriko's it's still artificial but unlike hers I'm not attached to it. Urahara and the others wear them with the exception of Inoue."

"S-so you mean you're n-not living-living?" Touka's voice cracked through her clamped hands.

"Not really…" Megumi shook her head. "I could easily leave this body and retrieve Hetare over at Kaneki's should I want to. And I might actually want to do that. I haven't been by in a little while. I'm sure he's worried."

"Yes, Urahara explained a lot of this to us the other night. In all honestly I shouldn't be this surprised but like you said this was highly unexpected."

"I'm still trying to adjust to everything again. For the most part I look human, smell human, and can even eat human foods," Megumi put a hand over her heart and let out a long sigh.

"So they put you in a completely human body?" Touka asked, slowly pulled her hands away from her mouth and into her lap.

"Well… To a degree… Urahara explained everything to me. It's been highly modified and that's where it differs from a normal human. Urahara knew that I would want to return here and made sure that I had a fighting chance in this body."

"Oh? What modifications do you possess?" Yoshimura asked, looking at her from head to foot.

She let out another long sigh and thought back to what Urahara had told her. She remembered that there were limitations and hopefully she got them right.

"He told me that my strength and speed are comparable to a ghoul's. I'm more durable than a human but not nearly as much as a ghoul. Another take away is that I can't heal like a ghoul either. So if I suffer a major hit I can't regenerate at all."

Yoshimura rubbed his chin and thought it over a bit.

"So he basically just restored your speed and strength but limited the rest?"

"I don't think he wants me to fight in this body by any means. I've been thinking about it… He gave the strength to fight off an attacker to get away. I've never been one for violence so it's just as well. The durability was to make sure I wouldn't be taken down so easily and to back my strength. If I wasn't durable at all I could be seriously hurt when I use my strength."

"That makes perfectly good sense. Coming back to us does put you in some dangerous situations. I have to agree with the man and I like knowing you can defend yourself should the need arise."

"What… What about Hinami…?"

Every looked back over at a Touka. She looked like she might be fighting back a few tears.

"Wh-what about your daughter? You are going b-back to her, r-right?"

"I want nothing more than to hold my baby again…" Megumi hugged herself in response. "That's the biggest reason I wanted this when it was offered! I want to live again and pick up where I left off. It tore me apart to see Hinami mourn me and I couldn't comfort her. Even being with her as a spirit it… It wasn't the same as physically being there for her."

"If that's… J-just stay with me instead," Touka quickly got her feet again. "There's no reason for you stay here at the café! Just move in with me and we can take care of each other! I'll make sure nothing happens to either one of you!"

"Touka?" Megumi choked out as the dark haired waitress ran around to the coffee table and slammed into her. "Touka, what's…?"

"I w-want you to stay like this," Touka cried into her shoulder with her arms wrapped snuggly. "I don't w-want you to leave ever again, Ryoko! I-I mean it… You can stay w-w-with us! I don't have much room b-but you shouldn't h-have—have to stay here!"

Megumi wrapped her arms tightly around Touka and lightly stroked the back of her head. She expected this to happen. Touka was unsure of the bird situation and had freaked out. There was still that large disconnect as she was in a bird's body and it just could never compare to a body like this. Touka continued to cry into her shoulder not wanting to let go. She didn't care how Ryoko looked like or that the body was manufactured.

"I'm going to head back to Uryu's…" Moriko slowly got back to her feet and picked up her cup. "I'm sure all of you need some time without me hanging around."

"I'll walk you to the door."

Yoshimura also got to his feet and walked Moriko downstairs. She asked Kouma for a takeout cup. She was going to pay for it but Yoshimura excused the bill and bid her a good night. Moriko turned to look up at the window where Megumi, uh, Ryoko and Touka were currently. That really wasn't her business at that point. She came to Anteiku only because Ryoko was too nervous do it on her own.

She hadn't quite gotten to the end of the block when she heard someone run down the sidewalk. She turned briefly to see Nishio of all people. Did she leave something there?

"Stop!" he caught up to her.

"Yes?"

"Are you…? Ishida said you'd stop… I didn't believe him…"

He studied her more than when she first walked in the door. She did look vastly different but if she removed the freckles and the put the hair back to a rosy red it was her. He just stare at her waiting for her to respond. Was this really her? Nishio still had his doubts about this but she fit the bill. He started thinking about especially after Touka took an interest her in and then Yoshimura welcomed them upstairs right after. Something started to click at that point and he just had to know if it was true before she got away.

"Well… Are you…?"

"What do you think? Looks good doesn't it?" she slowly spun around for him.

He looked rather uneasy as he studied her from head to foot. It still wasn't making any sense to him. The CCG made their report that Hayashi was confirmed dead by suicide the other day. They even had her body as proof.

"I don't understand how you… That can't be possible," he almost bellowed out.

"Well, it is."

He drew in a little closer to her.

"They have a body," he kept his voice down.

"They do. It might be best to not think too hard about it, Nishio. It's far too complicated and even I understand very little about what happened. You better go back before you get into trouble for running out on the job."

"You still haven't explained anything to me or to Kaya or Kouma. Touka, Yoshimura, and Yomo are the only ones that know everything thing. And who was that woman with you? I heard Touka crying upstairs as she was talking to you and that woman. I think I heard her say Ryoko."

Moriko just smiled and spun around on her toes and started back down the sidewalk again.

"Hey, don't tell me she's actually…! Hayashi! That woman with you she was really…?!"

"Ask her yourself instead of badgering me. Also my name is Fujimoto Moriko, thank you very much. I have to head home now. See ya around maybe."

She gave a half wave as she rounded the block and vanished behind the building. Nishio remained standing in the lamp lit street, feeling very unsettled at what he had just seen. He licked his dry lips and tried to process everything. That was really Hayashi Akane?

"Hey, what are you doing hanging out here, Nishiki?" Kaya yelled, out from the door. "It's not your break time! Get in here and work your tables!"

He slowly turned around and headed back towards the café. She noticed he looked a little pale like something had startled him. She brushed it off and held the door open for him as he walked back inside.

Urahara, Tessai, Isshin, and Yoruichi had gotten a rather odd message to meet someone in a rather secluded area in the open grounds outside of district 4. It had been a storage building that was well beyond its prime and usage. It was overgrown with vines and a few young trees.

When they walked in they didn't see anyone right away. The place was dark and just smelt musty. A few more second passed by when a small candle let up behind them. They were a little surprised to see the smiling face of Shinji. Was he the one that called them out here? They were going to get in contact with him anyway but apparently he beat them to an invite.

"Good, we're all here now," Shinji set the candle on the old crate on the floor a couple more faces were illuminated behind him.

They saw a couple of usual faces such as Rukia and Renji. There was also Yumichika and Ikkaku. Poor little Hantaro was off in back a little ways with Nanao. Izuru lit one last candle showing that was also with Lisa and Mashiro in the room.

"My… I was not expecting so people maybe just a couple," Urahara said, looking at those in the dim candle light. "Well, you got us out here so… What's going on?"

"We'll make this very brief and to the point so we don't draw much attraction this place," Shinji said and ran a hand down his long face. "Matsumoto got in contact with a few of us and told us what she knew about Ichigo, his situation, and what you were trying to do the save him."

"So, she called you here for us?" Yoruichi spoke up.

"Eeh, not quite," Shinji leaned up against the old wood wall. "We had an idea about was going on but not the full story until she filled us in on the better details. He's in some real hot water this time."

"A roaring boil." Isshin added and crossed his arms. "So, why are we out here?"

"Matsumoto said that you wanted to maybe start up a coup against Central 46," Renji cut in.

"I'm surprised she told you all this. That is our plan, yes," Urahara nodded. "We want Central 46 to release its grip on all of Soul Society and to get Ichigo out this place."

"And we couldn't agree more. This honestly has been a long time coming," Lisa said, fixing her glasses. "We've all been doing a little bit of thinking last night."

"Go on," Urahara said.

"Your idea sounds good but we've decided that it needed something else, and you being you, could easily make this a reality," Shinji said walking up to Urahara. "The plan is somewhat simple. Rose, Mashiro, Lisa, and myself are free for one reason. We still look and have to basic power of Shinigami. Ichigo has none of that now. He used his Shinigami powers to suppress the hollow much like we do."

"So what you're saying is we find some way to reintroduce the powers of a Shinigami?" Tessai asked and Shinji nodded.

"I never meant to give him all of mine that night as you know so and we can't just run him through up here it won't work like that here. We need you come with some sort of sword we can do the same process with," Rukia said, looking up at Urahara.

"The plan is to put our power into this blade to really give him that extra push," Nanao explained.

"They check for weapons every time Toshiro and Unohana do inspections so a sword would never get through," Yoruichi pointed out. "If we start something beforehand they'll only double up if no triple up on him. Mostly likely they'll move him to a high security area and complicate things. You'll need something much smaller like a knife. I can show Toshiro how to conceal such an item."

"He'll still have to get close to him and only Unohana is allowed to do that. It needs to be more discrete," Isshin groaned. "Something that the guards wouldn't think twice about if Unohana was handling it. Would a pill work?"

"Hmm… It could but the power would have to super concentrated and given in several doses and consecutively for it to work correctly," Uraraha said, looking at the aging doctor. "If it started to show some sort of physical changes in him the guards will put a stop it."

"Still having Unohana deliver it would be our best option," Lisa stated.

"A syringe."

Every turned to look at the small figure off in the corner. Hanataro licked his lips and nervously walked forward a little more into the candle light.

"Unohana has to keep tranquilizers on her in case Ichigo tries to act up during a room inspection," Hanataro continued. "If we can get a message to him to act up during a checkup it would look natural to have Unohana inject him."

"I like that idea," Izuru nodded and as everyone else mumbled their agreements.

"I like that idea, too, and it would be faster acting," Isshin agreed.

"Then I guess it's decided," Shinji said. "Urahara, do you think you can make a syringe to hold so much concentrated energy? It can't be that hard for you."

"I'm more than capable of creating such a thing. Hanataro, I'll need the same type of syringe that is used to administer the tranquilizer. I'll need a reference to go off of to really keep our plan undetected. They check her medical bag as well."

"Sure, I can get you one easily. That's not a problem. Unohana won't mind she doesn't like what's going on either."

"Good. That part's over with but what about the actual overthrow of Central 46?" Yoruichi spoke up.

"Oh, all of us here are representing the squads that will be involved in the coup," Mashiro piped up happily.

"Even Squad 6," Renji interjected as Urahara and the other looked surprise.

"Central 46 has also been weighting down heavily on noble families," Rukia added. "So much so that the clans can't do anything major without consulting them first. We've got a metaphorical ball and chain attached to us."

"I haven't been in touch with my family in forever so I didn't know it had gotten to that extreme," Yoruichi groaned.

"We're all really being heavily suppressed. Even squad 1 but the head captain is completely loyal to them regardless," Nanao breathed. "Of course this extends out well beyond Seireitei's walls. The Rukongai has been the hardest hit even the upper class areas closest to the Seireitei."

"I don't even want to think about the slums if that's the case," Tessai said.

"Most have evacuated the slum areas and have moved into nicer districts hoping that things will get better but it's only making things worse on everyone," Nanao continued.

"I noticed that when I went to visit my family a while ago," Isshin mumbled.

"Then you've seen it firsthand. It's actually gotten a bit worse since all of you arrived here," Izuru spoke up. "Everyone is looking up to your son to help them but instead he's just as restricted as the rest of us. Once we get him out we are all prepared to start immediately with the rebellion against Central 46."

"Just like that?" Urahara asked and most in the room nodded.

"Honestly, it's been a long time coming," Ikkaku breathed. "Our captain has been biting at the bit to start something. This is exactly what he wants and with us you've got one of strongest squads backing this up."

"Ichigo is already aware that he is a political figure and that he's got a lot weight to throw around," Isshin smirked. "And he has a whole lot of animosity and frustration, too."

"We've still have a couple of days before Ichigo has his next inspection. We'll deliver the message then. On the next inspection we'll act on it," Yoruichi said. "It will also give us some more time to plan on how to break in into the Central 46 parliament building. And let's not forget that Ichigo finally has some proper military training. It might not be what we use and in all honestly it might blindside Central 46 and their supporters."

"Right… He was a ghoul hunter, correct?" Yumichika mused. "I personally haven't seen one so I don't know how they fight but his training has to be completely different."

"The CCG uses a lot of fire arms but at the same time they use a variety of other weapons. Investigators, like Ichigo was, use weapons called quinque and they are forged from a ghoul's own kukakou. That's the ghoul's hunting organ. They can be anything just about and they come in different classes and varieties," Isshin explained. "Ichigo brought his up here with him. I think he calls it Tsume. It's around the same size as his old Zangetsu."

"Does it do anything special?" Shinji asked.

"No not this one. It was designed to be a shield and bladed weapon. Kokaku based quinque are heavy and extremely robust compared to others. I'm sure he could have modified some but he like what got."

"That sounds like him…" Shinji grinned. "Well, I suggest we all come with something so we can break this up. We can't all be together for too long. We need to assign what each squad is going to do and then run ideas one last time before actually doing this."

"This is very rushed," Lisa breathed. "But given everything… Something so sudden doesn't leave much time for an investigation should someone get a whiff of our plans."

"Let's just make sure before we do anything that everyone knows what their roles are going to be," Yoruichi stated. "The grand major of the squads are with of clearly but we still have a few to contend with."

"Like the Kido Corps," Tessai grumbled.

"And my old squad as well and Research and Development," Yoruichi added.

"I think Captain Kurotsuchi might be on the fence. He still gets funded to do projects but they've gotten stingy. Personal projects aren't funded as much if Central 46 doesn't see any use in them," Izuru pointed out. "It's a coin toss with Squad 11. He's still getting funds for large projects so he might not want to just throw all that out."

"We still have a lot more numbers on our side regardless and that's going to be our greatest advantage and the citizens of the Rukongai will most likely back us up as well," Renji said. "Most of them don't like us as whole but if they see us going against ruling party they'll most likely join in."

"If we can get that many people involved in this we should have this knocked out in no time," Isshin smiled.

"But if plan do this so soon we might make mistakes," Tessai stated.

"What are you saying? We hold off on getting Ichigo out?" Rukia blurted out. "That's not fair at all!"

"No, it's not but I understand what he's saying even though I don't like it. To amass that many people especially those outside the Seireitei will take some time," Isshin said with a nasty taste in his mouth. "Not only that, but Toshiro and his squad will instantly catch the brunt of Central 46's wrath. Toshiro is the one housing all of us and Central 46 is already very weary of him. Squad 4 will also catch a lot of heat for administering the catalyst into Ichigo. If we do this we have to all do it together to back up Squad 4 and 10."

"Excuse me but If I may interject on this. We could save Squad 4 and 10 some trouble if our squad divides and hides within their ranks," Yumichika took a step forward. "It'll also give all of you enough time to get Ichigo and the others to a safe location. From there the other squads can do their own thing. Then you can get Ichigo to rally those in the Rukongai. It's shouldn't take very much to get a full backing from them."

"Who are you and what did you do to my partner?" Ikkaku said, looking the man up and down.

"Very funny. Are you saying I'm not smart enough to be a tactician?"

"I didn't say that. I just didn't see something like that coming from you, so cool off."

"That might actually work with some more tweaking," Tessai thought it over. "Four and ten would be the hardest hit and something like that would blindside those supporting Central 46."

"Well, we've got the backbone at least and we can build on that," Urahara said. "We need to find some way to keep in contact and we dare not use the Hell Butterflies."

"Definitely not and there are plenty of other ways to keep in contact," Shinji said tucking a bit of blond hair behind his ear. "I'll establish the communication routes between all of us. It would be best if we don't actually meet up again like this. Eyes are everywhere and so are ears."

"Always are," Isshin snorted. "I'll bring Toshiro and Matsumoto up to speed on what's going on and what the current plan is."

"He better like it because it's going to happen," Renji added. "I'll make sure Captain Kuchiki is up to date on this."

"The same with mine," Rukia added.

"Then we have the start of something," Shinji said, looking around at everyone.

"Are you sure all of you are fine with this?" Yoruichi asked and a small murmur of collective agreements.

"We're tired of it. It really doesn't matter if it happens now or another couple years it was going to happen," Lisa spoke up again. "Busting Ichigo out and using his influence will give us the best chance for a rebellion."

"Alright, let's do this," Urahara grinned and fixed his hat a little straighter.

Touka stood outside her apartment door with Megumi right behind her. Touka had wanted Ryoko to just out and say who she was but the mother knew better than to just say that. It was something that it couldn't just be dropped on the poor girl. She would never accept it as truth. It also wouldn't help that she was now in a human body. It wouldn't look good at all and complicate things even more.

"I did called Hinami and said I had someone else staying with us for a while," Touka said and pulled out her keys.

"She was okay with someone else staying here that isn't…?"

"I told her what's going on. She'll be walking on eggshells around you for a little while but hopefully with some time she'll get use your presents."

Touka opened the door and let Megumi in first. Hinami poked her little head around a wall as Touka stepped in and took off her shoes. Megumi did the same setting them next to Touka's by the door.

"Oh, good you're back," Hinami put on weak smile as Touka and the new woman walked up to her.

"Yeah… So… Hinami, this is, uh, Hirasawa Megumi," Touka stepped to the side to let Megumi forward a little. "Like I said she's going to be staying with us for a little while."

Hinami looked the new woman up and down. The woman looked just as nervous as Hinami was about this whole idea. Why was a human going to be staying with two ghouls? Touka didn't seem worried about this at all for some reason. This honestly should be the complete opposite of calm. This was a human. Living. With. Them. What was Touka thinking to agree to this idea? So much could go wrong by allowing her stay.

"Hello…" Hinami mumbled and gave a bow. "I'm Fueguchi Hinami."

"I-it's very nice to meet you too," Megumi returned the bow and put out her hand.

Hinami wasn't sure about this. She weakly reached out and gave the offered hand a very light shake. She quickly withdrew her fingers and put her hand back to her side.

"Well… That's over with. So, Hinami, why don't you show Hirasawa around?" Touka said putting on smile. "We're going to back out in a little bit get her clothes from a friend's and buy for her some food."

"You make her sound like a pet…" Hinami mumbled.

"That's not what I…! Hey, Hinami, that's not nice," Touka reprimanded. "She is a guest for the time being and she's not going to do anything to us."

Hinami's expression looked very skeptical of that. She couldn't figure this out at all. Something wasn't right with this whole picture. If this Hirasawa had a friend why wasn't she staying with them instead? Was this some strange form of blackmail? This was just blowing the young ghoul's mind. This really was a bad idea and had potential to fail on an epic level.

"I really don't mean harm to anyone," Megumi put on a sweet smile.

Hinami's face soured a bit more.

"Why aren't you staying with your other friend?"

"Well, he lives in a very small apartment and he already has someone else staying with him. Three people is just one too many in that small of a space."

"So, what you're saying is that you were the third wheel?"

Megumi quickly shook her head and flashed small bit of pink.

"Oh, goodness no! There's nothing between them. He already had agreed to take her in before I arrived. I was just there temporarily until I could find some other place to stay. Kirishima was kind enough to make the offer to me."

"This place isn't very big either."

"I know, but he lives in a one room apartment. Listen… I know you're going to be uncomfortable around me for a while but I will do what I can to help you adjust. I don't expect you just accept me right away."

"You're right, I don't like it… And… Don't take this the wrong way, but your face just…" she looked away from the woman. "It looks too much like someone… You're not her, I know, but you look almost like her… I can't!"

Hinami turned suddenly and ran into the small spare room she had been staying in. She shut the door behind her, leaving Touka and Megumi standing silently in the living room. It hurt to see Hinami react the way she did but at the same time it was to be expected. Why would she trust a human to suddenly be living with two ghouls? If it wasn't for the difference in coloring and the beauty mark under her eye, Megumi still had all of her features from when she was Ryoko. Of course Hinami would pick up on that so quickly. It hadn't even been a full year yet since she was slain right in front of her daughter. Her presence there might be more harmful for both of them in the end. Megumi just wanted to be closer to her daughter but taking everything into consideration it just wouldn't work out.

"I'm sorry," Touka said, turning to looking at Megumi. "I didn't know she would have this sort of reaction."

"No… I kind of knew it would happen. Can you blame her? I should have just stayed at the café as originally planned. When you offered I really couldn't say no. I was just hoping…"

"At least stay the night. We'll still go to Ishida's and get your things. He's off work now, right?"

"He should just have gotten off. Are you sure it's okay even for the night? Ishida could let me stay one more night if we explain things."

"I rather you didn't… You promised him you would find some other place to stay. I hate leaving now but… There's not much else we can do right now."

"Yeah… I'll show you where he lives."

Megumi walked back to the door and slipped back her shoes. Touka did the same before the walked and Touka locked the door. Touka really had hoped for better results. She didn't expect Hinami to over joyed at such a strange event but it was what it was. Megumi was just too much like her former self and Hinami was still grieving. To just bring Megumi into their lives so suddenly just wasn't going to happen. It was just way too soon. It was best that Hinami overcome her grief first before trying again.

After some explaining and some convincing, Megumi found herself back in Ishida's care for one last night. The longer Megumi dwelled on what happened the more she feared about going back to Touka's apartment. She couldn't put herself or her daughter through that again. She felt it would be better to not press the matter any farther and give the child some more space and time to heal.

As it was she had been neglecting Kaneki. She hadn't been by in days since she got this body. He must be worried sick about her. When Touka said her good bye for the night Megumi set her body back down on her original spot on the blanket covered floor. She decided to visit Kaneki when the others were a sleep. It wouldn't freak Moriko that way.

She waited about an hour or so before leaving her gigai and snuck out the door. If as a ghost she found out she could still ride the bus and it was completely free. She hoped two different buses before finding herself in Kaneki's neighborhood. The place really wasn't the best area even at night. She knew a living person wouldn't hurt her but there were a few shady spirits that liked to lurk around in the dark corners.

She walked into the building on down to the lower level. It was close to 11 now and a couple of other residents were snoozing around the place. She silently slipped into Kaneki's space and spotted Hetare in his usual cage. Kaneki seemed to be lost in a couple of books that were set in front of him. There was no telling what he was studying up on. It was very apparent that Kaneki had become unhinged after the torture he went through at the hands of Oomori. She hated seeing like this but unfortunately this was the new Kaneki and it didn't like there was no resetting him.

She walked up the sleeping bird. His cage was fairly clean and he had plenty of food and water. It was good know that Kaneki did still value life even it was now skewed. Well, it was time to finally meeting Kaneki after so longer.

Kaneki raised his head hearing Hetare stir from his sleep. He turned to see Hetare looking at him with is feathers bit fluffed before settling back down.

"Hey, Kaneki…" Ryoko said moving from her perch to the bars of the cage.

"Oh, you're back," he gave a smile as he walked over and let her out. "I've been worried about you."

"I figured you would be. I hadn't been by in quite a long time. A lot has been going on lately."

"Is something wrong with Anteiku?"

Ryoko shook her feathered head.

"Everything is fine there and everyone's still the same. They still talk about you from time to time."

"If you're trying to guilt me into going over it's still not going to work. It is for the best."

"Won't you at least talk to one of them? Yoshimura, maybe? At the very least?"

"No. I don't want them getting in the way and getting hurt. You're awfully hardhead about this."

"It's just I don't like to see them acting like they are. Touka… She really misses you most."

"You've told me that and Hinami misses me too. I know. Changing subjects… Where have you been?"

"Oh, just around Anteiku mostly."

"And not in Hetare body? How do you communicate with them?"

Ryoko realized she was caught in partial lie. She hadn't spent that much time at Anteiku she spent most of it lately with Ishida and Moriko.

"W-well, it's not just them I've been h-hanging out with Ishida as well. He asked me to show him around Tokyo a little bit. It might not look so good if a ghoul did it. I mean, he's working for Uta already and catches flack for it. He's remarkably good at dodging would-be hits from some unpleasant customers."

"I don't care about that at all but since you brought up Ishida… Banjo said he saw him and a group of his weird friends heading towards Anteiku a few nights ago. What was that all about?"

"I… I'm…" Ryoko's voice locked up.

She wasn't expecting this to happen. No one told her that they ran into Banjo and it probably wasn't even thought to tell the ghoul to keep his mouth shut. She wasn't there so there wasn't much she could actually say for answer. She did, however, know the reason and her new body was just one of the reasons. She didn't think it wise to let Kaneki know about her body. He rather particular about things as of late and something like the gigai might not go over well. He didn't go over will of Hinami and she didn't want to go through that again just yet.

"I wasn't there at the time. I didn't know Banjo ran into them!" That came out with a bit panic.

"Oh? Why do you sound so panicked? It was just a question?" Kaneki smiled.

He knew he had her good lie now. Just what was going behind his back? Ever since Ichigo's suicide and the introduction of his strange friends thinks have been really strange. Ryoko was dead in the middle of everything and now that he had her again he wanted the whole story from beginning to end.

He gently wrapped his finger around her wings to keep her from flying away. She struggled to get loose and he lightly tightened his grip a little bit more to make sure she didn't squirm out.

"Let go of me! Kaneki, stop!" she squirmed with little legs kicking.

"Keep your voice down. I don't need you to wake up the others. Ryoko, I just want you to tell me what's really going on with Ishida and Anteiku. I've caught you nearly slipping a couple of times in the past. Now I've caught you in a flat out lie. I want you to be honest with me about what you've been up to."

"Kaneki, this doesn't concern you. Everything's ended and done with. You shouldn't see any of the others now for a very long time."

"I don't really believe that. I want to know what's been going on. How Yoshimura and the others involved with these people?"

"I'm serious, it's done with. They've gone back home."

"Not Ishida."

"Ishida is here for medical school."

"I don't think that's the only reason. It's really a front. He took Uta up on his offer for a job, knowing that it could mean his head. He's keeping an eye on us for some reason or another and I want to know why."

"There is no other reason. He heard about the college while here and wanted to get a medical degree. Uta's job proposal was just a security. He didn't have to look around for a job since one was just handed to him."

"I'm sorry but I just don't buy it. I think Uta wanted him around for some reason, too. They're using each other to gain something. I think Ishida I using the job as a way to spy on the ghoul society and Uta is using Ishida to spy on his own little society. You know that to be true."

Ryoko struggled a bit more and Kaneki tightened his grip a little bit more. She stopped feeling how tight his grip was getting.

"Let me go, Kaneki! You've got all of this wrong! Nothing been going with Ishida or Anteiku!"

"I'm pretty sure that's a lie and that I'm correct. I've really been thinking about things. Everything has been chaotic these last few months… But it all leads to something or rather it all leads to someone. This someone has been using you as a little puppet and has handed you off to others now that he's not around anymore."

"What are you trying to say? I'm being used as a front for someone?"

"Yes. Yes, I think you're doing things behind everyone's back. Little things maybe, but things nonetheless just to meet someone's goals. Ryoko… I'm going to be very upfront with you right now and I want you to be upfront as well. No more lies, half-truths, or misdirections. Other than Kaya you were the only other one out of all of us to see Ichigo fall from the bridge in person. You told us that you had seen one of these Shinigami take Kurosaki's soul to the hereafter. Yet, his body was never recovered. When the raid happened I thought it strange that Kurosaki's friends, who didn't know any of us, came to aid everyone. It was also Kurosaki's friends that Banjo saw heading to Anteiku the same night that his former partner was found dead in that alleyway. He's not really dead, is he? Is he the one pulling your strings?"

"That's crazy! Ichigo isn't here anymore! He really did leave—"

He gave Ryoko a gentle shake.

"Then why did the CCG go to his hometown all of sudden?! They were looking for him! He wanted an audience that night when he jumped so that CCG wouldn't snoop around. He messed up somewhere and they went looking for him. Maybe Ishida isn't just trying to spy into ghoul affairs but he's keeping an eye on the CCG as well. You're just being used by them and not gaining anything for yourself. You need to keep away from them!"

"You're wrong about them! They aren't using me. I wanted to help them from that start once I learned I could actually do something than just exist as a spirit! I've gained a lot more than you think by working with them! You're letting your paranoia get the better of you! Neither Ichigo or his friends mean harm to any of us. You should know that just as much as I do. He was your neighbor and he protected you, Touka, and Hinami from his own partner. He's not an enemy!"

"You just admitted that he's not dead. It's the fact that he's tiptoeing around behind us that I have a problem with. Why couldn't he tell us the whole thing was a ruse? He hurt a lot of people doing that. He hurt me, he hurt Touka, and even your own daughter. And you still want to hang out with his friends? How do you know they can be trusted?"

"I just know. They may slink around and perhaps they are a little underhanded but their intentions are good. Kaneki, you have to understand they are meant to stay in the darkest of shadows. Ichigo even explained that once. It would be a witch hunt and that's what it practically boiled down to in his hometown. He didn't make contact with any of you to make sure a tail wouldn't lead to Anteiku."

"And what about this so called illness of his? Was that true or not? And what about his partner turning dead all of a sudden? Did they have something to do with that?"

"I can't do this anymore! I've had enough!"

A split second later Kaneki realized he was holding the actual Hetare and not Ryoko. She just ditched him once he got a little close to other topics. He clinched his teeth and set the frightened bird back on its perch. He got good bit out of her before left. So Ichigo wasn't dead just as he had suspected. He still didn't like that she was letting them use her. Something was just leaving a bad taste in his mouth. He got the impression that Ichigo's friends really did have something to do with Hayashi turning up dead. Did they honestly kill her and for what reason? Banjo mentioned a strange package that one of them was toting around with them.

That conversation answered and opened even more questions. Chances were Ryoko wasn't going to come back to him anytime soon after this fight. She still wasn't divulging everything that he wanted. What was Ichigo up to and how were his friends involved? There was no way that their job was completed the other night. There had to be a lot more to whatever it was. It was just going to be a waiting game for now. He was going to keep a very close on Ishida from now on. No doubt Ryoko will Ishida to be careful around from now on. She was more interesting in help them than her own kind.

That burned Kaneki. Ryoko hadn't been truthful about a lot of things and he feared how far the lies actually went. Maybe she couldn't leave their grip? She said she wanted to help them but what if she was forced or tricked into it? He was angry with her but just as equally scared for her. Spirit or not they clearly knew how to tamper with that realm. Ryoko might end up in some real trouble if she kept hanging around with them. He might want to pay Ishida a visit in the near future and get some information out of him. However, Kaneki knew that Ishida wasn't going to be easy to contend with. Especially, if Uta's exploding hog story was any indication. He was going to have tread around Ishida carefully from here on out and once Ryoko blabbed Ishida was going to do the same.

(A/N Yeah, it's done. It's finally up and over with for right now. I hope it was good for some of you. It's been a long while. I need to pick up the series again. The entire first manga collection is sitting out my car and I need to bring it in but I'm lazy and has been sitting out there for months. I hope you all enjoyed this, thank you for reading.)

Millie M. Banshee