Bleach: Azashiro

***Akihiko Azashiro*** 

It's about eight o'clock in the evening. By nine o'clock, I must appear before the Council 46. The experiences that have tormented me for the first few days are behind me. Having learned about my father's plans and the support that he was able to enlist, I stopped fooling myself. The words of noble families carry great weight in matters of this kind. And my father was able to negotiate the help of three of the five noble clans. 

Alas, I had to listen to a lot of rules on how to behave in court. "Sages" are quick to kill and really don't like being told off. At times, I wonder how such people were able to join Council 46. In the future, it is necessary to find out on what principle council members are elected. 

Dressed in clothes with the symbols of my family, I was ready. Unfortunately, they will not allow me to get to the Council 46 residence on my own. Otherwise, I could get a couple more accusations against me. 

-Hmm, I see you're ready. - Chika-san's appearance in the room allocated to me was unexpected for me. 

No, I knew that he was the one appointed as my escort. Rather, the way he appeared came as a surprise to me. Well, why not ask to go through the window? Looking at his cheerful face, he shook his head and left the room. Through the door! 

-Well, you're not funny. Maybe something happened? - my boss said, jumping from the window in a worried voice. 

-No. - I calmly answered him and let him go ahead. 

-Laaaah.- Seeing no reaction from me, Chika-san stopped grimacing. This happens to him sometimes. You just need to ignore his behavior, and he calms down. 

Twenty minutes later, we arrived at the entrance to the residence. 

In the center of the rectangular square, there was a small round lake with white walls made of murderer stone. In the middle of the lake, the entrance to the underground complex was located. From the only gate in the wall, a wooden bridge led to the entrance. 

Having examined this creation, I was once again convinced of the strange addiction of locals to underground structures. The location of the main authority, which supposedly rules on behalf of the king of souls, surprised me, to put it mildly. Well, why a dungeon? Why? It's amazing how their city didn't fall underground, with such an addiction to underground buildings. Although, perhaps I am too biased and have a logical explanation for this? Who knows? 

While descending the spiral staircase, Chika-san decided to dispel the silence. 

-Akihiko, remember. At the trial, don't tell me anything until they ask you. Don't try to make excuses; answer the questions asked clearly. Don't contact individual council members. All the evidence justifying your actions has been collected and passed on to the sages. All you have to do is not be rude and follow the protocol. - Chika-san said in a serious voice. 

"It's clear: talk less and to the point." - nodding, I answered calmly. 

-Exactly.- 

*** 

God, I'm starting to hate dungeons. Ten minutes. That's how long we went down the spiral staircase. The dim lighting did not add joy. 

And so we got to the courthouse. It was huge. Chains descended from the ceiling to the edges of the roof. For what? It's unclear. 

-Let's go. - Chika-san told me. 

Having walked along the dark corridor, we went out right into the courtroom. The benches and chairs with the high backs of the forty sages were arranged in two concentric rings, one higher than the other, surrounding the open area on which we were located. I was able to notice niches with stairs in the walls; most likely, the remaining six council members were located there. 

It was not possible to consider the appearance of the sages. Each had a sign with a number in front of them, hiding their faces. They were the only means of identifying individual members. 

After escorting me to the center, Chika-san walked away and stood at the entrance through which we entered. Having examined his entourage and not received any orders, he remained standing with his eyes covered. Waiting for the start was not long in coming. 

-Akihiko Azashiro, you're accused of murdering noble clan chief Hideo Tsunayashiro. Evidence of the murder was presented to the council by a secret operations squad. - said one of the sages. 

I wasn't supposed to speak. Therefore, I continued to stand calmly, waiting for questions. 

-Because of the circumstances, the council would like to hear an answer to the question: while you were on a mission, were you attacked by Hideo Tsunayashiro? - a rather strange question. 

-Yes. - I answered briefly. 

-Describe what happened then.- 

-Seconds after completing the task, my partner, and I, along with Hideo Tsunayashiro, were imprisoned in the barrier "Heavenly Prison." The battle began as a result, during which Hideo Tsunayashiro died. - I briefly described the events of that day. 

-Did you kill him? - a rather provocative question. 

-Yes. - but there was no point in lying; they already knew it. 

-Chika Shihoin, you vouched for the defendant. Do you think he's innocent? 

-Guilty of murder? No, he fought for his life and won. We all know very well what Hideo Tsunayashiro did for several years. Thanks to his actions, the situation in the Soul Society is unstable. Many talented Shinigami were killed by him personally. Therefore, I take this opportunity to bring charges against the Tsunayashiro family and demand that their status as a noble family be revoked. - Chika-san said in a firm voice. 

Immediately after his words, the heads of three families, Azashiro, Kuchiki, and Shiba, entered the hall. Each of them supported me and made similar accusations against the Tsunayashiro family. 

Then the trial turned into a farce, as it was originally. I was found not guilty, imposing a purely symbolic fine of several thousand kans. A trivial sum, but they could not leave the murder of the head of the noble clan unpunished. Of course, no one challenged this decision. 

At the end of the meeting, they shook my finger. Like, don't do that again. It was said in a more official form, but this is the meaning. 

Leaving my father and other heads of families in the courthouse, I went out. Because of this trial, I was unable to train today. And I intended to make up for this omission. 

It's also worth visiting Shika, telling her how it went and calming her down. For the last week, she has been worried about me more than about herself. To be honest, after what happened, at first, I was embarrassed to talk to her. But noticing that she was not angry with me, I relaxed. 

***Deichi Azashiro*** 

Returning to the Azashiro estate with Chika, we went to my office. Today, everything went well, just great. Akihiko is free, and Council 46 heeded our words and agreed to review our evidence. Now all that remains is to achieve the deprivation of status and the expulsion of the Tsunayashiro family from Seireitei. 

Pouring expensive wine into glasses, I plopped down on the sofa opposite Chika. 

"Well, tell me." - I told a friend. 

-What? - he looked at me, as if demanding clarification. 

-Haa, Akihiko, how's he doing? - I clarified my question. 

-Well, hard to say. He serves something, nothing at all. - with a slight mockery in his voice, Chika answered. 

"Come on, don't evade it." - I told him to match him. 

-Okay, okay. - waving his hand in front of him, he easily agreed. 

-Where to start? Exactly, did you know about the properties of his reiatsu? - he said, anticipating my response. 

-No. - Not understanding what we were talking about, I answered. 

-Ooh, you'll be surprised. - Chika said, raising his voice slightly. - His reiatsu has changed, like those with spontaneous zanpakuto. 

"What?" I exclaimed in surprise. - He has a conceptual type of zanpakuto!? 

-Hahaha, right. That's why it's so amazing. This is the first time I have encountered something like this. - he answered in a cheerful voice. 

-Okay, then I'll check it myself. Better tell me how he copes. - I know from myself how hard it is to get used to murders. 

-Well, everything is just fine here. On the first day, I completed verification tasks. Koji said that he took the murders calmly. So everything is fine with your son. - in a cheerful tone towards the end, he said. 

-Okay, thank you. - I thanked my friend. 

I know that such a strong shinigami as Koji is not sent to look after newcomers. Therefore, I was grateful to Chika that he was looking after my son. Akihiko was not overly weak, but the anxiety did not go away. 

-Yeah. - He waved his hand at my words. 

"Listen, maybe we can strengthen the union of our families." - suggested Chika. 

-Hmm, what? - he clearly didn't expect this from me, heh. 

-Nothing, I suggest you seal the union. - I repeated again. 

-Umm, I got it, but what do you suggest? Our families have been in the union for a long time, he asked in bewilderment. 

-Marriage.- 

-No.- Chika refused too quickly. 

I looked at him for a couple of seconds in bewilderment until I realized why he refused. 

-Hahahahaha.- I laughed at him. 

"Why are you laughing!!!" cried my friend indignantly. 

-Nothing, nothing. Huuuh. - Having calmed down, I began to explain to him what I meant. - No one is going to marry you, calm down. I meant my son, Akihiko, and your niece. 

-Fuh. Why didn't you say that right away!? - he said lightly. 

"So, who knew what you'd think of yourself, haha." - I said, laughing slightly at his expression. 

-Come on. - He made an offended face. 

"Stop it, it doesn't suit you," I said, waving at my friend. 

"Okay, I don't mind in principle, I'm rather in favor." - Chika said, calming down. - Only first, I'll ask Shika. If she is against it, then alas. I'm not going to force her. 

-Pf, who are you holding me for? Do you think I'm getting my son married without his consent!? - My indignation knew no bounds. 

-Huh, who knows you? You're still that entertainer! - Chika said, clearly having fun at my expense. 

-Yes, Aya will bury me alive if you do that!!!- 

***Akihiko Azashiro*** 

A day after the trial, a happy father came to me. The reason was certainly appropriate. The Council 46 accepted all charges against the Tsunayashiro family and set a trial date. And for a couple of hours, I listened to my father talk joyfully about the good news. 

The news was certainly good, but I was more pleased with the news that my father had already planned their murder after exile. I liked this approach. You should not leave angry enemies alive. They can accumulate strength and return for revenge. And I had no doubt that they would find out who organized everything. 

Initially, I thought I would have to deal with them myself. But since my father has undertaken to solve this problem, I am not going to risk my life again. 

Just before he left, my father stunned me by asking what I thought about marrying Shika and, without waiting for my answer, he left, promising to return for an answer tomorrow. 

And now I'm sitting in my room, not knowing what to think. On the one hand, I didn't like that they decided for me who I should marry. On the other hand, I can't say that I'm very against it. I have responsibilities to my family as an heir. It was foolish to assume that I would be allowed to marry for love. And the candidate was very good and familiar. 

Of course, if I categorically refuse, I am sure I can avoid such a fate. But do I need it? Am I really so disgusted by the idea of marrying Shika? Even if I had not been married in a past life, I knew the joy of love, as well as the pain of disappointment. 

It all comes back to how I feel about Shika. Love? Not sure. I definitely like her. Shika is a very beautiful girl and a good friend. Extremely faithful. It even seemed to me that she had her own point on this. Not long ago, I think I began to have warm feelings for her. I was pleased to watch her. How she laughs, smiles, and builds an offended face. All this lifted my spirits. 

Perhaps it's worth admitting at least to myself. I would be glad if she became my wife. But forcing her to marry me disgusted me. As far as I know, in such cases, women's opinions are rarely asked. Of course, I can't believe that Chika-san can do this, but it's worth playing it safe. I will have to live with her if something happens. And with such thoughts, I went to bed. 

***Shika Shihoin*** 

Today, my uncle told me great news, or rather told me about the proposal of the Azashiro family and asked if I agreed to marry Akihiko. Having quickly received my positive answer, he left. 

My uncle was clearly surprised by my quick response but did not go into details and simply left. And thank God. I would not like to explain that I have been in love with Akihiko for more than a year. 

From the very first day of joining the detachment, I tried in every possible way to attract his attention. But Aki remained himself and did not notice my hints. Most likely, he perceived my harassment of him as friendly banter. Sometimes it pissed me off. Does he really think that I will rush at every guy!? 

But these thoughts quickly changed as soon as I saw a rare smile on his always expressionless face. 

Now, lying on the bed, buried in a pillow, I tried to calm down. I wanted to scream and jump with happiness, but everything was overshadowed by the thought of whether he would agree. Since they asked me, it is logical to assume that Akihiko's opinion will also be asked. I hope so. 

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