Tervaden Residence

"What Anger Can Undo":

Seto sat in the dark of his apartment. It was still and eerily quiet. He sat in a chair, in the darkest corner of his apartment, watching. He watched as both his sons slept soundly on the couch. His oldest still clutching the zanpakuto given to him. The other, lying on his back completely oblivious to the chaos around him. Seto watched as Ide suddenly shifted in his sleep. The boy up, his face wet from tears. His knuckles white as he somehow tightened his hold of the blade. 

"...Dad..." whispered the boy.

Seto didn't move. He knew the boy was still sleeping. Slowly, Ide lowered himself back to the couch. Seto remained still for a little while longer. "Alister..." he whispered calmly. 

Seto sighed as he pushed himself up out of his seat. "Yeah personal." He was quiet for a moment as he walked over to where his son's were sleeping. "I'm the first to realize but the last to admit that I'm just not strong enough for all of this."

"You were a Captain of the Gotei 13."

"Yes, and during my times as Captain the worst I dealt with was something that I did...We didn't have a Sada or Shosei. We didn't have gods that interfered or made their vessel's targets. We had...We had Quincys, Hollows...Hell, we fought with each other." Seto looked at Alister. "Sousuke Aizen's use of the Hogyoku was a challenge to the realms...What is the worst that could happen?"

"You're afraid..."

"Why else would I ask for your help?" snapped Seto. "Do...do...do you not understand? I literally did my best...And, it wasn't enough. It wasn't enough to stop someone who isn't even the worst to come. So...Afraid? No...I am terrified."

Seto growled in angry and threw a punch at the god. His fist stopped at the tip of the god's nose. 

"That last time we fought, Teruo came into being." smirked Alister. "Do you really want another?"

"Fuck you..." growled Seto. He fell to his knees and hunched over. He allowed himself to fall forward, his forehead resting on the ground. He stayed this way, occasionally slamming a fist into the tiled floor of his apartment. After a few moments, he rolled over onto his back. Seto draped an arm over his face. "What can you do for them, at least?" he asked in whisper. He pointed to his sons. 

"Nothing." said Alister. He looked down at the dramatic Shinigami. "What are you thinking, Tervaden?"

Seto sat up slowly. "I have a plan...But, I can't do it, if you don't help me."

"Shosei...On his own, he has the strength of five of the strongest Captains. But, the mentality of a child. Couple that with the added power of the Hogyoku...He is out of your reach. Likewise, Kisuke Urahara, Sousuke Aizen, Shunsui Kyoraku, Gin Ichimaru...Your Kita Miyamoto," The Shinigami looked at him. "None of you are a match for him. But..."

"But?" Seto narrowed his eyes at the god. "But what?"

Seto shook his head frantically. "I don't fucking care! I don't care! I don't care! I don't-"

"Dad?"

Seto looked to his son who was sitting up on the couch, still clutching his zanpakuto. "Ide..." He rushed over to his son and knelt in front of him. In the moment, all of his anger subsided. He wrapped his hands are the end of his zanpakuto and held on tight. "Lie down. Go back to sleep."

"Who are you talking to, Dad?"

Seto turned his head, glancing over his shoulder at the god of fire. "Right...You can't see him." Seto turned back to his son. "His name is Alister. He's...uh...he's a god."

"Like you?"

Seto chuckled as he raised his hand to wipe away his son's tears. "A higher god...I'm hoping that he can help so that you don't ever have to see anything like that again..."

Ide began shaking. "I don't want to go back there...Are we going back?!"

Kadaj started crying. In an instant, as if his brother's cries triggered a bit of bravery in him, Ide reached over and picked up the boy. He held him close. 

"I'll keep him safe."

Seto smiled. "I know you will."

"The power we have...It's not something that should be bargained with or amplified in unnatural ways.." Seto shook his head again, chuckling as he looked at his son. 

"What's funny?" asked Ide. 

"Looking at you...saying those words...It's like I'm chastising himself. Look, don't rush it. I know you want to protect yourself and others. But...Don't rush it."

"How sweet." said Alister, snapping his fingers, stopping time again. "If I am no longer needed here..."

Seto rose to his feet and turned to face the god. "Alister..." he said, his voice low. All of the gentleness he spoke with while speaking to his son was gone. "I am through with you...For good. It was wrong of me to even let you back in...Even if it were just for the day..."

"Are you expecting me to say goodbye?"

"No." Seto laughed. "No, I'm not. Truthfully, I am hoping that you are a god of word. And, -"

"You won't see me again...Tetsuya...Just remember what I said. He is a child...A very angry child. Keep him that way and you will see what anger can undo..."

Seto nodded as the god of fire faded and time began again. He thought on the god's final words...What anger can undo... Seto knew that he was strongest when his was allowed to dwell in his anger. He was strongest when allowed to act in his anger. But, he was also at his most dangerous. Now, he had two sons to worry about. Not to mention his love for Kita. Then there was Ichimaru and his son.

Seto would admit, only to himself, that he considered them all his family. He considered them people he found worthy or protecting...At all costs. But, something bothered him...Bothered him to his core. He looked to Ide who was now up on his feet and stretching. Kadaj was lying comfortably on the couch. Seto sighed as he looked at both of his sons. 

"Alright then..." he whispered. 

Seto's heart pounded in his chest. Ide's panicking stirred Kadaj and he began crying. Seto closed his eyes and shook his head. Do something, you idiot! Do something! He said to himself. 

"Ide!" shouted Seto, he grabbed the boy by the shoulders and held him still. "Ide, listen to me. This is something I have to do. I don't know how long I'll be gone. But-"

"But, I just found you..." cried Ide. 

"I know..."

"And, Imai-san's gone too...You can't leave."

"Ide..." The pain in Seto's chest worsen with every word. "...I am doing this for you..."

"Liar!!" Ide struggled to pull away from his father. "Get off of me! Get off!"

Seto held onto his son tightly. The pain in his chest...The crying baby...The screaming boy...Seto felt himself growing angry. He let go of the boy, drew back a fist then punched the boy in the face. The boy's body stiffen as he fell flat on his back. 

"Damn it!" grunted Seto. He looked down at the boy then walked over to the couch. He sat down and picked up Kadaj, resting the small child to his chest. "Hush now..." he whispered as he rubbed the baby's back. Seto sat there, soothing the child, for a few minutes before the sudden and loud hissing forced him to his feet. He looked around, eyes narrowed. He held Kadaj close as he moved closer to where Ide was on the floor. 

The hissing grew louder and louder until it stopped. His eyes narrowed as the vision in his left eye grew dark. "What..." he whispered to himself, kneeling down and placing a hand to Ide's arm. For a moment, Seto's world grew silent and dark. He closed his eyes until the sound of Kadaj filled his ears. He opened his eyes again. 

Rushing over to the couch, Seto grabbed ahold of Chinmoku. He needed to reach out. Kita was the closest. "Kita..." he whispered. Nothing. He couldn't see, hear or feel her. "Kita..." Seto laid Kadaj to the couch. The baby was still crying.

"Kita!" Seto shouted in a panic. He grabbed the hilt of his blade and...Nothing... "Hanten? Hanten...Chinmoku?!" Seto tighten his hold on his blade. "Chinmoku...Answer me..." His voice broke as his begged for a response. 

"...Please..."


"Shadows of the Noble House: Fuu's Dilemma"