Chapter Six: Camp
"And that ends this morning's instructions. Squads are expected to convene now at their assigned base tents. Ukitake and Kyouraku, remain behind – Kuchiki and Shihouin, you are responsible for ensuring all other members of your assigned squad are in the correct locations until your Captains return. Dismissed."
Genryuusai tapped his cane on the ground, raising his voice slightly as he gazed around at the gathered second year students. From his position near the back of the group, Juushirou felt a flicker of faint excitement ripple through his thin frame.
Although much talking had been done about this 'camp', it had not been until that morning that the reality of it had sunk in. At dawn they had all assembled at the front gate, Shunsui still rubbing sleep from his eyes and complaining about the cruelty of depriving a young man his bed. Genryuusai, along with Kazoe Ginji, the Kidou instructor had been waiting for them, and each had been marked off one by one, given a sheathed asauchi and a bundle to carry and ordered into the two groups that denoted their squad assignments. In pairs they had then been frogmarched the two ri to the quiet section of Yamamoto land which had been given over to their use. Though it had been a long journey and at a quick pace, Juushirou had found it more invigorating than exhausting, for the day was bright and airy, with a faint breeze to keep them cool as they had walked. Even Hirata and Mitsuki, neither of which were particularly good at physical exercise managed to complete the distance without collapsing, and though Hirata's cheeks had been flushed from the exertion, he had seemed proud with his ability to keep up.
Juushirou, for his part, had felt equally triumphant.
"Two years ago, after all, I wouldn't have made half this distance at half this speed without breaking down and coughing." He had told Hirata as they had mounted the last rise towards their destination. "I really am getting much stronger now. Stronger and fitter. All the training we do is paying off, and keeping it going in the holiday was the right thing to do. I feel like I've come a long way – and that I am finally getting a handle on my spirit power, after all."
On arrival at their base point, they had discovered a large tent-like construction had been erected, with two smaller ones placed one to the east and one to the west. Once ushered inside the largest of the three, the second year students had discovered that their first task on arrival at their new base was to demolish their first proper meal of the day. Each student was given the same – o-chazuke with no particular trimmings, a piece of fire-cooked fish and watery green tea – but not even the fussiest member of the group had complained, as everyone was simply glad to have something to fill their empty stomachs.
Once the meal had ended, Genryuusai had moved to give his instructions, his rumbling voice somehow sounding strange in the unfamiliar confines of the flimsy fabric tent.
He had been brief, merely reminding them that they were to remain within Kazoe's Kidou barrier unless otherwise instructed and that from now till the end of the assignment everything that they did would reflect in some way on the squad that they now called their own. He had told each student to check their packs, and on opening his Juushirou had discovered a rough map of the area, a folded blanket, a silver armband and a vessel for carrying water. And now, as the remaining fourteen students filed from the tent to meet at their assigned ends of the area, Juushirou got slowly to his feet, meeting Shunsui's gaze across the makeshift wooden benches as they approached the old man.
For a moment he gazed at them, then he smiled, nodding his head.
"From this point on, you two are Captains of your respective squads." He said quietly. "What you do most of all reflects on the well-being and success of your subordinates. You must think always of that, in every decision you make. In a real life situation, after all, a Captain is responsible for the lives of his men."
"Yes, Sensei." Both boys murmured, and Genryuusai reached across to pick up two folded items, glancing at them and then handing one to each student.
"As Captains, you are, of course, significant." He continued. "And you must be easily picked out in a crisis by your subordinate officers. Therefore, you will wear these – they are not quite full haori, but they will denote your status to the rest of the group."
"Training haori, huh?" Shunsui shook his garment out, eying it for a moment, then sighing, shrugging his shoulders in resignation. "I suppose that makes sense, Sensei."
"It's sort of exciting." Juushirou followed suit with his, then carefully slipped it over his shoulders, running his fingers over the fine black fabric of the garment. "Real haori are white, aren't they? But even so…"
"Your uniform's common colour between girl and boy students is white, but the colour of a shinigami on duty is black." Genryuusai explained. "Therefore your training haori – as Kyouraku so nicely put it – are black. You must wear them at all times that the squad is considered 'on duty'."
He scooped up two more objects, holding them out.
"These are for your Vice Captains." He added. "A Captain should present his adjutant with their badge of office himself, after all."
"Ryuu-kun's badge, huh." Juushirou eyed the armband pensively, reading the kanji for 'Vice Captain' that was neatly engraved on the band's silver shield. "I guess that makes sense, too."
"Your squad have also all been issued with armbands in their packs." Genryuusai added. "Kyouraku, your squad has maroon with a silver squad kanji, and Ukitake, yours are silver with a maroon squad kanji."
He sighed, then,
"The only other thing for me to do is give you instructions on setting up your squad's camp." He reflected. "This tent is your 'mess hall', and as I have already told you, your contact points are outside – Squad One to the East and Squad Two to the West. Your sleeping quarters are also in those directions and it is up to you to ensure every squad member has correct provision there. You will be fed as a group once a day only – each dawn, breakfast will be served within this tent. Otherwise it will be up to you to organise the collection and distribution of supplies for your squads."
He led them to the door, pushing back the flap and gesturing out across the land beyond.
"Through those trees is a natural spring and lake." He continued. "It is the only source for bathing in the immediate area and must be shared by both squads. There are girls and boys on this mission, and girls and boys' bathing must be separated. Otherwise it is up to you to organise rota and schedule with the help of your Vice Captains. Your three weeks in charge of your companions begins from this point."
He brushed his beard, then,
"I have great faith in your leadership abilities, should you choose to use them." He said gravely. "Take the duty seriously – both of you. You will understand a lot more by the end of this exercise if you do than I will ever teach you in class."
"Sensei, I have a question." Shunsui raised his hand and the old man glanced at him.
"Yes? What is it?"
"Juu and I…we wanted to name our squads, rather than number them. Numbers suggest one ranks higher than the other, and it's sort of, well, boring." Shunsui grinned. "Is it all right if we do that?"
"Name them?" Genryuusai looked taken aback, and Juushirou nodded.
"Katai, meaning Summer Squad, for Shunsui." He agreed. "And Toutai, meaning Winter Squad, for me. It just seemed more personalised that way. Since Shunsui was born in the summer, and I was born in the winter."
Genryuusai let out a low chuckle of amusement.
"If that is your decision as Captains, so be it." He agreed evenly. "Remember, a lot of decisions will be in your hands. Your first proper assignments will be given tomorrow, so you have the rest of today to work with your squad, set up camp and anything else you need to do. I hope you can settle your own questions and problems as time goes on. There will always be someone - either staff or Seniors - on hand for help if you do need it – we don't intend on leaving you out here alone, after all. But the area we have prepared for you is two ri square and covers a lot of land. So the more you can do for yourselves, the quicker you will achieve your goals. All right, that is all. You are dismissed – return to your squads now, please."
"Well, it seems like the old guy's in a good mood now, at the very least."
As they left the tent, Shunsui nudged his companion, speaking in low, muttered tones. "I wonder if he'll be that chirpy once the three weeks are up – it sounds like we're going to have to do a lot of suspiciously work-like stuff in the time that we're here."
"I think it's exciting." Juushirou pursed his lips. "I'm a little apprehensive about this 'Captain' thing – though I'm glad I'll have Ryuu-kun to back me up, since he knows a lot more about all of this than I do. But we're within a safe area and there's no danger. So we should just enjoy it, Shunsui. Whatever happens from this point on."
"I'm not sure, yet, whether Katai and Toutai are meant to be competitive or cooperative squad neighbours." Shunsui looked pensive. "It's a bit of a drag, honestly, being split up like this. Still,"
A mischievous look crossed his features.
"Sensei mentioned separate baths for girls and boys, didn't he? He didn't say anything about separate sleeping quarters – did he?"
"I guess not." Juushirou looked surprised. "I wonder why he didn't."
"I'm thinking because there aren't any." Shunsui's eyes glittered with anticipation, and he gestured out towards the two smaller structures. "Look, Juu. Two tents. One is yours. One is mine. That's the squad's sleeping quarters. Note, the squad. Which means…"
"Girls and boys in together?" Juushirou's eyes widened, and Shunsui clapped his hands together gleefully, nodding his head.
"Exactly." He said frankly. "After all, we're on squad manoeuvre. There's no fancy fittings or privileges here, is there? We're all just squad members working together as we carry out various assignments. Things like separate sleeping quarters are an unnecessary luxury – don't you think so?"
"Shunsui…" Juushirou shot his friend a dark look, and Shunsui laughed.
"I don't know why you're glaring at me." He said innocently. "The same will apply for your tent, won't it? Mitsuki-chan and the others will be at your mercy. Let me see, what other girls are in Toutai? Saitani Chiyoko-san is one, isn't she? She's quite pretty. Well built, too, in the right areas. And…"
"Shunsui, shut up." Juushirou's cheeks flushed pink at this, and Shunsui looked amused, holding up his hands in mock-surrender.
"I'm just saying." He responded calmly. "That you're going to have to think about that as well, as their Captain. It would be remiss of you not to, in fact, think about it. I intend on making that one of my priorities, you know – thinking about the sleeping provision for women in my squad seems to be an urgent item to put to the top of my agenda."
"Sora will thwack you, you know." Juushirou recovered himself, folding his arms across his chest. "And Shikibu-san will probably have plenty to say about it, too. If Sensei intends us to share sleeping quarters then he intends to trust us not to do anything silly about it. You don't want to start the assignment with a sexual harassment warning."
"I'd probably risk it, if Saitani-san was in my squad." Shunsui looked regretful. "I've never had a chance to get to know her at all, being that we're in different classes and Minabe never lets me anywhere near her when we're doing Ouyoudou. The girl really is very…gifted in certain areas. As it is, I suppose I'll have to make do with Sora and Naoko, won't I? You don't know how lucky you are, Juu – such a waste."
"From that, I'd say the lucky one is Saitani-san." Juushirou muttered, but there was amusement in his eyes. "Look, Shunsui. I know you well enough by now and I know when you're playing – so, probably will Sora and Shikibu-san. But you have Nakamura Hanako in your squad too. You've heard Sora and company talk – she complains a lot about every little thing. For God's sake don't do anything that you might regret – because otherwise you'll get yourself into serious trouble."
Shunsui sighed, shrugging his shoulders.
"I know. Don't worry. I'm not as much of a fool as that." He said resignedly. "But really, Juu, all joking aside…you should look on this as an opportunity. You're shamefully inexperienced with women when it comes down to it – considering you're eighteen, it's unforgivable that you've never even shown the slightest bit of interest in the opposite sex. I'm telling you now that you should use this squad task as a chance to learn more about them. You might be pleasantly surprised."
"I'm Captain of Toutai, not the keeper of a brothel." Juushirou said indignantly. "I'm not going to molest, harass or tease the girls in my squad, Shunsui!"
"As I said, shamefully inexperienced." Shunsui let out a long-suffering sigh. "Well, never mind. Don't say I didn't tell you – one day when you're old and…well…I guess you can't get much whiter, but you'll regret it. Just don't blame me when that day comes, all right?"
And with a wink, he disappeared off across the grass, black haori blowing out in the wind as he made his way down towards Katai's tent.
Juushirou watched him go for a moment, then sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Sometimes I wonder just how far you're joking and how far you're serious, Shunsui." He murmured. "Especially when it comes to things like this."
"Ukitake-taichou!"
As he reached the waiting group of seven students, Ryuu stepped forwards, saluting his classmate without even the vaguest hint of a smile on his serious features. As he interpreted the resolution in the slate grey eyes, Juushirou inwardly stifled a sigh, instead offering his Vice Captain a grin.
"All are present and correct, Taichou." Ryuu said, not relaxing his stance for a moment, and Juushirou nodded.
"Good." He said lightly. "Then we should go inside."
"You're supposed to tell us to be at ease, first." Ryuu reminded him, and Juushirou pursed his lips.
"At ease, then." He relented at length, gesturing an arm towards the Toutai tent. "If everyone goes inside, it'll be easier to talk without having to compete against the noises outside. I don't want us to have to shout to make ourselves heard. Ryuu-kun…"
He held out the silver badge, and Ryuu's initial admonition for the informal use of his name died on his lips as he caught sight of the silver shield.
"As Vice Captain, I'm to give you this. Sensei's orders." Juushirou continued softly. "I have to wear the black haori and you have to wear that whenever we're on duty. Which is now, I suppose – so you'd better put it on."
"Yes, sir." Ryuu nodded, obediently doing as he was instructed, and after glancing at him for a moment, Hirata pushed open the flap of the Toutai tent.
"There's paper and ink inside, Taichou." He said softly, and Juushirou could see faint amusement in the quiet boy's pale blue eyes. "Did Sensei say whether or not we would have an assignment right away?"
"Inside, and I'll tell you all." Juushirou suggested, ducking under the flap and stepping to one side as his companions followed him into the smaller tent. As he waited for his squad to settle themselves on the ground, he took a moment to glance around, taking in the meagre appointments that their new living quarters had.
As Shunsui had said, there was no segregation for girls and boys, and despite himself Juushirou found he was somewhat uncomfortable with that fact. His gaze met Mitsuki's at that moment, and she offered him a smile. For some reason that coupled with his line of thought made his discomfort all the greater, and he only just managed a sheepish grin in return.
There was probably enough space for eight people to sleep without being forced to share space or blankets, he told himself firmly, pushing Shunsui's teasing out of his mind as he mentally began to work out the best way to manage their living space. During the day it would be possible to push the blankets back and use the central area for squad meetings – and as Hirata has said, there was ink, paper and a small wooden writing desk. In each corner of the tent stood a kidou lamp of the portable variety, and Juushirou realised that this was as much for use at night as it was during the day, for enough sun came through the fabric of the tent to cast a glow into the chamber.
He turned back to his waiting companions, suddenly self-conscious as he realised they were all looking to him now to take the lead.
He took a deep breath, then grinned.
"I have no idea how a proper Captain would do this." He admitted sheepishly. "And I think everybody probably knows already that I'm Ukitake Juushirou and Sensei's chosen me to be in charge of this Squad. We're not having any proper assignments till tomorrow – so for that reason, I think now is the best time to find out about each other and strengths and weaknesses and so on – so that we can start working out who'd be best at doing what job."
He gestured at Ryuu, and the other boy immediately got to his feet. He was obviously unhampered by any such thing as nerves, Juushirou decided, and inwardly he felt faintly relieved by that fact.
Ryuu-kun really does know more about this than I do, after all. I'll need him to back me up all the way.
"Kuchiki Ryuu-kun is our Vice Captain." He said briefly. "Otherwise everyone should be seated from three to eight."
He paused, then,
"I don't care really what rank someone has." He admitted, and Ryuu stared at him in astonishment and disbelief. "Aside from obvious things like final decisions, I want everyone to consider everyone else team members, not superior and inferior. So I don't want anyone pulling rank on anyone else. If you have an idea or a suggestion, I want you to make it, please. Ryuu-kun and I are your superior officers but we probably don't know everything. We have to make the final choices – but I want any big decisions to be made by Toutai – not by just me alone."
"Toutai?" Kamitani Jun's eyes widened, and Juushirou looked sheepish.
"One thing that has been decided already is the name of our squad." He admitted. "Because nobody wanted us to be Squad One and Squad Two. Shunsui said it seemed more like ranking us #1 and #2 because of our class rankings – so we discussed it and we decided that his squad would be Katai and ours Toutai. Tou is for winter - 'fuyu' – and Sensei has agreed. So from now on, we're to be known as Toutai."
"I wondered about that too, actually." Fujiwara Aki folded his hands pensively in his lap. "About us being #1 and #2. Having names makes a lot more sense."
"Why Toutai, though?" Saitani Chiyoko questioned. "I don't mind, but it seems a bit…random."
"It is, probably." Juushirou agreed. "But Shunsui's squad are the summer squad and we're the winter one."
"Ukitake-kun's birthday is in winter." Hirata added softly. "And Kyouraku-kun's is in summer. That's why."
"Which brings me to something else that I think is important." Juushirou nodded. "And that is the fact that some of us know each other and some of us don't really. Aside from in Ouyoudou class, we don't really mix much as classes, do we? And I know people's names – but I don't know a lot more than that."
He perched on the edge of the writing desk, then,
"I think we should start with introductions." He decided. "And work from there. Sensei said that it was up to Captains to set up our squad camps and organise duties – and I'd like to know who I'm commanding first and foremost. I think it'll be easier to work that way."
He paused, then,
"I was going to start by introducing myself." He said pensively. "But I think…I'm not going to do it that way. Instead, we'll introduce each other. Hirata, you introduce me and so on. Then we'll do the same for Class Four."
"Taichou, I don't mean to be rude, but…why?" Ryuu stared at his classmate in confusion, and Juushirou laughed.
"Because other people's views of you are more interesting and important in a team than how you see yourself." He said frankly. "It's a fun way of doing it, anyhow. Hirata, if you please…just the name and one thing you think is important to tell the group about me. We'll go from there."
Hirata pinkened, but nodded, getting to his feet.
"Ukitake Juushirou-taichou." He murmured. "I think…one thing…well…Ukitake-kun isn't someone who ever gives up. That's all. No matter what happens…he always keeps fighting. So I think he'll be a good Captain for Toutai – because he won't give up."
Juushirou stared at Hirata for a moment, then grinned.
"I think that was a polite way of saying I'm stubborn." He reflected teasingly. "Okay. Ryuu-kun – Hirata?"
"Endou Hirata." Ryuu sighed, but nodded his head. "Even though his family are disgusting barbarians, Hirata is actually quite pleasant company. So we all call him Hirata, not Endou because he's not like the rest of his Clan."
"Kuchiki-kun!" Hirata flushed scarlet, and Juushirou inwardly winced.
Least said, soonest mended, however. On to the next.
"Edogawa-san?"
Mitsuki scrambled to her feet, eying Ryuu doubtfully for a moment. Then,
"Kuchiki Ryuu-fukutaichou." She said softly. "Ryuu-kun is always honest, no matter what the situation. And he's also very good at sword skills and Kidou"
"Of course. I'm a Kuchiki." Ryuu cast her a glance, and Mitsuki smiled.
"Edogawa Mitsuki-san." Juushirou said hurriedly. "Edogawa-san is one of the kindest people in Class Three – and very gifted with herbal remedies for wounds and fevers. That might prove to be an important thing, Edogawa-san." He added, glancing at Mitsuki. "That your chief responsibility in Toutai might be to take care of any scrapes and bruises anyone gets during our assignment."
"I don't mind." Mitsuki assured him, her cheeks pinkening. "It would be my pleasure, Taichou."
"Right. Then on to Class Four." Juushirou's gaze rested on Kamitani. "From you, and round?"
"All right." Kamitani nodded his head, indicating his neighbour – the nervous Kira Hideharu.
"Kira Hideharu-kun." He said clearly. "Kira-kun is the quickest note-taker in Class Four. He writes reams and reams in every class and always seems to know what bit is what when you ask to borrow his notes – so I suggest he should have a task involving records."
"If we have to keep a log on our assignments, Kira-kun, would you be happy to take that job?" Juushirou asked, and Kira nodded his head eagerly.
"Yes, please. I'm not as powerful as some of the others and I'm not so confident in a battle situation. But I am quick at writing notes – and I'm always getting praised by Sensei for my neat assignments."
"Then that's good." Juushirou nodded. "Next…?"
"Oh. Right." Kira reddened, then, "Saitani Chiyoko-san. Saitani-san is the top ranked person in our class in Hohou, and she's always helpful in explaining complicated things from textbooks. She's Yamamoto-ke and her mother is Uebashi-sensei's younger sister, so she's read a lot of important books on Hohou and other stuff."
"You're good at Hohou, Saitani-san?" Juushirou cast her a glance, and the girl nodded.
"Yes, but I'm not very good with an asauchi or with Kidou." She said ruefully. "And my tactical awareness is – well, Sensei calls it average to potentially good, whatever that means. It's no good being good in just one area because my other grades drag my ranking down. I'm just quite fast, that's all – and I understand it all quite clearly."
"That speed might be useful, though." Juushirou assured her. "If we're a team, we all have strengths."
"Can you use shunpo, Saitani-san?" Mitsuki asked softly, and Chiyoko flushed.
"I started learning a little in the holidays from my mother." She admitted. "But I've only got the basics yet."
"Shunpo? Really?" Kira's eyes almost fell out of his head, and Juushirou pursed his lips.
"You were thinking about Shunsui and his shunpo, weren't you, Edogawa-san?" He asked, and Mitsuki nodded.
"If we have someone who can already do that too, then that's a positive." She agreed.
"Kyouraku-kun can shunpo, too?" Kira was beside himself, and Juushirou chuckled.
"He calls it a bastard form of it, but yes, he can." He agreed. "If we are going to be in competition with Katai, it's worth knowing now that Shunsui's not top of the class for nothing. And if he worked harder, he would be top by a lot more marks. That's a good thought, Edogawa-san. Saitani-san – we may be relying on you for speed. Hirata, you too," He added.
"Me?" Hirata was taken aback, and Juushirou nodded.
"But I can't shunpo!"
"Not yet, but you are quick and you are discreet." Juushirou grinned. "But we'll come to that later. Thank you, Kira-kun. Saitani-san?"
"Fujiwara Aki." Chiyoko grinned, sending Aki a sidelong glance. "Aki-kun is a practical joker, Ukitake-taichou. Which is a good thing if you need to be cheered up, or a good reason to beat him silly with an asauchi sheath if you don't."
"Hey!" Aki objected, and Chiyoko shrugged.
"Taichou said to give something that was true. That's true. Nobody in Class Four would dispute it." She said calmly.
"Fine." Aki pulled a graphic face, then, "Kamitani Jun-kun. Kami-kun is our Class's strategic genius in the Sakusen department. I guess that's because he's Urahara – he seems to know a lot of stuff, anyhow, without being the kind of person who always shows it off."
"Then that's everyone." Juushirou settled himself more comfortably on his perch. "Right. Sensei said that everyone had a coloured arm-band in their pack, which signifies us as a squad. Put them on, please. From now on we're properly and fully on duty, I suppose. And we need to start working out important things about the next three weeks."
He gestured around him.
"This is our living area." He added. "That means sleeping, meeting – and maybe eating. We're only going to be fed by them at dawn each morning in the communal mess hall with the members of Katai. Otherwise we have to take supplies and act for ourselves. I think we can use fire and whatever else to cook food and so on – but we'll have to ask about the rules for that once we've worked out other things. The main thing is that…everyone is going to be sleeping…in here."
"Everyone?" Chiyoko's eyes widened, and Juushirou nodded his head.
"Yes. Everyone."
"Girls and boys together?" Aki pursed his lips. "I think that's a great idea."
"You would." Chiyoko glared at him, and Juushirou was faintly reminded of Shunsui's bantering rapport with the cheeky Sora.
"Just because we're sharing quarters doesn't mean that we're going to sleep girl-boy-girl-boy." He said firmly now. "I think that it should be all right for Edogawa-san and Saitani-san to have their blankets in one corner, and the rest of us use the rest of the space without causing too much discomfort. And of course, no boys will be inside Toutai's tent when the girls are changing or vice versa. That's my first rule as Captain. I'm not going to get into trouble for putting anyone in an awkward situation."
"Thank you, Ukitake-taichou." Chiyoko looked relieved. "It's not so much most of the guys I mind, but if Aki's sleeping anywhere near me, I know I'll be missing my blanket by the time morning comes."
"I'm not that blatant." Aki shook his head. "I have my limits, you know – blanket-thieving isn't my style."
More like Shunsui's style. Maybe I am glad he's not in my squad after all.
Juushirou sighed, then,
"Either way, we'll work it out. That way Edogawa-san and Saitani-san won't be inconvenienced too much."
"Taichou, I have a question." Ryuu's hand shot up, and Juushirou cast him a surprised look.
"Yes? What's up?"
"Should you be calling Mitsuki and Saitani '~san' when you're their superior officer? Surely Edogawa and Saitani would suffice?"
"I…" Juushirou faltered, pursing his lips.
"It's all right with me, Ukitake-taichou." Mitsuki assured him quickly. "If we're on duty, I don't mind if you call me Edogawa."
"Me either. Saitani is fine." Chiyoko shrugged. "Probably Kuchiki-fukutaichou is right, anyhow. We're supposed to be role-playing squad here, after all."
"I suppose so." Juushirou said ruefully. "All right. Either way, that's how the sleeping situation works out. In terms of bathing, there's a spring and a lake not far from here. Sensei showed Shunsui and I both where it was. That being the case…now what is it, Ryuu-kun?"
"Kuchiki." Ryuu said pointedly. "And surely Kyouraku-taichou is Kyouraku-taichou at the present time."
Juushirou eyed Ryuu resignedly, then,
"Sensei showed Shunsui and I both where it was." He said quietly. "Before we were on duty as Captains. Anyhow, bathing there is by rota. Girls and boys at separate times. I'm going to suggest that a rota is put up in the mess hall tent, though – for both squads to slot themselves into and keep to. Because there are girls and boys in both squads, after all."
"More guys than girls, Taichou." Aki pointed out, and Juushirou nodded.
"Yes. And Minato-san's absence means there are only five girls altogether." He agreed. "But Sensei's said that's how it should be – so that's how it'll be."
He frowned.
"Kira has agreed to be our log-keeper, and I expect we're going to need that from tomorrow." He added. "And Edogawa is our healer – so if anyone has cuts or bruises, she's responsible for taking care of them. Hopefully there won't be anything more serious, but in that case we'd have to report to Sensei. Kuchiki is Vice Captain, so when I'm not here, his orders should be followed, of course – and if neither of us are here, I suppose that falls to you, Hirata. Since you're third seat – if you don't mind."
"I hope it won't come to that." Hirata said fervently.
"Saitani, if I make you officially our message runner, with Hirata as well, would that work?" Juushirou suggested. "And then that would leave Fujiwara and Kamitani to be involved in supplies and making sure that that side of things goes smoothly."
"Is it wise to let Fujiwara near food and water?" Kamitani looked wary, and Aki snorted.
"I have to eat it too, remember." He pointed out.
"It's quite okay." Juushirou nodded, meeting Aki's gaze with a warm one of his own. "Fujiwara isn't going to play practical jokes on our food. Are you, Fujiwara?"
"Of course not."
"Good. Then I'll take that as a promise in bond." Juushirou's smile widened slightly. "Everyone here has heard it, so there shouldn't be any problem."
"What if he breaks his word, Taichou?" Chiyoko asked, and Juushirou shook his head.
"Discipline is a Captain and Vice Captain's responsibility." He said lightly. "Don't worry, Saitani. I don't think that he'll do that."
He turned back to the main group.
"Jobs may change or be flexible depending on the situation at the time." He added. "But for the time being, at least it's a rough plan to work with. We'll see, tomorrow, what we're going to be asked to do. For now I think…we should work out best who's going to sleep where. And then…then I'll want Kamitani and Fujiwara to go to the mess hall and find out what's to be done about our supplies this evening. R…Kuchiki, I'll trust you to find out from Sensei what we're allowed to do regarding fire and so on. And…Kira, when we're done here, you can go speak to Sensei about setting up a bath rota. You're thorough and pay attention to detail, so I know you'll relay everything accurately."
"Yes, Taichou!" Kira nodded his head, and Juushirou could see the pride in the boy's blue eyes at having been so quickly given responsibility. Despite himself he smiled.
He's nervous and jumpy and far too skittish for battle sometimes. Because of that, he ranks bottom in our year – but he doesn't let it get him down and his classmates seem to like him regardless. I suppose I understand the reasons why. Hiro and Chi have always said good things about him, too.
He's not a bad person, nor stupid – he's honest and fair about his own flaws and not at all conceited when he does something well. Even if he's not high ranking in class lists, I can see that he's going to be a helpful addition to Toutai. Especially if his noting skills are as good as Kamitani said they are.
"All right then." He said out loud. "If that's settled - let's begin."
"I can't believe Sensei expects us to sleep co-ed."
Across the field, in Katai's tent, discussions about the sleeping arrangements were also underway. From his position, cross-legged in the entrance of the tent, Shunsui cast his companions an amused grin, taking in the tension in Naoko's slender frame as she made her objection.
"It's all very well saying that it's a squad manoeuvre or whatever your reasoning is, Kyouraku-kun - but the fact of the matter is that girls and boys sleeping in the same tent together is inappropriate on all levels."
"And you don't trust me as Captain to arrange that in a way to best suit everyone? Naoko-chan, I'm hurt." Shunsui adopted a mock-wounded expression, and Naoko snorted.
"That's the worst part of it." She snapped back. "You being Captain means that it's an even bigger problem. If you're in charge of this tent and you're in charge of us, then we're all in serious trouble."
"Trouble?" Hanako cast her companion a startled look. "What do you mean, Shikibu-san? Why trouble?"
"Aside from the fact Kyouraku Shunsui is probably the biggest pervert in our year?" Naoko demanded, and Shunsui let out a chuckle at Hanako's expression of growing horror.
"Now now, Naoko-chan. That's not a very respectful way to talk about your Captain." He said lightly.
"Well, there are a lot of things I could say about you being our Captain, so be glad I left it at that." Naoko snapped. "Ever since the first year, you've used every opportunity you could to flirt with and tease the girls in our class. Me in particular, but Mitsuki as well. You only leave Sora alone because she's almost your sister - otherwise you'd probably torment her, too. And I'm not bothered about sharing a tent with people like Houjou-kun and Shihouin-kun - since they might be idiot boys but at least they have a sense of honour where women are concerned. But you...are a totally different matter. And I don't think sharing a sleeping area with you is particularly safe!"
"Kyouraku." Iwai Kenji's eyes widened, and he glanced from the annoyed Naoko to the amused Shunsui in surprise. "Is that serious?"
"Nothing much about Shunsui is serious." Sora sighed, sending the irreverent Captain a glare. "But it's okay, Naoko. If this is Sensei's order, we have to put up with it. But Captain or not, I'll thwack him myself if he dares even think any lewd thoughts in the three weeks we're here."
"Three weeks." Naoko groaned, burying her head in her hands. "I'm not going to sleep a wink in the whole of that time, Sora-chan. It's fine for you - he doesn't deal with you in the same way he does us."
"Hey, that's a bit rough, Shikibu." Enishi objected, a grin touching his lips. "Sure, Kyouraku teases you - he teases everyone at some point or other, though. And even though he says stuff - it's not like he's groped you or anything like that, is it?"
"That's not the point." Naoko glared at him. "You shut up. You don't know anything about girls so don't think you understand about this, Houjou-kun."
"Houjou's right, though." Kai put in, as Enishi's cheeks flushed with colour at the put-down. "Kyouraku teases people, but he's not dishonourable. He's not going to assault anyone in their sleep - and you're overreacting."
He pursed his lips.
"Besides, Shikibu, this is just from my personal standpoint but...you're thinking of yourself a bit highly in all of this. No offence, but...there needs to be something to grope first, if you get my meaning."
"Shihouin!" As Naoko flushed bright scarlet, Sora let out an exclamation of dismay, and Shunsui bit his lip, trying not to laugh at the look of outrage that crossed the young girl's face.
"Kai-kun, that was a tad harsh." He chided, and Kai shrugged.
"I know it was." He said frankly. "But considering all the hysterical yelling that she's been doing since the subject was raised, I figured it was time someone shut her up."
He eyed Naoko for a moment, then,
"I'm pulling rank and telling you to pipe down." He added. "You're giving me a headache."
"Shihouin..." Naoko's eyes narrowed, and Kai frowned.
"Kyouraku's not going to molest anyone. He's not that kind of person, even if he does tease." He said quietly. "And I'm not the kind of Vice Captain that allows a lower seated officer to shout unfounded abuse at her Captain just because she got up on the wrong side of bed this morning. Maybe you'd have been happier in Ukitake's squad - maybe we'd have been happier too, if you'd been there. But you have far too high an opinion of yourself if you think that anyone is going to lose their self-control and mindlessly assault you in their sleep. You're pretty enough. But there are prettier. And we all have plenty of self control. We're not kids, after all."
"Ooouch." Atsudane Makoto, the final member of the Katai squad winced, shaking his head slowly.
"Shihouin..." Enishi eyed him for a moment, and Kai spread his hands.
"You can't tell me that you're not sick of her shooting her mouth off?" He demanded. "This is a squad exercise. It's not about pampered princesses putting themselves on pedestals. We're meant to work as a team. Let's start it by working as a team, huh? At least wait till something happens before you start shouting about it. Right?"
"Kai, enough." Shunsui held up a hand at this point, his gaze flitting from the infuriated Naoko to the irritated Shihouin, and then he sighed.
"I'm sorry you have such a negative view of me, Naoko-chan." He said lightly. "But you have my word that I don't intend to molest you - or anyone else - in my sleep or in yours. We're sharing a tent because Sensei ordered it - not because I asked for it. So if you have a complaint, you'd better go raise it with him and not with me."
His gaze flitted to the other members of the group, then,
"Kai's right about one thing. This whole thing is meant to be a team exercise." He added. "So let's try not to kill each other before we begin, okay?"
Naoko's lips thinned, and she folded her arms across her chest in dissatisfaction, but she did not raise any further complaints, and Shunsui nodded.
"I didn't ask to be a Captain, either." He added. "So you people did draw the short straw in that regard. Juushirou's far better at this leadership thing than I am. But that's just the way it is, so for the time being I'm going to play along. After all, if it winds up as a competition, I don't think he'd forgive me if we took it easy against his squad. He has a habit of taking stuff like that quite seriously, after all."
He glanced at Kai.
"Most of all, though, we're here to have fun." He concluded. "Not to scream at each other. And to at least try to work together. I don't really mind if I fail the assignment - it doesn't really bother me if I'm top of the class or if I'm not. But I don't want to drag anyone else's grades into the mud, so I'm going to do my best with this and see how it works out. Sensei said we'd be graded on that kind of stuff - working together and all of those things. So even if some of you hate the sight of me,"
His gaze rested briefly on Naoko,
"For the time being, let's at least bury it and pretend to get along."
He sat back on his heels, a pensive expression touching his lips.
"We have the slight advantage, as well." He mused. "Strategically speaking."
"What does that mean?" Sora looked confused, and Shunsui offered her a lazy smile.
"Our position is better than Toutai's." He said off-handedly. "Surely you noticed, coming across here?"
"Noticed what?" Enishi blinked, and Shunsui laughed.
"Maybe I was the only one, then." He reflected. "Oh well. No matter."
He leant back, pushing open the flap of the tent and gesturing outside. "Look now. Out there. What do you see?"
"Fields and trees." Iwai shuffled forwards. "What's so great about that? It's just the land that's covered by Kazoe-sensei's barrier."
"Yeah. Exactly." Shunsui nodded. "We have a clear view of it - all of it - or very nearly. The mountains probably mark the furthest edge, and between here and there the tracks are quite easy to navigate, if I remember right. There's nothing blocking our view, though - if anything was to attack our position, we'd see it coming a mile off."
Atsudane's eyes widened.
"You're thinking of it as a fort already?" He demanded, and Shunsui shrugged, letting the flap fall back.
"I don't know, yet, what we're going to be called on to do." He admitted. "But it seems to me that a clear view and an easy passage down into the land below is an advantage. Toutai are on the far side of the field. The mess tent blocks their view at least partially, and to reach the easiest path they have to pass us by - which would allow us to keep tabs on their movements too, if we needed to. They could take the path on their own side, of course - but the ground is far less even there. So all in all, we have an advantage."
"Shunsui..." Sora sighed heavily, shaking her head, and Shunsui stared at her in surprise.
"Hm? What's up now, Sora-chan?"
"Nothing." Sora spread her hands. "Just, sometimes you're the world's biggest clown. And then you say stuff like that and the rest of us look like complete idiots for not having spotted it, even though no normal person would even have been looking."
"But I know this land a little, and so does Juu." Shunsui said comfortably. "When we had our adventure with the Hollow last summer, it wasn't far from here. And I took this route through when I was trying to track Megumi's reiatsu - so I know that the paths are like that. I also know, I think, where the spring and lake are that Sensei intends us to use for bathing."
"I know the land a little, too." Enishi admitted. "But only from coming through it by carriage. My family's land is a fair way from here, but we ride through it on my way home."
He grinned.
"Kyouraku's right about the lie of it." He added. "Now he's said it, I can see his point. We are better placed than Toutai."
"Ukitake will realise that quickly too, though, I would have thought." Kai looked thoughtful. "And we don't know, yet, if we're working with them or against."
"No. But it's best to have all options clearly visible from the start." Shunsui said casually. "Which means I suppose that we ought to get down to business in one way or another."
He got to his feet, gazing around the tent space pensively. Then,
"Atsudane, will you go to the mess tent and ask Sensei if we can have two more blankets, please?" He said softly, and Atsudane scrambled to his feet.
"More blankets? But we have one each - why two more?"
Shunsui gestured to the roof of the tent, which was supported at three points across with thin slats of wood.
"If we attached them to that back beam, they'd hang down and make a screen." He said simply. "And that way, at night, the girls would have privacy."
"Shunsui!" Sora's eyes opened wide, and Shunsui shrugged.
"I obviously don't have the trust of the women on my squad to behave decently." He said categorically. "So if that's the case, I'll have to work extra hard to gain it. Atsudane? If you please?"
"Yes, sir." Atsudane grinned, bowing his head and then scuttling out of the tent.
"Naoko-chan, since you're so concerned about your feminine privacy, you might as well go too. Go see about the bathing rota - if a girl settles it, then nobody can accuse me of anything. Right?"
"I..." Naoko flushed red, getting awkwardly to her feet, but Shunsui merely offered her a wide grin, gesturing to the tent flap once more. Naoko bit her lip, but said nothing, disappearing after her squad mate, and Shunsui nodded.
"I'm not an organised person." He said frankly. "And I won't have the master plans that Juu probably already has for organising his squad. We're going to need to deal with water and other supplies - does anyone want to take responsibility for that?"
"I'll do it, Kyouraku." Enishi raised his hand. "It's practical work, after all - lugging supplies and things like that should be done by someone physically strong, and I'm not going to be any use at writing reports or whatever that paper and ink is for."
"I'll do any writing that needs doing." Iwai volunteered. "I don't mind."
"Then that's settled." Shunsui offered him a grateful smile. "Kai's Vice Captain, so he already has a job, and Sora-chan, since you have a habit of knowing everything before anyone else, you seem the best person to be in charge of our communications. You're third seat, after all - that seems to fit."
"You could've said that in a much nicer way." Sora protested. "But it's fine. I'll do it."
"Which leaves Atsudane, Naoko-chan and Nakamura-san." Shunsui pursed his lips. "Naoko's an Unohana, so whether she likes it or not, she's going to take charge of any medical situations we have to deal with. Toutai have Mitsuki-chan, so we ought to have someone in the same field. Enishi, do you want someone to help you with the supplies? It might prove a big job, after all."
"I'll take Atsudane." Enishi said frankly, and Hanako's expression became indignant.
"What's wrong with me? I outrank him, you know!" She objected, and Enishi looked taken aback.
"I didn't mean it...I was just...the stuff might be heavy, and..."
"Nakamura-san, what would you like to do?" Shunsui asked lightly, and Hanako faltered in mid-complaint, eying him uncertaintly.
"Well...I don't know. I don't know what else there is for me to do, since everything seems to be settled already."
"Well, if we've two for supplies, that's plenty." Kai reflected. "Nakamura could help Sora, though - we might need more than one person running messages and collecting information. Right?"
"Nakamura-san is quite fast. And she does remember stuff in exceptionally small detail." Iwai looked rueful, even as Shunsui saw Sora's face fall. "I think that's a good idea, Kyouraku. She'd be good at that."
"Nakamura-san? Is that all right with you?" Shunsui asked, and Hanako frowned, slowly nodding her head.
"I suppose so."
"Then I guess that's settled." Shunsui grinned. "Oh, one other thing..."
He touched his haori, then,
"So long as Juu and I are wearing these, and Kai and Ryuu have their insignia and so on - we're meant to consider ourselves on duty. I don't know if we'll be marked down for it, but if we're out of this tent - try and remember to call us Taichou and Fukutaichou...? I don't mind, if it's just us in here. I don't really like the honorific anyway. But I know that it might reflect badly, otherwise. And I don't want anyone to get into trouble because I like informality."
He sighed heavily, then,
"I guess that's all I have to say right now." He admitted. "Kai-kun? Anything you want to add?"
"Not really." Kai shook his head. "Till we know what assignments we have, we can't do anything else really except set up in here and wait for nightfall. I guess there won't be any supplies for us to play with till then?"
"Didn't seem that way to me, when I left the main tent." Shunsui shook his head, looking faintly sheepish. "But it's a point. Enishi-kun - at dusk, I'm relying on you and Atsudane to head out there and see what's what. We'll want to eat tonight - and if we're allowed to set a fire, we need to know where and all of those things."
"How would we light it?" Hanako demanded, even as Enishi nodded his head, and at the question Sora snorted.
"Kidou, of course. Kidou." She said bluntly. "Shakkahou - right, Shu...Taichou?"
"That depends on whether we're allowed to." Shunsui said comfortably. "Though it would be easier, if we could."
He flexed his fingers.
"I guess we'll see. If we're allowed to, I'll take responsibility for lighting the fire. If not, Kai-kun, I'm delegating it to you."
"To me?" Kai looked startled. "Why?"
"You Shihouin train out of doors, right?" Shunsui pointed out. "You must know how to start a fire much more effectively than me."
"Maybe." Kai grimaced. "All right. Fine."
"Don't you mean 'Yes, Taichou?" Shunsui teased, and Kai returned the grin with a rueful one of his own, picking up his asauchi and bopping his classmate once on the head with the sheath.
"Yes, Taichou." He said frankly. "Whatever you say."
"Assaulting a senior officer is a serious offence, you know, Shihouin-fukutaichou." Shunsui informed him sweetly, and Kai shrugged.
"I'll take the risk that you know if you discipline me you'll have nobody to delegate to." He said cheerfully, putting his sword away. "In the meantime, we're setting up in here, right? Then I'll show everyone how best to do that for this kind of camp - with your permission, of course, Taichou-sama."
He bowed his head, thick tail of violet hair falling over his shoulder, and Shunsui laughed.
"With pleasure, Fukutaichou-kun." He bantered back. "Don't forget that the back is going to be our hime's domain, either. At least I'm going to start on irreproachable moral ground - wherever the next three weeks might lead me!"
Author's Note:
Sorry for the late/haphazard review replies - have been in London till this morning and am just catching up!
And...Kai has finally come into his own. I don't know how people will react to him in this chapter, but it's been coming little by little since the start - this blunt, no-nonsense Shihouin-ness of his. I really am fond of Kai, but I guess we'll see if other people feel the same...
