Chapter Nine: Rebellion
"Misashi-sama, the Lord will see you now."
As the retainer bowed low before him, Misashi cast him a faint smile, inclining his own head slightly to acknowledge the instruction.
"Thank you. I trust my Father is well and in a good temper?"
"Yes, sir. He is pleased you have arrived promptly to his summons." The retainer raised his head, looking surprised, and Misashi nodded his head.
"Then I won't spoil it by keeping him waiting." He said simply. "Thank you, you are dismissed now to your other duties."
"Yes, sir."
Respectfully the retainer bowed again, and Misashi sighed, clicking his tongue faintly against his teeth as he made his way along the long corridor towards the big study which Shouichi called his own.
Since his mother's death, he mused, there had been an uneasy impasse – a stalemate that those around them had liked to call a gesture of peace. That he had been recalled to the Endou administration had been unexpected and not unwelcome, he knew – but then, he had not been Shouichi's only surviving son for nothing. He knew his Father – far better than any of those who speculated outside of the District he knew the way the old man's mind worked. And for that reason, ever since Yayoi's tragic demise, he had done everything in his power to be seen to tow the line.
Selling my loyalty and my ethics are small prices to pay, if it means my wife and children are unmolested, after all. And if distancing myself from Hirata keeps him safe too – then no matter what penance it means I face later, I'll do it without hesitation.
He reached the big wood-carved door, hesitating for a moment, and then reaching up to knock on it. Whilst his brother had been heir, and now too, during Seimaru's time, he had often invaded the smaller study that lay to the left, feeling that with Yayoi in the shadows watching over him he could at least dare to face the next in line and voice his true opinions. But with his father, he knew, things had to be done more carefully. Shouichi was, after all, different.
As the gruff voice called him in, he carefully swung back the heavy divide, stepping over the threshold and prostrating himself on the mottled floor tiles that spelt out the motto of the family that had built its dynasty on so many people's flowing blood.
Shouichi got to his feet, and though Misashi had not raised his head, he could feel the man's every movement and hear his every footfall as he drew closer.
There was the feel of a hand on his shoulder, and then, a voice.
"Stand before me, Misashi. I wish to speak to you, not see you grovel at my feet."
"Yes, sir." Misashi obediently pulled himself upright, keeping a respectful distance from the older man as he did so. "I came as soon as I received your message."
"Yes, so you did." Shouichi's eyes narrowed, and for a moment he eyed his youngest son with a pensive, half-critical look. Then he sighed, shaking his head as if to clear it.
"You have always spoken in such nice, pretty tones when faced with me directly." He said quietly. "I never have known your thoughts and I never will, will I? You are, indeed, that cursed thing – a kinsman whose loyalty is locked and whose opinions are never known until they ignite a war."
"A war, sir?" Misashi blinked, then he shook his head.
"The last thing I want is a war, sir." He said gravely, his pale eyes becoming clouded as he bowed his head once more before his companion. "If such a thing happened, my family would no doubt suffer. The people of our District would suffer. The Endou-ke's name and honour would suffer…Mother would not have sanctioned such a thing, and so, nor do I."
"Ah. Your mother." Shouichi's words were heavy, and Misashi nodded.
"Her last wish for me was that I work with you, and I will do so, Otousama." He said quietly. "Regardless of the past, that is my resolve. There is no rebellion in this heart. I am content to work as you see fit – and play my part in the administration of my family's government just as you command me."
"You know, maybe I become an old fool." Shouichi dropped back down into his seat, letting out a sigh. "But I almost feel I believe you. Not that you'd do it for my sake, for I know that you detest me as much as I have always disdained you. But that you'd do it for Yayoi's sake – yes, I believe that you would. She was the only one who could keep you in hand, after all – and even now she's gone, her strings are tight around you."
"My loyalty is under question, my Lord?" Misashi asked softly, and Shouichi shook his head.
"I have no reason, yet, to doubt it." He acknowledged. "You are not a fool, even if you do vex me often…and your conduct has of late been suitable and acceptable. Many have commented on it – even so far afield as the Council of Elders – and I trust it will continue. That you won't forget your late Mother's wishes, and renege on the agreement set out on her death?"
"I will not." Misashi said firmly. "An oath sworn by an Endou in such a way should and will be upheld. Like you, Father, I am a man of my word. It is the one trait Okaasama said I had inherited from you…that we are both men of honour, who do not go back on decisions made. You may take it as you see fit, but I give my word once again that so long as you live, sir, I will not provide contest to your position in this Clan."
"Then it is well that I speak to you." Shouichi seemed relieved. "Since I must, and soon, about the subject of Eiraki."
"Eiraki?" Misashi was taken aback, alarm flickering into his expression at the mention of his young daughter. "I don't understand – has she done something to cause you offence, Otousama?"
"On the contrary. I find her quite becoming for her young age." Shouichi shook his head. "She is pretty and she has manners, and does not seek to involve herself in politics. Her manner is suitably retiring and timid for the tastes of many men in the society in which we live. To have a daughter is not always a blessing, but to have one with the right temperament and assets can become one, if it is handled carefully. Tell me, Misashi…Eiraki is now of what age, precisely?"
"Almost fourteen." Misashi murmured. "But…Otousama…are you suggesting…?"
"Fourteen." Shouichi nodded his head. "A good age, then, to begin negotiations for a future marriage contract. Do you not agree?"
"I…I confess I had not…thought much on it." Misashi faltered, and Shouichi's eyes narrowed.
"You should think of such things. Had I had a daughter, I would have done…had Seimaru a sister, we would all be much further blessed." He snapped. "But such things are not always at the Gods' pleasure. As it stands, there is only Eiraki – yet her blood descent from me must make her desirable a match in some quarters. And beyond that…"
"Beyond…that?"
"I assume, Misashi, that since your son remains an exile in District One, you do not expect me to consider him as the heir to your land and title?"
"I…"
"You had not thought of that, either?" Shouichi's eyes narrowed, and in that instant, Misashi knew that his father was testing him. He shook his head.
"I've not seen or heard from my son since he decided to remain at the Academy." He said evenly. "It is as you say. Hirata has chosen a path away from the Endou Clan."
"Then you accept that your land will settle on Eiraki, when you are no longer here?"
"I suppose, when put like that…" Misashi faltered, and Shouichi nodded.
"An adequate dowry, then, for an Endou princess." He said, satisfied.
"Yes, but Father…"
"I am not ignorant of your involvement in the dissolution of Seimaru's engagement." Shouichi's eyes hardened. "Seimaru has told me…that you had a hand in the girl's escape from District Seven."
"I was never under the impression that Midori-sama was a prisoner of our Clan, Father." Now Misashi knew where he was, and he offered the old man a faint smile. "Equally, it was my belief she left of her own free will. I had no power or influence to let her leave – her accommodation and servants were all handled by Seimaru's retainers and accounts…not mine. Until recently, Otousama, I had no political position at all. And I was in favour of Seimaru marrying. I do not understand why he blames me…I think she would have made him a very good wife."
Shouichi eyed him carefully for a moment, and Misashi met his father's gaze stoically, knowing that to glance away even for a second would be to the old man a clear indication of guilt.
There was another long silence, then Shouichi spread his hands.
"The alliance, as it stands, would have proven a foolish one." He admitted at length. "I do not know whether Seimaru tells me the truth, or if you do. But Midori proved to be an unsuitable consort for an Endou heir…as she has recently proven by changing her family's stance to favour the lower born that Genryuusai-sama thinks so highly of."
Misashi said nothing, and Shouichi continued.
"You have heard nothing from Hirata?"
"No, sir. Not once." Misashi shook his head. "I have received one communication from Genryuusai-sama only – just to inform me that my son had given his Endou pendant of his own free will for confiscation and had elected to remain in District One as a student at the Academy. I have not heard from the boy, nor have I tried to contact him. Mother said I was always too soft on him – now I must be nothing but hard. After all…after all, even if he enjoys his training there…"
"His loyalty to the Clan should come first." Shouichi nodded. "Yes. In that you are like your mother. In that, Misashi, I can believe."
He sighed.
"Hirata is a feeble boy, in any case. I defy even Genryuusai-sama to make a man out of such a snivelling wretch, so this causes me no distress." He said at length. "Eiraki is far more promising to our future and I am sure I can settle her an influential marriage with a Clansman of high birth. This will, of course, be my decision – do not expect me to consult you before making such arrangements."
Misashi was silent for a moment, then,
"My prime concern is the safety of my kin." He said levelly. "Not my advancement in politics. I want no particular favour or position of influence in your government, Father. I do not expect that kind of kindness given our past. I only ask that Sumire and Eiraki are protected and safe from harm. So long as that is the case, I will not raise any arguments."
"Meaning, I suppose, that you see Eiraki becoming engaged as a threat?"
"If my daughter does not object, Otousama, I will have no reason to object." Misashi said softly. "But I would beg you to speak to her, if not to me. She is young, and she has no right to speak against you. But even so, I would ask you…to speak to Eiraki before deciding for her her whole future."
Shouichi's expression twitched into an unpleasant smile.
"Very well." He said softly. "I will speak to Eiraki. But I think you will find her willing to submit. She is, after all, the kind who obeys. Not the kind who commands."
He got to his feet.
"I have prisoners to interrogate, and traitors to sentence." He added. "I trust that if you had no part in Midori's departure, that means I can assume you aren't concealing Urahara scientists from me?"
"I am not." Misashi shook his head. "I have never had any interest in those experiments, Father. If you suspect anyone of concealing those men – you are asking the wrong kinsman."
"Meaning?" Shouichi eyed him sharply, and Misashi shook his head.
"I know nothing about it." He said truthfully. "If I did, I would tell you. I have no affiliation with those people. Their future is nothing to do with me."
"There is one in particular." Shouichi said slowly. "A man who came here as a boy…a man who Seimaru worked with up until last summer. Then he disappeared, and nobody has seen him since. A man by the name of Aizen Keitarou – or, perhaps, Urahara Keitarou. Do you know that name, Misashi? In any vein at all, do you know of him?"
"I know that he was Seimaru's scientist, and that he worked here last summer." Misashi said frankly. "I don't believe I met him more than in passing, and I wouldn't know him again. All Urahara look the same to me."
"This one does not." Shouichi shook his head. "He has some latent gene from some other Clan and his hair is brown, not blond. I wish him in my custody, because there are many, many things I need to ask him. Things that the Endou-ke should record for themselves before dispensing with the loose ends completely. There were many projects he worked on. I wish to have his notes and data before I deal with him."
"I would think, then, that offering him his life may make him willing to talk." Misashi murmured, and Shouichi shook his head.
"I do not trust him." He owned. "He is smart and he was useful. But on his own, he is not safe. He is dangerous with the knowledge he has. Not only about the experiments but also about our family. I promised your Mother to deal with these loose ends. I will deal with them. And him in particular. If you hear anything, report it to me at once."
"Yes, sir." Misashi inclined his head. "I'll do so. As I said, I have no allegiance to any exiled Urahara."
"In that, at least, I think I can trust you." Shouichi sighed. "Very well. That is all, Misashi. You are dismissed."
"Yes, Father." Misashi bowed his head once more, then withdrew, closing the door softly behind him.
"Are you polishing Grandfather's sandals with your tongue again, Ojisama?"
Seimaru's voice caused him to stop in his tracks, turning to face the speaker with an impassive expression on his face.
"Father was asking me about the missing Urahara scientists." He said coolly. "But since I know nothing, I could not help."
"Urahara?"
Was it imagination, or had the briefest flash of consternation crossed Seimaru's expression at that point? Misashi's brow furrowed thoughtfully, and he nodded.
"It seems that he's quite interested in locating the man who used to work for you. Aizen…was it?" He agreed. "But he's not worked for this family in a year – so I suppose he's probably long gone by now."
"I imagine so, considering the way the labs have been sealed up." Seimaru snapped, stalking towards his companion and shoving him aside. "Get out of my way. You might think you're back in his favour, but you'll never be in mine. And this won't stay like this forever, you know. You still have no rank and no say. And you will never take control of this Clan."
"I have no intention of doing so." Misashi steadied himself, sending his nephew an ice-cold smile. "I have sworn allegiance to Father and have been accepted back into his administration. I am not a rebel, Seimaru. I seek only a quiet life…for Mother's sake and for my own, I will do as I am bidden."
"Then acknowledge me as Grandfather's heir!"
"I do and I have." Misashi said lightly. "It was Mother's wish, therefore it is my wish. And I will happily serve under you, just as I serve under Father…if and when that time comes."
"What do you mean, if?" Seimaru's gaze glittered with suspicion, and Misashi chuckled softly.
"You are far too paranoid for someone so young." He murmured, resting his hand briefly on Seimaru's shoulder "You should be careful of that, Seimaru. Some might think it a sign of a guilty conscience."
With that he released his grip, heading purposefully down the hall towards the landing that led to his own quarters. He did not turn back, though even so he knew that Seimaru's eyes were boring accusingly into his back, and he pursed his lips.
We all play dangerous games at the moment. Me. You. Hirata. Father. All of us dancing around trying to pretend everything is well. Hirata, to survive here, I have to forsake you in the same way you've forsaken us. I think you understand that, and I hope you aren't angry. You're the only hope this Clan has if it is to ever have a future…get strong quickly, my son, while Father is still here to honour his word. This regime is violent and ruthless, it's true…but it's nothing to the kind of rule Seventh District might see if Seimaru ever claimed power!
"You know, something is definitely going on over that side of the camp."
Kai sat back against the trunk of a tree with a sigh, running his fingers absently through his thick tail of hair as he did so.
"Don't you people think so? We've been breaking our backs all day, and yet since they came back here I feel like whatever they did was a lot bigger than what we did. Like something happened…out on their mission today."
"Something?" Enishi paused in his polishing of his asauchi, casting the Vice Captain a surprised look. "Kira came back with a sprained ankle, but otherwise…?"
"Kira gets clumsy when he's nervous, and he gets nervous easily." Iwai said dismissively. "Probably he fell over something – he's brilliant at theory, but at practical tasks he's a bit of a lost cause. It's nothing to worry about, Fukutaichou. Just Kira getting into another of his usual scrapes, that's all."
"Mm, he looked pretty scared out of his wits to me." Sora put in at that moment, reaching across to poke the fire absently. "I realise Kira gets scared a lot – but I see Shihouin's point. There was something about them when they came back, wasn't there? Mitsuki seemed troubled too…and though she was probably worried about Kira, even so…"
"I asked her, when she came to bathe an hour ago." Naoko dropped down heavily on the grass beside her friend, pointedly ignoring Kai as she made herself comfortable on the ground. "She said that it wasn't important, so I let it go. Mitsuki's not the kind to tell lies – probably she was just concerned about Kira's injury."
"I wonder." Shunsui frowned, folding his arms across his chest as he sat back, considering his companions' words. After all, if he was honest to himself, something had been bothering him too.
It was late in the evening now, and the Toutai squad had returned from their manoeuvres some time earlier, yet even though they were once more all one camp, an invisible divide seemed to have sprung up between them all the same. The other squad had secluded themselves in their tent almost at once, only emerging to bathe or collect supplies, and something in this sudden withdrawal had struck Shunsui as odd.
Even Juu seemed somewhat hesitant, when they came back. He didn't really look at me – he and Ryuu were deep in conversation, but it was as though only Toutai were there. And there was something else.
His brows knitted together.
Juu definitely had blood on his sleeve.
"Kuchiki was the only one who seemed his normal, stuck up self, to be honest." Shihouin pursed his lips. "Aside from being a tad more smug and know-all than usual. Otherwise…"
"I think you're reading too much into it." Enishi shook his head. "They're probably tired – and besides, Sensei probably told them not to talk too much about the mission, since it's meant to have been a secret one. That's all it is – we're tired and they are and that's all. Tomorrow everything will be fine. You'll see. It's not that easy to put rifts through the Second Year, after all."
He glanced at Shunsui.
"Right, Kyouraku?"
"Mm. I suppose you're right." Shunsui offered his companion a rueful grin. "Whatever they did today, too, they all came back in one piece. And even if they are shut away in their tent – probably they have to debrief. Maybe you're right, Houjou – in the end, that's all it is."
"Well, you can ask for yourself, if you like. Captain to Captain." Kai twitched his sword in the direction of the Toutai tent, and Shunsui turned, seeing Juushirou emerging into the moonlight. "Maybe he'll tell you something about it on those terms."
Shunsui sighed, then nodded, getting to his feet.
"I'm going to." He decided, making up his mind. "Juu's capable of doing a lot for himself, and I don't want to be making a fuss over nothing. But there was definitely blood on his sleeve when he came back earlier – so at the very least, I want to make sure he's not hurt."
"Blood?" Enishi looked startled. "You think he had an attack?"
"If he did, that'd be why Mitsuki was so worried." Sora said emphatically, casting Naoko a knowing look. "She considers herself his personal nursemaid, so that's one mystery solved at least."
"Maybe." Shunsui agreed. "All right. I'll be right back. Kai, it's all yours till then – don't kill anyone till I get back, okay?"
"Aye aye, sir." Kai grinned, offering a wry salute, and Shunsui returned the gesture with a playful one of his own. Then he headed purposefully across the grass to where Juushirou was examining the cold remains of the Toutai fire.
"Juu?" He said softly, and at his voice, Juushirou started, gazing up at him in surprise. A rueful smile touched his expression, and he put a hand to his chest.
"Shunsui! You startled me – I was miles away."
"You look it, too." Shunsui cast his gaze over his friend, then, "I just came to see if you were okay."
Juushirou frowned.
"Why wouldn't I be?" He asked softly, and Shunsui's gaze drifted to the boy's snow white sleeves.
"You've changed your robe." He observed. "But you had blood on your sleeves when you came back from the forest. I wondered…"
"If I had had an attack up there?" Juushirou questioned, and Shunsui nodded.
"I'm not trying to be protective, but I was just concerned." He agreed, and Juushirou shook his head.
"I coughed, but it wasn't an attack. I'm fine, Shunsui. You know as well as anyone that my health lately has been much stronger...you shouldn't worry about me quite so easily."
Shunsui's eyes narrowed, taking in the clouding in the other boy's usually open hazel eyes.
"You look tired." He said quietly, and Juushirou snorted.
"Of course I'm tired." He said, a faint edge in his normally even tones. "Just because you people have been cleaning all day doesn't mean we've been doing nothing but picnicking in the forest. We had our own challenges to face too, you know – it's been a long day for all of us."
"Juu." Shunsui's eyes widened, and Juushirou sighed, rubbing his temples.
"It's been a long day." He repeated. "And I'm not allowed to talk to you about it. Sou-taichou's orders…we're not allowed to disclose anything about our mission to any of Katai. So don't ask me questions, Shunsui. Okay? I can't tell you, even if you beg me to."
"I don't care about your mission, particularly." Shunsui shook his head. "But I'm having trouble believing you're okay."
He frowned, taking in the faint, odd flickering of his friend's reiatsu and he reached out a hand to brush his classmate's brow.
"Something happened in the forest." He said quietly. "I don't know what, but it did. Right now your reiatsu is fluctuating in a funny way and I'm not sure I like it. I'm worried that something hurt you, because I know that you don't always admit it when you're not feeling well. Especially…"
"I told you I was fine." Juushirou snapped, glaring at his friend as he knocked away Shunsui's hand. "If you don't believe me, then I can't tell you any more…but you said you weren't protecting me, so don't. I'm a Captain, just like you. I completed our mission today and I did it without your help. I'm not hurt and I don't need you to fuss. Toutai can manage just fine, even if my class ranking is below yours. And I think I'm the one who knows best when my haibyou is causing a problem – which, for your information, right now it is not!"
Shunsui gaped, completely taken off guard by his friend's sudden reaction, but before either boy could respond, Ryuu emerged from the tent. He cast Shunsui a glance, then bowed his head stiffly in Juushirou's direction.
"We have to report to Sou Taichou now, Taichou." He said softly. "We shouldn't be late – he did say once we'd finished eating and cleaning up, we should all go."
"Right." Juushirou nodded, casting his Vice Captain a weary grin. "Can Kira walk?"
"He's determined to come too." Ryuu agreed. "His foot isn't swollen now Edogawa's seen to it, and he seems a lot better in himself, so I thought it'd be best if he did. He is our log-keeper, after all, so he'll have to write all this down. Kamitani and Fujiwara are going to help him if walking is difficult – everyone else is ready and just waiting for your order."
"Then let's go to the mess tent and debrief." Juushirou responded simply, and Ryuu nodded.
"Yes, sir." He agreed. "I'll pass the message on right away."
He ducked back into the tent, and Juushirou sighed.
"I have something I need to do." He said unnecessarily. "It's fine, Shunsui. Really. I'm fine. Let it go, okay?"
And with that he too disappeared back into the tent, leaving his classmate standing and staring after him.
"Well, that seemed to be out of character." Sora's voice at his left shoulder made him turn, and he offered her a rueful smile.
"No kidding." He said with a sigh. "I think maybe Toutai are starting to take this a little bit too seriously."
"I wonder what did happen in the forest today." Sora wondered, linking her arm in her companion's and leading him back towards the Katai fire. "It's not like Juushirou to get a rod up his ass so easily – do you think Kuchiki's influence is starting to have a bad effect?"
"Ah, who knows." Shunsui shrugged his shoulders helplessly. "Maybe."
"Well, Kuchiki is stiff and rigid as they come, and Hirata's not exactly going to stand up to him." Sora said sensibly. "You and Houjou and Shihouin are in a different squad, and Mitsuki's going to side with Kuchiki because they're kin. So it stands to reason they're taking it seriously. Even as Vice Captain, I'm sure Kuchiki knows exactly how he wants Toutai to be run. And Juushirou's too nice, really, to stand in his way."
"Ryuu-kun sure does seem to have adopted the mantle of Vice Captain pretty seriously." Shunsui reflected, and Sora nodded.
"I don't dislike him, but his people skills generally suck." She said frankly. "Probably Juushirou has enough on his plate playing referee between a rigid Clansman who wants to do things his way and everyone else who just wants to have fun. Whatever happened in the forest…I bet that was it."
"Juu usually has a way with him, though." Shunsui pointed out, and Sora snorted.
"Maybe, but this is different from school. Kuchiki's much more experienced in practical skills and he knows much more about the Gotei." she said wisely. "Juushirou's a fish out of water in that respect – stands to reason that given half a chance, Kuchiki'd take over."
"I don't think Juu's that weak willed."
"Me either, but as Captain he has to keep the peace." Sora grinned. "Just like you've been doing with Hanako and Naoko – right? You've been complaining enough about how draining it is having to actively play referee. Maybe it's been the same for Juushirou."
"Maybe so, but just then…Juu…that reaction was…" Shunsui's brow furrowed, then he sighed.
"This is meant to be fun, isn't it?" he demanded. "When does that bit begin, Sora? We've cleaned all day and now we're getting yelled at…"
"All because Toutai found the tea mugs were missing." Sora frowned. "And they knew about the inspection, but nobody did tell us. Even if we are different squads, we're classmates and this is about team spirit. They could've – don't you think?"
"Mm. Possibly." Shunsui acknowledged, dropping down by the Katai fire once more.
"No luck?" Enishi set aside his sword, and Shunsui shrugged.
"Apparently Juu's fine." He said ironically. "Which is presumably why he looks like the world's weight is on him and why he shouted at me when I just asked how he was."
"We think Toutai are taking this rival squad thing a liiittle seriously." Sora supplemented, and Kai frowned.
"Judging by Kuchiki's demeanour earlier, I'd agree." He reflected. "He was all about how they'd been doing proper Shinigami work and we'd been doing menial stuff all day…rubbing it in our faces even though he couldn't give us any details. It was annoying – if it hadn't been that we were bathing, I'd have taken my asauchi, even sheathed, and battered manners into him, to tell you the truth."
"That doesn't sound like Ukitake, though." Houjou objected, and Shunsui shrugged.
"Well, its how he was." He said frankly.
"He was. And I'm sure Kuchiki's got a lot to do with it." Sora sighed. "Since there's nobody in that squad to really stand up to him."
"Well, then maybe we'll do the standing up instead." Shunsui said slowly, and Kai shot him a startled look.
"Kyouraku?"
Shunsui raised a hand, gesturing towards the Toutai tent as the eight shadowed figures of their classmates slipped one by one across towards the mess tent.
"They're with Kazoe now, reporting on their top secret special mission. The tent is empty." He said softly. "I wonder if we should take advantage of that."
"Kyouraku-kun?" Naoko stared, and Shunsui smiled, a faintly wicked expression entering his dark brown eyes.
"Toutai like spotting things that are missing." He said innocently. "So let's give them something else to play the game with, huh?"
"What are you planning?" Kai's eyes narrowed suspiciously, and Shunsui shrugged.
"Let's take their blankets." He said simply. "If they're such a dedicated squad who can take such a vital mission out into the wilderness, they don't need creature comforts like that, do they?"
"Are you serious?" Sora stared, and Shunsui nodded, any faint flickers of guilt dissipating as he remembered the impatience in Juushirou's tones.
"Completely." He agreed. "I won't force anyone who doesn't want to, of course, but even so, we've all worked darn hard today. And Toutai need to lighten up, else all of this experience is going to be a major drag for everyone. Sora keeps saying it's meant to be fun, so it's about time we made it fun – right? We don't deserve to be crowed over, just because they went on a field trip – do we?"
"Katai aren't Toutai's whipping boys, that's for sure." Iwai murmured. "But could we do that and get away with it, Kyouraku? I mean…"
"Now is our chance." Shunsui said evenly. "While they're all busy with Kazoe."
He glanced around at his companions.
"Does anyone have any real objections?"
There was silence, as the squad members all glanced at one another.
"Nakamura-san isn't here yet. Are we going to include her?" Naoko asked slowly, and Shunsui looked surprised.
"We? You're including yourself in this, Naoko-chan? I'm honoured...you're actually going to follow my leadership in this?"
"It's nothing to do with you. I just didn't work my guts out today to be patronised by that stuck up Kuchiki bocchan." Naoko shrugged, spreading out her hands and Shunsui could see in the flickering firelight the red scratch and splinter marks mottled against her pale skin. "He may be Mitsuki's cousin – and I wouldn't put up with him or his rigid attitude if he wasn't – but I heard him sounding off earlier too. He was denigrating the wood pile and talking about how badly we'd cut it – and I'm not having him get away with that. Especially since I had to put up with Nakamura-san the whole time."
"Nakamura would probably tell tales." Makoto muttered, and Sora sighed.
"Most likely. But she's still bathing, so she needn't know." She said pragmatically. "Since she likes to have her 'bathing privacy', she'll probably be gone for some time."
She exaggerated the phrase, twitching her fingers into quote marks, and Shunsui grinned.
"Then it's decided." He said frankly. "We'll take Toutai's blankets and hide them, and see how long it takes them to figure out what's gone on. If this mission is about teamwork, well, we'll remind them that there's another half to this team – and if it isn't, we'll remind them that Katai aren't just menial workers but we've got a few tricks up our own sleeves, too. All agreed?"
He held out his hand, and one by one each of his companions brought a palm down on top of it. He grinned, getting to his feet.
"Right then." He said, gesturing towards the empty Toutai tent. "Follow me."
Well, so that was their first mission over with.
As Toutai left the mess tent, Juushirou paused for a moment beneath the clear sky, gazing pensively up at the glittering moon overhead as he ran his mind over the meeting. It was late, now, and he and his companions were all tired after their day's events. Yet even though it was easy to put everything down to weariness, he knew that this was not entirely the case.
For the most part, he had charged Ryuu with the duty of giving Kazoe the clinical, brief report of their adventure in the forest, giving his own opinion only when asked for it directly. Sora's concerns to the contrary, Ryuu had done so fairly and without embellishment, giving full credit to his Captain for the strategies that had enabled them to complete their mission. As a result, they had all been praised for their teamwork and quick thinking, yet the praise had somehow still left Juushirou feeling hollow inside. He had passed his first test as Captain, but it had come at something of a price. While his doubts and uncertainties swirled up within him, he knew that the shadow of two small fish were never far from the back of his thoughts. For the first time that afternoon, one of them had spoken to him during a battle. And even though he tried to dismiss it – the more he thought about it, the more alarmed he was about how far these spectral creatures were starting to push into his everyday life.
Even though I thought them just a chimera – a dream put there by my wishing for my parents, a way to gather together my confidence – even my last desperate survival instinct kicking into play. But now they seem to be there even when I'm not in trouble. And I'm starting to realise that they don't only come when I ask them to. Today, You came on his own. In was there too, even though I didn't hear her. And every time I've held the asauchi it's been more and more that way. Ever since that conversation by the sea back home, before term started…no matter how much I try to ignore it, nothing is quite the same. And no matter how well I feel…I'm starting to wonder how much is real and how much is an illusion.
And then there had been the disagreement with Shunsui.
Juushirou's brows knitted together in consternation as he remembered how short he'd been with his friend.
Although he was fussing. But even so, I know Shunsui well enough by now to know that he only does fuss when there's something to fuss over. I yelled at him because I knew it too – I didn't want him asking me things when I don't really know how to answer them myself. If I tell him something's wrong, then I'll be admitting that In and You are really troubling me – and more, that their consciousnesses are separate from mine. But that would mean that they're able to make decisions for themselves and enact them if they see fit. Surely that's crazy! I can't talk to anyone about that. Fish telling me what to do? It even sounds stupid in my head. If I start down that path, I'll end up being locked away for losing my mind.
"Are you all right, Ukitake-kun?"
Mitsuki's voice broke through his thoughts at that moment and he turned, eying her in surprise as he took in the concerned expression on her pretty features. He had stopped dead, he realised, the rest of the squad having headed on back towards the tent without him, but Mitsuki alone had waited behind. Her demeanour was tentative and anxious, as though she wanted to say many things but didn't know how to begin any of them, and at this realisation, Juushirou let out a heavy sigh.
So he was worrying his own squad too, was he, by dwelling on the afternoon's exercise so much?
For a moment there was an awkward silence, then Mitsuki bit her lip.
"You seem to be troubled by something." She murmured, "In the forest earlier...there, too. I wondered...if maybe...you weren't feeling well?"
The tentative way in which she phrased her question told Juushirou that she had probably heard his altercation with Shunsui, and his brows knitted together, inwardly berating himself for having so easily lost his temper.
"I'm all right, Edogawa-san. I'm sorry. It's just been a long day...and I'm tired out."
"I see." Mitsuki fell silent once more, then,
"I'm sorry that I wasn't able to help you more in the forest." She said quietly, bowing her head towards him. "With the Hollow. Even though it wasn't real. If I had been stronger, maybe Kira-kun wouldn't have been hurt."
"That was my bad call, not anything to do with you." Juushirou shook his head, managing a crooked smile. "If that's what's bothering you - don't let it. I chose to retreat, and so Kira tripped up. But he's all right - it's not a bad injury. He'll be fine, so you needn't worry about the situation any more. I know you can feel it, when someone's hurt, but even so..."
"It's not Kira-kun that worries me." Mitsuki interrupted him, shaking her head. "I know he'll be fine. I gave him some herbs and he said it doesn't even hurt, now. He'll be much better even by tomorrow. I know that."
"Then...why?" Juushirou frowned, and Mitsuki sighed.
"This is probably not something I should say." She murmured reluctantly. "But I know...Ryuu-kun said something about it, and I'm sure...Ukitake-kun...that you're aware of it too. And I thought maybe you were worrying about it...so it made me...well...worry about it too."
"Am I upsetting you again, with my all-over-the-place reiatsu?" Juushirou asked her sharply, and Mitsuki managed a faint smile, shaking her head.
"It's not like that." She assured him. "Just...in the forest, when the Hollow came...Ukitake-kun, you were different. And when you extinguished it...then, too. I've felt it before - in Ouyoudou class, when we were using the asauchi for the first time. It was like...it wasn't just you swinging the asauchi. You picked it up so quickly…like it was a natural instinct, but it was still, somehow…odd. I don't know what else to think of it as - but it didn't feel like the normal Ukitake-kun. That's all."
Juushirou was silent for a moment, then he sighed.
"I can't conceal anything from you, even when I want to." He said darkly. "I know you want to help, Edogawa-san, but sometimes...it would be better if you couldn't see so easily through me."
"I'm sorry." Mitsuki looked stricken. "I'm not trying to pry, really I'm not! I just..."
"No, I didn't mean it that way." Juushirou held up his hands. "It's not your fault, and if I had better control over my reiatsu and my body, I wouldn't be causing you such a bother, anyway."
He offered her a sheepish smile.
"The truth is, I've noticed it too." He admitted. "That something is different. And I can't explain it either - which bothers me a little bit."
"I see." Mitsuki pursed her lips, then, "It doesn't seem like a...a bad thing, Ukitake-kun. You don't seem in pain. It's just..."
"I'm not. I feel fitter than I've been in a long time, but somehow that's starting to feel like a false impression." Juushirou rubbed his temples. "Like it's the calm before the storm - I don't know how else to put it. I feel like there's a storm somewhere inside of me, Edogawa-san. What that means...even I don't know. But there is something. And while at the moment, everything is fine - in the forest today, I felt different too. Since I held an asauchi for the first time, I've noticed that my style has changed bit by bit, too. And...well...I didn't feel quite like I was fighting alone, either. Today, or before. I felt like there was something or someone else there...and I don't know how to deal with that."
"Kyouraku-kun has probably noticed it too." Mitsuki said softly. "Because he came to speak to you...he was worried about you, too."
"I know, and I shouted at him - probably because I knew that." Juushirou groaned. "I don't want to talk about it, not really. Talking about it makes me uncertain...unsettled. I feel fine. I'm healthier than I've been in a long time. It's not impeding me when I fight - today I managed to do what we were supposed to do, even though Hollows still scare me as much as they always have. There's probably nothing at all wrong. It's just..."
He trailed off, and Mitsuki offered him a faint smile.
"I won't ask you any more about it, then, if that's how you feel." She said quietly. "And I'm sorry if I've made you feel more unsettled now, because I've brought it up. But I think...that its not a bad thing that's happening. And I don't want you to worry about it. It doesn't feel...well...it doesn't seem bad to me. I can't really explain what I mean either, but it feels like...like Ukitake-kun is getting stronger. That's all."
"Stronger, huh?" Juushirou frowned, remembering once again the conversation by the beach that he had had with the two fish spirits.
"Maybe that is what it is. Maybe my power is just maturing." He said at length. "Either way, you're right. There's no reason to worry about something that isn't doing me any active harm. If I'm not ill and I'm able to act as I should - that's what matters. Thank you, Edogawa-san. I think...I feel better about it now."
He stifled a yawn.
"It's just been a long day. That doesn't help, either. To be honest, I'm looking forward to having a good night's sleep."
"Ukitake-taichou!"
At that moment Chiyoko came haring across the grass, breathless and anxious with dark hair flying every which way as she hurried towards them. "Ukitake-taichou, come quickly! Kuchiki-fukutaichou wants you – somebody's been in our tent!"
"What?" Juushirou's eyes widened. "In our tent? What do you mean, Saitani…? How do you know?"
"Our blankets are gone." Chiyoko said emphatically. "All of them. Every single one. Completely gone."
"Gone?" Mitsuki's expression became one of alarm. "But…all of them? Just like that?"
"Every last one." Chiyoko confirmed. "When we got back, Kira was going to rest his foot and go to sleep early. But he couldn't find his blanket, so Aki-kun was going to lend him his, and then Aki's was missing too – which is when we knew it wasn't Aki playing silly games, because he wouldn't have pranked himself…and so Kuchiki-fukutaichou said everyone should find their blankets…except…"
"There weren't any to find." Juushirou's eyes narrowed and he pushed his earlier anxieties out of his mind, indicating for the two girls to follow him to the tent. "Right. I see. Then in that case, I obviously need to see it for myself."
"Is anything else missing, Saitani-san?" Mitsuki asked anxiously, and Chiyoko shook her head.
"Nothing. That's the stupid thing." She said frankly. "Nothing else has been disturbed. It's been done really neatly – carefully, so it wasn't animals or anything like that. It's as though someone went methodically through everyone's pile of belongings and just took out the blankets before putting everything else back as it was."
Juushirou pursed his lips.
"Katai." He murmured, reaching the tent and pushing back the flaps, stopping as he registered the confusion inside.
"Taichou!" Ryuu was on his feet immediately, and Juushirou nodded, stepping inside and glancing around him.
"Saitani's told me." He said frankly. "And they're really all gone?"
"Everyone's. Yours and Edogawa's, too…I had Saitani check Edogawa's things while I checked yours." Ryuu bowed his head slightly. "My apologies, but in your absence, I thought it the best thing to do."
"No, you were right." Juushirou sighed, shaking his head slowly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to delay coming back here. But I had thought we'd had all our excitement for the day."
"Do you think it was Katai, Taichou?" Aki asked, and Juushirou frowned.
"I don't see who else it could be." He admitted. "As Saitani said, if nothing else is disturbed, it can't be blamed on animals."
"I can think of a few animals in the Katai ranks." Ryuu muttered, and Juushirou shook his head.
"Ryuu-kun, don't." He said firmly. "For the time being, we have to work out what we're going to do about it. It's late, after all."
"Sou Taichou is in his tent. We could go speak to him about it." Kira suggested, but Aki snorted, shaking his head.
"If we have to run to Kazoe-sensei for help, then that would make us a pretty pathetic kind of squad, wouldn't it?" He demanded, and Kira looked sheepish.
"I suppose so. But how are we meant to find them? It's dark outside, and if we went to Katai's tent and accused them…"
"A late night confrontation would probably also reflect badly on us, if we charged into their tent and demanded answers." Juushirou said softly. "But I agree with Fujiwara. We're not going to tell any tales. Today we fought a Hollow, after all. Even a dummy one, we still worked together and we won. If Katai are pranking us because of it, then we're not going to run scared to report it."
"So what are we going to do, Taichou?" Ryuu looked somewhat disgruntled, and belatedly Juushirou realised that his young friend had already had designs on challenging Kai with his asauchi if a direct assault had taken place.
"Well, firstly we need to know for sure that it was Katai." Deciding to overlook it, Juushirou settled down on the ground. "Given the tea mugs, it might not have been them at all. It could just as easily have been someone working for Sensei trying to make us doubt our companions."
"It could…" Kamitani looked doubtful. "But twice in one day? I don't think that's very likely, Taichou."
"Me either." Juushirou admitted. "But we have to think of all the possibilities."
"Taichou!"
At that moment Hirata let out an exclamation, and Juushirou turned to stare at the youngest member of the group, eying the scrap of log-book paper that was clutched between his fingers. With a frown he held out his hand, and Hirata handed it over, his eyes big as he absorbed the tension in his companion's demeanour.
Slowly Juushirou unfolded it, taking in the slashed black ink across the rumpled paper. Then he glanced up.
"Where did you find this, Hirata?" He asked softly, and Hirata gestured to the wall of the tent, against which he had been casually leaning.
"It fell on me." He admitted. "And slipped down the back of my hakamashita. I thought it was a fly…but it looks like someone pinned something to the fabric of the tent wall. I must have knocked it free when I sat down."
"A note?" Kamitani asked eagerly, and Juushirou sighed, shrugging his shoulders.
"Not much of one." He said resignedly, turning the sheet over and holding it up so that the whole group could see the crudely scribed strokes of the 'natsu' kanji inked across the paper. "Just the one kanji. Natsu."
"Natsu. Summer. Ka." Ryuu muttered. "It's enough of a note to be a blatant announcement of guilt, if you ask me. Fancy language is not needed. That one character tells us exactly who did this – and that they don't seem to feel even the slightest hesitation about bragging over it."
"Yeah. It looks that way." Juushirou set the piece of paper down. "As Ryuu says, just that one kanji tells us everything we already knew is right. It was Katai. And it looks like they did it with serious intent."
"If we sit back and do nothing, it'll be like they've won." Chiyoko hugged her knees to her chest. "And they might do it again, which would suck. Next time it might be more than blankets – Taichou, are we really going to do nothing?"
"No…we're not going to do nothing." Juushirou made up his mind, resting back against his hands as he glanced at his assembled companions. "We've had a long day and obviously they've had too much free time, if they're able to sneak into other people's tents and borrow things that don't belong to them. Fortunately, it's not a cold night. If we don't have blankets, we won't freeze, and we can always sleep in our uniform if necessary. For now, I suggest we get some sleep."
"For now…" Hirata looked confused. "But…Ukitake-k…taichou…?"
"For now." Juushirou confirmed. "Because they'll be expecting us to give them a reaction. And we're just not going to give them that satisfaction."
"So what do you want us to do, Taichou?" Mitsuki asked softly. "If we're not going to do nothing, but we're going to go to sleep now…"
"Toutai are early risers." Juushirou said frankly. "And tomorrow, we'll rise early as we did today. With the exception of Shihouin Kai, Katai aren't such quick risers as we are. And I think, if we can take care of him…we can manage tomorrow morning just fine."
"Manage Shihouin?" Ryuu's eyes narrowed, then, "I volunteer for that task."
"Ryuu-kun…" Despite himself, Juushirou's lips twitched into a smile, but he shook his head. "No. I'm sorry, but I don't want it to end up in a sword spar. However…"
He glanced at Hirata.
"Maybe I can leave that duty to you?"
"To me…?" Hirata blinked, and Juushirou nodded.
"Can you think of some way to distract Kai-kun from the Katai tent for a short while tomorrow morning?"
"I…I suppose I can try." Hirata bit his lip, then a smile touched the corners of his mouth. "Yes. I can think of a way, Ukitake-taichou. You can count on me."
"And while Shihouin is otherwise engaged? What are we to do, while Katai are so leisurely enjoying their slumber?" Ryuu demanded.
"Patience, Kuchiki." Juushirou eyed him for a moment, then relented, spreading his hands.
"They wanted our blankets, so obviously they must want to trade for them." He said simply. "So we should take what we're owed in trade."
"Meaning?" Aki's eyes glittered with interest, and Juushirou offered him a benign smile.
"I think we might borrow their hakama." He said calmly. "What do you people think?"
"Their hakama?" Kira's eyes almost fell out of his head. "You mean…from the girls as well?"
"Yes." Juushirou agreed. "Since they took all of our blankets – it seems only fair, don't you think?"
"Naoko will go crazy." Mitsuki murmured, and Juushirou cast her a glance.
"Are you against it?" He asked, and Mitsuki grinned, shaking her head.
"I think it sounds fair to me." She said, an uncharacteristic glimmer of mischief surfacing in her grey eyes. "Since they did start it. And you look less tired now, Ukitake-taichou. So I think…it must be a good idea."
Juushirou looked rueful.
"Yes." He agreed. "I guess all I needed was a distraction."
"So who's going to be the thief?" Aki demanded. "If we're stealing hakama, surely we're not all going to go invading their tent?"
"No. Two people should be enough." Juushirou shook his head. "One should be a girl, since we're dealing with girls there, too."
"So that's you or me, Edogawa-san." Chiyoko shot Mitsuki a grin. "What do you think?"
"I wake up more easily than you do." Mitsuki said composedly. "So if Taichou agrees, I don't mind doing it."
"You really mean that, don't you?" Juushirou was surprised, and Mitsuki nodded.
"I never play pranks on Sora or Naoko. This will be the first time." She admitted. "If it's all right with you, Taichou, I'd like to do it, please."
"Then I will go with her." Ryuu volunteered. "I promise not to cause trouble with Shihouin, Taichou – but if Mitsuki is going, I should be the one to accompany her. After all, as a Kuchiki, it is my duty to look out for my kinfolk."
"All right. If you like." Juushirou agreed. "Hirata, are you sure you can handle Kai-kun?"
"Mm. More or less." Hirata nodded his head. "Last summer, when I was first training with him in District Two, we went into the forests near his home and I found a snake. It was quite big, and it scared me. Kai-kun killed it, but apparently it was quite a poisonous one."
"And you're going to pretend you've found another one?" Juushirou asked. Hirata nodded.
"Even though I'm an Endou, people don't usually suspect me of anything." He said blithely. "Kai-kun told me if I ever found another, I should get him or one of the retainers to deal with it, since I'd probably wind up antagonising it and maybe getting hurt. So I'm sure he'll come, if he thinks it's for real. Apparently snakes are quite common in parts of District Two – and all the Shihouin are quite firm about dealing with them before they become a problem."
"You are a lot more devious than you look, aren't you, Endou?" Kamitani eyed him for a moment, and Hirata shrugged.
"I'm still an Endou, deep down." He said frankly. "I guess that's the reason why I'm still alive, after all."
"Then we're settled." Juushirou looked satisfied. "Before dawn, Hirata will take care of Kai-kun and Edogawa-san and Ryuu-kun will mount a Toutai offensive on the Katai tent. In the meantime…"
He frowned, his brows furrowing as he considered the matter carefully. Then he nodded.
"In the meantime, the rest of us will ensure that if the Sou Taichou is out and about, we keep him occupied." He decided.
"If the worst comes to the worst, we can always pretend Kira's foot is hurting and he needs help." Aki suggested, and Kira nodded cheerfully.
"So long as nobody makes me drink any foul-tasting medicines, I don't mind." He agreed good-naturedly. "It's almost all right again, and the herbs Edogawa-san gave me weren't all that bitter – but if it's for the rest of the squad, I'm willing to play along."
"Well, Toutai are a team, aren't we." Juushirou's eyes twinkled. "So we'll show Shunsui and his band of miscreants just how much of a team we can be."
"Do you think Kyouraku is the one behind it, then, Taichou?" Kamitani asked quizzically, and Juushirou nodded his head.
"Without a doubt." He said immediately. "If this is Katai's work, it's definitely Shunsui's brainchild. Absolutely no question about it."
"I agree with Ukitake-taichou." Ryuu said darkly. "This is exactly the kind of thing Kyouraku-taichou would dream up, haori or no haori. He is a completely inexplicable individual at the best of times – and the words appropriate and moderation do not often exist in his vocabulary."
"Aren't you his friends?" Chiyoko looked bewildered, and Juushirou nodded.
"Of course." He agreed. "But Kuchiki is still right. This has Shunsui's mark all over it."
He let out his breath in a rush, then,
"But if Katai want to throw down the gauntlet, then that's fine by me. Just as I know he's capable of causing chaos, he should know that I'm stubborn and I don't give up very easily."
"They'll consider it a declaration of war." Kamitani mused, and Juushirou grinned.
"No. They already declared war when they took our property and left us their calling card." He said frankly. "But for now, it's getting late. Lets leave it and go to bed as best we can. Tomorrow, we'll settle things – and make them realise that they can't mess with Toutai that easily!"