#26: Explanation and Meeting
Haruhito Kyohei's dead body was found after intensive searching through the entire academy ground.
He was found, surprisingly, inside his own wardrobe—since sixth and seventh graders were given their own dorm room. Initially, it was difficult to even trace the remnant of his reiatsu—it seemed that after killing him, Aizen used a powerful kidou to seal the body and reiatsu away. It needed several kidou experts like Yurie and other teachers, along with Ise Nanao, 8th division fukutaichou—who was infamous for her kidou mastery—to finally discover the body.
They grimaced in shock and disgust as they found Haruhito's corpse. The poor young man was killed by breaking his neck using some kind of kidou, and then Aizen had a heart to confine the body inside a kidou-made sealing box. The body was bent in strange angles, just like marionette. However, what terrified everyone the most was his expression. He had somewhat serene, peaceful expression; as if he didn't even realize that someone had killed him.
Aizen Sousuke was a terrifying man, indeed.
The academy, of course, covered this scarring reality—along with the facts that Aizen was still alive, indeed coming to the academy, and abducted one of the students after severely injured another student—and used memory chikan to alter the students' memory. Almost all of the students had their memory altered; and instead of Aizen's invasion, they were given a not-entirely-false reality that there were sudden hollows' attack during the konso practice. And Haruhito, Shizu, and Shirosaki were the victims.
……
Kanzaki sat curling on his bed, leaning against the wall. He had his legs folded before his chest and his arms hugging the legs, his chin propped on the knees. He seemed to be deep in thought. For entire time, he was silent.
His roommate did almost the same thing, unless he did sit on the floor instead of the bed. He leaned against the bed, staring into nothingness. Koheita was also, mostly, silent.
When Yajirou, Masamura, Asahi, and Mayu came inside, they found the two were still pretty much in the same position.
The six of them—at that night—decided to run away from the massive memory altering done by the academy teachers. They didn't want to lose their memory about Uriya and Ryo (Kurosaki Ichigo-sama!) along the fact that they were indeed still alive. At least, Ryo was. As for Uriya, they didn't know. They hoped he was still alive—somewhere, somehow.
Their getaway wasn't flawless either.
(Flashback)
"…Let's get out from here."
Right after Koheita said those words, they tried to dampen their reiatsu—almost effortless try, really, considering their insignificant amount of reiatsu; Masamura was the strongest reiatsu owner amongst them—and slipped out from the hall stealthily. Almost all the teachers were busy handling the other students, so they were sure they could disappear without anybody recognizing.
They were wrong, seemingly.
"Where are you going to?"
A stern voice coming from behind their backs successfully startled them. They spun around and found Ukitake stood at the end of the corridor towards the dorm—they attempted to run to the dorm—and glared at them. The white haired principal then moved tonelessly towards them; his every step agonizingly slow and menacing.
They gulped in fear. Ukitake Jyuushiro wasn't the man of benevolence—at least, that was what they thought, encouraged by the aforementioned man himself. He was stern, serious, and allover scary.
"I'm asking you: where are you going to? Why weren't you inside?"
Kanzaki, after several attempts of gulping and breathing in-and-out almost frantically, moved forward and answered, "We're going to the dorm, Ukitake-sensei."
Ukitake narrowed his eyes in suspicion. "And why, pray tell, are you doing that?"
Another gush of breath escaped Kanzaki's nostril. "We—we don't want our memory to be altered due to the situation, Sir."
This made Ukitake halted in his steps. He stared at Kanzaki and co; surprise emanating from his previously stoic face. Surprise that changed into grave sadness and then once more, blankness.
"Why do you have any suggestion that we will do that to you?"
This time, it was Koheita who answered.
"Because of the fact that we are close to Shizu and Ryo we don't want our precious memory about them being altered by some kind of sick-joke of lies." He inhaled sharply and exhaled almost noisily.
"Due to all respect, Sir, we've already known the fact that Ryo is Kurosaki Ichigo-sama and that Shizu is abducted by the traitor Aizen and not killed. We—we don't want to forget who they really are, or that they are really still alive. Not to mention, the fact that Aizen is still alive."
"Meaning… we don't want to be fooled again by some false 'safe and under control' situation." Masamura continued slowly. "The war isn't over yet, right?"
Ukitake gazed at them for a moment before retorted softly, "…You do know that we do the covering and memory altering to protect you, don't you? There are some things people don't want to know; the reality."
"We didn't say that you and the teachers should announce the truth to the whole academy and Seireitei altogether." Kanzaki countered, somehow irritated. "We just want that you don't alter our memory. Our. Memory. Us."
Ukitake seemed contemplating Kanzaki's words for some moments before beckoned them to follow him. Reluctantly, the group trailed behind the white haired man, silently questioning whether the principal would do the altering himself, punish them severely, or even think to drop them out from the academy. The thought somehow brought a shudder to both Kanzaki and Masamura.
They were brought towards Ukitake's quarter, they realized. Inwardly shuddering, they gulped and braced themselves as Ukitake opened the door and gestured them to enter his office.
The room was dark, only illuminated by moonlight that was coming through the ornate window. They could see the outline of the huge desk, neat and organized, located in the center of the room, with high wooden armchair behind it. There were shelves full of books and documents right behind the desk. A set of sofa—one big sofa, a loveseat, and a single seat—and low table was located on their right side.
And there was a person sitting on the loveseat, seemingly waiting for them to come in.
Ukitake lit the light and didn't feel surprised at all when he saw who the stranger was. However, Kanzaki and friends were shocked.
"Kyouraku Shunsui-taichou!" they exclaimed in unison.
Kyouraku tipped his straw hat slightly and peered at them from behind the shadow of his hat. The group stiffened as the 8th division taichou scrutinized them.
But as soon as it began, the scrutiny was suddenly over. Kyouraku smiled widely at them and turned towards Ukitake.
"Seems that you have something to talk to these kids." He drawled. "Should I get out for a while?"
Ukitake smiled, letting off his stern mask. Kanzaki and the others watched in awe as the principal turned from stern and serious man into much warmer and hospitable man only by smiling.
"No need to, Shun." Ukitake sighed, albeit still smiled. "They come here to talk about the same thing we want to talk anyway."
Kyouraku's smile faltered. "Really? So, they—"
"They know."
Kyouraku sighed heavily and leaned against the sofa. "So, they know. How?"
"They are friends with both Ichigo-kun and Uriya-kun."
Kyouraku pondered the information. He then gestured for Kanzaki and co to sit down on the sofa. They complied and sat down, jamming in the big one and single one—since no one wanted to sit side by side with the 8th taichou. It resulted in four people to sit on supposedly three person sofa and two people shoved each other's butts to sit on the supposedly single sofa.
Kyouraku laughed gaily watching them. Turning to his best friend, he asked mirthfully, "Jyuu, do you have any spare chairs or sitting pillows? Poor kids are jamming on the sofa."
Ukitake chuckled and dragged his armchair to set it beside Kyouraku's loveseat. "I think I have sitting pillows. By the way, you should be more considerate towards them, Shun. You practically sprawl on supposedly two seated sofa!" He then went into the inner room to find some sitting pillows.
Kyouraku raised his brows, looked down at his own seat, and chuckled. "Ah, you're right, Jyuu. My mistake."
He winked at both Asahi and Mayu—the latter was blushing profusely, while the other only blinked in half exasperation and half confusion—and gestured to the girls, who sat on the single sofa, to move to the love seat. He then moved to sit on the single sofa himself.
Ukitake came back with two spare chairs instead of sitting pillows. And watching the white haired principal struggled with the chairs; both Koheita and Kanzaki went to help him.
"Thank you, Nomura-kun, Takaya-kun." Ukitake sincerely uttered his gratitude. They set the chairs beside the big sofa. Ukitake then sat on his armchair; Kanzaki on one of the spare chairs and Koheita on another.
"So…" Kyouraku began. As everyone regarded him, he continued with a wry smile, "Where shall we began, Jyuu?"
Ukitake sighed. "…They slipped away from the hall because they didn't want their memory considering both Uriya-kun and Ichigo-kun being altered or even erased."
Kyouraku looked at each young man and woman's face before remarked blandly, "If I were one of them, I wouldn't want it too, Jyuu."
"I know, but—"
"Some things are better not known by people in common, right? The bitter truth… things that common people don't really want to know; even if those things are the truth."
Ukitake nodded wistfully. He also looked at each faces of his students with saddened expression. "…Yes. Because we have to protect them."
"By not letting them know the truth."
"Sometimes, ignorance is bliss, Shun."
"Sometimes, yes. Nevertheless, it's foolish."
Ukitake didn't reply.
Kanzaki and co watched back and forth as both older men threw friendly yet grim-themed banters towards each other. Everyone seeing them knew that Kyouraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jyuushiro were best friends, though most first graders, including them, didn't know that Ukitake was one of Gotei taichous. Kyouraku was infamous for some other reasons that weren't even related with his position as a taichou.
"…It seems that Ichigo-kun is being injured again." Kyouraku spoke softly. This time, his voice lacked the mirthful tone.
Ukitake, along with the group, looked at him. The white haired man threw his gaze downcast as he replied.
"Aa. Unohana-senpai and Isane-kun are tending for him right now. He has been brought to the 4th division's ward ASAP."
Kyouraku nodded. "No need for Orihime-chan to do the healing?"
Ukitake shook his head grimly. "The last thing we want to happen is Orihime-chan along with other Ichigo-kun's friends come barging into Soul Society, panicking. I didn't even tell Kuchiki about this."
"Even Rukia-chan? Jyuu…"
"Byakuya will eventually tell her—or not." Ukitake chuckled slightly. "You know his quirk."
Kyouraku snickered.
"Ah… we digress." Ukitake ceased his chuckle and his feature was back to the serious and grim one he had before. "I don't suppose Aizen is still alive."
Kyouraku looked at his longtime best friend grimly. "…Who does? He's always deceitful, that bastard."
"…He used Kyouka Suigetsu to deceive Ichigo-kun, to deceive all of us and once again faked his death." Ukitake sighed heavily. "I still don't believe he could slip into the academy. He even went as far as killing one of the sixth graders."
"Haruhito Kyohei-kun, right?" Kyouraku lowered his hat in sincere sadness. "He was nice young man, kind and warm towards the others. A bit like the old Aizen, though… maybe that was the reason he chose that boy as a cover-up."
"We're still searching for his body. There's a presumption that Aizen used some kind of sealing kidou to hide Haruhito-kun's body."
"That's why I'm here, Jyuu. My Nanao-chan is one hell of kidou master, right?"
Ukitake smiled. "Aa. That's right."
They were silent for a moment before Masamura hesitantly voiced his question.
"Err… Ukitake-sensei, Kyouraku-taichou, Sir?"
Both taichous turned towards Masamura, surprise in their eyes, and they regarded him somewhat guiltily.
"Ahh, my apology." Kyouraku drawled playfully. "We kinda forget that you are here."
"I'm sorry, Hifune-kun, everyone." Ukitake smiled apologetically. "You want to ask something, right?"
Masamura nodded.
"We—we want to know whether Kurosaki-sama will be alright or not?"
"Don't worry." Kyouraku reassured. "Ichigo-kun is a strong boy. He'll survive."
Masamura and the others looked at each other, relieved.
"Why—why did Aizen abduct Shizu?" Koheita suddenly asked. "I—I was in the same group as Shizu when the assault happened. I—we, I and Asahi, overheard Aizen said something about Shizu being killed by Kurosaki Ichigo-sama before… when the war took place… is that true? Who is Shizu for real?"
Kyouraku and Ukitake stiffened and shared a worried glance at each other. This didn't slip away from Kanzaki's keen eyes, who frowned upon seeing their sudden disquietude.
"…The questions …will be inappropriate for us to answer." Kyouraku murmured. "Uriya-kun wouldn't be happy to hear that."
Ukitake nodded and grimaced. "It's Uriya-kun's own to share about them or not."
Koheita seemed disappointed hearing that. However, Kanzaki couldn't help but ask, "Was Uriya-san …formerly an enemy? Did he side with Aizen before?"
At this question, both taichous stared at him, wide eyed. It was just a slight shift of their eyes; Kanzaki saw it nonetheless. His friends gaped at him as if he was growing two more heads.
"Kanzaki! How can you say something like that!" Koheita hollered, forgetting where he was. "I know that Shizu is a hard person, but to accuse him like that—"
"I'm not accusing him." Kanzaki stated firmly. His eyes still fixated upon the two older men before him. "I'm just asking anyway."
Ukitake shared another worried and grim look with his best friend. He then faced Kanzaki and replied softly, "Is it important to you whether he was or wasn't former enemy of us? Is it important to you whether he once sided with Aizen or not?"
Kanzaki was speechless. He couldn't decide whether it was important or not to know the truth. In some point, it was—but on the contrary, it wasn't.
Slowly, he shook his head no.
"…No, it's not important whether he was or wasn't formerly an enemy; or whether he once sided with Aizen or not. All of them aren't important. I—I just want him to come back here safely."
Ukitake smiled alongside Kyouraku who also smiled widely.
"We all hope he can come back here safely."
Before Kanzaki or the others could respond more, the door was opened harshly and without warning. Ise Nanao, 8th division fukutaichou—who usually acted and looked prim and decorous—stood on the doorway, flustered and panting. Kyouraku instantly stood up and greeted his fukutaichou.
"Nanao-chan, what's happening?"
Ise regarded her taichou and then Ukitake with a bow. And, realizing her sudden outburst, she blushed slightly, mumbling an apology before raised her glasses out of habit.
"My humble apology, Taichou, Ukitake-taichou." She halted when she saw Kanzaki and co. Ukitake gave her a sign to continue.
Clearing her throat, the bespectacled woman continued, her expression stiff. "We have found the dead body of Haruhito Kyohei."
Kyouraku looked at her, wide eyed. Ukitake tightly asked, "Where?"
Ise looked hesitant for a while. "He—he is found within his own wardrobe."
"What? How—?"
"Aizen used a powerful seal, a kidou, to cover the body whereabouts. It's hard to detect even the slight trace of his reiatsu. We found it by accident, somehow."
Ukitake nodded at Kyouraku who nodded back.
"We have to check it over, Shun." Kyouraku grunted to voice his agreement as he had already stood by the door beside his fukutaichou.
Ukitake then turned to face Kanzaki and the others, who had risen from their seats. Smiling apologetically, he spoke, "I'm sorry that our …conversation has to stop here. Now, you'll go back to your respective rooms. The memory altering must be finished by now. I've instructed the teachers to alter the memory with one that state that 'a horde of hollows incidentally attacked your group during konso practice. Haruhito, Shizu, and Shirosaki died while fighting the hollows and only Haruhito whose body could be brought back for funeral'. Don't slip your tongue tomorrow. Keep the facts that both Ichigo-kun and Uriya-kun are still alive—albeit the other one is now abducted by enemy—and Ichigo-kun's real identity within your mind and your mind only. Except amongst the six of you, no one—I mean, no one—shall know about this, not even your teachers. Clear?"
Kanzaki and his friends gaped. "You—you mean, you won't alter our memory, Ukitake-sensei? For real?"
Ukitake shook his head and smiled warmly. "No, I won't. It's that what you asked before and I have granted it. But I do hope that all of you keep your mouth shut about all of these."
They nodded, complying with the request.
The last thing they saw before they headed towards their respective dorm was two hell butterflies fluttering towards the two older men, bringing the emergency announcement for them.
(End Flashback)
"I wonder if Kurosaki Ichigo-sama has already recovered by now…" Koheita suddenly mumbled. His friends looked at him with sad eyes. "It has been three days since that incident."
"…I wonder if Uriya-san is alright…" Kanzaki murmured sadly. "…I wonder if he is still alive…"
His friends went silent hearing his words. They didn't know what to say about that.
###
(Midnight, two hours after Aizen incident)
Right after ordering those kids to go back to their dorm, hell butterflies came approaching the two taichous.
Upon hearing the announcement, both Ukitake and Kyouraku did shunpo towards 1st division meeting hall, leaving Ise to tend for the dead body of one Haruhito Kyohei. The Soutaichou called for emergency meeting.
When they arrived there, almost all the taichous had been gathering and forming lines on their respective spots before Yamamoto-soutaichou. The old general watched unblinkingly as his two former disciples strode into the hall.
"Shunsui, Jyuushiro, we've been waiting for you." Yamamoto greeted formally.
Both Ukitake and Kyouraku bowed slightly and settled on their usual spots.
"Unohana-taichou has reported to me …about the condition of our shinigami substitute. Or rather, our 5th division's taichou-to-be, Kurosaki Ichigo." Yamamoto grunted. "He is now in critical condition, but Unohana assures that he will soon recover. That's good news to hear, of course.
The bad news is the fact that our archenemy, Soul Society's archenemy, Aizen Sousuke, is still pretty much alive and sound. He once more deceived us and faked his own death. He, until tonight, has successfully blended—undetected—into the shinigami academy by using the identity of Haruhito Kyohei, an academy's sixth grader. The poor boy, as I barely heard, is dead, killed by Aizen."
There was a heavy silence as he paused. Every taichou in the hall seemed tense after hearing the shocking news. A cold aura leaking from the direction of 10th division taichou indicated his suddenly flaring temper.
"Hitsugaya-taichou, cease your reiatsu, please." Yamamoto admonished the not-so-small-anymore taichou, who almost instantly confined his leaking reiatsu by tightly balling his fists. The teen-looking taichou then straightened his posture and stood almost as stiff and rigid as certain 6th division taichou.
"After severely injuring Kurosaki—who, under disguise of Shirosaki Ryo, goes to the academy to fulfill his proper education as the next 5th taichou—Aizen abducted another academy student namely Shizu Uriya… who isn't even an ordinary spirit, truth to be told." He paused for a breather.
"As starter, I have to tell you this: Urahara Kisuke"—Yamamoto could see Kurotsuchi Mayuri's left eye twitch upon hearing the name of his rival, but the Soutaichou promptly ignored this—"has sent me a letter through Jyuushiro. He said that he has succeeded in 'resurrecting'—I'll use this term, since no other word can describe it—some of the Espada and their fracción."
Yamamoto-soutaichou halted as shouts and exclaims, both in shock and disbelief—some even in rage—rose from his subordinates; well, some of them. Kurotsuchi yelled in rage and bewilderment, saying that they shouldn't trust in Urahara anymore—and, that he would do something more bizarre than that. Soi Fong harshly stated that it was stupid and reckless for Urahara to do something like that—not that she would approve in whatever the shopkeeper did anyway. Zaraki grinned maniacally and exclaimed that he would likely challenge that bastard Quinta once more. Komamura growled and said that the shopkeeper Urahara might have lost his sanity.
Some taichous kept their quietness, though for both Kuchiki-taichou and Hitsugaya-taichou, it seemed that they only prolonged a bombshell until they finally exploded. Kyouraku hid his face behind the shadow of his straw hat, while Ukitake closed his eyes in sudden tiredness. Unohana lowered her eyes downcast, not feeling interested to listen to whatever yells or shouts that currently occurred. Ashido kept his expression stoic and emotionless, while Kuroyuri frowned and was seemingly drowned within her own deep thought.
"SILENT!"
One shout and a flare of heavy reiatsu from Yamamoto-soutaichou successfully ceased their commotion. The taichous were once more silent and they looked at Yamamoto, waiting him to continue.
"Urahara Kisuke has resurrected several Espada and some of their fracción. Initially, he intended to make them as human beings—the same thing he did to Kurosaki Isshin, father of Kurosaki Ichigo, who was formerly a commander in Royal Special Task Force." The old general ignored several gasps of surprise and shock from his subordinates.
"From ten Espada, he could only resurrect six of them. First, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and eighth Espada have been resurrected. He also resurrected the exiled Espada, former Tercera Espada namely Nel Tu, and fracción of the first, third, and fifth Espada. There are totally twelve arrancars whom Urahara Kisuke has resurrected.
However, instead of becoming human beings like Urahara expected before, they were born as pure souls—with no past memory as arrancars whatsoever. They were then being konsoed by Urahara and Shihouin Yoruichi was the one who accompanied them until they reached Rukongai. They live there until now. They were given new names upon receiving their new life."
Murmurs could be heard from the taichous. Yamamoto grunted gruffly and continued, "Three of the top number Espada have regained their memory. Fortunately, instead of being hostile, they seemingly appreciate their new life and continue to live peacefully in Rukongai. One of them attempted to join the shinigami academy. Shizu Uriya or formerly known as Fourth Espada, Ulquiorra Schiffer, that is. He is the student, the first grader whom Aizen abducted last time.
Nevertheless, the reason Aizen abducted him is purely unknown. According to the previous reports, the Fourth was the one who was responsible for kidnapping Inoue Orihime. He was also Aizen's most obedient little servant."
Ukitake held the urge to cringe hearing Yamamoto's words. Yes, he didn't know Uriya or Ulquiorra personally; or even met him directly, but he knew… he knew by his instinct that the pale young man had his chance to lead a good and peaceful life. No matter whom he was before…
"Due to this incident, I order all the division to stay on guard and tighten the security. The 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th and 11th will be on steady patrol around Seireitei and nearby Rukongai. The 2nd will be responsible for coordinating the spying information and conducting stealth attack if needed. The 12th will be responsible for tracking the enemy and maintaining the supporting technology needed in routine patrol and battle. The 4th, as usual, will be responsible for conducting medical attention and maintaining supporting logistic. The 3rd, 5th, 8th, and 13th will stay on guard within academy ground."
"Soutaichou," Ukitake's soft voice emanated, interjecting Yamamoto's order. Everyone turned to see the 13th taichou raised his head and looked at the old general from eye to eye.
"Jyuushiro," Yamamoto grunted as he gave his permission.
"…What about Shizu Uriya?" Ukitake asked bluntly. "He is no longer an Espada. He is one of us now, a shinigami-to-be. We must rescue him, somehow."
Murmurs could be heard again, echoing around the hall. Yamamoto gazed at one of his favorite disciples' eyes. After several seconds of not-so-silent pause, the old general closed his eyes and grunted sternly.
"No."
Ukitake stared at his old sensei, shocked. "But—"
"No buts, Jyuushiro." Yamamoto added somehow tiredly. "We mustn't risk our men to just rescue one person. I think I have stated it clear enough when Inoue Orihime was kidnapped three years ago."
Ukitake seemingly wanted to protest, but Yamamoto raised his hand, silencing whatever the white haired man wanted to say.
"Moreover, this man was formerly serving under Aizen. Most likely, he will turn out serving him again—soon or later. There's no benefit gained by rescuing people who have tendency to abandon us. Certainly, I won't risk that."
Ukitake blinked. He understood—fully—Yamamoto's logic. But still, he couldn't help his sentiment to feel pity towards Uriya. He wanted to rescue the young man. He, like Urahara, wanted to at least give the former Cuarta Espada another chance to live.
"Other question?"
Silence ensued as most of the taichous kept quiet. Yamamoto glanced at Ukitake once more before exclaimed, "Meeting's dismissed!"
###
Ukitake walked slowly towards his quarter in academy.
He now rarely spent his time in his 13th division's quarter, Ugendou, anymore; ever since he was appointed as academy principal—much to Sentaro and Kiyone's dismay. He had yet chosen someone to fill in Kaien's role as his fukutaichou; though he surely had an idea for who was suitable enough as his second. He just needed to coax the stubborn brother of said person—to let go of her.
He wanted Kuchiki Rukia to be his fukutaichou.
To be honest, he wanted to get her as his second soon after she had improved her skill in mastering her zanpakuto. She was surely a perfect candidate: she was clever, quick in thinking and action, fast learner, and so on.
But Byakuya was standing on his way as he strictly and underhandedly arranged her placement so she wouldn't be even a seated officer. Ukitake knew Byakuya only wanted to protect Rukia, but still…
……
I digress…
Ukitake sighed.
Yamamoto-soutaichou refused to rescue Shizu Uriya—typical.
Three years ago, the old man also refused to even give permission for Kurosaki Ichigo to go rescuing Orihime. The young man defied, though. He asked for Urahara's help and went to Hueco Mundo with Ishida Uryuu, the Quincy, and Yasutora Sado. Later, they were joined by Kuchiki Rukia and Abarai Renji. Ukitake was a bit surprised knowing Byakuya had deliberately sent his little sister and fukutaichou for Ichigo's aid.
The white haired man halted his step.
Undoubtedly, this time, Ichigo-kun would defy the order again—just to rescue Uriya-kun. That might happen, Ukitake thought.
Oh, that boy wouldn't be glad to hear Yamamoto's final sentence for not rescuing Uriya-kun.
He would surely defy it—again.
But this time, Ukitake had to ensure that Ichigo got all help he needed to invade Hueco Mundo once more.
###
A/N: I make Isshin as member of Royal Special Task Force, since his haori doesn't show any division insignia in it.
Sorry for the OOC-ness of both Kyouraku and Ukitake. And for the group of six, well I don't know if they really make a bigger part later or not...
Later...