Chapter Thirty Five: Duty
"Guren-sama! Guren-sama!"
A shinigami hurried into the courtyard of the Kuchiki estate, hastily bowing before the most high ranking member of the Kuchiki before raising his gaze anxiously to his companion.
"Guren-sama, I'm sorry to interrupt, but I have a message. It seems to be an emergency, from the main estate!"
As Shibata and Seiren had surmised, the bulk of Sixth Division was currently concentrated at the Nagoya Estate, some two or three ri from the main Kuchiki manor. Since dawn that morning, Guren, along with Shirogane and Ryuu, had been busily engaged in drill tasks and patrol details for the rest of the day, with Guren determined to canvass as much of the District as possible in order to flush out any other illicit gates or danger flash-points from which might emerge further corpses. The incident with Ikata had shaken everyone in the Gotei down to the lowest ranking recruit, and Guren, knowing that the entry point had been here, in his land, had not wanted to take any chances. Experience and instinct both told him that, in all likelihood, the incident in the Eleventh Division compound was probably not an isolated one and, although he had no way to open the damaged Gate that Mareiko's science had forced entry to some days earlier, he was not about to drop his guard. Consequently, the strongest members of Sixth Division were milling in the courtyard of the smaller local manor, ready and waiting to be dispatched across the terrain in search of trouble.
It had been into this gathering that the lower ranked officer had hastened, uncertainty glittering in his gaze as he met Guren's startled look with a frightened one of his own.
"An emergency?" Guren gazed at the shinigami in surprise. "From my brother? What do you mean? I'm sure I left you on sentry duty - who is guarding the entrance to this land if you are here?"
"Please, sir, Shibata-dono has come, and he requests an urgent meeting with you, at once," the officer quailed slightly at Guren's impatience, but held his ground, bowing his head again. "He near fell off his horse when he arrived, sir, and the horse is near ready to collapse with exhaustion, so it must have been ridden at a pace. My legs are fresh so I told him I'd come on ahead and tell you he was here. Please, sir, I think it's important. He looked worried - I've never seen him so upset before."
"Shibata?" Ryuu, who had overheard this, frowned, coming to join the conversation. "Father's manservant? He's ridden here in haste? Why would he do that? What kind of message does he bring?"
"He told me only that there's an emergency at the main house and that he needs to speak with Guren-sama urgently," the shinigami looked apologetic. "I'm sorry, Ryuu-dono. He didn't tell me any details. I'm not high rank enough to be told."
"My son is at the main estate," Shirogane's expression became grim. "So is Seiren-dono, and I cannot imagine Shibata leaving his side unless there was a real need. Guren-sama, with your permission, I'll go speak to him. I'll find out what he wants, and in the meantime, why he's ridden here alone. If there's danger at the main house, I want to know why he did not bring Jun'ei with him. If it's urgent enough that he's willing to ruin a horse over it..."
"Jun'ei is a poor horseman. I imagine he could not keep Shibata's pace," Ryuu said softly. "My father is there too, Senpai, and in all respects he is probably more in danger than Jun'ei is. Jun'ei is not yet fully trained, but he has spirit power, whereas my father is no longer even the sealed sword fighter he used to be. Shibata would not have come here unless it was truly urgent. I would like to come with you to speak with him - and then, with Guren-sama's permission, I should like to head to the main estate directly myself to see if I can be of assistance."
"Nobody is going anywhere until we know what the situation may be," Guren held up his hand, although his voice was also tight with sudden tension, and his companions knew that his apparent calm was nothing more than a forced front designed to prevent the lower officers from panicking. "Ryuu, Shirogane, come with me." He glanced at the shinigami who had brought the message. "You, run along and tell Shibata I will come speak to him. He is to remain where he is, as whatever it is should probably not be spoken about in front of lower ranked officers. Sakurai," he turned to the apprehensive fourth seat, as the youngster saluted, haring back across the grounds towards the manor stable. "You will take charge of drill here. We will return momentarily, but it seems this is something we cannot simply avoid."
"Do we all need to go?" Shirogane looked doubtful. "Three senior Clansmen to take a message?"
"Your son, my brother and Ryuu's father are at the main estate," Guren said evenly, and Shirogane's eyes became clouded at the faint reproach in the older man's words. "We all have reason to hear this message, and therefore we will all go. We are within reach enough to act should there be an attack - but the whole area is perfectly quiet and we have found no evidence of corpse activity anywhere in Sixth since we began patrolling. That Shibata knew to come here means Seiren probably did send him, as I told my brother we would likely coordinate from this location for patrols while we tried to get to the bottom of what happened in Ribari-sama's grove...and so I think it important we all hear whatever message it is he thought important enough to send."
"Yes, sir," Shirogane bowed his head. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be insubordinate."
"Sakurai, keep everyone busy," Guren did not acknowledge his nephew's words. "We will not be long."
"Yes, sir," Sakurai murmured softly, and Guren nodded. Glancing at first Ryuu, then Shirogane, he dropped into shunpo, not waiting to see if the two other officers followed suit.
The Nagoya estate, as it was still known, was technically Shirogane's family manor, inherited from his father Ginya on that man's death some few decades earlier. Shirogane had never lived there for any length of time, however, as his late mother had preferred to be at the heart of court, and, since Shirogane had been adopted and invested with the role of Guren's chosen heir, the main house had become not only his home but also his future inheritance. The Nagoya manor was therefore uninhabited, and as such had become a base for both military manoeuvres and an emergency medical triage in times of conflict. The stables were seldom used, as the manor only had a skeleton staff on duty, and as a result the only groom on site was busy with the two or three animals that made this manor their permanent home. As a result, he was not available to take Shibata's horse and rub it down, and it stood, panting, by the fence, its legs wobbling and its coat thick with sweat. At the sight of it, Guren's eyes narrowed. It had indeed been run nearly into the ground by the pace of the journey, and while Guren knew that Shibata was a skilled rider, it was unusual for him to push any beast he rode to this extreme. Whatever had brought him here, it was clearly a matter of some urgency.
"Guren-sama!" At the sight of the Clan leader, Shibata hurried forwards, anxiety in his dark eyes, and as he did so, Shirogane strode forward, grabbing the man by the lapels of his uniform and giving him a sharp shake.
"Where is my son?" he demanded in low tones. "You rode here, and your horse is near dead from the effort. You came to tell us of something important, but you left my son behind? Shibata..."
"Jun'ei-sama is quite safe, my lord," Shibata bowed his head, detaching himself as respectfully as he could from the anxious man's grasp. "I sent him to Kinnya-sama's manor. True, I sent him alone, as there was no time to rally an escort, but the horse is a good-natured one and knows the way to the Coastal Provinces. Horses follow instinct and head for their home stables in a crisis, and I have no doubt that Jun'ei-sama will be safely in Kinnya-sama's custody before long, if he is not there already."
"You sent Jun'ei away?" Guren's eyes became slits. "Then there is trouble at the main estate? Tell me, Shibata, these are my brother's orders you are carrying out, aren't they? He had Jun'ei sent to Kinnya-sama, and he sent you to me here. What did he want you to report?"
"Unknown intruders at the main estate, sir," Shibata turned his troubled gaze to the Clan Leader. "I do not know who they are, and nor did Seiren-dono. They were shinigami, but dressed in strange, old-fashioned clothing, and not Gotei uniform. I didn't know them, but one laid out a good number of guardsmen with a basic wave of what I assume is your shinigami magic. Seiren-dono instructed me to make sure Jun'ei-sama was safely evacuated from the place and then to ride here to ask you to return with some urgency. They were demanding access to the archives, and Seiren-dono went to meet them. He went to buy time for Jun'ei-sama's escape, but I feel..."
He bit his lip, then,
"Jun'ei-sama was frightened. He could sense the things we could not, and he talked about the auras as being like Death," he said unevenly. "I believe Seiren-dono is in very grave danger, and with the Senkaimon all closed..."
"Father..." Ryuu's features had gone white, and he glanced at Guren in anxiety. "Guren-sama, please, will you give me permission to head to the main estate at once? It seems Father is in considerable peril, and I would like..."
"No, Ryuu. I am not going to deploy you into unknown danger when you are unprepared and worried about a kinsman to boot," Guren cut across the man's request, shaking his head. "You must see how that would be foolish."
"But Guren-sama, Father has no way to fight an enemy!" Ryuu was agitated now. "He would go to face them if it meant Jun'ei got away in safety, because he cares a good deal for that boy, but you know as well as I that he cannot defend himself, not even with a sealed blade."
"For that reason, I won't send you," Guren sent his nephew a sad smile. "Ryuu, listen to me. Seiren would not want you in danger. If my brother did as Shibata said, there may be a good chance he is already dead. If not, then the last thing he would want to see is you charging into danger on his behalf. I have known what it is to lose a son, and if it's the last thing I can do for Seiren, I will keep you out of this fight. He sent the message to me, not you. He sent Shirogane's son away - more than anything, Seiren understands a father's bond with his son. No, I will take Shirogane, but you will remain behind."
"Guren-sama?" Shirogane's eyes widened, his gaze darting to Ryuu, who was clearly shaking now.
"Your son is not there," Guren explained. "You will have no such distraction. Even if Seiren were to be killed, I believe you could still release your sword and fight if need be. As for me..."
He sighed, then,
"I have lost enough in my life to deal with death with equanimity," he said honestly. "And as Clan Leader, I must go. I do not know who these strangers are, or what they want, but they have already demonstrated that they can be hostile with their actions towards the guard. If they pose a risk, it would be unwise for all three of us to go. I've learned from the past that it pays to be prepared. In the unlikely event that anything untoward should occur as a result of this, Ryuu, you would be needed to support Jun'ei, and in any case, I cannot leave Sixth Squad in Sakurai's command indefinitely. He is a good officer, but he doesn't have your authority."
"Then what should I do, sir?" Ryuu's voice trembled with suppressed emotion, and Guren frowned.
"Take the squad back to Inner Seireitei, and wait there for further orders," he decided. "If there is trouble in Sixth, I'd rather the squad was not in the immediate vicinity, so I am not authorising you to make any forays or deviations from the route on your way home, and you are not to attempt to run a patrol away from Inner Seireitei until I have returned to debrief you directly. We will go to the main estate," he glanced at Shirogane, who hesitated, then nodded his head, "and if we can, we will extricate Ryuu's father and deal with these impudent invaders in a way that will make them regret bothering our family. That order is final," he added, as Ryuu's lips parted as if in protest, and the younger man faltered. A look of frustration crossed his grey eyes, but he bowed his head, disappearing in a cloud of shunpo to rejoin the rest of the Division.
"Do you think he'll obey?" Shirogane asked softly. Guren nodded.
"He will, because he knows I am right," he said frankly. "I don't like it either, Shirogane, but I have learned from the past and I won't create unnecessary risk. You and I should be enough for any invading shinigami. Shibata, how many of them were there?"
"Two, sir. An old man and a younger one, perhaps your own age," Shibata replied quickly, and Guren nodded.
"Find a fresh horse and ride North, to Futsuki," he instructed. "Tell the groom this supersedes his other orders and he's to find you a mount immediately, as this one," he gestured to the still trembling animal, "is clearly not able to go any further today. I am sure you are tired, but I need you to let my brother know that under no circumstances should he attempt to ride to the main house. Tell him that I'd like him to go to Shirogane's father-in-law's manor instead, and establish a stronger guard there. Shirogane's wife and other children are currently there without protection, and I would rather be safe than sorry."
"Yes, sir," Shibata nodded, and Guren sighed.
"I know you are worried for your master, but we will do our best. If he still lives, I won't let him get killed without a fight," he assured the other man. "You did well, getting here quickly and making sure Jun'ei got away safely. I am sure we can entrust him to Kinnya-sama's care, and my Great Uncle remains a force to be reckoned with if someone crosses him unadvisedly. In the meantime, we should head home. Shirogane, make preparations. This is one of those moments where being Clan Leader means defending the whole of this family...and you and I are going to go and do just that."
The atmosphere around Inner Seireitei had fallen into an unnatural kind of calm.
Although faint red-brown smudges against the cobblestones near the Senkaimon between Twelfth and Thirteenth Division remained as a reminder that only a short time before, a Vice Captain had emerged from the black to slaughter his way through his Division, the stillness of the atmosphere might deceive someone visiting the complex that everything had returned to normal. The sense of peace and quiet that pervaded the area was somehow superficial, making Ketsui all the more uneasy. As he passed the silent Senkaimon, he paused for a moment, his sharp senses picking out the spiritual chains that sealed the Gate from public use. He was not as sensitive as Kohaku had been, and did not know whether dead reishi was still leaking out from the Dangai beyond, but even without Kohaku's perception, being so close to the site of the violent and unprovoked assault that had left one officer dead and another seriously wounded was enough to raise the hairs on the back of his neck. Not without misgivings, he turned his back on the Gate and continued on his way, hardly wanting to cast a glance in the direction of Eleventh Division. Since the assault, the Division had been under direct Onmitsukidou control, the entrance barricaded against the unwanted attention of nosy passers-by, but the smashed remains of the Division insignia was a visual reminder of Enishi's desperate blast of intense Kidou, and the Vice Captain's subsequent status as a prisoner whose life and job remained on the line. Eleventh had been completely shut down, and all surviving officers who were not being treated at the Fourth had been temporarily seconded to the First Division while their home was turned over with ruthless forensic precision. As he passed the barred entrance, Ketsui felt suddenly certain that, if it had been his Division that had been so violated, he would have found it very difficult to go back.
He quickened his pace, wanting to put the scene of tragedy behind him as quickly as possible.
Given the current state of things at Thirteenth, Ketsui had felt guilty about taking a couple of hours of free time from the barracks, but when Kirio had learned where he had planned to go, she had waved him away, telling him that they could cope and that everything was under control. As he had passed the drill yard, he had seen Kohaku and Kayashima with a gathering of the recruits, clearly preparing to go over some drill work, and, with Furuta's injury healing and everyone else bustling about completing the minutiae of Division life, he had agreed, signing his name out in the big book kept for such a purpose, and strolling out through the gates into the main thoroughfare that linked together all of the Gotei squads. Although the Onmitsukidou were still keeping guard at the entrance, they had clearly been subdued enough by Naoko's strictures not to question people, as they had barely acknowledged him and, as he had stretched his legs in a brisk walk along the cobbles, he had let out his breath in a rush. Thirteenth had been a tense place ever since Enishi's arrest, and, like all of his fellows, Ketsui was fond of the missing officer. His presence both around the barracks and the training yard was a big one. It had seemed unnaturally empty without his booming voice and heavy steps, and the sorry state of the Eleventh only made this sensation feel worse.
Fukutaichou will be all right, though. Taichou went to see him, and if he was in really bad trouble, they wouldn't let that happen, would they? I have to just believe in Seireitei's justice and hope for the best. And I have to keep positive about it, too - because I'm an Eighth seated officer, and I can't let my juniors see me worry about something as important as this.
Ketsui exhaled slowly, stretching his hands over his head as if by doing so he could expel some of his own stress.
It's been a long time since I let my worrying get out of hand, but I suppose a lot has happened this time. I guess that's one reason I'm heading this way, although I really don't know any better whether this is the right thing to do or if it isn't. I promised myself to stand on my own two feet, but...maybe I'm really coming this way for reassurance, like the old days.
He frowned, gazing at the road ahead until he could fix his gaze on the distinctive sign that marked out his destination. Within a few moments he was standing there, gazing up at the ferocious bird of prey which marked the entrance of the Seventh Division compound, and at the piercing look in the creature's eye, he swallowed hard, summoning his courage before stepping resolutely over the threshold and into the courtyard beyond.
"Ketsui?"
His brother's voice accosted him as he crossed the stone towards the main building, and he paused, turning to see Tenichi striding across the stone to meet him. A foot or two from where Ketsui stood, the older Kotetsu paused, as if suddenly hesitant about the kind of greeting to give, and at the sight of his brother's uncertainty, Ketsui let out a sigh.
"I guess this isn't the best time for me to be here, is it?" he realised. "I probably should have sent a message, but..."
"Did you come on official business, or...?" Tenichi hesitated again, and the awkwardness in his phrasing made Ketsui feel guilty.
I was in the Real World when Ten-nii was released, but even though he met and spoke to Kirio-nee, I haven't tried to make contact since my return. No wonder he's looking at me like that...I'm sure I've given him reason to doubt me and my motives a lot, recently. I said I wasn't going to burden him, but that's not the same as not acknowledging him.
He shook his head.
"I came to see you," he said aloud, "but I just realised that Seventh is probably chaotic right now as well, isn't it? I'd forgotten, but some of your officers are also in the Dangai, aren't they?"
"They are," Tenichi's eyes glittered with surprise and what might have been pleasure at this admission. "Taichou's got everyone working hard. Ohara's not much use while he's worried about Kikyue-dono, but Hajime-dono and Nakata have been overseeing drill and training. It's a lot of work, given that we're short-handed, but there's been no report that Kikyue-dono or any of the others are hurt. Just that they're not back yet. Like as not they're still investigating what they were sent to find out - in any case, we've been told not to worry and to get on with normal work as much as we can."
"If they're stretched on personnel, why are you out here like this?" Ketsui eyed his brother in consternation. "If you're skipping off your own work because I'm here, Niichan..."
"No," Tenichi scratched his head awkwardly, shaking his head. "I'm not allowed...I mean, because of what happened at Thirteenth...one of my parole conditions is that, until Taichou says so, I'm not to be involved in supervising or training lower ranked officers."
"Oh." Immediately Ketsui felt bad for asking, and his discomfort had clearly shown in his expression, for Tenichi laughed, reaching out to grab his brother by the arm and giving him a little tug.
"It's fine," he said firmly, and for a moment, Ketsui felt their old connection begin to flicker back into life. "Really. You don't have to look like that. I'm not at a loose end, not exactly, but I'm not really assigned, either. I suppose I'm informally on sentry duty, but nothing much is going on here and it's very quiet. Everyone's waiting on news but there isn't any news on anything, not so far. Fukutaichou told me to keep tabs on things here and to be ready for action if and when orders change - but that's down to the Captain, not me. In the meantime, I am glad to see you. It feels like a long time...well, I guess it has been a long time, and I don't suppose I expected..."
"I have been remiss in not coming sooner," Ketsui admitted. "It's not personal, though. Coming here...it's not really the kind of place I feel comfortable, but I know you can't come to Thirteenth and so I should have made the effort sooner. I don't want you to think I'm ashamed of you or anything like that. I was in the Real World when you were paroled, but really, time has just flown by, and...well, I also want to stand on my own feet and not run to you for help any more. I shouldn't do that - not now, when we're both ranked at Eighth seat."
"I guess we are, aren't we," Tenichi released his hold on his brother's arm, leaning up against the pillar of the Seventh gateway and folding his arms thoughtfully across his chest. "Well, I wonder what Mother would make of that. You've caught me up. I should be ashamed. First Kirio leaping up the rankings to the lofty heights of Fourth Seat, and now you. I really have my work cut out to catch up, don't I?"
"Kirio-nee said that you planned to push forward and earn your rank now you're back in uniform," Ketsui remembered. "I was glad to hear it, Nii-chan. She said you seemed more yourself than the last time she'd spoken to you. I know I came to see you in prison, but that was always..."
"Uncomfortable?" Tenichi looked rueful, nodding his head. "For me probably more than you, especially since whenever you did come, I was usually nursing bruises. I know you were worried about me, but I didn't want to drag you down, and honestly, I didn't want to talk to you too much about what went on there. I suppose I don't now, either, if you don't mind. I'm trying to find the scraps of my pride and make a positive experience of this whole thing, and I can only do that if I look forward now, rather than back. I was ashamed to be there, when you came to see me. It reminded me of the day you took my sword from me. I was and still am glad you did that," he added quickly, "but I won't forget it. I don't ever want to be that person again - but I suppose I felt like you coming to the prison was reminding you of that act as well. I let you down, and you're the one person that I never wanted to hurt...even though probably you're the one I hurt most by acting how I did. And...well, you didn't say it, but Kirio gave me the lowdown on your relationship with that Ichimaru girl. She seemed to think it was serious, so the last thing I wanted to do was make our relationship untenable because I tried to harm someone you cared about like that."
"Izumi isn't mad at you," Ketsui hurried to reassure his companion. "Nor am I. You were not well when you attacked her. Keitarou messed with you, and you weren't my brother when you released Reihahen that day. I know that. I just didn't know what prison was doing to you, and whether you would still be someone I knew when you got out. Maybe that was the real reason I delayed coming here. I was afraid to find out."
"But you're here now," Tenichi pointed out, and Ketsui nodded.
"What happened to the Eleventh Division officers put it all in perspective," he admitted. "Seventh still has officers missing, and you could've been one of them. When I realised that, I realised that you might have disappeared into the Dangai...and well, I suppose I realised leaving things up in the air was wrong. I was in the Real World, and some things happened there too, but it also occurred to me that coming back might have been dangerous without either Naoko-san or I even knowing it. We got back safely, but..."
"I see," Tenichi sent him an affectionate glance. "You're still worrying over petty details. That reassures me. You've become a competent officer and you don't need my guidance...but you still came here today because you were worried about things that might have happened, even though they didn't."
"I suppose so," Ketsui looked sheepish, and Tenichi grinned. "I did mean what I said, though. I am standing on my own two feet and making my own decisions about things, Nii-chan. You're my brother, and I do want that to matter. But I don't want you to feel you need to protect me from things. It's all right, if you don't want to talk about prison with me - or if you want to put that behind you. But please don't keep things bottled up any more. If you reach breaking point again, promise you'll tell someone. If you can't tell me, then Kirio-nee, or someone at Seventh. I don't want to see you in trouble again. It's not a good feeling."
"For me, either," Tenichi assured him. "Don't worry. I've pulled myself together and I'm resolved to only act in the interests of the Seventh from now on. I owe my Captain for sticking with me, so I'll do what he asks. I owe Kikyue-hime, too...so maybe it is a good thing you came here now. I mean, no orders have come yet, but Hajime-dono made it clear that we might have to go into the Dangai to look for her, and I won't be holding back if that order comes."
"I guess that makes sense," Ketsui sighed. "In which case, please be careful."
"I'll try," Tenichi promised, "but as I said, no orders have come yet. It all might be resolved at a higher level without our input."
He sent his brother a sidelong glance.
"Is Houjou-fukutaichou all right?" he asked quietly. "He was always good to me, and when I heard about his arrest...but we have no real details here. If you can't say then you can't, but I have wondered."
"We don't have a lot of information, either, but Taichou is certain that Fukutaichou acted reasonably and that it will all be proven," Ketsui said pensively. "He was allowed to go visit Fukutaichou in the Maggot's Nest, which has cheered a lot of people up. Thirteenth is tense at the moment, though, with our Vice Captain missing. I think Taichou believes it will be all right, but he and Naoko-san have had a lot more work to deal with, and Kirio-nee and Atsudane-san have been taking on the bulk of other chores, like patrols in the meantime. I even saw Koku setting up training with some recruits when I left, so it's been all hands on deck. I'm only here now because Kirio-nee said I'd been working myself into the ground since the Real World trip and I should take a break while I didn't have anything else immediately on my rota."
"Hajime-dono said that he thought Houjou-fukutaichou's account was probably true, as he didn't think Ikata fool enough to attack his Division," Tenichi said thoughtfully. "He also said that if Houjou-fukutaichou could have arrested Ikata, he would, so I think that he believes what came out of that Gate was dead and had to be taken down. I heard that rumour came from Kohaku - so I thought you might know a bit more about it. Kirio said he was well integrated these days into the Thirteenth as a squad."
"He is," Ketsui confirmed. "He had a nightmare that shook the whole division when Eleventh was attacked, and was sleepwalking out in the yard. I didn't see the worst of what happened, but I had to help get him to bed afterwards. Izumi used her hypnosis to put him out, fortunately, so it didn't get to a point where he was roaming around Seireitei in a state of confusion - but from what I understand, he saw some pretty grim stuff. I'm sure that probably Ikata and the others were dead, Nii-chan. Nothing else makes sense to us either. But it's just waiting for the Fourth to prove it - and apparently that's difficult to prove, since determining time of death inside the Dangai is next to impossible."
"I see," Tenichi sighed. "So I suppose there's still a risk Houjou-fukutaichou might be charged?"
"I don't see Taichou letting that happen," Ketsui shook his head. "But I don't know how long it might take to get everything ironed out. The Onmitsukidou have been swarming around Thirteenth on and off, and they are still haunting our gate. It makes it hard to relax and just get on with life."
"I've been thinking about it," Tenichi owned. "The logic, I mean. Ikata coming and attacking Eleventh like that. Why? I went to Rukongai. I saw the mess that was made there and it made me angry. But this was even more personal, and yet really specific. With Kikyue-dono still missing, it worries me."
"Worries you, how?" Ketsui looked confused, and Tenichi sighed.
"Prison made me wary and probably more paranoid than I should be about details," he admitted honestly, "but I was ambushed a fair few times when incarcerated, and I got to learn the patterns and rationales behind each assault. It helped, because it meant I could pre-empt or sometimes avoid them completely. No matter how I think on it, though, I can't see a rationale to send Ikata back to kill his Captain and decimate his Division. The Eleventh are a strong combat division, but they're don't have special political authority, and it's not like taking them out means we're suddenly without any other military force. The most powerful Captains are still here as usual. Minaichi is a competent fighter but in comparison to someone like Nagesu-sama or Taichou, he's a minor figure and not a member of the Council. He's not hugely popular, so an attack on him is probably less of a moral blow than it might be if it was, say, against Ukitake-taichou. Moreover, Ikata's worked with him a long time, and even if they did hate each other, he would have had a lot of opportunity to off Minaichi if he'd wanted to - but never has - so the idea of him launching a random mutiny on this scale in such an eye-catching way isn't something people are easily going to believe. If he wasn't under some kind of control - dead or otherwise - he'd have had to have gone on a suicide mission, and that doesn't make sense with what Fukutaichou told me and with Ikata's general attitude. He wanted plaudits, not to be killed, so attacking in this way would have been pointless, even if he did have an idea to overthrow Minaichi. Fukutaichou's belief that this wasn't Ikata's doing made me really consider the possibility that the attack at Eleventh wasn't really about Eleventh at all. Or if it was, it wasn't the bigger picture."
"Meaning what?" Ketsui's eyes narrowed.
"I suppose I am worrying about the implications for my patrol leader," Tenichi said darkly. "If Ikata's attack wasn't really an attack so much as a diversion, something to make Seireitei go crazy, then we haven't seen the bigger picture yet. And I don't really want to think that that bigger picture might involve Kikyue-dono and my missing comrades."
"I see," Ketsui's expression became grave. "You think Ikata was just a distraction for something else?"
"Possibly, or a test, or warm up, to see how alert the Gotei are," Tenichi nodded. "Ketsui, answer me honestly. What do you think about Kohaku's brother?"
"Katsura?" Ketsui looked troubled, and he shrugged his shoulders. "I didn't ever meet him. I know Kohaku is fond of him, but they severed ties five years ago and as far as I know, that's been that. Why?"
"You haven't been in the Real World so long that you don't know the Gotei have stepped up searches for him. It can't just be Seventh who've been doing that."
"No, searches have increased and Thirteenth have been on the alert as well," Ketsui sighed. "Kohaku hasn't discussed it with me, but he hasn't been kept out of those patrols."
"Most people here are sure Katsura is involved in this business somehow. He could manipulate Hollows, and I guess my question is, do you think he could manipulate Kohaku?" Tenichi asked. "You said he was ill when the attack happened, and people have mentioned that Katsura can read Kohaku's mind. Do you think he could do...more than that?"
"I wish I knew," Ketsui groaned. "It's horribly Urahara of me, but I am beginning to dislike it when I lack all the pieces to a puzzle. All I can tell you is that I trust Kohaku. Also, that I don't think whatever he saw was influenced by Katsura. If anything, it brought Fukutaichou on the scene, thus preventing a mass slaughter."
"But it caused the arrest of a Vice Captain and a certain amount of disruption," Tenichi pointed out. "And if Ikata was a diversion, then raising the alarm would be part of the bigger plan, wouldn't it?"
"If Keitarou were still alive, maybe," Ketsui said cautiously. "I don't know about Katsura. He seems to be a bit of an impulsive hothead...not really a planner."
"Well, I wasn't here the day he attacked my Division," Tenichi said bitterly, glancing up at the shining bird of prey that hung over his head. "I was too busy plotting murder and mischief at your place, so I can't say for sure, either. But he did come at the people here in a mad frenzy. He attacked and then, when Ukitake-taichou came, he fled. I suppose on those grounds, you have a point. But...I don't know. It bothers me. If he is involved in this - and he was in Rukongai, that's for sure - then he needs to be stopped. And that might mean...violence."
"I worry about that too," Ketsui replied pensively. "If Katsura is involved, and is arrested, it will hurt Kohaku on two counts. I don't want that. Kohaku is a good kid, Nii-chan. He's been through enough, and he doesn't deserve to go through more. No matter how bad his brother is, it's Kohaku who will suffer the most if he has to see Katsura executed by Seireitei justice. And, as someone who almost saw their brother killed in the same circumstances, I don't really like the thought. It's a bit too close for comfort."
"I owe him my life," Tenichi acknowledged with a sigh. "He came and stood on the witness stand and testified in front of all those people and because of that they dropped the treason charges and believed I wasn't working for his father. I haven't forgotten, and I haven't had a chance to thank him for it, either. Knowing that debt exists makes the idea of killing his brother a bit unpalatable to me too, but...I don't know. I am probably capable of doing it now, Ketsui. I don't say I want to go kill people," as Ketsui gazed at him in dismay, "but prison made me face up to what I'd been denying before my conviction. Keitarou's meddling taught me to think more violently than I ever had before, and Taichou said that instinct probably won't ever go away. In that case, it's best I manage it and train it to be used for Seireitei's benefit. If Katsura is guilty of doing all this - and if he hurts Kikyue-dono - I would be able to kill him. Even if I owe Kohaku my life."
Ketsui was silent for a long time, and Tenichi rested a hand on his brother's shoulder.
"I'm not the same person I was before Keitarou abducted me," he said quietly. "I might have been, if Souja-dono hadn't died. Whether I am guilty or not in that, it doesn't matter. It was still the trigger for everything else. Everything that happened, leading up to my attack on Ichimaru-san, has changed my outlook. It's probably made me a better shinigami, but I don't know if it's made me a better person. I suppose I wondered if you didn't come to see me because you sensed that too - that I have changed, and I can't pretend otherwise."
"Nii-chan..."
"You asked me not to keep things from you," Tenichi reminded him softly, and Ketsui sighed, but nodded his head slowly.
"I know," he said earnestly, meeting his brother's gaze with a wistful one of his own. "And I think I probably did know, deep down, since that day I took your sword. I'm not the same person either, I don't think. I don't suppose either of us could stay the same, after what happened. But...even if that's true, I do think we can still be brothers. I want us to, anyway. And because Kohaku is someone I'm close to now, I hope that it doesn't come to it that you have to kill his brother. I really hope that Katsura isn't involved, and most of all, you won't kill him at all unless it can be proven that he is."
"I will follow the orders I'm given," Tenichi said frankly, "but I don't intend to kill any innocent people. I've not lost my conscience, and I'm not about to go on a rampage. Maybe five years ago I was unstable and I don't deny it, but I've got to grips with those things now and I promise, I would never act like that again, especially not without an official command. I just wanted to make sure you knew that, if Katsura did hurt those people in Rukongai, I won't forgive him. If he is the reason my patrol leader isn't here, I won't overlook that. And if my Captain tells me to, Ketsui...I will be ready to kill him. Because one thing I did learn from five years ago. Kyouraku-taichou probably didn't want to kill Keitarou, but his doing so brought peace to Seireitei. And if this would do the same, I'd kill Katsura, too."
"I don't really like hearing it," Ketsui admitted, "but I'm not a child. I know what you say makes sense. I just can't look at it that objectively. Kohaku saved you, but you never really got to know him as anything other than a refugee. I do know him. I train with him, often, and he's our cousin. I really consider him family, now. And I can also relate to his fears for his brother. It's something you won't ever understand, Nii-chan - worrying about an elder brother who's crossed lines and whose life might be forfeit because of the decisions he made. It could have been death for you too, and Kohaku is the reason that didn't happen. So I won't kill Katsura. I won't do something to take from Koku the brother he idolises, because he saved the life of the one I always looked up to - and, probably, if I'm honest, still do."
"You do?" Tenichi looked startled, and Ketsui nodded.
"Yes," he said honestly. "So please remember that. I am not going to rely on you to solve my problems. But it doesn't mean I don't still recognise you as a huge role model in my life."
"I am not sure I deserve to be that," Tenichi sighed, sinking down onto the wall beside the gate as he digested this. "When we were younger, maybe, but..."
"I admire you now for taking the lessons of five years ago and putting your life back together. For accepting your mistakes and trying to move on," Ketsui said simply. "It takes courage to do that. To step back out here in uniform and take people's criticism and judgement. To not lie or try to hide it, but use it to go forward - that's something to be admired. But I still don't want to see it stain your blade with blood, not even to impress your Captain. So if you have to kill someone, I want you to stop and really think about it. Ukitake-taichou always taught us to take prisoners when we could, rather than lives, so that justice could be properly served. Vigilante justice may be appropriate in some situations, and if Katsura is dangerous enough to send a Vice Captain to kill his squad, then it might be that you have to act. I just don't want you to cross that line unless it's in the interests of everyone that you do. What Kyouraku-taichou did was for the benefit of everyone, and I know that. Make sure that, if you're going to kill Katsura, you're certain that the same is true this time. Because if it is, he'll have betrayed Kohaku most of all - and he'll deserve to meet Seireitei's justice."
"You've grown up a lot in five years," Tenichi observed, and Ketsui shrugged.
"I've had to," he agreed. "I've had a lot of responsibility since that day. Like I said, we're neither of us the same as we were. But I think...maybe we're able to be more honest with each other because of it. Maybe that's a good thing."
"Then you can tell me in your own words how serious your relationship is with the Ichimaru girl," Tenichi suggested, and Ketsui reddened at the forwardness of the question. "Kirio thought it was for keeps. Is it? Should I expect a wedding sometime soon? Not that I'd be able to attend, because I'm not allowed within reach of the girl, but I'd still like to know."
"There's no wedding date," Ketsui recovered himself, shooting his brother a rueful smile. "I don't know really how to define it. I didn't talk to you about it because it was awkward, but it's also because it's not really something we've defined. But...I am...I mean...we are...quite close. And probably...it is serious. Maybe...for keeps."
"You're in love with her, huh?" Tenichi arched an eyebrow, and Ketsui hesitated, then nodded his head.
"I am," he admitted self-consciously. "It came at me without warning, but yes. I guess I am. I guess...it's like that."
"Did that happen before or after I attacked her?"
"It's hard to say," Ketsui shrugged his shoulders. "I think...maybe it was beginning. It's hard to really explain, and I don't know if I even can. Just, when you attacked her, I was really angry. And I wanted to protect her. Even if it meant drawing a sword on you - or risking my life to do it. At the time, I didn't really question why that was, but afterwards...I suppose I knew that it was more than just duty. I trusted her and I wanted to protect her. And I'm sorry, Nii-chan, but I was ready that day to fight anyone who meant her harm."
"I never saw you like that before, but on reflection, I'm glad you intervened," Tenichi grimaced, running his fingers through his red waves of hair. "I am sorry, though. It won't happen again. I promise. No matter what. And maybe, if I'd seen things rationally five years ago, I'd have realised that your connection with that girl wasn't sinister, but that your interest in her welfare - and hers in yours - was something else."
"Like I said, you weren't well then," Ketsui shook his head. "I am in love with Izumi, but Nii-chan, I'm still your brother. Izumi has never been angry with you. She knew you attacked her because you thought she was working for Keitarou, and she'd thought you were. Ultimately, it was a miscommunication made worse by your paranoia and her muteness, but she was the one who pushed me to come see you in prison. Izumi only has a brother, too, and has lost a lot of close people in her life, some of whom were taken by Keitarou. She's probably the one most angry with your parole conditions, because she doesn't want to be the reason there's a barrier between us. You needn't worry about it. It's over and past. And, when your parole expires, you can tell her yourself that you're sorry. Then it will be over for you, too. And we can all move on."
"I suppose so," Tenichi looked relieved. "All right. Kirio said it, but I'm glad you've said so too. I'll keep that in mind, and wait out my restraining order, then."
His eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Just don't set a wedding date until that restriction expires," he instructed. "It would be sad if I wasn't allowed to attend."
"It really doesn't seem appropriate to be talking about that kind of thing right now," Ketsui reflected grimly, and at his words, Tenichi's own expression became grave. He nodded.
"It doesn't, but then you came here because you realised that things can change quickly and people can die unexpectedly," he said sadly. "That's the reality of the job we both signed up for."
"True," Ketsui's heart was heavy as he acknowledged his brother's words. "On which note, I ought to be heading back. Kirio-nee gave me some time when I told her I wanted to come see you, but I shouldn't outstay my welcome here, and I don't want anyone back home to think I'm shirking. I'm glad we had a chance to talk, Nii-chan. I don't know, yet, how I feel about some of the things you said - but I do feel a little reassured that, at the very least, you trusted me with them. It makes me feel like you're still my brother, whatever else has happened."
"Of course," Tenichi's sober gaze lightened slightly and he slapped a warm hand down between Ketsui's shoulderblades. "No matter how many times they throw me in chains or how stupid my judgement gets, I'll always be that. I guess you'll just have to factor in the idiot moments as some latent gene I inherited from Father's side of the family, and move on."
"Father..." Ketsui had been readying himself to go, but at this he paused, turning to glance back at his companion. "I haven't heard you talk about him that way before."
"I wasn't really meaning him," Tenichi shook his head. "I meant Keitarou. He got Father wrapped up in his mess and then killed, and I almost followed suit. I suppose some things do run in the family."
"It seems like a long time ago, since Father died," Ketsui remarked, and Tenichi nodded.
"Taichou has promised to mark his grave with a proper memorial," he replied. "When he does, I hope I'll be allowed to go pay my respects properly...and I'd like it if you came too."
"I hadn't really thought about it," Ketsui said honestly. "I don't think about Father very much. I suppose I don't know if I have enough memories to have that kind of connection."
He sighed, scratching his head, then,
"I promise I'll think about it, providing we both survive whatever it is that's going on in Seireitei lately," he said at length. "I don't know how I feel about it, but even if I don't have a bond with him, really, I do have one with you. And I'd like to make that stronger, given how much has happened...so I promise to think it over."
"That's good enough for now," Tenichi looked relieved. "All right then. I'll let you go. I have to go check on Ohara, anyway."
"Ohara?" Ketsui looked confused, and Tenichi rolled his eyes.
"He's a mad fool and in love with Kikyue-dono, so Hajime-dono's confined him to quarters. I promised to make sure he didn't do anything stupid, and since that's the only duty I have right now, I better see it through, even if it is an annoying one," he agreed. "Ohara doesn't like me very much as a rule, and even though he's been less down on District people since I came back, right now he's not pleasant company."
"Poor Ohara," Ketsui looked grave. "I guess the sooner Kikyue-hime and her companions get back from their mission, the better."
"No kidding," Tenichi said fervently. "Those orders can't come soon enough, if you want my view. But in the meantime, you play nice and do whatever you can to back Kirio and Ukitake-taichou up at Thirteenth. I think it'll be all hands on deck everywhere for a while, even if the bigwigs do get to the bottom of it all - so it might be a while before we get to speak again, but remember what I said. It was good to see you, Ketsui. Take care of yourself, so that we can talk like this again."
"Same to you," Ketsui tossed back, offering his brother a rueful smile. He raised his hand in a wave, watching Tenichi follow suit, then turned on his heel, making his way slowly and thoughtfully back towards the Thirteenth.
Although much had happened in five years, he felt strangely comforted by the familiarity of talking things out with his brother.
It's not quite like nothing has changed. We've both grown up, perhaps, but maybe we haven't grown as apart as I thought. At the very least, it's reassuring to know that Keitarou didn't break my brother...and that we still have common ground. And now I need to pull myself together and be the right kind of role model for my Division members, just as he said. Maybe, when it is all over, I will be able to go with him to Father's grave, too. It means more to him than it does to me, but if Keitarou didn't destroy my brother, then maybe I should try to make peace with Father's memory, too. Ten-nii is right, after all. Keitarou got Father messed up in his craziness and got him killed. And even if I don't totally forgive Father for choosing to stay behind with Keitarou instead of fleeing District Seven with us, I suppose I know now that the ties of blood can be strong. I believe in Kohaku, so I don't want to be involved in killing his brother. And my brother crossed lines too, but I still trust him. Maybe, if I think of it like that, it's easier to understand Father's point of view.
He hesitated, gazing up at the hazy white wisps of cloud that broke up the perfect blue of the sky.
Or maybe, just maybe, somewhere inside of me there's a bit of that misguided rebel spirit lurking too.
So Ketsui had finally come to see him.
Tenichi made his way across the courtyard towards the main barracks building, a faint smile touching his features as he did so. He had worked hard since his release, and there had been little time for socialising outside of hours, especially when he knew he was being monitored for any sign of unstable behaviour, but although he had known Ketsui had returned from the Real World, there had been no attempt at contact from the younger boy, and Tenichi himself had been unsure about how to initiate anything himself. As he had told Kirio, he had no intention of breaking his parole rules by visiting Thirteenth, and didn't really want to return to the scene of the crime, anyway, but although his old friend had greeted him with warm hugs and welcomes, the silence from his brother had cut deep.
I didn't know how it would be when we were both back here, and I know that his visits in prison were generally full of awkward silences from both sides, but I had begun to wonder if he'd written me off entirely. I guess not. I guess it was just that he needed a nudge. It feels better, having talked to him. Having told him...how I feel about things, and not having him reject me for saying it. Even though I attacked someone he cares for, he hasn't given up on me. I guess now I just have to make sure I live up to his confidence in me - in a better way than I did before.
Tenichi hummed a soft tune under his breath, pushing back the main door and striding through the hall towards the corridor that fed into the quarters of the Division's senior seats. As Fourth Seat and the son of an eminent Endou nobleman from Hirata's court, Ohara's chamber was a private room that boasted one of the larger amounts of personal space available to members of the Seventh, and Tenichi allowed himself a wry smile as he remembered his own shared quarters in comparison.
Still, right now it's a good thing. Ohara's in no temper to be social. I wouldn't put it past him to rip up his quarters, the mood he was in when Hajime-dono assigned him here. I suppose I better prepare for a hostile reception. I'm dealing with an angry hunter who outranks me...it never hurts to be safe, rather than sorry.
He brushed his hands against the hilt of his weapon.
Reihahen, I know you aren't properly speaking to me yet, but just in case you're listening - if Ohara tries to cut my head off or insert his blade into me somehow, I'd really appreciate it if you'd help me keep myself in one piece.
There was no verbal reply, but Tenichi thought he felt the faintest hum of his sword's presence, and he sighed, hoping that that was a gesture of confirmation, rather than a continuation of his blade's petulant sulk. Since the sword had been removed from its seals and returned to him, Reihahen had been entirely uninterested in obeying any kind of release command and, on the rare occasion Tenichi had actually managed to make the weapon speak to him, the words had been cold and bitter, resentment for the long confinement clear in Reihahen's words. It was only too clear that the zanpakutou - a proud blade with an unwavering sense of honour and good conduct - had still not forgiven him for the momentary lapse in sanity that had led to him using his shikai to terrorise and almost kill an unarmed recruit in the gardens of his old Division, and even though the Gotei's punishment was now long over, Reihahen's own was not.
Reihahen, please. I've told you I'm sorry. How many more times do I have to say it? I can't take it back, and you're not being very helpful.
Tenichi touched his hands to the wall of the corridor, then,
What use is it my being here if I can't even use you to defend myself? If someone were to attack Seventh, this whole place is made of wood. You're the ideal weapon to launch a tactical offensive - what happens if you don't answer me, and people get hurt - like at Eleventh?
If you had cared so much for your duty, Kotetsu Tenichi, you would have attended your commander's orders instead of defying them to attack an unarmed girl.
Reihahen's cutting reply made the red-haired officer flinch, a rueful look entering his greenish gaze.
You earned my trust to fight with you once, and you can earn it again. If you get slightly maimed in the process, so be it. It is your lesson to learn. I will not have my commands used in such an ugly way a second time, so keep that in mind.
Great. Fine. Whatever. I guess I'll just have to hope Ohara's not feeling like taking my head off my shoulders today, then, won't I?
I don't know what you're whining about. If you'd been paying attention, you'd know that nobody is going to attack you from that room.
Reihahen sounded scornful, and Tenichi bristled with annoyance.
Oh, and you know, do you? What makes you so sure of that? You're really starting to tick me off now, you know that? Do you read minds, now, as well?
No, only yours, and it's not much to look at.
Came the blunt reply.
Prison clearly dented your intelligence as well as your senses - or you were so desperate to reunite with your brother, you stopped paying attention. Your superior officer is not here. He's long since left this place.
"What?"
Tenichi's eyes opened wide and, all thought of a potential hostile onslaught forgotten, he dived forward, throwing back the door of Ohara's chamber with a growing sense of dismay. As Reihahen had said, the room was empty, though the shutters had been pushed full back from the window, and, as Tenichi hastened inside, he quickly saw that Ohara's zanpakutou was also missing from the room. He swore softly under his breath, hurrying to the window and gazing out across the rear yard, but there was no sign of the other man, and although he tried to pick up Ohara's reiatsu, he could not.
Apparently you should have sealed him in with Kidou. You're good at doing that, remember? Or is that only useful when you want to commit a vigilante action, not when you want to prevent one?
"You knew he had gone, didn't you? You sensed it - you felt him go! Why didn't you tell me?"
Angry now, Tenichi made the demand out loud, and Reihahen snorted, the hilt of the weapon prickling slightly with indignant reiryoku.
It's not my job to fix your messes. You had the order, not me. He's probably gone to find his missing Princess. I wonder how you'll explain this to your Vice Captain. Detecting another shinigami's reiatsu should be childs-play to an Eighth seat - but maybe not to one whose spirit power has been sealed in cuffs for five years, huh? Or were you just so happy to see your brother that you derelicted your duty? Tsk. At this rate it's going to be a long time before we fight together again - that is, providing you don't end up in chains again for this.
With that, the sword's presence withdrew pointedly from his thoughts, and Tenichi groaned, dropping down bad-temperedly onto Ohara's bed.
"Damn you, Reihahen. Damn you, Ohara!" he muttered. "I didn't notice. I'm sure that a high ranking Endou probably has some good concealment Kidou, but I should have. But Hajime-dono gave him the order to stay here, and I don't suppose either he or I thought he'd disobey, not since the command originated with Taichou."
He buried his head in his hands.
Now what? Do I go report this to Hajime-dono? I guess I have to. Ohara's not in his right senses right now, but I don't know where to begin looking for him. The Gates are all sealed, so there's no way into the Dangai, even if he wanted to enter. Only a Captain with special clearance could override that, and Ohara's not that. He'll get into trouble if I report him, though - and so will I, but that's beside the point. Maybe I did let Ketsui coming distract me, and if so, I probably deserve the disciplinary, but...
He raised his gaze, his lips thinning as he considered his options.
If Taichou finds out Ohara's deserted and gone off on some crazy mission of his own, he'll probably flip out. If I take this to Hajime-dono, he'll have to take it to the Captain. It could end up really messy, and it's not going to help bring Kikyue-hime home any sooner. Moreover, this is my mistake. I should've been more attentive to this as a possibility - but I really didn't think he was that crazy. Although...
"When you attacked her, I was really angry. And I wanted to protect her. Even if it meant drawing a sword on you - or risking my life to do it. At the time, I didn't really question why that was, but afterwards...I suppose I knew that it was more than just duty. I trusted her and I wanted to protect her. And I'm sorry, Nii-chan, but I was ready that day to fight anyone who meant her harm."
He faltered, suddenly recalling Ketsui's words about Izumi.
I've never been in love, so maybe I underestimated its thrall. But Ketsui said it himself, didn't he? He was ready to fight anyone and do anything to protect Ichimaru-san, even if the person attacking her was me. Even if he didn't know anything about her, he was still ready to risk his life to keep her safe. I've been slow, but I should have realised it sooner. Ohara doesn't care if the Captain is cross with him or if he gets punished or even killed. He's gone to try to find Kikyue-hime, even if it kills him. Which means that, if I report him, the chances are they'll have to try and drag him back by force. He might release his sword, and there might be a violent scene. He might fight it out and end up dead. I can't let that happen. Not because I didn't take it seriously enough, how deep his feelings for Kikyue-dono ran. We've always considered it something of a joke, but I guess it isn't a joke. I guess it matters, when the chips are down and someone is in trouble.
He got slowly to his feet, clasping his hand around Reihahen's hilt momentarily, before releasing it again.
And I don't even have a zanpakutou who will answer my call right now, so going after him and challenging him myself is probably not the smartest idea I've ever had. But I need to do it, anyway. I need to find him and try to bring him back. Reihahen is right, I derelicted my duty - and I'm on probation, so I'm probably in trouble either way. But if I can stop Ohara from getting killed then that's what I'll do. If I can persuade him to come back...promise to back his cause with Fukutaichou over further action, or something...then it stays out of the Taichou's attention and hopefully, nobody gets hurt. I'm sure Sekime-taichou will have something figured out soon, so it's just a case of buying some time to keep the peace until those orders come. I can do that, surely?
He clambered up onto the sill of Ohara's window, pausing for a moment to scour the ground for any sign of disturbed grass or mud, but he could see nothing.
Well, if I can't trace him by reiatsu, and I can't follow footprints, then I'll just have to track him down the old-fashioned way. By process of elimination.
Tenichi set his teeth, launching himself out of the window and onto the soft ground below.
I'll begin with the most obvious place he's likely to head and work back. The last time Kikyue-dono was in Seireitei, she was in Sixth District, and she went into the Dangai through that broken Gate. Since she didn't come back to Seireitei with Ikata and the others, then I don't suppose Ohara'd be too interested in checking out the Gate near Twelfth - but the one in Sixth seems like as good a place as any to begin.
He tapped Reihahen pensively.
You want me to earn your trust back, Reihahen? Well, I don't know if that will happen or if it won't. But I'm taking responsibility for my error, anyway. We're going to find Ohara and drag him back, if need be - and I'd appreciate your help if it comes to the crunch. In his current state of mind, who knows what he might do - and I'd quite like to be able to return to Seventh Division alive, even if I do get court-martialed afterwards.