Kaito pushed his empty bowl aside and slumped over the counter, chin propped on his crossed arms and eyes half closed; he'd probably eaten more than he should, but he'd been starving after his fight with Kenpachi, and the curry was just as good as he remembered it being.

(Luckily, he didn't need to be at the Ugendo for a while yet.)

(He doubted he could keep up with either of the Captains right now.)

"Finished?" the owner asked as she took his bowl and brought it to the sink.

"Mmhm," Kaito hummed agreeably, watching her clean up. "How much for everyone's meal?"

She shot him an amused look as she rinsed the bowl off. "Going to just hand me your money pouch again, kid?"

Kaito huffed and sat up, pulling out the pouch and spilling some coins onto the counter; it was the work of moments to count out the price of his first meal just like she'd shown him, and he shot her a tiny grin as soon as he'd finished.

(Just because he was new to the Shinigami's currency didn't mean he couldn't learn!)

(Kan and yen were similar enough that he really only needed an introduction to what the coins were in order to use them.)

The owner chuckled and returned to the counter, collecting Kurosaki and Ishida's bowls as she told him, "See if you've got four thousand, five hundred and fifty kan in that bag of yours then. Unless someone wants seconds?"

"I'm good," Kurosaki immediately answered.

Ishida nodded. "I am as well.

"It was good, thank you," Sado told her as she collected his bowl.

"I'm glad you enjoyed it," she told Sado with a warm smile, then sent a questioning look at Hanataro, who was still nibbling at his meal.

Hanataro shook his head. "I-I'm not going t-to have more."

"Good enough for me," the owner declared as she carted the bowls she'd collected back to the sink and began to wash them out.

Kaito hummed and dumped more coins onto the counter, flicking through the collection and carefully stacking coins until he had the right amount. He pushed the little stacks towards the owner, then flashed her a smile as he said, "There you go!"

The owner chuckled as she set down the bowl she was cleaning and grabbed a towel to dry off her hands. She considered the little stacks for a moment, tossed the towel over her shoulder, then swept the coins into her hands and counted them up. "Looks good kid, thanks," she said with a nod, dropping the money into her cash box. "Have a good afternoon."

"You too," he said as he poured the remaining kan into the pouch and tucked it away, making a mental note to figure out how much he actually had at some point.

Hanataro leaned into his side, his touch warm-safe-familiar, and smiled up at him as he asked, "R-ready to go? Y-you should cl-clean up a bit, b-before we meet w-with Ukitake-taicho a-and Kyoraku-taicho."

Kaito nodded in agreement, then cast a glance over at the teens. "I'll be busy the rest of the afternoon," he told them firmly, hoping to head off any attempt at following him. "Feel free to wander around Seireitei, though. Most Shinigami are… well… they're at least neutral towards us, now that the truth is out. Just… avoid the Second and Twelfth and their Captains."

Ishida frowned and adjusted his glasses, gaze sharp-wary-thoughtful as he said, "The Second I can almost understand, given the way their Captain was glaring at you earlier, but… the Twelfth?"

"Maa, well…" Kaito hesitated, glanced warily at the woman who owned the stand, and grimaced at the hint of understanding in her gaze. Whatever she thought she knew, he doubted it covered his reasons for avoiding the Twelfth, but… her reaction was itself rather telling. "I'll… tell you later," he settled on, hoping the teens would accept his answer. "It's nothing I really want to discuss right now.

(Frankly, he'd rather just avoid the topic altogether, but… he couldn't.)

(He couldn't.)

The looks the teens exchanged at his words set him further on edge, but it wasn't like he could do anything about it; hopefully they'd at least keep his words in mind and avoid Kurotsuchi instead of trying to sleuth the answer out themselves.

(He probably should have pulled Ishida aside to discuss the whole… everything involving Kurotsuchi sooner than this, but…)

(He had no idea how to approach the topic.)

('That man experiments on Quincy, avoid him,' wasn't exactly a good way to start!)

(And how in the world was he going to excuse his knowledge of the man's crimes?)

(But… he couldn't just leave Ishida in the dark!)

(He'd… he'd think of something.)

(Hopefully…)

Hanataro's hand settled on his arm, fingers digging in just enough to drag Kaito's thoughts from their spiral.

Kaito took a careful breath. Another. Nodded his thanks to Hanataro even as he refused to look back over at the teens. Slid from the stool and stood up. "Let's go."

"Alright," Hanataro said softly, kindly, as he hopped off his stool and smiled up at Kaito. "B-back to the F-Fourth?"

"Unless there's somewhere else I can clean off and get a change of clothes…?"

"W-well, you d-did just agree—"

"Nope! No way," Kaito cut Hanataro off before his friend could bring up the Eleventh, amused despite himself. "If I go back there, I'm going to end up in another fight and we both know it. Besides, they only have the standard uniforms, and I told Yumichika I wasn't going to wear those unless I had to."

Hanataro giggled and leaned into Kaito's side as they stepped away from the stand. "K-Kaito-san is silly," he declared with a cheerful grin.

Kaito scoffed and protested, "I am not!" as he waved over his shoulder at the teens. He followed Hanataro down the street, absently matching his pace to his friend's shorter one. "Uniforms have their place, but I'm not really one of you and we all know this," Kaito explained as they walked. "It… seems a bit awkward to pretend to be something I'm not."

(He no longer had a right to the only uniform he'd ever worn.)

(And no matter how much he felt at ease with the Eleventh, as much as he really didn't mind being a mostly-absent member of their division…)

(Well, donning a Shinigami uniform after everything he'd seen, everything he'd lived through, felt… wrong.)

(Abhorrent.)

"T-true," Hanataro agreed with a slight nod. "K-Kaito-san is… is an officer, but… but not a C-Captain or Lieu-Lieutenant. He has… there's m-more uhm… leeway available t-to y-you."

Kaito grimaced at the idea of being a Captain or Lieutenant — those ranks he'd have immediately refused, no matter which Division the offer came from — though he supposed the possibility was there. There were three empty Captain positions now, and… he actually had no idea what the Shinigami had done about those in his previous world.

(Had they promoted the Lieutenants?)

(Promoted other Shinigami over the Lieutenants?)

(Maybe—)

(No.)

(It wasn't his concern.)

(Shinigami matters weren't his problem.)

Kaito rubbed at the side of his nose and tried to shake off his spiraling thoughts, for what little good it did.

(Hanataro was right.)

(He really did need a day of rest, given the way his mind kept rabbiting off.)

(But… what would he do…?)

He sighed, then smiled faintly when Hanataro swayed into his side again, reminding him that he wasn't alone. If he spoke with Ishida in the morning about Kurotsuchi, that left the rest of the day for him to do… any number of things, truthfully. Sleep, maybe. Or let Hanataro show him around the Fourth's gardens. Or both.

(He'd already agreed to seeing Hanataro's favorite spot.)

(That… that sounded nice.)

(Maybe he'd see what Hanataro thought about the idea later.)

(Until then, he had plenty to keep him occupied.)

(He just… needed to take everything one day at a time.)

(Just one day at a time…)

(He could do this…)

(He would do this.)

(He would.)

(He had to.)


Kaito strode up the path to the Ugendo, feeling at least somewhat more put together after a shower and a clean set of clothes. Part of him wasn't sure that he really wanted to deal with Ukitake and Kyoraku after the morning he'd had, but… the training was useful, and he had slept better than usual the previous night, so…

He'd try.

(He could always call it quits early, if it became too much.)

(Or Hanataro would do it for him.)

(Either or.)

He could sense both Captains as he approached Ukitake's home, their reiatsu presence gossamer-thin but there, and… it didn't feel like they were busy with anything else.

(How much free time did Shinigami have, anyway?)

(Or, no… Kyoraku was probably using this as an excuse to avoid his duties, wasn't he?)

(*Probably,*) Ichigo agreed, amused by the thought. (*Nanao did imply as much.*)

(*And Ukitake-san is on orders to rest,*) Zangetsu reminded both of them. (*Which is why he is here instead of at his division.*)

Kaito hummed softly in acknowledgment as he stepped onto the porch and rapped on the door frame to announce himself. He still wasn't sure what to think about the two, much less the strange kindness they insisted on. Though at least the idea of them using him to alleviate their boredom and escape paperwork was… understandable.

(He certainly wasn't looking forward to Yumichika essentially sending him homework every month.)

(Kyoraku's dislike was entirely understandable.)

The door slid open and Ukitake smiled at him, kind-cheerful-pleased like Kaito's very presence had made his day better. "Good afternoon, Kaito-kun," he said as he stepped back and gestured for them to enter. "I'm glad you could make it. And you as well, Yamada-san; here to make sure we don't overwork him again?"

Kaito wrinkled his nose at Ukitake as he stepped around the man and into the house. "I can take care of myself," he grumbled, though he knew he would have pushed himself well beyond his current limits if Hanataro hadn't been with him before. He'd ended up so focused on memorizing what Kyoraku was teaching him that, on his own, he certainly would have trained until he collapsed.

He suspected the Captains had a better grasp of his limits after yesterday, however, which made a repeat… unlikely.

Still… better safe than sorry, he supposed.

"Kaito-san sparred w-with Zaraki-taicho before lunch," Hanataro informed Ukitake solemnly. "B-barring emergencies, he w-will be r-resting tomorrow."

"Ah, I understand," Ukitake said, inclining his head to Hanataro. "Thank you, Yamada-san."

"Hey. Did you…" Kaito hesitated when Ukitake cast a curious look his way, wondering if he actually wanted to ask, then blew out a breath and forged onward before he could lose the rest of his nerve. "I was fighting with Kenpachi because he made me part of his division without telling me. Did you… when I was here yesterday… I…" He trailed off, unable to force the question out, even as understanding shaded Ukitake's expression.

(What if Ukitake had known?)

(Was that… was that a betrayal, or… or wasn't it?)

(Should the man have told him, or… or was there some sort of… of rule or something that prevented it?)

"Ayasegawa-san informed me that you were aware of it when he brought over the request last night," Ukitake told him, a small, concerned frown pulling at the corners of his lips. He moved as if to take a step closer, then abruptly stilled and tucked his hands into the sleeves of his uniform. "I apologize for not asking you personally, especially after what we previously… discussed. If you want me to—"

"Don't," Kaito bit out, infuriated by how easily Ukitake could leave his emotions a tangled mess. Why was the man apologizing? He'd told him to stop doing that! "It's fine. The Eleventh is fine. They…" make sense, he almost said before biting his tongue and looking away. "They're alright," he settled on grumpily, unable to meet Ukitake's gaze any longer.

(Admitting he thought the Eleventh made sense was… perhaps a bit more telling than he'd like it to be.)

(Even if Ukitake probably already suspected…)

(Ugh, he hated this!)

"Very well," Ukitake murmured, soft-warm-kind like he actually gave a damn. He stepped past Kaito and moved down the hallway, turning his head just enough to look over his shoulder at Kaito as he said, "But if you ever change your mind, please feel free to come speak with me."

Kaito clenched his jaw, biting back his immediate response; he didn't — he wouldn't — need Ukitake to step in. He wouldn't. "I doubt I'll find any reason to," he said as soon as he trusted himself to speak. "Yumichika's roped me into paperwork of all things, though I suppose he expects me to help train the Eleventh during my required visits, but that's not… it isn't…" he trailed off, helpless to articulate why the idea didn't entirely bother him.

"Training is very different from combat," Ukitake acknowledged as he slid a door open and led them into a familiar room where Kyoraku was, once again, sitting and enjoying some tea.

"Ooh? What's this now?" Kyoraku asked as he looked up, flashing Kaito a lazy smile that turned unbearably fond as his gaze settled on Ukitake. "Talking about training without me?"

"We were discussing Kaito-kun's new duties as the Eleventh's Fourth Seat," Ukitake explained as he took a seat at Kyoraku's side and gestured for Kaito and Hanataro to join them. As they were seating themselves, he lifted the teapot and poured tea into the cups set out for both Kaito and Hanataro, then refreshed Kyoraku's cup and his own.

Kyoraku chucked, amused but not mocking, and lifted his refilled teacup in a toast as he dryly said, "Good luck."

Kaito huffed and shot the man a sour look. "Thanks," he drawled, then lifted his own cup and took a sip of tea to give himself time to bite back the rest of the sarcasm that wanted to escape.

(Just because the Eleventh was understandable didn't mean he was looking forward to the new responsibility.)

(He had no doubt he'd come to regret not arguing Yumichika down, though perhaps for entirely different reasons than not wanting to be a Shinigami, even if only in name.)

"Welcome," Kyoraku said with a tiny smirk, then took another sip of his tea. When he looked up again, his expression was more serious. "I do have something to ask before we begin, if that's alright with you."

Kaito frowned and gestured for Kyoraku to continue, wondering what the man wanted. He hadn't thought he'd done anything wrong, or indicated he didn't want to train, but…

(What if Kyoraku wanted to ask him about Shiro?)

(Or had they figured out he was a Quincy?)

(Was he going to be—)

Hanataro's hand clamped down on Kaito's leg, fingers digging into his skin through his clothes, grounding him in his body.

Kaito focused on breathing. Focused on the cup in his hand and pinpricks of pain from Hanataro's hand and the feel of Ichigo pressing close. He flicked a glance through his eyelashes at Kyoraku, and internally grimaced at the calm-controlled-focused way the man was distinctly not looking back at him.

(Shit.)

(Shit.)

(He'd done it again.)

"What did you want to ask?" Kaito prompted as soon as he'd forced himself back together.

Kyoraku hummed and eyed him for a moment, then softly-kindly-evenly said, "I wanted to ask if there was anything specific that you'd like to learn or focus on during these lessons?"

Kaito froze in surprise, tenuous control escaping him at the idea that Kyoraku wanted his opinion on what the man taught him. He'd never… he'd gone to Yoruichi and his father for specific skills they could teach him, but that wasn't… he just… he just wanted to get better, to get stronger, so that what happened before never happened again.

(Surely someone like Kyoraku would have a better idea how to do that than he would…?)

(Training him was their idea!)

(Didn't they have a plan?!)

"Maa, it's alright if you can't come up with something," Kyoraku said before the silence could stretch too far. "I asked because you're not going to be here for too much longer, so I'd like to know if there's anything you'd like to focus on. But if you don't have anything in specific, that's alright; just let us know if you think of something and we'll fit it in."

"I… of course," Kaito hesitantly agreed, though he couldn't think of a single thing he would want to specifically ask for. Between the speed that he usually picked things up and Kyoraku's frankly impressive ability to teach, it seemed unlikely that he'd need to, honestly.

(*What about lessons in control?*) Ichigo suggested

Kaito looked down at the cup in his hand with a frown, turning Ichigo's suggestion over in his mind. (*I… could see the sense in that,*) he agreed after a moment, glancing up at the two Captains through his lashes again. He'd noticed how good they were at control — it was hard to miss, frankly — but it hadn't occurred to him to… to ask about it.

(*Maybe they can explain it different than Yoruichi and Hat'n'Clogs,*) Ichigo added with a shrug. (*Or maybe they learned it an entirely different way. I know you were having problems with what Yoruichi was trying to teach you.*)

(*And Father is…*) Kaito trailed off with a grimace as he dropped his gaze again, trying to find the words to describe Urahara.

(*A genius,*) Ichigo supplied. (*And absolutely terrible at explaining the basics because of it.*)

(*He's getting better!*) Kaito felt the need to protest, ignoring the fond amusement that rose from Ichigo when he did.

(*He is, but basics like control are different.*)

Kaito considered that for a moment, then conceded the point; his father truly was terrible at explaining the how of it in a way that made sense, no matter how many times he tried.

(Or maybe Urahara wasn't the problem…)

(After all, he'd never struggled with control until now; had never needed more than his grandfather's instructions and… well…)

(Maybe he—)

(*Nope, no, absolutely not. If one of our teachers at school explained something and you didn't get it, is it your fault?*) Ichigo interrupted Kaito's thought before they could spiral further.

Kaito scowled and took a drink of his tea, wanting to refute Ichigo's words but unable to; it hadn't happened to him often, but it certainly had happened. Usually he just resorted to books until one finally explained it in a way he could understand, but… this wasn't a school subject, much less a Living World subject.

There weren't many books on reiatsu control in the Living World, and even fewer that he had access to. Maybe another point of view would be useful.

He glanced up, already considering how to ask, and—

Suppressed a flinch.

Ukitake and Kyoraku were watching him, traces of concern on their faces, and Ukitake's hands were carefully clasped in front of him as if… as if he was forcing himself to hold still, to not reach out, to leave Kaito alone when… when he clearly wanted to do something.

(Again.)

(What was with the man and his incessant need to reach out?!)

"Sorry," Kaito forced out, setting his cup down and tucking his hands away in his sleeves as he straightened up. "It's been a bit of a long day."

Ukitake smiled soft-kind-reassuring and said, "If you'd rather come back another day—"

"No, it's fine!" he interrupted Ukitake before the man could finish. "I was just… thinking is all. About Kyoraku-san's offer."

"Have something you'd like to focus on, then?" Kyoraku asked, curiosity creeping into his voice.

"I…" Kaito hesitated. Fought to find the words to actually ask. Snapped his mouth shut and looked away, shame-embarrassment-uncertainty eating at his mind. "It's nothing, forget it," he muttered in resignation, fingers digging into his arms and shoulders tensing.

(*Kaito!*) Ichigo hissed.

(*What if they laugh?! Or… or don't want to teach someone like me control?!*) Kaito hissed back. (*Ukitake already knows about Shiro, so Kyoraku probably does too! I'm surprised they're even bothering to teach me to fight instead of… of… I don't know, turning me in or something!*)

(*I'm not,*) Ichigo retorted. (*If they had a problem with Shiro, they wouldn't have even offered to teach you. And they aren't the sort to laugh at something you request, especially when they're the ones asking if you have anything you'd like to focus on!*)

(*I… but… what if they say no?!*)

(*Then they say no,*) Ichigo answered, voice steady-calm-confident. (*And Hanataro might say yes. Healers need plenty of control too, right?*)

(*That's true…*) Kaito considered it; Hanataro would almost certainly be willing to try to teach him, but… he'd probably wonder why Kaito didn't ask the two very capable Captains first, and he didn't… he couldn't…

Ichigo slipped closer, warmth-confidence-calm draping like a blanket across Kaito's mind, and asked, (*Will you let me ask for you?*)

Kaito hesitated, turning the offer over in his mind; even if it wasn't him asking, it was still a part of him asking, and… was that any different? He'd have to see the response, have to live with the response, no matter which of them did it.

(Worse, they might even pity him because he couldn't ask them himself!)

(Kami, he was such a mess!)

He slid his gaze back towards the Captains, still debating whether he wanted to agree, and promptly froze.

(They were staring at him in concern again!)

(Why did they keep pretending to care?!)

"Kaito-kun? Feel free to ask whatever you'd like," Ukitake said softly, gaze warm and expression kind. "If we can't teach it, we almost certainly know someone who can. And if you're not comfortable with that person, we'll find someone else."

Kaito grimaced at how understanding Ukitake sounded; part of him wanted to lash out, to drive the man away, to make him hurt, to make him stop pitying him, but… he shoved that urge aside. Locked it away to deal with later, when he finally had the space to breathe.

(Concern did not equal pity.)

(It didn't.)

(His father has shown him that, and he… he wanted to believe it.)

(No matter what Ukitake's motives were for such kindness, he… he hadn't done anything to deserve being attacked for it.)

Hanataro leaned into his side, reiatsu slipping free just enough to tangle with the edges of Kaito's, and quietly poured him more tea.

Kaito lifted the refilled cup and gently swirled it, watching the ripples that formed. "I… understand," he forced out, not looking up at Ukitake as he spoke. "I do, but… I…" He hesitated, struggling to force the words free. It was a simple question, 'can you teach me control?' but… but he couldn't… he couldn't

Ichigo nudged him, pressing forward until he was close to the surface, close to taking control, and…

Kaito stepped back. Shoved Ichigo into front. Tucked himself away in the shelter of Zangetsu's strength and left Ichigo to it, trying to pretend that shame wasn't eating at his soul because of his retreat.

(Coward!)

(Useless!)

(…)

(No.)

(Breathe.)

(It was okay.)

(He was okay.)

Ichigo made a wordless noise of offense, briefly fumbling the teacup as he adjusted to being in control, then set the cup aside and straightened up, meeting Ukitake's gaze with all the fearlessness that Kaito couldn't muster. "We need lessons in control," he announced firmly.

Kaito mentally cringed at the blunt demand, curling further into Zangetsu's quiet calm, waiting for the fallout. Waiting to be proven right, for the Captains to treat them with disdain or disgust or… or something, anything other than the kindness they'd so far approached him — them — with.

"Control?" Kyoraku asked with an arched eyebrow, a hint of something… odd in his tone as he watched them. Kaito couldn't tell exactly what it was, but… but if the man thought they needed a way to control each other

"Reiatsu control," Ichigo clarified before Kaito could nudge him to. He scowled at the man and declared, "We're perfectly fine like this, but none of us are very good at controlling our output."

Ukitake made an understanding noise, smiling gently at them when Ichigo turned his scowl on him. "I thought as much," he admitted easily. "Kaito-kun has slipped a few times, especially around me. As has his, ah… other spirit?"

Kaito groaned at the oblique mention of Shiro and tucked his face into Zangetsu's shoulder, almost wishing he dared block off his awareness of the outside world; it was odd enough just watching like it was nothing but a television show, but the idea of not knowing what was going on was… it was… he couldn't. He couldn't just abandon Ichigo to deal with it entirely alone.

(*It'll be fine,*) Ichigo said with confidence, pulling his attention away from front long enough to brush against Kaito in reassurance. (*They don't seem that surprised or bothered by us, not really.*)

(*If you say so,*) Kaito muttered, part of him wanting to trust his best friend's words and part of him completely unable to.

(*Minute they turn on us, I'm gettin' us outta here,*) Shiro declared, challenge-determination-confidence radiating from his presence. (*Might take th' lil healer too, he's cute.*)

(*Shiro!*) Kaito yelped. (*Kidnapping him will just get us into more trouble!*)

(*Ain't kidnappin' if he agrees, an' he likes us!*)

Kaito wavered at that; technically, agreeing to flee with them wasn't kidnapping, but realistically

(*Tch, fine, fine… we'll ask Hat'n'Clogs ta kidnap 'im later. Better?*)

(*Perfect,*) Kaito shot back with as much sarcasm as he could muster, then mentally nudged Ichigo. (*And shouldn't you be paying attention?*)

(*Ahahahahahaha… whoops?*) Ichigo said sheepishly, retreating from them a bit as he pulled his attention back to the external world. "Sorry. I… we're all still figuring this out, but that's not really something you can help with."

"I understand," Ukitake said with a small nod. "We can certainly do our best to teach you — all of you — about reiatsu control. It might take a bit to find a method that works for each of you, but we'll find something."

Ichigo frowned and Kaito pulled away from Zangetsu enough to edge back towards front, both of them confused by the way Ukitake was talking.

"All of us?" Ichigo asked, even as he tugged Kaito closer, both of them automatically catching their balance together, blending their control as they'd done what felt like ages ago, and—

Ukitake made a soft noise and Kyoraku leaned forward, both of them focused on Kaito-and-Ichigo in a way that made Kaito shiver and Ichigo still.

(Having the full attention of two ancient, powerful Captains was… worse than he suspected.)

(Kami, let him never have to fight either of them seriously…)

"All of you," Ukitake repeated firmly, nudging Kyoraku's side and pointedly looking down to pour all of them more tea. "If I'm not mistaken, all of you have your own presence and your own strand of reiatsu that belongs to you, correct?"

Kaito hesitantly nodded in agreement, then drew on Ichigo's confidence to say, "You… don't have to. I know it's… it's odd—"

"Maa, it's fine," Kyoraku interrupted him with a casual shrug. "If one of you has good control, and one of you doesn't, that might be a factor. So at the very least, I'd like all of you to pay attention to what we teach and try to figure out what works best for you to learn with."

"None of you have to come forward if you don't want to," Ukitake added before Kaito could figure out how to respond to Kyoraku's words. "But if any of you want to hear something again, or spend a bit more time on something, I'd ask that you let us know."

Kaito wanted to pick at their words, wanted to poke and prod and question until he finally found a motive for their actions that made sense, but… Ichigo's trust-confidence-acceptance mellowed the urge until he could breathe through it and set it aside.

(He doubted he would ever truly trust these men, but…)

(They… they might not be as terrible as he'd long believed Shinigami to be.)

He closed his eyes and rubbed at the bridge of his nose, trying to gather his scattered thoughts back together once again. Ichigo was a steady presence entwined with his own, the boundaries between them blurring until it was difficult to tell exactly where Kaito ended and Ichigo began.

(When did sharing control stop feeling like trying to fit two people into a too-small shirt?)

(It was almost comfortable at this point…)

"Anything else?" Kyoraku asked when the silence began to stretch, then set his teacup down when Kaito shook his head. "Well, if that's the case, how about we start with some basic drills to help you settle, and then we can start on the different techniques Jyuu-kun and I know for training reiatsu control."

"That's… thank you," Kaito murmured as he straightened up, relieved at the chance to escape the conversation and do something both physical and repetitive. Hopefully it would help his mind settle, but even if it didn't, at least it would help exhaust him enough to let him sleep better.

Kyoraku chuckled and rose to his feet, gesturing for Kaito to follow as he moved towards the door. "Well, it's what you came here for," he said with a lazy smile. "So long as you feel it's helping…?"

"It is," Kaito hastened to say, then ducked his head and looked away when Kyoraku shot him a strangely fond look. "You're… really the only ones that have had any advice for us beyond 'do what feels best'," he admitted awkwardly, mentally clinging to Ichigo's warm presence for support. "We… appreciate it."

"I'm glad," Kyoraku said, warm-kind-fond in a way that made Kaito swallow. "You're a good student, and it's nice to finally be able to pass on what we had to figure out for ourselves."

Kaito grimaced at Kyoraku's words. "I still… are we really the only ones with two blades?"

"Far as Jyuu-kun and I have discovered, yes."

"Great, one more reason for me to stand out," Kaito muttered as they reached the grassy area they'd used the day before.

"As least you won't be here often," Kyoraku pointed out with a touch of amusement. "Out of sight is often out of mind, after all."

"Somehow I doubt that's going to help anything."

Kyoraku chuckled and offered, "You'd be surprised." He took a few more steps into the clearing and then turned around to face Kaito, a wry smile on his face as he added, "Most people will grow bored with the novelty after a few months. Two blades is uncommon and does stand out, but in the end it's hardly exciting fodder for rumors. That part is… probably not what people will fixate on, in all honesty."

Kaito wavered at those words, an uncomfortable lump forming in his throat at the implications. "Because of… of my parentage or… or this?" he forced himself to ask as he gestured to his eyes, hoping Kyoraku would understand his meaning.

"Either, or perhaps both," Kyoraku answered him gently, kindly, as if afraid his words would send Kaito running. "There's going to be no hiding who you're related to soon enough, and all it will take for your… other selves to be found out by the rest of Seireitei is a single lapse in control near someone sensitive to reiatsu. Your eyes aren't the only thing that change when one of the others come forward."

He scowled at Kyoraku and tipped his chin up. "I'm not going to deny who I am," he declared with as much strength and confidence as he could muster. "As… as his child or that the others exist. I… I won't."

Kyoraku smiled at him, another of those strangely fond looks in his eyes. "I wouldn't expect you to," he said with a nod. "But feel free to come to me or Jyuu-kun if someone's bothering you about either of those, alright?"

Kaito gave an awkward shrug and looked away, uncertain how to respond to such a strange request; Kyoraku had no reason to want to be so… so involved in his life, not when the only interaction they'd had was these lessons and a few small conversations. It didn't make sense but… well… not many of Kyoraku or Ukitake's actions made sense to him.

(He was starting to suspect that he'd never understand them.)

"Just keep it in mind," Kyoraku said after a moment, then gestured to Kaito's blades. "Shall we get started? Blades out and into the first stance I taught you yesterday."

Relieved by the change in subject, Kaito pulled his zanpakutou free and settled into the stance Kyoraku wanted. He let his focus narrow and his mind empty, readying himself to learn what Kyoraku wanted to teach him.

(He'd learn everything he could from the man.)

(He would.)

(He had to.)