Chapter One: The Spring and the Source
So the day had finally come.
Juushirou ran his fingers excitedly over the white and blue of his student's hakama, his gaze straying across the grounds of what was possibly the biggest building he had ever seen in his life before. In all his seventeen years he had never strayed far from the family estate, and the journey from his home in Seireitei's Sixth District to the Academy's position in the First had taken almost two full days to complete. Yet somehow he wasn't in the least bit tired and, as his clever hazel eyes absorbed his new surroundings, he realised he wasn't apprehensive in the least.
On the contrary, he was full of excitement and anticipation for the road ahead.
"Well?" A voice from behind him made him start, and he turned, a rueful expression touching his gaze as he met his tutor's quizzical look.
"I was wondering if you were going to stand and stare all day, or if you wanted to go inside." Kamikura said teasingly, patting his companion on the shoulder. "You've never looked so starstruck, my boy - did you never see a noble house before?"
"A noble...?" Juushirou shook his head. "No. Not one like this. Is that what it is, then? A noble...house? But..."
"It's a former Yamamoto Clan estate that Genryuusai-sensei's converted for the purpose of forming his school." Kamikura nodded his head. "But most Great Noble residences are of this size or greater, Juushirou-sama. You should get used to the atmosphere. This is the world you're stepping into now, after all. Your classmates, many of them, will be quite used to this kind of thing."
"I suppose so." Juushirou bit his lip. "I just...I've never even been to the Kuchiki manor, sensei. And I hadn't expected...something like this. An estate? For one family? But you could house hundreds here, surely?"
"Which makes it the perfect base for a school, don't you think?" Kamikura's eyes danced, and Juushirou's pale cheeks reddened as he realised how stupid his words had sounded.
"I suppose I'm just surprised." He said at length. "I'm sorry, sensei. I'm not making much sense even to myself, at the moment. I'm just excited to be here."
"Yes, I can see that." Kamikura grinned. "I'm glad, too, that you're so fired up even after the long journey. When I promised Kaede-sama I'd bring you myself, I realised it would be in some ways a severing of ties between us, after all. I'm not your sensei any more, now. You've graduated on to bigger and better teachers than I can be - but don't let me down, all right? Show them you're no fool, and that you've been well taught up to this point, even if you're not of superior blood."
"I'd never let you down." Juushirou grinned. "You'll always be my sensei, anyway. Even if you spend more time tutoring my siblings, now - you've always been someone I could turn to if I needed to. More, especially, since Father's death. You've always been honest with me, and never underestimated me, even when I underestimated myself. I'm grateful for that, you know. It's because of you I'm here now. Of course I won't shame you. I promise."
"That's enough for me, then." Kamikura smiled, though there was sadness in his eyes. "I'm really very fond of you, after all. And though your siblings will keep me busy from now till the summer recess, I've no doubt the house will seem strange without you. When I see you next, Juushirou-sama, you may be quite a different person, after all."
"In a matter of a few months?" Juushirou snorted, shaking his head. "I don't think so. I'm not going to change who I am. I'm just going to learn to use what I have in a better way. That's all."
"Well, you never know." Kamikura laughed, reaching up a finger to brush the ends of his companion's newly shorn white hair. "This is a change already, after all. After seventeen years of seeing you with your hair in a haphazard tail, it's quite a surprise to see you with short hair."
"I know." Juushirou looked self-conscious. "I suppose...I felt it might get in my way. Besides, I thought too that if I cut it, well, Anika always says hair that's cut regularly grows more quickly. And I thought, if I cut it short, maybe it would grow again. And...and maybe it would grow back black."
"I see." Kamikura's tones softened. "It still bothers you, then, being 'Shiro-nii'?"
"It doesn't bother me so much as I know it's not how it was before." Juushirou sighed. "I'm not vain, and I don't care that it means I have different looks from my siblings. That's not important. It's just that, whenever I look in the mirror, I'm reminded a little bit about Father and why he isn't here. My hair turned the night he died, after all. And I hoped, even though I know I can't bring him back, that if my hair grew back black again it'd be a sign to him - if he's still watching over me at all - that I've fully recovered from then. That I'm all right, and moving forwards again. It's a reminder of the weakness inside of me, and I want to be strong. That's all."
"At the end of the day, I think your Father would be happiest to see you here, at the Academy gates." Kamikura said wisely. "Utilising your abilities with your family and your world's safety in mind. I'm sure a little thing like hair colour wouldn't trouble him in the slightest. It's the soul you have inside that he was always so proud of. And he has reason to be proud again today. Whether your hair grows back black or it doesn't, it won't change your resolution, will it? You've stepped onto a new path of learning...and from here, the sky's the limit."
"I suppose that's true." Juushirou acknowledged. "Well, what will be will be, I suppose. Either way, I'm eager to see what classes are going to be like and how Genryuusai-sensei intends on helping me to manage my strength properly. He said it would be hard, so I'm prepared for all kinds of things to happen."
He glanced at his fingers.
"Maybe I'll learn how to do the things Father did when the Hollow attacked us." He murmured. "The magic he fired in my defence. I've been wondering about a lot of things like that these last few weeks. About what kind of things I'll learn to do, and whether I'll be any good at it. But I'll do my best, whatever I'm asked. I'm sure of that."
"Just make sure you don't push yourself too far too fast." Kamikura warned him. "I know you, Juushirou-sama. I know your stubborn will. You'll want to jump two steps instead of taking them one at a time, and I don't want you to trip and fall."
"I'll try and remember." Juushirou pinkened. "And sensei? Please, I don't want you to call me Juushirou-sama any more. It's always been for form only, but now I'm here and everything's changing, I feel...I'm almost an adult myself, now. And I'd rather...well, I'm not going to inherit Father's position. That's between the twins to settle, not me, and I'm all right about that. I'm going to work things out for myself. But you can just call me Juushirou, now. I'd like it better if you did. Because that's who I am. Ukitake Juushirou. And it's all I've got to be working with."
"If you're sure." Kamikura looked surprised, but he grinned. "All right. Juushirou it is."
"And I will write - to you and to Okaasama, and to Chi-chan because she's the only one who'll be bothered to write back." Juushirou added. "I'll try and tell you everything so you won't feel I'm gone that far away. All right?"
"All right, but don't put that before enjoying your time here." Kamikura advised him. "It's not just about training. It's about something else you've had seldom little practice at as yet."
"What do you mean?" Juushirou stared at him, and Kamikura grinned.
"Making friends." He said lightly, and Juushirou reddened once more.
"That's only because Father kept me close to home on account of my health." He defended himself. "I'm not shy and I'm not anti-social. You make it sound like I'm hampered in some regard, but I can talk to people! Coming from a family like mine, how could it be any other way?"
"True, and I don't doubt that for a moment." Kamikura responded. "But in all seriousness, people aren't always all they seem. You have an idealistic naivety even now, at times - you can be very grown up and I know better than anyone the depths of your understanding. But until you meet and work with your classmates, you won't really understand this Noble world you're trying to break into. They may not accept you straight away. They may even try to isolate you, at first, on account of your birth. But don't let them get away with it, okay? You're better than that and here by right. Don't ever forget it."
"Genryuusai-sensei said that my scores on his tests ranked me equal second with one of the other students." Juushirou responded. "Which means I should be able to hold my own."
He smiled, a resolute glint touching his hazel eyes.
"And I won't let anyone else think otherwise." He murmured. "Father'd be cross, if I sat back and let that happen. Don't worry, sensei. I'll keep it in mind."
"Then this is where we part."
Regret coloured Kamikura's dark eyes and he sighed, resting his hand briefly on the youngster's shoulder, then stepping back.
"Do as Genryuusai-sensei tells you, and make sure you come home in one piece." He said softly, and Juushirou snorted.
"I'm going to school. Not to war." He returned neatly. "And I intend on listening. I'm going to be just fine. You'll see."
"Then I'll tell your mother that you're safely arrived and to anticipate a letter at some point." Kamikura smiled. "Goodbye, Juushirou. Make sure you take every chance you have to make your Father proud."
With that he was gone, and Juushirou was alone, gazing up once more at the imposing building.
For the briefest of instants, panic stirred inside of him as he realised that for the first time since the day he had been born, he was completely severed from his family. Yet he gathered his wits, stepping purposefully over the stone cobbles and into the courtyard. As he did so, he registered others dressed in the same basic hakama as he was, and, occasionally, he caught sight of a flash of red interspersed amid the blue and white waves. Though there were in reality probably no more than sixty or so people in the immediate vicinity, to the largely sheltered Juushirou it seemed like hundreds.
And now, I'm going to be a part of this too.
Somehow the feeling made his heart swell with warmth, even as he remembered his teacher's warning.
Even if the Noble Houses aren't sure at first, I'll prove to them somehow that I'm not here to mock the system. That I want to learn and become strong - and then it'll be all right, surely? Then, if they see that, I'm sure they'll accept me. These are people my own age, after all. They're not Clan leaders making big decisions for their families. They're not that different from me, surely?
With that resolve buoying his confidence, he made his way towards the huge entrance archway, carefully negotiating the smooth stone steps towards the building within. He knew that his small amount of luggage had been sent on ahead, so that he would not have to worry about manoeuvring it in the chaos of first day, and he found himself glad of this fact as he surveyed the melee of students. Some were obviously old hands, and a couple even had swords at their belts, suggesting they had progressed already to the point of wielding a weapon in combat.
One such individual stood at the top of the steps, giving out instructions to the students as they swarmed towards him. He was tall and lean, yet somehow his bearing was more sinewy than skinny, and pale blond hair was pulled back from his face in a classic warrior's tail. Pale eyes gazed out from beneath the wisps of a floppy fringe, and gazing at him, Juushirou had an impression of both intelligence and serenity in the stranger's bearing. Although he was surrounded by people, all of them clamouring for his attention at once, he did not seem to even be breaking a sweat as he answered them each in turn, and as Juushirou watched, every instruction the older man gave was greeted with a fervent bow and an immediate action.
As Juushirou squinted at this stranger's sword, he realised that the hilt was somewhat curved and different from the generic ones he had seen before. He frowned, not fully understanding what this meant, yet from the way the other students listened to his orders, he guessed that whoever the young man was, he was a senior student and one who had been training for some time.
A senpai.
Juushirou pursed his lips.
In all his years being schooled by Kamikura, he had never had a 'senpai'. As the eldest of his long family, he had always set the benchmark and been the first to tackle any new topic or level of understanding. Yet the young man who stood at the top of the steps was not only older and stronger, but one with a commanding presence that even the most confused and rowdy of students seemed loath to disobey.
At that moment, he was jerked from his reverie as something shot past him, shoving him backwards and causing his sandaled feet to slip on the polished stone. He let out an involuntary cry of surprise as he tumbled, half expecting the sudden harsh impact of the rock against his body, yet from somewhere in the crowd he heard a curse and then someone grabbed his arm, hauling him back to his feet and out of the immediate rush of students to a safer alcove off to one side.
"You oughtn't wander in a daze. You'll get hurt." Someone said, and Juushirou blinked, glancing up at the stranger blankly.
It had been a young woman who had spoken, he realised, and at a glance she appeared to be much the same age as he was, her gaze on a level with his as she eyed him with a mixture of amusement and impatience. Thick black hair curled over her shoulders in two haphazard tails, and vivid green eyes glanced him up and down, clearly sizing him up in the same way as he had been analysing her. She wore the same uniform as he did, though hers was coloured in red instead of blue, and was tied above her waist, instead of at the midriff like Juushirou's own. She was pretty, he realised, yet there was a determination in her expression that suggested she would not consider 'pretty' to be a compliment. Despite himself, Juushirou was unsure what to say. As he gathered his wits, he caught sight of a pendant around the girl's throat, and his eyes widened as he made out the unmistakeable insignia of one of the Great Noble Houses of Seireitei engraved onto its gleaming surface.
As the silence continued, the girl raised an eyebrow, eying him quizzically.
"Don't you speak?" She demanded. "Or did I knock your voice-box out when I ran into you?"
"I'm sorry." Juushirou remembered his manners at that moment, bowing his head towards her apologetically. "I was completely in my own world and I didn't look where I was going. I hope I didn't hurt you in any way?"
"Bashing into a twig like you?" The girl snorted. "Don't be stupid. I'm much more likely to have shattered you than the other way around."
She tilted her head on one side, eying him pensively.
"You were out of it, but I guess I was rushing without looking too." She acknowledged. "So it's probably half of one and fifty percent of the other. Just, I was looking for someone, and if you let them get too far out of your sight..."
She shrugged, offering him a dazzling smile, and despite himself, Juushirou found himself returning it.
"You know what you're meant to be doing, now?"
"Not really." Juushirou admitted. "Today's my first day, and I'm not really certain..."
"Good, then you can come help me." The girl decided, slipping her arm into his and pulling him back away from the entrance. "Two sets of eyes are better than one, after all."
"But..." Juushirou protested, taken off guard by this whirlwind behaviour, and the girl laughed.
"Well, it works out." She said philosophically. "You just said you were first year, right? So am I. Today's my first day, too. And the person we're looking for, he's the same. Right?"
"I..."
"Do you have a name, by the way?"
"Ukitake Juushirou." Juushirou said faintly, and the girl frowned.
"Ukitake, huh?"
"Yes." Juushirou nodded slowly. "Why? What about it?"
"Nothing at all." The girl grinned. "Just, I'd heard about it, that's all. That there was someone who wasn't Noble born who'd snuck their way into the top rankings on the entrance for this place. Lots of people have been talking about it - that the first time non-Noble children start enrolling here, one of them breaks into the top class right away. Nobody expected it. That's all. But that's you, isn't it? Ukitake. I'm sure that's what Papa said."
"Yes." Juushirou recovered himself. "I was joint second. But I didn't realise it was such a big deal. I mean, that your Father would know..."
"Papa knows pretty much everything that's going on anywhere." The girl said dismissively. "But then, the Great Houses are like that. They find things out. But I suppose you won't know that, will you? I don't know where the Ukitake family come from, or what its like in that section of society. But I don't suppose you have much direct contact with the rich bods who run your District, do you?"
"None whatsoever." Juushirou agreed. "We live in Sixth District - but it's as you say."
"Sixth? Kuchiki, huh?" The girl grinned. "That's why I ain't heard of you, then, probably."
She paused suddenly, swinging around to face him and taking him once more off guard.
"I'm Shiba Sora, by the way." She said frankly, holding out her hand, and after a moment of hesitation, Juushirou took it, shaking it hesitantly. "My Clan control Fifth District. So we're neighbours, in a sense. But a very wide ranging sense."
"Pleased to meet you, Shiba-san." Juushirou found his tongue, and Sora snorted, shaking her head.
"If you call me that, I won't answer." She warned him. "My Clan may be Nobility, but we don't sit around and play polite games. You call me Sora, else we'll not get along. And since we're in the same class, that'd be a pain, wouldn't it?"
"The same class?" Juushirou eyed her for a moment, then, "Wouldn't it be seen as rude, though, if I just called you..."
"You'll soon learn that anyone who calls me anything but Sora doesn't get an answer." Sora shook her head. "My Mother's always taught me that it's what you're made of that's important, not how high you stand on your pedestal. The Shiba-ke are a very down to earth Clan, after all. But I'll forgive you for not knowing that - since you don't know about the Clans, you couldn't have expected it."
"I suppose not." Despite himself, Juushirou smiled. "And if that's how you feel, then I'll try and remember. My tutor was worried about how I'd find meeting Clan members, after all - but if they're like you, it won't be so hard."
"Mm, well, the Shiba are the Shiba." Sora pursed her lips. "But you'll understand what I mean sooner by meeting folk than my telling you."
She chuckled.
"My Mother is head of the Shiba-ke." She added casually. "And she drives some of the stuck up male chauvinists in the other Clans crazy by refusing to bow to common convention. I have two elder brothers, too - well, almost three - but even though they're strong and skilled fighters, they'd never dare cross Okaasama unless they truly had a death wish. So I suppose that, because of Okaasama, the Shiba are left alone to do their own thing without interference from outside. We're a strong Clan, and always have been. Other Clans sometimes fear us because of it. But especially because of Okaasama."
"Is it unusual, then, for a woman to be head of a Clan?" Juushirou asked, and Sora laughed, nodding.
"You really are innocent, aren't you?" She reflected, a faint note of condescension in her tones, and despite himself, Juushirou was riled.
"It's not innocent to ask questions about things if you don't know the answer." He said stiffly. "It's how you learn. Besides, you already said you knew nothing about me or my family. So you're just as innocent, if that's the case. You don't know beyond your world any more than I do mine."
Sora paused for a moment, staring at him, then she laughed, clapping her hand down hard against his back and causing him to cough.
"Touché." She acknowledged. "Looks like when you find your tongue, you speak your mind. That's a good sign - I think I'm going to like you, if you're like that. It'd be a pain if you were intimidated by the Clans, after you'd come all this way already. You must be something special, after all, to rank joint second and beat Clan members like that."
She shrugged.
"Me included." She added good-naturedly. "I ranked fifth. So you're up on me by three places, Ukitake-kun."
"Two, technically, since I was joint second and therefore there'd be no third place." Juushirou corrected her. "And if I'm calling you Sora, you might as well call me Juushirou. Otherwise you're the one standing on ceremony, aren't you?"
Sora chuckled, holding up her hands.
"You really aren't how you look, are you?" She observed. "You really look fragile enough to break, Juushirou-kun - but you're not, are you? You're something else. It's interesting. I wonder if the Academy is ready for it."
She gave his arm a tug.
"Come on. This way. We'll take a short cut...and see if he's hiding round the back."
"You said you were beginning today, too." Juushirou objected, as they disappeared between two close-set buildings towards the rear of the school grounds. "How do you know so well where things are? You don't seem new to it at all."
"Well, I've been here before. Several times." Sora shrugged. "Most of the Noble intake will have had induction here, in any case - social connections and whatever else, making sure it's all suitable, yada yada. But my Father's on the school board. He knows Genryuusai-sensei very well, and so this isn't a new place for me to come. It was Genryuusai-sensei's suggestion that I was enrolled here, in fact, since I've been coming here with Papa on and off for the last three years and Sensei was looking to take on more female students. Okaasama grasped onto that with both hands - besides, she figured it might keep me out of trouble to come, so here I am. I might as well use up some of my spare energy, she said - so I guess we'll see if I do."
"I see." Juushirou did not completely see, but he decided it would be as well to let it go. "So the student with the sword, at the top of the steps - you know who he is?"
"Yes." Sora grinned. "Urahara Yunosuke. He likes giving orders - can you tell?"
"Urahara." Juushirou murmured.
"Yes. You know that they're one of the Clans too, right?"
"Yes. I know." Juushirou agreed. "But he's important in the school somehow? I mean, he seemed...and his sword was different. I saw some students with swords before, but his wasn't like theirs. It was special."
"You really don't know a lot yet, do you?" Sora sighed. "I guess it can't be helped. But you know what a zanpakutou is, at least, right?"
"Yes." Juushirou nodded. "The weapon Gotei members use to kill Hollows. But..."
His eyes widened.
"That...was that a zanpakutou? A proper one?"
"A sealed, sleeping one. Yes." Sora agreed. "Urahara-senpai is a senior student and he's the nephew of the current Urahara-ke leader and Gotei representative. He's one Genryuusai-sensei has a lot of hope for, according to Papa. Summoning a zanpakutou is hard, after all - it requires a lot of control and strength and focus. And to have one that you can release...Urahara-senpai's studied here for five years already, and he only managed to summon and release his sword to a basic level in the last few months. But because he's managed to do it, it means he'll probably get an automatic admission to Genryuusai-sensei's projected squad program. And that means he's a senpai who's looked up to across the board. That's why he has that kind of influence. Genryuusai-sensei gave him the title 'Anideshi' - which means, essentially, he gets to boss the rest of us about."
She sighed.
"The truth is, up till now, only the Gotei Shinigami have really been able to exploit their swords to the fullest potential." She admitted wistfully. "I don't know if any of us have a hope of getting to that point, since none of us are 'chosen ones', as such. Even though just this year my second brother's been given a Captain's placement in one of the newest squad programs, he's only been using a zanpakutou for a short time and he's nowhere near reached the highest levels. It's difficult, utilising spirit power. And we're second place, if you like."
She frowned, eying him for a moment, then,
"Well, you might not be - for your family, you're probably way out in first even being here. But the rest of us - we're here because we don't have a chance of being first place. Probably not even my brother does when compared to Okaasama, in truth. Most of us end up here to see what we can do with what power we have. And if we can master it, we'll gain some rank in the Gotei squads and be useful to our Clans and Seireitei that way. But we might never get there."
She shrugged her shoulders.
"Still, Urahara-senpai's uncle is a very smart man." She added. "It's because of research he did that the way Shinigami act and fight is developing and changing. So who knows? Maybe there will be a place for us in this new system, after all."
"I guess I really don't understand much about all of those things, yet." Juushirou looked thoughtful. "But no doubt I will, now I'm here."
He cast his companion a quizzical glance.
"You said you were looking for someone. Another first year, like us - didn't you?"
"Yeah." Sora grimaced, rolling her eyes. "I'm not best pleased with it, but since Tokutarou-niisama asked it of Okaasama as a specific favour, there wasn't any getting out of it. It's the biggest pain in the world, t'be honest - playing babysitter to a kid like that in a place like this."
"Babysitter?" Juushirou looked lost. "And a favour from...your brother asked your Mother and...you have to baby-sit someone?"
"Your face." Sora laughed, amusement dancing across her clever green eyes. "No. It's not like that. Tokutarou-nii isn't my real brother. Only he spent so much time with my family growing up that he might as well be, you see? He's actually from the Kyouraku-ke, but his mother was Mother's cousin, so in that respect it's like he's part of our family too. Tokutarou-niisama is head of the Kyouraku-ke, now. And he asked the favour of Okaasama because he knew that if she asked me, there was no way I'd be able to say no."
"And the person you have to baby-sit?"
"Tokutarou-nii's brother Shunsui." Sora pulled another graphic face. "Baby-sit is the wrong word, really. Shunsui-kun's a year older than me, to be honest. But you wouldn't know it. He's the most infuriating, irresponsible, lazy..."
She trailed off, shaking her head in resignation.
"He couldn't be more different from Tokutarou-nii." She said frankly. "But I guess that's because Tokutarou-nii has Shiba blood, too. Because it's always said that Tokutarou-nii's father went to lengths to get out of doing his duty - even in training Tokutarou-nii to be his heir, in fact. And Shunsui takes after him. In a lot of ways."
She rubbed her temples.
"Shunsui and I aren't even family." She concluded. "Not really. Not by blood. But there it is. I gave my word. I can't break it. Even if it is annoying."
"Kyouraku...Shunsui." Juushirou murmured the name. "I see."
"No, you don't yet." Sora cast him a rueful smile. "But you will, when you meet him. He's also in our class, see, so it's not like you won't ever cross his path."
She sighed.
"God knows how Tokutarou-nii managed that." She reflected pensively. "I wonder if he had a word with Papa who had a word with Genryuusai-sensei in order to make it easier for me to keep the idiot under close scrutiny...but I don't know for sure. Either way, I very much doubt it has anything to do with him sitting an exam. I'm pretty sure he's never done anything like that in his life."
She snorted.
"Far as I heard it, his tutors used to have to lock him in the classroom just to get him to attend their lessons." She said disparagingly. "To get him to sit the guidance papers, they'd have to strap him down, most likely."
"It sounds like you dislike him quite a lot." Juushirou observed. Sora shook her head.
"No...to be honest, it's not that." She admitted. "He's not a malicious person, just lazy and cheeky and he likes to tease. It's just...I know that if Shunsui doesn't want to do something, he doesn't do it. And it's going to be a headache and a half if I'm supposed to stop him doing what he wants to do for the entirety of the time we're here. Tokutarou-nii sent him here, so that means he's too much work for him to handle. How am I meant to do anything, when faced with someone who's particular talent is hiding from anything that requires him to exert effort?"
"It does seem like he's in the wrong place, from that." Despite himself, Juushirou grinned. "What does he look like? If you want me to help you to look for him, I will - but it's hard for me to do anything if I don't know who I'm looking for."
"That's true." Sora looked sheepish. "He's about a half head taller than me - certainly he's better built than you, you look like you've been starved for the last month, whereas he's a bocchan who likes the good life. He has brown hair - curly, messy if you like - and brown eyes, providing when you find him, he's actually awake. But you'll know him when you meet him, I'm sure of that. In my whole life, I swear, I've never met anyone as...as completely infuriatingly impossible as Shunsui."
"So far you're giving me an interesting impression of the Clans." Juushirou reflected. "You said he was a year older than you, didn't you? Can I ask how old you are, then? You look the same age as me, but..."
"Sixteen." Sora grinned. "You?"
"Seventeen, as of last Winter." Juushirou responded. "Then Kyouraku-kun is my age?"
"Six months older." Sora responded. "If you were born in Winter. Shunsui's birthday is in the Summer."
She glanced at him for a moment, then,
"I guess that fits." She mused. "Even in the ten minutes I've known you, Juushirou-kun, I can already tell that you and he are probably as different as chalk and cheese."
"Ukitake Juushirou?" Before Sora could respond, a voice interrupted them, and the two new students turned, Juushirou's eyes widening as he recognised the senpai he had observed earlier.
Urahara...Yunosuke, had Sora said?
He was dressed in the same uniform, yet somehow there was something extra in the other student's bearing, and at this close range, Juushirou could feel the prickling aura of the distinctive zanpakutou, even as it slept at its master's side. Suddenly lost for words, he raised his gaze to the other's quizzical one, slowly nodding his head.
"You're Ukitake-kun?" The older student asked again, and Juushirou swallowed hard, bowing his head properly.
"Yes, senpai. I'm Ukitake Juushirou."
"Good." Yunosuke looked satisfied. "Then you're to come with me. Genryuusai-sensei wants to see you in his study - I don't know what about, but he told me to look out for you when you arrived."
He eyed the boy keenly.
"You've barely got here and already people are talking about you." He said frankly. "The boy from outside the Clans who crashed into the top rankings of the new intake class as though it was no effort at all. No doubt Genryuusai-sensei wants to speak to you about that, too - I hope you know what you've gotten into, kid."
He rested his hand briefly on Juushirou's shoulder, and the boy was aware of the faint, quietly controlled swirl of his companion's reiatsu, bubbling just beneath the surface. Slowly he nodded his head.
"I want to learn how to use what I have." He said simply. "So I'm not worried about anything. I'm just glad to be here. That's all."
"That's a good attitude, at least." Yunosuke observed. "All right, then. Come with me, okay?"
His gaze darted to Sora.
"You should sign in, Sora-chan, before they decide you're skipping out on your induction." He said, a light warning in his tones.
"I will, don't worry, Anideshi." Sora responded properly. "I just...I have to find someone first, that's all. I'm not sure if he's already arrived - he's being a pain to find either way."
"You and Ukitake-kun are the only first year students whose names haven't been crossed off the entrance list." Yunosuke said casually, and Sora's eyes widened. She muttered a curse, stamping her foot in frustration as she grimaced up at the sky.
"Ah, Shunsui, you damn idiot! You snuck in when I wasn't looking - are you trying to get me into trouble?"
With that she stalked off towards the school building, leaving Juushirou alone with his companion, and a faint smile touched the senpai's lips.
"She's the same as ever. A whirlwind and a storm all in one." He observed. "Well? Are you coming, Ukitake-kun? Genryuusai-sensei's not someone who should be kept waiting."
"Y...yes, sir. I'm coming." Juushirou gathered his wits, and Yunosuke grinned, shaking his head.
"Sir is a bit much." He observed. "Senpai is fine, or Anideshi, like Sora called me. Keep sir for your instructors - all right?"
"But...I...you...you're Urahara-ke, aren't you?" Juushirou murmured. "And...you have...a..."
He faltered, pointing to the sheathed sword, and Yunosuke's fingers brushed the hilt of his blade, nodding his head.
"A zanpakutou? Yes. That's what five years hard work has got me, and I'm not ashamed to admit it, though it and I still have a long long way to go before we even come close to Gotei standards. But as for the other thing..."
He shrugged.
"Sensei's policy is that within these walls, all students are equal with their classmates. That's what he believes – that class position is based on spiritual ability and drive, not on birthright. It's a controversial perspective and it doesn't always pan out - but I believe in Genryuusai-sensei, so if that's how he feels, it's all right with me."
He cast Juushirou a sidelong glance.
"Besides, a lot of things have been said about you already." He added. "I'm almost looking forward to seeing what a kouhei from outside of the noble Clans can bring to the Academy!"
So for the time being he had escaped.
Shunsui glanced out of the window of the dormitory, resting his elbows on the sill as a faint smile touched his lips. Outside, on the ground below, he could just make out the distinctive dark tails of hair and red and white clad body of his would-be minder as she hurried this way and that, clearly searching for something without success.
Shunsui knew only too well that it was him she had been seeking, and he cupped his chin in his hands, amusement in his expression as he registered her frustration. Absently he felt a pang of sympathy for the strange student she had randomly collided with and then accosted on the steps, watching as she dragged him forcibly across the grass, waving her hands as she explained something or other to him in animated tones. The boy looked completely bewildered, Shunsui decided - not an uncommon emotion for anyone on their first meeting with the Shiba-ke's only daughter.
But Shunsui was not so easily taken off guard. He had known Sora for three years now, after all - and it had been plenty of time to get her measure. After all, Sora was honest and open as many of her Clan were, her intentions seldom concealed from others' view. She was without ulterior motives, and though she was intelligent, she often spoke her mind, giving away more, perhaps, than she originally meant to do. It meant people were prone to underestimating both her ability and her potential, but Shunsui had never misjudged her. And, fond as he was of teasing her, he knew that she would have to go far to get the better of him. He understood, after all, the way in which her mind worked. And she, even now, understood very little about his.
You're simply too obvious, Sora-chan. I can read you from a mile away. Besides, I already know that Tokutarou-nii asked you to keep an eye on me. I'm not foolish - I expected it the moment he heard from your Mother that you were going to be attending this place, too. And it's nothing personal, but I really don't feel like having a minder just at the moment.
He sighed, getting to his feet and stretching his arms over his head as he stifled a yawn.
Himself aside, the dormitory was as yet empty, and he turned to glance around at his surroundings with a pensive expression on his face. Most students were still downstairs either in the Great Hall completing their induction process or in some other part of the building as they met with teachers or explored their new surrounds. He himself had had no desire to mingle with the crowds, and as soon as he had realised Sora was looking for him he had taken refuge above stairs, knowing that no matter what the excuse, the boy's dormitories were somewhere a female student could not go. Direct as Sora could be he had felt sure that, with her Father being so involved with the Academy, it was a rule she would be unlikely to break - at least, not on her first day.
The room was long and somewhat narrow, although far from stifling in its layout. From the stylised ceiling and panelled walls, it had once been a guest bedroom of some sort, Shunsui decided, for it was not unlike some of the upper chambers at his own family's estate. Yet this manor had long since surrendered its Clan pride and become Genryuusai's dreamed of Academy, and as a result six low-slung block beds were laid out in three neat rows, each one identical to the others as they faced off against opposite walls. Shunsui had half expected futons, yet instead these strange sleeping bunks had been constructed with fixed wooden plinths, each pitched about half a foot off the ground, and covered with a thin mattress stuffed with something soft. Shunsui did not know enough about housekeeping to wonder or care what the material was, yet the manner in which the room had been prepared seemed to him to be a further statement of the fact that this was no longer a Noble house but a place of learning, with permanent fixtures that could not be easily reversed.
By each bed was a small, flat shelf which was at the same level as the wooden blocks, and atop each stood an identical fire-lamp, each one of them polished to the same bright silver finish and each one fitted with a utilitarian safety guard to prevent unforeseen accidents in the dorm. Above his head, too, three round disks were pitched at each end and in the middle of the ceiling. Although at the present time they seemed nothing more than simple decorations, Shunsui knew that they were Kidou lamps, originally developed by the Urahara-ke some hundred years earlier. Shunsui did not know the scientific details, but he remembered vaguely that they powered by a specific kind of soul based magic utilised principally by the Gotei Clans. Either way, he mused, they were not uncommon among Noble houses and most would not even blink to see them used in a place like this. Though far more basic, in fact, they were not much different from the kind of lighting system the Kyouraku clan used themselves, and Shunsui knew that even if an emergency hit in the dead of night, the lamps would illuminate the chamber almost as brightly as if it had been day.
The sleeping plinths themselves were also positioned so that each one of them was surrounded by two windows, allowing plenty of light and air into the chamber. Each bed had been clearly labelled with tiny wooden name plates - to avoid conflict over who would be sleeping where, Shunsui assumed - but he had had no urge to read the names of his future companions.
Cell-mates, maybe, rather than anything else.
The thought brought a wry smile to his lips, and he shook his head.
No. There's no lock on this cell door. Tokutarou-nii can send me here, but he can't make me become something I'm not cut out to be. He'll see that, as time goes on - that this isn't the future I intend to follow. I may not have any fixed goals about what I want to be - but I know for sure that I don't want to be a Shinigami. So for the time being, there's not much point in doing anything overly energetic.
He stifled another yawn, gazing across at one of the windows.
Cold in winter, perhaps. But I'm sure that Yama-jii's thought that one through. From the way he spoke to Oniisama about me, he doesn't seem to leave much room for doubt.
Shunsui sank down on his bed, running his fingers absently over the blankets that had been neatly placed there. These, too, were identical from bed to bed, in a rich shade of blue, just like the hakama the male students all wore. His eyes narrowed as he absorbed this fact, glancing round at the chamber once again.
All the same. Students, beds, chambers. All equal, then. That's the message, isn't it, sensei? We're all the same in your eyes. No matter what level we were born.
He flopped back onto the thin, flat pillow, closing his eyes briefly as he digested this fact.
Well, it's a nice thought. Though I'm sure you know better even than I do that most of the Clans don't think that way. Even if you try to make them the same, sensei - I don't think you're going to change anything just as easily as that. If it was that simple, after all, it would've been done a long time ago.
He opened his eyes, staring up at the ceiling as his gaze traced lazily around the faint outline of the Yamamoto family insignia, still visible despite the fact the rooms had been redecorated in such a way as to minimise any claim to clan origin. Still, he reflected, it was a school put in place by the Yamamoto-ke, and based in the centre of Yamamoto governed territory. As such, the insignia didn't seem out of place - it was Genryuusai-sensei's brainchild, therefore the traces of his involvement were everywhere.
And, Shunsui admitted wryly to himself, Genryuusai-sensei was a hard individual to overlook at the best of times.
They had met face to face only the one time, though from the manner in which Genryuusai-sensei had addressed Tokutarou, Shunsui had soon realised that they had a closer acquaintance. Further discussion had revealed that Genryuusai-sensei had also once been the close colleague, mentor and friend of Shunsui's tragic father, and the old man had even joked during the conversation that sometimes he had felt more like Matsuhara's father than his comrade. Shunsui's quick, cheeky brain had therefore immediately christened the enigmatic visitor 'Yamamoto-jiisama', a nickname which, over the course of the three or four weeks since their meeting had soon become contracted to 'Yama-jii'. Tokutarou had warned him that the more he did it, the more likely he would bring hell-fire down on himself for accidentally using it in the man's presence, but Shunsui felt certain that he would not so easily make that mistake. And, after all, the man's real name was overly, ridiculously long. It was, he reflected, another sign of Noble idiocy – surely, for a man who championed education for all, 'Yama-jii' was far more appropriate a name than "Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni-sama." For all his quiet strength, after all, Genryuusai-sensei did not seem like one who favoured the frills and trimmings gifted him by his Noble birth.
In that at least, he and Shunsui were reading from the same page. That fact alone had convinced the errant youngster that, much as he disliked the idea of becoming the next Kyouraku Gotei representative, it was a far better gamble to take than risking Tokutarou making good on his threat to confine him in a strict, stifling arranged marriage.
Shunsui had met Noble-born young women in his life, after all. And – Sora aside – none of them were individuals whose heavy, well-bred company he could bear for more than a couple of minutes. Yet even though he was fond of Sora, in an abstract, playful way, he could not imagine the horror of being permanently shackled to her. All in all, he reflected ruefully, he knew that he was not ready to enter that side of Noble life just yet. And though he had never mentioned her explicitly to Tokutarou or his Mother, Saku was the girl who was most strongly imprinted on his thoughts.
Even now he felt sure that no matter how much time passed or how many girls he teased or flirted with or even took to his bed, none of them would ever fully replace her in his heart.
At that moment the door of the chamber slid back with a shudder and a creak, and Shunsui pulled himself into a sitting position, crossing his legs as he raised his hand in a lazy greeting to the newcomer.
"Yo." He said casually.
At his careless address, the stranger paused, staring at him with a mixture of surprise and affront, and at his expression, Shunsui's lips twitched into a wry grin.
The new arrival was roughly his own age, yet perhaps an inch or two smaller. He was stockily built, as though he had been training in various physical forms of activity since his early youth. His skin was dark, yet his eyes were a vivid golden, glittering with life and intelligence, yet Shunsui soon saw a stubborn pride reflected in their depths. His deep violet hair was held back from his face by a single white tie adorned with a gold band, which, though deceptively plain was made of solid precious metal and which had probably cost the wearer's family a high tariff to acquire. He was robed in the same hakama as Shunsui, yet somehow the way in which he carried himself made it seem as though he was dressed in Noble Clan attire, not the simple uniform of the Academy, and on the middle finger of his left hand glimmered a Clan ring, across which Shunsui could clearly make out the unmistakeable crest of the Shihouin-ke.
He sighed inwardly.
Less than an hour since he'd arrived, and already he'd been accosted by Noble ego.
So much, then, for the idea that all students were equal.
As the stranger's eyes bore into him, he offered the newcomer a smile.
"Shihouin-ke, right?" He asked lazily, and the youngster stiffened, nodding his head as though the answer was so obvious it did not need to be said.
"Shihouin Kai." He said briskly, his tones adding, 'And you are?" without him actually wording the question.
Shunsui's smile widened.
"Kyouraku Shunsui." He responded easily. "Pleasure."
"Kyouraku, huh?" At the sound of the Noble name, Kai's rigid body seemed to relax some, and he nodded his head slightly as though acknowledging his companion as his equal. "I see. I'm sorry, I didn't realise it – you aren't wearing your family's insignia, and from your mode of address, it was quite impossible to tell."
"I guess I got up late and left it at home." Shunsui chuckled, shaking his head. "No, I'm joking. This is a school, right? I didn't suppose I'd need it. Niisama never mentioned it when I left, after all."
"Your Oniisama is misled, then." Kai said simply. "Even if this is a 'school', as you term it, a Noble Clansman is under obligation to carry his family's pride with him at all time."
"Well, I suppose I felt it wasn't really my business to argue with the head of the Kyouraku-ke, so I didn't think to ask him." Shunsui leant back against the wall, shrugging his shoulders carelessly. "I suppose we do things a little differently, Kai-kun."
"I don't remember giving you leave to address me that way." Kai stiffened once more, and Kyouraku grinned at him.
"No, you didn't." He agreed. "But I've never been much good at appropriate forms of address. I suppose it comes from my brother having such close ties with the Shiba-ke – they frown on honorifics and so on, and I suppose I've become influenced by their ways."
Kai's eyes narrowed, but he made no further demur, glancing around the chamber as he did so.
"These are our sleeping quarters, then, for the time being?"
"So it seems." Shunsui nodded. "All the bunks are labelled…but I couldn't tell you which was yours, I'm afraid. They're unusual sleeping arrangements, don't you think? With this kind of bed – very different from anything we have at home, for sure."
"Indeed so." Kai agreed, his gaze flitting between the rows. "Still, this is a Nobleman's manor and we are Noble children. I imagine that we won't find it too inappropriate."
"It seems comfortable enough to me." Shunsui reflected. A mischievous twinkle glittered in his dark eyes, then,
"Of course, mixed dorms would have been a touch more interesting, but I suppose there'd be a few parents who'd complain about that."
Kai swung around, staring at him in disbelief, and Shunsui chuckled at the other boy's expression.
"You are joking, I hope." At length Kai found his voice, and Shunsui shrugged.
"I guess it depends on the girls." He mused, rubbing his chin absently as he did so. "In the end, it might be better having it this way, so there's at least some recourse to escape."
Before Kai could respond, the door slid back once more to reveal another youngster, and at the sight of him, Kai seemed to forget his Noble demeanour, letting out an exclamation of dismay. For his part, the newcomer stopped dead, an equal amount of horror in his slate-grey eyes, and Shunsui shuffled back more comfortably on his bed, glancing with interest from one to the other as he interpreted the tension between them.
The newest arrival's dark hair and pale complexion gave him away as a member of the Kuchiki-ke, often considered by most in Seireitei to be the strongest and most high ranking clan in terms of both influence and spiritual potential, and even from his first impression Shunsui realised that this boy was no different. There was a cool austerity to his bearing, yet somehow it was less affected than Kai's conscious attempt to flaunt his family pride, and Shunsui quickly surmised that this was a youngster who had no insecurity about his status. He was Kuchiki, therefore he was superior, and that was where the argument ended. And, as he became aware of the angry prickling at both boys' reiatsu, he grudgingly admitted to himself that the newcomer probably had every reason to hold his head up high.
Though it was as neatly concealed and controlled as his level, calm appearance, Shunsui realised that within that boy's heart burned reiatsu that superceded his Brother's and probably put him on a par with his late Father, too.
And yet he's not the strongest member of the Clan. If he was, he wouldn't be here.
His eyes narrowed as he absorbed this fact.
I suppose it's true then, what they say. About the Kuchiki-ke's reiryoku.
"What are you doing here?" At length, Kai found his voice, and at the sound of his question, the grey-eyed student arched an eyebrow, gazing at the other boy as though debating whether or not it was worth an answer. The silence continued for a moment, then, at length, he spoke.
"I would have thought that it was clear enough, considering that I am robed as you are, and in the dormitory, as you see." He said softly, in low, well-cultured tones that somehow conveyed his high birth without pushing it garishly into the public eye. "Though I suppose that such things are hard to reason out for a Shihouin – considering your Clan do nothing but give and take orders, I'm surprised you've managed to arrive here at all."
Kai bristled visibly at this, and Shunsui hid a smile at the boy's discomfort. He knew vaguely of the ongoing tension between the Kuchiki and Shihouin clans, for the Shihouin had often tried to prove themselves the Kuchiki-ke's equals, and there was something pathetically amusing about the fact that it had sunk even to the level of teenagers facing off across an empty school dormitory.
"You two know each other, I presume?" He interjected now, and as one they turned to look at him, Kai's burning retort stifled on his lips at the unexpected interruption.
"We are somewhat acquainted, yes." The dark haired, grey eyed Kuchiki boy agreed, inclining his head slightly in confirmation. "But I don't believe you and I have met before."
"No, we certainly haven't." Shunsui agreed cheerfully, slipping his hands behind his head as he met the other's gaze head on. "But I can tell you're a Kuchiki, so we're half-way there, aren't we? My name's Kyouraku Shunsui. Pleased to meet you."
"Kuchiki Ryuu. Likewise." Though Shunsui's greeting had been blatantly and provocatively casual, Ryuu merely bowed his head in acknowledgement. "I had not heard that there was a Kyouraku of like age to myself, however."
"Well, I've travelled a bit between estates, you could say." Shunsui said vaguely. "But since my brother inherited the Clan leadership, I've been based at the main Kyouraku manor."
"Ah. That would be Tokutarou-dono, would it not?" Ryuu's gaze cleared. "My Uncle has spoken well of him on many occasions since he became head of your Clan."
He smiled, and Shunsui had the distinct impression he had somehow passed some unseen test. "If you are his brother, then it seems quite clear why we should meet in a place such as this one."
He cast the still bristling Kai a disparaging look.
"That one is less clear." He said dismissively. "But I suppose even the Shihouin Clan have their pride – such as it is."
"You shut your face, and pipe down about Clan pride." Kai snapped back. "I don't care if you Kuchiki like to lord it over everyone else! You know as well as I do that the last time we met, I beat you fair and square in a clash of sticks. You're not better than me and nor is your family. You're just another offshoot of a Clan with too much influence. That's all. You're weak, at the end of the day. Weak figureheads, while we do all the work."
"What kind of work is it, I wonder, that leads to the training of thieves, assassins and those who move in shadow?" Ryuu turned to face him quizzically, and even Shunsui felt the distinct chill in the boy's expression as he met Kai's angry gaze with a distinct challenge. "I'm afraid I rather disdain a so-called family pride that's built on the crushed corpses of others."
Shunsui's gaze flitted from one boy to the other, then he let out a sigh.
"And I can see my coming here is becoming more and more fun by the minute." He murmured ironically. "Give it a rest, will you, the pair of you? It isn't really important to me whose family is better or who's got the biggest house. And if I've got to live with you fighting like this for the whole of our acquaintance, I'm really going to get the outsize in headaches."
"Someone from the Kyouraku-ke would not understand the complexities that exist between the Shihouin and the Kuchiki." Kai told him frankly, and Ryuu snorted.
"That would be because the Kyouraku do not try to grasp and clamber their way up the social ladder in the way the Shihouin do." He said simply, and Shunsui groaned, getting to his feet.
"Fine. You two stay here and battle it out between you." He said resignedly. "I'll leave you to it – try not to kill each other, will you? It'd be a heck of a mess to have to clean up on first day."
With that he grabbed his cloak, flinging it casually over his shoulders as he pushed back the sliding door and stepped out into the hallway beyond. It was deserted, however, so slowly he made his way down the winding stairs towards the main hall were most of the students were still milling around.
"Shunsui! There you are!"
Sora's shrill cry made him wonder if he'd misjudged his timing, and for a moment he debated diving back towards the stairwell and the safety of the boy's wing, but in that moment the whirlwind descended upon him, firm fingers grabbing him determinedly by the arm and pulling him to one side.
"You snuck past me somehow." She said accusingly, glaring at him with indignant green eyes. "You did it on purpose, didn't you? You knew I'd be looking, so you deliberately hid so I couldn't find you."
"Why would I hide from you, Sora-chan?" Shunsui affected an innocent expression, and Sora let out a groan.
"You're a pain in the butt, Shunsui-kun." She said, irritation clear in her tones. "You just like making people worry about you."
"You were worried about me?" Shunsui raised an eyebrow. "Careful, Sora-chan. That could be misinterpreted in so many ways, you know."
"Only by an idiot flirt like you." Sora countered swiftly, grabbing him by the shoulders and giving him a little shake. "But Okaasama promised Tokutarou-nii I'd keep you out of trouble. And I don't want to make either of them angry with me, so don't make me angry with you, all right?"
"Of course, you'd hate to do anything to upset Tokutarou-nii." Shunsui murmured, and Sora's cheeks pinkened at the veiled implication in his tones. She glared at him indignantly.
"It's not like that!" She protested, in a way that told Shunsui it was exactly like that and that he had hit a nerve. "Oh, just shut up and behave yourself for a while, all right? At least for a few days? We've just got here, after all. At least try and make a good impression on people? I'm sure even you can keep your personality twitches out of sight for a little while, right?"
"You make me sound like a wild animal or a mental case, talking like that." Shunsui reflected, and Sora nodded.
"Either is fine. You choose which you prefer." She said bluntly, and Shunsui laughed.
"You know, I thought the dorm would be quieter, but it turns out two of my new roommates are blooding Clan pride up there, so I decided to brave the crowds instead." He reflected. "In comparison to them, it's actually quite nice to see you, Sora-chan."
"I'm amazed you get any girls to go near you, if you use lines like that on all of them." Was Sora's crushing rejoinder, and Shunsui grinned.
"No, I save those for you." He said innocently. "After all, you're practically my brother's sister. Aren't you? And so we're family, Sora-chan. Siblings, almost."
Sora reddened again, giving him a rough shove.
"Tokutarou-nii isn't my brother, and you're not even my blood kin." She said sharply. "So stop it, Shunsui. I mean it. It's been a long enough day and I was late signing in because of you."
"I don't remember doing anything to cause that."
"Exactly. You didn't do anything. You disappeared." Sora snapped. Then she sighed.
"Still, at least you're here now, so that's something." She added. "Dinner's about to be served in the Dining Hall, and since you're with me, we'll go together. For one night at least I can stomach your company at table – from tomorrow we'll probably have set seating, but I don't suppose anyone will pay attention to it today."
"You know, it's such a shame that your manners are so shocking." Shunsui reflected lightly. "Since you're quite pretty before you open your mouth. You might even find someone willing to take you on, if you didn't have this bad habit of speaking from time to time."
"Shunsui, I'm warning you…"
Shunsui chuckled, enjoying the look of discomfited anger on his companion's face.
"Aw, come on, Sora-chan. It's been too long since I've had such a good chance to wind you up." He said unrepentantly. "You can take it as a term of my affection towards you, if you like."
"I give up." Sora groaned, grabbing him more tightly by the arm and pulling him in the direction that most students were heading, towards the impressive chamber that had once been the dining hall of Princes and Lords. Now it was set out with long, low-pitched wooden tables, mats placed at neat intervals for the students to kneel, and though the ornate patterning on the ceiling was much like that in the dorms above, Shunsui again felt that the building had left its old life behind in order to start anew.
Is that the same for us then? Have we done the same, by stepping through these doors – or is it just a case that nothing ever changes, and this will simply be another chance for kids like Kai and Ryuu to give off their war cries and defend their Clans?
"Are you with me or spacing out to some other place?" Sora's sharp elbow jabbed him in the ribs at that moment, bringing him back to reality with a bump, and he cast her a rueful glance. "You're holding up the queue. Honestly, you can't do anything by yourself, can you? How Tokutarou ended up with such a hopeless brother, the Gods only know. And why I ended up having to nanny you…"
She sighed, shaking her head.
"Just grab your food and we'll find somewhere to sit." She said heavily. "You can do that without my help, right?"
"Contrary to popular belief, Sora, I am capable of feeding myself." Shunsui said lightly. "And have been using chopsticks on my own since I was two years old."
"Which, coincidentally, is your current mental age." Sora told him evenly, and Shunsui cast her an amused look, collecting his food and waiting patiently for her to do the same.
It was a simple evening meal of fish and rice, served in unremarkable bowls and plain wooden trays were piled up to the students' left in order for them to carry their meals to their table. Hot tea was available in steaming blue ceramic mugs, and he waited for his to be poured, Shunsui sent Sora a playful sidelong glance.
"Sake would've been nice, after a long day travelling." He said innocently, and Sora pulled a face.
"You've had more than your lifetime's share of sake." She said acerbically. "And my journey was longer than yours. Your family's land is just across the border – you practically fell out of bed and arrived here."
"And I thought girls were supposed to be gentle and sympathetic." Came Shunsui's neat response. "What happened in your case, Sora-chan?"
"I wound up saddled with you." Sora replied simply. "Stop it and come on. There's space in the far corner…and that's one of our classmates sitting at that table. Anideshi dragged him off to see Genryuusai-sensei earlier, but he was helping me look for you – I wonder what his meeting was about."
She grinned.
"Even you might be interested." She added. "He's not like us, Shunsui-kun. He's from outside the Noble clans."
"From outside…?" Despite himself, Shunsui's eyes widened, and he cast the indicated student a glance, taking in his appearance properly. He frowned.
"Somehow, I believe it." He murmured. "He doesn't look…like he's from a Clan."
"He looks half-starved and like he might snap in two, but I don't think his brain's like that." Sora reflected. "Even Urahara-senpai knew who he was, because he'd come joint second in the guidance tests."
"Joint second, huh?" Shunsui sent her a mischievous look. "You mean you let yourself get beaten by someone from the lower levels of Seireitei's society? You're slipping, Sora-chan. You need to work harder on your studies."
"At least I study sometimes." Sora said indignantly. "You're just the same as me, so don't pretend otherwise. I don't know how you got into the top class, but I'm sure it had nothing to do with your brains!"
"Turns out Genryuusai-sama was an old friend of my Father's." Shunsui said lightly.
"Must've been a very good friendship, then, if Genryuusai-sensei let you in here based on it." Sora said astutely. "Stop holding up the queue again, will you? Stop babbling and go sit. Otherwise there'll be no spaces left."
"Yes ma'am." Shunsui winked at her, but obediently led the way across the chamber to where Juushirou had settled himself down beside a window, a thoughtful look on his thin features as he slowly ate his way through his meal. He did not notice as they approached, and as Shunsui eyed him keenly, he realised Sora's assessment was right. He was thin and fragile looking, yet from the measured way in which he ate, it did not seem that he was either lacking in appetite or had been deprived in any way. He was attractive in a strange, delicate way, with a curious swirl of lank white hair that fell to the nape of his neck. His eyebrows, however, were as jet black as Sora's own, and the effect was quite striking, making Shunsui wonder what kind of family exactly the Ukitake clan were.
"Juushirou-kun, I found him."
Sora dropped herself down in an empty place, casting the other student a grin, and at the sound of her voice, the boy glanced up, surprise and then sheepishness crossing his expression as he set his chopsticks aside.
"I'm sorry, I was in a world of my own." He said ruefully. "Found him? Oh! Then this is…?"
He paused, meeting Shunsui's gaze for the first time, and his lips twitched into a wider smile.
"You must be Kyouraku-kun, then." He said softly, and Shunsui's keen ears picked up on his low, even tones, finding it somehow refreshing to hear someone speak without the well-bred slur of Nobility afflicting their words. His words were clean and clear, and even if they were not cultured, they lacked any hint of the stereotypical colloquial accent Shunsui had often heard his Uncle's noble peers mocking as a young boy. Shunsui found himself somewhat amused by this - he had long since known from his friendship with Saku that few members of the lower levels of Seireitei's society spoke with the rough dialect and limited vocabulary that many of the Clan nobles naively believed they did.
Pride and connections, after all, were the true divides between the levels of society. Shunsui knew from his own experience that intelligence was rarely a factor in deciding who was best suited to lead and who to follow.
"Yes. That's right." He agreed now, half-wondering what the proud Kai and austere Ryuu would make of this enigma. "Kyouraku Shunsui."
"I'm Ukitake Juushirou." The stranger said warmly. "I'm pleased to meet you. From what Sora told me, I understand you're also to be in the top class for the first year."
"So I understand." Despite himself, some of Shunsui's normal swagger was set off balance by the sincerity in the other boy's hazel green eyes, and the smile he offered in return was equally as genuine. "Though I hope Sora's not been saying too much. It's a bad habit of hers, after all – opening her mouth and forgetting to shut it again."
"Shunsui." Sora glowered at him, then offered Juushirou a smile.
"Did you have a good meeting with Genryuusai-sensei?" She asked curiously, and Juushirou pursed his lips, slowly nodding his head.
"It wasn't really a meeting so much as a welcome and some basic information." He said carefully. "For those of us who aren't familiar with the Noble system or the building or any of those things."
"Are there many, then, who aren't from Clans?" Sora looked surprised, and Juushirou shook his head.
"Four, including me." He replied. "But…it seems I'm the only one in the top class."
He smiled faintly.
"It's slightly intimidating, being told by a senpai that you're a topic of conversation before you've even arrived." He murmured. "I didn't realise how much it would matter, my coming joint second on the entrance exam."
"You must be pretty smart, I guess." Shunsui said evenly. "That's what it proves, in the end."
He smiled.
"Trying to understand how the Clans work is like trying to read a book with your eyes closed." He added. "You're better off not worrying about it too much, in the end. None of them make any sense, so you'll only give yourself a headache."
"I'd like to learn, though, at least some." Juushirou shook his head. "My old tutor taught me about the structure of Soul Society and the Gotei but if I want to really understand how those things work, I'll have to know something about the Noble Clans, too. Won't I?"
He cast a glance from Sora to Shunsui, then,
"You're both from Clans, after all." He added. "I'm sure it'll be fine. So long as I keep working hard, noone will worry."
Shunsui let out a low whistle, his mind flitting back to the strutting peacocks he had left pacing around the boy's dorm.
"Well, I guess there's no point in breaking your illusions first day." He said at length. "You'll see soon enough, Juu-kun, exactly how things work."
Juushirou frowned, his gaze suddenly clouding, and Shunsui realised that he'd somehow stepped on a landmine.
There was a moment of silence, then,
"I'd rather you didn't call me that, if you don't mind." He said softly.
"Call you…?" Shunsui was floored, and Sora grimaced, nudging him with her elbow.
"You've just met him and already you're calling him like you've been best friends since birth." She scolded him. "Just because my family don't like fancy talk, it doesn't mean you can be pally-pally with everyone you meet like you can with us."
"No…no, it isn't that." Juushirou's eyes widened in dismay and he held up his hands, shaking his head hurriedly. "I didn't mean…it's not that I'm offended by it or anything like that! I just…"
He faltered, biting his lip, and Shunsui saw the faint shadow surface in the boy's hazel eyes once more.
"I just don't like being called Juu-kun." He said softly. "That's all. It's just…something I don't like."
Despite himself, Shunsui felt guilty.
"I guess I'm sorry, then." He said frankly. "Maybe for once Sora's right – I do jump in and assume. But you didn't seem to be a monster, so I thought…"
"It's not like that – please don't worry about it." Juushirou assured him. "Its just a personal thing of mine. That's all."
He smiled.
"I don't mind being called Juushirou." He added. "Most people I've known up till now have called me that, and I don't mind if you do too. I'm not standing on ceremony or anything. I'd just rather you used my proper name, and didn't shorten it. If you don't mind."
"It's a mouthful, but if that's how you feel, I guess I can't say anything about it." Shunsui shrugged his shoulders, for some reason relieved to see the shadow lift from the other boy's clever gaze. "Juushirou it is, then. And I'm Shunsui – like Sora, I don't stand on ceremony with anyone."
"If you're sure that's okay…"
"More than." Shunsui nodded. "Kyouraku is my Clan name, and believe me, the less I'm reminded of that fact the better."
He shrugged, stifling a yawn.
"Clan ties are more hassle than they're worth." He added. "And I like a quiet life."
"I'm just a little relieved to have met some of my classmates." Juushirou reflected ruefully. "Clan or otherwise, it doesn't really matter too much to me. But so far Sora was the only one I'd met from Class One - and though I'm grateful for it, I was a little apprehensive about finding my dormitory and not knowing anything or anyone there."
"There are six girls and twelve boys, so that doesn't mean anything." Sora objected. "All the girls are together, but..."
"I would have preferred it if they'd mixed and matched." Shunsui rubbed his chin absently. "It would've been nice, sharing with the girls. We could've been roommates, Sora-chan - would you have liked that?"
"You're going to frighten Juushirou if you carry on like that." Sora scolded. "And as for me, I'll be glad to get a break from your company. My point was simply that, if there are twelve boys, you won't all be in together."
"Genryuusai-sensei said that all the boys from Class One were together, and likewise Class Two." Juushirou eyed Shunsui for a moment, then shook his head, taking a sip of his tea. "The others all went off together to settle in, but I didn't really know what to do. Genryuusai-sensei asked if I wanted any help, but I don't want to be a bother for him or anyone else. So I said I'd be all right."
He smiled.
"But you're Class One with me, Shunsui-kun." He added. "So at least now I know someone else. And it might sound foolish, but I'm glad."
"It is foolish, if you're glad to have Shunsui as company." Sora smirked. "But I suppose I can see your reasoning."
She cast Shunsui a glance.
"Did you say that you'd met some of our other classmates?"
"Mm. A Kuchiki and a Shihouin." Shunsui grimaced. "Guess what kind of encounter that was."
"No wonder you decided to leave them to it." Sora pulled an equally graphic face, and Juushirou looked non-plussed.
"I'm sorry - is there something wrong with the Kuchiki and the Shihouin clans?" He asked, bewildered. "The Kuchiki are the family who rule my district of Seireitei, so I've always thought them to be good, but..."
"It's not a matter of good or bad." Sora shook her head. "Like I said, the Clans are all different. The Shihouin and the Kuchiki have been rivals for a long time. Noone knows how it really began - not even them, I don't suppose. But it's always been that way. The Kuchiki are often looked on as the First of the Great Clans, because historically they've always produced the most powerful representatives among the Gotei. Even though in the last few generations the Yamamoto-ke have played an increasingly key part thanks to Genryuusai-sensei and his influence, they've still retained that status. And the Shihouin dislike it. So I suppose that's why it carries on."
"Basically, if you shut a dog and a cat in a tiny room together, fur flies." Shunsui added succinctly. "And fur was flying from the first glance. So I hope you're a heavy sleeper, Juushirou. Because if not, you might never sleep at all."
Juushirou offered him a wry smile.
"I've been known to sleep for three or four days together before." He said softly. "I don't suppose a little arguing will trouble me, either. I have seven younger brothers and sisters, and so I'm used to there being noise at all hours of day and night."
"Seven?" Sora stared at him. "So many?"
"Mm." Juushirou grinned. "It's nice, being a part of a big family."
"I thought having two brothers and Tokutarou-nii was big enough." Sora reflected, her eyes round. "And Shunsui only has one brother."
"That depends on how you count Sora-chan." Shunsui said lazily. "One legitimate brother. I have no idea how many others may or may not exist - but from the way the household staff used to whisper, I imagine there are a few lurking in corners here and there across Eighth District."
Juushirou, who had been sipping his tea, choked at this, setting the cup down hurriedly as he fought to regain his breath, and Sora rolled her eyes.
"Don't pay any attention to him." She instructed, sending Shunsui a black look. "Are you all right, Juushirou? He likes saying things like that to cause a sensation - you learn to ignore it after a while."
Juushirou did not answer, closing his eyes briefly as he forcibly brought his breathing back under his control. At length, he opened them again, nodding his head, but a brief flicker of pain had crossed his brow, and despite himself, Shunsui felt a second pang of guilt.
"I wasn't trying to choke you." He said softly. "Are you really okay?"
"Yes. I am now." Juushirou agreed, his voice soft and somewhat hoarse. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to choke - just it surprised me, the way you said it so casually."
"Some families gossip about things behind closed doors. I prefer the open approach." Shunsui responded. "It's no secret that my Father had mistresses and that he probably had children by them, too."
He smiled.
"But I suppose I should remember that you're not used to Clan intrigues." He admitted. "I'm shattering your illusions of our grandeur a little, aren't I? Maybe I should be the one who's sorry."
"No...it's not an illusion." Juushirou shook his head. "I believe that the Clans protect Seireitei and even if they have flaws, they do what they're there to do. I have never had any complaints, growing up in Sixth District, about the way in which the Kuchiki govern our area. Our family have benefited in the past from their policy of allowing families to obtain extra land, and even employ people on our own, where needed."
He smiled.
"But I know people aren't perfect." He added. "My sensei growing up was the illegitimate son of one or other Noble, and though he never told me who or which, he never made a secret of it. My Father provided him with a livelihood when he had nothing else to fall back on. I'm not as naive as you might think I am...growing up outside the Clans doesn't mean your view of the world is perfect."
His lips thinned slightly, and Shunsui wondered at the sudden clouding of his hazel eyes once more.
"No matter how great their intentions, they can't manage Seireitei's safety alone." He murmured. "It's why I came here, when Genryuusai-sensei asked me to. Because my family is large and close-knit, and I'm the eldest. I want to be able to protect them from danger."
Shunsui's eyes narrowed, as he heard the resolution in the boy's still hoarse tones.
"I hope you know what you've dropped yourself into." He said quietly, as a flicker of his Father's hopeless face flashed across his mind. "There are prices to getting strong, after all. Hassles. Drawbacks. You might not like what you find at the end of it."
"Shunsui?" Sora cast him a startled glance, and he twitched his lips into a smile, eying her fondly.
"Of course, so long as there are pretty girls to distract me, I'll see it through." He said matter-of-factly. "But it's just something to keep in mind."
He shrugged, getting to his feet.
"I'm going to go see if the battle's over in the dorm." He added. "I'll see you there later, Juushirou, no doubt."
He winked at the bewildered boy, spreading his hands.
"I hope you put the cat thoroughly among the pigeons, however." He reflected. "Since you're obviously going to be a working type, I think it might be interesting to watch how things go from hereon in."
Author's Note: Clans in Vraie's rendition of Ancient Soul Society
As mentioned before, this story deals with Seireitei politics and intrigue and Clans and whatever and though MOST of the chapters and sections will be from Juu or Shun's perspective, one or two will be from Yama's (like the prologue) and a couple by OCs. There are OCs in this story. Most significantly the boys' seven classmates, some of whom have a greater role to play than others. Where possible, these are based on the characters depicted in the flashbacks when Yama-jii is speaking about the boys and their schooldays. Hair colours etc are based on the anime versions. (Sora is NOT one of those shown - Shunsui's flirting has no effect on her :P)
Some - like Sora, Ryuu, Kai - come from noble families we know about (Shiba, Kuchiki, Shihouin). I have only invented ONE noble clan for this story - the Endou-ke. Given the positions of the characters and their connections in modern-day Bleach, I've also made the Yamamoto, Unohana and Urahara families noble blood (plus the Kyouraku whose status has yet to be firmly clarified). Thus, Eight Noble Families. In that light, the new characters are not entirely unfamiliar ones. The roles of those families and of the children from them will also, I think, be quite familiar - for example the Unohana are a clan of Healers, the Urahara are scientists, etc. Most of the OCs in my story connect to Shinigami known to us in the modern interpretation, and so certain features and ideas will crop up that people will (I hope!) be able to identify!
In this kind story, having OCs is unavoidable. However, in return for readers not throwing cream pies at me for including them, I'll do my utmost best to make them flawed, rounded and believable characters. They exist to further the plot and help Juu and Shun to grow. (And because if there are OCs, I can potentially kill them. Yes, yes :D)