Chapter Two: A Blank Slate
The sun was shining.
Juushirou's gaze drifted across the schoolroom, taking in the shadows of two birds as they arced and flew around one another, courting in the blue spring sky. Beyond, he knew, there was thick, dense forest that surrounded the school buildings on all sides, and at the thought of it, a pang of nostalgia flickered in his young heart.
He was a long way, here, from the sea.
He sighed, turning his gaze back on the tall, black-and-white clad instructor that stood at the front of the class, long strip of beech wood in his right hand which, at occasional intervals he waved or slapped against his thigh to emphasise a point. It was a thin yet substantial implement, Juushirou decided, and yet the teacher did not flinch when it make contact with his leg, giving the student good reason to believe that either the man's thighs were made of some kind of stone, or his skin was so thick he no longer felt pain.
A faint smile touched Juushirou's lips at this thought.
Perhaps, then, Kazoe-sensei was a tree.
He had been at the Academy for six days now. In even that short space of time he had come to learn many things about his new environment and classmates, and he had quickly realised that it would not be as easy to settle among them as he had originally hoped. Both Kamikura's words and Sora and Shunsui's warnings echoed in his thoughts, and he frowned, letting out a faint sigh.
So it would take more than hard work, then, to be accepted as one of them.
His eyes narrowed.
But then, he had known from the start that he would have to work hard. He had promised Genryuusai-sensei that he would not go at anything half-heartedly. And he had meant it.
He flitted his gaze briefly around the class, taking in those of the other students within his line of sight. At the furthest end of the front row, Kuchiki Ryuu was on his feet, still in the midst of giving his complicated and long-winded explanation of the Arts of the Shinigami, and try as he might, Juushirou had found it difficult to follow his classmate's elevated and tedious use of logic. It was not that he didn't understand the theory, more that Ryuu had chosen the most complex way of putting it - yet even though from the first night the Kuchiki boy had barely even looked at him, Juushirou had already realised that Ryuu's knowledge and intelligence was a cut above the other students. Despite the fact he knew he had been ignored entirely on the basis of his low-born roots, Juushirou felt more admiring envy for his classmate's skill than he did any direct sense of resentment. Ryuu treated others with disdain, true enough - but at least he had good reason to do so and inwardly Juushirou had resolved himself to working his hardest in order to pull as close to the other boy's level as possible.
Alongside Ryuu's seat was an empty desk, and Juushirou's gaze rested on it for a moment, a wry smile touching his lips. This class was Kidou theory, and aside from the very first one, Shunsui had not bothered to attend, claiming that it was too early in the morning to be forced to get out of bed. After trying without success to raise him on the second and third day, Juushirou had given up. It was not his business, after all, if one of his classmates chose not to come to class. He was not at home now, intervening with his younger siblings and settling their squabbles. He was not responsible for any of his dorm-mates or what they did.
It had taken him a few days to realise this - that now he was on his own, he could think first and foremost for his own benefit instead of having to tailor his needs and actions around the noisy brood of Ukitake children that had so often clamoured for his attention. He missed them badly, he knew that. But there was also, for the first time, a certain sense of freedom. He wasn't a child any more, now. He was a man - a man taking his first steps into the world on his own.
And somewhere, he knew, his Father was watching him with pride and hope.
"Ukitake."
The sound of his name brought his gaze back to the front of the room, and he reddened slightly, aware that all eyes were on him as he scrambled to his feet. From the row behind, he was sure he could hear the faint snort of derision that, even after five days of classes he knew came from the direction of Shihouin Kai's seat, and he frowned, gathering his wits as he gazed at the teacher expectantly.
"Yes, Kazoe-sensei?"
"So you are with us this morning." The teacher - a distant descendant of the Unohana clan - pursed his lips, peering at him over the flat rims of his spectacles. "I'm glad to see it."
Despite himself, Ukitake bit his lip, lowering his head slightly in an apology.
"I'm sorry, sensei. I found the last explanation complicated and I couldn't make sense of it." He said slowly.
"In which case, surely, it would be better to raise your hand and say so, instead of letting the world coast by." Kazoe said inexorably. "Very well. Since you're having trouble with this section, I'll assign you some extra reading on the subject to go over after class - since I'm not going to waste everyone else's time by re-covering matters we've already done. In the meantime, turn your eyes to the board, if you please. I'd like you to read out to the group what I've written there."
Juushirou's eyes flitted to the board, skimming down the columns of kanji, but before he could speak, a voice came from the row behind.
"Sensei, I think you're being unfair." That was Kai's voice, and Juushirou narrowed his eyes, aware of the false niceness in the boy's haughty tones. "Ukitake's not like the rest of us. There's no way of knowing if he can even read such complicated kanji."
"I think that's a matter for Ukitake to resolve, not you, Shihouin." Again, Kazoe was unmoved, and Ukitake got a grip on the anger bubbling inside of him, all too aware of what would happen if he let his temper swirl out of control. He had so far managed to keep his medical condition more or less under wraps, and though he was not deliberately trying to keep it a secret, he had quickly learnt that showing weakness to boys like Kai and Ryuu would mark the death knell of his time at the Academy. He had no ideas of giving them the satisfaction of seeing him collapse in class just because of Kai's provocation, so instead he ignored his classmate's pointed words, meeting the teacher's gaze with an even one of his own.
"I'm quite able to read it, sensei, though I'm grateful to Shihouin-kun for his concern." He said lightly, offering Kazoe a smile.
"Then do so." Kazoe eyed him thoughtfully, but gestured towards the black slate, and Juushirou nodded.
"One of the four pillars of Shinigami skill, Kidou's principle focus is on the use of spiritual magic." He said softly. "There are several different types of utilising this skill - some offensive, some defensive, with the most complicated procedures being applied in tandem with one another by skilled users. The spells can be cast in two ways - either by using the full incantation or by the technique name alone. Though quicker to release, a spell without the incantation is generally considered to lack strength, therefore is usually reserved for use only by the more experienced users. Some zanpakutou are also believed to carry a Kidou element."
"Thank you." Kazoe nodded. "Did you manage to follow that clearly, Ukitake?"
"Yes, sir. I did."
"Then perhaps you can also tell the class what the word 'Kidou' actually means?"
Kazoe ran his wooden baton alongside the two kanji, and Ukitake frowned.
"Demon's path, sir."
"Precisely." Kazoe indicated for him to sit down. "It's as well you all take this in and absorb it now. We are not simply learning about a skill, but forming a deep rooted understanding of it, after all. And that begins with understanding the terms used."
He tapped the board again.
"As Ukitake has correctly told us, the word is spelt with the characters 'oni' - demon - and 'michi' - path."
He turned back to the class, pacing across the front and sweeping his gaze across the group to make sure they were all listening intently.
"It's also known as the way of the demon, or, in some more contemporary writings, Demon's Method." He added. "And I want you to remember that fact. The arts that you will be beginning to learn are not toys or tricks used to amuse friends or entertain at parties. They are deep-rooted skills which are quite capable of rebounding on a user if they are not properly applied. Inattention to either the words of the spell or the aim of the magic is unforgivable, and misuse can - and has been known to - end in death."
"Is it really demon's magic, though, sensei?" A girl in the front row raised her hand. "Because surely if there are demons, those things are the Hollows we're meant to be fighting? If it's demon magic, why are we using it?"
Kazoe eyed her keenly.
"That's a good question." He agreed. "And the answer comes from a time before I or any of you were around to play witness. The origins of the magic are wrapped in mystery - whether they originally were 'demon arts' or whether they were considered that way and so named by superstitious people at the time, it's unclear. All I can tell you is that new techniques are being developed and worked on all the time, and the capabilities of the Shinigami to use Kidou in a battle situation are becoming even more broad."
"Do Hollows use Kidou, though, sensei?" Another student - a large, sturdy boy who was a relative of the Yamamoto-ke raised his hand, and Kazoe shook his head.
"Hollows are not demons in the technical sense, Houjou." He responded. "And no, they are not currently capable of using Kidou, although some higher level ones do possess high powered spiritual attacks such as 'Cero' which you will no doubt cover at a later date."
"Not currently capable, sensei?" Sora demanded. "Does that mean they might start learning it?"
"How could they?" Kai snorted. "They're Hollows. They're not like us. They don't think or feel, they just follow our reiatsu looking to feed. That's all. They don't have the intellectual capacity to learn."
"Certainly most of the Hollows that appear in Seireitei are of that ilk, Shihouin." Kazoe agreed. "But Shiba has a point too. We don't know what Hollows might be capable of in the future. It's true that the current level of Hollow is far stronger and more difficult to defeat than, say, the Hollows that were around in your Grandparents' time. As a result, Shinigami are constantly developing and updating their skills in order to keep pace. You are all aware, I think, of the recent introduction of the Squad system among the Gotei, and the inauguration of four new Gotei leaders in order to help combat the growing problem."
There was a murmur of assent among the students, many of them nodding in agreement, and Juushirou felt slightly ashamed that he did not fully know what to his classmates was obviously a well-circulated piece of information. Still, he did not raise his hand to ask, Kai's cool taunts still rankling at his pride, and instead he resolved to ask someone later what Kazoe had meant.
Sora did say something about her brother and a new Squad, though…and I think I remember Genryuusai-sensei mentioning it, too. I didn't really understand it then - but maybe it's something to do with that.
"Kidou is probably the art which has most benefited from this renewed focus." Kazoe continued now. "The current emphasis is on strengthening the variety and potency of the Gotei's arsenal - so I expect you to all pay close attention to everything you are about to learn. Both now, in discussing Kidou theory, and later, when we come to practicing actual spells."
"Someone should tell Kyouraku that." The girl who had asked the original question put in frankly, her gaze flitting to the empty chair, and Kazoe pursed his lips. Though he did not comment, Juushirou was aware of the displeasure in his dark eyes, and he half found himself feeling sorry for the skiving Shunsui. Even in five days of classes, Juushirou had realised that Kazoe Ginji was a fair teacher, but an uncompromisingly tough one who disliked lateness and inattention from his students. Although so far he had only used the wooden baton to indicate things on the board, Juushirou felt privately that, if the circumstances demanded it, it could just as well be used as a crop to mete out discipline to any who upset him.
Before the atmosphere could become any more chilly, however, the chime of the estate's big tower bell resounded through the old stone building, and Kazoe gestured for his students to stand and make their requisite bows.
"Ukitake, stay behind." He said brusquely. "The rest of you are dismissed."
As the other students filed out of the classroom, Juushirou gathered his papers together, eying the teacher tentatively as Kazoe crossed the room towards him. As the sliding door slid closed behind the last student, Kazoe beckoned for him to step out from behind his desk, and, not without misgivings, Juushirou did so.
There was a moment of silence, then,
"I expect you to pay full attention in my class." Kazoe's tones were low and even, but Juushirou knew he was not pleased, and he swallowed hard.
"Yes, sensei. I'm sorry, sensei."
"I realise that there are probably things that you haven't had the occasion to learn yet, and I also understand that your health is a concern." Kazoe continued. "But I don't intend on making exceptions for you in my class, and I want you to realise that now. If you're here, you're here to learn. And I expect one hundred percent focus from you all of the time."
Juushirou bowed his head low before his companion, raising his gaze at length to meet the teacher's quizzical one.
"I don't want you to make exceptions for me, sensei." He said honestly. "If I did, I wouldn't be here. I'm truly sorry I let my mind be distracted in your class, and I'll make sure it doesn't happen again. But please, I don't want to be considered any different from my classmates. I wasn't paying attention. That's all."
Kazoe stared at him for a moment, and then a faint smile touched his lips.
"For such a frank admission, I should give your fingers strikes with this, just so you keep it in your mind what I expect from you." He said frankly, and Juushirou's eyes widened. Then, very slowly, he held out his hands, and Kazoe shook his head, pushing them aside.
"No. Not this time." He said. "I like your honesty, and the fact you don't try and make excuses for yourself. I'm not inclined to tan your hands today, Ukitake. But the next time..."
He sighed, shrugging his shoulders.
"Genryuusai-sensei wants us to not use physical force on you unless absolutely necessary." He admitted. "But I'm not one who believes in making a weak body stronger by smothering it in cotton wool. You're here to learn to fight against dangerous monsters who would think nothing about taking your life. So I want you to understand that from the start."
He smiled slightly.
"If you behave, then I'll never have to consider punishing you." He added. "And we'll both be happy."
Juushirou took a deep breath, swallowing hard at the mention of Hollows.
"I would sooner you punished me for my misdeeds, sir, even if that meant it compromised my health or caused an attack." He said soberly. "My Father was killed by a Hollow, and I wasn't able to prevent it. But I want to know how to prevent it happening to anyone else I love. And whatever it means to be able to do that without flinching or failing, I'll do. I'm no different from my classmates, in the end. I want to succeed, too."
Kazoe rested his free hand on the boy's shoulder, and Juushirou saw a fleeting amount of respect in the man's eyes.
"I'm glad to hear it." He said frankly. "With that attitude, you'll doubtless go far. What you've chosen to do takes guts, after all."
He turned, moving towards the front desk and scooping up an old bound volume, holding it out.
"Your extra reading." he said, as Juushirou stared at him blankly. "I'm sure that, once you've read through the first two or three chapters, you'll no longer have any reason to be confused. Whether you read any more than that is your decision - you can return it to me when you consider you've read enough."
"Yes, sir." Comprehension flickered in Juushirou's gaze, and he nodded, taking it and bowing his head once more. "I understand. Thank you."
"Then be gone with you." Kazoe flicked his stick towards the sliding door. "And I'll see you next lesson."
Thus dismissed, Juushirou clutched the volume to his chest, leaving the classroom and stepping out into the hallway beyond.
"You're in one piece, then?"
A voice startled him and he turned in surprise, seeing the tall, gangly form of Houjou Enishi lounged up against the wall. He paused, confused, and at his expression, Enishi grinned.
"I waited for you." He said, as if it explained everything. "In case you got broke into pieces and needed putting back together."
He raised an eyebrow.
"Well? Did he get tough?" He asked. "Kazoe-sensei's legend, you know, for being as tough as they come. My cousin found that out the hard way."
He grimaced, shaking his head.
"Not pretty. Like I said, he's legend. And, well, you don't look strong enough t'stand up to too much of that. So I figured, you might need someone t'help you. When you got out."
Despite himself, Juushirou grinned at his classmate's clumsy sympathy, and he shook his head.
"No. Because it's so early in the term, I only got a warning and extra reading." He said, patting the book as proof. "But thank you, Houjou-kun. I'm grateful for your kindness."
"Well, you put that pompous Shihouin brat in his place pretty well." Enishi grinned back. "I don't understand why he's latched in on you so badly since first day, but you've not let it get to you, and that's pretty impressive. Plus, not all Clan folk are like that. Some of us don't care about the rivalry stuff, or about the fact you're not one of us."
He eyed the book ruefully.
"How much have you got to read of that, then?" He asked. "It looks like a biggie - and probably full of complicated concepts and theories, too."
"I haven't looked, yet, but probably." Juushirou agreed. "Sensei said three chapters, but I don't know. Depending on how easy it is to understand, I think I'm planning on reading the whole book. After all, he said I could return it when I felt I'd read enough - which seems to me to be a hint to read as much as possible. I think he's testing me, and I'm not going to let him down."
"The whole thing?" Enishi looked aghast. "And you're okay with that? I think I'd rather have had the beating."
"I'm a quick reader." Juushirou shrugged. "There have been times, at home, when all I've done for days on end is read, after all."
He smiled.
"Either to myself or to my siblings, from time to time." He added. "So it's not as much of a chore as it seems."
"You're smart, aren't you?" As they made their way along the hallway, Enishi glanced down at his companion, seemingly taking in his slim form carefully, and Juushirou shrugged again.
"I don't know." He said honestly. "Till I came here, I had no one to compare myself with. And there are a lot of things I don't know. So I wouldn't say that I was smart. But I do work hard when there's something to be learnt."
He looked sheepish.
"I guess I like learning." He reflected. "Do you think that's odd?"
"No." Enishi shook his head, pondering the point carefully. "I'm a bit jealous, if that's the case."
He shrugged.
"I'm not smart." He said honestly. "I'm not stupid, but I'm not ever going to be top of the class. I've a lot of reiatsu, and I'm strong...but that's about it. Academic stuff doesn't stick in my brain easily. I can learn anything that has to be learnt practically - but all this theory stuff goes over my head. I had to really work damn hard for the guidance tests, and even then I pretty much just scraped into the top class by dint of my high skills in Ouyoudou. I've been studying those since I was four or five, after all - and it turned the balance. I envy people who are smart and who know stuff easily. I often wish I was like that."
Juushirou stared at him, taken aback at this honest admission. Then he laughed.
"There have been times, in the past, when I've wished I was stronger." He admitted. "I know Kenjitsu, but only since I was twelve, and I've done it haphazardly at times. I suppose it's true that everyone has something they want that someone else has."
"I think so." Enishi agreed. He eyed his companion keenly.
"Do you wish, then, that you were Clan born?" He asked curiously. "Being that Kuchiki's pretty much blanked you from day one, and Shihouin keeps digging at you - does it bother you?"
"I don't say I like it, but I'm not going to let it stop me." Juushirou smiled. "I'm stubborn, you see. Too stubborn, sometimes. And I've made up my mind to do this, even if everyone hates me. So no. I don't wish I was Clan born. I wouldn't change my family. There's nothing wrong with them and I'm not ashamed. Genryuusai-sensei believes in me, so that's all I need to push on. I'm not going to fail, even if they want me to. No matter what happens."
He looked rueful.
"Although I'm going to have to study a lot harder, if I want to catch Kuchiki-kun." He said wryly. "We've not got to practical lessons yet, but in theory classes he seems to know an awful lot already. That's one of the reasons I tuned out earlier, I think. He was getting so complicated in his explanation of the Four Arts and then I got distracted and didn't realise that Kazoe-sensei had started talking again."
"The Kuchiki-ke begin training their sprogs from the moment they're in the cradle, though." Enishi said knowledgeably. "It'd be strange if he wasn't like that."
"I suppose so." Juushirou acknowledged. "And my own education is patchy at times, too. I missed a couple of years study for various reasons, so no doubt there are plenty of gaps I still need to fill."
"But you came second in the guidance tests, didn't you?" Enishi pointed out. "I bet, if you worked hard from now, you could overtake him."
"Overtake him?"
"Kuchiki." Enishi grinned. "I figure he must've been top, after all - judging by the way he is in class."
"Yes, I think so." Juushirou frowned. "I think I'll take a bit longer before I'm really in his league."
"But you're smart, at least." Enishi said philosophically. "So you'll probably do it eventually."
At that moment they reached the dorm, and Juushirou paused, a grin touching his features.
"Do you think Shunsui's still sleeping in here?" He wondered. "Kazoe-sensei looked livid when Shikibu-san mentioned him not turning up again. It can't carry on like that forever, surely?"
"I guess not, though he's got a lot of guts to do it." Enishi reflected. He laughed. "But it's fine. So long as Kyouraku doesn't intend to come to class, it means I can't rank bottom in any class test. If he doesn't show up, he can't score - right? Common sense. So it doesn't worry me, if that's how he wants it."
He gestured to the book.
"When you've dumped that, let's head out to the forest." He suggested. "We've a little while till next class, and I want to see how good your Kenjitsu stances are."
"Kenjitsu stances?" Juushirou looked startled. "But we're not meant to...we haven't begun in class yet, and..."
"Not with sticks. Just stances. That should be fine." Enishi assured him. "And like I said, I've been doing it forever."
He grinned.
"Unless you don't want to spend time with me, of course..."
Juushirou returned the grin.
"It's not a question of that." He responded. "I've no objections to that at all, Houjou-kun. I just don't want to get anyone into trouble. I don't know if I'm on eggshells here or not, but some of the teachers like me more than others, and I think it's because they think Genryuusai-sensei's making allowances to let me be here. So I don't want to rock any boats I don't have to - if you get my meaning."
"I promise, it'll just be stances." Enishi assured him, relief in his dark eyes, and with a jolt Juushirou realised his words about spending time together had not been in jest at all. For a moment he digested this, then he smiled, meeting the older boy's gaze with a warm one of his own.
"Maybe, with a friend's guidance, I'll learn more quickly the things I don't know." He reflected, pushing back the sliding door. "And if I can return the favour with our studies at all, Houjou-kun, don't hesitate to ask. After all, we have to help each other, right? Isn't that part of why we're here?"
They stepped into the dorm, Juushirou's gaze flitting to Shunsui's bed, but his dormmate was long gone, the covers tossed back and the curtains at the adjacent window flapping lazily in the wind. Enishi raised his eyebrows, moving to pull the glass screen shut.
"Do you think he went out that way?" He wondered, gazing down at the ground below, and Juushirou frowned, remembering Sora's frantic hunt on the first day of term.
"Maybe." he said at length. "Apparently he's good at escaping from places and people."
He shrugged.
"Either way, he's not here." He added. "So obviously he's not intending on coming to class later, either."
"He hasn't come to many this week." Enishi remembered. "Last night he said he'd slept through the afternoon bell...the day before he was exploring the forest. I don't know. He's a weird one, that one. I don't understand him at all."
Juushirou opened his mouth to respond, but before he could, he was aware of a muffled sound in the corner of the chamber, and he turned, eyes widening as for the first time he registered that someone else was in the dorm.
Curled up against the wall in the corner bed was the small, pathetic form of Endou Hirata, the youngest member of the top class, and, up till now, someone with whom Juushirou had not exchanged more than two words. He had kept himself to himself throughout those first few days, turning up to class yet not venturing any opinion, and whenever anyone spoke his name he stared at them like a frightened rabbit from behind his glasses, as if his vocal chords were paralysed just by the brief flash of attention directed his way. Otherwise, he had shown little expression about anything, and, not quite sure how to approach the situation, Juushirou had left well alone. He was, after all, a descendant of the Endou clan, a martial clan almost as proud and twice as unforgiving as the Shihouin when it came to a conflict of interest.
Now, however, Juushirou realised the young boy had come to the safety of the dorm in order to let rip his feelings in peace and quiet, and, curled up away from his classmates, he had been sobbing his heart out.
Juushirou, as the eldest of eight children, was not able to just turn his back and let this pass. He set his book down on his bed, crossing the chamber towards Hirata's bunk.
As he did so, the boy stared at him in fright and confusion, and as Juushirou sat down on the side of the thin mattress, he pulled back, grasping his blankets and pulling them tightly around his shaking body.
At this, Juushirou's eyes widened in disbelief.
Was this child...scared of him for some reason?
"Are you all right, Endou-kun?" He asked gently, and Hirata continued to stare at him out of tearful, pale blue eyes, seemingly unable to form coherent words.
Juushirou sighed.
"Do you hate me too, then, because I'm not Clan born?" He asked softly, and Hirata's eyes widened. Hastily he shook his head.
"Then why are you acting like I'm going to hurt you?" Juushirou pressed, and Hirata swallowed hard, not making any attempt to lower the blanket.
From his post by the door, Enishi tut-tutted under his breath.
"Endou, it ain't polite to ignore someone when they're talking right at you." He said frankly. "Be a man a bit and find your voice, huh? Ukitake's asking you something. At least answer him."
Hirata swallowed hard, then, in tones so soft Juushirou had to strain to hear them,
"I want to go home."
"Home?" Juushirou was surprised. "Home, as in...to your family?"
Slowly Hirata nodded his head.
"You don't want to be here?"
Hirata shook his head, fresh tears brimming in the pitiful eyes, and despite himself, Juushirou's heart went out to the younger boy. Hirata was, he knew, only fifteen - the same age as the twin brother and sister he had left behind in District Six. He was considered something of a prodigy by his clan, for he had heard Sora talking about the subject the first night they had arrived, yet more than that he did not know. And though the Endou Clan had something of a fearsome reputation, Juushirou was struck by the complete lack of self-possession this miserable mite had.
"Then maybe you should've stayed home an' waited a year or two." Enishi suggested. "Since you're just a kid and all - you could've done that, instead of coming and being miserable like this."
Hirata shook his head again, and Juushirou frowned.
"Your family wouldn't let you do that, I suppose?" He murmured softly, and Hirata buried his head in his hands. At length he shook his head yet again.
Juushirou sighed.
"And you're homesick." He continued. "But you don't want to let people see it. Because you're worried that, if they do, it will get back to your family. And they'll be cross with you. Is that it?"
Hirata's head shot up, surprise and dismay in his pale eyes, and Juushirou nodded.
"I suppose it's a lot of pressure, sometimes, coming from a Clan." He reflected. Then he smiled, reaching out to touch Hirata's arm, glad when the boy did not immediately pull away.
"But none of that means anything to me." He added. "Because I'm not connected to any of them. And I'm certain no one in the Endou-ke would care about what I had to say, even if I wanted to tell them. Which I don't, by the way. I think it's natural to be scared and miss your family. Especially if you've never been away before."
He shrugged.
"It's my first time away from home too." He said matter-of-factly. "I miss Okaasama and my siblings a lot, and I'm sad when I think of the fact the sea is so far away. But it's all right, because I've come here with a purpose in mind and I'm going to work hard to achieve it. I'll see my family soon, after all. And so will you yours. It's only a few months, in the end. And once you settle down, it'll be easier. After all, Sora said you were quick-witted and you had talent. You'll probably do well here, and make your parents proud."
Hirata's eyes widened for a moment, staring at Juushirou in surprise. Then, very slowly, he lowered the protective blanket shield.
"You...you haven't been away from home before, either?" He murmured, and Juushirou shook his head.
"Up till two Winters ago, I was practically unable to leave the house." He agreed, deciding that in this instance, sharing his weakness might be a positive rather than a negative move. "I was very ill for a long time, and I wasn't able to get up. Because of it, there were a lot of things I couldn't do. And when I hear how much Kuchiki-kun knows, or hear about Shihouin-kun or Houjou-kun and their Kenjitsu skill, I worry that I won't match up either, in the end. But I'll do my best. It's all I can do, after all."
"So that's why you said you had gaps." Enishi mused. "You were sick?"
Juushirou nodded.
"Something like that." He agreed. "Well, Endou-kun? Houjou-kun and I were going to walk out to the forest and he was going to help me with my Kenjitsu stances. Do you want to come with us?"
He glanced at Enishi.
"You don't mind if he does, do you, Houjou-kun?"
"It's a bit late to ask when you've already invited him, but as it happens, I don't." Enishi grinned. "The more the merrier. You can come along too, Endou."
"I've never done Kenjitsu before." Hirata looked doubtful, and Juushirou reached across to pull him gently to his feet.
"Then we'll teach you the basics, and you'll learn more quickly." He offered. "What do you say?"
Hirata stared up at him, then, very slightly, a smile touched his lips. Slowly he nodded.
"All right." He agreed. "Th...thank you, Ukitake-kun. I'm sorry I hid from you. I..."
"You don't need to apologise." Juushirou shook his head, and Hirata frowned.
"I do." He admitted. "It's just...before I came, a lot of things were said by the Clan about the District student who'd broken into the top rankings, and I was worried...what you'd be like. That maybe you'd be...dangerous. But you...you're not like that. And I'm sorry I let them make me think you were. I just...I don't really know much about the lower levels of Seireitei."
"Well, I don't know much about the upper ones, so we're even." Juushirou said matter-of-factly. "And if that's all that's worrying you, forget it. I'm getting to be immune to Noble disapproval of late."
He laughed.
"We should make a move, before we have no time left." He added. "So let's stop talking and get going!"
The forest stretched out for miles and miles into the distance.
Shunsui sat back more comfortably against the trunk of the tree, gazing pensively in the direction of the border between Yamamoto land and his own family's domain. It was some miles distant, he knew, despite Sora's remarks about being next-door neighbours, and for a moment a brief sense of resentment flickered up inside of him.
Tokutarou had got the better of him this time, that was for sure.
He sighed, folding his arms loosely across his chest as he glanced up at the patches of sky he could see dotted between the tree's heavy spring foliage. The first buds of the plant's blossoms were beginning to open, he reflected absently, and soon all the trees around would explode into a rainbow of colour and vibrancy – yet they were different trees from the ones that grew within Kyouraku land, and despite himself, he found himself regretting that fact.
I'm surely not homesick, though?
He frowned, wondering for a moment about this, then discarding it. He liked his brother enough, and he was truly fond of his Mother. But he was not homesick for the shackles of the Kyouraku-ke or the burdens that came with his high-born blood.
It's just that escaping from this place is as complicated as escaping from Uncle used to be – and I don't have an accomplice to help cover my tracks this time.
He pursed his lips, as Saku crossed his thoughts for the briefest of instants. Then he forced the image back, straightening himself against the sturdy trunk.
Saku was gone. That was the past. He'd moved on.
"How far are we going to go down this path, Sora?"
The strident tones of one of his classmates caused him to freeze, almost overbalancing on his branch as he realised his hiding place had almost been discovered. His grasp on the branch tightened, as he squinted down through the trees, making out the distinctive figure of his persistent minder standing almost right below him. Not far behind her was the girl who had spoken, plus another girl who he recognised from the top class, and Shunsui bit his lip, gazing at them apprehensively.
Sora was not good at sensing others' auras, he knew that, but he knew nothing about the other two girls and he had no mind to be treated to another lecture.
"So far as we can, I suppose." Sora responded now, turning to face her companion. "Though it's okay, Naoko…if you don't want to follow me all the way, I won't blame you. Just, with the way Kazoe-sensei looked this morning – I wanted to find Shunsui and warn him that he's going to have a teacher on his tail if he doesn't sort his ideas out."
"And you think he came this way?" Shikibu Naoko raised an eyebrow. "Why would he do that, though? Didn't Kuchiki-kun tell you that he was still sleeping when they left the dorm for breakfast? From what you've said about him, he's a layabout and he's probably still there. And you can't go crashing the dorm, Sora. No matter how much you want to find him…girls in boys dorms aren't allowed."
"He'd probably welcome it, if we did that." Sora grimaced, and Shunsui flinched ruefully at her accurate assessment of his thoughts. "But you don't know Shunsui like I do. He doesn't stay in one place that easily. If he doesn't want to be found, he won't be found. He's always been like that, slipping in and out of places and so on. I doubt he's up in the dorm now. That'd be the first place Kazoe-sensei'd go, after all, if he wanted to track him down."
She glanced at the other member of the group, who up till that point had remained silent.
"And Mitsuki said she thought he'd come this way." She added. "So I thought we should check it out."
"Why do you care so much anyway?" Naoko demanded. "He's not your blood kin, is he?"
"No, he's not."
"Then why?" Naoko pursed her lips. "If he was a Shiba kinsman, I could understand it – but why does it bother you if he does as he pleases? It doesn't reflect on your Clan, after all – so why all the fuss and bother?"
"Shunsui's brother is a kinsman." Sora said frankly. "And he's also now head of the Kyouraku-ke. He asked Okaasama for me to keep an eye on him – that's why. I can't disobey the head of my Clan and Tokutarou-nii is blood kin, even if Shunsui isn't. So that's why. It's a headache and a pain but I can't give up on him yet. At least, not so early in the term."
"I don't think he's far away." Mitsuki put in at that moment in her soft, gentle tones. "I really think he came this way, Sora. And even though he's trying to hide his reiatsu, I'm pretty sure…he's still in the forest."
Shunsui stiffened, inwardly berating the girl's perception. As he looked at her, he remembered vaguely that on the first day of classes Ryuu had greeted her with sombre formality, and he bit his lip till he could taste blood, realising that although her name was Edogawa, the girl was somehow connected to the Kuchiki-ke.
And the Kuchiki-ke, were, after all, renowned for their spiritual skill.
"Then I guess I'm going to keep on looking, even if it means I'm late back for lunch." Sora said resolutely, and Shunsui's heart sank as he registered the note of determination in the girl's tones. "If you think he's here, Mitsuki-chan, then I'm going to trust in you and keep looking."
"Then I suppose I'm helping too." Naoko sighed, but shrugged her shoulders. "We girls need to stick together, after all – we're already in the minority, so we have to stay on the same team."
A little less teamwork right now would suit me a lot better.
Shunsui's expression became grim as he gauged his chances of slipping away through the branches before any of them decided to look up. It was risky, he knew, even if he had been familiar with the forest's layout, but as yet he was not, and he faltered, realising that his best option was to stay still and quiet and hope that they left.
He was out of luck.
At that moment a bird flew out of the upper branches of the tree and, at the resulting sound Naoko glanced up, letting out an exclamation as she made out the blue and white haze of hakama concealed among the branches.
"Sora! Look! Up there!" She exclaimed, and Shunsui cursed, realising that the game was up.
"Kyouraku Shunsui!" Sora glared up at him, hands on hips, and Shunsui knew there would be no escaping now. "You get down here this instant and explain yourself!"
"Mitsuki was right. He was up there all the time." Naoko reflected, as Shunsui let out a heavy sigh, grabbing hold of the overhanging branch and swinging himself neatly down onto the ground beside them. "Kyouraku-kun, are you a monkey? Because well-bred Noble sons do not spend their time climbing trees."
"I'm sorry, Shikibu-san." Shunsui offered her a wry smile, bowing his head mock-apologetically towards her as he did so. "But the view was so much prettier up there, so I suppose I got carried away and climbed up to see it better."
He raised his head, offering her a mischievous wink.
"Maybe you'd like to join me, next time?" He suggested innocently. "Although now you girls have appeared, the view down here is ju-u-ust as pretty. Perhaps I should stay on the ground, after all."
He leaned closer, a broad smile crossing his lips as he gazed at her earnestly, reaching out a lazy finger to brush the ends of her chestnutty-red waves of hair.
"I still haven't had a chance to get to know all my classmates, after all. Perhaps now would be as good a time as any. What do you think, Na-o-ko-chan?"
He put special emphasis on each syllable of the girl's name, and despite herself, the girl reddened, taking a step away from him and sending him a dark glare.
"I've heard all the rumours about you, Kyouraku-kun." She said stiffly, tossing her head as she tried to pretend she was not flustered by his blatantly flirtatious comments. "Just because you think you can seduce all the girls in your family's locality, it doesn't mean you can try the same trick on us. We're not like those girls. We're Clan. And I don't remember giving you permission to call me Naoko. So don't."
"He's just trying to wind you up, Naoko. Don't let him get to you." Sora said firmly, grasping Shunsui tightly by the shoulders and giving him a firm shake.
"And you, hold your tongue. You're doing yourself no favours, and I won't rescue you if you get blasted as a result."
"So cold!" Shunsui protested, pretending to be hurt, and Sora snorted.
"Tokutarou-nii only asked me to keep an eye on you." She said unsympathetically. "He didn't say anything about protecting you from angry girls with quick fists and good level reiatsu."
Although she was smaller than he was, and by no means as well built, her grip was strong and unwavering, and Shunsui glanced down at her, resignation in his gaze.
"Kazoe-sensei was ticked off then, was he, that I didn't come to class this morning?"
"That'd be an understatement." Sora grimaced. "He was about ready to set fire to your empty seat – I think that'd be a better analogy."
"I hope he didn't take it out on Ukitake-kun." Mitsuki added softly, anxiety in her dark grey eyes. "He looked pretty cross when he dismissed the rest of us…and he has a reputation, you know, for being…tough."
"Ukitake?" Shunsui looked startled. "What would Juushirou have to do with my skipping class?"
"Nothing at all." Naoko recovered herself, sending him a look of censure as she pointedly kept herself well out of his reach. "Just the boy was daydreaming in the lecture, that's all, and Kazoe-sensei held him back because of it."
Her eyes narrowed.
"You're not so important that what you do impacts on everyone else's well being, you know." She said coldly. "And besides, what trouble Ukitake-kun gets into is his problem to resolve, after all. If he's going to come to class with Clan-born students, he needs to learn right away that he's dealing with a high level of education, not village school classes or whatever they have in the wilds of Seireitei."
"Mm, and I thought Juushirou was the one who finished equal second in the guidance tests." Shunsui said lightly. "And that your position was sixth, Shikibu-san – or was that my mistake?"
His lips twitched into a lazy smile.
"Though I'd expect you to take Kazoe-sensei's side, since he's your kinsman, isn't he?" He continued evenly. "I'm fairly sure I'm right about that – you're both Unohana-ke, unless I'm very much mistaken. And kin seems to matter to you rather a lot, judging by your earlier conversation."
"You were listening to us, too? Eavesdropping on us from up in your monkey's perch?"
Anger flushed Naoko's features, and Shunsui shrugged.
"I was relaxing in the trees when I heard the sound of pretty girls approaching." He said sweetly. "What else was I supposed to do? Your tones are beautifully clear and carrying too, Shikibu-san."
"Kyouraku-kun!"
Before Naoko could fully object to this fresh affront, however, Sora held up her hands.
"Stop arguing, the both of you." She said frankly. "It's irrelevant, anyhow. Juushirou was daydreaming in class and he got held back – if he got punished, it was because of that. Not because of Shunsui coming or not coming to class. Although it probably didn't help his mood – Juushirou should've known better."
She turned to glance at her dark-haired companion, whose expression was still somewhat troubled.
"It's his problem, in the end, Mitsuki-chan."
"I know that." Mitsuki admitted. "But…Ukitake-kun seems so fragile. I suppose…I was worried that, if Kazoe-sensei was very angry…he might really hurt Ukitake-kun a lot."
"He does look ready to shatter." Sora agreed.
"That doesn't mean anyone should make exceptions for him." Naoko said frankly. "I've no problem with him being here, or with him being in our class. But it wouldn't be fair if he got treated differently – would it? So Sora's right. He has to follow the same rules as the rest of us."
She glared at Shunsui, who smiled at her benignly.
"And so do you." She muttered. "Even if he's not from a Clan, Ukitake-kun at least turns up to lessons on time and he has proper manners, too."
"Meaning that I don't?" Shunsui looked interested, and Naoko spread her hands.
"If you think you do, I'm the wrong person to be telling you otherwise." She said categorically. "Though you reflect badly on Tokutarou-dono, you know, behaving like this."
"He's used to me." Shunsui reflected. "I don't think he has very high hopes of my changing any time soon, to be quite honest."
He frowned, his gaze flitting in the direction of the school building.
"And I think your concerns about Juushirou are unfounded, Edogawa-san." He added frankly. "He seems to be firmly in one piece to me."
"What are you babbling about now?" Sora blinked, staring at him, and Shunsui grinned, gesturing towards the path.
"I can sense his reiatsu not far away." He said blithely. "You really need to work on that, you know, Sora-chan. It's unforgivable in someone who ranked fifth in the top class not to know when a classmate's less than a hundred yards away."
"Oh, shut up." Sora bristled. "At least I ranked in the test and didn't have to have my brother call in family connections."
"Touche." Shunsui seemed unconcerned. "But even so, Sora, I'm surprised you can't sense anything about this one."
He cast Mitsuki a questioning glance.
"What about you, Mitsuki-chan? With all your illustrious Kuchiki genes, you can sense him, can't you?"
Mitsuki reddened, nodding her head.
"Yes." She murmured. "I…I can. And Houjou-kun and Endou-kun are there too. You're right, Kyouraku-kun. They're not far from here at all."
"What on earth for?" Naoko looked bewildered. "Ukitake-kun, Houjou-kun and Endou-kun? What's with that combination?"
Sora giggled, despite herself.
"It's quite a funny one, all in all." She remarked. "Houjou-kun must be six foot at least, and built like a mountain gorilla. Endou-kun's tiny in comparison. And Juushirou's not exactly average looking himself - the three of them are quite a picture, when you think about it."
"I didn't realise Endou-kun actually spoke." Naoko admitted, looking non-plussed. "But I suppose he must do, unless Ukitake-kun and Houjou-kun are mind-readers."
She snorted.
"In Houjou-kun's case, I doubt that."
"What's wrong with Houjou-kun?" Mitsuki looked startled, and Naoko shook her head.
"Nothing at all." She responded. "He's not a bad person. He's just clumsy when it comes to people. That's all."
She laughed.
"I met him at a social event once last Winter." She added. "His father and mine are acquainted, so I had to dance with him and by the end of it my toes were bruised and my fingers felt like they'd been crushed to death. He really doesn't have many social graces, let's put it that way."
"Really?" Shunsui pursed his lips. "He sounds interesting. I must make time to talk to him."
"Oh, you." Sora scolded. "You're just trying to be provocative now, aren't you?"
"I don't have to try. It comes naturally." Shunsui said absently, his gaze flitting once more in the direction of the copse. It was Juushirou's reiatsu all right, yet it had a different, slightly rougher feel to it today than it had in the times they had crossed paths since the first day, and his brows knitted together as he wondered at what it meant.
"I think you might be misjudging Juushirou-kun too, you know." He added lightly. "I have a feeling he's going to surprise people."
"You think so?" Despite her irritation, Naoko shot him a startled look. "How would you know, when you've not been to classes? Sure, he seems like he's got a quick enough brain – but he's fragile and thin and obviously either half-starved or neglected in some way or other. What do you suppose he's going to be like when we get into practical classes? I can't imagine he'd be very good at Ouyoudou – no matter how much theory he can understand."
Shunsui's eyes narrowed, and slowly he shook his head.
"You're wrong." He said simply.
"How?" Naoko demanded, and Shunsui smiled at her, shrugging his shoulders.
"Just a hunch." He responded lightly. "Because that's the bell for lunch, I think. And I don't know about you pretty ladies, but I'm hungry – so how about accompanying me back to campus?"
"You can find your own way back." Sora told him flatly, grabbing Naoko and Mitsuki firmly by the arms. "Come on, you two. Let's go and leave him to it."
With that she was gone, pulling her companions with her into the woodland, and Shunsui chuckled under his breath, shaking his head in amusement.
"Predictable as ever." He murmured. "But I suppose I'll have to watch out for Kazoe-sensei a little, won't I? If he's going to be that kind of teacher – I might want to make myself even more scarce when he's on the prowl. Thank you for the warning, Sora-chan. I'll be sure to keep it in mind."
With that thought, he closed his eyes, focusing all his thoughts on reaching the school building. At first, nothing happened, but as he felt the world twist and distort around him, he let out his breath slowly and steadily, keeping his concentration as he felt the ground beneath his feet change from thick grass to pebbled pathway.
He opened his eyes, realising that he was at the edge of the courtyard, and a wry smile touched his lips.
Not quite, but close enough.
He glanced at his hands.
I wonder why it's so much harder when I stop and think about it. Getting to Saku's town was almost as easy as breathing, but…
He sighed, shrugging his shoulders as the thought of Saku brought his mood back down.
Never mind. A little is enough for now. At least at this level I can escape more easily into the forest whenever I want to. For now, I suppose, that will just have to do.
He shrugged, folding his arms across his chest as, with this thought in mind, he sauntered idly across the grounds towards the main school building in search of food.
Author's note:
If you haven't read the prequel, Juu's tree remark won't make much sense. But then everyone's read the prequel first...right? :D
Additional: Classes at the Ancient Academy.
It seems logical to me that classes and Shinigami schooling/emphasis has changed between this time and the more modern recollections of Renji and company. Skills will be still developing and (if you've read the prequel) it'll become apparent that use of zanpakutou is also changing as the Shinigami and souls of Seireitei learn more about them and their potential against the Hollow problem. So the Four Arts of the Shinigami are the core curriculum I've decided on for Juu and Shunsui's education. They are as follows:
Ouyoudou (Practical Skills) - Initially largely Kenjitsu (Sword work) but also probably at a later date Hakuheisen (Hand to hand combat). In current Bleach terminology, that's known as Hakuda, I believe, and listed as a separate skill - but since it's a specialist skill, I figure in this time period it's probably still raw and limited to advanced classes/specialist level only. Shihouin Kai is probably familiar with it, however ^_^. And Houjou Enishi certainly is.
Kidou (Demon arts) - magic, essentially :)
Hohou (Speed skills - this includes Shunpo and so on and so forth. Shunpo is a skill not generally mastered by First Years.
Sakusen (Strategy and tactics. Sakusen is the Japanese word for 'tactics' and it's spelt with the kanji for 'make' and 'war'. Nuff said, right?)
Ouyoudou is a practical lesson, Sakusen a theory lesson. The other two are both studied through practical and theory.
For the First Year, too, there's no swords for the students. Not even Asauchi. Bokutou sticks only, I'm afraid, and only within class hours! ;)
Disclaimer: I know nothing about martial arts and so on and probably never will. (That's not a hint that I want to, though, by the way...LOL!) I have read that the term Kenjitsu is older than Kendou, which is why I've used it in these stories. I don't pretend that all the technical stuff is right - I'm not really trying to make it right so much as write a story that works, so forgive me, martial arts experts, if I get things out of whack. In the prequel, Ukitake practiced Kendou, because I didn't think about the correct terms so deeply till now. So meh. That's how it is :P