Chapter Three: Taming The Dragon
"Each of you, take your bokutou and line up against the far wall, if you please."
With a clatter, the door of the large practice gymnasium was thrown back, and as all of the students jumped in surprise, a tall, well-muscled woman strode into the centre of the chamber, casting each of them a cursitory glance as she walked past towards the front of the room. It was the start of the sixth week of term, and after having sat through tedious, droning lectures on safety and fair practice, it was the first time the students were about to embark on practical stick work in the school's large, purpose-built training building. It had been commissioned and constructed exactly to meet Genryuusai's specifications, and as a result it was the largest hall within the estate's grounds, its stonework still clean and fresh and undamaged by either elements or time as it stood as a proud symbol of the school's aims.
"Well?"
As noone moved, she paused, eying them all with a challenging glare,
"I gave an instruction. I expect it to be obeyed at once!"
That was enough, and with a scramble of feet on wood, the students hurried across the gymnasium to carry out her orders, pushing their way through to the rack of bokutou that stood in the furthest corner. As Ouyoudou required direct physical combat, it had been decided that all eighteen of the First Year students would take this class together, allowing for more variety in partnerwork, and as Juushirou slipped his fingers around the smooth wood of the nearest stick, he felt a flicker of apprehension in his heart.
This wasn't training on the mountain, after all.
This was for real.
As he hurried to take his pace in the line of students near the wall, he noticed that even Shunsui had bothered to turn up for this class, and as he caught the boy's gaze, his classmate offered him a rueful grimace, tapping his bokutou idly against the flared leg of his hakama as he did so. Something in that genial glance gave Juushirou fresh heart, and he returned it with a smile, taking his place beside Enishi with a little more confidence. He wasn't the only one, after all. And despite his physical frailty, he had always enjoyed the sticks practice he and his father had done in the mountain forest.
Of course, he had done little since Hidenobu's death.
A faint shadow cast across his heart at this recollection, and he frowned, forcing it from the forefront of his thoughts. He had tried once or twice with Kamikura, and had been roundly beaten on one occasion by his cheeky younger brother Hiroyuki. At fifteen and a half, the boy was at least as tall and twice as sturdy as his older brother, and he had given him no quarter from the moment they had begun to the end of the match. It had left Juushirou breathing hard and coughing, and Hiroyuki had been roundly scolded by his twin behind closed doors for having pushed the oldest member of the family too hard.
"He's not been doing it as long as you, and he's not as strong, either." Juushirou had heard Chihiro say. "You shouldn't have fought so hard, Hiro-kun. You might've hurt him."
"Shiro-nii's not a wimp, Chi-chan." Had come the frank response. "I beat him, but it wasn't just me making no allowances. If I'd let up, he'd've got me good. And I'm not going to be beaten by him, no matter what. I've been doing this longer, and I'm stronger. There's no way I'm going to be beaten by someone who spends half his time coughing up his lungs and running fevers."
The well-meaning sympathy and brash honesty of his siblings had both amused and mortified Juushirou, and from that point on he had only practiced alone, unwilling to risk the humiliation of losing a second time to Hiroyuki's quick, ruthless parries and strikes. Before Hidenobu's death - before his power had first surged within him - he had been confident that his skills were enough to disarm his brother. But now, with him consciously having to control it so much more than before, he knew that it would be more of a challenge to fight now than it had been then.
And though in the long run he believed he would get stronger, this was still only the first step on a very long path.
"Right."
As the last student slipped into place, the tall, imposing figure of their teacher strode across to examine them once more, glancing each up and down one at a time as she went from one end of the line to the other. At the end of the row, Hirata almost looked about to start crying just at the intensity of her stare, and Juushirou bit his lip, fervently sympathising with his younger classmate. Whoever the woman was, her aura was terrifying and strong, and Juushirou realised that, for all Kazoe's strictness, he was nothing in comparison to the dragoness that now stood before them.
There was a moment of tense silence, then,
"Minabe Ayame." She said brusquely. "That's my name. I'll accept 'Minabe-sensei' or simply 'sensei', but no smart alec remarks or fond nicknames - all right? I'll make it clear from the off that you are not here to learn to play and be all buddy-buddy with one another or with me. You're here to learn how to fight and kill effectively - so that you don't get killed when you are faced with an enemy who has your death on their to-do lists."
Juushirou swallowed hard at this brusque assessment of the lesson to come, remembering faintly the way his father had explained to him how Kenjitsu was first a defensive art, and then, only beyond that, a combative one.
Clearly Minabe-sensei was not of the same school of thought.
She strode across the gymnasium, grabbing up a spare stick as if it was no heavier than a chopstick, and waving it in Enishi's direction.
"You're Houjou Enishi, correct?" She demanded, and Enishi jumped, nodding his head.
"Yes, sensei."
"And you," Minabe swung around, taking Kai off guard as she thrust her stick up towards his chest. "You're Shihouin Kai?"
"Y..yes, sensei."
"Good." Minabe smiled, and Juushirou found the experience twice as terrifying as her glare.
Good grief. If she's like that when she's happy, God preserve me from ever seeing her angry.
"Both of you, out the front here, now." Minabe flicked her bokutou back towards the centre of the room. "Don't dawdle! We don't have time to waste. Now, I understand both of you have had a lot of training in various combat arts from a young age - correct?"
Both boys acquiesced, and Minabe nodded.
"Then we'll begin the class with a display of what you can both do." She said firmly. "You're both of similar levels of skill, according to the reports given me by Yamamoto-sensei, so it seems a fair match. You can show your classmates how its done. I want you to fight a serious match, by the way. None of this namby-pamby Kenjitsu-is-for-defence-first rhetoric in my class. I'm teaching you to fight, not to play with sticks. You understand? Just because these are bokutou and not swords, I don't want you to hold back."
"If you please, sensei, I also have training in Kenjitsu and other combat arts."
At the sound of Ryuu's voice, everyone in the room froze, and Minabe's gaze shifted across to the speaker, who, from his apprehensive expression, was beginning to wonder whether he would've done better to keep his mouth shut.
There was a long, terrible silence, then,
"Name?" Minabe demanded gruffly. Ryuu hesitated for a moment, then held his head up high as the Kuchiki pride won through over his instinctive fear.
"Kuchiki Ryuu, sensei." He said firmly, and Minabe frowned, her eyes narrowing.
"A Kuchiki, huh?" She said slowly. "Mm. I see."
Juushirou bit his lip, detecting the strong sense of disdain in her tones.
There was another silence, then,
"Well, Kuchiki Ryuu, whilst I'm in no doubt your family's elevated training programs and high opinion of their own skill have left you with a good working knowledge of various techniques, today I have no interest in seeing them." The teacher said at length, every word dripping with a faint, sarcastic irony that made even the normally laid-back Shunsui flinch.
"The reports submitted to me gave Shihouin Kai and Houjou Enishi as the two students with the most Ouyoudou experience and skill among the new intake." She continued softly, and despite himself Ryuu reddened at the dangerous glint in the teacher's eyes. "Most of your classmates are also trained to some degree in one or other of the arts. But for the time being, I have no inclination to pander to Kuchiki pride."
She turned, leaving Ryuu uncharacteristically silenced, her gaze falling once more on her selected twosome.
It did not escape Juushirou's notice that, though in any other circumstances Kai would be gloating, the aura of the teacher was such that today he did not even cast a glance in Ryuu's direction, biting his lip hard in concentration as he prepared to begin the match. Enishi's expression was just as focused, and despite himself Juushirou felt a stir of excitement inside of him.
A proper battle between two students with years of training. Surely I can learn something from this - more than I could ever learn from practice fighting with Hiro-kun back home in Sixth District!
After eying the two boys for a moment, Minabe stepped back, nodding her head.
"Begin." She said brusquely, and as if released from their traps by her words, the two students launched into life, Kai darting forward with a rapid sequence of thrusts and parries which Enishi, for all his size and weight dodged to perfection, slamming his own bokutou firmly against his opponent's and pushing him away. His own superior strength now told, as he shifted his weight from his left to his right foot, beginning an offensive of his own and Juushirou was aware even at that distance of the sweat beading Kai's brow and the concentration buzzing through the boy's reiatsu.
Yet if he or any of his class thought that strength would win the match so easily, they had underestimated Kai, for even though he was of a smaller size, he was deft and quick, dodging Enishi's second set of swings and leaping at him once more, his bokutou extended as he let out a cry of determination. Enishi took a half-step back, only just judging the swing in time, and as there was the cracking sound of wood on wood once more, Juushirou felt his heart skip a beat.
They were fast and furious, yet entirely committed to the match, and as their reiatsu sank and rose, their attacks became more steady and logical than frantic and haphazard. As both slipped into their normal combat rhythm, Juushirou was aware that there was not just force but genuine, ingrown skill in both of the boys's moves, and he began to realise that each had a very distinctive style that marked him out from the other and from the techniques his father had taught him so many years ago.
Kai's chosen mode of attack was quick and deft, using several stabbing swings in one advance as he slipped almost seamlessly from toe to toe, able to change his angle at a moment's notice. Enishi, in contrast, put greater faith in his strength of attack, and used his superior body weight to his advantage when bearing down on his opponent.
For twenty minutes, the match continued, with neither boy completely gaining the upper hand. Then, with a yell of determination, Kai launched himself into the air, somehow twisting his body around to land a blow against the other boy's body. Enishi, struck off guard for the first time lost his footing and stumbled, and Kai's eyes narrowed, determination glittering in their depths as he swung his stick once more, sending Enishi's bokutou careering across the gym with a clatter.
As Kai landed on the smooth polished floor, breathing hard, Enishi steadied himself, a rueful grin touching his features as he met his opponent's gaze.
"Well fought." He said frankly. "You're damn tough, you know, you Shihouin."
"Better you remember it." Kai managed, raising his head with a look of triumph in his golden eyes. "Though you're not bad either, Houjou. You live up to your reputation."
"Ippon, Shihouin." Minabe's tones cut across their conversation, and at her words, the two students stood up straight, bowing properly to signify the end of the bout. She nodded, and Juushirou was aware of faint approval in her gaze.
"Good." She said at length, turning to face the rest of the group, all of whom were standing staring at the two combatants with a mixture of awe and alarm.
"Shihouin and Houjou have given you all a taste of the kind of commitment I expect from you." She said frankly. "To give your opponent no quarter and to always, always strive to win. Exploiting their weaknesses and understanding their offensive moves are both techniques that will, as time goes on, become more and more second nature as you progress in my classes. At the moment I suspect your levels are uneven, but don't despair. By the time I'm done training you, all of you will be able to fight a battle of that level and beyond."
She turned, resting a hand each on Kai and Enishi's shoulders, and Juushirou realised with a jolt that Minabe was at least as tall as her well-built student, meeting him at eye level.
"That's not a reason for either of you to become complacent." She added briskly. "You have skill, but you also both had openings. If I was to challenge either of you in your current state, I expect I could easily disarm you within a short period of time. But your commitment and fire are things to value and nurture. Your competitive instincts, too."
She smiled.
"There are eighteen of you." She said evenly. "Which means nine pairs. This room is big enough, I think, for toddlers to take their first steps…but before that, how many of you others aside from Kuchiki-dono here have done work of this kind before?"
Ryuu flushed scarlet once more at this, and, his confidence now buoyed by the teacher's praise, Kai shot him a smug glance.
Slowly Juushirou raised his hand, followed by Sora, Naoko and, at length, Shunsui, though he seemed decidedly reluctant about acknowledging it. Across the other side of the room, one of the boys from the other class whose name Juushirou did not know also raised his hand, and Minabe frowned, her eyes near slits as she examined each of them in turn.
"Six of you. Eight, including Shihouin and Houjou." She reflected. "All in the top class bar one? I see. And you two?"
She wheeled on Mitsuki and Hirata.
"Neither of you have ever learnt?"
"No, sensei." Mitsuki spoke softly, shaking her head. "My Father didn't…think it was appropriate…for girls to learn."
"I see." Minabe reached out to touch her chin, turning the girl's head to the left then the right as she examined the terrified pupil's features. Then she grunted, nodding her head.
"Kuchiki as well, I assume?" She asked, and Mitsuki flushed red, nodding her head.
"Y…yes, Sensei."
"I might've known. Very well. I suppose if that's the case, it can't be helped." Minabe pursed her lips. "But as your sensei, I'm proof that these skills are by no means the province of men alone. Your ignorance at present is not your fault. Your ignorance at the end of training will be your fault, and you will be punished if you do not work hard. Understood?"
"Y…y…yes, sensei."
"And you?" Minabe peered at Hirata, who was visibly shaking at her attention.
"I thought you were Endou-ke, boy. You have that look about you. Am I wrong?"
"N..no, sensei." Somehow Hirata managed to force words out between his chattering teeth. "But I just…n…never…l…learnt."
"An Endou without a weapon is as useful as a river with no water." Minabe said bluntly. "Remember it. Whatever the reasons, you'll get no quarter in this class. And as for the rest of you…"
She wheeled round on the apprehensive members of Class Two.
"At least some of you, this applies to as well. You cannot sit back and assume all the hard work must be done by the top class students. Kenjitsu is a skill with many different facets. As time goes on, I'm sure many of you will find the ones in which you excel."
She sighed heavily.
"Eight students who know the skill, and ten who do not." She reflected, more than half to herself. "All right. Then for the time being, it can't be helped. You, and you,"
She poked her stick in the direction of Hirata and Mitsuki, who both flinched back at her renewed attention. "Along with the bulk of Class Two, form lines at the eastern end of the gymnasium. I will be giving you guidance directly and I expect you to pay full attention. The rest of you…"
He turned, glancing at the students, then,
"In the following pairs, practice." She said bluntly. "I will not tolerate slacking, even if I am not right here to shout orders. At the end of the class I'll want to see what you're all capable of…so do your best to polish your skills to impress me."
Her eyes narrowed, and she slipped her hand into her obi, pulling out a folded sheet of paper and glancing at it before nodding her head decidedly and returning it to its hiding place.
"For the time being, I will not mix girls and boys…though I may do so at a later date." She decided. "Shiba and Shikibu, you form one pair. For the others…Houjou and Kyouraku, Kuchiki and Ukitake, Shihouin and Onoe."
With that she was gone, marching up to the furthest end of the gymnasium and leaving the eight students to assemble themselves without even pausing to make sure they did as they were bidden.
"She's one scary dame, isn't she?" Juushirou heard Shunsui remark, as he and Enishi made their way slowly to an empty corner, and Juushirou bit his lip, glancing at his bokutou and then across at the stiff, unyielding form of Kuchiki Ryuu.
Since the first day of term, Ryuu had not spoken or even looked at him, treating him with the icy disdain of one who feels another is not worth even his time. Yet now they were supposed to clash sticks, in combat, and from the bruises to the other boy's pride, Juushirou felt certain it would not be an easy working partnership.
Inwardly he envied both Shunsui and Enishi for being paired with one another, for though he had not spent much time with Shunsui, he did not feel that his elusive classmate was an unpleasant soul, and so far Enishi had proven to be his first proper friend at the Academy. Yet there was no room for arguing with the determined Minabe, and so Juushirou sighed, resigning himself to whatever the rest of the class would bring.
"I'm ready when you are, Kuchiki-kun."
Ryuu cast him a look, and Juushirou hesitated for a moment, taking in the deep resentment in the beautiful grey eyes. Then he got to grips with his senses, reminding himself firmly that his own mother had been Kuchiki born, too, and that he had nothing to be afraid of from a boy with – at least some way – the same blood running through his veins.
He narrowed his eyes.
"All right." He said frankly, tapping his bokutou against his hand as he did so. "You can ignore me or stare at me like I'm beneath you – I don't mind. It's up to you, after all, if that's how you want to be. But you have to fight me, or you'll have Minabe-sensei on your back again."
"I have no interest in challenging a boy from your level of society." Ryuu said softly, and Juushirou's expression became one of irritation.
"I've no interest in challenging one from yours." He said matter-of-factly, and at his bluntness, Ryuu's eyes widened with surprise. "But here we are, so we might as well get on with it."
He shrugged.
"If you're so sure of yourself, prove it with your bokutou." He added. "Else I'll start thinking the Kuchiki are all attitude and nothing else."
Ryuu stared at him, struck speechless, and at his moment of hesitation Juushirou made up his mind, shifting his stance and darting forward with his bokutou raised in the way his father had taught him so many years ago. For a moment Ryuu seemed helpless to respond, then his gaze darkened and he swung his own stick back, slamming it against his classmate's with such force that it sent vibrations through the whole of Juushirou's body.
"I am not a fair match for one like you." He said thickly, and Juushirou's brows knitted together as he forced his opponent back.
"That's what you're going to have to prove." He retorted. "Because I'm not going to be a walk-over, either."
"Do you really think that a boy from Seireitei's bottom level has any chance of defeating one who's been raised with the highest level of education and training in all of Soul Society?" Ryuu parried and struck again, pushing forward as Juushirou defended the strike with his own weapon. "Don't make me laugh. What kind of insult do you mean to place against my clan, Ukitake? Because if you think this is an even fight, you are sorely mistaken."
"I'm making no insults against your clan." Juushirou retorted. "You are, if you boast and can't back it up. It's you who casts the image of the Kuchiki, not me."
"That's something one like you wouldn't understand." Ryuu shifted his stance from left to right then back to left again, driving his bokutou forward, but Juushirou had already anticipated it, and he countered, shoving the stick back with such unexpected force that the young nobleman almost lost his balance.
"Let's see if I do." He said softly. "So far you're not proving anything except how much you like to talk."
He smiled slightly.
"I don't tolerate insults to my family either, as it happens." He added. "So in that at least we're equal, aren't we?"
"You have a lot of nerve, District boy, to claim to be equal to a Kuchiki." Ryuu soon regained his footing, surging forward as Juushirou felt his reiatsu prickle and dance at his frustration. "Very few make that claim and live – even among the Nobility. What makes you dare to do it, even born at the level you are?"
"Why shouldn't I?" Juushirou demanded, meeting Ryuu's shot and somehow managing to push it back as the waves of Ryuu's rising reiatsu began to smother and stifle him. "You shouldn't judge people you know nothing about."
He swallowed hard, aware of his own strength beginning to rush through him as the speed of the conflict rose, and he frowned, forcing himself to remember the breathing methods he had used to control his weakness during the bouts he had had with his father. Then, he knew, he had been able to fight even on for an hour without bringing on an attack, but, as much as he still admired his father, Juushirou knew that his current opponent was quite a different prospect.
The Kuchiki-ke reiatsu was legendary, after all. Hadn't Genryuusai-sensei said that even his mother, whose bloodline away from the core of the Clan was diluted and strained had been possessed of a fair amount of spiritual skill? In contrast, Ryuu was a true descendant of the Clan, and as the boy released his power little by little, Juushirou found himself hard-pressed to keep up.
He could release his own strength, he knew, but if he did, would he manage to reel it back in again?
Even now he didn't know the answer to that question. So long as he didn't have to use it, he could keep it well controlled. But whenever he was pushed – and he knew, from hereon in he would be pushed – it was quite a different matter. He was already aware of the burning, flaring waves lapping against the very core of his soul, scalding their way through his system as they drove him to utilise more and more of his own reiatsu to fight.
But if he did not release his own energy, he would be beaten.
And in that instant, with Ryuu's proud, unforgiving grey eyes boring into his soul, Juushirou knew he was not about to let that happen.
He narrowed his gaze, the sound of waves suddenly pounding in his ears as he dropped his spiritual barriers, allowing the floodgates to open and the raw power to pour through his body. As he did so, he felt the familiar, searing pain course through his weak chest and he closed his eyes briefly, resolved not to allow it to control him. He pushed forwards, knowing that his gamble meant he would only be able to maintain the force for a short period of time before the unforgiving reiryoku began to tear away at the fragile scar tissue that filled his battered lungs and caused him to choke and stumble. Yet his own pride had been awoken by Ryuu's dismissive remarks – his own sense of self which meant that somewhere, somehow, deep inside of him he knew he was not about to let his Father down.
Or is this Mother's legacy to me, that even in her distant blood there's a thread of Kuchiki pride waiting to raise its head?
At that thought Juushirou's stick met with Ryuu's once more, but this time, instead of disdain in the grey eyes, Juushirou was aware of his opponent's confusion as he tried to ward his classmate back.
No, it wasn't just confusion, Juushirou realised, but fear – actual, real fear deep in the Kuchiki boy's eyes, and as a sudden rush of adrenalin and reiryoku coursed through him, Juushirou knew he had the upper hand. Ryuu had released his power steadily, but even so, he had not anticipated Juushirou's sudden surge of energy and it had thrown him off-guard, shattering his usual composed battle plan and sending him into a panic of his own. Somehow this only strengthened Juushirou's will to win, and with a final, triumphant thrust of his bokutou he knocked Ryuu's stick flying from his grasp, sending the other boy tumbling to the ground as he did so.
Even as Ryuu scrambled to his feet, however, Juushirou felt the world around him twisting and swaying as the consequences of his gamble began to take hold. He swallowed hard, sinking to his knees as his chest tightened and then spasmed, causing a shudder to run through his entire form. He dragged a gasp of air into his lungs, raising his head slowly, and some distance away he could make out his opponent, standing, staring at him with a mixture of disbelief and alarm.
"Ukitake!"
Forgetting for an instant what the teacher had said, Enishi pushed back Shunsui's bokutou, hurrying across the slick surface to where his new friend still huddled, hunched in a ball as he fought a fiercer battle with himself than he had with his Noble born opponent.
"What did you do to him, Ryuu-kun?" That was Shunsui's voice, but there was a note of something else in it, and Juushirou tried to make out his companions in the swirling flood of light that, in his distorted vision, now made up the gymnasium. Something blue and white drew close to him, and then he felt a hand on his shoulder, hearing a voice suddenly in his ear.
"Are you all right, Juushirou-kun?"
It was Shunsui, but Juushirou was beyond speaking then, as another shudder ran through him. He was going to cough, he knew, but yet he fought to suppress it, determined that he would not collapse or worse, choke up blood before the rest of his class.
"What are you doing?"
Minabe was among them in an instant, her sharp tones grating right through Juushirou's soul and he felt every one of her thundering steps as she charged back across the gymnasium towards them. "Why have you stopped – what did I tell you?"
"Sensei, Ukitake…something's wrong with him." Enishi managed, and Juushirou could hear the anxiety in the disembodied tone.
"Ukitake?" Now the teacher was standing over him, and Ukitake felt a slither of fear creep up his spine. Two rough hands grasped him by the shoulders, pulling him firmly upright, and he found himself praying she didn't let go for he wasn't confident he could hold his own balance if she did.
There was a moment of silence, then,
"Kuchiki, what did you do to him?"
"Nothing, sensei! I swear, I did nothing!" Ryuu's voice sounded anxious, not indignant, and from somewhere within his swirling world, Juushirou absently wondered at it.
"You must've done something." Minabe was not to be dissuaded. "Blooded your Kuchiki pride on the boy, did you? For heaven's sake...as if Seireitei didn't already have to put up with enough ego from you people…but I thought at least you'd manage a proper fight!"
"It's…not…Kuchiki-kun's…fault, sensei." Juushirou managed now, every word a challenge as he raised his gaze with some difficulty to meet the teacher's eyes. "I…pushed…too…hard. That's…all."
"Ukitake?" The surprise in Ryuu's tones was unmistakeable, and Juushirou nodded, swallowing hard against the bile that rose in his throat.
"I'm not…good…at…controlling…my reiatsu." He murmured. "And…I…lost…control. That's…all. It's…nothing…Kuchiki-kun…did. It's…my…fault."
Minabe eyed him keenly for a moment, not releasing her grasp for an instant, and as she held him firm, Juushirou found he was glad of it, as little by little his senses began to calm and his vision began to clear.
His chest still hurt, but he no longer felt that it was about to explode, and as his panic faded, he took a deep breath into his lungs, steadying the racing beat of his heart.
"Can you stand alone?" The teacher's words were gruff, yet not accusatory, and Juushirou slowly nodded his head.
"I think so. I'm sorry, sensei."
"Sorry is all very well." Minabe sighed, loosing her hold and gazing at him in resignation. "Yamamoto-sensei warned me about you. I should've realised that he meant everything he said, shouldn't I? If you're going to throw yourself into a fight recklessly, you're going to kill yourself before you learn anything useful. You realise that, don't you? What happens if you act like that."
"Yes, sensei." Juushirou did, and he lowered his head, suddenly ashamed of his burst of impetuous pride.
"You're no use for the rest of this class." Minabe frowned. "From the next one, though, I expect you to be a bit more responsible. I'd understood you had a brain. Learn to use it – else this training won't do you the slightest bit of good."
Her gaze flitted to Ryuu.
"Did you complete your training fight, or did Ukitake collapse before you could?" She asked, and for a moment Ryuu hesitated, casting Juushirou a troubled glance. Juushirou frowned, half expecting the boy to lie, but at length Ryuu shook his head.
"No. We finished it." He said softly, his words soft and somehow unlike the Ryuu that Juushirou had come to expect.
"And?"
"It was Ukitake's match."
The admission was reluctant, but honest, and Juushirou stared at Ryuu in disbelief, feeling slightly guilty for having misjudged him.
Proud, perhaps. But honest nonetheless.
"I see." Minabe looked thoughtful, then nodded. "In that case, Kuchiki, you and Ukitake are dismissed. Ukitake's no use to me here…Kuchiki, make yourself useful and take him back to the dorm."
"I can manage on my own, sensei." Juushirou said hurriedly, as dismay flooded Ryuu's features, but Minabe shook her head.
"You might say that, but you're white as a ghost and I've no time for students who faint instead of taking proper care of themselves." She said inexorably. "You were foolish, now you pay the price for it. I won't trust you to get there on your own. Kuchiki will go with you. I don't need either of you back here today. Kuchiki evidently has a lot to think about, if he can't win a battle he should win based on his own expectations – and Ukitake, you're obviously a liability to yourself and your opponents when you've less control of yourself than a squealing baby in a conflict situation. Go away and reflect on it, both of you. I expect to see a better face from you both next class."
She gestured towards the door, and Ryuu sighed, shaking his head as if to clear it.
"Yes, sensei." He said quietly, casting Juushirou a glance. Slowly Juushirou nodded, following his classmate across the floor without a word.
Once outside the gymnasium, however, Ryuu shot Juushirou a confused look.
"Why did you tell her that?" He asked softly, and Juushirou frowned.
"Tell her…what?"
"That it was your fault. I goaded you – why did you take all the blame?"
"Because it…was my fault." Juushirou shrugged. "I let you goad me."
He coughed, pausing a moment to calm the spasm, then,
"That's my weakness. Not…not yours."
Ryuu frowned, digesting this slowly, then he sighed.
"You are lowborn, yet even so, you have honour." He murmured. Juushirou managed a wry smile at this.
"Where you're born doesn't...determine things like honour, Kuchiki-kun." He said frankly. "It doesn't cost anything, after all. It's not...something bought or sold."
"Perhaps not." Ryuu acknowledged. "But even so, it is the core of the Noble Clans. You cannot understand that – it isn't the same for you."
"I can't disagree, because I don't know...enough either way." Juushirou reflected. "But I…I did mean what I said. That I won't…tolerate insults to my family…either."
"And I should be better bred than to stoop to such levels." Ryuu admitted. "Though I have never thought much about those born below my level, I suppose I have no right to judge them. Just as you said."
They walked in silence for a while, then, as Juushirou stumbled over the steps down to the main corridor, Ryuu held out his hand, steadying his classmate's frail form until he had regained his balance. Juushirou stared at him, surprised, and Ryuu shrugged.
"I have honour, too." He said simply. "Consider it a debt repaid. Minabe-sensei seems to dislike the Kuchiki-ke – she would not have treated me lightly, had she believed I was to blame."
"It seemed that way, didn't it?" Juushirou reflected. "I wonder why. It's not as though you or Edogawa-san did anything to deserve it."
"I do not know to which Clan Minabe-sensei has ties." Ryuu said thoughtfully. "But there are always those who resent the Kuchiki's power, even as there are those who seek to ally with us. It is simply Clan politics. Nothing more, nothing less. An inconvenience, but little else."
"Then in the long run she might not like me much, either." Juushirou reflected ruefully, and Ryuu cast him a questioning look.
"Why so?"
"My mother was Kuchiki-ke."
"Your…mother?" Ryuu stopped dead, staring at Juushirou in surprise, and his companion nodded.
"Yes." He said simply. "Though probably not one you ever knew of. She was only a distant relation, I believe…but she had the Kuchiki name when she married my Father. She was Kuchiki Raiko. So even though it's a slim connection – you and I do have something in common, Kuchiki-kun."
"Kuchiki Raiko." Ryuu's expression became serious, and he shook his head. "I do not know that name. But if she was beyond the four degrees, then I can see no reason why I should know her. The Kuchiki has many offshoots, after all. Like as not your mother was one such person."
"The four…degrees?"
"Of kinship, to the centre of the clan." Ryuu nodded. "Any within that band are considered truly Clan. Beyond that are different. Your mother must have been one such, else she would not have made such a marriage match."
"I didn't realise it was so complicated." Juushirou admitted. "But probably, you're right. She and Otousama knew each other when they were young, after all. I'm sure she must've been as you say – outside the degrees of kinship."
"My family are what's considered second degree. My Uncle being head of the Clan." Ryuu continued. "Mitsuki is third degree – she is a second cousin to my Uncle's line. She is also, therefore, Clan. You, however…"
He frowned.
"But that would, perhaps, explain it." He murmured. "That force you unleashed at me should not have been possible. For one born as you were…to have such reiatsu…"
"Did I hurt you?" Juushirou was anxious, and Ryuu shook his head.
"Not as much as you hurt yourself." He said categorically. "Sensei was right in that regard. If you have no control, such power is useless."
He offered a faint smile.
"But you do not look strong enough to carry that kind of reiryoku." He murmured. "So perhaps looks can be deceiving – and bloodline also."
Juushirou returned the smile, realising that in that moment, the cool disdain which had characterised Ryuu's attitude towards him had dissipated completely.
"I'm here to learn to control it, before it destroys me completely." He said now. "And also to protect my family, if there's any way I can. The Gotei seems a distant dream for me, to be honest – but even so, Genryuusai-sensei had faith enough in me to have me here, and I don't want to let him down. If I can learn something – anything at all – to be of use to him…then I'll do it. Because there's only so many times you can be weak before it starts to break you. Sometimes you have to be strong, too."
"You are not weak, Ukitake. That much has been made crystal clear to me." Ryuu said wryly, and Juushirou grinned.
"Perhaps." He agreed. "But if it hurts me more than the enemy, it's not a lot of use."
"Maybe it's because of that high level that you cannot control it, however." Ryuu reflected. "After all, I'm sure there is no form of adequate training for high level reiryoku in Seireitei's lower echelons. I am Kuchiki, and I am used to high levels of spirit strength from those around me. But what you flung at me today was unlike anything I've ever felt. It was raw and wild, but it was also…"
He paused, shrugging his shoulders.
"Because you lost control, you defeated me by pure force alone." He concluded. "But if you had had control, I think…perhaps you would have been even more frightening an opponent. I do not know what it was I felt in your reiatsu, Ukitake. But whatever it was…I pray I never meet a true enemy with its like."
Juushirou looked startled, and Ryuu nodded.
"Genryuusai-sensei is renowned for his understanding of spiritual potential." He murmured. "If he came to you and sought you out to come here, it means he has seen even more clearly what I saw a glimpse of today. You are dangerous as you are – but most danger is to yourself. However, if you could overcome that…you would be deadly to an enemy. And that is why Genryuusai-sensei brought you here. Because he sees that. He hasn't chosen you simply to be another of his squad members. He's chosen you to be something exceptional."
"Do you think so?" Juushirou was doubtful. "I'm not so sure. I know I have that strength – I've known a long time, to be honest, even if I haven't understood it. But my body…my body's weak and I've always been prone to ill health. So in the end, no matter what my reiryoku – I might not be as strong as you think, Kuchiki-kun. I may well let Genryuusai-sensei down."
"I doubt he would make an error of judgement of that nature." Ryuu said firmly, an imperious note in his cultured tones. "You heard Minabe, didn't you? That he'd told her about you. He hasn't just brought you here. He's keeping an eye on you. He expects, even if you're not aware of it. You're evidently his particular project."
"I…" Juushirou faltered, remembering Kazoe's words to him in Kidou class, and he frowned, shaking his head as if to clear it.
"Then I hope I'm not going to let him down." He said softly. "Because otherwise a lot of people might be disappointed, and that's not why I'm here. I came because Father wanted me to be strong – and I wanted to live up to his faith in me. I came here to become a tree. Not for anything else."
"To…become a tree?" Ryuu looked bewildered, and despite himself, Juushirou laughed.
"It's complicated." He admitted. "But yes. That's my goal. To be a tree. No matter how long it takes me to get there. That's what I want to be."
"You low-born people are strange." Ryuu decided. He paused, then he sighed, holding out his hand.
"But I was wrong to disdain you so completely." He admitted awkwardly. "I apologise, Ukitake. You are not what I thought you were, and I would like to begin anew."
"With pleasure." Juushirou grasped the other boy's hand, clasping it warmly in his own pale ones. "I'm glad, Kuchiki-kun. I don't want to fight with anyone here. And I'd like it, if we were on better terms."
"Then it's decided." Ryuu seemed relieved. "Though you will not beat me a second time. That I guarantee."
"Perhaps I'll beat you in theory instead." Juushirou suggested innocently, and Ryuu pursed his lips.
"We'll see about that." He murmured. "I have no intention of being overtaken by you in any regard – even if you do have diluted Clan blood running through your veins."
"Then I welcome the challenge, Kuchiki-kun." Juushirou smiled. "From now till we finish, let's both do our best."
"It was fun, today, doing actual combat practice for the first time."
It was late in the evening and, as he tossed the shirt of his hakama down onto the end of his bed, it was Enishi who made this observation. "It felt good, getting the blood flowing properly. I don't like sitting at desk...that's the kind of class I'm best at, after all."
"You might be, Enishi-kun, but not everyone's quite so convinced." Shunsui stretched out on his bunk, lazily resting his chin on his hand as he cast his companion a wry smile. "Endou-kun was about in tears by the end of the lesson, and I can't say I blame him. I don't know where Genryuusai-sensei found that woman, but she's not someone who I'd want to see angry. I'd believe she could rip even your limbs from your body if she so wanted."
"Probably." Enishi dropped heavily down onto the bed-covers, a rueful grin on his face. "But even so, it's probably a good thing if she'll work us hard. We'll learn better that way. And you didn't cut the lesson, Kyouraku - so that means you don't hate Kenjitsu as much as you do Kidou?"
"I don't hate any of them, particularly." Shunsui shrugged. "I just don't like early morning classes. Also, I heard from Sora that Minabe-sensei was Soul Society's answer to a hell demon, so I thought it'd be less hassle in the long run if I actually turned up. That's all."
He stifled a yawn.
"Where is everyone this evening, anyhow?" He wondered. "There's not a party I didn't know about, is there?"
"If there was, I probably wouldn't be invited." Enishi said, with brutal, self-effacing honesty. "But I don't think so. Kuchiki took his towels so I suppose he went to the bath-house. Shihouin had a message from his family's estate, so Genryuusai-sensei sent for him. I don't know about Endou or Ukitake. I've not seen Ukitake since class this morning - Kuchiki came back to lessons this afternoon, but Ukitake didn't. I hope he's okay."
There was genuine anxiety in the boy's tones, and Shunsui eyed him keenly.
"You like Juushirou, don't you?"
"Yes." Enishi was surprised. "Why?"
"It doesn't bother you that he's not Clan?"
"No. Why? Does it bother you?" Enishi frowned. "You don't seem like the type who would be, but still..."
"Not at all. On the contrary, I think it works in his favour." Shunsui grinned lazily. "No, I was just curious. That's all."
"I'm not interested in all of that high society political stuff." Enishi shrugged. "Besides, Genryuusai-sensei's my kinsman, and if he believes in Ukitake, I'm game to, as well. The kid's smart, I know that. Even if I'm not like that, I can spot it in people who are. And he is - so I don't see why he shouldn't be here."
He frowned.
"He looked bad this morning, though." He admitted. "Do you think he told the truth? That Kuchiki didn't do anything to him? You know what Kuchiki-ke are like...maybe he was afraid or covering or...?"
"No." Shunsui looked thoughtful. "I think it happened exactly as Juushirou said it. I don't think he's the type to lie - or to be intimidated easily. Even by the Kuchiki."
"Maybe you're right." Enishi admitted. "I guess they must've been going at it, then."
"Didn't you feel it?" Shunsui looked surprised. "Right before Juushirou felled Kuchiki, there was a huge surge in power surrounding the two of them. Kuchiki felt it, without a doubt. He looked frightened out of his mind. And I would've been too, if that had been aimed at me all of a sudden. Whatever Juushirou is or isn't, Enishi, he's strong. I thought it before, but I'm sure of it now. He's not a weak fighter. He's strong. And he's going to surprise a lot of people if they underestimate him."
He grinned.
"I guess Kuchiki already learnt that." He reflected. "But it won't do him any harm. He's already on a pedestal above the rest of us, so a few levels knocked down won't hurt him at all."
Before Enishi could respond, the door of the dorm slid back, and Hirata edged into the room, glancing around at his surroundings anxiously. At the sudden look of disappointment in his pale eyes, Shunsui frowned.
"What's wrong, Hirata-kun?" He asked softly. "You look upset - is our company such a horrific prospect?"
Hirata's eyes widened, and hurriedly he shook his head, the gesture fervent enough to send his glasses sliding down his nose. Despite himself Shunsui chuckled, pulling himself into a sitting position and eying the younger boy keenly.
"If it's not that, then, what's eating you?" He demanded playfully. "Did you lose something?"
Hirata shook his head again, and Enishi sighed.
"Endou, if you don't speak up, we can't help you." He said wearily. "I know you're shy, but dammit, we're not psychic."
Hirata bit his lip, looking as though he might burst into tears, and Shunsui pursed his lips.
"Are you looking for Juushirou?" He asked softly, and Hirata's eyes widened, then he nodded.
"It's a pity he's not here." Enishi grimaced. "Seems Ukitake's the only one Endou'll talk to without clamming up...I've tried, but aside from a few words, he doesn't seem to want to talk to me."
"You're a great scary ape to a mite like him, so little wonder." Shunsui said absently. "Well? We haven't seen him, I'm afraid, Hirata-kun. I guess wherever he's been this evening, it's not here. Did you try the bath-house? Kuchiki took his towels that way, so maybe Juushirou did too."
Hirata's eyes clouded, and he slowly shook his head.
"No good?" Enishi frowned. "Hell, where is he then? He wasn't in class with us, and I didn't see him at all during meal-time either. For a skinny guy, he has a healthy appetite, so I can't imagine he'd skip out on that. Where do you suppose he's gone?"
Hirata sank down on his bed, looking utterly disheartened, and despite himself, Shunsui found himself feeling sorry for the younger boy. Hirata was painfully shy, and hopelessly lacking in confidence, two things which had made him more a target than a classmate for Kai's sharp tongue and Ryuu's occasionally aloof, thoughtless remarks. Even Enishi, who was generally more patient was not always tactful enough to realise that although Hirata didn't often speak, he was perfectly able to hear and understand, and as a result had withdrawn more into his shell than ever over the course of the last few weeks.
That is, except when Juushirou was around.
Shunsui had not paid it special attention, but he had noticed that on the odd occasion he had seen Hirata smile, it had been in Juushirou's company. He was rather like a lost puppy, Shunsui decided, who had finally latched on to a potential master. And Juushirou, for some unfathomable reason, had done nothing to discourage the connection. If anything, he seemed to have become fond of Hirata, painful timidity and all, and Shunsui was sure that at least once he had heard the young boy laugh at something Juushirou had said.
"Perhaps he was still sick after this morning." He suggested now, meeting Hirata's gaze. "Do you think he went to the Healing Bay instead?"
Hirata's eyes widened, anxiety in his pale gaze as he digested this possibility, and Shunsui wondered if he'd made a mistake in suggesting it. Fortunately, however, before anyone could do anything more, the door slid back to reveal the subject of their conversation himself, who stopped dead as he registered all their gazes on him.
"Is something wrong?" He asked, surprised, and though there was still a hoarse note to his voice, Shunsui noticed that the faint colour that shaded his classmate's cheeks was more normal than it had been when he had left the gymnasium that morning.
For some reason, this came as a relief, and he smiled ruefully, amused at his own reaction.
"Hirata-kun's been looking for you." He said now, gesturing to his roommate who, at the older boy's entrance had sprung to his feet, relief in his gaze.
"Endou-kun?" Juushirou looked surprised, then he smiled. "I'm sorry. I didn't realise. I hope you haven't been hunting long."
"It's all right." Hirata assured him softly. "Are you all right now, Ukitake-kun? You didn't come to class this afternoon, and so I was worried."
"Mm, I'm fine." Juushirou agreed. "Just, Minabe-sensei reported it to Genryuusai-sensei, and he called me to his office directly as I was going to lunch. Since I reacted that way, he wanted to make sure I hadn't hurt myself in any way, so he sent me to be examined in the Healing Bay and I had my lunch there. I've been there most of the afternoon."
He grimaced.
"They wouldn't let me go back to class." He added, frustration in his expression. "So I spent most of it reading. They've only just released me - because I was adamant that I didn't need to sleep the night there. I was fine, really...just because I was running a slight fever when Genryuusai-sensei saw me, apparently it meant all hell was let loose."
"Genryuusai-sensei sure does seem to take good care of you." Shunsui reflected, and Juushirou groaned, sinking down onto his bed. Immediately Hirata perched on the far end, as if afraid his idol would vanish again, yet instead of the sharp remark Shunsui knew Kai or Ryuu would administer in that situation, Juushirou simply shot the boy a warm smile.
"I know he does." He acknowledged now. "Kuchiki-kun thinks its because he has some kind of hope invested in me...I don't know. Maybe he does, or maybe it's not that way at all. Either way, he only sent me to be checked over, but I guess they do things thoroughly in the Healing Bay."
"You don't have a fever now, do you?" Hirata asked anxiously, and Juushirou shook his head.
"No. It was just the exertion of the fight." He assured his companion. "I'm really sorry I worried people."
"I guess, since you said you'd been sick in the past, Endou's mind went to the worst case scenario." Enishi reflected, and Juushirou looked rueful.
"I suppose." He admitted. "But it's all right. I'm made of stronger stuff than that. Just, sometimes, I'm prone to coughing fits. That's all. It makes it more difficult to breathe, so sometimes I can't fully catch my breath. Especially when my reiatsu flares up. I hadn't fought as hard as that in a while, so I went a bit over the top. It was silly, in hindsight...but I wasn't really thinking so clearly."
"Considering what flared from you during that fight, I'm surprised you're still in one piece." Shunsui observed, and Juushirou looked startled.
"Why so?"
"No reason." Shunsui shrugged. "Just that it was one hell of a reiatsu, that's all, for someone born in the lower levels of Seireitei."
His eyes twinkled.
"You're interesting, Juushirou-kun. You're not a bit what you seem at first, and I like that."
"I don't know whether to be insulted or to take it as a compliment you feel that way." Juushirou sighed. "I didn't come here to be interesting. I came here to work hard and do my best. That's all. And to be a tree, if it's possible for me to be."
"A tree?" Shunsui raised an eyebrow, and Juushirou laughed, nodding.
"My Father used to say that people are born, like seeds, and they sprout into delicate young saplings." He said frankly. "But to become a tree, and to be strong enough to stand up on their own, they have to get through the challenges life throws at them and still stand strong at the end. He used to say I was like those saplings - like those baby plants struggling to be trees. Because he knew I had strength, but that knowing how to be strong...that was a longer path."
He smiled, and Shunsui saw the flicker of sadness in his eyes.
"It's stuck with me, even if it sounds strange." He murmured softly. "Especially since he died. I want to be strong enough to be of use to my family, somehow. He's not there any more, after all. And I'm the eldest. So if I can, it should be me."
"Your Father died?" Hirata looked startled, and Juushirou nodded.
"He was killed by a Hollow three years ago." He said quietly, and Shunsui felt a ripple of pain run through the other boy's reiatsu as he did so. He frowned, suppressing the faint flicker of envy that stirred in his heart.
So what, then? Juushirou was close to his father. Well? That's no business of mine. Everyone's burden is different, after all.
"By a Hollow?" Enishi's expression became stricken, and Juushirou nodded again.
"To save my life." He said quietly. "He lost his protecting me from danger. So, in return, I'll protect everyone. That's what I promised myself, when I first agreed to come here. That I'd repay that debt. Whatever it took. I'd do it."
"I guess that must be tough, huh." Shunsui spoke up now. "You have so many siblings, as well - it's a big responsibility to take on, Juushirou-kun."
"You still have your mother, though, right?" Enishi added. Juushirou smiled, shrugging his shoulders.
"Yes and no." He replied. "My birth mother passed away when I was born. But Okaasama's taken me as one of her own since I was a year old - so in a lot of ways, she's like my mother. So I suppose...yes. I still have my Mother. In a manner of speaking. I've never known it any other way."
Shunsui eyed him for a moment, taking in the lingering shadow in the boy's eyes, and he frowned, inwardly making up his mind. He got to his feet, crossing the chamber and grasping his startled classmate around the wrists. With one tug, he pulled the thinner student to his feet until they stood face to face, Juushirou staring up at his companion in complete bewilderment.
"Shunsui? What are you doing?"
"I've decided that staying here on such a beautiful night is a waste of an evening." Shunsui's eyes twinkled with mischief. "I'm going out."
"But..."
"Leaving witnesses is a bad idea." Shunsui continued blithely. "And it's no fun, slipping out on your own. So I'm taking you with me."
He paused, casting Enishi a grin.
"You and Hirata-kun are invited too." He added. "It's still early, really, and the sun's only just beginning to go down. If we're quick and quiet, I know a way to get out of the school grounds without hitting the evening curfew patrol."
"Shunsui, are you mad?" Juushirou stared at him, pulling his hands free, and Shunsui nodded cheerfully.
"Pretty much." He agreed. "Didn't Sora already warn you of that? I'm sure my brother'd tell you the same thing. I'm rather good at it, too. I've had a lot of time to practice."
"If we're caught, we'll get into all kinds of hell." Enishi cast a glance towards the window, and Juushirou swung round to gape at his tall friend in surprise.
"You mean you're considering going along with him?" He demanded, and Enishi shrugged, scooping up his discarded shirt and starting to put it back on.
"We're classmates." He said simply. "If Kyouraku sneaks out on his own and gets hurt or something, it'll be as much our fault as his for letting him. And it's pretty obvious we're not going to talk him out of it. You should know that, Ukitake - how many times have you tried to get him up for morning class since we got here? So the safest idea is for us to go with him."
"What about Kuchiki-kun and Shihouin-kun?" Juushirou frowned. "Won't they be suspicious, if they come back and find us gone?"
"Kai-kun won't be back to the dorm tonight." Shunsui said wisely, pulling his cape down off its peg and wrapping it around his hakama loosely. "He's got a visitor from home, hasn't he? They'll take him away from the school for the evening, and no doubt we'll see him tomorrow. As for Kuchiki-kun...he might not approve, but he's not the type to tell tales. And what he doesn't see, he can't tell. So we should go now, before he comes back and becomes part of the equation."
"Are you going to go, Ukitake-kun?" Hirata asked apprehensively, and Juushirou seemed to hesitate for a moment, chewing on his lip.
Shunsui frowned, shrugging his shoulders.
"It's up to you." He said carelessly. "If you're not feeling up to it, I guess it can't be helped. But I thought some air and a change of scene might do you good. You've been cooped up most of the day, after all - you need to get out and about as much as any of us, right?"
Juushirou's eyes widened, and he stared at Shunsui as if seeing him for the first time. As comprehension crossed his sallow features, he smiled, nodding his head.
"You're right." He said firmly. "I have spent all day being treated like an invalid, and I hate that. I'm not helpless and I don't need to be fussed over. I'm coming, Shunsui-kun."
He glanced at the still anxious Hirata.
"If you don't want to, Endou-kun, it's okay." He added, but Hirata shook his head.
"If you're going, I'll come too." He said decidedly, uncharacteristic resolution in his pale eyes, and Shunsui nodded approvingly.
"Atta boy." He said warmly. "Then it's decided? The four of us are going to take a little night trip?"
"So long as we're not out all night. We've class in the morning, after all, and after missing this afternoon, I don't intend on skipping any more." Juushirou said firmly. "Even if you do, Shunsui-kun. All right?"
"All right. No problem. I promise." Shunsui grinned. "Well? Shall we go?"
He gestured to the window, and Enishi's eyes almost fell out of his head.
"You mean...you really do climb out of there when you slip off and disappear from sight?"
"It's not that hard a climb down." Shunsui said casually, unfastening the shutters and pushing them back, releasing the glass screen and opening the window fully. "Look. Just below the ledge there's notches in the wall - I guess either students have climbed here in the past, or, more likely, whoever lived here before had a reason to sneak out without being seen."
His eyes twinkled.
"Or someone snuck in." He added. "A lover, perhaps. The Noble Houses are full of scandal, so I wouldn't be surprised."
"The Yamamoto are my kin, Kyouraku, so be careful what you're implying." Enishi warned, and Shunsui laughed.
"No offence meant." He replied playfully. "I'm only speaking from my experience - the Kyouraku Clan have never been shy with their favours, after all."
He clambered deftly onto the sill, swinging his body around until he faced them.
"I'll go first and spot you down." He suggested. "It's easy enough to see, and the holds are sturdy ones. Plus, this way, we can get easily to a trackway I found the first week we were here. You should be honoured that I'm going to share my secret with you - it leads out of the grounds and beyond the gates and we'll completely miss whatever teacher's on patrol tonight."
"Are you sure it's safe to climb this way?" Juushirou looked doubtful, and Shunsui nodded.
"No problem." He agreed cheerfully. "Just watch me. There's enough light at the moment, so it shouldn't be hard to do."
With that he began to lower himself down the wall, his feet automatically feeling out the ledges and notches as he made his way to the ground. As he dropped onto the soft grass, he saw that Enishi had already begun to follow him, and as he reached the bottom, he leapt clear, raising his head to the window.
"Kyouraku's right!" He called up, only just remembering to hush his tones. "It's easy as anything. Just feel your way - you'll make it, no problems."
"All right. I'm coming down." Juushirou's tones still held apprehension, but the tragic expression was gone from his eyes as he carefully levered himself over the sill, feeling tentatively with his right foot for the first of the holds. He was slower than Enishi, taking it very carefully as he mapped out his route to the ground, but soon he was down, and there was just Hirata left.
The young boy looked terrified, but he bravely swung his leg over the stone sill, gripping it tightly as he felt for the first hold.
Shunsui pursed his lips, gazing up at his shaking form as he slowly made his way down.
Was I rash to invite him too? But leaving him behind...even if he is a shy little puppy, he'd feel that. And besides, it's probably good for him. He's only coming because Juushirou is, but that's as good as anything. Who knows? Maybe it'll bring the kid out of his shell a bit - and I know if we left him behind, Juushirou'd just worry about him being picked on by Kuchiki in our absence.
He smiled, sending his white-haired classmate a sidelong glance.
It's exactly as though he's adopted Endou as another sibling. Or maybe a substitute, since he's so far from his own. He's exactly that type, though - the kind who wants to look out for everyone else more than he does himself.
He chewed down on his lip thoughtfully, remembering the morning class, and the unearthly pallor of the boy's features.
If he's not careful, though, that naivety will probably be the death of him.
"It's all right, Endou-kun. Just jump the last bit. Houjou-kun'll catch you." Juushirou's attention was fully on the younger boy's frightened descent, and as Shunsui watched the big Enishi easily catch and steady Hirata's haphazard landing, he frowned.
Why am I so worried about Juushirou, anyhow? Aside from the odd conversation, it's not as though we've become particular friends. Is it because of the fact he's not what people expect him to be? Or is it just because, unlike pretty much everyone else, he's honest?
He smiled slightly, amused at his own train of thought.
Maybe, in that respect, he reminds me of Saku. He's not corrupted by Noble agendas. And that, at the very least, is a refreshing thing to see. To him, Endou isn't the son of a frightening military family who kill before they ask questions. He's a scared boy who needs a helping hand. Houjou's not an awkward outcast in a social setting, but someone who's trustworthy and warmhearted. He doesn't view people through Noble eyes. He views them as they are. But unlike me, he can say it without being caught up in the consequences. Like Saku did, he has that freedom. Is that it, in the end? Is it because, like her, he's free to think and feel the things he wants to?
"Kyouraku, are we going?" Enishi's nudge brought him back to reality at that moment, and he started, looking sheepish.
"We are." He agreed. "Follow me - and don't make a sound till I say otherwise. The path we're taking runs nearish to the school building, and although I think everyone should be in other parts of the school, I don't want to give them any wild ideas."
He paused, then,
"And Juushirou-kun, you keep that scary-ass reiatsu of yours under wraps." He added pointedly. "I know I don't need to tell Houjou or Endou that, but I don't know what you might do with yours, after this morning's display."
"One thing I can do is suppress it. I'm not going to give us away." Juushirou sounded offended, and Shunsui grinned.
"All right." He said. "Then in that case, all of you follow me."
Author's Note: OC Name Kanji (Part One)
Since the names of the characters I've created all do have meanings of their own, I figured I'd add the key ones and let people see the way my twisted mind was thinking when I dreamt them into life. Hopefully the reasons for choosing some of them will become clear as time goes on...
~Kuchiki Ryuu 朽木龍
The name Kuchiki has two possible meanings. Kuchi can mean 'rot/decay' or 'secluded'. Considering the clan, I'm thinking the meaning is supposed to be the second of these. Ki is tree. Therefore Kuchiki means "Secluded tree". The word 'spirit' in Japanese also reads as 'ki', which could be evidence of another clever play on words in Bleach character names.
Anyone who's read Rain Dragon will know that Ryuu means dragon. Hence the chapter title, Taming the Dragon.
~Houjou Enishi 鋒城縁
I rather like this one. Hou means "dagger" or the point of a sword. Jou is the onyomi for 'shiro', or castle, therefore Houjou means Daggerpoint Castle (melodrama much!).
Enishi means 'affinity' or 'connection'. I suppose you can read it in this sense as 'bond'.
~Shihouin Kai 四楓院槐
The kanji for Shihouin mean four (Shi) maple (hou) and institution (in) respectively. I have no idea what Kubo-sensei meant by that (lol) though Shi also has the connitation of death.
Kai is a type of Japanese tree. I thought it appropriate considering the amount of tree-worship going into these stories (with Juu and his trees, the Kuchiki-ke's name, and so on!).
~Endou Hirata 延藤平太
Endou uses the kanji for "prolong/extend" and "wysteria". To be honest, it's the most random name choice out of all of them...I have no idea why it stuck in my mind :S
Hirata uses the kanji for 'peace' or 'flat' (Hira). The second character 'ta', is a common suffix for an elder son, and means something like grand or large or great in this context.