Chapter Twenty Five: Gambit
"There is a good amount of unrest in the air at present, I feel."
The old woman rested her thin, wrinkled hands together in her lap, casting her second son a piercing glance as she did so. "Everything seems unsettled, with people moving that way and this. And now, it seems, the Shihouin princess has fled District Seven completely."
From his position by the window, her companion did not answer, a preoccupied expression in his pale eyes as he gazed sightlessly out across the land of District Seven. From here, he knew, much of the Endou-ke land could be seen – but even from here he could see the faint streams of smoke in the distance that told of another village being raided and people put to torture and interrogation in order to root out those born with spiritual ability.
Soon, he reflected, there would be no more people in District Seven at all – for those who survived the raids would escape to other Districts, and it would become a matter for the Council to intervene. If that happened, Endou authority might be permanently undermined…and this troubled him greatly, to think that the hard work of so many generations could so easily be disintegrated by one or two foolish decisions.
But there was little he could do about it openly. He could only hope that Midori had managed to make it safely to the fringes of District One.
At the other's lack of response, the old woman's eyes narrowed.
"I'm surprised that I didn't learn of this matter sooner." She said softly, a pointed reproach in her sharp tones. "I imagine that Seimaru must have considerable shame over it for me not to have been directly informed."
"Midori-dono's disappearance was sudden and unexpected." Her companion said softly. "I believe Seimaru was doing all he could to try and limit the damage to our family name by having such a thing occur."
"Mm." The old woman was silent for a moment, as if considering this. Then her lips thinned.
"You had something to do with it, didn't you, Misashi?"
Misashi turned from the window, casting her a rueful look. Slowly he nodded his head.
"I'm sorry, Okaasama." He said contritely. "I realise that I've been meddling in things that it probably isn't my place to interfere in. But given the circumstances..."
The old woman frowned, then extended a thin hand, gesturing for him to approach her. He did, kneeling at her feet as he had often done as a small boy, and she gazed at him pensively.
"It is unlike you to act without speaking to me. I wonder why you did."
"Because the risk I took was my risk, Okaasama. Not your risk to bear as well." Misashi said honestly. "Are you cross with me, then, for keeping you in the dark this time?"
His companion gazed at him for a moment, then her hawk-like gaze softened slightly, taking some of the piercing sharpness from her age-ravaged features. Slowly she shook her head.
"Unlike your late brother, you have never acted without careful consideration." She murmured. "Therefore you must have had a reason for this decision, also. Will you tell me now, Misashi, what it was that drove you to let the Shihouin bird fly our nest? I was under the impression you supported the idea of Seimaru marrying her. Was I wrong?"
"No, Okaasama. I did support it. I thought it would be good for Seimaru to have someone to support him and help him understand his position." Misashi shook his head, raising his gaze to meet his companion's. "Midori-dono is not a stupid girl, after all, nor lacking in power. I hoped that they might forge an alliance like you have with Father, which would be to the benefit of the Endou-ke overall."
At this, the old woman's wrinkled lips twitched into a faint smile.
"You mean that you hoped she might rein in the worst of his excesses and keep this Clan stable?" She asked softly, and Misashi frowned.
"Perhaps I did." He admitted. "I'm sorry, Okaasama. It was presumptuous of me, wasn't it?"
"It may have been." His mother agreed slowly, resting her hand pensively on his shoulder. "But I have faith in you, my son, that I have not had in any other child or descendant I have helped bring into this world. I cannot imagine you to act foolishly or against the interests of the Endou. Which leads me to believe that Shihouin Midori's departure was something you considered beneficial in the long run to our family as well. Despite the immediate embarrassment to Seimaru, you've looked further ahead. Haven't you?"
"I don't know all the details of Seimaru's actions." Misashi sighed heavily. "That's the truth, Okaasama. But I believe it relates to the experiments he and Father are so keen on. And I know that it involves a plot to assassinate Genryuusai-sama of the Yamamoto-ke. It all stems from this ballot over the Academy and whether low-born children should receive training."
"That again." The old woman sighed, shaking her head. "We are not low-born, so why should we care what they do? If someone from another Clan seeks to indulge them, why should we prevent it? All that suggests is that we are not confident of our own strength, if we are so easily rattled by the whims of our neighbours and peers."
She closed her eyes briefly, then,
"And to think that such a thing could be going through that fool boy's mind." She murmured. "Does he not know that Genryuusai-sama is one of the most respected people in Seireitei? Even if he could find a way to kill him, does he think it would be all right for this Clan if he did?"
"What he is thinking is to bring down the Shihouin-ke and take control of the land through his marriage to Midori." Misashi said simply. "More than that I don't know, not in exact detail. But I also see it how you do, Okaasama. That his actions will also bring down the Endou-ke by association. There's nothing I can do from here, and no way I can leave. So instead, I let the girl leave. And though I don't know if I can trust her, I don't believe she's a fool."
"Well, so long as one of them isn't." The old woman looked pained. "Why did you come to me now, then, if you feel so strongly that this is a risk?"
"Because Seimaru's own actions are gaining pace." Misashi admitted. "As I said, I don't know his exact purpose. But I did overhear a conversation between him and Father just last night and it seems Seimaru is considering returning to District One. He did not say to Father, even, what exactly his plans were in going. But I'm sure it has something to do with the exiles this Clan have sheltered since the Council interdict. One of them in particular concerns me. He's a very smart man – too smart to be dealing with someone like Seimaru. And though he is unwaveringly polite and humble whenever he crosses one of the family…I think Seimaru may have entrusted him with reckless things even Father would not endorse."
"Even Father." The old woman looked reproachful. "Should a son speak so, then, of his Father and Clan leader?"
"I'm sorry, Mother." Misashi bowed his head apologetically. "I should not. After all, much as Father does endorse the experiments – I haven't heard that he's supported Seimaru where Genryuusai-sama is concerned. That may be Seimaru's acting alone."
"He has spoiled that young boy to a foolish extent." His mother sighed, glancing at her hands. "So this time, I suppose, I cannot call you on your reservations. I wish I could say after all that your Father had not sanctioned the raids and captures of so many people across this District. But I know he has agreed to it, for I have heard him give such orders myself. In those circumstances, I suppose, there is reason for your concern."
She pursed her lips.
"Misashi, your own son is currently in District One, is he not? Have you contacted him about all of this?"
"I thought it dangerous to try." Misashi shook his head, and his companion let out a snort.
"How do you expect to give the boy a spine if you constantly seek to protect him?" She demanded. "Your one foolishness is that one, Misashi. Your soft spot for your children which borders into over-protecting them from the realities of Clan life. Hirata has a good brain and considerable spiritual potential. Far more than Seimaru has or will ever have. Yet he is a shadow of a boy even at the age he is now. He should have been sent away to be trained in the north of the District a long time before - as it is, do you think you can keep him away from this, too?"
"No. Honestly, Okaasama, I don't think I can." Misashi said sadly. "So long as we have you, our position is safe. You listen to my concerns and you have always shielded us from our enemies. But you are right about Hirata. It has been too long...he has begun to train late on. I have no idea whether this last desperate attempt of mine will work or whether it will not. But it's all I can do, now. I did not want him trained here, not now. Seimaru worries me - far more than my brother ever did."
"Do you seek to train Hirata to kill Seimaru, then, Misashi?" The old woman looked curious, and Misashi shrugged.
"Honour battles over leadership happen, even if they're not always pleasant." He replied. "I don't seek the Clan's leadership myself, or even to be Father's heir. But I want to stop that boy doing something foolish that scars us all beyond help."
He eyed his mother hesitantly.
"Would you stand against it, Mother, if I encouraged such a thing?" He asked softly. "If I fell into the trap of this Clan and encouraged Hirata to draw a blade on Seimaru and slay him?"
"So long as your son was able to win that battle, I would not interfere." The old woman shook her head. "I have no blood affection for one who's reckless enough to act in destruction of his entire Clan."
She sighed.
"But I do not know how much longer I will be here, Misashi." She murmured softly. "The truth is I worry more than anyone about this Clan and its future. You should have been born first - if only you had been, I could have rested easily and let go of this confined life a lot sooner. But I cannot leave you all yet. All because I had a fool for a first son...for that I must stay here and do my own penance in the Clan's eyes."
"You're too hard on yourself, Okaasama." Despite himself, Misashi smiled, clasping her withered hand in his calloused ones. "Though I'm glad you are still here. I don't consider your presence a burden, so I hope you'll stay some while longer. I'd like you to see Hirata grow up, after all. I think, if Genryuusai-sama's reputation is as it seems, he will do so. And one day, he will be able to rescue this Clan from the hands of fools."
"I'll pray for that." His mother agreed. "And hope I live to see it. But in the event that I don't, Misashi-kun - promise me this. That no matter what happens, you will not give up on rescuing this Clan. You're the only one I trust, after all, to be able to do such a thing. And I don't have the strength I once did to fight battles in my family's name."
She cast a glance to the silent sword that lay on the table beside her, and Misashi followed her gaze, nodding his head.
"That sword's reputation has kept many wayward Endou in line." He murmured. "If only Hirata could summon one of equal strength – then maybe this family would prosper again after all."
"While you protect him, he stands no chance." His companion said firmly. "But now he is being trained – I will put my hopes in him. At least, in that boy, there is the potential to do such a thing. Potential Seimaru will never have, no matter how much he struts around this place."
"There are far too many hopes resting on Hirata's shoulders." Misashi said heavily. "I only hope that, in the end, he can find the strength to bear them."
It was a decisive kind of night in all respects, Genryuusai reflected, walking slowly through the hallways of the school towards his own office.
Minabe had thought it a risk, to meet with a killer in his own school premises, but the more he had thought it over, the more Genryuusai had realised it was the right place to do it. Aitori's death still hung heavy in the air over the Academy, with suppressed feelings and resentments fit to bubble over at any moment. For that reason alone, he felt, it was important not to be seen to leave the school under cover of darkness. Midori would come and they would speak. And things would be decided from that point on.
He passed the door of Aitori's office, locked and barred since the news of his death had reached him. The room had been searched but nothing new had been revealed, and now it lay undisturbed – an empty shrine to a man who had undoubtedly been intelligent but never, really, popular. Though many students had aired opinions, Genryuusai had heard few really mourning the death of their Hohou instructor. More it had become a topic for idle discussion – a scandal that had spread like wildfire from class to class.
Yet there were some, he knew, who would probably not discard the matter quite so lightly.
He paused outside his former subordinate's chamber, his eyes narrowing beneath his thick white brows as he registered the faintest of scratches against the fastening, and the slight gap between the wood panel of the wall and the door itself.
Someone had been here, then. Just as he'd expected.
He paused, then slid the door back, standing for a moment in the doorway as he took in the office's unruly surroundings. There had been little attempt to tidy the room after Minabe's thorough searching through his documents, so it was difficult to know if anything had been taken.
Though Genryuusai's keen instincts told him that something almost certainly had.
He frowned.
So it will come to this, after all. Tonight will be a test of the Shihouin-ke and my students both, will it? I see.
He hesitated for a moment, deep in thought as he scanned the chamber one more time. Then he sighed, stepping back and shutting the door once more.
If they make it a matter for a Clan to resolve then I will let them resolve it. My business tonight is with Midori. If fools rush in, they will learn their lessons soon enough. I will not interfere in anything I do not have to – it is not for me to play judge and jury over District Two's divisions. So long as they are my students, I will protect them with my life. But if they act outside of that brief – I will not move to defend them. No matter what the night brings – I will not become a pawn in a Shihouin civil war.
His eyes became slits.
I am not interested in training those who put their Clan pride above their pride in their duty to Seireitei. Whatever the outcome, tonight I will know for sure. Just how much of a gamble it was for me to accept Shihouin students into my first year classes…and whether or not either one of them can put the pressures of Clan aside in order to find their true potential. If they can, I will support them. If they cannot…they are no longer of any interest to me at all.
This Academy is designed to build teams – not favour individuals with unreasonable motives and dangerous expectations. Clan people have far too much free reign – tonight will doubtless show just where it is such free reign can lead – and how foolish Nobles train their children to fight in battles they do not understand. For this reason, after all, too many young and gifted people die. People Seireitei needs – the re-education starts here.
He turned his back on the office, continuing on his way to his own room, knowing that his mind was made up.
If they survive the night, I will judge them on their conduct. If they do not, then that will be their decision made by Clan vows. Either way, my business tonight is with Midori and that is all I will let it be. From hereon in…we'll see exactly where people's true loyalties lie.
"Genryuusai-sama?"
Retsu's soft voice made him glance up, registering the head of the Unohana-ke waiting by his office door. Not far away he saw the impatient, edgy Minabe and at the end of the hall, Tokutarou, and despite himself he smiled.
"This is a one on one meeting, you know." He said softly. "There's no reason for so many people to be gathered here when Midori only wants to speak to me."
"Minabe was concerned about you meeting with her alone." Tokutarou leant up against the wall, folding his arms casually across his chest as he eyed the old man thoughtfully. "And besides, this is a political matter. Retsu-sama and I are Clan Heads – our decisions on this subject will be called for sooner or later either way."
"But not tonight." Genryuusai's gaze flitted to Minabe, taking in the awkward consternation in the tall woman's eyes.
"You don't think me in danger, do you, Ayame?" He said quietly, and Minabe shook her head.
"No." She said quietly. "But this building is full of young students, most of them barely more than babies when it comes to their skill to fight. Even Urahara Yunosuke probably isn't a match for your visitor this evening…and if you had to release Ryuujinjakka that might blaze the whole building to the ground. It concerns me, Sensei. That's all."
"You worry for the students' safety?" Genryuusai's lips thinned. "Then my next instruction will please you not at all, I'm afraid. I want you to ensure that – unless you sense the aura of a released zanpakutou – you stay in your quarters and do not get involved in anything that might occur. Will you give me your word, Ayame? I don't want you to be prowling the grounds this evening, not with so many things at stake."
"That seems a strange instruction, if I may say so, Genryuusai-sama." Retsu looked surprised, even as a stricken expression flooded Minabe's features. "To tell a teacher not to come to the defence of her students, even though she is so obviously concerned for their safety."
"Tonight's encounter may well end in trouble and bloodshed." Genryuusai said gravely. "What Midori's motives are as yet I don't entirely know. But another has already begun to move this evening. Aitori's office door was ajar, even though it has been kept locked. I suspect that tonight we might see a reflection of true Clan pride. And I want to let it happen."
"Even if a child is killed?" Retsu's eyes became horrified, and Genryuusai shook his head.
"I hope it won't come to that." He admitted. "But at the end of the day, there is poison running through that Clan and the only way to get rid of it completely is to flush it out into the open. I haven't liked the quietness from that sector of the school since Aitori died. It makes me certain that something is bubbling under the surface and tonight it will rear its head. I don't know how many students know Midori is coming here. But I'm sure that her own Clan would detect her even where others might not."
"So you're saying, basically, that they're to fight it out among themselves?" Tokutarou frowned. "That's a big risk, isn't it?"
"Seireitei is a dangerous place and this isn't a school which will mollycoddle and protect its future warriors." Genryuusai said simply. "Better they learn now, while their skills are limited, just what their place is in this world. I don't want to train youngsters who will only turn that power against the good of Soul Society. Maybe it is a harsh decision – perhaps it is a risk. I won't take pleasure from any student being killed as a result of my decision. But either way, that is my decision."
Retsu sighed, rubbing her temples, then,
"Then what would you have us do, Genryuusai-sama, if we aren't to help those this school should nurture?" She murmured, and Genryuusai sent her a slight smile.
"I trust that even if I told you your services here would not be needed tonight, you'd stay here anyway." He reflected. "But I want you to dismiss the rest of the staff in the Healing Bay. If there is an injury, I won't stop you from taking the injured and treating them, because I know you wouldn't forgive me otherwise. But I don't want to make this evening a spectacle and there's no reason to have unrelated staff involved. Even though I don't know how things will play out yet, with the students theoretically confined to their dormitories – so long as they obey that instruction, they will be safe enough."
"I see." Tokutarou looked thoughtful. "It boils down to a test of who'll put Clan pride before obedience to a superior's direct instruction?"
"Something like that." Genryuusai agreed. "Do you disapprove too, Tokutarou?"
"As a soldier I understand your reasons. As a Clansman, too." Tokutarou admitted. "But as a brother…"
He faltered, then let out a sigh.
"I hope Shunsui has the sense to stay where he should be for once in his life." He reflected. "But obeying orders has never come naturally to him – if you think tonight might start trouble, I dread to think where he'll be during it."
"Shunsui is a remarkably powerful young man, with skills already advanced beyond his year grouping." Genryuusai said softly. "If he were to apply himself more closely, there would be no reason why at the end of this year he could not be jumped straight up into the third year. Yet he is lazy, and I don't want to reward his laziness with allowing him an easy ride. Discipline is something he lacks and he needs all the training he can get in that department. Also, I believe the students he currently studies with are more likely to cure that habit in him than any amount of beatings would. And, if it came to a matter of necessity – I don't think that you should worry too much about his skills, Tokutarou. He's not a fool, even though he likes to play it on frequent occasions. And it would be good for him, too, to learn to understand when no means no. The order applies to all students. He is not Shihouin therefore tonight's events have even less to do with him than they do some of his classmates – there will be no reason for him to leave his dorm."
"Kyouraku is a pain." Minabe said gruffly. "If he bothered to show as much attention to his stances and strikes as he does to the girls when they're practicing, he'd be far nearer Houjou and Shihouin in his Kenjitsu scores. I dislike lazy students…the more time I have to beat sense into him the better."
"I think that conversation can wait for another time." Genryuusai held up his hands, seeing the look of dismay in Tokutarou's eyes at the woman's brusque assessment of his brother's behaviour. "For the time being, tonight I intend on meeting Midori in my office. Alone. Tokutarou, Retsu, if you have a message as Clan Leader to convey to her, please tell me now – I will not have anyone else intrude on the meeting until I learn her reasons for being here and ascertain that Akekage is not with her."
"If she intends to take over the Clan, and if she comes here in peace in the way she suggested, I will support her." Tokutarou said gravely. "Whether I like what's going on in that District or not, having seen the evidence, it's the only logical solution to the problem. District Two coming under protectorship would be a political disaster for Seireitei – at the worst it might re-ignite old conflicts over land and power that the District system was supposed to overcome. So I want to keep a Shihouin in charge of District Two. I don't really care too much which one at the present time – so long as they're obeying Council Law and not causing any problems for anyone else."
"I cannot give an opinion without returning to District Four and discussing the matter with my kin." Retsu said softly. "I have no direct message to convey to Midori-sama, Genryuusai-sama. Not at present. Only I will not make any attempt to intervene in her coming or in her intentions unless they affect my District personally. I will cast judgement only before the Council after consulting the Unohana. I will do nothing otherwise."
"Then it is settled. And she will soon be here." Genryuusai brushed his fingers absently against his long, white beard. "Ayame, please remember what I said. I know you worry for the students – I know your concern is always for them, and that I can count on you above all others to protect them when times become dangerous. But tonight I would like you to let them act how they see fit to act. I will let the Seniors alone deal with any matters of breaking curfew – for tonight, I want to see who is who and if there is a teacher on sentry duty it will be less easy to see that."
Minabe hesitated for a moment, then she sighed, bowing her head towards him.
"Yes, Sensei." She murmured. "I'll do as you say."
"I'm sorry, Ayame." Genryuusai sent her a faint smile. "I hope that when the morning comes you won't have reason to make me regret my decision."
Minabe did not answer, but the look in her eyes as she left told the old man that she felt the same way too.
Severe and frightening on the outside you may have made yourself, Ayame-chan. But I know better than anyone how much you care for those youngsters and how much you're itching to be able to protect them from anything that might happen. That's why you work so hard to train them, and push them so hard as you do. You don't want any of them to be like you were, scared and alone and facing a Hollow without any defences. Yet tonight is a Clan matter and that alone you still don't fully understand. That's why I have to take this risk, regardless of the outcome. Even if it's one I regret – this is still the way I must act.
He turned, casting the two Clan leaders a smile.
"Retsu, if I can trust the Healing Bay to your tender mercies." He murmured, and Retsu bowed her head in acquiescence. "Thank you. And Tokutarou…"
"I'll return to the room you've loaned me, and wait it out." Tokutarou agreed. "But if she wants to speak to me, Genryuusai-sensei, I'll speak to her as well. Providing she's kept her word to you about coming here and doing so unarmed – I'm happy to open dialogue with her tonight, too. That's why I stayed, after all. In case that happened."
"Very well." Genryuusai nodded. "If that's the case, then I'll be sure to send a message to you if the conversation needs it. For the time being, however, I must greet her here alone."
"Then we will leave you to do so." Retsu murmured softly. "Will you come, Tokutarou-sama? For now all we can do is have faith in Genryuusai-sama's decision, after all."
With that they were gone, and Genryuusai opened the door of his study, stepping inside.
Soon, then, it would begin.
He frowned, picking up the faint flickers and darts of reiatsu sparking across the school grounds.
Though what exactly 'it' was…only time would tell.
He sighed, sinking down at his desk as he prepared to wait for Midori's arrival.
At the very least, I want to talk to her, and find out what the truth of it is. At the very least, I hope I can do that much. Seireitei has far too many problems already without one Clan creating a scene – so if I can at least settle that matter in my mind tonight, so much the better. At least then, maybe, I'll know how to act.