Chapter Twenty Eight: Midori's Message
Juushirou was fighting.
Shunsui bit his lip, interpreting the flicker and flow of his classmate's distinctive reiatsu as it pierced through the cool night air. Even though he could barely pick up Onoe's suppressed spirit force, it didn't matter. Was his friend winning? Was he safe? Or was he in trouble? At this distance, Shunsui couldn't tell and it bothered him.
He says he doesn't want to be saved, but I don't want him killed. Selfish it may be, but I don't want to be here without him.
"You seem preoccupied, Kyouraku-kun."
Retsu sat down opposite Shunsui, casting him a smile as she brushed the sweat-damp hair out of the unconscious student's eyes. She extended her fingers towards him, and little by little a warm golden glow began to surround the injured boy's body, growing and strengthening into a full scale barrier of Kidou with every passing second. As it did so, Shunsui saw that the blood had ceased to run so freely from his classmate's wound, and inwardly he marvelled at the capabilities of his companion's magic.
I wish I'd known how to do something like that for Juu, when we were out on that mountain.
He nodded, offering her a troubled smile.
"I was worrying about Juushirou." He admitted, and Retsu smiled, shaking her head slightly.
"You are fond of him, I can tell." She murmured. "But I don't think there's any need to worry quite so much as that. He's a strong young man, after all, with will and drive that's all his own. If it was otherwise, do you think Genryuusai-sama would have chosen him to come here? Do not underestimate him. He's as capable of you are of fighting his own battles, and you shouldn't doubt that."
"I'm not. At least, I don't think I am." Shunsui sighed. "I'm sorry. I know you're right, Unohana-sensei. I need to trust in him, else there's no point in him being here. I'm just fond of him, is all. I don't think I'd like it, if anything happened to him."
"Your loyalty is admirable." Retsu said lightly. "But in this case, your interference would do nothing to help the situation. You can be of far more use to me here. After all, you've used a considerable amount of your own spirit power tonight already, haven't you?"
"Sensei?" Shunsui looked startled, and Retsu offered another smile.
"You really did get here tremendously quickly, after all."
"Ah. Yeah. I guess I did." Shunsui reddened, biting his lip. "Just...Shihouin...well, he was bleeding and choking and...it wasn't pretty. So I guess I hurried. Because it was like that."
"You were very worried about him, weren't you?" Retsu's reflected. "Anxiety can push us to do amazing things, sometimes."
"Unohana-sensei?" Shunsui eyed her hesitantly, and Retsu shrugged her shoulders.
"Shunpo is an art many Shinigami struggle to master." She said softly. "But I somehow think you'll take to it like a duck to water, won't you, Kyouraku-kun?"
Shunsui looked sheepish.
"It's not like I do it neatly or properly." He admitted. "I don't know how I do it, either. No one's ever trained me. But when someone's in trouble, then, I can. Only a short distance – but even so, I can. It's just an instinct inside of me, I think…I was worried about Shihouin. He was bleeding a lot. And now I'm worried about Juushirou…"
"I really do think that Ukitake-kun needs to have chances to prove his own strength too, Kyouraku-kun." Retsu said calmly. "I don't believe he will come to harm against Onoe-kun's weapon. He has a lot of potential as yet unrealised – besides, I doubt he will be alone for long."
She smiled again.
"Of course, Genryuusai-sama may wonder why you were out of your dormitory at all." She murmured. "But I will tell him how you've saved Shihouin-kun's life, and I think he'll overlook it."
Shunsui sent her a grateful look.
"Thank you, Unohana-sensei." He said fervently. "I break the rules far too often for him to go easy on me otherwise."
"I brought the water, Retsu-sama." Mitsuki returned at that moment, and Retsu turned to glance at her, indicating for her to place the bowl down beside the bed.
"Good girl." She said gently. "Then I can clean his wound and start to dress it. He's strong – his natural life energy is robust and even now I can feel it stabilising beneath the Kidou seal. You can relax, Mitsuki-san. He will without a doubt recover."
Mitsuki let out a heavy sigh of relief, and Retsu offered her another of her serene smiles.
"It's hard, at first, to rationalise the way these things affect you." She said softly. "I see it a lot with Unohana children. But I hadn't realised that there was a child born outside of my Clan who had the same potential. This is the first time, I think, for me."
Mitsuki reddened, looking self-conscious.
"My Father thinks its strange, and my Clan don't really understand either." She murmured. "Nobody at home ever has understood why it is I feel so strongly when things happen. The Clan leader wanted me sent here because he said I was hopeless in all other respects – that I'd never make a fighter with my aversion to pain and suffering and Father didn't want me to hold a blade because he's protective of me in a lot of ways. I suppose because I am like this – he doesn't like me getting hurt."
"I don't know how long it's been since a Kuchiki appeared with these talents." Retsu dipped a cloth in the water, beginning to carefully wash Kai's congealing blood from the wound. "Though it has happened before, in the long distant past. Unfortunately your Clan consider it a weakness, I think…which is a shame because with your latent Kuchiki instincts, you have a tremendous gift locked away inside of you."
"A gift?" Mitsuki looked startled, and Retsu nodded.
"Your Clan Leader may not realise it for what it is, but nonetheless it is a gift." She said softly. "A gift to know when someone needs help and to reach out to help them. It's a healer's gift, Mitsuki-san. A gift highly prized among my own people."
"Mitsuki is a healer?" Shunsui dragged his thoughts away from Juushirou, eying his red-faced classmate in interest. "A proper one? That's why she has these dreams and so on...because that's the kind of spirit power she has?"
"Undoubtedly." Retsu nodded, setting the blooded cloth aside. "Mitsuki-san, will you pass me that clean cloth, please? Even on this summer night it wouldn't do for the boy to catch a chill on top of his other ailments."
"Yes, Retsu-sama." Mitsuki nodded her head, reaching hurriedly for the cloth and passing it over Kai's still form.
"That's why you worry so much about Juu?" Shunsui eyed her quizzically. "And here I was thinking you had a crush on him...I'm quite disappointed. Surely it's not just your healer's instincts kicking into play, Mitsuki-chan? Are you going to destroy my fun before it's even begun?"
Mitsuki stared, colour searing her face once more as her jaw dropped, horror and dismay flooding her grey eyes. At her expression, Shunsui grinned.
"Sora did say I shouldn't tease you, but even so, I can't help it." He said frankly. "But I really was sure that you had a special interest in Juushirou's health and well being. Tonight, too - you grabbed his sleeves and plain ignored me till I spoke to you. It was like you felt him coming and made a mad dash for him - surely that's not just your Kuchiki wits or your healing instincts coming into play?"
"Now doesn't seem to be a good time to tease, Kyouraku-kun." Retsu said quietly, a pointed note in her soft tones. "Not when Shihouin-kun is still in need of treatment. Instead, perhaps you can both help me apply a dressing – it's the fabric just to your left, Kyouraku-kun. Place it, if you please, just beneath where the Kidou glow wanes under my touch."
Mitsuki shot Shunsui a wary look, then,
"Ukitake-kun is a kind person." She murmured. "And I don't think it's fair that a kind person should have to have bad things happen to him."
"So you feel sorry for him?" Shunsui obediently grasped the indicated dressing fabric, eying the wound critically and then placing it in the aforementioned spot. "He won't like that, you know, if he finds it out. He's a bit touchy about things like that."
"I don't feel sorry for him!" Mitsuki reddened yet again, shaking her head hurriedly. "He's a strong person and you can't feel sorry for strong people. I...I guess I just don't think it's fair. But even though...even though he isn't well, he still carries on doing everything. Even though he isn't Clan, he still carries on when people are unkind to him. And...it makes me feel like I'm pathetic. Because I'm not sure where I belong, or even what to do when it comes to my own spirit power."
"The answer to that is a simple one, Mitsuki-san." Retsu paused in her work, eying the girl kindly. "If you truly feel you want to pursue your arts in a more healing manner, then I will gladly help you to do so. There are, after all, plenty of healing Shinigami in Fourth District. Yet there are very few being trained from other places, if any at all. With your Kuchiki reiatsu, I believe you would be able to master the highest levels of healing Kidou that many never manage to use. But in the end it's up to you. Your gifts are very specific, but perhaps you should consult your Father and your kinsfolk before making a firm decision about your future."
"And maybe you could ask Juu, too." Shunsui said innocently, and Mitsuki stared at him, stricken.
"Kyouraku-kun." Retsu said softly, and Shunsui looked sheepish.
"Sorry." He said apologetically. "It's just...well, Mitsuki said it herself. That Juu was going against all expectations and forging his own path. If anyone knows what that's like it's probably him. Maybe I was teasing her - but in the end, talking to him probably wouldn't be a bad idea."
He frowned, glancing towards the window.
"Whatever's happening out there has stopped. Juu's reiatsu has calmed." He said, relief in his tones. "You were right, Unohana-sensei. Juu's okay after all."
"Of course he is." Mitsuki said, her cheeks pink but her eyes resolute as she sent him an indignant look. "Ukitake-kun's strong, after all. And he doesn't back away or avoid things, either. Not if they matter."
"Ouch. Meaning I do." Shunsui pretended to wince, his spirits suddenly feeling a whole lot lighter. "Well, I suppose I can't argue with you. It's true, after all. Still,"
He grinned, reaching across to pat her on the shoulder.
"Shall I tell him that he has such a pretty cheerleader, or do you want to tell him yourself?"
"Kyouraku-kun, if I have to warn you once more about teasing Mitsuki-san while there are more pressing things at stake, you will find yourself in a far less comfortable position."
Retsu raised her gaze to his, and despite himself Shunsui quailed slightly at the steeliness he saw in those normally gentle eyes. "I have warned you, after all, that this is a sick room and your classmate is unwell. This is not appropriate behaviour and I will not tolerate any more of it. Do you understand?"
Shunsui swallowed hard, holding up his hands.
"Yes, Unohana-sensei. I'm sorry." He said quietly, and Retsu nodded.
"I'm glad." She said simply, turning her attention back to her patient. "And it seems the treatment has already taken some effect. He appears to be stirring. Speak to him a while, if you please…I will go and see to it that a proper bed is prepared for him to rest more comfortably."
With that she was gone into the back room, and Shunsui's gaze darted to the bier, seeing that the Clan Leader was right. Though at first it was only the slightest of twitches, Kai's lashes had begun to quiver, parting slightly to reveal hazy, confused golden eyes. He had lost a lot of blood, yet this evident sign of life was reassuring, and as he blinked a couple of times to focus, Shunsui shot him a warm grin.
"Welcome back, Kai-kun." He said softly. "Did you have a nice, peaceful sleep?"
"Kyou…raku." Kai moistened his lips, then, "Edogawa? You…too?"
A flicker of wariness crossed his dazed countenance, but Mitsuki held up her hands, shaking her head hurriedly.
"I know you don't get along with Ryuu-kun, but I'm not here because of that or anything else." She said quickly. "I just knew you were hurt and wanted to help you. That's all. I don't like Clan rivalry. All it does is make people get injured and killed and I hate it. So I really just wanted to help you, Shihouin-kun – if there was any way I could."
"Mitsuki's quite talented at picking out wounded reiatsu." Shunsui added. "Juu and I were already on our way to find you and Onoe when she jumped us and told us you'd been hurt. You shouldn't look at her like that – in the end she came to help you, not for any other reason."
Kai did not respond immediately, seemingly processing this fact. Then he groaned, twitching his fingers cautiously down towards where Retsu had fastened the bandage.
"Don't play with that." Shunsui warned, reaching across to pull his hand back. "Unohana-sensei is nice as anything, but I get the feeling if you upset her, she's not quite as gentle as she seems. So don't tick her off by disturbing her handiwork – or ours, for that matter. Lie still a while, until she comes to tell you what to do. She's gone to prepare a proper bed for you, after all. You're in no state to do anything else, anyhow – that wound was deep."
"Mm." Kai's gaze clouded, then, "Tomoyuki?"
"God knows." Shunsui shrugged his shoulders. "He and Juu were facing off when I brought you here – or don't you remember that?"
"I remember you grabbing hold of me when I fell." Kai spoke softly. "And not much else, to be honest. But…Tomoyuki had a…is Ukitake…"
"We're pretty sure Ukitake-kun is fine, Shihouin-kun." Mitsuki said gently. "And I don't think Onoe-kun managed to hurt anyone else. He was very upset, wasn't he? About Aitori-sensei being murdered."
"They were close." Kai agreed. "But…even s…so…"
"Your sister's caused a lot of problems, even if she seeks to solve a bunch of others." Shunsui said categorically. "Your Clan is a mess, Shihouin. You know that, don't you? In-fighting and rule breaking and now all of this tonight. Onoe won't be staying here. I guarantee you that. No matter what kind of pleas come out of District Two – I don't see Sensei letting a student stay if he tried to end another's life."
"I d…don't care." Kai admitted. "I don't care wh…what happens to him. He w…was Aitori's ally. And I'm Neesama's. So we're en…enemies. And he knows it too."
"Do you really feel that way, Shihouin-kun?" Mitsuki looked surprised. "Even though he's your family?"
"I suppose it's difficult to be sympathetic towards someone who's impaled you on the end of their Clan dagger." Shunsui reflected. "It's all right, Mitsuki. Not everyone sees things like Juu does – in the circumstances I think Kai-kun is quite entitled not to want to forgive or forget. At least not yet…maybe not at all."
"Ukitake…is all right?" Kai whispered. "Tomoyuki was…he trained…I can beat him…but this time…"
"Ukitake is absolutely fine, Shihouin-kun – though he's gratified for the concern."
A voice from the doorway made Shunsui start, getting to his feet with an exclamation as he registered his friend's presence. At his expression, Juushirou's grin widened, and he shrugged his shoulders, coming across the room to join them.
"I didn't feel you coming." Shunsui eyed him reproachfully. "You had me worried about you, Juu-kun. A little more consideration for your classmates would be nice."
"Are you hurt, Ukitake-kun?" Mitsuki looked anxious, and Juushirou shook his head.
"No. Just a bit roughed up. Onoe-kun's strong, after all." He said frankly. "But I don't think he expected me to be strong in return. Anideshi has him, now, and he's taking him to confinement until he calms down. He said it would be all right if I came here, even though we're all in breach of curfew and a thousand other things. I'm expecting to be punished tomorrow for fighting and breaking bounds – but I'll take it and I won't complain. I'm glad I stopped him, so I don't mind."
He turned, casting the incredulous Kai a warm smile.
"You look a little better than you did when we arrived in the forest." He added. "I'm glad, Shihouin-kun. I was worried about how deep that dagger went."
"You…beat…Tomoyuki? In…in a proper…a proper fight?" Kai murmured, and Juushirou nodded.
"I imagine so. I'm not sure what a proper fight is, but I certainly disarmed him, and I had him immobilised when Anideshi came to see what was going on. Would you call that a proper fight, Shihouin-kun? You have more experience than I do with things like that."
"I guess so." Despite himself, a faint smile touched Kai's lips. "Then…is that why…Midori-neesama asked you…to be her ally?"
"Midori-sama did?" Mitsuki's eyes became huge, and Juushirou shrugged.
"I don't know as you'd call it that." He said cautiously. "I agreed not to reveal her whereabouts or that we'd met and talked with her. Hirata and I tracked her down when Aitori's murder happened. And in return she promised she wouldn't kill anyone else. I've kept my word, and she's kept hers. But it doesn't matter now, if people know that promise was made. Because she only wanted us to keep silent until she'd managed to meet with Genryuusai-sensei. And that was tonight."
"Midori-sama…is here?" Mitsuki stared, and Kai nodded slightly.
"Ukitake's right." He murmured. "Neesama…I saw her too. She came…to speak to…Sensei."
"About your Clan." Juushirou agreed gravely.
"Why would you promise her, though? Why would you care about that at all?" Kai demanded, unwittingly raising his voice and he gasped, wincing as pain shuddered through his body. "Ah…I…I can't…"
"Don't try and speak loudly, you idiot." Shunsui ordered. "We can all hear you fine here, after all."
"And it's hard to answer your question, really." Juushirou admitted. "Except in the way I explained it in the library before. I don't know about the Clans, and even though I understand what Midori-sama is doing, I don't know the political ramifications or rules associated with it. But even though it's the case, there was one thing I did understand. And that was that she was worried about you, Shihouin-kun. And you were worried about her. So as an elder brother, I put myself in her place. I thought about whether I'd go to extreme lengths to protect my siblings. And I probably would. I don't know that I'd have killed Aitori – but I can't say that I wouldn't, if it meant Chi-chan or Hiro-kun or one of the others were in a dangerous situation if I didn't. It's hard to tell."
He smiled, looking sheepish.
"Midori-sama cares a lot about her family." He concluded. "That's why I agreed to help her. That and because Hirata wanted it, too…he's really the one who's allied with her, Shihouin-kun. Far more so than me in some respects."
"That mouse?" Kai looked incredulous once more, and Juushirou nodded.
"Hirata's father helped your sister escape District Seven." He agreed. "And because of that, Hirata's also decided to support her, too. He understands better than you think he does the kind of situation you've been put into – probably more than I do, in truth. He's quiet, but he thinks about things and even though he's younger than us, he's not stupid. And that was the decision he made."
"It's a long path yet, however." Shunsui reflected. "Nii-sama's inclined to support Midori's claim, too – it's less hassle that way, he seems to think. But even if she gets Sensei's support – that's only two Clans she can count on. To be accepted as leader, she'd need to have at least four votes in her favour…and that doesn't even begin to tackle the other things going on in the background."
"No." Kai's gaze clouded, and he nodded. "I know. It's a v…very long path, isn't it? But…it's one we m…made. It's one we h…have to walk."
His gaze darted to Juushirou, then,
"Thank you, at least, f…for that much." He murmured, and Juushirou looked surprised. "For k…keeping Neesama's secret – th…thank you."
"You're welcome." Juushirou's expression softened.
"And now it's a full house." Shunsui sat back on his heels, eying his companions playfully. "Juu's successfully conquered and befriended all of his wayward dorm-mates even with time to spare before the end of the first term. Is there anyone who can stand up to his powers of persuasion?"
"Shut up, Shunsui!" Juushirou reddened, casting him a dark glower. "It's not like that. And I didn't do it because I expected Shihouin-kun to be my friend at the end of it, either. He doesn't have to be. I'm not asking anything from him or from anyone. I do the things I believe in – I don't have ulterior motives. I wanted to believe in Midori-sama, so I did. I wanted to help Shihouin-kun, so I did. There's nothing else to it. So stop making out like there is."
"Maybe that's true, but even so, I doubt Kai-kun's going to find it so easy to hate you from hereon in, is he?" Shunsui pointed out, and Kai frowned, shaking his head.
"I don't h…hate Ukitake." He murmured. "Certainly not…not now. Maybe not b…before, either. He's n…not easy to h…hate, after all."
"You don't?" Shunsui looked startled, and Kai shook his head again.
"I was w…worried about him." He admitted. "I was s…sent here to spy, really, for my Clan – I was sent to t…train here because of p…people like Ukitake c…c…coming. My family were…were worried about District children coming to the A…Academy and d…didn't like that Genryuusai-sensei was s…so insistent on d…doing it. More, because one h…had got into m…my class and displaced T…Tomoyuki. But I guess…tonight you proved once and f…for all that you d…do outrank Tomoyuki, Ukitake. So th…that's that one settled."
"I outranked him anyway." Juushirou said calmly. "I'm second overall, and he's tenth. That's a gap of eight places, when you stop and take it into account."
"Why would it be worrying, though?" Mitsuki looked confused. "I know a lot of the Clans were…well, they didn't like it. But…it's not frightening. Even my Clan…they weren't sure what to make of it, but most of them felt that, well, it wouldn't affect them really. They wouldn't work with anyone they felt beneath them…something like that."
She pinkened.
"I'm sorry, Ukitake-kun." She murmured. "I didn't mean that to sound rude."
"You weren't saying it to offend me." Juushirou grinned. "You were repeating your family's opinions, not your own. Right?"
"Right." Mitsuki looked relieved. "I don't think you're beneath anyone. But yes. That's what people in the Clan said."
"But the Shihouin haven't been as strong as the Kuchiki." Shunsui reflected. "And it probably worried them seeing Juu race up the rankings like he did."
"Exactly." Kai let out a heavy sigh, then, "It's not just that, though you are powerful, Ukitake. It's…what Kyouraku said. About b…befriending people. Knocking through their d…defences. Houjou, Endou – that w…wasn't such a big deal, except I always thought Endou might not be…well, I didn't t…trust him because I didn't know why h…he was here. But then you t…talked Kuchiki around – and I n…never expected that. And Kyouraku too – when m…my family could have allied with that Clan but in the end did not. You d…do get people to trust you. And that's why…why I was worried. Because I found it r…really hard to hate you too – even though I h…had to. Even though I w…wanted to – it's goddamn difficult to do."
Juushirou stared at him, bewildered.
"I didn't do it on purpose." He said slowly. "I'm sorry, Shihouin-kun. I didn't mean to make you feel that way."
"Did you just apologise for being nice to him and making it hard for him to hate you?" Shunsui demanded, and at this, Juushirou reddened, looking sheepish.
"I…maybe." He conceded. "I suppose that is a bit funny, when you think about it."
At his contrite expression Shunsui burst out laughing.
"You see, Juu, it's a gift of yours." He said, mirth in his dark eyes. "You can't beat good, honest kindness, after all."
"Good evening, Ukitake-kun." At that moment Retsu re-joined them, a folded slip of paper in hand as she cast the newcomer a smile. "I'm glad to see you in one piece but it seems a little noisy here considering how recently Shihouin-kun was hurt. Although I'm happy to see you've rejoined us, Shihouin-kun – are you in pain?"
"A little." Kai's voice was growing stronger, and despite Retsu's gentle rebuke, it was clear that the unexpected company had helped as much as the Kidou treatment, for there was better colour already in his pale cheeks than there had been before and a faint smile had touched his lips at Ukitake's strange and unexpected apology. "My body f…feels warm now, though. Outside it…it was g…going cold."
"The Kidou will help to heal the damage to your tissues, but you will need to rest and allow your body to do the rest." Retsu told him gently. "Your life is not now in danger – your bleeding has stopped and the wound, though serious, is not unfixable. You should take every opportunity to rest and regain your strength until then."
"Sensei m…might send me away." Kai murmured, and Shunsui saw his golden eyes suddenly become clouded as he reflected on this fact.
"Why would he do that?" Juushirou frowned, and Mitsuki nodded her head.
"Onoe-kun was the one who hurt you." She said softly. "It wasn't your fault, Shihouin-kun."
"But…I was sent…as a spy." Kai reminded him. "For…things I can't…even talk about. Not…even now."
Shunsui glanced at Juushirou, reading the consternation in the boy's hazel eyes, and he sighed.
"Do you want to be sent away, Kai-kun?" He asked quietly, and Kai faltered, then slowly shook his head.
"I w…want to help M…Midori-nee." He murmured. "But…I…"
"You've weighty burdens on your shoulders, Shihouin-kun." Retsu put a reassuring hand on the boy's shoulder, offering him a smile. "But you shouldn't look so downhearted. Genryuusai-sama is strict but fair. You should speak to him about the things concerning you. Just as your sister has come to do – after all, things have changed. And, it seems, will continue to change."
"But…I br…broke bounds t…tonight too. And f…fought with Tomoyuki. And…"
"The difference is that you didn't take a weapon and go out there to kill anyone." Shunsui said matter-of-factly. "You went to see Midori-dono, didn't you? That's all. Onoe was out for revenge – just as Hirata called it. That's why Juu and I came looking for you and Onoe in the first place, incidentally – because neither of us knew what might happen and it's a good thing we did. But whatever he was thinking, you weren't acting as an assassin this evening, were you? Or as a spy. Or anything else. You came to see your sister, because you wanted to see for yourself that she was okay."
"Mm." Kai frowned, and Shunsui offered him a grin.
"I'm a little disappointed I didn't get to see her myself, actually. If she's as pretty as all that, after all…"
"Shunsui." Juushirou shot him a reproachful look, and Shunsui held up his hands in mock surrender.
"I'm just saying." He responded unrepentantly. "She has a reputation as a stunning beauty. I'd at least like a gawk at her before she hares off into the night."
"Then you'll be disappointed, I'm afraid, Kyouraku-kun." Retsu said lightly, setting the folded piece of paper down by the side of the bed. "Because it seems Midori-sama has already left the school premises."
"Left?" Kai's eyes widened, a stricken expression crossing his gaze. "But she…"
"She left you a letter, it seems." Retsu tapped the paper lightly. "Perhaps you would rather read it later, though, when you are more rested?"
"No…" Kai reached his fingers out for it, wincing as he jarred his injury, and Shunsui frowned.
"Is it a private letter, Unohana-sensei?" He asked, and Retsu shook her head.
"I don't believe so. It has not been sealed, and Genryuusai-sama sent it here via Gujihara-kun so I do not imagine it contains anything highly secure."
"Then maybe I could read it for him?" Shunsui suggested. "What about it, Kai-kun? Would you trust me with your sister's elegant screed?"
Kai was silent for a moment, then he nodded.
"I…I trust you." He murmured. "Please, Kyouraku."
"Should we go and wait outside?" Juushirou glanced at Mitsuki, then up at the Clan Leader, and Retsu nodded.
"For now it might be best." She said gently. "Return to your dorms, both of you. Kyouraku-kun, when you've read the letter, I want you to leave as well. Shihouin-kun's best cure now is sleep – and I want him to be able to rest."
"Understood." Shunsui nodded, sending Juushirou a grin. "I'll catch you up in a little while. Don't turn the lights out without me, huh? I want to change first."
"We'll think about it, depending how much you dawdle." Juushirou told him evenly. "Come on, Edogawa-san. Let's leave them to it. I'll walk you as far as the steps at least – the Seniors know I was out and about and if we tell them you've been helping Unohana-sensei too it should be all right."
With that they were gone, and a wicked twinkle touched Shunsui's expression as he scooped up the folded paper.
"They make a pretty couple, don't you think?" He observed innocently, and Retsu sent him a thoughtful look.
"I think you should concentrate on your task and not on other things for the time being." She reflected. "I will also leave you alone – but I will hold you responsible, Kyouraku-kun, for any deterioration in Shihouin-kun's condition."
"She's not as soft as she looks, is she?" Shunsui murmured, as he watched the tall, slender Clan Leader head back to the small chamber at the rear of the Healing Bay. "Still, though, she knows her stuff. And I better not cross her, so I'll get reading."
"Wait." As Shunsui made to open the paper, Kai flexed his fingers across to brush his classmate's sleeve. "Kyouraku…"
"Mm?" Shunsui paused, sending him a startled look. "What's up? Don't you want me to see it after all?"
"No. Not that." Kai shook his head, then, "Thank you. For…my life…and…for keeping secrets…as shameful…as my Clan's."
"I don't think your Clan's secrets are the really shameful ones, Kai-kun." Shunsui said frankly. "And I think it's a damned shame that the hammer may fall on your people but without proof it won't fall on others who are the real vipers in the shadows. Your folk have been stupid and desperate, maybe. But this all comes from somewhere far darker. And it annoys me that I can't do anything about that, yet. Especially with Megumi still on my mind – I don't like that I've so far let her down."
"Did…Hirata…really…"
"Yes." Shunsui cut across him before his companion could voice the question, nodding his head. "Whatever else has happened with...with that family...I don't think Hirata is a part of it. On the contrary, I think Juu's been right to show faith in him all along. He is shy and he is weak. But he wanted to come out to help you tonight, and he takes seriously all aspects of the situation - probably more than Juu and I even know, in fact, given his own position. He's chosen to become your sister's ally, and I think you can trust him in that. You needn't worry about his motives. I don't think he's any kind of spy."
Kai digested this for a moment, then,
"And you?"
"Me?" Shunsui looked surprised. "Do you think I'm a spy now, too?"
"No." Kai pulled a face, and Shunsui knew that if his companion was in better health, he would have snorted derisively at the implication. "Foolish. I meant...where...Midori-nee...what..."
"If Tokutarou-nii supports her, then that's the Kyouraku's position." Shunsui said matter-of-factly. "I won't go against that. I don't like that she killed Aitori. But even if I took that as a personal affront, it doesn't change anything particularly."
He grinned.
"You're really asking if we're friends, after all." He said casually, causing Kai's pale cheeks to colour slightly at the bluntness of his perception. "And the answer to that is pretty easy. You haven't killed anybody, and I'm taking leaves out of Juu's book when it comes to things like this. You're not your Clan any more than Hirata is his. And you'll have a hard enough time of it, I think, when this breaks into being public knowledge. I've known about it since before and I know about it now. I don't hate you - and even though you've done your fair share of things to irritate me this term, I figure it's pretty much a mutual state of affairs. Besides..."
He glanced at the paper, then,
"You trusted me with something you couldn't trust anyone else with." He said softly. "I'm not used to being trusted, but I don't know that I dislike it, to be honest. I'd say you can call us friends, Kai-kun...on terms entirely outside of Clan politics, I mean. Whatever our families do - while we're students here, that takes priority."
"I will...speak to...Sensei." Kai murmured, relief glittering in his golden eyes. "About...everything."
"Be careful about 'everything'." Shunsui cautioned. "Right now there are things we both know but can't say. And even your very daring sister probably can't do anything about that without some firm piece of incriminating evidence."
"I know." Kai nodded feebly. "But...at least...where the Shihouin...are concerned. I...I can."
"Speaking of which..." Shunsui unfolded the letter, smoothing it out before him. "Yes, she does have a very elegant hand, Kai-kun. A definite hime's scrawl."
"Are you...always going...to call me...that now?" Kai asked, and Shunsui grinned at him.
"Probably. At least a lot of the time." He agreed cheerfully. "I've been doing it since the day we met, after all."
"And I told...you then..."
"Yes, but I've done it countless times since and you haven't complained." Shunsui said wisely. "I'm naturally rude and overly familiar, so it's just one of the pitfalls of being in my acquaintance. Besides, I think it sounds more friendly. And if you're Kai, you're Kai. You're not Shihouin. You're Kai. You're a person and not your Clan. When Juu took that attitude with Hirata, despite his connections it made me think about it. The same is true for you as it is for him, I think. The others may be assassins - even your sister is clearly capable of merciless violence if she chooses. But even though you're strong, you're not the same. You don't seem like a killer to me...not even given your proud family traditions."
"I've never..." Kai shook his head, looking pensive. "Tomoyuki...was right...about that. I...can fight...for show. I'm strong...and I have...good skill. But I...don't want...to kill. For my Clan...I could. If I had to...I would. But I...I don't...it's not..."
"You don't need to defend it to me." Shunsui said softly. "I don't believe in it, either. So in that respect, we'll get on just fine."
He flashed his companion a conspiratorial smile.
"Though I guess we'll keep that a secret between us for now." He added. "Because an assassin with an aversion to killing might come in for stick and you've plenty to deal with already."
He glanced at the letter.
"Are you lying comfortably? I'm going to read Midori-dono's letter to you now."
"I'm ready." Kai agreed. "Thank you, Kyouraku. I appreciate it."
"This term's been a learning curve for a lot of people." Shunsui said simply. "Don't mention it."
He ran his finger down the columns of kanji, then,
"She writes...
'Kai-kun,
I'm sincerely sorry that we won't get the chance to talk the way I promised, but time is pressing on me." He added.
"Genryuusai-sama has given me forty eight hours in which to return home and do my best to put things there in order before he releases what Aitori left behind regarding certain elements of Shihouin activity. I'm sure that, when I speak to Uncle, and make him realise how serious everything is, he'll acceed to my suggestions and everything will move quickly from thereon in. It's vital it does so before investigations begin - but I know you'll understand that better than anyone. I kept you out of it because if something goes wrong, you're the last hope this Clan has and the less involved you are the better. But I pray it won't come to that. Tokutarou-sama has already given me his assurance of a favourable Council vote, and as for the rest...time will tell. Have a little faith in me and I'll do my best to make contact with you in one way or another again before too long. I intend on doing everything in my power to prevent the worst ramifications from hitting our homeland and our kin - Father and Aniue are in my thoughts a lot at the moment and I know that when I say that, you'll forgive me for hurrying off once more into the darkness.
Ah! And here's something to cheer your little heart right up."
He smiled.
"Genryuusai-sama has intimated to me that, unless I or the Clan choose or need to recall you, your place is at the Academy. He seems keen to keep you, and if you are content to remain, I think the training he can give you will be of benefit, whatever future our family faces. He seems to think you have a lot of potential, should you choose to use it. And that can only be a good thing, given the shakiness of our current state."
He shrugged, setting it down.
"She signs it 'with love, Midori-nee." He added. "It's not a long letter, but even so, it should put your mind somewhat at rest."
"It does." Kai murmured. "Although...Father and Aniue...it worries me too."
"I'd do as she says and have faith in her." Shunsui advised, getting to his feet. "It seems to me that she's not someone who's easily swayed from her purpose. I'm sure she'll find a solution."
He smiled.
"Besides, even if your family are put under house arrest and dragged before the Council, they won't be condemned without a majority vote." He added softly. "And I'll speak to Nii-sama about that, you needn't worry. Nii-sama will speak to Kyouki-sama too, if I'm very clever about my mode of attack - which will be two Clans in your favour. Unohana-sensei's people never ever vote for death. That will only mean securing one more Clan's clemency. Even if they are considered guilty, and even if the evidence is awful - there's still every likelihood that their lives will be spared. So think on that a while and get some sleep. I'll come visit you tomorrow, if I can...unless you really can't stand another dose of my company in such a short space of time."
"I sleep...in the same...dorm. I think...I can handle it." Despite himself there was humour in Kai's tones, and Shunsui was glad to hear it. "All right. And Kyouraku?"
"Mm?"
"Will you...tell Endou...thank you, too? And that...I'm sorry...I called him...a mouse."
"I'll tell him." Shunsui promised. "Right now he's the one spark of hope that family have - I think you'd do well to mend bonds with him, if you can."
He winked.
"Till tomorrow, then." He concluded. "Sweet dreams, Kai-kun. Don't dwell too much on things you can't change. Just do as Midori-dono says...and I'm sure that somehow, everything will work out just fine."
"I suppose it goes without saying, then, that whatever you became entangled in this evening is both highly secret and in complete breach of rules."
As Juushirou slipped into his dorm, Ryuu's acid tones made him pause, offering his classmate a rueful grin as he nodded his head.
"Something along those lines." He said frankly. "I don't know what will happen about it yet, not really. But we were right to go. Shihouin-kun got hurt – Shunsui's with him in the Healing Bay but he'll be back here soon."
"Shihouin got hurt?" Enishi's brow creased in consternation. "But surely…Midori-dono…"
"No. Nothing like that." Juushirou shook his head. "I didn't see her at all – I think she came and went."
"Then…it was revenge after all." Hirata murmured. "Onoe-kun was after Midori-sama, wasn't he? And he got Shihouin-kun instead."
"Pretty much." Juushirou agreed, sinking down onto his bunk with a sigh. "But it's fine. As I said, Shunsui took him to the Healing Bay. And I…"
"Fought with Onoe." Ryuu said astutely. "You needn't try and pretend otherwise. Just looking at you, even Houjou with his dead senses should be able to work out that much. As for me, I felt your Kidou – your reiatsu is distinctive, and you really can't cloak it when you're using an attack."
"Mm." Juushirou looked sheepish. "Though really I was just trying to hold him off. Anideshi has him now, anyhow. So it'll probably all be for Sensei to settle, in the end. I'm expecting to be summoned to his office and given some kind of punishment for using Kidou against a fellow student, even given the circumstances – so I suppose we'll see."
"If Onoe was really out for revenge against Midori-dono…" Enishi frowned, then, "Seems to me that he'll be the one in the real trouble. Not you."
"Undoubtedly he'll have questions to answer too." Juushirou agreed. "But I think he was mostly really really upset about Aitori. And irrational, too."
"Irrationality and unpleasant personality make a poor combination at the best of times." Ryuu reflected. "I don't think you can excuse Onoe based on that. Still, he is a Shihouin. This is how they are – you were foolish to get involved, Ukitake. You might have been hurt."
"No. I wasn't going to get hurt." Juushirou's brows drew together at this. "I have my own pride too, Kuchiki-kun. Last time Houjou-kun defended it for me and got into trouble on my account – this time I did it for myself and I'll take the consequences of it, too. I'm not having anyone saying things like that, when they reflect on the people I love the most. So I wasn't going to lose the fight, don't worry about that. There's a reason I rank higher than he does in Ouyoudou, after all – because I can think clearly when I fight and don't lose my head like an idiot when faced with an opponent."
"Ukitake-kun." Hirata's eyes widened, and Juushirou shot him a sheepish grin.
"I can stand up for myself just fine." He added. "As Onoe-kun found out."
"It's a frightening thought, isn't it? Juu going nuclear."
Shunsui opened the door at that moment, casting his companions a lazy grin. "Seems that he's right, though. Sounds like he put Onoe firmly in his place this time – nobody's going to be questioning his placing in Class One for a while to come, given that."
"Speaking of which, you have some questions to answer of your own." Juushirou's eyes narrowed and he got to his feet, clapping his hands down on his friend's shoulders. "About earlier, in the forest. Why didn't you tell me you could use shunpo?"
"Shunpo?" Enishi's eyes almost fell out of his head, and Ryuu snorted.
"Nobody in First Year can do shunpo." He said categorically, but Juushirou shook his head, eying Shunsui searchingly.
"Shunsui can." He said quietly. "And I don't think it's the first time he did it. I think he used it before, too – to save me from the Hollow when we were in trouble that night."
"Kyouraku?" Enishi demanded, and Shunsui sighed, detaching himself from Juushirou's grasp and sinking down onto his bed.
"You might have waited until we were alone to discuss that." He reflected plaintively. "Dropping it on me unawares isn't nice – you didn't mention it at the Healing Bay so I thought perhaps you hadn't noticed. I guess that was a vain hope, huh?"
Juushirou shrugged.
"It's not like it's something to be ashamed of." He said firmly. "I didn't mention it before because Unohana-sensei was there, and I didn't want you to get into trouble for using an untaught skill without proper guidance, that's all. But here is secure enough – there's only us here and we're all friends, right? Besides, it's more difficult to deny it in front of more people. I saw it and I'm sure Shihouin-kun noticed it, too."
"But I might've convinced him it was loss of blood making him hallucinate." Shunsui said reflectively. "That is, providing he even remembers getting from the forest to the Healing Bay at all. But I should've known I'd get interrogated by you on the subject. You don't miss a trick, even when you're squaring off to a young hot-head with a Shihouin blade."
"Onoe-kun had a knife?" Hirata looked horrified. "Ukitake-kun, are you really not hurt?"
"Only bruised. Nothing else." Juushirou shook his head impatiently. "And Shunsui, stop trying to change the subject. You can, can't you? You know shunpo. Even though none of us should know it. You do."
Shunsui groaned.
"Fine. Whatever." He said at length, holding up his hands. "A very random, bastardised form of it. Maybe. It's not proper shunpo. I've not been taught how to do that any more than you. It's just something that I can do from time to time. If my awareness is heightened. If there's some kind of urgency or trouble. Like helping Shihouin tonight."
"Or helping me in the forest." Juushirou murmured, shaking his head slowly. "I knew it. That's how we got to that cave. You didn't carry me all that way. You used shunpo."
"Mm. I guess I did."
"I don't believe it." Ryuu shook his head. "It's not possible. Kyouraku…you…"
"Imagine what he'd be like if he bothered to work all of the time instead of only half of it." Juushirou agreed. "It's quite scary when you think of it like that, isn't it?"
"Well, I'd rather not talk about it in more public circles." Shunsui said frankly. "Yama-jii knows I can do it – he realised quicker than anyone else how I got Juu to that cave and asked me about it. But he agreed that there was no need for me to publicise the fact just yet. He just transferred me to practical Hohou and that was that."
"No wonder you're top of the class after such a short amount of time." Enishi reflected, looking rueful. "I think Ukitake's right. If you really tried, you'd leave us all in the dust."
"I don't know about that." Shunsui spread his hands. "I might have skills but I'm not good at deploying them and I'm bad at studying and hard work. So in the end my personality goes against me."
He grinned.
"I like enjoying myself far too much."
"Is Shihouin-kun going to be all right?" Hirata asked softly. "If Onoe-kun had a knife…"
"He is. He's strong. It was a nasty cut but it won't kill him." Shunsui agreed. "And he wanted to tell you that he was sorry he called you a mouse, too."
"He must have lost a lot of blood." Ryuu pursed his lips. "A Shihouin making an apology? Unheard of."
"Ryuu-kun…" Shunsui paused, then, "Listen. Stop it, huh? Drop the rivalry with Kai and let it go already. It's not worth it. Really."
"You have no idea what kind of a history his Clan and mine have, Kyouraku." Ryuu said coldly, and Shunsui shrugged.
"I don't care. This isn't history. This is now." He said categorically. "But I'm serious. Whatever petty things passed between you then, they need to stop. A lot is going to happen from hereon in. And you might or might not care a lot about it. But if you have any influence at all with your Clan, and you care anything at all for school unity, I want you to drop the rivalry. Because the Shihouin-ke may need Kuchiki help. And he won't ask you for it, so I am."
"Why under any circumstances would I choose to help such an undeserving family with anything?" Ryuu demanded archly, but Juushirou frowned.
"Shunsui's right." He said softly. "My opinion won't change anything – I can't sway votes or influence decisions. Even with that faint run of Kuchiki blood running through me – I've gone as far as I can go. But it might be that you – or your people – can help from hereon in. And even without revealing the details, with Midori-sama coming here…it's pretty obvious that there are problems in the Shihouin Clan that are about to hit their peak. Tonight should tell you that more than anything else."
Ryuu's eyes became stormy, and he shook his head.
"I have none of that kind of influence, and my family would probably think me mad if I wanted to help anyone from that family." He said quietly.
"I hope the Kuchiki-ke never need to ask for help." Hirata said softly, and Ryuu started, staring at him in consternation.
"What does that mean?"
"Nothing." Hirata reddened, shaking his head. "Just…if a Clan…if someone's in trouble, and you choose not to help…when it's your turn to need help…nobody will."
"Hirata's right." Enishi said frankly. "Besides, I would've thought the Kuchiki would like to lord it over the Shihouin by being their saviours."
"You don't understand." Ryuu said flatly. "I meant what I said. I have none of that kind of influence. And if I were to ask for it, I would probably be disinherited. My Uncle hates the Shihouin. Loathes them. Grandfather was killed by poison administered by cowardly assassins and Uncle has always believed it to be a conspiracy between Kuchiki dissidents and Shihouin hirelings. He often speaks of how he'd like to see them all driven down to destruction, since he could deal with the Kuchiki rebels but the Shihouin disappeared back into the shadows of District Two, out of his reach and his justice. If I were to even dare to think about allying with that family, I would be considered insane at the very least. There is nothing I can do. No matter how much you ask me…there will be nothing I can do."
Enishi let out a low whistle.
"It's that bad, huh?" He murmured, and Shunsui sighed.
"Then I guess it can't be helped." He reflected. "I'm sorry, Ryuu-kun. I didn't realise it was like that."
"I do not like Shihouin and I do not feel inclined to help him." Ryuu admitted. "But even if I did, there would be nothing I could do except anger my Clan by trying."
"Is the Shihouin position that rocky?" Enishi asked, and Juushirou shrugged.
"I guess we'll find out." He said helplessly, and Shunsui nodded.
"I guess we will." He agreed sadly. "I don't suppose there's very much we can all do in any case. Even if we wanted to…I think it's probably gone far too far for that."