Chapter Thirteen: Into The Current

"Hirata!"

Almost the moment that his classmate's black head had disappeared beneath the surface of the river, Juushirou was on his feet, tossing aside his asauchi and kicking loose his sandals as he hurried forward towards the river bank. Without even pausing to think about what he was doing, he plunged forwards into the racing water, the sudden shock of the cold piercing through him as he entered the swirling blue.

But he didn't have time to hesitate.

Hirata had hit his head as he had fallen from the tree, and Juushirou knew that such a blow would be enough to render the boy confused if not unconscious upon entering the water. Whether the young Endou could or could not swim was a subject they had never discussed – but even so, Juushirou was not willing to let such things be left to chance.

Hirata was in trouble. He was Captain. And it was his job to act.

A flood of bitter, brackish water rushed into his mouth at that moment, and he coughed and spluttered, fighting against the spasms in his throat as he thrashed to keep his head above the surface.

"Somewhat premature, wasn't it? Jumping into a racing river when you've never learnt how to swim?"

You's voice rattled against his senses, making him jump and sink below the water once more as a second swirl of liquid invaded his breathing passages and he gasped, feeling as though his lungs were about to burst as the river cruelly closed over his head.

"Don't you think that you should've gone for help first? How can you rescue your friend if you can't even help yourself?"

"It…would…be…too…late." Somehow Juushirou's head broke the surface once more, his thrashing arms and legs keeping him enough above the line of the river to allow him to draw precious gasps of air into already protesting lungs. "I…Captain. Have…to…"

He sank a third time beneath the water, spots dancing before his vision as he realised the breath he had taken was still not enough and that unless he found some kind of foothold or anchor soon, it would not only be Hirata in real danger of his life.

He had acted instinctively and he had not feared the water. But even though in his dreams the sea had wrapped itself comfortingly around him, the river was not the same. It was cold and harsh and determined to punish him for his temerity, and has his thoughts began to blur together, Juushirou felt very real panic begin to set in.

Was he going to die, then?

Was he going to drown, the boy who had spent his whole life growing up beside the sea?

"Juushirou."

The voice was soft and echoing, yet even as the world closed into darkness around him, Juushirou clung onto it, desperate for anything that might steady him in this freezing, choking hell he had plunged his heavy body into. A faint prickle of light pierced through the blackness, and he forced his tired thoughts towards it, not knowing what it was but somehow feeling that it was there to bring him strength.

And then, in a moment, all the world around him was sea once more, and two small, distinctive creatures were flitting into his line of sight.

"In'you." He whispered, and at the sound of their names, the fish drew closer to him, In's eyes reflecting consternation, whilst You's glittered with frustration at his impetuous action.

"This world is water you control. In this place it's safe to be beneath the surface. In this place you'll never drown." He said frankly, swishing his long white tail as if to emphasise his words. "But out there is real. That water is not the same as this. Juushirou, that world and this one…they're not the same thing at all."

"I want to save Hirata." Juushirou protested. "There's only him and me and he hit his head…"

"Right now you're barely conscious. You're drawn here, away from that place." In said softly. "Whether you came here to find us or out of instinct, I don't know. But if you stay here, you can't save your friend. You can't fight against the real water with the water in your head."

Juushirou closed his eyes, aware that somewhere around him his heart was pounding fit to burst.

"How can I fight the real water, then?" He demanded. "Father never let me swim, but right now, I have to swim. Even if I've done something careless – I want to find Hirata. I'm his Captain. His friend. His classmate. I won't give up. How can I fight the river water – you two are fish. You must know a way."

"Calm yourself." In chided gently. "Your panic is making the situation worse. You are afraid and your body is in shock. In that way, you won't be able to save yourself…let alone your friend."

"Is that truly what you want to do, Juu-kun?" You asked, drawing closer to the young student as he did so. "Fight the river itself in order to save your friend? Are you sure that's something within your capabilities? Or are you going to run afraid from us again – if we try to help you, will you once more beg us to stop?"

Juushirou hesitated for the briefest of moments, remembering the burning wasteland that had seared his mindscape in the past and the choking, blood-spattered fits that had made every drawn breath seem like he was breathing raw flame into the heart of his body.

Then he remembered Hirata's fall once more, and the intense coldness of plunging beneath the waves.

"I want to fight." He said purposefully. "I won't run away. I won't beg. Whatever you need to do to get the both of us out of here…I want to fight."

"Then I suppose we have our answer." The two fish seemed to exchange looks, then Juushirou saw a faint glittering light begin to sparkle against the creatures' tiny scales.

"What are you going to do?" Suddenly apprehensive, Juushirou eyed them in alarm.

"Release our power. Your power. The power that you've been so afraid of up till now." You told him evenly. "Once we do so, there's no reeling it in or pushing it back. You must embrace it, or it will not work. Even if it hurts you – remember that this is the choice you made."

"I remember." Despite his terror, Juushirou nodded. "I remember. Please, In'you. Help me."

Almost as soon as those words had passed his lips, he felt a surge of energy pour through his body, plunging him once more back into the freezing river as he became aware of his physical body once more. Pain seared through his battered lungs, and if he had not been submerged in bitter river water, he knew that it would have brought tears to his eyes as the power drove through his body relentlessly. Yet even as it did so, and despite the stifling, agonising pain of the release, Juushirou realised that little by little his consciousness was becoming more aware. That the dim world around him was becoming more coloured as his dulled senses began little by little to recover their normal perceptions.

At that moment his head broke the surface, and he gasped air into his lungs, coughing and choking as blood poured up through his vocal chords and into the water around him. Yet even though he was choking, Juushirou found he was no longer afraid of the water. The enemy that had so resolutely tried to drag him down had now relinquished its attack. He may be choking and coughing and on fire inside…but he was no longer seared by panic or on the verge of drowning.

And what was more, he could feel Hirata's reiatsu not far ahead.

This realisation startled him, the signal piercing through him as strongly as if the young boy had deliberately fired off a beacon to signal his whereabouts.

In'you, was this your doing? Is it you making it easy for me to do this, now?

This is your power, Juushirou. Right now it's rough and piecemeal and you cannot control it. But one day, you will do. If you cease to be afraid.

It was You who answered him, matter-of-fact as ever.

I don't understand.

No, not yet. But you will.

Hirata's close by. I can sense him now…I have to get us both to land.

Your senses are sharpened by your increase in power. Now you've calmed down, you can use those strengths in the way they were intended to be used. You run frightened from yourself, but truly, this is the only way in which you can become stronger and progress. Do you understand now, Juushirou? You are a very powerful person…but that power is useless if all you seek to be is a powerful coward.

I'm not a coward.

I suppose we'll see. For now, you can't keep this level of power up long. Your body lacks the endurance for it – even vaguely using your reiryoku to deflect the water around you is something far beyond your normal capabilities as yet. Stop talking to me and help your friend. He's caught on some branches up ahead, but you'll still have a job getting him to the side in your current state.

Time's short, huh.

Juushirou coughed again, realising that the fish, however abrasive, was right. Though his awareness had risen, his body was already starting to pay the price for his gamble and he gritted his teeth against the dizzying pain, pushing himself forward until he had Hirata clearly in his sights. As You had said, the young boy's obi had become entangled in some sunken branches, keeping the other student's head above water, but even as his frozen fingers fumbled to free the fabric, Juushirou knew that it would be hard to get his unconscious companion to the shore.

Then, in that instant, he heard the most beautiful sounds he had ever heard in his life.

"Ukitake! Hirata!"

"Ukitake-kun!"

"Ukitake-taichou! Endou!"

Ryuu from the bank, followed by Mitsuki and Kamitani, and then behind them the other members of Toutai's squad. As relief surged through Juushirou's tired heart, he was aware of Ryuu entering the water, swimming with strong strides to where he and Hirata were floundering. After a moment of hesitation, Kamitani followed suit, and between the two of them Juushirou soon found he and Hirata were safely deposited on the muddy bank, soaked, freezing and mottled with blood – but alive.

Juushirou collapsed down on the grass, coughing violently as his chest spasmed and heaved, blood spattering onto the ground below his shivering body. Mitsuki was at his side in a moment to support him, her touch comforting to his ragged senses, and at length the attack quieted, leaving him aching and empty, but still relieved.

"Ukitake, what the hell happened?"

Ryuu's formality was gone in an instant as, drenched from head to foot and with his long dark hair dripping and loosened from its normal ties, he dropped heavily down beside his friend. "How did you end up in the river? And what…what did you do?"

"Hirata fell…from the tree." Supported only by Mitsuki's reassuring grip, Juushirou struggled to catch his breath. "He hit…his head…and…I…went…after him."

"But you can't swim, can you?" Ryuu stared at him, and Juushirou shook his head.

"Then why did you jump in, you fool?" Ryuu was actually angry, the dazed District boy realised – angry and frightened by what had happened, and inside he began to feel faintly guilty for causing his friend so much concern.

However, he knew that drawing attention to the Kuchiki boy's broken composure would only make things worse, so instead he said,

"Is…Hirata…?"

"He's only knocked out. He's breathing fine and he's starting to come to." Kamitani reported from where he had been crouched at the unconscious boy's side. "Edogawa-san, he might need your help – but I can't see any actual wounds on him."

"Hirata-kun isn't in pain." Mitsuki looked guilty herself now, obediently transferring Juushirou across to Ryuu's care as she shuffled to peer at the youngest member of Class Three. "I'm sorry, I suppose I just…instinct said…"

"He's not, which means you are." Ryuu shot Juushirou a dark look. "Else Mitsuki would have attended to Hirata first – and my suspicions are right. You did something in the water – didn't you? You released spirit power – and now you've hurt yourself."

"I'm all right." Juushirou knew he wasn't all right, but he struggled painfully free of Ryuu's iron grasp, casting his companion a rueful smile. "I just…am not used…to sudden dips in…cold water. That's all."

"Edo…gawa-san?"

The faint sound of Hirata's voice at that moment prevented Ryuu from voicing the cutting retort Juushirou felt sure was on the other boy's lips, and with some difficulty Toutai's Captain manoeuvred his heavy body around so that he could more clearly see his friend, brushing the residual blood from his mouth with the sleeve of his hakamashita as he gauged his classmate's condition.

Hirata was pale, soaked and caked in mud, but aside from looking a sorry sight, he did not seem to have taken any major injury and Juushirou let out a sigh of relief as he realised his actions had not been in vain.

"Hirata, are you all right?" Ryuu turned his attention to the younger boy now, and Hirata nodded, putting a hand to his head and wincing as he did so.

"Yes…I think so. What…what about my glasses?"

"Here." Kamitani rubbed the muddy spectacles on the equally muddy fabric of his sleeve before holding them out. "They were caught up in some river lilies – you must've taken quite a dive, Endou…you were lucky they surfaced and I saw them."

"The tree branch broke, didn't it." Hirata frowned, shaking his head slightly as if to clear it. "Then…I don't remember."

He took the glasses tentatively, glancing at them and running his fingers over the lenses to feel for any cracks or scratches before sliding them back onto his nose.

"Thank you, Kamitani-kun."

"You h…hit your head and…f…fell in the river." Juushirou told him quietly, a hoarse note in his tones as relief and exhaustion crashed once more over his body. "I managed to g…get to you, and Kuchiki and K…Kamitani helped pull you out. Are you sure you're all right, H…Hirata? You're a little pale, and a b…blow to the head is…"

"He's fine, Ukitake-kun." Mitsuki said softly, putting a hand to Hirata's brow and then to her own with a nod. "And it's warm enough that already the sun is starting to dry you both off – he banged his head but his spirit isn't scattered enough for a serious concussion. He'll have a bump – I think that's all. If we get back to camp now, you can both dry off and change into your night robes…we can wash the mud from your uniforms in the spring, and nobody will even get a chill."

"If the both of them can stand after their adventure." Ryuu muttered. His eyes narrowed, then, "Kamitani, go back to camp. Get Saitani and Fujiwara and bring them back here right away. Tell Kira that he's to stay put – with his ankle already questionable, we don't need to put more weight on it than we have to."

"Wait." As Kamitani made to obey his Vice Captain's instructions, Juushirou got unsteadily to his feet, holding up his hands.

"It's all right. No n…need to create a panic." He said firmly. "I can w…walk back and if Hirata needs h…elp, Edogawa-san, w…would you give him a hand?"

"Are you overruling me?" Ryuu looked startled. "You barely look able to stand up, Ukitake – are you seriously overruling my order?"

"Yes." Juushirou said frankly. "It's n…not far, after all. And I'm not h…hurt any m…more than Hirata is. Come on. We'll go now."

Mitsuki sent him a long, hard look, and Juushirou was aware of the concern burning in her grey eyes. Then she sighed, obediently holding out her hands to help Hirata to his feet.

"Let's do as the Captain ordered." She said softly. "Hirata-kun, if you're dizzy, hang on to my arm and I'll guide you. You're not heavy, and I can manage."

Ryuu cast Juushirou another incredulous look, but Juushirou ignored it. Inside his chest was raw and on fire from the gamble he had taken, yet still the faint buzz of adrenalin burned against his wits, as he relived the sensation that had swept through his body in answer to his call. It had been agonising and intoxicating all in one fell swoop, and somehow he knew that he did not want to try and explain it – not to Ryuu, or to anyone else.

Perhaps not even to myself.

It was not a long walk back to Toutai's campsite, but even despite his determination for Juushirou it felt like an eternal walk. With every step, he felt his body jar and complain against the enforced motion, and each breath of air he pulled into his battered lungs sent another spasm of pain juddering through his abused body.

At last they reached the camp, however, and amid Kira's exclamations and Aki's loud questions of concern, Juushirou sank down with some relief on the drier, more sheltered ground.

Giddiness washed over him, as, for the briefest of moments he thought he heard waves once more lapping against his senses. Detachedly he watched Ryuu send Aki to fetch both Hirata and Juushirou's night robes, ordering Kamitani to change into his own with a firm austerity that induced the gathered squad members to obey the Vice Captain's instructions without hesitation. Although he knew he was Captain and that the orders they followed should be his, Juushirou found himself unable to open his mouth or speak. Cotton wool once more seemed to fill his throat and his airways, stifling him and causing his vision to blur and the world around him to shake.

"Ukitake-kun?" Mitsuki was back at his side now, anxiety clear in her tones, but he could not acknowledge her – it was too much effort suddenly even to turn his head to look at her. It was not the world that was shaking, now, he realised, but his own body that was trembling uncontrollably with the shock of his exertion, and even as he felt her gentle touch on his arm, he knew that the scene around him was becoming less and less real with every passing second.

The voices merged into one unintelligible blur of sounds as his body slowly gave up the fight to remain upright and awake, and as the blackness closed in around him, he submitted, giving himself up to his exhaustion as he collapsed, unconscious on the ground.

Juushirou!

Across the land, at the foot of the First District mountains, Shunsui stopped dead, turning in alarm towards the direction of the river as he felt something raw and distinctive flare across his senses. Behind him, Sora skidded to a stop, muttering a curse as she grabbed hold of his arm accusingly.

"What are you trying to do, create a pile-up? What's eating you, Shunsui…? You were the one who said we'd come out this way – don't tell me we got lost already!"

"I haven't got us lost." Hanako objected, before Shunsui could respond. "I've followed the map perfectly and if we keep going this way we're going to find the stretch of fruit trees that we set out to look for. If something's wrong, Shiba-san, it's nothing to do with our route."

"Nakamura-san's map-reading is fine. There isn't a problem with that." Shunsui pulled himself together, shaking his head as if to clear it. "I'm sorry, Sora-chan. It's me – I just…for the briefest of moments, there, I thought I felt something from the river."

"River? What river?" Iwai cast the Captain a startled look. "Our camp is in the opposite direction from that, surely? If we're following the map, shouldn't this be further away from that part of the zone?"

"It should and it is." Shunsui rubbed his temples. "I'm sorry. I'm making no sense. Let's continue. Kai and the others have probably already found the grove they set out for first thing, and everyone's hungry so everyone's going to get cross-patchy if we don't bring back something at least."

"Then we're carrying on?" Sora questioned, and Shunsui nodded his head.

"We are." He said heavily, though his heart was full of misgivings as he made the decision. "We'll keep going forwards. Nakamura-san, how much further do you think we have to take this path? You seemed pretty sure we were almost there – how close is almost?"

"Just around this copse of trees and then we should have reached the clutch of fruit trees marked on the map." Hanako replied, glancing briefly at the document and then nodding her head. "Yep, I'm pretty sure that's it. We've come the quickest way, after all."

"I never realised you were so good at reading maps, Nakamura-san." Iwai acknowledged, as they continued along the pathway. "You've led us every step so far without even the faintest of hiccups…I guess I'm impressed. I didn't know you had it in you."

"There isn't much call for map-reading in a classroom." Hanako said stiffly. "Fortunately Kyouraku-taichou doesn't live in a box like some people. I've been reading maps my whole life, so it makes sense that I'd be able to navigate us. Don't you think so?"

"Nakamura-san, let's not argue." Shunsui said softly. "We're there, I think – I can see the edges of what looks like a plum tree from here, and beyond that…apples? So your navigation has worked out perfectly – thank you for your hard work."

Hanako grinned, bowing her head towards him in acknowledgement, and Sora shot her a confused look, nudging Shunsui's arm.

"Hey, did you do something to her after all, yesterday?" She hissed, as they stepped into the copse proper, gazing around at the clustered fruit trees that, true to Hanako's assertions, stood there ready to be harvested. "She's been ever so nice and obedient to everything you've said since you both came back from the spring – did you replace her with another Hanako, or what?"

"No. I just talked to her. Nothing else." Shunsui shook his head. "And found out what her strengths were for Katai to utilise. That's all."

He frowned, biting his lip as he scanned the horizon once more for that distinctive flare of reiatsu.

Nobody else here would necessarily feel it – not like I did, anyway. And even if they did, they might not know what it was. But I'm sure…I didn't imagine it. I'm sure that was Juu's reiatsu – and I really didn't like the way that it felt.

"Kyouraku-taichou?" Iwai put in at that moment, and Shunsui turned, casting him a sheepish smile.

"Mm? What's up?"

"How are we going to harvest them? With asauchi, we can cut branches…but…"

"No…I think that would be a shame, don't you?" Shunsui pursed his lips. "Hurting the trees for no real reason other than to fill our stomachs – seems a bit violent, don't you think? And there's plenty here. Pick what you can reach – we can only carry back so much and it'll spoil in this heat if we have too much surplus. Everyone just pick as much as you can carry – that should be enough, I reckon, to feed a hungry squad."

"Works for me." Sora nodded, reaching out for a lower branch of the tree and pulling herself up onto it as she clambered higher into the upper boughs. "Shunsui, you come up too, okay? You can climb as well as I can – probably better, because I've seen you – and then we can reach the best fruit and toss them down to Hanako and Iwai to gather up."

"I suppose we could do it that way." Shunsui agreed, nodding his head. "All right. You take apples, I'll take plums. They stain, after all, and I'd hate to mark your pretty white hakamashita with plum juice, Sora-chan."

"Oh, shut up, or you'll find an apple coming for your head." Sora snorted. "Besides, you'd have to catch me first."

And with that she disappeared into the upper branches of the tree. Hanako sighed.

"Sometimes it's hard to believe that Shiba-san is a Clan hime, isn't it?" She murmured, and Shunsui offered her a sheepish smile.

"I think nothing could be further from Clan hime than Sora." He admitted. "But that should be all right with you, surely, Nakamura-san? The further from Clan the better – isn't that right?"

"Mm. I suppose so." Hanako looked doubtful, then, "Are you really going to climb up there, too?"

"I guess I am. Sora's right, after all. The best fruit will be in the middle branches where other creatures haven't been able to get to it." Shunsui nodded. "I guess I'm not much like a Clan heir, either, when you come to it."

"Kyouraku!"

Before he could pull himself up into the nearby plum tree, however, there was a yell from the far end of the copse, followed by the appearance of a breathless Kai, anxiety in his golden eyes.

"Kai-kun?" Shunsui paused, eying him in consternation. "Are you all right? Did something happen?"

"No. Everything is fine – the others are back at the cave." Kai shook his head. "We located the grove more quickly than I thought and with Houjou's brute force it wasn't hard to gather firewood or plant matter – we're fine for that. No, it's something else. It's…"

He paused, biting his lip, then,

"Did you feel something? From…the other side?"

At his words, a chill touched Shunsui's heart and slowly he let go of the branch, nodding his head.

"Feel…something?" Iwai looked foxed, and Shunsui sighed heavily.

"You sensed it too?" He asked resignedly, and Kai nodded.

"Then I can't tell myself that it was imagination, unless we're both very active in that department today."

"I didn't imagine it." Kai shook his head. "It was definitely a flare of reiatsu from Toutai – Ukitake's, I think. And whatever it was…I think…it felt like trouble."

"Juushirou's in trouble?" Sora poked her head out through the branches at that moment, sending a shower of apples down towards where Iwai and Hanako were standing. "Whoops – sorry, down below. Didn't mean to do that."

"Watch where you're aiming next time, Shiba-san!" Iwai shouted back up at her. "Otherwise you'll brain one of us rather than fetch us down food!"

"What do you want to do?" Kai eyed Shunsui gravely, and Shunsui faltered for a moment, indecision crossing his senses. Then he shook his head.

"Complete our mission." He said softly. "That's what we came here to do."

"But if Juushirou is really in trouble?" Sora looked startled, and Shunsui nodded.

"I know, but even if he is…we can't always run to his rescue." He said sadly. "He'd hate that. You know he would. And it's not like what I felt was him being killed or anything. It was just a flare. Maybe they found something dangerous – either way, he can…probably…handle it. Right now our priority is with Katai. Not with Toutai. We've got to be fair to them…over anything else."

"I suppose that's true. And Kuchiki and Hirata are with him too. Edogawa as well. It should be fine." Kai added, though there was doubt in his tones. "All right. If that's your order, Taichou, I'll follow it. I'll go back to the cave and make sure preparations are ready for when you people return with fruit."

"Thank you, Kai-kun." Shunsui said softly. "We'll be back as quickly as we possibly can."

He gazed up at the tree branches, inwardly feeling wrenched by the decision he had just made.

But once I've carried out my duty and made sure everyone has food, I can maybe slip away for a little while. Just for a few moments, if I tell them I'm going to wash off the plum juice or some such excuse. If I can use shunpo to get there, then I can at least find out if Juu's all right. And once I know that, I can come back. Nobody need even know that's where I've gone and I don't have to talk to anyone in Toutai. If I can get close enough to check that he's okay – that's all I need. And that's what I'll do. So the sooner we're done here, the sooner I can settle these hesitations and get back to trying to be Katai's Captain again.

"He's sleeping."

Mitsuki sat back on her heels, letting out her breath in a rush as she cast her companion a troubled glance. "But he's definitely begun a fever, Ryuu-kun – and I don't know whether he's hurt himself badly in the river or not."

It was later that evening, and since the chaotic moment of Juushirou's collapse, things in the Toutai camp had been heavy under a cloud of apprehension and gloom. Ryuu had taken charge as best he could, continuing to issue orders in such a way that nobody had dared disobey him. Consequently Aki and Kamitani had got Juushirou changed into dry sleeping clothes, whilst Chiyoko had prepared an impromptu sickbed and Mitsuki gathered herbs as best she could from the surrounding hedgerow. Hirata, for his part, had now recovered from the shock of his fall, and had insisted on getting up to help with the organisation of the squad.

They had pulled together, Mitsuki reflected now, under Ryuu's firm hand and Hirata had determinedly backed his classmate up as much as he was able in the circumstances. He had not said as much, for he had grown a long way from the young boy who would once have burst into tears at the first excuse, but Mitsuki knew that Hirata blamed himself for Juushirou's illness, and therefore was doing everything he could to lessen the burden that had now fallen on Ryuu's shoulders.

And that was something that had needed doing, for despite his outward strength and apparent self-confidence, Mitsuki alone understood how awkward her cousin was when it came to dealing with the people around him.

"I'm not sure what the best thing to do is, to be honest." She said now. "We're told to fend for ourselves, but…Ukitake-kun is our Captain. If he's like this…should we send for help?"

"If we do, that decision rests with me, doesn't it?" Ryuu's expression darkened and he sighed, running his fingers through his still-damp dark hair. "And to be truthful, Mitsuki, I don't know the answer to it any more than you do. His health concerns are something that I try my hardest not to think too greatly on – but just sometimes, they flare up and there is nothing anyone can really do to intervene."

"I don't know what Ukitake-kun did in the water, but I think it brought on an attack while he was trying to swim." Mitsuki murmured. "I felt it – his flare of power, and the wash of pain that followed it. Now it's not the same – he's quiet and resting and even the pain has subsided enough for him to sleep properly. Probably…I think…he'll sleep through the night and wake in the morning much better for it. And he might be cross with himself and with us if we ran for help so quickly."

"He'd think he'd let us down." Ryuu muttered. "When this all came about because he was trying to help someone…as invariably is the case when Ukitake winds up in this kind of a state."

"True." Mitsuki admitted. "But, even though I think he's better, I don't know it for sure. I can prepare herbs, but I only have a few plants here that I can use. And beyond that…I can't do anything at all. Even if I'm supposedly a healer – I'm really not one. Not yet."

Ryuu frowned, nodding his head.

"Your father is still resistant to the idea, isn't he." He said quietly. "Even though you clearly have no aptitude for the sword and would do far better undertaking Retsu-sama's offer of individual training in the healer arts. It is a shame, also – at present we need a healer far more than we need a sword fighter."

"The Kuchiki aren't a healing clan." Mitsuki reached across to pick up the damp cloth that covered Juushirou's brow, dipping it in the basin of water at her side before wringing it through and replacing it on her classmate's forehead. "Father is worried that Guren-sama might take action to isolate or reject me as a member of the Clan, if I was to undertake that kind of training. He's trying to protect me, Ryuu-kun – but he can't protect me from myself."

"Mm." Ryuu sighed. "But even so, I'm glad you are with Toutai at present. I have little skill or experience with medical matters of any kind – at least knowing you are watching over him gives everyone some amount of reassurance."

"I wish it did the same for me." Mitsuki said sadly. "Even though he's better than he was, I still…don't like it. When he's like this…I really don't."

"Kuchiki-fukutaichou."

At that moment Kira approached them hesitantly, anxiety in his blue eyes. "I'm sorry to bother you, but Endou-sanseki says to tell you that this evening's rations have been split and prepared, just as you asked. He wanted me to make sure that you and Edogawa-san didn't go without…so I've come to tell you…and that's all."

"I see." Ryuu's gaze drifted across to the far side of the encampment, where Hirata and the others were huddled around the campfire. He nodded his head. "Thank you, Kira. Please tell Hirata that we'll come shortly – Ukitake-taichou is sleeping, and will probably be much better if left to do so."

"Yes, Fukutaichou." Kira nodded his head eagerly. "So he'll be all right then? Oh, good. When he passed out like that…"

"He passed out due to exhaustion and the shock of the cold. He will be quite all right once rested." Ryuu said flatly. "You may wish to moderate your tones a little too – whilst your concern is appreciated, the volume may yet disturb him and I should like to let him rest."

"Oh. Yes. Of course. Sorry." Kira bowed his head, obediently muting his tones. "I'll go and convey your message at once, Fukutaichou. Thank you."

With that he was gone, and Mitsuki sighed.

"You needn't have been harsh to him, Ryuu-kun."

"Was I harsh?" Ryuu looked surprised, and Mitsuki shrugged.

"Perhaps a little." She agreed. "You're worried too, though, I can tell."

"Mm. Well. Considering things, what else can I be?" Ryuu grimaced. "Also, I suppose you know that Kyouraku was here earlier on this afternoon?"

"I thought so." Mitsuki carefully wiped the sweat from Juushirou's face and neck, nodding her head. "But I wasn't really paying attention. He didn't come to see Ukitake-kun directly, so…"

"I think he simply came to see what had happened and to ensure Ukitake was all right." Ryuu responded. "Hirata sensed him too, but none of the others appear to have done. Since he didn't speak to anyone, I think it best not to make anything of it. Kyouraku is foolish but his senses are sharp and he is most foolish when it concerns Ukitake. I imagine he discovered what he wanted to know, and returned to wherever Katai have made their base."

"I suppose." Mitsuki fell silent for a moment, then,

"Ryuu-kun, can I ask you something?"

"Yes?"

"If I was a healer…if I trained with Retsu-sama…would you forsake our kinship and disregard me?"

"Mitsuki..?" Ryuu stared at her, taken aback, and Mitsuki pinkened.

"Things like this make me realise that I won't ever hold a sword or end someone's life with it. Hollow or otherwise – it's not in me to do." She said softly. "I want to fix things, not break them. I can't be that kind of a warrior…even if it goes against the traditions of my Clan."

She shrugged.

"Most of the Kuchiki think me weird, anyhow, and Guren-sama might consider it enough to look on me unfavourably." She said matter-of-factly. "But it doesn't change anything. I can't change who or what I am, in the end. But…I know family pride matters a lot to you, Ryuu-kun. And…well…sometimes I think you're the only Kuchiki other than Father who doesn't look at me as though I'm crazy. So…I suppose…I wanted to ask you. What you'd do, if I made that choice."

"Before I came here, I think my answer may have been different." Ryuu admitted. "But I have come to change many views since joining the Academy. I would not forsake you or our friendship, Mitsuki, not even if you chose to forsake the Kuchiki entirely. As shinigami, even if not as kin, we can still remain allies. And I have come to understand and value your gifts a little more than most of our family."

He eyed her keenly.

"Do you, then, consider my friendship that important?"

"Yes." Mitsuki nodded. "You've protected me several times since we've been here, and I trust you. So yes."

"Well, much of the Kuchiki consider me an undesirable choice of companion, also." Ryuu said with a frown. "Since I am apparently tactless, inflexible, pedantic and uncompromising – so my sisters have often told me. To be truthful, Mitsuki, I would happily exchange you for one of them and proudly support you as a healer – you need not be concerned about my point of view."

"I'm glad." Mitsuki smiled, relief glittering in her grey eyes. "Then there's something else, too."

She sighed, removing the cloth and setting it aside as she brushed damp strands of Juushirou's unruly white hair out of his face.

"My connection to Ukitake-kun is something else I can't escape." She murmured. "Even though I know the Clan wouldn't endorse it – and that it would make Father angry if I even thought about it in his presence. Right from the start…I can't help it. No matter how complicated it makes things, I know that I'm drawn to him…more and more."

"Drawn…to?" Ryuu was taken aback, staring at Mitsuki and then at the sleeping Juushirou in surprise and consternation. "Mitsuki, are you saying…are you suggesting…do you mean that you…and Ukitake…are…?"

"No! No no no!" Mitsuki reddened, holding up her hands hastily as she shook her head. "No, nothing untoward is going on, I promise you. I don't think that Ukitake-kun even feels that way about me – I wasn't trying to tell you that at all. Just…that I'm drawn to him, that's all. That I…pretty much since I met him…have felt that way. So when he's like this…it makes me realise even more why I want to be a healer. Because maybe if I was one…maybe I could help him. Maybe I could really…help stop his pain."

"Mitsuki." Ryuu gazed at her for a moment, then he smiled, shaking his head in resignation.

"Perhaps that is why you are drawn to him." He suggested. "Because you want to heal pain, and even though he doesn't say it, Ukitake is no stranger to suffering. Perhaps he is your catalyst."

He stretched, stifling a yawn and getting to his feet, holding out his hand to pull her up with him.

"We should go get something to eat. It won't hurt to leave him for a moment or two, and it won't help either of us if we don't eat. It will just make it look like we're worried and that will worry everyone else."

"I suppose so." Mitsuki reluctantly allowed herself to be pulled to her feet. "Ryuu-kun, I'm glad you were in Toutai, too. Because even if the Kuchiki-ke don't think you're very good at dealing with people, I think…I'm glad you were here to take charge. Ukitake-kun would be glad too – with you here, we'll be all right."

"For one night, at least."Ryuu shot her a rueful glance. "But I appreciate both your and Hirata's support. Tonight, I will keep watch over him for half the night, and if you wish, you can spend the other half likewise. If he is better in the morning, we will not send for help – if he has not improved, then we must think again. But for tonight…let us let him rest."

"I agree." Mitsuki nodded, dusting the stray petals and grass strands from the fabric of her red hakama. "We'll see how things are in the morning…and then see what's best to be done – for Toutai and for Ukitake-kun."

As the two students headed back towards the campfire, neither one of them noticed the patient stirring, or the stricken look that flooded the District Captain's hazel eyes as he gazed at their retreating figures in dismay.

Edogawa-san…

For a whole half hour he lay there, his mind whirling as he struggled to digest the conversation he had just overheard. Then, as the true implication of his classmates' words began to set in, his expression darkened into one of resolve.

Well, then I'll just have to do something about it. Shunsui's right – I don't notice things that go on around me. But now I do know…now I have to fix it, and quickly. Before I wind up causing even more bother than I already have!

He pulled himself into a sitting position, pausing briefly as the world swam around him and then forcing himself upright, tying the wrap of his robe more tightly around his waist as he did so. The rest of his companions had finished their meal, but were gathered still around the campfire, talking among themselves in the dim glow of the amber flames. It was a Kidou fire, he realised, and had probably been started by either Ryuu or Hirata – the latter of which he was glad to see up and among his companions once again.

So he wasn't badly hurt, after all. Thank goodness for that.

"Ukitake-taichou!" Kira's exclamation caused all of the rest of the group to turn, and at the sight of him, Ryuu was on his feet.

"You should be resting!" He exclaimed, a mixture of annoyance and relief crossing his austere features. "Taichou, you have a fever, and…"

"I can have a fever lying down over there or I can have one sitting here by the fire. It makes no difference to me." Juushirou dropped his tired body down among the rest of the group, casting Ryuu a rueful smile. "I'm sorry to have caused you all so much worry and bother…really, I'm all right now."

"Are you sure, Ukitake-kun?" Hirata looked apprehensive. "I haven't…you came to save me, and…"

"I threw myself into it without thinking. You're not to blame, so don't look like that." Juushirou reassured him. "I'll be fine, and I'm glad you're all right, too. Don't worry about me. I'm stronger than that – as you should know by now."

"But…" Mitsuki protested, and Juushirou frowned, finding it hard to directly meet her gaze.

She's drawn to me. Drawn to me how, then? Because of her healing skills – what have I done to her, that she's considering defying her family and forsaking her Clan and all kinds of other drastic things…I have to fix this. Somehow, I have to straighten it out!

"I'm all right now." He repeated softly, a little more edge to his tones than he intended. "As Captain, I'm not going to just sleep and abandon my duties. I'll rest plenty after I've eaten – surely even a feverish Taichou is entitled to an evening meal?"

"Of course." Aki grinned. "We did put some by, just in case you felt better by the evening, since Endou said you always had an appetite, even when you were ill. Allow me to serve, please, Taichou. Hand-gathered fruit from the trees around about and fish that Saitani and I caught personally - in one of our own special, custom designed bowls for the occasion."

"Bowls?" Juushirou looked blank, and Kamitani nodded.

"We found some large shells when we were gathering food earlier, and Kuchiki-fukutaichou ordered us to scrape out and clean them so we've plenty of tableware now." He agreed.

"I'm grateful, Kuchiki." Juushirou shot his second in command a rueful smile. "Perhaps I'm not needed, after all."

"No, you're definitely needed." Ryuu said frankly. "Now stop talking and eat. You've given everyone enough of a fright for one day – if you're really okay, prove it by having a proper meal and getting a good night's sleep. All right?"

"I think I've been overruled, this time." Juushirou reflected. "All right. I'm sorry, Ryuu-kun – for tonight I'll do exactly as I'm told, I promise."

He met Mitsuki's gaze once more at that moment, taking in the distressed look in her grey eyes, and he sighed, interpreting her concern at his pushing his overworked body once again.

And tomorrow, I'll do something about that. If I can even work out what to do – or how. But I must do something, even if Shunsui isn't here to give advice. I have to sort this out before it gets any more complicated and causes an even bigger problem, after all!

------

Author's Note: Keitarou and his 'Zanpakutou'

A few people have been asking me for translations and information on Keitarou's tantou knife Chudokuga. Well, there's not a lot I can really tell about its attacks without providing spoilers, so I hope you'll indulge me a little bit longer on the keeping it under wraps.

Keitarou is an illegal shinigami - in other words, he's unrecorded and unregistered and nobody knows that he has the skills that he does. Also, his zanpakutou was not raised through intensive combat practice. Keitarou has no sword-fighting skills and his weapon is a knife, not a katana or anything of that ilk. Rather than being forced into release level by training, Keitarou's zanpakutou was born from the intensity of his bitter emotions combined with his Clan level reiryoku.

Because he is unrecorded, there is no reason for anyone to know the extent of his abilities or that he has a zanpakutou at all. Daisuke may be the only one who actually does know that Keitarou possesses Chudokuga, and whether or not Keitarou thinks of his weapon as a zanpakutou or not is under some debate.

I will give one little tidbit of information about the blade's name, though, since I don't suppose this is too much of a spoiler.

Chudokuga means 'Spider's Poison Fang' or 'Spider's Evil Power'. Hence the name of the last chapter referred to Keitarou's hidden ability.