Chapter Sixteen: Coup D'Etat

The first indication Shikiki had had that this was to be a night like no other night was the faint amber glow that had dotted the horizon.

Perched up on the branches of her favourite tree, she had sat there to watch the sun set, the remains of an apple core between her sticky fingers as she kicked her chubby legs idly against the bark of the trunk below. It had been a good day, all in all, for she had gone to the market in the neighbouring town to pick up a few things for Daisuke, and one of the local traders had recognised her, asking her how she was and giving her two extra apples for her trouble in the hot sun. She liked days that she went to market, for it was a chance to leave the impoverished, half-abandoned hamlet and venture out into a more normal world beyond. Yet even though she was young, she was not stupid. She knew that, no matter how many times she went there, she was not like the other people who traded and shopped at the market. She was a child and they accepted her - but one day, as Keitarou had often told her, they would not.

One day, she would be a target, just like her parents had been before her.

She tossed the apple core into the nearby ditch, scrambling down from the tree and dropping onto the grass with a more graceful landing than one of her bulky physique might be expected to manage. Though she had been teased before about her stocky frame and unconventional appearance, she had never really let it bother her too much. Keitarou had told her she was special, after all. And to Shikiki, that mattered more than anything. Keitarou and Daisuke both cared for her. So long as she had them, her life was fine.

The amber glow was getting closer.

Shikiki squinted into the blackness, trying to make out the haze of dark shapes that surrounded it. It had a sort of prettiness in the darkened horizon, yet somehow she felt uneasy and she nodded purposefully to herself, turning on her heel and hurrying back towards the small hut that she and Daisuke had called 'home' since he had become her unofficial guardian.

"Dai-nii! Dai-nii, are you here?"

Pushing back the flap of fabric that acted as a makeshift door, she raised her voice, glancing anxiously around the candle-lit hovel for any sign of the older man.

"What's all the fuss about, Shikiki?" His voice from the back room comforted her, and he appeared in the doorway, a strange sight now with his hair blacked and cut short, a stark contrast with his pale, naturally chalky complexion. Shikiki had thought that, if he changed his appearance, she would no longer recognise him. But she had soon realised that, no matter what he might do to himself, she could always recognise Daisuke's distinctive Urahara eyes, full of thought and perception as he carefully made each and every judgement. She had ultimate faith in him, because he had always managed to keep them safe.

She did not know that tonight would be the last night that this would be the case.

"There's something coming towards the village." She said now, twisting her fingers absently through a hole in the worn robe she wore and gazing at him expectantly. "It's sort of amberish and glowing like a swarm of fireflies...only I don't think that's what it is. I don't know where it's come from, but it seemed...strange to me, so I thought I'd come and tell you. You know everything after all, Dai-nii. You'd know what it was."

"An amber glow?" Daisuke's expression became one of concern and he crossed the chamber quickly, poking his head out into the night beyond. As he did so, Shikiki heard him mutter a curse, then hurriedly pull his head back inside, turning to face her with the look of a hunted animal in those distinctive eyes.

"Shikiki, listen to me." He said, his tones urgent and suddenly lacking in any of his usual measured calm. "That wasn't fireflies or any kind of magic glow. That was soldiers bringing fire, and they're coming here, now. They may be looking for me - almost certainly they've had a tip that Urahara have been sighted in this vicinity. It might become very dangerous, so I want you to do exactly as I say."

"Soldiers?" Fear surged in Shikiki's young heart, and she gripped hold of Daisuke's arm instinctively. "But why? What do they want? Why would they want to hurt you? Dai-nii, what's going to happen? Why would they come here - what do they think you've done?"

"I'm an Urahara. That's enough." Daisuke said bitterly. "You heard Keitarou, didn't you? We're being hunted, every last one of us. Hunted, tortured and put to death simply because we were born in another land and brought our own ideas with us when we left. You know it, Shikiki. The government of this District are evil and unreasonable. They kill without compunction and they would slit even a child's throat if they thought it was worth their time and effort. That is why you must listen to me. Understand? Listen very carefully. I don't have time to repeat it over and over again."

Terror flickered in Shikiki's eyes and she nodded, her gaze never leaving his pale face.

"Whatever happens - even if something happens to me - you're to stay here." He said softly. "No matter what. You understand? You must not be seen with me, and you must not leave this place. I want you to take a blanket and go and hide yourself away in the back room, under the desk in the little alcove like Keitarou told you. No matter what noises you hear or how frightened you are...you're not to let yourself be seen."

"But...what will...you do?"

"Go out and try and protect the village." Daisuke said grimly. "Because this is the only place Keitarou knows to find us, and the place he entrusted with me to keep you safe from harm. Don't waste your time worrying about me, Shikiki. Do as you're told and wait in the alcove. When it's over, I'll come back to find you. Unless it's my voice, don't come out. Understood?"

"Y...yes, Dai-nii." Shikiki was terrified now, as from outside the house somewhere she heard a tremendous crash followed by the sound of screams. She could smell the burning wood on the wind now, as it trickled in through gaps and crevasses, and she swallowed hard, trying to control the panic inside of her young heart. As Daisuke flung a blanket her way, she grabbed hold of it, clutching it so hard her tiny knuckles went white.

"Go!" He urged her, and thus bidden, Shikiki fled into the hovel's tiny back room, crawling underneath the delapidated desk and squeezing her plump form into the gap between the wood and the wall, just as Keitarou had shown her. Covering herself with the blanket, she huddled against the wall, shaking with fear as she heard more crashes and cries from the streets outside.

The swish of the fabric flap told her that Daisuke had charged out into the action now, and she closed her eyes, muttering an unintelligible mixture of prayer fragments that she had picked up from her long deceased mother's habit of casting blessings before beginning each meal. She did not understand the words she was mouthing, yet somehow focusing on that kept her from screaming and crying out for Daisuke to come and rescue her. Never before had she realised quite so keenly how dangerous her position was. And never before had she wished quite so hard that Keitarou would come and save them from the disaster unfolding outside.

The sound of footsteps outside the door made her freeze, heart in her throat as she heard the fabric door being ripped away and then the heavy thuds of boots across the wooden floor as their tiny abode was ransacked and torn to pieces.

They were looking for something.

Shikiki swallowed hard.

Were they looking for her? Would they...find her?

"What the...?" One of the men was clearly annoyed, his accent thick with the local dialect and Shikiki realised with a jolt of horror that he was probably a local who had grown up in the same world as she had, yet now willing to see it torn to shreds in the name of some official order. "There's nothing here. Nothing at all. Just another peasant hovel. What a waste."

"Well, they'd be fools to hide anything in a place like this. No door, let alone locks." Another man put in gruffly. "Torch it anyway. Send them a message. Protecting the Urahara is treason. They'll learn it soon enough."

"They got away before us." Shikiki heard the sound of a wood torch being thrown against the wall of the house, and fresh fear crashed over her as she realised they had just set fire to her home. "Damn them. It's as though they have inside information - crafty creatures, the lot of 'em."

"They're Urahara, ain't they?" That was the first man again. "What d'you expect?"

Garou! Garou, Fukutaichou wants you!" A fresh voice yelled out. "They've arrested someone at the perimeter - he says get your ass out here and lend a hand!"

"Arrested?"

"Better get a move on - we let another one escape an' it'll be demotion for all of us."

"Damn Shinigami, orderin' us around on our own turf because the Lord decided t'send them out huntin' people instead of Hollow souls."

"Shut your lip, else Shouichi-sama'll have you in his dungeons instead. Fukutaichou's orders are law. He's Shouichi-sama's representative, after all. Shinigami or not, he's a ranked Endou officer an' we got our orders. This is pra'tically a Council order, after all. Them Urahara are traitor exiles, right? We're doin' the whole o' Seireitei a favour in whippin' their asses into custody. That's why Shouichi-sama deployed Seventh Squad. Because they're outlaws from the bigwig Council. We get involved an' help, can only mean promotions for the likes of us, right? We mightn't swing pretty Shinigami swords, but we can do our job all the same!"

"Guess so. All right. Shift out of the way. We're going."

There was a commotion, and Shikiki was aware of more thudding steps as the men abandoned her burning world, heading back out into the night sky in search of new prey. All around her, she could smell the choking acrid smoke that seeped and poured through the building, and as she lowered the blanket just a fraction, she could see the glow of flames licking hungrily at the thin divide that separated her from the other chamber.

Shini...gami?

She huddled closer to the edge of the desk as a warm draft blew suddenly in her direction.

The fire was coming.

But Dai-nii told me to stay here. No matter what, I have to stay here.

Despite her panic, Shikiki clenched her fists, screwing up her eyes as she willed the fire to go away. Still muttering the strange, broken fragments of her mother's prayers, she wrapped her arms around her own body protectively, tears spilling down her cheeks as she fought and fought against the urge to call out. They couldn't find her. They mustn't find her. Daisuke would come back for her. She had to believe that. And she would not move. She would do as she was told...she would stay where he had told her, so when he came, he would know where to look.

As the fire lapped across the rough wood floorboards towards the desk, Shikiki took a shaking breath of smoky air into her lungs, willing herself to stay calm.

She was going to do as she was told.

She was going to obey, no matter what!

At that moment, a haze of energy swelled up from her body, pushing out against the rotten wood of the now-burning desk and shattering it into splinters. As Shikiki hardened her resolve, so the pinkish haze that surrounded her became more and more stable, holding a bubble of air and space between her and the fire that had in a matter of a few moments consumed the place she had called her home. As the timbers burned to ash and collapsed around her, all she could focus on was that will to survive - that will to wait for Daisuke to come back for her, and that belief that, somehow, he would do so.

It seemed like forever before the world around her went silent, and for a long time she did not move, afraid to shatter the barrier that she had instinctively thrown up around her body to protect her from the greedy flames. It was dark, now, the fire having burnt itself out in the cool night breeze, and as she cautiously opened her eyes one by one, she realised that she was all but buried in the ash and charcoal that were all that remained of her home.

Nobody else seemed to be around, and mindful of Daisuke's final order, she did not attempt to dig herself out, instead peering out fearfully into the surrounding atmosphere as she tried to make out anything in the wasteland that looked vaguely familiar.

There was nothing, but as her gaze flitted towards what had once been the village gate, she made out the vague silhouettes of two individuals, flanked in the moonlight. One was a stranger, tall and dressed in the flowing black shihakushou of the shinigami that she had heard both Keitarou and Daisuke discussing on previous occasions. On his right arm glittered a silver badge, and Shikiki could just make out the Endou crest and the number 'seven' emblazoned on its polished surface.

The other individual was quite different, his body limp and unresisting against the binding grip of the shinigami's unknown restraining technique. Shikiki could not see his face, but even so, she knew who he was, and terror stabbed her heart a second time.

Dai-nii!

Her heart screamed out the name, even though her vocal chords would not form the words. Then, in a blur of speed and light, they were both gone, and Shikiki was left alone amid the ash.

"So what, exactly, did you want to talk about?"

As Juushirou and Shunsui slipped away from the mess tent and down into the trees beyond, Juushirou cast his friend a quizzical, searching look. "I realise we've been in separate places for the best part of a week, but surely you're not so keen to exchange news that it can't wait till we give our reports? We'll be late if we're not careful - and you were already late back to the camp once this morning. Katai's grades will rely on you too, you know."

"I know, and I intend to be back in good time." Shunsui nodded, slipping his hands into his obi. "But right now something else is pressing on me. And even if you yell at me, that's okay. But I'd like you to try and yell truthfully, if you don't mind. It'll make things easier, after all."

"The truth? The truth about what?" Juushirou was trying to keep his tones level, but Shunsui could already feel the tension prickling at his friend's aura and he sighed, clapping a friendly arm against his companion's back.

"I'm not some kind of inquisition. I'm supposedly your friend." He said evenly. "But listen. Because of that, I want to find things out from you, not other people. I'm not going to ask if you're all right - for a start, I know you're not, and for a second thing, you'll just tell me that you are, so it's a pointless exercise. But I am going to ask you about Mitsuki. Or rather, ask you why you're such an idiot as to make a pretty girl cry."

There was silence, and for a moment, Shunsui felt sure that his companion was going to shout at him. Then Juushirou let out a heavy sigh, dropping down onto the grass and flopping back onto the ground.

At this unexpected reaction, Shunsui stared down at him for a moment, then grinned, sinking to his knees at his classmate's side.

"Well, that wasn't quite the reply I thought I'd get." He said unnecessarily. "Mind putting it into normal speak, so I can understand it as well?"

"I don't really want to talk about Edogawa-san, Shunsui."

Juushirou's words were soft, but weary, not angry, as though he had already fought the matter out with himself and lost before Shunsui had even begun to ask questions. "I know what you think and I know you're probably right on all levels, because you usually are. But even if you are, I don't want to hear it. Just let it alone for me, will you? I don't want to discuss it."

"If we don't discuss it, you can't know what I think." Shunsui said sensibly. "And there's no need to be so melodramatic, either. I'm not necessarily right. Bu-u-ut I'm not necessarily wrong, either. And while I want to respect you have a right to do things your way...I don't like seeing a pretty girl like that crying her heart out."

Juushirou flinched, closing his eyes, and to Shunsui's surprise, he thought he saw the faintest glitter of dampness on his friend's lashes, too.

"She cried because I hurt her feelings." At length Juushirou spoke, making no attempt to meet Shunsui's gaze. "And I did - I know I did. I'm not as foolish as all of that. But I had to. It was too risky. I couldn't...not when..."

"You found out she was in love with you, and it scared you half to death?" Shunsui suggested, and Juushirou's eyes snapped open at this as the boy hauled himself into a sitting position, gazing at Shunsui in dismay.

"You knew that already?"

"Haven't I teased you about it enough? I'm sure I have - Juu, do you just not listen to the things I say?"

"You tease me all the time, though." Juushirou objected. "I never for one minute thought you were serious!"

"Well, I was." Shunsui dropped his light tone, looking grave. "And she was too, Juu-kun. Mitsuki's in love with you. Really in love - not whatever you've mistaken it to be. I've seen it, after all - how girls are, when they feel like that. She feels it. She loves you. And even though you hurt her badly this morning, she still wants to help you."

There was silence, and Shunsui sighed.

"Whether you believe it or not is up to you - but it doesn't change it either way."

"Whether she thinks she is or not, she's better off not following it any further." Juushirou said bluntly. "You should know better than anyone that Clan and District doesn't work. And besides, I'm not...like other people. And..."

"You're worried that your health is getting worse, so you don't want her to be worrying about you too." Shunsui supplemented easily. "Yes. If it wasn't so dolt-brained, it'd almost be romantic."

Juushirou eyed him warily.

"If you know everything, why are you asking me questions?" He demanded, a faint edge to his tone, and Shunsui sighed.

"Because I don't think you're the kind of person who makes someone cry on purpose." He admitted. "And I do think that you're not being honest with yourself or with Mitsuki about your feelings. But I'm not going to try and patch it up between the two of you. I've heard her side. I've calmed her down. And now I'm talking to you, too. It's something that isn't my business - what concerns me more is this business of you pushing her away because you're worried about your own health. And it's not the first time this term, but now your reiatsu feels more all over the place than it usually does. Are you having trouble, holding it back?"

Juushirou groaned, running his fingers through his messy white hair.

"Some of the time I feel stronger than I've felt in ages." He acknowledged. "But...I suppose so. It's all right, though. I think, anyway. I mean, nothing is ever certain with a body and condition like mine, but...but I don't think I'm quite out of options yet. I just...need to think about things. And Edogawa-san..."

He sighed.

"When Mother died, she gave me all her strength." He murmured. "And it calmed storms...storms that ran through the sky on the night I was born. Last night there was a storm over Toutai's camp, Shunsui. I don't know whether it was coincidence or if it wasn't...but there was a storm in my dream. And also...I saw her in it, too."

"Mitsuki-chan?" Shunsui was startled, and Juushirou shook his head impatiently.

"No! My mother. Hahaue." He said frankly. "But only for a moment. Then she was gone, and the storm came. Then Ryuu was waking me to tell me that lightning had struck the forest somewhere and we had to evacuate. It may have been coincidence, but I...I don't know any more. The storm is what Mother calmed inside of me, but it feels like maybe it's coming back little by little to take control again."

"You really think you can do something like that?" Despite himself, Shunsui was alarmed. "In your sleep, without trying...just like that?"

"I did it when I was born. Kamikura-sensei was absolutely sure that that's what my Father had told him." Juushirou nodded slowly. "So if I could do it then, when I was too young to know anything, surely...maybe..."

"You could do it again now." Shunsui frowned. "I see. No wonder you didn't sleep last night. Your conscience already does double-overtime, and if you're consciously trying not to let yourself slip..."

"I don't want to dream if that can happen." Juushirou agreed. He sighed, shaking his head as if to clear it. "To be honest...I'm glad to be back at base camp."

"Being a Captain isn't easy." Shunsui acknowledged. "Especially with all of that going on as well."

"Ryuu-kun's been the best Vice Captain I could've asked for, but I feel I've put burdens on him too." Juushirou admitted. "Especially after Hirata and I went for an impromptu swim in the river. I overdid it and fainted - he had to take charge until I recovered and I feel bad that I did something reckless that rebounded on him and the others. Even though Sensei told me about it - it seems I'm still doing it even now."

"It's part of your charm. Ryuu-kun is tough. I'm sure he handled it fine." Shunsui assured him, and Juushirou nodded.

"Yes." He said doubtfully. "But there's still the matter of the storm. And if it cost Mother her life to suppress it the last time...I don't intend on sacrificing anyone else, Shunsui. This is my battle and my spirit power. But if I let Edogawa-san too close...I worry that..."

"She'll use her healing power recklessly and wind up being hurt herself." Shunsui nodded. "I know. It does make sense. I just think...you confuse, sometimes, friendship and support for life and death decisions. I understand why...your life isn't exactly the same as anyone else's and you've dealt with those big issues since you were small. But not everything rotates around your haibyou. You shouldn't assume that it does."

"Is that what I'm doing?" Juushirou looked surprised, and Shunsui shrugged.

"Seems it. You're fixating, anyhow." He said levelly. "But you're missing a couple of important points. One - you're stronger now than you were when you were a baby. That's beyond doubt. And two..."

He paused, then grinned.

"You worry about Mitsuki, and fine, you think you can push her away." He added. "But you can't have quite the same luck with me. I'm thick skinned, you see. And I'm not in love with you, so I'm not going to cry if you tell me to leave you alone. I don't intend on letting you kill yourself, Juu-kun. I can't imagine that you're going to let yourself die that easily, either."

Juushirou sighed, shaking his head.

"It's not really on my agenda. No." He owned. "I'm sorry, Shunsui. I put you in a difficult position. I didn't mean you to end up dealing with Edogawa-san...but I should have known...she'd come to you if it was about me."

"It's all right. Mitsuki-chan is my friend as well as yours, and I'm happy to support her if she needs a friendly shoulder to cry on." Shunsui assured him. "But Juu...whatever your reasons for saying and doing what you have, maybe you should think about them. Nobody wants you to isolate yourself or be on your own. If things are going on, you have to trust us to stick with you. All of us. You know?"

"Yes, I know, but Edogawa-san is..."

"Someone you care about, in a way that's different from the rest of us?"

"Will you stop finishing my sentences for me?" Juushirou demanded, and as he did so, Shunsui felt a sudden chill in the air as a prickle of something darted through the atmosphere. He frowned, slowly shaking his head.

"Calm down, Juu. I mean it. Whatever the situation, you're obviously not going to help yourself if you can't keep your temper or your reiryoku under proper wraps."

"It's been like it once before." Juushirou murmured, gazing at his hands pensively as he did so. "When I was sick, after Father died. When Chihiro came to chide me into seeing sense. My spirit power pushed her away from me, physically. It could've hurt her - and I think maybe it could do so to someone again. I'm sorry, Shunsui. I..."

"Stop saying sorry. It's starting to get repetitive." Shunsui stood, pausing for a moment and then hauling his friend to his feet. "I get it. Okay? You're sorry. So let's move on to the next point, which is what are you going to do about this overkill spirit surge of yours?"

"I...don't know." Juushirou admitted. "Talking to Edogawa-san unsettled me, so that's part of the reason its flaring like it is now. It will be all right. Just with other things on my mind, it's harder to keep focus. It feels a bit like when I first started to recover from Father's death and my ill health then. That I had to relearn all my own instincts to be able to carry on normally."

"But you're not coughing up blood. That has to be a good thing, right?" Shunsui pointed out, and Juushirou nodded.

"Yes. I suppose so." He agreed, but there was a note of doubt in his voice. "In any case, we should get back. The squads have to assemble, and Kira has to report from memory since the fire burnt our log to cinders. I want to be able to prompt him if need be."

"All right." Shunsui agreed. "We'll do that. But do think about it. Properly, I mean. What you're going to do."

"I will." Juushirou nodded. "I promise."

"Mitsuki, are you really all right?"

As the two groups filed out of the mess tent where they had spent an exhaustive two hours reporting on their past few days and answering Kazoe's searching questions about their teamwork, Sora reached out a hand to grab her friend by the arm, hauling her across the grass to the far side of Katai's tent and pulling her down onto the ground. After casting Sora a resigned glance, Naoko settled herself more gracefully across from them, and Sora turned quizzical eyes on her Kuchiki classmate, curiosity and sympathy burning in the emerald depths.

"You didn't say much, during the report, and you were so upset earlier. Did something happen, while you were camping? Only it's not like you, unless someone got hurt. And you know you can tell us anything - right?"

"Nobody got hurt." Mitsuki glanced down, picking stray bits of flower petal from her red hakama as she shook her head. "And it's all right. I don't think it's easy to explain."

"But you can explain it to the class pervert?" Naoko arched an eyebrow. "Sora is right, Mitsuki. We're your friends, so if something did happen..."

"It wasn't...about that." Mitsuki sighed, raising clouded eyes to her companions. "I spoke to him only because...it was something private. Something Ukitake-kun said to me - and I can't repeat it to either of you, even if I wanted to. So please don't ask me to. I can't, that's all."

"So your being upset this morning has something to do with Juushirou?" Sora's mind was working fast. "Come to think of it, he seemed out of sorts at breakfast, too. Is he sick again? Is that what it was about? Or..."

"Sora, the girl just said we can't ask her questions." Naoko interrupted, sending Sora a warning grimace. "So don't, okay? If it's something private to do with another classmate, it's not for us to peer into."

"Thank you, Naoko-chan." Mitsuki looked relieved. "I've missed having you - both of you - this past week. It's been all right - Saitani-san is nice, and well, Ryuu-kun looked out for me all the time. But...it wasn't the same as being with you both."

"We missed you too." Sora glanced at Naoko, who rolled her eyes. "Naoko had a few run-ins with Hanako over various bits and pieces. And with Shihouin, too."

"I just reminded myself why I don't like either one of them." Naoko said frankly. "One's not much better than an assassin and the other's a whining District brat. But we survived. Somehow, we survived. Considering our Captain, I'm amazed we even found somewhere to camp - but surprisingly he didn't turn out to be such a waste of space when we were out there on our own."

"He made Hanako turn almost human." Sora grinned. "I have no clue what he said to her, but she stuck up for him a few times too. She obeyed whatever order he gave her without a comment after that - but if Shihouin did it, even if it was the same order...she had plenty to say about it."

"Probably he came on to her. Maybe she's pathetic enough or grasping enough to consider it attention." Naoko said dismissively. "I don't hate Kyouraku-kun, although I wish he'd learn appropriate social etiquette and use it for a change. But like I said - I suppose he could've made a worse Captain. At least he did bother to listen, when one of us had a complaint."

"Nao-chan had plenty of complaints to make." Sora said cheekily, and Naoko reached across to tweak her friend's hair.

"Only about things that needed saying." She said firmly. "You know that as well as I do, Sora-chan."

"Yeah, yeah." Sora poked out her tongue, and Mitsuki managed a faint smile.

"I don't think Kyouraku-kun is so bad." She said softly. "He flirts a lot and he's familiar with his terms of address. But I think he's kind, Naoko-chan."

"Please tell me you haven't started a crush on him, now?" Naoko stared, and Mitsuki hurriedly shook her head.

"No! I didn't mean like that. I meant as a friend kind of person. He's not...he teases, but he's not a nasty person."

"Mitsuki's right." Sora nodded. "He's still like my annoying brother, but even though he's annoying, he has his not so annoying moments."

"I suppose." Naoko sighed. "It's a shame, though, really. That he's like that, and Ukitake-kun..."

"What about Ukitake-kun?" Mitsuki's head shot up, and Sora frowned, eying her in surprise.

"Well, nothing, really." Naoko shrugged. "I like him. He's polite, he's friendly, and he doesn't give off the impression he's going to grope you if you pass him in the hall. But even so, he's District born...even if he has good manners, that's still going to hold him back."

"I don't know. Juushirou's pretty resilient." Sora pursed her lips. "I think he's already made an impact here, so I can't see him not making one in other places, too. He's as you say, after all. He has that way with him. I think he'll break that barrier down, Naoko-chan. I just have a feeling that he will."

"Some Clans will probably accept him on merit, but many individuals might not." Naoko warned. "I'm not prejudicing against him - but even so, that's how it will be."

She glanced at Mitsuki.

"I wish most of all that you'd understand that." She said regretfully. "Because I worry that it'll get you hurt in the long run, if you keep having feelings for someone born so far beneath you."

"Ukitake-kun isn't beneath me!" Mitsuki flared up at this, and Sora stared at her, eyes wide at the sudden and uncharacteristic shift in her friend's demeanour.

"Woah, girl, calm down!" She exclaimed, holding up her hands as a mock gesture of peace. "Naoko's only making an observation. It's not that either of us look down on Juushirou - it's just, with your being Kuchiki and all..."

She trailed off, and Mitsuki sighed, shaking her head.

"Neither one of you understand." She said flatly. "That it's not like that. It's not about that with me. I don't think of Ukitake-kun as any way different from me, even though I'm Kuchiki. So is he, if you listen to Ryuu-kun talk. He has Kuchiki blood too. And he's kind and I like him - so what's wrong with that?"

"Mitsuki..." Even Naoko was taken aback now, but Mitsuki hadn't finished.

"I don't think it's right that because people think like that, they won't realise what kind of person he really is." She continued. "It's not fair and I hate it. I hate how the Clans look down on people who don't fit their guidelines. I hate it!"

"Now I know something's definitely happened." Sora cast Naoko a glance, and Naoko nodded.

"Something between you and Ukitake-kun?" She asked softly, and Mitsuki hesitated, then slowly shook her head.

"Ukitake-kun doesn't feel like that about me. Me, or any other girl." She said softly, and Sora picked up the wistful note in her friend's tones. "He's made that perfectly clear, Naoko-chan. It's nothing like that so you needn't worry. I haven't done anything inappropriate and neither...neither has he."

"Juushirou doesn't like girls?" Sora's eyebrows shot up. "You mean...are you saying that he...you know...that he likes..."

"No!" Mitsuki shook her head, uncharacteristic impatience making the normally gentle eyes unusually stormy. "No, I don't mean like that. Just, because he's always ill, he doesn't want to be a burden on people. So he doesn't want to get involved with girls in that way - he never has, because he doesn't want to hurt them. So you're both completely wrong if you think anything otherwise. He's just...just someone I care about, that's all. Aren't I allowed to care about people, or does being Clan forbid that too now?"

Naoko sighed.

"My Clan and Sora's Clan would probably overlook it, especially if Ukitake-kun graduated and made it into the Gotei. They're not so socially strict in a lot of ways." She said quietly. "But we're not talking about our Clans, Mitsuki. We're talking about your Clan. And if you say that about Ukitake-kun, well, I believe you and it's a relief too, to be honest. But neither of us want to see you get hurt. And what our families might come to deal with...yours..."

"I might not be a Kuchiki very much longer, in any case." Mitsuki said frankly, and Naoko faltered, staring at her as if she had lost her head.

"Not be a..." She whispered, and Mitsuki nodded.

"What are you talking about?" Sora was as bemused as Naoko. "Mitsuki, what kind of silly idea..."

"It's not silly." Mitsuki sighed, toying with the ends of her long dark braid as she did so. "It's not about anything here - or anyone in class, District or Clan or anything else. It's about me and the way I am. The fact I'm a healer, and that isn't going to change."

Sora frowned, as realisation crossed her senses.

"You're going to speak to Unohana-sensei about being trained specially, aren't you?" She murmured. "Even though your Father isn't entirely behind it and Guren-sama...well, he's not necessarily going to like it, either."

"Yes." Mitsuki agreed. "I've decided. I decided during camp. I can't be a half-hearted swordswoman and I'm not a true Kuchiki. But if I deny my instincts, I'll be useless in all ways instead of just at fighting. I can be a healer, after all. Retsu-sama said that I have tremendous potential and a real gift, if I work at it. That's what I want, and I think I've always wanted it. But I've been afraid, before, to stand against the Clan. Only, now..."

"Now you've found your resolve." Naoko looked thoughtful. "Did Ukitake-kun have something to do with that?"

"Not directly." Mitsuki shook her head. "In fact, he's concerned that I might make a rash decision and alienate myself from my family - he doesn't realise it's too late and I'm already alienated on the inside anyway. But I suppose, seeing him pushing on despite all that stupid prejudice...has made me more certain of what I need to do. If he can take it on, so can...so can I. And I will."

She bit her lip, and Sora could see the hesitation in her companion's gaze.

"I've never had to do anything on my own." She admitted. "So I'm scared of what will happen if Father and the Clan do reject me because of it. But you two...you won't change, will you? Ryuu-kun said he wouldn't see me any differently - you two won't, will you, if I get kicked out of the family for being a healer?"

"So that's why you're so on edge. That's why you're so upset." Naoko sighed, reaching across to slip a gentle arm around her companion's shoulder. "You silly idiot. You shouldn't get all worked up about nothing. If Retsu-sama takes you on, your family won't reject you. It'd be seen as an insult, after all, to disown a child especially chosen for favour by the head of another Clan. Retsu-sama has a lot of people who think highly of her, and there's no dishonour in you making the choice to accept her offer and become her apprentice. Your people might take a while to adjust to what you're doing - but if you're being trained by the best healer in Soul Society, I'm sure they won't push you away."

"Naoko's right. Unohana-sensei has got that kind of reputation. Plus, she was trained by Genryuusai-sensei, too, and he'd never allow anything bad to happen to one of his students." Sora added. "You shouldn't get worked up or start crying about things like that, Mi-chan. It's not as bad as you think, and besides,"

She grinned, reaching over to pat her friend on the arm.

"Naoko and I are your friends for life, no matter what." She added. "So whatever else happens, you're stuck with us on your side for keeps."

"She'll practically be an honorary Unohana, if she's singled out like that to be trained." Naoko nodded. "So stop worrying about it, all right? You silly girl. Just do what you have to do. It's not a shameful path, after all - and if the Kuchiki think it is, then Guren-sama needs his head reading."

Mitsuki let out her breath in a rush, nodding her head.

"Thank you." She murmured. "I'm glad that you're both at least on my side."

"Ukitake-kun said that about your family...so that means he isn't, is that it?" Naoko asked, and Mitsuki shrugged.

"He's...I don't think...it's that." She said falteringly, and Sora heard her friend's voice wobble once more. "I think...maybe he was just worried. I mean...his family are important to him. They're not quite like mine. Other than Father and Ryuu-kun and my Uncle...not many of the Kuchiki really acknowledge me in any case. A lot of them mock me or ignore me or just don't try and understand that I'm different. Guren-sama has never even spoken to me directly - anything he's said about it has only come to me through Father, as though I'm someone he'd rather not have anywhere near the centre of the family. I've always been on the outside - most Kuchiki hime are technically betrothed long before they reach seventeen, but I'm not like other Kuchiki hime, so it's never happened for me. I wouldn't be giving up much...if I did end up turning away from them."

"But the protection, the security, the fact that you know where you belong...those things are harder to let go of, right?" Sora said gravely, and Mitsuki nodded.

"Yes." She agreed. "It makes me a coward, but I've never had to do anything on my own. I've always had people cook for me, clean for me, prepare my clothes...everything. Whenever I visit a place, there are always maids in attendance in case I need anything and if I'm tired, I can send for a carriage because Father will be known to all of the best people and just his name is enough."

She looked rueful.

"Coming to school was a culture shock, but even here, decisions are generally made for me." She added. "But when we were camping, Ukitake-kun and Hirata-kun had an accident in the river and I had to...well, they needed me to be able to make sure they were both all right. And they were, but I was aware...all I could do was put herbs together. I don't know any healing kidou spells and they could easily have both been much worse. I felt it, then. The helplessness of not knowing how to do anything for myself."

She sighed.

"You say that Ukitake-kun is beneath me, Naoko, but really he's miles above me." She said sadly. "He knows and understands all the things I don't - he's had to deal with realities and hardships whereas I don't even know what those words mean. Not really, anyhow. I've been spoiled and pampered and...all of the things that come with being true Kuchiki. But I envy him. I really envy him a lot. Because I think, if I'd grown up like he has...maybe...I'd know better now what path I should be taking."

"You really are in love with him, aren't you?" Sora asked softly, and Mitsuki pinkened, nodding her head.

"I am." She said resignedly. "And I've realised it more clearly as time's gone on. But he doesn't feel that way. He's made it clear he's not interested in those kinds of things and I...I don't want to burden him any more than I already do. The truth is that even if he was...if he did want to form a bond with someone, it wouldn't be someone like me anyway. It'd be someone self-sufficient and smart...not someone scared and clueless like me. Someone he didn't feel...that he'd always have to protect. Someone who was strong enough...to stay by him and not be broken down, no matter what happened. I'm not that person, so in the end, there's no way he could accept me."

"It would be extremely foolish of him to take that attitude." Naoko said archly. "And if he dares to try it, Mitsuki, you tell me, all right? I'm not going to have him making you feel like that, when you're a true Kuchiki and his bloodline is broken and indistinct."

"Juushirou's not that kind of person either, Naoko." Sora reflected. "But in a way, Mitsuki's right. Especially while we're here - all of us are being taught as equals, so we are...well...equals. And one day, we might fight alongside one another in Gotei squads, so then...then we'll be equals, too. Or ranked. It won't be all to do with bloodline then. So...what we can do...is going to be as important as what our names are or what families we come from. And when you start looking at things like that...Juushirou isn't going to look out of place. There are a lot of Clan people who are going to struggle to keep up with him, when that day comes."

"But it hasn't come yet, and may be more difficult to reach than you and your optimistic Shiba brain might think." Naoko shot her an affectionate smile. "Kyouki-sama is very enthusiastic about District potential and I know you feel that way too. But the realities of it might not be so clear-cut. Not all of the Eight Clans view things the way yours do, after all."

"Well, maybe they should." Sora was undeterred. "They might find it works to their benefit, in the end."

"I agree with Sora." Mitsuki stretched her hands over her head. "I never thought about it till I came to the Academy, but now I think about it a lot. How many people there must be out there...people like Ukitake-kun and Kira-kun - who could make a difference in our world. How many people there might have already been, only nobody let them. Genryuusai-sensei really is amazing, isn't he? When you look at it that way. To take on the task and risk angering the Clans in order to find those people."

"You girls do know that this isn't a picnic?" At that moment Kai descended on them, casting Naoko and Sora an irritated glance as he gestured for them to get to their feet. "We're meant to be in squad formation by the trees - Katai on the left and Toutai on the right, because we're being inspected and then assigned new orders. I don't care if you haven't gossiped for a week - now is not the time to start."

"Shihouin, you..." Naoko began, but Sora held up her hands, offering Mitsuki a rueful grimace.

"Sorry, Mi-chan. I guess that's us done playing truant. Okay, Fukutaichou. We're coming."

"I'll come with you. It's the same meeting place, after all." Mitsuki said with a shrug as they began to make their way back to the designated point. "I'm sorry, Shihouin-kun. It's my fault, really - Sora and Naoko were just concerned about me, but I'm all right now."

"Good, because Kuchiki's looking for you." Kai said frankly. "He wouldn't tell me so - but I think he was worried too."

"Mitsuki! Where have you been?" Ryuu himself approached them at that moment. "You're the last one...where did you get to? We're meant to stay in squads - why are you with these Katai people?"

"It's fine, Kuchiki. You can have her back now." Sora said playfully, giving Mitsuki a little push in her cousin's direction. "She's present and correct, so it's all all right, isn't it?"

"I suppose so." Ryuu cast Kai a wary look, then shrugged. "Well, we're here, and Kazoe-soutaichou hasn't begun his inspection yet, so I imagine it will be all right."

As he led Mitsuki across the grass to her waiting squad, Naoko rolled her eyes.

"I'm not sure which of you is worse, Shihouin. Him or you." She said flatly. "Neither one of you have any idea of how to treat the opposite sex."

"It depends entirely on the member." Kai returned neatly. "Now shut up and get where you should be, else Katai will be docked marks and Kyouraku already said that he'd leave disciplining late squad members to me."

He grinned at her evilly.

"And so long as we are in squads, I will obey my Captain's orders." He added, tapping her leg lightly with his sheathed asauchi. "So stop arguing and get in line."

As the students hurried to get into position for the Kidou sensei's impromptu inspection, there was a loud crash from somewhere in the distance, and Sora heard Kai's sudden intake of breath. She turned, seeing the same consternation mirrored on Shunsui's lazy features, and for some reason, a sense of deep dread began to stir in her heart.

"What the..." She murmured. "Shihouin? Shunsui? What is it? What's happening!"

"Something...from that direction. Something foreign and heavy...something that shouldn't be there." Shunsui said slowly. "Can't you feel it, Sora? It's already got the hairs tingling on the back of my neck."

"Mine too, though I was hoping I was imagining it." Sora admitted. "But what is it?"

"It could be a dummy hollow. It might be...a training exercise." Kai's right hand had closed around the hilt of his asauchi almost immediately. "But...I don't know. Kyouraku, what do you think?"

Before Shunsui could respond, however, there was a second tremendous crash and the sound of splintering trees as the ground shook beneath their feet. Hanako let out a yell, and Sora found her own vocal chords choked with fear as for the first time she saw the cause of the disturbance - the beady, glittering eyes set deep into the broad skeletal features, and the undulating, segmented form divided by what seemed like thousands of thin, spindly legs as it nosed its way ever closer to the students.

A caterpillar Hollow.

It's a dummy. It has to be a dummy.

Inwardly Sora found herself repeating those words, yet somehow she knew that it was not. That somehow, despite all of the hard work the teachers had put in on finding them a safe zone, they were now in very grave danger indeed.

From the Toutai line, she heard Kamitani say,

"Another dummy Hollow? Is that part of our next test, then?"

But it was Juushirou who finally put Sora's own deepest fears into plain words as he slowly shook his head.

"A Hollow." He murmured, then, with genuine fear in his voice. "That's no dummy - its a real Hollow!"

Author's note.

O.o 150 reviews already! *faints*

Thank you people. Minna ga daisuki :)

*dishes out cookies*