Chapter Twenty Two - Pax
"It seems like a long time, Father, since we've been able to talk like this."
In the uppermost chamber of the southern Shihouin manor, Midori gazed out at the grounds, a thoughtful, pensive look in her golden eyes as she surveyed the armed soldiers which even now kept their patrols regularly outside the walled estate. Among the black and gold of the Shihouin, she could also make out the distinctive white and silver of the Yamamoto as well as the black and dark green of the Urahara, and she sighed, turning back to face the inside of the chamber once more.
It was four days since the Council session and, after the usual long and tedious battle of paperwork and negotiations, she had finally managed to ride south to visit her father Chiaki in his enforced military confinement.
It had been this way for a year now, and Midori had been here only twice since his sentencing – both times flanked by advisors or retinue and always with the official approval of the Clans who helped keep Chiaki a prisoner of the Council of Elders. Although she loved her Father dearly, and regretted the long absences, she was shrewd enough to know that as new Head of the Shihouin she could not be seen to visit a disgraced Clan member on anything except the most urgent of occasions. This time, however, for the first time, she had chosen to make the trip without members of her family's government and, though her faithful aide Saku was waiting for her with the guards downstairs, she had elected to exercise her right to see her Father privately this time – a right that the guards had not seen any reason not to grant thanks to her constant and continued cooperation with their wishes and rules so far.
She eyed her companion now, taking in his appearance thoughtfully, then,
"Even so, you seem to be well. I'm glad to see that at least."
"I am quite well, thank you, Midori. You needn't worry yourself on my account."
The room's other occupant offered her a faint smile, spreading his hands in a gesture that told the young leader that he was fully resigned to his position as prisoner Lord of the Shihouin. "I have a lot of penance yet to do for the crimes of which the Council found me guilty – in truth, I'm fortunate that they've persisted in being so lenient in my sentence."
"Imprisoned here for life…for a Shihouin, that's a hard sentence either way." Midori reflected with a sigh, coming to kneel opposite on one of the ornately embroidered cushions that bore the faint seal of the Shihouin Clan. "But that was all I could do…Father, you know that my distance from you has not been by choice, I'm sure."
"I understand, my child, as well as you do or perhaps better…that there are politics that a Leader must observe." Chiaki spoke gently, and at his change in tone, Midori gazed at him, surprised. "You are the Shadow Cat, head of this Family and its saviour – everyone knows that. But to be seen coming here too often – that would raise questions even among your loyal following. Your Uncle sacrificed his life and assumed most of the blame – but everyone here knows that it is a crime of which I too am guilty. You are acting wisely. I am not slighted by your actions in the least."
Midori nodded slowly.
"I thought that you would understand." She said quietly. "I miss you and Nii-sama and not having you to advise me, sometimes. But I do what I feel is best and so far, all is well. I hope that those beginnings will grow and flourish – that the Shihouin can rise again and be the kind of Clan that Uncle hoped it would one day be. I think it can – Kai and I are both committed to making it so. When he finishes his training, he knows I will have him alongside me in every respect I can – I don't believe in making him a token heir. I'm doing my best, Father. But sometimes it would be nice to have a guiding hand."
"Mine is one the Council would not approve." Chiaki said frankly. "So on that note, you are wise not to ask."
He eyed her quizzically.
"But since you know that, I do wonder on what business you have come." He said thoughtfully, raising his black mug of tea to his lips and taking a lengthy sip. "While I am quite comfortable here, the days are often long and boring and since I received the message yesterday that you planned to make a visit, I have been thinking on that very much. It appeared to be an official visit, not one borne out of sympathy or blood ties…which makes me curious, my child. Why would you seek anything from me, given the state in which you find me?"
Midori smiled faintly.
"You have analysed me well." She admitted. "Yes, it is an official visit, as you have rightly supposed. Even as the Head of the Shihouin, I have submitted to both the Yamamoto and Urahara when it comes to your confinement, and so in order to speak to you, I must submit a request directly to their chief guardsmen here in order that my presence here can't be misconstrued. These things take longer than I usually like, so this time I sent Saku to negotiate with them directly. She succeeded quite quickly, even for her. But I confess, I did deceive them in one matter. I said that my visit was concerning records belonging to my Uncle over the taxation levels across District Two and that, as his second in command, you were the only one who knew their whereabouts and provenance."
"That isn't a deception." Chiaki looked confused. "I do know such information from at least the last two years of your Uncle's incumbency – probably without reading the records, if I'm truthful. But…I thought that all of those things…"
"They are in the archive at the main house, and I already have access to them." Midori nodded. "There is my deception. It is records I have come about – belonging to you and to Uncle, perhaps. But not those records. Records that they would not want us to speak of at all."
Chiaki's expression became grave and he shook his head.
"Reidoku almost destroyed this Clan." He said soberly. "I'm surprised that you'd even ask me about it."
"I don't intend to reopen any studies." Midori was quick to reassure him. "On the contrary, that chapter of our family's history is well over and I intend to keep it that way. No, it's not that. It's about something that occurred at the Council of Elders this past week."
"The Council…of Elders?" Chiaki was surprised, and Midori nodded.
"Apparently there are Urahara exiles running riot across District Seven." She said, her tones rich with irony. "I wonder how they got there."
Chiaki snorted.
"Yes, I wonder." He murmured. "But Shouichi-sama has mentioned such things openly, now?"
"Mm. It seems his people have had enough of the risk they pose and he's trying to eliminate them." Midori nodded. "Whilst I never really believe Shouichi-sama's words, these seem to be true accounts since I have also heard it from Misashi-dono. As you know, I do have faith in him to tell me the truth – and he also gave me the name of the chief individual Shouichi-sama is chasing down."
"But for the Endou to turn on these people…some of whom are distant blood kin…"
"The Urahara exiles have been betrayed by blood kin over and over, and are understandably put out by it." Midori reflected. "But from what Misashi-dono told me, Father, Shouichi-sama made a promise to his late wife not to risk the Endou-ke any longer with silly dabbling in research. So now it looks like he's going the whole mile and eradicating them, just in case."
"Yes, that does sound like something he would do." Chiaki nodded. "So? How does this concern me?"
"Misashi-dono believes that Shouichi-sama's brat of an heir is still plotting with the Urahara – at least one of them, maybe several." Midori said bleakly. "And given what I know about Seimaru – I'd believe it in a heartbeat."
"I see." Chiaki frowned. "You had a lucky escape too, my child, in that your engagement to him never came to any fruition."
"Yes. Without doubt I did, though at least it allowed me to see what was going on and stop it." Midori agreed. "In any case, Misashi-dono is worried and on balance, so am I. Even if Shouichi-sama is bringing his Clan into line in ruthless Endou style, these exiles know too much and even one of them could cause a difficult situation for District Seven's Clan. For that reason, even if he wanted to, Shouichi-sama won't ask for outside help. Meanwhile, if his own grandson and heir is plotting against him with the help of these bitter strays…"
"There may be all hell let loose in District Seven." Chiaki folded his hands in his lap. "While I realise Misashi-dono and his young son are allies of yours – and that you've appointed yourself the boy's unofficial guardian – I still don't see how this relates to me directly."
"Misashi-dono said the man who Shouichi-sama was particularly chasing was called Urahara Keitarou." Midori responded. "And I was wondering if that was a name you came across, in your time dealing with that Clan."
"Urahara…Keitarou." Chiaki slowly shook his head. "No. Midori-chan, no Urahara in District Seven would be fool enough to act even legitimately under their Clan name. They are that hated – they have been that hated for a century. Even as descendants or blood kin they are still reviled – and, probably, despise their mother Clan for rejecting them. There is no way any scientist working for the Endou would call himself Urahara."
"That's the only name that Misashi-dono gave me." Midori looked disappointed. "If he had another name…I suppose it would be much harder to know, something like that. If Misashi-dono knew – and I'm sure he must have – I wonder why he didn't give me that information too. Unless…"
"Misashi-dono is probably protecting his Clan somewhat also." Chiaki told her gently. "His wife and daughter are still in harm's way if things should go wrong, and angering Shouichi-sama is a foolish move with things as they are. He probably gave you a little so that you could find it out for yourself – that way he can't be accused of having leaked information to you in quite such a blatant way."
"I suppose that's true." Midori sighed. "But still…I suppose my trip here was wasted."
"Perhaps not." Chiaki shook his head. "I realise it is not an uncommon name, but I do think…once, when my team met with people from District Seven…there was a man then by the name of 'Keitarou'. I had not supposed him to be Urahara – he did not have blond hair and his eyes were darker than that Clan normally possess, so I suppose it may be another individual. But even so, I'm quite sure that there was a Keitarou. I don't recall the name he gave though it was certainly not Urahara. Him and his companion…a man who was called…Daisuke, I think. Perhaps…it was Kotetsu Daisuke. I seem to recall that more clearly since he and I spoke in some detail whilst this Keitarou…he seemed to just stand and watch everything from a distance."
His lips thinned.
"He had an unpleasantness about him – so I did not seek to speak with him." He added. "The other man was fanatical and intelligent, but he didn't have the same aura about him. An aura of…I'm not sure how to describe it. But there was something about him I did not like."
"Then it's probably that man that Shouichi-sama is seeking." Midori looked thoughtful. "And he probably has a lot of secrets that could do the Endou a lot of damage. Yet he's not using them to safeguard himself, which means he probably is still working for the family in some regard. That would imply Misashi-dono is right – and that it is Seimaru."
"Now I remember it, the man did speak to Seimaru at one point in proceedings." Chiaki nodded. "In hushed tones, and there was a smile on Keitarou's face at the time. I don't know what they were discussing, but I'm sure it was nothing good. He had extremely good manners – but even so, they didn't put me at all at ease. It was as though…he was not exactly everything he seemed."
"I'm starting to believe that's true of a lot of Clansfolk." Midori groaned. "Even just a year on the Council makes me understand why Uncle was so frightened for our Clan's future. It's hard, in that environment, to make your opinion known and understood. More, to get it accepted..."
"Yes." Chiaki agreed. "I went, sometimes, and I agree. But still, you persevere?"
"I will." Midori nodded. "And so will Kai. He's really grown up a lot, Father - since everything last year with Tomoyuki and Aitori and all of the danger he almost put himself in. He seemed to need a lot more protecting, then - but since he's taken over training Hirata, it's been different. I'm starting to see my brother becoming an adult - and he's going to be even more than that when he finishes at the Academy."
"He was overlooked for far too long, but now he has his chance to shine." Chiaki looked wistful. "I wish I could see it for myself, but at least I know it to be true."
Midori nodded.
"I appreciate what you've told me." She said softly. "And I'm sorry that my coming has made you sad for your family. It wasn't my intention - but I'm grateful nonetheless."
"As a Shihouin, it's my duty to be of use to my Clan leader, even incarcerated within this place." Chiaki assured her. "You know that, Midori. And to see my daughter is always a pleasure for a Father - remember that, too."
"I will." Midori smiled. "I don't consider you a traitor to our Clan, and I'm glad to have a reason to see you sometimes, too."
She got to her feet.
"To stay too long will make the guards suspicious." She added. "So I'll take my leave now. I have plenty to do, in any case."
"Midori, what do you intend to do with this information?" Chiaki called her back, and Midori turned, eying him pensively for a moment.
"Forge a new alliance." She said at length. "And strengthen an old one. I'm honour-bound to help Misashi-dono and Hirata because I gave them my word as their sworn ally and I won't renege on that. And Tokutarou-dono is also having problems with the Endou. By sending aid to his refugees and by passing information to him, I hope that the Shihouin can strengthen the tentative ties it has with the Eighth Clan. Tokutarou-dono is straight-talking and without ulterior motives - and besides, to ally with that Clan..."
"Would also be to reach out to the Shiba." Chiaki realised, and Midori nodded.
"Our Clan will never forge bonds with the Kuchiki, and we burnt bridges with the head of the Endou when I broke my engagement with Seimaru." She said softly. "The Unohana remain largely neutral, and our history with the Urahara is uncertain - Nagesu-sama is a difficult person to read. Still, I feel that the Yamamoto are no longer so suspicious of our motives, thanks to the fact Genryuusai-sama is training my heir with my support and approval. And if I can reach out and create ties with the Kyouraku and the Shiba...then this family may finally be politically secure."
"You always did have a wise head on your shoulders." Chiaki reflected, a rueful smile on his face. "And you are right, of course. Your thought process makes sense...in that case, I will say no more."
"Well, better that than start entertaining talk of marriage again, which a couple of my advisors have hinted at." Midori grimaced. "They heard a rumour that Tokutarou-dono is potentially entertaining a possible bride, and they reminded me that my marital status is still under question. Right now there is no time for any such thing - but at least if I'm forging alliances in other ways, it keeps them quiet and at bay."
"You should not dismiss the idea of marriage so easily." Chiaki cautioned. "That too can be a useful political tool."
"Yes, in this society filled by men." Midori snorted. "It's fine for a male leader to marry, Father, but a female one has to be more circumspect. If I marry within the Shihouin, fair enough – nobody within my own Clan would be fool enough to question my authority. But many of the other Clans still believe a male leader is better – and even individuals like Shiba Kyouki-sama and Unohana Retsu-sama are thought to be unusual rather than just examples of what we can achieve."
"This society has indeed many inequalities." Chiaki's eyes twinkled. "But I'm sure that either way you won't let yourself be beaten down by anyone. That's not the Shadow Cat that Kamuki-nii trained, after all. He'd be content, I think, with the way you'd handled everything. You were always his favourite student, after all."
"I was?" Midori was startled, and Chiaki nodded.
"He may not have shown it, but he often said to me how adept and talented you were." He agreed. "More so than most of the men he ever trained, and more so, he admitted to me once, than even his own daughter had been. That's why he accepted it, when your mother passed down the Shadow Cat technique to you. He knew it was the right decision – and so do I."
"Then I'll do my best to live up to that." Midori smiled faintly. "Thank you, Father. Good day."
She bowed her head towards him, then withdrew from the chamber, making her way briskly along the tight halls towards the downstairs parlour where she knew her companion would be waiting. Even before she had pushed back the door, Saku was on her feet, bowing her head and hurrying across the chamber to her leader's side.
"Midori-sama – I trust Chiaki-sama is well?"
"Yes, quite well." Midori agreed, casting the younger girl a grin. "Though there hasn't been much time to exchange pleasantries. We need to return to the main house – now he has advised me, I can complete my work more easily."
She acknowledged the surrounding guardsmen who bowed low before her.
"Thank you for accommodating my selfish request." She said softly. "I will no longer disturb you in your duties."
She gestured to Saku to follow her and as they headed outside, she was aware of her companion not far behind her.
Once in the sunshine, she paused, turning to offer her a grimace.
"Were you not successful, Midori-sama?" Saku asked softly, and Midori shrugged.
"Possibly. We'll see." She said with a sigh. "The next thing I must do is speak to your own former Lord of the Manor – and hope that he can offer some insight into this as well."
"Tokutarou-sama?" Saku's face went through a range of emotions, and Midori grinned, tapping her lightly on the shoulder.
"I shan't be going to District Eight. I will speak to him in Inner Seireitei, since it's less problematic than crossing District One." She said frankly. "So there'll be no chance for you to come with me – or to pay a visit to people at the Academy in the meantime."
Saku's eyes clouded, and she returned the smile with a sheepish one of her own.
"I did not hope for it." She admitted. "Your words just made me think of him…that's all. Shunsui and I said our goodbyes a long time ago – I don't need to see him again. Now or ever."
"Then fetch the horses and let us return home." Midori suggested. "Father gave me much to think about, and it may be we have a lot or very little in the way of time. The sooner I make sense of this the better – so there's no time for either of us to rest on sentiment. We have work to do, Saku – let's go and make sure that it's done."
"You really have been thorough with yourself, haven't you, Ukitake-kun."
Unohana Retsu sighed, settling herself beside the bed as she put a pensive hand to Juushirou's burning brow.
"You should be glad your friends are so concerned for your welfare – otherwise you could easily have put yourself in a very dangerous state."
"He's stubborn, but there are five of us and one of him, so in the end he didn't have a choice." Shunsui lounged in the doorway of the small sick-room, offering the head of the Unohana Clan a rueful smile. "We would've brought him here by force this morning if he'd liked it or not, Unohana-sensei – don't you worry about that."
"I trust you have no morning meetings or coaching classes that you should be attending now, Kyouraku-kun?" Retsu cast the student a quizzical look. "Houjou-kun was in something of a hurry – this extra class does not apply to you?"
"It's a Kidou class. I'm fine with Kidou." Shunsui grinned, shaking his head. "It's Enishi's weak subject, so Kazoe-sensei always hauls him in on our free day to try and drum some of the spells firmly into his head – that's all."
"I see." Retsu returned the grin with a smile, beckoning for him to come into the room proper. "Then you are quite welcome to come inside – lingering in the doorway makes it seem rather as though you don't know if you are coming or going."
"Ah. I suppose so. Sorry." Shunsui obediently slipped into the small chamber, pushing the door closed behind him. "I didn't know if it would be all right for me to stay a while – I thought you might want to prod and poke at Juu in private."
"I don't see any harm in him having a friend with him, for now." Retsu shook her head. "Well, Ukitake-kun? It seems you paid quite dearly for your hard work yesterday evening. Tell me, do you still feel nauseous, or are you able to stomach a mild breakfast if I should have one prepared?"
"I…really am not that hungry, Sensei. Even now." Juushirou pulled the blanket more firmly around his shoulders as he suppressed a shiver. "I feel…quite bad, to be truthful, though not as bad as I did last night. Even so, if I eat something…I may be sick again."
"Mm. I imagine that on top of your other ills, yesterday's exertions put you at risk of heat exhaustion." Retsu reflected. "With a body as demanding as yours, my only surprise is that it has taken this long to fully topple you. Whilst your immediate symptoms yesterday seem to be in line with overheating, it is clear to me that your spirit is ragged and exhausted. If you feel ill now, it is probably a knock-on effect of all these things combined."
She adjusted the pillows behind him, then ushered him to lie back on them.
"Unpleasant as it probably was to be so suddenly sick, I think probably you should count it as a good thing, since actual heatstroke is far more dangerous." She decided. "Especially since you have clearly overworked yourself – now you will get a chance to rest."
"Will you keep him here, Sensei?" Shunsui asked, and Retsu nodded.
"For a day or two." She agreed. "Perhaps three or four, depending on his progress."
"Three or four?" Juushirou's eyes widened. "But Sensei…my classes…I have exams coming up soon!"
"If you are not well enough, Ukitake-kun, you will not sit them when they do." Retsu said firmly, and at the steeliness in her eyes, Juushirou quailed, his objections dying on his lips. "Your health is of prime concern – both I and Genryuusai-sama are agreed on this matter. If you find yourself unranked this semester, it will be on account of your own irresponsibility. Perhaps it will then teach you that your body can only go so far."
"Thank you, Unohana-sensei." Shunsui said fervently. "We've tried – all of us – but he hasn't listened to anything we've said. But if a teacher says it…"
"Yes." Retsu agreed. "I have assumed responsibility for his recovery now, Kyouraku-kun. You and your friends may rest assured that I will ensure he gets the rest and recuperation he needs."
"But…what if Nagoya-senpai refuses to train me again after I recover?" Juushirou whispered. "I can't not train – Unohana-sensei…"
"If Nagoya-kun takes that attitude, then advise him to come speak to me." Retsu said thoughtfully. "I will give him some advice about overworking a student of frail constitution and no doubt we will reach an understanding."
"Poor Nagoya-senpai." Despite himself, Shunsui grinned. "It's okay, Juu. I don't think he'll raise any objections. Not if you have Unohana-sensei on your side."
"Retsu-sama, I've brought the things you requested." At that moment, a fresh voice broke through the conversation, preventing Juushirou from finding an effective response. "The supply people said there should be more, but there was only one casket of bandages and I…"
The words petered out, as Mitsuki stopped dead under the arch that led from the back of the healing bay into the little sick room itself, and as her gaze met Juushirou's, colour drained from her features. Shunsui glanced from one to the other, interpreting the sudden tension that had filled the chamber, and he pursed his lips thoughtfully.
Mitsuki-chan. So you have made up your mind, then. This is where you've been lately, when we haven't seen you around. It hasn't all been about avoiding Juu after all.
"I'm sorry." She whispered now, breaking the awkward silence as she took a half-step back. "I didn't realise…I didn't mean to interrupt."
"Come on through, Mitsuki-san." Retsu offered her a gentle smile, gesturing for her to enter. "Thank you for running that errand for me. I will speak to the supply people myself later on – but for now, no doubt, what you have brought me will suffice."
"Edogawa-san." Juushirou bit his lip, clearly distressed at the sight of her, and slowly, Mitsuki bowed her head.
"Good morning, Ukitake-kun." She murmured. "I hope…you're feeling a little better this morning."
Juushirou was silent for a moment, then he frowned, his hazel eyes clouding.
"Thanks to your help, probably I am." He said at length. "And not just last night, but since I began my training, too."
Mitsuki looked stricken, and Shunsui held up his hands.
"My bad. I told him." He said casually. "Since I was laying into him about a few things, I added that to the list. But I figure it's okay to do so now, right? After all, since you're here like this…obviously you've taken Unohana-sensei up on her offer of specialist training, so obviously it's all good practice for you in one way or another."
"Yes…well…I have…but…" Mitsuki hesitated, even as Shunsui saw Juushirou's eyes widen at this unexpected titbit of information. "Kyouraku-kun…"
Retsu cast the young girl a glance.
"Have you been making herbal remedies to ease Ukitake-kun's symptoms?" She asked softly, and Mitsuki nodded slowly.
"Y…yes." She admitted. "Only v…very mild ones, Retsu-sama. Ones I kn…know I can do – exactly like the ones I've g…given him before. But I didn't mean…to cause anyone any problems. After all, I…"
"Your herbal compounds are quite innocuous, and I am not scolding you." Retsu assured her. "Only in future, Mitsuki-san, I would like to know when you are acting in that way. Although…"
She glanced at Juushirou, then,
"This maybe explains why it is your body has held out this long, Ukitake-kun. If you were taking Mitsuki-san's herbs, then the edge would probably have been taken off the damage."
"I didn't know I was." Juushirou admitted, still looking troubled. Retsu frowned, her gaze flitting back across to Shunsui.
"Kyouraku-kun?"
"My bad again." Shunsui nodded. "And I know it's not the best thing to do – to drug someone without their knowledge, Sensei. But he was obviously suffering and he was too stupid to ask for help. If you want to punish me then it's all right – I just wanted to make sure he didn't kill himself, and he wouldn't have taken it if I'd have told him the truth."
"I see. So idiocy on all sides, it seems." Retsu sighed, shaking her head. "Very well."
"It was my fault first of all." Mitsuki looked guilty. "Only I could feel it…he was hurting so badly, and…I just…I couldn't just let him. Even though he doesn't want me to, I just…I can't…not do anything at all."
"Part of being a healer is to understand the wishes of the patient too, Mitsuki-san." Retsu said lightly. "However, in this case…the patient appears to have been somewhat foolish. Therefore…providing the circumstance does not repeat…we will simply say no more about it. After all, in the end, no harm has been done."
"Yes, Retsu-sama." Mitsuki bowed her head. "I'm sorry. Next time I'll be sure to tell you everything first."
"That is another part of being a healer – to learn from mistakes and accept them quickly." Retsu reached across to put a reassuring hand on Mitsuki's arm. "Don't let yourself be discouraged. Your instincts are, after all, still very raw."
"If you're treating Ukitake-kun, maybe…I should leave you alone." Mitsuki murmured, and Shunsui noticed that she was avoiding the District boy's eye. "I didn't mean to burst in on you. Please. Excuse me."
"Wait…Edogawa-san…please."
As she turned to go, Juushirou called her back, his tones somewhat hoarse yet determined, and Shunsui's eyes narrowed as he took in the tension in his friend's frame. Mitsuki turned, looking apprehensive, and for a moment silence fell once more over the sick room. Then Juushirou sighed.
"I'm the intruder here. Not you." He said softly. "You don't need to leave."
"But I…" Mitsuki looked startled.
"If you're Unohana-sensei's apprentice now, then…you belong here." Juushirou said gravely, and Mitsuki's expression became troubled.
"I am." She said simply. "I decided at camp that it was the best thing for me to do. And I spoke to Sensei, who agreed with me."
"But…your family are all right with that now, Mitsuki-chan?" Shunsui asked gently, and Mitsuki shrugged her shoulders.
"It's not really about them." She admitted. "So I hope they're going to accept it, but even if they don't, I won't change my mind. Retsu-sama is going to speak to the Clan directly, and try to make Father and Guren-sama understand that this is part of me and it isn't going to go away. Naoko-chan thinks that they will accept it, if they know Retsu-sama has chosen to train me herself. So…I hope…maybe it will be okay."
"And if it isn't?" Juushirou's voice was little more than a murmur, but Mitsuki heard it, turning to face him with a flicker of defiance that Shunsui had not seen in her expression before.
"I've made my decision." She said firmly. "I've made a lot of decisions. If they don't like them, then they don't. But I won't change my mind. I can't be useful to Seireitei in any other respect – but I can help people heal and I will learn how to do it properly. Just like you decided to come here and be a Shinigami, Ukitake-kun. I can choose for myself, too."
"Woooh, Mitsuki-chan. Remember he's the not-so-walking wounded at the moment." Shunsui tapped her gently on the shoulder. "Surely healers don't yell at their patients, either."
"I wasn't yelling." Mitsuki responded simply. "I was just answering Ukitake-kun's question. That's all."
Retsu's gaze flitted from Mitsuki to Juushirou, then she nodded, getting to her feet.
"Kyouraku-kun, I think it best that you leave Ukitake-kun to our care now." She said evenly. "You may come and visit him again this evening, but please go and tell your classmates what I have said about his condition. I will not let further harm come to him, you may be sure of that."
"Yes, Sensei." Startled, Shunsui nodded his head. "If that's what you want…I'll go tell everyone. Hirata will be bouncing for information anyway – so the sooner I tell him, the better."
"And me, Retsu-sama?" Mitsuki looked surprised, and a sweet smile touched Retsu's lips.
"I will go and speak to the people downstairs about the supply of bandages I instructed to have delivered here this week." She said airily. "When I return, I will have another task for you to do – but for now, please, keep Ukitake-kun company. And most of all – ensure that he does not attempt to leave. Given his attitude towards his studies and his training, I think…it is best not to leave him on his own."
"But…" Mitsuki's eyes became huge, and an amused smile touched Shunsui's lips.
So Unohana-sensei sees it too – the tension between the two of them. She's a sly one, that one. I swear nobody even has half an idea of how clever or devious she is – or how much trouble she could cause if she turned her attentions to anything other than healing the sick. Really, everyone is very lucky that she's an Unohana, else they might find themselves at a serious military disadvantage.
"I'll come see you later then, Juu." He said aloud, moving towards the door. "So try and sleep some in the meantime. You're in safe hands here – let them do to you whatever they see fit, all right?"
He winked, then withdrew from the Healing Bay, pulling the door shut behind him.
Maybe it won't be enough for Mitsuki and Juu to make up their quarrel, but at least it's worth a try. Everything's been funny since camp and I don't really like it – perhaps if they both have to speak to one another, they'll at least manage to clear the air!
"I suppose I should…thank you."
As they were left alone, Juushirou shifted his heavy body into a more comfortable position, shooting his companion with an awkward look. "For the herbs…since they seem to have helped."
"No, you shouldn't." Mitsuki shook her head, moving across to open the window. "You didn't ask for my help, after all."
"Yes, but…" Juushirou faltered, then sighed, shaking his head.
"Either way, I suppose…I'm grateful."
"You don't have to be anything. Or say anything." Mitsuki shook her head, turning to lean against the sill as the cool breeze ruffled through her dark hair and around the stuffy chamber. "I told you. I made a lot of decisions after camp. That was simply one of them. I didn't intend for you to know, so in the end, you don't have to thank me."
"Lots of decisions." Juushirou murmured, then, "Even though I asked you not to get involved?"
"You didn't ask me. You decided I wouldn't get involved and that's different." Mitsuki fixed him with a serious look. "It upset me a lot, but it didn't change anything. The thing is, Ukitake-kun, whether I'm around you or not, I can feel when you're in pain. And whether you let me in or not, I'll worry about you. Even if you hate it or don't want me involved – it's not possible. I'm a healer. You really don't understand what that means."
"I understand you might put yourself in danger on my account." Juushirou said quietly, and Mitsuki snorted, shaking her head.
"Who do you think I am?" She demanded, startling her companion by the uncharacteristic derision in her normally soft tones. "You have your pride, Ukitake-kun, and I respect that. But I have mine too. And I don't know anything about your mother or what happened when you were born – nor do I know how much spirit power she used to save you. But I'm not her. I'm not going to act recklessly. And I'm not weak and feeble. Not even if you think I am."
"I never said that…"
"Yes, you did." Mitsuki cut across him, coming to stand beside the bed. "You pushed me away to protect me, which means you don't think I'm strong enough to bear your burdens alongside you. You trust in Ryuu-kun and the other boys, but you think me frail and easily damaged. You don't understand even the first thing about being a healer, if you really think that that's the case."
"But…"
"I feel everyone's pain, Ukitake-kun." Mitsuki was not to be gainsaid, as her pent up emotions came tumbling out one after another. "Everyone's. I always have done. My family have more or less isolated me because of it – and I've known that they feel that way, because my senses are that sharp. I felt my mother dying, but I couldn't do anything to save her. I see you struggle and there's nothing I can do there, either. When people are injured, I know. When they're ill, I know. When that District girl was murdered, it was me that she connected with – it was me who felt it, her last moments of pain and terror ripping through me. I've borne those things all my life. Even now, I don't have to ask how you are. I know without even looking at you – your head aches, your chest aches, your throat is raw and you're exhausted. But you only have to be aware of your illness. I have to be aware of everyone else's, too. I'm not as fragile as you think I am, and I don't need as much protection as all of that."
"Edogawa…san..." Juushirou faltered, and Mitsuki sighed, sinking down beside the bed as tears glittered in her grey eyes.
"I feel everyone's suffering." She whispered. "But I don't feel drawn to everyone like I feel drawn to you. It isn't pity or anything like that that connects me to you. I want to help you because I don't like to see you in pain. But I hate it so much because I love you – it's not the other way around."
Juushirou took a deep breath, rubbing his temples as he fought to get his own emotions under control.
"I've made you pretty angry, haven't I?" He said at length, and Mitsuki shrugged her shoulders.
"Maybe." She admitted. "I don't know. To be truthful, I don't think I've ever been really angry before. Or hurt. Or…well…as determined about things as I am right now."
"It surprised me." Juushirou admitted ruefully. "That you can be like Ryuu-kun or Nagoya-senpai and that you have that Kuchiki-ke pride inside of you just as much as they have it inside of them. I suppose I've realised for the first time that you are a Kuchiki hime…even though I never really did before."
"My family aren't like your family, so if they disown me it won't be the end of the world." Mitsuki said quietly. "Retsu-sama will sponsor me and when I finish my training, I'll be a part of her squad. Even if that does happen, Ukitake-kun, I've made up my mind. All those things I feel and can't do anything about – it's no different from your feelings about your father's death. You wanted to be a Shinigami because you wanted to protect your family the way you couldn't protect him. Right? I want to be a healer so I can do something to help people like my mother – instead of just feeling them slip away, a fragment at a time."
She glanced at her hands.
"I've hidden behind the Kuchiki shield for a long time. I'm not self-confident and I've always doubted my own judgement." She added. "But when you spoke to me how you did at the campsite, I guess, something snapped inside of me. I've had enough. I can't keep running. If you think that I'm so weak that I need pushing away…then I have to prove that I'm not weak. And, most of all, follow my own convictions instead of adapting to everyone else's."
She raised her head, eying him questioningly.
"If I did that, Ukitake-kun, I thought maybe you wouldn't feel you needed to protect me quite as much."
Juushirou chewed on his lip.
"Shunsui thinks…he says…that you…about me, too." He said awkwardly, red touching his cheeks as he tried to find the right words. "He's said it before, but I never listened. And to be honest…I didn't…really know how to handle it. Maybe I...chose not to...to listen. It wasn't something I ever thought of happening to me. Maybe…I panicked. Maybe…I jumped to conclusions. But…"
"I've never asked anything of you except to be friends." Mitsuki interrupted him softly. "And if you feel that way, then I never will."
"You still want to be my friend, even though I made you mad enough to yell at me?" Juushirou stared, and Mitsuki offered him a rueful smile.
"I'm in love with you." She said resignedly. "It skews all judgement to the contrary. Besides…I know that you don't really want to push me away. You're a bad liar, and I can see through it. You were doing it because you thought it was best for me – not because you really wanted me to leave you alone. And…and the other thing…about your curse…"
She sighed.
"It made me want even more to follow my vocation and train properly." She admitted. "Even though you intended it to have the opposite effect. Because I don't think you should give up that easily. And I won't let you any more than Kyouraku-kun or the others will."
She spread her hands, running her fingers idly along the top of the bedcovers.
"I'm a poor swordswoman and in a fight I'm weak. My Kidou is really average, compared to most of you and I never rank in the top five of the class, no matter how hard I work." She said softly. "But that's only because the skills they test me on are not the skills I really have. Retsu-sama's said to me that my talent is unusually potent – even among her people, it's a rare thing to have. And I…I believe her, because…sometimes I've done things that I shouldn't be able to do. Like when Onoe-kun was drifting – I managed to find him even though he was starting to fragment. Madeki-senpai could not – but I could, even without any training. And the dreams I have…Retsu-sama says they're all signs of a great healer whose skills will be a huge loss to Soul Society if wasted now."
She shrugged, raising tear-damp eyes to meet his once more.
"Maybe I'll never be as good as she is, but I can aspire to it." She added. "And if I can do that, I can learn the techniques she uses to help you, too. Since that's what friends do, in the end, isn't it? Help each other."
"Then I suppose…if all that is true…I owe you an apology. Probably…more than one." Juushirou held a shaking hand out to her, and tentatively she took it, squeezing his pale fingers in hers. "I'm lucky that you're such a good friend, Edogawa-san. Most people wouldn't forgive me – even if they do…feel that way."
"Sometimes you give me nightmares." Mitsuki admitted, a rueful smile touching her lips. "But its worse not being around you than being a part of whatever you're doing. Okaasama used to say that sometimes people are just connected, without any real reason why. I think that you and I are, Ukitake-kun. You've helped me to see what I need to be doing. And I…"
"You're always there to help pick up the pieces when I fall apart." Juushirou said dryly. "Or maybe Shunsui's right about the other thing, too. About…the…well, about how…I…"
He faltered, reddening furiously, then,
"After we argued, I felt like someone had sat on my chest and stifled me completely." He said awkwardly. "And Shunsui called me on it and told me that it wasn't just about you and how you'd felt about everything. I didn't get it at first, but last night he said…and now I think I do. What he means is that it wasn't just you having those kinds of feelings. I've been feeling that way too. Only...I don't know how to process them. And now I am...they're starting to make me on edge."
"Your...feelings?" Mitsuki stared at him, and Juushirou reddened, nodding his head.
"I don't know what the best way is to tell a girl I'm in love with her." He said ruefully. "I always imagined that if it came to it she'd run screaming for the hills, so I never really thought about the conversation that'd come next. I'm sickly and stubborn and not exactly anyone's prize catch - I never thought anyone could fall properly in love with me and not have ulterior motives in mind. But...you aren't someone who has ulterior motives. And when you look at me like that...I know that what Shunsui said – and what you've said - is the truth. And if that's the truth…then maybe…even I…too…"
Mitsuki snorted, an uncharacteristic look entering her grey eyes.
"You are the only person in this Academy who doesn't realise how amazing a person you really are." She whispered. "You're the only one who doesn't know that you're going to walk out of here and make a huge difference to the lives of so many people. You don't know it - you don't see it. But we do. The Clans do. Some are worried about it. Some are welcoming it. But they all know it's true."
She sighed.
"Sensei knows it too - that's why he chose you. You're not going to succumb to this curse and you're not going to die of haibyou, because nobody here is going to let you give up so easily. I'm not. Kyouraku-kun isn't. The teachers aren't, and nor are any of the rest of our class. You might think I'm crazy and you might think I'm biased. But I know it's true nonetheless. Regardless of who's top of the class or how we all finish our education here - you're not like everyone else. You're a catalyst. Someone who makes changes and brings people together. Because of that, you attract people to you. And because of that, I fell in love with you. Is that so crazy to believe?"
"Edogawa-san, I..."
"I'm serious." Mitsuki pinkened, raising her hand and putting a gentle finger to his lips. "You have an illness, and it burns the inside of your body. But it doesn't scar your soul, even so. You still look at me with strong hazel eyes. You can still smile and laugh even when its tearing through you and causing you pain. And you still believe in things wholeheartedly and passionately, no matter how much you're thrust back. Even if you do have some crazy ideas and you do start jumping to conclusions – you still act with others' best interests in mind. Why you'd ever think otherwise is a mystery to me...you're Ukitake Juushirou and there's only one of you anywhere in Soul Society. But one of you is going to be enough to turn the balance. I really believe it. That's why you're here."
"You have way too much faith in a boy who's still struggling to keep hold of his asauchi in training." Juushirou said pragmatically, carefully pushing her hand away. "And even if you feel that way, it doesn't change anything. Even if you love me, your Father wouldn't accept that. They might accept you as a healer, but they wouldn't accept me and so the subject is ended before it's even begun. Even if by some fluke I gained the haori - which is unlikely - he still wouldn't. Like Etsuo-san and Shunsui - it's doomed from the start."
"Ukitake-kun, answer me truthfully. Do you have feelings for me, or are you speculating?" Mitsuki asked quietly, and Juushirou hesitated for the briefest of moments. Then he nodded.
"Yes." He murmured. "Regardless of how complicated that might be, I think I do."
"And do you believe that you're beneath me? That Clan and District can't ever stand and face each other, eye to eye?"
"No, but..."
"This isn't about Father or the Kuchiki-ke. It's not about the Ukitake-ke, either." Mitsuki said evenly, surprising conviction in her soft tones. "I've learnt that since I've been here - that people aren't the family they come from but individuals who make their own choices. If there are consequences, then individuals face those too. I don't want to be shackled to my Clan. I don't want to be told how to live my life by them. I'm a healer. I'm for District Four. And I love you. So I'm not going to back down until you accept that fact - that it's Mitsuki who's talking. Not a Kuchiki hime, but just Mitsuki. Just Edogawa Mitsuki, your classmate and your friend."
"The irony being that you've never looked or sounded more Kuchiki in the whole of the time we've known one another." Despite himself, Juushirou smiled. "But I…I think I understand. At least, a little bit. And I am sorry…that I misunderstood. You do have a right to make your own decisions. And you do have a right to be involved in something, if you care that much about it. I'm used to shielding people, but I guess I need to stop doing it quite so much. I'm really sorry, Edogawa-san. And I'd like us to be friends again – if you're sure you can put up with me."
"We'll be friends as long as we know each other, no matter what." Mitsuki said simply. "Even if we can't be anything other than that, we'll always be friends. Even if Clan and District can't ever come to an accord – you and I can. Can't we? Even if it's just to be there to help each other through – we can do that, can't we? From now on?"
"Yes. We can." Juushirou clasped her hand firmly in his, relief in his hazel eyes. "I won't take you for granted again. And I certainly won't shut you out."
He grinned, shrugging his shoulders sheepishly.
"In fact, if you're going to be a healer, you may as well use me as a guinea pig." He said lightly. "Since I seem to come here a lot, I'm sure I could teach you plenty of things."
Mitsuki laughed, and Juushirou could feel the tension seep out of her aura.
"I'm glad." She admitted. "I don't like yelling and arguing and all of those things. But I wanted you to understand, Ukitake-kun. More than anyone, I wanted you to understand why I've made the decisions I have."
"I think I do. Now." Juushirou nodded. "And if that's truly how you feel – then I'm on your side, too. I didn't realise before, that's all. Now I do. So it's fine."
"It's fine." Mitsuki echoed, then, "In that case, if we're friends again…will you…call me Mitsuki?"
"Mitsuki?" Juushirou looked surprised, and Mitsuki pinkened, nodding her head.
"You already call Sora by her first name, and nobody thinks that's strange." She murmured. "So I'd like it if you'd apply the same rule to me. Just Mitsuki. From you, it's fine. After all, Kyouraku-kun already does it a whole lot. And if he can, I want you to know you can too. Because he's being cheeky, but I'd like to hear it from you."
"People might talk."
"Let them. It's not their business, so they can."
"Well, if it's what you want." Juushirou shrugged. "But if that's the case, Sora also calls me Juushirou. So you'd better do the same too – otherwise it really will seem odd. Unless, of course, you think it's that bad a name you don't want to use it."
""I don't think it's horrible at all." Mitsuki dimpled. "And I was hoping you'd say that - I never liked to ask, in case you thought...but I was always a little jealous of Sora for being able to do it without anyone batting an eyelid. So now you've said it, it's decided. I'll call you Juushirou from now on, and you call me Mitsuki. That way we leave our families out of it."
Juushirou sighed.
"That's probably the best place for them to be." He admitted, shuffling back on his pillows slightly and closing his eyes. "My brain is already whirling, so theirs would probably explode."
"You're still feeling ill." Mitsuki bit her lip, sounding guilty. "I've laid this all on you while you're in this state – I'm sorry."
"No…it's okay. I feel a bit better, now." Juushirou's eyes flickered open and he shook his head slightly. "Don't look like that. I'm glad we cleared the air."
He sighed again.
"This morning, Shunsui said that I might as well add lovesickness to my list of ailments." He added softly. "On account of the fact it's so unusual for me to lose my appetite. And you know…maybe he's right."
"Are you starting to feel hungry, then?" Mitsuki looked anxious, and Juushirou smiled.
"Not sure. But I feel less queasy, which has to be a good thing." He reflected. "I guess the conversation distracted me from it – or your company is healing on its own."
"I don't think it's that." Mitsuki pinkened, but there was pleasure in her grey eyes. "But I'm glad if you're feeling a bit better. And…and when Retsu-sama comes back, maybe she'll let me help treat you. That is…if you don't mind."
"I don't mind." Juushirou assured her. "It's the least I can do, for doubting your loyalty."
"Then it's decided." Mitsuki nodded her head firmly. "From this point on, Juushirou-kun, I'll always be there to back you up."
"Likewise." Despite himself, Juushirou felt a glow of warmth stir inside of him at hearing her call him by his first name. "Even if your family don't want you to be a healer, I won't make that mistake again. I'll stay on your side, Mitsuki…no matter what."