Chapter Forty-Nine: Hell's Messenger
He didn't like feeling so helpless.
As he walked through the corridors and hallways of the Kyouraku estate towards the secure suite of rooms where Kibana was currently under the strict care of Tokutarou's doctor, Shunsui sighed, wishing for the umpteenth time that he had not been so heavily asleep the night before. He was angry at Juushirou - for being careless or reckless and diving into a situation he didn't understand - but more, he was angry at himself for his own lapse in judgement. He had, in the end, fallen into the most obvious of traps. A celebration amongst Clan was not cause to drop his guard. On the contrary, it was the time when he should have been most alert - had Tokutarou not made it clear enough that Hirata's being in District Eight was as much a test as anything else?
I knew someone might try to attack him. But I was distracted by Eiraki-hime and Sumire-sama's coming, and I let the wedding take my attention away, too. I dropped into old habits. I let myself get carried away. I didn't even think...that someone might use the wedding as a reason to try an assassination attempt. But then, could I have predicted this? That Eiraki-hime would be used in that way? Probably not. Not even if I'd looked hard for it.
He paused for a moment, rubbing his temples.
Juu knew, didn't he? Maybe not at first, but last night he realised it. And all of this has come from that point. I don't even know if what I'm going to ask Kibana will help in the slightest - but it's the only thing I have at the moment. Eiraki-hime's slip over Urahara Keitarou, calling him by the same name she calls her fiance. It may be completely wrong - a coincidence, even - but it's all I have. So I'll go with it...and follow it through.
"Kyouraku-kun?"
As he reached the door of the sick-room, he saw Hirata was already waiting there, one of Yasuhiro's guardsmen in tow. At once Shunsui realised that the soldier had been doing his duty, keeping Hirata from entering as per Tokutarou's orders. Yet in that instant Shunsui also knew that if anyone should speak to Kibana, it should be Hirata. He raised his hand, gesturing for the soldier to stand at ease.
"I wanted to see him." Hirata whispered. "Your retainer said I couldn't. But...Kyouraku-kun..."
"It's Nii-sama's edict." Shunsui responded. "To keep Kibana safe. But if you're with me...it should be all right."
"Shunsui-sama?" The guard looked startled, and Shunsui offered him a grin.
"Yasuhiro said that Kibana-dono had roused. In Nii-sama's absence, I'm here to speak to him. He's left me in overall charge, after all." He said cheerfully. "I trust Hirata, so it should be fine for him to come with me. If there's any trouble over it, you can say I gave the order - I'll take it up with Nii-sama myself when he returns."
"Yes, Shunsui-sama." The guard eyed Hirata doubtfully, but bowed his head, stepping away from the door. "Please, enter."
"Thank you." Shunsui's grin widened. "Take a break for a while, all right? We'll be with him, so no harm will come to him...and you look like you've had a hard night last night. Take a few minutes to get a drink and stretch your legs."
"If you're quite sure, Shunsui-sama." The guard was completely foxed now, but Shunsui knew he could not risk anyone overhearing the conversation that might arise within the room. He nodded.
"Quite certain." He agreed lightly. "You may consider it a direct order."
"Yes, sir." Still looking non-plussed, the guard bowed his head then withdrew, and Shunsui offered Hirata a grim smile.
"Nii-sama might kick off at me, if he finds out." He murmured. "But considering last night, I think you should be allowed to come here too. You had the same idea I did, didn't you? To try and find out from Kibana about the night they left District Seven...and whether anything important happened we should know about."
"Mm." Hirata let out a heavy sigh. "Thank you, Kyouraku-kun. I'm glad you understand."
"I wish I didn't." Shunsui muttered. "Both of us slept through last night, and both of us wish we hadn't. If anything can give us a clue to finding Juu, Hirata...I'll do my best to find it out."
He pushed back the door, stepping into the darkened room and gesturing for his classmate to follow. Hirata did so, albeit hesitantly, and Shunsui let out his breath in a rush as he prepared for the conversation ahead.
"Kibana-dono."
He knelt down carefully at the sick man's side, settling himself as comfortably as he could as he reached out to gently touch the sleeping man's arm. "I'm sorry to disturb your rest, but it's a matter of importance and I'm not sure that it can wait."
For a moment there was silence, then, in the soft light of the chamber the man's lids flickered, twitching slightly and then opening to reveal tired, clouded dark eyes. He blinked once, then again, trying to bring his visitor into focus, and Shunsui knew that although the worst of the fever had abated and the wound had begun to heal, the man was still saturated with a combination of pain relieving herbs and Tokutarou's doctors' patent remedy for combatting infection. It was not the best time to ask questions, yet Shunsui knew he had to ask them and, as he met Hirata's gaze from across the room, he knew the other boy needed to know the answers too.
Hirata had not settled at Kibana's side, preferring to linger by the door as though uncertain whether his presence would help or hinder the interrogation. Secretly Shunsui thought Kibana would be happier talking to Hirata than to himself, but, in the circumstances, he could not blame his young friend for being cautious.
After all, someone manipulated his sister to try and kill him. In the circumstances, he's holding up pretty good.
As Kibana's eyes focused on him more clearly, Shunsui turned his attention back to the patient, offering a slight smile.
"My name is Kyouraku Shunsui." He said, speaking slowly and clearly so that the other man's fogged brain would make sense of his words. "My brother Tokutarou is the Clan Leader here in District Eight and we've been taking care of you since you crossed the border. Now you're healing, I hoped we could talk – I have some questions I really need to ask you."
Kibana wetted his lips, his fingers twitching and brushing across Shunsui's own.
"Shunsui-sama." He murmured, "Then we made it…?"
Shunsui nodded.
"You're quite safe here." He assured the sick man. "You and those you came with. Eiraki-hime and Sumire-sama have been offered sanctuary here by my brother for the forseeable future – you managed to get them across the border and you needn't worry about harm befalling them here."
I hope.
Relief flooded Kibana's dark eyes, followed by gratitude.
"Thank you." He whispered.
"I know you were a member of my Uncle's retinue, once, and that you defected so as not to rebel against my brother." Shunsui continued, his tones soft and even as he offered the other man a smile. "Tokutarou-nii respects you for that reason – you needn't feel that you are in any danger from us either. In fact, I hoped that maybe you still had some latent attachment to our family – since there are things I think only you can answer about how you came to escape from District Seven."
"Escape?" Kibana's lips thinned slightly. "I wonder…that myself, to be truthful. I think…Gods were…smiling on us."
"Gods were?" Shunsui was confused. "I don't follow. Why would you think that?"
Kibana hesitated, and Shunsui's eyes narrowed in consideration.
"Because you took a wound such as that one and still managed to make it to the border." He murmured. "Because you managed to get away even though people had attacked you – and you weren't followed nor prevented from reaching your goal. Your injury is serious, and I imagine it was painful to ride with…I have no idea how you managed that feat alone, let alone the rest."
Kibana sighed, flickers of pain crossing his features.
"I had to." He murmured. "If I hadn't…Misashi-sama entrusted them to me. I c…couldn't let them d…down."
"It was Father's idea then, after all." Hirata spoke up at that moment, and Kibana started, confusion and surprise crossing his tired features as he registered the fact that Shunsui was not alone. "Father wanted Eiraki and Okaasama to flee to District Eight – did he intend them to find me too, or was that just coincidence?"
"H…H…Hirata-sama?" Kibana whispered, and Hirata stepped forward, adjusting his spectacles on his nose as he moved into the sick man's line of sight.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to alarm you." He said contritely. "Only…I wasn't sure if you would speak to me or not. I needed to know that it was Father's will that brought you here – though I shouldn't have doubted it for a minute. I know you're loyal to him – I'm sorry. My paranoia is…starting to get the better of me."
"There is no need to apologise." Kibana moved his head gingerly from side to side. "That you are safe…Misashi-sama would be…relieved."
Hirata smiled ruefully, nodding his head.
"I'm discovering that it takes quite a lot to kill me." He admitted, sending Shunsui a glance. "Perhaps the Gods are looking out for me too."
"If only I truly b…believed in them." Kibana responded seriously. "I would s…say that to be true."
"Hirata, come sit with me." Shunsui suggested. "We don't want to disturb Kibana-dono more than we have to, not when his injuries are still in the healing stage. It'll be a while yet before he's allowed to get up, and Nii-sama will be cross if we cause him any further discomfort."
"Mm." Hirata nodded, obediently coming and kneeling at Shunsui's side. "Kibana-dono, since you're still acting out of loyalty to my father, I must ask…I want you to tell Kyouraku-kun everything about what happened the night you left District Seven. Okaasama and Eiraki-chan have both only said that you sent them ahead to the horses, and when you came to them you didn't talk much about what had happened. We'd like to know about it, please…both of us, if you don't mind. And..."
"And about a man called Minazake Roukei too, if you can." Shunsui added softly. "Eiraki-hime's fiance."
"Eiraki's…" Hirata paled, sending Shunsui a surprised look. "But he's still in…isn't he?"
"I left him…behind." Kibana confirmed. "In District S…Seven. He may not still live…I do not know. He t…took great risks himself to help Sumire-sama and the princess to escape…if Seimaru-sama found out about it…"
"Oh, I wouldn't worry. I think he's very much alive." Shunsui said grimly. "But for a moment, that's neither here nor there. When you left, you were attacked, weren't you? Do you remember who by – who sliced you open like that?"
"Soldiers sent by S…Seimaru-sama to prevent our attempts to escape." Kibana drew a shuddering breath into his lungs. "They t…took me off guard. An arrow…"
He faltered, closing his eyes for a moment and Shunsui swallowed his impatience, realising that it was putting strain on the sick man to draw on these memories and speak.
"How many guards, Kibana-dono?" Hirata asked softly, and Kibana's eyes opened, his gaze darting to the young Endou.
"Perhaps fifteen." He murmured. "Young and old. Retainers in Endou-ke uniform. Seimaru-sama w…was not there, yet still. If not for Minazake-dono…if not for him…"
"So Minazake helped you to fight off these guardsmen and allowed you to escape?" Shunsui asked. Kibana shook his head.
"No. Minazake-dono was f…forbidden from ever c…carrying a sword." He replied. "Like M…Misashi-sama – the Clan st…stunted his ability to gain…gain full power by p…preventing him from training as a…a soldier."
"It's not uncommon in the Endou-ke, if there's someone who's thought to be dangerous." Hirata confirmed. "It's why, I think, I hadn't touched a sword or a bokutou before I came to the Academy either. It was only because Father decided to send me to District One that I began to learn things like that – for a warrior Clan, cutting off those opportunities is equivalent to neutering their ability to fight back."
Shunsui pursed his lips, then,
"Eiraki-hime seems very fond of Minazake. I guess I see why." He said softly, his expression giving away nothing as he met Kibana's gaze with a level one of his own. "Kei-sama, I think she calls him? She seems to believe that she owes him her life – as well as you, that he was instrumental in your escape. And now you've told me the same thing…for a man not gifted with a sword, he must be a very clever person indeed."
"Eiraki-chan spoke to you about Minazake?" Hirata was startled a second time, and Shunsui grinned humourlessly.
"No. Not to me." He said, shaking his head. "But I realised it this morning. Eiraki-chan's the right age to throw her affections foolishly and blindly towards someone who reaches out a hand to her, and her experiences make it even more so. I think she's probably quite in love with him, if you want to know the truth."
"I also…think so." Kibana admitted. "But perhaps that is…not a bad thing. If he can survive…"
"Perhaps." Shunsui said non-comittally. "If Minazake sees her in the same light."
"He was committed to helping…her leave." Kibana's eyes became thoughtful. "He risked a lot…and he still does not have his freedom, so he risked it without personal gain. I think perhaps his intentions…are honourable towards her. Even if…such a match…would give him position in the Clan again."
"Then I suppose, if Eiraki-chan and he feel that way, when this all dies down, Okaasama will agree to it." Hirata rubbed his temples. "Eiraki-chan is fifteen not long after Shougatsu – a year on and she'll be old enough by Endou law to make a formal marriage match. Providing Minazake escapes with his life…"
"I don't think you should arrange a wedding yet." Shunsui said frankly. "But I'm also fairly sure he'll keep his life. Kibana, I'm sorry – this might not be an easy question for a soldier to answer, and I have no way of knowing what kind of spiritual awareness you do or don't have. But if Minazake didn't use a sword – did he have no way to fight back? Did you really manage to defeat an entire division of soldiers on your own?"
"I only brought down at…at best two." Kibana was surprised. "When I had d…done so, the rest were all sl…sleeping on the ground. Minazake said it…it was an anaesthetic he had with him – the same d…drug he used to s…silence the rest of the guards so that we c…could slip away."
A drug to silence the guards. What an interesting pattern that makes.
Shunsui's eyes became slits, even as Hirata let out an exclamation.
"The guards were drugged?"
"We didn't w…want to fight anyone." Kibana agreed. "We wanted to j…just vanish, but in the end, we w…were out-thought."
He looked rueful.
"Thanks to his m…medical c…concoctions, I was a…able to ride, too." He added. "He took the arrow-head from my…my wound and treated me with s…something that dulled the pain enough for me to c…continue in our plans. I had h…hoped it would last me longer…but in the end, it d…did enough of a job to g…get to wh…where I needed to be."
"The injury would have killed you, had a friend of mine not treated you in the abandoned village." Shunsui said evenly. "But that she was able to, and that we can continue to treat you here…I'm glad."
"Kyouraku-kun, why are you asking Kibana about all of these things?" Hirata asked apprehensively. "Do you think…are you thinking…there's some connection with…last night?"
"Last night was my brother's wedding party and I was far too inebriated to take any notice of anything." Shunsui said blithely. "I'm just interested, that's all…in hearing what exactly happened. It strikes me that Minazake is a very lucky man – to be able to overpower so many guards while a trained soldier of Kibana's reputation only took down two."
"I may…not be remembering clearly. I was in p…pain." Kibana acknowledged. "Perhaps I d…dreamed that part…to be honest I acted on instinct alone to b…bring the ladies here. I don't r…remember much of the journey – just knowing that I h…had to keep going and so I…so I did. Although…"
He faltered, and Shunsui glanced at him.
"Although?"
"Nothing. A hallucination…nothing more." Kibana shook his head slightly, and Shunsui frowned.
"Even so, I'd like you to tell me." He said gravely. "Last night, Kibana-dono, a very good friend of Hirata and mine disappeared from this estate without good reason. Eiraki-hime was also affected – though she was recovered safely and has taken no permanent harm from whatever happened. She has an unclear memory and we're looking at all lines of enquiry that we can to track Juushirou down before he gets himself hurt. So even if it seems unconnected, any little things you remember about that night, anything at all…"
Kibana sighed, closing his eyes.
"It means n…nothing to me." He murmured. "Probably it m…means nothing at all to…to anyone. But in the m…moonlight…I thought I saw threads. S…strands of s…silver in between the trees, glittering against the b…bodies of the sleeping soldiers."
"Threads?" Hirata glanced at Shunsui, who shrugged his shoulders.
"No idea." He owned. "What kind of threads – do you know?"
"They r…reminded me of the web of a s…spider…caught by winter f…frost or dawn d…dew so that they stand out above all things." Kibana said slowly. "But there's n…no sense to it. None at all. I thought I saw them…but its clear I…I did not."
"Did Minazake also see them?" Shunsui asked, and Kibana shook his head slightly.
"I d…don't think so. He s…said nothing. Though they w…were far cl…closer to him – almost t…touching him, before th…they disappeared." He murmured softly. "He w…would have seen them, if they were…were there. I'm s…sure he would. He has more p…perception than me – I have even s…seen him use b…basic kidou spells which I w…wouldn't begin to know how to c…cast. So they m…must not have been r…real after all, must they? Shock and p…pain are to blame…that's all."
"Yes, perhaps you are right." Shunsui got to his feet, patting the injured soldier on the hand as he did so. "We've tired you out, haven't we? I'm sorry, Kibana-dono. We'll leave you now to sleep. You've told us much – and I think you've helped a good deal. Try not to worry about anything further. You have the word of my Clan that we will protect Sumire-sama and Eiraki-hime to the best of our ability."
"And I will too, if I can." Hirata added quietly, his eyes serious. "Thank you for what you've done already, Kibana. Father would be glad…in his place, I am grateful."
"In his place…" Kibana's lips twitched into a faint smile and he nodded. "Of all things he w…would be most proud to h…hear that, Hirata-s…sama. He places all his h…hopes with you – he w…would be h…happy that you understand his f…feelings."
"I've always known them, I've just not always wanted to think of them." Hirata agreed sadly. "I know my duty, and I won't run away from it. I know Father would give his life to protect all of us, but that's not acceptable to me – it never was and it isn't now. If I can change that – even just a little bit, then I will."
He glanced at Shunsui.
"We should leave, as you say." He murmured. "I have things to ask you, and we are disturbing Kibana-dono all the more by talking here."
"Right with you." Shunsui said gravely, bowing his head towards Kibana and allowing the younger boy to lead the way out of the secluded little sick room to the ante-chamber beyond. Once there, however, Hirata grabbed Shunsui by the arm.
"What do you know?" He demanded, and Shunsui started, surprised by the strength and intensity in the younger boy's grip.
"That hurts, Hirata-kun." He protested lightly, reaching across to remove the other's fingers, but instead Hirata grabbed him by the other arm, fixing him with a dark, unyielding glare.
"This is my Clan." He said blackly. "This is my family being whipped around and treated in such a horrible way. I was almost killed last night – do not even begin to think I'll accept it if you blow me off with one of your flippant asides. I know you know something – and it relates to Ukitake-kun and Eiraki-chan as well as it does to me. They are people I care about – more people I care about than you even know are involved in this. So tell me. Here and now. What do you know?"
Shunsui stared at his companion, completely taken aback by the sudden tirade. In that instant, he had seen the Endou-ke's predatorial spirit flare up in the younger boy's pale eyes, cold and resolute as they glittered behind the lenses of his glasses.
So last night's shock has had a deeper impact than I thought. You're working hard to hide it for everyone else's sake, because Juushirou is missing – but that's only added to it for you, hasn't it? He saved your life, and now his might be in danger. I should remember that – it isn't just Eiraki-chan you're concerned for, nor your father. You're stronger than you were, Hirata-kun, but it's still Juu that you cling to in times of need. All of this is simply one thing on top of another for you – no wonder it's starting to take its toll.
Shunsui sighed, resignation flooding through him as he nodded his head.
"Sooner or later I'd have to tell you." He admitted out loud. "And I wasn't really planning on blowing you off with any 'flippant aside', since more than anyone I know this affects you. I just wanted to think it out in my own mind before giving you something that might be way off base."
"I can think things over for myself. Two of us may be better than one." Hirata said coldly, and Shunsui nodded.
"All right. I guess from that expression that it's better that it's sooner." He acknowledged. "But I wasn't kidding – your grip hurts, Hirata-kun. It's like having a hawk clawing at my arms – let me go. I won't run anywhere – so loosen up, all right?"
"I'm listening." Hirata's fingers relaxed slightly, though he did not completely release his grasp, and Shunsui pursed his lips.
"It really is only a fleeting theory buzzing around my hungover head at the moment. A fleeting one with circumstantial evidence to back it up at best." He acknowledged. "I'm not thinking on all cylinders thanks to last night's idiocy, and I don't want to make you more paranoid, either. But I think…I'm starting to think…that Sumire-sama and Eiraki-hime were meant to come here. That it wasn't Kibana's hard work that secured it, but someone else acting behind the scenes."
"Minazake?" Hirata asked, and Shunsui snorted.
"I am quite sure that if we did some digging, we'd find Minazake Roukei did not exist." He said baldly. "Though yes, I believe he's involved. Seimaru too, possibly. I'm not sure about that yet."
"Seimaru…let my kinswomen go?" Hirata blinked, then, "Wait a minute, Minazake Roukei does not…?"
"I think they were let go so that Eiraki could find you and then try to kill you. Maybe on Seimaru's orders, even." Shunsui said quietly. "I don't think it's her will or decision and I don't think she's culpable of anything except being a gullible teenage girl looking for allies in a cold bleak world. But even so, that's what I think. I asked her some hard questions this morning, and she was shaken and upset. But she didn't cough. She wasn't pale. None of the things that have concerned so many people. As though something was sapping away at her – and last night, that something was broken. The only thing is, the one who probably broke it – isn't here to ask about it."
"Ukitake-kun." Hirata whispered, and Shunsui nodded.
"Bingo." He agreed. "What if he worked this all out last night, and went off to try and find the answer? That's just the kind of thing he'd do."
"It is." Hirata agreed unwillingly, his fingers slipping away from Shunsui's arms as tears glittered in the boy's pale eyes. "But why, Kyouraku-kun? Why didn't he tell anyone what he was doing? And why…for the sake of my family…why would he…?"
"Because he's your friend. In Juu-logic that's all that's needed." Shunsui said matter-of-factly. "But if he did go off to do something hairbrained and stupid, doubtless he'd both conceal his reiatsu and hide if he saw guardsmen out on patrol. Because he'd have a specific goal in mind – even if it was an idiotic one. And that means Yasuhiro's men probably wouldn't find him. Though I'm surprised Ryuu-kun and Kai-kun failed to – they're sharper in that department and even though Juu's better with his reiatsu these days, to suppress it so completely…"
He frowned, tilting his head on one side as he considered.
"You didn't teach him kyakkou, did you?" He asked. "We haven't covered that particular bakudou yet in class, so…"
"No. I haven't." Hirata shook his head. He took a deep breath, and Shunsui knew he was working to hold back the tears. "And even if I had, he'd still have to manage his own reiatsu. Kyakkou only bends light to make something invisible. But I want to know the other thing you meant. About Minazake. Do you think…he's our enemy?"
"Right now I don't know what he is, but I think we need to find out." Shunsui said quietly. "He's a kinsman of your aunt – right? Lady Riku, isn't that what was said?"
"So I'm told, but I haven't ever met my aunt and wouldn't know any of her kinsfolk." Hirata shook his head. "All I know is that her kin were slaughtered as potential rivals to my Grandfather, and she was the only survivor – as far as people knew. She was betrothed to my Uncle, and then displeased my Grandmother so was exiled to Hokujou in the north. That's all I know. It's all most of us know. Grandmother took whatever else with her to her grave."
"Hokujou?" Shunsui asked.
"It's an old castle, now used as a noble prison to keep her under house arrest." Hirata responded. "I've never been there – nobody goes there."
"Somebody did." Shunsui said quietly. "Someone calling himself Minazake Roukei did, and somehow managed to see a woman who was placed under arrest and who had restricted access to the outside world. Seimaru must've arranged that, I'm sure. He's the only one with the power to do so now, surely? And you just said yourself that her kin were slaughtered. So where did he come from, then, if that's the case?"
"Even if you try to hunt down a whole family, one escapes here and there." Hirata murmured, and Shunsui shot him a quizzical look.
"That doesn't sound like something you'd say."
"I didn't. It's something my Uncle used to rant and rave about when dealing with District families and trying to wipe out those who were spiritually aware." Hirata shook his head. "My uncle was violent and borderline insane, Kyouraku-kun, and my aunt an opportunistic manipulator who tried and failed to get ahead of herself in Endou politics."
"An opportunistic manipulator who happened to spawn Seimaru." Shunsui grimaced. "And would probably lie for his sake, too, if prompted?"
"I suppose so. But I don't see the reasoning. Some random noble from some unknown Clan connection – how would it benefit Seimaru to invent a kinsman?"
"Or to hide someone else under that name." Shunsui said blackly.
"Someone else?" Hirata's eyes became huge. "Someone...like..."
He faltered, as though not wanting to speak the words, and there was a long, tense pause. Then, at length, he sighed, closing his eyes briefly.
"Seimaru's ally. Seimaru's puppet. Seimaru's lackey." He said bitterly. "Someone like...Aizen Keitarou. Urahara Keitarou - correct?"
"That's where I'm thinking, although even I don't know that I'm right and I've no proof to back it up." Shunsui said grimly. "Bits and pieces, that's all - for now, don't spread that around. I don't want to cause a panic, after all."
"Of course not." Hirata shook his head impatiently. "What good does it do me or my Clan if it was to be known someone in my family was shielding someone like that when the Council are hunting him down!"
"But you came up with his name quickly, so you've been wondering what he's been involved in since the collapse of the Shihouin experiments too, haven't you?" Shunsui realised, and Hirata nodded his head.
"The only guarantee is that he'd be involved in something." He said thickly. "Whatever Seimaru told him to do most probably, since he's a scientist and not a soldier or a shinigami. Even if he can mix up chemicals to drug guards or dull the pain of arrow injuries, he'd still need Seimaru's protection and he'd obey any orders given. Including impersonating a kinsman and gaining my sister's trust."
"Not a soldier." Shunsui's eyes were no more than slits. "More and more I think we're on the right track. But there are still gaps - Hirata-kun, have you told me everything that you know about what's going on in your District? Is there anything Juu might've known that I don't – anything that might've sent him haring off into the night like that? Because little things are bothering me. He disappeared of his own accord – but I can't imagine him leaving Eiraki-hime in the cold like that. He'd have got help for her first. And even if this Keitarou was here last night - even if he was, on Seimaru's orders, drugging guards and so on - did he and Juu cross paths?"
He paused, glancing at Hirata.
"If they did - they didn't fight. Did they talk? Did they miss each other completely? I believe the manipulation spell was on Eiraki-hime before she left Seventh. And if by some fluke that Keitarou guy was here last night - even if he was the one controlling Eiraki-hime - he didn't manipulate Juu."
"If it was put on her before she left Seventh, there are any number of Shinigami who could've acted on Seimaru's command." Hirata said softly. "Grandfather's former lieutenant and third officer are not in Seimaru's class, but that doesn't mean they might not have such base techniques sealed within their swords. They are Endou, after all. It would be fitting if they did."
He shrugged, a bitter expression in his eyes.
"I wonder if it had a connection with the threads Kibana saw the night they escaped." Shunsui murmured. "Threads...spider webs...someone controlling the guards from the shadows? Someone making them collapse so as it seemed they had defeated the enemy in order to escape? Kibana said himself he only took down two men. That leaves thirteen, and Aizen isn't a soldier. Even if he's just Minazake Roukei, the same applies. So who took those men down? Perhaps you're right...I just don't know."
Somehow it still feels wrong. Like I'm missing something obvious, but I can't put my finger on what it is.
Hirata bit his lip.
"There is one other thing you don't know about." He said softly, glancing around him to make sure nobody else was nearby to listen. "But…"
He trailed off, and Shunsui suddenly felt his sense of unease grow inside.
"This wouldn't connect to a certain letter, would it?" He asked quietly. "That Seimaru might like to get a hold of?"
Hirata was silent, and Shunsui's unease doubled.
"Juu had it, didn't he." He murmured. "All this time. And now…"
"He doesn't have it now." Hirata shook his head, slipping his fingers into the folds of his obi and pulling out the creased sheet of washi parchment. "It's here. With me."
Shunsui muttered a curse, then,
"But Juu did have it? Or at least, he knew about it?"
"Mm." Hirata's expression was troubled, and despite his attempts, the tears trickled down his cheeks. "It was dangerous – I know it was. But I didn't have anyone else who was entirely my ally. Not then. I needed…someone who I could trust, and who didn't have Clan connections. Ukitake-kun…he kept it safe for me. And nobody ever guessed."
"You're wrong there. I guessed, but Juu wouldn't talk to me about it." Shunsui said darkly. "And if I did, other people might have. So you gave this letter to him all that time ago? He's had it since then? And now…last night…?"
"I don't know where it was originally. He didn't tell me." Hirata shook his head. "But when we came here, he hid it inside Sougyo's sheath. He told me that he'd promised Father that if he could, he'd help me – that it was his duty to protect me as a shinigami and as his friend. So we agreed that if Sougyo had the letter, that was one way of doing it without him needing to run into danger. Yet…"
"Did Juu take Sougyo no Kotowari with him last night?" Shunsui asked sharply, and Hirata nodded.
"But he left the sheath behind." He whispered. "So I know he thought…when he followed my sister…that my family were somehow involved. Everything you've said makes sense, Kyouraku-kun. And we have to do something about it. We have to find him – wherever he's gone. He might use Sougyo and he might get hurt…especially if it's that he…"
"He's gone to District Seven." Shunsui felt his heart sink like a lead bullet through his chest. "None of us want to say it, but that's in the end what's happened. Probably he caught wind of Urahara Keitarou's name - thanks to Kyouki-sama so kindly giving it to him - from somewhere or someone and decided he was going to go save the world in one of his usual idealistic fits of stupidity. My family's protection doesn't extend over the border, Hirata. If he's attacked here, that's different. But if he goes there, alone…with that sword…"
"Seimaru will kill him." Hirata's voice shook. "I know. That's why I need to go there too. I need to find him. As soon as I can."
"You're not going anywhere. Not alone, at least." Shunsui said frankly, making up his mind. "We don't know where he is or what's happened to him, yet. He may still be in District Eight – for now, wait till Yasuhiro's men return."
"But…"
"Hirata, if we charge off into your family's land and Juu is safe and sound here, that's going to rebound on my brother and it could be enough to cause war." Shunsui said bluntly. "Likewise, making rash accusations about Seimaru shielding illegal scientists would not go down particularly well, not while you're witholding that letter. I'm worried about Juu. Just as much as you are, believe me. But…in the circumstances…we don't know anything yet. We don't know where he might be. And…"
"You said we." Hirata's eyes widened as he cut across his friend. "You…you intend to come too?"
"Mm." Shunsui nodded. "I'm not letting you charge off like an idiot to get killed because Juu thought it would be a good plan to take a winter tour. But we have to think about this logically. I'm not going to bring war on the heads of my brother's people if I can help it. So…"
Hirata glanced at the letter, then sighed.
"Tonight." He murmured. "If Yasuhiro-dono's men don't find anything, Kyouraku-kun, then I intend to go whether you want me to or not. I'm scared to go by myself, but I'm more scared of seeing people I love getting hurt over and over again while I'm too weak to do anything about it. In the end, it piles up – these things are my fault and even if I die, I have to…to face them. Seimaru won't stop until either he kills me or I kill him. He'll involve innocent people. He might even declare war. I won't…I have to go back. I can't keep running – Eiraki-chan was right. I'm the only one who can change things and even if I die trying, it's better than seeing her manipulated, Okaasama homeless and Father locked up in a cell I can't reach. This is doing something. I'm terrified but…I need to do it. Tonight, Kyouraku-kun. If Ukitake-kun isn't found…I'm going tonight."
"We'll both go or neither of us." Shunsui shook his head. "In the meantime, we've work to do. That letter, for a start. What do you intend to do with that if you head off into enemy land? It's the only proof that exists against your cousin."
"I already thought about that." Hirata ran his finger over the paper, then, "I'm going to give it to Kai-kun. I'm going to entrust it to him and ask him to act on it. If I'm killed, then the only way of stopping Seimaru is via the Council. My family can't lose much more than they already have, after all."
"And Misashi-sama?" Shunsui murmured. Hirata flinched, letting out a heavy sigh.
"If I live, I will find him. Free him, if I can. Save his life." He said softly. "That's what a hero should do, anyhow. But I know…I'm not a hero, Kyouraku-kun. And the chances are high that I'll fail. If I do…I know…Otousama will probably be killed. My being alive is all that's keeping him so – Eiraki-chan about said as much to me. But…for the sake of the Clan, Otousama would gamble everything, even his life. Okaasama and Eiraki-chan are free from harm. I don't intend to condemn my father. But I will…not let…Seimaru use him as a barrier any more."
He closed his eyes, the tears spilling down his cheeks, and Shunsui sighed, dropping his hands down on the younger boy's shoulders.
"Heroes tend to do stupid things. They're only heroes if they succeed." He said quietly. "And what you've just said makes me twice as determined I'm coming with you. Stupid things are something I'm good at, after all…maybe between the two of us we'll figure something out."
"At the very least, find Ukitake-kun and get him out of the way before all hell lets loose on him." Hirata agreed sadly.
"You two seem very covert this morning." Kyouki's voice broke through their conversation, both boys glancing up guiltily as the Clan leader bore down on them. "Visiting Kibana? I thought that Tokkun agreed to keep the Endou-ke away from him for the time being, Shunsui?"
"He did." Shunsui raised his gaze, meeting the older woman's quizzical eyes with solemn ones of his own even as Hirata hurriedly dashed his tears away. "I've overruled him, however, in light of new circumstances."
"Overruled…?" Kyouki's eyes widened, and Shunsui nodded.
"Yes."
"Do you think he'd like that, if he knew you were running riot behind his back?"
Shunsui's lips twitched into a cool smile.
"I don't suppose he'd mind." He responded. "Hirata needed to speak to him – I was present so I know what was said."
"Then I should speak to him too, I think, if he's up to receiving visitors."
"No."
Kyouki made to pass him, but Shunsui put out his hand, shaking his head as she glanced at him in surprise.
"No?" The clanswoman's brows knitted together. "Overruling both Tokkun and I, now? You have a lot of guts, but not much sense, in that case."
"With all respect, Kyouki-sama, none of this is currently your concern." Shunsui said calmly, slipping the rest of his body across to block her path. "Nii-sama gave the instruction that when he was away, I was in charge. And for that reason, my wishes overrule yours. You want to speak to Kibana-dono, I know. I've no objection to you doing so. But right now the man is tired and needs to sleep. My orders are that he be allowed to do so. You may speak to him tomorrow – when he's had further chance to rest."
Kyouki stared at him for a moment, then she let out a low chuckle.
"Well, well. So you do have it, after all. The air of a Clan leader who knows what he wants." She reflected. "Very well, Shunsui-sama. You are right, of course. I'm overstepping the bounds of Clan familiarity by making assumptions I've no right to make. Kibana is your patient – I will see him at your pleasure. As it happened, I came down here on the off-chance – I intend to leave tomorrow, so thought it would be convenient to come here today."
Shunsui frowned.
"Kyouki-sama, last night Juushirou disappeared from the manor." He said quietly. "We don't think he was attacked, but nobody can find him. Yasuhiro is organising searches of the area but they've so far come up blank. Can you think of another way to get to District Seven…other than over land?"
"Juushirou?" Kyouki's face went through a mixture of expressions, then, "On his own? For what purpose?"
"We're still trying to work that out clearly." Shunsui admitted. "But in the meantime…"
"Between Seven and Eight there is only land." Kyouki shook her head. "The Shiba have travelled through several times in past years when coming here. But there is no underground mining in Eight and the ones in Seven are long filled in – no hidden pathways or secret routes that I've heard of. If I didn't know them, could that boy? I don't see how."
"I don't know of any, either." Hirata admitted. "Though I'm sure Kyouki-sama has been through more of the land than I have, to be honest."
"Then that's why you spoke to Kibana. To ask him that question." Kyouki looked thoughtful. "Very well. Then I will leave here sooner than I anticipated. So long as I can leave my hungover son in your care a little longer – I will ride today and go to District One. I will consult Genryuusai-sama…he may know what I don't, and if it concerns Juushirou, time cannot be wasted."
"Thank you. I hoped you would." Shunsui looked relieved. "And I'm sorry if I've been rude. I just…"
"In the circumstances, I understand. A foolish District boy with a head full of ideals is a dangerous thing indeed." Kyouki sighed. "I suppose he took that sword with him? Full of naïve fighting spirit with not much training to back it up?"
"Sougyo no Kotowari is also gone." Shunsui nodded.
"Then perhaps you should be trying to find him before he kills someone, not before someone kills him." Kyouki advised darkly. "His zanpakutou is a deadly weapon in inexperienced hands, and his are very inexperienced. I will ride at once – and Shunsui, this is only my advice but I would send word to Tokkun, too. Juushirou is one District boy, but if he has gone towards Seventh…it could have ramifications for everyone. The least of which would be Juushirou getting killed."
"I had already decided to do so." Shunsui agreed, bowing his head. "I hoped it could be resolved more simply – but I'm starting to realise that that's not the case."
He faltered, then,
"Could Juushirou's sword open a Senkaimon?" He asked hesitantly. "Even as untrained as that? Because otherwise…"
"Not a chance. It would explode or collapse before he could bring it under control and we'd feel the spiritual tremors for miles around." Kyouki shook her head. "Only those most skilled with their swords could open a Senkaimon of any kind…only those of Genryuusai-sama, Retsu-sama or Guren-sama's level could likely open them without being detected."
"Of Bankai level, you mean." Shunsui murmured, and Kyouki nodded.
"Even I can't do that level of manipulation." She responded. "There's no way Juushirou – even with all his latent ability – could."
Shunsui's lips thinned as he digested this. Then he shrugged.
"It was just a thought. I'm trying to think of every possibility, even stupid ones." He said at length. "Thank you, Kyouki-sama. Hirata and I will go see about sending a message to Nii-sama now."
"Do so." Kyouki agreed. "If it's all right with you, I'm going to follow some reiatsu traces and walk out to peer at the place Eiraki-hime was found. Then I guess I'll saddle up and go East, to see what the old sensei has to say about his District student's latest exploit!"
It was a cold day in District Eight, brisk and chill with a biting wind that seared through the tree branches with a faint, eerie whistling sound. There had been a second frost since the previous evening, and the ground was crisp and bright, glittering as though coated in some special powder – yet there was no sign of snow, and still the Yuukirin flowers bloomed bravely against the chill.
Mitsuki shivered, pulling her cloak more tightly around her slim body as she picked her way carefully between the patches of grass where the winter sun had begun to thaw the frost into slick damp and mud towards the area of trees where they had found Eiraki the night before.
Although there was nothing physical to indicate the route through the Kyouraku forest in daylight, Mitsuki did not hesitate for a moment, pressing resolutely forward as she followed the faint wisps of her classmate's dissipating reiatsu. Occasionally she felt the weak vapour of Eiraki's, cloaked in the stronger signal left by Juushirou – but it was not until she reached the location itself that she truly was aware of the young princess's presence. There were still traces of blood on the ground, and as she stood there, closing her eyes, she could patch out Juushirou's spirit here far more clearly, too.
But he had not been taken ill. Despite the cold, she was sure of that – there was nothing in the residual aura to suggest the sudden shock of cold night air had done him any harm at all. He had been moving at speed when she and Sora had attempted to way-lay him – yet it was only Eiraki whose discomfort was recorded here.
Mitsuki frowned, resting her hand against the trunk of a nearby tree as she tried to process the mingled sensations.
She had not sensed Eiraki at all until they had gone outside – she had assumed that Juushirou's stronger signal had simply masked the young princess's from her awareness. But whilst Juushirou had not been afraid nor injured, she knew now that Eiraki had been both. The blood on her clothing had come from her and her alone – something had happened to her here, of which she had no memory.
I felt it, after all. Someone having their soul devoured, and then Eiraki-chan attacked Hirata while under another's lure. I couldn't feel Eiraki-chan at all, not until Juushirou's reiatsu disappeared. It might have been because Eiraki-chan is weaker and I'm always distracted by Juushirou – but I don't think so. When that District girl was murdered, after all, I still felt it. Even though she was a stranger and even though she was far from the school – it ripped right through me. Someone like Eiraki-chan who I know and whose spiritual signature is familiar to me…I shouldn't have overlooked it so easily. Not even if I was worried about Juushirou…that doesn't make any sense. So…
"I wondered if I'd find you out here."
Sora's voice broke through her musings and she turned, seeing her friend with Ryuu in tow. Both bore identically serious expressions on their faces, still wrapped up from their morning ride and Mitsuki bit her lip, nodding her head.
"I wanted to see if I could work anything out now it's daylight." She admitted. "But I don't know if I can."
"This is the same place." Ryuu brushed his fingers through the air, then, "Ukitake was here. Then he wasn't. There's a clean break in his reiatsu somewhere in this location – but how to explain that I do not know."
"Me either." Mitsuki shook her head. "I don't think he could hide from me – not even if he suppressed his spirit as much as he could. The only answer is he disappeared from this place completely. He's not dead, or hurt – at least, he wasn't then. But he just…vanished. Poof. Gone. Just like that."
She sighed.
"Sora-chan, do you remember last night I said that I felt someone's soul being taken away?" She asked, and Sora nodded, looking apprehensive.
"Yes. It sounded spooky. Why? Have you worked out how or whose?"
"Mm. Maybe." Mitsuki agreed. "I think it was Eiraki-chan. I think it was whatever spell was cast over her to make her attack Hirata-kun. Because all of that time, I didn't know that Juushirou was chasing Eiraki-chan or that Eiraki-chan was even out here. Not till Juushirou disappeared. But I know Eiraki-chan and I should have realised. Unless something had changed her reiatsu beyond all recognition."
"That would make sense." Ryuu nodded his head gravely. "I had begun to wonder in a similar vein, to be truthful. My own senses are sharp, but yours are far sharper in many respects. Even though Eiraki-hime is not a strong individual, I would have expected you to find her more quickly. Especially given that she was hurt."
"Exactly." Mitsuki nodded. "And there's something else."
She ran her finger down the trunk of the tree, then, "Ryuu-kun, do you feel it, too? A lingering scent of…something?"
Ryuu frowned, placing his hand against the tree and closing his eyes. At length he nodded.
"Kidou." He murmured. "I think…perhaps kyakkou. It bears a resemblance to the spell Hirata uses – though this is of a much more sophisticated nature. Someone was concealed here…is that what you are saying, Mitsuki? That someone concealed themselves here so that Eiraki-hime did not see them…and that person…is somehow responsible for Ukitake's disappearance?"
"I don't know who they are or what they wanted." Mitsuki swallowed the flicker of panic that licked up inside of her at Ryuu's words. "But…yes."
"You said Juushirou went of his own accord, though." Sora shivered as a particularly cold gust of wind whipped through the clearing. "How can you explain that with residual kyakkou? Juushirou can't use that spell – we haven't learnt it yet. Even if he did try to use it, there's no way he'd be able to do so on a better level than Hirata…right? So that…"
"It's not Ukitake-kun's reiatsu that's mingled in with it." Mitsuki sighed, closing her eyes and leaning up against the trunk of the tree as she allowed the sensations to wash over her. "It's hard to separate them, but even when Hirata-kun uses kyakkou, his reiatsu flares just a little before he conceals it behind the barrier. This is like that. A faint…very faint…trace of someone having been here. I felt a dark reiatsu last night – Ryuu-kun, you said that you thought someone was here. Someone was. This is the proof of it. I'm pretty sure."
"Then we should report this to Okaasama." Sora looked worried. "Even if Shunsui says not, if someone kidnapped Juushirou…"
"How can they kidnap him without attacking him or taking him by force?" Ryuu looked helpless.
Mitsuki's eyes opened slowly, and she took a deep breath to control her emotions before she spoke.
"By appealing to his weakness." She said softly. "Eiraki-chan was here. Eiraki-chan was hurt. Something was driving her…something was controlling her. But it no longer is. We're all fairly sure of that. Yet Juushirou is missing. Which means…"
"Juushirou made a deal with whoever it was." Sora whispered, horror glittering in her eyes. "That's what you mean, isn't it? That in exchange for Eiraki-hime being left alone…Juushirou…"
"That sounds extremely likely." Ryuu sighed heavily, rubbing his temples. "Ukitake is one such naïve, idealistic fool that he'd do something of that nature without a second thought. Sora is right, Mitsuki – we should no longer delay in reporting this to someone of Council standing. Even if Kyouraku is angry, we cannot conceal it. If an enemy came here and lured Ukitake into danger…"
"And somehow did so without leaving a path to follow…" Sora added. "You said the trail stopped here – but maybe Okaasama or Nii-sama could pick up more than we can. They're experienced shinigami and we're only students. Maybe they'll know more than we do."
"I seem to have read your mind, Sora-chan, since I decided to check this place for myself before riding to visit with your good headmaster."
Kyouki strode into the clearing at that moment, casting her daughter a grim smile as she gazed around at the assembled trio. "So this is it, is it? The place where Juushirou's trail went cold."
"Did…Kyouraku-kun…report to you?" Mitsuki asked hesitantly, and Kyouki nodded.
"He told me that your young District friend was an idiot." She said frankly, reaching out her fingers to brush against the air in much the same way Ryuu had done. "And if what you just said is the truth, he's even more of one than I imagined. Cutting deals with devils without knowing what devils he's dealing with is worse than simply running off into the blue."
She frowned, pulling Gekkoushin from its sheath and Mitsuki saw the faint glitter of light dance across the sealed blade. As energy flared from the weapon, the Clan leader thrust the sword forwards, and Mitsuki inhaled sharply as she saw the air warp and split in front of them, the scenery breaking apart into fragments as a dark passageway opened up between the trees.
"Senkaimon." Ryuu whispered, and Kyouki nodded grimly.
"Shunsui put me onto it. He asked if Juushirou could open one." She murmured. "And I told him not – of course not. But even so…for him to disappear…it made me remember something from the past."
"To think there was a Senkaimon in Tokutarou-nii's grounds…when he doesn't even use his zanpakutou." Sora breathed, and Kyouki snorted.
"This entrance is disused – I wondered about it when I realised where you kids were and where Juushirou had actually vanished." She admitted. "It was Matsuhara's – Tensonshin used to unlock it when we took trips to the Real World on Council business. But it hasn't been used since some time before his death – you're right, Sora. Tokkun wouldn't have used it, and possibly doesn't even know that it's here."
"Then that's why Eiraki-chan was brought to this place. Juushirou too. Because of the Senkaimon." Mitsuki murmured. "It isn't strange that it would be here – Kazoe-sensei told us that Clans used them to get from one point to another and even though the Kuchiki-ke might use them the most, it doesn't mean they are or ever have been the only Clan to do so. Tokutarou-sama might not have known, but someone did."
"Anyone with a spiritual awareness of high enough training could sense its presence, if not unlock it." Kyouki responded. "I've unlocked it before – Gekkoushin and I, anyhow – but even so it feels different from the times Matsuhara and I used it. Someone has undoubtedly tampered with it – the path beyond is highly unstable."
"Could we…follow it?" Ryuu wondered, and Kyouki shook her head.
"Look more closely." She said frankly, and Mitsuki realised that even from where she stood she could see the tunnel walls warp and distort. "Without particularly strong spirit power, it would be impossible to take more than a few steps without it exploding and killing you – as well as creating devastation for a good circumference around this site. It's been tampered with in a way I don't understand by someone I don't know…and it bothers me who and why. Because Juushirou's sword didn't open this. Someone else's did. And it's not a reiatsu I know."
"Would you know it, Okaasama?" Sora looked doubtful. "If it came from a foreign place…or was a Kyouraku…or something?"
"You forget who ratifies zanpakutou, Sora-chan." Kyouki reminded her softly. "Even if I don't touch and see every blade, I would be surprised if I didn't recognise some characteristics of it from Council sessions, since I make a point of attending each ratification meeting. But this one isn't familiar. Not at all. It's a mystery to me what opened this door."
She sighed, withdrawing her weapon, and the entrance shimmered and closed, disappearing entirely from view once more.
"But I know now that I'm going to go see Genryuusai-sama." She said decidedly. "Because if anyone might know…if anyone might be able to open it and hold it open – it's him. And if someone took Juushirou by design, that means someone planned this, and prepared the tunnel in advance so that they could retreat via it when necessary. If we can find out where it's hacked path leads, we can find out who, and where."
Her fingers brushed Gekkoushin's hilt once more.
"And, believe me…when we do, we'll more than do something about it."
"And that's what she said. She left right away."
Sora sighed, dropping down onto the floor of Tokutarou's study. "I'm sorry, Shunsui. I should have asked her to tell you something about it, but she was in a hurry. Finding the Senkaimon tampered with seemed to worry her…she said it was obviously planned in advance."
It was later that afternoon, and the group of students were all gathered in the Clan leader's administration chamber, while outside Yasuhiro was instructing his men on heightened security. There was general unease in the air, though the wider Kyouraku-ke had not been told the reasons for the sudden increase in guards – and with a heavy heart, Shunsui had seen to a messenger being dispatched to his brother's temporary lodgings. He was not convinced Tokutarou could do much that he could not, since Juushirou's whereabouts was still a mystery and there was no clear trail to prove his suspicions about Eiraki's fiance or a wider Endou conspiracy. Yet he wanted Tokutarou home anyhow – even if just to have the comfort of his older brother's guiding hand in managing everything at the estate.
Being a Clan Leader was not, after all, his true calling.
"That's what I think too." He said heavily now, rubbing his temples as he processed Sora's information. "That all of this was planned from the start. Although Juushirou's involvement I didn't work out. I thought he'd gone off by himself – but Mitsuki's right. He would be talked into anything if he thought it was to protect someone in trouble."
"Someone ought to tell the idiot that his life is as important as anyone's." Enishi put in gruffly from his corner, his tones uncharacteristically bad-tempered. "It's fine for him to dive in and rescue people, but not if he winds up needing rescuing!"
"As Houjou said." Kai pulled a face. "He's like one of us most of the time. But then he has those moments when he completely forgets the world out there is dangerous and he shouldn't be playing with things he doesn't understand."
"He acted to save me and to help Eiraki-chan." Hirata murmured. "He's not a small child, Kai-kun."
"No, I know…more's the pity." Kai grimaced a second time. "If he was, we might be able to strap him down. I know he was helping you, Hirata – I don't think he was wrong in that. But to go after a stranger – even make a deal with one…"
"He ought to know better by now, but complaining about it isn't going to change anything." Ryuu said acerbically. "And besides, by harping on as you are, you're making Mitsuki feel worse than she already does. We should not focus on what he has done – but how to go about retrieving him safely."
"Kuchiki's right." Sora nodded, reaching across to squeeze Mitsuki by the hand. "I'm sorry, Mi-chan. This is worst for you, isn't it? Yet you're being so calm about it…I guess…we forgot."
"I'm not calm." Mitsuki admitted, twisting her fingers together. "I think…I'm just too worried to let my emotions flow free. There are too many of them – if I did, I don't know if I could stop. I'm angry, I'm frightened, I'm worried, I'm frustrated…and a whole lot more feelings I can't put names to. But if I fall apart…if I do…I c…can't help anyone. So…I'm trying not to. I want to help, not be another burden."
"The question is, what can we do? At least until Nii-sama returns and Kyouki-sama has tackled Yama-jii." Shunsui clenched and unclenched his fists beneath the desk in frustration. "We're not going to find him in District Eight…and I'm sure he's gone towards District Seven. But if he's gone via Senkaimon…it could be further. It could be somewhere else completely…and District Seven is a big place."
"Kyouki-sama said that if Genryuusai-sensei could stabilise the pathway, it could be followed." Ryuu remembered. "Then it would lead to wherever Ukitake is being held…or the rough vicinity. In the long run, that is probably quicker…Senkaimon reduce the time of travel. Even if we rode towards the border now, it would still take a good amount of time without us being able to use shunpo."
"And even though I can, it's not stable enough for me to rely on." Shunsui groaned. "I know what you're saying, Ryuu-kun. I know you're right. But my common sense is being challenged by my anxiety, even so. He has a zanpakutou. He should be more capable than any of us of taking care of himself and he shouldn't need us to rescue him. Yet I'm sure he does. Or he will. And even if waiting is the sanest idea, I'm not feeling very sane about it either at the moment. It may take till tomorrow for Nii-sama to return. Longer, perhaps, for Genryuusai-sensei to come to District Eight, depending on what route Kyouki-sama chooses to take. And in that time…"
He trailed off, as there was a knock at the door, and Enishi shifted aside to allow the divide to be slid open. A messenger, dressed in the colours of the Kyouraku-ke stood outside, hesitating for a moment as he registered the quantity of people in the chamber, then he stepped forward, bowing low before Shunsui before holding out a wood-carved box.
"If you please, Shunsui-sama…Yasuhiro-dono instructed this be brought before you forthwith." He said properly, and Shunsui raised his head, staring at the man in confusion.
"Yasuhiro did?"
"It was given to our men at the border outposts, sir. By an unknown man who claimed to be a descendant of your Clan." The soldier agreed, even as Shunsui took the box gingerly in his hands. "If you please, sir, Yasuhiro-dono thought it was of some urgency, and so instructed me…"
"I see." Shunsui set the box down on the desk in front of him, eying it for a moment, then, "Thank you. You've done well – you're dismissed."
"Yes sir. Thank you, sir." The soldier seemed relieved to have discharged his burden, bowing once more before retreating hurriedly from the crowded office.
A moment of hush descended on the room, then Sora shot Shunsui a quizzical look.
"Aren't you opening it?" She asked, and Shunsui shrugged, shaking his head.
"It isn't addressed to me." He said simply. "It's addressed to Hirata."
"To…me?" Hirata's eyes widened in alarm, then, "But…why?"
"Open it and we'll find out." Shunsui suggested.
"Is it safe?" Mitsuki wondered anxiously. "If it's addressed to Hirata-kun…when last night…"
"Mitsuki's right." Ryuu frowned. "Maybe we should send for someone. Ryuusei-dono is still here, isn't he?"
"No." Hirata got to his feet, moving purposefully over to the desk and glancing down at the package. "It's addressed to me. I'll open it."
"Steady on, Hirata! Edogawa and Kuchiki have a point, you know." Enishi said apprehensively, but Hirata shook his head, placing his hands gently on top of the box. For a moment he hesitated, then nodded, slipping his fingers into his obi. Shunsui's eyes widened as he pulled out the letter they had discussed earlier, but Hirata did not say a word, merely turning towards Kai and holding it out.
"I entrust this to you." He said softly. "Do with it what's right, okay?"
"Hirata-kun?" Sora was confused, but Kai's expression became serious and he nodded it, taking it and sliding it into the folds of his hakamashita.
"You know what I consider that to be." He said frankly, and Hirata sighed.
"Yes." He agreed. "But even so…its in your hands now."
"What is that?" Ryuu's eyes narrowed, and Mitsuki let out a little gasp.
"The letter that Eiraki-chan was talking about this morning!" She realised, and Hirata's brows knitted together in consternation.
"Don't ask questions." Kai was there before him, however. "It's not something you need to see or to know about, Edogawa. I'm serious. It's not to be talked about – just like we said this morning. Knowing about it is probably enough to make you a target – reading its contents might even get you killed. Leave it be."
"Kai-kun is right." Hirata agreed, moving back towards the wooden box and resting his finger lightly on the surface. "As for this…its been carved at the top with the claw of the Endou-ke. Father uses this when he wants to send a message to me – but I'm sure he's not the only one who does."
"Seimaru?" Sora demanded, and Hirata shrugged.
"I didn't feel his reiatsu on it." He admitted, taking the letter knife from Tokutarou's desk and slitting open the box's seal. "So I'm going to have to trust not."
He lifted the lid, and as he did so, something small and bluish black burst out of it, causing the young boy to fall backwards as the strange entity flitted and danced around the air in front of him.
"A butterfly?" Enishi was the first to speak, staring at it in bewilderment. "Someone sent Hirata a butterfly?"
"Not just a butterfly." Shunsui's heart clenched in his chest as he peered into the box, making out what was in the bottom. "A letter. And…a momento. A message, Hirata-kun. No doubts now that this is somehow from your kin."
He reached his hand into the box, pulling out the small, bound object, and Mitsuki let out a shriek of dismay.
"Juushirou's hair!" She exclaimed, and there was instant commotion as Shunsui nodded, dropping it down on the desk.
"It really is." Ryuu whispered, hovering a hesitant hand over the bundle. "Ukitake's reiatsu – there's no mistake."
"There's blood on the ends." Shunsui said darkly. "Kyouki-sama was right. Someone took him."
"And hurt him?" Mitsuki was only just holding onto her wits now, and Sora reached over to give her a hug.
"More likely he's still alive, if they sent this kind of message." She said soothingly. "Don't look like that, Mi-chan. He's not dead. I'm sure he's not dead."
"But he is in trouble." Shunsui got to his feet. "Hirata? What does the note say?" For the younger boy had plucked the folded parchment from the bottom of the box, unfolding it with trembling fingers.
"To Endou Hirata. To find the thing you have lost," He said softly, his voice breaking slightly as he spoke the words. "follow the butterfly."
"Follow…the…butterfly?" Enishi's brows knitted together. "What kind of an instruction is that?"
There's something else wrapped inside the hair." Kai realised. "Something small…it looks like a kidou lamp only far smaller."
"Looks like just a stone to me." Enishi admitted. "Maybe it's just there to weigh the box down."
"I don't know." Shunsui picked up the item, and as soon as he did, it glittered and shone with bright, vibrant light. He cursed, almost dropping it, and as the rays of energy spread out into the chamber, the butterfly that had been flitting lazily around the room in a drunken daze suddenly seemed to snap to attention, spreading its wings and making a bee-line for the open window.
"Follow it!" Sora yelled. "The message said follow it – Shunsui obviously woke it up by touching that thing, so if that's the control and we follow it…"
"Sora's right." Shunsui clenched his fingers more tightly around the glowing stone, grabbing Hirata by the wrist and pulling him towards the window. "We're going out this way and we're going to follow it. Wherever it goes must be a clue to where Juu is. Don't let it escape!"
Author's Note: Jigokuchou and Senkaimon.
Yes. They really are following a Hell Butterfly. Originally I was going to call this chapter "Jigokuchou" but I wasn't sure if everyone would know that was Hell Butterfly...so...meh.
All complaints to Urahara Keitarou, 7th District Secret Laboratory, Outer Seireitei...;)
Regarding the Hell Butterfly and the Senkaimon, its to be remembered that in this era, both technologies are in their infancy. The Gotei have not yet developed Hell Butterflies (this is a project of Keitarou's) and consequently are not in full control of Senkaimon without extremely high reiatsu. The inter-connecting doors across Seireitei are the prototype for what eventually will be a massive network of Senkaimon leading to the Real World. Just in case anyone was confused by their use in my fic, I thought I ought to explain.
To get Juushirou to District Seven, Keitarou used his Urahara knowledge and his superior reiatsu to hack into the existing pathways and create a new one of his own. Even so, doing this meant the journey was longer than he would have ideally liked it to be.
And of course, because we know that Keitarou has Bankai, he is able to open the Gate without being detected by any other Shinigami.
Also...will someone please help me stop Hirata from doing what the hell he likes? T_T he's causing me SO many problems at the moment by insisting on getting his nose into everything - Juu's been such a bad influence on him!!!