Chapter Fifty One: Clan Alert

"Well, I suppose the best thing we can say at the moment is that so far it hasn't exploded on us."

As Hirata and Shunsui made their way cautiously along the dark, uneven corridor of spiritual energy, it was Shunsui who broke the silence, a wry note of humour in his voice as he gazed around at their surroundings. "I guess that Kai was being a pessimist, in the end – it doesn't seem to be an overly elaborate time-bomb at least."

"It's not like the Senkaimon that Sensei opened for us when we were camping." Hirata murmured, stifling a shiver and pulling his thin cloak more firmly around his shoulders. "That was dark and gloomy, but it was…it didn't seem unsafe. This one…can't you feel it? Prickling and fluctuating like it's shifting ever so slightly with every step we take. I don't think we should rule it out yet, Kyouraku-kun. I don't know how far we've walked yet – it's impossible to tell, but we're some distance from the way in. And…"

"Don't. I won't let you finish that sentence." Shunsui said sharply. "Otherwise you'll start crying and I'll start crying and we'll both of us end in a mulchy heap on the floor because we're lost and following an insect through some weird spirit tunnel into oblivion. Let's try and focus on the positives at the very least…we're not dead, and that's the first."

"I suppose so." Hirata gazed at the tiny, fluttering insect, watching as it darted unevenly from one side of the pathway to the other. Despite the erratic nature of its movements, it still seemed to be leading them forwards, and Hirata sighed, absently wondering whether Juushirou too had been lured into the darkness by a similar, unusual guide.

"You think Juu saw one of those, too?" Shunsui seemed to have read his mind, for he spoke the thought aloud, shooting Hirata a quizzical glance. "The way you were staring at it…I wondered too, to be honest. If that's why nobody saw anyone when Juu disappeared. There may have been nobody. It might just have been…one of those leading him into enemy hands."

"I wish I knew what it was." Hirata admitted. "It puts me on edge that I don't. If this is an Endou trap – surely I would have seen something familiar in this so far? But I don't. The stone you're holding, this tunnel, the butterfly…Ukitake-kun's disappearance. It all seems…well…"

"Too smart for Seimaru? Or just too generally weird." Shunsui pursed his lips. "Either might apply, though Seimaru is quite strange at the best of times."

"Too subtle was what I was thinking." Hirata's eyes clouded. "Seimaru doesn't do things in the shadows very well. He's too quick tempered and too impatient. If this really is…but it must be. Mustn't it? To take Ukitake-kun, to lure me…it must be Seimaru. Nobody else benefits by bringing me to District Seven. And there's no other reason for Ukitake-kun to be involved. Nothing except that he's my friend."

He swallowed hard, trying to keep the bitterness out of his words, but Shunsui offered him a grin, shaking his head.

"No time for recriminations." He said softly. "Nobody is ever to blame for just being friends with someone."

"I know. I'm just fed up." Hirata let out a heavy sigh, reaching up his free hand to adjust his glasses as the tunnel ahead became murkier still. "I've run away too much and because of it, people keep getting hurt. I took action, once, but taking that action means Ukitake-kun is now hurt. And I kept…something important…a secret. How many people died because of that? To protect my kin, how many innocent District people have been killed because Seimaru hasn't been stopped?"

"Your line of thought is really quite discouraging." Shunsui scolded. "And don't loose hold of my hand!" As Hirata's grip began to slip free of his own. "I know holding hands with me isn't ideal, and I won't lie when I say that I'd prefer to be making skin contact with a female classmate – but if this stone is the key and you let go of me…we don't want to risk it deciding to evict you midway."

"I don't think it will."

"We can't risk it." Shunsui reiterated firmly. "If it was tuned to you, there wouldn't be a need for this stone. So keep holding on. I'm sorry if it's unpleasant – but for now, you'll just have to deal with it."

A faint smile touched Hirata's lips.

"I used to be jealous all the time when you and Ukitake-kun were together." He said suddenly, and Shunsui shot him a startled glance.

"Pardon me? What brought that up, suddenly? From holding hands to…jealous fits? Hirata-kun…"

"No!" Hirata reddened, shaking his head hurriedly. "No, I don't mean…like that. Just…to begin with, Ukitake-kun was the only person I thought I could really trust. And because of it, I really…didn't like you being around that much. Because Ukitake-kun trusts you a lot. And I…was jealous that he did."

"Hrm." Shunsui pursed his lips, then, "And? Is this nostalgia ramble going somewhere, or…?"

"When we get there, we don't know what we might find." Hirata said slowly. "And it might put both of us in danger. But…even so…it's strange. I don't feel…half as scared as I did when I fled to get Midori-sama's help the last time something bad happened. Then I was petrified. But now…I'm scared, but not to the point of hysterics. I…I have resolve, I suppose. And…I'm quite glad you're with me, Kyouraku-kun."

"I think you just paid me a compliment." Shunsui looked nonplussed. "So I'll say thank you and take it as such."

"I did. I mean, it was." Hirata looked awkward. "I guess I just mean that…I don't feel like I only have one friend any more. I feel like I have…more people supporting me now. And even if everything goes wrong and even if Seimaru kills me…I…I can face it more strongly, this time. Because I know I'm not alone. Ukitake-kun said it – and he was right."

"Taking on your cousin needs more than friends. It needs strength, smarts, luck and preferably someone with a sword." Shunsui said grimly. "I doubt Kai's wakizashi is going to do anyone much good when it comes to facing Seimaru's zanpakutou, but in the end I prefer this blind plunging into mad danger than I do sitting around and doing nothing back home. Seeing Juu's hair in that package…up till then I was still telling myself it was possible he'd strayed on his own and was lurking in some border town trying to hide from Yasuhiro and Nii-sama's patrols. But that…stopped all thoughts of it. And something else…"

"The reiatsu on Ukitake-kun's hair." Hirata nodded. "The reiatsu that wasn't his."

"Yes." Shunsui sighed. "It was only faint so I wondered if I imagined it. But…I remembered Kai saying that there had been some trace of something else on that blade. And…I wondered if it was the same thing."

Hirata was silent for a moment, then,

"Aizen Keitarou." He said softly. Shunsui's eyes narrowed.

"You think so?"

"Mm-mm." Hirata shook his head. "I'm fairly sure of it, to be truthful. I was never involved in Grandfather or Seimaru's science, but I did encounter their scientist once or twice – only in passing – and I'm pretty sure from what we discussed before that he's the one who's been manipulating my sister. It's only a stretch further…to think that he's the one working behind the scenes plotting all of this. He's an Urahara, after all. A scientist. The Senkaimon was an Urahara development, wasn't it? What if the same applies to that stone you're holding, or to the butterfly?"

"When you come down to it, so is reidoku an Urahara development." Shunsui agreed grimly. "Yes. It all fits together nicely, with one small loophole."

"Which is?"

"How did he manage to rig all of this up so that nobody noticed?" Shunsui's tones held a faint note of frustration. "Kyouki-sama said that if Juu had opened the thing himself…was it with one of these keys? Are they untraceable? Or…the butterfly? Or whatever it is – because it's not 'alive', is it? It's a mesh of spirit matter, that's all – garbled and shoved into that thing to act as our guide. Even as we follow it, it's starting to fade as though it's little by little decomposing as we go. But why…I don't understand. Why the butterfly, why the stone…why…"

Hirata paled, a cold chill gripping his heart.

"Kyouki-sama said something else." He whispered. "About opening the Senkaimon."

"Something else?" Shunsui was confused, and then his eyes widened.

"Something like…only a user of Yama-jii or Guren-sama's level could open it without being noticed?" He whispered. "Something like that?"

"We know Seimaru can't manipulate people with his sword. Only curse them." Hirata murmured softly, unease rippling through his body now as he put the thoughts together into a coherent idea. "But something controlled my sister, I'm quite sure about that. What if it wasn't a spell – what if it was…a zanpakutou?"

"Urahara Keitarou isn't a soldier, so we assumed he wasn't a shinigami, either." Shunsui bit his lip. "I don't like the way this is going, but you might be right. What if he'd raised a sword after all? In exile, as a scientist, beyond the reach of the council. With his Urahara heritage, he'd have the reiatsu, surely? And we know that whoever masterminded Seimaru's last scheme isn't stupid, even if he is ruthless and lacking in moral niceties. So…"

"He must have a zanpakutou." Hirata said softly. "We even discussed it – that Edogawa-san's zanpakutou would be different from ours on account of her healing instincts. What if…what if Aizen Keitarou's zanpakutou is also different because of the way in which he's had to live? What if…he raised it through science, not through swordsmanship? What if those threads…that Kibana saw…what if it wasn't someone else in the shadows? What if it was…Minazake…Aizen himself? And…what if…that sword…those threads have the power to manipulate people?"

He swallowed the rising bile in his throat.

"Perhaps even enough to…manipulate Grandfather's death so that Seimaru emerged from it blameless."

"I really don't like how you're thinking." Shunsui was clearly just as anxious. "If that's right…if this shadow scientist has a zanpakutou, has control abilities and has been using them…and if we're talking about enough power to manipulate not only Eiraki-hime but a Clan leader of Shouichi-sama's vintage, experience and reiryoku...In that case, we're talking someone who can open a Senkaimon without causing a fuss. That means…"

"He hasn't just got a zanpakutou." Hirata nodded. "He's…he's got Bankai."

"And Juu might have walked straight into his trap." Shunsui muttered. "For all we know, Urahara Keitarou made Shouichi-sama kill himself and has done the same to Juu. No way he'd be able to stand up to a Bankai release even with Sougyo – Hirata, he might already be…"

"You were the one who said that we had to be positive." Hirata cut across him, shaking his head. "These are only theories. Not facts. And Aizen…"

"I don't like it when you call him by that name." Shunsui admitted. "Aizen is an old Kyouraku name – and even if this has loose connections to my family, I'd rather…"

"I see." Hirata's expression softened, and he nodded. "Urahara Keitarou, then. Minazake Roukei. Either, or – he still needs to be stopped."

"But not by us. Not if he's as dangerous as that." Shunsui responded firmly. "If Juu is still alive, Hirata, it's become imperative for us to find him and get him out before its too late to do anything about it. We can think about Seimaru afterwards, and leave Keitarou to the Council to track down. He's above our level by a long way. For now, you and I…"

"I know. I agree." Hirata nodded. "And…"

Anything else he might have said was lost, however, as the tunnel lurched and twisted suddenly, the walls fraying and fragmenting into thin strands of light around them as the butterfly flitted agitatedly around their heads. Dead ahead, where the path had been open there was now a solid block of spiritual matter, and as Shunsui let out a curse, Hirata glanced around him, realising that the floor that had seemed solid and firm a moment ago was beginning to soften and undulate, his feet sinking into it more and more with each step.

The tunnel lurched a second time, and a flash of light cut across it from right to left then left to right. As the boys tumbled over, Hirata felt his hold on Shunsui's hand slip away and as they both fell heavily onto the quick-sand like floor, the tunnel seemed to become even more unsettled, twisting and shaking as though trying to rid itself of something unwanted. As the walls continued to fray and change, Hirata saw something small glitter across in front of him and his eyes opened wide as he realised what it was.

"Kyouraku-kun, that's…"

"No time to talk. Come on!" Before he could finish, Shunsui had grabbed him once more by the arm, yanking him to his feet and forward towards where the stone had gone. As he struggled to keep his balance, Hirata was suddenly aware of an opening in the wall of the tunnel, and his eyes widened as he realised Shunsui had used the tiny stone to trigger a proper split in the unstable spirit fibres.

"Come on!"

With another hefty tug, Shunsui forcibly pulled his dazed friend into the opening and with a heavy thud the two of them dropped onto the ground, cold, wet and snow-covered yet somehow reassuring as they felt real air brush against their cheeks. Behind them, the folorn form of the lost butterfly flapped half-heartedly towards them, but the tunnel had closed itself off already, and of the stone there was no sign.

"Whew. That was close." Shunsui scrambled to his feet, dusting the snow off as best he could then reaching down to pull Hirata up too. "You need quicker reactions, Hirata-kun. It was jump or be eaten, so I jumped."

"How did you know it would…"

"Didn't. Just guessed." Shunsui shook his head. "It was falling apart anyhow, so we didn't have much choice but to try. It opened the gate in Nii-sama's back garden – I figured it wouldn't hurt to see if it would do the same here. Not the best landing but…we made it out."

"Yes. We did." Hirata gazed up at the butterfly as little by little the purplish fibres glimmered hopelessly before separating into thin, fading fragments of light. "But we're on our own, Kyouraku-kun. The butterfly…obviously isn't designed for fresh air. It's broken apart…it's gone."

"Mm." Shunsui nodded. "But it was beginning to break up even when we were coming here. I don't think they last very long…whatever they are. And for the time being, we'll have to do without it. First things first – where are we? Any idea?"

"Where…" Hirata bit his lip, squinting into the dim light as he tried to work out his surroundings. "I'm totally disorientated. I don't know how long we were in there, or whether it's almost day or not yet midnight. As for where…"

He bent to touch the snow, then,

"This would suggest we're at least out of District Eight. But I can't see all that clearly. It seems like a village but…"

"A village." Shunsui frowned, then he flexed his fingers, concentration crossing his dark eyes.

"Hadou no Sanjuu-ichi: Shakkahou." He murmured, and the landscape became illuminated in an eerie red glow. "There. Now? Can you see better now?"

"That's not very discreet." Hirata hissed, and Shunsui nodded.

"So it's just for a second. Then we'll use your kyakkou and my shunpo and get the hell out of here to somewhere more sheltered." He said darkly. "But I'd at least like to know we're in the right geographical area."

Hirata turned, scouring the landscape for a moment in the flicker of the red flame. Then he nodded.

"Those hills lead down towards the edges of the main estate." He said quietly. "We're some distance from it, but it's walking distance and within a day. I'm pretty sure, Kyouraku-kun. We've made it to District Seven."

"Then the impromptu landing is a good thing, because we haven't ended up in the hands of whoever's waiting for us to come." Shunsui sounded relieved. "Right then. If it's that direction, that's where we'll go. We'll find somewhere to shelter till the sun comes up – and, if we can, something less showy and visible than our Clan clothing, since right now we don't want people to pick us out of a crowd. As soon as the sun comes up, we're going to find Juushirou. That's the plan. Understood?"

Hirata stared at him for a moment, then he nodded his head, spreading his hands in front of them.

"Bakudou no Nijuu-roku." He said softly. "Kyakkou."

"Good boy." Shunsui offered him a relieved grin, grabbing him once more by the arms. "And sorry for all the manhandling…but I've only taken another person with me once before, and that was Juu when he was unconscious. This may make you feel sick or it may be fine – but hang on anyway. We're going to move before soldiers come looking for their District's prodigal prince!"

"Tokutarou-nii!"

As Tokutarou rode into the front courtyard of the central Kyouraku manor, it was Sora who first spotted him, darting forward and waving her arms to attract his attention. "Tokutarou-nii! Oh, thank goodness…you're finally here."

"Finally, shesays, as if horses can fly or slip into shunpo at a moment's whim." Tokutarou reined in his steed, gazing down at her with a mixture of anxiety and irritation. "Though screaming and waving like that is only going to scare my horse and it won't do you much good if he throws me and I wind up trampled, will it?"

"Tokutarou-sama." Kai stepped forward at that moment, seeing that Sora was lost for words as he bowed his head respectfully towards the Kyouraku Clan leader. "I don't know what Kyouraku's message said, exactly, but thank you for coming back so quickly. Especially considering…"

"The fact that I am only just married, and apparently my family can't manage a twenty four hour period without me." Tokutarou sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "Rae-hime is with her kinsfolk – she will ride back here if it looks like my return will be lengthy, though Shunsui had better have good reason for calling me back. All the message told me was that an emergency situation had arisen and it needed my interference."

He glanced around him, his brows creasing in confusion.

"Speaking of…where is my silly brother, anyway? I would have thought if he had a message to send, he'd be wanting to explain it."

"Kyouraku-kun…is not here." Mitsuki spoke softly, and Tokutarou gazed at her sharply.

"Not here?" He echoed. "Then where the hell is he? I left him in charge – what on earth…?"

"Tokutarou-sama, quite a good many things have occurred in the short spell you have been away from your home." Ryuu said gravely. "Culminating in Kyouraku not being here at present to explain himself to you. In the circumstances…well, let us explain the circumstances, and then, perhaps it will become clearer."

"The night of your wedding, Juushirou disappeared." Mitsuki murmured. "We don't think anyone hurt him, but we know he's not anywhere around. We think…he entered a Senkaimon in the grounds here, and…and that he's gone…to District Seven."

"Juushirou?" Shock flooded Tokutarou's features, followed by dismay. "But…of all the…how? And why?"

"We're not certain, but we think it relates to Eiraki-hime, possibly without her knowledge or consent." Kai said succinctly. "Kyouraku spoke to her in a lot of detail, and then to Kibana, too. He and Hirata both did – Kyouraku seemed to think it was better done that way. He wouldn't tell us everything that was said, but I know that…both of them were as concerned as we are about Ukitake's whereabouts."

"It seems probable that Ukitake was coerced by someone appealing to his better nature." Ryuu added.

Tokutarou sighed, running his fingers agitatedly through his thick dark hair.

"And Shunsui hared off after him?" He demanded. Enishi shook his head.

"Kyouraku didn't, sir. I mean, he has…but that wasn't what he started off doing." He responded earnestly. "I don't know much about it, to be truthful – I was sleeping off too much alcohol and I only got brought up t'speed by everyone else but…when it was clear Ukitake was gone, Kyouraku sent Yasuhiro-dono and his men out searching for him in the surrounding area."

"Kuchiki, Shihouin and I rode with them, Nii-sama." Sora added. "But it was no good. There was no sign of him. We didn't know about the Senkaimon then – so we didn't know what had happened."

"Then Kyouki-sama revealed that it was there, when she came to inspect the place herself." Mitsuki added. "It explained why Juushirou had suddenly vanished – but she said the tunnel was unstable and that she wouldn't risk entering it. Juushirou couldn't have entered it on his own – someone must have opened it for him to get through. She went straight to District One – I think, to speak to Genryuusai-sensei."

"And Shunsui?"

"When we were discussing everything, a package arrived from a soldier at the border. From someone who said he was a Kyouraku." Kai explained. "Inside was a note, a strange black butterfly, a gemstone and…and some of Ukitake's hair. It had blood on it…"

He stopped to send Mitsuki an apologetic look, then,

"I'm sorry, Edogawa. But it did."

"And so that's when Shunsui lost his common sense?" Tokutarou asked softly.

"The message told us to follow the butterfly, so we did. Damn hard it was too, in the dark." Enishi said frankly. "But it opened that weird Senkaimon thingy, like it was a path to follow where Ukitake had gone to. Sora tried to touch it, but it zapped at her – but it let Kyouraku in all right."

"The gemstone in the box was some kind of spiritual key, though I have never heard of such a thing before." Ryuu added. "The butterfly was an odd creature, too – but what Houjou says is true. The Senkaimon would only let whoever was holding that stone to step inside…and the first person to touch it was…"

"My brother." Tokutarou let out his breath in a rush. "And…the Endou boy?"

"Kyouraku took him by the arm and he seemed to be able to enter, too." Mitsuki murmured. "But we think…he thought…since the message was for him, it was designed…to let him enter anyhow. Kyouraku was just…coincidence."

"So they're both gone to District Seven, and Juushirou too." Tokutarou groaned, dismounting his horse and handing the reins to a guardsman who hurried to lead the beast away to be rubbed down, fed and watered after its hard ride. "In short, it could not possibly be any worse."

"Hirata told me to give you this." Kai pulled the letter from his obi, holding it out and Tokutarou took it, unfolding it and glancing over the contents. In a moment he did a double-take, letting out an exclamation as he realised what he was holding.

"But this is…"

"Yes." Kai nodded soberly. "He didn't want to have to…but he told me…that you should see it. And that you should take it to the Council. He and Ukitake have been concealing it between them ever since Aitori was murdered – but Hirata said that it was time the Council got involved."

"Boys playing silly boys games." Tokutarou muttered. "Very well. I know how to act now. Sora!"

"Yes, Tokutarou-nii?" Sora eyed him quizzically, and Tokutarou gestured towards the manor.

"Use that over-the-top energy of yours and run to find an express messenger who can go through the toll paths and get to District One before the sun sets. I want you to send the following message to your mother: The Council must be called at once, since important evidence against District Seven has emerged and we cannot stand back and ignore it. Understand? Word for word as I just said it."

"Yes, sir." Sora's eyes clouded, but she nodded, bowing her head towards him. "Also…Tokutarou-nii, my brothers are both still here. If you need them…"

"I may, but for now, this message matters more." Tokutarou said briskly. "I'm trusting it to you – don't let me down, all right?"

"I won't." Sora nodded quickly. "I'll go now."

"There was something else we were charged to tell you, Tokutarou-sama." Ryuu added quietly, as Sora hared away across the frozen cobbles to carry out her errand. "About Eiraki-hime's fiance. A lot seems to encircle both her and him – his name is Minazake Roukei and Hirata especially wanted you to look into that name."

"Minazake?" Tokutarou paled, gripping the letter more tightly between his fingers. "But…an Endou-ke Minakaze? Is Eiraki-hime's fiance?"

"Yes, sir." Ryuu seemed startled at the sudden reaction. "And that apparently this was of some importance."

"Importance? Perhaps. Perhaps." Tokutarou swallowed hard. "Maybe I'm thinking wrongly but…I'm sure that's a name I know. Minazake…from something in my Great Uncle's papers. Since I took hold of the title here, I've had the messes of two previous incumbents to resolve and even my Great Uncle's records were tossed all over the place either by my Father's disinterest or my Uncle's spite. I've seen that name…I know that branch of the Endou-ke. I don't…it's not…I'm sure it's not…"

He faltered, realising whose company he was in, and he shook his head as if to clear it.

"I'll go to my study and find what I'm certain is there regarding it." He said frankly. "One of you make yourself useful and tell Eiraki-hime to be waiting for me in the guest parlour. I'll speak to her myself. Sumire-sama too – it may be she can help in this as well, and probably the girl will like her mother present."

His gaze rested on Kai.

"You too, since you were the one the Endou boy trusted with this letter. You represent him and his allies, so I'm counting on you too." He said grimly. "You're no older than my brother, I realise, but it's not the time to be observing political niceties."

"I'll come." Kai bowed his head. "I understand…probably better than anyone…what that letter contains."

"May…may I also?" Mitsuki asked timidly, and Tokutarou eyed her in surprise.

"Mitsuki-dono?"

"Eiraki-chan trusts me, and I think…she might like me to be there." Mitsuki pinkened. "I…I think you might ask her questions which will upset her, and…well…"

"Fine. If that's how it is, then fine." Tokutarou nodded. "The rest of you can amuse yourselves, though. Until Sora's message gets through there's little I can do except gather information and hope to the Gods that my stupid brother and his just as stupid friends are in one piece."

His expression darkened.

"If not, I'll be the one carving chunks out of Seimaru myself this time, so help me I will." He muttered. "But for now, I have evidence to unearth and details to trace. The guest parlour, and be all there by the time I join you! I am in no mood to tolerate anyone coming late!"

"I see."

Genryuusai sat down behind his desk, brushing the ends of his long beard with wizened hands as he regarded Kyouki gravely. "Yes, I see indeed. Perhaps it was remiss of me to permit Juushirou to go even so close to District Seven as Tokutarou-sama's land but…I had hoped that it would not end in this way."

"Hoped it would not, yet feared that it might?" Kyouki's eyes narrowed as she digested the old man's words. "You knew there was some risk to sending him, but you sent him anyway?"

"He had an invitation to a wedding…the wedding of a Clansman who I believe holds his best interests." Genryuusai said softly. "And the only other possibilities were to imprison him here or risk sending him to his own family. In the circumstances…"

"You could easily have held him here, Genryuusai-sama." Kyouki murmured. "Forgive me if I'm speaking out of line, but if you knew the boy was in danger…"

"I do not create spineless, protected graduates from my Academy." Genryuusai said mildly. "I do not want educated cowards to leave here with knowledge but little else. There is no point in him being always under my control, is there? Not if I want him one day to make a mark on this world."

"But now…"

"Yes." Genryuusai frowned, his eyes darkening as he acknowledged his companion's concern. "I am sorry, Kyouki. I know that you and your kinsman have protected him as far as you have been able and I realise that you are both people in whom that boy can trust. However…even despite that, Juushirou's instincts and wishes are still very pure and innocent. He still puts above the concerns of the Clans his own choices of friends and allies. And for that reason…"

"He's got involved with the Endou-ke."

"Yes and no." Genryuusai's moustache twitched thoughtfully. "Hirata is not the whole Endou-ke, and I have done nothing to discourage their friendship because of that fact. Rather, I think Juushirou's unwitting influence on the young Endou boy has been most beneficial and I've allowed it wherever possible. I believe that to be part of the duty Misashi-dono charged me with when he sent his son to my care. Whether you like to see it or not, Juushirou is born to lead, not follow. Even though his bloodline says otherwise – he is one who will make decisions, give instructions and gain others' trust. Unfortunately that way of being can also put you in a good deal of danger. Tell me again, Kyouki, the circumstances surrounding his disappearance."

"You don't seem as anxious as I thought you would be." Kyouki sighed, and Genryuusai smiled.

"I am worried for the safety of my student. Of course." He agreed. "But I don't believe that acting rashly will do anything to change his current situation. If Juushirou was lured into a trap, two possibilities now exist. Either he was killed at once – in which case, there is no way to save him. Or – as I think is more likely – he has been taken prisoner and is being held in order to obtain another prize – a greater one with bigger benefits for the one most likely to have snared him."

"Seimaru, you mean." Kyouki pursed her lips. Genryuusai nodded.

"Juushirou is worthless to Seimaru on his own, except as a matter of personal pride." He responded. "But as bait in a trap, yes, then he has a value. If it is Seimaru who has taken Juushirou, he will no doubt have done so to bring Hirata back to his homeland. The boy is, after all, the only one who can realistically contest Seimaru's standing and position. He's still very simple in his level of training and has not yet summoned a sword. But having taught the lad, I know…his potential outstrips his cousin's by two or three times. And I'd guess Seimaru also knows it – hence his reason for hating and oppressing the boy as much as possible. One day, he realises, there will be a confrontation. And the only way Seimaru can win that confrontation is to force it to happen now – before Hirata has realised his true level of power."

"So what should we do?" Kyouki asked. "Hirata's not the kind of boy who's going to ask for help. His Clan has secrets about which he knows probably the most – but in this situation…"

Genryuusai held up his hand to stop her, his gaze flitting to the door.

"I was waiting for something else." He murmured, then, "Enter, please, at once."

The door slid back, revealing a messenger and Kyouki's eyes widened as she recognised the Shiba colours on the bearer's clothing.

"Shiba…" She murmured, and the messenger bowed towards her, holding out a rolled up piece of parchment.

"Sora-sama instructed you receive this right away, so I came through the toll paths." He said frankly. "Please, to read it immediately."

Kyouki's gaze flitted to Genryuusai, who nodded.

"I don't mind." He said softly, and Kyouki frowned, slitting the ribbon with her nail and unrolling it. She glanced at the contents, then her eyes widened and she held it out to the older man, who took it and skimmed down the columns of kanji thoughtfully.

"Is there a reply message, Kyouki-sama?" The messenger asked, and before Kyouki could answer, Genryuusai set the scroll down, raising his gaze.

"The Council of Elders will meet immediately, with the exception of District Seven." He said quietly. "This is a priority one message to all Clan leaders with the exception of District Seven. Your life and other lives rely on that instruction being carried out without a moment of delay – do you understand?"

"Yes, sir!" The messenger looked frightened, but he nodded, saluting then disappearing from the office.

"Written proof against the Endou-ke has surfaced. Hirata and Shunsui both now missing. Tokutarou-niisama requests urgent Council support." Kyouki sighed. "Cryptic and to the point – unlike my daughter."

"It tells us what we need to know." Genryuusai replied soberly. "I expected it, Kyouki. That that proof was in Hirata's hands – it was quite clear to me when the Shihouin collapsed and when I banished District Seven's Clan from District One that that boy knew more than he dared tell me about what his own kinsfolk had been up to. When you arrived, I primed and sent several messengers to the other Districts to be on standby for an emergency Council summons. I hoped Hirata would have been sensible – it seems that, at least in part, he has."

"He's given up his proof, but gone to Seimaru regardless." Kyouki pointed out, and Genryuusai sighed.

"That also is Juushirou's influence." He said resignedly. "It comes with positives and negatives."

"And Shunsui?"

"Yes. Shunsui." Genryuusai looked thoughtful. "It's reckless of me, but Kyouki, I'm glad. I'm very glad indeed. He's done something foolish, reckless and irresponsible – just as he did when Seimaru cast his curse in Juushirou's direction. But even so, I'm proud of him. He's taken action – even foolish action – which means that he cares about what's at stake. And the biggest challenge with that boy has been breaking through his shell enough to make him care."

"He cares about Juushirou." Kyouki nodded. "But I doubt Tokkun will agree with you if he winds up getting killed."

"No. True. Those risks are also ever-present ones when dealing with Clans of this nature." Genryuusai agreed. "The truth is, I hope that none of them will be. I am truly fond of them all – all my students – and I fear harm coming to them as though they were my own children. But they must also learn, Kyouki. They are no use to me or to anyone unless they learn. And if they don't make mistakes or do stupid things, they can't learn from them. Those who live are the ones who will be shinigami. In this world, that is how things are."

He offered his companion a smile.

"I expected the Council to be called, and have already spoken to Hashihiko about my going in his stead." He added. "There was no argument when I explained the nature of the situation I felt likely to arise. I have been anticipating something since Tokutarou announced his wedding – and I hope this means that we will be able to take swift, decisive action."

"You intend to…" Kyouki's eyes widened. "You really did expect it, didn't you?"

"I am old. I've seen Clans rise and fall. I've seen Clans that no longer exist dominate a landscape before disintegrating into obscurity. I've seen Clans who now hold power struggle and scramble to establish themselves in Seireitei. I've seen these things before many times." Genryuusai explained. "The difference is that now we have the Council, and so something can be done when crimes are committed against innocents."

He got stiffly to his feet, then,

"We should make a move, also. This is an urgent meeting in which much needs to be said and done in a very short space of time. Kyouki, you mentioned the Senkaimon at the Kyouraku manor has been tampered with – that indicates we are dealing with an enemy probably more knowledgeable and powerful than Seimaru himself. We should be prepared for anything – and ready to do anything – to bring those boys back and to prevent an inter-District war."