Chapter Fifty Two: Eiraki's Confession
It had been almost a full day since he and Shikiki had been confined in the old torture chamber in what had then seemed like a desperate fight for both of their lives.
Juushirou sat in the doorway of his cell, legs crossed and zanpakutou resting against his knees as he considered everything that had happened since his arrival in District Seven. Keitarou had so far kept his word and had not tried to make a prisoner of the young student – but though Shikiki was curled up in her corner of the underground habitat, fast asleep after eating a fair meal, Juushirou himself was restless. Try as he might he could not relax.
Every so often his thoughts flitted back to District Eight. Had Eiraki made a full recovery? Keitarou had said she would, and so far Juushirou had had little reason to doubt any of the scientist's claims. Was anyone worried about him? Probably they were. Juushirou's brows knitted together as he realised what they were probably thinking – that he had recklessly plunged into Clan matters again without giving the situation careful thought. Perhaps they were angry with him – he hoped they wouldn't think he'd betrayed them, yet although he had told himself firmly that it was unlikely, the faint cloud of doubt still lingered against his senses, refusing to fully go away. Keitarou had made a big thing of the fact nobody had yet come in search of the missing boy, yet Juushirou was not foolish. Had not the Urahara said himself that from outside this place it was hard to detect anything at all? His only opportunity to be found would be if he managed to leave here – and as yet, no matter how much he tried, he could not locate a clear way out.
Keitarou was not there at that moment. He had donned his Endou clothing and had ventured upstairs to continue in his façade as a man of Seimaru's court. Juushirou had not been sorry to see him leave, for it had given him the opportunity to properly explore the underground workrooms – yet in the end he had found it a dissatisfying search. Keitarou had indeed left many volumes lying around – complicated books on theory and formulae written in a shorthand spidery kanji that Juushirou did not clearly understand. Occasional characters here and there made him think they had some reference to reidoku – but he had soon given up on trying to figure out what they meant. Perhaps to another scientist, they might prove evidentiary – but to him, they might as well have been written backwards.
Only one of Keitarou's cabinets was locked, and from the unsavoury aura that flickered around it, Juushirou had given it a wide berth. Probably this was where the reidoku itself was stored, and he did not need to see it to know that he wanted no part of its experimentation. His mind flitted back at that moment to the Hollow-man he had cut down with his blade. Had that creature truly been beyond help when he had been force-fed the poisonous substance? Or was that another of Keitarou's smokescreens – a convenient lie amid a sea of truth in order to catch him off guard?
Juushirou rubbed his temples, a dull ache beginning to spread across his skull.
Thinking about it was futile, and only reminded him of the sensation slicing Sougyo's blade down through the individual's white-coated mask-face had given him. It was not like an asauchi, cutting through a dummy Hollow in a training exercise. The asauchi had no feeling, the dummy Hollow was a fake. What he had felt in that moment, when he had taken the decision to act as a shinigami had been intense and inexplicable – the feeling of duty, responsibility, resignation from his blade, and the fear, pain and distress of the Hollow all mingled into one surge of spiritual energy. Then, as the Hollow had faded away, so had the sensation – leaving him feeling empty and confused inside.
He did not regret protecting Shikiki, and he knew he had acted right. Yet the emotion still lingered there, nonetheless. He had worked hard to gain his sword in order to protect ordinary people from the dangers Hollows posed. Yet that one had been both – the ordinary and the damned – and he had not been able to clearly separate them in his mind.
Instead he had settled to doing the only thing he could do.
Focusing on his zanpakutou and what Keitarou had said about its power.
There's no clear way to escape this place. Keitarou-san uses shunpo, and though I know the basic theory of it, I'm not able to use that technique yet. So long as I'm down here, I'm subject to his whims and his will. Right now he sees a purpose in me, but that might not last forever and I've no way of knowing what's going on outside. Perhaps my friends are cross with me, or perhaps they're just worried – either way, I can't stay here indefinitely. Keitarou-san spoke of a risk of war – and I'm not going to let that happen if I can help it. Maybe, by working with him, I can prevent that war. But stuck down here, there's too much I don't know.
He raised his gaze towards the stone ceiling, then,
But he was right. About my sword's power. When he said it, I understood exactly what he meant. And now I'm aware of it, I feel…something slipping into place. In'you are one spirit and two blades. Sensei said something about it too – about my power being distinct and not necessarily deflective. If I could learn to use that…if I could…
His eyes narrowed and he got to his feet, padding slowly along the hallway to the underground torture chamber.
I'll practice. I've nothing else to do, so I might as well work with Sougyo and see if I can figure out exactly what Keitarou-san was saying. If what he said is true – if my sword absorbs other people's attacks and throws them back, well…maybe I'm not as helpless as I seem. And maybe…even without further training, I might be able to do something.
A faint chill touched his heart as something else crossed his mind.
Even if my friends don't, the Council might already see me as a traitor or as someone who's broken their rules. I don't know yet, but by being here I might have forsaken all the support from any Clan leaders I might have thought I had. Kyouki-sama acted swiftly enough when I simply released my sword in District Eight. That being the case, I can't rely on them – or anyone – to come find me. Even if there are people who want to, it would be better that they didn't. I chose this path and I'll see it through – even if that means facing Seimaru myself and putting a stop to his stupidity. Taking that Hollow down made me realise – that maybe it's not as simple as 'good' and 'bad' and that sometimes there are things that need to be done, even if they're not things I want to do. Hirata…has said it enough times. That Seimaru needs to be stopped. Perhaps – with a weapon like Sougyo…I can help stop him. And then…maybe then…there won't be a war after all.
"I thought Tokutarou-sama requested us to be gathered here."
Sumire frowned, casting a glance around the chamber as she did so.
"Yet I do not see any sign of him – is there something amiss that has seen him delayed? More, that he should return so swiftly from his marriage progress…"
"Something has occurred." Kai nodded his head, dropping down beside the window and fixing Eiraki with a pensive look. From her place at the young hime's side, Mitsuki could feel the girl tense at the sudden attention, and she frowned, shooting Kai a reproachful look.
"None of this is Eiraki-chan's fault." She said softly. "None of it, Shihouin-kun. She's as much a victim in this as any of us, and…"
"Hirata and Kyouraku both were adamant we followed up on the name Minazake Roukei." Kai broke across her protestations with a slight shake of his head. "When I said that name to Tokutarou-sama and showed him Hirata's letter, he went white and started talking about digging through old documents of his Great Uncle's in his study right away. Apparently he didn't know the family name of Eiraki-hime's fiance, since there's been such insistence not to talk about him - and apparently it matters that he didn't. Obviously there's some connection – and if Eiraki-hime is protecting this Minazake, then that makes her involved."
"Eiraki-chan?" Sumire's gaze flitted to her daughter, and Eiraki shook her head.
"It's nothing to do with Kei-sama." She whispered. "He's done nothing bad at all."
"He's an Endou, isn't he? At the moment, that's probably proof enough." Kai said bluntly, and Mitsuki slipped a protective arm around Eiraki's shoulders.
"Shihouin-kun! We're both worried about people – but being rude about the Endou-ke isn't going to help things! Eiraki-chan and Sumire-sama are both Endou. So is Hirata-kun. There's no reason to be sure that Minazake-dono is anything other than what Eiraki-chan believes him to be."
"Then why did Kyouraku and Hirata mention it so specifically?" Kai demanded. "You heard them too, Edogawa. If he's an Endou-ke kinsman trapped in some kind of bond with his Clan leader, that makes sense – otherwise…"
"But he didn't do anything!" Eiraki protested, tears in her eyes. "He couldn't have! He's got no reason to help Seimaru do anything!"
"Pressure from a Clan leader is hard to resist, though. Especially when you've no power of your own." Kai responded. "I know from my own experience – Eiraki-hime, blood bonds are…"
"He doesn't have any blood-bonds!" Eiraki exclaimed suddenly, cutting through Kai's words. "He doesn't have anything like that, so he's not a part of this and he's nothing to do with anything bad at all! You're making connections where there aren't connections because Kei-sama doesn't have Endou blood!"
Dead silence greeted her statement, and Eiraki gasped as she realised what she'd said, her hand flying to her mouth in shock and horror.
"Eiraki-chan?" Mitsuki murmured.
"Doesn't have Endou blood?" Sumire said softly. "Eiraki-chan, what are you talking about? Minazake-dono is a kinsman of Riku-hime's…that's been established beyond any doubt."
Eiraki was silent for a long while, and Mitsuki could see the terror in her eyes. Then, slowly she nodded, clutching the tissue between her fingers so tightly that her knuckles turned white.
"Kei-sama told me." She murmured. "The truth about…that he wasn't…really…Endou-ke."
"Not Endou-ke?" Sumire stared at her daughter, horror in her eyes, and Eiraki nodded, lowering her gaze to the ground.
"He told me…it was a secret. That if I t…told anyone, people might g…get hurt." She whispered. "He might be. Other people. So I…I didn't s…say anything."
"Kei-sama is someone important to you, isn't he, Eiraki-chan?" Mitsuki spoke gently, resting her hand on the young girl's shoulder as she sent her an encouraging smile. "That's why you wanted to protect him – because he reached out to help you when you were all alone."
Eiraki nodded.
"I didn't have anyone else." She murmured. "And nor d…did he. He was t…trapped, like I was. Seimaru-sama m…made him do as he was told, or else…h…he would be k…killed like the others."
"Like the others?" Kai's eyes became thoughtful. "So this Minazake Roukei – he had kinsfolk who fell foul of Seimaru and your Clan already? Or in the past?"
"Both, I suppose." Eiraki began to absently tear strips off the tissue, agitation in her blue eyes. "But I can't tell you…those things. Any of you. Because if I did…you…you wouldn't understand. And I…I know it sounds bad. But…even if…because he isn't Endou-ke...he…he doesn't want to…to hurt Nii-sama."
"Eiraki, I think you had better tell us and quickly whatever it was this noble friend of yours is hiding." Sumire said firmly, before either Mitsuki or Kai could speak. "Whatever it is, keeping it quiet may put him in danger and has almost certainly already endangered your brother and the friends who've reached out to support not only him but those of us who fled in search of sanctuary. It isn't a matter of secrets and games, not now. Lives may be at stake. Misashi's. Hirata's. Shunsui-dono's. Ukitake-kun's. Whatever it is you know, tell us at once."
Eiraki tensed, shaking her head. She was visibly trembling, and Mitsuki could feel the uncertainty and fear radiating throughout her aura. She sighed, hugging the girl tightly.
"Eiraki-chan cares about Kei-sama. She's in love with him, and she doesn't want to betray him." She said softly. "I understand that, Sumire-sama. Being in love with someone makes you do rash things that don't make sense to anyone else."
At this Eiraki raised her eyes, meeting Mitsuki's grey gaze with a stricken one of her own.
"Ukitake-san is missing." She whispered. "And yet you still stick up for me, even so? Even though…even though you must be worried and anxious and angry too – you're protecting me?"
Mitsuki was silent for a moment, then,
"I have faith in Juushirou." She said slowly, her voice shaking slightly despite the conviction in her tones. "Also in Kyouraku-kun and Hirata that they'll find him and somehow bring him back. I am worried, Eiraki. Frightened more than anything to lose him. But because of that I know how you feel. You're frightened too, aren't you – because Kei-sama is still in District Seven."
"Please, Eiraki-hime." Kai added at this juncture. "Any little thing you can tell us – even if there are things you can't – if it will help us to act. Hirata and Kyouraku were both adamant that this man's name was important, and if they say so, I'm sure it must be true. Tokutarou-sama said that it would be hard to involve the Council even with what we have now. We need more evidence – hard evidence – of what's been going on recently in District Seven. The letter is good but since Shouichi-sama is now dead, Seimaru can simply claim he was forced into it and that he no longer employs the same practices as before. We need to know what's going on there now – and if you know anything at all…even if Minazake got involved by accident or mistake, if there's any chance of a connection…"
"Kei-sama came here the other night." Eiraki murmured softly, and Mitsuki started, staring at her in surprise.
"Here? To District Eight? To Kyouraku land?"
"Yes." Eiraki nodded miserably, discarding the wrecked tissue and clasping her hands together in her lap. "He came to s…see me. I don't know…what else happened. I think I fainted. I don't…clearly remember."
"When Ukitake was here?" Kai's eyes became slits. "You said nobody was there."
"No…not then. He'd gone by then." Eiraki shook his head hurriedly. "It was before…before that. He went…I didn't lie, Kai-dono. I didn't see Kei-sama again after that and not when Ukitake-san was with me, I swear!"
"How did he even get through the border?" Sumire asked sharply. "Eiraki, even if what you say about Minazake's heritage is true, he's masquerading as an Endou kinsman. Tokutarou-sama's border patrols are strict – there's no clear way for him to have broken through."
"He told me that he…had Kyouraku blood from his mother's side." Eiraki admitted. "That it was faint but that he was distant kin to this Clan. He showed me…he has an old family crest and he had it with him when he came here. It was very old and faded, but it…it was the Kyouraku family's seal. And it…it wasn't a soldier's crest, Okaasama. It was like…the one that Shunsui-dono has about his neck."
"A Clan crest. A Clan knife." Kai whispered, and Mitsuki felt her heart skip a beat.
Was that what Hirata and Kyouraku-kun meant? Was that it? That the knife…came from Minazake Roukei-dono when he visited Eiraki-chan? If he was gone by the time Juushirou went missing – even if he was, if he was here before Eiraki-chan carried out her attack…was it him? Did he give her the knife?
She cast the young girl an anxious glance.
Eiraki-chan…exactly who have you trusted your heart to?
"A proper Clan emblem then." Sumire sighed. "So because the Kyouraku are kind to us, and because Minazake revealed himself to you as a Kyouraku…"
"He could have taken that family evidence when he took the name Minazake." Mitsuki suggested. "If Seimaru-sama was utilising this Kei-sama in some way, perhaps he gave him the identity and the necessary accessories to go with it. Eiraki-chan made it sound like Kei-sama was being extorted against his will, and she probably knows more of him than we do."
"Minazake Roukei is dead." Tokutarou pushed back the dividing door at that moment, his expression harried as he strode into the chamber. In his hands was clutched a rolled up piece of parchment which he tossed down onto the table, shooting Eiraki a quizzical look.
"The real Minazake Roukei, at least."
"The real…?" Sumire whispered. "Then…who is it, pray, who is engaged to my daughter?"
Eiraki lowered her gaze, not willing to respond, and Tokutarou sighed.
"When Shouichi-sama slaughtered his way through his kinsfolk, records were made with the Council as to the surviving line of succession. My Great Uncle was called upon as mediator along with the then Kuchiki incumbent to try and stop the civil strife between kinsfolk and to some degree they succeeded. These are documents I had to plough through and file correctly after I took the title from my Uncle and proceeded to put my Clan's affairs in order – and I knew I'd come across the name Minazake before. Because it was an important if unfavoured branch of the Endou – it was almost completely destroyed, and the Council took an interest in it – thanks to other more pressing matters involving District Three's science, though, no action was taken against Shouichi at the time. My Great Uncle died, my Grandfather too, and my Father inherited – by that point the whole business had been swept under the rug and Shouichi-sama had firm control of his Clan again."
His eyes darkened.
"But it seems only one member of that section of the Clan survived the slaughter." He concluded grimly. "Seimaru's mother Riku-hime, who was but a young girl and who was later married to that idiot Mibune in order to try and consolidate the family tree. That's true, isn't it, Sumire-sama? That is the truth of events in District Seven?"
"Yes." Sumire agreed. "Riku and Mibune were married in order to bury the past and consolidate Shouichi-sama's line. But my brother in law was unstable and Riku-hime was extremely clever. She crossed my mother in law once too many and was exiled before she came to birthing Seimaru. He was born in those circumstances and taken from her to be raised by his Father and his Grandfather as a legitimate heir – she remains a prisoner to this day. Mibune was killed in conflict a couple of years ago, creating the struggle between my husband and my nephew that taints this whole matter unavoidably."
Tokutarou nodded, moving to unravel the scroll.
"The name Minazake Roukei appears here." He added. "He was a child born some five years before Riku-hime. However, he died in infancy. His death is recorded clearly and there is no doubt."
"Minazake-dono brought records to prove who he was to the court." Sumire murmured. "I'm sure that otherwise…"
"Doctored records, probably." Kai grimaced. "If you're the puppet of a Clan head, then that kind of thing is probably easy to obtain. And Riku-hime is Seimaru's mother. She would back him, wouldn't she? Even if they had been separated, I'm sure that she would. It would be a way of opposing Yayoi-sama again, wouldn't it?"
"Probably that's right." Tokutarou agreed. "And Seimaru brought a stranger in to play the part in order to…do what is not quite clear yet. He's not moved to bring Riku out of her prison, though you'd think that was his immediate objective. No, there must be something else."
"Tokutarou-sama, Eiraki-chan said that Kei-sama came here." Mitsuki murmured. "To see her, the night of your wedding. The same night that…that Juushirou…disappeared."
"The same night, huh?" Tokutarou dropped down into a seat, fixing the frightened Eiraki with a pensive look. "How about that, Eiraki-hime? Is there anything you can tell us on that matter? Why he came to see you? What he said? Whether he might have spoken to Juushirou also?"
Eiraki bit her lip, tears glittering in her eyes.
"Kei-sama isn't a bad person." She said shakily. "If I tell you, you'll think that he is. But he isn't. His family were killed and he's always in danger. If he doesn't do as…as Seimaru says, just like us…but even so, he helped us escape. Even so, he r…risked everything to come f…find me and make sure I was safe. He isn't a bad person, and if you knew…"
"Then tell us why he came to see you?" Mitsuki urged gently. "Just to see that you were safe? Did he say anything to you at all?"
"I don't remember." Eiraki shook her head, and Tokutarou sighed.
"Eiraki-hime…"
"She's telling the truth, Tokutarou-sama." Mitsuki glanced at the Clan leader. "She knows more about Minazake Roukei and she probably knows his real name but…but she's not lying about that night. She doesn't remember. If she was, I'd be able to tell. I can sense it when someone who doesn't usually lie tries to bend the truth."
"But why would she not remember?" Kai looked blank. "If she cares for this man so much – Edogawa, I don't doubt your senses but…"
"What is the last thing you do remember, Eiraki?" Sumire asked, and Eiraki frowned.
"I was talking to Kei-sama." She said slowly. "And then…the next thing…I…"
She whitened, her hands flying to her mouth as she gazed up at Tokutarou in apprehension.
"I…I…I…" She faltered, and Mitsuki hugged her reassuringly.
"It's all right. Tell him." She said comfortingly. "He needs to know – nobody will be angry."
"I was in Nii-sama's room." Eiraki choked out. "And I had the knife, though I…I don't remember...."
"Why would Eiraki have a knife?" Sumire pointed out gravely. "My daughter isn't violent. She's never been that way,and even with all that's happened…I can't imagine her concealing such an item nor taking it to her brother's room. Even if she had intended to give it to Hirata for some reason…"
"It sounds to me like she went there to kill him." Tokutarou said baldly, and Sumire started, indignation in her gaze as Eiraki flinched back.
"My daughter would not do such a thing!" She exclaimed, and Kai held up his hands to placate the angry noblewoman.
"Nobody thinks that, Sumire-sama." He said quickly. "We all think that it was because someone was controlling her to do it. Not because she intended any harm on her own…but that something was manipulating her to attack Hirata."
"Ma..nipu…lating her?" Sumire faltered, the anger gone in her sudden confusion, and Eiraki reached up to wipe the tears from her lashes.
"I went to kill Nii-sama." She sobbed. "I'm sorry, Okaasama. I…I didn't want to say it, but even though I don't remember clearly, I know that's what I did. I had the knife. I took it there…to kill him. That's why I ran. Because I didn't understand why…I had been going to do something so evil to someone that I love."
"Someone was using you as their puppet." Tokutarou's eyes became slits. "Eiraki-hime, it's very possible that this Kei-sama of yours is involved. Even if Seimaru is holding the strings, that kind of a technique is something I doubt he's capable of. I know about his zanpakutou – we all do – and it curses people, but it doesn't control them. He has no skill with magic, even if there was such a technique that could be manipulated in that way. So he must have had someone to help him. And the only other candidate in this is…"
"No!" Eiraki was on her feet in a moment, shaking her head emphatically. "No, Kei-sama isn't…he wouldn't…he's our ally! He's not Seimaru-sama's ally! Ojii-sama killed people – people dear to him. Kei-sama isn't on their side. He isn't!"
"People?" Tokutarou focused on Eiraki again. "Did you have a name to go with that 'people', Eiraki-hime? Who might have died recently in District Seven on top of all the hundreds of peasants hunted or simply starving in your homeland? There's no doubt Seimaru and Shouichi-sama have treated their people badly – but things about this do not add up. If Minazake is a peasant, why would Seimaru be shielding and using him? It goes against Seimaru's own ethics to do such a thing – his attitude towards Juushirou is proof of that. And if Minazake is not a peasant – if Minazake is…"
"He has a Kyouraku crest, Tokutarou-sama." Mitsuki said quietly. "He is a kinsman of yours, though distant."
"A kinsman…of mine?" Tokutarou reeled as if struck by a blow, and Eiraki shook her head.
"The blood is distant. He said, through his mother." She whispered. "But I do not know…more than that."
"But he holds a Kyouraku crest? Tell me, Eiraki-hime – you have seen this crest?" Tokutarou demanded.
"Please, Tokutarou-sama – my daughter is frightened." Sumire protested, and Tokutarou wheeled on her, steel in his eyes.
"And my brother is missing, as is your son and a promising young shinigami student held in high esteem by very significant individuals." He said coldly. "I will get to the bottom of this and I will do so before anyone else is killed. I'm not interested in killing anyone – I'm interested in getting back my kinsman safely, and those he cares about, too. Motions can then be made calmly and through proper channels against Seimaru. I just want to know where Shunsui's gone and I want to know what he knew when he left here."
"Kyouraku knew, when he left here, that this had a connection to your Clan, Tokutarou-sama." Kai said heavily. "The blade Eiraki-hime had…was an ancient Kyouraku weapon. It's in your study at present – Kyouraku was quite upset when he realised what it was and where it had come from."
"He asked me about it too." Eiraki murmured. "But I had never seen it before. He said…it was a family he had looked at before, but…that he had not found an angle of enquiry and did not think his Clan were involved. But I couldn't tell him anything, Tokutarou-sama. I know nothing of how the knife came into my hands."
"It seems my brother shared information with everyone except with me." Tokutarou spread his hands helplessly. "If he knew anything of that nature, he didn't bother to pass the message on. What or who he's gone after I don't know – except that it connects to Juushirou and his sudden disappearance. And I'd like to know more, dammit, before any of them are returned to us in wooden boxes!"
The emotion in the young Clan leader's tones struck silence through the room, then Eiraki let out a heavy, shuddering sigh, sinking back down onto the floor and nodding her head.
"Tokutarou-sama has promised he doesn't seek to kill anyone." She said softly. "So what I tell you…please…you will keep that promise? I know Kei-sama is not a bad person. I know this and I trust him. Thanks to him, we were able to escape. Thanks to him I had a friend and an ally when isolated and alone. I won't believe him guilty of anything – if anyone is guilty, it is Seimaru-sama that is to blame."
"Maybe." Tokutarou said slowly. "I'll hear what you have to say before I judge that. Oh, I will promise," As Eiraki's eyes widened. "I've no reason to hunt down someone I don't know, part kinsman or otherwise. But as to his guilt – that's not for me to decide."
Eiraki nodded her head.
"The person that was killed was his cousin." She said carefully. "But I think…when Kei-sama told me, there was pain in his eyes. Kei-sama is a calm person and he doesn't fight – he wasn't allowed to have a sword and he doesn't know how to use one like other young men from Clan do. But when he told me about his cousin, I saw how upset he was. Right deep inside his eyes – like seeing it inside his soul."
"Like seeing it inside his soul." Tokutarou repeated softly. "So this cousin was dear to him?"
"Very." Eiraki nodded. "He said that because of this, his cousin's wife was a widow and his cousin's children would grow up without a father. He said it was Ojiisama's fault – that Ojiisama had used and abused his kin then persecuted and killed them. And that Seimaru-sama was now shielding him, but only because he wanted to use him for his own ends. He said he was trapped just like I was…and he wanted to help me escape."
"Used. Abused. Persecuted. Killed." Tokutarou's eyes narrowed, and Kai let out an exclamation.
"Urahara-ke!"
"Urahara?" Sumire tensed, staring at Eiraki in horror, and slowly Eiraki nodded her head.
"Then all the pieces begin to click together." Tokutarou's lips thinned, distaste glittering in his normally genial brown eyes. "Minazake Roukei is exiled Urahara-ke. No, he's not only that. Minazake Roukei is Urahara Keitarou – Eiraki-hime, am I correct?"
"Yes sir." Eiraki whispered, and Tokutarou clenched his fists.
"I have wondered for a while what guise he now takes and what role he now plays in District Seven." He murmured. "Shunsui and I debated his involvement in Shouichi-sama's death – yet perhaps even so we have underestimated him. Perhaps his involvement is far more widespread than even the shadow-assassination of a Council Lord."
"Urahara Keitarou." Kai's eyes clouded. "Aizen Keitarou, you mean, surely? Urahara might've been the name he was born under – but Aizen is the name he uses now."
"Aizen…" Tokutarou muttered a curse, staring at Kai as if seeing him for the first time. "Aizen Keitarou? Aizen is his name? The name under which he has been hiding all this time? You knew this? Did my brother? Did Shunsui hear him called by that name?"
"Tokutarou-sama, please, calm yourself." Sumire urged, but Tokutarou was clearly not listening.
"Answer me, please, Kai-dono. Did my brother know that name?"
Kai shrugged.
"Kyouraku didn't speak to me about it as such, so I don't know." He admitted. "But because of what happened to the Shihouin-ke, I know all about Aizen Keitarou. And Hirata does, too."
Tokutarou's eyes became dark.
"Something he couldn't click together enough to tell me, yet." He murmured, more than half to himself. "Shunsui, dammit…was that it? The thing you didn't tell me yet wondered if you should?"
"Who is Aizen Keitarou, please?" Mitsuki asked softly. "And why is it such a terrible thing if he lives by that name? The Urahara exiles were criminalised regardless of whether they were involved in reidoku or not – right? Surely it makes sense for him to want to live as someone else."
"Aizen is an old Kyouraku name." Tokutarou said heavily. "A line now died out, so far as I'm aware. But in all the records I've been gradually putting together since I became Lord here, I've come across it a few times. Probably an Aizen married into the Urahara at some stage, and from that connection this Aizen Keitarou has taken not only his name but the Clan crest to allow him entry to my land. And, possibly, the knife that magically appeared in Eiraki-hime's hands."
"No…" Eiraki's voice was no more than a whisper, and instinctively Mitsuki hugged her tightly, feeling the young girl's uncertainty swirl against her own.
Tokutarou sighed, rubbing his temples.
"Very well." He said at length. "Eiraki-hime, I apologise for having so distressed you. My brother is as important to me as yours is to you, and I want to find them both as soon as I'm able."
He paused, then,
"I will keep my promise to you. I don't intend to go out there to attack this Aizen Keitarou and as yet I don't fully understand his involvement." He added. "But I will ask you to make me a promise in return. If he comes here to you again, or you hear or remember anything of him or that night, I want you to come to speak to me immediately."
"It's possible that Kei-sama himself is in trouble, Eiraki-chan." Mitsuki added softly. "If he came here, if he's done other things that he shouldn't have done – it's possible that someone is making him act the way you were made to act with the knife. If Seimaru has a way of controlling other people, Kei-sama might also be hurt. Telling Tokutarou-sama the truth is the best thing you can do to help both Hirata and Kei-sama."
Eiraki's eyes became big at this, and slowly she nodded her head.
"I suppose that is true." She admitted. "Seimaru may be punishing him for helping us escape. He may be inflicting further pain on him through ways I don't even know. But I don't believe he is our enemy, Tokutarou-sama. He would not have told me who he was otherwise. I really believe that."
"Then perhaps you are right." Tokutarou said quietly. "Either way, it is your cousin's activities I have most interest in – and the Council should do too."
His gaze flitted to Kai.
"Since your sister is not here, in her place I'd like to speak to you." He said simply. "Mitsuki-dono, since Eiraki-hime trusts you, will you please make sure she is all right? And Sumire-sama also. My wife would probably be glad of company, too, since I am a terrible husband, already abandoning her for the sake of Clan business. If you could…I would be obliged."
"I understand, Tokutarou-sama." Mitsuki bowed her head solemnly. "I will do as you ask."
"And if you please, don't disclose any of this conversation outside this room?"
"I wouldn't." Mitsuki responded simply. "I'm a healer and we're trained to keep secrets. Our patients wouldn't trust us otherwise – so Retsu-sama always says."
"Then I'll leave it in your hands." Tokutarou bowed his head towards her gratefully. "My thanks, Mitsuki-dono. As soon as there is news of your classmates – I will be sure that it gets to you at once."
"I appreciate that." Tears glistened in Mitsuki's own eyes at this. "I trust in them, though, and that they will all come home safely. Somehow."
"I don't have the influence my sister does, Tokutarou-sama." As they entered the Clan leader's study, Kai raised his voice. "Whatever you want to discuss with me…"
"I suspect you are as well-placed as any to answer it." Tokutarou said grimly. "Since you weren't involved in your Clan's disgrace, but I know that you very nearly were. Shunsui trusts you – and has stood up for you many times when the discussion of the Shihouin has come up. I trust your sister, and I trust you, too – having met you for myself, I can see why Shunsui believes in your integrity. That being the case, I hope you might trust me – and disclose to me whatever you can about Aizen Keitarou."
"Hirata knows more than me, and Seimaru more yet." Kai sighed, nodding his head. "But I've no reason to keep anything a secret. He's a scientist, Tokutarou-sama. One of the exiled Urahara who worked underground in District Seven before everything with my Clan blew up like it did. He was working ostensibly for Shouichi, but more, I think, for Seimaru."
"That fits with what Midori-sama told me – your Lord father's testimony." Tokutarou nodded. "Go on."
"I don't know for certain, but I'm pretty sure it was Aizen who was behind the reidoku that Seimaru wanted to use to kill Genryuusai-sensei."
"What?" Tokutarou stopped dead, staring at his companion in dismay. "Seimaru plotted to kill Genryuusai-sensei with reidoku?"
"Yes." Kai nodded.
"So that was what he meant." Tokutarou's eyes narrowed to near slits. "Sensei, when he spoke of your sister coming to meet with him – that she'd indicated a threat to his life. He brushed it off as irrelevant, but…if Seimaru planned to use something like reidoku…"
"He might have succeeded." Kai agreed grimly. "Since a person with spirit power of that level would be extra susceptible to the kind of drug that reidoku is supposed to be. Only Hirata and I stood out against him, and Nee-sama killed Aitori, so the plan failed. Originally my Uncle was somewhat complicit in the scheme, though how much so, I don't know. Either way, the plan was for the assassination to be done by a Shihouin – probably me, if I'm brutally honest."
"You?"
"Mm." Kai grimaced. "That's how close I came to being involved. Neesama's actions saved me – by removing Aitori, she removed the link between the Endou and Shihouin in District One and I was able to escape."
"I see." Tokutarou rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "So that's why it's said that you had some involvement – in truth, you were right there on the fringes."
"I knew." Kai admitted. "I knew the Endou planned to assassinate Genryuusai-sensei, but I chose not to cooperate, and Genryuusai-sensei kept faith with me. The Council found me innocent of any charges in the conspiracy. I had no connection to the reidoku, nor did I want anything to do with it in the slightest, if I'm brutally honest. The only reason I went along with anything was because I thought Midori-nee was in some kind of danger. More significantly,"
He touched his stomach pensively, then,
"I still have the scars to prove my rebellion against their orders." He added. "Since I fought my cousin and took a blade to the gut for opposing him and Seimaru's wishes. If not for your brother and Ukitake, I would've probably died from that injury – in those circumstances, it was easy, I think, to see that I wasn't truly complicit."
"But very close to the wire." Tokutarou said grimly, and Kai nodded.
"Very." He agreed soberly. "I was sent to the Academy in the first place on Uncle's orders – to keep an eye on the District intake, especially Ukitake. And to act when I was called on to act by my Clan, not to really be a member of Genryuusai-sensei's future project."
He sighed.
"But if the Academy taught me one thing, it's that you can't do anything about anything when you're dead, and even as a Shihouin I didn't really like the idea of killing folk." He added. "More and more I found it hard to be a spy and stay detached – I found I wanted to be a part of what was going on at the school, and not on the outside, always betraying it. In the end, Hirata and I were allied by the fact we were both forced into involvement in this dark scheme. We both escaped it. We both broke free. Now, I think, that's part of why Hirata's gone with Kyouraku. He's fed up of people being hurt on his account – he's fed up of having to be protected. With Ukitake missing and Eiraki-hime unconscious, it was the last straw. He's gone to face Seimaru, I think. Whether he's ready or not, that's why he's gone. To find Ukitake, and maybe…to finally face Seimaru."
At this, Tokutarou clenched and unclenched his fists, anxiety glittering in his dark eyes.
"Alone?"
"That's why he left me with that letter." Kai responded. "In order that, in the event of his being killed…something could still be done."
"In the event of his being killed…" Tokutarou faltered, then, "He has that much courage, then, that young boy? To face his cousin and risk death and yet still plan for what may happen beyond it?"
"Yes." Kai nodded. "Because he knows what Seimaru is – just as I do. I don't think he's wrong, Tokutarou-sama. Ukitake is in danger. Seimaru hates him, so that's beyond doubt. But the Endou-ke itself has reached a critical point. Hirata is gambling, and he knows it as well as I do. But Seimaru's ambition is just too wide-ranging. In the end, if someone doesn't do something…it might end in war. And if that happens…this place, which has been so kind to him and to his kinsfolk – it would be the first to be under seige."
"So Hirata went to do something, and my fool brother went with him." Tokutarou rubbed his temples. "And you? You remained here?"
"Hirata asked me to take care of Eiraki-hime and to pass the letter to you." Kai agreed. "I wanted to go – I wanted to help. But it wasn't possible – it's complicated to explain because I don't really understand Senkaimon all that well and I don't know if what happened was normal or not. But it only let Kyouraku and Hirata enter. Nobody else. In the end this was the only way I could help – so I gave Kyouraku my sword and I promised to take the letter to you. I didn't like it, but I agreed. I have my own grievances against Seimaru for the way he treated my Clan and my sister. Originally he hoped that by disgracing the Shihouin and marrying Aneue he could take control of District Two. Midori-nee isn't foolish, however, and she escaped in time to prevent it from happening. Even so, because of Aitori's betrayal – our Clan still suffered. And I have a long enough memory – and deep enough scars - to remember that fact."
"But the Endou didn't fall when the Shihouin faltered, even though so many people thought there must've been a connection between activities in both Districts." Tokutarou chewed on his lip, considering. "Even Kamuki-sama never spoke of it, not even when he submitted himself to death and had nothing more to lose. Because the hard proof of it was destroyed. All of it…except for the letter. The one you brought me – that Hirata was concealing."
"No. Ukitake was concealing it, on Hirata's behalf." Kai shook his head. "I didn't know it for sure until Hirata and Shunsui left, but it was hidden in Sougyo no Kotowari's sheath."
Tokutarou closed his eyes briefly.
"Kyouki-sama was right." He murmured. "She said it – that boys share secrets when they're young and that Juushirou knew more than he had disclosed to us in Inner Seireitei. Hakubei even asked Shunsui, but he said it was impossible. Trust my brother to conceal this, even at the risk…"
"Kyouraku didn't know about the location of the letter." Kai shook his head. "The only people who did were Hirata and Ukitake. Hirata told me so – he said that I was the only one he'd trust it with since he was sure I'd take it to the right person and explain it in the right way. Kyouraku does know now that I have it – and he might have suspected before. But Ukitake didn't tell him about it. And neither did Hirata."
"So Shunsui wasn't lying to Hakubei, after all?"
"No."
"Well, that's something at least." Tokutarou grimaced. "All these secrets in shadows, though – and off he runs into danger again. He promised me, you know, that he wouldn't go to District Seven. But I've thought and I've thought about that promise – and I've realised something about it – a loophole I hadn't seen. Shunsui promised me not to leave District One for District Seven. He never gave me his word not to leave this one. He shouldn't have had to – it should be assumed, but Shunsui…he's probably evaded it on a technicality. And so he went…"
"Kyouraku took Seimaru's curse to protect Ukitake, last time." Kai said softly. "Where Ukitake is concerned, Tokutarou-sama – I don't think there's anything that Kyouraku wouldn't risk."
"That's my fear, also." Tokutarou nodded. "Before the Academy, Shunsui never had close male friends his own age – and for the first time I'm seeing how good its been for him. But I'd forgotten, I suppose, how little time it's been since he was alone and lonely. To protect his friends – I'm sure he'd go to great lengths indeed. And particularly to protect Juushirou – since Juushirou has no Clan of his own to come to his aid."
He smiled hollowly.
"I told Juushirou to consider this Clan his Clan in matters where he needed support." He murmured. "I hadn't realised that Shunsui too would take that so much to heart."
His lips thinned.
"What that District boy does winds up having more impact on the Clans than what any of us do. Unfortunately, not always for the better." He added heavily.
"Tokutarou-sama."
At that moment the door opened, and Yasuhiro bowed apologetically, raising his head to face his master.
"I'm sorry for the unseemly interruption, sir, but an express messenger arrived at the gate a mere moment ago bearing this for your urgent attention."
He held out a gold box banded in red, and Tokutarou's brows knitted together. He nodded.
"I didn't think it would take long. Not if Kyouki-sama had gone to see Genryuusai-sensei." He said grimly. "Kai-dono, you know what this is, I think?"
"Summons from the Council." Kai agreed softly. "Of the same colour and urgency as that dispatched when Uncle fell."
"There are only seven notches on the box. Not eight." Tokutarou took the item, glancing at it then setting it down on the desk. "All the Districts bar Seven have been marked clearly. We meet without Seimaru, then. It seems the Council will act – I hope, in time enough to be able to save three foolish young boys from their own reckless behaviour!"