Chapter Fifty Seven: District Storm
"It truly seems as though the master is not at home."
As they walked along the halls of the Endou manor, it was Retsu who first raised her voice, a pensive expression in her eyes. "We have so far met no opposition, Genryuusai-sama – it seems rather as though there is nobody here to give clear orders."
"That would fit with what we already know." Tokutarou said grimly. "Seimaru's formed a stranglehold over the family and its administration and any others with any blood right to lead have been exiled or imprisoned in other locations – providing we don't find them already dead. Seimaru himself doesn't seem to be here…so nobody knows what orders to give in dealing with sudden visitors from the Council."
"Rather like a henhouse after a fox has had its fill." Retsu murmured, and Genryuusai nodded his head.
"But Seimaru is not currently our concern." He said quietly. "Kyouki-dono and Midori-dono had already picked up his reiatsu when we arrived here, and headed out to neutralise that problem. I feel we can happily entrust him to them – him and any young strays that happen to be in his vicinity."
"You think he's gone after Hirata, don't you?" Tokutarou asked sharply, and Genryuusai sighed.
"I think it is the most likely thing." He agreed. "But of my second year students, Tokutarou, you have to understand that Hirata is one of the most adept at suppressing his spiritual emissions. He is quite able to conceal himself completely from my senses at this distance – and so I am not sure whether to consider him with them or not."
"I see." Tokutarou pursed his lips. "I didn't think him particularly strong physically, but in other respects…?"
"As I have said before, he is not as strong as your brother, nor as strong as our headstrong District boy." Genryuusai shook his head. "His great weakness is his lack of physical presence, and in a fight with one like Seimaru there is no clear-cut way for him to win. But he has used that lack of physical presence to help him to survive in a place like this, so perfecting his other skills became paramount. He is the only member of second year to not only know Kyakkou but use it to a high level of competence without needing an incantation. I believe he has practiced it since his infancy, and his time with the Shihouin has only amplified his abilities in stealth and nimbleness. Those skills alone may come to save his life as I am sure they have often done before."
"Kyakkou? That's greek to me." Tokutarou admitted ruefully. "I never was much for demon magic, as you probably remember."
"Mm. A great pity." Genryuusai reflected. "If you applied yourself better, you would have at least a working knowledge of far more than you currently do."
"Tokutarou-sama has used his skills in other areas." Retsu pointed out evenly. "He has had a Clan to rebuild, and we are all finding now how that is not an easy process. Far easier to make one fall than bring it back to former glory."
"Something like that." Tokutarou agreed. "Though I do regret it in one way. That I won't be able to face Seimaru myself and teach him a lesson for daring to curse my brother."
"Such foolish acts would simply get you killed, as I'm sure Kyouki-dono has already told you." Genryuusai said frankly. "You will remain with Retsu-dono and I, Tokutarou – your administrative brain is far more use to us here than your desire to recklessly kill yourself over some petty family squabble."
A faint smile touched Retsu's lips at this, but she said nothing, and for a while they walked on in silence.
The halls were eerie in their stillness, and the Unohana Clan Leader wondered whether or not they had entered the manor after the bulk of the family had already fled. Not even the servants seemed to be anywhere around, though occasionally she felt the fleeting sense of someone watching them, hidden in the many shadows and alcoves that flanked their way. Nobody had challenged them, and it was as Tokutarou had said.
They lack leadership, and so they do not know what to do.
She sighed.
"May I make a suggestion, Genryuusai-sama?" She asked quietly, and Genryuusai nodded, turning to give her a quizzical look.
"Yes? What is it?"
"When I was summoned here to inspect the corpse of Shouichi-sama, I spoke also to the Endou council and established that they had all, indeed been wrapped up in political discussion that morning whilst their Lord had lost his life." Retsu pursed her lips. "The halls were quiet then, as they are now. I wonder if, even in Seimaru's absence, a meeting may have been called?"
"Or scared men have gathered in a place they consider safe." Tokutarou reflected. "And all those who are meant to be guarding the rest of the manor are instead guarding that one room."
"I think the suggestion is a sound one." Genryuusai agreed. "Very well. It has been some many years since I set foot within the Endou estate. Retsu-dono, if you would lead us, I would be grateful."
"Of course." Retsu bowed her head slightly. "It is this way."
"I'm not good at sensing reiatsu." Tokutarou observed as they turned down a narrow hallway and began to descend a set of old steps flanked on each side by carved pillars engraved with the hunting bird of the Endou. "But if all of the minnows of the Clan were gathered in one place, shouldn't it be possible to sense it?"
"The Endou are a secretive Clan and District Seven has been known in the past for its Sekkiseki mining." Genryuusai shook his head. "The most secure areas of the manor are surrounded by this stone which damps down spiritual power and makes it difficult to discern exactly where someone is. The living quarters are exempt, since in excess Sekkiseki causes some discomfort and dulling of ability for those blessed with high-level spirit power. However, the areas of political significance, such as the administration chamber and the prisons – these are often walled at least in part by Sekkiseki. The barrier the stone creates makes it almost impossible to sense who is beyond the divide – especially when dealing with weak individuals of basic Clan level."
"Sekkiseki, huh." Tokutarou rubbed his chin. "Now you mention it, I have come across that before in Father's documents."
"District Seven has one of the richest natural resources of Sekkiseki in all of Seireitei." Retsu agreed. "But the political upheaval and the preoccupation with military might and prowess has seen it largely neglected in recent years. I do not remember there being a huge trade from this District to others at least in the time I have led the Unohana Clan – and that is coming up for twenty five years now. I only know that it was true before, for I heard my father speak of it when I was a girl."
"Then surely the best way of getting District Seven back on its feet would be to reopen that industry and forge trade links once more." Tokutarou reflected. "That seems common sense."
"But Seimaru is not blessed overly with common sense." Genryuusai reminded him. "In this regard he is largely his father's son."
"Enough said." Tokutarou pulled a face.
"There are individuals waiting to greet us ahead." Retsu said softly. "Guardsmen of the Endou, I imagine – certainly none of any spiritual standing. If possible, Genryuusai-sama, I would prefer it if we did not fight them. They would come to great harm simply for doing as their leader bade them – and I cannot condone the deaths of such people in a situation like that."
"I've no intention of killing anyone." Genryuusai said simply. "Tokutarou, you too must calm your soldier's instinct for a time and leave your sword at your side. We are here to negotiate. We are not here to harm. The one under suspicion is Seimaru. All others must be given their chance to prove or disprove their innocence."
"I understand." Tokutarou nodded. "I despise this place, but I understand, Sensei. It's all right. I won't do anything rash."
As they turned the corner, Retsu soon saw that her earlier supposition had been correct, for where one or two men would normally stand, now seven or eight were gathered, each somewhat confused and uncertain as they rested their hands against their swords. At the sight of the intruders, several of them froze, and Genryuusai stepped forward, raising his hand.
"We come from the Council of Elders to speak with your noble Clan." He said quietly. "We do not wish to fight you – we have only come to talk."
"Seimaru-sama is not here at present, sir." One soldier bowed his head apologetically. "He had urgent business and instructed his council to gather in the chamber, but he has not yet returned, and…"
"Seimaru instructed them to gather, did he?" Tokutarou pursed his lips. "Hrm. I wonder whether he had planned something else, then. Perhaps to bring back the spoils of his battle to display and dismember in front of them."
"Tokutarou-sama." There was a faint, chiding note in Retsu's tones. "That is not appropriate given the situation in which we find ourselves."
She turned to the guardsman, lowering her head respectfully, then,
"I am Unohana Retsu from District Four, and I was called here by your Lord and the lord Misashi to inspect the sad remains of your past Lord, Shouichi-sama." She said gravely. "I am a healer, and I do not choose to bring violence when I make such trips to other lands. If Seimaru-sama is not available, then it is unfortunate. However, we must still speak with your Clansfolk – would you not please permit us entry?"
"We…" One soldier faltered, but the first one to speak shook his head, holding up his hand to silence his companion. It seemed this young man was in overall seniority, and Retsu frowned as she saw the mixture of hope and gravity in his dark eyes.
"We heard a rumour that the Council were coming to District Seven." He said quietly. "We won't stop you from entering. Please, do as you will. We are subject to your authority."
"Shinnosuke-dono, are you sure?" Another officer's eyes widened, and Shinnosuke nodded his head.
"Some weeks ago my sister died here, and in mysterious circumstances." He said quietly, meeting Retsu's gaze with a sober one of his own. "She was nothing more than a simple servant and maid to lady Eiraki, but when the hime disappeared, Seimaru ordered my sister to be arraigned and interrogated about her disappearance. He let her go, but two days later another maid found her hanging from a tree in the grounds. She was frightened of something…terrified, but of what I couldn't tell you. Just the fear in her eyes…"
He faltered, and Retsu rested a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"I'm sorry." She said regretfully. "Had we arrived sooner, perhaps we could have saved your sister from her fear."
Shinnosuke bowed his head.
"There had been talk in the barracks that you had been summoned, and that you would come here to investigate a secret crime." He said quietly. "I have kept quiet and I have done my duty, but I am not loyal to anyone who was involved in my sister's death. I have waited for you to come, Unohana-sama. You and your companions. The Endou-ke have need of you – before everything falls to ruin."
He gestured to his companions to step back, and hesitantly they did so, each bowing their head as Shinnosuke moved to unfasten the door.
"Since the disappearance of Eiraki-hime and Sumire-sama, much has been at odds here." He added carefully. "Kibana-dono also disappeared – a man known for his loyalty to Misashi-sama – and it was said he fled with them, though nobody has known for sure. Since the Council rumours begin, Raiden-dono and Jinkei-dono have also disappeared – and we cannot be sure if they left of their own accord or were secretly taken and concealed as Misashi-sama has been. Minazake-dono is also missing – many suspect he has been killed, since Seimaru-sama appears to so dislike him and without Eiraki-hime there seems no point his being here. It's even said by some that he fell in love with the princess and so helped her to escape. The remaining council members are all ill at ease…everyone is fearful. If the Council can somehow put all to rights…can straighten things out..."
"We can only try." Genryuusai said solemnly.
As the great doors opened, Retsu faltered, her brow creasing as she turned to gaze back along the hallway behind her.
"Retsu-sama?" Tokutarou cast her a startled look. "Is something wrong?"
"Something…" Retsu paused, her lips thinning as she interpreted the wave of dark, forbidding energy that had just pierced her senses. "Conflict. Conflict outside of our reach, Tokutarou-sama."
"Nagesu-dono and Kyouki-dono have released their swords." Genryuusai agreed, but Retsu shook her head.
"No. Not that." She responded. "Something else. Genryuusai-sama, you must surely feel it too? It can't only be my healer's wits that feel it resonating so strongly through the air?"
Genryuusai's eyes clouded, and Retsu knew that her old teacher had already picked up on the vibe long before she had voiced it out loud. She nodded.
"Yes. I thought you must have." She murmured.
"Ukitake Juushirou lives." Genryuusai said frankly. "That seems to be clear."
"Juushirou?" Tokutarou's eyes widened. "You can sense Juushirou? But…I don't…"
"Juushirou and Shunsui are both in close enough proximity for me to follow their reiatsu and trace their whereabouts, even here." Genryuusai agreed. "When we arrived here, I began to do so – and I discovered both were alive and in each other's company."
"Then surely that's a good thing?" Tokutarou demanded. "My brother found his classmate, and they're both alive…?"
"A poison that lacks a clear antidote." Retsu murmured, and Tokutarou sent her a wary look.
"Retsu-sama?"
"I'm sorry." Retsu drew herself from her reverie, slowly shaking her head. "I do not mean to alarm you. It's just…as a healer, I cannot ignore it. When there is pain and confusion in one's spirit…such a thing is crystal clear even if I do not want to feel it. At present I sense great disturbance in Ukitake-kun's spirit – a darkness that I cannot fathom and which makes me ill at ease."
"A…darkness?"
Genryuusai's eyes narrowed under the bristling white of his brows, then,
"It is already too late for us to intervene." He said quietly. "Even if we were to go there now, there is nothing that we can do to change things. You know it too, don't you, Retsu? That the child's spirit has already started to change."
Retsu nodded gravely.
"I cannot heal this poison." She admitted sadly. "The taint is another's taint – another's ambition, perhaps. A reiatsu that I do not recognise, yet I am certain of it all the same."
She sighed.
"Juushirou has been poisoned?" Tokutarou grasped Retsu by the arm, and she shook her head, gently detaching his anxious grip.
"Possessed…would be a more accurate word." She said solemnly. "And in such a way that we are helpless to stop it. If it can be overcome…if it can be stopped, only Juushirou himself might find that will to stop it. And if anyone can intervene, perhaps your brother might be the only one to break the spell."
"Either way, our job is here." Genryuusai said firmly, glancing at the waiting soldier. "We cannot intervene and we will not intervene."
"You're saying that something has possessed Juushirou, and he's with my brother, yet nobody's going to do anything to protect either one of them?" Tokutarou demanded, anger suddenly flaring in his gaze, and Retsu reached out to touch his hand gently.
"There is nothing that can be done." She said quietly. "Ukitake-kun's bond with Kyouraku-kun is greater than with any of his other friends. That much has become clear. Kyouraku-kun may be the only one who can break the spell that his classmate has fallen under – you or I would be of no use, and nor would Genryuusai-sama. If we were to go there, it would be for one reason and one reason alone."
"Which is?" Tokutarou seemed ready to fly back up the corridor at a moment's notice, and Retsu glanced at Genryuusai.
"To exterminate the problem on the end of a spirit blade." The old man said bluntly. "This is not some basic spell, Tokutarou. This is the power of someone's zanpakutou and we are at the whims of its commander as regards that young boy. If Shunsui cannot break the hex – then Juushirou probably cannot be saved. And nothing we can do can change that. Our only option would be to kill the boy…before he caused harm to many."
"Cannot be saved…" Tokutarou's eyes flashed with pain. "And if he attacks Shunsui? What then?"
"That possibility also exists." Genryuusai agreed. "But if Shunsui is one day to wear the haori of Eighth, then he must pass tests like these. He does not have his zanpakutou on account of his own doubts and hesitations – the power is within him and we all know that he is strong. He is not weaker than Juushirou…perhaps now is the time he can prove to us how strong he truly is."
For a moment Tokutarou seemed about to retort, then resignation replaced defiance in his brown eyes and he lowered his head.
"I know you're right." He said heavily. "I know that Shunsui has power…and I know that physically he's stronger than Juushirou is. Maybe…perhaps he can stop it. Perhaps he can…do something to change it. I'm sorry, Sensei. I'm sorry, Retsu-dono. We have Council matters to attend to – for a moment there I lost my head."
"You care for your brother and for his friend. Such a reaction doesn't require apology." Retsu said softly. "I do not wish them harm either, and I hope that Kyouraku-kun can indeed break through this spell. But you are right. We have more pressing things…and we must attend to them right away."
She pursed her lips, evaluating once more the flickers of spirit power that had brushed against her senses so strongly.
Perhaps we are the ones who should make the apology, Tokutarou-sama. Even if Kyouraku-kun and Ukitake-kun are friends, this is not a spell that can be easily broken. This is the power of a Bankai level sword – and I know that Sensei realises it too. A child of Kyouraku-kun's inexperience cannot hope to prevail against it, and as for Ukitake-kun…
Her eyes narrowed.
His body will not withstand it long, either. Perhaps, in the end, death would be a mercy. As it stands, both boys may die…but if we hesitate here, the whole population of District Seven may be in similar jeopardy.
Her gaze flitted to Genryuusai, taking in the tension in his aging form.
You know this best of all, Sensei. That your students may sacrifice their lives here in this land, but there is nothing you can do to change it. You have to act for the many, even if it means suffering the loss of those you consider important to you. You dispatched people to protect Endou-kun so that his family have a chance of stability, to subdue the Endou government, to ensnare Seimaru, and to keep Seventh District from revolting against our actions. For the sake of all who do live and will live again in District Seven, these concerns must override all others, regardless of sentiment. I understand how you care for your students – and I know that you would like nothing more but to rush from this place and defend them from harm. But there is no way to do that. Not this time. Whoever cast this spell…is probably the one that Nagesu-sama has gone to face. And all I can do now is put my hopes in that fact…that if Nagesu-sama can prevail, somehow, both young boys' lives may be saved.
The Seventh Division barracks were in some state of disrepair.
Guren stood at the entrance of the shinigami's military quarters, pursing his lips in disapproval as he took in the scene. There was no distinct separation that he could see between those blessed with spiritual duties and those that were retainers to the Endou-ke, and even without stepping inside the building he could tell that very few of those who served within met the minimum requirements to be called 'shinigami' at all.
An excuse to exceed the Council's legal limits for personal armies by hiding common soldiers in shihakushou, it would seem.
Guren's lips thinned.
Well, not entirely a breach of regulation that would see a leader stripped of his rank - but certainly cause for considerable concern. I wonder how much of this was Shouichi-dono's legacy, and how much is Seimaru's own work.
"Who goes there?"
As he moved towards the main entrance, a gaggle of black and white clad officers poured out to surround him, each clutching an asauchi as they gazed at him with suspicious, confrontational eyes. Guren's gaze flitted between them each in turn, taking in their physical and spiritual fitness, then he sighed, shaking his head slowly.
Barely within the recognised requirements. No wonder it's some time since any members of Seventh were dispatched beyond the confines of this District. When the new 'squads' came into place, it was at least desired that the senior most officers bore zanpakutou to a passable level. Yet even so, to pad it out with men of this calibre...men who not only lack spiritual and fighting finesse, but also an awareness of their betters...
"Step aside." He said now, his tones soft as he raised his hand to indicate for them to part. "I have no business with any of you, and do not wish to cause casualties."
"You were asked a question!" A broad-set individual thrust himself forward, clearly full of his own self as he glared at Guren defiantly. "You stand in our territory, stranger - who are you and why do you come here?"
"Who am I?" Guren raised an eyebrow, and there was a long silence. "Are you really so ignorant as to not know the answer to that very impertinent question?"
He smiled, a derisive look entering his grey eyes.
"It seems that the men of Seventh District are entirely without social education." He added cuttingly. "To think that I could travel here and not be known immediately by those who consider themselves members of the noble class? Preposterous."
He touched his fingers to his clothing, then,
"Because I choose to come here in the base shihakushou of a shinigami, you cannot identify me?" He asked softly. "Because I have left my haori and my robes of state in another place, you are so easily foxed by my appearance? A shameful reaction. I had expected better."
"Haori?" At this, one of the younger officers' eyes widened, and he darted forward, putting a hand on the arm of the man who had first challenged Guren. "Hey...wait. Stand down. He said haori...he said..."
"Summon your Lieutenant." Guren commanded. "Immediately. I should hope that he at least would have the sense to know who I am. Until he is summoned, I shall wait here. And the rest of you shall stay where you are, if it pleases you - I have no will to raise my blade to any who do not raise theirs to me. Not even despite the unforgivable nature of your ignorance...to take out insects is not the purpose of my coming."
"What is the commotion out here?"
Before any of the young men could move, another stepped through the wide doors of the barracks, the crest on his arm telling Guren that this was the individual he sought. "Why are you all gathered here? What..."
"They have done so because I have come to see you." Guren cut across him, turning his slate-grey gaze on the newcomer gravely. "And I trust that I will be greeted with a little more sense by a man who Shouichi-sama denoted his second in command here."
The Lieutenant stopped dead, his jaw dropping in alarm as he took in Guren's presence among his men. Colour drained from his face, and for a moment he just stood there, eyes bulging and mouth gaping as though he was a fish out of water. Then at length he gathered his wits, bowing his head low before the other man.
"Kuchiki Guren-sama." He whispered. "To what honour do we owe your presence among us this day?"
"K...K...Kuchiki?" The man who had first challenged Guren paled, stepping back, but the Clan leader paid him no mind.
"I see then you at least can recognise a man your Clan calls neighbour, even if your men cannot." He said softly, addressing the Lieutenant directly instead.
"If any of my men have been rude to you, Kuchiki-sama, please, I beg forgiveness on their behalves." The Lieutenant was stumbling over his words, clearly sweating under the unexpected pressure of greeting such an important person, and Guren wondered idly whether it was simply his status or a sign of more rule breaking being covered up within Seventh District's squad. "I will see they are all sorely punished for it later...for not greeting a Clan Leader in the acceptable manner."
"As it happens, there is no need." Guren dismissed this with a flick of his fingers. "I have not come robed in Clan attire, nor with the haori of the Sixth Division floating about my shoulders. I have come as a lone shinigami to do my duty to the Council and the Gotei to which I am an elected member. I am here to tell you to stand down from your duty, Lieutenant of the Seventh Division. You and all those who surround you are ordered to submit your swords and stand down from any other military obligation you may have for the time being."
"Submit...stand down?" The Lieutenant raised his gaze, fear in their depths, and Guren nodded.
"This is the order of the Council of Elders." he said quietly. "Your Captain is under suspicion of grave crimes against Soul Society. Till these allegations can be ratified or dismissed, Seventh Squad is hereby suspended. I have therefore come to ensure all of you submit your swords and are in no state to rise in armed defence of your master."
His eyes narrowed, and his fingers brushed against the hilt of his sleeping sword.
"I am a fair man." He added quietly. "Any who do as they are bidden will not come to harm. You are, after all, sworn to obey the man you have as Captain and Clan Leader and your complicity in his crimes will be overlooked so long as you are obedient to my orders now. But any who seek to defy me are in breach of the whole Council - and my blade will answer for them."
It was impossible for the Lieutenant to go any paler, and from where he stood, Guren could see that the man was trembling. Very slowly he clasped his hand around the hilt of his zanpakutou, and several of his companions drew breath sharply, as if wondering if the man intended to fight a Clansman of Guren's legendary calibre. Carefully and tentatively the Lieutenant pulled his weapon from its sheath, and then, with a shaking grip, he tossed it down onto the ground. It hit the frozen, snow-speckled cobbles with a muted clatter, and Guren nodded his head.
"Your choice is the right one." He said quietly, as one by one the gathered shinigami followed suit. "If that is the way of things, there need not be any violence here. I'm glad of it...for it seems there will be violence elsewhere."
His gaze strayed to the horizon, as he picked up the distinctive flares of Kyouki's Gekkoushin and Nagesu's Sekizanha, and he sighed.
I wonder what this day will truly bring when the sun sets into night. I fear that whatever the outcome, it will take much time before everything becomes settled and even once more.
He frowned, his brow creasing in consternation as he felt the faintest flicker of electric energy on the winter breeze.
A storm?
He bit his lip.
Or...no. That's someone's reiryoku. Someone's spirit power...a fleeting memory on the wind, stirring at my thoughts?
"Guren should stand back. I can handle this on my own."
"But Raiko-neesama!"
"I said stop it! There's no reason for anyone to hurt you, so stand back out of the way. Ojisama wouldn't forgive me, after all, if anything happened to you!"
"I can fight too! I can fight and defend Raiko-neesama!"
Guren closed his eyes, remembering the gathering darkness and the flashes of spectral lightning that had darkened the sky that day.
"Raiko." He murmured. "Your son's spirit power is just like yours. Is that what you intended? To give it all to him - to live on through him by trusting your storm to his blade?"
He bit his lip, tasting blood against his tongue.
But your storm raged fiercely and often out of control. And now, this feeling...it's just the same. The same, except...something else. Something dark is entwined in it...I wonder, can that frail young boy's tainted peasant blood really stand up to the strain of your lightning's legacy?
For a moment after Juushirou had fired his bolt of kidou, everything seemed to stand still.
Shunsui took a deep breath into his lungs, staring in disbelief at the black, ugly weal that had scorched through the hollowed trunk of a nearby dead tree, realising as he did so that the blast had hit only a few inches over from where he stood. Had it not been so saturated and frozen with ice and snow, the tree would surely have blazed into flame from the force of the spell – as it was the wood had been fair cleaved in half, the two sides hanging at a precarious angle as they held on by thin slithers of damp wood to the rotting roots below.
His gaze flitted back to Juushirou, who was still breathing heavily, his head lowered as he struggled to draw air into battered lungs and his aura flickering and flaring still in a menacing, foreboding way.
What was going on?
"Juushirou?" He took a step forward, and at his movement, Juushirou's head shot up, alarm flaring through his hazel gaze. It was like a sudden bolt of wild insanity, and Shunsui faltered, knowing that his friend was not in his wits yet still too dazed to piece together what had happened to cause this sudden change in behaviour. Blood still lingered on the younger boy's lips, and Shunsui could tell from the hoarse way he was dragging air into his lungs that his companion was not well enough to be firing spells at random across a frozen stretch of deserted land.
Yet it's like he's frightened of me. Like he's trying to protect himself from me. Like suddenly he sees me as his enemy.
Shunsui frowned, casting a furtive glance around him for any sign of the young girl.
I was right to send her away, then, but if she comes back in the middle of this…whatever's caused Juu to take a weird turn, it's better she's not here to see it. Maybe I can talk him down – maybe I can work out what's gone wrong. But if she reappears, that makes it complicated. I don't want him to hurt her because he's not acting like himself.
"Juu?" He spoke again, moderating his tones so as they would not startle his classmate. "Juu, whatever's upset you, you need to calm down. There's nobody here who's going to hurt you. Seimaru's a long way off. It's just you and me and the chibi – and you have my word that neither of us want to attack you."
Juushirou stared at him, and a knot formed in Shunsui's stomach as he realised there was no recognition in Juushirou's clouded gaze.
"You don't know who I am, do you?" He whispered, as suddenly a dark sense of foreboding began to wash over him. "Juu…this is that man's doing, isn't it? That Urahara…that Aizen Keitarou? This is like Eiraki-hime…he pulled the strings and made her attack someone that she cared for. This is his work – somehow he's put the same spell on you that he put on her."
Juushirou drew a deep breath of air into his lungs, his fingers closing slowly around the hilt of Sougyo no Kotowari. Shunsui's eyes widened, and he shook his head hurriedly.
"Wooah boy!" He exclaimed, throwing all caution to the wind as he darted forward, grabbing his friend firmly by the right arm as he tried to separate boy from sword. "That's not a good idea. In the state you're in right now…"
"Hadou no Ichi. Shou." Juushirou's words were once more flat and mechanical, and Shunsui suddenly found himself thrust across the clearing, landing with a heavy thud on the frozen ground some two or three feet from where his classmate stood. Momentarily dazed, he quickly gathered his wits, struggling to his feet.
The blow had winded him – Juushirou had fired it from his free left hand directly against Shunsui's gut without even hesitating, and it had not been a gentle spell.
But somehow you snapped Eiraki-hime out of it. Somehow you brought her back to herself, and you used Kidou when you did – isn't that what she said? That your fingers were glittering and something shook her awake. Then if that's the case…maybe I can do the same. If that's the case…
He hauled himself once more to his feet, rubbing his gut ruefully as he did so. For a moment he eyed Juushirou's tense form, then he sighed, swallowing his misgivings as he extended the fingers of his right hand towards his friend.
"I'm sorry if it hurts, Juu, but I have no choice. Bakudou no Yon: Hainawa."
Spiritual ropes of energy shot out towards Juushirou, trailing through the air as if guided by an invisible hand, yet as they started to close in on their prey, there was a sudden glint of silver and Juushirou darted back, his weapon pulled free from his obi. The sword slashed through the kidou restraints before they could loop themselves around his wrists, the spell disintegrating into the cold air at the touch of the zanpakutou's sharp edge, and Shunsui was aware that the katana was prickling with energy, alive and ready to fight.
So it's not going to be so easy to hold you down, then. Your blade has more resolve than my Bakudou. I don't want to fire Hadou at you, though, Juu. I don't want to hurt you, just stop you attacking me while I try and drum sense into your skull and get you to snap out of it. But even so…
He paused, stretching out his hand to fire a second spell, but before he could mumble the incantation, he heard his friend begin to speak once more.
"Nami kotogotoku, wa ga tate to nare." Juushirou muttered, and the copse was lit up as Sougyo no Kotowari's blade was bathed in golden light. It was strong and vibrant light, yet to Shunsui it was empty and hollow, as though it lacked any feeling or substance behind it, and even as the weapon began to separate from one blade into two, Shunsui knew that Juushirou's body was struggling to contain the sword's overwhelming rush of spiritual energy.
"Juu, stop it!" He begged. "Your body can't take it – all you're going to do is spit up blood again, and if you keep on like this, you'll wind up killing yourself for real!"
Juushirou's eyes glittered faintly with something that froze right through Shunsui's soul, then,
"Ikazuchi kotogotoku, wa ga yaiba to nare." He whispered. "Sougyo no Kotowari."
The weapon glimmered a second time, as if echoing his call, then the light faded, and Shunsui saw his friend's sword, separated and gleaming in the winter sunlight.
It was the first time he had seen Sougyo no Kotowari's release, for all of Juushirou's training sessions since he had had his blade ratified had been conducted with Genryuusai's close attention, and no other student had been permitted to watch. That his classmate had mastered this initial stage was something he had known, yet he found himself taken aback by the sudden swell of energy that seemed to pulse from the two blades. Over their heads, the sky began to darken, the clouds thickening and becoming heavier and Shunsui almost thought he could feel the prickle of energy surging through it, a faint spark here and there hinting at the threat of lightning still to come.
"The storm is what Mother calmed inside of me, but it feels like maybe it's coming back little by little to take control again."
Juushirou's words echoed through his thoughts suddenly, and he bit his lip.
A storm raging out of control…when you can't reel your power in and it flies free. Juu, your body isn't up to this. Whatever that mad scientist did to you…you have to snap out of it and I have no time to be sissy about finding the best way to help you do that.
Under his breath he began to mutter the spell for Shakkahou, but before he could get even halfway through the incantation, Juushirou let out a screech, darting forward with his swords raised ready to attack. Struck off guard, it was all Shunsui could do to evade the sudden swing of not one sword but two in quick succession to each other, the left blade narrowly missing cutting off his ear, whilst the right one seared through the edge of his peasant robe. His fingers went automatically to his waist as Juushirou turned and attacked again, pulling Kai's wakizashi from its cloth wrappings and swinging it up to match the fine silver weapon against Juushirou's humming zanpakutou.
The sudden clash made Juushirou flinch back, as though hitting the sword had somehow hurt him too, and Shunsui frowned, gazing at the wakizashi for a moment before tightening his grip around its carved hilt.
It's all I have, but if I can wear you down first, I'll do that instead. My sword skills are better than yours, Juu, and you've only just begun to fight with two weapons, whereas I've been fighting with both hands for years. I don't suppose that, even given that that's a zanpakutou, it will make much difference when it comes down to basic skills. And the wakizashi may be all I have – but I have it, and thank God, I can use it to deflect your swings.
His eyes narrowed as Juushirou drove forward again, picking up clearly the weakness of the boy's left swing compared to his more familiar right. Shunsui shifted the wakizashi into his left grip to compensate, stepping neatly to the side and bringing the blade up swiftly and cleanly through the air to collide once more against the left-hand weapon. Juushirou's grasp faltered slightly this time, and Shunsui found he had time to jerk his body around, grabbing Juushirou's left arm in his right hand whilst bringing the wakizashi up to block the attack of the District boy's right.
Juushirou quickly shook himself free, jumping back as a spasm wracked through his chest, causing him to cough. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and Shunsui gritted his teeth, knowing that he did not have all afternoon to play sword games with his companion.
I can hold you off like this for as long as I need to, but not if it's doing you harm to have that weapon unsealed. I don't know where that Urahara is, or what exactly he instructed you to do – but I don't intend on letting this go on all day. I want to stop this quickly, Juu – so forgive me if I'm a little rougher on you than normal, okay? You'll thank me for it later – maybe we'll laugh about it, who knows? But right now, I'm going to have to be serious. Even if it means I break a bone or two – forgive me, all right? In the end, it's all in your own interests if I do.
His sharp gaze caught sight of a discarded length of branch lying on the ground not far below the tree that Juushirou had neatly divided with his initial Byakurai, and Shunsui realised that it had fallen from the wounded trunk in the force of the blast. It was uneven and not quite straight, but as he glanced at it, an idea began to briefly surface in the older boy's brain. Summoning his spirit power, he forced himself into shunpo, dropping out of it beneath the shuddering, groaning tree corpse and pausing to catch his breath.
I mustn't use that unless I have to. I haven't the energy for it, not after bringing Juu and the chibi here. It'll be enough if I can keep my physical energy going long enough to disarm him – I should save my reiryoku for kidou, just in case.
He bent down, sliding the fingers of his right hand around the rough end of the branch and lifting it, tilting it from side to side for a moment as he gauged its weight. It was lighter and some inches longer than the bokutou with which they practiced in Ouyoudou class, yet in the circumstances it was the best he could hope for, and he tightened his grasp, turning to face his friend a second time as Juushirou charged forwards once more.
Shunsui was ready for him, however, and he brought the makeshift bokutou up sharply, aiming it against Juushirou's weaker left hand and sending the weapon flying up into the air. The sudden loss of one blade caused the District boy to lose his momentum, and he stumbled, Shunsui parrying the weakened stab of the right blade with the Shihouin wakizashi. Now one blade on one, Shunsui pushed his physical strength home, putting all his pressure into the swing of his right arm as he worked to knock Juushirou completely off his feet. The trailing left blade of Sougyo no Kotowari acted as an anchor in his favour, and Juushirou's sandaled feet slipped on the slick ground, causing him to drop to his knees.
Shunsui eyed him for a moment, moving to put his foot very purposefully on Sougyo no Kotowari's left blade. As he did so, he saw the pain reflected in Juushirou's eyes, and inwardly he sent an apology to his friend for treating the beautiful weapon in such a rough manner. Yet he did not alter his stance, instead using the wakizashi to hold down Juushirou's right hand blade.
The spiritual cord that tethered the two halves of the weapon together had become its weakness, for Shunsui could quickly see that Juushirou's movement on the right was restricted by his imprisoned left sword, and he let out a heavy sigh of relief.
"Right, then." He said softly, his tones as light as he could manage. "I really don't like this, Juu, but if you're not going to listen to reason…"
"Shun…sui?"
The word was little more than the faintest of whispers, but Shunsui faltered, staring at his friend in confusion. Had he imagined it, or had Juushirou just called him by name?
A desperate, pale hand reached out at that moment, trembling as it clumsily tried to grasp at the edges of Shunsui's peasant hakama, and Shunsui bit his lip, seeing a flicker of something other than wild fight in the other boy's hazel eyes.
Were those…tears glittering against Juushirou's lashes?
"Juu-kun?" He asked softly. "Can you hear me?"
"Shun…" Juushirou coughed, and blood bubbled at his lips a second time. "My…sword. Sougyo…hurt…"
"I know. I'm sorry. You went at me like a lunatic, so I took evasive measures." Shunsui said frankly. "And I can't move off it. Not right now. You're not acting like yourself, and I need you to stop it. Understand? I need you to put the right blade down before I take my foot off the left one. Just in case…for your own sake as well as mine."
Slowly Juushirou's right arm began to withdraw his sword from its position against Kai's blade, shaking and tentative as if every muscle movement was a huge effort to complete. At length the weapon rested on the ground, but Juushirou's fingers were still curled protectively around the hilt, and he sent Shunsui a plaintive, almost pleading look.
"Stop…" He whispered. "Please…Shunsui. Stop…"
He coughed again, and Shunsui felt his heart clench at the pitiful figure his friend now cut.
"What am I going to do with you?" He murmured, thrusting the branch into the frozen ground and reaching his freed right hand across absently to ruffle his fingers through Juushirou's shorn white hair. "You like to scare people, that's for sure. Keitarou did this to you, didn't he? That Urahara. He used the spell on you that he used on Hirata's sister…talk about a low blow."
Juushirou simply stared at him, the tears running silently down his cheeks, and Shunsui sighed.
"Juu-nii!"
At that moment, Shikiki returned, stopping dead as she caught sight of the two students. "Oniisan, what happened? What are you doing to…to Juu-nii?"
"Shikiki!" Shunsui turned, momentarily distracted by the young girl's distress. "Don't come any closer, okay? Juu's not feeling well – and he's not able to control his power properly at the moment. I don't want you to get hurt as well – so stay where you are, okay?"
"I won't!" Shikiki hurried forwards. "Don't hurt Juu-nii, Oniisan! Please, don't hurt him! I'll help him, I promise, so don't hurt him any more!"
"Hey, be careful!" As the young girl came closer, Shunsui reached out his right hand to stop her, his foot shifting slightly on the grounded blade. "Shikiki, please! I'm serious. This isn't a safe situation for you…right now the best thing you can do is stand back out of the way. Juu wouldn't like it if he hurt you – so please, don't do anything to make it worse, all right?"
"But I want to help him! Juu-nii helped me…I want to help Juu-nii!" Shikiki stopped, but there was defiance in her tone. "Juu-nii's crying, Oniisan! He's hurting, let me help him!"
"He'll be crying all the more if he hurts you by mistake." Shunsui felt his reiatsu curl and flare up around him as he prepared to fire a mild bakudou spell to keep the youngster at bay. "I can handle it on my own, and he'll be fine – but if you got hurt, he'd never forgive himself. He'd never…"
He faltered, seeing Juu's right arm move out of the corner of his eye. He lifted his weapon to counter it, but instead of a swinging blade came was a sudden, vibrant blast of powerful energy, aimed directly at his outstretched right arm as he sought to keep the Shikiki out of harm's reach. There was no time for Shunsui to dodge, and the blast cannoned into his unguarded limb, the force of the flare sending him flying once more across the impromptu battlefield. He collided with the sheer cliff face that flanked the path behind them, letting out an involuntary cry of pain as his body met the jagged edge of the unforgiving rock.
Fierce, unyielding agony flared through his right arm, and a wave of nausea washed up inside him as he caught sight of it hanging loose and limp at his side. He did not need the pain or the fighting experience to know that it was broken, for it was kinked at an odd angle midway between his wrist and elbow, and again just above the elbow, flopping uselessly against his bruised body as though it belonged to a rag-doll. The fabric of the sleeve had been completely burnt away by whatever attack had grounded him, and his skin was red and raw, as though the heat of the blast had scalded across it. It had not felt hot, he realised dully, but then perhaps such sensations had been put into second place by his brain as the bones had shattered one by one.
He slid to the ground, the waves of pain intensifying as the crumpled limb touched the freezing snow, and he struggled to keep breathing, his vision blurred and indistinct as his body was overwhelmed by shock.
What the hell was that?
He swallowed against the bile that rose in his gullet, half sure he was about to be sick, yet somehow he managed to quell the sensation, trying desperately to rationalise what had happened. His gaze flitted to Juushirou, who was slowly picking himself up off the ground. The wild look was back in his eyes, and whatever brief moment of respite had caused his friend to return to his senses had clearly passed with the flaring of that spell.
If it had even been a spell.
Shunsui could not be sure, for it had all happened so quickly…but he had almost felt like that blast had come from Juushirou's right hand blade.
"Oniisan!" Shikiki was at his side, he realised then, tugging on his good arm with anxiety in her aqua eyes. "Oniisan, are you all right? Are you…?"
"I told you to get out of the way." He managed thickly. "Juu isn't himself…Shikiki, he'll hurt you too!"
Shikiki's gaze flitted back to Juushirou, then,
"If you're his friend, why did he fire Sougyo at you?" She murmured. "If you're friends, why did he do that? I don't understand."
"Someone's controlling him." Shunsui muttered. "Someone who doesn't like that I've come to interfere."
He swallowed again, then,
"What do you mean, fired Sougyo? You've seen…him do that…before?"
"Mm. In Kei-nii's lab." Shikiki nodded. "He did it to open the door so we could get out."
"It would've been nice to have been briefed on it."
"I didn't think Juu-nii would do it again. It seemed to make him in pain before." Shikiki admitted.
"Tell me…what he did…before."
"Just that." Shikiki shrugged. "He sucked in the spirit power with the left blade and shot it out at the wall with his right. And a hole appeared. And we went through it. And then we met up with you and Hirata-sama and…that's all."
Absorbed through the left, fired through the…
Shunsui grimaced.
When I flared my spirit power to protect Shikiki – was that when he did it? From my standing on his blade, he managed to…?
He shivered, flinching as pain ran through his damaged limb.
"No wonder Kyouki-sama said that sword could kill someone." He whispered. He touched his right arm tentatively, then his eyes widened as he realised he no longer held Kai's wakizashi.
"Damn..." He muttered, his gaze flitting across the ground to where it had fallen from his grip with the force of Juushirou's unexpected attack.
Too far for me to shunpo to, and too far for me to walk. Heck, can I even stand like this?
He gritted his teeth, reaching out his uninjured hand to pull himself up into a standing position. By leaning against the cliff wall, he found he could maintain his balance, but the world seemed grey and surreal, and every so often the edges flickered, as though he was seeing the end of a brief, fleeting dream.
But Juushirou had not finished yet. He was already on his feet, his reiryoku flickering around his body in an eerie bluish haze. Shunsui's heart skipped a beat as he ran through his options for defence.
I can't fire Kidou. If Shikiki's right about what that sword did, and if he can absorb even my stray reiatsu, then firing Kidou is a bad, bad idea. All it will do is make same thing happen again…and even if I'm the one with the broken bones right now, he's still feeling this. Every attack he makes, I can tell…his reiatsu gets a little darker, a little more raw.
Shunsui bit his lip, as the white haired boy steadied his grip on his twin blades, readying himself for a new assault on his companion.
I can't back away, because this wall is the only thing holding me up. And Shikiki…I have to protect Shikiki, too.
In that moment, Juushirou let out a yell, charging forward with his twin blades both aimed directly at Shunsui's body. Above their heads, the dark, cloying sky split suddenly with a flare of eerie golden lightning, and Shunsui felt real fear begin to well up inside of him as the unforgiving tips of Sougyo no Kotowari surged closer and closer towards him.
Is Juushirou going to kill me?
That was the last thought he had, before his world became swamped in shadow.