Chapter One: Wind of Change
There was a sharp wind over the mountains in Seventh District that morning.
As the breeze blew across the rocky peaks and dips in the landscape, a sole figure stood at the edge of a plateau, his dark red cloak flapping against his legs as he gazed pensively out across the barren expanse. To any peasant or nomadic traveller who might have happened on the scene, it would seem as though the young man, robed in the expensive colours of the native Endou Clan had somehow lost his trail and was trying desperately to locate a way out of the confusing peaks. A second look would surely convince them that he was slightly out of his wits, too, for although there was nobody else for miles around, his lips moved silently against the swift moving air, his hands spreading out before him as though he was talking to the atmosphere around his body.
But he was not lost, nor was he mad. On the contrary, this was Endou Hirata, the son of the current Clan leader and the one in whom the family's future hopes had been wholeheartedly invested.
It was not so very many years since civil unrest and the dictatorial despotism of previous Clan leaders had ravaged the landscape, and large areas of District Seven still remained empty, villages left abandoned to rot down into the ground. But even so, little by little the people who had fled so desperately for sanctuary in the neighbouring lands had begun to return, lured by the promise of security and work in the new rock mines that had begun to spring up all around the District. It was taking time, but small gathering of huts were beginning to swell into villages and even the desolate towns were being repopulated as those who had borne out the worst of the civil strife began to rebuild their homes and open themselves up once more to trade.
Hirata's father had been the one who had made all of this possible, yet even now he worked very much from the shadows, for he had never fully accepted himself in the position of head of the Clan. Hirata knew this only too well for, ever since he had returned from his own exile, it had often been his name that the people of Seventh District had held onto as their beacon of hope for a peaceful and settled future.
Two and a half years ago, Hirata had killed his own cousin in a battle for the freedom of the Clan and the District, and since then the stories about what had happened had spread like wildfire among the surviving lower classes, building up the fortune of his victory into an epic triumph against the evil of a sadistic monster. Two and a half years ago, Hirata's childhood had ended forever. For two and a half years ago, he had accepted that one day he would rule the Endou Clan.
That day was not far away, for he was nineteen years old now, with his twentieth birthday not many months ahead. And, with that knowledge in his heart, Hirata had worked his hardest at improving his skills - to bring himself to a level where he would not let his people down.
Trapped by the chains of the Endou-ke, sometimes, coming out like this was the only way he could be himself.
Yet he was not alone here. On the contrary, the gentle rhythm of wingbeats resonated through his skull, echoing out into the world around him with the pulsing flare of the wind. If he closed his eyes, he could see the form of a sparrowhawk, its feathers russet and tan in hue and its eyes a vivid gold. It wheeled and curled in the sky above his head, flowing with the breeze and at a moment's whim, turning the air back so that it blew towards where Hirata stood.
Seizumi.
Absently he held his hand out, and though there was nothing there, he felt the distinct shift of air against his hand as something seemed to settle on his outstretched fingers. The bird was only in his mind, and Hirata's vision had always been poor, yet through the wind he could perceive exact movements and shapes and he knew that, although his hawk was only in his thoughts, his presence was a very real one indeed.
Are we going to spend all day here, Hirata?
The bird's voice was soft, barely above a whisper, and Hirata frowned, closing his eyes and opening himself up to his inner world so that he could see his spirit's form more clearly.
Is it a problem, if we do?
That's not a question you should be asking of me, is it?
Hirata could feel the golden eyes piercing through him, seeing through to his very core.
I know why you like coming here. I like it, too. There's nowhere in the whole of Seventh District where the air currents move so freely and smoothly, and I know you find it calming to be here. But even so, you have other things you ought to be doing. After all...
After all, in a few months, Father will start talking about me being Head of the Clan again.
Hirata sighed, shaking his head as if to clear it.
He said that when my training was over, then we'd settle that. But my training isn't over, not yet. Just because I have you...he doesn't understand that having a zanpakutou spirit isn't the end of the hard work. It's only the beginning...it's really a a very long path, isn't it?
It can't be helped. Misashi-dono has no concept of such things because his own power was stunted and prevented.
Seizumi fluttered his wings slightly, sending a faint breeze against Hirata's body.
But I'm glad that you realise it. Even though you have worked hard, it starts here. And you're not ready, not yet. You have things still unsettled in your heart and mind when it comes to this Clan, don't you?
Hirata's eyes snapped open, and he gazed across the empty plateau pensively, nodding his head.
You mean Eiraki-chan, of course...?
Of course. Who else?
Seizumi...
There's no sense in thinking otherwise. Even now, even though she's not spoken of in public circles...you haven't forgotten. You still want to find her, don't you? And rescue her, if you can...before you take hold of the Clan.
Yes. I suppose I do.
Hirata sighed heavily, a fleeting image of his young sister crossing his mind. She had been fifteen, then - she would be almost eighteen now, if she still lived. She had disappeared in the dead of night not long after Hirata had brought down his cousin's despotic regime and Misashi had taken control of the Clan. Though they had searched for her high and low, no trace had ever been found - and whether she lived or died, nobody knew.
Yet Hirata was sure that she lived, and more, that he knew who had been responsible for her departure.
Aizen Keitarou.
His eyes narrowed, their pale blue shade darkening as he remembered.
She was in love with him. Edogawa-san told me as much, and I knew it, too. Yet nobody protected her from his returning. We never thought he would come after her. But knowing that we wouldn't want to fight someone if Eiraki was involved too - he came and he took her away. And if I am to be head of the Endou-ke, Seizumi...
Another crime must be committed, perhaps?
The bird sounded thoughtful.
You never do speak my full name outside of battle training. I wonder why. Is it because it cuts to close to what happened the first time you felt my spirit stir?
Hirata rubbed his temples.
I suppose so. I suppose because...Tsumi is such a...difficult word to hold onto. Do you mind, Seizumi? That I call you that?
No. It was I who told you to do so.
The bird ruffled its feathers again.
But you will have to face up to it eventually, Hirata. That my true name holds a deeper meaning...and that meaning is a part of you. There are things you can't escape...and it's my job to prepare you to face them. Even if they are not the things you want to see or hear...I must guide you to be strong against them, just as you were strong against Seimaru. The people in this District will look to you soon enough. You will have to meet their expectations, otherwise...
I understand.
Hirata nodded, lowering his hands. For a moment he brushed his hand against the brown and gold hilt of the sword at his waist, then,
Let's go back then, Seizumi. Father will be waiting for me, and there are things to do. I can't spend all day here, even if I want to - you're right. If I'm returning to District One soon then...well, I don't want him to decide for any reason that I shouldn't go. This will be my last year, whatever happens...I want to make the most of whatever it brings!
There was a storm stirring inside his head.
Dark, oppressive waves of confusion thundered over his thoughts, relentlessly coming one after another. His body felt like a prison, burdened down with weights and unable to move whilst something pounded and pounded against his skull. Each beat sent shockwaves of pain through his entire body, and his lips parted, uttering an unconscious groan as his soul struggled to free itself from his psychological prison. In the darkness, even the faintest of sounds seemed like a clap of the most intense thunder, and panic flared through him as his senses overloaded.
For a moment he fought there, mired and trapped in his hopeless battle against some unknown force. Then, in the next moment gentle fragments of light began to seep in through the darkness, fragmenting the pain and driving it back from his senses. For the first time he began to be aware of other sensations – the gentle touch of another's fingers against his brow, the faint sound of someone's voice, and, little by little, that there was a world outside the one which only a short time earlier he had believed was everything.
"Shirogane-senpai?"
Now he could make out the sounds more clearly, he realised that whoever it was was saying his name, her tones soft and soothing. Though he was still confused and disorientated, something in the gentleness of this female voice acted as both a beacon and an anchor – guiding him and preventing him from slipping back into the black.
Slowly he struggled to open his eyes, fighting against the weight of his body to force them open. Light and colour immediately flooded in, sending his brain into a fresh spasm of panic and his lips parted again, another involuntary whimper passing his lips before he had even known he intended to try and speak.
Something touched his fingers, cool and yet not unpleasant against his skin.
"Shirogane-senpai, it's all right. You're quite safe now. It's all right."
The woman's voice again, and without knowing or caring who she was, Shirogane put his entire faith in the gentle lilt of her voice. As he blinked, slowly the world began to come hazily into focus, there but still somehow surreal to his confused gaze.
He was in a chamber – perhaps his chamber, perhaps not. He couldn't be sure, for at present he could not clearly make out much beyond his immediate line of sight. Light was streaming in through the window – so at least it must be morning – yet he did not remember coming here the night before. Slowly and painfully he attempted to drag out his last recollections of the previous evening, only to come up with a few incoherent fragments and a large gaping hole. There had been darkness, and trees. He remembered trees…and then his heart skipped a beat in his chest as he recalled the sensation of the branches looming out towards him, driving their pointed tips towards his heart in an attempt to punish him for releasing his sword. The pictures were jumbled and confused – he had been with someone…then he had been alone. He had had his sword…but then he could not remember what sword or why he should have held it in the first place. There had been a pendant – an image of two swans flitted briefly across his mind. And then a pair of golden eyes, real and yet not real, lurking in the shadows.
He closed his eyes, taking a deep breath into his lungs as he tried to make sense of it all.
What on earth had happened and why did he feel like this?
"You're quite safe now." The female voice was speaking again, and Shirogane opened his eyes once more, turning his heavy head slightly to make out the figure of a young woman beside his bed. He had not seen her before, in the haze of images and broken memories he had been struggling to put together, but now he focused his full attention on her, painstakingly putting together each little detail until he could see her quite clearly.
As his gaze met hers, she smiled, her grey eyes lighting up with relief. She seemed tired, he realised belatedly, as though she had been sitting there for a long time, yet he could not explain how or why and so discarded the thought, turning his sluggish mind instead to working out who she was.
"You might be wondering why I'm in your chamber." She said softly, and the touch against his fingers and brow disappeared as she moved her arms back, folding her hands in her lap. "Or even why I'm here at all. Guren-sama sent for me – so I came as soon as I was able. You were very sick last night – but you seem a little better this morning."
Sick?
Shirogane's eyes narrowed as he tried to process this, then, with a jolt, he realised who the girl was.
Edogawa Mitsuki. A Third degree member of the Clan and – as his thoughts began flowing thick and fast now – someone whose face was rarely seen at the centre of Seireitei's administrative power. In fact, since Shirogane had been elected Sixth Division Vice Captain and had made his permanent home within the sprawling, elegant main Kuchiki manor, he had only seen Mitsuki there on a couple of occasions. Both times she had been quiet and withdrawn from the group, not ignored but not quite part of the proceedings. Then he had barely paid her a moment's notice – but now, seeing her sitting there beside him, he suddenly understood.
Mitsuki had healing wits, not fighting ones. He had been sick, and so Guren had sent for her – and she had come from her own home to treat him, perhaps in the dead of night.
But had he truly been that sick that it could not wait until the morning? Why could he not remember? What had happened the night before?
"Mitsuki." He murmured, and Mitsuki's smile widened as she nodded her head.
"I'm glad. You seem to be coming out of it properly now." She said, her tones still muted and gentle in obvious sympathy for his aching head. She even knew that, then, he realised…that though he had said nothing, her expression and her gentleness told him that her healing instincts could read far more than merely words. "Lie still for a while longer, though. There's no hurry to move about – just take it easy and let your wits recover."
Shirogane wetted his lips, then,
"What happened last night?" He whispered. Mitsuki frowned, her eyes becoming clouded.
"Do you need to know that right away?" She asked softly, and Shirogane's heart clenched as he slowly nodded his head.
"Yes." He responded. "If it…means you looking at me like that…I do. You weren't here…yesterday. I'm pretty sure…you're never here. So why are you…now? Guren-sama…sent for you? Why?"
"Ryuu told him that he should." Mitsuki said evasively. "And Guren-sama sent a messenger to Father as fast as he was able. I rode here as quickly as I could – so that's why I'm here now."
"Ryuu did." Shirogane digested this, as slowly he managed to draw up an image of his cousin in his mind. Ryuu was less than a year his junior, tactless, stiff and unyielding at the best of times – yet strangely reliable in times of crisis. Shirogane was quite sure he had not been with Ryuu the night before, for whenever Ryuu was at the main house he spent most of his time closeted away in the family library or archives, doing his best to avoid socialising with members of his clan. He was an enigma and Shirogane generally left him well alone – but like Mitsuki, he too had acted and promptly in order to…
In order to…what?
For such a thing to happen…had his life been in peril?
He frowned. If only he could clearly remember the previous night.
At his expression, Mitsuki let out a heavy sigh.
"Yes. Ryuu did." She said reluctantly. "Because he thought that it would be faster to bring me than a healer from Fourth. Retsu-sama is here now – but probably…Ryuu was right. I am not…Retsu-sama. But I was able to help you last night…so…I'm glad that I came."
And yet she did not look entirely glad. Shirogane processed this realisation carefully, his wits sharpening with every clear breath he took.
"What happened…to me…last night?" He repeated his question, and Mitsuki sent him a troubled look.
"Your heart went into an arrhythmia and you weren't breathing properly." She said softly. "It was…I suppose you could call it…the outsize in panic attacks. When I got here, you were quite unconscious, and I had to work hard to try and calm your spirit down."
"I…panicked?" Shirogane was more alert now, staring at her in disbelief. "Mitsuki, I am not exactly the panicking type – if I was, do you think I'd be dispatched to fight Hollows on a regular basis? Do you think…"
He faltered, his eyes narrowing as a flicker of memory danced across his wits.
He had been on patrol last night, hadn't he? He had been hunting Hollows…and…no, it was no good. Whatever it was, he could not remember it clearly enough to make it make sense.
"This wasn't something in your control. Not a normal overload of senses but one induced by something outside." Mitsuki shook her head, her words composed and rational although her eyes were full of concern. "There was some kind of hallucinogenic – it wasn't just you who was affected by it. You just got the biggest dose of it…so we…we think. And so…you were the most sick. Last night, even when I stabilised your breathing and your heart, you were having delusions and couldn't be left alone. So I stayed here most of the time – that's why I'm here right now. Because Guren-sama charged me with taking full care of you – and I didn't want to let him down. Not given the fact that…"
She stopped, and Shirogane knew that whatever she had been about to say had been something unpleasant. He frowned, suddenly wanting to know the end of that sentence, regardless of whether it was good or bad.
"Not given the fact that?" He echoed softly, and Mitsuki bit her lip.
"You're not well enough. Not yet." She said gently. "For now, you need to sleep some more. I neutralised the drug as much as I could, and its working its way out of your system…but you're still on the road to recovery."
"Drug." Shirogane latched onto this now. "You're saying that somebody drugged me on purpose…this outside hallucinogenic…was put there intentionally to make me lose my wits? Or my life?"
He struggled to sit up, but the room swam and Mitsuki reached out gentle hands to usher him back down onto the pillows.
"Later." She murmured, but Shirogane pushed her hands away, shaking his head as he forced his body upright, taking deep breaths to calm the giddy, queasy waves that assailed his brain. He clutched the blankets around him, fixing his focus intently on her face until the world around them both stopped moving from side to side. Then,
"I'm the Vice Captain of Sixth Squad." He said quietly. "And a second degree member of the Kuchiki Clan. You are my social inferior and if I order you to tell me, then you will tell me. What happened last night – and this time, the entire truth. I was on patrol – I remember bits and pieces of that, and I'm sure we were in the forests. But what happened next…I don't know. What are you keeping from me that you don't want me to know?"
Mitsuki stared at him for a moment, then she let out a heavy sigh.
"Guren-sama said you weren't to be told until you were well enough to understand." She said regretfully. "And…I thought that you shouldn't know until you were more recovered than this. But your wits are coming back to you and so I…I can't supersede Guren-sama's orders. Or yours, Shirogane-senpai. You're right – I have no authority in any of this. I'm only here because I have a skill that this time has helped – that's all."
Somehow Shirogane felt a little guilty at the meek way in which she had taken his admonition, but he shook it off, refocusing his attention on her as she began to speak.
"You were on patrol." She agreed reluctantly. "In a sector of land not far from the manor. I don't know all the details but from what Seiren-dono told me when I arrived, you'd been dispatched to take out a Hollow who was terrorising the land nearby. Nobody knows whether or not you found the Hollow or if there even was one there at all. But you were dispatched – with five others from Sixth Squad on Guren-sama's direct order."
"With five others."
Shirogane closed his eyes. Was it imagination, or could he see them now – silhouettes at the edge of his consciousness, but without faces or proper form. Mitsuki nodded.
"Yes. Including…Sixth Division's…third seated officer."
Shirogane's eyes snapped open and he stared at her in surprise.
"Ribari-sama was with me?"
"Yes, he was." Mitsuki nodded. "Guren-sama said that he thought it would be good experience."
"Ribari-sama was with me." Shirogane pondered this, little by little drawing a clearer picture of the late night scene. Mitsuki was right, he realised. Ribari had definitely been there, and two or three others as he had gathered them in the moonlight to begin their trek.
The next words cut through him like a knife.
"I'm sorry, senpai." Mitsuki's tones were low and full of sadness. "Ribari-sama…was not as lucky as you."
"What?" Now Shirogane was fully alert, grabbing hold of her wrists as he stared at her in dismay. "What are you saying?"
"Ribari-sama passed away late last night." Mitsuki was clearly uneasy at his sudden reaction, and again Shirogane knew she was sensing his feelings as well as her own. "I'm sorry. There was…nothing to be done."
"But…Mitsuki…are you saying…Why didn't you help him?" Shirogane's voice rose, his tones accusing as he fixed his piercing grey eyes on her face as if looking for the things she had not yet explained. "Why did you spend so much time on me…do you not realise? Ribari-sama is…Ribari-sama was…"
"I know." Mitsuki nodded, and Shirogane saw tears in her own eyes. Despite himself he was struck by them. Mitsuki had barely known Ribari – in fact, if he had even known her by name was unlikely, given how far from court life the Edogawa hime generally preferred to be. Yet she still felt genuine pain at his passing, even so, and Shirogane felt faintly guilty once again for having shouted at her.
"By the time I arrived here, Ribari-sama's heart had already stopped beating." She spoke quietly now, her tones full of repressed emotions. "He was brought back here still breathing, but his heart was…racing worse than yours. He died quite soon afterwards. I was not here quickly enough. I can't bring people back once their life has stopped, and so I couldn't…"
She broke off, then,
"Retsu-sama intends to examine him properly, to find out all the reasons why." She added quietly. "But she thinks…that nobody could have saved him. From what she saw…when she arrived…that's what she thought. And she said…I should keep my attention firmly on you. Because your life was also in danger – but you…we could save. Guren-sama wanted to save you. He didn't want to…to lose you both."
A cold chill ran down Shirogane's spine as his brain struggled to comprehend the implications of Mitsuki's words. Little by little he ran over their conversation, pulling and tugging at bits of information as he tried to make sense of it all.
"Someone murdered Ribari-sama and tried to kill us all." He whispered. "That's what you're saying, isn't it? That we were ambushed…that someone attacked us…and then…"
He closed his eyes, as little by little memory of the previous night filled his senses.
"I remember." He admitted. "Only bits, but I do. Ribari-sama was there. And he…was frightened by something. I don't know what it was. Just that the others all thought they were being followed…and…"
"Guren-sama sent some people to check the scene just before daybreak. Few people have slept all night through." Mitsuki said evenly, smoothing the blankets between her fingers as though by doing so she could also smooth out the rising emotions that now polluted the chamber's atmosphere. "Your sword was released – they felt it's reiatsu on the wind. So they thought maybe the Hollow…"
"There was no Hollow." Shirogane shook his head. "As for Ginkyoujiki…"
He paused, closing his eyes.
"I can remember sending my blade petals into the trees…and that there was a shadow…something there." He murmured. "But that's all. Everything else is bits and pieces. I can't make any sense of it at all."
He pushed back his covers.
"I need to see Guren-sama. I need to see him now."
"Shirogane-senpai! You're far from well enough to get up – last night you almost died!" Mitsuki's eyes opened wide in dismay, but Shirogane was not listening to her. Instead he forcibly pulled himself to his feet, wrapping his robe more tightly around himself with his left hand while using the right to lean against the wall for support as his vision swam and danced.
"Guren-sama is my Captain, Ribari-sama was his son." He said darkly. "I was the officer in charge and I must…I must report to him. This was my…I must…"
"Nobody blames you!" Mitsuki protested. "Please, senpai, get some rest! Guren-sama was worried about you too! He said to me – very clearly, when I first came here. He said, 'Please God make sure you save Shirogane – even if my son is already gone.' He wants you to rest and recover, not throw yourself around when you can hardly stand!"
"I will report to him." Shirogane said thickly, wishing that he did not feel quite so dizzy. "As V…Vice Captain, I will. I must. Ribari-sama was…my deshi and my kinsman. You…may not consider him more than a passing acquaintance. I…consider him like my brother. That is the difference. I…must go."
And with that he pushed her aside, stumbling his way across the room to the doorway and out into the hall beyond. For once he did not care how he looked, his usually smart and elegant appearance completely absent in the tottering white-robed figure that staggered through the halls, gripping tightly to whatever he could to make sure that he did not fall down. His thick, curly dark hair, usually so neatly pulled back in a warrior's queue fell loose and tangled around his shoulders, and so it was little wonder that, as he entered the hallway leading to Guren's study, he was greeted with an exclamation of dismay.
"Shirogane? What are you…in that state, what is that wretched girl thinking, letting you walk around?"
Two strong hands took hold of his wrists, holding him firm, and he raised his gaze, meeting the startled grey eyes of Seiren, Guren's brother and Ryuu's father. Although they were twins, their only visual likeness was their distinctive Kuchiki colouring, for while Seiren was slightly built with the gentle elegance of their late mother, Guren was sturdy and a half head taller, his features reflecting the handsome warrior image of their strong and brave father. Though his own estate was some two ri from the main manor, Seiren was a key figure in Kuchiki politics, and so it was with no surprise that Shirogane registered the other man's presence. Whenever he came, he tended to drag Ryuu along with him – though there was no doubt that Seiren took far more active interest in Clan politics these days than his only son.
"Mitsuki was supposed to keep you quiet and resting. What are you doing roaming the halls like this when you're barely able to stand?"
There was concern in Seiren's tones, and Shirogane let out a heavy, shuddering sigh, struggling to compose his wits enough to speak.
"I want…to see…Guren-sama." He murmured. "Please, Seiren-dono. I must report…to him…about last night."
"There's plenty of time for you to do that when you can walk straight and hold yourself with some family pride!" Seiren's words were sharp and almost scathing, cutting through Shirogane's dazed brain. "For goodness' sake, do you never listen to what anyone else tells you? If you saw yourself you'd agree that right now you'll frighten my brother more than you'll put his heart at any ease!"
"But…I…was…in…charge." Shirogane forced the words out one by one. "It…was…my…duty…to…"
"And you think of the situation for a moment, and stop being rash!" Seiren shot back. "Your life was in danger and Sixth Squad can't afford to sacrifice it because you are foolish and don't follow instructions! This is not the time nor the place - for you or for Guren-niisama! Go back to your room and stay there - when you are wanted, you'll be sent for, but until then..."
"It's all right, Seiren."
Guren's voice interrupted the conversation, and Shirogane glanced in the direction the sound had come from, registering the uncharacteristically empty note in the man's usually beautiful tones.
"Shirogane wants to speak to me and I won't stop him from doing so."
"But like this…Niisama…"
"Like this there's no chance of convincing him to get any rest, and clearly that's what he needs." Guren said quietly. "As do we all, though it's unlikely to come just yet. I'd rather he cleared his mind and divulged whatever he thinks he needs to tell me – that way we can perhaps act on it, and send him back to Mitsuki's care. I don't suppose, even in this state, that that young girl would be able to keep him down if he chose to rise and leave his room."
Seiren sighed, shaking his head.
"I understand." He said resignedly. "Will you allow me to hear it too – what Shirogane has to say? Then I will see he returns to his quarters safely myself – so as you don't have to add worry about him to your already very full plate."
"Thank you, Seiren. That would be appreciated." Guren agreed. "Well? Will you bring him within my office? In such a state, I wonder that you can remember last night at all, Shirogane. But if you can – I will be more than ready to hear you speak."
Shirogane did not respond, allowing Seiren to guide him into the office and deposit him down before the desk. Guren sank down into his own seat and, at his gesture, Seiren moved to close the door, leaning up against it so as to not allow anyone else to enter.
"Shirogane?" Guren prompted gently, and Shirogane let out another heavy sigh.
"I was with him." He murmured. "I'm sorry, Guren-sama. I was with him, and yet…"
"When you didn't return, officers were sent to find you." Guren said quietly. "And when they did, they reported to me that my son was collapsed with you holding on to him – that you had clearly tried to protect him from something, but we did not know what. At the time, bringing you all back was the priority, but this morning I had the scene investigated more fully. I know your sword was released in the area…and from what Mitsuki said, the hallucinogenic used was a strong one - not only strong, but one she wasn't immediately able to put a name to. However, it seems it was strong enough to kill on its own – so you have no reason to feel blame."
"Can the Edogawa hime's word be so easily trusted, Niisama?" Seiren looked startled. "She's a healer, perhaps, but in training by her own admission."
"I understood that she was a close friend of your son's?" Guren looked surprised. "Do you doubt her, even so?"
"In a matter like this, it's not about doubting." Seiren said grimly. "But about finding out what truly happened. I want to know that just as you do - and it concerns me if all our evidence is based on the word of one young girl who hasn't yet finished her training."
"Maybe you're right. I do not know enough about such things to tell." Guren agreed, looking suddenly weary. "But I do know that the fact Shirogane is here to speak to me now is thanks to her skill and endurance treating him last night. Even though she couldn't identify the chemical, she was able to stabilise his condition - which none of the rest of us were able to do. For that reason, I'm prepared to believe her. Besides, Retsu-sama has also said similar, and she also could not put a name to the drug used. She said it was unusual and very strong - but further analysis would be needed before she could identify it with any confidence. Perhaps it was custom made for the task."
He sighed.
"She is…with my son, at present." He said, the pain in his voice more than clear. "But she said that from little she has learnt so far – nobody would have been easily able to shake off such a drug once they had inhaled it."
He was silent for a moment, then,
"It seems very probable that this was an assassination attempt against my son that succeeded." He said blackly. "Putting the lives of other good kinsfolk in reckless danger to ensure it did. Needless to say I want to catch the ones responsible – whoever they are, I want them before my court and before my justice. This is an unforgivable deed – it will not be forgiven."
He clenched his fists, then took a deep breath, glancing back at Shirogane.
"Do you remember what happened last night?"
"Some pieces are there." Shirogane had composed himself now, nodding his head gingerly. "Not everything, sir, but I think…even talking to Mitsuki, my recollections were growing clearer. Perhaps I will…remember more. I do know we went out and that there was no Hollow. I remember…releasing Ginkyoujiki against a shadow in the trees, but bringing the blade back unstained by blood. And the others being so certain someone was following them. Ribari-sama was uneasy…I thought that he was just afraid, but…"
"Perhaps it was the effect of the drug. This, or another, for Retsu-dono believes that a second drug was probably used to make sure my son's life was stolen away." Guren's tones were low and angry, yet he kept his countenance all the same. "In the meantime, Shirogane, I want you to take some time and rest. Recover, and if you remember anything else, report it to me at once. Not just as your Captain or as your Clan Leader but as Ribari's shishou and one who thought fondly of him – I would ask you to do that."
"Yes, sir." Shirogane's words became grave. "I was fond of Ribari-sama. I had…a lot of things still to teach him, but I think…he would have learnt them. I want to find justice in this too – to that end, I will do whatever you command me to bring his killers to book."
"I don't doubt it." Guren's features twitched into a weary, hollow smile. "And now I must face the rest of the family. The death of my heir has brought more than just personal grief – already there are people whispering words about who my successor will now be. As though that matters, so soon after…when we have not even laid his body to rest…"
"The Clan have their concerns, even if they understand that this is a time for personal grief, Nii-sama." Seiren said frankly. "The two things need to be balanced – the needs of the family versus your needs as a father. Cold as it may be to state it thus – both viewpoints hold merit."
"Mm." Guren pursed his lips. "It would put them all far more at ease if I had had other sons, but I have not. Perhaps if I did, then they would not be so insistent for a clear declaration so soon after this."
He glanced at Seiren.
"Or if I had been blessed with eligible younger brothers...even then."
Seiren was silent for a moment, then he nodded.
"Instead you have Futsuki and you have me." He said flatly. "A half brother from Mother's first marriage that Father adopted, and me...one who can never inherit the Clan, no matter what ills befall it. But even so, there will be a future. Do not look so pained, Nii-sama. Futsuki and I are no good, perhaps, but that isn't necessarily the end of the line."
"For now I do not wish to discuss it, not when Ribari is barely cold in sleep." Guren responded quietly. "Even talking about it makes me feel like vultures are circling over me…unknown shadows lurking and unknown enemies hiding beyond my line of sight. Just as they did when Father was killed."
"Just like when Father was killed." Seiren echoed, and Shirogane saw the dark look flicker into his uncle's eyes. "Yes. You're not wrong. It is…like that."
"Be glad, Seiren, that you will never hold the right to rule the Kuchiki-ke." Guren said bleakly. "At times like this, it is a weight almost to heavy to bear."
He got to his feet, coming to rest his hand on Shirogane's shoulder.
"Go back to your room. Rest. Let Mitsuki dictate to you how to act until she is satisfied you are fit." He said quietly. "Then together we will do what we can to find justice for Ribari's soul. Understand? You are precious to me…I will not lose you, too. Your poor mother would not forgive me, if I discarded you so easily - so take what time you need."
"If I remember anything else, Guren-sama, I'll be sure to report it." Shirogane bowed his head low, then regretted it as his vision swam once more. Seeing his hesitation, Seiren sighed, stepping forward and hauling the young shinigami to his feet.
"We'll go back to your room." He said firmly. "And you'll do as your Clan leader instructs you, and not cause him extra worry. As soon as you're fit, Sixth Squad will need you to take care of things there while Guren-niisama deals with the wider matters of the family."
He bobbed his head slightly towards his brother, then pulled back the door, dragging Shirogane out into the corridor and marching him along it towards the main stairs. Seiren was shorter than Guren and in his youth had been prone to illness, but these days his slender body was lean and sinewy, his slight frame concealing the fact that since he had begun to outgrow his frailty, he had attacked his training with a vim and vigour that had easily outstripped most others. He was singleminded and sharptongued, yet Shirogane knew - as everyone did - that Seiren spent so much time at the centre of court in order to avoid the company of his wife. They had hated each other for several years - and behind closed doors their ill harmony had even become a running joke among some of the lesser Clansfolk.
Shirogane frowned, remembering his own mother briefly as he was hauled up the stairs and along another hallway towards his own room. She had always been frail and chronically ill, passing away the winter before Shirogane had entered the Academy. In fact, that event had come about because of a deathbed promise Guren had made her not to waste her talented son's potential…that even though he was only a second degree son and born through the female line, he should still be allowed to shine. And he had always striven to shine – just like the meaning of his name.
Shirogane's only sibling, his sister Yorune, had died as a baby when he had been six, and his father Ginya had been killed in action when he was ten.. Losing family was something he was familiar with – and he had become almost inured to it, expecting those around him to relinquish their fragile grips on life. His mother Masane had been beautiful and clever and Shirogane had adored her, but she had always seemed as though the angels were waiting in the shadows each night to take her when she fell asleep. Consequently he had not shed tears when she had passed over – rather he had felt relief that she was now in a place where she could rest without feeling pain.
As for his father, he had spent so much time away from home fighting Hollows in distant locations that Shirogane barely even remembered him. Though it was unspoken, Guren had been far more a father figure in his life – if such a thing was possible between Clan leader and nephew – and though his mother had been there, he had been far more mothered by the wife of Guren's adopted brother Futsuki and fussed by her playful daughter Meroka –the only real example of 'family' he had had in his life. He had never found it difficult to disassociate emotions from people, because sooner rather than later he had come to expect them to be taken away.
But Ribari had been different. He had been younger – strong and alive and full of potential for the future. He had been so far from dying that Shirogane could not even process it – that he would not see the boy again, nor chastise him for his lack of squad protocol when out on manoeuvre. It did not seem possible that Ribari could be dead, and yet he was dead. So more than his father, more than his mother…this death had struck him right to the core.
Recalling Guren's drawn features, Shirogane realised that, at least a little, he understood how the man felt.
"Hrm, the wench isn't here." Seiren pushed back the door of Shirogane's chamber, ushering his charge roughly down onto the blankets and casting him a glare. "She's probably gone looking for you, since you disappeared so readily."
"I didn't mean to cause a disturbance, Seiren-dono." Shirogane spoke respectfully, though there was a faintly cold note in his tones. "But as a shinigami, my duty is to my Captain. As a Kuchiki, my duty is to my Clan leader. And as Ribari-sama's shishou...as that..."
He faltered, bile rising in his throat as he remembered where Ribari was now, and he lowered his head, burying his face in his hands.
Seiren stood there for a moment, watching him, then he sighed.
"Things are going to be disturbed for a while. Especially while this 'shadow' is still out there." He said quietly. "I don't want you to bother Guren-niisama more than is necessary - at times like this, you should remember that even as his Vice Captain, you are still only the son of his younger sister and no more than that. You don't carry the Kuchiki name and your rank is dependent on Oniisama's favour - so mind what you do and don't create trouble for yourself or for anyone else. A lot is going to happen before the Clan settles back down. The best thing you can do is sit it out, recover your health and take hold of your squad. As a shinigami...as you just said."
Shirogane raised his head to meet Seiren's gaze, and there was a long silence between the two. Then Shirogane nodded his head slightly.
"I will." He said quietly. "And I won't leave here till Mitsuki returns - I give you my word."
"Then I'll go do something more productive." Seiren turned on his heel. "You didn't see my son this morning, I trust? Since wherever that Edogawa girl is, Ryuu is seldom far away these days."
"I haven't seen Ryuu. I don't suppose he'd think to come see me, given the situation." Shirogane said mildly. "But I've heard he likes to visit the library, so perhaps you might find him there."
"Yes. Perhaps." Seiren looked thoughtful. "Get some rest - like that even my sister's pretty features don't save you from looking a disgrace. And if you remember anything, you can report to me before you go charging off to Guren-niisama. Understand? Even if what you have to say is only to be delivered to him - I'll be the judge as to whether or not you should bother him, so keep it in mind. Remember who you are and why you hold the rank you do."
With that he was gone, sliding the door shut behind him, and Shirogane sighed, flopping back onto his covers.
It couldn't be helped, in the end. Seiren had never liked him, and perhaps he was also right.
In the circumstances, Guren-sama has a lot to deal with. For now, I'll do as he says. Sleep, if I can. Try to remember, whatever I can. Because I'm going to help bring you justice too, Ribari-sama. Whatever it takes to do so...I intend to follow through!
"Ryuu..."
Mitsuki stood in the doorway of the archive, a troubled look on her face as her cousin set down the book he had been reading. He met her gaze with grave ones of his own, slowly nodding.
"Shirogane-senpai's risen, then?" He asked softly, and Mitsuki nodded her head.
"Yes. Just. Though he wouldn't listen to a word I said about resting and hared off to see Guren-sama right away." She replied, sinking down opposite him with a heavy sigh. "The look in his eyes was like nothing I'd ever seen before. It's true the drug is probably still a little in his blood but...I've never seen him look so devastated. When I told him...about Ribari-sama..."
"I suppose to Shirogane-senpai, Ribari-sama was a little like a younger brother." Ryuu pursed his lips. "They spent a lot more time together than either you or I did with Guren-sama's son - and of course, Shirogane-senpai was with him. Even if there was nothing to be done...I'm sure he feels he should have done something."
"I imagine so." Mitsuki rubbed her temples, and Ryuu cast her a pensive look.
"What about you? Aren't you tired? Travelling like this, and then being forced to take care of everything by yourself? The Unohana didn't arrive till this morning - it must've been a strain on you to hold out."
"No, I'm all right." Mitsuki shook her head. "Most of the others were only mildly afflicted. But..."
She hesitated, then,
"Ryuu, if I'd got here earlier - if I'd come sooner - would I have changed things?"
"You can't hold yourself responsible for the distance between your manor and the main one." Ryuu said quietly. "If you'd even been with my family, you would have been closer at hand - but you're a third degree hime with a power that the centre of this family has often refused to acknowledge. Therefore they leave you far from court at your father's manor - and it is only natural that travelling from there would take you time."
"Yes, but even so..."
"If I hadn't mentioned your name, I wonder if Guren-sama would have sent for you at all." Ryuu's eyes narrowed. "Even though within the heart of this family is one with the gift you have...even then..."
"To the Kuchiki, pride is everything." Mitsuki murmured. "But I saw it last night, Ryuu. Ribari-sama was Guren-sama's greatest pride. As a father, he wants time to grieve - but as a Clan leader, he cannot. So don't speak harshly of him now. He didn't know - nobody knew, not even me - that my gift might be needed. And besides..."
"Besides?" Ryuu eyed her quizzically, and Mitsuki shrugged her shoulders.
"Retsu-sama said that there was another poison used in Ribari-sama's death, other than the hallucinogen that afflicted the others." She said quietly. "She's sent people out to investigate, but she believes one drug was probably inhaled by the whole group. Ribari-sama aside, Shirogane-senpai was the worst affected, and the only one whose life was truly put at risk by it, so I suppose that was because he was closest to Ribari-sama when he fell. But there was another...at least, Retsu-sama said she thought so. Because on Ribari-sama's body...there was another mark. On his throat - small as a pin prick. You'd miss it if you didn't look for it. But Retsu-sama looked for it...and found it. And she thinks...another toxin was used to make sure that Ribari-sama died. She took tests to find out - but..."
"And the hallucinogen was to distract the others?" Ryuu's eyes darkened. "Just like a proper, planned assassination."
"Mm. Yes." Mitsuki sighed heavily. "That's what it looks like. That it wasn't just a random murder - but all planned out to the last detail. Shirogane-senpai isn't weak and nor was Ribari-sama. All of those with them were Kuchiki Clansmen. Yet Ryuu...even though all of them lost consciousness, only Ribari-sama was killed. And even though the others all could have had their throats slit by whoever was involved - none of them had a single injury on their bodies. They're all sleeping - recovering - and will be fine. The target was Ribari-sama and Ribari-sama alone. That's all."
"Which means you couldn't have done anything, no matter how quickly you got here." Ryuu pointed out.
"I know." Mitsuki agreed. "But a healer never likes to think she was too late. If he had been still living when I arrived...if...I know it's stupid, but maybe...there might have been some little thing I could have done."
"But you did save Shirogane-senpai's life." Ryuu got to his feet, coming to put his hand on her arm. "Didn't you? You just said that his life was the only other put at risk. You spent most of last night at his bedside...and this morning he is well enough to disregard your advice and throw himself before his Captain. You realise it too, I'm sure - at least be glad for what you could do, even if you couldn't save Ribari-sama's life."
"Mm." Mitsuki nodded. "I'll try. Thank you, Ryuu. I'm glad you were staying here. I always feel lost at the main house on my own and...well...even though I'm here for a reason this time, it still feels...like I don't belong here."
"I'm glad to see you too, and that Guren-sama followed my advice." Ryuu sighed. "But this whole event is extremely distressing. I hope that they manage to find some clues soon - to who would want to see the heir to the Kuchiki Clan dead."
Author's note: Meifu Updates
At the present time, I'm anticipating updating this story once a week. Since Saturday seems a good time, it will generally be on a Saturday unless some rl issue prevents me (I do work Saturdays and I can no longer access FFnet at work before I start). So erm, that will be the new schedule? Unless I somehow shoot ahead and write tons...but I know some folk would prefer slower anyhow, so =D. I aim to please.