Chapter Five: Riri
The sun was high in the sky over District Eight as Chihiro made her way carefully down the rocky path towards the village that lay in the shade of the valley below. It was not a cold day, for although in other regions spring had only just begun, in District Eight the frosts were never so heavy and as a consequence the meadows were already bright with early blooms. Even the trees bore the first distinct sign of buds that would soon burst into blossom, and Chihiro smiled to herself, tucking her fingers absently into the folds of her sash as she contemplated the peace and tranquility of her surroundings.
Of course, it was not the same as where she had grown up. Back home, she knew, the sakura trees would be approaching their zenith and it would not be long before the Kuchiki would doubtless name their festival day as they had done so many years before. Yet although she missed her homeland and her family still quite dearly, Chihiro was content in her new life here.
As her mother had said when she had made her commitment to marry, no daughter could truly trail behind her mother's apron strings for the rest of time. It had been a bittersweet parting, and Chihiro wrote home to her family every week - but though there was some sadness in knowing she would not see the first summer sun over the waves of the cove near her home, she was also excited about what the future would bring.
Just like Juu-niisama, I've discovered my own path and have found the courage to walk it.
She pursed her lips, raising her gaze once more to the sky at the sound of a songbird winging its way towards the forests below. The birds were nesting now, she knew, and soon there would be babies - a thought that made her wonder whether in time she too would have a family of her own.
If Juu-nii had never gone to the Academy, and had never broadened his horizons outside of District Eight, would I ever have come here at all? If not for Juu-nii becoming a Shinigami, would I have met Takeshi and fallen in love with him? Would I now be the wife of one of the Kyouraku's retainers - or would I still be at home, helping Mother and waiting to see what the future held?
Chihiro's hazel eyes became thoughtful.
Nii-sama's choices have impacted on all of us, but I don't think they've been bad ones at all. We've all grown up a little more, and taken our own steps forward. I never imagined when we were children that Hiro, Juu-nii and I would wind up in such different places - but now it seems as though everything has fallen into place. Juu-nii will be a shinigami. My future is here with Takeshi in District Eight. And Hiro will take the Ukitake family and look after it the way Father would have wanted. Juu-nii will help too, I know - and so will I, if ever I can. But Mother was always afraid of me being left behind, or marrying simply for local political advantage.
"Chihiro-neesan!"
A voice struck her from her reverie as she stepped through the arched trees that made the unofficial gateway to the village of Kaoka, and she paused, offering a warm, sunny smile as she recognised the young girl now tugging at the sleeves of her robe. Shizuka was no more than four or five years old, yet already she was independent and exciteable, running barefooted through the village to greet her without a moment's thought. Behind her came the sound of other steps, followed by the voice of her brother, Inori - barely more than a year her senior, yet somehow so much older in his sense of duty towards his sister.
"Shizuka! You shouldn't be running off like that! Riri-nee will worry, and then..."
"I came to see Chihiro-neesan." Shizuka said firmly. "Chihiro-neesan, you did come to see Riri-nee and us today, didn't you? That's why you walked to the village, isn't it? You did come to see us and play with us...didn't you?"
"As a matter of fact, I did...though I have some business to carry out for Takeshi's mother in the next village afterwards, so I can't stay all day." Chihiro laughed, bending down to ruffle the muzzy dark hair that covered the child's head. "Inori's right though, Shizuka. You shouldn't run off. It's dangerous - what if someone was riding a fast horse through the village? You might get knocked down and killed."
"I'd run out of the way, then." Shizuka said frankly. "And you were walking here, so it was fine. Else Chihiro-neesan would have been knocked down too."
"That's true." Chihiro laughed. "All right then, you win."
"You haven't been to see us for a long time." Inori remarked as she held out her hands to each of the children, not minding the grimy nature of their fingers as they slipped tiny paws into hers for the walk back to their home. "I thought maybe you forgot about us, but Riri-nee said you were just very busy and couldn't always come."
"I have been busy." Chihiro sighed, nodding her head. "Takeshi's sister was not well after she had her baby, and I have some experience of nursing, so I was helping Takeshi's mother to look after her and the new little one. It meant I couldn't come see you, though everything is all right now."
"Babies scream a lot and make a mess." Shizuka screwed up her face. "I don't like them. They smell funny and they never do anything but cry."
"You were a baby once, you know." Chihiro teased, and Shizuka shook her head.
"I wasn't." She said frankly, tossing her head and sending wild chestnut brown curls in every direction. "I was always grown up, cos I didn't scream like that."
"Yes you did." Inori told her firmly, though Chihiro was certain he would be too young to have remembered such a thing. "You screamed and screamed and screamed. Mother said so, so there, Shizuka."
"Mother never did!" Shizuka was indignant, and Chihiro laughed at the expression in the girl's brown eyes.
"Okay, enough." She scolded lightly. "What will Riri say if she hears you bickering like this?"
"I s'pose." Inori sighed, shaking his head. "Sorry, Chihiro-neesan. Riri-nee will be happy to see you, so we shouldn't make her cross."
"That sounds like sound advice to me." Riri's own voice prevented Chihiro from responding, as the woman herself emerged from one of the ramshackle village buildings.
She was taller than Chihiro by a few inches, and slender on the verge of skinny, for through the winter months in the villages food was often scarce. Dark hair was curled into a neat tail at the base of her neck, and she was not unattractive to look at, whilst in her deep brown eyes was a sharpness that gave away the girl's native intelligence. She was robed in simple fabrics, yet her clothes were clean and fairly neat, and Chihiro knew that she had most likely made them herself from the scraps and off-cuts she had been able to acquire thanks to her friend's help.
Riri had no family of her own, but on the death of a close friend she had become guardian to that woman's two children, and had taken full responsibility for them, putting them first in every way. Chihiro had never met Riri's dead friend, yet she could tell from the affection that was shown towards Shizuka and Inori that their bond had been a true one and that, by looking after the children, Riri was keeping that friendship alive inside her heart.
She would be twenty one years old that spring - not far from Chihiro's own age - yet her experiences and situation had given her the air of someone some three or four years older. They rarely discussed it in depth, but Chihiro knew that Riri had been soliciting since her own mother's death when she had been fifteen - and that now she was looking for other ways in which to raise money, hoping that she would not guide Shizuka into the same danger-tainted path. In this, Chihiro had become an invaluable friend, for she was both literate and capable in skills that she had quickly proposed to teach. Riri had proven a good student, and by now, Chihiro knew, she had begun to think of other ways to further forward her life.
Riri was not her real name, yet it was the only name Chihiro had ever called her by. It was a nickname given by the father Riri had only ever met once, derived from the kanji that made up her first and last names, and though Riri had never been able to read the characters or understand the significance of where the name had come from, she had kept it as a memento of a man who had been nothing more than a ghost in her life. For Chihiro, who had lost her father as a young teenager, the resonance was all too familiar.
"I thought I heard a familiar voice." Riri said now, offering Chihiro a grin and a bow of her head. "So you've managed to shake off your shackles and come to see us, then, ?"
"I have. All is well now at my sister in law's home and everything is as normal." Chihiro nodded, moving to grasp her friend by the hands. "I'm sorry, Riri - but I will make it up to you."
"It's all right." Riri offered her a grin. "When you come, it makes everyone happy - so if you came too often, we might get bored of you. Come on inside, anyway. As ever, I've not much to offer you - but at the very least you can sit down."
"You have your company, which is all I come here seeking." Chihiro returned the grin. "Thanks to your help I've made friends in District Eight more quickly than I expected - so I'm sure I would never get bored of you."
Riri chuckled, ushering her companion inside.
"Inori, Shizuka, go fetch water from the well." She instructed. "Just because we have a visitor doesn't mean you can forget your chores, and there's plenty of cleaning to be done."
The children exchanged looks, but they clearly knew it was futile to argue, for with heavy faces they trudged off to find the pails, a resigned nature to their steps.
"That was a little harsh, considering I haven't seen them in a while." Chihiro reflected, and Riri nodded, sinking down onto the bare wood floor and indicating for her companion to do the same.
"I know, but I had hoped to talk to you alone for a moment." She admitted. "That you came here today was good fortune - I was about to try and send a message to you, so you must have read my intentions."
"Is something wrong? Are you in trouble?" Chihiro stared at her companion in alarm, but Riri shook her head.
"I'm quite fine, thank you." She said wryly. "You should know that a woman in my profession is well used to protecting herself in all ways possible - and I do mean, all ways. I have two hungry mouths to feed and their mother would not forgive me if I let harm come to them - so no, you can rest assured I take no unecessary risks."
"Then...?" Chihiro was confused, settling herself more comfortably on the floor. "If it's about my teaching you your letters, or about the matter of cloth I promised to bring you, those things can be spoken of before the children, surely? Your stitching and your writing is getting much better and you've said you intend to teach Shizuka to decorate silk as well, so that she can support herself through a different method than the one her mother died doing. Therefore..."
"It has nothing to do with those things, though I am grateful to you beyond what I can repay for your help to date." Riri shook her head. "And I have continued to practice even in your absence - in fact, I found Inori studiously copying one of the kanji lists you left me, so perhaps you will find another student soon enough. Shizuka shows no interest in such things yet - but I would like them to be literate too, if at all possible."
"I don't mind." Chihiro shook her head. "My situation is comfortable and I have no real burdens pressing on me beyond ordinary life. Takeshi knows I come here and approves of it - the Kyouraku Clan would certainly not object if they knew of it. In fact, the cloth I brought you was originally from Rae-hime for me to do with or distribute as I saw fit - so I suspect they do know I come to the villages a lot. But you wanted to speak to me of other things - and if not trouble and not education - what?"
"Perhaps it is trouble, but not my own." Riri chewed down on her lip. "It's a strange situation, but traders passing through this way have brought disturbing rumours from far afield. Normally I pay no such attention to these things - but a client of mine the other night was well in his cups and started talking about things happening in District Six. Since that is your homeland..."
"District Six?" Alarm flashed into Chihiro's eyes as she thought of her family. "What kind of things?"
"It's only a rumour, but it's said that the heir to the Clan there has been murdered, and everything is all unsettled." Riri shrugged. "I wanted to tell you so you could write to your people and make sure they are all safe. Your older brother - the one who claims an acquaintance with our Clan - isn't there at present, is he? So that being the case, I thought..."
"I would be concerned. Yes." Chihiro nodded. "Thank you, Riri. I will write home directly I get back, and I will try and make sure all is well. I'll also write to Juu-nii, I think, and see if he's heard anything about it either. He wouldn't necessarily tell us unless we asked - and I'm too far removed from the main Kyouraku estate to hear gossip there as a rule. Because of being with my sister in law, I haven't been able to see Kyouko-chan for some weeks either."
"Well, probably it isn't something to affect your family too greatly. But I thought you should know, since I'd heard the story from a trader who was there three or four days past." Riri said simply. "I have very few ways to repay you for our friendship, or to make it worth your while - but if I can bring you odd tid-bits of information such as that, then I will."
"Friendship isn't something that requires repaying, but I appreciate it all the same." Chihiro sighed. "All right. That aside, there's nothing else?"
"No. Nothing that should concern you." Riri shook her head, a rueful smile touching her lips. "The business of prostitutes is not something for the ears of an honourable soldier's wife - so as far as that matter is concerned..."
"I understand." Chihiro nodded. "All right, then. In that case, let me make myself useful and help prepare some tea. I brought some scented leaves that Rae-hime gave me - they have an unusual flavour, but I think you'll like it."
"You really are in favour with the Clansfolk in this district, aren't you?" Riri eyed her pensively, and Chihiro grinned.
"It's thanks to my brother." She admitted. "And the fact he has such a close friend with Tokutarou-sama's younger brother. Takeshi's a soldier Shunsui also has a lot of respect for, and he's been transferred under Yasuhiro-dono's direct command this past winter which is a considerable honour and promotion. So I suppose...in that respect..."
"I see." Riri pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Your husband has been drafted into Tokutarou-sama's bodyguard regiment and you have social interaction with the lady Rae. All because of a brother who breaks convention to become a shinigami. One day I would like to meet this brother of yours, Chihiro. He seems to be quite a startling individual, if he can break down social boundaries not just for himself but for those who surround him."
"Well, the Kyouraku aren't all that stuck up or frilly. They have a lot of good sense." Chihiro reflected. "But I'd like it too, if you had the chance to meet Juu-nii. It seems a shame my family are too far away for you to meet properly."
"Your mother mayn't approve of you socialising so much with prostitutes." Riri pointed out.
"But like I said, my husband knows and approves of my coming here." Chihiro said wisely. "He likes me to have what friendships I can outside the manor, and I am in no danger here. Besides..."
"Besides, he probably also knows - or his master does - that prostitutes learn things." Riri grinned.
"I don't come here for that reason." Chihiro objected, and Riri shook her head.
"No. I know. I didn't mean to imply otherwise." She said apologetically. "But it does explain their acceptance of it. And if that's their thinking, I don't mind. It means I get to spend time in your company, which I and the children enjoy. So we all benefit, don't we, in the end?"
"I suppose so." Chihiro sighed. "I dislike politics, though. To me we're just friends, Riri. Nothing else. Nothing ulterior. Just that."
"If I thought otherwise, I wouldn't let you in my house, let alone near the children." Riri told her firmly. "Now we were going to make tea? I thought you said..."
"Riri-nee! Riri-nee!"
Before she could finish her sentence, Inori burst into the room once more, excitement in his bright eyes. "Riri-nee, Momiji-nee is here and wants to speak to you! I told her you had someone visiting, but she said you asked her and she hasn't much time..."
"Momiji?" Chihiro looked surprised, and Riri nodded.
"A sister in sin." She said ruefully. "It's all right, Inori. Tell her she can come on in. It won't take long, and she can be on her way again quickly."
"Okay! I'll tell her!" Inori disappeared, and Riri moved to the window, picking up a box from the unit by the table and opening it.
"I'm sorry. I didn't expect her this quickly." She said apologetically. "I asked her to come here because an old necklace of mine is broken, and she's quite good at fixing things like that."
"I don't mind." Chihiro shook her head. "I haven't met her before...is she a close friend of yours?"
"I suppose more like a sister. More than many of the others, in some ways." Riri shrugged, pulling the necklace from the box and curling it absently around her fingers, the pendant clasped tightly in the palm of her hand. "She came here from Seventh when there were bad things going on there. A few years ago it was common - a lot of people broke borders and came here. She was one of them. We kind of crossed paths, and...well, she's someone who's easy to like."
"I see." Chihiro grinned. "Then I'll be happy to meet her."
"Riri?" At that moment the divide was pushed back and a petite girl with big blue eyes and a mass of dark hair stepped into the room, robed as simply and as neatly as Riri was. She was probably the same age as Chihiro herself or a little younger, her guileless expression making her appear innocent and unassuming. Unlike other prostitutes in Riri's acquaintance, she was not heavily made up, nor had she gone to great pains to style her hair, yet despite it she was still very pretty and Chihiro realised with a rueful grimace that she would probably find no shortage of clients among the menfolk of the surrounding area.
"Oh! You have...someone here." As Momiji's gaze met Chihiro's, she faltered, shooting her friend an apprehensive look. "But...you're not working, right? I mean...it isn't a bad time...Inori-kun said..."
"This is Chihiro, Momiji." As the girl trailed off, Riri shook her head. "The wife of one of the Kyouraku retainers - the one I've told you about before."
"Oh!" Momiji's eyes became even wider as she absorbed this. "The one who teaches you to write and read?"
"Yes." Riri confirmed. "Chihiro, this is Momiji, one of my close friends."
"Pleased to meet you, Momiji-san." Chihiro grinned, and Momiji dimpled back.
"Likewise." She said warmly. "I've heard a lot about you from Riri, and I didn't mean to intrude on your visit."
She glanced at her friend.
"Shall I just collect the necklace and go, then? I have an appointment in the city in a short time, and so..."
"All right." Riri opened her hand for a moment, glancing at the pendant, then nodding as she held it out to her companion. "I'm trusting you with this, Momi. I wouldn't trust it to anyone else, but the clasp is broken and I can't wear it as it is. You've the deftest fingers I know, so if you can fix it..."
"Mm." Momiji grasped hold of it, glancing at the fine chain for a moment and then nodding. "I should be able to mend that. It's not a difficult one. Don't worry, Riri. I'll have it fixed for you in no time."
She cast Chihiro another grin.
"I'll be going, then." She added. "Nice to meet you, Chihiro-san. I hope we can talk more next time - Riri thinks very well of you, so in that case so do I."
With that she was gone, and Riri sighed, amusement in her dark eyes.
"Momiji trusts people a little too easily." She reflected. "But given her past, I suppose it's a miracle she trusts at all."
"You said she came from Seventh." Chihiro murmured, and Riri nodded.
"You can tell it in her accent, if you listen, though she's worked hard to eradicate the sound from her speech." She agreed. "It was a bad time, and she doesn't like dwelling on bad things. Her father worked in fine craft - metalwork, jewellery and so on, and she learnt a lot from him, before things fell apart there. But her family were wiped out in one of the Endou-ke's raids and Momiji was the only one who escaped to the border and beyond. She was fifteen or thereabouts when it all happened, so when she came here she had no money and nothing to recommend her except herself."
She sighed.
"You can see how she fell into this life, although it's obvious from her manners that she came from a good family originally. Some of the girls I know are very rough and ready, scraping together their livelihoods from what they can scrounge since they were born, but Momiji isn't like that. Perhaps that's why we get along...since I hope I can say I have decent etiquette, even when dealing with drunken men."
She shrugged her shoulders.
"Either way, she and I met a short time after she started to ply trade in Eighth...and since then I suppose I've taken her under my wing the way Inori and Shizuka's mother did for me when I first started...in this work. She's far too kind and open for this life, yet sometimes I envy the way her past hasn't scarred her. She still lives every day with hope and enthusiasm...I suppose that's one of the reasons I like spending time in her company."
"She seems nice." Chihiro reflected. "A happy person, you're right. You wouldn't know what she'd been through...it takes a strong person to keep smiling even despite losing so much. And she must be clever too, if she can fix jewellery."
"Yes. She has skills" Riri nodded. "Though as I said, she's too guileless sometimes to be as wise to the world as she should be by now. But she is trustworthy, at least. The pendant I gave her is precious - it's one of only two mementos I have from my dead father, and so I've always kept it close. But the clasp is broken...so I hope...she will be able to fix it. I daren't give it to anyone else, because...well, I guess it's valuable. I normally wear it under my robes when I'm not working - I haven't been able to for a while, and I don't like leaving it lying around. Things get stolen easily from prostitutes when entertaining drunken guests...so..."
She trailed off, looking sheepish.
"It seems foolish to cling to something given to me by a man who I met officially only once, and who was never even my mother's husband." She acknowledged. "And I should probably think badly of him. But...I don't suppose that I do. Since I know he died...not long after he first came to see me. And...well...he did leave me those things, even though I wasn't a child he planned to have. Most fathers in that situation would never have come back, especially given that he and my mother didn't exactly move in the same circles. Yet he did...and I think if he hadn't died, he would have come again. Mother thought so, anyway. She would never let me speak badly of him, even though he wasn't there. So...I don't suppose he was a bad person. And I keep his mementos for that reason."
"I'm sure he wasn't a bad person at all." Chihiro grinned. "And I bet he would have come, if he could have. Your mother was probably right, Riri. He would've been glad you kept those things even now she was gone."
"Yes. Maybe." Riri agreed. "In any case, though, they're both long gone now."
She shrugged, a faintly bittersweet smile on her face.
"And we were going to make tea." She added. "With the leaves Rae-hime gave you."
"We were." Chihiro nodded, realising that her friend wanted to change the subject. "So we'll do that, and then I have to run off to collect things for my mother in law from the town market, so I won't intrude on your time any more. I want to go back and write to Juu-nii and to Okaasama anyway...so let's brew up a hot drink and you can tell me everything your Sixth District merchant told you about the Kuchiki!"
"There's a decidedly odd atmosphere buzzing about this place since term began."
Shihouin Kai let out a heavy sigh as he rubbed the coarse fabric of the towel briskly through his thick violet hair, tossing it aside and turning to glance at his companion. "You've felt it too, haven't you? The whatever it is just lurking under the surface. We've been back twenty four hours at most, and yet...already..."
He trailed off, shrugging his shoulders. It was the start of the second full day of term, and class would begin for the first time that day, but even at this early stage it had become clear that the new Senior Class were not simply going to shake down into one happy group right away. On the contrary, Shunsui mused ruefully as he settled himself on the bench of the Senior baths' changing room, rubbing a towel absently through the straggling ends of his own growing hair, it seemed more likely that a war might break out even in that short space of time. Though nothing had been said, exactly, it had been not said with pointed disapproval, and Shunsui knew he was not looking forward to their first Sakusen seminar.
"Things are moving. Yes. I've felt it too." He agreed now. "Given the situation we find ourselves in, though - are you surprised?"
"No." Kai admitted. "Not really. But even so..."
He grimaced, running his fingers through his still damp hair before winding a ribbon into it and shaking it back from his face. "There. That'll do. And it's just as disturbing to find you up and around early in the morning, to be honest - let alone dragging me here before breakfast. Did Hirata start talking in his sleep or something? Because I swear you're usually harder to wake than the dead. The number of times that Ukitake had to physically assault you to get you out of bed in time for breakfast and class in the past few years... I have to admit that you were the last person I expected to come knocking at my door at this time."
"No. Hirata was sleeping like a baby when I left, as he's generally prone to doing." Despite himself, Shunsui grinned. "You know Hirata. He's very inobtrusive, and I didn't disturb him. As for my early rising - you'd be surprised. Now there's an infant in the Kyouraku family, early mornings and sleepless nights are becoming far more commonplace events."
"Ah yes. Baby Kyouraku. Of course." Kai pursed his lips. "But he's not here, so you should have slept right through. You've obviously got something on your mind - want to share what it is? Because whilst I don't mind getting up at dawn or taking a bath, I'm not fooled for a moment that you just wanted to spend time in my company. Let's hear it, whatever it is - I'm all ears."
"Kai-kun!" Shunsui affected a hurt expression. "I thought we were friends. I have no objection to spending time in your company, and I'm hurt you'd think otherwise!"
"Kyouraku." Kai arched an eyebrow, and knowing he was defeated, Shunsui let out a sigh, sending his friend a rueful grimace.
"I'm sorry." He agreed with a frown. "You're right, as it happens. I did want to talk to you, but that Michihashi guy was here when we got here and I didn't want to make things more awkward by avoiding sharing water with him."
"Mm. I wondered." Kai shrugged. "Like you, I didn't really want to be rude to the guy, but I did wonder if he was ever going to leave. Obviously it isn't just me who likes to take a bath early rather than late - so I guess this isn't going to be the most secluded of places to talk about anything in future."
"No. Perhaps not." Shunsui mused. "Either way, for now we're alone. Michihashi doesn't seem that confrontational in general and we did manage a little awkward small-talk without an argument breaking out - but it meant I couldn't address what I wanted to talk to you about."
He groaned.
"Bad, isn't it? This early in the term and already battle lines are being drawn in the sand without anything actually actively happening."
"That's probably why." Kai said thoughtfully. "It's the anticipation of something, not the something itself. It's blatantly obvious that Sensei's decision has shaken up two years worth of students, not just ours. And that there are some roundly not happy people...is to be expected. You heard Ukitake last night, didn't you? Talking about that Kamaki and his general attitude when he signed in. Sora said it too, and they're kinsfolk. There are going to be bad vibes for a while - it can't be helped. Nobody's going to take on Genryuusai-sensei about his decision, because nobody would survive that confrontation and everyone knows it. So...instead..."
"We wind up like this." Shunsui pulled another graphic face. "Yes. You're right. That's exactly how it is, even so soon in the term. And it will be difficult to talk privately about anything, considering that the Senior areas are so, well, cosy I guess is the general word for it."
"Well, we're alone now, and we have a little time." Kai dropped down opposite him. "What's the deal? It's not like you to be cloak and dagger - more, it's not like you to leave Ukitake out of secret chats like this. Is something the matter with him? That's the only thing I can think of - but..."
"No. Juu's fine." Shunsui shook his head. "In fact, he knows about this too. We talked about it first, and agreed I'd talk to you if I had a chance to. It's nothing to do with our class situation. Actually it's about Ryuu. And the whole situation...when he comes back."
"Oh. The Kuchiki assassination." Kai's lips thinned and he nodded his head. "I see. You guys think that us being roommates might make for some explosive moments?"
"That's one way of putting it." Shunsui nodded. "I know you're fairly tolerant of him these days, but...with everything that's happened in Sixth of late..."
"Mm." Kai looked thoughtful. "It was a surprise, to be honest. No, a shock, actually. That anyone would try to assassinate a Kuchiki...that's odd enough in itself. But to assassinate Ribari-sama...seems like complete madness. It's a death that benefits nobody within the Kuchiki or outside of it, either. It just creates chaos and ripples and god knows what else."
He sighed, shrugging his shoulders.
"It's all right, by the way." He added. "I'd already seen the potential. Kuchiki is Guren-sama's nephew. Doubtless he's in the front line of all this and he'll probably be wound twice as tightly as he usually is when he and Edogawa get back on campus. I'm prepared for rooming with a prickly customer - it's fine. I'm not going to do anything to kick him off, if that's what you and Ukitake think."
He offered an amused smile.
"Odd as it may seem, I don't mind his stand-offish behaviour as much now as I did when we first came here." He reflected. "It's become almost reassuring in some ways."
"Reassuring?" Shunsui blinked, and Kai laughed.
"Well, there's still some Shihouin pride inside of me, despite everything." He owned. "When my Uncle was disgraced, the Clan almost fell. We suffered a huge blow both figuratively and actually when he was put to death by the Council. But Neesama has worked very hard to bring our family back to an acceptable level."
He shrugged.
"The fact that Kuchiki still looks on it and me with such disdain means he still considers the Shihouin a Clan of the standing it was before my Uncle's misdemeanour." He added. "Which means that, in a backwards way, he respects it. In a Kuchiki way, of course - since Kuchiki are meant to hate Shihouin."
"That kind of logic is far too twisted for this early in the morning." Despite himself, Shunsui grinned. "Save it for Sakusen class, all right? Next you'll be saying that you and he are friends, evidenced by the level of hate you have for one another."
"I guess it's a fine line." Kai joked, then he shook his head. "No, I don't hate him. He's socially awkward and stiff as a board, but I've realised that's just his personality disorder coming out. I can handle it, and I won't provoke him any. You have my word, Kyouraku. I'm not going to antagonise him over this. If we're going to share a room this year, well, I'd like to be able to sleep through the night from time to time."
"Good." Shunsui looked relieved. "It's not that we thought otherwise, but..."
"We need to stick together, anyhow." Kai added. "Us who have been doubly promoted, I mean. Michihashi may seem inoffensive, but mark my words, it's not just about him. We've already mentioned the weirdness in the atmosphere, but mark my words, Kyouraku, it isn't going to stay just atmospheric for long. Even if we forget for the moment those like Kamaki who were overlooked so we could be promoted, you can't have missed the genuinely malignant nature of some of the dark glares Yamamoto Akira's been sending our way since we arrived. At dinner last night especially...he was a thunderstorm waiting to break out and his lightning rod was aimed firmly at Ukitake."
"He obviously doesn't know that Juu has a particular talent for dealing with lightning. And I mean that literally." Shunsui said wryly. "Yes, I saw. And felt. His aura was full of negative vibes, and I suppose I hadn't thought that it would just simmer and not erupt somehow as term goes on. It's more how and when that concerns me, honestly - rather than if. And while we're on the subject, I'm not sure about his friend either - Souryou, isn't it? Michihashi is also probably a different matter when in their company...and as for the girl, I don't know anything about her yet."
He shrugged.
"She has curves in the right places and a pretty smile, so I'm prepared to think kindly towards her right now, but you never know what hides behind a girl's smile." He reasoned playfully. "So you're right. We should stick together. Yama-jii asked me to back up Juu, and I guess that goes for us all. We know he should be Anideshi. We're also the majority. We just need to educate those who don't understand it yet."
"I'm with that." Kai winked. "Yamamoto might fancy his skills, but he hasn't encountered proper competition yet. He's supposedly a good fighter, if Houjou's to be believed on the subject - I asked him last evening about it. He's taken Houjou's sword once or twice in combat practice. But then, so have I. And if need be, I'm quite happy to prove I wasn't ranked top in Ouyoudou every year so far for no reason."
He flexed and then clenched his fists.
"I'm quite looking forward to having the chance to put him to the test, you know."
"Well, if it makes you happy." Shunsui laughed. "Me, I think challenging an idiot is far too much like hard work. And we're going to have enough of that to deal with now we're expected to act as Yama-jii's unofficial officers alongside our normal studies. Somehow I don't think this year is going to be even the slightest bit quiet."
"Me either. But that might be fun, too." Kai said reflectively. "I guess we'll soon see. Come on. We'll be late for breakfast at this rate, and I at least am hungry."
"Right with you." Shunsui nodded. "And Kai? I'm glad you understand about Ryuu. He is...well...socially awkward is an understatement. But...even despite it...it's hard not to be fond of him. Or worry about him. Juu especially is worried - but I guess I am as well."
"Mm." Kai's expression clouded for a moment, and he nodded his head.
"I understand." He said softly. "It's all right. Of all Clans, the Shihouin have most reason to not want to upset the Kuchiki in our current states of being. I won't be rocking that boat. Not if I can possibly help it."
"Wooooh! No kidding that the Senior Class get all the perks and modcons when it comes to classroom space!"
Houjou Enishi let out a low whistle as he pushed back the door of the Senior Seminar Chamber, pausing to gaze around him at the bright, sunshiny room that lay ahead. At his side, Juushirou hid a smile, giving his tall companion a playful nudge.
"And if you stand there, Enishi-kun, nobody else will get to see any of it, much less have a class in it." He said, his hazel eyes glittering with amusement. "I don't suppose you plan on keeping Sensei out in the hall when he arrives, do you?"
"Not a chance." Enishi sent his friend a rueful grin, shaking his head as he obediently moved his broad frame from where he had been blocking the doorway almost completely. "Sorry, Ukitake. I guess I didn't mean to be a roadblock. It just took me by surprise, that's all. That we'd get to be studying in a room like this."
"Let's see." Juushirou stepped over the threshold, glancing around him as he absorbed the chamber's high ceilings and wide windows. "Ooh. This must have been an important chamber, once, I guess - back when it was a Clan home? Enishi, you're Yamamoto-ke - do you know what kind of thing might have happened here before it became a school?"
"Not the foggiest." Enishi admitted good-naturedly. "I'm not really much for history, and truthfully all the cultural finesse of Clan life is still beyond my brain most days. I guess maybe they held parties here or something like that? I don't know. It's not big enough for dancing - but..."
"I'd say it was a lady's parlour." Shunsui put in from the corridor behind, ducking into the room and casting both boys a grin, and Juushirou could see Kai behind him, his long violet hair still trailing faint traces of water across his school uniform. "Good morning, Enishi. Good morning, Anideshi. How are you both this morning?"
"You're up early." Enishi looked surprised. "And your hair is damp - you got up early and had a bath? What about breakfast? Did you manage that too?"
"Of course, you oaf." Shunsui grinned. "I'm a Senior now. I have to behave myself and be on time - at least to begin with."
"And you don't have to call me Anideshi, which I shouldn't have to tell you." Juushirou glared at his friend darkly. "It's weird enough having the rest of the school do it, let alone you."
"What about you, Enishi?" Before Shunsui could respond, Kai cast the oldest member of the class a quizzical look. "Where were you for breakfast? Tisn't like you to miss a meal."
"Sensei's study." Enishi said matter-of-factly, as if that explained everything, and Shunsui arched an eyebrow.
"Yama-jii's? Already? When term has barely begun?" He demanded. "You can't have been fighting with your roommate already - surely?"
"Souryou?" Enishi looked genuinely surprised. "Why would I fight with him? He seems an okay sort. Quite direct, and I like it that way. But no, it wasn't about that. It was about the bane of my life, if you must know."
"Kidou?" Kai asked, and Enishi nodded.
"Everything else I have to Senior level. Sensei said it himself." He acknowledged. "And because of it, he didn't keep me down. Said it would've been harsh, with everyone else going up and with my skills in swordwork and so on, you know? But my kidou sucks. It's no secret, it just does. And so even as a Senior, I can't afford to skip Fifth Year Kidou work. Which means I have extra coaching. Again. Story of my life."
"But he didn't keep you back, so it's a small price, surely?" Juushirou asked. "And you know that you can ask us to help, too. Your Kidou isn't as bad as it was before, and even Sensei knows that, I'm sure."
"It's no worse than Hirata's swordplay, I'd imagine." Kai agreed. "Although the kid's coming on more and more, so maybe I won't be able to say that for much longer."
"I'd like it most if you didn't call me a kid for much longer, Kai-kun." At that moment Hirata himself stepped into the classroom, a faintly hurt expression on his pale features as he glanced between the members of the group. "And you didn't wait for me this morning, any of you. Shunsui-kun - where were you first thing? And then by the time I got to the dining hall..."
"You mean, you were the one who slept in and not me this time?" Shunsui laughed. "I'm sorry, Hirata. I had to talk to Kai about something and so dragged him to the baths so that we wouldn't disturb you. As for breakfast, we thought you'd already gone without us, to be honest. I went back up to the chamber but you weren't there - I figured we'd meet you here. And we should find seats, before our classmates arrive and take the best ones. I want a window - so I can stare out at the grass and any pretty kouhai without Yama-sensei getting suspicious."
"Sensei knows you. He'll be suspicious before he even steps into the room." Kai said smartly, and Shunsui held up his hands in mock surrender.
"Hirata, you're not really mad, are you?" Juushirou shot the young boy an anxious look, and Hirata sighed, shaking his head.
"No," He admitted. "But I don't like this new way of doing the dorms at all. We're scattered and separated and...it was far more fun when we were all together."
"I agree with you." Juushirou looked pensive, as the group made their way over to the long wooden table that stood parallel with one of the windows. "It's not that the Nest isn't comfortable or a nice place to sleep, but it seems very quiet. Even at home, I can hear kids running around all over the place from my room - but the Senior area is so secluded, and I feel almost locked away. Maybe past Anideshi liked peace and quiet...but I'm not sure that I do."
"You will once Sensei sticks us with an assignment to write." Enishi said wisely. "You'll have somewhere to go study where you can lock the door and not be disturbed."
"I suppose that's true." Juushirou pursed his lips. "But I still don't really like it. Studying together is more fun - I'd rather do that."
"Then we'll take it in turns to lock ourselves in the Nest, Enishi, and Juu can take whichever room is vacant." Shunsui suggested. Enishi laughed, nodding his head.
"I'm going to need all the help I can get, so I'll go with that." He agreed. "I'm going to have to be well on my game this year, if I'm going to graduate with all of you."
"You will." Juushirou assured him, as his friend picked a seat and squeezed his considerable frame into it. "Sensei has faith in you, so you will. Simple as that. Besides, it's not just about academic knowhow. It's other things too. Remember Nagoya-senpai? He aced his exams the first time around. But he still had to stay on longer until he'd completed other areas, too."
"We all vividly remember Nagoya-senpai." Shunsui said wryly. "And we're very glad he's no longer at the school."
"Hey, he was a good shishou and I learnt a lot from him." Juushirou objected. "He was harsh and strict, true, but it worked out in the end."
"He was downright rude." Shunsui reflected. "But I suppose you did get Sougyo out of it, so maybe you're right. Still, I prefer this year's choice of Anideshi, if you want to know the truth. I think the junior students will be in very safe hands for the next year."
"That depends on whether any of them are pretty young girls." Juushirou shot his friend a mischievous look. "And whether I can get to them before you do."
"Juushirou!" Shunsui feigned horror, staring at his friend in dismay. "Are you saying that you'll abuse your position and let your head be turned by a pretty teenage something this year? What has happened to your morals over the break?"
"No, you idiot." Juushirou thwapped the other boy playfully across the back of the head. "I meant that I could get to them first to protect them from you. Don't be stupid."
"Ah, and for a moment I thought the pressure had got to you." Shunsui grinned, not noticeably put out by the scolding. "My bad. I guess I forgot you still have Mitsuki - and she'd be rather jealous if you started courting younger models."
"You make Edogawa sound ancient." Kai sighed, flopping himself down into the vacant seat opposite Enishi and gesturing for Hirata to take the one next to it. "Sit down, the pair of you, and be glad Sora wasn't here to hear that last remark - else you'd get a proper lecture on your attitude and it's too early in the morning."
"I don't have Mitsuki, as you put it." Juushirou reddened, obediently doing as he was bidden and after a moment, Shunsui shrugged, moving to take the window seat alongside. "Mitsuki and I are just friends. We've been just friends for four or so years now - I would have thought that was long enough for you to realise and understand exactly what's what between us."
"I do. We all do. Very clearly." Shunsui said blithely, holding up his hands. "One, you love Mitsuki. Two, she loves you. Three, you're both idiots. Hence four years of just friendship."
"Kyouraku." Enishi chuckled, shaking his head. "That's harsh."
"But true." Shunsui shrugged his shoulders, lowering his hands as he met Juushirou's dark gaze. "And don't look at me like that, Anideshi-sama. You know it as well as I do. You guys are the most obvious non-platonic platonic pair in the whole Academy - possibly in the whole of District One, for that matter. You might have both chosen the hands off approach when it comes to your socialising - but don't pretend to us that there's nothing between you but friendship. More sparks fly when you're together than do when Enishi lets off a Kidou spell and blows up half the training ground - so now you know."
"They do not!" Juushirou looked aghast, and Kai let out a snort.
"Ukitake, you rise to his bait way too easily." He remarked lazily. "Also, Sora and Shikibu are coming this way, along with our former senpai - so shut up, huh? It's not good for them to come in and see that the school's Anideshi has been replaced by a beetroot."
"I didn't know Juu could go quite that red." Shunsui acknowledged. "It's quite a pretty colour on you, you know."
"Oh...shut up." Juushirou glowered, but folded his arms, turning pointedly away from his friend. "Kai's right...well, not about the beetroot, but the other stuff. We can't squabble like fourth years now. We're Seniors."
"There speaks Anideshi." Shunsui intoned in a grave voice, and despite himself Juushirou grinned.
"Yes, so pay attention." he ordered. "Otherwise you'll find yourself summoned for horrific punishment at my pleasure."
"That sounds like a juicy story of some kind." Sora made her entrance at that moment, bouncing across the classroom towards them with excitement in her eyes. "Shunsui, you even managed to dress yourself and get to class on time for the first day...is that a first? I think it is."
"Morning, Sora-chan." Shunsui offered her a return grin. "You're full of energy as ever."
"Mm. Well, it's exciting. First class and all." Sora nodded, her curly dark hair bobbing over her shoulders as she did so. "First class as Seniors...don't you feel a buzz?"
"Sort of." Enishi nodded. "But it still hasn't fully sunk in yet."
"I suppose." Sora sighed. "And Nao and I are still missing Mitsuki...which sucks, but oh well."
"Mm. But they will be back soon, won't they?" Enishi pointed out. "They are coming back, cos Kuchiki's name is on Shihouin's door...so..."
"Yes. Oh yes, both of them will be here." Sora agreed. "But I'm probably going to write to Mi-chan after classes today and tell her what we did and stuff. If I send it by Clan Courier she should have it tomorrow - and then she won't feel left behind."
"Maybe I should write, after all." Juushirou murmured, then he sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "But it would probably be less controversial coming from you, Sora - from a neighbouring Clan who has good relations with the Kuchiki. I don't want to upset any applecarts by intruding where I'm not wanted."
"It's fine." Sora dimpled. "I'll tell her in my letter that you're thinking of her and that you hope everything settles down soon. Okay? That way you don't have to worry, and she'll know."
"Thank you." Juushirou returned the grin. "If you don't mind, that would help."
"Well, so I see that our new friends have already chosen themselves new seats."
Before Sora could respond, a fresh voice broke through the conversation and Juushirou glanced up, consternation in his gaze as he recognised the tall form of Akira heading across the room towards them. His arms were folded across his chest, his eyes dark and preoccupied, yet he kept his tones low and even, his gaze flitting from Juushirou to his companions and then back to Juushirou again.
"I suppose it's to be expected that Anideshi would arrive some time before the bell."
"I'm sure Sensei would like it that we're all here before the bell, regardless of the order in which we arrived." Kai said acerbically, and Akira snorted.
"I was talking to Anideshi. Not you, Shihouin." He said quietly. "I'm sure he can answer for himself."
"Did you ask me a question, Yamamoto-kun?" Juushirou's lips thinned, and he gazed at the older student quizzically. "I thought you were just making an observation. And since it's true, I didn't see any reason to comment on it...I'm sorry if I somehow missed your point."
His words were calm and even, but a faint flicker of indignation seared through his heart as he read and understood his classmate's disdain.
"Yamamoto-kun." Akira repeated softly, and Juushirou nodded.
"That is your name, isn't it?" He asked pleasantly. "Yamamoto Akira-kun. I'm fairly sure I remember it from the class lists first night."
Akira pursed his lips.
"Remember it." He said gruffly. "And don't refer to me in that condescending way again. I won't be talked down to by anyone - not Anideshi, not a Clansman and especially not a District boy with no connections of his own to speak of. You should pay attention to this and remember it well. My name is Yamamoto. My father is the Head of the Yamamoto Clan and this Academy is the brainchild of my kinsman Genryuusai-sama. This land belongs to my family. All of it. To my family. So be careful. Don't forget easily. This is Yamamoto land and I am first degree Clan."
There was a moment of silence, then Juushirou raised his head, his eyes hard and faintly defiant as he met the challenge in Akira's gaze.
"And yet I'm Genryuusai-sensei's Anideshi." He said evenly, making no attempt to raise his tones yet in the sudden silence of the classroom his words carried clearly. "So I suppose Clan connections really aren't everything."
"..."
Akira's fists clenched, words failing him at the calm cheek of Juushirou's pointed response, but before he could react, Enishi was on his feet, giving his cousin a little push back.
"Don't, Akira." He said frankly, with more well meaning than tact in his mode of approach. "You don't know Ukitake yet. You don't know what kind of person he is. You'll see soon enough why Sensei chose him - so don't make fights on first day. It isn't worth it."
"Enishi..." Akira's eyes narrowed, but at that moment Kanshi let out a yelp, grabbing his friend by the arm and hauling him back.
"Damn you, calm down, already." He hissed. "Sensei's coming - do you want him to hear you? Sit down and shut up a while - you can finish this later."
"Fine. Whatever." Something in Kanshi's tones seemed to break through Akira's annoyance and he nodded, allowing himself to be dragged across the room to another table where he took a seat with decided bad grace. Juushirou eyed him for a moment, then turned away, aware that the other boy's dark glare was still locked onto his back from the other side of the chamber. He sighed.
"There we go. Day one." He murmured, almost half to himself, and Hirata shot him a sympathetic look.
"Houjou-kun is right, though." He said softly. "Yamamoto-kun doesn't understand yet, why you're Anideshi. He will...so..."
"What Hirata's saying is, don't get into any fist-fights with a guy brawny enough to shatter bones." Shunsui said acidly. "Enishi, I don't know if you helped or not in what you said, but probably you stopped him from losing his temper outright. Juu, you need to be careful with that one. What he says sucks, but is also true. Sensei did choose you as Anideshi, but it doesn't take away from the fact this is Yamamoto land and he is a Yamamoto bigwig."
"He's really the son of the Clan leader?" Kai asked, and Enishi nodded.
"Yes." He agreed. "Younger son, but yes."
"Then you won't get into trouble, will you, for stopping him like that?" Juushirou looked anxious. Enishi shrugged.
"The whole Yamamoto Clan expect me to do tactless and inappropriate things." He said casually. "So if I do, it doesn't usually get me into trouble. You people are the only ones who really bother about those things - most people at home already gave up on teaching me what to say when and to whom."
He laughed.
"Sometimes I can use that to my advantage. I'm not as stupid as people like to think."
"How stupid are you, then?" Shunsui asked innocently. "I'll re-set my gauge so it's reading accurately."
"Kyouraku." Enishi warned, but there was a broad grin on his face, and Juushirou laughed.
"Well, I'm fine. Yamamoto-kun can hate me, it's fine." He said decidedly. "I have you people around me and backing me up, and that's all there is to it. No more problems. I'm going to forget about him and focus on what Sensei's going to tell us. We're not little kids now. It will be all right once everything's settled down a little more."