Chapter Seven: Trading Secrets

It had been another unproductive day, and as he prepared to pack away his wares, Gaugen let out a heavy sigh, rubbing his hands absently against the heavy folds of his rough clothing as he fought to suppress his rising frustration.

Since the appearance of the mysterious Masaki the day before, the trader had been certain that it would be only a matter of hours before the precious item fell into his hands - but despite his being doubly vigilant as usual, he had come up empty. He had even wasted two or three ryou, he thought to himself darkly, paying street urchins to run errands and ask questions of his rivals just in case the sought after item had shown up with them first.

Though Gaugen didn't know what it was he was seeking, he was smart enough a businessman to realise that it had some Clan significance - and therefore had decided it must be some precious piece of Kyouraku memorabilia. Perhaps a sword, he had pondered, or some relic of the civil war that had ripped through the land briefly after the accession of the current Lord. Gaugen remembered that time well - he had profited from the insecurity around him by obtaining treasures cheaply from fleeing townsfolk, and so he recalled the disruption and chaos with a sense of detached nostalgia. But, he reflected, in peacetime, prices for resale were also more stable. Therefore, he reasoned to himself as he packed the precious chains into a secure box for transportation back to his home, it was his duty to do what he could to make sure whatever this missing treasure was, it was returned to its owner safely. And if he, Gaugen should accrue a reward for such a thing, why not?

His eyes twinkled for a moment, then he sighed, shaking his head slowly.

But even though he had tried every thread he knew to trace the mysterious artefact, he had still not had any results. Perhaps Masaki had been mistaken - maybe it wasn't so close to the main estate. Perhaps it had already been traded outside of the District, he added to himself bitterly, kicking his foot bad-temperedly against the sturdy support of his stall as he contemplated that fact. In which case, some foreign trader was likely to cash in on a huge price somewhere, and despite his hard word, Gaugen would receive nothing.

Even though the treasure belongs to our District's Clan, too.

His eyes narrowed, forgetting for a moment that his grievance was entirely self-motivated as he glared down at the remaining wares on his table.

Unforgivable behaviour, that they should seek to profit from Tokutarou-sama's misfortune. No wonder that Masaki has been dispatched. It's my duty as a good citizen of District Eight to support him in whatever way I can.

"Gaugen-san! Gaugen-san!"

A piercing voice broke through his musings and he paused in his packing, raising his gaze irritably to see the speaker running across the sandy trackway towards him. She was out of breath, he realised with a jolt, messy black hair flowing free around her shoulders and her cheeks flushed with the exertion as she reached him. She grabbed hold of the wooden structure, taking a deep breath into her lungs, and then raising bright blue eyes to his.

"Gaugen-san, please, tell me you aren't closing for the night! It's early yet...please, Gaugen-san, I have a favour to ask you and it's important!"

Gaugen eyed the girl for a moment, trying to work out where he had seen her before. For a moment he drew a blank, then it came to her - she was Momiji, one of the town's prostitutes and one which he himself had imposed upon a few times when business had been good. Momiji was pretty, young and obliging, with curves in the right places and a guileless innocence about her that made her seem both helpless and untouched to greedy, exploitative males - and consequently she plied a good trade, with several regular customers. Gaugen did not count himself among them, for he had a wife at home, and it would be shameful if a man of his standing in the town should be seen with a prostitute on a regular basis.

Still, Momiji's charms were undeniable, and the wide-eyed way in which she looked at him made him bite back the snappish retort he had planned to give, gazing at her quizzically.

"I was." He agreed. "There's a storm heading this way - surely you can feel it too? I've a lot of precious items, and I won't let them damage just for the sake of an hour's more business."

"I'm sorry." Momiji looked chastened. "I was so busy I hadn't noticed...that the sky had got so dark and overcast. I'm holding you up, aren't I? I'm sorry. I suppose...I will come back to you...tomorrow?"

Gaugen eyed her for a second, debating on what to do. His wife would be waiting for him, he knew, and would already be preparing a good meal to welcome him home. Yet the flush of the young girl's cheeks and the haphazard knot of her obi made him think again, and he glanced up at the sky, judging the proximity of the storm-clouds.

Yes, he had a short time yet. The storm would be held back over the mountains, and in any case, his wife did not like it when he arrived too early back at the house.

"What is it?" He asked, turning his gaze back to the young girl. "If you're plying trade, Momiji, you should be careful. There are Clan retainers in the town who frown on...such open displays...and..."

"I know." Momiji shook her head, offering him a dazzling smile. "But you're kind to think of it and me, Gaugen-san. You're always kind and thoughtful to me - hence I knew I should come to you when it was something so important."

"Important?" Gaugen stared at her, and Momiji nodded, slipping her hand into the folds of her kimono and rummaging around for something, completely oblivious to the effect her action was having on the trader's composure. At length she let out a cry of triumph, pulling her hand out and holding out to her companion. For a moment Gaugen did not react, then as she opened her delicate fingers to reveal what she held inside, his eyes widened in surprise and he grabbed her wrist, staring at her in surprise.

"Momiji! Where did you...what...?"

"I can't tell you things like that." Momiji pulled her hand free, shaking her head firmly. "Just that it's been trusted to me. It's...my responsibility."

"You're looking to trade it?" Gaugen's heart skipped a beat in his chest. "Is that why you sought me so late, girl? A pendant of that nature...you came to trade it with a man you trusted for good cash? Because..."

"I can't trade it." Momiji shook her head. "Besides, that's not why. It's broken. Look." She held out the chain, showing him the clasp, and Gaugen found it difficult not to shout out as her hand closed once more around the pendant itself. "I want to fix it - but I don't have the right size clasp to replace this one. I thought...it's an unusual style, and none of the normal traders have anything like what I need. So...I thought...Gaugen-san sees plenty of necklaces and rare items like this. Maybe...you'd know...what I could use to fix it?"

Gaugen took a deep breath, composing himself. Then he nodded.

"You're a wise girl." He said, somehow keeping his tones even. "And listen, I think...I can help you. But not here. Not now. You'll have to trust me - because this is a very...specialist item."

"Mm. I know. It's a precious keepsake and I don't want any harm to come to it." Momiji clasped the pendant once more to her chest. "Thank you, Gaigen-san. I'll listen to whatever you have to say."

"There's a gentleman I think you should meet with." Gaugen said softly. "An...a person who knows about...this kind of thing. I can't provide the kind of clasp you need. But I think...he'll be a useful person to talk to."

"Really?" Momiji's eyes lit up. "What kind of man? Where? How will I meet with him, Gaugen-san?"

Gaugen pursed his lips.

"His name is Masaki." He said quietly. "But tonight, I'm afraid, you won't be able to see him. He's far too busy with other important affairs for the Clan."

"For the...Clan?" Momiji repeated softly. "He's that important a person?"

"Yes." Gaugen agreed. "But tomorrow...tomorrow, you should come to the Kankou Tavern when the sun sets. I'll get a message to him somehow - and make sure that you meet with him, all right? He'll be able to help you. I think...he'll know...all about the item you have."

"The Kankou Tavern. Tomorrow. Masaki-san." Momiji repeated softly. "All right. I understand. But Gaugen-san - won't it cost money to send him a message? And I don't want to put you to any trouble...after all..."

She trailed off, and Gaugen smiled at her.

"There are ways to repay such favours." He said softly. "I don't need money from you, Momiji-chan. You have far more attractive things to offer a man than that."

Momiji blinked at him, then she grinned.

"I understand." She said solemnly. "If Gaugen-san is going to help me, I'll wait on him in return. But I can't tonight. I have...I must go somewhere else tonight. And tomorrow I must meet with Masaki-san, mustn't I? But the day after - I promise."

"Good. Keep the whole evening open, then." Gaugen winked at her. "I will find plenty for us to do."

"You've done me a favour." Momiji dimpled. "So I won't forget. I'll see you then, Gaugen-san. And thank you again. I'll be sure to go to the tavern tomorrow...just as you said!"

With that she slid the pendant back out of sight, skipping away across the track and as she went, Gaugen could hear her humming a soft song under her breath.

She really is far too cheerful to be a prostitute in a town like this.

He sighed, shrugging his shoulders.

But who would have thought it? That a girl like her would...still, I should have considered it before. Prostitutes have clients at all levels, don't they? Probably she took it as payment when a man couldn't meet her rate - and now she's looking to mend it before she trades it on. Well, so much to the good. Masaki-san said that when I saw it, I'd know it - and I'm sure that must be it.

His eyes narrowed.

That pendant was engraved and coloured with the crest of the Kyouraku. It isn't a sword. It's not a weapon or a relic from the civil war. It's a pendant. A pendant belonging to the Clan. And once I report this to Masaki-san...I'll be in for a goodly share of the reward.

He shut the box of wares with a snap.

So when I've taken this home, I will go see him directly. I'm sure he'll be glad to see me...when I can tell him something so useful. A reward, for sure - and then, the unmistakeable charms of Momiji to look forward to the night after. Fortune has smiled on me, it seems!

He had been in the library for most of the day.

Ryuu sighed, setting the dusty volume aside and reaching for the last one in the pile.

It was starting to grow dark outside now, and he knew that very soon he would have to leave his quest for the day, since the evening meal would be served and no matter how much he disliked it, currently Ryuu knew he was unable to avoid sitting down with his family when his name was being discussed in so many areas of the estate. Though the last thing he felt like doing was having any kind of conversation with his mother or his sisters, Ryuu knew from long experience that avoiding them carried a far harsher penalty in the long run - and his gaze drifted to the window, judging how long he had before a servant would come to summon him to the evening meal.

A little time yet, I think. The sky is heavy today, but I don't think it's quite time yet.

He sighed again, turning his gaze back to the genealogy books he had been poring through since dawn, looking for any loophole he could possibly find in the chart of Clan succession. The Kuchiki, being one of the oldest families in Seireitei had always been diligent and pedantic about recording every single instance of their family's history right down to the last letter - but try as he might, Ryuu could not find anything that looked amiss.

Not that he had really expected to. Kuchiki scribes were valued highly in the Clan for their ability to not only record but recite the family genealogy from several generations back until the present, and these records were consulted at the birth of every important child, so that their charts and suitability could be written into the records without delay. This last book was the most recent, and as he turned the pages, he paused, reaching his own entry.

"Ryuu, eldest son of Seiren, second son of Senaya. Second grandson of Senaya, of second degree Kuchiki direct descent." He muttered, tapping his fingers bitterly against the curled wings of the Kuchiki swans that illustrated his father's particular family crest at the top of the entry. "An auspicious date, an auspicious time, a favourable moon and constellations in the right areas of the sky. My mother always said she knew when she saw the stars that I would be a boy - and that there were great celebrations when I was born. No wonder - if you read this, you might imagine I was to be the heir of the Clan. I suppose...at that time...maybe I was considered to be such a thing. But things have changed. And I'm not. I'm not, dammit. I'm not!"

He skipped forward a page, his heart clenching in his throat as he read over the most recent record - that of his unfortunate deceased cousin.

Ribari, eldest son of Guren, eldest son and heir of Senaya. Third grandson of Senaya, of first degree Kuchiki direct descent.

Someone had clearly had this book out very recently, for beneath the entry was the single kanji δΊ‘, an indication that the young boy had passed away.

Ryuu shook his head slightly as if to clear it, turning the pages back once more, and then pausing. Only male births were recorded in this tome, for only the male line was relevant to the Kuchiki inheritance, yet to his surprise he found Shirogane's name had been entered all the same.

[Nagoya] Shirogane. Eldest son of Masane, sister of Guren and Seiren, sons of Senaya. First grandson of Senaya, of second degree Kuchiki female descent.

So Senpai was also born under auspicious stars, was he? Maybe that's why he was recorded here - though I bet it was only because he was in such favour with Guren-sama - or at Masane-dono's instruction. Because he was a grandson of Senaya-sama - Grandfather - and everyone revered Senaya-sama like a saint because he was a murdered martyr. His death brought Father and Guren-sama together after years of hostility...so I suppose any with a blood claim to him have a right to be mentioned. I wonder if Father would approve, though - he certainly doesn't seem to like Senpai at all.

Ryuu turned back a few more pages, seeing his father and his uncle's entries, then before that, the entry for his grandfather, Senaya, and his grandfather's younger brother, Kinnya. At the latter record he paused, his eyes narrowing.

"No offspring." He whispered, running his finger down the column of kanji.

A convenient lie - writing Raiko-dono out from the history, removing her from the Clan. As a daughter, her name would not have been recorded here anyhow, but as with my sisters, mention should have been made of her existence. Even illegitimate, since she began her life at the centre of the Clan. Father's entry clearly lists four daughters as well as myself, even if they are not each named. To simply write no offspring...that's been added later. Maybe my Grandfather added it himself...after she had been evicted. The handwriting is different from the rest - so maybe it was him.

He rubbed his temples.

Ukitake, your family are fortunate. That dismissal gave you a freedom from all of this that the rest of us simply do not have.

He got to his feet, closing the book with a snap and lifting it to put it on the pile with the others. As he lifted them to return them to their shelf, something slender fluttered out from between the pages of one volume, dropping with a soft rustle onto the smooth wooden floor. Frowning, Ryuu set his burden down, bending to retrieve the fallen article. He soon realised that his first impression of it being a loose leaf from this book was incorrect, however, because it was made of a much finer paper and had been well folded, as though it were a letter that had been used to mark a particular section of the volume by a previous family researcher.

The older books had not been touched for some years, and from the age of the folded sheet, it did not look as though it was recent either. The page was faded and discoloured, and as Ryuu slowly unfolded it, he realised that it had probably remained that way for longer than he had been alive - perhaps even longer than his father and his uncle, he mused, smoothing it out and placing it on the table to read it.

It was a page torn from another book, he noted, but this was not a book written by a professional Kuchiki scribe. Instead the hand was elegant but casual, and though some of the characters were written in an old-fashioned style, it was clearly from someone's personal notes as opposed to from an official record.

His curiosity piqued, Ryuu squinted to read the faded and blurred ink more clearly. The light was failing, and even the kidou lamps did not help him make out every word, for the ink had lost some of its density over the years. Yet as he persevered, he found himself able to make out what had been written on the creased sheet of paper.

As he read down the columns, however, he felt his heart tighten in his chest, and he took a deep breath, pushing the sheet away as though it had burnt him and staring at it with big, alarmed eyes.

I should not have seen that. What I just read...I should not have...read...

He swallowed hard, feeling faintly giddy, and he took another deep breath, urging himself to calm down.

That was taken from wherever it belonged...for a reason. It was taken so that people would not find it...then lost among the pages here and forgotten. Such evidence...should it come to light...if people were to see it, then what would happen to me? To Father? To us? If people were to know...that...such a thing had occurred...but is it even true?

With shaking hands he reached for the sheet, gazing at it again. Then he grabbed the final volume of the genealogical history once more, turning through the pages feverishly to find Kinnya's page a second time. Placing the torn sheet alongside the entry, he glanced at the kanji, biting his lip as he realised they bore a great similarity of style to one another.

He gazed at the torn page once more, re-reading the contests with a pounding heart. Certainly it sounded authentic - and as though it had been penned by someone very close to the heart of the family itself. Most likely the former leader Senaya himself - a man so long in his grave that he had taken such secrets about his family with him.

It looks the same. And if Grandfather exiled Raiko-dono and wrote that...and also wrote this...that would surely give it authenticity. But I don't know...it seems real, but I don't know...if it really is. If it isn't...and someone saw it...but...but if it is...and someone did...

Ryuu closed the book, grasping the sheet in his left hand as his first impulse was to destroy it. Then he paused, as another alarming thought shot through his brain.

Who else knows about this? For it to be here, in this place...someone else must know. It can't be so well kept a secret that I alone have discovered it. Wherever it was originally hidden...now it is hidden there no longer. A secret such as this could compromise the whole Clan - yet whoever put it here has not revealed it. I...I must make sure that it remains hidden...but how? Where? This whole library is unsafe...and if I don't put it back where I found it...if someone is keeping it a secret for another reason...

He buried his head in his hands.

Is that the reason Ribari-sama was murdered? If so...if so...then that would mean...

He screwed his eyes shut, forcing the thoughts from his mind.

No! I won't...I won't think that way. It might not be...how it seems. It might be a secret that...is not known any longer. It may be...that Ribari-sama's murderer was from outside. Remember...what Senpai said the boy saw. If that is true, then this...this is not...important.

His grasp on the sheet tightened, then he took another steadying breath.

For now, I must put it back where I found it. For now, that's all I can do. Because if someone did plant it there...and is watching...then they'll know I know. And if they know that...I don't know what might happen next. At worst, I might become a target. Or even...something...else...

With difficulty he refolded the sheet, returning it to its hiding place within the middle volume. His hands still trembling, he replaced the volumes on the shelves, brushing the thick dust from his fingers as he stared at them for a long long while.

"Ryuu-sama?"

A voice from the door made him physically jump and he swung around, seeing a young maidservant standing there watching him. At his unsettled reaction, she stared at him, then she bowed her head.

"I apologise for disturbing you, sir." She said respectfully. "But dinner is about to be served and I was sent to fetch you from here."

"Thank you." Ryuu drew breath into his lungs, offering her a stiff smile. "I will go presently."

"Yes, sir." The maid bowed her head again, thick dark hair falling over her shoulder, yet even as he passed her, Ryuu felt sure she was watching him out of the corner of confused blue eyes. There was something unnervingly familiar about her, but Ryuu knew in his current flustered state he was prone to overreading situations, and he dismissed the thought, instead ruminating on the reaction he had given her.

She must think I've lost my mind. Well, possibly I have.

He swallowed hard.

I must somehow not let anyone know that I have found this. And I must...move now, to act on Senpai's words, too. I must get to the bottom of this...even if it means the worst is the truth. No matter what - if this was why Ribari-sama was killed, I have no choice. Even if this takes my family apart...to protect this truth and to protect my Clan, I must!

With that thought uppermost in his mind, he hastily dusted himself down, hurrying through the corridor to the main Dining Hall where the senior members of his family were beginning to take their seats.

"Ryuu-nii!" The voice of his youngest sister was quickly accompanied by thin, determined fingers around his wrist and he turned, eying the girl warily as he felt himself dragged across the chamber towards the uppermost dais.

"Miouko...what are you...?"

"You're to eat here tonight. Father insists on it." Miouko hissed, sending him a dark look. "So at least try and be charismatic and intelligent through the conversation, okay? Futsuki-dono has been dispatched on an important mission, and in his absence, Father suggested to Guren-sama that you be called to eat with them. Guren-sama agreed - so don't screw it up! You know what it means - what all of it means - to be asked to eat with the leader of the Clan!"

"That I will most probably end the meal with indigestion." Ryuu muttered, pausing at the foot of the dais and raising his gaze to where his father and his uncle were already seated. Miouko snorted, giving him a subtle elbow in the ribs.

"That's the exact reason you're of age and yet still not wed." She whispered disapprovingly. "Shut up and listen, all right? A lot of people have been talking about you and it's been good talk - about your achievements and your zanpakutou and how you're high in Genryuusai-sama's trust at his Academy. That kind of thing - how you've been promoted to the Senior Class and that you'll be entering a Gotei squad from next spring. There's never been a better chance to be noticed - so be noticed, all right? And in a good way."

She glowered.

"If you embarrass us, you know we won't ever forgive you."

With that she released her grasp on his arm, flouncing off across the floor to find her own husband, and Ryuu sighed, rubbing his arm absently as he inwardly pitied the poor soul that had accepted her hand in marriage.

But Miouko's intervention had brought him back somewhat to himself, and he frowned, slowly mounting the dais as he realised he had regained his normal composure.

I can keep it a secret. No, I must. For now, at least. And deal with it calmly - if I can. Maybe it's better I know this now - given everything that has happened. It gives me a chance to observe things at home as well as when I go to District One. Although I might share the information with Shirogane-senpai. Can I trust him, though, with something like this? If I am to leave here soon, I will not be able to see as many things as he will...and he did put some trust in me. But something of this nature...

"Ryuu!" His father called his name, and he turned, schooling his features in a polite smile as he bowed properly before Seiren and the leader of the Clan.

"I beg pardon for the intrusion, Father. Guren-sama." He said, his tones even as he raised his gaze. "Miouko has indicated that I should join you here, and if that is not of inconvenience, it would be my honour to do so."

"You are most welcome, Ryuu." Guren said quietly, though Ryuu could detect faint tension in the other man's aura and he greatly suspected the invitation had been a matter of dispute between the brothers earlier that afternoon. "I should welcome your company before you depart this place for District One, in any case. I have few opportunities these days to address you directly - your Father has brought that to my notice, and I have acknowledged it."

"At this difficult time, Guren-sama, you do me great honour indeed." Ryuu obediently took the seat that was indicated, once more lowering his head to acknowledge his companion's superior status, but Guren shook his head.

"No. No." He said with a sigh. "In fact, the opposite is true. I should have summoned you long before this - you have been of age a good two years now, I believe - perhaps even longer than that. What is your age now, exactly? I am sure you have long passed your majority, and as such, given that you are my nephew, I should take such things into consideration."

Ryuu's eyes narrowed slightly, taking in once again the faint tension in Guren's tones, and the doubt in his grey eyes.

So Father has been needling you about me. But even if he has, there is nothing I can do but bear it. Still, your reaction gives me some hope, Guren-sama. That even if Father seeks to make me your heir, you yourself are far from convinced of it. And I...will try and play to those doubts without bringing shame to my kin. If...I possibly can.

His gaze shifted to Seiren's face, and his lips thinned.

If I possibly can.

"I am almost three and twenty." He said quietly. "When my studies are concluded, I shall have reached that age. I am ready to serve in whatever way Guren-sama deems appropriate - and am gratified that you have allowed me the opportunity to train under Genryuusai-sama for so long. I believe that I can put those skills to the best use of the Kuchiki - and hope...that if my skills meet your expectations, you might also view me in that light."

"Your skills will be more than adequate, Ryuu." Seiren told him warmly. "You are already a shinigami, registered and accepted before the Council, and Genryuusai-sama has shown great judgement in promoting you a year early to the Senior Class. You should not be so modest - Guren-niisama and I both have great expectations of you in the future."

"Yes, sir." Ryuu did not meet his father's eye. "I understand, and I shall do my best to fulfil them."

There was a moment of silence, then Guren spoke, his expression pensive.

"Ryuu, you are better acquainted with the Edogawa hime than I am, I believe." he said quietly. "You were the one, weren't you, who advised that she be sent for as swiftly as possible?"

"Yes, sir." Ryuu was startled, staring at the Clan leader in confusion. "I was."

"I am grateful for that foresight." Guren offered him a smile, and this time Ryuu sensed that it was genuine. "I don't pretend to understand that girl's gifts - but that she has them is something to be thankful for. Thanks to her arrival, lives were saved. Thanks to your instinct, too."

"I didn't do anything at all, sir." Ryuu shook his head, his eyes becoming regretful. "And I am sorry...that my suggestion was not fast enough to change...to...for...Ribari-sama's sake."

"My son's life was taken before he arrived back at the manor." Guren spoke matter-of-factly, but Ryuu could see the other man's pain reflected in his gaze. "Retsu-dono told me so - that there would have been nothing that could have saved him, even had she or Mitsuki been on site sooner. You should not hold any guilt about such things. Your contribution was invaluable and I am grateful for it."

"I am glad, then, that my knowledge was of some service." Ryuu said solemnly.

"I had wondered whether your knowledge of Mitsuki's skill stemmed from a special connection between the two of you...but your father assures me not."

"A connection?" Ryuu started, then he smiled ironically, shaking his head.

"Mitsuki is more like a sister to me than anything else." He said thoughtfully. "No. There is no other special relationship we share, Guren-sama. In any case, I do not believe Father or Mother would sanction such an idea. Mitsuki is...not a traditional Kuchiki hime. And..."

"And she is born of third degree from a female line, therefore is barely within the confines of the Clan proper." Seiren agreed frankly. "Even though Edogawa Teitou is a valued member of the Kuchiki inner court. As I told you, Oniisama - Ryuu understands the level of his birth and the expectations that places on him to marry well - for the benefit of not only himself but the prestige of his sisters, too. Shouko and I have no objection to his friendship with the Edogawa hime - her manners are good and she is not an offensive playmate, given their ages. But there has never been any suggestion of anything else."

"Ah, but I am sure I recall Ryuu being betrothed as a child to a niece of Edogawa Teitou." Guren's eyes narrowed. "Am I mistaken, Seiren?"

"You are not." Seiren shook his head. "But that niece's bloodline was, if you will forgive me, far more suitable for a second degree son than Mitsuki's is. Her mother's blood was...only half of this Clan, and her ways somewhat...unusual at times. Perhaps it's safe to say the daughter too is a little...unique among our Clan. Therefore...given his standing..."

"I see." Guren rubbed his chin pensively. "Then that accounts for it."

He cast Ryuu a glance.

"I am sorry. We are discussing you as though you are not present, though as an adult your voice should also be heard. Since the death of your fiancee, you have had no formal bonds of betrothal - correct?"

"Yes, sir."

"Though we have had communications from other Clans, enquiring about Ryuu's availability." Seiren said hurriedly. "None of them have been of acceptable birth to consider. Being that they're foreign hime, such things have to be very carefully considered."

"I see." Guren nodded. "And you, Ryuu? What thoughts have you on this matter?"

"I should seek to complete my training first, Guren-sama." Ryuu said firmly. "I am cognisant of my duty as a second degree Clan son - and I am not afraid to face that duty. But I am in no hurry to accept a bride simply because I do not yet have one. I should sooner finish my training and become of value to the Clan as a whole."

"Ryuu..." Seiren gazed at him, then he sighed.

"My son means that he seeks to be of use to you first and foremost, Oniisama." He said wearily, and Guren nodded.

"I had understood it thus." He said thoughtfully, his grey eyes meeting Ryuu's for a brief instance. "And I am gratified for his consideration. I shall give your words careful deliberation, then, Ryuu. That if you seek to be of use to me, you will doubtless accept my advice and views when it comes to things such as marriage?"

"Yes sir." Ryuu swallowed the lump in his throat, nodding his head. "I will."

"Very well." Guren smiled. "Then it is understood. We will doubtless discuss this again, Seiren - when the boy has completed his training. Perhaps it is fortunate he has not yet been committed to a marriage match."

"I agree." Seiren seemed relieved, and Ryuu allowed himself an inward sigh. "I too am grateful for your consideration towards Ryuu this evening, Oniisama. In light of...our current situation...it makes me most at ease."

"Yes." Guren looked troubled, and his gaze met Ryuu's again. "Such things have not yet gone before the Kuchiki council, and by the time they do, Ryuu will be once more at his training. As you have rightfully advised, it is probably a safer place at present, until we understand more what has occurred in District Six. But...until my son's memorial is over, I will not have such a subject raised. And so we shall not speak of it here either, Seiren. Even though I realise it is pressing, we shall not."

"Yes, Guren-sama." Seiren bowed his head slightly. "As you wish."

"I see."

Masaki sat back against the wall of the tavern, eying his companion in thoughtful, lazy silence. Then he nodded, offering the trader a smile. It was later that evening, with a storm brewing on the southern horizon, but inside the bustling bar of the Kankou tavern the voices and noises of the many customers drowned out the howling wind that had begun to pick up through the small town.

Masaki pursed his lips, realising that he had chosen a good place to hide within plain sight. Though there were many patrons that evening, none of them had paid him a second glance, and even the establishment's landlord seemed more interested in extracting the right coin from a difficult customer than the fact two men were discussing top secret business under his roof.

He ran his tongue pensively across the tips of his teeth, resting his gaze once more on his companion's broad, shiny face.

Perhaps it is because of him. He is a well known face in these parts, and if he trades as he says he does, he must make many deals in places like this. I suppose they think I'm just another of his out of town clients - and that suits me just fine. I'd rather be thought of as a travelling trader - for now.

Out loud he said,

"Yes, I see. You really were the right person to come to in a matter such as this, Gaugen-san. I'm indebted to your hard work and industriousness - and so will Tokutarou-sama be, I'm sure."

"Yes, sir." Gaugen agreed eagerly. "When I saw what she had - I knew, sir, that that must be it. It was unmistakeable - though I didn't get a close look, I was quite sure. I've dealt with so many of these things before, and..."

"There was no chance of it being a fake?" Misaki asked curiously, and Gaugen shook his head firmly.

"No sir. With all respect, I can tell that at a glance." He responded proudly. "The workmanship of Clan items is very particular - and very few are capable of using the same exact skills. Therefore it's very easy to tell someone's inferior work from an original."

"I see." Masaki pondered this for a moment, then slid his fingers into his obi, pulling out his own pendant and setting it down on the table. "You'll have to forgive me - I'm not at all schooled in the finer arts of this business. But you can tell, then, by simply looking - that this is genuinely Clan and not a fake?"

"Yes, sir." Gaugen agreed. "It's how I know your words are true, sir - because there's no mistaking it. The craftsmanship and carving is absolutely for certain."

Masaki's eyes narrowed.

"Will you explain to me, please, how you can be so sure?"

"With pleasure." Gaugen reached out to pick up the pendant, tilting it slightly so that it caught the dim light of the tavern lamps. "Do you see, sir? The way the light reflects off the surface? That's because the person who crafted it cut it with absolute exact accuracy. Only Clan craftsmen have that kind of training - and they spend years learning the art. The surface is then glossed with a very particular element to keep it fine and bright despite the passage of time. And the colours are mixed from the highest quality sources - so they are smooth and unblemished. All of those features are very clear in your pendant, sir. So therefore it belongs to the Kyouraku Clan, and so do you."

"You really are a very intelligent man." Masaki looked impressed, scooping up his pendant and glancing at it. "Yes, I see - now that you say it, I see how such a thing would be hard to falsify. But that you'd know so much at just one glance...I am truly glad that we met. I think my quest may at last be nearing its end."

"Then the pendant is what you seek, Masaki-san?" Gaugen asked, and Masaki frowned.

"I will know more tomorrow, when I meet with the girl." He said quietly. "Tell me about her, Gaugen, so I might know her when first I see her."

"She's young - about eighteen or nineteen, perhaps not that." Gaugen reflected. "Momiji is her name, though if she has another I don't know it. Her trade means that such things aren't generally known by most people - if you follow my meaning."

He smiled.

"She's raven haired, and bright eyed. Very guileless and easy to win over. She's a good natured girl, sir, despite her profession - but because of her profession, her favours are easy to procure. She agreed to come here to meet you quite willingly...though she will probably..."

"Expect good payment for her services." Masaki pursed his lips. "Very well. That I can provide."

He grinned.

"And you, for yours."

He reached down to his belt, pulling the purse free and tipping some of the contents on the table. Gaugen's eyes became wide at the gold coins, and Masaki nodded.

"For your help so far, I give you half of the reward I promised." He said softly, pushing the coins across the table and watching as the trader scooped them up greedily in his fat fists. "This you do not need to return, but when I have spoken to the girl, and if your information is proven correct, I will reward you fully. Is that fair?"

"Yes, sir." Gaugen agreed, sliding the coins into the sash of his kimono. Masaki nodded.

"The girl is raven-haired, you say?" He asked lightly. "And her eyes - what colour are her eyes?"

"Blue, sir."

"Blue?" Masaki seemed surprised, and Gaugen nodded.

"Yes, sir."

"Blue eyes." Masaki's gaze became thoughtful. "Unusual, wouldn't you think, for District Eight?"

"The story goes that she was a refugee from some other place - though she doesn't talk of it, and I don't know where." Gaugen dismissed this with a flick of her fingers. "Such things as a prostitute's background are not really very interesting to me."

"No. I understand." A strange smile touched Masaki's lips. "I apologise - an upstanding man like yourself would not know such things in detail, of course."

He rested his chin in his hands.

"I shall have to meet her for myself, I think." He decided out loud. "And then I might know better how things are. Certainly, from what you've said, it sounds like she is in possession of something very important. But I wonder..."

"Sir?" Gaugen looked anxious, and Masaki shook his head.

"No. It's nothing you should concern yourself about." He said with a flick of his fingers. "Please, finish your drink. I'm imposing on your time, and your family are probably worried."

"You're right. It's growing late and the storm will be fully on us before long." Gaugen's eyes widened at this and he scooped up his drink, downing the rest in one gulp before getting to his feet.

"Thank you, sir. It's been a pleasure doing business with you."

"Likewise." Masaki smiled again. "I will look forward to meeting the girl Momiji tomorrow - and from there, I will doubtless speak to you again."

"Doubtless." Gaugen agreed. "I wish you luck with your quest, sir. Goodnight."

"Goodnight, Gaugen." Masaki murmured, watching as the man left the bar, inclining his head to the hostess on duty as he did so.

He pursed his lips, glancing down at his own drink.

Black hair, blue eyes. A refugee. I wonder...if she's what I'm looking for or not.

He sighed, running his fingers through his thick brownish hair and loosening it from its ties.

But it does sound as though...she has something of use to me. And even if she isn't what I'm looking for...it strikes me that another door might have opened even if one has closed. Because if she has something so precious...and she's one without family in this place...I can make use of that. It might not matter if she isn't exactly the thing I had sought. On the contrary, the benefit may be greater. Either way, I can find a way to utilise this situation to our advantage. Yes, I'm quite sure I can.

Amusement twitched at the corner of his mouth, and he lifted his glass, toasting an invisible companion before putting it to his lips.

Black hair. Blue eyes. I see. Perhaps this will be a more interesting game than I thought.