Chapter Thirteen: A Job for Shunsui
It was definitely far too early in the morning to be up and about on such a fine spring day.
Shunsui stifled a yawn, a rueful expression on his lazy features as he padded reluctantly down the hallway that led to the Headmaster's study. It was the middle of the second full week of classes, and on account of the fact the Seniors did not have any formal seminars or lectures until the afternoon, Shunsui had been looking forward to another legitimate lie-in, confident of his ability to catch up on note-taking and report-writing in the evening hours. Instead, however, he had been awoken after several attempts by Hirata to find that a second year had brought a message to the Senior study and that he was to go see Genryuusai immediately.
After wracking his bleary memory for any misdeed he might have committed in the short time they had been back, Shunsui had not been able to bring anything particularly to mind, and so it had been with a clear conscience that he had dressed, dragging a brush hastily through his messy hair and pulling what was now almost long enough to brush past his shoulders into a tail behind his head to keep it out of his way. It was times like that when he envied Juushirou's straight hair, for even when he tried to be neat, Shunsui's hair always had other ideas and in the end he had given it up as a bad job, aware that keeping the Headmaster waiting after such a summons probably would not go in his favour.
Consequently here he was, before breakfast, knocking on Genryuusai's study door with a mixture of sleepy apprehension and annoyance.
"Come in."
The old man's voice came crisp and clear through the wood and Shunsui sighed inwardly, then pushed the door back, stepping into the chamber and bowing his head towards his companion.
"Good morning, Shunsui." Genryuusai's grey eyes flitted over his student for a moment, then his moustache twitched slightly to indicate his smile. "I trust I didn't disturb your sleep too much by summoning you here this early?"
At this, Shunsui gave a rueful smile of his own.
"I think you know me too well, Sensei." He admitted sheepishly. "I wasn't really awake until about fifteen minutes ago. Please speak slowly – I'll try to understand, but it takes my brain a little while in the mornings to fully get into gear."
"Well, I thought it might serve as an adequate wake-up call." There was humour in the old man's eyes. "Though of course there is another reason for my calling you. Come sit down, please…there's a matter I'd like to discuss with you."
"Yes, sir." Shunsui nodded, obediently coming to sit before the desk, and Genryuusai rested wizened hands on the smooth wood, meeting his gaze with a thoughtful one of his own. A few moments of silence passed, and then the old man nodded.
"Five years is a very short period of time in shinigami terms." He said softly. "In respects of my life, it is nothing more than the flapping of one insect's wings in a swarm or a drop of rain falling in a typhoon. Yet even though that is true, in almost five years I believe I've seen a change in you, Shunsui. A change for the better – from a young fool that nobody could have faith in to a Senior in whom I can have trust."
"Sensei…" Despite himself, Shunsui reddened, discomfited by the sudden praise, and Genryuusai laughed.
"Ah, but for you, I suppose, five years has not been so short." He ruminated. "I suppose you think I've worked you hard – and mercilessly at times – to get you to this point?"
"Well, if this morning is anything to go by, sir, I suppose that's true." Shunsui's lips twitched into another rueful smile. "Waking me before breakfast to speak to me on a day I have no morning classes…I almost might think you did that on purpose just to see how quickly I could scramble to get here."
"You did quite well." Genryuusai agreed. "You were somewhat quicker than I anticipated, in fact…obviously hurried dressing is a skill you have practiced to perfection over the past few years."
"Mm. Perhaps." Shunsui acknowledged. "But it might be going too far…if I revealed all of my secrets to the staff."
"Indeed." Genryuusai let out another soft chuckle. "Even now you are precocious and not afraid of me – are you?"
"I'd like to think I have enough self-preservation to be a little scared of you." Shunsui owned. "Because even though I've never seen it released, I know your zanpakutou could probably kill us all before we even knew you'd drawn it. And it's better to be a little afraid of things like that – it keeps your wits sharper, if you are."
"That's a good answer." Genryuusai looked approving. "Exactly what I would expect from my top ranking student."
"Well, I might not be that, now, sir." Shunsui pointed out. "We've done no assessments yet this year – and the classes have changed. But I suppose in this place it's impossible not to learn something – whether you want to or not, it kinda ends up in the brain either way."
He shrugged philosophically.
"Fighting it is a lot of bother – so I decided not to."
"Mm." Genryuusai's expression became thoughtful once more. "But this is quite a change, I think, from the young boy who shed tears in my office in his first term, telling me how he didn't want to kill Hollows because they were too much like us. Is that still how you feel, Shunsui?" As his student looked embarrassed, "No, there's no need for that face. The past is what it is and can't be changed – learning from it and moving forward is more important than trying to cover your tracks completely. I'd like to know if being here has convinced you – if learning what you've learnt has taught you – that becoming a shinigami is the right thing for you to do? If, when you leave here…you will be able to accept your Clan's responsibilities with a clear heart?"
"I don't know." Shunsui said honestly. "If that's all you brought me here for, Yama-jii, I don't think I can give you a clear-cut answer. Until I graduate, I probably won't know. But…if it counts for anything, I don't regret my coming. I don't regret the things I've learnt so far – or having Katen Kyoukotsu at my side. Whether I'm cut out to lead or to wear a haori – I suppose we'll find out. But for now…I guess I don't have regrets. And I…think I've moved on from that conversation in the first year."
"But you still slip sometimes and say things you shouldn't." Genryuusai rubbed his beard. "You are very careful, most of the time – but I see your habit for affectionate nicknames hasn't changed."
"I…" Shunsui coloured again, then he laughed. "I'm sorry. I called you Yama-jii again, didn't I? I really try hard not to call you that to your face – but it's hard, sometimes, because…"
"That's how you refer to me to everybody else." Genryuusai said dryly. Shunsui faltered, then nodded his head.
"I suppose it is." He acknowledged. "I'm sorry. It's not very polite, is it?"
"I don't really mind it." Genryuusai reflected. "But not in school time, and not before your juniors. Understood? When you become a Captain of the Gotei and wear a haori of office, then you can call me what names you choose. But until then, I'm your sensei…and until then, you should do your best to remember it. All right?"
"Yes, sir." Shunsui nodded. "I'm sorry. I really will try not to slip up."
He rubbed his eyes.
"But I'm still half asleep." He added. "I don't do well first thing in the morning – it's easier to catch me out then."
"Well, there is a reason for my bringing you here, other than to ask you odd questions about your time at the Academy." Genryuusai admitted. "I just wanted to know, first of all, what your thoughts were. You are not an easy boy to read and you conceal your reiatsu quite well when you want to – so it's not always possible to know whether or not you're moving in the right direction. You are as infuriating as your Father was and just as gifted – but I hope that where he fell into bad ways, you've risen above them and found your own path. As you said yourself – time will tell whether you are ready to take on what is admittedly a very big responsibility for anyone. But if you aren't regretting your time here – or your having become a shinigami – I feel I can push you that one step further. And so to my real reason for summoning you…a matter I mentioned to you in brief at the start of term."
"A matter you…" Shunsui frowned, then his expression cleared. "Ah. This has something to do with one of the Fourth year students, doesn't it? You said something about my training someone – you were serious about that?"
"Yes, quite serious." Genryuusai nodded. "This particular student is left-handed, and given your own ability in that regard, it seemed the logical thing to do. You are the only member of Senior Class to fight with two hands on an even standing."
"That's not quite true, Sensei." Shunsui objected. "Juushirou fights two-handed, just like I do."
"No…Juushirou has learnt to fight with both hands because Sougyo no Kotowari demands it." Genryuusai shook his head. "It is not instinct for him but hard work that has allowed him to unlock that skill – that and the support of his sword spirits in guiding him. His ability has come on greatly – but he is still naturally right-handed and therefore I am not so confident of his ability yet to train a fully left-handed student as well as he would a right-handed one."
"Surely it doesn't make a lot of difference." Shunsui frowned. "It's sword skills overall – the hand in which the blade is held doesn't matter, does it?"
"It does and it doesn't." Genryuusai replied evenly. "In any case, you should be aware that of all of the Senior students, you are the only one who can be considered truly ambidextrous…the only one who fights as instinctively with his left hand as with his right. It's true that you have never topped your Ouyoudou class rankings, but I'm well aware that that's because you've never tried to – I'm sure if you wanted to surpass Shihouin or Enishi you could quite happily have done so over the past few years. You've chosen not to go that extra step – for reasons of your own – but now I want to test you to your limit a little more. Because whatever you do to your own skills, Shunsui – I don't believe you would sacrifice another's to suit your own laziness, now would you?"
His eyes bored into Shunsui's at that point, and the student laughed.
"That's mean, Sensei." He reproached. "Using some kid's training as emotional blackmail to make me work harder."
"I will use whatever methods are necessary to get the students who should achieve to achieve." Genryuusai was unrepentant, offering Shunsui a calm smile. "You are a challenging student, but a highly gifted one. Next year it will be more than your abilities that are in your hands, but the well-being of others. There is no choice in this – even if you were not ready to take the haori, I know my hands are tied and I cannot change the fact you will receive it. You know it too, don't you? That the Kyouraku-ke won't wait any longer and that we need Eighth Division reopened and active once more."
"They might be forced to, if I didn't graduate with the others." Shunsui eyed Genryuusai speculatively, and the old man pursed his lips.
"And you would like that, would you?" He asked softly. "To lose your friends to the Gotei and be forced to repeat?"
"No." Shunsui said frankly. "I would hate it. That's the main reason I keep up with my work and take my assessments seriously. I don't care about being top, and mostly Juushirou and Ryuu work harder than I ever have so if one of them finished the year top I wouldn't hold any grudges about it. But I don't want them to leave me behind. Juu and I promised each other years back that we'd graduate and become shinigami together and so I don't want to be the one who screws that up."
He grinned sheepishly.
"My brother is also fed up of waiting, I think." He added. "He hasn't rushed me, but I know the Clan are pushing him because they're fed up of foreign squads having to police District Eight instead of a native Captain. It's been a long time since there was a proper, active Kyouraku Captain, and they've more or less fixed that duty on me since I was born. So I don't suppose I'd be any too popular if I didn't graduate this year with everybody else."
"Then you have made up your mind to it completely, even not knowing whether or not you can manage it?" Genryuusai asked, and Shunsui's dark eyes became serious. Slowly he nodded.
"If you don't like something, sitting back and avoiding it doesn't change it from happening." He said quietly. "Juu said that to me in first year and I've never forgotten…whenever I've wanted to give up or slip back, I've remembered stuff like that. There are a lot of things I don't like about Seireitei at the moment – about the Clans, about the elitism, about the way ordinary people can be treated because of their bloodline not their ability. Even as a Clansman, that attitude disgusts me, and I've always wanted nothing to do with it. But if I take Eighth Division's haori, then it will be in my hands to do something – even a little bit – to change the pattern. At least in Eighth District, I can try and make sure that people who aren't Clan aren't ignored or discriminated against in any way. And I can make sure they're protected at least from Hollows, if not from other things beyond my control."
"And you tell me you don't know whether or not you can be a leader." Genryuusai murmured softly. "When you sit and say such things with that look in your eyes. I'll tell you the answer to that question, Shunsui. You were capable of this before I even met you. That natural instinct to protect was born into you – it's nothing you've learnt here. You just had to come to realise your own strengths – and to want to use them in the right way. And now I want you to pass some of those strengths on to another who needs guidance. I won't force you to accept it – but I hope you will choose to all the same."
"Like Nagoya had to train Juu before you'd let him graduate, this is the same kind of test, isn't it?" Shunsui's eyes narrowed, and Genryuusai nodded.
"In some ways, it is. In others, not." He said cryptically. "You are not Nagoya, and your paths are different. But yes, you may see it like that. Senior students must be able to help out those below them. This is one such opportunity…will you accept it?"
"Without knowing anything about the student?" Shunsui looked suspicious. "Should I be wary of that, or just assume that there's nothing exceptional about what you're asking me to do?"
"Nagasata Kaoru is a fourth year with great natural sword ability, but who fights left-handed." Genryuusai said evenly. "There is nothing else that needs to be said. We are not talking about a student as frustrating or complex as you were to train – on the contrary, Kaoru has an open and eager personality and is always willing to learn new things. Term has settled into its pattern a little, and so I've decided now is the best time for this to begin. Given that, what is your opinion? You are probably the only student in Senior class who can properly train this child – will you accept?"
"I suppose, on that evidence, I won't refuse." Shunsui said with a sigh. "It's not that I mind – just that I hope you're not blighting this kid's future by doing things this way. All right, Sensei. I'll take this Kaoru on as my deshi."
"Good." Genryuusai looked pleased. "Then I will make the necessary arrangements for you both to use the training grounds. If it's possible, I'd like you to meet there in the next day or two, because I don't want to delay this any longer."
He nodded decidedly.
"Yes, I think that would be best. I will send a message to confirm it with you when I've spoken to the child myself. Thank you, Shunsui. With your agreement, I'm sure that Kaoru is in safe hands."
"I hope you're right." Shunsui glanced absently at his fingers, then shrugged. "I suppose we'll see."
"Shunsui, one more thing before you leave." Genryuusai settled his aging frame more comfortably behind his desk, eying his companion seriously. "I asked you on the first day that you support Juushirou in the tricky position I have given him. I'd like you to tell me please…how you think he's finding his new responsibilities?"
"Juu being Juu, he's tackling them head on." Shunsui looked thoughtful. "I'm not sure what else to say about it. It's not been entirely easy, but…I don't think…he's particularly phased by the challenges."
"You answer very evasively, but it's quite all right." Genryuusai remarked. "I'm well aware of the hostility of my kinsman towards my choice. I have heard his views on the subject and have also spoken at length to his father to explain my reasons most clearly. You can speak plainly to me in the confines of this room, Shunsui – do you believe that I have given Juushirou a harder task than he deserves?"
Shunsui was silent for a moment, considering this carefully. Then he shook his head.
"Juushirou needs it." He said quietly. "I see that and so do other people. Heck, I think he sees it, too. That if he's going to be taken seriously in the Gotei, this is his first test. And he's up to it – those of us who know him know that and we're backing him up where we can. It's really Juu's test though, isn't it – like mine is training this Kaoru kid, Juu's is stepping up and proving that District or not, he's where he ought to be. Otherwise all the work over the last few years will be for nothing – because Gotei is still Clan dominated. And he…will be the first one to come to it without that noble support."
"Yes, I thought you would have seen that." Genryuusai nodded. "But it is for another reason as well. Juushirou's position is precious and important – highly significant in fact – in blazing a trail for the future of this world. There are too many Hollows and not enough shinigami – my Academy has begun to tackle that problem by producing students who can join squads and fight where in the past only one individual shinigami was trying to take on everything more or less alone. Nagesu-dono's developments in zanpakutou science means that we no longer destroy Hollow souls, therefore the balance of this world is improving – but it's happening at too slow a rate. There is no imminent danger of this world collapsing, but in a century, two centuries, perhaps three at the most – the situation might be quite different. The Clans can't possibly take on all of this battle alone – they need help. But finding that help…has been the real challenge."
"The Urahara experimented with reidoku for that reason." Shunsui said pensively. "But that as a method failed."
"Yes. Because giving people false levels of power is reckless." Genryuusai nodded. "A soul can only tolerate the levels of power it was designed to manifest – anything beyond that level and it rails out of control either sooner or later. Your family, my family – all of the Clans in one way or another felt the impact of that error of judgement. But error though it was, it taught us that that was not the solution. And so I've looked for another solution…that perhaps outside of the Clans there are those who have what those inside the Clans do."
He smiled.
"Juushirou knows, I think, that from the beginning I saw something very special in him." He murmured. "That his power, if nurtured and allowed to grow would make him flourish into a strong and able shinigami, even despite his physical frailties. The more I look, the more I find District souls who have enough native reiryoku to learn to wield a zanpakutou. These people have reason to learn to fight – to defend their homes and their families, not simply act on the duty of a Clan. The trouble is even now many are afraid of taking that path. Afraid of their Clan's reaction – afraid of the dangers they may face, and whether or not they can even succeed. Juushirou is…proof that they can. And by making him such a figurehead…I hope…"
"That the school will gain more District students in the future." Shunsui's eyes narrowed. "You really are a canny individual, aren't you, Sensei? Does Juu know you're using him as a saleable commodity? I think it might hurt his pride."
"I haven't put Juushirou anywhere he doesn't deserve to be on merit." Genryuusai said dismissively. "I'll be honest with you, Shunsui - my choice of Anideshi this year was ultimately between the two of you, but although Juushirou's rank has never been above yours, on balance, I felt him to be the much more sensible choice."
"I would have mutinied if you'd chosen me." Shunsui admitted frankly. "I never thought you would, though, so I'm not surprised you thought Juu should be it. Obviously he should be it. There's no way I'd take it as seriously as he does...I don't have his patience or his way with people."
"One thing that I have always appreciated in you, however, is the ability to see and admit your own flaws even to the point of over-stating them." Genryuusai mused thoughtfully. "You are lazy but not arrogant - and you are wrong if you believe you have no skill at socialising. Albeit, perhaps, you devote too much of that skill to the opposite sex."
His eyes narrowed briefly, and Shunsui met his gaze sheepishly, knowing he could not refute his companion's words.
"Besides, I have your measure as much as I have your friend's." Genryuusai concluded. "Juushirou becoming Anideshi was the logical choice on two counts, not just one. I won't say this to him, but I will say it plainly to you. If I had given you that title, you might have been willing to slack off and not take it seriously. But if I gave it to Juushirou - I had every expectation that you would rise up to support him as best you could."
His eyes twinkled, and Shunsui offered a rueful smile, knowing he had been out-thought.
"Like with this Kaoru kid, if it's looking out for someone else rather than just handling it myself..." He murmured, and Genryuusai nodded.
"Your natural instincts are protective and loyal and have been right from the first time I met you." He agreed lightly. "I wanted you to know, therefore, my reasons and that this year I consider you Juushirou's equal in most respects. He is Anideshi, but you are there to support him. It's a new concept - I've never before had a student who operated as a natural second - but you two always strike me as a particularly potent team and I felt exploiting that would be ultimately to the Academy's benefit. If I can trust things to you, I need not worry about my Seniors, and therefore the juniors will also be well. You won't let me down...or more, you won't let your friends down, of that I am sure."
"I can't argue with that." Shunsui rubbed his brow absently. "I'll help him out, Sensei. Though you're wrong if you think I'd do as good a job as Juu, even if I am top ranking. I...if it's a matter of unofficially being his deputy...or whatever you want to call it...I guess I don't mind that. And perhaps I'm not as bad with people as I made out, either. But I'm not...like he is. I can't really explain what it is, but I know - we all know - that he's got something the rest of us haven't."
His lips twitched slightly in amusement.
"And I don't mean just haibyou. Although sometimes I think that that...having that...has made him fight and work twice as hard as anyone else and is part of the reason he's like he is. Honestly, there are a whole ton of things I want to shake him over, and there are times he drives everyone mad with his straight-forwardness and his wanting to believe the best in everyone. But it's not just that Juu needs to do this to prove himself to Seireitei or anyone else. He's designed that way - to lead, even though he's born the way he is. This is just putting him where he should be. It's Seireitei who's been wrong, keeping him down. You've just...by doing this...I feel more like you're putting things to rights. It's not an experiment. It's the logical course of action to take."
"Mm." Genryuusai stroked his beard pensively. "You do tend see things that most people don't, Shunsui, which is why I have been so honest with you. It's an uncanny knack of yours and one that will stand you in good stead when you leave here - you have moved beyond the stage of being protected. You're right, too - Juushirou is a leader. But I don't believe that his level of birth will always count against him. I'm working quite hard to the contrary, as I think you know. Not just where he's concerned but for the wider picture. I haven't chosen Juushirou to lead this year because of his background - I've done so because of his character and his ability. But if having a District Anideshi helps bring more District children to the Academy – so be it. You may already be aware that Kira Hideharu came as a student because his family found out that Ukitake Juushirou was going – and since then, more and more have trickled in through the doors. In time, I hope…perhaps…even Rukongai might not be the no-man's land it is now and that souls there with potential might gain the chances of their District and Clan brethren. But for now this will suffice. And in the short term, my expectation on you and your current classmates remains simply that you continue to support Juushirou in all respects. Understood?"
"Even if you didn't say it, we would. Even if you ordered us not to, we would." Shunsui got to his feet, bowing his head slightly towards his teacher. "We've been a team since first year and we'll remain one right up till graduation – even if then we're scattered all over the Gotei."
He paused, then frowned, eying Genryuusai quizzically.
"Sensei, if Juushirou is able to be Anideshi this year, and nothing goes wrong…he will be able to join the Gotei, won't he?" He asked softly.
"Normally to enter a squad, a fee is paid from the family to the centre of the Clan and papers are exchanged." Genryuusai said quietly. "Since all squads are currently formed from Clan members, and mostly from the same Clans as that which Captains it. But there will be changes in the future, and you have my word, Shunsui. Juushirou has not worked this hard to be forgotten. He has more support among the Clan leaders than even I expected he would have at this stage – and he will be able to join the Gotei on graduation."
"Well, if none of the others will recognise him, I will." Shunsui said firmly. "If he isn't welcome in any other squad, Sensei – you can put it on record that he'll be welcome in Eighth."
"I will keep that in mind." Genryuusai's eyes twinkled. "In the meantime, I hear the breakfast bell, and you should go and join your peers before they wonder where you are. I expect your missing classmates to return the day after tomorrow and then you will be able to spread duties a little more – but for now, the Senior class is in short supply and there are a lot of rowdy students first thing in the morning."
"Yes, Sensei." Shunsui made to leave, then paused, turning back to face the desk.
"Missing classmates…Sensei, does that mean that Ryuu and Mitsuki will finally be coming back to school soon?"
"Indeed, unless you know of any other missing classmates." Genryuusai looked amused, and Shunsui offered him a sheepish smile.
"I suppose not." He acknowledged. "All right. But…can I tell the others that? Most all of us have been worried about them somewhat, and…"
"Yes, by all means." Genryuusai agreed. "As you say, it's been a worrying time for many. But Shunsui – much has happened in District Six. You are not to question either Ryuu or Mitsuki on anything relating to their Clan unless they choose to disclose it. Understood? The situation there is murky and uncertain – and it is no business of any of yours."
"Already absorbed and understood." Shunsui promised. "We won't harass them about anything. Honestly, we'll just be glad to have them back."
He grinned, inclining his head forward in a slight bow once more, then, "Thank you, Sensei. I'll look forward to hearing from you about starting training with this Nagasata Kaoru."
With that he withdrew from the office, shutting the door carefully behind him.
"You took a while." A voice made him start and he swung around, meeting Hirata's questioning gaze with a surprised one of his own.
"Hirata? Were you waiting for me?"
"I was." Hirata pushed his glasses further up his nose, nodding his head. "Juushirou-kun went to the hall when he heard the bell and Shihouin-kun and Houjou-kun went with him, but I said I was going to come meet you. Juushirou-kun was worried that you were up and about so early, but I told him I knew where you were, and so I'd go get you and bring you downstairs."
"I see." Shunsui eyed his companion keenly. "You didn't tell Juu I was with Yama-jii?"
"No." Hirata shook his head. "Because I didn't know if you'd want him to know."
"Why not?" Shunsui was startled, and Hirata offered him a faint smile.
"Because I thought Sensei might want to talk to you about Juushirou-kun." He admitted softly. "And I didn't think Juushirou-kun would like it very much."
"Mm. That was smart of you – he did ask how Juu was doing and made sure we were all doing our bit too." Shunsui rubbed the back of his head thoughtfully. "But originally he called me there about something else. He wants me to take on a student from the Fourth year to train with a sword – you know, zanpakutou raising and that kind of thing. He did mention something about it at the start of term – but I guess he was serious about it."
"You're going to be someone's shishou?" Hirata's eyes widened, and Shunsui snorted, elbowing his friend playfully.
"What's with that look?" He demanded, a mock hurt expression on his face. "Do you think I can't do it?"
"No…" Hirata faltered, then shook his head, offering an embarrassed smile. "I didn't mean it that way. I just…I wasn't…Sensei…"
"It seems odd, doesn't it?" Shunsui sighed. "But I think it's all part of my proving that I can take a haori and be a Captain when I finish at the Academy. Yama-jii wants me to work with this guy because he's left-handed, and I'm the only one who can fight naturally with my left. Apparently even Juu won't do for this assignment, because I asked – it has to be me or nobody."
He laughed.
"No pressure. I'm feeling sorry for the boy already."
"Mm." Hirata's expression became one of amusement. "Well, if it's like that, you can't really do much about it, can you?"
"No." Shunsui shook his head. "Yama-jii intends me to work this year, and he's proving it right from the outset. I guess I haven't a choice, Hirata-kun. I'm working, like it or not."
"Well, in that case, I hope you're going to be easier to wake in the mornings." Hirata said archly, then he frowned. "Shunsui-kun, do you…think it's all okay?"
"What?" Shunsui sent his companion a curious look, and Hirata sighed.
"Juushirou-kun as Anideshi." He murmured.
"Do you not think he should be?" Shunsui was floored. "Hirata, of all people…"
"No, it isn't that. I mean, I know he should be." Hirata shook his head. "It's just…even now…there are so many people who look down on him. So everything…every year…he has to fight against something to prove himself. And now…this is our last year, probably. And he's got this to worry about too. Yamamoto-kun is unpleasant to him, and there are some of the Fifth years who look at him as though they'd like to slash his throat if they got him alone. I just…worry about it. That…something is going to go wrong."
"I see your point." Shunsui reflected. "And in a way I think that's why Yama-jii asked me about him this morning, too. But he doesn't need to know that the subject came up, all right? I think if you put it to Juu himself, he'd say he welcomed the challenge this has given him. Having to fight for things all the time has made him strong as he is – but it does suck that attitudes still haven't changed all that much. We are so used to it now, we don't even think about this whole District and Clan thing. But this change in our class listing has just highlighted it as an issue once again. When we hit the Gotei, it will happen once more. When Juu encounters people who don't know him – he's going to have to keep proving himself, probably for a long time to come."
"Sensei's preparing him for that, then?" Hirata looked pensive, and Shunsui nodded.
"I think so." He agreed. "But he has us to back him up, so we must. You too – even if you are worried."
"I suppose so." Hirata agreed. "I don't like it, but I see your point. It probably…is that way. And you know I will back him up – there isn't a chance of me doing anything else."
"I know that." Shunsui grinned, patting his companion on the back. "So let's go and help out in the dining hall. I bring some good news, at least – Ryuu and Mitsuki will be back the day after tomorrow and then we'll be a full set again."
"Oh!" Hirata's eyes widened, and then he grinned ruefully.
"Juushirou-kun will be glad. He's missed both of them." He observed thoughtfully, and Shunsui nodded.
"Sensei's said we're not to badger them or ask them questions unless they offer information of their own accord." He added. "Which makes me think there's a lot of bad stuff in District Six and he doesn't want it spreading here. But that's fine with me – I don't want any involvement in this anyway. If they're coming back it means things must be settling down – and we won't let them dwell on what happened more than we have to. All right?"
"Fine with me." Hirata agreed, as they reached the door of the Dining Hall. "Probably they'll be glad to get away at long last – I know I would be, in that situation. I won't bother them about it either, Shunsui-kun. Like you said – it's nothing to do with us and we're best off not being involved in any more Clan chaos. The last two years have been…pretty settled that way, and I'd like it to stay that way if possible."
"Amen to that." Shunsui said pensively. "And it seems relatively calm in here considering it's morning meal. I guess Juu and the others have got everyone under control and we're not needed to play police."
"It's a funny feeling, being expected to take charge of things without warning." Hirata reflected as they filtered through the melee of students to grab their own trays and food. "I'm still not used to it."
He looked awkward.
"Yesterday I had to stand sentry on the main gate at the end of classes." He murmured. "It felt very strange, and all I could think about was the number of times I broke bounds with you all in the First year in particular. It made me wonder if all the other students were doing the same thing and whether there was any point us being there anyway."
"Mm. I wonder. I expect the Seniors when we were First years had the same problem." Shunsui reflected, scooping up his tray and leading the way to where Juushirou, Enishi and Kai were engrossed in a spirited debate over something or other. "And you people seem cheerful this morning, considering how early it is – what's so exciting that you didn't even notice us approach?"
"Shunsui!" Juushirou started, then sent his friend a sheepish smile, gesturing for him to take a seat. "Kai-kun and I were trying to explain to Enishi-kun why using a low level spell can sometimes be better than using a high level one in a combat situation."
"That sounds overly academic for the breakfast table." Shunsui observed. "What brought that on?"
"Kazoe's assignment." Enishi pulled a face. "I hate Kidou theory and I won't pretend otherwise, but I really don't get why that's the case. If you're fighting a strong opponent, you need strong techniques, surely? I can't figure out why you might use Geki rather than a more powerful spell if that opponent is just going to smash through it."
"It's not the spell but the wielder that matters." Kai responded, and Shunsui could tell from his friend's tones that the discussion had already been going on a while. "Good grief, Houjou, I don't understand why you find this so difficult to absorb. Think of it with swords, all right? If you have a wakizashi or you have a nodachi – would you say one is less significant a weapon than the other?"
"Of course not." Enishi snorted. "But you wouldn't deploy them in the same kind of battle situation, would you? Besides, swords are tangible. Spells aren't – so it's not simply a case of choosing your weapon and getting stuck in."
"But it's exactly that, Enishi." Juushirou pointed out. "Look. If you have a sword, and you fight a battle with it, you expect a certain result – right? No matter whether the sword is a top level crafted weapon or a mass-produced asauchi. Yes? True, the weapon can have an influence, but really, it's not the type of blade that's dictating the fight but the person wielding it. Don't you think so?"
"Well…yes." Enishi looked flummoxed, and Hirata smiled.
"If you gave me the same sword, I wouldn't fight the same battle." He said softly. "That's what Juushirou-kun and Kai-kun are trying to say, Houjou-kun. It's not the weapon that's important but the strength of the wielder. Kazoe-sensei's assignment is a trick question in that regard – he wants you to think beyond the spell to your own strengths and weaknesses and how you might deploy them in a fight against an enemy capable of high-level attacks."
"Well, I'm glad you people are here to explain it, because I never would have reasoned that on my own." Enishi sighed, running his fingers through his cropped hair. "All right, I think I see now what you mean. Whether I'll be able to make any progress or not I don't know – but at least I've grasped the basic idea, so with any luck I can write something that Kazoe will accept."
"Do we have to debate Kidou theory this early in the morning, anyway?" Shunsui asked plaintively, stifling a yawn. "There are plenty of hours left in the day for studying. This one should be for snoozing – but at the very least it's for eating breakfast and talking about things that don't make people's brains hurt. Do you think we could change the subject, just for a while?"
"You're up early." Juushirou cast him a curious look. "Hirata didn't tell me where you headed – is everything all right?"
"Mm. Fine." Shunsui nodded, tapping his chopsticks absently against the ceramic of his bowl. "Yama-jii was just giving me a nice little errand – that's all."
"An errand?" Kai looked curious, and Shunsui pulled a face.
"You're looking at some poor kid's sword shishou." He said, his voice full of foreboding. "I can't get out of it, because the boy's left handed and apparently there isn't anyone else who can train a left-hander."
"Sensei did mention it at the start of term…that he had a pupil in mind for you." Juushirou looked thoughtful. "And he's right – I can fight that way, but I would be apprehensive about teaching someone to fight left-handed yet. So you agreed, then?"
"Like I said, no way out of it." Shunsui groaned. "But I'm not overly happy about it. I know what he's doing – Yama-jii, I mean. He pretty much said it – that he didn't think I'd sacrifice someone else's skills to my laziness even if I sacrificed mine. He's testing me for the haori and on those grounds I can't refuse. So I'll do it. But I hope the lad's ready for it. I've never really had much experience of younger kids – I've always been the younger brother, and I came back to school early to avoid my nephew's screaming."
"But your nephew is a baby. This deshi can't be that much younger than we are." Kai pointed out. "He might even be Hirata's age – and you don't consider him a 'younger kid', do you?"
"Mm, no. Not these days." Shunsui met Hirata's gaze ruefully, shaking his head. "But Hirata's my classmate, he's not dependent on my training to raise his zanpakutou or do anything other than bash me over the head a few times in the morning to make sure I get up when we have an early start."
"I had to bash quite hard this morning." Hirata mused absently. "I was beginning to think about using Tsumi no Fuuhi when you finally opened your eyes."
"What?" Shunsui stared at him, taken aback, and Hirata smiled innocently.
"It was just a thought. I didn't have to." He said evenly. "But you're right. We've been classmates for this long and I'm not scared of any of you – I don't feel so much younger than any of you, and it isn't the same as having to train one of the juniors."
"A fourth year isn't quite like a first year, though." Juushirou said sensibly. "He'll know what he's about and he might be quite good. You never know. You might find you have a knack for it."
"You think so?" Shunsui looked doubtful. "I'm not sure. Like I said, I'm not used to dealing with younger kids that much."
"You're fine with my siblings." Juushirou objected, and a wry smile touched Shunsui's face.
"True enough." He acknowledged. "I suppose so. But I'm not being asked to teach them anything, and I'm sure none of them take me particularly seriously."
He sighed, shrugging his shoulders.
"But what will be, will be." He reflected, resignation in his dark eyes. "I'll see what I can do. If it goes horribly wrong, then I guess I can say I tried my best…though I don't think that will pass muster with Yama-jii. So I guess I'll have to try and do it right."
"I'm a bit jealous, to be truthful." Juushirou admitted. "I'd like to train someone, too – but you're the first person to be assigned."
"I'd trade if I could." Shunsui's eyes twinkled. "But I'm sure you don't need to worry. The way things are going, I don't think Yama-jii's going to allow any of us to slack off this year – which reminds me of the other thing he said. I already told Hirata, but it looks like Ryuu and Mitsuki will be back the day after tomorrow."
"Really?" Juushirou's eyes lit up, and Shunsui chuckled, giving his friend a playful nudge.
"I would like to say that enthusiasm is for Ryuu's return, but I have a feeling it's largely for Mitsuki-chan's." He said lightly, and Juushirou reddened.
"Enough on that already. I've been worried about both of them – you know that!"
"I suppose that means my room will become a little noiser." Kai sighed. "I hope it's going to be all right, when he comes back."
"I thought you said it would be?" Shunsui looked quizzical, and Kai nodded.
"Mm. I'm not going to try and cause any problems." He agreed. "I just don't know what frame of mind Kuchiki will be in when he gets back. I might have to deal with a headache for a few days, if he's really ticked off about Sensei's decisions."
"You can come take refuge in our room if need be, providing you don't wake me when I'm sleeping in." Shunsui offered, and Kai laughed.
"All right." He agreed. "But I don't intend on avoiding him either. I want to prove that a Shihouin isn't phased by being in close confinement with a Kuchiki – so I'm going to stick with it regardless of how unpleasant it proves to be."
"The Shihouin and the Kuchiki are still foes even now." Hirata murmured. "I thought that when Father said Guren-sama had nominated Yanagi-dono to be released from his imprisonment, things might improve between them. But I suppose not."
"It's an old feud surrounding a lot of things that none of us really know for sure." Kai said with a sigh, setting down his chopsticks and resting his chin in his hands. "Kin of mine are meant to have been involved in the murder of the previous Kuchiki Lord. Senaya, I think his name was – in any case, the Kuchiki thought a lot of him, and even more so after he died. That guy was Guren-sama's father, and that didn't help things at all."
"Were they involved?" Enishi asked, and Kai shrugged.
"I don't know. It was before I was born." He said cautiously. "The way the Shihouin used to be…it's not impossible that they were. Either way, that's how things have been for more than a century now. Neesama is different – she's changing the Clan and we're moving in a new direction. But I can't refute that past. I think…it might be true. But I don't know for sure."
"Interesting, then, that Sensei put you both in the same room when a Kuchiki has been assassinated again." Hirata reflected, and Kai nodded.
"I'm sure it isn't an accident." He agreed. "Sensei being as old as he is, he might even know the things I don't know the answer to. I sometimes think he knows far more about a lot of things than he lets on. Or maybe he hopes that if he can forge a truce between Ryuu and I, there's hope for our Clans yet. I'm not sure, but I don't really have a personal grudge against the Kuchiki. Not these days. Too much has happened…it isn't worth it any more."
"Hopefully Ryuu will feel the same." Shunsui murmured, and Kai nodded.
"Else we'll all hear about it." He said ruefully. "Me most of all."
"Even if Shihouin people did kill Senaya-sama, it's not something you did. I'm sure Ryuu will realise that." Juushirou said firmly, and Kai snorted.
"Possibly. But…I guess we'll see." He responded with a heavy sigh. "For now I'm not going to think too much about it. I'm just going to focus on being here and keeping my grades up. Oneesama is not someone you want to upset particularly, and I have direct orders to graduate this year or else."
"I can see Midori-sama saying that." Hirata's lips twitched into a faint smile, and Kai nodded.
"She needs me, though." He said honestly. "There's only so much she can do on her own, and she needs me to take my part in it. So I won't let her down. I intend to keep my top place in Ouyoudou – and graduate as a Shihouin she can depend on."
"There's a fair bit of competition this year." Enishi mused. "You and I will have to have our wits about us, Shihouin – else we'll lose our places."
"The competition is fine by me." Kai flexed and unflexed his fists. "They can bring it. I'm ready."
"And to think this was the well-spoken, haughty young man who liked to play the bocchan back in the first year." Shunsui tut-tutted. "We've been a bad influence on your Clan etiquette, Kai-kun – you almost sound like you'd like to rip people limb from limb."
"Nothing so violent." Kai laughed, shaking his head. "And don't tease me. When I came here, I was a spy. I had to be obnoxiously Clan in order that you guys would keep your distance from me and I could do what I needed to do without you bothering me."
"That plan seems to have bombed quite dramatically." Shunsui teased, and Kai nodded.
"It did, so I gave it up." He said matter-of-factly. "It was hard work, anyway. I wound up emulating Kuchiki a lot more than I was comfortable with – it's much better this way."
"We think so too." Enishi agreed warmly. "Seems sad, doesn't it? That time's flown on and this is the last year we'll all be together like this."
"But then we'll be doing what we can for the Gotei." Juushirou's expression became sombre. "Whatever that is…whatever we can. So we'll just have to make the most of the time we have, Enishi."
"At least soon we will all be together again." Shunsui shot Juushirou a thoughtful look. "It will be better when Ryuu and Mitsuki are back – then Senior Class really will be complete."
So it was finally going to begin.
Anticipation swelling up inside her heart, the young girl skipped along the hallways, unable to conceal her excitement as she made her way to her first class. She would be late, she knew, but all thoughts of this had been driven from her head by the Headmaster's words that morning. Even now she could picture him behind his desk, fixing her with those grave, wise old eyes of his as he outlined to her his wishes. Now she could not stop her heart from pounding, and as she reached the Kidou classroom, she rapped briskly on the door, waiting impatiently to be called inside.
"You're very late. Class is almost over." As she slid back the divide, Kazoe sent her a dark look, and she faltered, realising at last where she was and hurriedly bowing her head in apology towards the instructor.
"I'm sorry, Kazoe-sensei. I was with Genryuusai-sensei and he's only just released me."
"I see." Kazoe eyed her for a moment, then flicked his cane in the direction of her empty seat. "Sit down, then, and try to do it without too much fuss. We've been reviewing the last practical lesson – so you haven't missed anything of vital importance."
"Yes, sensei." The girl nodded eagerly, hurrying to her seat and sinking down into it as quickly as she could. Kazoe let out a tiny sigh of annoyance, but he turned back to the blackboard and the long columns of complicated kanji text.
"And so, as I was explaining just now, the most important thing to take into consideration is the distribution of reiatsu throughout the core of the spell." He continued, a vaguely irritated note in his sharp tones as he tapped his cane against the board. "Although that might be an obvious conclusion, and despite the fact almost all of you answered questions on that subject correctly to pass your final exams last year, there are still a few of you failing to apply the principle to your practical lessons. For that reason…"
"Well?" From the desk next to her, a student with a mass of curly brown hair leant over, her eyes bright with curiosity. "What did Sensei want with you? You darted out of the dorm like you were on fire – I wasn't sure if you'd make it here at all."
"I wasn't sure either. Kidou's the last thing I'm thinking about right now." The girl replied, casting the strict teacher a surreptitious look to make sure his attention was fully on what he was saying. "You'll never believe it, Sakura…but I'm going to start training. Tomorrow, he said…at the training ground, first thing."
"Tomorrow?" Sakura's eyes burned with envy. "You got assigned a shishou already? Dammit, Kaoru, you're still such a kid – I call that special treatment!"
"I wasn't sure if it would happen so soon, or at all." Kaoru's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Because of my being left-handed. But Sensei said that there's someone in the Senior year who's also able to fight left-handed, and so I should be able to work with him right away. Sensei said he'd already spoken to him, and he'd agreed to train me…so…it's all arranged."
"A senpai, huh." Sakura's eyes became dreamy. "You're so lucky. Do you know who? Did Sensei tell you his name?"
Her eyes narrowed.
"It wasn't Souryou-senpai, was it? If it was, I will have to kill you. You know how I feel about him…"
"It's not, so you don't have to resort to murder." Despite herself, Kaoru found it hard to stifle a giggle. "It's all right, Sakura-san. I've only been in your class two weeks and already I know that you consider Souryou-senpai your personal fan idol. If Sensei had said him I would have declined."
"You would not." Sakura snorted, and Kaoru looked amused.
"Well, maybe not. Since it was Sensei." She admitted. "But it's not, so it's all fine."
"Nagasata. Takaoda. Do you want to come teach the class instead of me?"
Kazoe's cane smacked down against his desk with a tremendous crack, causing the whole class to jump, and Sakura and Kaoru to turn to face the front guiltily, both girls with cheeks flushing an uncomfortable red. There was a moment of silence, during which Kaoru felt certain that Kazoe's eyes were going to bore right through the lenses of his glasses and into her soul, but before he could say anything, the bell sounded and the teacher sighed, his expression becoming one of frustration.
"You girls are lucky I have a meeting next period." He said flatly. "So I haven't time to remind you why it is I expect you to pay attention in my class. Especially you, Nagasata – being that you skipped most of this lesson and that you can't afford to fall behind your classmates. See that you don't do it next lesson – or you will find your assignment work doubled for the remainder of the semester."
He turned on his heel, the fabric of his hakama flapping against his legs as he returned to the front of the room.
"Class dismissed." He said softly, and almost as one person the class of Fourth years got to their feet, bowing to their teacher and filing out in an unusually subdued manner. Kaoru and Sakura tagged onto the back of the queue, Kaoru studiously avoiding the instructor's eyes as she walked past him and out into the hallway. Then she let out her breath in a rush, dropping down against the wall.
"That was close." She murmured. "I'm sorry, Sakura-san. I almost landed you in it, too."
"It was both of us, but your news was more exciting than Kazoe's revision lecture." Sakura dismissed this with a flick of her fingers. "And we got away with it, so don't worry."
"What were you two playing at?" A third girl descended on them at that point, indignation in her eyes. "You know how Kazoe gets if he's annoyed – did you want to be flayed by his stick as well as given extra work?"
She cast Kaoru a reproachful glance.
"Especially you. He's right. Just because you were skipped up a year to this class doesn't mean you can sit back and relax about it."
"I know. I'm not going to try to, Akaya-san." Kaoru pinkened, and Sakura let out a sigh of irritation.
"Aka-chan, I know you're only trying to be helpful, but now is the absolutely wrong time to be giving the kid a lecture." She said disapprovingly.
"Don't call me that." Akaya glared at Sakura. "You know that I hate it. And besides, you shouldn't be leading her astray either! Kaoru's younger than us and we're supposed to be setting her an example – you don't want her sent back down to Third Year because she couldn't keep up, do you?"
"Kaoru's smart, and she's ours now, so nobody's sending her anywhere." Sakura hugged Kaoru tightly, taking her off guard. "Of course she'd be distracted this morning – who wouldn't be? Sensei's assigned her a senpai to train her – even you would be spacing out if it had been you called to the office, right?"
"Really?" Akaya shot Kaoru a curious look, and Kaoru nodded.
"Yes." She agreed, disentangling herself from Sakura's embrace with a grin. "He told me at the end of last year that he'd have to give special thought to it for me – because of my being left-handed, and everything else. But it's all right. There's someone in Senior Class who can fight left-handed, and he's going to train me."
"Who is it?" Akaya asked, and Sakura laughed.
"Now you want to know." She teased, reaching out to poke her friend on the arm. "You're curious as I am, aren't you, Aka-chan?"
"I told you already, stop it with the Aka-chan!" Akaya grimaced. "And of course I want to know. If Kaoru's going to start her training…of course it's interesting."
"It's Kyouraku-senpai." Kaoru responded with a smile, as Sakura linked one arm through hers and one through the still bristling Akaya, leading the way down the hall towards the main doors. "I don't know much about him, really, though I've seen him with Anideshi and a couple of others from time to time. Do you guys know anything? You've been here longer than me, so you might."
"Kyouraku…Shunsui-senpai?" Akaya looked thoughtful, then she nodded. "I know a little bit about him."
"There's the Urahara for you, always ready with the background info." Sakura laughed, and Akaya nodded again, offering her companion a rueful smile.
"I suppose so." She admitted. "But it's mostly because my first cousin Jun used to be in his Ouyoudou classes, until things were reshuffled this year. Jun-nii is still in Fifth Year, but Kyouraku-senpai and some others are Seniors, so they don't see each other any more."
"Hrm. Kamitani Jun-senpai, yes?" Sakura looked thoughtful. "The one with the really pretty eyes that was staying with you and your family for a few days last winter, when I came to visit?"
"You are obsessed with nothing but boys." Akaya said reproachfully. "But yes. That's the cousin I mean."
"So? What can you tell us, then?" Sakura was not at all perturbed. "Kaoru wants to know all about her new shishou – don't you, Kaoru-chan?"
"If you know something, Akaya-san, I'd like to hear it." Kaoru nodded eagerly. "Sensei only told me that he was one of the top students in sword work and that I'd be in good hands."
"If I'm right, I think he got the top marks in the year on last year's assessments. Even more so than Anideshi did." Akaya looked thoughtful. "He's from District Eight – he's quite an important person there, because his brother is the Clan leader. I guess that's why he gets such high grades, because he must have significant reiatsu."
"You're telling us the wrong things." Sakura scolded. "She'll find that much out when she meets him. What about other things? What's he like?"
"Like?" Akaya looked blank, then she shrugged. "Jun-nii didn't say a lot about that. Just that he didn't seem like a nasty person. That's all. I don't know. I don't think Jun-nii knew him that well. But if Sensei chose him, he's not going to be unpleasant. So…"
"He's obviously a Clansman who doesn't care about District." Kaoru said matter-of-factly. "Else Sensei wouldn't have asked him to train me – and he probably wouldn't have said that he would."
"Only a stuck up idiot would choose not to train our Kaoru-chan because of that." Sakura said firmly. "And I'd go give him some words to tell him so if he tried. So don't worry about that."
"You make so little sense sometimes, it amazes me you actually got to Fourth year." Akaya said with a sigh, but there was amusement in her pale eyes. "Still, I don't think it's possible to hate Kaoru. I think it'll be okay, Sakura. She doesn't need us to protect her."
"I've only been in your class two weeks and you guys are already always looking out for me all the time like this." Kaoru looked guilty, but Sakura laughed.
"That's because we like you. And your spark." She said honestly. "Like I said, you belong to us now, and we intend to keep you, even if your old classmates are all jealous and snotty about your promotion. We're not snobs, Kaoru-chan – but I guess it makes us want to protect you a little bit, because you're younger than we are and all of that stuff. Still, if Akaya says that this Kyouraku-senpai is all right, I guess he is."
She pursed her lips.
"I think he's quite handsome, too. He has dark hair and dark eyes – but I haven't been lucky enough to get to see him up close."
"That's because he's a senpai, and you're nothing to do with him." Akaya said scathingly. "But now I think of it, Kaoru-chan, Sensei might have chosen you an interesting shishou."
"Why so?" Kaoru was curious, and Akaya shrugged.
"Not entirely sure." She admitted. "Just Jun-nii gave the impression there was something unusual or special about his zanpakutou. You might get to see it up close – and whether it really is as unique as all that."
"I suppose I might." Kaoru clasped her hands together in anticipation. "Whatever happens, though, I'm looking forward to it. Tomorrow morning I get to start training for my zanpakutou. I can't wait!"
The sun was already beginning to set over District Six by the time Masaki rode into the small rural village, reigning in his steed as he reached the bottom of an uneven, gravel-clustered pathway. He glanced around him thoughtfully for a moment, taking in the surrounding scenery with an approving nod. Even from here, he could see the fine stone walls that marked the edge of the Kuchiki main estate, and he knew that not far from here was a patch of dense forestland which was ideal for conducting secret business.
Many people in the towns and villages had been full of the rumours of a murder in the Clan heartland, yet even as he dismounted his steed, patting it absently on the neck as it let out a soft whinny, Masaki realised that this village was peaceful.
It seemed that the Kuchiki kept their domestic affairs to themselves.
At this, a faint, almost bitter smile touched Masaki's lips.
Well, there was no accounting for Clans.
He slipped the horse's reins around his wrist, leading him slowly through the village towards the boundary markers where the barest trickle of a stream ran on its journey down from the hills. The beast was thirsty, and as it drank, Masaki reflected on how the site of this village had been well chosen, for it had all the necessary amenities, whilst the land and stream formed an almost natural defence against outside attack, and Masaki was sure the residents had lived in peace for some generations.
Idly he found himself resenting this, and then as quickly as the thought had come, it was gone.
Most of the people here were nothing more than insects – not even worth his attention as potential fodder. But in the midst of the sand grains he knew there would be diamonds. He had encountered it before – those whose birth was common and nondescript yet whose powers were significant and, if schooled, potential weapons. But this world was a long way from fully opening up to those treasures. And that was where he came in.
I don't need to manipulate or change their biology to achieve this. I simply need to find them first and instil in them a natural mistrust of their Clan elders. These families rule but their reasons or right to do so have been lost through time. The people should come to realise that they don't have to live in the shadow of rich, parasitic families any longer. If Seireitei does not value them as they should, I will value them. I will make good use of them. To change this world and reform it the way it should be.
His eyes narrowed.
The way Father believed it should be, when he was taken and slain for trying to move things forward. This is just a very small first step in what promises to be a very long journey.
Carefully he removed the horse's reins and bridle, freeing it from its saddle and giving it a slap on the haunches to send it running wild into the forests beyond. He no longer needed the beast – it had been a part of his charade and now it could fend for itself, for his business was in the village and with those he hoped had not let him down. The faint buzzing of emptiness against his wits told him that they were close by, and as he retraced his steps to the centre of the village, he felt another distinctive, if feeble flicker of reiatsu that told him both of his companions were at home.
As he pushed back the rough divide and entered the cottage, the girl who had been busy gathering together pots and pans let out an exclamation, dropping them with a clatter as she registered his arrival. She darted forward, flinging her arms around him and Masaki laughed, returning the hug before holding her at arm's length.
"You look well." He murmured. "All has gone to plan, I trust, and you have been in no danger here?"
"None at all." The girl shook her head. "They haven't even noticed me – it's as you said. As a servant I just disappear. But I've been keeping my eyes and ears open all the same."
"And the Kuchiki? What can you tell me of the aftermath of our little experiment?"
"They seem in uproar." The girl's expression became thoughtful. "But not quite in the way we expected."
"Meaning?" Masaki was curious. "Nanaki, please, tell me clearly – I've been away some days, and I'd like to be brought up to date."
"I wish you wouldn't call me that." Nanaki looked wistful for a moment, then she sighed. "All right. It's just that…nobody knows how Ribari died. Nobody at all. They know he was poisoned, but that's all. None of the people who were with him when he fell remember anything about that night in the forest. At least, nothing has been spoken about while I've been lurking around and…I have been doing that quite a lot, really."
"Nobody remembers anything?" Masaki repeated, and Nanaki shook her head.
"No." She said regretfully. "Which makes me wonder what the point was in using that block-headed idiot in any of this. He's a liability and he's irritating – if none of them even saw him, what was the reason for involving him?"
"Mm." Masaki looked thoughtful, rubbing his chin pensively. "It seems we overestimated the ability of the Kuchiki Clan to overcome unpleasant chemicals. I didn't expect all of them to have their memories wiped by the experience – it seems to have worked rather better than we anticipated."
"In which case, can we get rid of him now please?" Nanaki looked pleading. "I'm fed up of taking care of him…it's like having an unwanted pet and no matter what I do he just stares at me. There's really no purpose in his being with us now – can't we just discard him and go back…to where we were before?"
Masaki gazed down at her for a moment, taking in her expression and he sighed, touching her gently on the cheek.
"I'm sorry. It's been hardest on you, hasn't it?" He said apologetically. "To be left here so close to danger and always in a place where you might be uncovered. I've put strain on you and I'm sorry – it wasn't my intention."
"No…I don't mind." Nanaki shook her head. "I made my choice to help you and I'm fine with that. I want to help. I want you to be pleased with me…you are pleased with me, aren't you?"
"I'm very pleased with you. Proud, too." Masaki assured her. "You've learnt so much in such a short time and you're invaluable to me in so many ways – I couldn't achieve anything if you weren't alongside me. You should know that already, Nanaki – I have no purpose in this world without you to back me up."
"I don't know about that." Nanaki pinkened. "But I'm glad you're pleased, because I have done everything you said. It's just…"
"He stays with us, for now." Masaki shook his head. "I know being so close to you puts you in danger, and I'm sorry about that part of it too. But just because the Kuchiki were more dense than we thought doesn't mean we don't still have use for him. If they aren't putting the blame on the Shihouin for this yet, we'll simply have to do something more to make them notice, won't we? Something more obvious, if they're unable to grasp subtleties. And for that purpose, we need him. Even if he's as you say."
"I guess so." Nanaki rubbed her temples. "All right. I suppose I know that too. It's just been a long time since you went away – and I was worried something would happen and you wouldn't come back."
"It was harder to find what I was looking for." Masaki slipped his fingers into the sash of his obi, pulling out the pendant and allowing it to glitter in the sunlight that filtered in through the window. "In fact, I'm not sure I entirely did find what I was looking for, but for the time being it will suffice."
"That's…" Nanaki reached across to touch the dangling emblem, and Masaki smiled, taking her delicate hand in his and dropping the article gently into her palm.
"It's as you think it is." He agreed softly. "And from now on I want you to wear it beneath your servant's clothing."
"Me?" Nanaki looked startled. "But I thought…the idea was to find…and use…to incriminate…"
"Mm, but I've changed my mind." Masaki shook his head. "I took that pendant from a girl who came from Seventh District. It wasn't the one I was looking for – perhaps that person is no longer alive, or even in District Eight. I can't be sure, but I wasn't able to find her and therefore I wasn't able to take her and use her as I'd planned. However, that crest is good enough. I realised once I had seen it that the reality isn't as important as the illusion we are creating. That pendant belongs to someone of high standing in the Kyouraku Clan. And if you wear it...people might believe you to be Kyouraku, too."
"But how does that help?" Nanaki demanded. "If you want to incriminate the Kyouraku? You can't incriminate me too."
"We'll just be playing a slightly more dangerous game." Masaki responded. "It's all right, though. I won't let harm come to you. No matter what, I'll protect you – I promised and I will keep that promise. You need not be afraid of anything."
"All right." Nanaki sighed, reluctantly slipping the pendant over her head and sliding it out of sight beneath her servant clothing. "I don't really understand the benefits, but I'll pretend to be Kyouraku-ke if it will help us in the long run."
"That's my girl." Masaki kissed her gently on the forehead. "I knew you would see it my way."
He smiled.
"The girl Momiji who I took that from resembled you quite a lot." He added. "And she's now disappeared, since I convinced her that it would be very dangerous for her to remain where she was. Consequently there is now a trail connecting you to District Eight…and potentially, everything works out as though I'd found the one I was really seeking."
"Disappeared?" Nanaki paused, eying him quizzically. "But what if she reappears?"
"My method of persuasion doesn't come with an option for refusal or resistance." Masaki said dismissively. "You needn't worry. There will be no risk of that. And as for the Kuchiki…"
"Oh! That reminds me!" Nanaki's eyes widened and she hurried into the back room, returning a moment later with a folded sheet of parchment. "Here. Read this. I found it in the library – and it's obviously important, because of the way one of the Clansfolk reacted when he read it. I don't think it's general knowledge – and so I thought I should bring it back here."
"Let me see." Masaki took the sheet of paper, skimming over its contents. His eyes widened, and then he let out a low chuckle.
"I see." He murmured. "The Kuchiki have some secrets too, even though they like to lord it over everyone else. I wonder if we can exploit this into a matter of mistrust…"
"I already began that." Nanaki shot him a look of triumph. "I sent an anonymous note to Seiren-dono, implying that we knew stuff which people shouldn't know."
"To Seiren?" Masaki's eyes narrowed. "But what if that brings attention…"
"I've learnt from you…I didn't make it that obvious." Nanaki grinned, a faintly malicious twinkle in her blue eyes. "I'd been cleaning all the upper rooms before that, you see, and I thought that it would make them even more flustery and crazy if I started making them all doubt each other even more. Seiren-dono doesn't like his nephew Shirogane…the Vice Captain of Guren-sama's squad. So I thought, what if Seiren-dono had a letter from Shirogane that implied all kinds of horrible things?"
She beamed.
"I took the paper from Shirogane's chamber, and I took the ink from Guren-sama's study." She added. "Because nobody takes notice of a maid cleaning stuff and nobody would look for a missing sheet of paper out of a whole bundle. And I sent it to Seiren-dono anonymously."
She shrugged her shoulders carelessly.
"I'm just a maid, so I can't write with pretty kanji." She said ironically. "What other conclusion will he come to other than that?"
"You…" Despite himself, Masaki's lips twitched into a grin, and Nanaki dimpled.
"I told you. I've learnt from you." She said proudly. "Well? Did I do the right thing?"
"You did." Masaki agreed. "And it makes a few interesting possibilities, if Seiren is willing to fall into your trap. If he knows about this secret – then we'll soon realise if his behaviour becomes increasingly erratic. At which point…you may find you have purpose as an exiled Kyouraku, Nanaki. We'll see. In the meantime…where is our companion?"
"Sleeping in the back." Nanaki's expression darkened. "You speak to him – he listens to you."
"You know full well why that is." Masaki reminded her, and Nanaki sighed.
"I know." She said heavily. "But it doesn't make it easier when you're away."
"Well, tomorrow he won't be anything to do with you. I'm here, and I'll give him orders myself." Masaki made up his mind. "I intend to send him to the Kuchiki manor and I intend to make him cause chaos there so that people are in no doubt about Shihouin involvement in all of this business. If your note means Seiren jumps to the conclusion his nephew is scheming with the Shihouin, it will simply be a neat repeat of past history – which is why they will believe our illusions and fall into our trap. Destabilising all of the Clans is paramount to me, but starting here in District Six has another purpose. The Kuchiki are considered the most high ranking of all the Clans in Seireitei…if we can strike through their hierarchy, we can strike through any of them. One by one the whole pile will come tumbling down."
"And then we'll be able to start over, in a world where they're not hunting us down." Nanaki leant her head against his chest with a sigh. "A world that's our world, where Clans and things don't matter any more. Right?"
"Of course. That's what I promised you when we exchanged our vows." Masaki told her evenly, running his fingers absently through her thick dark hair. "But we have a long way to go yet, and it can't be rushed. Tomorrow, I'll rely on you to make sure he does what he's ordered to do – but I want you to keep well away from the action. At the moment having you inside the manor is a priceless vantage point – and I want you to keep your eyes especially on Seiren and Shirogane. Understood?"
"Yes." Nanaki looked thoughtful. "It's not easy, since there are people there who might recognise me…though one of them looked right at me and didn't know me so perhaps it's been too long. But I heard that Seiren's son and the Edogawa hime are both going back to District One soon…so…"
She paused, eying him questioningly.
"We're not doing anything about that, are we?"
"At the moment, no." Masaki shook his head. "I do remember what you asked me and I'm not going to renege on it. Right now they're not important to me – and the Edogawa hime is of no interest to me at all in any regard anyway. For now we'll focus on what's happening here – and see if we can't exploit the interesting tidbit of information you've discovered about our Noble Kuchiki Clan."
Author's Note - "Aka-chan"
For anyone wondering why Akaya hates that nickname so much, it's because "aka-chan" is a term for a baby or infant in Japanese xD.
Also, for anyone missing Shunsui - here he is! xD