Chapter Nineteen: Confrontations
Well, so now his Senior Class was finally complete.
As he strode to the front of the big school gymnasium, Genryuusai cast a wise eye across the row of thirteen gathered students, taking in more from each of them than any of them could have guessed with just the briefest glance. They were all strong individuals, he knew that. Strong in different ways, but all of them worthy of their place in the top class. Yet there was still much to be done before they could step out into the world of the Gotei. His influence over them would also be tested soon enough - and as he paused at the front of the group, he allowed a moment of silence before gesturing for them to sit.
They did so, not a word spoken between them, although Genryuusai saw several exchanged glances, and his eyes narrowed as he observed the faint, unconscious gap that existed between the two groups. Still, he mused, running his fingers through his beard pensively, there was nothing he could do about that. He was not their father, nor their nursemaid. They were not children now, and they would have to find their own ways to resolve such petty disputes.
At length, he spoke.
"This is the first time I have called you together in this way." He said softly, his words nonetheless carrying throughout the whole of the expansive chamber. "Because this is the first time since term began that I have an opportunity to address the whole of my Senior Class. Ryuu, Mitsuki, welcome back among us. We have missed you both."
His gaze fell on the two Kuchiki students, both of whom acknowledged his words with a bow of their head, and he frowned, taking in the weariness that lingered in the auras of both.
Well, and that's something else I can't do anything about. The Kuchiki will have its own justice, and doubtless, it requires no outside help. But I am glad to have them returned, all the same. Both are on the brink of becoming decent shinigami, albeit in completely different areas. I would have hated to have lost either one on account of this unfortunate business.
"Normally, I speak to the Senior Class in the first few days of term." He continued now, his grip tightening on Ryuujinjakka's wooden cane as he paced slowly across the room. "Because the challenges that face you this year are greater than have faced you in any other year to date. I am aware that for some of you the jump has been a bigger one than for others, but you are all here on your own merit. Each one of you are in this class now because you are capable of graduating as proper shinigami."
He paused, offering them a smile.
"Well, in fact, taking this talk now is of some benefit, as I've had a chance to see your adjustments and hear from my colleagues about your early classes." He added thoughtfully. "So far I'm pleased to say that you've all tried your best to rise to those challenges. I'm reassured by it, but there is a long path ahead yet. You won't find this year easy - or if you do, you are not applying yourself to it fully. Your responsibilities are not just to clear Senior year with good academic grades. You are also here to prove to me that you have what it takes to survive the rigours of squad life."
"Sensei?" Shunsui raised his hand, and Genryuusai turned, offering the boy a quizzical look.
"Yes? What is it, Kyouraku?"
"I just wondered about the last thing you said. It sounded ominous." Shunsui admitted. "Like you were going to throw us into some horrible situations - almost like tossing us into a river and seeing if we sank or swam."
"That seems like an adequate analogy, yes." Despite himself, Genryuusai smiled, nodding his head. "That is more or less my duty as your teacher, now. You are all at a point where your academic levels don't need a lot more polishing. But using those skills is also a lesson in itself. I won't divulge all the details you want from me yet, Shunsui. Be patient. But you can rest assured that your classes this year will not just take place within class walls. And the lessons you learn - some of them are not ones that can be put down on paper."
"Sensei..." Akira raised his hand now, and Genryuusai indicated for him to speak.
"Sensei, I wondered if you would explain something to us." Akira spoke quietly, but it was clear there was a good amount of frustration in his tones. "If you can, please. Because some of us...several of us...are wondering. Why...only four of us were promoted, and..."
He trailed off, and the look he gave Juushirou made Genryuusai's lips thin beneath his heavy moustache.
"I see." He said quietly. "You want to question my judgement on how to pick the candidates for Senior Class? Is this something you feel I ought to justify to you, Akira? You or any of your fellows?"
"Sensei, that's not what Akira means." Kanshi took a hand now, seeing that his friend was struck silent by the gentle rebuke. "It's not that we - any of us - doubt your judgement. We would just like...several of us have been asked questions by those left behind, and...I suppose we want to understand a little more. Why...us. Why not...all of us."
"Mmm." Genryuusai fixed Kanshi with a thoughtful look, then nodded. "Very well. Since you've worded that so well, Souryou, I will tell you. This year's Senior Class is comprised of the thirteen students who, at present, are closest to entering Gotei rank come the spring."
"Even though we were only Fourth years last year, Sensei?" Kai asked. Genryuusai nodded.
"Yes. Even so." He agreed evenly. "It's not unusual for students who have not completed Fifth year to be in that position. What you fail to realise, I think, is that all the years of this Academy are intermediary and the pace at which the syllabus is completed depends on the aptitude of the students. It's not uncommon for me to promote a student here and there if it seems right. I'm sure you all see there is no point in a student undertaking a year they are already moving beyond."
He tapped his cane absently on the floor, then,
"In this case, it wasn't one individual student so much as a group of students." He added. "Whether they realise it themselves or not, I am not sure. But the top class of last year's Fourth year did not take Fourth year assessments at the close of last year. The examinations they took were largely the same as the ones being taken by the Fifth years."
"What?" Aoi's eyes widened. "Sensei..."
"There was a big gulf between the abilities of some Fifth years last year." Genryuusai added quietly. "You four - Akira, Kanshi, Aoi and Suzuno - all of you might have done the same at the end of the Fourth year, except that I felt then that there were enough students to fill the Senior class last year without pushing you into a position which might have been difficult. You all know yourselves, I think, that such a gap existed. However..."
He swept his hand towards where a startled Juushirou and his friends sat,
"There was a bigger gap between last year's Fourth year classes." He said gravely. "That isn't to disregard the achievements of those students now studying their Fifth year. Their progress was entirely as expected and well on track. It's just that...it was no longer fair to expect them to operate in the same class as peers who were moving away at speed."
"But...we took Fifth year exams?" Ryuu murmured. "In which case...we were studying..."
"A mixture of Fourth and Fifth year syllabuses." Genryuusai agreed evenly. "In the space of twelve months, you managed to digest almost all of two year's study in Sakusen, Hohou and Kidou. Also, three of you had zanpakutou already by the time you entered Fourth year - the time that most students begin studying for such a thing. Could I have consigned you to sitting through Fifth year, even though all of you had more or less reached that level of zanpakutou release before the end of your Fourth year? When the Gotei has such need of skilled people, I couldn't do that. Normally in my Senior class, about half of the members are still in the process of calling their zanpakutou. This year...for the first time...every member of this class has spoken to their zanpakutou. Given that fact...who should be my Senior Class?"
He turned his gaze back towards Akira.
"Akira, who should be my Senior Class?" He asked softly. "Given that fact?"
Akira bit his lip, then lowered his gaze without speaking, and Genryuusai nodded.
"It is a first for me to have a Senior class with so many gifted people in it." He said quietly. "It makes me excited...it gives me anticipation for the future. I have never yet had a student graduate this Academy and go on to Captain a division. In this Seireitei, that possibility was an unlikely one to begin with, but there are now four squads operating which I hope will eventually move away from specific Clan affiliations. Still, even so, among my most exceptional students I have only had one or two who have gone on to assume a deputy position. But with you...I can sense that changing. All of you...I sense something different. And I wanted you to challenge each other, compete with each other and grow. Because I see something very special within all of you. And its something the Gotei needs."
"Captain, huh." Shunsui looked rueful, and Genryuusai offered him an amused look.
"Even if your Clan are decided, you know that I intend to make sure that's a position you earn." he promised. "Which is why, you see, I've assigned Nagasata Kaoru to your care. I trust you are up to that challenge."
"It might have been nice to know in advance that Kaoru was a girl, but otherwise, yes." Shunsui said wryly. "And it's all right, Sensei. I won't let her down. I promise."
"As for the rest of you, whilst your Gotei positions are far from settled yet, I expect much from you all the same." Genryuusai turned back to the group as a whole. "And helping out the junior students is a part of that. If you're to be leaders in the future, you must pay attention to those juniors now. During the course of this year some of you will probably follow Shunsui's lead and find yourselves as shishou to younger students. Even to this point, you've all experienced - Mitsuki and Ryuu excepted - a taste of duty on the gates and I've heard from several sources that you've taken charge of the dining hall in my absence and ensured calm there, too."
"Sensei...you know about that?" Juushirou blinked, and Genryuusai laughed.
"You should consider everything, no matter how slight, to be a test this year, Juushirou." He said comfortably. "I want to see how you deal with many things. So you should stay on your guard. But don't worry - so far I have no reason to doubt that my judgement in choosing you as Anideshi was sound."
His gaze flitted briefly to Akira at this point, noting the sudden tension that flickered through the other boy's body.
"As it happens, I have need of your skills - all of you - this evening." He added. "Shunsui, you are excused from this for the time being. I want you to focus on Kaoru. Understood?"
"I think he'll do that just fine, Sensei." Enishi grinned, and Shunsui reached out to thwap his friend playfully on the arm.
"Stop it." He protested. "You'll make Sensei think bad of me."
"He knows you. Too late." Kai snorted, and Genryuusai hid a smile at the light-hearted banter.
Yes, that's what I wanted. When I set this Academy up, that was my ideal. To have Yamamoto, Kyouraku, Shihouin...joking together over something so trivial, and forgetting the history that divides them as families. Young people are not yet dug deeply enough into traditions that their views can be changed. Gambles I may have taken, but right now, I feel them all worthwhile. To create that cameraderie - all has been worthwhile.
"I have not finished speaking." Was all he said aloud, however, and the trio subsided, shooting the old man sheepish looks of contrition. "Another duty belonging to the Senior Class is the job of overseeing coaching sessions where appropriate."
He cast Kanshi and Aoi a glance.
"The second years are preparing for their camp expedition at present." He added. "Your year were deprived the chance of camping due to the problems in Distict One at the time and I've regretted that fact for some time. However, I will make it up to you somewhat, I think. The two of you - Souryou and Michihashi - are both good at Sakusen and steady enough for me to give you this assignment. Some of the Second years are apprehensive and confused about what's up ahead. I want you to help them in their planning and preparation. I also intend for you both to be involved in overseeing their camp assignment on a very loose level. This was something I tried with the Seniors last year and it worked very well. Therefore I seek to repeat that exercise."
He paused, then,
"Yes, I think, Suzuno - I'd like the same from you." He added. "There are a couple of good young healers in Second Year and your guidance would probably be reassuring."
"Yes, Sensei." Kanshi looked rueful. "I was really cross, actually, that we didn't get to go on camp. Helping the Second Years might be fun."
"But not me, Sensei?" Akira looked startled. "I was part of that class too - but...?"
"No, I have another job for you." Genryuusai shook his head. "As well as ones for your classmates. I'm sorry it means you'll miss out on the role of camp leader, Akira, but it can't be helped. Instead...Shikibu, as someone who went on a camp expedition, would you make up the fourth member of this team? You are Suzuno's kinswoman, and I feel..."
"I'll do it with pleasure, Sensei." Naoko nodded soberly. "If I can help."
"Good." Genryuusai looked approving. He paused, then,
"Mitsuki, you and Ryuu are excused from any additional duties until you have caught up what you have missed." He said thoughtfully. "You know there are assessments in a few days, and while I don't expect you to top the class, I would like you to both make an effort. You will have covered some of the material before, and it will help you get a gauge of what you need to focus on. Mitsuki, I believe Retsu-dono also wants to speak to you when you have a moment to go see her."
"Yes, sensei." Mitsuki nodded, and Ryuu also inclined his head.
"Kai and Enishi, your sword skills are going to, I hope, batter some recalcitrant third year slackers into shape." Genryuusai continued. "I won't keep it a secret from you that on last year's grades overall, you two ranked first and third for Ouyoudou - with Akira in second rank. But since you two are used to working together, I'm going to deploy the two of you. There are five or six...who would benefit from your knowledge. They have been told to come here and wait outside - I imagine they are already headed this way, and I would like you both to try and explain to them how kenjutsu works at this Academy."
"We get to bruise them, right, Sensei?" Kai exchanged looks with Enishi, who grinned, and Genryuusai nodded.
"A few bruises indicate a good session of study." He mused, his eyes twinkling slightly. "Shiba, I would like you to stay and work with the two of them, as well. You are the highest ranking female in Ouyoudou and there are two girls among this group who seem to believe it isn't ladylike to swing a sword. I trust you might be able to persuade them otherwise."
"I will." Sora dimpled. "I'll teach it them good. Don't worry. It sounds like fun."
"Very well, then." Genryuusai smiled. "Hirata, I'm also sending you to tackle some third years."
"Me? Alone? Sensei?" Hirata started, staring up at the old man in dismay, and Genryuusai smiled.
"You can't do it on your own?" He asked quietly, and Hirata reddened, shaking his head.
"Not if it's sword skills, Sensei." He said frankly. "I'm no good at that."
"But in your case, I have two third year students who struggled badly on their Hohou assessments last year." Genryuusai said evenly. "Uebashi-sensei and I decided to promote them, but he hasn't time to take them on extra for coaching becuase of some trouble with the first years and because of the way our class sizes are growing. Your Hohou grades are exceptional, however, and have moved on in leaps and bounds in the last twelve months. I think they could benefit from your knowledge - if you're willing to help."
"If it's Hohou, then yes." Hirata looked relieved. "I can, Sensei. I'll do it. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound defeatist."
"I think it's been some time since I heard you sound defeatist." Genryuusai reflected, causing Hirata to redden once more behind his glasses. "Very well then. Edogawa, Kuchiki, you can go begin catching up on what you've missed. Souryou, Michihashi, Amai, Shikibu, Endou - you are all dismissed. Souryou, you will find the second years in the library in the third study room, waiting eagerly for your arrival. I'm putting you in nominal charge, understand? They're all very excited about this camp, even if some are nervous. And Hirata, you should collect anything you need from your room and then go to the second Hohou theory room. That's where they've been told to wait for you."
"Yes, Sensei." The students rose and departed, and Genryuusai gestured to Kai, Sora and Enishi.
"You three can wait here. I can sense the third years arriving, so you can have free reign of the gymnasium." He added. "Shunsui, you're also dismissed - though if you want to stick around and help your friends teach sword skills, I won't object."
"He might teach them how to be lazier, Sensei." Sora grinned, and Shunsui laughed.
"I might." He owned. "And I don't have my swords. Besides, I was going to meet with Kaoru in the training field this evening, and I have to go back to the dorm and change first. So..."
"What about Yamamoto-kun and I, Sensei?" Juushirou cut across the merry banter, a troubled look in his eyes, and Genryuusai frowned, stroking his beard once more.
"Ah yes. The two of you." He murmured. "The assignment I have for you is Kidou related, and it will be with the Second years who are, at the moment, not making grades good enough to be allowed to join the camp expedition. There are five of them, and three are District, like you, Juushirou. Therefore you'll understand that their background in Kidou is uneven. None of them are natural with Kidou, but they are keen - and they don't want to be left behind. I want you two - as two strong Kidou users - to go and help them with their spells."
"Ukitake...and I...together?" Akira looked horrified, and Genryuusai nodded calmly.
"Last year's final examinations had you two within a point of one another in class rankings for Kidou." He said softly. "Ukitake was top, and you were second, Akira. Shunsui's mark was equal to yours, but he has another assignment to take care of at present. Therefore it seems right, doesn't it? That you two, as the top seeds for Kidou on last year's exam...should take on this task?"
He spoke slowly and deliberately, and Juushirou uttered a heavy sigh, nodding his head.
"When put like that..." He murmured, and Akira bristled, shooting Juushirou an angry look.
"Well, I suppose we'll see one thing." He muttered. "And I want to see it. If you're so good at everything, I want to see it for myself. What you're actually made of, Anideshi."
"Kaoru-chan, we're going to the library to do some work for our Sakusen paper. Are you coming too?"
At the same time as Genryuusai's Seniors were filing into the gymnasium for their special meeting, the remainder of the Academy's several hundred students were finishing their final classes of the day, gathering up their belongings and hurrying to meet friends to chat and relax before the evening meal. For the Fourth years, that had meant a demanding Kidou theory class with Kazoe on top form, and at the sound of Akaya's question, Kaoru sighed, stretching her hands over her head.
"I can't." She said regretfully. "Though I've still four chapters I need to go over before I can write anything that Sensei will accept. I promised Kyouraku-senpai I'd meet him at the training ground after lessons today to have another session with my sword and I can't really let him down."
"Ah, she'd rather hang out with Kyouraku-senpai than us, Aka-chan." Sakura grinned, looping her arms playfully around Akaya's neck and leaning over her shoulder as she cast Kaoru a knowing look. "You've done nothing but talk about him these last few days, so I guess we shouldn't be surprised."
"Sakura, please get off me." Akaya disentangled herself from her friend's embrace, shooting her a dark look. "I'm still wondering why exactly you're coming to the library, if I'm honest – at least Kaoru bothers to do some work sometimes, unlike you."
"I do work. I do enough to stay in top class." Sakura said unrepentantly, shrugging her shoulders. "Besides, I don't have anything better to do. And I do have to write this report too. Come with us, Kaoru-chan? I'm sure Kyouraku-senpai would understand, and our deadline's getting closer."
"I can't really." Kaoru looked doubtful. "I mean, you're right, but if he's giving up his time for my sake…"
"You said he was nice though, didn't you?" Akaya reasoned. "For once, Sakura's probably giving you good advice, so you should grasp the moment and take it. Why not go speak to Kyouraku-senpai and say you've got an urgent paper due? He'll probably reschedule your training, since Seniors have a much more fluid timetable than we do."
"That's true." As they made their way down the hallway that led from the classrooms towards the library and the main entrance, Kaoru nodded her head. "And I'm not sure I'm feeling like running around the training ground after that last class, if I'm honest. Kazoe-sensei really knows how to drill it into you, doesn't he? Even though it's last class of the day, he expects you to focus from start to finish."
"Yeah." Sakura grimaced. "Just be glad it isn't him we're writing a paper for. But go speak to Kyouraku-senpai, Kaoru. Akaya-chan and I can come with you – if you don't want to venture into the Senior wing alone."
"I hadn't thought about it." Kaoru was startled. "I've never been there before for anything. Is it scary, to go to the Senior wing?"
"No, but Sakura just wants to get a glimpse of Souryou-senpai." Akaya tut-tutted under her breath. "You shouldn't be so blatant, Sakura. Kaoru's younger than us and you'll give her the wrong idea – she's far too trusting and you're taking advantage of that."
"Is it wrong to want to see him?" Sakura pouted. "I'm going to study with you, Akaya, so you could at least let me have some fun before that. I'm sure it would inspire me far more if I did."
She struck a dramatic pose, and Akaya snorted, thwapping her lightly across the back of the head with her Kidou notes.
"Stop it, you idiot." She scolded. "We're not First years now. You know half of last year's Fourth years are Seniors this year – acting like that, Sensei won't promote you to Senior class till you've done about ten. Act your age for once, will you? You're nineteen, not nine!"
"You two are silly." Kaoru giggled, even as Sakura poked her tongue out at her companion. "But I'm glad you are. I like being in this class – I just have so much more reading to do than everyone else."
"Which is why it's best you come with us." Akaya said wisely. "Because otherwise you'll fall behind. I'm sure even as your shishou, Kyouraku-senpai wouldn't want that."
"No. I don't think he would." Kaoru agreed. "All right. So I'll go to speak to him. You two don't have to come, though. Really. I'll be all right on my own. I know where it is, and I'm not scared."
"Are you girls going to loiter in front of the library entrance all evening?" A fresh voice prevented either Sakura or Akaya from answering, and the three girls turned, Sakura's features flushing a rich scarlet at the sight of the speaker.
"S..Souryou-senpai?" She whispered, and Kaoru exchanged amused looks with Akaya, both knowing that their outgoing friend was probably hoping that the Senior had not overheard any of their earlier conversation.
"Yes?" Kanshi eyed her quizzically for a moment, and Akaya sighed, grasping Sakura by the arm and yanking her forcibly out of the way of the door.
"Sorry, Senpai." She said contritely. "We were talking and not paying attention. We didn't mean to stop dead."
"It's all right." Kanshi shrugged his shoulders. "But you probably shouldn't be hanging around the halls."
A wicked glint of mischief sparkled in his eyes, then,
"If you're not careful, you might find an evil Senior will come along and assume you have nothing to do…you might wind up spending the whole evening running errands."
"I'll do it!" Sakura spoke without thinking, then clapped a hand over her mouth, her eyes big with alarm. It was impossible for her to go any redder, but Kanshi just laughed, slipping by them and pushing open the library door.
"Senpai, are you studying too?" Akaya asked innocently, and Kanshi shrugged, shaking his head.
"Helping some of the kids prepare for camp." He said dismissively. "You guys remember that, don't you? There'll be plenty to do, so I can't stop and chat to you all night. Run along and find something to do, okay? Otherwise you might find I wasn't kidding."
"We're going to do just that." Akaya assured him, still grasping Sakura firmly by the arm. "Kaoru-chan? We'll wait for you here, if you want to go and speak to Kyouraku-senpai about your training."
"Kyouraku?" Kanshi paused, turning to glance at Kaoru, who nodded her head.
"Yes. Do you know where he is, Senpai?"
"Ah…so you're Nagasata Kaoru. You're the kid Sensei's landed in his hands. I see now." A wry smile touched Kanshi's lips. "Well, we just all came from a meeting with Genryuusai-sensei, so I imagine he'll go back to the Senior wing now. He said something about training with you, but I think he'll head there first so if you're quick you might catch him. Just try not to bother anyone else while you're up there, all right? Most everyone's got an errand to follow this evening, and they won't like you for holding them up."
"Yes, Senpai!" Kaoru bowed her head quickly, and Kanshi grinned, before disappearing into the library proper.
"We're going in too." Sakura recovered herself, taking a step towards the door, then pausing. "I mean…Kaoru, you'll be fine on your own, right? You said that, right? Because you know, it's really important we get to studying…"
"I'll go." Kaoru laughed, nodding her head. "I'll be back soon, if I can be. It might not be possible to change the time, but I'll try and if I can, I'll see you soon."
She glanced at Akaya, then dimpled.
"Good luck." She said playfully. "I'll try and be back as quickly as I can."
With that she darted off down the halls, almost running into Souryou's following group of seniors who had stopped to collect class lists and materials from Uebashi and Kazoe on their way down to the library. A sharp rebuke from Naoko for running in the halls still ringing in her ears, Kaoru crossed the main entrance foyer with more care, taking the stairs two at a time all the same as she made a bee-line for the Senior wing.
If he's already gone down to the training ground, that'll be a problem.
As she mounted the final flight of stairs that led to the cluster of rooms inhabited by the most high level rank of students in the school, a frown crossed her lips.
And I'll have to run down there twice as fast so as he won't be cross with me. If he's gone to the trouble of getting ready and waiting, I can't not train. That would be rude. But Akaya-san is right, too. I need to keep up in my classes and I have got a lot still to read for Sakusen before I can write this. Having their help would be really good – so I hope Senpai will understand.
At that moment she reached the polished wooden divide that separated the Senior wing from the corridor as a whole, and she pushed it back, a flicker of anticipation in her chest. She had never been here before, and despite what she had said to Akaya, she was a little apprehensive of barging into the Senior's space uninvited.
But it wasn't as though she was there for no reason.
Steadying herself with that thought, she stepped determinedly through the archway, and up the three small steps that led onto the landing as a whole. At first glance there did not seem to be anyone about, and so she made her way slowly along the hallway, running her hands idly along the panelled walls as she absorbed the atmosphere of this place.
Absently she wondered what it would be like to be a part of this world – to be a Senior herself, one day, with Akaya and Sakura and the other members of her current class. Her fingers traced the ancient, faded patterns of the Yamamoto insignia as she tried to picture how it had looked when it had first been built, but try as she might, she could not envisage anything but the great school being housed inside this ancient building.
Akaya-san said that this part of the school was once a lady's apartments. I guess I can see it. Everything is so ornate and carefully done – even though it's been changed, you can still see that it was once the home of a hime.
She sighed heavily.
And really, nobody does seem to be here. Maybe Souryou-senpai was wrong – perhaps nobody did come back here. In which case…in which case…
As she rounded the corner towards the alcove that fronted the chamber known to all and sundry as Anideshi's 'nest', however, she heard the sound of footsteps and then the soft slide of the door as it moved to open and then back closed. Kaoru's heart leapt in her chest.
Oh! But if Anideshi's here, he'll be able to tell me where Kyouraku-senpai is! Kyouraku-senpai said himself that Anideshi was his close friend. And everyone says that Anideshi is really nice…so surely, if I ask him, he'll be able to tell me?
Unlike any of the other chambers in this hallway, the 'nest' was set back slightly from the corridor, with steps to the door as though it had once been the central bedroom of an important member of the Yamamoto household. With a small balcony on its outside wall and overlooking the grounds to some good degree, Shunsui had often joked about it being the site of illicit trysts between hime and undeserving scoundrels seeking to sneak in past the Clan guards. Kaoru knew nothing of this, of course, but it was a school tradition that any student who needed the help of the most senior student could go to the nest at any time of day or night, and could expect to find a warm reception. Therefore there was no doubt in Kaoru's young heart as she hurried down the steps towards the wooden divide, her eyes eager and full of relief at the thought of resolving her dilemma.
As she reached the door, however, it slid back a third time, and Kaoru found herself face to face with a skinny young boy of about fifteen, his eyes widening with terror and uncertainty as he stopped dead in his tracks.
Kaoru stared back at him, equally as surprised as he was, and for a moment neither of them moved. Then the youngster gave a stifled gasp, pushing past her and into the hallway beyond.
"Hey!" Kaoru was too quick for him, however, and she instinctively reached out to grab him by the sleeve of his hakamashita, hauling him forcibly to a stop. In terms of height, she was barely more than a few inches taller than he was, but even so her time training at the Academy had given her strength enough to stop a frightened junior, and though he struggled to tear himself free of her grip, she held him fast.
It had been pure instinct that had made her grasp hold of him, but as she stood there, wondering what she should do next, Kaoru registered the fact that the youngster had not left the Senior's chamber empty-handed. Clutched between trembling thin fingers was something long and black, and Kaoru frowned, suddenly angry as she pushed the young boy against the wall.
"What did you come here to do?" She demanded, even as he tried to hide the item behind his back, and she stretched out her free hand, slipping it behind his body and closing her fingers around his narrow wrist. With the same quick deftness that Shunsui had noted in his first session training her, Kaoru brought the boy's right hand forcibly up into clearer view, her eyes widening as she realised what it was he was holding. Even with the blurry vision of her right eye, Kaoru knew at once that it was a sheathed sword.
"But that's…"
The boy let out a faint whimper, but he did not try to speak, and Kaoru's eyes darkened as she glanced from it back to her unexpected prisoner.
"Who are you and why did you come here?" She asked again. "This isn't yours, is it? You're a First year, you shouldn't have this…and besides…this…did you take this from Anideshi's room?"
The boy stared at her, tears pricking at his eyes, but he was shaking visibly and obviously beyond speaking. Kaoru knitted her brows together in what she hoped was a stern look, releasing her hold on his arm and changing her grip so that she could bring the stolen item more clearly into her line of good vision. As she did so, her grasp on the boy loosened for the briefest of instants, and he took his chance, slipping her hold and darting away down the hallway before she could react.
"Hey! Hey, come back here!" She called out, but the boy acted as though he hadn't heard her, fear adding wings to his feet as he sought to escape.
Kaoru muttered a curse, taking some steps along the hallway in the direction he had gone, but by the time she reached the top of the alcove steps he was already out of sight, and she sighed, sinking back against the wall in defeat. All thought of her own sword training had been driven from her mind with the sudden and unexpected confrontation, and as she examined her prize, she knew her instincts had been right. It was obviously a sword, even with her hampered vision she had soon spotted that. But she quickly registered that it was more than just a training sword, for as she turned it over, she made out two neat silver characters on the ebony scabbard – two characters that clearly marked out its owner's name.
"Ukitake." She read softly, running her finger gently alongside them. "Then this really is…Anideshi's zanpakutou? That kid…came here to take…Anideshi's sword?"
Her heart skipped in her chest, first indignant and then excited as she realised what she had stumbled into.
But because I came here to find Kyouraku-senpai, I stopped it from happening! I rescued Anideshi's sword from being stolen! Oh, but…now what should I do with it? Should I put it back in his room? Or…
Her cheeks pinkened slightly at this thought.
Even if it is Anideshi's chamber, and even if we are allowed to go to him for help and stuff, that's still waiting in the corridor, not actually going and lingering inside when he's not around. And going into a boy's room is…I shouldn't go in any boy's room without permission, whether they're there or they're not.
She sighed.
Oniichan didn't care about stuff like that, and people said a lot of bad things about him because of how he was with girls. But my guardian was very clear when I came to live with them. That girls didn't go in boys' rooms and boys didn't go into girls' rooms unless they were very small children or they were married. Anideshi and I are definitely not married – and we're not small children either.
She grinned at this thought.
No, definitely not. So…I wouldn't like to do anything to make my guardians ashamed of me. I did promise the first time they sent me to the Academy that I would obey the rules and work hard and not do anything that would cause them to be embarrassed.
She turned the sword over in her hands once more, gazing at the kanji pensively again. It was an expensive scabbard, although Kaoru knew that Juushirou did not come from a rich family, yet somehow she understood that its precious contents were even more irreplaceable.
So I can't take it away from here. He'd be worried, if someone did that. It would be like I was stealing it. But…well…it's not like I know where he keeps it. Still, if I left it out here, that kid might come back, and…I should report him, although he looked so scared, I sort of feel like I was mean. But he was the one doing something bad! If I'm caught in a Senior boy's room, though, I'll get into a whole lot of trouble anyway, so even if I didn't report it, it could be really bad. Oh, I wish I'd brought Sakura-san and Akaya-san with me! They would've known what to do – or one of them could've held onto the kid whilst I went for help. As it is, though…I'll have to think of something on my own.
Slowly she clambered up the steps of the alcove and back onto the main corridor, her gaze fixed on the object in her hand as she tried to work out what she should do next. She was so deep in thought that she did not hear the sound of footsteps or voices approaching the Senior wing, and it was not until someone let out an exclamation that she started, jumping almost out of her skin as she brought herself back to the present.
"Kaoru-chan?" Shunsui hurried forwards, and Kaoru swallowed hard, realising that it was not only her shishou but that at the far end of the hall were other members of the Senior class. One was Anideshi himself, she knew that, and another, the one with glasses, was Endou Hirata, for Akaya had told her that he was the heir to the Seventh District's Clan. The other two were strangers to her, however, and she gulped, suddenly berating herself for how casually she had trespassed into the Seniors' domain.
"What are you doing up here? I'm not that late, am I? And…what have you got in your hands?"
"I didn't take it. It wasn't me." Kaoru's eyes widened in alarm as she suddenly realised how she must look, wandering around the corridor with a stranger's sword clutched in her hands. She held it out, and Shunsui stared at her in bewilderment, taking the weapon and then letting out another exclamation.
"Sougyo-kun?"
"Sougyo?" That was Anideshi himself, pushing through the group of Seniors to the front at the sound of his sword's name. "What about Sougyo, Shunsui? What's happened? What's going on?"
Shunsui shrugged his shoulders, holding the black-sheathed weapon out, and Juushirou's naturally pale face drained of colour as he slowly took it, turning it over and then sending his friend a look of dismay.
"What happened?" He repeated. "I left it in my chamber…why is it out here?"
"Kaoru-chan?" Shunsui turned his attention back to his student, and Kaoru took a deep breath, fixing him with an earnest look.
"It wasn't me." She repeated. "I didn't go into Anideshi's chamber and I didn't take the sword. Really. I don't know quite what happened. But I didn't want to put it back in there, because going in there is well, going into a boy's room, and so…I was trying to work out what to do, and you came back. I knew I couldn't take it with me anywhere, since I didn't know where to find you or Anideshi and I knew Anideshi would worry about where it was if he came back and it was gone. So I was holding it till I decided what to do next. But I didn't take it. I promise. It wasn't me who..."
She trailed off, and Shunsui sighed, resting his hands on her shoulders and glancing at his white-haired friend, whose dark brows were drawn together in consternation.
"Juu, I believe her." He said at length. "I've only been training Kaoru a little while, but I don't think she's the kind of person to lie or sneak around. If she says she didn't take your sword, she didn't – but why she's here and why she has it I don't know."
"I don't think she's lying, either." The group's only girl spoke up at that moment, her expression one of concern as she met Kaoru's gaze. "But she's upset about something. Something obviously happened up here while we were in the Gym with Sensei."
"It's a good thing I came up here to get my Kidou notes before going down to meet with Yamamoto-kun and the others." Juushirou said heavily. "Obviously he'll snipe at me for being late now, but it can't be helped. Please, Nagasata-san – will you tell us why you're up here and what's going on? If Shunsui and Mitsuki believe you, so do I – but you have to agree that the situation is a confusing one."
"Mm. For me too, honestly." Relief flooded Kaoru's expression as she realised nobody was angry with her. "I came to find Kyouraku-senpai really. It was all a coincidence that I was here at all."
She cast Shunsui an apologetic look.
"I wanted to change our training time, because I have a Sakusen paper due soon and I'm falling a little behind." She admitted. "So some friends were going to help me and they wanted me to come study now. I'm sorry. I didn't think it would be bad for me to come up here, but I suppose…"
"For now, let's leave that alone." Shunsui patted her on the head. "I don't think Sensei would like it if you were going to come play peek and hide around our bedrooms too much, but for the time being, we won't worry about that side of things. You came here to find me, but I wasn't here. So…?"
"I heard someone in Anideshi's room. I thought it was Anideshi, because, well, it's Anideshi's room." Kaoru coloured scarlet as she realised how silly she sounded. "You told me that you and Anideshi were friends, Senpai…and I know Anideshi is there to help juniors and stuff so I thought…I was only going to knock on the door and wait, not go in or anything! But I thought if I asked him…"
"I'd know where Shunsui was, and be able to point you in his direction?" Juushirou asked quietly. Kaoru nodded.
"Yes."
"But it wasn't Ukitake in his chamber." The strange boy spoke up now, and his piercing slate grey eyes seemed to bore right through Kaoru to her soul. "It was someone else, clearly."
"Yes. A boy. A kid younger than me – I don't know who he was." Kaoru nodded emphatically. "I've never seen him before. I tried to catch him, and when I did, I saw he had the sword. I took it off him, because I thought he was a First year and First years can't carry swords. In any case it didn't look like an asauchi and when I took it, I saw it wasn't. But I lost my grip and he ran away."
Juushirou turned, meeting Hirata's gaze with a troubled look, and the bespectacled boy nodded his head solemnly.
"I thought so." He murmured. "It was Tsukabishi-kun who almost cannoned into us on the main stairs. He could easily have come from this part of the school, just as Nagasata-san says."
Juushirou sighed, pulling his sword briefly from its scabbard to examine it, and as he did so, Kaoru let out a little gasp, for the weapon was a beautiful shining silver, its surface polished and gleaming in the light of the kidou lamps. Though to the naked eye it didn't appear to be more than a simple katana, Kaoru suddenly had the impression that it was a lot more than that, and her heart skipped a beat as she glanced from it to its owner.
At her gaze, Juushirou offered her a faint smile.
"You can feel it, huh?" He asked gently. "Reaching out to speak to you – you're aware of its reiatsu even when it's sealed?"
"I'm sorry." Kaoru felt colour rise in her cheeks again. "I haven't had much to do with zanpakutou, Senpai. I just…it's so pretty. That's what I was thinking. That I hope my zanpakutou will be as pretty as that, when I've finished my training. And yes…I can feel it. Like it's a living sword, and not just…it's not like an asauchi at all."
"Mm." Juushirou returned the weapon to its sheath, pausing for a moment and then slipping the black scabbard through the fabric of his obi. "And I obviously should be less careless about leaving it unattended. I didn't think I needed to lock my door – but maybe I do."
He bowed his head slightly in Kaoru's direction.
"Thanks to you being here, though, no harm was done."
"Oh!" Kaoru was startled, then she giggled. "Senpai, please don't bow to me. It looks funny and then I'll laugh and that'll be rude and then you'll get angry at me and I won't get to go do my Sakusen report."
"You seem to already be laughing, Kaoru-chan." Shunsui offered her an amused grin, reaching out to ruffle her dark hair playfully. "All right. You go do your Sakusen study. We'll meet tomorrow instead – same time. Okay? Go now, and don't talk about this to anyone else for the time being. We'll handle it from here."
"Yes, Senpai." Kaoru stifled her giggles, nodding as solemnly as she could manage before darting away down the corridor towards the main stairs.
I helped save Anideshi's sword. And they were nice to me, even though I was so completely stupid when they were asking me questions.
A little skip slipped into her step as she hurried towards the library to meet up with her friends.
And I have a trusted secret to keep now. Plus I got to see a real zanpakutou. And it's so beautiful. I wonder if Kyouraku-senpai's is beautiful – I want to ask him now even more.
As she reached the library door though, she frowned, putting her hands against the wood as she remembered the frightened look in the boy's eyes.
But what was that kid trying to do? A dare gone wrong? He looked a whole lot too scared to be on a dare or some other kind of mischief. He looked frightened out of his life, to be honest…and what would have happened if I hadn't been there? If I hadn't gone to find Senpai, what would he have done with Anideshi's sword?
"Juu, are you all right?"
Once Kaoru was out of earshot, Shunsui sent his friend a concerned glance, and Juushirou sighed, rubbing his temples as he slowly shook his head.
"I should be, but I'm not." He admitted. "A lot of things bother me about what Nagasata-san just said. I don't want to believe her, but I do believe her – just like you and Mitsuki, I didn't think she was hiding anything either. She probably saved Sougyo no Kotowari from being taken but…I'm more bothered at the moment about…"
"That kid she saw." Ryuu's eyes became slits. "Tsuka..bishi? Was that what you said, Hirata?"
"Mm." Hirata adjusted his glasses, looking troubled. "It worries me too. I wasn't sure that he'd come from the Senior wing, and I didn't like to raise the point when he came barrelling down the stairs like he did, but it sounds…a lot like…"
"Whatever his problems are, they've reached boiling point." Juushirou let out another heavy sigh. "And right now I can't do a thing about it. I have to go to help the second years with their Kidou, else Yamamoto-kun will nail me for letting my duties go by the wayside. Besides, Tsukabishi is just one student, and he obviously has some kind of issue with me, even if he hasn't tackled it directly. Whereas the second years are counting on my help, and I can't just duck out of that on my own account. Whether I'll be able to concentrate or not, I don't know – but given the situation…"
"I have to go see the Third years, too." Hirata grimaced. "Otherwise I'd volunteer to go and find him. Someone needs to talk to him – if it's possible – and find out what he was thinking and why. There's something wrong with him, Juushirou-kun. I don't think he's a nasty kid – but he is one with problems."
"Hirata getting protective and big-brotherish is a new one on me, but I kind of like it, all the same." Shunsui shot him a grin, but there was a seriousness in his brown eyes. "You've come across this kid before then, both of you? It's the first time I've heard the name – something you guys want to share?"
"It's not that big a deal, really." Hirata shook his head. "I just noticed him – a homesick kid – and Sora likened him to me when I first arrived. Juushirou-kun and I have spoken about him before, but not a lot. Just we met him in the halls a few days ago, and he reacted very oddly to Juushirou-kun."
"It obviously is a big deal, if he is stealing zanpakutou, now." Ryuu remarked acerbically, and Juushirou nodded.
"But I'd still rather handle it myself, and not take it to Sensei." He admitted tiredly. "I don't know if I can, but whatever is wrong with this boy, I want to try and find out. If I can help – if any of us can help – that's what we're here for, isn't it? If it went to Sensei, he'd get into a lot of trouble. And…I don't think I want that."
"Even though he took Sougyo?" Mitsuki looked concerned, and Juushirou glanced at his sword, tapping the hilt absently.
"He didn't take Sougyo. Sougyo is here." He said simply. "Thanks to Nagasata-san, all ended well. But whenever I've seen the boy face to face, he's seemed frightened. And I want to know his reasons."
"But for now, we ought to go attend to our own things." Hirata murmured, and Juushirou nodded.
"I know." He said unwillingly. "The last thing I want now is to spend time with Yamamoto-kun, but I suppose that there's no getting around it."
"Well, I'm at a loose end, now." Shunsui said with a shrug. "Kaoru-chan's stood me up for her classmates, as you all saw, so I'll go and try and find this kid. He doesn't know me, and I might catch him off guard – at least I can try and see if I can root him out. If I can, I'll bring him back up here and feed him tea in the study until you get back. Then you can talk to him, and if the pair of you are late for dinner, well, we'll take care of the rabble if need be."
"Shall Mitsuki and I also assist?" Ryuu asked, but Shunsui shook his head.
"Better not. You have far too much to catch up and honestly, you both still look kinda shattered." He said evenly. "I can manage on my own. How hard can it be to find one First year kid? There aren't that many places to hide in this school and I probably know them all and then some."
He clapped his hand against Juushirou's back, giving him a little push towards the arch that led into the main body of the school.
"Go rescue your second years from Akira-kun." He added. "And leave it to me. I'm involved now, thanks to Kaoru – so I might as well do what I can."
"Thank you, Shunsui." Juushirou looked relieved. "I appreciate it. If you can find him, do bring him back up here. I don't want it involving any of the staff if we can keep it to ourselves – but for now Hirata and I have to go."
"We'll just have to manage without notes and other things." Hirata agreed grimly. "We've already wasted too much time as it is."
"No kidding. At this rate we'll have to shunpo to make up even a little." Juushirou groaned. "Today's already been a long day – and it's getting longer by the minute."
"What Sensei said in that meeting may make Yamamoto-kun less hostile towards you, though." As they hurried through the corridors, Hirata shot his friend a hopeful look. "Because now he knows that we weren't promoted out of favouritism."
"You didn't hear him or see the look he gave me when Sensei said we had to work together." Juushirou grimaced. "If you hadn't tripped over and dropped your glasses on the way upstairs, I wouldn't have caught you up, and you didn't see how it was when the meeting ended. Nor did you hear what he said to Ryuu and I in the library. I did think it might calm down a little with time – but he's been really hostile today. And now this."
"Do you think he was involved?" Hirata's eyes widened, and Juushirou sighed.
"No…" He said slowly, but there was a faint flicker of doubt in his hazel eyes. "It doesn't really seem his style. But…ah, I don't like it. It's one thing when people say things to my face, but another when it's like this."
"Well, good luck with your Kidou tutoring." Hirata said seriously. "He's an idiot, so you shouldn't let him bother you. That's what Kai-kun would say, anyway – so since he's busy battering students in the gym, I'll say it instead."
"I appreciate it." Despite himself, Juushirou managed a faint smile. "All right. I'll try. And hopefully we'll settle the Tsukabishi thing tonight. Now it's come to a head, I at least have a reason to send for him – so we'll see what he has to say for himself when Shunsui finds him."
"Don't be too hard on him." Hirata warned. "He's scared and he's just a kid."
"Don't worry. I know. I'm not angry – more worried about him." Juushirou responded. "Since my sword is safe."
"All right." Hirata nodded. "Then I'll see you later. Wish me luck too. Sensei's thrown this at me because he wants to make sure I don't shy away from taking the lead, given the politics in District Seven now. But I'm not overly happy with it, so I'll need all the luck I can get."
"I think that goes both ways." Juushirou muttered, putting his hand on the door of the Kidou classroom. "But if you do need it, good luck."
With that he pushed the door open, taking a breath and uttering an inward prayer for strength before stepping into the classroom.
"Nice of you to join us, Anideshi."
Akira's tones cut through the room immediately, and Juushirou frowned, his gaze meeting the accusing, almost mocking one of the Yamamoto student's for a brief moment. His frown deepened, and he bowed his head slightly.
"I'm sorry." He said softly. "A junior student had an urgent problem that I had to deal with, and it delayed me in coming here."
He moved to the front of the room, offering the gathered group of five students a tired smile.
"But I'm sure you've been in safe hands with Yamamoto-kun." He added. "And I'll do my best to help out too from now on."
"Kazoe-sensei says that we're hopeless." One of the students said with a grimace. "If he can't teach us to do spells right, how are you supposed to do it?"
"Enjouji-kun." One of the girls in the group pulled a horrified face. "You can't talk like that to Anideshi!"
"I wasn't being rude. It's just true." Enjouji, a heavy-set boy with rather distinctive facial features objected. "If the Kidou sensei can't help us, what use is it getting other students to do it for us?"
"I already told you, didn't I?" Akira said frankly. "You're only useless if you think you are. And if you think you are, you won't be Shinigami. So you might as well go back to the dorm right away. If you've given up, there's no point in Ukitake and I wasting any time trying to help you."
"Enjouji-kun, was it?" Juushirou frowned as the boy nodded. "Is Yamamoto-kun right? Have you given up?"
"I don't know." Enjouji said honestly. "I just don't see the use in it. In the First year it was hard enough, but now we're expected to do all kinds of other spells and well, I can't remember all the First year ones that good yet. The further we go on, the more we're going to learn. Kazoe-sensei said so – that there were a lot of spells we had to learn the theory of by the end of Second year. If we can't cope now, how are we going to get to Third year?"
"But Kidou is so pretty." The group's other female member put in, letting out a wistful sigh. "I want to make pretty spells like the others do. The other day in our practical class, we had to do Byakurai. One of my friends did such a beautiful lightning bolt and it hit the centre of the target right away. I want to do that too – but when I tried, I got my words muddled up and it went wrong."
"Kazoe-sensei says we can't go camping unless we can be trusted with our spells." Another boy added. "He said that camps in the past have been called on to use Kidou in the outdoors environment, and so we should be able to too."
"That's true." Juushirou acknowledged, and Akira snorted.
"I don't know about that." He admitted. "My class didn't get to so the camp exercise at all, so I couldn't tell you what was or wasn't needed. But it's not about that, is it? You're not here to go camping. You're here to be shinigami. You should want to learn the spells for that reason. Not because they're pretty or because you won't be able to go have fun in the woodland without them."
"When my class went camping, we were attacked by a Hollow." Juushirou said gravely, and Akira started, staring at him in disbelief.
"A Hollow? You mean a dummy. No way any of the teachers would allow…"
"It wasn't planned." Juushirou's expression became clouded as he remembered the events that had led up to the beast's invasion of their camping ground. "But it happened all the same. Something went wrong with the barrier surrounding our campsite – in any case, a real Hollow attacked us. Kazoe-sensei rescued us with his zanpakutou – but we all fired Kidou at it first of all, to try and stop it attacking till he came. If we hadn't…who knows what would have happened?"
"That's not true." Akira snorted, and Juushirou bit back an indignant retort, merely shrugging his shoulders.
"If you don't believe me, you can ask Kazoe-sensei about it yourselves." He said, addressing the group of younger students instead of his classmate. "I'm sure he'll remember it vividly, because all of us who went on that trip do. That's why he thinks its important that you all know your spells before you go camping. Just in case of times like that."
"Will you tell us about it?" Enjouji asked excitedly. "About how you fought the Hollow and stuff? Because Kidou in the classroom seems kinda boring. But its not boring if you're fighting stuff with it!"
"Great, Ukitake. Tell the kids a bunch of stories and get them trying to blow up the school." Akira rolled his eyes, and Juushirou shook his head.
"I'm not going to." He said softly. "Because using Kidou isn't about flaring spells willy-nilly at enemies that appear at random. That was one incident, once. It may never ever happen again. But you know, if we couldn't use Kidou – and control it – and if we hadn't learnt the spells Kazoe had set us to learn – we wouldn't have been able to fire those spells then. What's important is that even if it seems dry and complicated to learn right now – one day it might save your life to know how to fire a spell like Shakkahou. Or Byakurai."
"I bet Yamamoto-senpai and Anideshi can fire spells really prettily." The girl who had spoken earlier observed with an envious look on her face. "I bet you can do it even without incantations, if you want to…right?"
"Kazoe would have us strung up in front of the school if we dared." Akira said frankly, and Juushirou laughed, nodding his head.
"We're not allowed to use any spells like that until after we graduate, and only then if we're of a high enough standard to do it safely." He agreed. "We're still students, just like you. We're not experts on anything, yet."
"Which brings us back to why we're here." Akira said pointedly, reaching out to tap the copy of the Second year spell book that lay on the front desk. "We're not going to have a story-time session or a fireworks display. Sorry about that. Sensei wants us to help you all to remember your spells – and if you can do that, you'll find firing them more easy."
"Yamamoto-kun is right." Juushirou nodded. "So let's see. There are five of you, aren't there? Do you all find the same spell difficult, or are you all struggling with different things?"
"Shakkahou and Soukatsui." The first girl said expressively, and the second girl giggled.
"I've started calling them both Soukahou." She admitted sheepishly. "Because I always manage to muddle the spells. I keep expecting a purple flare to come out, but instead it either does nothing or I make things explode."
"I can't get my head around Bakudou." Enjouji admitted. "I can blow stuff up – sort of – though Kazoe-sensei says I'm too haphazard. But the binding spells confuse me. Seki. Geki. Sai."
He counted them off on thick fingers.
"Those three especially."
"I don't like Bakudou either." The second boy admitted. "I can do Shakkahou and Soukatsui now – I spent ages going over them through the holiday and Kazoe said they'd improved. But I'm not good with Byakurai, and like Enjouji, my Bakudou sucks. Last time I fired Hainawa, I got myself tangled in it."
"That was pretty funny though." Enjouji smirked. "Kazoe-sensei had to rescue you because you were all trussed up."
"Like I said, it's not my gift." The other student acknowledged ruefully.
"What about you?" Juushirou turned his gaze to the final member of the group, who had so far remained silent. At his question, the fair haired youngster started, then stiffened, shooting the older student a black look from cold blue eyes.
"I don't intend to be taught by a District student." He said frankly, his words clear and pointed as he met Juushirou's gaze even on. "Not even if he does consider himself to be Anideshi."
At this overt hostility, Juushirou faltered for a moment, and the other students exchanged horrified looks, Enjouji's earlier cheeky remarks forgotten in light of this new sin. Silence fell, and hastily Juushirou gathered his wits, aware that Akira's eyes were boring into him too, waiting for him to respond to this clear piece of Clan prejudice.
To begin with he could not find words, then he remembered his first days in the First year, and the reactions he had fielded then. Something about the recollection made him smile, and he shrugged his shoulders.
"Well, I'm sorry about that." He said evenly, keeping his tones calm and moderated as he held the youth's gaze. "But unfortunately this is Kazoe-sensei's request and not yours or mine. I understand that you might not be used to this kind of thing, but I'm sure you'll understand that Genryuusai-sensei and Kazoe-sensei both asked for Yamamoto-kun and I to come here. Since they are both Clansfolk, I imagine you'll find it less difficult to obey their instructions than if they were just mine."
The boy glowered at him for a moment, then tossed his head, folding his arms defiantly across his chest.
"I'm sorry, Senpai." At last, one of the girls broke the hush, shooting her classmate a dark look, then meeting the Senior's gaze apologetically. "Iemura-kun is always like that. He won't speak to anyof us in our Class who come from the Districts. He doesn't believe in it – that's what he says."
"I wasn't raised to be tutored by common folk." The boy said calmly. "And I don't intend to be. He can teach me instead."
He pointed at Akira imperiously, and despite the fact he was obviously enjoying Juushirou's discomfort, the white haired boy saw his classmate bristle slightly at the younger boy's tones. Without a word Akira got to his feet, crossing the floor and boxing the boy's ears sharply.
"Yamamoto-kun!" Juushirou exclaimed, as the boy let out a yelp, but Akira wheeled around, glaring at Juushirou darkly.
"This is a Clan matter. It's nothing to do with you." He said bluntly. "Keep out of it. How he speaks to you is different from how he speaks to a son of the Yamamoto Clan Leader – and I'm going to teach him so, too."
He glared down at the younger boy, who was now trembling as he raised his gaze slowly to his senior's.
"What rank are you?" He demanded, and the boy swallowed hard, then whispered,
"Third…Third degree."
"Right. Then you'll understand that speaking like that to a First degree son of a Clan – and a senpai – is not done." Akira said blackly. "And I won't have it any more. One more peep like that out of you and you'll soon find out that what I gave you just now was the lightest of little taps. Understand? We're giving up free time to do this, and…"
"Stop it, Yamamoto-kun!" This was enough for Juushirou and he crossed the room in short, sharp strides, grabbing Akira by the arms and pulling him forcibly away from the young boy. "He's a kid and he said something stupid – that's all. If everyone got slapped for saying something stupid, there'd be a lot of bruised ears around this school! Sensei wouldn't sanction us bullying the juniors and nor will I!"
"Do you think you have authority over me?" Akira demanded. "He's third degree, but you're District and you know it! There is an order to things in this world, Ukitake – even if you seem to think you're outside it."
"There is an order to things, yes." Juushirou's eyes became steely, as his frustration and tiredness bubbled up into indignant temper. "The order is this. Those who lead, lead. Those who follow, follow. And those who behave like animals are cast out completely. Do you understand? This is the Academy. It may be inside District One, but it is still Genryuusai-sensei's Academy, which qualifies as neutral ground for Clan and District alike. And unless you had forgotten, I am Sensei's Anideshi. Therefore you will do as I tell you and you will not intimidate the junior students. His insult was to me, not to you. And I see no strength in battering a child who is simply repeating the bad lessons he was taught as a youngster."
Akira shook himself free of Juushirou's hold, and for a moment his fingers moved towards his sword hilt, but then he seemed to register the horrified gazes of the five second year students and he restrained himself, letting out a low growl of frustration as he put space between them.
Juushirou, still bristling with anger himself but knowing that to pursue it any further would only lead to greater problems, turned his attention instead to the dazed Clan boy, dropping down beside his desk and casting him a concerned look.
"Are you all right?" He asked quietly. Iemura looked at him in mute silence, a mixture of resentment and fear in his eyes, and Juushirou nodded.
"I don't mind if you hate me – or if you consider me 'common folk'." He said evenly. "I don't get hurt by insults because they're just words and they don't change whether or not I'm going to become a Gotei Shinigami. I've faced prejudice like that since I came here, and I'm still here. But the world is changing. You saw how your classmates reacted, didn't you? They were shocked. Horrified by what you said. The one who gets hurt by words like that isn't me – it's you. Because how you speak to others is how people see you. And that's how they see your Clan."
He got to his feet, ignoring Akira's dark glare as he made his way back to the front of the room.
"I'll go over the Hadou, if you take the Bakudou, Yamamoto-kun." He said simply. "That way we'll divide our resources and cover more ground. I imagine Sensei will want us all to meet like this again – and we're clearly not going to do very well trying to teach things together. If we divide it like that, I think we'll have more success."
Akira snorted, but he seemed to have calmed down somewhat, for he made no further demur, instead settling himself with very bad grace on the side of the room where Enjouji and his friend sat.
Juushirou moved to join the girls, half feeling that he had battled a storm and somehow dispersed it, but as he sat down, he heard his classmate speak.
"Tomorrow." Akira said brusquely, and Juushirou raised his gaze to meet his companion's stormy eyes. "At the training ground. Before breakfast."
"What is?" Juushirou was genuinely confused, and Akira's expression became one of annoyance.
"Don't play stupid with me." He said blackly. "You and I are going to settle this with swords, once and for all. In a fair spar, Ukitake. Asauchi on asauchi. Once and for all – understand me? I want to see exactly what it is that Sensei thinks is so special about his District prodigy."
For a moment Juushirou faltered, then he nodded, his pride winning through over his common sense.
"Very well." He agreed quietly. "Tomorrow it is."