Chapter Twenty One: Juushirou vs Hollow
Sixth Squad were to investigate the incident in the stable yard.
As Shirogane made his way back towards his quarters, he contemplated his Captain's orders carefully, a faint flicker of both relief and malicious pleasure in his heart as he remembered the expressions of the inner court members as Guren had spoken. Seiren had looked stricken at the idea, he recalled - as though he knew that this meant his careful observation of his nephew was effectively at an end - but it had been Guren's faith in him and his ability that had soothed his ruffled spirits the most.
Guren-sama still thinks I have a purpose in this Clan, whatever Seiren-dono is trying to persuade him of. That's something to hold onto, at the very least. Ryuu and Mitsuki might have gone back to District One now, but I never needed protection from either of them in the first place. To have their company was, I admit, not unpleasant. But this is my Clan and Guren-sama is my Captain. That has not changed. And for Ribari-sama's sake, I will do whatever I can. I'll prove to the Clan that I've recovered my wits and that I can find out the truth of what happened.
He mounted the stairs two at a time, sauntering along the corridor with a little of his old swagger as he approached his quarters. As he did so, however, he paused, a frown touching his features as he realised that the door of the chamber was a little ajar.
What...? I closed it. I know I closed it. So...what?
He hesitated for a moment, debating what to do. Was someone inside his room? An agent of his Uncle, still trying desperately to find a way to bring him down?
Rage flooded briefly through him, but then he calmed himself, shaking his head.
Shibata had been outside the meeting room, Seiren had been inside. Shibata had not made to follow him back here, despite Seiren's instructions.
If there had been some kind of ploy to raid my room on his orders, surely Shibata would have stood in my way. There's nothing that Uncle of mine doesn't plot in which Shibata wouldn't play a part - therefore I shouldn't jump to conclusions. I'm becoming paranoid - maybe Ryuu's words have made me paranoid. Still...I'm sure I left the door closed.
Cautiously and stealthily he crept up to the door, putting his hand gently against the wood as he listened for any sound of conversation inside. There was none, but just as he began to think the room was empty and he had been imagining things, he heard the faint rustle of paper and he set his teeth, flinging back the door with a bang.
A young girl stood in the middle of his room, a cluster of paper in her hand, and at his entry she swung around, her grip on the parchment slipping as she gazed at him in undisguised dismay. Shirogane stared at her, just as taken aback, for where he had expected to encounter an armed retainer, he instead found himself face to face with a maidservant, her blue eyes wide with fear as she gazed back at him.
For a brief instant, Shirogane had the impression they had met before, but he could not place it, and so instead he frowned, stalking across the room and grabbing her firmly by the arm. She did not resist him, but flinched at the tightness of his grip, and Shirogane had the impression that she saw him as a predator who had stalked and captured his prey.
"What are you doing?" He asked softly. "This isn't the normal time you clean this level, and even if it was, why are you going through my papers?"
The girl did not reply, and Shirogane gave her a little shake, his eyes narrowing.
"I asked a question." He said flatly. "Answer it, else I will take you to Guren-sama and have him pry the words out of you."
For a moment, he thought the girl was going to burst into tears, collapse or beg him for mercy. Then her eyes hardened, and to his surprise, she shook off his hold, offering him a faint smile. There was a slight flicker of humour in her expression, and Shirogane felt suddenly uneasy at her change in demeanour.
"That is no way to speak to the hime of another Clan, Shirogane-dono." She said quietly, her words precise and even as she met his gaze. "Even one in exile who came here to help you."
"Help...me?" Shirogane stared at her blankly. "A maidservant...a hime...what are you talking about?"
The girl chuckled, shaking her head in amusement.
"The Kuchiki Clan are highly stupid." She said derisively. "No wonder one of your kin was so easily cut down by assassins."
"You know something about that?" Shirogane grabbed out for her once more, but somehow she evaded him, slipping her fingers beneath the collar of her maid's robes and producing a glittering pendant. At the sight of it, Shirogane faltered, his gaze becoming one of incredulity as he interpreted what it read.
"But...Kyou...raku?"
"Oh, so you do recognise emblems at least?" The girl was mocking him now, he knew that, yet Shirogane was too stricken to react. "That's something, I suppose. Yes. You're right. Kyouraku."
"Why do you have something like that? Dressed as a maidservant - who are you and what do you want?"
"I told you. I came here to help you." The girl's eyes became hard. "To stop you becoming the next victim of the assassins that are hunting your people down."
"What do you know?" Shirogane demanded. "Stop talking in riddles. Why are you here, in my chamber, going through my papers? Where did you get that pendant - who are you and what do you want?"
"I told you that already." The girl said derisively. "Kyouraku Nanaki. An exiled hime of the Kyouraku who came here to warn you."
"Warn me about what? And why? What have your Clan to do with mine?"
"Nothing. Nothing at all." Nanaki admitted freely. "But I have been in hiding here since my Father's death in District Eight at the end of the civil uprising between him and the lord Kyouraku - my cousin, Tokutarou. This crest proves it."
She slipped it from around her neck, holding it out so that Shirogane could see it more clearly.
"My father took his own life rather than be brought to justice, and I fled." She said softly. "But assassins followed me, so I left my District and took on a new life here in District Six. When Ribari-sama was cut down, I knew that those assassins had reached here. At first I thought it was me they were seeking - but then I learnt it was not. That they were targeting the blood of the Kuchiki - hence Ribari-sama was slain. You too are not safe, Shirogane-dono. Not you, nor your cousin Ryuu, nor any other of legitimate Kuchiki blood. So I came to warn you. Before more blood is spilt."
"Assassins." Shirogane swallowed hard, taking the pendant in his hand and examining it carefully. It was a well made example, he realised, engraved carefully with the emblem of the ruling Kyouraku and of good enough quality to be considered genuine. Yet there was something about it that made him uneasy all the same, and he frowned, turning it over.
"Sumomo?" He murmured, reading the kanji on the back. "Plum? What does that mean? Sumomo?"
"I thought Kuchiki bocchan had a good working knowledge of all their characters." Nanaki said waspishly, taking the pendant back. "And if you want to spend all your time doubting me, then that's up to you. But my warning still stands. People are out to kill you. And you shouldn't sit back and let them - otherwise you might find your family in the same situation I was. Do you understand?"
Her eyes became slits, and Shirogane almost thought that they glowed beneath her thick dark lashes.
"Your life is dispensable." She said coldly. "Yours, Ribari-sama's, Ryuu-dono's - maybe even Guren-sama's. These people will stop at nothing to destroy you."
"And yet they are hunting you, but you aren't afraid of them?" Shirogane challenged. "You carry a pendant, but how can I believe you're not one of them? How do I know you didn't kill the person who owned that pendant - you are robed as a maid before me. How should I believe you are a hime?"
Nanaki frowned, then grabbed up a sheet of the discarded parchment, moving to the desk and dropping it down. Grabbing Shirogane's brush and sweeping it across the inkstone, she wrote four characters deftly and neatly across the expensive paper.
"Kyouraku Nanaki." She said quietly, picking up the sheet and thrusting it into his grip. "My name, and my proof. How many maidservants do you know who write pretty kanji? I am taking a good amount of risk to reveal myself to you, and yet even so you doubt me? I'm not the one you should mistrust. Your family is full of secrets, and as a maid, I've learnt most of them. You should beware of your Uncle - he more than anyone else would like to see you dead."
Shirogane froze, staring at Nanaki in alarm, and she let out a soft chuckle.
"Well. So you don't know, then? The secrets that lurk just beneath the surface of this Clan?"
"What about Seiren-dono? What do you think you know – tell me!" Despite himself a flicker of urgency surged in Shirogane's eyes and he reached out to grab her again, but once more she was too quick for him, darting neatly out of his reach.
"If you don't know, that's your weakness. Not mine." She said with a careless shrug. "This family is a web of secrets going back generations. Even a simple maidservant can find those things out if she dusts carefully and listens well."
"You've been spying on us!" Shirogane exclaimed, and Nanaki looked amused.
"Cleaning staff are low born, but have eyes and ears and can learn." She said with a shrug. "I don't have to spy on you or your companions in order to find things out. People are careless. Rooms are left unlocked. Documents are left lying about. Maids can't read Clan kanji, or so you people think – but I can. I do. And I have. For my own safety, I wanted to know what things were going on in this place – and I found out far more than I expected. Secrets about your Uncle, for example. Reasons why he might want you – and your cousin Ribari-sama – to no longer exist."
Shirogane paled slightly, remembering Ryuu's words and expression when they had spoken in the library.
"Because if it was here, and it no longer is here...that means...it is in someone else's possession. It might...be the reason Ribari-sama was killed. And...if you knew...you might become a target."
"But you would not?" He heard his own voice echo the question, and then, like a deluge of icy water, Ryuu's uncertain reply.
"I don't know. I don't know what's going on."
Seiren-ojisama.
Despite himself Shirogane felt doubts creeping into his own heart.
Is that what Ryuu meant? Whatever it is he knew related to Seiren-ojisama? And that's why he wasn't sure he was a target. Because the only person Seiren-ojisama would definitely not betray is his own precious son.
He bit his lip, not liking the direction in which his thoughts were heading.
Did Ryuu find proof that indicated Seiren-dono might have conspired in Ribari-sama's murder? If he did…if he did then…then I understand why he didn't want to speak it aloud, or before Guren-sama without proof. Against his own father…but if that's what he found then…is that why Seiren-dono has turned on me so greatly in the last few days?
He stared at Nanaki as if seeing her for the first time.
"It was you." He murmured. "You took that paper of Ryuu's from the Archive, didn't you?"
"Paper?" Nanaki's eyes became wide, and then she grinned. "I don't know what paper you're talking about, Shirogane-sama. I'm a maid, I'm not a thief. Even in exile, don't you think that hime are above and beyond stealing things from other Clans?"
"I don't know anything about you or whether a single word you've told me is the truth." Shirogane's brows knitted together. "I don't know why you're here or why you're sharing this information with me at all, so you tell me."
"Or maybe you should look closer to home." Nanaki retorted sweetly, tilting her head on one side as she eyed him carefully. "I'm quite serious, you know. About what people can do when something really matters to them."
"But…"
"You shouldn't assume that just because assassins come from outside, nobody inside is working with them." Nanaki absorbed his expression, the continued. "A family will stoop to great depths to get what they want. Your Uncle wants his son to inherit, just like my Uncle Matsuhara wanted his son to inherit despite his Shiba blood. A man who killed his own wife, and then went to great lengths to ensure that my Father's children were all destroyed. I am the only one who yet survives."
Her eyes hardened, and for a moment Shirogane thought he saw real dislike in the girl's azure eyes.
"Kyouraku Tokutarou pretends to be a noble lord, and his brother the same." She murmured. "But their family is stooped in blood promises and murder, just like yours. Even now they would hunt me down – kill me, if they could – because I pose a threat to them and the perfect world they've sought to create for themselves. That's how Clans are – to protect their facades, they will do anything it takes, even kill. And the Kuchiki are the worst of them all. How much of this Clan is real and how much is false? I've been here a short time, really, but already I can see how rotten it is beneath the surface."
She shrugged her shoulders dismissively.
"You can ignore my warning if you like. I don't care, it doesn't matter at all to me. But if you do ignore it, don't regret it when you realise I'm right. Clansfolk kill to protect secrets, even those who share their blood. And to further their ambitions, there's nothing they won't stoop to. Keep that in mind before you judge me, Shirogane-sama – otherwise you might find yourself sacrificed next."
With that she was gone, the door shutting with a click behind her, and Shirogane sank down on the floor, the sheet of parchment still clutched in his hand.
Kyouraku Nanaki.
He glanced at the paper once again, taking in the elegant, neat way the characters had been written. It was, he acknowledged to himself, not the writing style of a maidservant, but rather that of a nobleman's daughter who had been correctly and carefully educated to follow a particular path. Yet although she had held the pendant, spoken of the Kyouraku-ke and written her name so clearly and concisely, Shirogane felt ill at ease.
Why come to me?
He wondered, folding the parchment across and across again before slipping it into the folds of his obi.
Why risk her life to talk to me that way? Was she waiting for me? But I don't think she was. She looked frightened when I first entered. As though she had not intended to speak to me at all. So why did she? And more importantly, should I believe her?
He flopped back onto the tatami mat, gazing up at the ceiling as he tried to make sense of what she had said.
Something about this is wrong. Something I can't put my finger on, but something all the same. A hime with a hime's crest, a hime's turn of speech and a hime's skill with a brush...those things I can't dispute. The girl who spoke to me just then was no simple maidservant. But what she said...about Clan secrets, and assassins...and the Kyouraku-ke. Do I believe that? That Kyouraku Tokutarou, who is generally considered a reasonable and fair-minded man, would have somehow conspired with his father to destroy his Uncle's family in order to hold the Clan? I don't know enough about the Kyouraku as a family to know for sure. Some of what she said added up - I've heard before that Tokutarou-sama's Uncle was briefly Lord of the Kyouraku and that he took his own life following defeat in a civil dispute, just as she said. But...but...
He rubbed his temples.
And what has that to do with us? That there's an underground group of assassins working to the orders of influential Clansfolk? A group with the power to turn and change the political path of those families?
His eyes narrowed as he remembered Ribari's final words.
Gold eyes. Dark skin. The Shihouin. But do I believe that? That that Clan was dispatched in any way to conspire to destroy this one, after so many years? So many things about what she said trouble me, and so many don't add up.
He pulled himself to his feet, making up his mind.
I'll go to the archive. If I recall correctly there should be records from the Council of Elders because all the Clans hold those - minutes of meetings held in times gone by. If that's the case, surely there I'll find out whether what she told me is true. And more, whether that crest she showed me really does belong to that line of the Clan. Her Father was a Lord of the Kyouraku, therefore that crest should appear in the Council records. If it does, then maybe...I can believe what she says. And if not...then I have another mystery on my hands.
So he had taken the bait.
From her alcove near to the servants' stairway, Nanaki watched Shirogane leave his chamber, an approving smile on her face.
That was quick thinking on my part. I was told that I should seek to ally with either Shirogane or Seiren against the other - but when he burst in on me like that, I almost lost my composure. I didn't expect him to return so quickly - but thank goodness, I saved the situation.
She leant back against the wall, closing her eyes briefly.
But this won't do...not like this. I've made Shirogane suspicious - either of me, or my story, or of his Uncle. But if he decides not to believe me, he could easily report me to someone and then I'd be in trouble. So I have to think again. I have to do something more.
Her fingers closed around the stolen pendant, a faintly malicious smile touching her lips.
I can be a hime, and my knowledge of the Kyouraku is enough, thanks to the endless political disputes and my having visited their land at least once. Besides, I owe them some negative karma for the lies they told and the promises they broke two and a half years ago. A promise not to kill – a promise to protect. But instead, even now, we are hunted like outlaws and animals instead of being able to shelter even for a little while. If I damage the Kyouraku in the process, so what? I heard Tokutarou-dono say with his own words that his father killed his mother, and that information I'll put to good use. If it drives a wedge between the Kuchiki and the Kyouraku, so be it. The Kyouraku and the Shihouin are now Clan allies – so the connection is a convenient one in light of the fact we want to throw suspicion in the direction of District Two. Whether Shirogane trusts me or doubts me – the result is the same. There is still something else that I must do.
She sighed, absently smoothing down her rumpled maid's uniform. The fabric was rough against her delicate skin, but she was becoming used to it now. She was used to a lot more discomfort now, in fact, she reflected, a wry smile flickering at the corners of her lips. She had come a long way from the caged bird she had once been. People had underestimated her – but that was all right.
She glanced at her fingers. Though they were clean, the skin a little flaked from constant scrubbing, she knew that in reality they were stained. Stained with blood and conviction that would never be erased. Yet instead of being troubled by this fact, she felt faintly comforted by it. She had a purpose, now. She understood who she was and why she was here. And she would do her utmost to complete the orders given to her, even if that meant putting her life in danger.
What I learnt in District Eight should be enough I hope, to make me seem authentic. When I was there, nobody seemed to mind what I heard or what was said around me, and I have a good memory for detail when there's a purpose behind it all. Besides, he's relying on me to do things properly. So I will. I'll act while I have the momentum, and tackle the other half of the equation myself.
She reached down to touch her obi, remembering the precious sheet of parchment she had taken from the room and then returned there with an added flourish, before Shirogane had arrived.
Unfortunately for you, Shirogane-dono, I already managed to spend a good amount of time in your room before you entered. And now I'm going to go stir up the enemy camp. Because although having you as an ally might be interesting, I think more power lies on the other side of the equation.
Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
I know more about Seiren-dono. And therefore I think...maybe...he will believe me more readily.
She slipped further into the shadow of the alcove as a couple of other maidservants passed by, glancing at her arms thoughtfully as she did so. Shirogane had grabbed her, sure enough, but his hold had not been enough to inflict bruising on her body, and she tut-tutted softly, realising that she would have to take matters into her own hands.
Deftly she reached up to rip the fabric of her maid's uniform so that the pendant fell carelessly loose around her throat, then, very purposefully, she raised her left hand to her right arm, bringing her nails down the soft pale flesh with an involuntary wince. She did not falter, however, repeating the action until she had drawn blood, and then smearing some of the red substance against her clothing to simulate the signs of a struggle.
Moving to the top of the stairs, she took a deep breath, swallowing hard to gather her courage. Then, saying an inward prayer for help to her missing mentor, she closed her eyes, allowing her body to drop forwards and roll down the eight or nine steps to the middle landing. She landed with a heavy thump, her head jarring and her body aching all over, but as she picked herself up, she realised that she had not done any serious damage, and she clasped her hands together in relief, scrambling to her feet.
Faking an assault is a heavy business. I don't think I'll do it again any time soon. But at least these bruises have a purpose...now to use them to my best advantage.
Wincing slightly, she made her way carefully down the serving stairs towards Seiren's office, slipping open the servant's door and stepping cautiously inside. The room was empty, but a green wooden box lay unsealed on the desk, and curiously Nanaki tiptoed towards it, lifting the lid carefully and removing the scroll that lay curled up inside. With a quick glance to the door to make sure she would not be disturbed, she unrolled it, skimming over the contents thoughtfully.
So your plans to give your son the succession are progressing. That's fine. That's what we expected.
She gave a little nod, putting the scroll back and replacing the box lid carefully.
It gives you the perfect motive to make people suspicious of you - Shirogane's reactions just now are proof that he mistrusts you, and I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to make others mistrust you. But for now, I want to make you my ally. Therefore...
She stepped away from the desk, dropping down into the middle of the floor and screwing up her eyes until tears pricked at them.
I want to be the most pitiful young maiden you ever did see, Seiren-dono, when you return from your meeting. I've been trusted with a mission - and I won't fail it.
The rain continued to beat down in the forest clearing as Juushirou's body became enveloped in an eerie bluish glow. As his zanpakutou began to morph from one blade into the two distinctive lightning rods that made up Sougyo no Kotowari's released form, he felt a surge of adrenalin race through his drenched body, and he swallowed hard, struggling to hold back the bulk of his reiryoku so that his weapon did not explode extra energy into the surrounding area. He was all too aware that Tsunemori was still cowering beneath the branches of one of the sturdy elm trees, possibly hurt and in either case unable to move or run from the location. Yet he could not hesitate in facing the threat the Hollow posed. Even if his released reiatsu dazed the boy, he would have to take the risk.
At the sudden flare in Juushirou's power, the Hollow let out a groaning cry, shaking its head in confusion as it drew back slightly. Juushirou darted forward, blades raised as he sought to take advantage of the beast's momentary hesitation, and as he slashed and swung his twin weapons against the creature's thick, greyish skin he felt a sudden sense of relief – for where he had been unable to break the Hollow's hide before, now Sougyo no Kotowari's razor sharp edge sliced cleanly through to the soft tissue beneath.
But this Hollow was not a weakling, and nor was it about to give up without a fight. With a tremendous scream it pounded its feet hard on the floor of the forest, sending the earth shaking and trees rocking as it rallied itself for another attack. With a jolt Juushirou realised his attack had been too shallow – that though he had intended on severing both front limbs, all he had achieved was to wound the beast – and probably to anger it all the more.
At least, though, its attention is on me and not on Tsukabishi.
Juushirou gritted his teeth, fighting to keep his rising reiryoku under his control as the monster lowered its head back in his direction, letting rip another burst of hot pungent air that almost made him gag. He stumbled slightly under the sudden blast, digging his left blade into the ground to steady himself as he swung his right blade towards the Hollow's masked face. It glanced off the edge of the white surface, but just as Juushirou thought he had not managed to make a dent, a fine, hairline fracture appeared across the creature's mandible, and it let out a terrific roar of anger, wheeling its left claw across in a swift, sweeping movement to knock Juushirou back.
The assault had come suddenly and unexpectedly, and Juushirou had had no time to react before the broad paw of the beast struck him across the chest, sending him flying back into the undergrowth. As he lay there for a moment, dazed and winded, he heard the roar of the monster as it turned its attention back to its original target, and Juushirou was aware of Tsunemori's frightened, hysterical screams.
Juushirou, get up. You have to get up.
You's voice ricocheted across his senses and he winced, bringing his left hand up to touch his bruised chest even as he used the right blade to haul himself to his feet. Though the monster's claws had not touched him, the blow had struck his weak spot, and he took a tentative breath of air into his lungs, half afraid that he was going to choke and cough blood.
You have to get up. The boy is in danger.
You's voice was unrelenting and urgent, pushing at his senses and Juushirou forced back the sense of fear and pain that had rattled through him, tightening his grasp on his weapon as he focused his spiritual wits on Tsunemori's reiatsu. It was not hard to do, for the boy was terrified and flaring his aura all over the surrounding area, but even as he forced his stiff, rainsoaked body into shunpo, Juushirou realised that it was also because of something else.
Tsunemori was physically weak and easily intimidated, but he was also in possession of a fairly significant level of spirit power.
And right now that was more a hindrance than a help to the terrified child, for Juushirou knew that it was that unchecked aura that had drawn the Hollow's interest back to where the First year was trapped against the tree.
But this is all my fault. This whole thing happened because of me – somehow, it's my fault.
Juushirou focused his thoughts, dropping out of the flash-step a few feet in front of Tsunemori and making the already jittery boy jump with the suddenness of his appearance. The Hollow too seemed slightly put out, for it rattled its head against the trees before letting out a bellow of indignation, reaching up to claw Juushirou out of the way. Juushirou was wise to the action this time, though, reaching up to parry the attack with first his right blade and then, as he steadied his footing, his left, and as he sliced through the fingers of the Hollow's attacking paw he heard the soft thump of the digits as they fell to the ground then disintegrated into a cloud of black reiryoku.
But the battle was still far from over, and Juushirou knew that his control over his own reiatsu was slipping fast. If he released it to its full level, he knew that he could probably take down the Hollow and quickly, too. But his junior still cowered behind him, and Juushirou was old enough now to know that releasing his spirit power fully in the confined copse could do Tsunemori more damage than it would help.
Reiatsu control is something I learnt from the First year. I can do it now – but because Tsukabishi is frightened, he's forgotten all thought of how to do it himself. So right now, to the Hollow, he's more attractive a target than I am. But I can't protect him by releasing more of my spirit power – probably I'd just poison him, or do damage to myself. I have to focus and think this through. Remember what we've done in practice sessions – how to take the Hollow down without letting the kid get hurt.
"Senpai! Senpai!" Tsunemori was beyond coherence now, it seemed, his eyes huge and tears mingled with the rain streaming down mud-stained cheeks. "Senpai, the Hollow! The Hollow!"
Juushirou turned his attention back to the battle hurriedly, his eyes widening as he saw the monster's tremendous jaws open wider than ever. Something ominous and red glittered at the back of the beast's throat, and for a moment Juushirou wasn't sure what he was seeing, for the driving rain made it hard to focus and the flickering lightning continued to bath the landscape in brief flashes of silver light.
But then he felt the change in the monster's spirit pressure, and he understood.
Cero.
His heart stilled in his chest for a brief moment, as fear paralysed his body. Though he knew In'you was trying to speak to him, he could not hear anything but a fuzzy murmur as terror took hold of his senses, urging him to take to his heels and run.
He had never faced a cero before, though he had heard plenty of times in classroom lectures about how it was the ultimate attack wielded by a Hollow in battle. It was their equivalent of Kidou – the deadly red flare of energy that burnt through Shinigami and, on occasion, seared the life and spirit right out of their bodies, leaving nothing behind but charred scraps of fabric and a lingering trace of reiatsu. Genryuusai had warned them about the danger of this attack many times in their Sakusen classes, and they had even written long reports on ways to counter an angry Hollow launching its most deadly attack.
But at that moment Juushirou's mind was a complete blank.
The Hollow shook its head against the trees once more, sending a few branches flying down towards where Tsunemori was huddled, and he screamed, covering his head to try and protect himself from their sharp, splintered ends. This seemed to jerk Juushirou back to where he was and what he was doing, and he steadied himself, forcing his body to take deep breaths of air into battered lungs as he faced the situation head on.
You almost panicked – I thought we lost you there.
You sounded reproachful.
Juushirou, use us to defend you. You know what we can do – use us.
That was In, and as coherent thought trickled back across Juushirou's senses, he nodded, raising his blades resolutely as the Hollow let the Cero rip.
It was a concentrated, dense burst of red hot power, laced with something dark and tainted and as it scalded against Sougyo no Kotowari's left blade Juushirou gasped, his feet sliding on the wet ground as he struggled to hold his stance. He closed his eyes tightly, his brow screwed up in concentration as he focused on absorbing the terrible flare into the glittering metal. Pain rocketed through his chest as he felt his spirit power rise naturally to meet the invading sensation of the Hollow's dark energy, but somehow he controlled it, forcing himself to take even, deep breaths of the damp air into his lungs.
As he did so, the iridescent ribbon of energy that tied the two weapons permanently together began to shimmer, the silver links shifting and vibrating as the Cero's evil energy rippled through them, and Juushirou tightened his hold, desperately trying to keep the surge of power within his control. One slip, he knew, and it could explode into the surrounding atmosphere, probably taking down the Hollow but almost certainly destroying the copse and potentially killing Tsunemori into the bargain.
It seemed forever before the Cero's dark core penetrated Sougyo no Kotowari's second blade, but really it was only a matter of seconds between the blast having been absorbed and the moment when Juushirou lifted his right arm into the air, turning his wrist so that the flat of the right hand weapon was facing directly towards the monster's lowered head.
The next instant the blast of power broke forth from Sougyo's right blade, searing through the air and hitting the confused Hollow head on, blasting a hole through its white mask and sending fragments of powdery white jaw and skull into the ether. There was a sudden glow of bright light, then the Hollow disintegrated into black mist, and Juushirou let out a heavy sigh, reaching up absently to brush the specks of blood and dirty rain from his chin.
"Senpai!" Tsunemori's plaintive call reminded him that he had not come to the forest in the first place to fight a Hollow, and he sealed his zanpakutou, sliding it quickly back into its sheath before dropping his heavy body down at the young boy's side.
"Tsukabishi-kun." He managed, then, "Are you hurt?"
The boy stared at him for a moment, his teeth chattering as a chill wind whipped through the somewhat devastated clearing, and Juushirou sighed, unfastening his heavy cloak's clasp and lifting it carefully so that it spread over Tsunemori's shoulders.
"You're as wet as I am, so it won't help much." He said apologetically. "But at least its something."
"Sen…pai." Tsunemori gulped, then he burst into fresh floods of tears, burying his head in Juushirou's shoulder as his emotions and his terror overwhelmed his young body. Juushirou slipped a comforting arm around the youngster, patting him gently on the back.
"It's all right. The Hollow is gone." He said quietly, his words faintly hoarse yet full of relief. "Sougyo and I, we took it down. So you needn't be afraid. It's all right."
Tsunemori raised tear-filled eyes at this, meeting Juushirou's gaze with a hopeless one of his own.
"You saved me." He whispered. "When I…but I…"
"Shh. Not now." Juushirou shook his head. "Right now you said you were stuck, and it's not nice out here. So we need to get you out."
"I c...can't." Tsunemori glanced down at his feet, and Juushirou saw that his companion had slipped on the wet surface, his right foot becoming hooked under the protruding root of a tree. As he put his fingers tentatively against the ankle, Tsunemori winced, and Juushirou drew his hand back, a troubled expression on his face.
"You hurt it going in?"
Tsunemori nodded.
"I couldn't get out, and then, trying, I…I fell on it again…and it hurts."
He swallowed hard.
"Senpai, I'm sorry. I'm sorry I c…caused so much trouble. I'm sorry."
"I told you. Later, not now." Juushirou said gently. "I want to get you free of this first. Anything else can wait."
He eyed the youngster keenly.
"I think I can cut the root with Sougyo's sealed blade, but I want you to stay absolutely still." He added. "Do you think you can do that? It will come quite close to your foot, and I don't want to cut you by mistake."
"I'll try." An involuntary shiver ran through Tsunemori's body. "I'm so c…cold, so I…d…don't know. But I'll…try."
"Okay. You try." Juushirou forced himself to stand up, pulling his zanpakutou once more from its sheath and putting the edge of the weapon carefully against the thinnest point on the tree's twisted root. "Just stay exactly as you are now – don't move at all. I'll try and be as quick as I can – and then you'll be free."
Tsunemori closed his eyes, clenching his fists and screwing up his face as he fought to control his shivers, and Juushirou smiled despite himself, bringing Sougyo no Kotowari's sharp edge down against the old root. The sealed blade had not been able to penetrate the hide of the Hollow easily, but an old stretch of wood posed no challenge and it sliced through it cleanly. Tsunemori let out a little gasp as the wood's pressure against his leg lifted, and Juushirou bent to pull back the remainder of the root, tossing it away into the undergrowth.
"There." He murmured. "Is that better?"
"Mm." Tsunemori reached down to rub the joint, wincing again as he did so, and Juushirou sighed, sheathing his weapon for the second time. As he did so, lightning split the sky again, highlighting the torn edge of Tsunemori's hakama and the shredded tabi beneath and for the first time the Senior could see clearly how red and swollen the youngster's ankle was.
"No wonder you couldn't get free." He murmured. "You're not going to be able to walk on that, are you? No…worse. You shouldn't even be asked to. It might be broken – I'm not a healer and I can't tell clearly whether it is or not. But I'm pretty sure you shouldn't stand up on it. We're a long way from school, though, so how to get you back…"
"I don't…want to go…b…back." Tsunemori shook his head anxiously. "Please, S…Senpai. I don't w…want to…"
He shivered, suppressing a sneeze, and Juushirou bit his lip.
"You're coming back with me." He said quietly. "Out here isn't safe – haven't you already seen that for yourself?"
"But…after what I did…" Tsunemori whispered. "Nobody will ever forgive me, and…and…"
"Someone put you up to it, didn't they?" Juushirou could see that putting off the subject any longer would not work, for the desperate hopelessness in the young boy's eyes told him that at last Tsunemori was reaching out for help. "To go to my room and take my sword – someone made you do that, didn't they?"
Tsunemori's eyes became frightened, and Juushirou nodded.
"It's all right. I'm not cross with you, and I have no intention of telling Sensei that you went through my things." He said evenly. "My sword is safe, and nothing worse came of it. But I do want to get to the bottom of why it happened. And I do want to make sure you're safe and sound back at school. You're hurt and you're freezing and you need someone to look at that foot. So we're going to go back – before people get even more worried than they already are about you."
"Nobody will worry about me." Tsunemori murmured, and Juushirou snorted.
"Of course they will. They already are, so don't be silly." He said pragmatically, though in truth he too was beginning to feel the effects of the cold, damp weather. "I worried about you, so I came looking. So did two of my friends – which reminds me, I must tell them that I found you. I don't think I can carry you myself – but Shunsui probably can, and I know they'll come if I call them here."
He raised his hands to the sky, hoping that he had enough spirit power in him still to fire the spell.
"Senpai?" Tsunemori looked confused, and Juushirou closed his eyes, murmuring the words of the spell and forcing the last of his reiryoku to obey his command.
"Hadou no Sanjuu Ichi: Shakkahou!" He whispered, and a sudden blaze of red energy shot between the branches of the tree above them, glittering like a firework in the sodden night air.
It had stopped raining, Juushirou realised absently, as he watched the fire spell explode cleanly among the clouds. He had not even realised that the deluge had stopped, for he was already far too wet to register the change. But the storm was passing, and for that he was grateful – much as he loved the thunder and lightning, he knew that sheltering beneath a tree in a thunderstorm was never a good idea.
"Kidou…" Tsunemori murmured, and Juushirou realised that the young boy's gaze had also traced the pattern of the spell into the sky. "Senpai…will I ever be able to fire a spell like that?"
"Without a doubt." Juushirou offered him a crooked smile, lowering his hands. "I learnt to do that in First year, and so you'll learn it very soon."
Tsunemori sighed, bringing his knees up to his chest with some difficulty and wrapping his arms around them in a defensive pose.
"I like Kidou." He whispered. "But Kazoe-sensei…is often cross. Uebashi-sensei too. And…and…"
He faltered, shaking his head, and Juushirou could see fresh tears forming in his eyes. Despite himself he felt a pang of guilt as he looked at the young boy.
"Obviously there are a lot of things that have been going on and I've not been aware of them." He said apologetically. "And we will talk about them, Tsukabishi-kun. I'm sorry…I feel like I've let you down in some way, but I'll do better from now on, I promise."
"Sen...pai?"
"Please don't give up – on the Academy or on your own ability." Juushirou added gently. "Because I can tell already that you aren't weak – anything you want to achieve, I believe you can do it."
"M...mother used to say things like that." Tsunemori's words were almost indistinguishable and he sank back against Juushirou's body, exhaustion finally getting the better of him.
"Don't go to sleep. You're cold, and it's not good." Juushirou said sharply. "If you're tired, it can wait till we're back somewhere safer. If another Hollow comes because of my spell or our fight, we have to be alert."
Though I don't think I can fight another battle like the last one. I'm struggling to keep awake myself.
He smiled wryly, reaching up to rub his chest.
I suppose there's still a lot of things I need to learn about what to do when faced with a situation like that one. Sensei might yet be cross with me too - but right now I just want to go back to school. Even if I'm yelled at, or demoted, or anything else happens because I released my sword out here without permission. I don't care. So long as I'm safe and Tsukabishi-kun is safe…I don't mind.
"Juu!"
Shunsui's voice cut through his thoughts at that moment and he swung around, his arm still clutched protectively around the shivering First year. Relief coursed through his body as he saw his friend, then a moment later, Hirata appear on the scene, his glasses misted and his hair slicked back from the rain but both clearly unharmed.
"I found him." He said unnecessarily, and Shunsui frowned, crouching down at the boy's side.
"So you did." He remarked flippantly, though his eyes were serious. "Hey, Tsukabishi! You've led us on a wild chase – do you think we can go home now?"
"The rain has stopped at least." Hirata held out his hand, glancing up at the sky. "Though it hardly matters when we're all soaked through."
His gaze flitted to Juushirou, and the District boy could see his friend's concern beneath the fogged up glasses.
"You were fighting." His words were almost reproachful. "You released Sougyo – I felt it."
"Me too." Shunsui agreed. "I was about to come and lend a hand when I felt the Hollow's reiatsu disappear."
"I didn't have much choice." Juushirou coughed, putting his hand to his chest for a moment, then, "It came at me – it was after Tsukabishi-kun first of all and he'd trapped his foot. But we handled it. Just he can't walk – and I don't think I can carry him back on my own."
He coughed again, and Shunsui's brows knitted together.
"No, you're not even going to try." He said decidedly. "You being soaked through is worse than us being soaked through, so let me carry the kid and let Hirata help you get back to school. You used a lot of your reiryoku, I can tell – and Sensei will probably want to know why, so you'd do better saving your protests for then instead of for me."
Juushirou, who had opened his mouth to refute his friend's suggestion stopped, then sent Shunsui a rueful grin.
"I called you here so you could carry Tsukabishi-kun, actually." He said frankly. "Because I'm not as strong as you are when it comes to things like that."
"He's half-asleep." Hirata murmured. "Tsukabishi-kun? You can't rest here. It's dangerous to fall asleep when you're so cold and wet – open your eyes properly, will you?"
Tsunemori blinked, bringing Hirata into focus, and the other boy smiled, patting him gently on the shoulder.
"Shunsui-kun is going to carry you back to school." He said quietly. "And then Unohana-sensei can look at your hurt leg. You can change and have a hot bath – then you'll feel much better."
"But Anideshi…" Tsunemori swivelled around as best he could on the wet ground to meet Juushirou's gaze. "Anideshi, what about…"
"I'm fine. Hirata and I will be right behind you." Juushirou assured him. "Don't look so worried! Everything will be all right. But before the rain begins again, it's better we get moving."
He stifled a cough, suppressing a shiver as it ran through his thin frame.
"I could use a bath myself, I think." He murmured. "I'm covered in mud and soaked to the bone."
"That could go for all of us." Shunsui hoisted Tsunemori up into his arms with a sigh. "You know, I've said it before, but heaving around incapacitated males really isn't an interest of mine. Next time, can you scare some damsels into the forest instead? They'd be much more fun to chase after."
Tsunemori's eyes became big with bewilderment at Shunsui's playful words, and despite himself, Juushirou laughed.
"Tsukabishi-kun, you'd do better not to listen to anything silly Shunsui says between now and getting back to school." He said dryly, inwardly grateful to his friend for lightening the mood. "He's obviously had a bit too much rainwater gather between his ears and its starting to affect his thinking."
"That's nice, when we came out to help you." Shunsui tut-tutted. "Hirata, I'll leave him to you. The squirt and I are heading back to school via the quick route – if Juu can shunpo, you guys follow – if not, I'll make sure to leave a gate open on my way in."
"I can shunpo." Juushirou assured him, but Shunsui was already gone, and Hirata shot him a concerned look.
"You're white as a ghost, Juushirou-kun." He said quietly. "No…blue around the edges would be a better way of putting it. You should have called us sooner – there was a big gap between you fighting the Hollow and your Kidou flare."
"Did I worry you? I'm sorry." Juushirou looked penitent. "I didn't mean to. Only Tsukabishi-kun was very scared, and his foot was trapped…and I didn't think about firing the Kidou until after I realised he wasn't going to be able to walk. I wanted to bring him back myself, Hirata…but I really couldn't."
He coughed, pulling a face as his chest began to protest from its earlier bruising.
"It wasn't an easy Hollow. So I guess I used more strength than I expected. But sitting for a moment then has helped – so I can shunpo back if nothing else."
"Then let's go." Hirata looked doubtful, but to Juushirou's relief he didn't complain. "I'm not sure how long we've been out – but I suspect we'll have some questions to answer when we do get back."
"No. I will. Not you or Shunsui." Juushirou said simply. "I'm Anideshi and this was my call. If there's trouble for it, I'll deal with it."
"I don't think Shunsui-kun will be any more satisfied with that answer than I am, but I'm not going to waste time arguing with you right at the moment." Hirata said with a sigh. "It's cold out here, and I'm wet through too."
Juushirou nodded his head, steadying his spirit power before slipping into shunpo. As he dropped out of the flash-step outside the school's infirmary, he found that not only Shunsui and Tsunemori but also Retsu and, with a sinking heart he registered the Headmaster too awaiting their return. The school around them was dark and silent, and Juushirou realised that they had not only missed dinner, but that all the students were now safely in bed.
All of them, that is, except for three Seniors and one bedraggled First year.
"Is this all of you?" Genryuusai's words were quiet and even, but Juushirou found the hairs prickling at the back of his neck as he struggled to meet the Headmaster's gaze. Slowly he nodded, and Genryuusai's lips twitched together beneath the heavy bristles of his moustache as if ascertaining something for himself.
"Tsukabishi Tsunemori is in bed." He said softly. "Tonight he will remain here under the care of Retsu-dono, who will see to his bad leg and the shock and exposure he seems to have experienced roaming wild in the forest. I don't know why he was there – and nor did any of his worried classmates when they came to report to me that he didn't come to the evening meal or to their dormitory for bed. Tomorrow I will speak to him fully, I imagine – but one thing I did glean from the First years who came to see me. That a Senior student had been asking questions about the boy earlier this evening."
"That was me, Sensei." Shunsui said gravely. "Because we were concerned about…about his whereabouts."
"I see." Genryuusai cast his gaze between the trio. "Well, for the time being, you are all drowned rats and more sorry examples of Senior students I have never had the misfortune to see. Go to the bath-house, all three of you – wash, change and tidy yourselves into something that better resembles members of my top class. Then I would like you all to come to my office."
"Tonight, sir?" Hirata's eyes widened, and Genryuusai nodded.
"It is already late. A little later won't matter – I know that you have no early class tomorrow morning." He said calmly. "The midnight hour has been and gone, and curfew is long behind us, so I'm sure you aren't in a position to complain about staying up a little longer."
"Sir, I think…Hirata is worried…about…" Shunsui faltered, his gaze resting on Juushirou for a brief moment, and despite himself the white-haired boy felt a flash of indignant pride rush through his weary, frozen body.
"I'm quite all right, as it happens." He said frankly. "Certainly well enough to report before you this evening, Sensei. Hirata, Shunsui – let's go do as he says. The longer we argue about it, the longer our night will be."
With that he bowed his head before Genryuusai and Retsu, then withdrew from the Healing Bay, hoping that his composure would not falter until he had got beyond their solemn gazes.
"He's not happy." As they made their way down the halls towards the Senior bathhouse, it was Shunsui who broke the oppressive silence. "Juu, you can't take this all onto your head. We don't know, yet, what drove that little idiot to act quite like this, but either way, it isn't your fault. You can't take responsibility for something that you didn't trigger."
"You're wrong, though." Juushirou said quietly. "I am Anideshi, Shunsui. I did trigger it, just through that fact. Whether I hurt anyone directly or not, I don't know. Maybe I have, maybe not. But by being Anideshi, I caused Tsukabishi-kun to be bullied and scared into doing something drastic."
"The way Sensei looked just then, though…" Hirata shivered. "Juushirou-kun, Shunsui-kun is right. You can't take all of the blame for what happened this evening. Not even as Anideshi."
"Hirata and I followed you because we wanted to, not because you told us to." Shunsui added. "Sensei's wise enough to see that, hence we're all already in some kind of trouble. As for the runt, well, someone put him up to stealing your zanpakutou and he panicked. That's all. Going to rescue him wasn't the wrong decision, and the real people to blame are the Fifth years that drove him to that desperate point."
Juushirou was silent for a moment, then he sighed, nodding his head.
"I'm supposed to set an example. To District children most of all." He said quietly. "But tonight in the forest, the Hollow scared me. I released my sword because I didn't see how to fight it without doing that – then found myself stuck because I couldn't flare my reiatsu without risking hurting the person I went to save. I didn't think that battle through at all well – and I broke all kinds of rules doing it. I could have handled it better…in the end, if there's blame, it's really mine."
He stretched his hands over his head.
"Releasing a zanpakutou without licence and putting others in danger isn't just a breach of Academy rules, it's a breach of Council law." He added regretfully. "And after our adventures in First year, it's not a law I can pretend I don't know. I was outside the school grounds, so that law applies just as much to me as it does to anyone else. The reason why I was there is not important – its how I handled the situation that is."
"If you hadn't released Sougyo, what would have happened then?" Hirata asked softly. "To you and to Tsukabishi-kun? What would have happened?"
"I don't know." Juushirou admitted. "But that answer won't sound very acceptable before Genryuusai-sensei."
He coughed, wincing slightly as his chest spasmed and ached, and Shunsui shot him a troubled glance.
"And you hurt yourself in the process, didn't you?" He demanded. "Fighting that thing – you were hurt."
"Not hurt. Just winded. But it's my weakness and it shook me." Juushirou rubbed his ribcage gingerly. "I'll feel better when I'm bathed and in dry clothes, I think. And Tsukabishi-kun is safe. That's the main thing."
But, as he remembered the look in Genryuusai's eyes, Juushirou realised that he was genuinely afraid of the meeting in the old man's study. That even if he was clean, warm and dry and properly kitted out in fresh uniform, it wouldn't shake the dark, lurching sensation in the pit of his stomach.
Still, I won't let him blame Hirata or Shunsui. They broke curfew, but they didn't break any laws. That was me. Just me. I'll make sure Sensei knows that.
Surrepticiously he cast a glance at each of his companions, then,
Their clans need them. As for me…I don't know what it will mean. But I'm Anideshi, so I'll take the blame. That's how it works, isn't it? Even if it means I've failed Sensei's challenge. This was my decision…and I'll face it, regardless of the consequences.