Chapter Thirty One: District Healer
It was a bright, sunshiny day, and the first flowers had begun to spread their colourful blooms across the green and brown of the District One scenery. Spring was beginning its slow progress into summer, and before the month was out Juushirou knew that the whole of the school grounds would be alive with delicate blues, pinks and yellows, each bloom straining to reach the rays of the sun and attract the bees and other insects that were unique to this area of Soul Society.
Time was moving at speed, just as it always did. But this would be the last summer that they would spend in this place, and despite himself, Juushirou felt a little bittersweet as he reached up to brush the petals of a nearby wisteria plant's hanging blossom.
Between the burdens his role had placed on him and the tension in District Six, he had not had much time to just sit back and enjoy himself so far.
I suppose I should have expected that. Sensei made me Anideshi to put me through my paces and that means there isn't any time to relax. On a morning like this it would be nice to play hooky for a few hours and just relax, though. The weather is getting warmer. Before I know it we'll have reached summer break, then we'll be moving to Autumn and Winter and…time will really be short. What lies ahead of us…I really don't know.
He smiled to himself wryly.
I'm determined to face it, but I'm also a little afraid of it. I suppose that goes for all of us, though, being that it's Senior year. I wish I'd paid closer attention to what the past Seniors did – I guess we took a lot for granted before we started this year. It's hard to shake the feeling that we're not ready for whatever's next. Still, I want to make sure my judgement doesn't fall out of sync a second time, so I've no choice but to keep working as hard as I can to get things done right..
He ducked beneath the wisteria, finding a shady spot to settle beneath the spreading purple and green and sitting back against the trunk of a nearby willow tree as he allowed the tension to seep out of him. He had no classes until later that afternoon, and though there were two projects lying unfinished on his desk inside the Nest, Juushirou knew that in his current frame of mind he could not concentrate on them. There were too many things flooding through his thoughts, each one competing for individual attention.
Rather than worrying about what I can't change, I ought to make time this week to check on Tsukabishi and see how he's coming along. I know he's spoken to Sensei now and that he's having extra coaching to help him read and write with more confidence, but I did promise I'd offer him a hand too. I haven't had a moment spare with exams and then with Ryuu and Mitsuki coming back. Kamaki and Kobayashi won't be out of confinement for another few days, but I want them to know that Tsukabishi's under Senior protection and that we're not going to let them fall into the same habits again.
Then there's gate duty…I have that this evening, and I still have to find a way to get through an hour and a half of tutoring reluctant second years on Kidou with Yamamoto-kun glaring at me the whole time through. It hurts to admit that Shunsui and Ryuu were right and that sparring him seems to have made the situation worse – the only reason we haven't clashed directly since then is that I'm not letting him have the chance to provoke me. That's easier said than done, though, when he's spouting some stuck up theory to the juniors that's quite clearly beyond them. Ah, and that reminds me - I want to ask Kazoe-sensei if I can borrow his book on advanced Bakudou, and do some private research on a couple of spells that came up in yesterday's reading material. They looked interesting, and though I'm sure he won't let me fire them, I don't suppose he'd mind if I read up on them while I've the opportunity to do so. When I leave here, I won't have the same access to Clan archives of books and texts to burrow through, so I'll have to find as much as I can out before I leave.
He rubbed his temples.
If I'm honest, though, facing up to being Anideshi and my duties in that area is a whole lot easier than tackling the business with Mitsuki. I don't really know…what to do about that, and I haven't found a good way of bringing it up since they had the memo about Nagoya-senpai's disappearance. In normal circumstances I'd just have asked but…I feel strange about this. I have no claim on Mitsuki's affections, even if she did have a particular fondness for Nagoya-senpai. If Shikibu-san was right, it wouldn't really make a difference. But with him being missing…
He groaned.
I don't like how this is making me feel. It's stupid for me to be jealous of someone I respect, especially since Mitsuki and I are only friends. Shunsui and the rest are always teasing me and I always fight against it. But…I think I am jealous. Certainly I was rattled enough to daydream through my Zanjutsu Theory and Advanced Sakusen papers, despite all my resolve to push on forward. Heaven only knows what I wrote as an answer for that first essay question – I can't remember a word of it since I'm sure I wasn't thinking about swords all that much.
"Juushirou-kun?"
He had not heard her approach, but and at the sound of her voice he started, glancing up guiltily to see the object of his thoughts, clear concern reflected in her soft grey eyes. His cheeks reddened, and he thanked his lucky stars that her spiritual abilities did not spread to the reading of other people's minds.
"Mitsuki." He managed, offering her a faint smile. "I'm sorry. I was miles away. I didn't hear you coming."
"Or sense me, by the looks." Mitsuki frowned, dropping down on the grass beside him and smoothing her red hakama down beneath her fingers. "But I'm glad that I found you. I've been hoping that we'd get a chance to talk…since Ryuu and I came back here, it's been nothing but chaos from start to finish."
"I didn't help that by haring off to rescue a First year the first night you came back." Juushirou pointed out ruefully, and Mitsuki smiled.
"True." She admitted. "But you're much better now than you were that night, and you did the right thing in helping him. I'm not worried about your health at the moment, Juushirou…it's something else. You seem…I don't know quite how to put it, and maybe I'm just acting on overdrive a little with everything back home. But you seem out of sorts. Stressed out by something. Or maybe…more than one thing."
"Am I that transparent?" Juushirou asked, and Mitsuki looked sheepish.
"To me? Yes." She confessed. "Whether I want to or not, or even if it's invading your privacy, I can't help it. When you're not right…it bothers me. And though you're not sick at the moment…you don't seem like yourself."
"I wonder who I am, then." Juushirou leant back against the tree, closing his eyes briefly as a cool breeze blew gently through the trees, teasing at stray wisps of his lank white hair. "Whoever it is, I wouldn't mind splitting my workload with them. I haven't really had a time to stop still since term began."
"Being Anideshi is a lot of pressure, isn't it?" Mitsuki eyed him pensively. "I thought it would be, when I heard. You believe in yourself less than other people believe in you. And I know you're taking it seriously…so the business with the First year is probably still preying on your mind."
"I haven't had a chance to find out how he's doing recently." Juushirou turned to send her a helpless glance. "Too much work. I dropped my rank by one this time out, and though it's not as though I was really demoted, I don't like that I did. I could have done much better than I managed on my Zanjutsu and Sakusen papers. That cost me second place. I want to do my best to prove that I'm up to being Anideshi, so I've been working hard in all areas, but it still wasn't quite enough and I feel a little bit like I let myself down somewhere."
"In translation, you don't like that Yamamoto-kun outranked you." Mitsuki said softly, and Juushirou grimaced.
"That too." He admitted sheepishly. "As usual, you can see right through me. I've promised myself not to let him rile me, but there's still a little bit of latent Kuchiki pride stirring inside of me every time I speak to him. I can't explain it – but it's as though he laid down the challenge when term started. I didn't mean to take it up – but now…I can't turn my back on it. I won't clash swords with him again – that'd be irresponsible for someone who's been trusted with the duty I have been. But when it comes to rank, I can't help but feel competitive."
"I doubt Sensei would mind academic competition." Mitsuki observed. "He'd want both of you to work hard, so he's probably quite happy about you sparring Yamamoto-kun through study."
"Yes, and I'm really doing my best to leave it there, but a lot of what he does bothers me." Juushirou sighed. "At least those two Fifth year idiots have been dealt with, so I hope I – no, more, I hope Tsukabishi – won't have to deal with them again. Since term began there's been a lot of negativity floating about and as Anideshi I'm meant to soak it up. But even if that's true, I'm not a sponge. I can't just do that all the time – sometimes I'd like to let rip and I can't."
Mitsuki giggled.
"No, you're not a sponge." She agreed playfully. "And so far as I can see, you're doing just fine. You helped Tsukabishi-kun, didn't you? And resolved his situation?"
"With Enishi's help." Juushirou said honestly. "I'd like to think that I'd have done it on my own, but it mightn't have got to the point it did as quickly without his intervention."
"But that's all right." Mitsuki said sensibly. "You don't have to do everything yourself. A Captain doesn't do every job in a shinigami squad, you know. He delegates to those around him. Houjou-kun is part of your 'squad' this year – we all are, if you like. Delegating to us isn't you failing. It's sharing the responsibility like a good leader should. Besides, this is just between us, but I think Houjou-kun took a lot of satisfaction from being involved with that business."
"Satisfaction?" Juushirou looked surprised, and Mitsuki nodded.
"Houjou-kun is straight down the line, honest and loyal." She said simply. "But he has insecurities too, just like everyone else. He's always struggling with Kidou, and he's used to being bottom when it comes to everyone's grades. Just because he accepts it doesn't mean he has no pride or that he wishes he could do better. Since he resolved Tsukabishi-kun's problem with the Fifth years, though, he seems to have a little more self-belief in himself as a Senior. I think he's acknowledged himself as belonging with the rest of us – rather than just assuming it was kindness on Genryuusai-sensei's part."
"Enishi was feeling like that?" Juushirou was floored, and Mitsuki shrugged.
"He would never say it." She said sensibly. "He's not the type who brings other people down with his problems, and he accepts things as they are. But yes. I think…now Houjou-kun feels like he's properly a Senior. If you'd taken the whole of Tsukabishi-kun's situation onto your own shoulders, it wouldn't have given him that opportunity, would it?"
"I didn't think of it that way. Maybe you should have been Anideshi, if you can reason it all out like that." Juushirou shot her a sidelong glance. "But I suppose you're right. Everyone has their own skills and those skills should all be used – that's what you mean, isn't it?"
"Yes." Mitsuki agreed. "Pooling resources, I think that's the term. That's what Shinigami squads do. You have the talent to lead, Juushirou-kun – that's your strength. You have weaknesses too – you know what those are, and you shouldn't run away from them. Other people can help support you in covering those weaknesses. Retsu-sama says that we don't learn from our strong points but from our weak ones – and it's something I've often thought about since I gave up sword training and focused on healing."
She shrugged.
"I can't fight the way you can." She said honestly. "But I don't think I'd be useless to you if we were facing a Hollow in the field. What I can't do in combat I can make up for in other things – that's how I rationalise myself as a shinigami."
"You make a lot of sense." Juushirou agreed. "And because you do, I'll tell you something. I have had doubts since term began in my ability to be Anideshi. Whenever I feel like that, though, I'm trying to fight against it. I'm learning Anideshi isn't something you are when you begin – it's something you become with experience and probably by making screw ups along the way. But my pride wants me to be perfect right away – so perhaps that's a weakness I have that I never really considered before."
"You always doubt yourself more than anyone else doubts you." Mitsuki looked pensive. "You're perfectly suited for your rank, Juushirou – you're a born leader and you always have been. But you're probably not wrong either – that pride is a weakness as well as a strength. If you can look at Anideshi as a learning curve, then I guess it's all right. You do seem very determined lately – I suppose that's part of why."
"At the start of term, Sensei had me speaking to the parents of a District child – yesterday he had another visitor of that kind, and he asked me to come and speak to them as well." Juushirou's lips thinned. "Because I'm District, I'm bridging the gap and Sensei thinks it's good for me, to see what kind of an impact my being where I am is having on other people from my section of society. To begin with I thought that was a good thing…but Mitsuki…I really don't know. The more time goes on, the less sure I am that I'm ready to be an example to anyone else. I'm still learning so much myself – and I don't know my limits or my failings as well as maybe I ought to."
"You took on Yamamoto-kun's sword challenge because you wanted to prove yourself, then?" Mitsuki asked astutely, and Juushirou looked ashamed.
"I suppose I did. No, I know I did." He agreed sadly. "That's how my mind has been. Half of me is determined and looking forward and resolved not to let anyone down, especially not Sensei. Then there's the other half – the me who's frustrated, wary and a little…paranoid? I'm trying all the time to push myself and be the best Anideshi I can. Even doing that, though, there are still people who dislike me and who don't have faith in what I can do. In a squad situation that would create disruption – but I don't really know what the way of resolving that problem is."
"Mm." Mitsuki pursed her lips, then, "So don't."
"Huh?" Juushirou stared, and Mitsuki smiled.
"This is a very big world." She said sensibly. "And it's impossible for everyone in it to like everyone else. If you try and make them, you'll lose sight of the values you have. You know what you believe is right, and so stick to that. Those who are your friends are your friends. That won't change. But sometimes leaders have to be unpopular too. It's how it is."
"In'you have more or less told me the same." Juushirou acknowledged. "And I agree – with both them and with you. I'm trying not to let it get to me, but it's also hard to put that into practice. Fighting Clan prejudice is one thing, but it's amazingly discouraging when someone dislikes you because of who you are, not simply based on class boundaries."
He smiled sheepishly.
"Perhaps I've got complacent about things like that."
"No, it isn't nice to be disliked." Mitsuki reflected. "But it also can't be helped. You don't need Yamamoto-kun's approval to be Anideshi, or anything else. He didn't make the decisions, and you've nothing you need to prove to him. Unless it's in terms of studies, you really shouldn't compete with him. It's only going to get you both into trouble later on if you do."
"Probably." Juushirou agreed. "And I am doing my best."
He gazed at his hands.
"Hahaue's Kuchiki blood runs through me a little too strongly sometimes." He added self-effacingly. "Especially knowing now how strong that blood is – I suppose there's a lot more Kuchiki in me than I ever realised growing up."
"Most likely it's come out because of being around people like Ryuu and I." Mitsuki frowned. "You've absorbed a little bit of Clan from us – perhaps that's a bad thing."
"I don't know. Hahaue is part of who I am, so I don't really mind." Juushirou reflected. "Mitsuki, I'm sorry. I'm pouring all this stuff on you, but you've probably got plenty on your own plate at the moment, haven't you?"
"Yeah…maybe." Mitsuki ran her fingers through her thick dark hair with a sigh. "But to be honest, I'd rather talk to you than think about all of that. There are things I can do or say – I hope – to make you more at ease and therefore I don't mind trying. But there are other things I can't reach out to so easily. I'm worried, Juushirou. Really, truly worried, especially about Senpai. And much as I'm trying not to dwell on it – I can't help it."
At the clouded expression in her grey eyes, Juushirou felt his heart clench, and he frowned, forcing the feeling away.
"You and Shikibu-san haven't made up your argument either, have you?" He asked, and Mitsuki visibly tensed, shaking her head.
"I don't think we're going to." She said dismissively. "It's all right. You needn't worry too much about that."
"Mitsuki." Juushirou's eyes widened at the sudden change in his companion's demeanour, and Mitsuki shrugged.
"I have some of that same Kuchiki pride, too." She said matter-of-factly. "Naoko doesn't understand all the things I thought she did – mostly, I don't think she understands the first thing about me or what I want for the future. So…it's really a rift that's been waiting to happen for a while, I suppose. She protected me a lot when I needed protecting. But these last few weeks…I don't need that any more. I've realised with everything at home that…I don't need anything like that from anyone, least of all from someone who doesn't understand my point of view."
"It's not my intention to get involved." Juushirou pursed his lips. "But I think Shikibu-san is probably just worried about you."
"Like I said, I don't need her to be." Mitsuki's eyes darkened. "If you don't want to be involved, Juushirou – don't be. Really, it's fine. I'm fine. It's nothing you need to concern yourself with."
"But…"
"I don't need you to protect me either. You know that, right?" Mitsuki cut across him, and Juushirou flinched, reeling back in dismay at the challenge in her usually gentle gaze.
"Of course I know that." He managed at length. "I wasn't trying to…I was just…"
"Oh, I'm sorry." Mitsuki sighed, burying her head in her hands. "It's nothing to do with you – I shouldn't take it out on anyone else. Some awful things happened back home, Juushirou. Really awful ones. And Naoko doesn't understand…the impact that that has had on me. Guren-sama acknowledged me – he needed me – and I did what I could. But it still wasn't really enough. I have so far to go and I know that I've got a lot of work still in front of me. Graduating the Academy is only going to be the beginning. Even with Retsu-sama's training…there's a lot I still can't do."
"The other day you mentioned people being killed." Juushirou said gravely, and Mitsuki nodded.
"When the groom died, I couldn't do anything except sit and watch him die. And with Ribari-sama too, I arrived too late to try and make a difference." She agreed sadly. "Those things still bother me, even if they were beyond my control."
"You saved Nagoya-senpai though, didn't you?" Juushirou didn't know why he asked the question, but somehow the words slipped out, and Mitsuki's eyes softened.
"Yes. Senpai…Senpai I did save." She agreed pensively. "He was so vulnerable, Juushirou. You wouldn't have known him at all. Whatever that drug was, it was potent and it hurt all of them, but Senpai most of all. Even when I managed to steady his heart rate, I couldn't leave him on his own. He was crying out and frightened because of the drug and what it did to him and…and he needed me. It's hard to explain it to someone who doesn't have healer's wits, but I couldn't leave his side and I really didn't want to. As a healer…I wanted to save him. So afterwards, I couldn't be scared of him any more. And he didn't push me away anymore, either. So now…when he's in so much danger again…it worries me. Nobody knows what's happened to him since he left the main house, but things shouldn't be the way they are. He's been through enough – it's just not fair."
Juushirou's heart lurched at the emotion in his companion's voice, but still he shied away from voicing his concerns, the memory of those challenging grey eyes still fresh in his mind.
"I'm concerned about Nagoya-senpai too." He said, feeling more than a little bit like he was lying, and then hating himself all the more for such disloyalty to his former shishou. "It might even be the best thing if Seiren-dono found him, rather than him roaming the wilds on his own."
"He's a shinigami. Hollows won't kill him." Mitsuki shook her head. "And he's a strong fighter – you know that. It's not that so much that bothers me. It's more that…Juushirou, you haven't met Ryuu's father. Really, if you had, you'd understand why being caught would be a bad thing."
"Is Seiren-dono such a terrible person, then?" Juushirou was startled, and Mitsuki sighed.
"He's not terrible. He's human, I suppose." She said at length. "He's grieving for his nephew and frightened for his son. Ryuu is his pride and joy – even though Ryuu obviously has little emotional connection to his parents, they have always focused every attention on giving him the kind of upbringing befitting a future Clan leader. I don't think even Ryuu understands how much his father dotes on him – and it's not all a matter of Clan ambition. Seiren-dono's always been very jealous of the attention Guren-sama foisted on Shirogane-senpai, and now it's coming to a head. What exactly sparked this latest crisis, I don't know. But before Ribari-sama was born, Ryuu was assumed unofficially to be the next Clan heir. That situation has returned, but now Ryuu and Shirogane-senpai are no longer infants. Both are grown men with zanpakutou raised and Seiren-dono probably thinks that Guren-sama's fondness for Shirogane-senpai threatens those plans."
"But in reality would it be such a bad thing if Nagoya-senpai inherited? Even if Seiren-dono is keen, Ryuu doesn't seem to want it at all." Juushirou frowned.
"Kuchiki tradition is very strict. I doubt Guren-sama has even thought of Senpai as a potential heir, no matter how fond he is." Mitsuki shook her head. "Besides, Seiren-dono is…the kind of man who forms fixed opinions and sticks to them religiously. He can be stubborn to the point of unreasonable, especially if he feels Ryuu's standing is at risk. He probably doesn't know how his son feels about all of this – I doubt he's bothered to ask."
"But arresting his own nephew, when that nephew hasn't got a claim…?"
"Mm. I know. Something must have happened." Mitsuki looked frustrated. "With Ryuu and I going away, somehow…someone took advantage."
She spread her hands.
"But I shouldn't be getting you involved. I promised Ryuu I wouldn't, and I don't intend to." She added guiltily. "Just you're easy to talk to, and you know Shirogane-senpai, too. You know he isn't the kind of person to plot treason against his Clan – you know how much the Kuchiki means to him, right?"
"Yes. I know." Juushirou inclined his head, unable to keep the faint edge out of his words and Mitsuki frowned.
"Juushirou?" She asked softly, reaching out to rest her hand on his. "What is it? Something prickled at your aura then, when I asked you that. Did I say something to upset you?"
"No…nothing." Juushirou hastily gathered his wits, shooting her a faint smile. "I'm sorry. I told you – my mind is full of several things at the moment."
Including you and your relationship with Nagoya-senpai.
"Hrm." Mitsuki's brows knitted together, then, "Juushirou, has Naoko said anything funny to you at all these last few days?"
"Shikibu-san?" Juushirou blinked at this new mode of attack, and Mitsuki nodded.
"Yes. Because there's something in your aura and it's bothering me."
"Nothing in particular." Juushirou shook his head. "Why? What kind of thing did you mean?"
"I guess it doesn't matter." Mitsuki still looked troubled, but she shrugged. "If she hasn't, then fine. Just she…I can't always predict what she might do. So if she does, don't pay it any attention, all right? You can ask me anything – talk to me about anything – so if something is on your mind, please…bring it straight to me."
Do you have feelings beyond friendship for Nagoya-senpai, now?
She had given him the perfect opening, but try as he might, Juushirou could not form the words to ask the question. Instead he forced another smile, allowing the moment to slip by.
"I'll keep it in mind." He agreed vaguely. "But Shikibu-san and I don't often talk, so…probably it won't happen at all."
"Probably that's true." Mitsuki looked relieved. "Okay. Then forget I raised it. It's not important at all."
She got to her feet, holding out her hand to him and Juushirou stared at her for a moment, confused by her gesture.
"Since there's just the two of us, I thought we could take a walk and clear our heads together." Mitsuki explained, and Juushirou grinned, clasping her hand in his and hauling himself upright. "It seems like we both could use it, and we haven't had much chance to see each other since we came back. Even if we are just friends, it seems a shame that we don't get many opportunities like this now you're Anideshi."
"Agreed." Juushirou nodded, taking faint comfort from those words. "All right. I don't see why not, since we've nothing scheduled on our timetable till later and I've about written as much on my reports as I can for now."
"Then it's settled." Mitsuki's eyes twinkled. "We might not get so many chances when we graduate to spend time like this – so we ought to make the most of it while we can."
"Not…when we graduate?" Despite himself, Juushirou felt the faint cover of comfort fading at these casual words. "But in Seireitei…aren't you going to…join a squad?"
"I'm not sure what's going to happen, yet." Mitsuki admitted. "Guren-sama may drag me back to District Six for a while, or other things might come into play. I intend to be a healer but…who knows where that will lead me."
"Well, I live in District Six, too." Juushirou reminded her. "Though I suppose Guren-sama might not approve of that."
"I don't suppose Guren-sama will approve of most of the things I've been thinking of late." Mitsuki murmured, and Juushirou's brows knitted together.
"Mitsuki?"
"Nothing." Mitsuki shook her head, raising a sheepish smile to his concerned expression. "For now, it's a long way off, so forget it. It's a nice day today and peaceful too. Lets make the most of it while we both still can."
Something warm was surrounding him.
From deep within the murky darkness, Shirogane felt the faintest tendrils of spiritual energy brush against his senses. Raw as his wits currently were, even the lightest of sensations sent shock waves through his system, and he struggled against it, fear instinctively ruling his body as he sought to pull away from it.
Yet the warmth continued to envelop him, spreading across his body in a soft, even glow of energy.
Trapped within his own form, Shirogane tried to open his mouth to speak, but his vocal chords would not respond, and no matter how he fought, he could not move even an inch. Terrified now, he strained his every nerve in an attempt to break free of whatever it was that had him held fast, but it was no use. A spasm of pain wrenched through him, and he felt his body jerk and twist into a fit of coughing, but even though he was aware of those movements, they somehow seemed detached from him completely. Something warm and wet trickled down his chin, but it did not seem like his chin, nor did he realise that he had coughed up blood once more. Instead he felt like a trapped spectator, locked away in darkness while something beyond his control happened all around him.
It hurt, and when the warm energy brushed against him, it hurt all the more, but although he wanted to move, he found that he could not. His body reacted to stimuli he could not control - as though his mind had become severed from the rest of him, and he was no longer able to act for himself.
As panic ripped through him, he thought he heard a voice, soft but distinctive from somewhere beyond his line of sight.
Don't fight me. Silly. You'll never get well if you fight me.
The voice was young and unfamiliar, a reproachful edge to her words, but Shirogane did not have the energy to process these sensations properly. Instead he gave up his struggle, allowing himself to sink back into the comforting oblivion of sleep.
The next time awareness returned to him, he was no longer locked away in darkness and silence. All around him there were the low buzz of voices, each one distinctive yet Shirogane could not make out any individual words. Unlike the girl's voice which had spoken to him so firmly and directly, these seemed to be just beyond his reach. The warm energy that had held him before had also dissipated, and as the voices became louder, he gradually realised that it had only been inside his mind. Whereas before he had been a prisoner, now he found that control of his body had been returned to him, and so he fought through the waves of blackness to the surface, taking desperate breaths into his lungs like a swimmer who had very nearly come to drown.
Drown? Was I drowning...?
He forced his heavy fingers to move, struggling to open his eyes, and at his feeble movements, he heard an exclamation, then a small, chubby hand slipped into his, wrapping itself around his fingers as though to help bring him out of his stupor. The touch was warm, and glittered faintly with the energy Shirogane had felt before, but this time it felt comforting, not frightening, and there was something soothing in knowing he was not alone.
Slowly and with some difficulty he opened his eyes, blinking as the world blurred and swam before his sight.
"He's awake!"
Now Shirogane could understand the words, the excited cry of a child. Though, as he fought to bring the world into focus, he knew that it was the same voice. The young girl who had spoken to him so firmly when he had been drowning in the black was now the child clutching his hand, and he fixed his gaze on her, trying to work out who she was and why she might be staring down at him with eager aqua eyes.
She was an unremarkable child, stocky and plump with distinctive, if not attractive features and a tousled mop of curly hair that was pulled back by a ragged ribbon into a tail down her back. Her clothing was faded and rough, and there were the unmistakeable reddish brown stains of blood spattered across it. But it was her eyes that Shirogane was most struck by. The youngster was probably no older than ten or eleven at most, yet the eyes that met his held the understanding and concern of one much older. It was the eyes of one who had seen right through him, and who had understood his pain.
For a moment he was reminded of Mitsuki, and the way she had looked at him after Ribari's death. Then the thought was gone as the girl tightened her grip on his fingers, letting out a squeal of triumph.
"I did it! He woke up! Shinkei-nii! Sanji-nii! He's awake!"
The sudden, shrill yell pierced through Shirogane's aching head and he flinched, trying to pull his fingers free of the child's touch. Where was he? What was going on? His brain, sluggish and confused struggled to put the pieces of memory back together. What had happened?
"So he is."
A tall, bespectacled young man of about eighteen suddenly appeared behind the youngster, seriousness in his gaze, and Shirogane was immediately put on his guard. Whilst the child's presence had not been threatening in the least, this youth was well built and tall, probably more than capable of doing harm if he so wished. Again he racked his brain for any idea of where he was or what had happened, but the recollections were scattered and made no clear sense.
What was wrong with him?
Slowly he moistened his lips, opening his mouth to speak.
"Where...?"
That was all he managed, but at the faint word, the tall youth dropped down at his side, offering him a grave smile.
"Rest easy a while longer." He said quietly. "You're not in danger here. Your wounds have been healed, but you shouldn't probably move yet."
The voice was gentle and reassuring, and Shirogane eyed him uncertainly. Consciousness was returning to him moment by moment, and a sudden flash of fear stabbed through him as he realised that his zanpakutou was nowhere nearby. Ignoring the boy's instructions, he struggled to bring himself into a sitting position, but his vision blurred and swam before his gaze and he fell backwards, unable to support his body.
"Silly." The young girl tut-tutted, casting her companion a resigned look. "I told you, didn't I? Rich people are always silly. They never listen when you want to help, and they always do things they shouldn't."
Something about the criticism in her tones jarred against Shirogane's pride, and he cast her a glance.
"Who are you?" He demanded, fighting to assert himself in the conversation. "Why am I here? What..."
"My brother found you collapsed in the forest, and so we brought you to our house." It was the boy with spectacles who answered. "Shikiki healed your injuries, but you lost a lot of blood. You're not fit enough to get up yet, Nagoya-dono. You should just lie still."
Nagoya-dono?
At the sound of his name, clarity stabbed through Shirogane as sharply as the blade that had pierced his lung, and he stared at the youth in dismay.
Yes, he had been in the forest. He had been running...running from Seiren's guards, but they had caught him. He had tried to escape, but had been wounded. And then, from the forest, those blasts of Kidou that had set him free. Now he remembered. Now he knew. But these people...
"How do you know my name?" He whispered, and the boy smiled.
"We may be peasants in your eyes, but we do read." He said simply, reaching across to scoop something up from its place leaning up against the chamber wall. At the sight of it, Shirogane's eyes widened and he tried to reach his heavy fist towards it.
"Ginkyoujiki." He breathed, and the youth shrugged, setting it back down out of his reach.
"I don't know much about those things, but I know that it's normal to put a name on the sheath." He said matter-of-factly. "No, I don't think it's something you should have right at the moment. Shikiki might have closed up the hole in your chest, but you're still not very strong. I do know that if you don't have good control, using one of those things is dangerous."
"That belongs to me!"
"Yes, it does." The boy nodded. "But I already told you, there's no danger here. You don't need to fight. You should take me at my word and rest. You're still white as a sheet...and you look as though you need it."
At this brusque appraisal of his condition, Shirogane found himself struck speechless, and the young girl grinned, settling herself down against the makeshift bed.
"Sanji-nii, you go and see if Anika has something for Nagoya-dono to eat." She suggested. "I'll stay here with him. It'll be all right."
"On your own?" Sanjirou cast her a quizzical look, and Shikiki nodded.
"I'll be fine." She agreed. "He can't move enough to hurt me. Not yet. It's fine."
"Well, all right." Sanjirou looked doubtful, but he nodded, getting to his feet. "But if you need me, yell. Hiro-nii isn't back yet from the Kira estate, and even though Okaasama hasn't objected to any of this, nobody's going to put you at risk."
"I know. It's all right." Shikiki said calmly. "But he'll need to eat something if he's going to get better. Won't he?"
"I suppose so." Sanjirou acknowledged. "Okay. I'm going."
With a backward glance he left the chamber, and Shirogane heard the soft sound of a door sliding shut behind him.
"You aren't going to hurt me, are you?" Shikiki turned a questioning glance on her patient, who stared at her in blank confusion, and at his expression she giggled, reaching over to take his hand in hers again.
"Of course you're not." She said brightly. "You're a friend of Juu-nii's, so you wouldn't. Even if you are a silly rich shinigami who wants to get up and move before he's fully healed. You're not a bad person, are you?"
"Juu-nii?" The insult in Shikiki's words was lost on the patient as Shirogane's dazed mind instead latched onto the name. Shikiki nodded.
"You do know him, don't you?" She asked quizzically. "I'm sure you do. Juu-nii's talked about you. And you are...Nagoya-dono, aren't you? Nagoya Shirogane-dono? Sanji-kun said that that's what's written on your sword scabbard, so..."
"Mm." Shirogane swallowed hard. "But I don't...what...who..."
"Then you're Juu-nii's senpai." Shikiki seemed pleased. "He's told me about you. You trained him, and because of you, Juu-nii has Sougyo no Kotowari."
"Sougyo no..." Shirogane's eyes flickered with surprise. "Wait...Juu-nii? You...one of...this is...Ukitake's home?"
"Yes!" Shikiki clasped her hands together, squashing Shirogane's pale fingers between her own stubby ones in her excitement. "That's right! So you remember now what happened in the forest? You were all collapsed and covered in blood. Someone put a sword through your chest, but I mended it all now so you should be able to breathe. It doesn't hurt, does it? It shouldn't, but...I'm not perfect at using my magic yet, so..."
"Hurt...?" Shirogane frowned. His free arm felt like lead, but somehow he manoeuvred it clumsily across to push the rough blanket back from his body. Tentatively he put his fingers to the place where the sword gash had been, but though he slid his hand beneath the folds of the basic night robe he now found himself clothed in, try as he might he could no longer find a wound. His gaze flitted to Shikiki in disbelief, and she grinned.
"I healed it." She repeated. "So now you can breathe."
"Healed it?" Shirogane recovered his wits, staring at her in confusion. "You made it disappear. How did you? Even Mitsuki...even healers can't do something like that, yet you...?"
"I have special magic, I s'pose." Shikiki shrugged dismissively. "I've always had it. I don't really know why, but I can do stuff like that. I unbreak things and make them go back how they were before."
She sighed.
"I could only fix your chest." She added regretfully. "I'm sorry. I wanted to help you bring your blood back too - but I'm not strong enough yet to do a whole person and well, you lost quite a lot of blood. I could only do what I did...but you're still quite pale, so I guess Sanji-nii is right and you should just rest here a while longer."
Shirogane was silent for a moment, digesting this with some difficulty.
I'm alive. I'm in District Six still, at the home of that confounded District boy I tutored. This kid...is one of his sisters, I suppose. And that other one, a brother. They brought me back here and healed me...but why? What do they have to gain? I'm sure Seiren-dono will be offering a reward...and...
His gaze flitted around the room, taking in the peeling paintwork and the faded drapes that fluttered at the windows.
This room is small and worn out. Ukitake's family don't have much money. Handing me over to Seiren-dono would be in their interests. Is that what they intend? But...but...
He took a deep breath into his lungs, relishing the sensation of drawing air into his chest once more.
I never thought breathing would be such a good feeling or that I'd take it for granted. I came so close...to death. I really thought that I wouldn't fight through this time, but somehow I have.
Out loud he said,
"Why did you help me? Surely if you saw me hurt, you knew...something bad had happened?"
"Mm." Shikiki nodded her head. "You got attacked. Shinkei-nii thought it was a Hollow, but I knew it was a sword. Someone had a fight with you."
She sighed, a suddenly weary, world-wise air in her manner.
"Rich people seem to like doing that," she said regretfully, "fighting and slashing holes in each other for no real reason. I don't know why...but I know they do."
"Rich people...?" Shirogane blinked, and Shikiki grinned.
"You're a Kuchiki." She said frankly. "Sanji-nii said so. That means you must be rich. And you have a zanpakutou, so you must like fighting. So I'm right, I think. You'll use your sword and fight about stuff - and that's why you got hurt."
She shrugged.
"Sometimes it's stupid to fight when you can just talk about things instead." She added thoughtfully, and despite himself Shirogane felt faintly ashamed. "But I suppose that's hard to understand when you're rich. When you have lots of things, it's easy for people to try and take them away."
Shirogane stared at her, and the child dimpled back.
"Anyway, we helped you because you were hurt." She said frankly. "And because you were Juu-nii's sh..sh...shoushou?"
In spite of his situation, a faint, droll smile touched Shirogane's lips.
"Shishou." He corrected softly. "A shoushou is a military commander and general - and believe me, I'm far from that."
"Oh. Oh well." Shikiki seemed unconcerned. "I don't really care much about stuff like that, so I didn't know."
She let go of his hand, patting him gently on the knuckles.
"I'm Shikiki, by the way." She added. "Can I call you Shirogane? I think it's a pretty name, but Sanji-nii said you'd be angry if we called you that, and Shinkei-nii said that a member of the Kuchiki-ke might cut off someone's head for something disrespec'ful. So I thought I'd ask you, and then you wouldn't be cross."
Once again Shirogane was floored. In his whole life he had never encountered a young girl like this - one of low birth who was unafraid of his status and who spoke to him eagerly as an equal, even when they had been born so many social grades apart. With his traditional Kuchiki upbringing, it would be so easy for him to scorn her and revile her for her lack of etiquette. Yet Shirogane didn't feel scornful, nor did he want to push the girl away. Strangely he found something in her eagerness that reassured him. Disorientated and weary though he was, someone had reached out to help him instead of trying to cause him harm.
Seiren had sent men after him, and from all angles he had been hunted almost to the brink of death by people he had considered allies and kin. But there was nothing accusatory or persecuting in this child's expression. On the contrary, though she was both young and socially inferior, he saw only kindness and concern for his well being in her aqua eyes.
They were strangers, but Shirogane was now in her debt. And although there was no physical resemblance, Shirogane found himself remembering his District deshi and the straightforward manner in which he had separated right from wrong.
Was that interfering, protective instinct a District trait? Or was it unique to Ukitake's people? Whichever it was, Shirogane was smart enough to know that it had been the difference between rescuing him and leaving him to die a lonely death.
Well, that, and the unexplained warm energy that had engulfed his body and taken away his pain. The child was District, like Juushirou - but Shirogane had somewhat assumed his deshi's ability had coming from his latent Kuchiki blood. This mite was different though - there was nothing Clan in her bearing or appearance whatsoever, but Shirogane could not deny the fact that her aura hummed with some kind of spiritual energy.
This girl was the one who saved my life. With whatever power it is she has - I know it was her. I felt it...that warmth in her touch and it was her voice that spoke to me. A strange, ugly child - with no redeeming features to an outside observer. Yet this child...chose to give me life. Without my asking - without my knowing - she chose to save me. Was that naivety?
He met Shikiki's anxious aqua eyes once more.
No. Those eyes aren't naive. There's not innocence there. It's something else. Understanding, perhaps. I don't know much about Ukitake's family - if anything at all. But this one...has been through things in the past. I'm sure of it. Has she seen death? Closely enough that she'd save the life of a stranger who might easily kill her on another occasion?
"Well?" Shikiki pressed. "Do you mind? I don't want to be rude, because everyone will be cross with me. But..."
"It's all right." Shirogane cut across her, offering her a faint, rueful smile. "I may be a Kuchiki, but right at the moment, I am not wanted by them. They would sooner see me dead, I think, and I am in no position to look down on you. Your magic saved my life, therefore you can call me as you choose. I have no right to hold onto my pride in circumstances such as these."
"Your family don't want you?" Shikiki's eyes softened, and in that moment Shirogane realised his young companion understood those feelings very well. "They abandoned you, Shirogane-nii?"
"Well...not quite." Shirogane was momentarily taken off guard by the affectionate 'nii' honorific, but he quickly regained his wits, shaking his head. "And to tell you about it would be to bring you into danger, so I can't. As it is...my being here might bring danger to your family."
"Danger?" Shikiki frowned. "From the people who hurt you?"
"Yes, or people like them."
"People looking to kill you?"
"I suppose so. Or at least take me prisoner. You didn't know about that?"
"No." Shikiki shook her head. "I just thought it was another rich person sword fight."
"Do you regret helping me now you know?"
"That people are after you?" Shikiki looked surprised, then she shook her head. "No. I don't. People shouldn't be dead, you see. Not if they can be alive. There have been people I couldn't save before, and I hated it. But I'm going to get stronger. And then I'll be able to heal whole people, instead of just bits."
You truly do sound like Mitsuki.
Shirogane reached out a shaky hand, brushing his finger lightly against the girl's cheek. The effort of holding his arm raised for too long proved too much for his weakened body, however, and he allowed it to drop back onto the faded blankets with a faint grimace. What had possessed him to reach out to her? He didn't know, but in that moment he had felt something connecting him to this strange District maid.
Maybe that's why I'm finding myself relaxing in your company. You aren't the same kind of healer Mitsuki is, but you have that same aura of confidence in your ability to save life - and the same abhorrence for ending it.
"What's your sword called?" Shikiki grinned at him, turning to glance at the sheathed weapon that rested once more against the chamber wall. "Juu-nii's is all silver and pretty, and when it's released it goes into two blades. It feels like storm and sea - but yours doesn't feel like that. It has a strange feeling - but I don't know what it is."
"Ginkyoujiki." Shirogane replied. "His power is magnetic - it's a very different blade from Ukitake's. And a much better trained one, I should hope, seeing as I've been studying zanjutsu far longer than he has."
As he spoke he felt the faintest prickle of his zanpakutou's presence against his wits. It was no more than that, for Ginkyoujiki had clearly understood how frail his master currently was, and therefore he made no attempt to slip his magnetic aura further into Shirogane's thoughts. The shinigami's gaze flitted to the sheathed weapon, understanding that his sword was standing guard over him, but would wait until he was ready for them to fight together once again.
Shirogane found that he was glad his sword was not the kind to ask too many awkward questions, for he knew he would not be able to explain how easily he had dropped his barriers to this District child.
"Mm. Well, you're Juu-nii's shishou, so that makes sense." Shikiki shrugged, oblivious to her companion's thoughts as she appeared once more the happy-go-lucky child. "Sanji-nii said you shouldn't have Gin…Ginkyoujiki even when you wake up, because he doesn't know if you're going to hurt us or not. Even though he said we had to help you, for Juu-nii's sake...he wasn't sure. He's always cautious about stuff, and Hiro-nii wasn't here to decide. But...you won't hurt us, will you, Shirogane-nii? You're Juu-nii's friend, and I know he wouldn't call anyone who hurt his family a friend."
"A friend, huh." Shirogane's mind flitted back to the last time he had seen his young deshi. "That isn't necessarily how I'd put it. But...even if you think Clan people are rich and stupid, Shikiki - we do have honour. I wouldn't hurt those who had offered me help and sanctuary, and nor will Ginkyoujiki. My life is in your debt. Why would I harm your lives in return?"
He stretched, stifling a yawn.
"Besides, even if I wished to, I could not release my sword like this." He murmured. "I am tired. Heavy and dizzy, too. I remember the wound did bleed a lot - so I suspect it will take a little time before I recover myself completely. Just when I'd regained my strength from the last time…I fall foul of violence yet again."
"You did lose a lot of blood." Shikiki looked troubled. "I tried to bring it back when I healed you, but I couldn't do it. I could only put back the blood that was in your lungs, because it wasn't s'posed to be there. I'm not strong enough yet to do more than that though - I'm sorry."
"I don't think you need apologise." Shirogane told her firmly. "Don't look like that. I remember what happened clearly now, and that I had about given myself up for dead. You didn't give up on me - so even an imperfect heal is better than no heal at all."
He hesitated, then forced his heavy limb across the covers to pat her clumsily on the hand.
"I am grateful and did not mean to sound otherwise."
"I'm glad." Shikiki beamed. "And you know, you're really not as pale as you were before. I think it's because you're not bleeding any more, because I closed up the holes where the sword went in, too."
"I suppose so." Shirogane agreed. "But I do still feel quite weak. Too weak to sit up on my own – would you help me?"
"Oh. Of course." Shikiki nodded, helping to support the nobleman as he dragged his heavy body into a more vertical position, hurrying to support him with cushions. "There. How's that?"
"Better." Shirogane agreed "I just thought that, since this was Ukitake's home, I'd like to see a little more where I am."
"Nowhere as fancy as you're used to, I'd bet."
A fresh voice came from the doorway at that moment, and Shikiki was on her feet at once, hurrying to greet the newcomer.
"Hiro-nii! Did Sanji-nii tell you? And Shinkei-nii? We rescued him! He was hurt, but I used my magic and now he's woken up!"
"Mm. Sanji told me." Hiroyuki ruffled his fingers absently through the thick curly hair, meeting Shirogane's gaze with a grave one of his own. "Nagoya Shirogane-dono, is that it?"
"Yes." Shirogane was suddenly on his guard, noticing the tension in this stranger's body. "Why?"
"My name is Ukitake Hiroyuki, and this family is my responsibility since Father's passed on." Hiroyuki came into the room properly, standing at the foot of the makeshift bed and gazing down at Shirogane thoughtfully. " I've heard of you from Shiro-nii, and I know that's why the kids brought you back here. I've also heard soldiers wearing Kuchiki badges in the centre of the local town, proclaiming a reward for anyone who should have information leading to your arrest."
I thought so.
Shirogane's lips thinned, taking in the stranger's demeanour carefully. From the way Sanjirou and Shikiki had referred to 'Hiro-nii', he had supposed this to be the head of the family, but he was struck by how young the man was. Hastily he tried to work out how old Juushirou would be now, realising that the white haired District boy that he had trained was probably the older of the two. Hadn't Hiroyuki referred just now to a 'Shiro-nii?'. With recollection of Juushirou's white hair, Shirogane understood that this was the missing member of the family. An older brother...which meant Hiroyuki could not be more than twenty at the most.
A pang struck through him as he acknowledged that the young man stood before him was probably of an age with the cousin who he had seen buried only a short time before.
Ribari-sama was still very naive, though. I don't get that feeling from this one.
His eyes narrowed.
This means Ukitake is not the heir to his family, even if he is the eldest son - as I think he must be. I was not aware that he had so many siblings though - how many more of them are going to come out of the woodwork, I wonder? District families do like to breed - if Clans bred at the same rate as District ones, the manors would be overflowing and there'd be a fight over territory at least once a week. Perhaps with so many siblings Ukitake has absolved himself of his duties in order to train as a shinigami. District are unusual in many respects, but I suppose that makes sense. Ukitake won't be here to watch over his family once Genryuusai-sensei inducts him into the Gotei system, and there's no existing arrangements for District shinigami to take care of their families while serving Seireitei.
"Well, I'm in no position to do anything if you intend on claiming that reward." He said quietly now, addressing the newcomer with a solemn expression on his face. "I am entirely in your hands at present - it seems you have the advantage."
"Reward?" Hiroyuki stared at him, then snorted, shaking his head, and Shirogane was startled and a little perturbed to see derision in the other's eyes. "You really have a low opinion of the District classes, don't you? You think we'd scrabble around and sell someone's life just for a few coins from the Clan that rules over us? Don't be stupid. Shikiki and company brought you back here because you were wounded, not so that we could sell you over to whoever's hunting you down."
"Then why are you looking at me in that manner?" Shirogane challenged, his gaze flitting to Ginkyoujiki, but Hiroyuki was too quick for him, bending down to pick the sword up.
"I want to know why they're looking for you." He said quietly, turning the weapon over in his hands. "I know who you are. I know you worked with Shiro-nii, and because of that people here want to help you. I don't mind that. It seems a fair trade-off to me. But...I'm head of this family, now Nii-sama's training to be a Shinigami. Keeping them safe rests with me, and I have to make sure that I can."
Shirogane's eyes narrowed.
"My being here puts them in danger." He murmured.
"That's what I want to find out." Hiroyuki said plainly. "This is Kuchiki land, but the Kuchiki who rule here are not invasive. The announcements in the local towns were that all outlying land will be searched by retainers from the local manor house as well as the main house. They're looking for you, but they didn't say why - and I want to know why. I want to know who we're sheltering before I decide whether sheltering you is worth the risk."
"Clan business is no business of yours."
"Perhaps not, but my family's lives are my business." Hiroyuki tossed the sword aside with a clatter, bending down to meet Shirogane's gaze at eye level, and despite the disparity in their spiritual potential, Shirogane felt faintly unnerved at the intensity in those hazel eyes. "I will not cast any of them aside to protect someone whose situation I know nothing about. I know you didn't choose to come here - my siblings brought you here, and that's fine in itself. But you understand, don't you? Right now you're obviously not fit enough to leave this place unaided. If I chose to throw you out, you would very quickly be captured."
"Hiro-nii!" Shikiki protested, tugging at the older boy's sleeve. "Shirogane-nii is Juu-nii's friend! You shouldn't shout at him!"
"He may have trained Shiro-nii, Shikiki." Hiroyuki said grimly. "But the fact is even men from the main Kuchiki house have come here to find him. Whatever happened - whatever he did - I want to know. I want to know if having him here is dangerous - and more, I want to know whether it's worth the gamble to shield him from the people outside."
Shirogane sighed.
"I do not intend to bring hell-fire down on the family of someone I once trained." He said quietly, pushing back the blanket and pushing his heavy legs one by one over the side of the old straw mattress, using the wall to pull himself to his feet. "I don't...want to..."
He faltered, a wave of dizziness crashing over him, and in spite of himself he felt fear once more surge through his body.
Could he not even stand up without aid? Was he so weak that he was truly helpless to anything that this family decided to do? Even...to what his Uncle decided to do?
"Shirogane-nii!" The moment the Clansman stumbled, Shikiki let out an exclamation, hurrying to grab his arm as he almost fell headlong, and pulling him forcibly back down onto the worn bedding. "Stop being stupid! Sit down! You're sick and you can't run around!"
Shirogane took a shaky breath of air into his lungs, aware that his whole body was trembling from the effort of his sudden movement, and he swallowed hard, staring at the young girl mutely as he tried to calm the panic that swirled inside of him.
"Are you all right?" Shikiki's hand on his arm was somehow soothing, and as he managed to focus his blurred gaze on it, he saw the faintest shimmer of pink around the ends of her fingers. The next moment it was gone, and Shirogane was left wondering if he had imagined it. He opened his mouth to speak, but words would not come, and Shikiki frowned, turning back to her brother.
"Hiro-nii, stop yelling at him! He's not well! You can see he's not going to hurt anyone when he can't even stand up!"
"That's all very well, but..."
"I want to help him!" Shikiki cut across him, obstinacy in her aqua eyes. "I want to help Shirogane-nii, because he helped Juu-nii!"
"Shikiki." Hiroyuki stared at the youngster at this sudden outburst, and Shirogane was just as stunned to see the tears glittering in the girl's eyes.
"Juu-nii raised his sword because of Shirogane-nii!" The young girl protested. "And if he hadn't done that, he would never have met me. When Kei-nii disappeared...I would've been...all alone...again. Juu-nii...brought me home. And I...I know he'd want us...to help Shirogane-nii! I don't believe he's a bad person! He said his family didn't want him any more - like Kei-nii didn't want me any more!"
"Your situation was a little different, Shiki-chan." Hiroyuki objected, but Shikiki shook her head, tears streaming down her cheeks now.
"When I healed him, I felt it. He was frightened. Frightened even of me." She said stubbornly. "People who are abandoned aren't always bad people, Hiro-nii. Shirogane-nii doesn't have anyone to help him. 'Cept us. And we should. Because I don't think he did anything bad."
"If your family will be in jeopardy for shielding me, I will leave." Shirogane finally mustered his voice, casting Shikiki a glance. "Your brother is right. I must. Bringing you into my fight was never my intention."
"The guards won't search inside the homes so long as the local manor retinue are involved." Hiroyuki said quietly. "They believe very much in letting people live their own lives in peace, and nobody will stand for families being molested. But they will probably come to our land as well as others, and search that - and we won't be able to stop them. Sanji said there was a lot of blood around the site where they found you - and so they'll focus on this area all the more if they manage to pick up that trail. If they were to find you in our possession...I have six younger kids here to look after, plus my mother. You understand, don't you, what that means?"
"Yes," Shirogane said grimly, "and Seiren-dono probably won't hold his men back from invading peasant homes if he thinks he can find me that way."
"Peasant homes." Hiroyuki's eyes glittered, and Shirogane sighed, rubbing his temples.
"I meant no offence." he said wearily. "Truly I am too tired...too wholly tired...to fight any more. Do with me as you wish. I have nowhere I can run in this condition. I cannot make it even to the coves if I can barely stand."
"The coves..." Hiroyuki looked thoughtful. "So that's your intention? To leave District Six by boat?"
"Mm." Shirogane shrugged. "If I can do that, I'll be far from here, and well away from your family."
"Why are they hunting you, Nagoya-dono?" Hiroyuki asked quietly. "What did you do?"
Shirogane was silent for a moment, then he shook his head.
"I did nothing." He said at length. "Nothing at all. I have been framed. I have heard there to be evidence against me, but whatever evidence there is has been fabricated. I seek to leave Six, and find somewhere I can go to clear my name. I can't do it alone, but I have allies elsewhere who, I hope, can help me do that."
His gaze fell on the anxious Shikiki.
"Like she said, I have no family here to support me," he said flatly, "but I don't intend on relying on you or putting you in danger on my account."
Hiroyuki sighed, running his fingers through his thick dark hair.
"I believe you." He said at length. "I wish I didn't, but I do. Maybe it's because Shiro-nii's said things about you too - I don't know. But I think...you're telling me the truth. It's also true that at the moment you're obviously in no state to move. To throw you out would be as good as killing you - I'm not really all right with that. But listen. If we shelter you here...even if you are Clan, we are not your servants. Understand? I've no intention of pandering to spoiled whims under my own roof...especially not when the young ones might pick those habits up. And you're only here until you're well enough to get to the coves and leave this place. Is that clear?"
Shirogane raised his gaze, meeting Hiroyuki's troubled eyes with his own grey ones.
This one cares as much about his family as Guren-sama cares for his. Even though they are District, they have the same bonds of loyalty I was raised to observe.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
No. Perhaps this family's are stronger, because there is no treachery or ambition to tear them apart. I begin to understand, Ukitake, why you faced me as you did those years back. If this is the world from which you came - I can quite understand why you believe anything to be within your grasp.
He nodded.
"I understand and I accept." He said evenly. "For the time being, I am at your mercy and in your hands."
Hiroyuki sighed again, casting Shikiki a resigned look.
"I suppose this means you win, squirt." He said frankly, but there was no anger in his tone, and Shikiki beamed back at him in triumph. "All right. He's your patient, so you can nanny him. Anika will be far too busy to run around after a waif and stray, and I have a feeling he's going to be a demanding one. But...he seems to have taken a shine to you, so I suppose he's all yours."
"All right." Shikiki nodded her head. "I don't mind. I like Shirogane-nii too."
She cast Shirogane a smile, and taken off guard, Shirogane found himself returning it.
If Yorune had lived, would we have been like these two? Would I have liked it, having a small sister trailing around after me?
"Then that's settled." Hiroyuki pursed his lips. "Luck may be on your side, Nagoya-dono - there are storm clouds gathering and I think we'll have rain tonight. Aside from making a search harder, if it rains, a lot of your blood trail will be washed away. You can trust that nobody here will talk about this to anyone - so don't abuse our hospitality, all right? We might just be another peasant family to you, and way beneath your notice. But the people here mean something to me - and to other people, including your deshi. Remember that whenever you think about doing something reckless. We saved your life, but our lives are also now in your hands."
With that he was gone, and Shikiki sighed.
"Hiro-nii was very serious, then." She observed. "I guess he's worried about the soldiers."
"If they dispatch shinigami, someone will probably detect my reiatsu. I'm not sure if I can suppress it completely while I feel like this." Shirogane admitted. "He has good reason to worry, Shikiki. I'm putting everyone in danger being here."
Yet they're still agreeing to shield me. They have no way of proving my story true...but still...
"It will be all right." Shikiki beamed. "I have magic, and I can make a barrier if I need to. Nobody's going to attack you again, I promise."
She spread her chubby hands.
"I should wash the blood from these, and then help Anika make you something to eat." She added. "You will eat something, won't you? Even if it isn't rich people food?"
"The last meal I had was river fish that I caught with my sword and cooked with my Kidou fire." Shirogane said dryly. "I think you'll find I won't object to anything you put in front of me. These last few days I have lived more or less wild - strange as it may seem, having a roof over my head and a place to sleep is currently all I require to be content."
"You're not quite like most rich people." Shikiki reflected, and Shirogane shook his head.
"I'm exactly like most rich people," he corrected, "and finding that fact to be my weakness. But it's all right. I'm learning very quickly what happens when the favour falls."
"Your family really...don't want you?" Shikiki looked sympathetic, and despite himself, Shirogane reached out to squeeze her hand.
"I don't suppose I have ever really known if I wanted them, either." He murmured. "I have simply depended on their being there, and not understood properly the bonds I have and have not with others around me. But I'm learning, little by little."
He sighed.
"Someone I was very close to died a short time ago." He added gravely. "Since then, nothing has been right. For his sake, I must find out what happened to him. Even if it destroys me - or my family - I need to know. Ribari-sama was like my brother, and I've only come to understand that properly since he died. I wasn't able to protect him that night in the forest. So at the very least I have to find the truth, in whatever way I can."
There was a buzz of activity in the air as Masaki and his dark-clad companion stepped out of the dark forest, Masaki pulling the heavy hood of his thick black cloak over his pale brown hair as he gauged the situation. His companion stood stock still at his side, but as Masaki's gaze flitted to him, the boy lifted his hand, wordlessly mimicking his companion's movement almost exactly. His golden eyes glittered ominously from beneath the heavy folds, and Masaki sighed, realising that he probably looked more suspicious dressed that way than he would have walking bare-headed through the local towns.
Still, there wasn't time to worry about such things now.
I wonder whether this sudden change in the atmosphere has any connection to the mission I gave Nanaki before we left.
Masaki pursed his lips, watching a group of guards flit between posts, one barking orders to his juniors as they hurried to carry out their duties. They seemed unconcerned by the few townsfolk who were trying to go about their business despite the interruptions, and once the military officers had gone, Masaki instructed his young companion to stay put in the shade of a nearby elm tree. The boy obeyed without a moment of hesitation, and Masaki cast him one last glance before leaving him to his own devices and crossing the market-place to speak to a fruit-seller who was packing up his wares for the day.
"I'm closing sales now." He said brusquely, as Masaki approached. "With all these soldiers about, most folk have gone home. I'd advise you do so too, sir – stories are that they're hunting someone dangerous."
Someone dangerous?
Masaki's eyes narrowed. He had heard those words before, and they had normally preceded a retreat or flight into hiding.
Me, or someone else?
Out loud he said,
"My companion and I have just returned back here after a long journey from District Seven."
He raised his cloak slightly to reveal the leather purse that hung from his belt, then,
"I have coin enough to pay you double for a few moment's inconvenience and a little fresh fruit to quench our travel thirst."
"Double?" The stall holder hesitated, then sighed, nodding his head. "Very well. There are good plums and peaches here imported from Eighth District that it'd be a shame to see go to waste."
Imported or smuggled?
Masaki picked up one of the peaches, eying it pensively. It was still fairly fresh, if a little bit on the old side, and he very much suspected it had not come from Eighth via legal channels. Though it was true that Eighth District's climate meant harvesting many different fruits was possible much earlier, it was rare for those to seep through the trade routes to low ranking street sellers before those fruit had been dried.
Still he nodded, scooping up another one and reaching in his purse for the coin.
"Also, what did you mean when you said someone dangerous?" He asked lightly, setting the money down on the table and watching the greedy vender gather it up in his hands before his customer could change his mind. "That's unusual, isn't it, for a District like this?"
"Very, hence all the guards." The trader shoved the coin into the folds of his grubby sash, nodding his head with a wise, world-weary air. "Been away a while, have you? One of the Clan was murdered about a month past – now they're hunting a kinsman of his on suspicion of some kind of dark conspiracy. Of course, they don't tell us the details. But some of the families round these parts have young'uns who work for the Kuchiki, so stories spread."
He lowered his voice, glancing warily at the few lingering soldiers, then,
"There are rumours, if you know what I mean."
"I see." Masaki's eyes became slits. "And if I was to delay you a little longer this fine night and offer another coin for your trouble, would you tell me these rumours? I'm a trader myself – in a different line of work to yours, however – and if this land is unsettled and dangerous I may find myself best positioned to move on. I deal in precious metals, you see – and I'm sure I don't want rogues ripping apart my wares."
"Of course not." A knowing smile touched the seller's face, and Masaki realised he had been right about the smuggling, for the man's reaction indicated he suspected Masaki of the same corner-cutting business façade. "Well, there's not much to tell, really. But for a fellow trader – I suppose so."
"Thank you." Masaki set a third coin down on the stand, watching as it immediately disappeared into the other's obi. "Then if you don't mind – as much as you know."
"Well, as I said, it's all rumour." The seller looked thoughtful, and Masaki watched with some amusement as a wasp settled on the uppermost of his unpacked plums.
It seems that so long as you have your money, you don't really mind what happens to your fruit. A sensible attitude. I approve.
"Rumour is better than nothing." He said out loud. "Whatever you can tell me."
"One of the weavers' daughters is somewhat friendly with one of the young men on the Kuchiki guard, and she heard from him – allegedly, you understand – that the soldiers were being sent out on the orders of Lord Seiren. He has a fair bit of influence, so far as I can tell – not one of those fancy sword wielding types, you know, but a soldier and an important fellow…you've heard of him, I trust?"
"I believe so." Masaki nodded. "Go on."
"Anyhow, there was a whole kerfuffle. Soldiers cut down and so on, as I've heard." The seller lowered his voice yet again. "And the one they're chasing down now is the Lord Shirogane. Seiren-dono's nephew. What he did I don't know – don't ask me, those things aren't for the likes of us to debate on. But something serious, that's for sure. And retainers have been hunting these parts ever since."
"I see." Masaki pursed his lips.
Well, Nanaki. This is doubtless your doing. In my absence you have achieved something remarkable. That means you're probably still with the Kuchiki – and they haven't worked out yet who you are or what your motives might be. Good girl. Your work is almost done, though – the next stage falls to my puppet to carry out. I doubt he'll be as effective as you've been – but beggars cannot always choose.
"I'm not familiar with Shirogane-dono." He said lightly now. "One of the young bocchan, perhaps?"
"Yes." The seller agreed. "In any case, nobody knows his current whereabouts. Just that he has a sword and is potentially dangerous – that kind of information gets this far. It's all I can tell you – but you might want to take precious wares someplace else, if there are desperate Clan folk lurking these parts."
I don't quite see the connection between the two, but fortunately you're fool enough to find one.
Masaki smiled, bowing his head.
"I'll keep it in mind." He said warmly. "Thank you again for the information and the fruit. You're a good man and I hope that this doesn't disrupt your trade any further!"
With that he withdrew to where his companion was still waiting for him, his blank eyes absorbing everything and nothing from their surroundings. Had the tree he was sheltering under fallen down on top of him, Masaki knew the gold eyed boy would not have moved an inch, not even to save himself and he sighed, tossing one of the peaches in his direction.
A gloved hand came up automatically to catch it, and after a moment of hesitation, he began to eat.
"Yes. Eat." Masaki tapped him on the shoulder, indicating for the boy to follow him back towards the trees and shelter for the night. "Tomorrow you have work to do, and you will need all the energy you can get to fuel that pointless body of yours."
There was no reply, and Masaki had not expected one. Still, he reflected, things were moving forward. The true owner of Nanaki's pendant in District Eight had been silenced, and a rift the size of a river had opened up in the Kuchiki Clan. All it needed now was the finishing touch…
The moment when the past returns to haunt the present.
Masaki glanced at his companion's vivid golden eyes.
The day a Shihouin comes to kill a Kuchiki Lord.