Chapter Thirty Three: In District Hands
"Are you sure that those herbs are the right ones?"
Miyabi, seventh child and second daughter of the Ukitake family glanced at the motley pile of leaves and stems gathered on the ground before her with a doubtful look on her face. "You seemed to be pulling stuff up all over the place, Shiki-chan. It won't be good if you make Nagoya-dono more sick. Then we'd have to call a real doctor, and then..."
"We can't do that." Shikiki shook her head, carefully beginning to separate the plants into two unique piles. It was two days on, and the two young girls of the Ukitake-ke had risen early, Shikiki wanting to collect healing plants from the grounds outside the family's old, rambling home and Miyabi going along more out of curiosity than anything else. Since Shikiki had come to live with the Ukitake, Miyabi had become her firm friend, for there was only a year or so between the two girl's ages, and consequently these days it was unusual to find of them without the other close behind. Though Shikiki knew Miyabi did not understand the healing instinct or spiritual aura that had drawn her to help Shirogane, she was glad of the other girl's help and company, and so for the past half an hour they had been picking sprigs of various plants in near silence - Shikiki knowing exactly what she was pulling, and Miyabi staring between the leaves and blossoms with a confused look on her young face.
"Besides, it's all right." Shikiki continued now, seeing that bewildered expression enter her friend's face once more. "In the village where I lived, Dai-nii would make remedies like this when his children were sick. He was really good at it, and I watched him lots of times. Sometimes he let me help."
She grinned, though there was a faint glitter of sadness in her eyes.
"It's nice to use things he taught me." She added pensively. "Because even though he died, it means he's still a little bit here with me. And besides, all I'm making is something to help Shirogane-nii feel less dizzy. He lost a lot of blood, and just sleeping isn't going to fix that."
"I suppose." Miyabi knelt to help her companion. "All right. Then I'll help. Are you going to crush these or dry them?"
"Those are for drying." Shikiki pushed one pile to the side, gathering the rest up in her hands. "These I'm going to crush. Anika said I could use the pestel if I was careful...and I won't drop it, if you hold the bowl still."
"I can do that." Miyabi agreed, getting the plaster bowl down from the shelf and setting it down on the floor between them. "Shikiki...why does it matter to you so much about Nagoya-dono getting well? He's not part of our family. He's Juu-nii's friend, but...you started calling him Shirogane-nii, like he lives here now. And he doesn't. You know that, right? He's only been here two days. When he's well he'll go, and we'll not see him again."
"I know." Shikiki paused in her filling of the bowl, a sober look in her aqua eyes. "But it's not the same for me as it is for you. Shirogane-nii said his family didn't want him. I know...what that's like. Kei-nii didn't come back for me, either. He just...wherever he went, he didn't want me. If Juu-nii hadn't brought me back here..."
She shrugged, putting the rest of the herbs into the bowl and picking up the pestel between chubby, green flecked fingers.
"This is my family, now." She added. "And I like that it is. Everyone is kind to me and I belong. I know nobody will send me away, or anything like that. But...Shirogane-nii is on his own. And even though he's rich and silly and a shinigami too - I feel bad for him. Not all rich shinigami people are bad people. Don't you think it's horrible, that it was someone from his family who made him get hurt like he was? Wouldn't you hate it, if Hiro-nii or Shinkei-nii suddenly told someone to come stab you and leave you for dead?"
"I suppose I would." Miyabi looked taken aback. "But it wouldn't ever happen. Not in this family."
"I know." Shikiki offered her a smile, but her eyes were serious. "But it can happen in other families. In other places. And Shirogane-nii is all lonely at the moment. And hurt. And ill. And I don't think he's very used to any of that. So...if I call him Shirogane-nii, maybe he'll be less on his own. Because I was found by people, too - I s'pose I understand more what it's like."
"Probably." Miyabi pursed her lips. "You don't talk about those things a lot though, Shiki-chan."
"That's because they're not nice. And I'm happy here, so they don't matter." Shikiki said frankly. "But seeing Shirogane-nii, and hearing what he said...made me remember a little what it felt like, when I knew Kei-nii wasn't coming back for me."
"Juu-nii said Keitarou was a bad person and that he hurt other people. He hurt Juu-nii, too." Miyabi said bluntly. "So it's a good thing he didn't, and you know that. You belong with us now anyway. It all ended better."
"It did," Shikiki set the pestel aside, "for me. But it might not end up better for Shirogane-nii, because it hasn't ended at all yet. So if we can at least help him get better...I want to do that."
She grinned.
"Can you get a mug from the cupboard and fill it with hot water from the bowl on the stove? Anika boiled it earlier, but she doesn't like me touching it because I can't reach as well as you. Then I can put the herbs in, and Shirogane-nii can drink it."
"Okay." Miyabi got to her feet, hurrying to do as she was bidden, and Shikiki glanced down at her green mush with a pensive look on her face.
Dai-nii was always neater at doing that bit, but I'm pretty sure it will help. They're all good herbs for making people feel better, and Shirogane-nii is still a lot pale. I know that losing blood makes you go pale, but I hoped he'd be better if I stopped the bleeding.
"Here you are." Miyabi returned at that moment, pushing the mug towards her companion, and carefully Shikiki transferred the contents of the plaster bowl to the mug, stirring it carefully with the end of the pestel.
"Anika will be cross if she sees you doing that." Miyabi looked amused, picking up the empty bowl and taking the pestel from her companion. "I'll wash those up for you later, but I'll come with you to Nagoya-dono now. Even if you think it's all right, well, a girl shouldn't be on her own with a strange man in a bedroom. Chi-nee told me so."
"Really?" Shikiki was startled. "I never heard that before. Nobody ever bothered about me being in Juu-nii's room when he was sick."
"But that's Juu-nii. He's your family now, and not a stranger." Miyabi said knowingly. "Nagoya-dono is from outside, so it's best this way."
She shrugged, slipping her fingers into her companion's stubby ones.
"We'll go together." She said firmly. "And I'll help."
When they pushed open the door of the small chamber, Shikiki quickly saw that her patient was fast asleep and she cast Miyabi a glance to tell her to keep her voice down, tiptoeing carefully across the room and setting the medicine down on the small unit beside the bed. During the rest of the year, this chamber belonged to Juushirou, though in his absence it had been given over to caring for Shirogane, for in many respects it was perfectly located and set up to double as a sick room. Shikiki supposed that her brother would not mind the comandeering of his bedroom, not given that it was his shishou who was in need.
"He's really very pretty, isn't he." Miyabi murmured, moving to stand at the other side of the bed. "I heard that Kuchiki people were pretty, but this is the first time I really saw one up close."
"I suppose so." Shikiki shrugged. "I hadn't really looked."
"That's because you're not twelve yet." Miyabi said with conviction. "But he is, Shikiki. And a little like Juu-nii. Don't you think?"
"You think everything revolves around Juu-nii." Shikiki teased, and Miyabi put her hands on her hips, glaring at her companion indignantly.
"I do not!" She hissed. "Okaasama said that Juu-nii was part Kuchiki, that's all. Didn't you know that?"
"Doesn't matter to me." Shikiki turned her attention back to the medicine. "He's still too pale right now."
"But he is sleeping peacefully." Miyabi reported. "Really, Shiki-chan, come round here and look. He's so pretty - like a marble doll asleep on Juu-nii's pillow."
Shikiki sighed, but obediently came to join her companion, glancing at the oblivious Clansman with a more experienced healer's gaze.
He was sleeping peacefully, she acknowledged, and though there was still a chalky whiteness to his complexion, his colour was less grey than it had been even the day before. Though she was not as fanciful as Miyabi in her imaginings, Shikiki had to admit that with his dark curly hair loose from its usual ties and scattered against the white of the bedcovers Shirogane did look a little like one of the dolls that the younger Ukitake girl kept neatly displayed on the shelf in the chamber they shared. Despite herself a faint smile came to Shikiki's lips at the association. Unlike her companion, she knew the ruthlessness that Clan people often possessed – but though she was sure that a fit, armed Shirogane might prove a dangerous proposition, right now he seemed vulnerable and fragile, a rescued stray exhausted from his adventures in the wild.
His colour was improving, however little. Anika's cooking and a comfortable place to rest had doubtless helped in that respect, for Shirogane had admitted to Shikiki the previous evening that he had not had much time to grab sleep since his desperate flight from the Kuchiki manor. Although the other Ukitake children still kept a respectful, wary distance from the sickroom and its unexpected occupant, Shikiki alone was unfazed by Shirogane's presence. She had seen Clan before, had experienced their violence and elitism, and had survived it – and so although Shirogane carried the same kind of sword as the men who had killed both her guardian Daisuke and her own family, she was not afraid. Perhaps because of that, whilst Shirogane had held himself a little aloof with the others where possible, he had not been so with Shikiki.
Clan people have all those silly rules about manners and stuff, so he's always polite to Hiro-nii and Anika and Okaasama, but I'm glad he lets me call him Shirogane-nii. If he can sleep like he has nothing on his mind, then he'll get well quicker. Dai-nii used to say that a good night's sleep could cure most things. So I'm glad he's able to sleep like that.
"Are you going to wake him?" Miyabi asked, and Shikiki sighed.
"The medicine will go cold if I don't." She said regretfully. "I suppose so. You're right though. He is sleeping very deeply."
She reached across to shake the Clansman gently awake, but something prickled faintly across her senses and she paused, drawing her hand back.
You don't want me to wake you up just yet, do you, Shirogane-nii?
"Shiki-chan?" Miyabi cast her a curious look, and Shikiki shrugged.
"He's still so tired. I can tell by brushing against his aura." She said quietly.
"Still?" Miyabi looked blank. "He's been sleeping almost all the time since Shinkei-nii and Rouhei-nii found him – he's still tired now? All he's done in two days is pick at Anika's cooking and sleep…surely he should be wide awake by now?"
"But when you lose blood, it makes you tired." Shikiki said wisely. "Because your body's having to work hard to make more. And it isn't something I can fix so...for now we'll let him sleep. This is a safe place, so he can do that without worrying about people coming to find him. Hiro-nii said last night that the soldiers have been out searching all round the area, but that they're not allowed to come into people's homes so they won't ever know he's here. The medicine will work if it's cold as well as if it's warm - so...for now let's let him rest some more, okay?"
"If you say so. In that case, lets ask Okaasama if we can run down to the beach and watch the tide come in." Miyabi suggested. "It should be all right so long as we don't stray from the paths, and Kamikura-sensei's busy lecturing Shinkei-nii about his kanji at the moment. He won't want us till this afternoon I don't s'pect."
"We could." Shikiki brightened. "That's a good idea. And we can look for shells - I want to find a pink one like the one you dug up last summer."
"It's early for good shells, and the tide will be covering most of the sand." Miyabi pointed out. "But all right. We can do that too."
Shikiki turned to glance once more at the sleeping Shirogane, picking up a faint fluctuation in his sleeping aura. Then she nodded.
"Okay." She said at length. "Let's go."
"You know, you're starting to predict my movements with increasing accuracy."
Shunsui lowered his sword, casting his companion a warm grin. "You're a quick learner, Kaoru-chan - and you listen well. If you carry on like that, you'll have this asauchi out of my hand before you know it."
"Mm, I don't think so." Kaoru gazed at her own weapon, letting out a little sigh. "I mean, Senpai is only going easy on me. I can tell that. And..."
"Well, of course." Shunsui looked surprised. "If I didn't, you'd probably get hurt - and that would spoil your pretty face as well as get me into a lot of trouble. But I'm not going so easy on you that I'm walking all over you. I meant what I said. Your skills are sharper than they were - you've really listened to what I said about your right side."
"I suppose so." Kaoru pursed her lips. "But even so...I don't know."
"Something bothering you?" Shunsui sheathed his katana, moving to rest his hands on the young girl's shoulders. She raised pensive eyes to his and he smiled ruefully, reminding himself for the hundredth time that Genryuusai had assigned him to work with her because of the temptation and that it would not do to give in to it, no matter how plaintive her expression.
But it is a waste. A perfectly pretty ojouchan who doesn't completely hate me and I can't do anything about it. Damn that crafty old man. Damn him. With all the tension here of late, even teasing Naoko isn't as much fun as it was...even a Senior needs a distraction from stress now and again!
"I don't know." Kaoru repeated now, oblivious to her companion's inner thoughts. "Just...Senpai, can I ask you a question?"
"Of course. That's why I'm here." Shunsui nodded his head. "Providing it's a sword related question and not one about the facts of life. Sensei wouldn't approve of us having that kind of conversation and I have no idea where it might lead if you carry on looking at me that way."
"Senpai!" Kaoru flushed red, but Shunsui knew from the grin on her face that she had been complimented rather than offended by his teasing remark. "But it isn't entirely about swords. I just wondered about the boy that I found in the Senior hallway. I mean, what happened with that? Nobody said anything, and...I think I've seen him in the halls from time to time since. But when I tried to talk to him, he scuttled away from me. So..."
She trailed off,and Shunsui shook his head.
"What you did that night was the right thing." He said gently. "But it's all in hand now. You needn't worry. It was a misunderstanding...that's all."
"I wondered if someone was maybe bullying him." Kaoru admitted earnestly. "When I thought about it, that's what it seemed like. He was so scared. But you made me promise not to tell anyone so I didn't. And then..."
"You've been bullied in the past, then, Kaoru-chan?" Shunsui asked keenly, and Kaoru shrugged her shoulders.
"Well, we used to have a hard time at home because my brother kept getting into one trouble or another. People didn't want to play with me much when I was small because of his reputation." She said pragmatically. "But I'm all right - I don't really get upset that easily. Just...sometimes Clan students don't like it when District students are clever, do they? When I got promoted for this year, people I thought were friends of mine stopped speaking to me. And I realised that perhaps there is a bigger divide between Clan and District than I thought. I didn't know if that young boy was District too, but...I know that Anideshi is...and..."
"I see. You've been doing a lot of thinking all around, then." Shunsui said lightly. Kaoru nodded.
"Was it bad for me to do that?" She asked hesitantly. Shunsui paused, then shook his head.
"Whether you look at the realities in this world or not, they're still there." He said thoughtfully. "That's a lesson I've learnt over the past few years, so I don't mind sharing it with you. You're not doing anything wrong by achieving things as a District student, Kaoru-chan. Only the world is still catching up with the changes. Clans have long traditions that are hard to break. Even mine does, you know - although I'd like to say I'm quite progressive with the way I look at things."
"Mm." Kaoru nodded, her dark tail of hair bobbing as she did so. "And since we've been training, I've seen that too. I thought maybe Sensei chose you to be my shishou not just because you were left handed but because you were that kind of Clan person."
She pinkened again.
"I'm glad he did." She added self-consciously. "You've already helped me a lot. But...I'm wasting Senpai's time now by talking about silly stuff. I'm always doing that, because I talk too much and then I get carried away...so...I'm sorry. I just wanted to know if that kid was all right."
"It's all all right." Shunsui assured her with a wry grin. "And now it's said, we'll get back to work. A few minutes break never hurt anyone, so don't worry. I'd rather be spending time swinging swords with you than writing up Kazoe's latest assignment, though of course both have to be done if I'm going to pass this year."
"I suppose so." Kaoru dimpled. "I have a lot of work too, catching up the things I don't know yet from missing Third year. But I like training like this. I don't know if I'm getting closer to my sword being raised, but...I feel like I'm learning a lot of things in the process."
"The science of it is hazy, even to me, because we're all different." Shunsui reflected, dropping his hands from her shoulders and taking a step back, his fingers once more reaching for the sword at his waist. "But what I'm doing is really...I suppose...training your body to be ready to receive your sword. Training your endurance, your skill, your understanding. When I was training for mine, I realised that - most of the spiritual work has to happen inside of you. When your sword is ready to come out fully, it will."
"I do hear it speak sometimes." Kaoru admitted. "But it's annoying and won't tell me its name."
She sighed.
"So I'll keep working." She decided. "And hope that it tells me soon."
"That's all you can do." Shunsui agreed. "Even if it seems like a long path, to me your reiryoku seems to be evening out. I push you more and more but your reiryoku scatters less now when I do than it did before."
"Does that mean you'll use your zanpakutou soon?" Kaoru brightened, and Shunsui faltered, chewing on his lip.
"Now hang on..."
"I want to see it. Please." Kaoru begged. "One of my friends said your sword was unusual, but I want to know how and why and...Senpai, when I saw Anideshi's sword, I thought it was beautiful. But then I wondered about your sword. Because you're the top student in the Senior class, aren't you? Which means you're top student in the whole school and...I want to see the kind of sword someone like that has. Please will you show me? I want to see."
"Kaoru-chan." Shunsui stared at her for a moment, then he let out a low chuckle, nodding his head. "I see. All right then. I suppose when you put it like that, I can't refuse. Perhaps it will help you if you see it - but I'm not going to train with it against you yet. It's too soon for you and too dangerous. My zanpakutou's release isn't really designed for basic training."
"What is it, then?" Kaoru cast him a curious look as they walked across the training ground, Shunsui scooping up the daishou blades he had propped up to one side at the edge of the training arena. Though up until the Tsukabishi incident he had left his swords in his chamber when training Kaoru, of late he had decided it was safer and better to keep Katen Kyoukotsu with him, and so he sat down against the fence, indicating for his companion to follow suit.
"You'll learn all the fancy stuff about swords in Zanjutsu Theory, since you've begun that this year, haven't you?" He remarked, crossing his legs and laying the two sheathed weapons across his knees. "Though I don't know what rumours your friends have heard, they are right. Katen Kyoukotsu is unusual among zanpakutou. I would say it's one of a kind but..."
He tapped the sheaths.
"As you can see, it's two."
"Two?" Kaoru's eyes widened, and she stared at him in disbelief. "You mean...they're both your zanpakutou?"
"Yes." Shunsui nodded, enjoying the look of incredulation that crossed her young features. "It's the one and only zanpakutou to date ever recorded in Soul Society that seals itself into two blades insead of one. When I release my swords, they change to almost the same size and shape - but in sleeping form, they look like this."
"Is that why you won't use it to train with me?" As Shunsui carefully drew the wakizashi from its scabbard, Kaoru looked thoughtful. "Because two against one would be too much for me to deal with?"
"If I wanted, I could use either blade to spar you." Shunsui shrugged. "Seibara and Amaki are very different as sealed weapons but I'm not bad with swords and I'm quite flexible. Honestly I just thought to start with it would be easier that way. I wouldn't use both on you, Kaoru-chan. That would be unfair. You don't have your weapon to release level yet."
"I can feel it." Kaoru held out her hand, hovering it not far from the wakizashi blade. "Like it's humming. Like Anideshi's. But it has a different feeling. Did you call it...something else?"
"Well, my sword is Katen Kyoukotsu. That's its release name." Shunsui grinned, sliding the weapon back into its sheath. "But because I have two blades, I also have two spirits. And they're both cheeky and have minds of their own. Since they generally have charge of one blade each, I suppose at times I think of the swords as Amaki and Seibara. That might sound strange...perhaps it is strange..but explaining a zanpakutou generally slips into strangeness at one point or another."
"I see." Kaoru absorbed this, then, "But you won't release them to show me, will you? Because you think they're dangerous?"
"They are dangerous. All zanpakutou are - I told you that before." Shunsui said gently.
"But why is yours?" Kaoru pressed. "I want to know more about it...that is...if you don't mind." She added hastily, her cheeks once more turning pink. "I'm asking Senpai all kinds of questions, but if you don't want to...just..."
She trailed off, and Shunsui chuckled, patting her on the head.
"Katen Kyoukotsu has a playful nature. It likes to play games." He said softly. "And it hasn't taught even me all the rules to those games yet. They aren't games that should be played against someone like you, either, because they might hurt you. I can fight with my swords as sealed swords and I'm quite good at it. As you get further on, if you like, I'll use Amaki and Seibara one at a time and you can practice against different types of blades and techniques. But my shikai...the more I learn about it, the more I realise it isn't designed to help anyone else bring their skills on. And I don't want to patronise you, Kaoru - but more than that, I don't want to hurt you."
"I see." Kaoru sighed, then got to her feet, using the fence to haul herself upright. "Then in that case I suppose there's nothing else to do but keep trying. Just...make me a promise, Senpai. Please? When I have my own zanpakutou, will you show me Katen Kyoukotsu's real form? I understand if you don't want to use it to fight against me. If it would be bad then...that's fine. But...I'd like it if you would. And if I had a zanpakutou too then...it wouldn't be so bad, would it?"
She shrugged.
"I know that releasing a sword means a lot of reiryoku, and I've realised you're really strong that way even without you using your zanpakutou." She added. "But if I had a sword released too...I think it wouldn't be so bad."
"All right. I suppose that I can agree to that." Shunsui nodded, standing up and propping his daishou swords up against the fence once more. "I have good reiatsu control and if we weren't sparring, I'd be sure they didn't harm you. To be honest, they don't like being spectators very much. Amaki has been railing at me for the past few minutes about getting into the action, and I'm having to tell him to shut up and sit it out this time around."
Kaoru giggled.
"They really do that?" She asked, and Shunsui grimaced.
"Mine, yes." He admitted. "I'm quite lazy by nature, so they consider it their job to nag me and prod me till I comply."
If we didn't, Shunsui, where would you be now?
The voice broke sharply across his senses, and he sighed, his gaze darting back towards the sheathed wakizashi.
Amaki might be harsh on me, but you ask the worst questions, Seibara. Pipe down, will you? I have plenty to do without your interference.
I know.
Seibara's voice was soft but unrepentant.
I just don't want you to think that because you're training this one now, our work is done. You know it isn't. You told this girl you thought we were dangerous - but you really have no idea what that means yet.
And that's why I'm not releasing you in front of Kaoru. Give me credit for sense - I know when your reiatsu is changing and I'm not going to play your kind of games with a younger student.
Shunsui's brows twitched in irritation.
Ever since I started training Kaoru, you've both been whining - first enough that I could ignore you and now full on like this.
Why do you suppose that old sensei of yours pushed you to train? You don't do any work on your own, so it's the only way.
Fine, I get it. Now shut up already. Whatever you and Amaki want to teach me, it can keep. For now, I'm not going to put Kaoru in any danger by releasing you or experimenting with what you can do. We do these things at my pace now, not yours. No matter how much you complain.
I suppose that's just part of us accepting your right to wield us.
Seibara sighed.
All right. But Shunsui, don't play around with asauchi for too long. The games you don't know the rules to are still far too many...and you will need them when you graduate. Maybe even before, if you really want to protect the things and the world that is important to you.
"Senpai?" Kaoru's concerned look brought him back to the present and he smiled, running his fingers through his thick brown hair.
"I'm being nagged by them even now." He said ruefully. "Sorry. Picking them up made them decide they wanted a say in your training - and mine. That's another reason I'm not happy using them while training you - I'm doing this to help bring you on, not to hone my own sword skills."
Those can wait until we're alone. If I've learnt one thing since the first time Seibara manifested in my hand, it's that Katen Kyoukotsu's games aren't something to be taken lightly. Not by me or by anyone else.
Aloud he added,
"We'll run through one more time. See whether you can pick up more quickly when I'm attacking your right. It's improving but you still leave openings."
"All right." Kaoru nodded, grasping her own asauchi tightly in her left hand. "I'm ready, Senpai."
"You seem to be making good progress."
As the spar came to an end, a fresh voice drifted across the training ground and Shunsui grinned, sheathing his asauchi and turning to greet his friend.
"You're honoured, Kaoru-chan." He said playfully. "Anideshi came to watch you train."
"Oh, enough with that." Juushirou was impatient, even as Kaoru's cheeks flushed red at the comment. "I didn't come to make your deshi feel self-conscious, so don't tease her."
He cast Kaoru a smile.
"You do move quickly, though. And you have good skills." He added. "I suppose I can see how you managed to rescue Sougyo, when you move as fast as that."
"I'm glad I could help, Senpai." Kaoru offered a self-conscious smile. "But Kyouraku-senpai is a good shishou. He's taught me loads of stuff already. So I guess it's thanks to him, if I'm getting better."
"Ah, you know all the right lines too." Shunsui reached across to ruffle the girl's hair absently. "It's such a shame. Oh well."
"A shame?" Kaoru looked non-plussed, and Shunsui grinned.
"You'll be late for your class." He said softly. "So we'll call it done for today. I'll see you again in two days time - if you have any problems that come up in the meantime, just send me a message, all right?"
"All right." Kaoru nodded,bowing her head towards him. "Thank you for my class, Senpai. I'll see you again then."
With that she was gone across the training grounds, and Shunsui sighed, leaning up against the fence.
"Such a waste." He murmured, and Juushirou reached out to prod him playfully on the arm.
"Did I disturb something?" He teased lightly. "I almost felt like I stepped into a forbidden ambience then, the way she went so red."
"Oh, I'm not doing anything like that to her, don't worry." Shunsui shot Juushirou a rueful look. "Yama-jii would have my hide. That's why it's a waste. She's very pretty, she listens to me and even says nice things about me, too. But I won't mess with her. It wouldn't be fair. She's far too innocent and she doesn't have very good defences to protect her from predators."
"I suppose it's a good thing you're not being predatorial, then." Juushirou reflected, and Shunsui cast him a keen glance.
"You sound envious. I'm not sure what of, but there was definitely that note in your voice just then." He observed, and Juushirou grimaced.
"I'm a little envious that you get to train someone." He admitted. "If that's what you mean. I suppose I've caused Sensei far too much trouble so far to have the same responsibility - or maybe he thinks my health isn't stable enough to do it...or I don't know. But he hasn't given me that instruction yet. And watching you with Nagasata-san made me realise that I'd like to do it."
"I'm sure you'll get your chance." Shunsui tapped his friend on the shoulder. "You've had plenty on your plate, but I'm certain that Yama-jii doesn't think you're irresponsible. Or if he does, you've been irresponsible since we started, and it didn't stop him making you Anideshi. So he obviously likes it."
"Yes...maybe." Juushirou's eyes clouded slightly, and Shunsui frowned.
"Juu, why did you really come out to meet me?" He asked softly. "You don't usually and it isn't as though we have anything scheduled now, even if the lower classes do. There's something on your mind - what's up?"
"Ah, all kinds of things." Juushirou shook his head as if to clear it. "Most of which are muddled up and confused at the moment, so I can't even explain them to myself. But you are right - I did come here to speak to you. I didn't intend to interrupt your training session, but since you were finishing..."
"It's fine. I've time now." Shunsui nodded, bending to retrieve his zanpakutou swords and sliding them into his obi, removing the asauchi and replacing it on the rack. "And we're alone, so what's up? This is far enough from the school - nobody will hear us if it's something private."
He cast Katen Kyoukotsu a rueful grin, then,
"Well, other than these two." He amended. "But you have Sougyo with you, so Seibara and Amaki can amuse themselves playing nicely with In'you while we chat about grown up stuff. I'm sure they won't tell anyone your secrets, so hurry up and unburden yourself, okay? I don't like when you look like that, but obviously it's not something you want everyone to overhear."
"I suppose it is." Juushirou grimaced. "But you'll probably laugh at me. Or tease me. Or both. I don't know. Just...hear me out, will you? And try not to do those two things until I've finished. Because it's bothering me."
"All right." Shunsui's brown eyes became sober. "It's a challenge, but I'll try. If you look at me like that, Juu-kun, I have to take it seriously."
"Mm." Juushirou faltered, and for a moment there was silence. Then, "It has to do with Mitsuki."
"Mitsuki-chan?" Shunsui's eyes narrowed. "Did you two fight?"
"No. No we haven't." Juushirou held up his hands hurriedly. "It isn't like that. I just...well...you know Shikibu-san and Mitsuki aren't speaking at the moment, right?"
"Yes, but I would've thought you'd keep several miles out of that." Shunsui remarked pointedly, and Juushirou nodded.
"I have. I will. I am." He agreed. "It's not for me to interfere in and Mitsuki more or less told me she didn't intend on letting anyone. But...I think the reason they fought may have something to do with me. And with...Nagoya-senpai, too."
"You...and...Nagoya-senpai." Shunsui repeated slowly. "That's an interesting combination. All right, I'll bite. In what way?"
"Shikibu-san came and spoke to me, the morning of our Zanjutsu assessment." As they began to walk slowly back towards the school, Juushirou fell into step with his friend. "She said...some things about Mitsuki and that Mitsuki and Nagoya-senpai had got...quite close...over the break. Especially...with...what happened in District Six."
He reddened, and Shunsui cast him a searching glance.
"Naoko-chan told you that Mitsuki was in love with Nagoya now?" He asked sharply. "And you believed her? How many levels of idiot are you, Juu? Mitsuki's in love with you. Any fool can see that."
"Mitsuki and I...have to be just friends." Juushirou said sadly. "So even though I know she...where I'm concerned, I know you're right. But...Nagoya-senpai is different. Shikibu-san seemed to think there was a good possibility the Kuchiki might try and manoeuvre a match behind Mitsuki's back - leaving it a done deal when she graduated to keep her close to home."
"Hrm." Shunsui rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "All right. I suppose on that level she has a point. The Kuchiki might - especially given their current messed up state. But even if that's true, not only is Nagoya now an exile, Naoko's ignoring the fact Mitsuki has a very strong will of her own under all that healing kindness. I don't see her being forced into anything she didn't want. Even if it meant leaving the Clan."
"That's something else though." Juushirou chewed on his lip. "I know I have no right to say anything about it, so I haven't - because we're friends, and I can't really give her anything other than that no matter how long we know each other for. Also, Nagoya-senpai was my shishou. I like him. I respect him. He taught me all the things you're teaching Nagasata-san now."
"I hope I'm doing it in a more supportive manner." Shunsui muttered. "I don't know as I like being compared with him, even in something like that."
"Well, the point is...Mitsuki is worried about Nagoya-senpai." Juushirou hesitated, then, "We spoke about it...and the way she talked...I could tell that they'd built up a bond. She's really worried about him. And I don't know...maybe right now it's not...something permanent. But it...could be."
"Nagoya's in no better place than you to claim Mitsuki's heart, being that his Clan want him for treason." Shunsui said bluntly. "In fact, you're probably a better bet than him at the present time. And besides, Juu...listen to me. You can say it all you want and we tease you - but your feelings for Mitsuki are not friendship. You can pretend they are - both of you - but you will get hurt sooner or later if you keep pretending. I know because I've been there - Saku and I went there and it wasn't a nice road. You have plenty of things going for you and if you want Mitsuki, you should fight for her. Because I'm pretty sure she hasn't changed how she feels towards you even a little. But you can't hang on to it forever. You can't wait for the world to change forever."
"I rely on the goodwill of Sixth District's Clan for everything, though, beyond this point. My right to be a shinigami, even." Juushirou glanced at his hands. "What I don't know is...what matters more to me. Mitsuki...or...protecting the people I care about."
"I don't think it's that kind of a decision." Shunsui said gently. "You see things always in large print - black and white, disaster or celebration. But there are a lot of grey shades in there too. You also have Genryuusai-sensei on your side. He took on his Clan for you this time over your releasing Sougyo when you did. He's taken a lot of risks and gambles to make you a shinigami. He isn't going to let the Kuchiki change that, you know. They may be the more powerful Clan, but Yama-jii is much the senior Shinigami to Guren-sama and his coterie."
"Maybe. Maybe that's true." Juushirou murmured. "But I...I don't know. Mitsuki said...something like...she might not be in Seireitei after graduation. Or...I'm not sure. But...I'm afraid, Shunsui. I hate it, but I am. That this year will be the last time Mitsuki and I are able to be together and see each other. That when we graduate...everything will change. Whether we want it or not."
"It will change. It has to." Shunsui said pragmatically. "But I think you're underestimating that girl, Juu. And I think you'll lose her more likely by underestimating her. But anyhow. For the time being one thing I am sure of. Whatever you do with the information, Mitsuki right now is in love with you. And though you don't like us talking about it, you're in love with her. That hasn't changed. So don't fret about it. There's no way Nagoya would overtake you in her affections, even if she did save his life."
"Perhaps. Perhaps not." Juushirou's brows knitted together. "I suppose it's bothering me too that it was Shikibu-san who raised it with me. Not Mitsuki. You know...that if there was nothing to it..."
"More likely Mitsuki knows what we all know - that the Kuchiki are dangerous enemies and you should not cross them." Shunsui said softly. "She wants to make sure you don't get involved and hurt - she's protecting you this time, and she's right. They aren't Shihouin or Endou. They're different. This is a Clan with absolute ruthlessness in pursuit of honour - on a completely different level from Seimaru and his companions. And more, they have the power to back it up. Guren-sama is one of the most powerful shinigami in Soul Society, and someone just murdered his son. He's not someone you want to make more angry."
He sighed, linking his arm in his friend's.
"Come on. We'll go into town and I'll treat you to fruit from the market as we walk." He suggested. "Because I don't want Mitsuki to see you being pathetic, and right now that's how you look. She'd hug you and pet you, most probably, but you don't want her to think of you as a lost puppy dog missing it's master."
"Shunsui." Despite himself, Juushirou smiled, and Shunsui laughed.
"That's more like it." He said with a grin. "Well? Any excuse to skip research work, that's my motto for this year. I've done my Senior duty for the day with Kaoru-chan - so I deserve a break just as much as you!"
He was running through the forest, breath coming in rasping, shallow gasps as he stumbled through the thick undergrowth. Behind him, the sound of pounding footsteps told him that his pursuers were still on his tail, and try as he might he could not put space between them.
In fact, they were gaining on him.
Fear coursed though his blood as he struggled forwards, his chest burning fit to explode as his demand for oxygen outstripped his ability to drag air into his lungs. Pain resonated through to his heavy limbs, but he could not stop. To stop was to die. He could not stop.
As he reached a clearing, he gazed frantically around him, looking for fresh cover into which he could plunge his exhausted body and hide, but before he could even slow his pace green and cream clad retainers emerged from the trees, each holding a sword and each advancing on him with purpose and resolve. The guards were faceless, each one the exact same as his fellows, and Shirogane faltered, disorientated and frightened by their sudden appearance.
From behind him he could tell that the forest pursuers had almost reached him, but his momentum had broken and he fell to his knees, his chest spasming in protest against his forced burst of energy. He coughed, blood trickling from his lips, and desperately he wiped the blood away, reaching to his waist for his sword as he realised he would have no choice but to fight.
The silver glint of metal against his wrists reminded him that he was cuffed, however, and as his fingers faltered, there was the sound of hoofbeats, the shadow of a horse falling suddenly across the thin stream of sunlight that penetrated the copse.
Slowly and fearfully Shirogane raised his gaze, only to be dazzled by the sudden and unexpected flares of blazing light - golden and crimson in colour as one by one the green and cream clad retainers exploded into flame and ash. Unable to believe his eyes, Shirogane blinked, struggling to bring the features of the rider into focus, and as he did so, his heart almost stopped in his chest.
"Ribari-sama?"
"I've been looking for you, Shirogane." The face was Ribari's, but the voice was another - the voice of Seiren, his Uncle. "This time you won't escape the justice of the Kuchiki Clan."
"Nagoya-dono?"
As the figure raised his hand towards the fallen shinigami, fresh Kidou energy glimmering against the fingertips, a fresh voice broke through the illusion, jerking Shirogane hurriedly back to his senses.
"Nagoya-dono, wake up. It's all right. There's no reason to be afraid here."
Realising now that he had been trapped in the claws of a nightmare, Shirogane clung to the voice, forcing Ribari's accusing face and the forest scene far from his awareness as he struggled to wake up. For a while he battled the darkness, and then at length he forced his eyes open, blinking against the sudden light and colour of the chamber as he tried to bring it into focus.
A woman stood at his bedside, one hand hovering just above his shoulder, and Shirogane realised that she had been about to shake him awake. Her dark eyes were soft and gentle, almost maternal and as awareness trickled back across his tired wits, Shirogane understood who she was.
He moistened his lips, relief coursing his senses.
It had been terrifying, and his fear had been real. But the images had not. They had been a dream...and he was safe. This was reality, and he found himself truly grateful for the simple, worn decor of the Ukitake home that suddenly seemed so welcoming and secure in comparison.
"Kaede-dono." He murmured, and the woman smiled, inclining her head slightly in acknowledgement of her identity.
"What was I...did I...say something?"
"You were sleeping, but I heard you murmur and came in to see if you needed help." Kaede sat down beside Shirogane's bed, casting him a gentle smile. "When I came in, you seemed distressed, so I thought I should wake you. You were tossing and turning in your sleep - are you in pain?"
"Pain?" Shirogane stared at her, momentarily taken off guard by the genuine kindness in the woman's eyes, and Kaede laughed, amusement touching her expression.
"I'm sorry." She said, bowing her head slightly. "I'd forgotten that the one I was speaking to is a lord of the Clan. It was an informal question, and perhaps you feel it went too far."
Shirogane sighed, pulling himself heavily into a sitting position. He shook his head.
"No." He said softly. "I am not anything at the moment, except a burden on your hospitality. My family have more or less discarded me. If not for your kin, I would be dead. I was just taken aback...you asked me that question as though you truly cared to know the answer. It surprised me."
"I do care to know." Kaede smoothed her skirts thoughtfully. "But I suppose that's the maternal instinct inside of me. You're not so very much older than my oldest - and I'm well used to the role of nurse and mother with so many children in my charge."
Her eyes softened once more.
"I'm sure it's not true that your family have discarded you." She added. "There are some blood ties that never break, no matter how much pressure is put upon them. Your mother and father must be worried about you, surely?"
"No...they are not." A hollow smile touched Shirogane's lips. "They are no longer here, either one of them."
"No longer here?"
"Both long since passed - Father when I was small, mother some years later." Shirogane agreed. "There really isn't anyone there to worry for me, Kaede-dono."
"I see." Kaede frowned.
"It's all right." Shirogane assured her. "I'm used to that...I don't want or need sympathy for it. Just...I'm angry. And frustrated. My Uncle is high-handed and his judgement has been awry in recent weeks. Now he clearly seeks to kill me...so what else should I think than I'm no longer welcome in this District?"
"Hiro-kun said you intended to leave by the coves." Kaede said pensively, and Shirogane nodded.
"I do, and as soon as possible." He agreed grimly.
"In the condition you are now, you'll put yourself in danger." Kaede said quietly. "My late husband used to keep a boat, and sometimes he would take it out...but it's not an easy passage beyond a certain point, and you'd need your wits about you to navigate to safe shore. You lost a good deal of blood, and even with Shikiki's help, you're not recovered yet. Please don't feel you're a burden on us. If you were to leave before you were fit, I'd worry about you far more than if you were here and we were having to hide you from the soldiers."
Shirogane was silent for a moment, digesting this. Then,
"Ukitake is not your blood son, is he, Kaede-dono?" He asked, and Kaede shook her head.
"That was perceptive of you." She agreed. "But I suppose if you've trained him, you've probably realised the disparity in our power levels. Hidenobu and I are average people. Not gifted. Juushirou is different. That difference comes from his mother - but I've raised him since he was one year old and to me he is as dear as if he was one of my own brood. More and more now we know he isn't the same as us - but it's never come between us and it never will."
Shirogane nodded.
"I thought that was the case." He admitted. "Kinsfolk of mine - friends of Ukitake's - bothered me to do some research and we discovered Raiko-dono's roots and history within the core of our Clan. When I saw that, I understood - where Ukitake's power had come from. But the young girl - Shikiki - I don't understand her at all."
"Shikiki's history is a mystery to all of us." Kaede replied. "Her real family were killed, and they had no connection to any Clan so far as I'm aware. But she is...truly special. Her healing abilities gave Juushirou back life when otherwise he would have died. Now she's done the same for you."
She reached out to touch Shirogane's arm.
"She is young but she wants to help." She said softly. "And we have come to love her here, because of that. She is just a child who wants to belong. I think...that's why she wanted to help you. Because you were cast out by those you held dear. Shikiki doesn't talk about it, but the man who was her guardian abandoned her when she chose to save Juushirou's life. Since then she's been with us - and this is her home now and forever. But it doesn't mean she's forgotten."
"I see." Shirogane became thoughtful. "It's strange but I thought I felt a faint connection to her at one point. Maybe because she healed me, maybe because we're both abandoned strays in one way or another. Or perhaps because she reminds me of someone else...who took good care of me the last time my life was in jeopardy."
"It sounds to me like you live a little recklessly, if people often have to save your life." Kaede observed, and Shirogane offered her a rueful smile.
"Until a few weeks ago, it had never happened. I had never so much as taken injury beyond odd scrapes and bruises." he said candidly. "Perhaps I thought I could not be injured...certainly I had great confidence in my skills to succeed. But my cousin was murdered and the rest of our squad laid out by some kind of noxious poison gas. That was the first time my life was in peril. This is the second. I wonder how long I can continue to ride my luck and carry on living."
"Your cousin? I see. Ribari-sama was someone close to you." Kaede observed softly, and Shirogane nodded.
"You know of it?"
"Genryuusai-sama mentioned it to Juushirou before he returned to the Academy, and we all discussed it then." Kaede agreed. "But to most people in this area, Kuchiki are names more than they are people. Even the local lord of the manor chooses not to leave his estate - though Kuchiki representatives are here and the land is peaceful, I'd wager there are very few folk here who've actually seen a central Clansman in the flesh."
"Until now." Shirogane pointed out dryly, and Kaede smiled.
"Yes. Until now." She agreed. "If my family aren't quite sure how to deal with you, I'm afraid that is the main reason why. Their only real experience of Clan is Shunsui-san when he's visited Juushirou - or when we've been to District Eight. He's not...the typical example, and so..."
"I have met Shunsui-dono, and I see your point." Shirogane nodded. "But I think it's rather more the other way about. That I'm not sure how to deal with your family more than you with me. There are many of you, and your bonds are tight. I know nothing about the Districts and have generally disdained its people. But now I'm among those people. I wouldn't say my views are changed - only that I hadn't understood the reasons why Ukitake chose to take up a sword and fight. Even though the prejudice is still strong against District shinigami in some areas - having met his family, I now know why it matters to him."
He smiled sheepishly.
"Also why he became so angry with me, when I taunted him on his bastard hazel eyes."
"Ah." Kaede's expression became knowing, and she nodded. "Juushirou's weak point, perhaps. He inherited those eyes from his father. You'll see my eyes are darker - and some of my children have my eyes, whilst some have Hidenobu's hazel. Juushirou mostly resembles his mother, but for those eyes which tie him to us as a family. And more, to his father. Juushirou is fond of everyone here. But his bond with his Father was especially strong. Hidenobu's death was a blow to all of us, but for him..."
She shrugged her shoulders helplessly.
"Nobody can replace Hidenobu in Juushirou's heart. No matter how much we love him and how much he loves us." She said at length. "And Hidenobu lost his life against a Hollow - trying to protect Juushirou from its evil attentions. If that boy has a reason to fight, I know it's to protect all of us and to make sure that we don't become victims next. But deep down I think he knows that the one most at risk was always him - and that danger would only come here so long as he was always among us with his spirit power untrained and roaming free."
"My being here could effect the same thing. Shikiki's too." Shirogane pointed out, but Kaede shook her head.
"I don't think so." She said gravely. "When Genryuusai-sama came to see us the first time, he knew that Juushirou's spirit power was far stronger than his body and that without particular training it would always bring danger here. Since Juushirou began his studies, no Hollows have come near. Now he has control that he didn't have before. Control you also have, since you bear a spirit sword of your own. And Shikiki...though I don't really understand, I've been told her power is different in many respects."
"It is unlike anything I have ever seen or heard of before." Shirogane admitted. "But I owe it my life, and so I won't criticise it. Perhaps...if and when this whole business is over...I might finally try and learn some basic healing Kidou. Recently I've begun to see its value - and that my education as a shinigami probably isn't over yet."
"You trained Juushirou, though, didn't you?" Kaede asked gently, and Shirogane nodded.
"I did, though reluctantly." He replied. "I didn't want to train anyone, let alone a District boy. But he surprised me - I confess, by the time I finished, I was quite glad I'd undertaken the job. It proved somewhat interesting - and since becoming a Vice Captain, I've realised that really, despite his low roots, Ukitake was a good student. Although...I didn't think that one day taking on the role of his shishou would ultimately help save my life."
"My family understand that Juushirou's life has always been tentative...something he's clung on to tenaciously since birth." Kaede said quietly. "Even then it cost Raiko-dono hers to seal the extraneous power away until he was old enough to manage it. Haibyou is also a fatal illness and many Ukitake have died from it in the past. Death has always followed him and Hidenobu and I protected him as best we could, hoping we could stave it off. But the truth is that it hasn't been us who succeeded. Juushirou's life is as stable as it's ever been, now. His future more or less assured. Between your training him to hold his sword, Genryuusai-sama's careful guidance and Shikiki's special magic, I believe Juushirou won't die young now. He may always be sickly, but it's no longer a condition that might steal his life. And even as his stepmother, the gratitude I feel for that is inexpressable. I adopted him as one of my own the moment I first met him. To lose him would be the same as losing any one of my own children. Therefore we took Shikiki in, knowing she'd been part of the reason for his new strength. And my boys found and chose to rescue you...because they knew your part in it too."
Shirogane's eyes narrowed.
"This family seems to revolve around Ukitake a good deal." He murmured. "Yet he hasn't inherited it from his father, has he?"
"He passed that responsibility on to Hiroyuki and my daughter Chihiro when he chose to become a shinigami." Kaede shrugged. "Chihiro waived her right to the family when she left the District to marry, but I know she's happy so there are no regrets. Juushirou knows that as a shinigami, he can't always be here. He made his choices and we've all adjusted along with that."
She folded her hands in her lap.
"But Juushirou is special." She admitted. "He draws people together and to him without even realising it. Even as a baby, or a small child - that's been his greatest power. More than anything spiritual - Juushirou's gift is with people. That's why I'm sure he'll achieve what he's set out to do. It's very hard to stand in his way, when he's got it into his head to achieve something."
"Yes. So I've found." Shirogane said drolly. "But I confess, there is part of me that respects that fact. And more so now, meeting his family. Understanding what he wants to protect...until Ribari-sama died, maybe I didn't understand the things that were dear to me in quite such clarity as I do now. Or perhaps the things which were not dear to me? I'm not sure. Ribari-sama was someone I cared for and his death grieved me greatly. I suppose it's justice for him driving me not to give up now. I want to know what happened, because I couldn't save his life. It won't bring him back, so maybe it's futile. But it is all I can do. Shinigami are ironically quite helpless against death."
He paused, then,
"Except, perhaps, for Shikiki. She is still a child yet, but as an adult...perhaps she might prove a match for death."
"Genryuusai-sama was very excited by the potential she has." Kaede agreed. "As soon as she's old enough, she'll enrol at his Academy and be trained to use that skill properly. But Juushirou - and we also -wanted her to have a childhood first. Her power is not dangerous, and she has good control over it even if it is still maturing. So Genryuusai-sama agreed. She's now part of the Ukitake family - and one day will doubtless make us as proud of her as we are of Juushirou."
"The Gotei could do with many who possess such a skill. Even classical healers cannot reverse damage the way that girl can."
"From what I've heard, Shikiki's power is extremely rare." Kaede said with a sigh. "There used to be more of them, a long time ago - perhaps a whole race of them, I'm not really sure. But they were persecuted by suspicious people for witchcraft because of their unusual skills. And so now they are more or less extinct. Occasionally one surfaces, like Shikiki - but there's no guarantee even her children would possess such an ability."
"A shame." Shirogane's eyes darkened. "Though superstitions are rife even in modern Clans. I can quite understand it happening."
"Speaking of damage, that reminds me." Kaede slipped her hand into her obi, pulling out a crumpled, red-stained piece of parchment. "When we changed and washed you free of blood when you first came here, Sanji found this tucked into your sash. It's badly marked with blood and anything that was written on it seems to have blurred because of it - but I thought it might be important and so kept it anyway."
She held it out.
"If it's no use, we can get rid of it. We had to burn your other clothing because it was too torn and thick with blood to clean or mend - and it would be no trouble to burn that also."
Shirogane took the creased scrap of paper, his eyes narrowing thoughtfully as he remembered what it was.
That girl wrote her name on this paper. Kyouraku Nanaki - I remember it now. She wrote it and gave it to me, and I pushed it in here almost without thinking about it. Whether she is or isn't who she says she is, somehow she's key in this whole business. When she appeared, so did the evidence against me, and the crest she bore did not match the line of Kyouraku she claimed to be from. So this might be important.
She wanted me to believe who she was and she wanted me to believe Seiren-dono was responsible for all these bad things happening. What if she did the same to him as she did to me - played on his suspicions and planted ideas of my guilt in his head? Perhaps we're both innocent but being used as puppets to cloak something more serious. These last two days I've had time to do nothing but think about everything over and over, and the more I ponder on it, the more I think that's right. That this Nanaki girl is the key. If I can figure that out...but...
He squinted at the scrap again.
Kaede-dono is right. The blood has smeared the ink badly - even though I know what it says, I can barely make out the characters. To match this handwriting to anyone else would be difficult in this state. Perhaps it is no good as evidence.
He frowned.
"It is badly damaged." He admitted. "I can't read it at all any more."
"Then shall I get rid of it?" Kaede questioned. Shirogane was about to agree, then he paused, his lips thinning as he considered.
"Kaede-dono...Shikiki's magic...could it repair the damage done to this?"
"Shikiki's?" Kaede was clearly taken aback, and Shirogane nodded.
"Her power is to turn things back to how they were in a previous state, isn't it?" He agreed. "In that case, does it only work on people, or...can it work on things as well?"
"You know, I hadn't thought of it." Kaede smiled, her expression lighting up with comprehension. "But Shiki-chan's fixed a good many objects since she's been here. Perhaps she can use her skill to remove the blood and smudging."
She got to her feet.
"I'll ask her." She promised. "And I'll send her here when she's finished her day's classes and done her chores so that she can see it for herself. But in the meantime, Shirogane-dono, you should go back to sleep. Your body needs rest more than anything if it's going to replenish the blood it lost."
"Sleep is all very well, providing there are no dreams." Shirogane said ruefully. "I've slept a lot since I came here, and to begin with I was just exhausted from the injury and my time on the run. But now I've had ample time to replenish that and my rest isn't as deep as it was. I wasn't sleeping very well at home either before this all began – and things I thought I'd left behind me are creeping back. It makes it more difficult to relax."
Kaede smiled, reaching across to scoop up the mug that sat unnoticed on the shelf beside the bed.
"Shikiki told me before she and Miyabi went to the beach that she'd left some medicine for you to drink." She said gently, holding it out. "It might not taste very nice cold, she said, but it would help you get stronger."
She sniffed the solution, then,
"I think it might help you sleep more deeply, too." She admitted. "There are definitely herbs in here which have that kind of effect."
"I see." Shirogane's eyes narrowed and he took the vessel, gazing at the contents thoughtfully.
That scent...I've smelt it before, in the potion Mitsuki insisted on me drinking when she wanted to make me sleep. So the little one knows that tactic too, does she? Still, I can't fault her for it. I do not want to have any more dreams just at the moment. Ribari-sama is dead and gone - and at present there's nothing I can do but try and rebuild my strength to move on.
Swiftly he downed the medicine, trying not to flinch at the bitter, sharp taste the mixed herbs left in his mouth. He handed the mug back to Kaede with a rueful smile.
"A kinswoman of mine also fed me similar herbs to make me rest after the incident with Ribari-sama." He explained. "I recognise the scent - I believe I will sleep better now."
"Good." Kaede smiled. "Then I'll also report to your self-appointed nurse that you've been a good patient and taken the medicine promptly."
"Very well." Shirogane inclined his head in agreement, faint amusement in his grey eyes despite himself. "Until Shikiki is able to come to see me, I will submit to her remedy and lose myself once more in sleep. Thank you, Kaede-dono. It may seem like nothing - but this piece of paper may be important in proving my innocence. If I can restore it back to pristine condition...I may have a lead on the people involved in my cousin's murder."
The sun had long since set when Seiren pulled his cloak firmly around his body, heading out into the dark forestland that surrounded the Kuchiki manor. Between the folds of his obi, the letter almost seemed to burn its way through to his skin, yet with the manor in such disarray, he had decided to take a gamble and head out into the night on his own.
He had been concerned about Nanaki as soon as he had realised she had left the safety of the Kuchiki manor and disappeared. Unlike Guren and Futsuki, who had seen this as suspicious, he had only remembered the pitiful, crying girl who had huddled before him begging for sanctuary, and he had genuinely feared that the assassins who had attacked his brother had also come to take another victim. The letter had therefore come as some relief - that Nanaki had seen the assassin and become frightened, and so had taken her chance to slip back into obscurity. She had asked to meet him alone, saying in the letter that she feared other people than just Shirogane may be involved in the conspiracy against Guren, and that Seiren was the only one in whom she had complete trust.
Therefore, even though he knew that such an errand might prove dangerous, Seiren had decided to go alone. He had not told either of his brothers his plans - instead he had left the command of the security forces to Shibata and had made his way quickly to the suggested meeting place as soon as dark had fallen.
As he reached the clearing, he thought he had arrived early, but then there was a rustle of tree branches and the sender of the letter emerged cautiously from the woodland beyond. She cast a glance around him, as if making sure that he had not brought manor security with him, but finding him alone, she let out a sigh of relief.
"Seiren-dono." She murmured, then bowed her head low before him. "I'm sorry. I must have both angered and frightened you with my actions - and now I am further inconveniencing you with my cowardice."
"You said in your letter that you believed other people within the Clan were acting against Guren-nii." Seiren said softly, and Nanaki nodded, raising her head.
"For an assassin to appear when Shirogane-dono is missing suggests he's still nearby, and I am frightened." She admitted. "Therefore I won't put your family in more danger by shielding me as well. I intend to leave District Six - perhaps through the trade paths, if I can cross the border. The Shiba scare me, but there is no other place I can go. District Seven is not safe for me...and if I conceal myself, maybe..."
"You intend to keep running?" Seiren asked, and Nanaki nodded again.
"While there are assassins, I must." She whispered. "If Shirogane-dono is still free...and then...the golden eyed demon..."
"That one is locked firmly in the bowels of the Kuchiki prison, well guarded and secure. Only my brothers or I would be able to let him free, and nobody else holds keys to the cells." Seiren said simply. "You need not fear him - he will likely be put to death once Guren-nii has finished his enquiries. And Shirogane..."
His brows knitted together.
"We will find Shirogane. You have my word. He won't be allowed to cause any more harm to anyone. I intend on stepping up the effort. There's been no sign he's crossed a border yet - and so he must still be in District Six. Someone is likely shielding him - maybe accomplices - but that won't continue for long under the pressure our military forces possess."
Nanaki sighed heavily.
"I'm grateful." She said soberly. "And I want to help, but I think I'll only make things worse. Maybe I already have - I don't know. I'm just so used to running...you're the first person who's actually listened and taken my side. I wish I could do something to repay that - but I don't know of anything that I can."
Seiren gazed down at the young, innocent features, and he sighed, slipping his fingers into his obi and pulling out a small, square crest.
"Take this." He said quietly. "And leave Sixth. It will give you safe passage through any border as a trader - nobody will question you and you can begin again somewhere safe without the risk of persecution. If you keep travelling through Fifth, you can cross into Fourth which is a neutral District where the laws on violence are extremely strict. If you can get there, doubtless you'll be fine."
"But...why?" Nanaki took the trade crest carefully, her eyes becoming big.
"All you can do to help is to disappear and live." Seiren said frankly. "I don't want to see more young lives sacrificed to greed. And I don't know if I can keep protecting you, not now I have to protect my brother as well. So that's all I can give you - leave here and live."
Nanaki stared at him for a moment, then she smiled, clasping the crest to her chest with a nod.
"Thank you, Seiren-dono." She whispered. "I will never forget your kindness to me. Never."
With that she was gone through the trees, and Seiren sighed, rubbing his temples. Bringing the trade token had been a whim, but the expression in her bright blue eyes had cast aside his doubts.
I can't protect her any longer, but perhaps that will at least keep her from falling into Shirogane's hands again. Meantime, I have to make sure my nephew is found before he manages to leave Sixth and get to One. Guren-nii said he'd speak to Misashi-dono at the Council about the Seventh border. That leaves it to me to step up the voracity of my search. I won't let him hold us to ransom like this. Sooner or later, I will track him down!
"He's gone."
As Seiren disappeared back towards the manor, Nanaki poked her head out from around the tree trunk, lifting her hand to indicate for her companion to make himself visible once more. "Well? Did I do it as you wanted?"
"You were excellent." Masaki nodded, coming to rest his hand on her shoulder. "But Seiren-dono really is the gentleman, isn't he? Helping a damsel in such distress."
"He's not too bright when it comes to women." Nanaki snorted. "You'd think with four daughters he'd have a clue that we aren't helpless, but I suppose not. He didn't even bring a guard with him...he obviously thought I couldn't hurt him."
"Ironic." Masaki murmured, and Nanaki shrugged.
"Some men look at women like that." She said grimly. "As trinkets and room dressing, not people with brains. My family were among them, and I don't really like it. I've learnt that I'm not useless - it sort of annoys me that someone like that thinks I am."
"You're just too good at playing that part." Masaki held out his hand for the token, and Nanaki handed it to him with a grin. "But this is a bonus indeed. He still seems keen to hunt for Shirogane, so you aren't suspected. And we can work on the next part of our plan. Having such an easy way of crossing borders may prove useful."
"Maybe." Nanaki's expression became thoughtful. "But...what are we doing next? Letting Seiren-dono hunt down his nephew? Or...?"
"Our next target is in District One, but first I want to see how the Kuchiki handle having a Shihouin in their prison." Masaki said evenly. "The Council will meet soon. We'll wait till after that. When we find out what they mean to do - that's when we'll know how to act."