Meifu's Gate ::Fourth Maki::

by VraieEsprit

Juu & Shun are seniors, but already there are those who resent Juushirou's position as Anideshi. Meanwhile, a bloody murder in District Six threatens to unravel 3 generations of Kuchiki secrets - as a figure in the shadows works to bring down the Clans.

39. A Fragile Alliance

Chapter Thirty Eight: A Fragile Alliance

"Shunsui-kun? Shunsui-kun, wake up! Wake up! There's someone to see you…wake up!"

Shunsui let out a sleepy grunt, pulling the blankets more firmly over his head as if to block out the noise. It was early the next morning – at least early by Shunsui's standards, for the breakfast bell had both been and gone – and he had no desire to stir from his comfortable slumber any time soon. It had been almost dawn before he had crawled beneath the covers, exhausted from a full night of training with Katen Kyoukotsu, and he had anticipated sleeping through at least until lunch.

Yet whoever was trying to stir him was persistent, and as they shook him firmly once more, he groaned, opening his eyes and blinking blearily against the sudden flare of sunlight that penetrated his drowsing brain.

"At last!" A shadow loomed over him, and Shunsui realised it was Hirata, pale eyes glittering with frustration behind his glasses. "I've been trying to wake you up for ages, Shunsui-kun – you really sleep like the dead when you want to!"

"Hira..ta?" Shunsui blinked again, trying to bring the world into clearer focus, then, "Why are you waking me? We don' have class till s'afternoon, do we?"

"No, but like I said, someone is here to see you." Hirata let out a heavy sigh, sitting back on his heels. "Your brother's here and Genryuusai-sensei sent me to wake you. Everyone else is finishing breakfast, but I said I didn't mind. That was at least ten minutes ago, Shunsui-kun – Tokutarou-sama's waiting for you, so wake up!"

"Oniisama is?" Shunsui frowned, realising that he was not going to be left alone, and he reluctantly pulled himself into a sitting position, eying his friend in confusion. "Why would he be here? Am I still dreaming or something? That doesn't make any sense."

"You don't make any sense." Hirata pulled a face. "Listen. I've told you the truth – and no, this isn't a dream. Tokutarou-sama is waiting for you in the Senior study. He has something he wants to talk to you about – and you shouldn't keep him waiting."

"He's only my brother. It's nothing major." Shunsui was all ready to turn over and go back to sleep, but Hirata grabbed him by the arm, giving him another little shake.

"It looked like something major. He has a serious look in his eyes." He said quietly. "Please, Shunsui-kun. Get up. I know it's still early and you said that you wanted to sleep in this morning – but it can't be helped, not when he's come all this way."

Shunsui gazed at Hirata for a moment, taking in the solemnity in the pale blue eyes. He sighed, holding up his hands in resignation.

"For a skinny kid, you're getting pretty persistent." He said wearily. "All right. But do me a favour, Hirata? Tell Tokutarou-nii to come here? I'm not going to trail through the halls in my night garments – Now I'm a Senior I can imagine what Sensei'd say about that if I did. But if Niisama wants to speak to me so badly, he can come to me here. Will you tell him that for me?"

Hirata eyed him keenly for a moment, then he nodded his head.

"You really do look tired." He admitted. "I don't know what's going on with your sleeping lately, Shunsui-kun, but you don't look as though you went to bed the same time the rest of us did. All right, I'll tell him. But if he's cross with you, it won't be my fault, all right?"

"All right." Shunsui nodded. "Thank you. Whatever it is, he should know better than to come here as early as this. Especially if he wants to get sense from me."

"I imagine he came now because you didn't have any classes. And if it's important, you should listen to him." Hirata said acerbically. "But I'll go pass on your message. Then I'm going to go to the library for a while – I'll give you your privacy, don't worry."

"I appreciate it – I think." Shunsui offered his companion a weary smile. "I've probably only had a couple of hours sleep at best, so I hope he'll go easy on me."

"A couple of hours?" Hirata had reached out to open the door, but at this he paused, turning to face his companion in concern. "You didn't get to sleep till that late?"

Shunsui shook his head.

"The sun was about getting up when I dropped off." He said truthfully. "My sleep pattern is completely out of whack."

"Maybe you should see Unohana-sensei about something to help you sleep, then." Hirata suggested, and Shunsui grinned wryly, shaking his head.

"No…it's all right. I'll work it out myself." He said frankly. "She has enough to worry about without me adding to her list, I'm sure. Go pass on my message to Tokutarou-nii, Hirata – I promise not to go back to sleep in the meantime."

"All right." Hirata seemed reluctant, but he did not push the matter further, instead sliding the door back on its runners. "Make sure you don't."

With that he was gone, and Shunsui sighed, dropping back against his pillows in resignation.

With the best will in the world, I can't keep this up, you know.

You're the one who insists on training at night.

Amaki's words were unsympathetic, and Shunsui grimaced.

I know, but you both understand why that is. At least, you should. Besides, it best suits my swords to do it then. The training ground resembles my inner world most when the moon's high in the sky.

If you don't get enough rest, though, you won't be able to learn anything, let alone what we have to teach you.

That was Seibara, and Shunsui nodded.

I know. But I'd counted on sleeping in this morning.

He sighed, glancing at his hands.

Maybe tonight I'll have to take a break and get a proper night's sleep. It bothers me that it'll be time wasted – but it can't be helped.

"You know, you've reached new levels of laziness, Shunsui, if I have to come visit you in your room because you can't be bothered to get out of bed."

Tokutarou's voice prevented either Amaki or Seibara from responding, and the young shinigami raised a rueful smile to meet his brother's quizzical gaze, gesturing for the older man to sit down beside the bed.

"I know, but you'll have to humour me," he said matter-of-factly, "because I'm too tired to go traipsing round the school. Please tell me that we won't be here for hours, Tokutarou-nii. It's not that I want to be antisocial, but I already fell asleep in one class this week, and I don't want to make it two."

"Fell asleep in class?" Tokutarou frowned, obediently dropping down beside the bed. "Why would you do that?"

"Mm. Why indeed." Shunsui sighed, his gaze flitting to where the daishou blades of Katen Kyoukotsu lay propped up against the wall. "The truth is…can you keep a secret, Oniisama?"

"I should hope so, since my life and my job rely on my ability to do so, sometimes." Tokutarou said acidly. "Why? What kind of secret?"

"I've not been sleeping for the last few nights." Shunsui admitted. "I've been working – down in the training grounds. With Katen."

"All night?" Tokutarou's eyes narrowed, and Shunsui nodded. "Why? That seems extremely enthusiastic all of a sudden, given that it's you."

"I know." Shunsui agreed. "I haven't mentioned it to anyone else. I don't want anyone else to know – though Sensei probably does already. And if he does, he's not said anything, which I take to mean he doesn't mind me doing it. But Katen's techniques are…not really ones I want to show everyone else at the moment. And more…I don't want people to worry."

"The idea of you training seriously is worrying." Tokutarou said astutely. "But it usually means there's a good reason behind it. Something has happened to make you do this, hasn't it? Not just the nagging of your sword, but something…"

"No. Not exactly." Shunsui glanced at his hands. "I don't want you to talk to anyone else about this, Oniisama. But I just wanted to be ready…in case something did happen. I don't want to leave it till too late. Because I have a bad feeling, and it's…bit by bit getting worse."

"What kind of bad feeling?" Tokutarou asked softly, and Shunsui sighed.

"The kind of bad feeling that doesn't go away." He admitted. "The kind of bad feeling I had two and a half years ago, when Juushirou…since then. I don't…want to go into details, not really. But…even though nothing's happened exactly to make me sure of it, I…just don't like the way it feels."

Tokutarou was silent for a moment, then he reached out to put a hand on Shunsui's shoulder.

"Aizen Keitarou, huh?" He asked quietly, and Shunsui started, turning a stricken gaze on his brother.

"You worked that out quickly. Does that mean…?"

"Your fears may have nothing to back them up as yet. But they're probably ones worth holding onto." Tokutarou said grimly. "That's sort of why I came to see you this morning – and I should have expected that you, being in the midst of things here, would have picked up a few vibes of your own. Shunsui, yesterday I had a visit from the head of the Kuchiki Clan, Guren-sama. And he gave me this."

He slipped his hand into the folds of his clothing, pulling out a glittering silver object and holding it out for his brother to see. As he reached out a finger to touch it, Shunsui let out an exclamation of surprise.

"But this is my crest! No…no, it isn't. Father's crest." As he registered the age of the chain on which the pendant hung. "Father's pendant, then – right? But how did that…why would Guren-sama have something belonging to Father?"

"He doesn't really know the answer either, but he hopes we'll find one, and I said we'll try." Tokutarou said soberly. "Shunsui, you know that a Shihouin tried to take Guren-sama's life recently, don't you?"

"Mm." Shunsui's eyes darkened. "It's caused all kinds of shockwaves, though so far, thank goodness, it hasn't rebounded any on Kai or on Ryuu. In fact, Ryuu's being remarkably steadfast about the whole thing – he can be obstinate to the point of unreasonableness at times, but this time he seems to be putting that obstinacy in a different direction. Whether a Shihouin did or didn't try to assassinate Guren-sama, Ryuu's not connecting that to Kai. So…though security is a little higher here…that's about as far as it's gone."

"Well, the Shihouin that was in Guren-sama's custody was meant to be identified by Yanagi-dono. You may have heard that too."

Shunsui nodded.

"Kai mentioned that Yanagi-dono was going to District Six." He agreed. "It sounded to me like the Kuchiki weren't going to jump to conclusions about this business, either."

"Right." Tokutarou agreed. "But before Yanagi-dono could identify the whelp, he was broken out of prison. The girl who broke him out carried that."

He indicated the chain.

"And called herself Kyouraku Nanaki."

Shunsui's eyes became huge at this, his earlier sleepiness suddenly forgotten in light of his brother's words.

"You're not serious?"

"Completely." Tokutarou said grimly. "So was Guren-sama. Apparently this girl had claimed sanctuary in some form from the Kuchiki – this bit is a bit hazy in my mind, but she had led them to believe that she was a daughter of our Uncle and that her life was under threat from you, or I, or in either respect the Clan as it stands now. She used the pendant as proof of her identity."

"But that isn't Uncle's crest." Shunsui said bluntly. Tokutarou nodded.

"Which proves her story false." He agreed. "A true blooded Kyouraku would know that. She knew a lot of things about our family which would persuade a foreign Clan that she was genuine. But not enough that she could easily fool us."

"Besides, Uncle had no children." Shunsui added. "I hope you told Guren-sama that."

"I did." Tokutarou confirmed. "And explained to him that you spent a good part of your childhood at that man's estate for that very reason – had he had his own children, you would have known about them – and you would not have been so important to him in his attempts to take hold of the family. Guren-sama doesn't believe us to be complicit in this plot against his Clan – but he does want our help getting to the bottom of this part of it. It seems very much as though the people involved in Ribari-sama's murder spent some time in our District – and I've begun to review some of the evidence relating to incidents in the town of Teika and its surrounds because they may prove to be connected."

He dropped the pendant down onto the bed.

"The only way that I can see this falling into foreign hands is if Uncle rid himself of Father's belongings when he took control." He added. "But since I wasn't there during that time, nor around him, I thought…"

"I might remember." Shunsui sighed, shrugging his shoulders. "I know that you were the one who had my crest crafted for me, when I chose to carry Father's insignia instead of creating my own. But the truth is, I don't think Uncle did dispense with anything that was Father's. Aside from Father himself, I mean. He ran the Clan from his estate, not from the main one – Mother was there, remember, but he took me from it and it lay empty more or less till you came to take it back. And if he had really wanted to get rid of Father's belongings…then surely the first thing he would have got rid of would have been Tensonshin. Father's zanpakutou was a symbol of Father stronger than any other. If Tensonshin didn't disappear, I don't suppose anything else did."

"That's true." Tokutarou sighed. "And I have had Yasuhiro checking through items in storage and much of the things that were Father's are still at the manor. Just…there is no Clan pendant."

"Which means this was Father's."

"Yes. Probably."

"And yet it was in the hands of some strange girl who claimed to be Uncle's kinswoman."

"Yes."

Shunsui let out a heavy sigh.

"Smoke and mirrors." He murmured, and Tokutarou's expression became clouded.

"You think so too?"

"I don't see what else to think." Shunsui cast him a pensive glance. "Someone who isn't a Kyouraku blatantly flaunting evidence to suggest they are. A Shihouin killer who doesn't get to be identified by a real Shihouin, suggesting that something is not right there, either. And all of this nonsense about Nagoya Shirogane, who obviously hasn't done a damn thing against his Clan because someone badly wants him suspected of it. The angles lead off in all kinds of directions, but none of them are clear-cut. I doubt any of them are the right one."

"Yes. Agreed." Tokutarou inclined his head.

"This is why you said I shouldn't dispense with my fears just yet, isn't it?"

"You remember Onoe Tomoyuki, Shunsui?" Tokutarou asked softly, and Shunsui pursed his lips, slowly nodding his head.

"Yes." He said gravely. "He's not someone easily forgotten."

"And you know that he's disappeared from Shihouin custody in recent months?"

"Mm. Kai told us." Shunsui agreed. "He didn't want us – or Ryuu, specifically – to think he or the Shihouin were hiding anything. This was before any Shihouin attack on Guren-sama, though."

"Kai-dono was defending his Clan before anyone had reason to suspect them?" Tokutarou stared, and Shunsui shook his head.

"I forgot. Guren-sama doesn't know about it, so he wouldn't have mentioned it to you." He said ruefully. "Probably I'm not supposed to divulge it either, but since I've begun, we'll blame my sleepy brain. According to Ryuu, Nagoya told him that the Kuchiki bocchan saw a Shihouin before he died. Mitsuki also said that when some of the Kuchiki servants were murdered, one of them mentioned a gold eyed demon before he died."

"Conveniently silenced witnesses." Tokutarou said acerbically, and Shunsui nodded.

"That's why it hasn't been reported to Guren-sama." He agreed. "From what Ryuu said, Nagoya didn't think anyone at the main house would believe his testimony, so he kept mostly quiet. I know because I was there when Ryuu asked Kai about it, and Kai said the Clan had no connection to it – but told us about Onoe just in case."

"That was smart of him." Tokutarou reflected. "Since it seems highly likely the one who attacked Guren-sama was Onoe Tomoyuki. Which of course is a medical impossibility, and so they didn't want him clearly identified by his kinsman."

Shunsui felt the dark sense of unease curl up once more inside his stomach.

"Onoe is essentially dead." He murmured. "If he really did…if he could fight, it would have to be under someone else's control. And the only person…the one who would be able to do that…"

"Is Aizen Keitarou. Yes." Tokutarou nodded grimly. "The Council has also reached a similar conclusion, although we've all agreed to be careful about mentioning such a thing outside of Inner Seireitei. It would cause panic, and we have no real proof."

"I don't need proof. Not now you've said that." Shunsui said flatly. "I've been waiting for it. Ever since he hurt Juu – ever since he disappeared. I knew he'd come back…I've been waiting for when he did, and now it seems he has."

"Shunsui…"

"I won't forgive him for that, Oniisama." Shunsui shook his head. "And if it is him, he might still have interest in Juu. He wanted him for something specific two and a half years ago, and now…I won't let him have his way. So I've been training just in case – it looks like it's a good thing I have."

"I don't want you trying to fight someone like him, Shunsui." Tokutarou's expression became one of alarm. "He's an unknown threat with a seriously unpleasant Bankai skill. You're still a student, and…"

"And I'm not going to stand back and let people or things I care about get hurt." Shunsui's eyes hardened. "I'm not going looking for him, Nii-sama. But if he crosses my path – I won't promise you to stand back and pretend I haven't noticed."

"Lack of sleep doesn't agree with you." Tokutarou reached out to ruffle his fingers absently through his brother's dark messy hair. "And I don't like it, when you say things like that. I understand what you went through that winter, Shunsui – more than just your arm got broken, and you have no idea how grateful I was that that chibi could save Juushirou's life. But Aizen Keitarou isn't someone you should choose as an enemy. The Council will deal with it, if that's what it turns out to be."

"Like they did before?" Shunsui pushed his brother's arm away, shaking his head in frustration. "It's not that simple. And if he does come for Juu again…"

"We know, now, that Aizen has an interest in Juushirou." Tokutarou said gently. "We didn't know that before. And besides, this is something different from what happened in the Endou Clan. Aizen was working under Seimaru's auspices, then. But he has no connection at all to the Kuchiki. If he's attacking them, it's for some greater political reason of his own, not a personal grievance. And…"

"He wants to overthrow the Clans and give power to those who should have it rather than those who do." Shunsui murmured. "Juushirou said so – that that's what Aizen had told him. Juu said he hated Clans. It doesn't seem a stretch to think that he'd try to cut down each of them one by one. The Kuchiki. The Shihouin. The Kyouraku. That automatically means the Shiba, and you can see the pattern already beginning to form. When the Council hunted him down, it was Midori-sama and you, Oniisama, who most pushed to help District Seven and to spearhead the hunt. Kyouki-sama was also in District Seven during that final showdown. And Guren-sama was the head of the Council at that time, wasn't he? The one who endorsed this to happen in the first place."

"You're making connections that may not exist." Tokutarou warned. "All we do know is that this man is very clever and very hard to predict. What's real and what isn't real is difficult to fathom. Besides…with this business, we have to be careful."

He touched the pendant, then,

"Guren-sama said that his brother Seiren – who I believe is the father of your young friend – was very much taken in by this mysterious hime Nanaki. I don't know if that means he has suspicions towards us – but for the time being, rocking the boat would be a bad idea, for Ryuu-dono as much as for anyone else. You understand that, don't you? I have to get to the bottom of what's gone on in Teika before I can say with any confidence what I think has happened."

"Then tell me about Teika." Shunsui folded his arms. "I know the town – I've visited it several times and I'm very familiar with the kind of place it is. You might as well fill me in on all the details – since I'll only bother you for them in letters if you don't."

"I don't have all the details yet." Tokutarou admitted. "What I know is as follows."

He pursed his lips, beginning to count off points on his fingers.

"One, a mysterious man claiming to be a Kyouraku and calling himself Masaki appeared and disappeared without any trace. He claimed to be acting on my orders and searching for something – and he carried a Clan crest, but not one of that level or status."

"Aizen had one of those. Juushirou said so." Shunsui interjected, and Tokutarou nodded.

"That's my line of thinking too, but don't interrupt." He chided. "Two, a prostitute disappeared in the vicinity at about the same time Masaki was there. Her house was burnt, but whether she lives or died is unknown. This prostitute was the daughter of someone who crafted jewellery, but a refugee from District Seven after the Endou started their purge."

Shunsui's eyes narrowed as he processed this information.

"Three, a well known trader in precious metals was found dead in his home in unexplained circumstances. My men put it down to a domestic incident, but there are some questions about it even now. This trader also had dealings with Masaki before Masaki left Teika and disappeared. Four, a second prostitute was attacked by a person dressed all in black and with golden eyes. She survived the attack, but it seems she was a friend of the girl who is now missing. And Five…the missing prostitute – Momiji, I think her name was – bears some resemblance to the mysterious hime the Kuchiki treated as an exile."

"So you think they're the same person?" Shunsui asked. Tokutarou shook his head.

"It may be that the prostitute was taken or killed to make it look that way." He replied. "But the hime in Kuchiki custody could read and write and had a proper noble education. This Momiji was not well educated in that way – there seems little likelihood of her being the same person. Just that they bear some resemblance – that's all."

"So we're meant to think they have a connection, even if they don't."

"Probably."

"I see." Shunsui grimaced, rubbing his temples. "It's all false leads and red herrings, isn't it? So much information that tells you nothing at all about anything. This other prostitute – has she been interviewed?"

"This is where my interrogation falls down." Tokutarou admitted. "The matter is…of some sensitivity. Shunsui, tell me – has Juushirou had mail from his sister recently?"

"From Chi-chan?" Shunsui was startled. "Maybe. If he has, there's been nothing of note in it. Why? You think they've seen something? Because Juu's been mooning about a few things lately, but most of them have been lovesick meanderings and the burdens of leadership. I don't think he's worried about his family at all."

"Then perhaps she hasn't told him." Tokutarou looked pensive. "It seems that the second prostitute – I forget her name, and I don't think Takeshi intended me to have it anyhow – is an acquaintance of Chihiro's. No, Takeshi said…she was a student. Chihiro was teaching her to sew and to write so that she could break free of that lifestyle and make a more honest trade for herself. She has two small children to support – not her own, but those of a friend – and so that's how she came into Chihiro's acquaintance. In any case, this prostitute went to Chihiro and Takeshi for sanctuary after her attack. She refuses to come to the manor or leave the safety of their home, nor will she speak to any of my men. Takeshi has reported to me about the matter, but there's something he isn't telling me and I get the feeling that there's no way that he will."

"You're saying Juu's sister's wrapped up in this now?" Shunsui groaned. "Typical. It runs in the family, doesn't it? Poking their noses in and getting everyone else worried about them."

"Perhaps." Tokutarou agreed ruefully. "But listen…this being the case, and with it being a matter of a prostitute, I don't think I can take it much further. Her information may be useful to this, but it's not a line I can cross. Summer break is soon, though, and I do intend to bring you home. So…"

"I can do the courtesan quizzing?" Shunsui snorted. "I don't mind. That does seem more like something I'd do, anyway."

"Not just that." Tokutarou responded. "I want you to invite Juushirou home with you too this break. All right? It's probably better he doesn't go to District Six just yet, and it's a long way for a short break in any case. So I want you to ask him, understood? If he asks why, you can tell him that – that it's a long way to Sixth and that you thought he might like to see his sister, since he doesn't get a chance to do so very often."

"I see." Shunsui's eyes became slits. "You think that Chi-chan might tell Juu something, and Juu might tell me, and I might tell you. Correct?"

"Something like that." Tokutarou looked apologetic. "Using your friend as an unwitting spy is a low technique, but in the circumstances…"

"I'll ask him." Shunsui nodded. "It means I can keep a better eye on things anyhow. Ryuu and Mitsuki will be staying here – and where they are is pretty much the centre of the target at the moment. If Juu's with us, he's not with them. So that suits me fine."

"Good." Tokutarou got to his feet, reaching to pick up the pendant, and as he did, the light glinted off it, highlighting the engraved character on the back. Shunsui frowned, brushing his finger against it to stop it spinning.

"Su…momo?"

"Yes." Tokutarou nodded. "I don't understand it either. But that looks like what it says."

"Why would Father's pendant have that written on the back?" Shunsui looked nonplussed. "Did he get stupidly drunk one night and decide to graffiti his Clan insignia?"

"Beats me." Tokutarou grinned despite himself, sliding the object back into the safety of his obi. "All right. I'll go speak to Sensei now, and let you catch up on your sleep. I won't see you again till summer break – so don't forget to speak to Juushirou, all right? I want him to come with you to District Eight, and I won't take any excuses."

"I imagine the chance to see Chi-chan will be enough, but I'll remember." Shunsui promised. "And I'll think over all the other things you said too. Because I'm sure now that Aizen Keitarou is involved in this, even though I can't pin it all together quite yet. Maybe by the time I come home I'll have had better luck – but you can be sure that I won't drop it. Juu and I will see you in a week or two – take care until then."

"You too." Tokutarou nodded his head. "Sweet dreams, Shunsui. Keep working hard – the Clan has high hopes for you."

With that he was gone, and Shunsui sighed, leaning back against his pillows once more and gazing up at the ceiling.

Can I sleep now? With all those things swirling through my head, will I be able to? So many fleeting clues and hints yet nothing that leads us anywhere. That's just the kind of man Aizen Keitarou is…and I was right to be worried. It isn't over yet – maybe it hasn't begun yet. Who knows how far he intends to go this time…and whether or not I can keep Juu clear of his clutches!

---

"It looks like Tokutarou-sama's made a move."

Kai let the drape fall back against the window of the bed chamber, letting out his breath in a rush. "I wonder whether that's out of loyalty to my sister and their alliance, or whether he has ideas or reasons of his own for coming here. Either way he seems to have come on horseback and alone – so I don't suppose he's intending to make a fuss."

"I am trying to read, Shihouin." Ryuu's voice was soft and even, and the dark haired boy did not raise his gaze from his book, but at a glance Kai could see the tension in his roommate's body and he sighed, dropping down onto his bed.

"I know." He admitted. "And I should be too. Kazoe's deadline is looming, but it's hard to focus on anything at the moment."

"Yes. Particularly when you are talking about nothing instead of attempting work." Now Ryuu did lift his head, fixing Kai with a pointed look. "If you are not going to study, then I would appreciate it if you would go someplace else and allow me to do so in peace and quiet. I have more to catch up than you do if I am to restore my class position and you are really not helping me think."

"I can't do that." Kai shook his head, and Ryuu's gaze narrowed.

"Why not?" He asked, shutting the book with a snap and resting his hands on the covers. "There is absolutely no reason to enforce yourself into my company, and many reasons why I would think you would prefer us to be some distance apart. Especially in light of recent events, I can't imagine that you want to spend time around a Kuchiki."

"That's just it though." Kai grimaced, resting his chin in his hands as he met Ryuu's quizzical grey eyes with earnest golden ones. "That's precisely why I can't just take off. Because of what happened in District Six."

"Shihouin, do you think you're protecting me?" Ryuu's eyebrow arched as his face took on an expression of disbelief. "Because I can assure you that I am not in need of a bodyguard, and even if I was…"

"I'm not protecting you, idiot." Kai snorted, shaking his head as he stretched out on his bedcovers. "I know what Shizurugi can do and I know you're probably as good with Kidou as I could be, perhaps even better if I'm honest. It's not that."

"Then what?" Ryuu demanded. "Explain yourself clearly – and quickly, if you don't mind, since I have another two and a half chapters I wish to cover before I can begin thinking about Kazoe's assignment."

Kai did not answer immediately, then he frowned, shrugging his shoulders.

"It's a matter of pride." He said quietly. "My Clan has rebuilt theirs, piece by piece since my Uncle was put to death. The discovery of the Endou part of the plot helped – people realised it wasn't all a Shihouin scheme, but even so, it's been hard work. And now…this."

"And so you are haunting my air space because your family have fallen on hard times in recent years? Forgive my lack of comprehension, but that seems stupid even by your standards." Ryuu leant back against the wall.

"My Clan aren't trying to kill you." Kai said frankly. "But someone out there is. At least, they tried to take out your Uncle and they took out your cousin, so it's a fair bet you're next. I want to know who…and why. And I want to teach them exactly why they shouldn't try and frame the Shihouin."

Ryuu's expression cleared, and he nodded his head.

"I see." He said thoughtfully. "In truth, I cannot pretend not to understand your feelings. Because…I feel similarly regarding this whole business. The blame is being shunted by my Father in the direction of my other cousin, and I believe this to be in error. So I too would like to know who is targeting us – and more than that, I want to know why."

"I don't particularly hate the Kuchiki." Kai said pensively. "I was taught to when I was small, but I never really understood the reasons why. Some dark grievance stored away in years of Clan dust – never clearly explained. When I think of it, all Father ever said was that there had been an unforgivable accusation made by your people towards mine – and the Shihouin never forget a slight to their pride. And so it continued."

"The death of my Grandfather, no doubt." Ryuu mused, and Kai sighed.

"I didn't really think about that." He admitted. "Because from the bits and pieces I've heard about Senaya-sama's murder, I…I wondered about what my family's involvement was. He died from Eiminyaku poisoning, didn't he? Whilst men of my Clan were in your District. Even if that is the grievance – the slight against Shihouin pride – I always thought that maybe there was something that my family had done. And so I don't really consider it a grievance, that your family suspect mine of that. I just think that…it was a long time past and things have changed."

"For my part, I begin to doubt that a Shihouin hand was ever at work in the death of Senaya-sama." Ryuu said quietly. "Truthfully, Kai, I doubt it very much indeed. There is not much real evidence to link the two things together. There were Shihouin in District Six, and there was Eiminyaku used in Senaya-sama's death. But…"

"You don't believe the Shihouin killed your Grandfather?" Kai was taken aback. "That's unexpected. I was fairly sure you were fully indoctrinated in all the favourite Kuchiki prejudices."

"On the contrary, I am not." Ryuu's tone held a faint edge, and Kai sighed.

"Sorry. That was slightly pointed." He admitted. "All right. If you don't believe that, what do you believe? If you can tell me – I realise it's not my business to know."

"Guren-sama has consulted your brother Lord Yanagi on the business concerning the one who attacked his life." Ryuu said categorically. "For me to consult you is in keeping with the actions of my Clan leader, don't you think?"

"I see." Kai's expression became one of amusement. "You're really quite clever, sometimes. And all right. I'll bite. Tell me your theory and I'll see if I can supplement anything of yours with anything of mine."

"If I was to express this opinion at home, I would probably receive censure." Ryuu admitted. "But I know I am not alone in believing it to be the case. I think that Senaya-sama's death was not the work of the Shihouin, and perhaps not the work of Kuchiki dissidents either. More, I think it may have been engineered…by those loyal to my Grandfather."

"That he killed himself?" Kai's eyes widened with shock, and Ryuu shrugged.

"Suicide is shameful in my Clan, therefore I would not put it in those terms before my kin." He said honestly. "But the death of my Grandfather was the thing that made my Father and my Uncle bury their childhood rivalry and work together for the good of the Clan. They always hated one another as children…but Senaya-sama's death was the catalyst for their united front. They had an enemy to pursue, and so they joined forces. And our family benefited."

"Using us as the scapegoats." Kai's lips thinned. "Hence an unforgivable slight to our pride from the point of view of the Shihouin Clan elders."

"That seems a possibility to me." Ryuu agreed. "There is only one person still living who I believe knows all the particulars of what happened when Grandfather died. And the way in which he refused to discuss that matter – more, warned me away from it – suggests that it was not the simple murder-by-the-enemy plot that it appears."

He sighed.

"I have learnt of late that my Grandfather was quite skilled in creating deception for the sake of the Clan's stability." He added sadly. "This would not therefore be out of character, for his death to also be such a charade."

"Intriguing." Kai drummed his fingers absently on the bedcovers. "But I don't suppose the truth matters when it's so ingrained into what everyone else believes."

"You're not angry?" Ryuu was surprised, and Kai shrugged.

"I wasn't alive to judge things then." He admitted. "So I suppose I feel it doesn't really connect to me. This latest situation is different – I'm Midori-nee's heir and I know what's going on in the heart of the Clan now. Midori-nee wants to rid us of the assassin tag – there's no way that she'd endorse an attack on your family like this one."

"I know." Ryuu agreed, and Kai eyed him keenly.

"You still believe the Shihouin are innocent?"

"More and more with each passing day."

"Then?"

"I don't know." Ryuu ran his fingers through his thick dark hair, loosing the white ties that held it in its usual firm tail. "I don't know anything, and that's the truth. I only have fears and suspicions and those don't add up together either. My Father has kept sending such frightening memos to Genryuusai-sensei about my safety and the hunt for my cousin continues. But I feel as though it's a nightmare from which I can't wake up."

"Kyouraku was right, though, wasn't he?" Kai pursed his lips. "You told me that Shihouin had been sighted, but you and Edogawa both kept that secret in order to try and stop my Clan being brought into things. That means you believed us innocent then – and you still do now. Which means you have suspicions in another direction. Can you tell me what those suspicions are?"

"I was not even able to disclose such things to Shirogane-senpai, a blood member of my Clan." Ryuu closed up, turning his attention back to the book. "You and I may have reached agreement on some things, Kai – but we are far from allies and there are things which I will not disclose to an outsider, no matter what the provocation."

"You're calling me Kai, however." Kai observed. "And you don't usually do that."

Ryuu flinched, staring at his companion in stricken surprise, and Kai let out a wry chuckle.

"You hadn't realised?" He asked. "But you've done it a few times since we started this conversation. And to be honest, the fact we're having this conversation at all is progressive enough. Since usually you like to snipe at me – and I admit I can't resist teasing you when you get on your high horse."

Ryuu stared at his companion for a moment, then let out a heavy sigh, pushing the book aside and flopping down on his bed.

"It is impossible to belittle your Clan when I feel so dissatisfied with my own." He murmured.

"I suppose that's true." Kai acknowledged. "Maybe that's why I don't feel so much animosity to the Kuchiki now as before. Because I've seen the ugly side of my own family, and so can't really point my finger at yours any longer."

"Pride comes before a fall." Ryuu said sagely. "Such an unpleasant cliché – and yet one founded in such truth."

"Will you be the heir to the Clan, when all this dies down?"

"I suppose." Ryuu turned his head to meet Kai's gaze, and the Shihouin saw the reluctance that lurked in the clever grey eyes. "Since I am the one with the most suitable claim. What else can I do? You understand – you've been there too."

"Yes." Kai agreed. "And I don't know sometimes if I'd want to do what Neesama does – but since she's got no plans for kids, I have to prepare for the chance I might one day inherit the family. Just…I can be useful in my current position when I wasn't before. So I don't mind being her heir. When I leave here, I have a job already carved out for me and it's one that will help bring the Shihouin forwards. So long as…all of this…doesn't ruin our chances of building other Clans' trust."

Ryuu dragged himself back into a sitting position, then,

"I am not as strong as you are." He murmured, and Kai was startled at the sincerity in the other boy's tones. "Your family almost collapsed around you and yet you still hold your head high and you still have your pride."

"Have you lost yours, then?" Kai crossed his legs, settling back against the corner of the chamber, a challenging look in his golden eyes. "For all of the fine words you spout about your people – is Kuchiki pride really such a fragile thing that it crumbles under the slightest amount of pressure?"

"Of course not!" Ryuu reacted angrily to this, indignation flaring in his gaze. "You just don't understand what it's been like, that's all. You don't…"

"I understand what it's like to live every day not knowing if a kinsman of mine is about to die." Kai cut across him, his expression calm and even as he broke through Ryuu's protestations. "I know what it's like to wait anxiously for word as Council hearings drag on, and wonder and pray for the lives of people I care for. I know what it's like when those people have been wound up in bad things – things that could take their lives. And I had my own life threatened by someone I shared blood with – because I stood up for someone I believed in, instead of for the ethic that throttled our Clan. I understand more than you do what it's like to be surrounded by darkness, Ryuu. Doubtless there are things about the Kuchiki you know but haven't told me and that's fine, because there are things about the Shihouin I haven't told you. But pride doesn't cost anything to hold on to. Rebuilding other people's faith in you is one thing. But your own pride in who you are…in what you believe in…that's something else."

He glanced at his hands.

"If I hadn't had that…if I hadn't clung on and believed, I wouldn't have made it through those months before Uncle's execution." He added softly. "I wouldn't have survived the stress of Father's trial and then Aniue's. I wouldn't be able to deal now with the fact that I can't see my father except with special permission – or the burden of inheritance when my sister thrust it my way. Your family is not the same as mine, I know. Probably there isn't the same darkness running through your Clan as there always has been through mine. But if you can't hold on to your own pride and strength in this – you'll be dragged under by it. And if that's how weak you are, Ryuu – you shouldn't even think about inheriting the Kuchiki Clan. People depend on that Clan for protection – not just Clansfolk but people like Ukitake's family. So think about that good and hard before you make decisions. If you're so feeble that you can't hold on to even your own pride, you don't deserve to be considered heir to the Clan."

There was a long, heavy silence as Kai finished speaking, and for a moment the Shihouin was sure he'd pushed his roommate too far, half expecting a burst of hot Kuchiki rage at the bluntness of his words.

But instead Ryuu sighed, rubbing his temples.

"You're right." He said hollowly. "I can't refute you in any respect. But the truth is I don't want to be considered heir to the Clan. Perhaps that does make me weak, or cowardly, or feeble in some way. But it's what I said before. I'm not as strong as you."

"Bah." Kai snorted, getting to his feet and coming to shake his roommate sharply. "Don't give me that rubbish. You're being nice to me and it's creepy – it makes me think you've something nesting in your brain, so I'm going to rattle it out of you. You're the one who likes to make the comparisons between Kuchiki and Shihouin, aren't you?"

"Perhaps so." Ryuu nodded. "But…"

"Don't 'but' me." Kai ordered. "If you hate something, at least have the conviction to hate it properly! Dammit, Kuchiki – you've made a school career out of knocking holes in my and other people's Clans. It's pathetic if you fall at the first serious hurdle – do you want me to lose all respect for you or something?"

"You wish me to belittle your family?" Ryuu demanded. Kai shrugged.

"It's normal." He said dismissively. "And it doesn't bother me so much as it did, because I'm more confident in the Clan I'm helping to rebuild. But more, I want you to act like your normal self. This self-pitying, sighing and moaning wimp is not the Kuchiki Ryuu I'm used to exchanging punches with. If you don't pull yourself together, I might be the one asking for a room change."

"Ask for one then!" Ryuu retorted. "Sensei is bound to ignore your request, so you won't get anywhere by following that path."

"Probably." Kai groaned. "Look. I don't know what it is – something that's bugging you that you can't quite fathom out – but whatever it is, swallow it, all right? You know what you believe in. You've been preaching to us about everything and anything since the first term, so don't drop it now. If you have to be heir to the Kuchiki, then you do. That's all it is though. Heir. Understand? You aren't being asked to take the reins and lead them, and in those circumstances, you have a Clan leader from whom you can learn everything you'll ever need to know. So stop being unlike yourself. Insult me, if it makes you feel better – but for God's sake stop moping like a lost sheep about things you can't change!"

Ryuu stared at Kai for a moment. Then, without warning, he began to laugh. Kai blinked at the unexpected reaction, eying his companion uncertaintly.

"I expected to be yelled at, not laughed at." He admitted at length. "Do you mind pointing out what was funny – or where it was I went wrong?"

"Your lecture…was…so contrary…of course…I would laugh." Ryuu gasped out between spasms of mirth. "But…I am grateful…all the same. Thank you…Shihouin. I think…I needed to…laugh."

"Well, you're welcome, I think." Kai looked nonplussed. "You do get my point though, don't you?"

"I do." Ryuu nodded, fighting to regain control of his composure. "But if you have such a negative opinion of me, why on earth are you demanding I reprise such a role?"

"I guess I'm more used to it if you're backbiting me." Kai admitted. "That's all. Is that odd?"

"No." Ryuu looked thoughtful. "But I am finding it harder to do that at present. Your family and mine have been talking – Guren-sama's actions prove that. And the truth is…the truth is…"

"Mm?" Kai tilted his head on one side, and Ryuu sighed.

"I don't believe my hatred of you runs deep enough for me to maintain it indefinitely." He said apologetically. "I'm sorry that I may disappoint your expectations of me, but at present I feel no desire to insult you or to rip holes in your Clan's reputation, as I believe you put it. Perhaps my conviction in that area is not all it should be."

"You don't hate me?"

"I'm afraid that's how it seems." Ryuu grimaced. "Even sharing a room like this is less unpleasant a chore than I might have imagined it to be some two or three years ago."

He shrugged.

"Of course, the blame is entirely in your court." He added matter-of-factly. "You've sadly neglected your duty to deride my family for some time past now – and it's impossible to maintain a feud one-sidedly. You are leaving all the work to me – which I don't consider a fair tactic."

"I suppose it isn't." Kai grinned. "All right. So I'm sorry too, then, for letting down my part of the bargain. But the fact is I don't hate you either, so it's far too much of a bother to try. Perhaps we both fail this round of Clan pride and conviction in one way or another."

"My Father would be horrified if he thought I was having such open discourse with a member of your Clan." Ryuu said pensively. "That thought pleases me far more than it should."

"You don't much like your Father, do you?"

"Not particularly, but I believe it's mutual." Ryuu sighed. "I am simply a tool to further his ambition – no more than that. It's all I've ever been to him or to my family, Kai – that's the difference between your position and my own. Your family were ripped apart by scandal, it's true. But you and your siblings have genuine bonds between them. I have no such ties to my immediate family, and I have always been there to be manipulated for their benefit. When I left for school it was a relief. Four sisters, a father and a mother all trying to push you into the limelight when you just want to be left alone to read or study or get on with your preparation for the school term ahead…I suppose I hoped when I graduated I could escape that at last. All of this makes such a freedom look unlikely."

"You really aren't a social person, are you?" Kai observed, and Ryuu shook his head.

"I would rather they left me alone." He owned. "I even tried looking for proof to denounce my claim, but instead I found…"

He faltered, his expression changing, and Kai's eyes narrowed.

"Found?" He pressed, and Ryuu shook his head.

"Evidence to the contrary." He murmured softly. "Evidence that strengthened my claim, rather than weakened it."

"Like?" Kai was curious. "You're already the nephew of the Clan leader and the son of his twin brother – what could make that claim stronger?"

"A secret of my Grandfather's that should have died with him." Ryuu said simply. "And I will speak of it no further."

"Suit yourself." Kai sighed. "It's probably nothing to do with the issue at hand, anyway."

"I hope not." Ryuu admitted.

"Ryuu, your loyalty is to your family, isn't it? Above everything else, no matter how much they annoy you or how isolated you are by them?" Kai asked quietly, and Ryuu nodded.

"Is that strange?" He asked, and Kai shook his head.

"No. I was the same, even when Uncle paid me no attention and even was willing to sacrifice me for his plans with the Endou." He said seriously. "But if that's what drives you, keep hold of it. I mean it. You carry the Kuchiki name, just like I carry the Shihouin one. That means that you exist for their sake, just as I do for my Clan's. Whatever you can do for them – or give them – that's the path you need to take."

"Meaning I should stop fussing and accept my bloodline?" Ryuu asked acidly, and Kai shrugged.

"If that's the best thing you can do for them, then I suppose so. You know that better than me."

He got to his feet, reaching out to pull his startled roommate up with him. "Come on. You can do your reading later – for now let's abandon academia and head out into the fresh air. Bring Shizurugi and I'll see whether you've learnt enough to take my blade from me in sealed combat yet."

"Spar you?" Ryuu blinked, then, "But Kazoe's essay…"

"You need cobwebs clearing from your brain if you're going to bring your grade up, and sparring is a form of study too." Kai said simply. "Besides, you have an enemy on your tail. You want to slit his throat before he slits yours, don't you?"

"That is a violent and unpleasant way of putting it." Ryuu wrinkled up his nose, and Kai grinned, shrugging his shoulders.

"Your roommate is a Shihouin." He said blithely. "Well? Are you going to run away from me? It's been a while since we crossed weapons of any kind, so perhaps you think I've leapt too far ahead of you now."

"Oh, so that's the way of it?" Ryuu raised an eyebrow, grabbing the sheathed Shizurugi from his cabinet and sliding it into his obi. "For someone who gave a lecture just now on Clan pride, you're very cocky, Shihouin Kai. I suppose Shizurugi and I will have to show you a few things about how a Kuchiki wields a sword, now won't we?"

"Good. That's what I want to hear." Kai's eyes twinkled. "Come on then. The furthest training ground will be empty – it always is at this time, because I've been down there on a few occasions and there's no classes booked to use it between now and the midday meal. There's plenty of opportunity for a good workout – which you need, because you've had your head in your books pretty much since you came back."

He paused, then shook his head.

"Perhaps since the day we came here." He amended. "You won't make a Gotei shinigami if you can't do the practical, now will you?"

"You appear to be confusing me with some other member of our Class." Ryuu said archly, and Kai was strangely relieved to see a flicker of his companion's old stubborn pride surfacing in the melancholy grey eyes. "Very well, Shihouin. I will spar you without reserve. But don't say you haven't been warned. I am in no friendly mood to go easy on you – and even with a sealed sword I can inflict plenty of damage."

"If you can catch me, of course." Kai said innocently. "I'll race you down there."

With that he was gone, slipping into shunpo as he darted through the halls and corridors towards the furthermost training ground. He was the first to arrive, and with an approving smile he realised that as he had expected it was not in use, for mostly this particular arena was given over to one to one zanpakutou training sessions.

Tokutarou-sama is here, so Kyouraku won't be training his chibi-hime this morning. That means Kuchiki and I have free reign to have a proper fight. It doesn't matter really who wins or loses – but it will be good for him to let loose for a bit. He's very bad at letting out pent up emotion.

He pulled Meimei Anshi from its sheath, glancing at the gleaming ebony blade thoughtfully.

Why am I so concerned about that stiff-backed idiot at the moment, I wonder? Because Sensei made us roommates? Because his Clan and mine are now involved in this? Or maybe because time really does heal all wounds – it's true that I don't look on him with as much hostility as I did to begin with. He's mellowed – maybe I have too. I wouldn't call us friends, but maybe there's a fragile kind of truce between us after so many years in each other's company.

He swung his sword experimentally, enjoying the feel of the crisp summer air against the glittering metal.

Well, Meimei. Don't let me down. Even if this is a friendly spar, I don't want to give up my position of top dog to a son of the Kuchiki Clan.

"That was unfair." At that moment Ryuu materialised at the edge of the ground, an irritated look on his haughty features. "Only a junior plays hide and seek, Shihouin – I thought this was going to be an adult spar, not children's games."

"It got you here, as I knew it would." Kai was unrepentant. "But I don't intend on playing with you either. A spar is a spar."

"Rules?" Ryuu pulled Shizurugi from its scabbard, tapping it gently against the leg of his hakama as he eyed his companion carefully. "No releasing of course – Sensei would be on us in a shot if we tried to fight like that without prior permission. But otherwise?"

"Mm. We need rules?" Kai teased, then he shrugged, his expression becoming serious.

"You take my sword, you win. I take yours, I do." He said quietly. "No Kidou, no Shunpo, and nothing above the chin. It might be hard to explain bruises to someone outside otherwise – bruises on the body you can hide, but bruises on the face…"

"Agreed." Ryuu raised Shizurugi. "Then there's no sense in waiting around. Hajime!"

Without even pausing to draw breath he drove forwards, Shizurugi's edged blade pointed directly towards Meimei Anshi's hilt, and Kai laughed, side-stepping the attack and bringing his zanpakutou down easily to meet the challenge. Ryuu skipped back, changing his angle of attack, and Kai parried him neatly, turning his weapon and shifting his weight from right to left as he switched from defence to attack. Ryuu was not as nimble as the swift-footed Shihouin, but he was no pushover, and so he managed to meet the swing, pushing Kai's blade back before swinging Shizurugi again in his companion's direction.

"You're getting better." Kai paused for a moment to adjust the grip on his weapon. "Perhaps you'll make the Gotei after all."

"You won't, if you stand around talking when your enemy is armed." Ryuu shot back, taking advantage of his companion's brief halt to change his angle of assault, bringing Shizurugi across from the right in a determined swing towards Meimei Anshi's unusually sharp blade. Kai cursed, hopping back out of the way as he parried the shot, and Ryuu offered him a faint grin.

"You're too complacent with your blade, Shihouin." He said, and Kai could hear a flicker of the usual pomposity returning to his classmate's tones. "Standing around like that you're open for anyone to attack you."

"I suppose I should take your attacks more seriously, then." Kai returned with a grin, springing forward with a sudden onslaught of swings and strikes against the Kuchiki boy's blade. Despite the fact none of Kai's movements were designed to make contact with Ryuu's body or cause any kind of physical harm, the sheer force and quantity of them forced the Kuchiki boy to take steps back, biting his lip as he focused all his attention on keeping Meimei Anshi at bay.

"That more like it?" As Kai drove his weapon past Ryuu's right ear, his companion snorted.

"You're not meant to give me a hair cut." He snapped back. "Nothing above the chin – your rules, remember? Keep to them."

"That was just a play swing. It wasn't anywhere near you." Kai was enjoying himself now. "I want you to come out of your shell and really fight me, Kuchiki. I want to see where this Clan pride really is. If I was your enemy – how would you kill me?"

"I don't remember being trained in the arts of killing." Ryuu objected, parrying his companion's fresh assault and managing to bring Shizurugi in for a swing or two of his own. "I am not a Shihouin. We aren't trained that way in my Clan."

"But the one who's after you isn't going to stop and listen to you explain your humanitarian instincts." Kai did not falter, merely targeting his classmate with another barrage of swings and feints in an attempt to dazzle and confuse him into making a mistake. "This is a matter of kill or be killed, Kuchiki. Your enemy will want to kill you. You have to realise that – there are some fights where the end only comes when one of you lies dead."

"I thought you didn't like killing either!" Ryuu was breathing more heavily now, sweat beading on his brow, but still he managed to push back each one of Kai's penetrating swings. "Now you're telling me to come at you with killing intent – I'm sorry, but I see a disparity here!"

"I don't like killing. I don't like it at all." Kai admitted, shifting his stance slightly to ward off Shizurugi's next attack. "But I understand the difference between wanting to kill and having to kill. Ryuu, this person killed your cousin. They may come to kill you next. They may want to kill other members of your family. Are you going to stand back and let them?"

To Kai's surprise, a faint flicker of purple energy glittered briefly around Shizurugi's hilt, gone almost as soon as it had appeared, and Ryuu shook his head, determination in his grey eyes as he brought his weapon up sharply to clash against Meimei Anshi's exposed blade. The force was almost enough to knock the black bladed weapon from Kai's grip, and the Shihouin pursed his lips, taking a step or two back and holding up his free hand in order to halt the fight.

"You almost released that on me then." He said quietly. "You shouldn't tell me about rules if you're going to break them yourself."

"I didn't release." Ryuu lowered his sword. "But you made me angry. No…or rather, what you said…made me angry."

"You want to protect your family, don't you?" Kai asked, and Ryuu nodded.

"It seems I do." He murmured. "I want to know who killed Ribari-sama, and I want to know why. And then…I suppose I want things to become peaceful again."

"Even if it means you becoming heir to a Clan that's mostly shunned you?"

"That is part of being a Kuchiki." Ryuu smiled sadly. "Affection is secondary to honour. All is secondary to that. Even life."

"Your Clan sucks." Kai said frankly. "But if you want to defend it, then that's how you've got to fight. If you believe in defending it – that's how you have to be. You held back against me then, when Shizurugi wanted to burst forth for the take down. I'm glad you did, because it would've been a whole lot of mess otherwise. But it was there – that instinct to protect and even kill if your family needed you to."

He smiled.

"You're no different from me deep down." He added. "Pretty manners and fine words aside, you're as capable of fighting to the death as I am."

"The difference is that I do not choose to train for such a thing." Ryuu responded simply. "Well? Are you done, then? I thought the victor was the one who took the other's sword – I don't recall you taking Shizurugi, so unless you yield…"

"No. That was just time out, to let you calm down a little." Kai shook his head, raising Meimei Anshi once more. "I'm ready to go again when you are."

"What on earth is going on here?"

The voice struck through the training ground like a clap of thunder, and at the sound of it Ryuu visibly froze, his features paling and the tension coursing through his system more and more with every passing moment. Kai frowned, lowering his weapon as he turned to meet the speaker, unsure what exactly he might find but certain that whatever it was was something that had brought his companion no pleasure at all.

At the entrance to the grounds stood a man of about Ryuu's own height, dressed in the distinctive cream and green of the Kuchiki Clan. He was leanly built, but not skinny, with thick dark hair schooled properly back in the neat ties preferred by high ranking members of the District Six Clan. At his waist hung a sword, but from a glance Kai could tell that it was not a zanpakutou, and in that instant he realised who the man was – and why neither one of them had properly sensed his coming.

Seiren-dono doesn't carry a spirit sword, and his reiatsu is minimal at best. We were so focused on our fight that neither of us realised – but it seems that Tokutarou-dono isn't the only Clan member visiting the Academy today.

He bit his lip, shifting his gaze back towards his roommate.

I chose a bad time to bring you down here, didn't I, Ryuu?

"Otousama." At length Ryuu broke the silence, lowering Shizurugi with some difficulty as he turned to meet the man's gaze. "What…why are you here? What brings you to District One?"

"Your safety, among other things." Seiren's eyes narrowed, and he cast a wary, disparaging glance in the direction of the hapless Shihouin boy.

"Shihouin…Kai, I presume?"

"Yes, sir." Kai's pride bristled at the censure in the Kuchiki's grey eyes, but from the tension still rippling through Ryuu's young frame, he decided it would be better if he didn't rock the boat any further. He bowed his head respectfully, long tail of violet hair falling over his shoulder as he did so.

Seiren gazed at him a moment longer, then turned his attention back to Ryuu, marching across the training ground and grasping his son by the shoulders.

"What kind of idiocy is this, that I come here concerned about potential attacks on your life and I find you here of all places, sword drawn and alone against a member of the assassin's Clan?"

"Kai is my classmate, Otousama." Ryuu's tones were careful and polite, but Kai could feel the resentment oozing from his companion's words as he sheathed his weapon, then carefully detached himself from Seiren's hold. "It is not uncommon for shinigami in training to practice with swords against one another. That is all."

"Shinigami." Seiren's displeasure seemed to grow at this. "And you don't think that it is imprudent at present for you to be raising your weapon against a Shihouin, when one of his Clan is suspected of an attempt on your Lord Uncle's life?"

Ryuu glanced at Kai for a moment, then back at his father. Slowly he shook his head.

"Kai is not my enemy. He is my classmate." He said quietly. "Therefore I am in no danger here."

"Not your…" Seiren's expression became one of incredulity, and Kai was certain for a moment that the nobleman would reach out a hand to slap his son. Somehow he resisted, but the fact he was on the verge of losing his temper was not lost on the young Shihouin.

Ryuu wasn't kidding. His relationship with his father sucks. I guess that explains bucketloads…but right now I'm actually feeling sorry for him.

"The Shihouin have been enemies of the Kuchiki since the death of your Grandfather, before you were even born." Seiren spoke in low tones. "I understand that this Academy of yours has given you strange ideas about inter-Clan allegiances and you may even believe yourself to be friends with him – him and others of his type. But you are a Kuchiki, Ryuu, and that should be foremost on your mind. We have an assassin escaped and potentially targeting your life next – and you are paying no attention to your own security by playing sword games with people like this with nobody to ensure your safety!"

"With respect, Seiren-dono, Ryuu doesn't need protecting." Kai did not know what had possessed him to speak, but the words were out before he could stop them, and Seiren sent a look of utter contempt in his direction. "I've sparred him today and I've seen him fight before. He's not weak."

"I didn't ask a Shihouin's opinion on whether my son is weak or strong." Seiren snapped. "I know he's not weak, and your viewpoint means absolutely nothing in this. You have no part in this conversation."

He turned back to Ryuu, who was bristling too now with indignation.

"I intend to speak to Genryuusai-sama about this – that in future you should not be in a position where you are alone with a Shihouin, and especially not in a situation where you're sparring one with blades."

"That will be difficult, Otousama." Ryuu's tones carried a definite edge now, and Seiren eyed him in surprise.

"Oh? How do you mean? The power of our Clan is far-reaching, you know, and in the circumstances…"

"Kai is my room-mate." Ryuu cut calmly across his father, and Seiren reacted at once, staring at him in stricken disbelief.

"What?"

"It's quite true." Ryuu inclined his head. "Sensei decided on such a course of action at the start of term."

"And why did you not protest it?"

"I did not see a reason why to." Ryuu shrugged.

"You really are impossibly naïve sometimes." Seiren was beside himself. "Right, that's it. Now I know that, I will be speaking to Genryuusai-sama about that, too. It's a good thing I came here to see for myself the security measures being put in place – now I find them so completely lacking, I'll have to make sure I…"

"I have no intention of changing rooms, Otousama." Ryuu said quietly, and Seiren grabbed him once more by the shoulders, giving him a shake.

"You will not answer me back." He said darkly. "I've told you before, that when I make a decision…"

"I am the one who may become the next heir of the Kuchiki family, not you." Ryuu's gaze became steely, and Kai watched in fascination as he pushed his father away, dusting himself down almost as if he had swiped away an unpleasant insect who had been hovering too close to his body. "I am almost three and twenty, and therefore I am not a child who needs to be ordered or disciplined any longer. If Guren-sama is to see me in any vein or form as his successor, then I need to show him that more than anybody else. Therefore I have decided to follow my own judgement in this matter. Your interference is not needed."

"Ryuu…" It was impossible for Seiren to be more angry, for his features were flushed red, his eyes almost bulging out of their sockets at this blatant display of defiance.

"I have no intention of changing rooms." Ryuu repeated levelly. "Kai is my room-mate and that is fine. I do not consider him my enemy. I consider him my classmate."

He turned, bowing his head slightly in Kai's direction.

"For my father's rudeness to you and your kin, I apologise." He said gravely. "Many disturbing matters surrounding our family of late have unfortunately caused him some amount of distress, but…"

Thwack!

At last it came, for as Seiren's rage flared up and overflowed, it seemed he was no longer able to keep his hands at his sides and Kai winced at the sound of the man's palm smacking against his son's cheek. For a moment Ryuu stood stock-still, a mixture of disbelief and indignation in his grey eyes as he touched his finger gingerly to his jaw, and Kai wondered what his classmate was planning to do.

Two seconds passed, then three, and then four, each one seeming to take an age as nothing moved in the training ground.

Then, with the utmost dignity and forced calm, Ryuu lowered his hand, taking a step back from his father and bowing his head.

"With respect, Otousama, if you go to Sensei, I will simply go to him and explain that I do not want to change." He said quietly, his tones courteous but lacking in any kind of genuine emotion. "In terms of the Clan, you are Guren-sama's right hand man. But if I am the one to succeed him, my judgement must be seen to outrank yours. I have trust in Shihouin Kai. I believe he is not my enemy, nor do I believe that the Shihouin Clan are involved in the plots against our family. Killers lurk in shadows and I wish to find them as much as you do. But you will not find them by coming to the Academy. And I will not bend to your will when it is founded in paranoia."

"Ryuu, you…"

"When Guren-sama issues me with a directive not to speak or share quarters with a Shihouin, I shall immediately obey." Ryuu added matter-of-factly. "But since I know he has sought advice from Kai's brother, Yanagi-dono of late, I suspect that order will not come. Therefore in order not to inconvenience my sensei and my classmates any more than I must by being here, I shall not seek to make changes."

He bowed his head again, then cast his glance towards where Kai stood awkwardly, feeling as though he'd trespassed into an embarrassing family squabble but not quite sure how to extricate himself from it.

"I have further study to attend to, and so do you." He said quietly, this time his words clearly directed at his classmate. "I suggest we end the spar for the time being, and return to the matter of Kidou theory."

With that he turned on his heel, walking purposefully away from his Father and out of the training ground. With a glance at the stunned Seiren, Kai hurried to follow him, bowing his head hastily towards the starstruck lord as he did so.

"Was that a good idea?" As they moved out of earshot, the Shihouin glanced back, seeing Seiren still standing where they had left him as though unable to fully absorb his son's words. "Defending me or my family, I mean. Your Father was pretty mad."

"I am also quite cross." Ryuu touched his finger to his cheek again, then, "And you are right. If I am to be heir of this Clan, I must follow the things I believe in. If I do not want him to manipulate me, I have to stop allowing him to, don't I?"

"He doesn't look like the type to forgive and forget very easily."

"Perhaps not. But I am his son, and the only one he has." Ryuu offered his companion a hollow smile. "Therefore he will not bear a grudge against me. I am the only chance he has of raising his family's status into the leadership position, and he knows it."

"You really don't get along, do you?"

"As you saw." Ryuu sighed heavily. "Though that is probably the first time I have really stood up to him. I regret it, Kai – that when he spoke ill against Senpai, I did not do anything then and now things spiralled to the point they are now. And besides, what I said to him this time was true. I have no reason to change rooms. You are not going to kill me in my sleep – I have confidence of that."

"I have been tempted to smother you once or twice, when you start murmuring half-spells." Kai admitted, and despite himself, Ryuu smiled – a proper smile this time that reached his clouded grey eyes for the briefest of moments.

"That aside." He amended. "Since there are times you rise before dawn that I would sooner you did not – you have a habit of leaving the door ajar slightly and it bangs and wakes me up long before I need be out of bed."

"But those are normal roommate things." Kai said thoughtfully. "They're not a matter of Clan life or death."

"No." Ryuu agreed. "Besides, Father's had his way far too much lately. When Ribari-sama was alive, that was different – but now…if his son becomes heir to the Clan…"

"I guess that he's not really in favour of Guren-sama's consorting with my brother, either."

"It doesn't seem that way." Ryuu rubbed his chin pensively. "Perhaps they have argued. As I believe I said before, they were never close until my Grandfather died, so perhaps a little pressure applied in the right places and those bonds would crack."

"That might be the reason Ribari-sama was killed." Kai suggested, and Ryuu's eyes darkened.

"Maybe." He acknowledged. "To drive a wedge through the Clan. Not just to kill the heir, but to shatter the family's bonds of loyalty completely."

He turned, gazing thoughtfully in the direction of the training ground for a moment, then,

"Father came here to ensure I was safe, so that he knew that his situation was still safe, perhaps." He mused. "He's driven Shirogane-senpai out, and maybe he's fought with Guren-sama – but everything rests on me and my being alive and strong. Even Guren-sama cannot dispute my bloodline for the Clan inheritance – and so…Father has a lot to gain."

"Do you think he…" Kai's eyes became big with shock, and Ryuu sighed, shrugging his shoulders.

"Sometimes." He admitted wearily. "But then sometimes it doesn't add up that way, either. I can't explain it, Kai…just take it from me that this is entirely complicated and without clear solution."

"Mm." Kai's brow furrowed in thought for a while. "All right. I accept that. But listen. I don't know what help Yanagi-nii has been to Guren-sama or how that investigation has progressed. It may or may not have something to do with Tokutarou-dono being here today – we'll have to ask Kyouraku when we can. But regardless of that – I think you and I are on the same side. Bad stuff is happening and people around us are getting tainted by that. Midori-nee apparently said that she'd provide help of whatever kind necessary to prove our innocence – and that goes for me too."

"Are you offering me an alliance?" Ryuu asked doubtfully, and Kai grinned.

"Perhaps." He admitted. "That's sort of what it sounds like, isn't it?"

"It is." Ryuu pursed his lips, then nodded, holding out his hand. "Then in that case, I accept."

"All right." Kai grasped the hand firmly, shaking it and then releasing his hold. "A Shihouin's word is his bond, so you can count on what I've said. You want to find out who killed Ribari-sama and you want to defend your Clan. If I can help, I'll help you. And hopefully prove my own people innocent in the process."

---

So Seiren had come at last.

Genryuusai paused briefly in his delivery of his Second year Sakusen lecture to glance out towards the training ground, interpreting the flickers and flares of spiritual presence as he did so.

Things are beginning to move, then, or so it seems.

He turned back towards the black board, scribing quick and neat kanji in long columns to illustrate his point, but all the time his mind was far away from the small teaching chamber and instead on the confrontation of wills and wits that was going on across the other side of his school.

I shan't interfere in the business of that Clan more than I have to. Whilst I understand why Seiren has come, it's not for me to follow the orders of the Kuchiki in how to protect his son. Ryuu is a young adult now and he's far from stupid. I want to let him make his own decisions – not allow others to make them for him.

Out loud he said,

"You have ten minutes now to work out the best way of resolving this particular puzzle. I'll call on people at random at the end of your time, so please take this chance to scribe out any notes you think might be of use to you. In a short period of time you'll be putting skills to use on your camping excursion – so I want to see you all taking it seriously."

At the mention of the camping trip, the second year heads all bobbed down over their desk, some eagerly beginning to write and others chewing on their brushes as they tried to reason out the problem for themselves. In this brief moment of respite, Genryuusai reached for his cane, moving over to the window to get a proper view of the training grounds.

I put Ryuu and Kai together this year to see whether Clan prejudice or class spirit would prevail, and I think I'm beginning to see my answer. Two proud Clans who've kept a feud for a long period of time – but it is not fair to infuse their children and their children's children with hatred they do not understand. This world won't rid itself of its poison and instability whilst those who lead it insist on remaining fragmented and at odds. True justice can only be found in cooperation and fair judgement, not in the proud whims of one family over another.

His white brows bristled, knitting together as he considered the most recent of Seiren's memos to the school.

A father wanting to protect his son. To me they are all like sons and daughters, so that emotion I well understand. But you might do more harm by it, Seiren. Ryuu isn't the kind of boy who will easily understand your motives. You'll push him away sooner if you smother him – even if all you are trying to do is preserve his life.

He sighed, resting Ryuujinjakka's cane against the wall.

Maybe you're already finding that out. And it's not as though you're the only one who's made the journey – Tokutarou is also here, and with a serious look in his eyes. Things are moving ever more quickly. Most probably it's unlikely District One will be kept out of things for a lot longer.

He turned back to run his gaze over the industrious forms of his students, picking out each one of them in turn. Some were Clan, some were District, but all of them were bent on the same aim of doing their best and achieving their full potential.

None of you deserve to be caught up in politics or Clan warfare. I hope Seiren doesn't decide he wants to search District One for his fugitive next, because a clash between his men and the Yamamoto would not make things easy for us here. Still, I will do my best to protect you all, whatever the future brings. And as for Ryuu and the Senior Class…

His eyes became serious as he reminded himself of the gambles that the path forward might take. And yet, despite all of that…

They will go. All of them. They will go.

He nodded almost imperceptibly as if confirming it to himself.

My Seniors must be able to face all dangers and judge them for themselves in the way Juushirou judged and fought for Tsukabishi earlier in the term. It is a hard decision each year – this year especially – but I am decided. They will go. If I am in error, I will bear the blame – but it strikes me that I can't hold them back. This group in particular must not be prevented from achieving their full potential. This is no longer a time to protect or shield them – if they can't take these steps now, the Gotei will have no use for them come the spring.

His eyes narrowed.

And if it draws out the assassins in the shadows, perhaps that too will be a good thing. Yes, I am quite decided. The Senior Class will go to the Real World and face the future they've all chosen to pursue.

---

Author's Note:

Suspecting Eiraki!

A few people have been referencing the lack of suspicion towards Eiraki at this juncture, and I felt I ought to clarify some stuff. Aside from the fact the readers know a lot more than the characters because they see all the scenes ;) Eiraki was a very innocent and shy young girl until the business with Keitarou first occurred. During that business, she was also meek, fearful and considered a victim. She was entirely absolved by the Council of Elders of having any part to play in Keitarou's scheming. She was just a child caught up in dangerous ploys.

I imagine the reason most people are wondering why people don't suspect her is on account of the note she left for her family at the end of Third Chronicle. What the story has not yet made clear (although it will) is that, other than Eiraki and Kei, only one person ever saw that note, and that one person did all he could to conceal it from those who would be most hurt by it. Popular opinion then is that this fragile, manipulated child was kidnapped by Keitarou so she could not reveal any more about him, and then disposed of in some unknown way. Seireitei has not yet seen the Eiraki that readers are seeing...nor do they have any reason or grounds to believe her to act like this. Keitarou forced her to try to kill her beloved older brother, so nobody would suspect her automatically of complicity this time.

...Nobody except that one person who read her note, and then concealed it. More about that to come later, however I'm sure a few folk will guess who that one person was!

Also...

In response to the kind person who left the long and detailed review last chapter - arigatou gozaimasu :) I haven't had a chance unfortunately to write you the response PM that the review deserved, and for this I apologise. Your review and your support are however much appreciated and I hope you continue to read the story.

Finally...

Recently with all the threats of massive local government cuts in the UK I found out that I may well lose my job in the new year, which means that between that and studying for my Japanese exam I haven't had much time for anything, including writing Meifu We are literally fighting for everything at the moment, and I'm sure there are other people in other parts of the country who are going through the exact same thing we are here.

I am some way ahead of the chapters posted here (I am currently working on 66) so it should not mean a delay in updates but please if I am slow replying to a signed review or I forget to respond at all, forgive me. It isn't meant as a personal slight and I do appreciate all the support you people give me!

I was hoping that by next Tuesday (Juushirou's birthday, of course!) I would be able to say to you all that Meifu 4 was completed on my flash drive, but that looks unlikely now. However, I will endeavour to keep up with updating each week and am offering this extra chapter as a thank you for all the support you've given the stor(ies) to date.