Chapter Forty: Shadows and Light
"You're quite decided on this, I can tell."
Kazoe let out a heavy sigh, folding his arms across his chest as he leant back against the panels of the study wall in resignation. It was two days later, and after further deliberation, Genryuusai had summoned each of his staff members in turn to tell them his plans for the Senior students. It had met with mixed reactions, and Genryuusai had left this particular meeting until last, knowing that he needed the support of the Kidou instructor most of all.
Not only was Kazoe trained to zanpakutou level, unlike either Uebashi or Minabe, but he was also an Unohana – a man gifted with healing arts as well as those used in combat, and a man whose shrewd brain and neutral political position made him the best placed member of staff with which to discuss the sensitive subject of the Kuchiki assassinations. Uebashi was a Yamamoto, whose interests could not fail to be native to District One, whilst Minabe had a deep rooted hatred of all things Kuchiki, and Genryuusai had not even tried to broach the deeper meaning of his decisions with her. But Kazoe was different, and deep down Genryuusai hoped that his Kidou instructor would not try and be a thorn in his side in pushing for the plan to go ahead.
But sweet-talking Kazoe was no easy feat, and Genryuusai glanced at his companion know, knowing from the look in those piercing eyes that it would probably be a long negotiation.
"Even given the risks and the fact it might bring angry Kuchiki down on you like fire dragons, you're going to go ahead as though nothing had happened?"
"These are my Senior class, Ginji." Genryuusai rested his chin on his hands, gazing up at his companion in sombre contemplation. "I understand that you're wary, and so you should be – Ayame called me an old fool when I told her, and Uebashi was none too certain either. But both of them are seeing things from the perspective of the Yamamoto's security, and I want to broaden the picture. This is the way things are across Seireitei at the moment. If I continue to shield them, how will they ever fight for themselves?"
"What does Retsu-sama think?" Kazoe's eyes narrowed behind his glasses, and Genryuusai smiled.
"She agrees with me, of course." He said simply. "That they should go ahead regardless of the risks. She's going to give very special training to Suzuno and Mitsuki on top of what they've already been learning, and she believes that it would be a good experience for all of the students to undertake the trip to the Real World."
"Then I can't say anything in opposition, can I?" Kazoe said dryly. "If my Clan leader has sanctioned it, I can't go against that. But I have reservations, Genryuusai-sama. Whilst I know they're all clever and good with their skills, the Real World is a dangerous place when one of the students isn't the probable focus of unknown assassins. That one undoubtedly is…"
"I don't think they're all that unknown." Genryuusai interjected calmly, and Kazoe faltered, casting him a startled look.
"Not unknown? But…you mean all the warnings about Nagoya? Or…the Shihouin? Or…?"
"Neither one." Genryuusai shook his head. "This is a web, Ginji. A neatly laid out spider's web of clues and threads leading in all kinds of directions. Whilst we scramble to follow the ends of those threads, the one who holds them in the middle is the one we should really be hunting."
"I see." Kazoe's eyes became grim. "Retsu-sama intimated something of that nature to me too, following the Council meeting. She didn't want to say too much of it – but with the safety of the children here of paramount importance to us both…"
"Yes." Genryuusai let out a heavy sigh. "The trouble is not defining a culprit, but proving him and bringing him to justice. He has been called a genius and doubtless that is true. In all my years in this world, I've seen many who claim that title, but I've encountered very few who deserve it. Urahara Keitarou – Aizen Keitarou – is one of those who is. And sadly he uses that intelligence for chaos, instead of for good. Well, not that it's impossible to understand his reasons why."
"Are you sympathising with him?" Kazoe stared at his superior in disbelief, and Genryuusai let out a soft chuckle.
"No. No, I'm not." He admitted. "Just that crimes have been committed amongst and by the Clans for generations, and many have escaped with their lives. Urahara Rikaya thought he was doing the best thing when he turned his back on his brother and let him be condemned to death – but I believe the opposite to be true. Keitarou's resentment was born into him at the worst possible time – as an impressionable child. It had a chance to grow through him as he grew – and now we face the situation that we do. I don't sympathise with the man, Ginji. He is someone the Council must find and someone who, so long as he lives, will always cause death and destruction wherever he goes. Even imprisoning him alive would not be far enough a step – he's somebody who must pay for his crimes with his life. I merely say I understand why he turned the way he did – and understanding an enemy is part of learning how to defeat them."
He pursed his lips, reaching up to brush his long moustache absently with a wizened finger.
"The second years must have their camp, first." He mused. "I've assigned nobody to that project who will be in particular danger in District One and so it should run smoothly, I believe. Summer break is in a fortnight, and most people will be busy with examinations. So I will break the news to them about the trip when they return after that break – and we'll begin preparing them then. Oh, but I may speak to Ryuu sooner…"
His eyes narrowed.
"I will not send him if he feels it unsafe for him to go. But Ginji, if he refuses to go, I will also advise Guren-dono that his nephew is not fit to succeed him yet and may lack the conviction to ever do so, no matter how long he trains."
"Kuchiki will go." Kazoe said with certainty. "He may spend a laboriously long time on explaining any point in a written essay, and his vocabulary on occasion could use melting down into component parts. He's proud and sometimes aloof – but he is not a coward. I think he'll go – it's whether we can keep him safe that bothers me."
"Or whether he can keep himself safe."
"That too." Kazoe acknowledged. "That perhaps more so, since we'd be sending them unsupervised."
"Guren-dono would probably be hesitant – Seiren-dono enraged if they discovered what I intended." Genryuusai said pensively. "For that reason, I don't plan to ask them what they think. It's always been an assumed part of Academy Senior year, and Guren-dono at least should be aware of the possibility, since I fielded Shirogane into the Real World the first year he was a Senior and that met with no complaints. No, I will send them, Ginji. As you said, my mind is made up. And as I say every year – if any are killed, I'll accept their deaths on my conscience with the long list of other students who in one way or another I failed."
At that moment there was a knock on the door, and the divide slid back to reveal one of the school's messengers, a scroll tied with a red ribbon clutched in his hands. At the sight of it Genryuusai beckoned him forward, and the young man cast Kazoe a wary look, but did so, bowing his head and presenting the rolled up document to his companion.
"A message has come for you, sir." He said unnecessarily.
"Thank you, I can see that." Genryuusai murmured, taking the letter and glancing at it. "You may go…oh, no, wait for a moment, please." As the young man turned to leave the office. "This letter bears no stamp or seal – it didn't come from one of the Clan messengers?"
"No sir. A provincial courier brought it to District One's border, and it was conveyed from there to the school by Yamamoto men." The messenger looked surprised. "Why – is something amiss, Genryuusai-sama?"
"No." Genryuusai slid the ribbon off the scroll, a strange sensation of expectancy and foreboding in his heart as he began to unroll the cheap market parchment and laid his gaze for the first time on the characters concealed with in. As he did so, a scrap of paper fluttered out, and Kazoe bent to catch it, setting it down on the desk surface.
Genryuusai's gaze flitted to the bottom of the document, and his brows knitted together.
"Messenger – you said this came from a provincial courier?" He said quietly, and the young man nodded.
"Which District did that messenger come from?"
"Sixth, sir." The young man said promptly. "He was the border courier who operates over the divide from Fifth. From the Coastal regions of Sixth District, sir."
"You know that very clearly." Kazoe looked startled, and the messenger reddened.
"No…well…it's just…the courier who travels that route is well known to the Yamamoto, sir." He said falteringly. "He rides often with messages for Genryuusai-sama and for one of the students here, and so…"
"That is all. You are dismissed." Genryuusai gave him a little nod, and relief flooded the man's gaze as he hurriedly made his bow, retreating from the office and closing the door carefully behind him.
"From Ukitake's people?" Kazoe murmured, and Genryuusai shrugged his shoulders.
"From the person who sends their messages." He said evenly. "But no, Kazoe. Not from Ukitake's people. Nor Kamikura. This is another hand completely – a very neat, very formal script that suggests a far higher level of education than even he can provide."
He set the letter down on the surface, smoothing it out as he began to read it through properly from start to finish.
Dear Genryuusai-sensei,[It began]
I imagine this letter will reach you with some level of surprise - perhaps even consternation - and for inconveniencing you with it I offer my heartfelt apologies. You are probably already well abreast of the situation in which my family currently finds itself, and knowing the swift efficiency of my Uncle, you are unlikely to be ignorant of my current position - that is, an exile from the heart of my family and charged with an array of serious offences.
I have no way to present my innocence to you except through my own words, and for that reason I am putting myself somewhat at your mercy. I cannot reveal my current location to you or anyone else, so returning any kind of message to me is not possible. However despite that I cannot hear your views directly, I have decided that the things I know must go into written form. My life has already been put in serious jeopardy on one occasion - in case such a circumstance should repeat, I should like to know that someone with objectivity holds my last words and will be able to use them if further ill fortune befalls me.
I am not guilty of the charges which my Uncle has placed upon me. I was indeed present in the forest the night that my cousin Ribari-sama was killed, but I, like my comrades was struck down by poison - Mitsuki will doubtless be able to advise you on the serious nature of that attack and its impact on my health better than I. Suffice it to say that I was fortunate not to also be a victim that night - certainly I was in no position to administer any kind of lethal substance to my cousin, and so I hope must be considered innocent of his murder.
Whether I can be as easily judged innocent of neglecting my duty towards Ribari-sama I am less sure. Despite the assault on our squad, as the senior officer in charge I feel that a certain amount of the responsibility for Ribari-sama's death lies with me. For that reason I wish to discover the absolute truth of what happened to my cousin. Perhaps it is this fact which has created the suspicions directed towards me - I cannot be certain. However, it seems that my Uncle Seiren believes me now capable of plotting to hurt or kill his son - my other cousin Ryuu, who is currently your student and in your care - and perhaps even my Uncle Guren-sama himself.
These allegations are entirely without foundation, but the reason for their coming about is still somewhat hazy in my mind. I will not waste ink and paper on trying to explain the complexities of my relationship with my Uncle Seiren - rather if you will indulge me I must talk about the night when things came to a particular head. Particularly I must address the involvement of a mysterious but disturbing witness who claimed to have seen me conspiring with assassins. This was a young girl who named herself 'Nanaki-hime'. She claimed descent from the dead Kyouraku lord Sadehira, but I have managed to confirm that the crest she carries belonged to Sadehira-dono's brother Matsuhara-sama, and therefore her story is likely false. I am accused, I believe, of assaulting this 'witness' on account of what she knew. This is also a grave falsehood - it is true that I met the girl once, or rather, I discovered her lurking within my chamber and took her somewhat by surprise in doing so. I do not know what her purpose there was, but on reflection I am sure I did not find her there by coincidence. At the time of that meeting she warned me quite strongly against my Uncle, suggesting that he had motive to kill my cousin and I should beware of him. She provided the Clan crest above mentioned and wrote her name for me to prove she had had the education of one of high birth and was not simply a town wench playing me for a fool.
Unfortunately whilst I was seeking to verify this girl's story in the family archive, an attempt was made to arrest me and I was forced to flee. Since then I have been in hiding, and my Uncle's men are firmly on my tail. I have no doubt that the borders between each District will be closed to me - nonetheless, my intention is to travel to District One. If you and your Clan choose to then arrest me for trespass or for my involvement in the Kuchiki disturbances, so be it. I feel confident that if you are in charge of arresting me, you will at the very least hear what I have to say and judge me fairly before sending me to face my family. My Uncle Seiren seeks to kill me, I believe, because he sees me as his enemy - and as for Guren-sama's own views, these I do not fully know.
I think that this was the reason for that girl's sudden and unexplained appearance into our midst. Our family is sadly in disarray at present, with nobody quite sure if the enemy is a kinsman or not. I believe Seiren-dono has allowed his paranoia to progress beyond reasonable levels and therefore has settled on me as his scapegoat. It is my belief that creating either Seiren-dono or I as a target for blame was that girl's real intention, and there is a good chance that she is also associated with the other events that have since occurred. Perhaps there is an intention to blame both of us, for whilst I have no visible motive to hurt Ribari-sama, my Uncle Seiren has a son who now will likely inherit the Clan on Guren-sama's death. My exile cannot possibly fail to draw attention to that fact...that if my innocence can be proven, his guilt may be put under deeper scrutiny.
For my part, I do not believe my Uncle Seiren is responsible for orchestrating any of this. On the contrary, I feel he has been manipulated by someone else and that that force is most likely not within the Kuchiki Clan. To explain my reasons for feeling thus, I must disclose to you what so far I have only discussed with Ryuu - that is that on the night Ribari-sama was killed, he claimed to see a Shihouin lurking in the darkness. Since then I have learnt that Guren-sama's life was threatened by a Shihouin.
Sensei, I have had doubts for some long time about the death of my Grandfather and whether or not the Shihouin Clan were truly involved. The appearance of the convenient witness 'Nanaki-hime' makes me more suspicious still that we are being led down a particular path and that that path is meant to lead to war. The reasons why I do not know, but it worries me that the aim is not simply a struggle for power but the eventual destruction of my family altogether. Most probably that means our enemies are outside, and we have likely not yet seen them clearly enough to anticipate the danger. What is plain to me though is that whoever seeks us harm knows and is trying to capitalise on the fact the previous head of the family was allegedly murdered by the Shadow Clan.
I do not have a memory long enough to know what happened when Senaya-sama was killed, but there are many more questions for me than answers surrounding it. Since you are in a position of some influence, I hope that you may be able to advise and steady the fears of my Clan in this area. Perhaps you already know better than I how Senaya-sama met his demise...and what the current relations are like between the Shihouin and my Clan. I have kept what I saw secret because I do not want to see this descend into war...but now it appears that my doing so was in vain.
I know better than anyone else how desperate things have become in District Six. Suffice it to say that whether my life is or isn't forfeit to this disturbance, a war between ourselves and the Shihouin and their allies would be a bad judgement and many innocent people would be killed. People of Clan and people of District - the latter of which I have begun to realise have rights to peaceful living too.
I originally intended to enclose a letter which I hoped you might find the kindness to convey to my Uncle Lord Guren regarding my situation. On reflection I have decided against it - instead I will trust my words to you and believe that you will know best what information to reveal to him. I cannot beg an audience with my Clan leader through any other channels, so whether my words reach him or otherwise lies in your hands. I trust you will know best what to do and so I will put my faith in your experience and your judgement.
Finally, at last I begin to understand the lessons you were so keen to instil in each one of us. For those lessons, I am grateful. My life now and my resolution to keep living is probably founded in the discipline and instruction you gave me as a student, and though I did not appreciate all you gave me then, I am coming to do so now. Justice is something that belongs to all people, not just those who hold power.
I do not know whether my life will be taken from me before I reach District One, or what will happen when I arrive there. I know I am willing to face that danger if it means helping my family to escape the traps being laid around them. Sensei, you will have realised I know from this letter the manner in which this mysterious hime wrote her name, and probably you will not need me to explain the brief and fleeting thoughts that crossed my mind when I regarded the words anew. I do not know if this is a lead or fanciful imagining on my part - but I am enclosing also the scrap of paper on which she wrote her name for me. It may serve some purpose or it may not - but that it is written in a hand foreign from mine I hope may help in the identification of the writer.
I place myself and my words entirely in your hands and hope for you to do with them as you see fit.
With all respect, your student,
Nagoya Shirogane.
As he reached the bottom of the page he sighed, glancing at it again and then holding it out to his companion. Kazoe took it, eying his superior quizzically.
"You're sure it's all right that I should read this?"
"Yes. Please do." Genryuusai nodded. "And tell me what you think of it when you're done."
"Mm." Kazoe adjusted his glasses, running his gaze down the neat columns of kanji. He was a quick reader, and as he reached the end, he let out an exclamation, raising his gaze to Genryuusai's in disbelief.
Genryuusai nodded his head.
"The fugitive has surfaced." He said quietly. "And from the fact that letter came from where it did…I suspect that the Ukitake family have had something to do with keeping him hidden. How that circumstance came about I don't know – but it's a reasonable assumption to make."
He fingered the red ribbon.
"Kamikura almost always fastens his letters to me with ribbon of that kind. Most likely the courier thought it was just another note in the same vein."
"Nagoya is a clever boy." Kazoe set the parchment down on the desk. "Using a method of communication which would attract no suspicion at all."
"And travelling to the part of District Six where you might least expect a fugitive to flee to." Genryuusai pursed his lips. "But he's stated his intentions to come here…so I must decide what to do about it."
"Whether to arrest him and hold him for Guren-sama?" Kazoe asked, and Genryuusai smiled.
"I've never had any intention of arresting the boy, when I've no doubts at all that he's innocent." He said lightly. "Nagoya is a proud, arrogant and opinionated youngster and I have had reason to curb his attitude on many occasions. But he is a loyal Kuchiki and Ginji, he would not do anything to hurt Guren-dono. Beyond that, he is intelligent. He is not easily fooled, and not easily influenced – that is why he has made an excellent Vice Captain in Sixth Squad so far. Besides, this letter only gives further strength to my other suspicions. You saw what fell out when I opened it, didn't you?"
"Kyouraku Nanaki." Kazoe's eyes became slits as he gazed at the scrap of paper. "And Tokutarou-sama was here just a day or two ago…coincidence?"
"Probably not." Genryuusai said calmly. "But read again what Shirogane says. 'You will have realised I know from this letter the manner in which this mysterious hime wrote her name, and probably you will not need me to explain the brief and fleeting thoughts that crossed my mind when I regarded the words anew.' As a shinigami, Shirogane probably had ample involvement in events two and a half years ago, covering for Guren-dono with Sixth Squad whilst the Council was making its investigations. I think Guren-dono to also be in the habit of talking to his deputy about matters – and I think Shirogane has drawn on that information and begun to form conclusions. They are also conclusions without a basis at the present time – but what he says here is interesting and gives me further cause for thought. If I was at all unsure about sending Ryuu and the Seniors to the real world now, this letter would convince me that it was the right thing to do."
"I don't see the connection." Kazoe sighed. "Yes, I understand his implication – that the girl who appeared in District Six may be the missing Endou hime Aizen allegedly abducted two and a half years ago. She might well be his new puppet – but that aside…?"
"The one place someone like Aizen Keitarou can hide for long periods of time is the Real World, Ginji." Genryuusai said lightly, reaching to pick up the letter and running his gaze over the contents once again. "And if Shirogane is coming here, whilst he is suspected of treason it would cause a good deal of trouble for Hashihiko-dono if I was to choose to shelter him openly. But if he is arrested by Yamamoto guards, I will have to become involved. Equally, Shirogane's own words are correct. Proving him innocent may not mean proving the right person guilty. I suspect he's probably right when he says that he's not the only target and that what he's reasoned out – or had help reasoning out – surrounding the Uncle who forced him into exile is an unwanted complication. Therefore…it seems of paramount importance that the real culprits in this crime are lured out before the matter of Shirogane's whereabouts becomes more problematic…or before the arrows start to point away from him and in a new Clan direction."
"Using Kuchiki as bait?" Kazoe stared, and Genryuusai shrugged.
"I will put it to him that way, and see if he agrees." He said frankly. "I won't lie to the boy, Ginji. He's not a child, and he will soon be a squad shinigami, if not the heir to a Clan. Therefore I will tell him exactly what I want to do – and see what his views are. I'm sending him there to bring out the real culprits and absolve his cousin and his father of blame. Also, I want to make it so that Shirogane can claim sanctuary and entrance into this land without being immediately arrested and sent home. If his life has been threatened once already, he's probably is in some danger in District Six with things as they are right now. An accusation of treason might have Guren-dono demanding his extradition – but if the blame is deflected elsewhere, he might just be seen as a refugee and him being here a while may be overlooked."
"You've put your faith in Nagoya's innocence." Kazoe reflected. "Based on that letter, and your own memory of the boy. Are you sure it's wise to be so clear-cut?"
"An old man relies on his instincts, and accepts the times when those instincts are wrong." Genryuusai responded. "That's how they live to become old, Ginji – by taking gambles and hoping they pan out. Ryuu believes in Shirogane, and the future of the Kuchiki probably rests on that belief. Besides, there's something else."
He tapped the letter, then,
"I can't imagine that he's been lurking in the coastal province for any length of time without anyone being aware of it. On the contrary, I'm sure he's being observed just as much as he's observing what's going on around him."
"Observed? By whom?" Kazoe was confused, and Genryuusai smiled.
"Another former student of mine, who is no fool, no matter how much he likes to pretend it." He said softly. "A man who claims to be old, and who shuts himself away from the centre of his family as though preparing for death. Kuchiki Kinnya, the Lord of the Coastal Provinces and Ryuu and Shirogane's Great Uncle. He has stayed well clear of his family for a long time – but I don't believe that will happen for much longer. Kinnya is a man of his word – and Senaya was the kind of Kuchiki Lord who demanded promises to be kept, no matter how long the duration. That Shirogane mentions him in this letter makes me wonder if he's spoken to Kinnya – or spoken to someone else who has."
"You've lost me completely, I'm afraid." Kazoe admitted. "I remember Senaya-sama, and I know that there was a scandal surrounding the Shihouin and that man's untimely death. But otherwise…"
"I spent some time with the Clan in District Six in the past, and taught both Kinnya and Senaya as adolescents, about the time they first came to hold zanpakutou. They were both of about equal ability, but in very different ways." Genryuusai responded thoughtfully. "They were both very gifted students, but personality opposites. Senaya was the flamboyant one – the sun, I suppose, to Kinnya's moon. Senaya did not mind if the world around him was not real, so long as it looked real, and so long as that reality was perfect in whatever way. He would do what it took to achieve that perfection, and sacrifice whatever needed to be sacrificed to keep it that way. Kinnya on the other hand was the pragmatist – he never looked for perfection if he could have reality instead. In intelligence, they were probably about a match for one another – in swords too. I believe Kinnya to have been the only man whose sword could have taken down Senaya and vice versa in their days as young men. Senaya did everything for the sake of the Clan, and Kinnya made his fantasies reality in whatever way it took. They were very close as siblings go – but also leagues apart."
His eyes narrowed.
"Senaya's Kuchiki carried the image of perfection in all but one regard." He added pensively. "Senaya had two sons, where he should only have had one."
"Guren-sama and Seiren-dono are twin brothers, though. Not much to be done about that."
"On the contrary." Genryuusai's expression became sad. "It is ancient Kuchiki custom that if the firstborn son to a Clan leader be one of twin boys, the weaker child should be sacrificed and the stronger child protected. In the past, it was considered an ill omen – that two boys of equal birth age, power and prowess should be able to clash swords…that they could claim to be equals in all respects and so divide the Clan when it came for one of them to inherit. The Kuchiki has a deep rooted superstition surrounding astronomical omens and portents in the skies when their young ones are born – for two to share almost identical markers is felt to bring misfortune and division to the Clan. Twins that were one of each were of no danger, since girls cannot inherit the family and so would never fight for the leadership. But twin boys are another matter. Yet Senaya, who loved perfection, chose to flount superstition and keep both of his sons. And for that choice – that one imperfection – he probably paid with his life."
"The Kuchiki are a Clan of fools, in that case." Kazoe snorted. "If rebel Kuchiki attacked him because he chose to let both his sons live."
"They are an old Clan with values that are not always clear-cut." Genryuusai agreed. "I suppose he thought that by having Seiren's power sealed, conflict would be avoided. But…it's not a secret that for their early years, Seiren-dono and Guren-dono loathed the sight of one another and it often ended in bruises – or as they got older, drawn blades. Senaya was at his wits end with them, but his death united them behind the same cause. Still, the aftershocks of the decisions Senaya made are still being felt even now. I suspect they will continue to be felt for a while longer – so the sooner we can bring this spider out of the shadows and out the real enemy of the Kuchiki, so much the better. I don't want to see this descend into war – whether civil or inter-Clan – and I don't want to see anyone else die. War would create disruption and uncertainty for our students and our future too – so it's in our interests to work against it. I will instruct Hashihiko to reduce the amount of Yamamoto guarding this area, in order that Shirogane might not be so easily captured when he arrives. And…"
Kazoe sighed.
"And the Seniors will go to the Real World." He said resignedly. "Very well. I'll make the usual preparations – send for me if you need me."
"One more week and it will be summer break."
Shunsui flopped back onto the grass with a sigh, gazing up at the hazy wisps of cloud that dotted across the bright blue sky. "It seems like a lot has happened so far already this year – don't you think so, Juu?"
"Mm?" Juushirou glanced up from his textbook, casting his amused friend a sheepish smile. "Sorry. I really wasn't listening. I'm trying to get all these complicated Hohou theorems into my brain before the assessments start, and there isn't a lot of time left."
"You want to bring your rank back up." Shunsui cast him a lazy grin. "Don't you?"
"Call me overly proud or stubborn, but yes." Juushirou agreed. "It's not that big a deal really – I know my family will be happy with me passing my exams, let alone ranking third or second or whatever. But I don't like relinquishing it to Yamamoto-kun. So I'm going to do my best this time, and try not to be distracted by other things."
"Distracted, huh…" Shunsui pursed his lips, returning his gaze to the hazy sky. "Being a Senior is hard work. I'm not sure that I'm going to make it to graduation at this rate, if things keep moving at the pace they are."
"You're sleeping better now, though, aren't you?" Juushirou sent his friend a worried look. "Because that really isn't like you. If my burdening you with things has made it worse, I'm sorry. I shouldn't always pour my problems onto you – you don't often pour yours on me and so it's an unfair arrangement, when I think about it."
"You're the kind to pour. I'm the kind to absorb." Shunsui grinned. "It's fine. You're not doing anything to my sleep pattern, I promise. Don't look like that, Juu – I mean it. Just I am working harder this year than I ever have – and my body's taking a little time to catch up."
"Well, if that's all it is." Juushirou set the book aside, stretching out on his stomach and toying idly with the blades of grass. "That we both have a moment free to come out and study under the trees is a nice change."
"Your second years are off in their tents listening to Souryou and the others spout pearls of wisdom." Shunsui said wisely. "And Kaoru-chan is all in a fluster because she's got assessments too and they're Fourth year ones, and she's not sure she's going to pass."
He chuckled at the memory.
"Kaoru's fun when she's flustered." He added. "Her cheeks get all pink and flushed and she flutters around all over the place. It's so hard resisting the urge to tease or flirt with her – but I'm really trying not to, Juu. She's far too easy a target to be left alone with someone like me."
"You sound fond of her." Juushirou observed, and Shunsui nodded.
"I am, but I think…it's more of a little sister type feeling." He said with a sigh. "Honestly, I didn't want to train her in the first place. But now I am…I'm quite enjoying doing it. She listens and she works hard. And she's always cheerful, even if I've got other things on my mind. So that helps. I'm quite liking having a deshi to train, Juu – please don't tell Yama-jii that, but it's true all the same."
"I won't tell him." Juushirou grinned. "But I am jealous. I still want a chance to do that. But I'm not special and left handed like you are, and…I wonder if Sensei really isn't sure about my training with anyone, to be honest. Though he's said otherwise, it's more like…well, I'm a risk if my health plays up, so I might prove unreliable. But more than that…I wonder if this is his real punishment for what happened with the Hollow. He hasn't officially punished me but…maybe he's not giving me a deshi because he thinks I'm too impulsive to be trusted."
"If he'll trust Kaoru to me, Juu, he'll trust you too." Shunsui snorted. "But I s'pect he thinks you have enough on your plate. He's not stupid – he probably knows that you're helping Tsukabishi here and there with his writing, and you are still tutoring those second years with Akira, which I'm sure takes as much patience and tolerance as you have most days. Not to mention that he's still using you as his poster boy to advertise his school to District families…you have to have time to breathe somewhere in all of that."
"Time to breathe, and time to think." Juushirou grimaced. "No thank you."
"Juu, are you still mooning about Mitsuki?" Shunsui pulled himself up into a sitting position, casting his friend a searching look. "I've not been as attentive as usual to what's going on, on account of my sleep patterns, but I haven't noticed you guys spending much time together. Was there a fight? Or..?"
"No. Nothing like that." Juushirou shook his head. "We're fine…I think. Just…"
He sighed, shrugging his shoulders.
"I don't want to think about it all too much." He admitted. "So let's change the subject, before it makes my brain hurt."
"Relationships aren't meant to be easy, you know."
"We don't have a relationship."
"Then that's probably the first problem you're falling down on." Shunsui's eyes twinkled, and Juushirou shot him a dark look.
"Shunsui. I already said change the subject."
"But you were pouring, so I was soaking it up." Shunsui said matter-of-factly. "But all right. Let's talk about summer instead. You're all ready to come to District Eight, I hope? Because I already sent a letter to tell Nii-sama you're coming and that he should let Chihiro know."
"I wrote to her myself." Juushirou nodded. "It'll be good to see her and Takeshi, since it's been a little while. It seems funny that she's now living closer to your family than to mine."
"She's become very well indoctrinated to District Eight life from all accounts." Shunsui mused. "But I haven't seen a lot of her either, what with being here and stuff. I think Rae-chan has though. Chihiro's good with small children – I think if it was up to Rae, she'd have Chi-chan as Haru's nurse in a flash."
"Well, Chi's the eldest girl of a long family." Juushirou chuckled. "Of course she'd be good with kids – it's only natural. I'm sure it won't be long before she has a few of her own, either. Growing up in a big family, I can't imagine she'd want it any other way."
"What about you?" Shunsui cast his friend a quizzical look, and Juushirou looked startled.
"Me?"
"I remember you saying some time ago that you weren't looking to marry or have children." Shunsui reflected. "But you're from the same big family. Won't you be lonely, if you don't have a family of your own?"
"Haibyou is a curse." Juushirou's eyes became clouded, but he spoke in even, matter-of-fact tones. "I can pass it on to my children, and it's impossible to know until it's too late whether a baby will inherit it. It's not something that should be passed on, Shunsui. That settles it as far as I'm concerned. I won't ever have that kind of a family – I suppose the Gotei will have to become that for me."
"Being part of a squad, huh." Shunsui's expression was unusually grave. "I suppose that goes for me too, to be honest."
"There's no reason for you not to have a family of your own." Juushirou objected, and Shunsui offered him a lazy grin.
"For me, getting married is like choosing to have only one flower in your garden for the rest of my life, rather than appreciating the beauty of all the different ones." He said blithely. "I'm not really cut out for that level of commitment. Possibly I never was – but having had my experiences with Saku, and having seen you and Mitsuki dancing around one another, I think that's the case. I'm quite a lone wolf really, you know. I do all right on my own."
"What part of you is a lone wolf?" Juushirou snorted, tossing a handful of grass blades in his friend's direction. "Don't be stupid. You're not solitary at all, so don't pretend like you are."
"But I am." Shunsui said wryly. "You just don't see it because when I'm with you, I'm not by myself."
"You make absolutely no sense sometimes." Juushirou sighed, resignation in his hazel eyes, and Shunsui nodded his head.
"I know." He agreed cheerfully. "But you still put up with it, and I'm grateful that you do. You see? We both have our uses. You confide all kinds of things in me, and I twist your brain into strange and unusual shapes in return. No charge. Consider it a favour of our friendship."
"Maybe lack of sleep is finally sending you kooky." Juushirou muttered, and Shunsui arched an eyebrow.
"Kooky? Let me guess – that came from Sora?"
"It did." Juushirou agreed with a grin. "She was describing some of the juniors she was tutoring and that seemed to be her general view of them. That they were kooky."
"Girls who don't want to play with swords don't really make sense in Sora's world." Shunsui said wisely. "And you can see her point. This is the Academy, not finishing school. They aren't going to learn to embroider or arrange flowers by coming to train to be Shinigami."
"There's a divide still, isn't there, between girls and boys." Juushirou said pensively. "Even now there are more boys at the Academy – you can tell just by looking at the uniforms that there's more blue than red at meals."
"It's hard to change stereotypes. You're not the only one who's marginalised in the big picture." Shunsui replied. "But things are changing. Bit by bit. People like Kaoru-chan are as important to the future as you are."
"Mm."
Juushirou was silent for a moment, then,
"Things are going to be all right, aren't they? When we graduate."
"Are you worried about not making it into a squad?" Shunsui asked, surprised. "Because you know what I said before. That if there isn't another opening for you, you'll be able to come with me to Eighth. Chi's in my District, and I'd make very good use of you, so…"
"It shouldn't be that way, though." Juushirou cut across him, shaking his head. "I know you mean it, Shunsui, but I don't want…to…"
"You want to be there on your own merit, not because of my help." As the white haired boy trailed off, Shunsui cast him a grin. "I'm not offended…I know that's the case. But I'm sure it will be all right, Juu. You work hard…you deserve to be considered more than some of the rest of us. And the Kuchiki don't mind you bearing arms, so…"
"The Kuchiki, huh…" Juushirou frowned. "Yes. But…I don't know. I mean…if they know. That I'm…that my bloodline is how it is. And…if they found out about Mitsuki…"
"Does that mean you've decided to pursue things with Mitsuki?" Shunsui's ears pricked up. "Even in spite of the Clan/District divide?"
"I don't know what I'm planning to do at the moment." Juushirou admitted. "And I haven't talked to her about it, either. Which is why I don't want to talk about it with you, really. And the Kuchiki have so much else happening, it seems trivial to be even thinking about…well…things like that."
"Trivial is my middle name, though. You'll have to forgive me that." Shunsui remarked off-handedly. "And you know, things aren't as bad as all that. Since the warning came about Ryuu's life being in danger, nothing else has happened. The Kuchiki and the Council are pursuing things – it might be all wrapped up before we know it."
"You said that before." Juushirou observed. "I don't believe you mean it, though."
"Why wouldn't I?" Shunsui was taken aback, and Juushirou fixed him with a pensive look.
"Because you never take things at face value." He said at length. "Whatever you say, you're always thinking several levels deeper. And so when you say everything's going to be fine, it worries me a bit. It's as though instinctively I know it isn't going to be fine, because you're trying to tell me that it is."
"You really don't trust me to tell the truth at all, is that it?" Shunsui affected a wounded expression, and Juushirou grinned.
"Not that. But I have learnt to read between the lines." He responded. "And more, Shunsui – you not sleeping is a dead giveaway you're worried about something. But as you said, you don't pour. You absorb. So I'll just have to wait till you've absorbed too much and can't help but spill some of the details. I won't push you – I've learnt by now that that won't work with you. But stop saying everything is going to be all right. We both know you don't believe it."
"Touche." Shunsui raised his hand in a wry salute. "Perhaps you're right. Perhaps it is that way. But there isn't really any reason for it. I just have a bad feeling about stuff in general. It's not tangible and I can't put it into clear words at the moment. I just want everything to be resolved – so if I keep saying it, some part of me probably hopes that it will be."
He made to lower his hand, pausing as he caught sight of the shadows on the grass.
Shadow, huh…
Slowly he stretched his fingers, watching the dark shapes move in sync with his own, and his eyes narrowed thoughtfully. Without thinking about it he moved his other hand to touch the edges of the silhouette, half-expecting his fingers to disappear into the grass, but instead they brushed against the slender green blades, and he frowned.
"Shunsui?" Juushirou cast him a quizzical look, and Shunsui withdrew his hands, offering his friend a grin.
"Mm?"
"You spaced out for a moment. What's up?"
"I was just staring at the shadows on the grass and wondering if they could swallow someone up inside." Shunsui said absently, and Juushirou snorted, picking a daisy and tossing it in his friend's direction. It landed on Shunsui's head, caught against the edge of the rough band that held his growing hair back from his face, and at the overall effect Juushirou laughed, amusement lighting up his hazel eyes.
"Yes, that suits you." He decided. "You should wear your hair like that more often, Shunsui."
"Thanks." Shunsui reached up to take down the flower, glancing at it before dropping it down onto the grass. His eyes narrowed slightly as he watched the blossom fall into the shade of his body, lingering there for a moment and then, as if drawn in by some greater power, it disappeared into the black. "I'll bear it in mind."
"If you don't want to answer me, you don't have to." Juushirou continued. "I'd rather you didn't say anything at all than tried to make up something silly to cover."
"All right." Shunsui's gaze was still fixed on the grass, his eyes searching for any sign of the flower's presence. Try as he might he could not see it, but then a gust of wind blew gently across the grounds, disturbing the blades of green and revealing the soft white of the flower beneath them. He let out his breath in a rush, sitting back and folding his hands in his lap.
Optical illusion, huh. Well, of course it was. Katen isn't released at the moment – and I still haven't got to a stage where I can control that particular skill. Just for a moment it looked as though…but of course it couldn't have. These shadows are normal shadows. They're nothing to do with Katen or I.
"So this is where you've both come to hide, is it?"
Kai's voice cut through his thoughts and he turned, shadow tricks momentarily forgotten as he raised his gaze to meet the amused golden ones of the young Shihouin. His eyebrow raised as he saw who was behind his friend – Ryuu's hair was pulled back into a tail behind his head, and Shizurugi was at his side, a clear indication that he'd been training.
"You two are making this a regular thing now, are you?" Juushirou shunted over on the grass, moving his book so that the two boys could sit down. "Training together, I mean – out in the far field."
"Not necessarily." Ryuu admitted, dropping down on the grass and fanning himself with his hand. "It's a hot day today, you know, out in the sun. Just since Father came here I've been reminded a little more of my own need to keep my skills sharp. Just in case there are people out there who really do intend on stealing my life."
"There almost certainly are." Kai said bluntly. "But I'm not one of them, and so that makes me a good training partner. Besides, I'm always game to spar or train, if it means keeping my own skills at their top level. If Ryuu wants to spar me, I don't have an objection. Seems common sense to me, given my class rank."
"What's unnatural about it is the two of you suddenly working together by choice, instead of by force, though." Shunsui reflected thoughtfully. "I didn't get to see Seiren-dono, unfortunately, because I was tied up with Nii-sama. But I heard he left the school in high dudgeon, and since then you've both been unusually friendly to one another. I have no clue what happened exactly – but I'm guessing it was some kind of a miracle."
"Not a miracle." Ryuu shook his head, casting Shunsui a faintly irritated look. "Don't be so foolish, Kyouraku. It's a matter of needs must. Shihouin and I are forced into each other's company a fair bit by Sensei's own instruction. It occurred to both of us that in this uncertain time we should utilise that fact – to strengthen other people's beliefs that neither I nor he are involved nor thrown off track by the events in District Six."
"Even if there's a Shihouin who's suspected in this." Kai added emphatically. "I suppose you could call it an alliance forged in adversity – but Kuchiki wants to slash holes in things at the moment. It's hard to tell, when you just see him sitting quietly like this – but when he's got his sword, he's angry. And I like angry…sparring angry is fun. I suggested we went down to train a while this morning…seeing as he's got a lot of angry to let out."
"I suppose it is like that." Ryuu acknowledged, glancing at his hands. "There is a lot of anger…and expunging that anger does make it easier to focus on the important things ahead, such as assessments and the like."
He reached over to pick up Juushirou's book.
"At least you seem to be studying, Ukitake. I won't even ask Kyouraku if he is – but I wonder if I might borrow this volume from you at some point this week? The library copy is missing a few pages and has been sent for re-binding, but I need to clarify some of those theories Uebashi is so fond of at present."
"Sure." Juushirou nodded. "If you want, you can come to the nest this evening and we'll go over them together. It might work better that way – I could use someone to bounce thoughts off, rather than just reading dry text, and you're good at seeing the intricacies of these things, so it would probably help."
"With pleasure." Ryuu inclined his head, setting the book back down. "After dinner, then? I have nothing else pressing then."
His gaze flitted to Kai, and to Shunsui's surprise, the Shihouin boy nodded.
"I have Kazoe's paper to finish writing up." He said casually. "I could use the peace and quiet too."
"You could have done it last evening, when I was penning mine." Ryuu pointed out archly, and Kai grinned.
"I know, but you had custody of the books, and I've learnt that touching your books when you're studying is only a level down from a declaration of war." He said wryly. "It's fine. I'm almost done – and I'll finish it tonight."
"It really is quite surreal." Shunsui sat back on his hands. "A disaster within the Kuchiki Clan has brought you two to civil terms, rather than split you further apart. I was worried when all of this began and the Shihouin name got bandied around but…I guess I didn't need to be. It's a little creepy, in fact – I keep waiting for the punchline."
"If Ryuu and Kai are getting along better, then that's a good thing." Juushirou scolded. "It means something positive has come out of all of this."
"A death bringing people together, huh." Ryuu's eyes became thoughtful, and Shunsui sent him a quizzical look.
"Ryuu?"
"Nothing." Ryuu shook his head. "I was just thinking…how true those words can be. And how it is a gamble…that death can divide people or it can bring them to the same understanding. When death occurs, nobody really knows which way things will go, do they?"
"What are you talking about now?" Kai arched his eyebrow, and Ryuu offered him a long-suffering glance.
"What I said." He said flatly. "Ribari-sama's death might have divided people. It certainly has divided my Uncle and my cousin, and it may have divided both my Uncles from each other. But it has not divided the Kuchiki and the Shihouin. Rather they are reaching out for mutual assistance. It has occurred to me that Ribari-sama's death may have been designed to create many divides, but the opposite effect could not be removed. And so…perhaps other deaths…which were intended to unite people…perhaps they too cause divides that cannot be prevented."
"You've lost me." Shunsui glanced at Juushirou, who shrugged his shoulders. "You're talking in tongues, Ryuu-kun. Death is a drastic solution to any problem – it should be avoided if possible, let's leave it at that."
Except if the person is Aizen Keitarou, perhaps?
Amaki's voice was soft and unexpected, and it was all Shunsui could do not to respond to the words out loud. Instead he frowned, interpreting the prickle of energy that had suddenly penetrated his consciousness.
Perhaps. I don't know, yet. Where he's concerned…I don't know.
Death divides and death unites, huh.
That was Seibara.
Your Kuchiki friend is no fool, is he? You should bear that in mind too, Shunsui. Death brings challenges of all kinds, and so does life. Death isn't always a solution. Sometimes it begins more than it ends.
I know. I didn't say I wanted to kill Keitarou, did I? Just I want him to leave Juu alone. His life or death is a matter for Council justice. So long as he leaves Juu alone…
If he doesn't, then what?
Then I suppose we'll find out what my true feelings are.
Shunsui let out a heavy sigh.
Leave me alone, please, both of you. You've had far too much of my time of late, and you've expressed far too many of my own doubts back at me for me to be really comfortable with the lessons you're teaching me. Shadow tricks are all very well – but I can't always live in the darkness. Can I?
That's up to you.
Seibara's voice was gentle, but there was no sympathy in her soft tones.
You decide whether the darkness or the light in your sword is stronger – and within you, too.
"There he goes again. Spacing out." Juushirou's voice penetrated his thoughts and as Kai reached out a sharp elbow to jab him in the ribs Shunsui started, gazing around him in surprise.
"No kidding." Kai laughed. "Wake up, Kyouraku. You can't go to sleep out here – go to the dorm if you're really that tired."
"I'm not tired. Just enjoying the sun." Shunsui recovered himself, shaking his head with a rueful smile. "It's bright today, and warm too. It reminds me of home – and that summer break is almost here."
"Summer break, huh." Kai looked thoughtful. "I hope that I can take a little bit of this weather back with me when I go see Neesama. I've heard she's in a generally foul temper about everything at the moment, since this Kuchiki business began. I'm hoping to get home and back in one piece, but I wouldn't guarantee it."
"Mitsuki and I will not be going home." Ryuu said archly. "Following my conversation with my Father of late, I am quite content with that arrangement. I should sooner stay in District One anyway – there is truly nothing at home to entice me to travel."
"I'm going to Eighth with Shunsui, so I'll remember to poke and prod him plenty to keep him on the same planet as the rest of us." Juushirou grinned, and Shunsui returned it, though with faint misgivings in his heart.
You don't know the reasons why you're going with me, though. I lied to you then – or kept it from you. Maybe that's not fair. I suppose we'll soon see – it won't take you long to work out that there's more to the invitation than meets the eye.
"You'll get to play big brother with my nephew, then." He bantered out loud, keeping his tone light even as he glanced up at the bright summer sun.
Sun and night. Shadow and light. One can't exist without the other. The brighter the sun, the darker the shadow – the denser the blackness, the deeper the abyss. Even on a bright day like today, there's nowhere that's immune from shade. Is that true of my soul as well? The darkness that lives there is always there, regardless of how bright and cheerful everything else seems to be?
He gazed briefly at his fingers, watching the mottled pattern of the tree leaves dance against his fingers.
I'm capable of killing Keitarou. That's what you want me to know. If I work hard, train hard…fight hard. One day I'll be strong enough to do that – and to do it without restraint. These hands are capable of bringing death – I've just not wanted to admit it.
His eyes flitted to Juushirou, who oblivious to his concerns was laughing at something Ryuu had said.
But to protect the things that are important to me, I wonder. And if you would forgive me, Juushirou, for even thinking that way.
"How long are you going to watch the waves for, Shiki-chan?"
At the sound of Hiroyuki's voice, Shikiki turned, a melancholy expression in her aqua eyes as he sauntered across the sands towards her.
"He's long gone by now, you know. You won't see anything of him just by standing here like this."
"I know." Shikiki reached up to take her adopted brother's proffered hand, feeling faintly comforted by the older boy's squeezing of her fingers. "I just…I'm worried about him, Hiro-nii. I can't help but be – the coves are so dangerous."
"His path is entirely dangerous, with or without the boat ride." Hiroyuki said seriously. "But I think he understood the safest route to take and last night the weather was calm and clear. He had a good moon to follow, and by now he should be some distance into neutral waters. He's not an idiot – and I don't think he's going to die easily. Not when you went to so much trouble to save his life."
"Mm." Shikiki turned her gaze back towards the smooth surface of the sea water.
"You don't like it when people go, do you?" Hiroyuki asked her gently, and Shikiki shook her head.
"But if it means Shirogane-nii gets his family back, then it's all right." She murmured softly, leaning up against the taller boy as a faint sea breeze drifted gently around the cove. "Because Shirogane-nii loves his family, Hiro-nii. And we were able to help him a whole lot. But we can't be those people that he wants to be with – it just doesn't work that way."
"Do you have people like that, Shiki-chan?" Hiroyuki asked her, and Shikiki raised her gaze, a thoughtful look in her eyes.
"Yes." She admitted. "But I don't know where they are – or they've already died and gone with the spirits and I won't see them until it's my turn to die too. People like my parents – people like Dai-nii and his family. And even…"
She pinkened, then,
"Even though he didn't want me, sometimes, Kei-nii." She whispered. "Because he saved me…and…I suppose…"
"That person hurt Shiro-nii, though, and did a lot of other bad things." Hiroyuki frowned, and Shikiki nodded.
"I know." She agreed sadly. "It's not that I want to go back to him, or anything like that. And even if I did see him, I know I wouldn't be able to change him. But…Kei-nii was a hurt person too, Hiro-nii. Someone I couldn't fix, but I knew it anyway. All kinds of bad things happened to him and he lost his family. That's why it matters to me to help Shirogane-nii find his. Losing people like that can make people go bad – even kind people."
She sighed heavily.
"Kei-nii had a nice person inside him too." She said matter-of-factly. "Kei-nii was a nice person who cared about me and who cried when Dai-nii was killed. But that nice person was swallowed up by hate because of the bad things that happened to him and to his family. I don't think that anyone can save him from that, now. It's too late. But…Shirogane-nii…"
"Shirogane-dono doesn't hate his people." Hiroyuki said firmly. "On the contrary, it's the opposite. It's like you said – he's worried for his family. And I'm sure they haven't really betrayed him – I'm sure that it will all be straightened out."
"Yes." Shikiki nodded resolutely. "Because Shirogane-nii's still alive, so he can sort them out."
She offered Hiroyuki a faint smile, tears glittering on her lashes.
"If I hadn't had Juu-nii, and Hiro-nii and everyone else, maybe I'd have grown up to be a bad person, too." She said unevenly. "Because when people die all the time, it starts to be all that you know about. That people dying…you stop caring so much about it. And eventually…maybe you start to want to make people die. Like Kei-nii. Maybe if I hadn't come here, I would be like that too. But I won't be – because I'm not alone any more. I have a place and I belong here and I know it isn't going to be taken away. I want…I want Shirogane-nii to have that too, Hiro-nii. With his family. Where he belongs."
"Me too." Hiroyuki ruffled his fingers absently through her thick curly hair. "But we've done all we can do for him now. It's up to him what happens next, Shiki-chan – all we can do is have faith and hope for the best."
Author's Note: Happy Birthday, Juu!
Also, Happy Birthday Meifu's Gate - 2 years old today ;)
This will be the last chapter before Christmas - there will not be one on Saturday and it's today on account of it being Juu's birthday.
There will be a chapter sometime next week but I can't say yet when...
If you celebrate, have a good one. If not, have a good day regardless =D