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.

43. Minstrel

Chapter Forty Two: Minstrel

It was a bright, breezy day, a stark contrast to the deluge of downpours from the day before.

Shirogane reached up to pull his rough fabric cloak down from the branch of the elm tree where it had hung overnight, a faint smile touching his lips as he registered that it was almost completely dry. His sandals too, though half caked with mud were less squelchy than they had been the evening before, and he picked them up, glancing at them pensively before sliding them onto his feet.

Ten days had passed since he had arrived on the shores of District Three, a wild tempest of a storm crashing his boat from the open sea into a river delta where the thick mud and rough current had forced him to run aground. Though he had studied the maps in Hiroyuki's old books before leaving, he had had absolutely no idea where he was, for the storm had made him lose his bearings completely, and he could not remember a river on the plans and diagrams he had memorised before setting sail. An inexperienced sailor anyhow, he had at first simply been glad of the thought of being once more on land, but as he had waded through the thick, cloying mud to drier ground, he had got a proper look at his surroundings.

Shirogane had never been to District Three before, and the bleak landscape that had greeted him had made him think fleetingly with regret of the sakura-speckled hills of the places he had left behind. He had soon schooled his thoughts in the direction of finding food and drink, however, for the rations that the Ukitake family had given him before his departure had long since run out, and once he had concealed the boat in heavy reeds at the water's edge he had gritted his teeth, forging on towards any sign of a local settlement where he might be able to beg food and shelter.

He had not known whether Shikiki's suggestion of using the flute to play for money was a joke or a serious one, but as he had stumbled over the rise and into a ramshackle coastal town, he had remembered it, and, safe in the knowledge that his current bedraggled appearance would make him unrecognisable as a Kuchiki, he had swallowed his pride, the hunger gnawing at his stomach no longer something he could ignore.

It had been then that he had fallen on some luck, for a group of traders travelling through the area had come to listen to him play. Impressed with his skill, they had given him coin and food, and invited him to join their party as they moved into District Two. In return for playing music to cheer their journey, Shirogane had obtained not only companionship but a form of protection – and his sharp brain had soon realised that, demeaning as it might be, moving in numbers would be less conspicuous than if he was to travel alone.

Nobody would recognise this Shirogane as the boy who left the manor.

Shirogane wrapped his cloak around his body, enjoying the feel of the breeze against his cheeks. Wrapped in thick fabric beneath his clothing was Ginkyoujiki, the one precious companion he could not abandon, yet the one thing that could also give away his identity and put his life in danger. So far from District Six, he had relaxed his guard on his reiatsu a little – but he knew that it was not impossible for Urahara retainers to find him here – especially if Seiren's orders had spread to requests to other Clans.

Still, he might have been in a much worse state. After spending so long healing from his injury, Shirogane knew he was still not at full fitness and the long walk through the muddy, puddle-scattered roadways had taken its toll on his body even more. He had been grateful then for the hard regimes Guren had often inflicted on his shinigami squad, for without that background he was certain that he would never have been able to keep up with the traders, much less find air to play for them as they ate their evening meal. They were kind folk, if base and common, not merchants of high standing but barely literate individuals whose entire livelihood depended on them raising a few coins from selling their crafts town to town. Yet they were not stupid people – Shirogane had learnt that one was a wood carver, another a shoemaker, and a third had stitched cloth together to provide him with a cloak when she had seen him shivering through a windstorm at the beginning of their long walk. They had adopted him as one of their own, and Shirogane had understood that they saw him as one of them – a man living hand to mouth through his art, without firm home or shelter to call his own.

People in the Districts are poor and wretched folk. Some have barely enough to feed themselves, yet they take me in and feed me regardless.

Leaning up against the trunk of the elm, he pulled Shikiki's cheap wooden flute from its resting place in his sash, putting it to his lips and playing a soft, contemplative tune as he watched his fellow travellers packing up their wares for the journey ahead.

These people know nothing about me, nor do they ask questions about where I'm from or what I'm doing here. I expected them to recognise me as Kuchiki, but they have not. They are people who belong in their own strata of society, a million miles from my own. Yet I am indebted to them. To them and not to Clansfolk – for the second time.

"Gin! Gin, we're getting ready to leave!"

A middle aged man of about the same age as his Uncles ambled across the uneven ground towards him, a faint limp indicating that he had suffered injury in the past that had not had the chance to fully heal. There were no Kidou treatments for the poor, Shirogane had realised with a jolt – the man's wound had come from stepping into an animal trap, and only time and the fussing of those around him had allowed him back on his feet. Whether it still hurt him or not, Shirogane did not know – for despite the man's misfortune, he did not complain. Reminded of the Ukitake family and their pragmatic attitude to daily life, Shirogane could not help a but suppress a smile. He had thought that the Clans knew so much that the Districts did not – but he was realising day by day how lacking his knowledge truly was.

He had chosen the alter-ego of 'Gin', the alternative reading of his first name and the affectionate nickname that his cousin Meroka had given him when they had been small children. He had expected his companions to make the connection swiftly but they had not, leaving Shirogane to reflect on the fact that to the people in the Districts, reading and writing complicated kanji was sometimes a secondary concern in the battle to live day by day. Perhaps here, this far from District Six, the story of the fleeing Clansman had not even reached these people's ears.

I am receiving a new kind of education since my altercation with Seiren-dono. Perhaps I should be grateful to him for allowing me a chance to really open my eyes to the world.

"Ah, your flute never gets old," the man – whose name was Saiji – reached the tree at that moment, eyes twinkling as the young nobleman lowered his instrument. "It was a piece of luck happening upon you in the village, you know. At the towns we've visited so far, your music has brought far more custom our way since folk want to know where the fairy song is coming from. You were a lucky find, for sure – are you certain you won't stay with us long-term?"

"I can't," Shirogane shook his head, sliding the instrument back into his grimy sash with a smile. "It's a good compliment you've paid me and I'm grateful for your letting me travel with you as far as you have, but I have things to do which I can't ignore."

"You've paid for yourself, like I said," Saiji grinned, clapping a warm hand down on his companion's shoulders. "Come on. We should reach the borderlands with District Two and One in a day or two, I think – that's where you said you were heading, wasn't it? See a kinsman or something like that?"

"Something like that," Shirogane agreed, nodding his head. "I don't have any other place to go to, so I need to cross that border and go find my kin. So if you can take me as far as the border, it would be…that'd be great."

He reddened slightly, swallowing the more formal, aloof turn of speech that more easily gave away his high birth. It was easy enough to conceal your appearance from people when they weren't really looking, he reflected ruefully. But the habits of a lifetime were somewhat different – and whilst he did not look like a Clansman, if he wasn't careful, he knew he could still sound like one.

But I have spent a week with District children, and I have trained a District boy. True, Ukitake was well-spoken, and his siblings not unintelligent in their use of vocabulary. Still, it's all I have to go on – so I'll try and remember how they spoke to one another as well as I can.

"We need to feed you up some more before we part ways, Gin-kun."

As Shirogane and his companion rejoined the main group of six or seven others, an older woman cast him an amused grin. "You're far too skinny – you need to make a better meal. Picking at your food each night and sleeping like the dead – you can't travel on an empty stomach, and no wonder you're so easily tired!"

"It was hard for me to find food, before," Shirogane said, more than half truthfully, "and playing music doesn't guarantee you'll get fed. Some people just like to listen – they don't want to give."

"Some people stamp in your face and then laugh, just because they can," a young woman put in astutely. "That's why you're better off with us, Gin. On your own you look like you can't take care of yourself for a moment – you really should stick with us. We'll be going to District One eventually – we'd get you there in a month or two I s'pect."

"I can't wait so long as that," Shirogane shook his head. "I'm afraid my errand…my reason for going to First District is quite important."

"We can't meddle if it's family affairs, Funaho," Saiji said reproachfully. "You know how that is – family is private and Gin has reasons. We'll take him where we promised – though you'll play for us at market today, won't you, Gin-kun?"

At the trader's quizzical glance, Shirogane nodded.

"I promised that so long as I was with you, I'd do my bit," he agreed, tapping his hand against the flute with a smile. "I'll play and bring people to your stalls, don't worry. A promise is a promise and I won't break it."

"We'll be heading along the river road, today." The woman put her hand to her brow to shield her gaze from the morning sun, gesturing with her other hand towards the west. "There are three or four towns we might make coin at along that way, and then we'll be closing in on the border by tomorrow, I think. You'll keep up with us okay, Gin? Whenever I look at you I'm certain I should be giving you more of the food, else you'll pass out before we get there. You're far too pale beneath all that mud – it can't be healthy to be that fair, surely?"

Shirogane glanced at the bronzed skin of his companion, and smiled.

"I was ill for a time before we met," he admitted, "and not able to fend for myself. I'm a lot better than I was, thankfully, so please don't worry about me. I'll be fine – and I'm sure once I find my relative, everything will be all right."

I hope I'll be able to do that, at least. If I can see Ryuu, or Mitsuki, or Sensei himself. So long as I can get to District One…but I don't know what reception will be waiting there. Still, this is all I can do at the moment. So I'll do it and hope for the best.

"I wish you were going to stay with us longer."

As they left the campsite and stepped onto the open road, Funaho fell into step with him, casting him a regretful look. "It's nice, having someone else round my own age travelling with the group. Since Father died, I've relied on the others for a lot of things. But they're all so much older – this is the first time that's been different."

"I'm sorry." Shirogane was taken aback at the sincerity in the girl's blue eyes, and Funaho laughed, swiping at his shoulder playfully.

"You look so serious when you say that," she teased. "It's all right. Like Saiji-san said, it can't be helped. You have your business and we have ours. Just it's nice, having someone else who's my age along for the walk. And your music is beautiful. I never heard anyone play as nicely as you do. We've eaten much better these last few days since you joined the group – no wonder everyone will miss you when you go."

"This is the last way I expected to be making my trip to First," Shirogane said truthfully, "but I can't say I dislike it. You've been helpful to me too – providing me with protection as much as anything else. Travelling alone is dangerous, especially through strange lands."

"You're not from District Three, are you?" Funaho's expression became thoughtful. "You're like us – a vagrant from elsewhere who just happened to find himself in the river province."

"Yes," Shirogane agreed, "though honestly I don't know where I'm from these days."

"I shouldn't ask you questions," Funaho pinkened. "Saiji-san would be cross – asking things isn't allowed, because people have pasts and they're not the same as the future, necessarily. But you…you look so tired in the evenings, yet you still play for us. It's as though you've been through a lot of things in that past. And…I don't know. I feel like you shouldn't have to go back to that, if it's just going to make you suffer more."

Shirogane stared at her in surprise, and Funaho grinned.

"Father and I left home originally because my mother was violent," she said honestly. "People don't believe it, but it's true. She was sick in the mind, somehow – I don't really know how. But she killed my older brother when he tried to defend us, and wounded my Pa so he couldn't see so good. I was frightened – we both were. So we left and that's how we wound up like this. I could sew, and Father, even with his bad sight, knew all the local legends and so would get coin telling stories in taverns to half-drunk customers. This life is a hard one, but I like it. I'm free…the past doesn't tie me down. Nobody asks me anything – I'm just Funaho, and that's all."

"Just Funaho, huh?" Shirogane pursed his lips, aware of Ginkyoujiki's faint throbbing at the back of his awareness. "It must be nice to be able to make that break, sometimes. But I'm not as free as you – I can't let go that easily. There are things I have to do."

He sent her a sad look.

"I don't think my past is as bad as you imagine it to be," he added softly. "I'm just not so strong as you in facing it and moving on."

"If it causes pain, it's bad enough. It doesn't have to be gauged with other people's," Funaho said matter-of-factly. "You should live your way and be happy that you can, that's all. Won't you stay a little longer with us, Gin? Even if you can't talk to us about those things – won't you stay and become part of the group for real? We wouldn't betray your or abandon you, and we'd always make sure you were fed, even if it's not a rich life."

"Everyone thinks I don't eat," Shirogane was amused despite himself, "but no. We part ways at the border. I must, Funaho-san. I don't have any other path that I can take but that one."

"Oh well." Funaho looked disappointed, but she nodded her head. "All right. Then walk with me today, at the very least? If we're going to be saying goodbye, I'd like it if you did."

"I already seem to be," Shirogane pointed out, and Funaho grinned.

"I know," she agreed, "but you have a tendency to wander along by yourself, half in a dream. I don't know if it's just because you're not used to being with all of us and don't feel completely safe yet, or if it's because you're one of these musical people whose brains are in the clouds rather than on a good meal and a straight track ahead – but I didn't want you to do it today."

"I suppose I'm quite solitary by nature." Shirogane was surprised. "I hadn't thought about it – but it certainly isn't a matter of trust. I'm indebted to you and the others for helping me how you have, so I would be stupid if I didn't trust you, wouldn't I?"

"No, you wouldn't," Funaho said evenly. "There are a lot of dangerous things in this world. You'd be stupid if you weren't suspicious of kindnesses, even if just a little."

She smiled.

"But I don't mean you harm," she added, "so I promise that you're safe enough, walking with me."

"I didn't doubt it." Shirogane's thoughts flitted to Ginkyoujiki, and despite himself he felt faintly guilty at having deceived her so much. "I'll walk with you with pleasure, Funaho-san – providing I don't slow you down. You keep a fierce pace – it's as much as I can do to keep up."

"We won't leave you behind," Funaho assured him. "It's dangerous to be out alone in remote areas like this."

She shrugged her shoulders, looking thoughtful.

"My family are from hereabouts originally. District Two, I mean," she added pensively. "Not exactly this part, but roughly the same kind of area. It wasn't a rich place to grow up, but it wasn't the worst, either. On our journeys through Seireitei I've heard stories, though – well, we all have – about land in other areas. Places where whole villages have been put to the sword over things like spirit power or just on the whim of the people ruling them. That kind of thing makes me always wary and watching for danger. It's why we move quickly, too. Retainers don't really like vagrant traders very much, so if an area is already unsettled…"

She trailed off, and Shirogane's eyes became grave. Slowly he nodded.

"I see," he murmured. "There are a lot of things in this world that can't easily be controlled."

"Yes. That exactly," Funaho nodded. "Not for people like us – we don't matter much to anyone. But that's also a good thing – we're not important, so so long as we keep to the rules, mostly we're just ignored by regional authority. Here in District Two it's normally all right, though."

Her eyes twinkled in amusement.

"I don't know, of course, it's just a rumour," she said, dropping her tones as though confiding some great secret in her companion. "Some folk say that it's because the head of the Clan hereabouts is so frightening nobody ever dares to cross her. It's said that she can change her appearance to look like anyone or anything, and her sword can kill without the blade even touching you, so her people aren't ever likely to disobey. She could be anyone or anything – so she's always watching."

Shirogane's lips twitched into a dry smile as he pictured the young leader of the Shihouin Clan, white haori framing the black and gold of her Clan's colours. He had only encountered her briefly on occasions when he had been inside Inner Seireitei waiting for his Clan leader to give him emergency commands, but even so, the piercing nature of the woman's eyes and the savage reputation she had garnered for herself following the swift execution of one of her Clan members made him understand the reasons for such exaggerated reports.

But keeping District Two peaceful after the assassin cult of Kamuki-sama and his predecessors is probably not an easy task. Gaining control of so many powerful, indoctrinated Clansfolk with the death ethic foremost in their mind – perhaps she would approve of such rumours, if they helped her to keep her land safe.

He touched his hand absently to his cheek.

Her people would not welcome me here. An exile I might be, but I have no permission to travel here, nor any alliance on which to fall back. I might be just as much in danger of my life here as I would be in Sixth – perhaps more so, if there are Shihouin involved in Ribari-sama's death. I suppose I should be using my time here to find clues – but for now all I can do is stay alive so that I can reach Ryuu and Mitsuki and get help of some form.

"Gin?" Funaho's worried voice brought him back to the present. "Did I frighten you, saying things like that? Have you clashed with Clan retainers before? The look on your face suggests you have."

"Yes," Shirogane said truthfully. "I've been attacked and left for dead by them before. But I'm not so easy to kill, apparently – and they didn't bother to make sure of the fact."

"I'm sorry." Funaho's eyes became sober. "I didn't think that you might have come from one of those Districts where people get attacked."

"Not normally, no," Shirogane sighed, "but things can change very quickly. That's the power the Clans have – I realised it then. If the Clans move, the people who depend on them are powerless to protect themselves."

"Such is life in Seireitei," Funaho was philosophical, "but most of the time we're beneath their notice. And I like to stay that way, if I can."

"There was a rumour buzzing through the glens of District Four as we came through the pass into Third – before we met you in the river province." Saiji limped up along Shirogane's other side, sending him a conspiratorial grin. "Four's a quiet place – not much happens – but we crossed with some of the nomadic peoples who travel between Third and Fourth on an annual basis, and heard some colourful stories, I'll tell you."

"Stories?" Shirogane's ears pricked up. "Clan stories?"

"We'd spent some time in Fourth, this time," Saiji reflected. "We were trying to decide on our next destination – whether to go to Fifth and Sixth for the sakura festivals, or whether to come this way to the summer markets in Second and First. We heard in some of the border towns that there were guards all over Sixth at present, though, and no flower festivals to be heard of. The nomads hear stories, and they like to share them with other travellers. The stories go that they're hunting some dangerous criminal in Sixth. An escaped Clan rogue with a sword that can split and slice you through and no qualms about using it. Someone who dared to challenge that Clan – that kind of a person's someone you wouldn't want to meet on a late night, now would you?"

"A dangerous criminal," Shirogane echoed the words, "in District Six?"

"Well, who really knows? It might all be fantasy," Saiji replied with a shrug, "but that's what's being said. In any case, there were no sakura festivities in Sixth this year. Memorials and mourning for some young kid instead – so not worth our trading time to go there."

"A District shrouded in death," Shirogane intoned softly, and Funaho eyed him sharply.

"Gin? Are you going off on one of your musical daydreams again?"

"Perhaps I am," Shirogane offered her a sad smile, "but the sakura are beautiful. It seems a shame, if nobody's there to watch them bloom."

"You've been to Sixth?" Saiji questioned, and Shirogane nodded.

"It's my birthplace," he said truthfully. "That seems like a long time ago, though, and truly, nobody there would recognise me now."

"You should be careful," Funaho teased. "The Shihouin might mistake you for the escaped criminal, if you've come from Sixth."

"They might," Shirogane agreed ironically. "But a Clan rogue, Saiji-san said – do you think that someone of that level of birth and background would traipse through muddy puddles scraping together coin by the flute if he had any kind of power or influence to draw on?"

"The idea of it is a funny one," Saiji chuckled, clapping Shirogane hard on the back, and the young nobleman realised that despite their teasing, these people truly did not see him as anything other than the flute player Gin who they'd met in the river province of District Three. "Given the state of you from the march we did yesterday, I can't imagine anyone in their right mind would mistake you for a Clansman, Gin. Not even if you are from the same area of Seireitei. I thought you had an accent that was familiar to me – now I hear it again, it's a District Six accent, for sure. But I wouldn't worry. Even a drunk retainer wouldn't look your way, and if he did, we'd shield you from danger – wouldn't we Funaho?"

"Like anyone would bother about him or us," Funaho snorted. "Stop being foolish, Saiji-san. Gin's not like the rest of us – he's not immune to danger and he's not as strong as we are to the elements yet. You shouldn't get him frightened of retainers too. He can't help where he was born – you don't look at me and call me Shihouin for being born in Second, so you shouldn't play silly games with Gin for being born in Sixth."

"Ah, but there aren't any rogues loose in Second." Saiji's eyes twinkled mischievously.

"Saiji-san!" Funaho put her hands on her hips, and Shirogane smiled.

"It's all right, Funaho-san," he assured her. "I know that Saiji-san is teasing me – and I feel quite safe so long as I'm with you."

Because it's true, isn't it, that a Clansman would never be seen like this.

He glanced down at his mud-spattered peasant robes ruefully.

In the last ten days I've stopped shivering when it's cold and bleak – stopped wanting to shelter when it rains, and stopped worrying about the mud and grime that covers me from head to toe. My hair hasn't been brushed out for over a week, and the last time I was able to bath was before I left the Ukitake house. Yet these things have ceased to concern me. When did it happen, I wonder? When was it that I was content if there was a fire against the cold night, and when did I start to enjoy camping beneath the stars, watching the moon glittering overhead before I fell asleep? I don't even know myself, now. The reflection in the mirror that I saw when Miyabi first fastened back my hair was the face of a stranger – and more and more I'm feeling as though I'm becoming that stranger. When I get to District One, will even Mitsuki and Ryuu recognise me? Or have I changed too much?

"Maybe I really am Gin," he murmured softly, and Funaho shot him a startled glance.

"Who else would you be?" she demanded, and Shirogane's head jerked up, realising that he had stopped in mid-pace and though Saiji had hobbled on ahead, Funaho had waited for him.

"Sometimes I wonder," he said with a sigh, offering her a sheepish smile. "If someone calls you by a name, is that who you are? If nobody's there to call you any name, do you even have a name at all?"

"You say some of the weirdest things sometimes," Funaho sighed, giving his grimy sleeve a little tug. "I guess it's because you're a musician. They're always a bit funny in the head – at least the ones I've met are."

"Maybe that's it," Shirogane agreed, his gaze flitting briefly to the flute at his waist. "It's comforting, you know, too. Travelling with a flute means you're not travelling alone, since the flute has a spirit too."

"I'll take your word for it." Funaho's expression was doubtful, but she shrugged her shoulders. "Come on. We're going to be left behind, and you did say you'd walk with me and not wander off."

"I did," Shirogane acknowledged, obediently picking up his pace once more. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stop dead like that."

"Well, you can't help it," Funaho sighed. "Musical people can't. Your flute is beautiful though. I've heard people play before, but never like you. Maybe your flute does have a spirit of some kind – I don't know."

"It's the spirit of someone who seeks to keep me alive." Shirogane's eyes softened as he remembered Shikiki's words the night she had entrusted the instrument to him. "Someone who was kind to me and to whom I owe my life. Therefore I want to carry it and play it and keep it safe from harm as much as I mean to get to my destination. I can't let that person or that belief down – she wouldn't forgive me if I did."

"She?" Funaho's ears pricked up. "There's a she, Gin? You have…there's a woman back in Sixth that you've left behind?"

"A woman?" Shirogane started, then laughed, shaking his head. "No. Not like that. She was a young girl – perhaps like a sister, only not really one. She saved my life after I was hurt by the soldiers, and we became friends. No, Funaho-san – I'm quite alone now. There's nobody that I've left behind me that's like that."

"Oh." For some reason Funaho looked relieved by this, slipping her arm into his and guiding him around a particularly big and messy looking puddle that spread across the track ahead. "Careful – you don't want wet feet again or you'll take a cold. And I'm glad, you know – that you haven't left a woman behind. Because I'd be cross with you, if you had. It's unforgivable – to go off on your own and leave someone to worry about you."

"Maybe that's true," Shirogane agreed, "but there's nobody like that in District Six. I told you, didn't I? I don't believe anyone there would recognise me easily now. It's not like that."

"Mm." Funaho paused for a moment, then, "Gin?"

"Yes?"

"When you've finished…I mean, when you've visited your relatives and stuff, what will you do then?"

"I don't know the answer to that till I get there," Shirogane admitted. "It's complicated."

"If you come back this way, will you look for us?" Funaho asked softly. Shirogane started, taking in the serious expression in the girl's face. "For the first time since Father died, I've been enjoying the journey. It's not been a chore and I haven't resented it – I've had your music to send me to sleep at night, and because you're so hopeless at walking in a straight line and you get so easily distracted, I've stopped thinking about Father and started making sure you're all right. So it's helped me a lot, travelling with you. And I'm not going to like it when you go away – so if you were coming back…"

"I don't know what the future will hold," Shirogane said quietly, his grey eyes serious. "That's the truth. I don't suppose I'll be able to come back."

"That sounds like someone who's going to face death," Funaho said apprehensively, and Shirogane shrugged.

"This world is dangerous," He replied matter-of-factly. "You can't take anything for granted. Not even life."

"No. True." Funaho's eyes clouded. "Father's life was like that. One day here, the next gone. Taken by a creature – as people are in this world, when there are no Clan people there to stop them."

"A creature?" Shirogane looked stricken. "A white masked creature, with gleaming eyes?"

"Red eyes." Funaho shivered. "You've seen them too?"

"Yes. I have," Shirogane said grimly. "Hollows, they call them where I come from. Beasts that you should keep well clear of, no matter what."

"It's not always easy, and there's no way to fight back," Funaho said with a sigh. "But enough of this. Talking about it won't reverse anything. Father's gone, and all I can do is keep pressing on and do my best."

She shrugged, forcing a smile, though Shirogane was aware of the sadness in her eyes.

"Let's talk about something else," she suggested. "Tell me how you learnt to play such pretty music, or something like that."

"My mother taught me." Shirogane looked surprised. "It was something we did together, but she was frail and she passed away when I was in my teens. I suppose I keep playing for her sake – or for her memory – something like that. To be honest I'd never really thought about that in detail till recently, but I'm sure it's something like that that makes me play."

"Your mother's spirit and a young girl both watching over you." Funaho looked thoughtful. "But nobody else? No wife, no abandoned lover lurking in the shadows?"

"No. Nothing like that." Shirogane shook his head. "I've never given a thought to things like that."

For a moment he frowned, as Mitsuki's face flitted briefly into his thoughts, but he pushed it away, turning his attention back to his companion.

"Me either." Funaho grinned, this time a genuine one. "I didn't have time for it. Father used to say it, of course – that he'd like to see me settled, but I wasn't interested. I like my freedom. Perhaps I'm solitary too?"

"I don't suppose so." Shirogane shook his head. "You seem quite sociable to me."

"Well, I guess that's a compliment," Funaho laughed. "Though I sort of believe you, Gin-kun, when you say you've not had much experience with women."

Despite himself Shirogane reddened, and Funaho slipped her arms around him, giving him a playful hug.

"Don't look like that. It's one of the things I like about you," she assured him. "You don't know a lot about this world even though you walk through it every day. It's like you're not tainted by it, and I like that a lot."

"Not tainted, huh?" Shirogane frowned, then carefully detached her hold, shaking his head. "No. I can't say that's true. I'm as tainted by this world as you'd have me, I'm afraid – even if there are things I don't know about being a travelling trader."

"You've not killed anyone, though, have you?" Funaho eyed him keenly, and Shirogane shook his head.

"No. I never have," he agreed. "I won't say I've never fought for my own life – but I've never taken a life myself."

"Then you're not a bad person." Funaho said with certainty. "A bad person would kill those who came to kill him, regardless of their reasons. If you didn't, that means you're not bad."

"Or I'm weak." Shirogane said darkly. "One or the other."

"You have to look at the positive side." Funaho scolded. "And we're almost at our first location. I hope you've still got air in your lungs to play, Gin."

"I think so." Shirogane nodded. "Don't worry. I want to eat tonight as well – I won't let you down."

Especially since tonight is probably my last night.

He pulled the flute from his sash, eying it pensively.

I need to eat what I can in case I don't eat for another day or two after that. Who knows what awaits me in First District? Hopefully Sensei will help me, but if not…I had better be prepared for whatever greets me over the other side.

---

"Chihiro-neesan, are you going out again?"

As Chihiro paused to slip her sandals onto her feet, she felt a little tug at the edge of her kimono and she turned, meeting the curious gaze of Riri's younger charge. Neither Inori nor Shizuka had greatly questioned the reasons for their coming to Chihiro's home, for they were both young enough to adapt to such things easily and to gloss over the real reasons for why they had been uprooted from the village with no warning at all. As she gazed at the young girl's open, innocent brown eyes, Chihiro realised that Shizuka did not understand the danger that had faced them that night - and as she registered that fact, she found herself feeling relieved.

She nodded now, patting the young girl gently on the shoulder.

"My brother's come to stay with a friend of his near here, and I'm going to go see him," she said gently. "Well, both of them - I suppose his friend has sort of become a friend of the family in recent years. Since I haven't seen him for a while, I want to take what chances I can to see Juu-nii while he's here."

"Chihiro-neesan's oniisan." Shizuka's small features became thoughtful. "But why can't you see him often, Chihiro-nee? Inori's my brother an' I see him all the time."

"I know," Chihiro laughed, giving the small girl a hug, "and that used to be true for me, too. But when I got married, I came to live here. My family home is a long way from this place - a very long way, further than you've ever been."

"Further even than Teika-chou?" Shizuka's eyes became wide, and Chihiro nodded, holding her companion at arm's length.

"Much further," she agreed. "It's not easy for me to see Juu-nii very often now. That's why I'm going to go see him while he's staying nearby."

She sighed, chewing down on her lip, then,

"Shizuka-chan, you're not scared, are you?" she asked softly, and Shizuka looked startled, shaking her head.

"Why?" she asked curiously, and Chihiro got to her feet, patting the young girl on the head absently.

"I just wondered, since you had to come so suddenly to our home."

"But Chihiro-neesan is nice." Shizuka beamed. "Besides, Inori-nii said Riri-nee was sick an' you were looking after her. That's what Takeshi-san said too. That you were helping Riri-nee, an' so we had to stay here for a while."

She tilted her head on one side, eying Chihiro for a moment, then,

"Riri-nee is okay, isn't she?"

"She'll be fine," Chihiro nodded. "But you're right, she does have to stay here a while and you two do too. But so long as you don't mind, it's all all right."

She grinned.

"I'll see you later. I promised Oniisama I'd be at the manor early and he'll be wondering where I am."

"If you'll wait a few more moments to leave, Chihiro, we'll come along with you."

The sound of Riri's voice made her start and she swung around, her eyes widening as she registered the fact that the courtesan was not only risen but properly dressed, her own worn sandals on her feet and a light shawl wrapped around her shoulders. The temperature outside was warm by Chihiro's standards, but for a District Eight native there was a light breeze, and more than once Takeshi had complained about how cool this summer was proving to be. Riri too was a native of Eighth District, and at the sight of her in this attire, Chihiro's heart leapt.

"You're coming...with me?"

"Shizuka and Inori will have to come too, since there's nobody here to watch them," Riri nodded her head. "But if that's all right by your brother, then yes, I will."

"It'll be fine by him. He likes children...well, he's had enough of us to help mentor over the years." Chihiro's eyes shone. "But...are you just coming to meet him? Or...?"

"Shizuka-chan, Inori's got your slippers ready!" Riri cut across her friend's question, casting the young girl a faint smile. "Run and get them from him, all right? He'll help you put them on. We're going to take a little walk, since it's a clear morning and the air will do us all good."

"Yes, Riri-nee!" Shizuka's eyes lit up and she darted off to do as she was bidden, leaving the two adults alone. Once she was gone, Chihiro cast Riri a quizzical glance.

"Why are you coming?" she asked softly. "You're welcome, you know that, but..."

"I want to meet your brother," Riri said levelly.

"And?"

"And that's all."

Riri sighed, glancing at her hands. "I won't promise more, Chihiro. I can't. But if I feel...that I can tell him, then I will. I just...can't judge whether I can trust someone until I meet them. Even if he's a kinsman of yours - he's a stranger to me. And he's connected to that Clan through his friendships, so I have to be careful what I do."

"I suppose that's fair," Chihiro nodded, "and it's all right that way. I'm not going to break my promises to you - whatever you choose to say will be up to you. Just, from what Juu-nii said to me about the bigger situation, you might still be in danger if you don't talk about it. The children too. Even Takeshi and I. Juu-nii thinks someone with spiritual power is involved - and if that's the case, Takeshi is no protection at all. Juu-nii and Shunsui on the other hand...both of them have spiritual power. They'd know a way to protect all of us - and you said you wanted to protect the children most, didn't you?"

"It's for their sake I'm coming now," Riri agreed, as the patter of small footsteps told them that the junior members of the house were ready. "All right? Inori, take Shizuka's hand. We're going to stick close to Chihiro because she knows where we're heading - try to keep up with us, all right?"

"Yes, Riri-nee!" Inori reached out to take Shizuka's tiny paw in his own, and Riri cast Chihiro a glance.

"Well? It seems we're ready," she said softly. "Shall we go?"

For a while they walked in silence through the cluster of buildings that were designated as family homes for members of Tokutarou's military guard. They were none of them big houses, and all identical in size and shape, but although they had been built as a spill-over from barracks for those officers with wives and family, to Chihiro it was almost like a village in its own right. A few of the wives of men she knew bowed their head in greeting to her as they passed, but Riri received several thoughtful glances, and Chihiro knew that the rumours of the prostitute lodging in their home had spread far and wide.

Oh well. It's true, so I can't really refute it. Best to say as little as possible.

Soon they reached the gate, Chihiro greeting the guard on duty warmly before gesturing to Riri to follow her down the woodland path that led to the manor grounds. The military village was within close proximity to the main house, separated only by the natural rise and fall of ancient forest that none of the Kyouraku lords had seen fit to destroy. Tokutarou was the same, for had Chihiro but known it, on his first arrival in District Eight he had found the walk both peaceful and beautiful, and so the old trees stood firm for another generation, casting shade onto the path and making the distance a pleasant few minutes stroll.

"Chi!" As they reached the end of the path, a voice hailed them, and Chihiro paused, seeing her brother striding towards them. Shunsui was with him, but as they registered the fact Chihiro was not alone, both paused, exchanging glances as though passing some unspoken message between them. Riri too had stopped mid-step, holding her hands out automatically to the children, who obediently huddled at her side, watching proceedings with curiosity rather than with fear.

Chihiro frowned, then hurried forward to grasp Juushirou's hands in her own.

"Juu-nii, I have someone I need to introduce to you," she said softly. "She came to meet you - and the children too. Will you come greet her with me?"

"Just me?" Juushirou cast Shunsui another quizzical glance, and Shunsui smiled, holding up his hands.

"Family first," he said evenly. "It's all right, Chi. I'll wait my turn."

"Thank you." Relief flickered across Chihiro's features. "Then Juu-nii, please come with me."

Taking her brother by the hand, she led her companion the hundred or so metres that divided them from the apprehensive courtesan, and at their approach, Riri bowed her head. Juushirou's eyes registered surprise at the girl's formality, but he followed her example, then held out his hand, offering her a warm smile.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Riri-dono," he said softly. "Chi-chan seems to think a lot of you - so I'm glad to have a chance to speak to you at last."

---

"So the prostitute has finally left her sanctuary, has she?"

Tokutarou frowned, casting Yasuhiro a pensive look.

"Do you suppose that's a good sign?"

"According to the barracks guard, Chihiro-dono was with her," Yasuhiro said quietly. "I'm fairly certain that Shunsui-sama planned to meet with her this morning, along with Juushirou-sama. It may well be that your wishes are answered, Tokutarou-sama - if you give them a little time to talk."

"At the very least, the girl's no longer holed away inside that house," Tokutarou sighed, "though I don't want any harm to befall her. Particularly not until I know what the situation is. If Juushirou and Shunsui are with her, she's probably safe enough - I'm not fool enough to think the power I have as Clan leader surpasses the strength they carry in those spirit blades of theirs. So for the time being...I think we can leave it to them. Don't you?"

"Courtesans are never ones to easily reveal their secrets to authority," Yasuhiro said wisely. "I believe it would be best left to Shunsui-sama and his friend. In circumstances such as this, Shunsui-sama's casual nature is a benefit, and not a hindrance. It's very likely this courtesan won't see him as Clan - and perhaps between them they can ascertain what we've not been able to."

"The clear link to Aizen Keitarou, huh?" Tokutarou grimaced. "I'm not sure if I hope they do or they don't. But at least this is progress. Very well, Yasuhiro. Return to your normal duties. I'll leave this in Shunsui's hands - and hope for the best."

---

For a moment there was silence, then Riri raised her gaze, meeting Juushirou's properly for the first time. Juushirou's eyes widened as he took in the girl's features, for though she was simply dressed, there was no hiding the fact that Chihiro's friend was a creature of some beauty. Her thick dark hair was tightly wound back in a long, wavy tail, but wisps of it had worked loose, framing her face and softening the effect considerably. Her eyes were troubled, yet Juushirou could tell that intelligence burnt in those dark brown eyes, and despite himself he had the strangest feeling that he had met her somewhere before.

Try as he might, though, he could not place where or why.

"I'm pleased to meet you too, Juushirou-san." At length Riri spoke, her tones touched with the local District accent, but her words clear and well-spoken nonetheless. "And that you'd take time to meet me, given that you can't be oblivious to my profession."

"If you're a friend of Chihiro's, then such things don't really matter to me." Juushirou was surprised. "She has good judgement - so if she trusts you, I'm sure that makes you someone worth trusting."

"Perhaps you're the same." Riri pursed her lips. "I'm sorry. You must think me wary, awkward and suspicious - more, rude for standing so much on ceremony. But I know as well, Juushirou-san, that you have questions you want to ask me. Chihiro's told me that, but even if she hadn't, I'd have realised it once I knew you were associated in some way with the Clan."

"Chi won't reveal your secrets, and I won't force them from you." Juushirou's tones became gentle as he took in the genuine anxiety in his companion's tones. "Just, sometimes when something happens, it's difficult to see the clear picture without all of the information. I know you've been through a terrible ordeal - that your life was threatened and it was frightening. Especially since you aren't on your own."

He cast his glance down at the youngsters, who were staring up at him in shy confusion.

"Chi-chan mentioned these two, too," he added. "Will you tell me their names?"

"Inori and Shizuka." A faint smile touched Riri's lips, and Juushirou realised that although they shared no blood bond, the prostitute cared as much for these children as if they were her own. "They are children of a dear friend of mine who died - I promised that I would protect them, and so I've done my best."

"Inori-kun and Shizuka-chan, huh." Juushirou knelt down, holding out his hand solemnly, and Inori stared at him, putting himself automatically in front of his sister as if to protect her from any unexpected attacks. Juushirou laughed, however, merely taking Inori's hand and shaking it gently.

"I'm pleased to meet you, Inori-kun," he said softly, "and to see that you'll protect your sister, too. It's the job of a big brother to protect his little sister - so I'm glad you understand that already."

He glanced across at Chihiro.

"Do you protect Chihiro-neesan?" Shizuka piped in. "Cos she said you were her brother...we were going to meet her brother, so that must be you?"

"Yes, Chihiro's my sister," Juushirou agreed, and at this, Inori visibly relaxed. "And I suppose that being oniichan is something I still take seriously. So yes, Shizuka-chan. I'll always protect Chi, even if we live a long way apart. It's the reason I have this."

He patted the hilt of his sword, and at the sight of it, Inori's eyes became big.

"You have a sword, like Takeshi-dono!" he exclaimed, and Juushirou grinned.

"Yes, though it's not quite like Takeshi-dono's," he responded. "It's not something that can be played with, so I won't be able to show it to you. But it exists to protect people - people like Chi, people like you and like Riri-dono, too. It's a very special kind of sword, and I hope it's going to help make this world a safer place."

"You are an idealist," Riri sighed, and Juushirou stood upright, casting her a smile as he nodded his head.

"I am," he agreed honestly, "and I refuse to stop being one, even if I've encountered bad things in the past. If I stop believing in things, then I won't ever achieve anything. So I'm going to keep believing in that future, even if at some point along the way it becomes impossible to achieve."

"Some might call that foolish." Riri pursed her lips.

"Some might," Juushirou agreed evenly, "but then you might say the people who do have lost hope or belief."

"An intelligent fool." Despite herself, a smile touched Riri's expression. "Somehow that fits the brother I imagined Chihiro to have. She can be idealistic, too...but perhaps it's not a bad thing, if if gives you something worth fighting for."

"Riri-dono, we want to stop the people who hurt you - the ones who probably took your friend," Juushirou said gravely. "Not just me, but Shunsui, Tokutarou-sama - and other people besides. Your life is probably still in danger - if they realised you hadn't been killed. I don't know their reasons for attacking you, but..."

Riri sighed, casting Chihiro a resigned glance. Then she nodded, sliding her hand into her sash and pulling out the sword ornament. Slowly she held it out to him, and as Juushirou took it, his eyebrows disappeared into his floppy white fringe.

"But this...this carries..."

"You recognise that emblem?"

"I do." Juushirou bit his lip, casting a troubled glance across the grass to where Shunsui was idly lounging against a tree, just out of earshot. "Riri-dono, how did you come by this?"

"It was given to me," Riri said simply. "I didn't steal it or beg for it or find it lying in the road. It was given to me as mine by right...it and another thing. Something I entrusted to a good friend of mine - a friend who is now missing, along with the item I gave her."

"Item?" Juushirou's heart skipped a beat, then, "A...pendant?"

"Yes." Now it was Riri's turn to look surprised. "But...how?"

Juushirou was silent for a moment, his thoughts swirling as he gazed at the piece of metal in his hand. It was well forged, and though he did not understand the Clan traditions, he could tell that it was no fake. He turned it over, his heart stilling a second time as he made out the character for 'plum' scribed into the back. It was not the only character, though, and his brows knitted together as he absorbed this information.

"Riri-dono, will you let Shunsui see this?" he asked quietly. "I know that you don't want trouble with the Clan and I appreciate that fact. But this is to do with his family and...and I think this crest belongs to someone very important to him and his brother. He won't hurt you, I promise - Shunsui isn't that way. But he should see this. Please, let me call him - let me show him what you've shown me."

"Riri?" Chihiro sent her friend a quizzical look, and Riri sighed, slowly nodding her head in resignation.

"I want Shizuka and Inori to have gentle, peaceful lives," she said quietly, her tones trembling slightly as she gazed from the young boy to his small sister, and as Juushirou followed her gaze he realised that the two small members of the party had lost interest in their companion's serious conversation, settling down on the grass a few feet away to play a game of their own. Their innocence in the midst of all this turmoil struck him especially, and he remembered with a pang his own younger siblings and the darkness that had touched their lives the night their father had died.

"All children should be allowed that," he said gravely, and Riri nodded.

"But it's easier for some than for others," she said pragmatically. "For the children of prostitutes, born without a father to protect them, such a path is hard to find. But I want it for them anyway. To be able to live honestly and to have positions where they can be respected, not reviled by the community or considered less worthy. I want that more than anything, Juushirou-san - and for that purpose I've done my best to protect them. Chihiro's taught me to letter and they're learning too - I want a better life for them than their mother had, and a better one than mine."

Her eyes became clouded once more.

"But if I got involved with the Clan, I was afraid of where it might lead," she continued pensively. "That's the reason why I've not spoken to anyone about these things yet – and why I wasn't sure I ever would. Although they're things I've always known, I didn't want trouble to come their way. They already lost their mother, and the name of their father – perhaps fathers – she took to her grave. They only have me to depend on and what befalls me also befalls them. So when I share these things with you, please understand that I don't mean to thwart Tokutarou-sama's investigation nor protect criminals who are acting against the law. I just want to make sure Shizuka and Inori have safe and untainted futures. To protect their innocence is important to me."

"Yes, I believe it is," Juushirou nodded, acknowledging to himself the sad sincerity that burned in those dark brown eyes. "And you're right. Children should be allowed to have that innocence for as long as possible – though sometimes this world doesn't like for them to have it."

"Your words suggest you've seen that first hand," Riri murmured, and Juushirou offered her a faint smile.

"Few in the Districts have not, in one way or another," he said pragmatically. "I'm a shinigami now, but I haven't forgotten my family or my roots, Riri-dono. I would want to protect them as much as you protect those two – so trust me that I share your feelings. If my siblings' lives were at stake…I would keep secrets too."

"Chihiro said you would understand," Riri admitted. "But you haven't heard everything yet, and you may change your mind. Being that you have ties to this Clan – I wanted you to know that my secrecy has been for their sake more than my own. Please...remember that."

Juushirou nodded.

"I give you my word that no harm will befall them from this conversation," he said quietly. "I'll do everything in my power to ensure that promise is kept, even if it means going to Tokutarou-sama directly to make sure that it is."

"I believe you." Riri offered another faint smile. "Perhaps I'm becoming the fool now."

"Then it's a good kind of fool." Chihiro reached over to squeeze her friend's hand. "Shunsui is a kind person, though. An understanding one. He won't hurt you either, Riri. I'm sure of that."

"Shunsui!" Juushirou raised his voice, and at the summons Shunsui raised his head, a question in his dark eyes. In that moment Juushirou was struck once again by a strange sense of familiarity. It was something he could not quite put his finger on, but something significant all the same, and it nagged away at the back of his mind.

Still, now was not the time for random musings about nothing.

He nodded his head, raising his hand to gesture his friend over, and Shunsui grinned, ambling across the grass in his usual nonchalant manner. At his approach, Riri dropped to the ground, bowing low before him and Shunsui pursed his lips, reaching out to tap her on the shoulder.

"It's Riri, isn't it?" he said softly. "Don't bow to me - this isn't a formal conversation. I'm here to ask for your help - not to subjugate you before me."

Riri raised her gaze hesitantly, and Shunsui's grin widened.

"It makes me feel pretty stupid, when people bow to me," he added honestly, "because it makes me think I ought to be doing something more responsible, and most of the time that's a hopeless ask."

"Another fool has arrived," Chihiro muttered under her breath, and Juushirou laughed, some of the tension in the air dissipating at his sister's off-hand comment.

"Shunsui, I want you to see this," he said now, holding out the sword ornament that Riri had given to him a few moments earlier. At the sight of it, Shunsui's smile froze on his lips, colour draining from his features as he reached out his fingers slowly to take it.

"This is..." he murmured, then, "Juu…how?"

"Riri-dono brought it." Juushirou was disconcerted by his friend's sudden dismay. "Shunsui, what is it? What's wrong?"

"Mm." Shunsui did not answer clearly, instead fixing the courtesan with a searching look.

"Riri-dono, where did you get this? Can you tell me who gave this to you? It's important that I know."

"You don't think I stole it?" Riri asked softly, and Shunsui frowned, shrugging his shoulders.

"I don't think that someone would steal something like this. I don't think anyone would be able to, in fact," he said gravely, "because of where it was...where it came from before. It's been a long time but I know...what sword this was designed for. The person who parted with this must have done so himself. I don't suppose anyone else would have been able to do so."

"There's kanji on the back, Shunsui. Like with the pendant Tokutarou-sama has," Juushirou pointed out, and Riri's eyes widened.

"Tokutarou-sama has my pendant?"

"Your pendant?" Shunsui eyed her sharply, and Riri nodded, her expression becoming wary as she took a step back from her companion.

"It was given to me the same time as I received that," she said quietly, "from a man who was my father, to my mother for my sake. They're the only keepsakes I have of my father, for he died when I was four. But he left those with me. The ornament and the pendant."

"Your…father?" It was impossible for Shunsui to go any whiter, and Juushirou stared at him in concern, half wondering if his friend was all right.

"Shunsui?"

"Riri's pendant was given to Momiji to get the clasp fixed," Chihiro said soberly, "but it disappeared when she did. It was the only other thing that did. Now you say that Tokutarou-sama has it..."

"Actually, he doesn't." Shunsui pulled himself together, shaking his head slightly as if trying to clear something from his thoughts. He reached into his broad cobalt obi, pulling out the glittering pendant and setting it down against the sword ornament in his other hand with a sigh. As he did so, Juushirou could see clearly the resemblance between the two insignia, and his brow creased thoughtfully as he interpreted this information.

"He passed it to me because he's entrusted this business to me in full. But it came to Oniisama by way of District Six," Shunsui continued. "Someone there who was involved in the assassination of a young Kuchiki nobleman was wearing it - and was claiming descent from my Clan by using it."

"In District Six?" Chihiro's expression became alarmed. "The death of Ribari-sama...with Riri's pendant?"

"We don't quite know how or why," Juushirou grimaced, nodding his head, "just that that's the truth. That pendant was taken off a serving girl calling herself Nanaki. She used it to prove to the Kuchiki a false lineage to the Kyouraku - which has been entirely dispelled."

"Oniisama said that the girl in District Six resembled the missing prostitute in District Eight," Shunsui added, and Riri's eyes narrowed.

"Momiji it was not," she said darkly. "Momiji is most likely dead. She would not steal from me - my friend is murdered, not a suspect in your case."

"I think so too," Shunsui assured her. "So does Oniisama. We think that we were meant to make the connection, but actually that's just lead us to you, rather than to suspecting her. Riri-dono, you didn't answer my question. How did you come by those items - who gave them to you?"

"I answered," Riri said stiffly. "My father gave them to me."

"Your father," Juushirou murmured, taking in the troubled expression that flickered once more through Shunsui's eyes. He frowned, pursing his lips.

"The kanji on the back," he mused, "can be read as 'Riri', Shunsui. You must see that...this sword ornament is much clearer than the pendant. It says 'Riri'."

"Riri is your real name?" Shunsui cast the courtesan a glance, and Riri smiled hollowly.

"Few prostitutes use their real names in active business. Especially ones like me," she said simply. "So no, it isn't. But Chihiro said that the kanji there could be read as 'Riri'. I was told it said something else - that my name had been scribed there by my father the night he came to us. I don't read kanji very well yet, and so I wasn't sure. I recognise the character for plum, but otherwise..."

"What is your real name, Riri-dono?" Juushirou asked quietly, and Riri hesitated, casting Chihiro an uncertain look. Chihiro nodded her head.

"Trust them," she said simply. "Tell them what you can."

"Magaki Sumomo." Riri let out her breath in a rush. "Magaki was my mother's name. Sumomo because I was born as the plum blossoms flowered."

"Magaki Sumomo." Shunsui twisted the sword ornament around again, and Juushirou could see the characters glinting in the light. "Or, as Chi correctly read it, "Riri."

He bit his lip, handing the ornament back.

"I believe you," he added. "The kanji for 'plum' was written on the back of the pendant, but I could not make out what the other kanji was. Now I've seen it on this, I know for sure. They are a pair and they are yours."

His eyes darkened.

"And the one who gave them to you..."

"Someone involved in the Kyouraku Clan somewhere," Juushirou reflected. "I've seen Tokutarou-sama's badge on Yasuhiro-dono's clothing, both yesterday in his office and before that, too. Takeshi also wears his badge, doesn't he? Clan retainers tend to do that all across Seireitei – I suppose as a badge of office. So it makes sense that Riri-dono's father was involved with the Clan when your Father was alive, Shunsui – doesn't it? Someone of high rank and status in his retinue, maybe – like Yasuhiro-dono is to Tokutarou-sama?"

"Naïve." Shunsui's eyes narrowed and he shook his head, closing his fingers tightly around the pendant. "Riri-dono, I'm sorry, but I can't return this to you while it remains evidence in a case against a potential assassin's accomplice. But I give you my word that if it's in my power to do so when things are over, then I will. However, I want you to confirm something clearly for me, too. The identity of the man who gave you these."

"Do you need to know that for the sake of your investigation?" Riri's expression became just as cautious, and Juushirou's brows knitted together.

"Why am I naïve?" he objected. "It makes good sense to me, if you think it through. Given what we know…"

"Who is your grandfather, Juushirou?" Shunsui's tones were hard-edged and sharp, unlike his usual casual air, and Juushirou bristled, staring at him in faint annoyance.

"What has that to do with anything?"

"Answer me."

"Kuchiki Kinnya-sama." Juushirou's expression became one of frustration. "But I don't see what that has to do with…"

"This pendant was my Father's, Juu. Tokutarou-nii already told you so." Shunsui cut across his protestations, fixing him with a piercing gaze. "But that could have been stolen and used by a close ranking retainer as a gift for a loved one – or a woman he considered dear. In that way, it could have fallen into Riri's mother's hands. However…"

He sighed, closing his eyes as the tension coursed out of his body.

"However, the sword ornament is different," he said softly, opening his eyes and meeting Juushirou's startled gaze with a troubled one of his own. "That could only have been crafted for Father's own sword, and I have seen it at least once before. This came from Tensonshin. Remember, I was there when Father died, and every memory of that day is still etched vividly into my memories, even now. This ornament was not fixed to that sword when he was killed, but more than once before that day I crept through the same passages and saw Tensonshin hanging above the mantle in his study. Those times, there was definitely a Clan crest attached. As a child the significance didn't dawn on me - as an adult I assumed he was so sickened by the Clan that he chose to discard it. It seems instead it was given to Riri's mother - but the fact remains that, since it went missing during Father's lifetime, the only person who would have been able to remove it would have been Otousama himself."

"What?" Juushirou's eyes widened, and he gazed from Shunsui to the wary looking Riri, horror and realisation growing inside of him as he realised in that moment what it was that had bothered him the first time he had met Riri's gaze.

Their eyes. It's the eyes. Riri stared at me…with Shunsui's eyes.

He swallowed hard, and Riri sighed, taking a deep breath into her lungs.

"My father was Kyouraku Matsuhara-sama," she said softly. "My mother was one of his common mistresses. I don't believe he loved her – I'm not such a fool that I believe in such things as romance between noblemen and common village wenches. But somehow he discovered that their meeting had spawned me. And so he came, only once, when I was about four years old. And he gave my mother the pendant and the sword ornament for me."

"He acknowledged you as his daughter," Juushirou realised, and Riri nodded.

"But then he didn't ever come back," she said with a shrug. "That was the first and the last time he paid interest in me."

Shunsui was silent for a moment, then,

"At least he paid interest in you," he said softly. "That's something at least you should take note of."

"Only because he had accidentally brought me about and didn't know what to do about it," Riri said ruefully. "My mother was nothing, and I also. He could have ignored us, but for his faults, Mother said he was kind. He didn't want to abandon us completely, yet he did not come a second time. I was angry growing up, but when Mother died I found out Father had died not long after our meeting, and so I couldn't blame him for abandoning us. Yet even so, I think...he was foolish. Kind but foolish. And...in the end...probably that foolishness killed him."

"Foolishness can't kill people," Chihiro objected, but Shunsui shook his head.

"It can. It does," he said frankly, "and Riri is right. In this case, it did."

He buried his head in his hands, and for a moment there was an uneasy silence. Then he seemed to get a hold of himself, sliding the pendant back into his obi and raising his gaze to meet his companion's.

"You are my sister," He reflected, "and that's why you've not approached the Clan. Not because you've crossed it in some way, or because your trade is one you think our retainers would condemn you for. It's that fact in itself, isn't it? That you were born of my father – albeit illegitimately – and you thought that Tokutarou-nii or I might take action against you rather than risk the shame of the Clan knowing such a thing?"

"Yes. Exactly that." Riri was well on her guard now, and despite himself, Juushirou felt sorry for her.

"I don't suppose Tokutarou-sama would do anything like that," He began. "Since…"

"Juu, I told you already once. You're naïve," Shunsui snapped at him, and Juushirou stopped dead, unsettled once more by the tone in his friend's voice. "Tokutarou-nii hasn't come here to question Riri and hasn't summoned her to the manor because she's a prostitute. That reason alone has kept him apart from her. Riri's right to be cautious. Just because you and I are friends doesn't mean the Kyouraku Clan is a safe haven or that such a thing would be accepted. Father did a lot of things in his life that I regret – including abandoning Tokutarou-nii and I to deal with our Uncle and the aftermath of his rebellion. But this is…"

"I should not have come." Riri made to leave, but before she could, Shunsui reached out to grasp her around the wrist, shaking his head.

"I am not Tokutarou-nii," he said frankly. "I'm not head of this Clan, nor its heir. And if you think you're going to run away and hide again now I know all of this, you're wrong."

"You seek to arrest me, then? For being tainted blood?" Riri reacted like a wildcat cornered against the wall of a house, and Shunsui shook his head impatiently, reaching his other hand up to touch her thick dark hair.

"This was Father's. Your eyes, too." He spoke in low tones, and Juushirou could hear the emotion in his words. "When I first saw you, I noticed them – but I didn't realise…how close they were to being like mine. I don't resemble Father, except by my eyes and my hair. You don't either – except for the same reason."

"Let me go!" Riri exclaimed, and Shunsui's eyes narrowed.

"Not a chance," he said matter-of-factly.

"Shunsui, stop it!" Juushirou tried to intervene, but Shunsui shot him a dark look.

"Do you think I'm going to let her run away and hide when people might be hunting her in order to take her life?" he demanded. "Would you do that to a sister of yours, regardless of the circumstances surrounding it? Would you do it to Shikiki, dammit, if she was in danger? Riri's life has been threatened once. Now I know she exists, I won't let it happen again. Do you understand?"

He turned his gaze back on the startled prostitute, who despite her strong personality seemed to wilt back a little under the strength of Shunsui's stare.

"I am not going to let you get killed,." he said softly, loosening his hold on her wrist and lowering his hand from her face. "I'm not my brother, so I don't have to worry about what the Clan thinks. So long as I graduate and take my haori like a good Kyouraku shinigami, they're fine. But you are my sister. If you think I'll walk away and forget that, you're wrong."

"Shunsui." Chihiro's eyes were huge. "But…you…this…"

"I knew it was possible," Shunsui murmured, and Juushirou was startled to see the genuine emotion in his friend's features, "but I didn't really expect to encounter it face to face, so I don't know how I should think or feel now. But I am absolutely certain on one thing. You can hate me if you like, but I will protect you. And I'll make sure Oniisama protects you, too."

"I don't want anything from your Clan." Riri's words were cold. "If I had, I would've come to you a long time ago. I have no intention of revealing our connection or shaming your family, so there's no need for you to…"

"Who said anything about shaming the family?" Shunsui cut across her. "I just told you, didn't I? I don't have to worry about what the Clan thinks – and even if I did, I generally don't. If you don't want the Kyouraku to support you, then they won't. If you don't want them to acknowledge you or pay attention to you, then they won't. I agree that might put you in a dangerous situation, especially with the little ones to take into consideration. I wasn't talking to you on behalf of the Kyouraku. I was talking to you on my own behalf."

"Shunsui-sama…"

"I was an only child growing up," Shunsui said quietly. "Father died when I was six, and most of the time he didn't even remember my name - if he acknowledged you, it's more than I ever remember him doing for me. I was taken from my mother when he died, and I saw for myself that this Clan is full of things I don't like. I still exist in it because people I care about are here – and because I'm part of it, I can use my skills to try and change the things that this world doesn't need."

He paused, swallowing hard, and Juushirou thought for a brief instant he saw the glitter of tears against his friend's lashes.

"I spent most of my time growing up playing with a District girl who was my only friend and the only person I could trust," he said evenly. "I didn't consider her beneath me then, and I don't consider you beneath me now. Whatever your life has been, I'm sure mine is nothing that makes me able to look down on you. And besides…"

He reached out to touch her cheek again, and this time Riri did not flinch back.

"I have a sister," he murmured. "I've never ever had a sister before. But I do. And I can't promise to be an ideal brother, or that we'll have any kind of family relationship in the future, because of the way things are. Still, though…brothers are meant to look after their sisters, aren't they?"

He glanced at Juushirou.

"Isn't that right? Brothers protect their sisters? Their…their little sisters? No matter what?"

"They do." It was Chihiro who answered, for Juushirou was completely lost for words at his friend's sudden and unexpected display of emotion. "They do, Shunsui. And Riri, you should let him. Shunsui's someone who can protect you – and Inori and Shizuka, too. Even if that's all you ever let him do – you should trust him with this."

Riri gazed at Shunsui for a moment, and there was a long silence, punctuated only by Shizuka's giggles as she and Inori tried to catch a butterfly that flitted between the flowers. Then she pursed her lips.

"The one who attacked me was robed in black," she said quietly. "I only saw his eyes clearly, and they were golden. I heard that was a sign he was a Shihouin, but I truly didn't see more than just that. A demon in the darkness trying to stifle the life out of me."

"Riri-dono." Juushirou murmured, and Riri shot him a faint smile.

"I can't identify the person who attacked my home," she admitted, "so I'm not much good as a witness. But his mode of attack was…strange. His eyes too. Empty. Glassy, maybe. They glittered in the moonlight as though he didn't think anything at all of what he was doing."

"He didn't speak to you?" Shunsui asked, and Riri shook her head.

"He didn't speak at all," she responded. "He was just there, and then he was gone."

"What are you going to do now?" Chihiro cast Shunsui a questioning glance. "You will make sure Riri is safe, won't you? And the children – you will…"

"Chi-chan, I already told you that I have no intention on letting harm come to any of them," Shunsui said frankly. "I'll have to report this to Nii-sama – every bit of it, Riri, including the identity of your Father. I believe you – I can see it from those eyes even if you didn't have the trinkets to back it up. He may or he may not – but I have to tell him. However, I don't expect he'll acknowledge you. He has a hard enough time of it already where the Clan is concerned, and they probably wouldn't tolerate his soft-heartedness in that area."

"He's kind to me," Juushirou objected, and Shunsui offered him a rueful grin.

"That's why I say you're naïve," He said fondly. "You're a shinigami, Juu, and you're moving in circles much different from most District people already. The Clan may not entirely understand why Tokutarou-nii likes you, but they realise that you're the protégée of Yamamoto Genryuusai, and that therefore makes you acceptable company, even despite your background. Riri's different. They wouldn't accept her. To keep Eighth peaceful, the wider Clan have to be kept quiet. Nii-sama spends a considerable amount of time putting up with their idiocy – but rocking the boat after several years of peace and prosperity is not in his or the District's interests. Not even for the sake of a half-sister – I know my brother and I know the way he feels."

"District Eight's people matter to him, do they?" Riri looked thoughtful, and Shunsui nodded.

"It might not always seem so," He responded, "but yes. If anyone cares about the people here, it's him."

"And you?"

"Me, huh?" Shunsui paused for a moment, then, "I care about them too. No, I care about them more, maybe, than I care about my Clan. Aside from my immediate family, none of my kin are people I consider worth spending time with. But I like District people. They're real folk with real lives and they're not tied up in gold-plated fantasy about how the world is."

"That's why you're friends with Juushirou-san?"

"Yes."

"And why Chihiro calls you without honorific, as though your birth was equal?"

"Yes. All of the Ukitake family do that."

"And why you told me not to bow to you?"

"Precisely." Shunsui nodded. "Why should you bow to me? What have I done to make you bow before me? That's why I don't like it. Your life is as valuable as my life, and now I know half our blood is the same. Why should you grovel at my feet just because my side of it was legitimate and yours wasn't? I'm fairly certain that Otousama didn't stop and plan those things out, and it seems stupid to start practicing etiquette over what was really a lottery of birth."

There was something of the nobleman's usual insouciance in this last phrase, and Juushirou smiled, relieved to hear it.

Riri's dark eyes became speculative, then she smiled, and very purposefully dropped back down to her knees, bowing her head once more before her companion.

"Hey, didn't I just tell you that there was no need for…" Shunsui protested, holding up his hands, but before he could finish his sentence, Riri snapped her head up, meeting his dismayed look with purposeful brown eyes.

"This is my apology," she said simply, "for misjudging the Clan who are my kin by my father's blood."

"For misjudging…" Shunsui was lost, and Riri reached out to take his hand, using it to pull herself upright once more.

"I accept your help, Shunsui-sama," she said gravely, "in protecting my life and the life of those close to me. I don't ask anything of the Kyouraku – I have no connection to it and Father did not live long enough for me to gain one, even if I had wanted it. I do not acknowledge them or their blood connection to me. But I…I will acknowledge you, as one person to another who shares blood."

Her eyes twinkled slightly.

"I bowed in apology for misjudging your attitude towards me and the lifestyle I lead," she added. "Since you didn't offer me help as a Clansman, I needn't view you as one to accept it, do I?"

"Yes, she's undoubtedly your sister," Juushirou sighed, rolling his eyes skywards as the tension that had ripped through the area began to slip away little by little. "Swinging things around like that – I see the resemblance even more now than I did before."

"You think we're alike?" Shunsui blinked, and Juushirou grinned, nodding his head.

"I think so," he agreed. "Riri-dono is possibly a little more quick off the mark though when it comes to gaining ground. I guess her survival instincts are sharper – but yes, there's a definite likeness there."

"I see it too," Chihiro was amused, "and I'm glad. I didn't know how it would be, if Riri told you – but I thought it would be all right. That you'd understand and you'd try to help."

"Being caught between Clan and District is difficult. Especially in circumstances like this," Juushirou agreed. "I've realised it with the problems in the Kuchiki. I'm somewhat like you, Riri-dono – my parents were married, but my maternal grandfather is a Clansman within the degrees of the main line, whilst my grandmother was a serving girl and they were quite definitely not married when Hahaue was born. Whether Guren-sama knows it or not, I'm really not sure. But it's not acknowledged – and I don't know what would happen if it was. So I understand why you've held back. Just…I also know Shunsui."

He reached across to pat his friend on the shoulder.

"And I know that if it's him you're dealing with, you've nothing to worry about. He's lazy, informal to the point of rude, falls asleep in class and does the least amount of work that he needs to do the rest of the time. He drives almost everyone who's ever known him completely spare with the things he thinks and says. But…"

"Hey!" Shunsui objected, though there was a smile on his lips, and Juushirou grimaced in his direction.

"You called me naïve. It's my turn now," he said unrepentantly. "Besides, I was going to say…he's all of those things, but he's loyal and someone you can count on in a crisis. So you should count on him – and on me, as much as I can help – to try and get to the bottom of this. Tokutarou-sama will take it before the Council and the people responsible will doubtless be caught. Then you and the children will all be safe."

"I hope it's going to be that simple," Shunsui said pensively, "but at least we know some things we didn't know before, and that's a start."

"Then we'll head back, for now," Chihiro suggested. "Riri and I, and let you take on board everything that's been said. I won't take her into the manor grounds now, so Tokutarou-sama won't be inconvenienced. We've done what we came to do – Riri, is there anything else you want Shunsui and Juu-nii to know?"

"Mm-mm." Riri shook her head. "I don't think…there's any more I can say. Not about this particular affair, anyway. Just if you catch the one who attacked me – you will let me know?"

"I promise," Shunsui said solemnly. "In the meantime, I want you to stay in the barracks with Chihiro and Takeshi. There is no native shinigami squad here in Eighth at the present time, and I'm not a Captain yet, so I can't command shinigami to guard you against spiritual attacks. But I will ask Tokutarou-nii to authorise extra protection orders for you and for those around you – that bypass the normal chain of command if necessary."

He patted his obi.

"And if I can retrieve this for you properly after the investigations are over, I will," he said, a slightly wistful note in his voice. "Since it's something Father wanted you to have, and it should go back to you."

"Shunsui-sama, what did Father leave to you?" Riri asked softly, and Shunsui shrugged his shoulders.

"Spirit power," he said thoughtfully. "Lessons on how not to live my life. I don't really know what else. A memory of death, maybe? That's all. But I feel close to him, even though I wasn't. Because everyone says I'm like him…and sometimes it frightens me how much that's true. I took his crest as mine, when Nii-sama spoke to me about having one. But I don't suppose Father will ever really be more than a ghost in my awareness. No matter how much I think on it or want it otherwise, I didn't ever know the Father other people knew – before everything fell apart."

He spread his hands, resignation in his gaze.

"That's life," he concluded sadly, "but material things aren't very important to me – so I suppose it's all right that it's this way."

"Shunsui-sama…"

"I don't want you to call me that." Shunsui held up his hand. "Shunsui is fine. No ~sama. Understood? You said you weren't going to see me as Clan, so…"

He grinned.

"You might call me Oniisama," He suggested playfully. "What do you think?"

"I think that we're strangers who share blood," Riri said pragmatically, "but you're right. I did say that. Shunsui, then."

She inclined her head slightly.

"We'll go," she added. "We'll meet again, I suppose, when you return my pendant and bring me news that things are over. Shizuka, Inori – we're heading back now."

"Me too." Chihiro reached out to squeeze her brother by the hand. "Thank you, Juu-nii. I'll try and come up to see you at least once more before you go home – and we can properly catch up on news."

"All right," Juushirou agreed. "Take care, Chi. You too, Riri-dono. It was nice to meet you."

As the girls left, the two small ones trotting hand-in-hand between them, Shunsui let out a heavy sigh.

"Sister, huh?" Juushirou pursed his lips. "I didn't see that coming…but you did, didn't you?"

"Not until I saw that sword ornament and she said it was given her by her father," Shunsui said grimly. "At that moment it was like a bolt of lightning through my brain. I knew that even if a servant could have stolen the pendant, only Father would have had that sword piece."

"Your eyes are the same. I realised it too," Juushirou murmured. "When she and Chi first arrived, I had this feeling I'd met Riri-dono before, and that's why. It was because she had your eyes - Matsuhara-sama's eyes."

"Mm." Shunsui chewed on his lip. "It doesn't seem to have brought her much luck."

"Are you...all right?"

"Yeah. I'm all right." Shunsui nodded his head slowly. "My family have had a past track record of springing surprises on me, and this one is more pleasant than most. In fact, in comparison to watching my father die in a sword duel, seeing my brother and my uncle facing off with swords and then my Uncle committing suicide...I'd say it ranks a little better on the shock scale."

"You don't have to brush it off like that." Juushirou frowned. "There's no need to make a joke of it. It's something serious."

"Yes. Yes it is, isn't it?" Shunsui turned back to glance in the direction that the two girls had gone. "But somehow it's easier to joke about things when they're especially serious. I don't want to think about this too deeply. At least...not until it's sunk in."

"Shunsui..."

"For the time being, other things are more important, though." Shunsui held up his hands to prevent Juushirou from continuing. "I dare say we'll come back to this business later, but right now we don't have the time to worry about those things. I'll report to Nii-sama, of course, but then we have to focus back on the reason we came to speak to Riri in the first place. We have a mystery to look into, and I vote we begin with the true identity of the mysterious 'Nanaki'."