~Interlude : 150 Years Ago~
=The Kuchiki Manor, District Six=
Night was falling.
Silhouetted by the light of the setting sun, the figure stood alone against the carved edge of the balcony, wisps of his dark hair teasing around his face as the evening breeze began to pick up across the manor grounds. The heavy colours of his Clan robes seemed only to be weighing him down this time, and as he raised his gaze to the faint blue of light that he knew was the rising moon, he let out his breath in a heavy sigh.
"Senaya-nii."
The voice of his brother broke the unsettled quiet of the balmy evening, and at the sound of it the figure turned, interpreting the clouded look in Kinnya's eyes that reflected the identical one in his own. They disagreed about many things, but this was one of those times when they were entirely in accord. Different as they were, Senaya knew that Kinnya could read his heart and more, that he understood his older brother's pain and indecision.
Indecision was not a characteristic that usually blighted his thoughts.
"What news?" His words were soft, barely audible on the evening breeze, yet Kinnya heard them, and bowed his head slightly as he made his report.
"It has ended, Oniisama." The younger man's tones were even and measured. "Kiriko-neesama has been safely delivered of your second born child."
"And?"
"The child is also a boy."
Senaya's brows knitted together in consternation, a mixture of emotions flitting through his mind.
"A boy. I see."
He sighed, turning his gaze back to the sunset. As he did so, he heard the soft sound of footsteps, and then felt his brother's hand on his shoulder, gentle yet unescapeable. Kinnya did not speak, but he did not have to. Senaya understood without even looking at him the question his companion wanted to ask.
But it was too soon. All too soon. All too...
"I suppose they're waiting for me to give my decision, aren't they?" he asked sadly, meeting Kinnya's gaze with a pensive one of his own. "They hope I'll make this into another perfect illusion and sweep away all of their doubts."
"With respect, Oniisama, nothing has yet been reported to the Kuchiki court," Kinnya responded quietly. "On my orders, the notification has been delayed. Keiichi is seeing to it that nobody who does not need to know gets to hear anything that they should not."
"And the menials who delivered the child? What of them?" Senaya arched an eyebrow. "Gossip spreads quickly. We won't hide it. It's not possible to hide it when the Clan Lord's heir is born."
Kinnya was silent for a moment, and Senaya knew that his brother understood.
"I don't approve," he said finally. "It will create too big a fuss, if people surrounding this incident are to suddenly disappear. If that were to happen then..."
"Then what would you do?" Senaya demanded, for once lacking in his usual composure as he wheeled on his companion. "If this was you, Kinnya, what would you do?"
"What I did do, I imagine." Kinnya cast him a rueful smile. "There isn't a single person in this estate, whether kinsman or other who doesn't know that Raiko is my daughter and that her mother was a serving maid. Some secrets are too big to be kept."
"Then?"
"There are other ways to deal with the situation," Kinnya's eyes narrowed. "I don't know yet what your final decision will be, Oniisama, but as regards the menials, it seems better that they be paid off with rewards for their hard work in safely delivering both children alive into the world. That there's something amiss is probably beyond their understanding at present - and neither child has so far been named. If Senaya-nii was to be benevolent and to reward them handsomely and send them to the corners of the District, nobody would be surprised. This is a time of joy, not sadness. People would expect such a grand gesture from one such as you."
"There's sarcasm in your tones, Kinnya," Senaya sighed, "but I see your point and I acknowledge it. Very well. Both babies were breathing, then, when you left to report to me?"
"Indeed," Kinnya nodded, "but you shouldn't delay any longer. A decision must be made, and quickly...else that situation must change."
"You expect me to save him?" Senaya's eyes flitted to his brother in surprise, and Kinnya shrugged.
"I know the traditions like you do. The superstitions and so forth," he said lightly, "but I also know your heart, Oniisama. You can put all kinds of people to the sword - but I doubt you could put a child of your own making to death quite so easily. Not if he is simply a helpless, squealing baby, unable to defend himself in any regard."
"You know me too well. It's an irritation." Senaya pushed Kinnya aside, turning to make his way along the long walkway that led to the secluded annexe where his wife had spent her confinement leading up to the birth. "If I could, sometimes I'd slice off your head and present it to the court as a ceremonial gift - you do realise that, I hope?"
"I realise it, but I'd probably take yours first." Kinnya was unconcerned, patting the hilt of his sheathed weapon with a smile. "That's why you'll never risk it - because you don't know for sure that you can draw your sword more quickly than I can draw mine."
"Kinnya, tell me honestly," As they reached the entrance to the annexe, Senaya paused, casting his companion a frown, "if I was to...somehow...flaunt convention and decide to keep this child alive, would you support me? Even if the court had doubts...what would you do?"
"I'm here to support you, even when I disagree." Kinnya's eyes twinkled slightly. "But you needn't worry. In this particular instance, I happen to agree with preserving the child's life. Providing, of course, such a thing is possible."
"His condition was as feeble as that?" Senaya looked troubled, and Kinnya nodded his head.
"He was struggling badly for breath, and from initial inspections, it looks as though the Unohana's judgement on this matter is correct." He said gravely. "There is just too much reiryoku flowing through his body. She said it happens, sometimes, with twins. One of them gets the lion's share, and then cannot cope. But this is reiryoku of an unusually impure and unstable level. Perhaps even destructive."
"The other child is without?" Senaya asked sharply, and Kinnya shook his head.
"No," he replied sadly. "The other child is normal and healthy, which is what makes the situation all the more troublesome for all concerned. He is in possession of a steady and considerable level of spirit power which remains under perfect natural control. He is still only a few minutes old, but in the brief moment I saw him, I felt that fact very strongly. That baby is your heir, Senaya-nii. That one is the one who will inherit your Clan."
"Even though he is the younger of the two?"
"That doesn't have to be known by anyone else, though, does it?" Kinnya offered him a smile. "You want to keep these children. Like as not you've already named them, in that sentimental way you have. If the court knew how soft-hearted you really were, they'd fall apart around you - it's a good thing you have me to prevent them ever seeing that side. But your answer in that case is simple. The older child's spirit power is dangerous and the infant himself is weak. Probably he will never learn to control it, let alone wield it in a blade to protect this Clan. The Unohana said that there's every likelihood of it raging out of control at the least excuse, especially as he grows older. People would likely be hurt, maybe killed if you were to leave things as they are. That is, if this reiryoku doesn't kill its host before that time arises. There is no benefit in preserving such tainted, disfigured spiritual energy, since it will never be schooled into a zanpakutou of any kind. Seal it. Sever it completely. Lock it away. And then..."
"Switch them about?" Senaya's expression became thoughtful. "Make Guren the elder of the two, and Seiren the younger."
"As I thought. You have named them," Kinnya observed offhandedly, and Senaya reddened, casting his brother a sheepish look.
"I wanted to be a Father," he said ruefully, "and a proper one, this time - not surrounded by the complication and pretence of Futsuki's birth. I wanted a son I could acknowledge as my own, rather than having to give up to another to preserve the reputation of the Clan. Of course I named them. They're my children and I love them. Even without meeting them, I know that to be the case."
He pursed his lips.
"If Seiren's power was sealed properly, would his body recover?"
"The Unohana thinks so," Kinnya agreed. "He may be sickly as a child, but there's a chance he might grow out of it as he got to be older. At the very least he'd be of use to the Clan if he was raised to be to his brother what I am to you."
"A thorn in my side?" Senaya asked archly, and Kinnya inclined his head.
"Someone needs to be, and most people are too frightened to dare oppose you in the way I do," he said reflectively. "If you weren't so wilful and self-satisfying, I wouldn't be so needed - but that's the situation that we have."
"I wonder if we can pass that on to the next generation." Senaya rested his hand against the door of the annexe pensively. "This is the first time since I took on Father's mantle that I've put my own wishes before the family's, and I don't know yet how they will react to the idea of keeping both boys alive. But if they believe Guren to be the elder..."
"Seiren exists to support and guard Guren and make the Clan what his brother wants it to be," Kinnya said solemnly. "With no spirit power, his position in this family will be nothing more than that. But his life will be saved, and his rank as your son will be respected. You will not have to shed infant blood, nor risk them fighting each other for the Clan if one of them can't raise a zanpakutou or defend the family with spiritual magic. Seiren will learn that his role is dependent on Guren's prosperity."
"Then it's decided." Senaya's eyes narrowed. "Seiren's power will be sealed immediately. You and I, and the Unohana - that should be enough, I think. Guren will be designated my eldest son - nobody need ever know otherwise."
He smiled.
"My wife would not forgive someone who slew so easily a child she'd birthed," he admitted. "Making her cross with me is not something I look for, so your solution suits everyone quite nicely."
"She may be the only other person who can argue with you as an equal," Kinnya was amused, "but I'll back you up before the court. Just...this is your decision, Oniisama. Your step forward. I advised you, perhaps - but the decision is your own. They are your children. Just like I can't deny or abandon Raiko, so you feel the same about these twins - don't you?"
"Are you trying to apply human emotion to 'one such as me'?" Senaya asked astutely. "Well, between the two of us, perhaps I'll concede it, but not before the Clan, Kinnya. A Clan leader should be more than a man, and should not be prey to such emotions. I will speak to them and I will convince them of the sense of this decision. They don't need to know how difficult a judgement it's been for me, or how relieved I am to have a plan set in place."
"A plan? I see." Kinnya rolled his eyes. "That's what it always is with you. A plan of some kind or other."
They reached the door of the nursery chamber, and the younger brother reached across to loosen the catch, sliding the heavy wooden divide back on its runners. Offering Senaya a smile, he gave his companion a gentle nudge, and, a little hesitantly, the Clan leader stepped into the darkened chamber.
At first glance, all seemed peaceful within, the subtle glow of the Kidou lamps allowing just enough light to see by, but not enough to disturb the drowsing infants during their first hour in the world. Yet as much as he liked to create illusions, Senaya was not easily fooled by them. He frowned, his gaze automatically flitting to the furthermost crib, where he could make out the silhouette of the attending Unohana that had treated his wife throughout her pregnancy and to birth. A faint haze of magic surrounded that cradle, and Senaya understood that it was a barrier, preventing the older twin's wild spirit power from creating further commotion.
There were no other nurses present, and as Senaya approached the cradle, the Unohana got to her feet, bowing her head respectfully towards the Clan leader.
"Kiriko-sama is sleeping peacefully," She said in gentle tones. "It was a hard birth, and I have left her in the care of good attendants. She is in no danger, but is quite exhausted from the effort. I promised you would come to see her later on, when you had attended to business - I trust that wasn't too forward of me?"
"No, I will do so." Senaya dismissed this with a flick of his fingers. "But she is well? That is good news."
"Kiriko-neesama is a strong woman." Kinnya's voice behind him reminded the older brother that he had not come to this chamber alone. "I can't imagine her letting a little thing like delivering twins keep her down for long."
"She bade me tell you that she's completed her duty to the Clan." The Unohana rested her hand on the edge of the cradle, and Senaya was briefly aware of moving spirit particles as the barrier around the small bed increased. "She hopes you will see to do the same. She said you would understand her meaning - and instructed me to tell you her exact words."
"I understand." Senaya's mind flitted back to a conversation the two had had a few days before.
"I will bring them both into this world alive," Kiriko had said quietly. "As a mother, that is my duty. As a Father, it's yours then to ensure they stay that way, even in the heart of a jealous Clan like this one."
"What is the boy's condition?" Kinnya asked, and the Unohana frowned.
"He is weakening," she admitted. "It wasn't possible for Kiriko-sama to cradle him at birth, because he was struggling so much to breathe. I've managed to suppress a good deal of his overflowing reiryoku, but it is becoming harder to do. He's still far too tiny...even a couple more weeks in the womb may have given him more strength, but as it stands..."
"I see." Senaya stood beside the crib, gazing down at the tiny form of the first born son. He was indeed tiny - far smaller than he remembered Kinnya's Raiko being when she had been born, and for a brief moment he resented that fact. He slid his hand through the Unohana's barrier to touch the tiny boy's clenched fists, gazing at him with a mixture of emotions swelling up inside of him. The child's face was red and his features screwed up as he fought to breathe, but at Senaya's touch, his eyes opened briefly, and Senaya was struck by the expression in the tiny grey gaze.
Am I reading too much into an infant's face, or is that determination in his eyes?
"I've decided that the best course of action is to seal the baby's spirit power," he said out loud, withdrawing his hand and turning to glance at the other cradle where the second born son was sleeping peacefully. Unlike his twin, this infant was small but of a healthier size, his expression calm and his breathing even and steady. That two children could be born so close together and yet be so far apart in health almost broke Senaya's heart.
Kinnya's right. I'm soft-hearted, but I don't want to hold back this time. I want to hold them both - teach them both - show them both this world into which they've been born. I could never do that with Futsuki. I could never acknowledge him, for Kiriko's sake and for his own. Even though now I've brought him into my home, he still has to hold the status of a stepson, so as not to destroy his chances of holding good rank and making a good marriage match when he grows older. That will never be able to change. The divide is already there, and I can't cross it. I knew that when he was born, so I held back, and I don't regret it. But...
He brushed his finger against Guren's tiny palm with a sigh.
Kinnya's assessment was sound. Though the child was only newborn, it was all too obvious that sealed inside of his heart was a strong and stable spiritual potential that with training and hard work would one day be wielded in the Clan's favour.
His lips thinned and he turned to meet the Unohana's gaze.
"They are named Guren and Seiren," he said quietly. "They are the Crimson Lotus and the Azure Lotus, because as twins they will always work together. That is the purpose of their birth - to become a team and overcome the obstacles that the future will bring."
He tapped the edge of Seiren's cradle.
"As the younger child, Seiren's damaged spirit power can be sealed," he added evenly. "That way he can grow and develop normally without a threat to his health."
"I beg your pardon, Senaya-sama, but Seiren-sama is the elder..." the Unohana began, but as she met Senaya's gaze, a look of comprehension crossed her gentle features and she nodded, bowing her head towards him in acceptance.
"As you wish," she murmured. "I shall record it as such. It is normal with twins for the elder to be the stronger - therefore of course Guren-sama must be the first born. I shall convey that information to the Kuchiki archivist and will report to my own Clan leader that the Lord of District Six has been delivered of a healthy and suitable heir on which to place the burdens of his family's future."
"Thank you." Senaya's lips twitched into a sad smile. "For his sake too, it must be like this."
If people knew he was the older, sealing his spirit power would not be forgiven. I can tell, even with the barrier, that leaving him would be a bad idea. The reiryoku is damaged. The child may not survive to adulthood, or worse, may become dangerous to be around. Unlike his brother, it's not a level of spirit power that will ever be managed or useful to the family in any way. By the tradition of my Clan, Seiren's life should be severed - but surely, so long as nobody knows the truth...I can let him live? If it's the only selfish decision I make whilst Clan Leader...surely I'll be forgiven? I sacrificed Futsuki. I can't sacrifice another.
"I'm here to help." Kinnya's soft voice brought him back to the present. "Other than Kiriko-aneue, nobody else need know the truth. For Seiren's sake too - it's better that way."
"Guren's existence makes his life superfluous." Senaya placed his hands together, a faint glitter of spiritual energy gathering about the tips of his fingers. "But because Guren exists, I have the chance to save him and give him a life. Perhaps it won't be the life of a shinigami - but a life all the same."
"That's how twins are," Kinnya said simply. "They exist to work together, and one day that's what they'll do for the sake of this Clan, Oniisama, in your stead."
"The Crimson Lotus and the Azure Lotus," the Unohana sighed, carefully dissolving her barrier as she prepared to begin her own sealing spell. "The future of your noble Clan rests in their hands."
Author's Note: Senaya
Well, there he is. Guren's predecessor and father, Kuchiki Senaya - the man about whom much has been said up to this point. I wanted to give a bit of insight into the decision that was made and the struggle Senaya had making it, so this seemed the best way to go about it. Senaya was a very powerful shinigami who ran his Clan exceptionally well and left a record of an apparently flawless regime - but the flaws were simply removed and the secrets hidden on his death. This interlude section confirms the suspicions of some readers about Seiren and Guren and the secret.
There is another secret within this passage that the smart people will already have clicked into. I won't say what it is, or what it's connitations are, but it'll be interesting to see what folk make of it...