Chapter Sixty: Inner Evil
As Guren felt certain the last of his consciousness was about to slip away, something dazzling split apart the cloudy sky, cutting a jagged line through the heavy reiatsu cloud and striking directly down to where the two brothers' battle now stood.
Startled by the sudden intrusion on the scene, Seiren released his hold on Guren's throat, dropping his brother as though he was nothing more than a stuffed doll and turning instinctively to search the horizon for the source of the new threat. Guren fell to his knees, gasping and choking as he fought to drag air into his lungs. All recollection of his position as Kuchiki Clan leader was forgotten in that first moment when he realised he had staved off death – but for how long was still an uncertain factor.
Seiren had lost interest in him, but only for the time being, and Guren struggled to pull himself together, grasping his weapon and using it to support his body as he tried to steady his racing heart.
The sudden blaze of light had been Byakurai, but where it had come from, he did not know.
Had it been Futsuki? The older man had been unconscious on the ground, but if he had somehow managed to return to his wits, maybe he had fired the spell in order to break Seiren's concentration and allow Guren a chance to get free?
If so, Futsuki's own life would now be at risk. If he did not act, Seiren would demolish another kinsman before returning to Guren to sate his appetite for blood further. As Head of the Clan, Guren could not allow that to happen. A fleeting memory of the tapestry that hung in his study flashed before his eyes – the Clan leader existed to protect his subjects, regardless of the sacrifice to himself.
In order to protect the people here, wounded and rendered unconscious, he would have to act.
While I have the chance…while he's distracted, I must…
Slowly he pulled himself to his feet, light glittering falteringly around the blade of his weapon as he summoned more and more of his spirit power together to power the blade's release. Seiren's gaze was no longer locked onto him, instead hungrily scouring the surroundings for a new target to wreak his vengeance on, and Guren knew that, honourable or otherwise, he had a slim window of opportunity to cut down the monster and free his brother permanently from this demon's curse.
You said I should discard you, Seiren. I understand those words now. It was your wish for me to do this…I won't ask for forgiveness for acting as a Clan leader should.
He raised his sword, the light that surrounded it becoming more steady as his resolution grew.
I need to right Father's wrong. I promise to do right by Ryuu in your absence, Seiren…for now it's my duty to bring you some peace. Your son may come to hate me…but I will do my duty to the Clan.
He took an unsteady step towards his brother, then another, moving cautiously so as not to draw the creature's attention back his way.
He was almost within striking distance now. A couple more steps and it would be over. With one sweep of his zanpakutou's blade he could take his brother's head from his shoulders – a quick, clean swipe that would be over before Seiren even knew about it. One more step, and it would be finished. One more step…
A sudden haze of crimson energy blocked his path, knocking him back off his feet and wrapping itself tightly around his body. Alarm flickered in Guren's gaze as he recognised this too as a kidou spell – this time a restraining spell, 'Geki', fired once more by an unknown hand. The next moment the landscape lit up a second time with lightning, and Guren stared as the white bolt carved itself neatly through Seiren's mask, shattering it into fragments of chalky dust and sending the pieces scattering into the atmosphere.
Seiren's body was engulfed in a translucent glow of snow white reiryoku, then he stumbled forwards, falling heavily to the ground.
The red haze that cloaked his own body also began to disperse, and Guren heard a heavy sigh as for the first time the person who had fired the spell brought himself into clear view.
"Brothers who came from the same womb under the same moon should not fight in such an ugly way, Guren. You were born as allies – not as foes."
The words were soft, and faintly reproaching, and Guren knew he had heard them before. As a boy, his father had repeated them many times, and he had listened, indignant and defiant, the tell-tale bruises hidden beneath his expensive Clan clothing. This was not his father's voice, however, but another – just as familiar, and in its own way, just as strict.
"Kinnya…ojiisama?"
"I'm sorry. I stunned you," Kinnya paused at Guren's side, resting his weight on his stick and offering his nephew a hand to help him up. "I didn't want to restrain you, but I thought it would hurt you less if I used Kidou than if I didn't. You were already clearly at your limit."
I didn't even release my sword," Guren shook his head, pushing the old man's hand back and dragging himself to his feet. "Why did you stop me? I'm not a weak shinigami, Uncle, I'm capable of fighting my corner and releasing my own blade! More to the point, Seiren…I had to…"
"Your Father would not have forgiven you if you had killed your brother."
"He was trying to kill me first," Guren wheeled on his companion accusingly. "You knew, didn't you? The thing you didn't tell me, the thing Seiren didn't tell me – this was it, wasn't it? You knew Seiren was a monster from birth, and yet you kept it from me all the same!"
"Your brother is not a monster, Guren," Kinnya's eyes darkened, and despite himself Guren was reminded of his days as a child when his Uncle's strictures were second only to his Father's when it came to Clan discipline. "Seiren is your ally and your supporter – he is your twin, not a creature of some unknown creation."
"He is a monster now," Guren's gaze flitted to the still form that lay a few feet away. "He's become a Hollow of some kind."
"Doubtless this is a Hollow's reiatsu," Kinnya ran his fingers through the air, dispersing the heavy particles that had begun to drift away in the aftermath of the confrontation. "Seiren himself is still far from being a Hollow, however. You are not honour bound to kill him – and I wasn't going to let you do so. You must realise the repercussions that would bring, if you were to take down a man who, so far as the Kuchiki court knows, has no means to defend himself against you. Everyone here was rendered unconscious. There are none to bear witness to Seiren's unexpected transformation."
"But…" Guren's anger faded and he sighed, realising the logic in his companion's words.
"What would you have had me do, then?" he murmured, reaching up to touch his throat. "He meant to kill me, Ojiue. That much is for certain."
"Mm," Kinnya's expression became troubled. "I've never seen this before, either. I knew…of course I knew that Seiren's spirit power was damaged and deformed, and I counselled your father in his plan to have it sealed. That seal should not have come loose so easily, though. When I saw your brother not so many weeks ago, there was no sign of this in his aura then. From that to this in such a short time…there should have been more warning of danger. Your father and I believed that the seal would hold good for a lot longer…and to manifest in that way…"
"The man who had my son killed engineered it this way," Guren said bitterly. "Ojiue, did I ever mention the name Aizen Keitarou to you?"
"No," Kinnya's eyes became slits. "I don't believe you did."
"Then what of Urahara Keitsune – you must remember that incident, and Father's vote to have him put to death?"
"Yes…" Kinnya nodded slowly. "I remember something of that occurrence. This Keitarou has a connection to that event?"
"Keitarou is Keitsune's son. The Council have been hunting him for some little while in connection with the murder of Endou Shouichi and other crimes…including the solicitation and manipulation of your grandson Juushirou as part of one of his scientific studies."
"What?" Kinnya's eyes widened in dismay, and Guren nodded.
"His latest crime is to unseal Seiren's spirit power, and today's confrontation is the result," he said heavily. "Shouko came in a state to the main house claiming her husband had blown up their manor…Futsuki and I came to investigate. It seems Shouko was right. With a little help, Seiren did…"
His gaze flitted back to his brother's body.
"Is he still alive?"
"Yes, just unconscious," Kinnya nodded. "I broke his mask."
"Ojiue, why are you even here?" Guren stared at his companion quizzically. "I was going to send word to you, but I hadn't yet…and…how…"
"Genryuusai-sensei contacted me from District One," Kinnya said simply. "He advised me of an attempt on Ryuu's life and that he had Shirogane in his custody. He assumed I was supportive of keeping both boys alive, and asked if I would speak to you on Shirogane's behalf, since he felt certain that there would be further assaults on your land. He seemed to think there was the danger of Ryuu being reported as dead…it was quite important to him that I conveyed to you the contrary, although Ryuu intended to write to you himself."
"I received Ryuu's letter," Guren agreed numbly. "I'd also assumed Shirogane might be with Genryuusai-sama, and your words confirm it. But…Ojiue, how much of this have you been involved in? I thought you had kept to your manor and spoken to Seiren and I but now you're here and…"
He stumbled slightly, as the weight of the day's events began to strike home, and Kinnya smiled, holding out a hand to steady his companion.
"You are a Clan leader with Bankai and your reputation as one of the strongest shinigami is Seireitei is not undeserved," he murmured. "However, you and Seiren are twins. Had Seiren's power been normal, you may well have been spiritual equals. It is not unusual for abnormalities to occur in twin births - the Unohana who delivered you advised us of this at the time. Kuchiki practice is normally to sacrifice the weaker twin and only keep the stronger, but your father didn't want that. That decision dictated the rest of his life, and when he died I made him a promise. In his absence, I would do what I could to keep this family together. I still consider that promise binding. Aniue wanted you and Seiren to work together for the benefit of the Clan. That's why I came here – because when I reached the main house and found you and Futsuki absent and everyone in a state about something, I had a bad feeling that something was going to happen."
"So you broke his mask," Guren murmured. "Did you know that would stop him?"
"No," Kinnya admitted, "but I'm a shinigami, and I've obviously fought Hollows in the past. When you break a Hollow's mask, they disappear. Seiren is not yet a Hollow – he hasn't disappeared. Breaking the mask shattered the core of his spirit power and probably broke his immediate ability to fight. It's like breaking your sword – at least, that was my hypothesis."
He smiled, resting his weight more firmly on his stick.
"I am an old man, in some circles eccentric and in others frail," he added, "but in my day, I was capable of matching that sword of your Father's blow by blow. Today suggests perhaps I still could…since Seiren's power is probably equal to yours, but perhaps not to Senaya-nii's."
"Or, therefore, to yours," Guren realised. "Your Kidou broke through it because you're stronger than both of us…even though you've done nothing for a very long time."
"I'm rusty," Kinnya admitted. "My Kidou still seems to be functional, though. I feel as though I've come out of a deep sleep…little by little things are coming back to me."
He surveyed the scene gravely.
"This is devastating," he murmured. "Seiren's rampage did all of this?"
"Seiren's target was me, but he undoubtedly caused the damage to the estate," Guren nodded his head. "Futsuki and everyone else here were laid out cold by that reiatsu…I was the only one who withstood it. It shook me, though. I won't deny…nobody has crossed me since Father with power that threw me quite that badly."
"In that case, the most important thing is that he isn't allowed to get up and fight again," Kinnya's fingers were already once more glistening with light. "I don't know how long a Bakudou spell would hold him for – certainly not more than a few hours, but perhaps enough for us to decide what must be done. I'm not sure that re-sealing this level of power will be possible now it's been unleashed in this regard…I don't know what this means for Seiren's soul, and I'd rather seek other advice."
"Mm," Guren nodded his head. "Ojiue, the last time I spoke to him, he told me to discard him and to leave him to himself. He said that he was no longer useful to me. The time before that he said that he wouldn't forgive anyone who acted against the Head of the Clan, not even himself. I wonder if he knew things were going to happen…perhaps this began before Aizen got to him."
"Seiren is loyal to you," Kinnya sighed, suddenly looking weary. "Perhaps the burdens Senaya-nii placed on him have finally started to take their toll. I didn't realise he had known about everything for so very long…"
He trailed off, moving to Seiren's side and casting his hands carefully over the still form, encasing it in gentle but firm bonds of light.
"For Ryuu's sake, I'd like to see his father live," he murmured. "This is bad, though, Guren. I've no idea how to reverse the damage already done to his body or his soul. It might not be possible…just if there is a way…"
"You've met Ryuu," Guren stared at Kinnya in astonishment, and Kinnya chuckled, nodding his head.
"I shouldn't admit to it, but I have," he agreed. "I approve of him very much, to tell you the truth. I have never had much time for your brother, Guren – this brother, in any case – but I find myself thinking more fondly of him in light of how well he's raised his young son. Ryuu is very intelligent, isn't he? I don't suppose he's one who's easily fooled."
"I'm starting to believe he knows his own mind, also," Guren knelt at Seiren's side, brushing the chalk-dusted hair out of the face of his fallen kinsman. Seiren was ash-pale, his eyes now closed, but Guren could feel the humming of fragmented dark reiatsu beneath his brother's skin and he knew Kinnya's words were right.
"There may be no way back," he observed. "Father wanted us to work together, Ojiue, and we have, but he never legislated for something like this."
"Kinnya…sama?"
A hazy voice made both men turn, and relief leapt into Guren's heart as he saw Futsuki walking towards them, unsteady on his feet and rubbing his eyes but clearly unharmed. All around the manor, those knocked unconscious by the flare of Seiren's reiryoku were little by little coming to their wits, and Kinnya smiled, inclining his head towards his oldest nephew.
"Genryuusai-sama notified him," Guren explained, getting to his feet, "and I found Seiren, Futsuki. It seems as though Shouko's account is correct."
"What on earth…?"
As Futsuki laid eyes on Seiren's collapsed form for the first time, dismay flooded his dark grey eyes. "Guren, what…this is…how…"
"Seiren's spirit power has been unsealed, and the reason Father sealed it is more than clear," Guren said grimly. "Seiren's spirit power is more Hollow than shinigami and it's not under any particular control. He came at me and tried to kill me – he didn't seem to have any idea who I was."
He fingered his throat.
"Kinnya-ojisama's intervention is the only reason both Seiren and I still live, but whether we can do anything to fix this is…"
He sighed, closing his eyes and then opening them.
"Futsuki, how steady are you on your feet?"
"Dizzy, but coming back to myself," Futsuki rubbed his brow. "Whatever it was that flooded through me is dispersing and I don't feel as bad as I did."
"Then gather as many of your people together as you can, and evacuate this property completely," Guren ordered, his nerves settling somewhat as the normal chain of command began to fall back into its normal place. "Anybody who is alive and who can be moved should be. Those who have houses in the near vicinity should be dismissed there – they should be told to expect their usual pay regardless of this business if it helps to convince them to leave. Any who live on the manor property should be accommodated at the main house through whatever means necessary. Those with minor injuries can be treated there."
"And the others?" Futsuki's expression became quizzical. "What of the ones who are more seriously hurt, Guren-sama? Moving them a great distance might put a strain on their bodies beyond what they've already faced."
"I want to confine Seiren here, in the east wing," Guren turned his gaze back towards the surviving area of the property. "It won't be safe for anyone else to remain here if his power explodes a second time. Regardless of the severity of injury – all who can must leave this place as soon as is possible."
"Keiichi and a small contingent of my people are currently at the main house," Kinnya put in now. "I instructed him to wait behind, in case of need – Futsuki, if you can make use of them, they are at your disposal."
He turned his gaze on Guren.
"There is another manor in this vicinity which is close enough to become a respite for those who are badly hurt," he said quietly. "Your sister's manor is currently vacant…is it not?"
"Masane's…manor?" Guren's eyes widened, and Futsuki nodded.
"Ginya's estate was much smaller than the main Kuchiki manors, and for the most part after he died Masane stayed at the main house," he remembered. "She and Shirogane both found their home there, because my wife and I also had lodgings there and we were very actively involved in Shirogane's childhood. I had forgotten about the Nagoya estate – technically it belongs to Shirogane now, but since it currently lies vacant…"
"I'm not sure Shirogane himself has even thought of it. To him, home has been the main manor," Guren rubbed his chin. "It is nevertheless close enough to this place to be of use. Very well. Those severely injured should be transported there. Send word to District Four for specialist healers…I want to ensure every life that can be saved will be."
"Understood," Futsuki bowed his head. "And Seiren?"
"Guren and I can see to Seiren," Kinnya answered this time. "There's probably nobody else who can safely be near him at present."
"Shibata will want to stay here," Futsuki pointed out. "As Seiren's chief retainer, he would choose to be at his master's side."
"Shibata may be the exception," Guren said at length. "He may stay…everyone else must go."
Futsuki inclined his head again, then turned on his heel, heading off across the grass. As he did so, Guren could hear him calling out various orders, and despite the chaos, he felt comforted.
"Seiren's retainer may find his life in jeopardy if he remains," Kinnya warned softly, and Guren nodded his head.
"True," he agreed, "but Shibata is loyal to my brother and would choose things to be this way. He has stood by Seiren's side in the last few weeks and he was there today when everything happened. Even so, his first words of concern were for his master, not one for his own physical state."
"Mm," Kinnya's expression became thoughtful, but he nodded his head. "Senaya-nii did well, then, when he assigned the man to your brother's side."
"It was always understood that I would have Futsuki and Seiren as my right and left hands," Guren said frankly. "Seiren had Shibata, and Futsuki commanded Ginya until his death. That's why Futsuki had such interest in Shirogane as a youth – Ginya's status really wasn't fitting for my sister's hand."
He sighed heavily.
"He was a good man, Ojiue, and I don't regret that Masane was allowed her way. The consequences for her son have been considerable however…his rank will always be questioned because of Ginya's position on the precipice of the Kuchiki hierarchy."
"You're worried for Shirogane, even in the care of Genryuusai-sensei?" Kinnya asked gently.
"Not for his safety, but for his future," Guren frowned, suddenly weary. "I'm worried for everyone's future, perhaps. Ryuu's. Shirogane's. Seiren and mine. Everything…is not how it was before. Losing Ribari has made me realise how vulnerable a position we all hold in this world. Things can change in the blink of an eye and if we're not ready to face it, we risk losing everything."
He glanced at Seiren.
"Will your Kidou hold him at least long enough to get him within the east wing? There are confinement cells there and also spirit restraining bands…though I don't want to treat him like a common criminal, I want to try and keep him as secure as possible. When he's static we can put a barrier around him, but that's more difficult if we're going to move him."
"That sounds like a good idea," Kinnya agreed. "I believe the spell will last a little while, so there is probably time to make those arrangements once Futsuki has finished with the evacuations."
"Good," Guren chewed on his lip, then, "When Seiren is settled, Ojiue, I have a request to ask of you."
"A request?" Kinnya looked surprised. "Surely you mean a command?"
"I hardly feel I can command you to do anything," Guren said wryly. "You tutored me and scolded me enough when I was a boy."
"But rank has changed and time has moved on," Kinnya said wisely. "You are my Clan leader, Guren…I will bow to your will."
"In that case…in that case…I'd like you to leave District Six," Guren said slowly, formulating his thoughts one by one as he worked out what best to do. "I can't go to District One, because I have no diplomatic agreement with the Yamamoto to do so and I'd be in breach of Council law. Futsuki is far too tied up now and Seiren is obviously not available to help. Though I realise you dislike being involved in all these things and consider yourself retired, I have nobody else I can rely on. I would like you to therefore travel to District One and speak to Yamamoto Genryuusai Shigekuni-sama."
"To Genryuusai-sensei?" Kinnya's eyes became slits. "On what particular errand?"
"I'd like to ask him to come to District Six, as well as Unohana Retsu-dono, if possible," Guren said quietly. "Her healing skill and his experience are both elements that might save Seiren's life – but most of all, the killer of my son is here in District Six. That being the case I should like to ask for their help in firmly securing this enemy. To that end I must send a kinsman of rank to voice my wishes – Genryuusai-sama is not a person to whom I can give orders either."
"This killer was in District Six, but is he now?" Kinnya looked doubtful. "Wouldn't it be laying District One open to danger if Genryuusai-sama was to leave it?"
"Aizen came to see Seiren destroy me. His business is with me and with my kin, and he wants me to know that," Guren shook his head. "Ryuu is currently in Genryuusai-sama's custody and I would ask him to bring my nephew with him back home. By force, if need be…I don't care if the boy himself objects."
"…Guren?"
"I may be wrong, but from what Shibata said and from Aizen's own words, Seiren's spiritual explosion may have been triggered by false news of Ryuu's death," Guren said darkly. "It may be a long shot, but there's a possibility that if Seiren was to see Ryuu was alive…"
"It's a risky one, with Seiren's soul in such a poor, mangled state," Kinnya's eyes became grave. "That's why you want Genryuusai-sensei too, then? If Ryuu is here and you are here, and Seiren is still unstable…I see. You're giving this Aizen a clear target, and hoping that Genryuusai-sensei's skill and knowledge will put an end to this business once and for all."
"Something like that," Guren admitted. "I don't wish to ask the Council for help – I still have some pride as a Kuchiki and I don't want to resort to that. However, if Genryuusai-sama is shielding Shirogane and Ryuu, he is already involved by his own choice. Therefore I feel I can ask him, and probably he'll feel obliged to respond."
"And Shirogane?"
"He remains in District One."
"Even if Ryuu comes here?"
"Yes. Even so."
"Ah. So you do realise it," Kinnya's eyes became thoughtful. "You have thought of Shirogane's position in all of this, just as Seiren feared."
"Shirogane is like a son to me," Guren said simply. "Ryuu is the boy with the stronger claim, and is therefore I can't ignore his position in all of this – in the absence of my son, he is obviously my heir apparent. With that said, it never hurts to have a back-up plan."
"You do have a little of your father in you, after all," Kinnya looked amused. Guren nodded.
"I intended to adopt Shirogane when Ribari came of age and was officially invested as my heir, providing the court had no objections," he said quietly. "Now if I did that, it would generate questions over the succession and people would read too much into it. I had discussed the idea with nobody, but my idea was for Shirogane to be to Ribari what Futsuki has been to me – an older kinsman of lesser blood yet with wide knowledge and high standing in the Clan because of his ability."
"Perhaps it will be possible for Shirogane to act the same for Ryuu," Kinnya suggested.
"I believe it might," Guren acknowledged. "I will therefore leave Shirogane where he is in District One. I believe the danger to be here, and the threat will be confronted head-on. Shirogane is beneath their radar, since they have already overlooked him once. If nobody else is left standing at the end of this battle, I want to know that he remains alive."
He reached out a hand to touch Kinnya's arm.
"I'm sending you for the same reason," he murmured. "Shirogane would need someone of experience to guide him if the worst happened - someone who could push his position and garner support for his accession if everyone else was to be lost. Today's events have taught me that my life can be threatened and I am at risk. I must think how Father thought and look at the Clan over my own safety."
"Very well. When you ask me so seriously, I have no choice but to accept your request of me," Kinnya spoke quietly. "I will do so on the understanding you don't throw your life away unnecessarily, Guren. Yours, Seiren's, Futsuki's…your lives are all precious to this Clan and they were precious to your father too. Give me your word that you will fight to survive, not make sacrifices. If you make me that promise, I will go to District One."
"I'll do my best," Guren nodded. "Thank you, Uncle. I'm sorry to drag you back into things now, but…"
"I was already there, from my promise to Senaya-nii," Kinnya said with a sigh. "I will leave for District One forthwith."
"Keiichi…?"
"He will remain here, and my other men also," Kinnya shook his head. "I will claim hospitality from the Yamamoto if need be – I still have my Kuchiki crest and I was known to Hashihiko-dono's father as well as studying under Genryuusai-sensei in my youth. Keiichi can be more useful to you and to Futsuki in clearing up this chaos. He will obey your commands as if they came from me, because he knows I am very fond of you."
"District One is also where Juushirou is, Ojiue."
"Perhaps so," Kinnya's eyes became sad. "At present my focus must remain on protecting my Clan family, not on pursuing the threads of Raiko's legacy. Knowing Juushirou is alive is probably enough for me to move on with my life…more than that is not necessary, and I doubt very much he has any need to know of me."
"But…"
"I have been charged with an important duty by my Clan leader and I will undertake it as a loyal Kuchiki should," Kinnya bowed his head, silver-streaked dark hair falling over his shoulder, and Guren felt the faint flicker of his uncle's spirit power, strong and resolute despite the man's oft-reported ill health. "I'll remain in District One and you can entrust Shirogane to me. Whether your fight is victorious or otherwise, I will make sure he's ready for what lies ahead."
"Where did you go to?"
As Keitarou ducked beneath the heavy fabric that cloaked the entrance to the small shack from sight, a voice came out of the shadows, her tones half-accusing and half fearful. "You left me here and disappeared to who knows where…Kei-sama, this place is dangerous! I thought we were going to Rukongai, and…"
"We are. Shh," Keitarou cast a faint spark of light towards the timber torch to light it, casting a dim, flickering flame around the tiny hovel. "There's no need to look so anxious, Eiraki-chan. I'm quite safe – as you see, this time I only went to watch and not to fight."
"You said you would be back more quickly," Eiraki's expression was sullen, her bright blue eyes all the more vivid for her pale features. She shivered, clutching the moth-eaten blanket more tightly around her shoulders, and Keitarou sighed, dropping down at her side and sliding his arm around her delicate frame.
"You're still not feeling well?"
"I'm fine," Eiraki said flatly, though she shivered again and Keitarou knew that she was trying to put on a brave face for his benefit.
Bearing children makes women weaker than they would otherwise be. I remember that from when Irie bore Daisuke's two sons.
His brows knitted together in consternation.
Can I protect her adequately alone when all eyes are looking for us?
A flicker of anxiety stirred in his heart as he looked at her, taking in her frail, slightly melancholy form swathed in the heavy woven cloth, and he sighed.
Caring about someone else's fate is also a weakness. It brought me into danger when Daisuke was in trouble, and now Eiraki too. After Daisuke died I was on my own – I've had experimental subjects but not true allies. Eiraki has become that…no, maybe more than that. Despite the manner in which we were introduced, have I come to care for her? My impulse now is certainly to send her away to a place where she is in no danger, to bear our child in secret while I risk my life for our cause. Maybe that's how Daisuke felt when he sent Irie to District Eight…I'll never be able to ask him, but perhaps for the first time I understand.
I care what happens to Eiraki – and she's almost certainly the only person who cares what happens to me.
Out loud he said,
"You're worried about me because of what happened in the Real World, aren't you?"
Eiraki nodded, sinking back against him and raising her gaze to his.
"Shunsui-sama hurt you, you killed someone and someone else tried to take your life," she said darkly. "All of Seireitei now know who tried to kill Ryuu-sama…there must be people all over District Six hunting for us, and yet you brought us here. There are still Kuchiki nearby, Kei-sama. Have you forgotten that you're not just running on your own now?"
"I haven't," Keitarou put a gentle finger to her lips. "You're tired and you should be resting. Your body will only rebel more strongly if you refuse to take care of yourself – didn't you promise me that this baby would live?"
"I did," Eiraki sighed, closing her eyes. "You just make me worry about you a lot, that's all. I don't want this child to grow up without a father."
"I don't want that either," Despite himself, Keitarou's eyes became grave. "I lost my father when I was only four years old. I understand what's at stake, Eiraki. I would rather be here with you and with it – but it's important for me to also complete the things I've set out to do."
"Mm," Eiraki's expression became resigned. "I know. I'm important to you, and so is this baby. Still, your cause is the most important thing, isn't it? I might be your wife, and you might trust me with a lot of things – but I know deep down that if you had to choose…"
She trailed off, and Keitarou stared at her, a little unnerved by the intensity in her gaze.
"Eiraki…"
"I've accepted it," Eiraki offered him a faint smile. "I've decided that I want to be with you, so I can accept being second place to your convictions. So long as there's no other person in your life more important than me, I can settle for that."
"I can honestly say that's true," Keitarou returned the smile with a wry one of his own. "You understand me better than I thought you did. Your Clan underestimated your intelligence and your ability to do many things, Eiraki-chan. Their loss is my gain – our gain, I hope, with the future secured."
"Then you need to be careful about where you go and what you do," Eiraki said decidedly. "Well? What of today's jaunt? Did you manage to convey the bad news to Seiren-dono?"
"I did, and he didn't take it very well," Amusement glittered in Keitarou's muddy brown eyes. "It was a far more dramatic reaction than even I had anticipated. I had thought to control him, but I soon realised that there's really no need. He launched himself at Guren without a moment of hesitation and without my involvement."
"That foolish Seiren-dono killed Guren-sama?" Eiraki's eyes widened, and Keitarou shook his head.
"I had intended to watch the whole of the battle, but something interrupted it and I decided it was better to withdraw from the scene in case it was Council forces," he said honestly. "How it ended I really don't know, but Seiren's soul is beyond the point of return. His reiatsu is decidedly more Hollow than pure soul – probably he'll turn completely in a short space of time, and even if he doesn't, they won't be able to reverse it. Short of killing him or severing his soul chain and link and casting him out into the Rukongai wilderness, there's probably no way to alter the effects. He's like a firework – powerful at the moment of ignition, but useless once the explosion is over."
"There might be Council forces in District Six?" Eiraki was alarmed. "They've returned from the Real World already?"
"It wasn't a spiritual signature I recognised…but it was powerful enough for me to choose to withdraw," Keitarou said matter-of-factly. "If I hadn't have had you to think of, I might not have pulled back so quickly, but I didn't want you to fall into enemy hands. I still don't want that, Eiraki-chan…therefore…"
"If you're going to send me away, I won't have it," Eiraki's expression became stubborn. "I go where you go – I thought that was already established and clear-cut! This baby is your baby – I won't be cloistered away somewhere secluded where all I can do is worry about you and whether or not you're still alive. I left home to run with you and I'm going to stay by your side no matter what."
"You really are stubborn, sometimes," Keitarou sighed. "I admire that spirit of yours, and the resolution you have to follow things through. Losing you now would be the worst thing possible for me, though – you must realise this. My life can be sacrificed. Yours and the baby's cannot."
Eiraki's eyes became obstinate, and Keitarou rubbed his brow.
"Very well," he said quietly, "then I'll suggest a compromise. For the time being I want to stay in District Six and I don't want you where it's dangerous. Understand?"
"That would be sending me away," Eiraki said sullenly, folding her arms across her chest and suddenly appearing far more the sulky teenager than the young woman.
"On the contrary, it's giving you an assignment," Keitarou shook his head, pulling Chudokuga from beneath his cloak and tilting it so that it caught the flickering light. The blade was intact now, the fragment that had been locked away inside Onoe's heart long since returned to its place of origin, but there was an eerie greenish gleam to the weapon all the same and at the sight of it, Keitarou's lips twisted into a humourless smile.
"I'm going to stay here and my intention is to draw people towards me, just as we talked about before," he said matter-of-factly. "Guren has seen me here now, and knows that I'm responsible for the death of his son. He'll mass forces and try to hunt me down. He may call on the Council, or he may not – but in either case I expect him to call on the old man in District One for help. That happened the last time they searched for me – and I am still wanted for my involvement in your Grandfather's death. I think Guren will try and bring the old man here because he has the potential to finish me off…and so I intend to stay and wait for that to occur."
"That still sounds dangerous to me," Eiraki pointed out astutely. "What if he does come? Can you fight him?"
"No, but I don't intend to," Keitarou admitted. "My ability is in not getting caught, and I won't enter into any battles I can't win. The purpose is to bring him here. If he's here, he'll be away from the school. You remember what I said about that?"
"Ukitake-san again?" Eiraki eyed Keitarou wearily. "I thought we'd decided you'd give up on him?"
"I may or may not be able to take him alive, but I have to retrieve my sword's power from within his heart," Keitarou said matter-of-factly. "If I'm really going to be able to protect you and the child I have to have Chudokuga at full strength. Fighting this way is useless against foes at the level of Clan leader…you understand that, don't you?"
"So what do you want me to do?" Eiraki asked. "Go to District One and do what – lure Ukitake-san here? You said that what you had planned for the school was a forward concern – something to prove they weren't safe and that the Clans couldn't protect them. Is that still the case or are you just going to target him now?"
"No. I don't think Juushirou will be so easily drawn this time," Keitarou shook his head. "That kind of plan would bring you into danger more than it will achieve results. No, I still intend something else for the Academy."
He set Chudokuga down on the ground.
"I mentioned it before, but I discovered something in the Real World that I can use to create a major level diversion," he said simply. "I said I wouldn't ask you to kill for me again, but if you're determined not to be secluded away, it may come to that if need be."
"I don't mind," Eiraki shrugged. "What's the plan?"
"What I want you to do is make sure all the pieces fall into place," Keitarou replied. "It should work without needing your interference – I really hope you'll only need to watch over things and report to me when I arrive in District One, because it will save me time. This is the first time I've tried to use Chudokuga's magic in this way, however, so in case it doesn't…"
He slipped his hand into his obi, pulling out a vial and holding it out.
"Be careful not to drop this," he murmured. "It's highly volatile."
"Volatile?" Eiraki took it, glancing at it and then at her companion. "What is it?"
"Reidoku," Keitarou said matter-of-factly. "I'm expecting that if Genryuusai-sama leaves District One, he'll put his family's squad in charge of overseeing security at the school. He has no authority to call on anyone else. In the event that my intended plan doesn't work, I want you to use that to sabotage those people in whatever way you can…in other words…"
"Make them Hollows," Eiraki breathed. Keitarou nodded.
"It's the last reidoku I have, and I no longer have facilities to make any more," he said with a grimace. "At present, anyway, my research has had to be shelved. Don't waste it, understand? Only use it if my original strategy fails. I'll come join you in District One as soon as I've led the Clan folk into a merry dance and provided enough of a diversion – perhaps spilling some blood for good measure, if I can."
"Destroying the Kuchiki is still on the agenda?"
"It is," Keitarou agreed, "but protecting you is actually more important to me now than taking out that Clan. It makes me realise this battle can be won in other ways – so if all I can do is create a diversion and retrieve Chudokuga's full power, I'll consider that still a victory."
"You'd back down on your original goal…to keep me safe?" Eiraki's eyes became big with emotion, and Keitarou smiled, nodding his head.
"You and my cause are about equal in my mind now," He admitted. "That's even more true now you can give our purpose a future. We are two people, but given time, we don't need to fight a war with so few. Creating chaos and disruption in the Kuchiki Clan has been a positive statement of our intentions, but it's a worthless one if we're caught and we're killed since it's as you said before – there's nobody to carry the flag forward. I've reflected on it and I'll do what I can to create the maximum impact while I'm here. The most important thing is that you, I and the baby survive this and plan for the next time, however. There will be a world in which we take down the Clans – even if this isn't that time. What we've done will cause ructions and fall-out for a good long while to come…it may be this time we have to be satisfied with that."
"Kei-sama," Eiraki's lips twitched into a tiny smile and she nodded. "All right. I understand. I'll do what I can and if you need me to act, I'll act."
"All right, but for goodness' sake, don't let any of that potion spill onto you," Keitarou warned. "Whilst it probably can't hurt your body…it might have other effects on the child. We don't know yet if it has spirit power and…"
"I won't make a mistake that foolish," Eiraki said indignantly. "You can trust me. I'll take it and I'll go and I'll do as you say."
"Be careful, Eiraki."
"You too," Eiraki snapped. "Take your own advice first and then maybe I'll listen."
Despite himself Keitarou laughed.
"I like it when you argue with me," he admitted, touching her gently on the nose. "Nobody has for a long time. Nobody I could really trust in – I find it refreshing that you're not afraid of me."
"Why would I be afraid of you? You're my husband," Eiraki snorted. "That's a silly thing to say. Of course you wouldn't hurt me. Especially not now."
She shuffled her body into a more comfortable position, then, "You'd better tell me what it is you expect to happen in District One. I'll do as you say, but the more I know about what you intend to do there the better. Onoe's not there to protect me or take the fallout any more – so I want to be fully prepared for every eventuality."
Morning, and the first timetabled lesson since the ill-fated trip to the Real World.
Shunsui cast his gaze around the classroom with a pensive expression on his face.
There were only ten of them at present, for Ryuu and Naoko were still sequestered away in the Healing Bay under Retsu's watchful eye, and somehow the reduction in numbers made the chamber seem all the more oppressive and empty. Suzuno's desk stood out like a sore thumb, yet nobody had seen fit to move it, and though nobody had mentioned her name at breakfast that morning, each one of them had entered the room with the dead girl forefront in their minds.
Our war has begun.
Shunsui met Juushirou's gaze across the classroom, seeing the same consternation in the other boy's hazel eyes that he knew was reflected in his own. In the time since they had returned to the school, everything had become deathly silent – but Shunsui knew that they were playing a waiting game, and that Keitarou would undoubtedly be back.
If he can kill Suzuno-chan with absolutely no motivation, nobody is safe from his attentions. Clan, District – it doesn't matter if they're in his way or even if they're not. Riri's friend was killed because it was convenient to kill her – maybe Suzuno was killed for the same reason.
It wasn't the first time there had been a murder close to the school – Shunsui vividly remembered the death of a local tavern girl and the assassination of their Hohou instructor during their first ever term at the Academy. Yet somehow Suzuno's death cast a greater pall over proceedings. It was not just that she had been a gentle soul that had caused her death to bring such outcry, although Shunsui was quick-witted enough to realise that there were members of the group worse affected by the tragedy than others. It was the futility of it – a death with no motive and a direct attack on one of their own.
"Good morning, Senior Class."
The divide slid back at that moment to reveal Kazoe, his expression much as usual but a faint flickering in his aura told Shunsui that he too was grieved by the young girl's loss. Belatedly he remembered that Kazoe was an Unohana – though the Kidou instructor rarely showed any kind of emotion, Shunsui was sure that losing a kinswoman was as bitter a pill to swallow for him as it had been for Retsu.
The students rose to their feet without the usual soft murmur of chatter, bowing their heads to acknowledge his arrival, and Kazoe gestured with his cane for them to take their seats, turning his attention to the board.
"There are few of you today," he observed softly. "I realise this is your usual time for Sakusen, but Genryuusai-sensei has many things to see to at present and has asked me to undertake the class in his stead. I had hoped that on your return to class after your practical experience, we might be able to spend some time discussing what you found useful on your trip to the Real World. In light of events, perhaps that would be an inappropriate discussion, but I realise every one of you is fully aware of the gravity of the situation and there is no use my trying to pretend otherwise."
He scribed the kanji for 'Real World' on the board, then turned back to face his students.
"You are Seniors," he said evenly. "In less than a year your place will not be here behind a desk, but out in the field using the skills you have to take down Hollows and purify souls. It's not my intention to shield you from reality. Loss of life is also a part of living as a shinigami. You are trained here to be fighters, and there are not always happy endings. However,"
He extended his cane to tap against the two kanji on the board.
"All of you are at a level now where you understand the pressures placed upon you. How you deal with the negative side of your experiences is as important to your development as how you deal with the positive. I am going to leave it to you as a class to decide what the format of this lesson will take, based on the knowledge you now have."
There was a moment of silence, then across the room, Aoi raised his hand.
"Michihashi?"
"Sensei, are you asking us to decide whether we should report and discuss the Real World expedition now?" he asked anxiously, and Shunsui saw his gaze flit to Akira. "Like you said, it's a serious situation, and well, some things happened…"
"We should report on our mission, Aoi," Akira cut across him, his voice gruff but his words clear. "Suzuno would expect us to do that – that's our duty to her as well as to our own futures. We didn't go to the Real World to camp out or play war games. We went in order to gain understanding of what our role will be in the future."
"Akira?" Aoi's eyes widened, and Kai frowned.
"I agree with Yamamoto," he said grimly. "We should discuss it because of the bad stuff that happened – otherwise how can we learn from it?"
"We're still missing two class members, though," Sora pointed out. "Naoko and Kuchiki aren't back with us yet. Should we be discussing this without them?"
"In Shikibu's case, it's better we do," Kanshi said darkly. "I don't know about Kuchiki. From the bits and pieces I've picked up it sounds as though he went out there with a target pinned metaphorically to his chest – in which case, he might already know more than we do."
"The Kuchiki Clan have been under threat for some time now," Mitsuki interjected. "Ryuu's decisions and our mission to the Real World are not the same thing, Souryou-kun. Sensei isn't asking us about that…at least, I don't think he is. He's asking us what experience we gained as shinigami, and nothing else."
"How can the two things be separated?" Enishi wondered. "I didn't use any Kidou, personally, but I did a lot of fighting and it wasn't easy to separate what was mission from what else was going on. That Aizen guy was pretty serious about laying Kuchiki out cold, so I suppose…"
"In your case, not using Kidou was probably of benefit to the local population," Kazoe said acidly. "However, Edogawa is correct. You were sent to the Real World because the experience of living as real shinigami live was a vital part of your education. Curriculum-wise, you will still be expected to sit the exams and submit the reports you were told about before you went – that is, if you mean to graduate and enter squads. I'm not pleased that you should have faced such a harsh lesson about that lifestyle so early in your training – but I want all of you to find your own way to overcome it."
His gaze rested on Suzuno's empty seat for a brief moment, then,
"The other unforeseen events of the Real World mission are not irrelevant. They were a lesson in dealing with the unexpected, and on making the necessary adjustments to comply with a new set of circumstances." He spoke crisply, but Shunsui was certain that his brisk tones were masking his own personal views.
I don't think Kazoe wanted us to go to the Real World. Maybe he's cross with Sensei…that's how he seems to me.
"Ukitake, Yamamoto, stand please," Kazoe did not give his students much time to ruminate on his words, flicking his long thin cane out in the direction of the group leaders. Hesitantly both obeyed, and Kazoe thinned his lips, nodding his head.
"You both were entrusted with the leadership of your respective groups," he said quietly. "I'd like to know how you evaluate your time there – and whether you felt you succeeded or failed in your responsibilities."
Akira visibly flinched at this, and despite himself Shunsui found he felt sorry for his arrogant classmate.
"Ukitake, we'll begin with you," Kazoe also seemed to realise that the Yamamoto boy was fighting with his emotions, for he turned his piercing gaze on Juushirou, eying him like a hawk. "You don't need to go into great detail, but if I was to ask you to assess your personal performance in the Real World as leader of your group, how would you describe it?"
There was a moment of silence, then Juushirou bowed his head.
"One of my group came back injured," he said quietly. "As group leader, protecting him was part of my duty. In that regard, I failed."
"So because one of your team took injury, overall you feel you failed?"
"I feel…that there's much more I have to learn about everything," Juushirou said honestly. "I…I don't know if I failed, sensei. I think I failed Ryuu, because I wasn't anywhere nearby when he was attacked. However, in other regards…as an individual shinigami, I think…I did better. I managed to face Hollows and bring them down, and bury souls that needed sending to Rukongai. I think I learned a lot of things – but I'm not sure that as a group leader I passed."
"Very well," Kazoe's gaze flitted across the room. "Houjou, stand."
"Sir?" Enishi scrambled to his feet, a perturbed look in his dark eyes.
"Your assessment, please, of Ukitake's performance as leader of your group."
"Sensei?" Enishi looked horrified, and Kazoe nodded, impatience glittering in his gaze.
"Yes. You're not children any more, and I won't treat you like you are," he snapped. "Answer the question and be quick about it. Assess Ukitake's performance, if you please."
"I don't think Kuchiki's injury was Ukitake's fault, sensei," Enishi reddened, but nodded his head. "I don't think he was a bad group leader at all. I was assigned to Ryuu and I was the one who should've been watching out for him more closely. That wasn't Ukitake's bad call, it was mine."
"Meaning what, exactly?"
"Well, I guess…what I said, I suppose," Enishi blinked, then shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure how to say it otherwise. Just, Ukitake was group leader, and so he was overall in charge…but when we were dispatched out, it was different, so…"
"What you're saying, in fact, is that this is a matter of delegation," Kazoe sent Enishi a long-suffering look, gesturing for him to sit down. "Honestly, it's like taking blood from a stone sometimes, Houjou. Shiba, you next."
"Me, sir?" Sora scrambled up, looking surprised. "I don't have anything to add to what Houjou said. I think we worked together pretty good as a team and that's about it, really."
"I suppose that can be considered concise," Kazoe grimaced. "I advise you to spend a little more time thinking about it before your examinations, however, Shiba."
"Y...yes sir," Sora pinkened, sinking back down into her seat.
His gaze flitted across to Mitsuki.
"Edogawa," he said curtly, and Mitsuki got quickly to her feet. "How would you assess your group leader's performance?"
Mitsuki met Juushirou's gaze for a moment, then she sighed, shrugging her shoulders.
"I agree with Houjou-kun. I think Ukitake-kun was a good group leader," she said softly. "However, I think…if he has a failing that needs to be corrected, it's that he wants to worry about everything all of the time instead of letting people take care of their own instructions."
"Mitsuki-chan!" Shunsui's eyes widened, and Juushirou reddened even more than Enishi had done moments earlier.
"It's not an unfair criticism," Mitsuki stuck to her guns. "Juushirou is my friend, but Sensei's asking us as future shinigami, not based on our friendships. I think he was a good group leader - and that he has to delegate and give trust and responsibility to other people in the group rather than assume it all on his own shoulders."
"Surely the group leader is ultimately responsible," Juushirou recovered himself. "A Captain is responsible for his squad, and although we weren't division members, it was the same kind of exercise."
"Even so, there's a difference between trusting your people to follow through with what they're meant to do and trying to take charge of all of that yourself," Mitsuki said simply. "Ryuu's injury was Ryuu's choice, because he went to face the danger he perceived to be there. He'd be the first to acknowledge that was the case. You weren't in charge of that decision, so how did you fail him? You didn't give him the instruction to go chasing after suspicious signals in the wilderness, and so you're not responsible for it."
"I see," Kazoe's expression became thoughtful. "You appear to have developed quite a firm opinion on such things, Edogawa."
"Yes, sir," Mitsuki agreed softly. "I don't blame Ryuu for what he did. I just think that it's separate from our assignment and Juushirou doesn't have to feel responsible for something that relates to our Clan, not to our class mission. Like Houjou-kun said, we have to make our own call in the field too. If we don't, the only person who learns anything is the group captain - everyone else just perfects the art of following through without bothering to think."
"Obedience to orders is meant to be a good thing," Shunsui said dryly.
"Of course it is," Mitsuki agreed, and Shunsui was struck by the expression in her grey eyes. "However, there are times when you have to think things through for yourself as well. What use are you to a squad if you can't do that?"
"I agree with Edogawa-san," Hirata said pensively. "There are times when something happens and you have to make a quick decision on what to do about it. You can't always refer back to a commander to find out the best course of action. Houjou-kun made a decision of that nature when he went to help Kuchiki-kun. If he'd waited for orders, Kuchiki-kun might have been much more badly hurt."
"Well, Ukitake?" Kazoe turned his gaze back to the group leader. "Now you've heard your companions, what do you think? Do you still think that you failed? Or have you changed your mind?"
"I think...maybe Mitsuki's right," Juushirou said reluctantly. "I worry about people, and I want to make sure everyone is safe. Therefore..."
"Of course you do, you idiot," Akira interjected bluntly. "As group leader, that's your job. Whether they obey or not may not always be in your control, but if you didn't damn worry about them, you'd be not much use as a commander of any kind. You don't send people out and forget about them, do you? Your job might be to wait for them to come back, but you still want them to come back safely."
"Yamamoto, I don't remember asking you to speak," Kazoe's reproach was mild, but Akira's eyes became sullen. "We will come to your group in time."
He turned back to Juushirou.
"All right. Sit," he said brusquely. "Having faith in your companions' abilities and strengths is also part of being a leader. Sometimes all a Captain can do is wait...that's just as much part of the job of leadership as it is taking control in difficult situations. You aren't wrong to consider your responsibility in these cases - but you must also look at it from a wider angle. If you become bogged down in one or two small matters instead of reviewing the big picture, you lose sight of the real objectives. Injuries are a fact of fighting life...sometimes they aren't avoidable."
"Yes sir," Juushirou murmured, looking somewhat crestfallen as he re-took his seat, and Shunsui frowned, raising his hand.
"Sensei, you didn't ask what I thought of Juushirou's performance as group Captain," he said evenly. "Is that because you think I'm going to say nothing of value, or because you think I'm too biased to put across anything objective to add to the discussion?"
"Doyou have anything to add to the discussion?" Kazoe arched an eyebrow behind his glasses. "If you do, I believe it will be a first."
He sighed.
"Very well. If you have something to share, I suppose I must let you share it," he said wearily.
"I just wanted to say that I agree with Yamamoto," Shunsui said frankly. "Waiting and worrying is something a leader does. I also think it's something Juu's about half nailed, but he still needs to work on the other half. He's got the worrying down, but the waiting is something he could use more practice in."
He shot his friend a lazy smile, noting how Juushirou's expression had gone from preoccupation to irritation.
"With that said, I think all this stuff about group leaders and evaluating their performance is useless really," he added blithely. "The Real World was only a simulation of what it would be like to work in and fight with a real Gotei squad. We all know each other - in the case of our group, we know each other very well and we get along just fine. That's not realistic. If you were going to have a proper mission, you wouldn't ensure the chemistry of the group beforehand. Divisions aren't that convenient...I doubt there's a single Gotei division in which all the members can honestly say they like everyone else."
"Kyouraku, now you're going off on a tangent," Kazoe looked annoyed. "Whether or not that's the case, please remember that you're not a Gotei shinigami at present. You're a student. That being the case..."
"No, sir, I'm not," Shunsui cut across him calmly. "Horrific as it might sound, however, come the spring I will be. Whether I graduate this school or I don't, this time next year I will wear the haoriof Eighth Division. You'll have to forgive me for thinking this forward a little."
He tilted his head on one side.
"You can fight with people you like or with people you don't," he added. "I think Genryuusai-sensei sent us to the Real World in the groups he did because it was damage limitation. It's not a realistic example of what Gotei life is going to be like, though. Team spirit can be generated, but it's not necessarily going to be all buddy-buddy. That kind of exercise promotes a false impression of being a shinigami - it makes it easier to work with people, and it makes it a harder blow when a life is lost. Neither one of those represents reality to a fair degree."
"Shunsui, shut up," Sora sent him a dark look. "Of course we knew each other. We're classmates. Duh."
"Yes, we are," Shunsui nodded. "Juu said just now that he felt like he failed Ryuu, but that's because he knows Ryuu's personal situation and more than anything else, he's Ryuu's friend. How many of us acted in the Real World out of friendship, not group loyalty? Enishi went to Ryuu's aid because he was saving a friend. Right, Enishi?"
"Yes, of course," Enishi looked surprised. "Shinigami or Clan or whatever he is, Kuchiki's my friend first and foremost so of course I went after him. Why?"
"I did a similar thing where Juu was concerned," Shunsui said plainly, "and Naoko-chan also acted in the same respect for Suzuno. Being part of a squad is also about distancing yourself from bonds as well as upholding them, isn't it? You have to be professional so long as you're in uniform. If you're not, all kinds of unforseen things can happen."
"So in your opinion, Kyouraku, you all failed?" Kazoe's annoyance had disappeared, and instead a curious look glittered in his sharp eyes. Shunsui pursed his lips.
"Yes," He said at length. "I think as shinigami of the Gotei, we failed. As Senior class students, maybe we didn't, but it's not just Juu who's to soft on people. We're all guilty of caring about people too much and worrying beyond our brief when it comes to their safety and I don't think it's fair just to single out one or two people. We all went on this assignment and like Mitsuki said, we all should learn from it. That's how I see it, anyway."
"I agree."
Before Kazoe could respond, the door of the classroom slid back and Shunsui's eyes opened wide with surprise as he registered the slim figure stood between the gaps in the wooden divide. Pale though he still was, there was resolution in Ryuu's grey eyes, and as he stepped into the classroom, Shunsui could see that he was neatly robed in his school uniform, his hair tied back from his face in its usual single tail.
"Kuchiki," Kazoe gathered himself more quickly than any of the students. "I had understood that you weren't to return to classes until further notice?"
"I have decided to overrule that advice and come anyway," Ryuu admitted, moving across the classroom and taking his usual seat. "Unohana-sensei relented when she understood how keen I was to return to my studies, and I should not like to miss anything of great importance on account of my reckless behaviour in the Real World."
"I see," Kazoe's eyes narrowed to slits, but he nodded his head. "If you feel you are well enough to come to class, I won't object. There will be no leniency, however - I have no time or patience this morning to nanny those who should still be convalescent."
"I assure you I am quite well, Kazoe-sensei," Ryuu bowed his head. "I would not wish to inconvenience you or the class any further by being otherwise."
"Then we'll continue," Kazoe turned back to the board. "Kyouraku has just, rather surprisingly, made some good points. Does anyone else have anything to add to this?"
"Are you really sure you ought to be here?"
Shunsui leaned across to Ryuu's desk, casting him a quizzical look. "None of us have seen hide nor hair of you since Enishi carried you back here unconscious - and you still look white as a sheet."
"I am not entirely recovered, but I am well enough for this," Ryuu responded simply. "I would also rather - when the messenger comes from District Six - it was to be seen that I was up and around and quite unharmed from my escapade."
"Messenger from...?" Shunsui blinked, and Ryuu nodded.
"Both Genryuusai-sensei and I sent messages home regarding Aizen Keitarou," he said darkly. "I cannot believe that nothing will come of such a communication, although it had to be made."
"At least your kin are absolved of guilt in this now," Shunsui pointed out.
"That is true," Ryuu agreed. "Guren-sama will have to acknowledge that, which will make my gamble hopefully worthwhile. That said, though..."
"Mm?" Shunsui eyed him curiously.
"I wonder how angry my Clan leader will be with me for taking matters into my own hands," Ryuu admitted. "I suppose that's the other reason I wished to be here. It is better than dwelling on matters I cannot change."
"I suppose so."
"What you said about the squads and our mission was interesting, by the way. I heard it as I came to join the class," Ryuu offered him a faint smile. "It appears you have learned something from being at the Academy all these years."
"Yeah. I've learned that I like having friends and I don't like the idea of losing them," Shunsui muttered. Ryuu's eyes became grave and he inclined his head in agreement.
"I also," he confessed.
"Kuchiki, if your only purpose for returning to class was to whisper across desk divides with Kyouraku, you can easily be sent back to my kinswoman's gentle ministerings," Kazoe did not even turn from the board, but like naughty children both students flinched, exchanging guilty looks. "Kyouraku needs little or no excuse to distract himself from his studies and since he bothered to make an interesting suggestion this class, I would suggest neither of you mar it by spending the rest of this period exchanging news."
He glanced across at Akira.
"Yamamoto, it's your turn," he said quietly. "Stand, please, and give me your appraisal of your time in the Real World."