Chapter Sixty Seven: Keitarou's Return
"How goes he?"
Guren pushed back the divide, stepping cautiously into the small, quiet chamber that lay to the rear of Seiren's devastated manor. From the patient's side, Ryuu raised his head, his expression clouding as he met his Uncle's gaze.
"He's asleep, sir," he said softly, his tones muted so as not to disturb his father's rest. "Unohana-sensei has given him the Eiminyaku. She told us both that she laced it with some kind of sedative to make his condition easier, so he drank it and, a short time ago, fell asleep. Unohana-sensei went to see Shibata, to see if there was anything she could do to alleviate his pain whilst Father was not in need of such urgent attention - I don't suppose either of us imagined you would return here so quickly."
"We've been to the main house." Guren crossed the room, pausing a foot or so from the edge of the bed. "I'm loath to leave this place so unprotected whilst there's a chance Aizen is still hiding in the vicinity. Futsuki is coordinating searches on an increased frequency, and with Kinnya-ojiue's men as well as his and my own, we should be able to cover a wide area with speed. Genryuusai-sama has remained at the main estate to receive reports and assist the shinigami, since I am here and my Vice Captain is currently in District One. Genryuusai-sama bade me return to this manor - I think he knew that I wanted to come back here even though there are other things I ought to be doing right now."
He sighed, sinking down on Seiren's other side, and Ryuu eyed his uncle keenly, chewing on his lip as he took in the undisguised strain in the other's grey eyes.
"If Keitarou remains in Sixth, I have hopes that in an injured state we might be able to catch him," Guren continued slowly. "If so, I will give him over to the Council and let Shihouin Midori decide what is best to be done with him."
He offered Ryuu a faint smile, though it did not reach those heavy eyes.
"Seiren's condition is still unpredictable," he reflected. "It would be careless of me indeed to leave my family's heir without further support. I believe Genryuusai-sama was right when he said my brother was fighting to protect you, even through the haze of madness. But if Retsu-sama's treatment fails, his symptoms may relapse once more and I don't want you to face Seiren the way I did when his power first exploded. In that state, he would doubtless kill you - and neither I nor he would forgive that crime easily."
"I don't think Father will kill me," Ryuu spoke quietly, his gaze flitting to Seiren's grey face. "I think he's done everything so far so that I didn't get killed, so I really...if anyone is safe around him at the moment, I think it's me."
"Probably." Guren nodded. "It doesn't hurt to be cautious, though."
He frowned, pursing his lips.
"You knew already, didn't you, that Seiren was born before I was?"
"I..." Ryuu's cheeks flushed an uncomfortable red and he lowered his gaze, unwilling to see the question in his Uncle's eyes. Slowly he nodded, and Guren sighed.
"How long have you known that?"
"Since...since the winter. Since not long after Ribari-sama died." Ryuu's words were barely more than a whisper. "I was in the archive. It was an accident. I was looking for...something else. The piece of paper fell out of a book, and..."
"This piece of paper?" Guren fumbled at his obi, pulling out a crumpled, ripped sheet of parchment and holding it out. Ryuu's eyes became big with surprise, and he took it carefully between his fingers, smoothing it out and running his gaze across it.
"Yes," he agreed, a flicker of relief in his words, "it fell from a book in the archive. I never saw it before that...but when I saw it, it wasn't torn like this. It had come out of the nikki, I believe, sir - but it was a complete sheet. It was not torn at the bottom."
"A line was ripped out to send a warning message to me about my position." Guren retrieved the sheet, his eyes dark. "But the majority of what you just read is everything you saw before?"
"Yes, sir."
"I see." Guren's brows drew together thoughtfully. "The text refers to Father making a sacrifice before he had to choose over Seiren and I. Did what was missing explain that in any more detail?"
"No, sir." Ryuu shook his head. "I assumed...forgive me, but I believed Kiriko-sama must have suffered a miscarriage or some other tragedy and lost a son before."
"Yes, perhaps you are right. Such things would not have been discussed with young children, as they are perceived as ill omens." Guren pressed his lips together pensively. "I had worried that maybe he had fathered an illegitimate child before our birth and he had chosen to kill it to protect the family - such things are not unknown in the Kuchiki, though I cannot imagine Kinnya-ojiue easily accepting that."
"I don't think Senaya-sama was the kind of person to kill children, sir," Ryuu murmured. "He couldn't kill Father, and he didn't kill Raiko-dono, so..."
"Yes, I prefer to think of him that way, too." Guren's expression lightened slightly. "I loved my father very dearly, Ryuu. We had a very close bond...it is not nice to know someone you loved that much kept secrets from you. It makes me wonder whether there were other secrets...more shameful ones buried far deeper under the surface."
"I am not in a position to remark on someone of Senaya-sama's greatness," Ryuu said gravely, "but I...I believe he...would have done anything to ensure the safety and survival of his family. I think they were very precious to him and...and he would sooner have lost his life than he would have dishonoured or betrayed any of them."
"He was that kind of man," Guren agreed. "Thank you, Ryuu. Perhaps it's foolish, but even hearing the words of someone who never knew him, I am somewhat comforted."
He glanced down at the battered sheet of paper once more.
"You discovered this after we buried Ribari...but you thought to say nothing to anyone?"
"I..." Ryuu fidgeted, then, "I wasn't really sure who to tell. But it's not...not the case that I did not speak of it to anyone. I may have mentioned it to Senpai, and when I found it, I rode...I rode from the manor to the coast. I thought..."
"Ojiue." Guren's eyes became slits. "Of course. He gave me the impression that you'd met - now I understand."
He eyed Ryuu keenly.
"This makes your claim to the Clan even more solid, you realise?"
"Yes, sir," Ryuu sighed heavily, "and for that reason, I sought Kinnya-sama's advice."
"And?"
"I wanted to know if he would tell anyone about it, or whether he would not."
"Since he didn't tell me about it, I doubt he would broadcast it to the whole of the Kuchiki court." There was a faintly bitter note in Guren's voice, and Ryuu shook his head.
"No, he said he had no intention of breaking his promise to Grandfather," he said hurriedly. "I...I was glad. It was...I didn't go in order to get him to support my claim. On...on the contrary...I hoped he wouldn't want to tell anyone about it."
"You hoped what?" Now it was Guren's turn to sound surprised, and Ryuu swallowed hard, gathering his courage.
"I do not wish to inherit the Clan, sir," he said, his voice somehow steady despite the pounding of his heart. "I realised a good time ago that I was not suited for such a hallowed position, and events have only proved to confirm it to me more and more."
"I see." Guren's expression gave nothing away. "So what you said to Aizen was the truth? You were content with your life before Ribari's death, and you would rather, if you had the choice, return to that life?"
"If I had the choice." Ryuu nodded gravely. "I also understand what my duty is to this family. Guren-sama, if you command me to succeed you, I will not defy that command. I am subject to your leadership and I will not shy from it, if you make it your express will for me to be the next Clan Leader. I wanted, however, to give you my true feelings. I am...I am not Ribari-sama. And nor...am I like you."
"In all truth, I should never have been annointed Clan Leader, though," Guren reflected. "If Father's nikkiis to be believed, and Seiren was born first, he should have been the one to inherit on Father's death. You are his blood son, and though Seiren's situation has always been complicated, your right to hold the Clan is greater by blood descent than mine is. I am Clan Leader, but if the family was to know about this manipulation, they would clamour for the line to return to its rightful course. That is, you should always have been named as my heir, no matter what children I had. I am simply Leader because Seiren could not be - I am his substitute, and Father utilised me as such to keep the family stable. What lengths he went to to achieve it, I really don't know. What I do know, though, is that it is my line that has no right to claim power here. If you really are the true heir to the family, Ryuu, it is in your blood to lead it. You should not be afraid to take on that mantle - it belongs to you."
"With due respect, sir, it does not." Ryuu shook his head earnestly. "The one who leads the Kuchiki is the one who is chosen to lead it, and who is annointed by the Clan to lead it."
"Perhaps in your eyes," Guren said dryly. "You are too young to have been fully immersed in the finicky traditions and rules that underpin this Clan's inheritance. There is very little room in Kuchiki lore for deviation from the true line. Whatever Father's reasons, he knew that what he was doing was a crime against the Clan. In order to make me the true heir, his obligation to the family was to kill Seiren and raise only one son. Seiren's life means that the Kuchiki was not inherited by the right son. The line is broken - if you do not follow me, it will remain broken."
Ryuu was silent for a while, his gaze drifting to the window, where stray, bronzed leaves fluttered on the morning breeze.
"The Kuchiki ethos is wrong," he said at length, returning his sombre grey eyes to meet Guren's clouded ones. "If it cannot change, and deviate, and shift with the seasons and the times, it will not survive. Aizen Keitarou has taught us that more clearly than any other, I believe. Because we are so set in our ways, he was able to pit us against each other and create chaos and devastation. That is how Clans are destroyed. And...and Guren-sama, I really believe that this Clan is too great to let an exile and an outlaw destroy it."
"I see." Guren's lips thinned contemplatively. "Then what do you believe is right, Ryuu? If you will not follow in my footsteps, how do you perceive this Clan can go forward?"
Ryuu smiled faintly.
"Shirogane-senpai is a far better prospect for the family than I," he said pragmatically. "I may have the better bloodline, but sometimes that is not enough. Like Father, I am someone better suited to be a shadow. I am here to support the Clan, not lead it. Do not mistake me - I have confidence in both my sword skills and my administrative ones. I do not, however, know how to motivate or manipulate people, nor can I see with any great ease how to negotiate with others to improve our family's position. I have made some grave errors since this began - I doubted in people I should not have doubted in and because of my wilful behaviour, Father is now as ill as this. I would not be a wise choice of head, Guren-sama. More, I believe...Father's broken spirit power was an omen that his line was not meant to inherit."
Guren let out a soft chuckle, despite himself.
"You really are a very intelligent boy, aren't you?" he mused. "I regret not having had the chance to speak to you like this before. I understand your words, Ryuu, and clearly you have thought very deeply about this whole business. The fact still remains, though, that Ribari was my only blood heir. My line ends with me, now - and Shirogane..."
"Shirogane-senpai said that Sensei had told him there was a past precedent for a nephew through the female line to inherit the Kuchiki," Ryuu said softly. "If the Clan Leader was to adopt that nephew, then..."
He trailed off, a look of apprehension in his eyes.
"I am overreaching myself," he murmured, "I'm sorry. My words are impertinent and insensitive...I should not..."
"I intended to adopt Shirogane, you know," Guren shook his head, "when Ribari had reached his majority. I had intended to formally bring Shirogane into my own care and give him the Kuchiki name in the way Father bestowed it on Futsuki when he and Mother married. I wanted Shirogane to be able to support my son like a brother - just as Futsuki has always been there to support me. When Ribari died, though...such a move could only be interpreted as one thing by the Kuchiki court, and so I shied away from it. It was never my intention to replace my son with my nephew - nor did I want to alienate Seiren by undermining your claim. Though I sent Ojiue to District One with papers outlining Shirogane's right to inherit should you and I both be killed, the stipulations were very clear. You outrank Shirogane and it is your claim first."
He sighed.
"Now it transpires that you have no aspirations to lead the Clan," he added. "With my brother so ill, though, I can't give thought to anything else. Seiren's known the truth about us for a long long time - somehow I can tell that he's always known, even though he never told me the truth. Why he never did, I'm not sure. What his motives were, that's hard to work out. He's always been there, and he's always supported me, ever since Father died. Yet he's done so knowing that all of this should have been his - if I tell him that I'm negating your claim by adopting Shirogane..."
"I will speak to Father, when he is well enough to listen," Ryuu promised. "I should have done so long before, so this is in some way my fault, too. I cannot be something I am not, and I have realised it most keenly these past few months. I was sent to the Academy to become a shinigami, Guren-sama, and I have discovered that I am good at it. More, I have friends now that I never had before, and my outlook on many things has been broadened quite considerably. I understand now that I am a Kuchiki and my loyalty is to you and to those who you designate to succeed you. I do not wish to be one of those so designated - but I will do whatever is in my power once I graduate to support you and the Clan as a whole. Unlike Mitsuki, my place is here in District Six."
"Very well." Guren rested a hand briefly on his nephew's shoulder. "Until Seiren is well enough to be consulted, we will discuss this matter no more. I understand your words and I accept them as the view of an adult in his right mind, understanding as you do the full implications of what you are saying. If you do not become my heir, though, Ryuu, I hope you don't think I will allow you to slip back out of my notice. I am most intrigued by you and your zanpakutou, now I've seen a little of it, and I should like, in Seiren's place, to help you if I can to further perfect your skills once you graduate Genryuusai-sama's school. You have not had the benefit of a father to train with you and I have neglected my duty as your uncle, but I will remedy that. More, even if Seiren does consent to your wish, I shall not accept your refusal to inherit the Clan unless you agree to a particular stipulation."
"A stipulation?" Ryuu looked hesitant, and Guren nodded.
"When Shirogane returns from District One, he will once more be my Vice Captain," he said matter-of-factly. "Whether he is my heir or not, my son or my nephew - that won't change. Third seat, however, remains vacant. My son's seat is a painful one to fill and I would not fill it rashly - but I believe...if it were to be given over to you, I would not have any regrets."
"To me?" Ryuu's eyes almost fell out of his head. "When I have been so recklessly insubordinate...and Ribari-sama's seat? I...surely..."
"You told me yourself that you are best suited to providing support, and would do whatever was in your power for me and for the Clan," Guren reminded him lightly. "In being my Third Seat, you would be able to fulfil both those promises, would you not?"
"I...you put a good deal of faith in one who is as yet untried and unproven, sir, and given that..."
"I saw a young man release his sword and face down an enemy with not an ounce of fear," Guren broke across Ryuu's protestations, his words gentle but firm. "Even when Aizen had you pinned fast, I didn't see any sign of your courage faltering. Genryuusai-sama sees something special in you and now, so do I. I'm sorry it's taken as long as this, but if you insist that I treat with the family and with Shirogane himself to make him my heir, it will be on the understanding you too are there to support both him and I in the steps ahead. If Shirogane succeeds me, you will succeed your father as his right hand man. To do that, experience at a high squad level is essential. That is my will as leader of this Clan, Ryuu - something you said you would not move to defy."
"I see." Ryuu's expression was solemn, and he slowly bowed his head. "In that case, I have no choice but to accept it, although I feel you do me far too great a service. I have always wanted to serve with Sixth Squad, and no other - to do so at such a high rank so soon after graduation would be a great honour."
"More of one than inheriting the Clan?"
"Indeed so." Ryuu's lips twitched into a smile. "You have just told me, sir, that my sword prowess impressed you and for that reason, you have made me this offer. On the contrary, had I succeeded the Clan, that would have been because of blood, not because of achievement. I have come to learn over the past few years that, whilst I am sensible to the prestige of this Clan, I seek to hold a position only if I have earned it."
"Very well," Guren acquiesced, "then when Seiren recovers - providing he does - we will all discuss the whole matter in full. This business has taught me that I take him for granted - it has been very odd, at the main house, without my constant shadow."
"Father has given everything to help you rule this Clan, hasn't he?" Ryuu murmured, and Guren let out a heavy sigh.
"Without my realising it, perhaps he has," he acknowledged. "Kinnya-ojisama and Otousama often disagreed, but I always perceived them to have a close bond. In comparison, I have always had better relations with Futsuki, and Seiren the same than we had with one another. Since I became Clan Leader, we have not always agreed and he has never failed to give me his opinion. We have not fought, though, as we did as children. It is as though...since then...we have both taken the step forward Father hoped we would. We do not have to think alike or always agree to be able to work together. Perhaps we don't even need to be brothers to make this Clan succeed."
"I think it's something else," Ryuu said thoughtfully, moving his hand across to cover his father's pale, thin fingers with his own sword-calloused ones. "I don't know when Father found out what Grandfather had done. Maybe Grandfather told him - I don't know. We've never talked about it. But I agree with you that he's known a long time. I think...since then...he's done whatever he could to support you because that's what an older brother's duty is. I confess I only have a vague understanding of this concept born of spending so much time with Ukitake and the others, but nevertheless I feel I am correct. Father and I are very alike in some ways, and I know that...should I make up my mind to something, or should I affix my loyalty to some cause, there will be no second-guessing it. We are poor speakers when it comes to the things we think and feel - but because I recognise that trait in myself, I am coming to understand Father's mind, too. I think...since Father knew what the truth was...he no longer hated you. Senaya-sama gave him a mission to undertake and he committed to it completely. You are his brother and that matters to him - more than anyone realised it did."
"Ryuu..."
"He would have died rather than shame or hurt you," Ryuu pointed out softly. "He kept this a secret and even when Aizen tried to blackmail him, he held firm and would not raise arms against you. I understand that even when my life was used as a bargaining chip, he chose to shut himself away, even to die, rather than work with your enemy."
Guren smiled ruefully.
"When I asked him what he was hiding from me, he said some things are better not said - for my sake as much as anyone else's," he reflected. "Also, that he would not forgive someone who rebelled against the Clan leader, including himself. Perhaps you're right. Maybe all this time Seiren has been protecting me from the shadows, as only an older brother can. I've never even thought of it that way, but it's only since Ribari died that we've argued in the way we did as youths. I thought we worked together so well because we were both too tentative to cross each other...but perhaps it's only me who hasn't managed to leave our childhood spats behind."
"Guren-sama!"
Before Ryuu could respond, the door slid back to reveal Futsuki, who bowed his head in brisk apology for the suddenness of his arrival.
"Pardon me for intruding on Seiren's rest like this, but Sixth Squad have located something you ought to see," he spoke grimly, and Ryuu was struck by the sudden tension that rippled through Guren's body at Futsuki's words.
"Report," the Clan Leader said quietly. "What is it?"
"A pocket of spiritual disturbance in the forest, not far from where...near to where Ribari-sama was struck down," Futsuki responded. "Genryuusai-sama has already headed to the location, and I came here at once to get you. I'm sorry, Guren - I think there's a good chance it's the remains of a Senkaimonof sorts."
"A Senkaimon?" Guren's eyes flooded with anger and he was on his feet in a moment. "You mean that, despite our shutting off every porthole we could locate, he's still managed to slip our attention and leave Sixth?"
"Genryuusai-sama is examining the site now, but it's possible," Futsuki grimaced. "It's a very unstable pocket of spiritual energy, Guren. Too unstable for a sane person to attempt to use to cross through Seireitei. It's also very easy to miss. I know that that whole area was already searched once, and none of the tell-tale signs of a gate opening were obviously apparent. But..."
"We are not dealing with a sane mind," Guren said blackly, "and if the gate was unstable and has been opened recently, it would doubtless emit a stronger signal. Even a shinigami with Bankai would struggle to conceal completely the opening of a faulty Senkaimon, but it should have been detected and sealed off, regardless."
He glanced at Ryuu.
"I must go," he said quietly. "I leave Seiren in your care, Ryuu. We will talk more later."
"Yes, sir." Ryuu bowed his head solemnly, and Guren nodded.
"It brings me no pleasure to return to the place where my son was struck down," he murmured, his eyes pained. "Again Keitarou has used my weakness for family against me. I am distracted by Seiren's collapse, and so allowed him to slip the net. We must not give him any more of a head start than he already has. Futsuki, come with me. We are going to find Aizen Keitarou, and we are going to make sure he does not get to hurt anyone else."
"That's the last."
Uebashi leant back against the wall with a heavy sigh, casting his dishevelled companion a relieved smile. "All of the lower school are fully accounted for and without injury, Kazoe. Houjou assured me that all of the Fourth Year class are also now present since Takaoka and Nagasata rejoined them, and Minabe's certain all of the Fifth are here. That just leaves the Seniors to tally up."
"If they're doing their job, they should be the last ones here." Minabe folded her broad arms across her chest, her expression one of deep displeasure. "Foolish, impudent First Squad monkeys. Some of them were trained to their combat arts by me – did they really think they could overpower me without a shred of spiritual wit or guile?"
"They weren't acting on their own impulses," Uebashi put in hurriedly, before Kazoe could retort. "I'm as distressed about it as you, Minabe, but it doesn't appear as though they had much choice."
"Then they should be ashamed of themselves, being manipulated by a slip of a girl who hasn't even graduated," Minabe was unmoved. "I'll be speaking to Hashihiko-sama about this myself, not to mention Genryuusai-sama. First Squad obviously need harsher drill if their mental state can be so easily infiltrated."
Kazoe let out a heavy sigh. Only half an hour had passed since he had stumbled onto the bloody scene outside the First Division barracks, but already things were starting to fall into a surreal sense of normality. Including the three shinigami Mitsuki had found inside the wooden building, all of the stationed First Division members had been accounted for, and at Uebashi's advice, Minabe had used her impressive brawn to haul the unfortunates into the school's confinement unit, locking them firmly inside. Although many of those who had survived the onslaught were still unconscious, one or two had begun to stir, and from their obvious bewilderment, it appeared as though with Naoko's collapse, the spell had indeed been broken.
"I sent Houjou to take a message to First Squad's Vice Captain, asking him to attend here as soon as he is able," Uebashi added now, "and he went at once. He's startlingly reliable these days, so I'm sure he'll convey what I told him properly."
"It was probably prudent to send a kinsman," Kazoe acknowledged. "All right, then so far as First Squad is concerned, the immediate danger is under control. Shikibu is far from all right, but it's my belief that the only person with enough skill to treat her and keep her stable until Retsu-sama returns is Edogawa, so I've left her to do what she can. That accounts for three of the Seniors…I sent Shiba, Michihashi and Souryou here too. Did they arrive?"
"They did," Uebashi confirmed. "Michihashi didn't look up to much, so while Shiba and Souryou were here to help with the juniors, I let the other boy sit quietly and read. He's over by the far window –and since you and Minabe are here now too, I don't suppose the Seniors still need to supervise."
"Houjou, Shikibu, Shiba, Edogawa. Souryou and Michihashi make six," Kazoe pursed his lips, counting names on his fingers as his keen gaze scoured the room. "There are still six students unaccounted for. No, make that four. Nagoya's approaching, and Ukitake and Kyouraku by some miracle appear to be with him."
"I believe it's three." Uebashi shook his head. "Kuchiki is still in District Six – at present we have only eleven Senior students."
"Ah, so we do." Kazoe's expression twisted into a grim smile. "Very well. That leaves Endou, Yamamoto, Shihouin whose whereabouts are currently unknown."
"The immediate danger has passed, however," Uebashi pointed out. "All of First Squad are confined and Shikibu is receiving help. Surely they'll return here soon enough?"
"They haven't received the message to do so," Kazoe shook his head, watching the door slide back to admit Shirogane and his two young companions. "Nagoya! Have you seen Yamamoto, Shihouin or Endou on your travels?"
"Hirata and Kai are missing?" Juushirou's eyes grew big, and Shunsui thwapped him lightly across the back of the head.
"Sensei wasn't talking to you. Pipe down," he scolded, and despite himself, Kazoe stifled the wry smile that longed to spread across his lips.
"I haven't." Shirogane shot Juushirou a withering glance, then shook his head. "I'm sorry, Kazoe-sensei. I've had my hands full with other matters – I wasn't aware that so many of the Senior Class had such a poor sense of direction."
"Souryou, you were with Yamamoto and the others before the library came under attack, weren't you?" Kazoe raised his voice, and Kanshi looked up, ambling across the Great Hall to join them with a rueful grin. "Do you know where they headed after they left you?"
"They were looking for Shikibu, but according to Sora, she's been found already and everything's calmed down," Kanshi responded, "in a manner of speaking, anyhow. Why? Do you want me to go find then, Sensei?"
"No, you're walking wounded." Kazoe shook his head. "You stay here."
He paused, spreading his spiritual senses out across the morass of mingled energy that still lingered about the school grounds, then nodded.
"The immediate danger appears to have abated," he reflected. "If we can round up the final trio, that will be everyone."
"I'll go find them, Sensei." Juushirou raised his hand. "I'm Anideshi, so it's my job to go."
"Do you think that's a good idea?" Shunsui shot him a quizzical look, and Juushirou's expression became impatient.
"Sensei just said that the danger has gone," he said pointedly. "What do you think I'm going to do, run off into the hills? I'm going to find Yamamoto-kun and the others, that's all. Nothing else. I'll bring them right back here."
"I could go, Sensei," Shirogane interjected. "Sending one student running after another is asking for trouble."
"Senpai!" Juushirou's expression became one of dismay. "Don't you trust me to do what I said? Sensei said it's safe - all I'm going to do is get Kai and the rest!"
"Very well." Kazoe gestured in the direction of the doorway with his cane. "Go, Ukitake, but don't be long. If you tarry, I'll be sure to report it to Genryuusai-sensei, and I don't expect to have to send anyone else out after you - understand?"
"Sensei?" Shunsui's eyes became big, but Juushirou was already shooting his friend a triumphant look, bowing his head towards the teacher in acknowledgement before shunpoing out of the protected space.
"Is that really a good idea, Sensei?" Shirogane asked softly. "Sending Ukitake...Genryuusai-sama was very clear..."
"Do you sense anything dangerous within the school grounds?" Kazoe asked acerbically, and Shirogane frowned, shaking his head.
"I don't," he admitted, "but even so...I could easily have gone."
"Are you acquainted with the students in question?"
"No, but..."
"I have another job for you, in any case." Kazoe held up his hand to indicate there would be no further discussion on this topic. "Sending you while Ukitake is away is as well, I think. I want you to go to Genryuusai-sensei's study and report the current situation to your Great Uncle. I'm sure he needs no such report, but since effectively he's been left in charge here, he ought to know what's going on."
"I suppose that's true." Shirogane still looked doubtful, but he inclined his head. "Very well. I will go there directly."
With that he was gone, and Shunsui sighed, sinking back against the wall.
"I have a bad feeling, Sensei," he murmured. "I can't explain what or why, I just...do."
"Because I sent Ukitake?" Kazoe's eyes bored into him, and Shunsui nodded.
"I guess so. Given everything, I suppose..."
"What kind of shinigami do you want Ukitake to become, Kyouraku?" Kazoe asked softly, and Shunsui started, staring at him blankly.
"A live one, if at all possible," he managed at length, "though that's an odd question, if I may say so, Sensei. It's not really up to me, is it, what kind of shinigami Juu becomes?"
"No. It's not," Kazoe agreed acidly, "and the sooner you realise that, the better. I know you are friends - in fact, I'm fairly sure it's only thanks to his influence that you've become a tolerable student. However, he is not for you to protect. Heis Anideshi, not you. Going to fetch his fellows was his duty and he accepted it without question."
"But..."
"This is not a battlefield, despite the recent events," Kazoe shook his head, "and if you do not allow Juushirou to become his own kind of shinigami in his own way, Kyouraku, he will come to resent you."
"I..." Shunsui trailed off, rubbing his temples. "I suppose I know that. I worry about him too much. Just, knowing that he could get hurt..."
"A shinigami who cannot defend himself is of little use to Seireitei," Kazoe said simply. "Genryuusai-sensei would be the first to say that, would he not?"
"Yes, sir. He would," Shunsui agreed. "I didn't really expect to hear it from you, though. I mean, you're an Unohana, and surely that means protecting all life..?"
"I have no intention of letting harm befall any of you, because I am your teacher and so that is my duty until you graduate," Kazoe responded frankly. "I do not like loss of life, but I also believe in my students being able to protect themselves from danger. Ukitake is capable of that. If he was not, he would not have been chosen as Anideshi, now would he?"
"I suppose that's true," Shunsui admitted. "I know he doesn't need my protection."
"Then we shall say no more." Kazoe offered his student a rare, brief smile. "Go and make yourself useful and help Shiba and the others with the juniors. As a Senior, your duty is to protect them, so focus your considerable skills and attention on that for the time being. Understand? In Ukitake's absence, that responsibility falls to you."
"But..."
"Did Genryuusai-sensei not designate you Ukitake's second in command, however unofficially?" Kazoe arched an eyebrow, and Shunsui offered him a rueful smile.
"He did, I suppose," he conceded. "All right. I understand. When Senpai returns, I'll go help Sora and the others."
He bowed his head in what might have been interpreted as a gesture of acknowledgement, and Kazoe leaned up against the wall, folding his arms absently across his chest and letting his breath out in a rush.
There were many times today I wasn't sure I could protect you all, Kyouraku. A kinswoman of mine is still in a critical state, and even now the immediate danger has passed, it will be a while before everything calms down. It's been a long time since I've felt everything around me swirling so much out of control, and even after so many years, it's not easy to make the right decisions at the right time. Sometimes all we can do is what's right in front of us, and thankfully, this time those impulses appear to have been correct.
"Sensei!"
At that moment Shirogane reappeared, anxiety in his grey eyes, and Kazoe gazed at him in surprise, jerked free of his reverie by the expression on the young man's face.
"What's wrong?" he asked quietly, and Shirogane swallowed hard.
"Sensei, Kinnya-sama isn't in Genryuusai-sensei's office," he murmured, apprehension in his gaze. "He's not there. He's gone!"
District One was cold.
Keitarou pulled his ragged cloak more tightly around his body, pausing to rest his hand against the trunk of a nearby tree as he regained his bearings. His mind was swirling, his whole form dizzy and disorientated from his trip through the unstable Senkaimon. It had been only his determination that had allowed him to avoid being dragged into the volatile walls of the tunnel. Drawing Chudokuga, he had managed somehow to slash open an exit point and drop safely to the ground, but it had taken a lot of his spiritual strength to ward off danger and now he had reached his destination, he took deep breaths into his lungs, relishing the fresh air.
Better than the fetid air inside that Gate. I doubt I'll ever be able to use it again - it's about ready to implode.
He frowned, assessing his location. He was unfamiliar with District One, knowing as he did that it was normally the home of Genryuusai, a shinigami who would not only locate him but destroy him with one release of his infamous fire zanpakutou. Now he had met the old man face to face, Keitarou was even more sure that an encounter with Ryuujinjakka would prove immediately fatal.
I have not much time. He will return here shortly, and I must have finished all I need to do before that happens.
He had set down in a mountainous area, a horizon of peaks and valleys stretching out in all directions as far as he could see. Though many of the trees were barren in preparation for the cold frosts of winter, there was a certain gentle prettiness to this wild, untamed run of land, and a faintly nostalgic expression touched his features.
When I was small, before Father died, we would run riot through this kind of wilderness. It's the perfect place for discovering things never yet discovered - a place where dreams are created and where fantasies are fulfilled.
He smiled ruefully, shaking his head as if to clear it.
That was a long time ago. My dreams now focus on protecting Eiraki and restoring my sword in order to regroup and prepare for the fight that is to come. I see so much more clearly now what my path is meant to be and how I'm supposed to move from this point on. I can't afford to get sentimental or nostalgic when there are things to be done. I must find Juushirou and I must either claim or kill him, depending which proves to be the simplest solution. I must find Eiraki first, though, and hear her report of what's been going on here. She can't be far from this place - I can see what must be the Academy building from here.
He turned, his gaze absorbing thoughtfully the perimeter of land surrounding what had obviously once been an old manor house, but which now housed Genryuusai's precious school of students.
Juushirou is there, too. That's where I need to head. With Genryuusai away, there shouldn't be any need to worry about militant defences. That Unohana girl has taken care of the First Squad quite effectively, so far as I can tell - it should be no problem at all to infiltrate the building and claim what interests me the most.
He forced his weary body into shunpo, re-materialising a short few feet from the edge of the school grounds and gazing at it pensively. He could tell from the mix of spirit power on the wind that the Academy had seen one battle already that day - and his lips curled in a faint smile as he registered all the different strains of spiritual energy.
They fought valiantly and they're probably relieved that it's all over. Well, that's fine by me. Let them be so reassured. My business is not with most of them.
The faint prickle of Eiraki's reiatsu alerted him to the girl's approach and he slipped back into the dense trees, reaching out a hand to grab her and pull her into the shade of an elderly pine. She gasped, her hand automatically going to the vial of Reidoku at her waist, but as she met his gaze she relaxed, sinking back against him with a sigh.
"You startled me," she said reproachfully. "You could have told me you'd made it here safely."
"The less drama I cause by being here the better, at present." Keitarou patted her gently on the head. "You look well, and I'm glad. I trust that the school have been far too busy with their own affairs to bother about your actions?"
"None of them have paid me any attention whatsoever," Eiraki looked derisive. "It was exactly as you said it would be, Kei-sama. Your experiment worked perfectly. Those silly shinigami turned on the students and they were all fighting all over the place. They're probably all worn out now."
"Naoko broke my control over her," Keitarou glanced down at the hilt of his sword. "I felt the severance in the connection. Do you know what became of her?"
"Not sure," Eiraki admitted. "There's a lot of blood around the First Division barracks, though. Maybe one of her friends ran her through...why?"
She frowned.
"You aren't worried for her, are you?" she asked softly, her eyes becoming big and sorrowful. "She's not so very pretty, Kei-sama, and..."
"I have no interest in her whatsoever." Keitarou smiled, putting a gentle finger to her lips. "Don't look at me like that. She was a puppet, and no more. If she's dead, so much to the good. Dead puppets don't talk, and therefore are so much more useful than live ones in situations such as this."
"Oh." Eiraki relaxed, offering him a sheepish smile. "You took such a long time to come. I was worried you wouldn't manage to."
"I had to create a considerable amount of distraction before I could leave." Keitarou touched his fingers absently to his throat. "It got a little dangerous, so I took my chance and escaped. Now there's just one piece of important unfinished business to see to."
"Ukitake-san," Eiraki sighed, nodding her head. "He fought against one of the shinigami, but I don't think he was hurt. I was hoping I could report to you that someone had already killed him and then we could escape right away - but it's not going to be so simple as that, is it?"
"No," Keitarou admitted, "and this time, Eiraki-chan, I am sending you away. Not far," as Eiraki's lips began to part in protest, "just out of the immediate vicinity of the school. From the mountains there's a deep valley which looks very sheltered and concealed with pine trees. If you can follow this path straight along towards the east, I think you'll get there. Hide yourself in the trees and wait for me. I'll come for you once my mission is complete and we'll leave here together. Understand?"
"Yes, but you..."
"I'll be fine. I've already covered the most dangerous part of this mission." Keitarou offered her a playful smile. "Now go, quickly, before anyone sees you. Keep the reidokuwith you and use it if you need to to protect yourself - otherwise stay out of sight."
"All right." Eiraki pouted, but nodded her head. "I'll be waiting for you. Don't take too long."
As he watched her slim figure disappear between the trunks of the trees, Keitarou let out a sigh, rubbing his fingers once more against his bruised throat.
I think I won't tell you how close that creature came to squeezing the life out of me. It's probably better the less you know about what happened in Sixth. I'm safely here now, so it's of no particular matter.
He turned his gaze back towards the school, pulling the hood of his cloak over his head to better conceal his features and slipping into shunpo, re-materialising a few metres from the edge of the training ground. Here the mixture of spiritual emissions was even denser, and he frowned, suppressing his own reiatsu to a level whereby the spiritual pollution in the air would mask his presence more easily. As he did so, he clearly picked up the faint traces of shadow manipulation among the threads, and a look of consternation crossed his features.
The Kyouraku bocchan. So Naoko's puppets failed to kill him, too? Pity. That would have made my life much easier, but as it is...
"Who are you?"
The voice startled him, and he swung around, seeing a tall, broadly built individual confronting him, his hand curled around the hilt of what was clearly a zanpakutouat his waist and a look of suspicion and anger in his dark brown eyes. In his slipstream was a smaller youth, his dark skin and vivid golden eyes immediately giving him away as a Shihouin. Both boys were robed in the attire of the Academy, though from their dishevilled appearances Keitarou got the distinct impression they had already spent some of the morning fighting, and a derisive smile crossed his features.
"A visitor," he said smoothly, folding his arms across his chest and allowing his cloak to billow around him in the breeze. "I don't have business with the Yamamoto or the Shihouin, however, so if you'd step aside I'd be most grateful."
"This is my Father's land." The Yamamoto boy did not move, his brows knitting together in annoyance. "Nobody goes anywhere without identifying themselves to me."
"Oh, I see," Keitarou chuckled, "so you're one of Hashihiko-sama's children, are you? Most impressive. Your stance would not disgrace any Yamamoto warrior, I'm sure."
"Yamamoto asked you a question," Now the Shihouin spoke up, stepping forward so that he stood alongside his companion to block the way. Though built on a far more diminuitive scale to his classmate, there was an equal amount of resolution in his gold eyes and, at some point without Keitarou's noticing, a black sword had appeared in his hand. "It's generally good manners to answer. If you've no reason to conceal your face, reveal it. If you've a true reason to be here, giving your name does nobody any harm."
"I have a reason to be here." Keitarou reached up obediently to pull back the cowl of his cloak, fixing each boy with a thoughtful gaze. "I don't intend on answering to either of you, however, since my business is not with you."
"You've just made it with both of us." The Yamamoto was unmoved. "I don't know your face, therefore you'll have to state your reason for visiting before we'll let you pass. As Seniors, that's our duty to Genryuusai-sensei and to this school."
"Perhaps you might say I have an interest in a District student of yours, with whom I have a close and detailed acquaintance," Keitarou said softly. "His name is Ukitake Juushirou, and we are old friends. I would be most grateful if you would take me to him - with all the conflict going on here, his safety is of considerable concern to me."
At his words, the Shihouin stiffened, dismay entering his amber gaze.
"Aizen," he murmured, and the Yamamoto shot his companion a look of alarm.
"Aizen?" he demanded. "Thisis Aizen? This is the jerk who killed Suzuno?"
"Ah, I see that you've heard of me." Keitarou's eyes became amused. "My name and my reputation go before me. If that's the case, you'll understand why it's to the benefit of both of you to let me pass. I would hate to add further innocent corpses to my tally."
"You..." Akira's eyes glittered with rage and he lunged forward, his silver blade searing forth from its sheath and driving hard towards Keitarou's throat. Killing instinct filled the boy's aura, but Keitarou merely laughed, spreading his hands across in front of him.
"Bakudou no Kyuu. Geki," he murmured, watching with detached interest as the tendrils of red energy engulfed the bared blade, causing Akira to falter and struggle against its hold. "Really, you're very violent. Did nobody teach you to assess your opponent's strength before charging into a fight? Dear me, what does your old Sensei teach you children?"
"We know enough to know you're not getting any further inside the school grounds, Aizen." The Shihouin cast his companion a glance, his own gaze darkening. "There are people here who can fight more strongly than we can, and there are more of us than you. You don't think that you can just walk in here and take Ukitake, do you? I knew you were a little crazy, but obviously you're a lot more out of your wits than I thought you were."
"You needn't bluff," Keitarou snorted, flicking his fingers to release Akira's blade and it fell heavily onto the frozen ground. "Genryuusai-sama isn't here. I know, because I saw him in District Six. Unohana Retsu is also there, far from a place where she can defend you from harm. There is nobody else at this school who is even a little bit a match for my spirit power. You understand that, don't you, Shihouin?"
His eyes became cold.
"I have used and discarded people of your Clan before," he said cruelly. "You can't think that you will fare any better than they did."
"I know all about you, Aizen Keitarou," Kai's eyes were angry. "I know you stole Hirata's sister and slaughtered his grandfather. I know that you've been taking apart the Kuchiki from the shadows and more, trying to incriminate my family in the process. I know you made a puppet of my cousin, Tomoyuki, too. Did you know that Shihouin pride runs as deeply as Kuchiki? We never forgive a slight against our Clan, and you have committed several."
"Your sword cannot stop me," Keitarou said matter-of-factly. "You have clever words, and righteousness in your eyes, but you are tired and your reiatsu ragged. You have both already fought today. Neither one of you are able to muster the power to fight one like me, in any case. If you know I killed Endou Shouichi, boy, I wonder at you choosing to raise your blade to me."
"You killed Suzuno," Akira retrieved his weapon, hatred burning in his brown eyes. "What in hell makes you think that I'll stand back and just let that go?"
"She was of no use to me," Keitarou said dismissively. "She got in my way, and so she paid the price for it. I don't take pleasure in killing unnecessarily, but if people will try to interfere, then they write their own death warrants."
He drew Chudokuga from his sash, his left hand simultaneously glittering with light.
"I will give you both one last chance to step aside," he said softly. "If not, then it will be your warrants that Chudokuga's thread next weaves."
"Stop it!"
The voice cut through the air, crisp and clear and so entirely without hesitation that Keitarou's intent faltered, the silver haze that had coated his weapon moments before fading slightly as he turned his head to look at the speaker.
Juushirou stood at the edge of the school grounds, his hazel eyes dark with resolution and anger, and his lank white hair whipping loose around his face, the wind having teased the last of it from his makeshift tie. His hand was clasped around the hilt of Sougyo no Kotowari, although he had not drawn the weapon from its black scabbard, and as he read the boy's reiatsu, an approving smile touched Keitarou's lips.
"It's me you came to see, Keitarou, isn't it?" Juushirou spoke simply, no trace of fear in his tones. "If that's the case, my classmates are nothing to do with you. If you really want to talk to me about something, then you'll have to do it after they've headed back to the school. It's nothing to do with them - I don't want them involved."
"Are you giving me orders, Juushirou?" Keitarou let out a low chuckle. "Well, and we have become precocious since our last encounter, haven't we?"
"I can't speak for you, but I'm simply not in the mood to play games." Juushirou drew his sword a little from its sheath, a challenge in his gaze. "Don't think I came all the way out here to meet you, though. I was sent to find Yamamoto-kun and Shihouin-kun and bring them back. That's my duty, as Anideshi - so until I've completed that, I have nothing to say to you."
"Ukitake?" Akira stared at his classmate in disbelief. "Step down, you moron. Shihouin and I are the best fighters in Senior Class - do you really think that either of us are stepping back and letting you get slashed apart?"
"Please remember that I am Anideshi, Yamamoto-kun," Juushirou spoke pleasantly, but there was an undertone running through his words that made the Yamamoto boy flinch angrily. "Also, please don't forget what I said to you after we came back from the Real World. Amai-san would far rather you returned to the school in safety, and it's my job to make sure that you do."
"Suzuno's enemy is my enemy, and this isn't someone who can fight with swords," Akira began, indignation prickling in his aura, and Keitarou watched with interest, half wondering if a fight was about to break out between the two Senior students. "I damn well told you that I fight my own fights, and hers too, if need be. If you understand that you'll understand why I'm not going to walk away. Shihouin can, if he likes. I'm not done here. I have a score to settle with Aizen Keitarou."
"Then you'll settle it with me first."
Juushirou drew his blade, purposefully pointing the sharp silver tip in Akira's direction. "I won't say it again, Yamamoto-kun. You and Shihouin-kun have been summoned back to the school. I still have to find Hirata, and clearly our visitor has more business with me than he does with either of you. I suggest you both retreat and leave this to me to handle."
"You assume, Juushirou, that I intend on letting them go," Keitarou decided to speak up here, offering the District boy a lazy smile. "Your attempts to shield your fellow students do you credit, but if you saw poor Suzuno, you'll know that people who get in the way sometimes meet unhappy endings."
"You have no intention of killing them," Juushirou said flatly, not making any attempt to lower his sword or relax his stance towards Yamamoto. "If you do, you know that I won't cooperate with you, or even listen to another word you say. Also, if you do, you'll have to release reiatsu. Right now, you've hurt a classmate of mine, used her power and her reiatsu and in the resultant melee, you've suppressed all trace of yourself. You think that with Sensei away, you can lure the people here into a false sense of security, and maybe you're right. I'm sure Kazoe-sensei wouldn't have sent me out here if he'd known we had an intruder on the premises, and I admit, I'd have thought twice about coming, too. I made it clear last time we spoke that I didn't intend on renewing our acquaintance, so you can rest assured I didn't come here to meet with you by choice."
"Yet you don't intend on fleeing, do you?"
"I told you. I have a job to do," Juushirou responded evenly. "The safety of my classmates ranks above my disdain for seeing you."
"I see," Keitarou chuckled. "You have become very cocky, bearing in mind the difference in skill that separates us. I wonder if that's time spent in the company of your Kyouraku friend? I'm sure you would never have spoken so impudently before me three years ago."
"Three years ago I didn't know who you were or what you were capable of doing," Juushirou returned bluntly. "I know now. I can't be fooled by your rhetoric any more. You're a killer and an outlaw and Shunsui was right when he said we have nothing in common."
His eyes narrowed.
"Besides, if you were to fight properly, you'd have to give away your presence," he reflected. "There's also no guarantee you would win. Kai-kun and Yamamoto-kun are both far better sword fighters than you are. They're better than I am, too. Whether they fought you, or I did, you won't be able to avoid using Chudokuga. You might not even be able to defeat us, and then other people will find you here. Maybe Council people. You wouldn't risk it."
"Ukitake...?" Kai turned, meeting Juushirou's gaze with a quizzical one of his own. Slowly Juushirou inclined his head, and Kai sighed.
"Then I guess we're going," he said heavily, reaching across to grab Akira by the folds of his hakamashita. "Come on, Yamamoto. We're taking our leave and we're going back to school. Kazoe wants us, and we've nothing more to do here."
"What happened to defending family pride?" Akira demanded, and Kai offered him a rueful smile.
"You know as well as I do that there's no point fighting here," he said simply. "We'll get into trouble, or we'll get hurt."
"Or we'll hurt someone else. Him," Akira jabbed his sword in Keitarou's direction. "I'm not going anywhere, Shihouin. I don't care what you do. He killed Suzuno, and I'm going to take him down."
"Tiresome," Keitarou tut-tutted. "Juushirou's gone to so much trouble to try and extricate you, as well. I suppose there's no confining Yamamoto pride, is there? Family land, and all of that...but you're a fool if you think anyone will come and rescue you. I was inclined to let you both go, given that Juushirou performed so admirably on your behalf - but now you're starting to bore me. I don't have time to waste hanging around here and humouring your egos, so if you really want to stand and fight..."
He ran his fingers over the blade of his sword, his smile widening.
"I don't need to fight you," he said pleasantly. "Juushirou's drawn his sword - why don't we let him do it?"
His eyes hardened, as the silver glow enveloped the blade further, and despite himself Juushirou gasped, his left hand going to his chest as a similar haze of energy engulfed his body.
"Ukitake?" Kai's eyes opened wide in alarm, and Keitarou chuckled.
"You really have been naughty, keeping Chudokuga's powers all to yourself for all this time," he scolded lightly, "but my hypothesis was right. It is there inside of you and I can reach out to it. Something's happened since our last meeting - was it that very thing itself? I couldn't sense it then, but I can now - the fibres of my sword's spirit power, responding at last to Chudokuga's call."
He spread his fingers in Juushirou's direction, and the District boy choked, grasping at the folds of his hakamashita. His blade dropped from his grip as he sank to the floor, the silver light that enveloped him dragging him down as though suddenly a great weight had been thrust about his shoulders.
"Ukitake!" Akira's grip tightened around his weapon, his gaze darting from Keitarou to Juushirou as if unsure what he should do. "What the hell have you done to him, you jerk?"
"Reclaimed something that belongs to me," Keitarou said simply. "Juushirou, stand."
As the silver haze began to fade, Juushirou dragged a couple of gulps of air into his body. His right hand scrabbled around on the floor for the hilt of his blade, and as it closed around the weapon, he slowly dragged himself to his feet, still breathing hard. Keitarou glanced at his sword for a moment, then back at the young boy.
"Kill them," he said pleasantly. "Release Sougyo no Kotowari and show us all exactly what your sword is capable of doing."