Eyes of the Soul

by operation meteor

Passing beyond the veil, Itachi finds himself in an afterlife that is far from the hellfire he'd steeled himself for. With a chance encounter involving a pervy sage, a Flash Goddess and a healer whose angelic appearance hides more than a hint of steel, the bane of the Uchiha Clan finds a chance at a second life... and perhaps redemption. Slow burn. M for language and violence.

22. Chapter 22

Author's Notes: Hello there! Think I'm finally starting to get the hang of these shorter chapters… well, shorter by my standards, anyway. I've managed to do the past few pretty quickly, posting about once a month or so. That's ideally the pace I'd like to set for this story going forward, so we'll see how things shake out. Honestly been feeling a bit burned out lately, work is insanely busy and we're understaffed thanks to our corporate overlords screwing the pooch, so if the writing slows up a little that's probably why. I'll try to keep my real life job from impacting things too much. Not much action in this chapter, but don't worry; the next one will make up for that.

Enjoy!

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Invitation

One year later…

Early Summer, 137 years before Rukia Kuchiki's arrival in Karakura Town

Folding her haori and setting it down on one of the many stone outcroppings that could be found in the training ground, Yoruichi moved to the middle of one of the more open areas. She took several deep breaths and stretched her arms and legs before turning to Itachi, who was leaning back against a wall of rock.

"Ready?" she asked.

He nodded, and she saw the crimson beacons of the Sharingan flare to life in his eyes. "I am. Let's try taking it a bit slower here. I think you were too hasty with gathering the energy last time."

Yoruichi smirked. "Well, I am known for my speed! Still, you might have a point. Who knows? Maybe twelfth time's the charm?"

"Only one way to find out," Itachi replied.

He was right about that. Holding out her right arm, Yoruichi made a fist. A white spark shot out, the first sign of the energy that she was gathering and concentrating in that limb. The air around her crackled, and arcs of white energy began dancing along her arm. They made their way to her shoulders and then over to the left arm as well, and they didn't stop there. Closing her eyes, she focused on driving the energy down in to her legs next. She could feel the pressure building up within her, and as she opened her eyes again, she saw that she was engulfed in an almost blinding aura. Her hair whipped about in a frenzy as the energy caused the air around her to go haywire, and Yoruichi was glad she kept it cut relatively short compared to that of other women; if she ever grew hers out, she'd need to tie it up to keep it manageable during fighting or training, especially when she was in a state like this.

She grinned as she opened her fist, feeling sparks flying around her fingers. Yoruichi flexed her arms, focusing on keeping the energy around them rather than letting it fly off. She couldn't do that for very long, though. All that power required an outlet lest it eventually rip her apart from within. Some of it was already venting out from her shoulders, which was why she'd ditched the haori prior. She was grateful for the backless and sleeveless keisen uniform; if had she been wearing regular Soul Reaper robes, Yoruichi knew that they would've been torn to shreds by the energy discharge.

"Looks much better than last time," Itachi commented, "You've definitely got a firmer grip on it now. Keep your breathing steady; the pulsing of the energy's influenced by that. Won't be enough to allow for complete control, but it looks like it's at least helping."

"Good to know," Yoruichi growled through gritted teeth as she looked around, "Need to let some more of this out, though… ah, there's a good target!"

Sighting in on a monolith jutting up from the ground, Yoruichi thrust her right arm forward. A massive wave of white energy flew forth, and the pillar of stone was utterly obliterated. When the dust cleared, there was barely more than a scorch mark on the ground where it had once stood, along with several scattered tiny bits of rock.

Yoruichi whistled. "Whoa… might've gone a bit overboard!"

"Try flexing your fingers a bit more," Itachi suggested, "From what I'm seeing, they're acting as focusing points. Clenching them as a fist compresses it; keeping your hands open and fingers free seems to give your power greater freedom to flow. Strike a balance between that, and you might achieve equilibrium."

Yoruichi smiled as she did as he suggested, and the results were immediate. The pressure subsided considerably, and while the energy was still a beast to contain and manage, it definitely felt more malleable. Bending her knees, she then leapt into the air. She rocketed upwards, flipping so that her feet hit the ceiling. The energy coursing through her legs punched into the stone ceiling, leaving a considerable imprint. Yoruichi would have to be careful; too much power in such an impact and she could conceivably cause a cave-in, and the last thing she needed was Kisuke griping about how she'd ruined his training ground.

She then launched herself towards the ground, thrusting out both fists as the floor rapidly approached. Two blasts of white energy shot outwards as she released the energy in her arms, and a great crash echoed throughout the training ground. Chunks of rock flew everywhere, and when the dust cleared Yoruichi was standing in the middle of a sizeable crater. She flexed her arms, ready to go another round, when she suddenly felt her knees begin to shake.

Crap, she thought as arcs of lightning flew around her, I'm starting to lose it again!

Itachi had clearly noticed as well. "Release it. I think that's enough for today."

She knew he was right. Yoruichi made two quick punches, sending the excess energy in her arms racing out to blast a distant boulder. She then did the same with her legs, with a pair of kicks unleashing waves of white lightning that hammered one of the far walls. Taking a deep breath, she slowly let out whatever residual power remained, and she eventually felt her energy stabilize.

"Damn it," she muttered as Itachi approached, "I really thought I had it that time!"

"For what it's worth, you're definitely getting close," said her Tenth Seat as he passed her haori over, his blazing red eyes reverting back to a pair of onyx gems, "Your energy flow looked much more balanced and controlled, at least until towards the end. More work is needed, but you're on the right track."

She smiled at him as she accepted the haori and put it back on. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't be as far down that track as I am now. Your Sharingan's really useful when it comes to refining my control over Shunkō!"

Itachi shook his head. "I wish it could be of greater help. The truth of the matter is that the Sharingan isn't well-suited to this sort of thing. It can see an individual's chakra and detect certain irregularities, and the same applies to spirit energy, but it's not nearly as capable in this field as the Byakugan. I can only imagine how valuable the Hyūga Clan's Kekkei Genkai would be for helping you in your development of Shunkō. I'm afraid the Sharingan's a poor substitute in this case."

Yoruichi scowled as she gave him a light punch on the shoulder. "Well, we don't have anyone here with the Byakugan! We've got your Sharingan, and if I say it's doing a good job, then take the damn compliment! Seriously, Itachi; don't let the perfect be the enemy of the good."

She was relieved to see him chuckle in response. "I suppose you're right. I do have a tendency to be overly critical, don't I? Something I need to work on. If it's really helping you, then I'll be happy to continue using my Sharingan for these exercises. Whenever you need me to, just say the word."

Yoruichi grinned and winked at him. "Oh, I plan on it! Got make sure you've earned that new promotion, right?"

Itachi gave her a small smile. "If you say so."

They both knew she was kidding; he'd already earned his elevation to Tenth Seat several times over. Hell, if it were possible, Yoruichi would've pushed him up considerably higher in the ranks, but handling the paperwork for promotions was always such a hassle. Besides, Itachi seemed quite pleased with his slow and steady pace of advancement, and Yoruichi didn't want to push him any faster than what he wanted to go. He'd blitzed through the Shinobi ranks during his first life, and he was clearly trying to take things more gradually in the afterlife. Well, gradually by his standards, at least; as far as the Thirteen Court Guard Squads were concerned, his continued rise was nothing short of meteoric.

She checked her arms and legs over, and once she was sure she hadn't injured herself she nodded at the entrance to the training ground. "What do you say we head back? I think we've put in enough work for one day. Besides, afternoon exercises should be just about wrapped up for the newbies; with a bit of luck, we'll be back in time to catch Mikoto for dinner. Bet she'd be happy to sit down to a meal with her son after a productive day, wouldn't you agree?"

Itachi nodded, his smile growing just a little bit. "I would."

The two of them left the training ground, pausing to make sure no one else was in the area before emerging from the brush at the base of Sōkyoku Hill. They could've just Flash Stepped over the walls and roofs of the Seireitei, but it was a lovely day out, and they had a bit of time before they would really have to rush back to the barracks. So, Yoruichi led Itachi along a somewhat more scenic route, the two of them just another pair of Soul Reapers strolling along the gleaming tiled-roads of the Seireitei.

Making sure no one was listening in, Yoruichi leaned to whisper in Itachi's ear. "Next time, I want you to put me through another round of anti-genjutsu training. Think you're up for it?"

Itachi looked a little concerned. "I am, but… are you sure you want another session so soon? I know you find it unsettling, and I don't want you to feel forced to put yourself through it."

Yoruichi shook her head. "It's creepy, sure, but how else am I going to learn to deal with the kind of illusions that you former Shinobi can cast? Besides, I trust you, Itachi. You're the only person I'm comfortable doing this with."

It was true, and not just because he was one of only two people she knew in the entire Soul Society who had the Sharingan. Yoruichi was sure that Kisuke could find a way to come up with some trippy illusions if given the proper time and materials, and while she would normally trust him with her life, there were certain limits. She knew just how much her old friend liked to push the envelope, and Yoruichi could only imagine the kind of trouble he'd get the two of them into if he had the power to influence or alter a person's perception in the manner that Itachi could.

Itachi didn't take the hypnotic powers of the Sharingan lightly. Each and every time they trained, whether it was simple sparring or something more intense, he would always first confirm with her just how far she wanted him to go with his abilities. He would never ensnare her in an illusion without her explicit consent, and he always made sure she understood just what she was asking for. It was one of the many things that Yoruichi found so endearing with him… a list that seemed to grow longer with each passing year.

The years that had gone by since the party at her parents' estate had been busy ones. No progress had been made on the wraith hunt, but Squad Two had plenty of other responsibilities outside of that. Conventional Hollow hunts in both the Soul Society and various Realms of the Living, Rukon District and Seireitei patrols, mass Konsō operations following natural disasters or any one of mankind's many pointless wars, and more besides had kept their unit quite active. Even their leisure time had turned out to be anything but; training seemed to dominate most of it, meaning that the few occasions Yoruichi and Itachi could take to just unwind and enjoy a bit of private fun together seemed all too fleeting.

We take the moments when we can find them, she reassured herself, and we make the most of them. It's worked out pretty well for the two of us so far, and we both agreed to take things slow in any case. No need to rock the boat.

With his mother having graduated and joined Squad Two just last year, Yoruichi had suddenly found herself competing with another woman for Itachi's time and attention. Of course, she didn't begrudge Mikoto in the slightest for it. In fact, Itachi's mother would often invite Yoruichi to join her and her son in whatever activity they were partaking in, whether it be just a quick tea break or training. Her new Seventeenth Seat had settled in quite easily, and Squad Two was definitely all the better for having recruited her.

Itachi had never expressed any doubts about Mikoto joining their division, but Yoruichi hadn't taken anything for granted. The competition to recruit her had been stiff, with most of the other Captains making seriously appetizing offers that would've left many students deeply conflicted. Word was definitely getting around about the prowess of the Uchiha; Itachi and Shisui were just too good at their jobs, and Mikoto had once again risen to the top of her class after Kaien Shiba's blitz through the Academy. It was a good thing that Ukitake was the only other Captain that knew of the Sharingan, otherwise Yoruichi suspected that her colleagues would've truly pulled out all the stops.

I wonder if Mikoto will unlock hers when she gains her Shikai, Yoruichi mused, Itachi did say that the marriage between her and his father was one from within the clan. There might have been some outside nudging; maybe the clan wanted to make sure that the children of the leader got the Sharingan and didn't feel like taking chances with outside blood.

She'd never said as much to Itachi, but the way he and his mother had spoken of their family with Yoruichi over the past year hadn't exactly denied such a possibility. Yoruichi was curious, but she wasn't about to pry into something so sensitive. It wasn't her place to do so, and she wanted to do all she could to give Itachi the chance to rebuild his ties with Mikoto. If nothing else, he seemed to be smiling more ever since she'd joined their unit, and Yoruichi was all for encouraging that.

In fact, Itachi was actually smiling now, albeit rather sheepishly, thanks to her earlier vote of confidence. "I… I see. I'm grateful for the faith you have in me."

Yoruichi laughed before reaching over to mess with his hair a bit. "Itachi, what have I told you about being so stiff? You've got to lighten up more!"

His posture did seem to relax somewhat, which was definitely a good sign. "So you say. If you really do wish to go another round the next time we get together for training, then I'll make sure to have something suitably challenging worked up for you. Of course, that's assuming I can ensnare you to begin with. You're becoming quite adept at spotting the signs of an impending genjutsu."

"I've got you to thank for that," Yoruichi replied, "I'm on the lookout for your gaze now! Although… you did get me with that little finger trick of yours last time. That was pretty sly of you!"

"Truth be told, I'd been working for quite some time to reacquire that ability," Itachi confessed, "It always took my foes off guard. They were so worried about my eyes that they left themselves open to other avenues of attack, and I learned how to take advantage of that. Our last exercise was actually the first time I've used that trick against an opponent in a match. Shisui and I had been experimenting, but at the time I hadn't felt ready to try it out in a fight."

Yoruichi smirked. "So, you saved it for me, huh? I'm not sure how to feel about that."

"Take it as a compliment," Itachi suggested, "As you said, you're on the lookout for my gaze now, so I have to try other methods."

"Good to know that I can still keep you on your toes," she said.

Itachi chuckled. "I don't think you'll ever have any trouble with that."

The rest of their journey passed in relative quiet, the two of them content to simply enjoy each other's company and their time together. How often did they get the chance to just indulge in a little stroll like this? Sure, they had places to be, but they were in no hurry.

Rather ironic, coming from the Flash Goddess, Inazuma On'na noted, You're not normally one to take things slow.

I've learned to make exceptions.

The late afternoon sun was beginning to dip in the west by the time they made it back to the Squad Two barracks. Climbing the steps, Yoruichi could hear clashing steel and shouting Soul Reapers; Zanjutsu drills were in full swing. As she and Itachi entered the training yard, she saw her Lieutenant pacing back and forth, his eyes narrowed and focused on his charges. While Yoruichi might give him grief and would've preferred a different second in command, she had to give Marenoshin credit for the close attention he paid to the new recruits during the drilling sessions. He could be condescending when pointing out mistakes, but he had an eye for form, and anyone practicing under his gaze would realize the flaws in their own quite quickly.

While her Lieutenant was handling the unseated Soul Reapers and few of the officers, Yoruichi didn't see Mikoto among them. Looking around the training yard, she spotted Itachi's mother off to one side. The Captain saw that she was actually sparring with none other than Soi-Fon, and giving a fairly good accounting for herself. Her bladework was quick and sharp, focusing on swift thrusts and jabs while keeping her weapon held in close to intercept any strikes from her opponent. Mikoto wasn't anywhere near matching Soi-Fon at this point, and Yoruichi knew that her bodyguard was holding back in any case, but Itachi's mother was still holding her own.

Yoruichi gave her Tenth Seat a nudge and a proud smile as they watched Mikoto and Soi-Fon. "Not just good looks that run in the family, I see! She's quite skilled with a blade."

Itachi nodded. "She is, indeed. Not too surprising, considering that she was a Jōnin before she settled down to raise Sasuke and I."

"Did she ever talk to you about it?" she asked, "Her Shinobi days, I mean?"

Itachi shook his head. "No, not really. I brought it up once or twice, but she wouldn't say much. In fact, I think talking about it made her uncomfortable. Looking back, I believe she became a Shinobi more out of a sense of duty to the clan and the village rather than because it was something she genuinely wanted. She was always so happy around Sasuke and I… I think starting a family of her own was what she really desired. Being a Shinobi was an obligation for her, one that she set aside as soon as she was able to find her true calling."

Yoruichi's brow furrowed in concern. "Yet she was eager to join Squad Two, and from what you've told me, our duties aren't all that different from those of a Shinobi. She might be doing this more for you than for herself. If it makes her happy, then I won't bring it up with her, but I want her to be sure of the path she's on. I don't want her to have any regrets in her new life."

She was relieved to see Itachi give her a small smile. "I appreciate the thought, and I'm sure she does as well, but I did speak to her about this multiple times both before and during her time at the Academy. She's under no illusions as to the kind of work we do here; she came into this with open eyes and a clear mind. I'm sure that part of the reason she's doing this is to be close to me, a way for us to bond and correct a small part of went so badly wrong in our past lives, but there's more to it than that. She understands the threat that Hollow pose, and she had plenty of time wandering the Rukon District to see what happens when people aren't able to fight them. My mother is here because she wants to help in any way she can, Yoruichi. Getting to do so alongside me makes it so much the better for her."

Yoruichi nodded. "Well, as long as she's sure it's what she wants. If she ever feels like she needs a change of pace… if our work brings up too many unpleasant memories… let me know, okay? There are plenty of other Captains who would love to have her in their units, and their work tends be more straightforward and open than ours. Less knives in the shadows and all that stuff."

"I'll keep that in mind," Itachi replied, "I don't think we'll have anything to worry about, though. She's quite determined to do her part here. When she sets her mind to something, she sees it through… something I suppose that I inherited from her."

Yoruichi smiled again. "Like mother, like son, hm? No wonder my parents enjoyed meeting her at that party after graduation!"

"An enjoyment that came at my expense, I seem to recall," Itachi noted with a wry smirk, "You were right in your warning. You, my mother, and her mother… the three of you were relentless. I think I'd sooner take on a Menos Grande than subject myself to another round of your interrogation and teasing."

Yoruichi laughed. "Oh, come on, it wasn't that bad! You got to let us girls have our fun! You're a big, tough guy, aren't you, Itachi? I'm pretty sure you can take a bit of ribbing from the ladies."

Itachi chuckled. "If I must, then I suppose it can't be helped. That night… that was fun, all things considered. I should've known that Lady Yoriko and my mother would've hit it off."

"You can just call her Yoriko now," Yoruichi reminded him, "You've got her seal of approval, so she wouldn't mind the informality. Remember, we're not like most nobles around here."

"Right," said Itachi, "I guess some instincts are harder to kick than others."

Yoruichi shrugged. "Well, give it time."

There was a thoughtful look in Itachi's eyes as he continued to observe Mikoto and Soi-Fon's sparring match. "My mother… when the time comes that she's no longer able to perform her duties effectively, when age begins to take its toll… would the Shihōin Clan be willing to take her in? Perhaps as a retainer or tutor in a similar vein to Miss Rawlins?"

Yoruichi grinned. "Itachi, do you really have to ask? Of course,we'd be willing to take her in! Hell, I'd be surprised if my mother hasn't thought of that already. With the way they were chatting during the party, I bet she started considering taking on Mikoto as a lady-in-waiting halfway into their first conversation!"

Itachi smiled, looking more than a little relieved. "That's good to hear. Your family… I'm in their debt. Thank you."

Yoruichi shook her head. "Don't mention it. I know how much her care and safety mean to you, Itachi. Of course, since she's in our line of work, I can make no promises when we're out in the field. You know how missions can go. As far as a life beyond the Thirteen Court Guard Squads go, though, I can make sure she enjoys a peaceful post-service career. We may not be allowed to officially retire, but my family has more than enough sway to ensure that when Mikoto's indefinite leave of absence comes it'll be comfortable and secure."

Itachi inclined his head. "That's all I can ask."

The two of them looked on as the sparring match between Mikoto and Soi-Fon wound down, eventually coming to a close as the latter disarmed the former. Both combatants bowed and smiled as Soi-Fon retrieved Mikoto's weapon and passed it back to her. It was only then that the two of them noticed their audience.

"Lady Yoruichi, welcome back," Soi-Fon greeted, "How was your training?"

"Quite productive," Yoruichi replied with a wink to Itachi, "How have things been going back here?"

"Very well," Mikoto answered as she stretched her arms, "I could do with a bit of a break, though. You really know how to put people through their paces, Soi-Fon!"

"You kept up well enough," Soi-Fon argued, "I'm starting to understand a bit better where Itachi gets his skills from."

Mikoto laughed, looking a little bashful. "Oh, no, that's giving me way too much credit! His talent's definitely something that comes more from Fugaku than me."

"I like to think it's something I got from both you and father in equal measure," Itachi chimed in.

"That's sweet of you," said Mikoto as she came forward to hug him, "but we both know better than that. Your father and I might have both been Jōnin, but his abilities were leagues beyond my own. I never begrudged him that. He had to be strong in order to lead the Uchiha Clan."

"He did," Itachi concurred, a shadow in his eyes, "He was..."

Yoruichi could tell where his mind was going and stepped in to head off what would undoubtedly be some dark and painful flashbacks. "I'm sure he was, but he's not the Uchiha that we have with us now. Mikoto, your Zanjutsu's coming along splendidly! Soi-Fon, thank you for taking the time to spar with her. You've done such a good job with helping her refine her abilities."

Soi-Fon actually blushed, clearly caught off guard by her praise. "Oh… it was nothing, Lady Yoruichi!"

Mikoto patted her on the back. "Soi-Fon, don't be so modest! I feel like I get better each time we train together. I wish I'd had you as an instructor at the Academy!"

Yoruichi was surprised to see the crimson in Soi-Fon's face deepen at Mikoto's words. Appraising her bodyguard and her unit's new Seventeenth Seat, it struck the Captain that, despite Soi-Fon's seniority both within Squad Two and in general as a Soul Reaper, Mikoto almost came off like an older sister for her. Either that or a mother who had found and immediately adopted a surrogate daughter.

Itachi did say that his mother seemed the happiest when she was with her family, Yoruichi thought, I wonder if she might've wished for a girl in addition to her two boys…

All Soi-Fon could do was give her a shy smile. "Teaching's not usually my strong suit, but… I'm glad I've been able to help you."

"That makes two of us," said Itachi, his gaze thankfully looking brighter than it had just a moment ago, "Soi-Fon, thank you for your efforts on her behalf."

Soi-Fon nodded, her normal steely composure reasserting itself. "You're welcome, Tenth Seat Uchiha."

There was an audible growl, and all eyes turned to Mikoto, who gave them an embarrassed smile as she rubbed her stomach. "Oh, my goodness… uhm, I don't suppose anyone would object to me grabbing some dinner?"

"Let's get it together," Yoruichi suggested, "The four of us can eat in my office. How's that sound?"

"Perfect!" Mikoto eagerly replied.

It didn't take them long to hit the barracks mess hall and dish up. The cooks had simple fare on the menu for tonight; rice balls, soup, chicken, and assorted vegetables. Grabbing their meals, the four of them made their way over to Yoruichi's office, where they settled around a small table that she had set off to the side for occasions just like this.

"You and the Lieutenant went over the latest field reports already, right?" Yoruichi inquired after they'd all spent a few minutes chowing down, "Any word on the final two wraiths?"

"Nothing conclusive," Soi-Fon answered, "but the Kuchiki Clan's following up on a potential lead, and they've promised to keep us in the loop should anything come of it."

Yoruichi raised an eyebrow; it was the first she'd heard of this. "What do they have?"

"Their archivists have been examining records that date from the time period when the wraiths were fought and defeated," Soi-Fon explained, "If these last two follow the pattern of the other three, then it's likely that at least one was entombed either close to or within the Kuchiki Clan Principality's borders. From what I understand, they found an old diary that once belonged to a guard stationed at one of their border checkpoints. It wasn't in the best of condition, but there was enough readable material for them to map out a possible trail. At the very least, they seem to have tracked down the point where one of the wraith's was first brought into their Principality, but they're having a hard time figuring out where it was ultimately entombed."

"That's still progress," Itachi argued, "The Kuchiki Clan are renowned for their stewardship of the Soul Society's history; if there's a paper trail for one of the wraiths, they're the best equipped to follow it and guide us to a likely target."

Yoruichi nodded. "It's definitely good news. Better than things have been going in the southwest. So many ancient sites within my family's Principality have been lost to the dunes. Hunting's a lot trickier when a good chunk of the ground you have to cover is desert, especially when you're trying to uncover a trail that's a few thousand years old."

Mikoto sighed. "I hope both remain entombed… although with what you've told me of the first three, I know that's unlikely."

"Very much so," Soi-Fon concurred as she slurped up some of her soup, "If the seals of three wraiths decayed or were otherwise broken, it's reasonable to assume that the remaining two have likewise slipped free. I wouldn't mind being proven wrong, but with our luck… well, I'm not holding my breath."

"Agreed," said Yoruichi after swallowing a bite of chicken, "It's best to assume that they're both at large. When they're finally located and we're dispatched to deal with them, we'd better be ready for a fight."

Mikoto was not particularly thrilled at that. "I know that Squad Two found the first wraith and was put in charge of tracking down the others because of the unit's unique area of responsibility, but would it be too much to ask for another unit to take on the last two of these monstrosities? You've already risked your lives to destroy two of them, and Squad Eight's taken down another; surely other units can do their part now!"

"Squad Thirteen was with us for wraith number three," Itachi reminded her, "and Squad Eight dealt with number two. It's not like we lack allies in this endeavor."

Mikoto folded her arms. "Itachi, that's not what I mean, and you know it. Squad Two has already risked so much fighting these things. This is the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; there are other units who can step in and wrap up this affair. They should step in. It's not fair for so much of the danger to be placed squarely on your shoulders!"

Yoruichi smiled. Another officer might have taken Mikoto's outburst as a sign of cowardice, but the Captain knew that her Seventeenth Seat wasn't fearing for her own safety; she feared for that of her eldest son and his friends.

"Mikoto," she said gently, "I understand where you're coming from. Believe me, sometimes I'm tempted to meet with the Head Captain and request that he assign another unit whenever we track one of these abominations down. Being charged with fighting these things while knowing what they can do to us definitely isn't easy. However, it's also something I wouldn't want another unit to face."

"We have the most experience now in fighting them," Itachi pointed out, "Each wraith and its thralls might be different, but we now have a good understanding of their powers. We know what to expect and are able to adapt quickly to whatever nasty new tricks they pull out. Most of the other units can't say that. I know that they would all fight well in their own way, but they would almost certainly suffer casualties that we did not because of our particular skills and expertise. Squad Two is the best unit suited to extinguishing the wraiths once and for all."

Mikoto's shoulders sagged in defeat. "I know. I just… you've told me how powerful these things are, and I… I worry, Itachi. Something I should've done much more of during… well… back then."

Itachi reached over and put his hand on his mother's shoulder. "It's all right. You had more than enough on your plate back then with Sasuke. He was where your attention needed to be, especially given what was going on with the clan."

Mikoto shook her head. "Even so…"

Soi-Fon looked back and forth between them in confusion. "Am I missing something?"

Oh, you have no idea, Soi-Fon.

"A past affair," Itachi quickly answered, "Unpleasant memories."

Mikoto nodded, belatedly remembering that Soi-Fon didn't know the truth as Yoruichi did. "It's nothing you need to worry about, Soi-Fon. Just an old personal matter from an old life."

Soi-Fon nodded; her ingrained etiquette training meant that it required little effort to make sure she avoided the Soul Society's main social taboo. "I see. Forgive me for prying."

Mikoto smiled. "It's quite all right."

Yoruichi knew that she needed to steer things away from the past, and she had a good avenue to do just that. "If it makes you feel any better, when the Kuchiki Clan's forces likely do track down the wraith in their neck of the woods, Squad Two probably won't be the only unit called in to destroy it. I'll bet a year's pay that Squad Six will be part of the mission, too."

Soi-Fon agreed. "Makes sense, given that Captain Kuchiki is the current head of the clan. A joint operation with them is probable. It'll be good to fight alongside them again."

Itachi looked curious. "I don't believe I've ever seen Captain Kuchiki in action, apart from a few bouts at the Blade Dancer Festival, at least. He might not be as old as the Head Captain, but I know he's getting on in years. He's always performed well at the festival, but would he be able to stand up to a wraith?"

Yoruichi nodded. "Absolutely. Good old Ginrei's one of the finest warriors in the Soul Society. Age hasn't dulled his edge just yet. If there's any Captain and unit I'd want us to partner with for a wraith hunt, it'd be Kuchiki and Squad Six. No offense to our colleagues in the other units, but when it comes to professionalism, discipline, and strategic prowess, it's hard to beat Captain Kuchiki and his officers."

Mikoto scratched her chin. "I remember Captain Kuchiki giving a few guest lectures during my time at the Academy. He always presented a serious face, but he was also quite amicable and wise. He answered any question posed by a student, regardless of how foolish it might be. I never saw him give any practical demonstrations, but his knowledge and insights were impressive."

"He wouldn't have lasted this long if he didn't know what he was doing," Yoruichi pointed out as she finished off her soup, "Old Soul Reapers tend to be the most dangerous of us all, and for good reason. Why do you think Yamamoto is still the Head Captain after all these years?"

Mikoto inclined her head. "True enough, I suppose."

Itachi's brow furrowed in thought. "Speaking of the Head Captain… is there any chance that he might get in on our hunt? I know that he doesn't take the field very often, and there are only two wraiths left now, but from what we've learned it sounds like these last two are amongst the most powerful. Especially the one that was once the Lady of Midnight's bodyguard. Given the level of threat these things could potentially pose to the Soul Society if they ever decided to go on the offensive, wouldn't it make sense for the Head Captain to want to personally make sure that said threat never materializes?"

Yoruichi shrugged. "I know he's taking the matter seriously, but from what I've seen he doesn't appear to believe it requires him to draw his own sword, or at least not yet. In a way, it's his form of complimenting us. He has faith in our abilities, and so far, we've lived up to it. That being said, I wouldn't object if he wanted to get involved in the home stretch of this hunt. Backup from the Head Captain isn't something I'll ever turn down."

"At the very least, he should give us some extra resources or manpower," Soi-Fon suggested, "If he really believes that we're the best suited to see this hunt through to the end, then he should show it by increasing our budget and letting us bring more Soul Reapers into the field. Even if he refuses to become directly involved, if nothing else, he should give us free reign to call in allies. Taking on that first wraith by ourselves was a nightmare. Things went much better with the one in the Shiba Clan's Principality, thanks in no small part to the fact that we were working together with Squad Thirteen and the locals."

Itachi nodded. "I agree. Assigning us to work together with another unit is one thing, but I'd prefer the freedom to pick our allies, or at least to make a request and see who's willing to step up. Working with Squad Six for the Kuchiki Clan Principality wraith would be natural, assigned or otherwise. For the last one, though… that one will likely be within or near the Shihōin Clan Principality. Your family will have primacy, which means Squad Two will be able to dictate terms, or at least negotiate from a stronger position. For that one, I think we should be allowed to decide who we want working with us."

Yoruichi smirked. "I'm all for it, but don't you two think you're getting ahead of yourselves? Let's focus on finding these undead bastards first. Then we can try to hash out with the Head Captain the finer details on how we take them down and who comes along for the ride!"

"Works for me," said Soi-Fon.

"Likewise," Itachi concurred.

Mikoto smiled. "I'll be right there with you all next time, regardless of which wraith we find first. I know I'm not nearly strong enough yet to take one on directly, but I can at least help keep the wights off your back."

"We'd appreciate that," Yoruichi replied, "and hey, until we do find one of these things, no reason why you can't become stronger in the meantime!"

Mikoto winked at Soi-Fon. "With my cute little task master here whipping me into shape, I'm sure I'll do just that!"

Soi-Fon looked flustered; with almost any other Soul Reaper she would've chewed them out for referring to her in such a manner, but Mikoto could get away with it. "I… well, that is… you'd better get stronger. I'll be a failure as a teacher and aide to Lady Yoruichi if you don't!"

Itachi chuckled. "No pressure, Mother."

Mother and son had a good laugh, and even Soi-Fon relaxed and smiled. Taking it all in, Yoruichi couldn't help but smile as well. There would be challenges ahead for Squad Two, as there always was, but sitting here and enjoying a pleasant meal and conversation with her three wonderful companions made all her worries seem distant and muted. In a way, Mikoto joining them had helped to brighten up what was normally seen as the darkest unit in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads. The positive impact she had on Itachi alone was more than worth the efforts Yoruichi had made to make sure she joined Squad Two, and it seemed her influence was rather infectious.

We'll always be the sneaky eyes and dirty blade of the Soul Society, Yoruichi mused, the ones that criminals and wayward Soul Reapers expect to see jumping out at them from the shadows, the ones that go out to spy on the Hollows and make the first strike… but there's no reason why we have to be dark and serious all the time. Mikoto… you're a light that both Squad Two and your son have long been in need of, and we'll do everything in our power to make sure you keep on shining.

….

A couple months later…

Late summer

Standing in the center of the subterranean training ground, Shisui gave his partner what he hoped was an encouraging smile. "Come on, you've got this. Ready?"

Across from him, Visaelya frowned. "I don't know. I mean, a barrier as thick as that one, and cast with the full incantation… my Shikai's grown, but enough to do that? It might be too soon."

Shisui disagreed. "With the rate you've been progressing? I say you're ready. If it turns out I'm wrong, then we'll just train some more. Either way, loosen up, okay? It's just another practice session. No life-or-death stakes here, remember? Try to have some fun with this!"

Visaelya smiled. "Right. Well, in that case, you better make sure your eyes are ready!"

Shisui smirked as he activated his Sharingan. "You know it. Now, let's do this!"

Visaelya held her sword in her right hand, positioning it out on in front of her so the blade ran across her body and parallel to the ground. "Bring forth the dawn, Nikkō Kanshi-in!"

Her spiritual pressure flared up as her sword transformed into the silver double-ended glaive that Shisui had gotten to know so well over the past few years. He never tired of seeing it. The weapon was an exotic beauty, and in that it was a perfect reflection of its wielder.

Twirling the polearm around herself a few times, she then pointed one of its blades at Shisui, with white spirit energy running down its edge. "Well? Your turn, Shisui."

Shisui nodded, but he didn't reach for his Zanpakutō. Instead, he gathered his energy, the words of the spell already forming in his mind.

The incantation came a moment later. "Brethren-in-arms withdrawing for the distance of 8 sun and standing still; blue bolt, white bolt, black bolt, red bolt; sinking into the ocean together seeking redemption. Ryūbi no Jōmon!"

The barrier assembled in short order, with rows of white falling into place before the blue 'roof' and crossbar completed the ensemble. While Shisui believed Visaelya's concerns were misplaced, he did understand them. This wasn't the small barriers that had been cast by the undead shamans during the Battle of the Sun Pyramid, or any of the multitude of simple shield spells that Soul Reapers could cast. Ryūbi no Jōmon was a formidable bulwark, one that Shisui had difficulty in casting without the full incantation. The energy requirements were substantial, but the resulting barrier was one that could only be broken by the mightiest of opponents.

At least, that was the case when it was pitted against conventional foes. Visaelya's Shikai was a very different kind of opponent, though. Moving around to the right side of the barrier so his friend could see him, Shisui gave her a nod. With that signal, Visaelya lunged forward and made a broad slash. Shisui's eyes narrowed as he focused on the silver blade facing the barrier…

…and the thin layer of white energy over its edge.

Back when he'd first seen Visaelya's Shikai in action, there hadn't really been time for Shisui to study it in depth. That being said, the glimpses he'd caught of its barrier-slicing ability had at least given him enough to come up with a working theory for how it functioned, one that he'd been able to test with her during the journey back to the Seireitei. Under the keen gaze of both his and Itachi's Sharingan, Visaelya had cut clean through a series of basic barriers with all the ease of a hot knife meeting butter. Not so much as a shred of resistance had been offered until they'd begun stacking the barriers, creating multi-layer defenses that eventually revealed the limits of her Shikai's special ability.

That ability had been carefully and persistently honed and refined over the past few years, though, and the results spoke for themselves. Sure enough, as Shisui watched the blade run across the surface of the barrier, he saw the white energy at its edge concentrate at the point of impact. Only the sharpest of eyes could spot it, and having the Sharingan definitely helped. What Visaelya's Shikai did was essentially focus her energy into what Shisui could only describe as a blade of light. It honed her power so sharply and tightly that it disrupted the particles of spirit energy that made up barriers once it came into contact with them, resulting in her cutting through them like a farmer with a carefully sharpened scythe harvesting wheat in the fields. That blade of light would then be projected out from either the edges of her Shikai or the very tip; whichever one happened to be in contact with the target was where the energy would be at its sharpest and most potent.

It was an incredible ability, but one with clear limitations. In those first exercises, that blade of light could only extend out just a handful of centimeters beyond the blades of the Shikai itself. That was enough to cut through simple barriers, but a more comprehensive and layered defense could defeat it. The energy would lose its focus beyond those few centimeters, its 'edge' dulling until it got caught in the barrier and could no longer carve through it. The consequences of that happening during an actual fight were easy enough to imagine, and Shisui knew that Visaelya had been given a double-edged weapon in more ways than one.

There was no blade getting caught here, though. Visaelya had trained relentlessly under the watchful eyes of both Shisui and Itachi, and those efforts were more than paying off now. Shisui looked on as Visaelya completed her slash before whirling the glaive around to make a follow-up strike, this one running the opposite direction and using the second blade. Just like the first, this attack cut clean through without meeting so much as a hint of resistance. Both swings had occurred in the span of mere seconds, and there was now a glowing X carved clean through the barrier. The great white pillars slid out of place, entire sections of them falling to the ground. In mere moments, the entire barrier collapsed.

Deactivating his Sharingan, Shisui applauded as Visaelya looked upon her handiwork in stunned amazement. She might have doubted herself, but Shisui had not. He had known for some time now that she was ready for this; the trick had been convincing her to take the next step. Sweat had built up on her brow from the earlier concentration, and she definitely would have further work to do so that she could demolish such barriers in the future with greater ease, but this was definitely progress.

"Well done!" he cheered as he stepped forward and patted her on the shoulder, "See? Told you that you've got this!"

"You did," Visaelya quietly replied as she returned her Zanpakutō to its sealed state, blinking several times as she observed her handiwork, "I guess I should've had a bit more confidence if you believed in me…"

She could be overly harsh on herself even in moments of success, and Shisui wasn't about to let her start down that path. "Hey, there's nothing wrong with being nervous and having doubts. What's important is that we recognize them and then go forward anyway. After all, we can't improve ourselves if we don't even make the attempt in the first place, right?"

Visaelya smiled as she sheathed her sword. "I suppose so. Shisui… thank you."

"Anytime," he answered, noticing that she was a bit unsteady on her feet, "Want to take a little break? You look like you could use it."

She nodded. "Yes, I think that'd be a good idea. Pouring so much energy into the blade, focusing on that small point of contact between it and the barrier… it's rather taxing."

"I'll bet," said Shisui as the two of them sat down on a nearby ledge, "There's a lot more finesse involved in utilizing your Shikai than meets the eye. Mine's pretty easy by comparison; I focus the energy I need to create the clones, then give them a few quick mental commands and let them take it from there. Yours requires a greater degree of concentration and energy management, especially for large barriers like the one I put up for you. That's got to be pretty demanding mentally."

"It's definitely tricky," Visaelya confessed as she wiped some of the sweat from her brow with her sleeve, "Looking back, I sometimes wonder how I was able to tap into this power in the first place. When I first unlocked my Shikai, I used its ability without conscious thought. It was only after the battle was over that I realized just how much it had taken out of me."

Shisui smiled. "I remember that. We were about halfway across the bridge leaving that temple complex when you nearly collapsed. I had to carry you on my back to the village. Ah, good times!"

Visaelya blushed. "Please don't remind me of that. It was so embarrassing!"

"You're the only one who thinks that way," Shisui argued, "To the rest of us, you were a hero. If it weren't for you and your Shikai, things could've easily gone the other way back there. Carrying you back was the least I could do, and I'm pretty sure no one held it against you for being so wiped out after a fight like that."

She leaned against him, laying her head on his right shoulder. "Well… as long as you didn't mind… I suppose I can live with that."

Shisui chuckled as he put his arm around her. "Glad to hear it."

They sat together in contented silence for a few minutes before Visaelya spoke again. "I really was a hero that day, wasn't I?"

Shisui raised an eyebrow. "Of course. Maybe you didn't slay the wraith, but you helped take out those annoying shaman wights and gave the others the opening they needed. You came through when we needed you, and thanks to that we made it out alive. If that doesn't count as being the hero, then I don't know what does. The Captain promoted you for it, and you've been on the upswing since then. I'd say that's a pretty good indicator of what she thinks of the whole thing, right?"

Visaelya nodded. "Yeah. What you all saw as heroism, though… I think others are seeing as an opportunity."

Shisui was concerned. "What do you mean? Has something happened?"

"You could say that," Visaelya replied as she removed her head from Shisui's shoulder, "You're right about me being on the upswing. Shikai, then the promotions… Thirteenth Seat back then, Twelfth as of a few months ago… my reputation's rising. With that has come… attention."

Before Shisui could say anything, Visaelya reached inside her robe and pulled out a folded sheet of paper. "I just got this yesterday. I wanted to talk to you about it, but I wasn't sure how to bring it up. I guess now's as good a time as any."

"What is it?" Shisui asked as she opened it up.

"An olive branch and invitation," she replied, looking down nervously, "from my family."

It took Shisui a moment to process that; Visaelya hadn't spoken much of her family over the past few years. "The Drakken Clan… your parents? Siblings? Uncle? Grandfather?"

"All of the above," Visaelya confirmed, "They all signed this, anyway. One of our annual family festivals is coming up… and they actually want me to attend this year. They said that they'd had time to reflect, and they felt they'd overreacted to my decision to join Squad Two instead of following the family tradition and going to Squad Ten. They want to reconcile, and apparently the Flame of Life Festival is their desired venue for it."

Shisui had to think for a couple seconds. "The Flame of Life Festival… is that the one where the dragons fly around over your family's estate? Bunch of fancy aerial acrobatics, fire lighting up the sky, that sort of thing? Pretty sure me and the entire Seireitei's seen that from a distance."

Visaelya nodded. "Yeah, it's pretty hard to miss. I attended every year until graduation… for obvious reasons. We hold it on the fall solstice in celebration of life, specifically the lives of the dragons that helped our clan rise to prominence. Most dragons typically lay their eggs around that time of year, hence the timing. I've missed it… looking up at the sky, seeing magnificent creatures like Daeloron The Infernal or Rhygaron The Blood Wing dance amongst the stars, chasing each other and belching out their beautiful flames, enjoying the spectacle with my parents… my brother and sister… my uncle, my grandfather, and so many others. I… I really want to accept this, Shisui."

"Then do it!" Shisui encouraged her, "Sounds like your folks are finally pulling their proud heads out of their asses. If you can bury the hatchet, have some fun and enjoy a nice party, then I'm all for it. You've definitely earned it! Of course, they were idiots to ostracize you like that in the first place. If anything, they better grovel before you when you go to that festival. It's the least they owe you after years of the cold shoulder treatment."

Visaelya giggled. "Groveling might be a bit much… although the thought of my uncle and grandfather doing so is quite amusing! I'm pretty sure they were the ones most to blame for my treatment, although my father and mother didn't exactly cover themselves in glory either. Seeing them all again, being a family once more… as much as I've loved being part of Squad Two…"

"You never wanted it to create such a strong rift with your family," Shisui finished for her, "Visaelya, trust me, I get it. Everyone in our unit knows how hard you worked to show that you're more than just your family name, and we all know what it's cost you. When word gets around that your folks are finally starting to see sense, your friends and comrades are going to be really happy."

She smiled, but it was fleeting. "I appreciate that, I really do. Even so… as much as I want this, want to believe that they're reaching out like this from a place of genuine contrition and desire to make amends… I'd be a fool if I didn't acknowledge the timing of it all. Maybe they really do want to reconcile, but I can't help but notice that they're only doing so now that my power and skills have garnered suitable attention and praise."

It wasn't hard for Shisui to see where this was going. "You think they're trying to bring you back into the fold so they can benefit from your growing abilities and reputation."

Visaelya nodded. "Yes. At the very least, it must be a factor in their reasoning. I don't want to believe that it's all they're hoping for, but I know how aristocratic politics works. My abilities might serve Squad Two, the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and the Soul Society as a whole, yet the nobility does not see it that way. Since Squad Two is so closely affiliated with the Shihōin Clan, my achievements within its ranks benefit the Captain's family more than my own. That's only accentuated thanks to my estrangement from my family. If they make a public show of reconciliation, then my accomplishments from that point onwards become theirs."

Shisui shook his head. "That's stupid! All that you've achieved has been thanks to your own hard work. The Captain's certainly never tried to claim credit for them, and neither has her family. Your talent and reputation don't belong to your family just because they decide to make nice with you."

Visaelya sighed. "I know how silly it sounds, but so much of the posturing amongst the nobility revolves around seemingly frivolous stuff like this. It's such a stupid game, but one that the Great Noble Houses insist on playing, whether those of us who want no part of it like it or not. If I'm going to attend this party, I cannot blind myself to the fact that, as much I might want to do so out of a simple desire to see my family again and bury the hatchet, there are others who will seek to use it to advance their own agenda."

Shisui nodded. "I see. That's why you've been holding on to that invitation in secret so far, isn't it? You're on the fence. You don't know if you should accept or decline."

"That's right," Visaelya admitted, "My heart wants to accept, but my mind knows that I'm playing into their hands. It won't be a simple party, no matter how much I might want that. In this game, sometimes the only winning move is not to play. Even so, declining the invitation would carry… consequences."

Shisui already knew what some of those might be. "You'd be sending a signal to your family, one that they could easily interpret as being hostile. The rift between you would grow worse. It might not be irreparable damage, but it definitely wouldn't help the situation."

"Exactly," Visaelya confirmed, "No matter what I decide, my choices carry repercussions. There is a middle path, though… but I can't walk it alone."

"What do you mean?" asked Shisui.

She hesitated before meeting his gaze. "I… I always told myself that I wouldn't get my friends involved in my family's drama… especially you. After all you've done for me, I'd feel horrible for dragging you into this damnable arena of intrigue and petty posturing. My family might not be able to directly interfere with our work as Soul Reapers, but they can still find ways to make things difficult. I don't want the people close to me to suffer their ire. However, if I handle this right, I think the worst of it can be mitigated. I would need help, though."

"Name it," said Shisui.

Visaelya waved the letter. "As a gesture of good faith, my family's allowing me to bring guests should I accept their invitation. It's a common custom for our celebrations, but they felt the need to draw attention to it anyway in their message, as if they believed I'd forgotten our rites and traditions. No explicit amount is stated, but generally it's considered acceptable for a younger member of the family like myself to bring a small number of companions. Perhaps two or three, certainly no more than four or five. If my companions were from Squad Two…"

"It would send a clear message," Shisui finished for her, "You're willing to accept their apology and make amends in good faith, but you're doing it on your terms. You'd be showing them that you still value your position in Squad Two just as much you do your ties to your family. Renewing your family bonds while still maintaining your independence from them. Sound about right?"

Visaelya's eyes widened for a moment before she smiled. "Yes… very well put. You… you have a good eye for these games, Shisui."

Shisui shrugged. "I'm no stranger to family politics. Itachi and I were up to our necks in them in our old lives, after all."

Visaelya winced. "That business with your clan and the Hidden Leaf Village… I'm sorry, I didn't mean to dredge up that awful affair."

Shisui shook his head. "Don't worry about it. So, you need some companions from your unit, then. If you're taking volunteers, I'm game! Just say the word, and I'll bring Itachi into this as well. He'll step up for you. We both will."

Visaelya took a deep breath. "Shisui, that would mean the world to me… but please, do not take this lightly. You'll be stepping into the lion's den here… or I suppose dragon's den would be more appropriate here. My family will smile, but those smiles will be all teeth, and they'll be looking for an opening to take a bite."

Shisui smirked. "Let them try! I think Itachi and I can hold our own… if you'll let us come along for the ride."

"You'll… you'll really do it?" she asked as if struggling to believe what she was hearing.

Shisui grinned. "If it's what you want? Absolutely! I'm sure things will be dicey with your folks, but I'm not about to leave you high and dry. Same goes for Itachi. Say the word, and we'll both tag along."

Before Shisui could react, she lunged forward and kissed him. He might've been taken by surprise, but only for a moment. The former Shinobi took her in his arms and held her as she melted into him, with only the need for air forcing them to part a few moments later.

Her face was flushed a deep shade of red, but she was still smiling. "Shisui… thank you!"

Shisui shook his head. "You don't have to thank me. I'll always have your back, Visaelya. Doesn't matter if it's against Hollows, wraiths, or even your own family. Just say the word, and I'll be by your side."

She inclined her head. "I won't forget this. You have my word on that."

Shisui chuckled and scratched the back of his neck. "Hey, you've got to lighten up a bit here! It might be a bit tense when we first show up, but ultimately, it's still a party. I'm sure that once we get the introductions with your family out of the way and have had a few minutes to chat, things will be just fine. Then we can cut loose and enjoy ourselves!"

"I hope it'll be that simple," said Visaelya, "The Flame of Life Festival is meant to be a joyous occasion, not one for grudges and family feuds. My clan always goes all out with preparations. There'll be musicians, exotic foods from across the Soul Society, and so much more. Guests from our home Principality are probably already starting to trickle into the Seireitei or the nicer parts of the Rukon District. It's one of our family's biggest annual events, and everyone knows that we spare no expense for the festivities."

Shisui winced as he realized what this would probably mean for his wallet. "I'm assuming that Itachi and I will be expected to show up in something a little fancier than Soul Reaper robes, then?"

"You will, yes," Visaelya confirmed, "Don't worry, I know some good tailors in the Seireitei that we can strike a bargain with. It still won't be cheap, but at least you'll still have some money left over until our next round of wages comes in.

Shisui nodded. "Okay, then. I'll let Itachi know what's up once we get back to the barracks."

"It'd be wise to inform the Captain as well," Visaelya added, "I'm sure she won't mind you and Itachi attending. We just need to make sure it won't conflict with any of your duties."

"We've got a few weeks at least until the fall solstice and the party, right?" said Shisui, "I'm sure we'll be able to work something out with her."

"The Captain's always struck me as reasonable," Visaelya agreed, "I doubt there will be any difficulties."

Shisui's brow furrowed in thought. "Since this is a party being thrown by a Great Noble House, I'm assuming it'll have quite the guest roster. Any chance of us bumping into anyone we know aside from your uncle?"

Visaelya nodded. "I'm sure that there will be other Soul Reapers in attendance. Most likely, they'll be from Squad Ten, but there's always the chance that my uncle might invite others."

Shisui shrugged. "Only one way to find out, I suppose. This should be fun!"

….

A few weeks later…

Fall Solstice, Flame of Life Festival

"Not exactly hard to find this place, is it?" Shisui mused aloud as he smoothed out a wrinkle in his red and black kimono.

Itachi nodded as they approached the Drakken Clan's Seireitei mansion. "It certainly stands out. Then again, you could say that for all the residences of the Great Noble Houses."

Just like the Shihōin Clan's estate, the Drakken Clan's palatial residence was a major landmark in the Seireitei, one that Itachi had found to be quite useful for orienting himself with during patrol assignments. Unlike the home of Yoruichi's parents, though, this dwelling was of a decidedly different flavor. The Shihōin Clan mansion was certainly large and impressive, but it was also quite elegant and tasteful in form. It let outside observers know that the family was wealthy, but it wasn't exactly gaudy or ostentatious in doing so.

One couldn't say that about the Drakken Clan's mansion. A four-story behemoth carved from marble, it definitely stood out, even when compared to the residences of the other Great Noble Houses. White statues of dragons were everywhere; atop the outer wall, at various points on the roof, and Itachi was sure there would be plenty within the grounds as well. Great banners with the clan emblem, a black winged beast flying over the sun and moon, festooned almost every free surface when it wasn't carved directly into the stone edifice. Gold leaf could be found adorning the tops of ornate columns and along the edges of the roofs. Itachi couldn't begin to imagine just how much commissioning the place had cost the family, yet from what little he knew about the finances of Great Noble Houses he was reasonably sure that the sum paid was barely a drop in the bucket for the clan.

Unlike the estates of the other Great Noble Houses, the central mansion wasn't the only structure that dominated the grounds. Rising up next to it was a wide white dome with a giant hole cut out of the top; the family's legendary Dragon Lair. Supposedly, it could comfortably house at least six fully grown dragons, although it was rarely filled to capacity. Typically, only one or two such specimens could be found within the Seireitei at any one time, while the vast majority of their kind resided back in the clan's Principality. It was much more common for freshly hatched dragons or juveniles to reside there, bonding with the youths of the family as they slowly grew to maturity. Itachi was curious as to what it was like inside, but from what he understood it didn't sound like the clan was keen to let guests enter.

In between the two Uchiha, Visaelya smiled. "I know it's a bit… well, much, especially when compared to the rest of the Seireitei. Even so, it's home… and it's been too long since I last saw it up close like this."

Shisui smiled. "Good to be back?"

Visaelya took a deep breath. "I suppose we'll know soon enough. Before we go in, how do I look? Anything I need to adjust?"

Itachi gave his companion a small smile. "I don't think that will be necessary. You look great, Visaelya."

It was true; she'd pulled out all the stops with her outfit. Her violet kimono had golden-dragons woven into it, and those shimmered in the fading light of the setting sun. Her Zanpakutō was tied to a purple sash, and a silver tassel hung from the handle; Visaelya had decided to give her sword a bit of decoration for the occasion. Rather than let her long silver-blonde hair fall free, she had it tied up tonight in a bun and held in place by a pair of black and violet lacquered chopsticks. Overall, it was quite the striking ensemble, and if nothing else Itachi knew that her family wouldn't be able to complain about her not dressing for the occasion.

For his part, Itachi was confident that he'd made the right choice with his wardrobe. It was the same dark blue kimono with the black feather-pattern that he'd worn for the party at Yoruichi's estate, and he had to admit that he was quite fond of the outfit. Itachi didn't really consider himself to be a fashionista, but he felt the look it gave him was quite fitting.

Plus, there's the fact that it's a gift from your lovely Captain, Jigoku no Joō teased, and she does like the way you look in it.

That she does.

Itachi had been a little concerned about how Yoruichi would react when she learned that the three of them would be attending a Drakken Clan party, but Squad Two's Captain had taken the news in stride. Then again, Itachi supposed that he shouldn't have worried; she'd already demonstrated in the past that she didn't take the whole noble family rivalry thing nearly as seriously as other members of the aristocracy did. She'd simply smiled, wished Visaelya luck with her folks, and told the trio to have fun and eat the Drakken Clan out of house and home. Itachi wasn't sure if his appetite was that ravenous, but he was certainly looking forward to seeing what the family's cooks had on the menu for tonight's festivities.

Shisui grinned. "Only 'great'? Come on, Itachi; she looks amazing!"

Visaelya looked down, and Itachi caught more than a hint of red in her face. "Shisui…"

Itachi chuckled. "I suppose I stand corrected."

Shisui gave their friend a playful nudge with his elbow. "You're going to blow everyone else away tonight. Count on it!"

Visaelya smiled. "Well, I don't know about that… I suppose I'll be happy with simply impressing the other guests and my family."

"I think you've got that covered," said Shisui.

Itachi turned his gaze skywards. "No sign of any dragons in the air yet. Then again, there's still a bit of daylight left. The aerial component of the festivities is usually reserved for after nightfall, yes?"

Visaelya nodded. "That's right. I know my uncle will be taking part, and I believe my father will as well. I was hoping my grandfather and Rhygaron would join them, but from what I understand, it sounds like The Blood Wing is a bit under the weather."

"Nothing serious, is it?" asked Shisui.

Visaelya shook her head. "I doubt it. My family would've indicated otherwise when they wrote back after I gave my answer to their invitation. Most likely, he probably just gorged himself a bit too much and is suffering the consequences. It wouldn't be the first time something like that's happened. Scale itch is another possibility; he is rather difficult to groom, and he especially hates bath time."

"I can imagine," Itachi replied, "He's one of the oldest and strongest of the creatures in your family's menagerie, right? His cleaners would have to be quite brave to take on such a role."

Visaelya laughed. "Oh, he's not that dangerous! Well… most of the time, anyway. Remember, dragons are quite intelligent. On par with people, really. Rhygaron can be a bit grouchy, but he knows better than to munch on his caretakers. It's only when he's angered that you really need to watch out. Then again, anyone dumb enough to anger a dragon in the first place is not likely an individual destined to have a long life expectancy, if you take my meaning."

"Translation; don't piss off the giant flying fire-breathing lizards," said Shisui, "Words to live by, truly."

"I've heard worse advice," Itachi deadpanned.

"They're certainly words that my family lives by," Visaelya added as they approached the front gate, "Our ancient enemies learned that the hard way. Fortunately, I don't foresee anyone getting burned to a crisp tonight. Well, shall we?"

Shisui nodded. "After you."

They had no trouble getting in. The gate guard gave Visaelya a warm smile; they clearly knew each other. The trio were allowed through with no fuss, and they soon found themselves in a sprawling courtyard and garden. A great fountain dominated the center of it, with water shooting up out of a marble dragon's open mouth in lieu of fire. Neatly trimmed flowers and rows of immaculate bushes lined a winding series of pathways that took visitors on a scenic trip around the estate, while broad grassy clearings played host to milling guests and tables full of delectable-looking morsels. Torches were scattered about to provide illumination as the sun slowly sunk in the west, augmented by strings of paper lanterns crisscrossing the entire courtyard. On the eastern end of the courtyard was a slightly raised platform with a group of musicians on it, strumming away on a variety of stringed instruments and producing a pleasantly relaxing tune. Itachi had to give the Drakken Clan credit for preparation and presentation; they'd clearly put a lot of work into this. There had to be several hundred people present at least, but everything was spread out to prevent the guests feeling overcrowded, and servants flitted amongst clusters of people with refreshments on hand at a moment's notice.

It didn't take Itachi long to spot some familiar faces in the crowd. Naturally, several of Squad Ten's luminaries were present; he spotted Lieutenant Dorel chatting with a group of ladies in flowery robes, while Isshin was swigging down what Itachi suspected to be hardly his first glass of wine for the evening. Some of the other Soul Reapers present were a bit more surprising, though. Itachi hadn't anticipated Squad Three's Captain Zameel el-Emani to be in attendance, for starters, yet there the man was, eyeing what looked like a platter of freshly cooked shrimp. Lieutenant Ōtoribashi had come along as well, and he was studying the musicians as if silently critiquing their technique. Those two were interesting guests on their own, but Itachi caught a glimpse of another one that was even more intriguing. Standing near the back of the garden conversing with Captain Rhaegon Drakken himself…

…was Squad Five's Lieutenant Sōsuke Aizen.

Itachi hadn't seen the man much since that strange and rather unnerving encounter during the Academy's recruitment exhibition. They'd greeted each other in passing a handful of times over the years, but apart from that they'd had no real interaction. Squads Two and Five hadn't partaken in any joint operations or training exercises, and in general there wasn't all that much by way of overlap in their missions; there simply wasn't much cause for members of either unit to cross each other's paths while on duty, with the exception of the typical Captains and Lieutenants meetings. Itachi wasn't aware of Squads Five and Ten being particularly close, either, yet the conversation between the former's Lieutenant and the latter's Captain seemed quite casual and friendly. It was odd to see the two men in something other than Soul Reaper robes. Aizen's sea-green kimono came off as rather subdued when compared to the brilliant crimson and gold robes worn by Captain Drakken. He couldn't quite hear what they were saying from his current position, and Itachi didn't feel like trying to lip read was a good idea; both men had sharp enough senses to tell when they were being spied on, and making either of them suspicious of him at what was supposed to be a simple party hardly seemed like a good idea.

Itachi's attention was drawn back to his companions as Shisui commented on the gathering. "They've got quite the crowd already… hope we're not late."

Visaelya shook her head. "We're quite fine, I promise. There's still plenty of time before the main event kicks off; this is really just the social mingling bit of the party."

"Where might your parents be in all of this?" Itachi asked as he scanned the crowd again.

"They should be… ah, right there!" Visaelya replied, pointing towards the northeastern corner of the courtyard, "Mother, Father… and several more besides."

Following Visaelya's gaze, Itachi saw a cluster of people gathered beneath the branches of a group of trees. Three of them were adults, with two of them likely Visaelya's mother and father, while the third looked significantly older; almost certainly the patriarch of the clan. There were also three much younger people in the group, looking either the same age as Visaelya or a bit younger. Itachi assumed that they were her siblings and perhaps one of her cousins. Of course, there was only one way to find out for sure.

Shisui put a hand on Visaelya's shoulder. "You ready for this?"

Visaelya took a deep breath. "I don't know… I suppose I must be. Before we do this… I just want to thank you both again for coming with me tonight. Neither of you had to do this."

"We're your friends," said Itachi, giving her what he hoped was an encouraging smile, "Whenever you need our help, we're always happy to oblige."

Shisui grinned as he patted her on the back. "What he said. Come on; let's go show your folks just how much you've grown since the Academy!"

Visaelya smiled, looking a bit more confident than she had before. "Yes… let's!"

It didn't take long for her family to notice the trio approaching, and Itachi saw them politely wave off the gaggle of people that had gathered around them. One of the men stepped to the front, and Itachi knew it was Visaelya's father. He had the same silver-blonde hair as her, although he kept his cut rather short. His eyes were different; pale blue instead of the violet of his daughter. Although his flowing white and red robes didn't give too much away as far as his physique was concerned, to Itachi's discerning eyes he seemed a bit on the lean side. He held himself with confidence, and not just the self-assuredness that was so common amongst the aristocracy; the man might not have been a Soul Reaper, but Itachi suspected that he'd still be more than capable of holding his own in a fight.

The man smiled and held out his arms. "My dear daughter… welcome home!"

Taking it as a signal, Visaelya stepped forward and embraced him. "Father… it's been too long! I've missed you."

"And I, you," he replied, and from Itachi could tell it sounded like he really meant it, "I… I'm so sorry about how we've treated you over the past years. We… we severely overreacted. It was just… your decision took us all completely off guard… none of us knew what to make of it."

Visaelya sighed as the two of them let go of each other. "I thought I had made my desires clear to uncle, but I suppose I should've done a better job of articulating them to both him and you. I never once meant to antagonize the family or bring about such strife between us. I just… I wanted to find out what I was capable of by moving outside the shadow cast by our clan's name. I did not feel like I could do that if I went down our family's traditional path for Soul Reapers."

Her father nodded. "I understand… and I am proud of you, Visaelya. You've blossomed into a fine young woman, and have become a formidable Soul Reaper. It's long past time that we've recognized that and made amends. I won't as for your forgiveness right away; after the past several years, I know that it will take time to build new bridges between us. Still, I am willing if you are."

Visaelya smiled. "I am, Father. May we start by allowing me to introduce you to some dear friends of mine?"

"Of course!" he eagerly answered as he turned to face the two Uchiha, "I suspect I've already heard of them, but let us at least exchange the proper courtesies. It wouldn't do for our family to come across as rude, would it?"

"It would not," Visaelya agreed, "Itachi, Shisui? This is Lord Visenarr Drakken of the Drakken Clan. Father, it is my pleasure to introduce you to Tenth Seat Itachi Uchiha and Seventh Seat Shisui Uchiha, both of Squad Two. Itachi was in the advanced track with me back at the Academy, and one of only two students to score higher than me."

"So I had heard," said Visenarr as he held out his hand, "It's an honor to meet both of you. Welcome to our home."

"The honor's ours," said Itachi as he shook the man's hand first, followed by Shisui.

"Likewise," Shisui chimed in, "Quite the impressive place you got here! I've seen it from the outside plenty of times while out on patrol, but actually being on the grounds now is something else entirely. Your clan certainly knows how to make a statement."

Visenarr chuckled. "Truth be told, I've always found it to be a bit much! Still, it was designed as such by my ancestors, and keeping it in the image that they envisioned is important to us."

"There's nothing wrong in honoring one's ancestors," said Itachi, "but room should also be made for one to evolve and grow into the future. Our ancestors leave their mark on the world, and we have the right to do the same in our own fashion."

Visenarr smirked; he'd caught the barb without Itachi having to go any further. "Yes, we do. It can be easy to forget that, I'm afraid. Some past traditions are harder to change or let go of than others."

"A lesson that we would be wise to take to heart," said a woman who came up next to him, "Would you not agree, dear?"

Visenarr nodded. "I would."

The woman smiled as she looked at Visaelya and the others. It wasn't hard for Itachi to tell that she was his friend's mother. While her long and flowing hair was more of a sandy-blonde when compared to that of her husband and eldest daughter, her eyes were the same violet orbs that Visaelya possessed. Her willowy figure was clad in a blue kimono with white wave-like patterns embroidered into it, and she had a very gentle look to her. Visaelya's smile grew as she stepped forward, and mother embraced daughter warmly.

"Welcome back, my child," the woman whispered, "Oh, how dearly I've missed you!"

"Mother…" Visaelya said, so softly Itachi could barely hear her, "I… I've missed you too!"

She was trembling, and Itachi realized that his companion was on the verge of tears. Her mother looked little better, but both managed to reassert their composure. They parted after a few moments, with Visaelya's mother planting a soft kiss on her brow before the two women turned to face Itachi and Shisui.

Her mother spoke first, smiling again as she did so. "You two… you've supported her since graduation… since we committed our grave folly?"

"We have," Shisui replied firmly.

"She's our comrade and our friend," Itachi added, "We'll stand by her no matter what."

The woman bowed deeply. "Thank you. Thank you so much! I am forever in your debt."

The decision to ostracize Visaelya almost certainly did not come from her, Itachi mused, and her father seems equally remorseful. The final call must have been made by the patriarch and her uncle. That's the only thing that makes sense in light of their reactions to seeing her today. For her mother and father to have abided by it for all these years, though… even if they did not agree with it, they've hardly done themselves or their daughter any favors.

"Welcome her back into the fold and help her have fun tonight," said Shisui with a smile, "and we'll call it even."

The woman nodded. "Of course! We'll do that and so much more! Oh, but I can't simply settle for that. Our hospitality is yours, gentlemen, as it shall be whenever you visit our home from here on out."

"It's good to hear that," Itachi replied, "In that case, may we also have your name?"

The woman smiled. "Oh, yes! Forgive me, I seem to have forgotten my manners. I am Nayla Drakken. It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance."

Shisui inclined his head. "The pleasure's ours, Lady Drakken."

Nayla shook her head. "Please, just call me Nayla. Any friends of my children are friends of mine."

That was when two of the younger Drakkens that Itachi had spotted earlier stepped forward. They both appeared, physically at least, to be around Sasuke's age when Itachi had last seen him, although the former Shinobi knew that surface appearances were quite often a poor indicator of one's true age in the afterlife. They both had silver-blonde hair and a fair complexion, but the similarities to each other ended there. The young man on the right had inherited his mother's violet eyes, but he kept his hair cut short like his father. His figure was on the wiry side, and from the way he held himself Itachi could tell that he was quite light on his feet. His black kimono had a crimson-flame pattern woven into it, which served as a distinct contrast to the white robes with green vines running along it that the young woman next to him wore. She had her father's pale blue eyes, and she wore her hair long like her mother. Her physique was quite lithe, and she balanced herself with a dancer's grace. Itachi could not help but notice that both of them had Zanpakutō sheathed and clipped at their hips. Both blades were identical; clearly still Asauchi rather than awakened Zanpakutō.

"Might we call them friends of ours, then?" asked the girl as she studied Itachi and Shisui curiously.

"If they're so close to our sister, then we'd certainly like to!" the boy added with a cheerful smile.

"Gaerion," Visaelya said to the boy cautiously before nodding at the girl, "Vaemera…"

Nayla gave her eldest daughter a playful nudge. "Visaelya, no need to be nervous! They've both been looking forward to this day for quite some time."

Visaelya stepped forwards, although she still looked more than a little apprehensive. Itachi and Shisui shared a look; both were prepared to step in should an altercation break out. Gaerion and Vaemera both closed the distance with Squad Two's Twelfth Seat, and there was a brief moment of silence. Then the two of them grinned as they embraced their older sister, and the tension bled out of Visaelya's frame.

"Welcome home, sister!" Vaemera cheered.

"We've missed you!" Gaerion added, "It's so good to see you again!"

"It sure is!" Visaelya happily replied as the three of them released each other and she looked them over, "I guess the rumors are true; you've both finally started at the Academy."

Nayla sighed. "I wanted at least one of my children to pick a safer path, but they both insisted on taking the Soul Reaper's road."

"Come now, dear," said Visenarr as he put his arm around his wife, "They both had their minds set on it; who were we to say no?"

"You're both in your first year, then?" Visaelya inquired.

Gaerion nodded. "We sure are."

Vaemera gave a confident smirk. "Advanced track, of course. We're not the only ones, either. Saenenya, come here! No need to be shy!"

The third of the young Drakkens that Itachi had spotted earlier came forward. While she still had the silver-blonde hair that was so dominant in the family, her skin was actually of a darker tone. That combined with her brown eyes actually served to remind Itachi of someone else, and it took him a moment to realize who it was; Squad Ten's Lieutenant, Obran Dorel. He recalled that Rhaegon Drakken had married his Lieutenant's sister, and Saenenya was clearly the offspring of that union. Her flowery orange and red robes did not entirely hide a figure that was much more athletic and curvier than that of her cousins, and an Asauchi was at her waist as well.

She gave Visaelya a nervous smile. "Uhm… hello, cousin. It's been some time."

"It has," Visaelya agreed.

The Twelfth Seat took a tentative step forward and held out her arms. Saenenya hesitated for a moment before meeting her, and while the subsequent embrace looked a bit awkward, the affection in the young woman's eyes seemed genuine.

Clearly much less of a social butterfly than the rest of her family, Itachi mused, Not quite what I would've expected from the daughter of a man like Squad Ten's Captain. Then again, I suppose I haven't met her mother yet. Perhaps that's where she gets this particular trait from… or maybe it's simply something that's all her own.

Her mannerisms might have been nothing like those of her father, but as Itachi studied her, he was struck by the undercurrent of power emanating from her. It wasn't on active display, but even suppressed, it was impressive. She had plenty of potential, and Itachi imagined she'd be quite formidable once she was through with the Academy and had some real field experience under her belt.

"I… I've missed you… Visaelya," said Saenenya as the two young women released each other, "It's really good to see you again!"

Visaelya smiled warmly. "Likewise! I always knew you'd enter the Academy sooner or later. How are you liking it so far?"

Saenenya's smile grew a bit. "Oh, it's been fascinating! Our tutors might have prepared us for it, but actually attending the classes in person… it's nothing like I'd thought it would be. I… I'm really enjoying it."

"That's an understatement," Gaerion chimed in with a smirk, "She's a regular teacher's pet!"

Saenenya blushed furiously. "It's not like that! I just really want to focus and learn all I can."

Vaemera jabbed him with her elbow. "Gaerion! I told you to ease up on her."

"Right!" her brother replied as he raised his hands in surrender, "Sorry!"

"She is diligent in her studies," said an unfamiliar male voice, "You two would do well to follow in her example."

Itachi saw the assembled Drakken's posture stiffen as the old man he'd spotted before stepped forward. He'd never met him before, but Itachi knew who it was; Vahaegon Drakken, the clan's patriarch. What had probably once been silver-blonde hair had gone completely white and fell to his shoulders, serving as a nice frame for the man's thick mustache and beard. His light blue eyes had an icy edge to them, and a scar ran from his lower right jaw almost to his temple. He was hardly infirm in his old age; his flowing red and gold robes did little hide a considerably well-built figure, and Itachi was reminded of the Head Captain's physique. The similarities between the aged leader of the Drakken Clan and the commander of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads did not end in the realm of superficial appearances, either. Vahaegon was not exerting his spiritual pressure, but from what Itachi could sense, his latent power was not to be taken lightly.

Beware the warriors that survive to old age, Itachi thought, I'm sure he has more than his share of battles under his belt. Not every powerful individual in the Soul Society is a Soul Reaper, after all.

The old man faced his eldest granddaughter, and Visaelya bowed in deference. "Grandfather… it's a pleasure to see you again."

Vahaegon regarded her in silence for a moment, his expression utterly inscrutable. Then there was a twitch beneath his beard, and Itachi saw a small smile take form.

"Indeed, it has," he replied before holding out his hand, "and you have grown greatly in a very short amount of time. Welcome home, granddaughter."

She shook his hand. Itachi saw her smile, but it wasn't as genuine as it had been with her parents, siblings and cousin. He could hardly blame her for that. She knew her family far better than him, after all, and she'd likely already come to the same conclusion as Itachi regarding who was truly responsible for the clan collectively giving her the cold shoulder.

Whatever suspicions or misgivings Visaelya had, though, she did not let them show; her smile remained in place as she addressed the clan patriarch. "I'm glad to return, grandfather. May I take this as a sign that the clan is ready to resume ties with me?"

"Those ties were never officially ended in the first place," Vahaegon casually answered, "They were simply under… consideration. The path you took surprised us all, and we needed time to observe from afar and evaluate the direction you decided to go in."

An interesting way to put it.

It's a complete mischaracterization of how they reacted to her decision. They all but exiled her.

Yet, as he said, nothing was ever done officially. They pushed her away, but gave themselves wiggle room should they change their minds about her.

How self-serving. How pathetic.

I agree. That's aristocratic politics for you.

Itachi knew that Jigoku no Joō was right. He didn't like it, but he was no stranger to the games that powerful families played.

Itachi watched as Visaelya calmly accepted her grandfather's answer. "I see. In that case, I trust that my growth and achievements over the past few years have eased any concerns held by the clan?"

Vahaegon nodded. "They have, indeed. Your power is rising alongside your rank, and your service has brought honor to both the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and your family. While your choice of units is unusual, all that we have learned from official reports indicate that your conduct has been in keeping with what we expect from Soul Reapers of our bloodline. Your road is unorthodox, but the progress you have made through traversing it cannot be denied."

He has no choice but to welcome her back into the fold. She's too good for him to ignore anymore.

He's already planning how to use her. If he thinks it's going to be that easy, he will be in for a rude awakening.

Visaelya held her head high; if she was intimidated by the clan patriarch, she gave no sign of it. "I'm glad to hear you say so. While I will continue to hone my skills and bring honor to the family name, I will do so as a member of Squad Two. I've learned much under Captain Shihōin's leadership, and from my friends. I intend to repay the kindness and knowledge that they've shared with me. It's only proper, after all."

Her grandfather's eyes narrowed slightly, but his smile remained. "One should always stride to repay their debts, and we would hardly wish to stop you from doing so. Your family will continue to watch your career with great interest, and we would ask only that you keep an open mind with regards to your future."

Visaelya nodded. "Of course, grandfather."

The old man's demeanor then became slightly more jovial. "Well, now that we have the pleasantries out of the way, why don't we all find somewhere to sit and enjoy the fruits of our cooks' labors? It'd be a shame to let so much good food go cold, after all!"

Visenarr chuckled. "Eager to dig in, father? Your appetite remains as ravenous as ever!"

Vahaegon briefly scowled at his son, but then he chuckled. "Well, at my old age, it's a bit too late to change one's ways."

"You two are welcome to join us," Nayla offered to Itachi and Shisui.

Shisui grinned. "Think I'll take you up on that! What do you say, Itachi? Can't let all that food go to waste!"

"I'll dish up a bit later," Itachi replied as he looked around the courtyard, "I'd like to wander around for a bit and take in the sights. It's not every day we get to enjoy festivities in a place like this, after all."

Visaelya smiled. "You're quite right. Well, I know you'll have little trouble finding us should you wish. Mother, Father? Shall we?"

Her parents nodded, and together the gathering of Drakkens went off, with Visaelya pulling Shisui along for the ride. Itachi's old friend waved as the group left, and soon the Tenth Seat of Squad Two had that little corner of the courtyard to himself. Scanning the party, he caught sight of Isshin chatting with Obran and decided to head on over.

Actually taking the chance to mingle with guests and enjoy yourself? Who are you and what have you done with Itachi?

Is it so odd that I might wish to exchange greetings and catch up a bit with my fellow Soul Reapers? I've worked with one in the field and sparred with the other at the Blade Dancer Festival. We may not be close or in the same unit, but I wouldn't call us strangers.

No, of course not! It's just so refreshing to see you taking the opportunity to be social and really make the most of a party like this. I approve!

"Good," Itachi muttered under his breath with a slight chuckle.

Soon he was standing with Squad Ten's Lieutenant and Third Seat, sharing a drink and listening to the two men regale him with tales of their recent escapades at a Seireitei tavern. Itachi found himself wishing Jiraiya was here; doubtlessly the Legendary Sannin would've enjoyed their company and likely would've contributed a tale or two of his own. He allowed himself a small smile as he let Isshin and Obran dominate the conversation and proceed to further inebriate themselves. This was a nice little change of pace, and Itachi intended to savor it while it lasted.

….

Credit where it's due, thought Shisui as he savored the taste of the fish on his tongue, the Drakken Clan's cooks are second to none. Damn, this is good stuff!

He'd expected high quality food, of course, but Shisui still had been caught off guard by the delicacies on offer tonight. Fine seafood, sizzling steaks, a wide assortment of exotic fruits and vegetables; all that and more lined the tables. Shisui was well into his first plate, and while he had piled up quite a bit of food for that alone, he was seriously considering going in for seconds. Yoruichi had told them to take full advantage of their hosts' generosity, and he was all for following that particular order.

All that being said, he only had one eye for the food. The other alternated between Visaelya and her family as they conversed between bites. Most of it had been polite small talk and simple catching up, but Shisui was well aware that not all was as it seemed on the surface. Visaelya was laughing and smiling as she dined with her family, and she genuinely seemed to have relaxed somewhat compared to how the night had first started, yet some of the tension remained. That went for some of her family members as well; while her mother and father appeared completely at ease, simply happy to have their daughter back, the others were much more guarded. Her cousin appeared friendly enough, if still quite shy, but Visaelya's brother and sister both periodically looked at her in a way that Shisui did not like. On the surface, they were relaxed, yet there was something dark in their gazes. It wasn't hard for Shisui to pinpoint; he'd seen more than his share of it back in his first life.

Resentment.

Shisui didn't know the details, of course, but it wasn't hard to hazard a guess or two. The unofficial censure from her family had been hard on Visaelya, yet because she now lived with Squad Two, she was surrounded by people who were ready and eager to help her cope with it and move forward. Her siblings, on the other hand, had remained with the family. Shisui could only imagine the pressure that had been placed upon them once word of Visaelya's 'treachery' towards the Drakken Clan had gotten out; doubtlessly, the family had redoubled both their lessons and efforts to instill loyalty to the clan into them. With faith in the family's eldest daughter shattered, they would take no chances with their other two children.

They probably got the worst of it from their grandfather and uncle, Shisui mused as he scarfed down the rest of his fish, Those two definitely seem like the types to be sore over what Visaelya did.

Shisui knew a thing or two about resentment; the Uchiha Clan's descent into darkness had been a pointed lesson on the subject. He could only hope that whatever ill-will Gaerion and Vaemera bore Visaelya could be settled peacefully. He didn't know how things would play out, but if she needed his help, he would be there.

"Ah, it's so good to see the family together again!" exclaimed a familiar male voice, "Mind if I join you?"

Looking up, Shisui saw Captain Drakken standing before the table with a full plate. The others smiled, and Shisui gave the senior officer and noble a polite nod. Rhaegon's gaze momentarily lingered on the former Shinobi, but whatever sentiments he might have felt towards Shisui, the Captain kept them to himself. As the patriarch gave his assent and the others adjusted their seats, the Captain sat down, placing himself between his father and brother.

He then smiled at Visaelya, and for what it was worth, Shisui detected no deception in the gesture; her uncle really did seem happy. "Visaelya, I'm so glad to see that you accepted our invitation! Forgive me for not greeting you when you first arrived; I've been so busy making the rounds and seeing to our other guests that I've only been able to break away just now."

Visaelya didn't miss a beat with her gracious answer. "No need for apologies, Uncle. I know how these gatherings go, and I'm quite familiar with the obligations of the hosts. I had faith that our paths would cross sooner or later this evening, and I'm glad that it's before you to take to the sky tonight. How is Daeloron, by the way? I'm eagerly anticipating his performance!"

Rhaegon laughed. "Oh, you know him; he's always raring to go for the Flame of Life Festival!"

Visaelya giggled. "I should've expected as much! I do hope he'll let me pet him when he lands later. I have missed him."

"And he, you, I imagine," Rhaegon replied, "The same almost certainly goes for Rayala. Both will almost certainly recognize your scent tonight!"

Visaelya turned to her father. "So, I take it that means it'll be you and Uncle in the sky tonight?"

Visenarr grinned. "That's right! Rayala's really looking forward to it. I even bribed her with her favorite snacks just to make sure she'd been in the mood for it!"

Nayla shook her head and laughed. "Hardly necessary! She's been practically purring like a kitten all day. She knows what time of year it is!"

Visaelya's grandfather sighed. "If only I could join you two tonight. Alas, Rhygaron's in no condition to put on a show. Damnable scale itch… he really needs to be more cooperative with his cleaners."

Shisui winced. "That doesn't sound particularly fun."

"It's very much not," Visaelya confirmed, "Scale itch isn't a fatal condition, but it irritates dragons to no end. Regular bathing is enough to prevent it, but… well, you heard my grandfather; Rhygaron's not exactly fond of his baths."

"And now he's paying the price for it," said her brother, "Hopefully, he'll learn his lesson."

Her sister smirked. "Probably not. You know how stubborn that old lizard can be!"

"It's hardly surprising," her father chimed in, "Dragons tend to take on some of their rider's mannerisms after a while."

Vahaegon's eyes narrowed. "Something you're trying to say, son?"

"Nope! Not at all, Father," Visenarr hastily replied, though not before throwing a playful wink at Visaelya.

"Will there be anyone else performing tonight?" asked Shisui.

Rhaegon shook his head. "No, just my brother and I. We've been practicing our routine for quite some time. You lot are in for a treat!"

Shisui inclined his head. "I'm looking forward to seeing you two in action. It's one thing to observe your clan's magnificent mounts from a distance. Your Flame of Life Festival is impossible to miss regardless of where one's at in the Seireitei, but I have always wondered what it'd be like to witness the spectacle with the rest of the revelers."

Visaelya smiled at him. "You'll get your chance tonight. Trust me; it'll be like nothing you've ever seen before!"

"Perhaps someday you will take to the sky and perform," said her grandfather, eyeing her carefully, "Should you wish to do so, of course."

Visaelya blinked as the full weight of his words sunk in. "Hold on… do you really mean…?"

"There are no freshly hatched eggs for you to bond with at present," Vahaegon replied, "and we do not know if Rayala or any of the other females will lay this year. It will take time for word from the riders back in the Principality to reach here as well, so a full accounting of this year's potential clutch remains to be seen. Even once that is complete, much consideration will be needed before we grant you your own egg. Still, it is a matter that deserves fresh thought in light of your growth."

Although the answer was noncommittal, Visaelya still bowed her head. "I understand. Thank you, grandfather."

Shisui would've preferred her to be given something a bit more concrete, but she seemed satisfied with this olive branch for the moment. If it was enough for her, then he would let it be. He hoped that something more would come from this; in his eyes, she definitely deserved it. Besides, the thought of her riding her own dragon and frying Hollows while wielding her Shikai was now floating in Shisui's mind, and he had to smile at the mental image. If he could do anything to help bring that about, then he'd be more than willing to step up to the plate.

Her grandfather nodded. "Of course. In the meantime, we can offer you a much more immediate and useful gesture of goodwill. I am prepared to allow you access to clan funds again. Say the word, and you need no longer live off of the meager wages of a simple Soul Reaper."

Visaelya shook her head. "I appreciate that, grandfather, but for the moment I must decline. The current wages from my position are more than sufficient for my day-to-day needs. I'm sure the clan has much more important matters for its funds to be spent on."

Vahaegon raised an eyebrow, but he did not press the matter. "I see. Very well, then. I commend your sense of frugality. Should you change your mind, you need only ask."

"I'll remember that, grandfather," Visaelya answered, "Thank you for being so understanding."

Shisui couldn't help but feel a swelling of pride in his chest. He was sure that Visaelya had been tempted by the offer, and he wouldn't have blamed her in the least for accepting it; it was part of her birthright, after all. Instead, she'd chosen once again to assert her independence, and she'd done so quite eloquently. She'd taken her grandfather by surprise, but no feathers had been ruffled or bridges burned.

I know she wanted me here as support tonight, he thought, smiling again as he gazed upon her, but I don't believe she really needed it. Visaelya… you've grown in more ways than you might realize.

As his companion and her family indulged in idle chit-chat, Shisui leaned back and allowed his gaze to roam the courtyard. It felt a bit odd to be people watching in a context that wasn't mission-related, but it was entertaining to study the various fashion choices of the many guests. The courtyard was practically a swirling rainbow of multi-colored robes, a bit disorienting at first glance but quite intriguing to study in detail. It was as good a way to pass the time as any while Visaelya bonded with her family again, and it was something that Shisui could do with minimal effort to stay out of her way yet remain nearby and ready to jump in should she need his help.

And that was when he saw a ghost, both literally and figuratively.

Shisui's heart damn near stopped as his eyes drifted over a suspiciously familiar patch of black. Leaning forward ever so slightly, it took every last ounce of restraint in Shisui's possession to maintain his composure and keep his dining companions from noticing his sudden distress.

No…

It can't be…

Oh, but Shisui knew better. It most certainly was.

That long black hair, the dark eyes, that near perpetual scowl… Shisui knew it all far too well. He wore a dark blue kimono instead of the typical high-collar shirts that Shisui had seen him wear in the past, but that didn't matter; the face was unforgettable to him.

It was Inabi Uchiha.

In a past life, once a member of the Leaf Village Military Police Force…

…and one of the core conspirators in the Uchiha Clan's coup plot.

….

Having wrapped up his pleasant conversation with Isshin and Obran a while ago, Itachi had contented himself with casually roaming the courtyard. He'd spent a bit of time by the central fountain admiring the craftsmanship before moving on to explore the gardens, and now he was back amongst the guests, floating about like a leaf on the wind. Itachi had no real destination in mind, yet by chance or fate, he found himself drifting slowly but surely towards a small table occupied by two men. Neither was indulging in food, but instead were intently studying a game board in between them. The board was arrayed with various white and black pieces, and although Itachi had never played this particular game himself, he knew what it was called; chess.

He had a rough idea as to the basic rules, and Itachi could tell that the two players he was currently watching were both clearly skilled at the game. The players themselves were almost as perfectly contrasted as their white and black pieces; Lieutenant Aizen's sea-green robes clashing with the tan and gold of Captain el-Emani's kimono. The former had his white pieces advancing in an aggressive yet calculated offensive, while the later maintained a flexible yet formidable defense with his black ones. One by one, the players were whittling down the forces of their opponents, their pace dictated as much by the small timer on the table next to the board as it was by their own sharp minds.

Before starting his next turn, Squad Three's Captain looked up at Itachi and smiled. "Ah, Squad Two's Tenth Seat Uchiha, was it? What brings you to our quiet little corner of this party?"

"Curiosity, I suppose," Itachi answered as he nodded in greeting, "If you don't desire an audience, I can move on."

Captain el-Emani chuckled. "No need for that! We're playing this in full view, after all. Lieutenant, you don't mind an observer or two, do you?"

Aizen shook his head and smiled. "Not at all. In fact, if we can convince another person to enjoy this kind of game, so much the better. Tenth Seat Uchiha, why don't you draw up a seat?"

"Very well, then," said Itachi as he did just that, grabbing a chair and settling in to watch the rest of the match unfold.

The game continued, but the dynamic had subtly shifted. Captain el-Emani's focus remained entirely on the match, and Aizen gave the impression of the same, but Itachi couldn't help but notice that they Lieutenant would periodically glance his way out of the corner of his eye. It was such a small gesture, the briefest shift in his gaze, and Itachi doubted the Captain had even noticed. Aizen was studying him now just as much as he was concentrating on the game, and Itachi wasn't quite sure what to make of it.

"Tell me, Tenth Seat Uchiha," Aizen said after a few minutes had passed, "What do you know of this game?"

"I read about it in the Academy library," Itachi replied as he watched the Lieutenant snatch his foe's last rook, "I believe there even a few sets available, but I never actually played it."

"Never too late to start," Captain el-Emani chimed in as he retaliated by taking one of Aizen's bishops, "I know that shogi is quite similar and tends to be more popular within the walls of the Seireitei, but I find that understanding both games can be quite enlightening."

"I have played shogi," Itachi confessed as Aizen claimed one of his opponent's few remaining pawns, "I also have some experience with Go. This does seem like it'd be quite interesting to try."

"Well, then why don't you?" Aizen proposed, "In fact, how about this; you take the place of whoever loses this match. Does that sound agreeable to you, Captain el-Emani?"

Squad Three's commanding officer grinned as he stole one of Aizen's pawns. "Oh, absolutely! At the rate we're going, it seems like that'll be me unless I can pull off a miracle within the next few turns."

Looking at the board, Itachi had to concur with Captain el-Emani. The man was putting up a good fight and making Aizen pay dearly for his advance, but the Lieutenant was clearly in his endgame now. He was drawing in the net, and whatever openings remained were few and far between.

Sure enough, a few minutes and moves later, Aizen declared the inevitable. "Checkmate."

For his part, Captain el-Emani accepted defeat with a gracious smile. "Indeed. Well played, Lieutenant! What's that put us at, now? Thirteen to fourteen in your favor, I believe?"

Aizen chuckled. "Yes, but who's counting, right?"

Both men shared a brief laugh as the Captain stood up and gestured for Itachi to take his seat. "Quite so! Well, I suppose it's time for me to stretch my legs a bit. Itachi, I hope you find the coming game as enlightening as it is entertaining. Until our next match, Lieutenant Aizen!"

Itachi shifted over to fill the Captain's vacated position across the board from Aizen, who was already gathering up and reorganizing the various pieces. "I prefer to play as white, but since this is your first game, I'll let you have your pick. What side do you want, Tenth Seat Uchiha?"

"Black is fine," the former Shinobi answered, "and please, just call me Itachi."

Aizen inclined his head. "As you wish."

It only took a few moments for the Lieutenant to have the pieces in place, and he then gestured at the timer. "Captain el-Emani and I were playing our last set with two-minute turns. I can set it for longer if you'd like."

Itachi shook his head. "That won't be necessary. You'll find that I pick up quite a bit simply from watching others. I might have caught your match towards the end, but it was still very instructive. Besides, I'd hate to take too long and miss the start of tonight's aerial performance."

The Lieutenant's eyes widened slightly in realization. "Oh, so this is your first time attending the Drakken Clan's Flame of Life Festival then? Well, you'll certainly be in for a spectacle later. The family's mounts never fail to impress."

"I don't doubt that a bit," Itachi replied before nodding at the board, "Shall we?"

The first few minutes of the match passed in silence as the two men made their opening moves. Pawns advanced while more powerful pieces were maneuvered into striking position. It wasn't long before the two men began trading pieces, with Itachi actually scoring first blood.

His opponent actually smiled as Itachi claimed his first bishop. "A bold move… quite aggressive for a newcomer. Are you sure you haven't played this game before?"

"Shogi and Go were prevalent in the Realm of the Living that I come from," Itachi confirmed, "My only exposure to this version of chess has been in the Soul Society, and I promise you that this is the first time I've sat down for a match."

"I see," said Aizen as he avenged his bishop by taking one of Itachi's knights, "Well, then this should prove to be an illuminating experience."

Itachi had indeed been telling the truth to the Lieutenant regarding his experience with the game… just as he'd been telling the truth regarding how informative what he'd seen of the prior match between the Lieutenant and Squad Three's Captain had been. He didn't need the power of the Sharingan to understand the intricacies of the game; observation with his natural eyes had proven to be more than sufficient.

A few more minutes passed, and the center of the board became a veritable killing ground. Neither side could gain a firm advantage without cost, with both players carefully maneuvering their troops so that they might come out ahead in the unfolding war of attrition.

"A pity that Captain el-Emani didn't stick around," said Aizen after a little more time had passed, "I think he would've enjoyed observing this. You might wish to play against him and Captain Drakken sometime in the future."

That second name caught Itachi by surprise. "I didn't realize that Captain Drakken was a fan of this game. He's always struck me as rather… impatient."

Aizen nodded as he made a move. "Well, you're not entirely wrong. He does like to move things forward quickly, but that doesn't mean those moves are ill-considered. He's a man who wants to be at the forefront of society's advance, and his playstyle reflects that. If he comes across as perhaps aggressive or brash… well, I won't deny that there would be merit in calling him both. That being said, his mind works fast, and he has the will to seize the initiative."

Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly as he studied both the board and his opponent. "Sounds like you admire him."

"I do," Aizen confessed, "Of course, each Captain in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads has admirable qualities. Take your own, for example; Captain Shihōin's speed is legendary, but perhaps what's not as well recognized about her is the attention she pays to the wellbeing of her subordinates. She's willing to risk their lives if the situation calls for it, yet she doesn't do it lightly, and she goes to great lengths to ensure that you're all taken care of. She's also well-versed in the Soul Society's politics despite preferring not to play the game herself, which definitely comes in handy whenever your unit is required to move against fugitive Soul Reapers or criminals who might have noble connections. It's also served Squad Two well ever since the great wraith hunt began."

Itachi allowed himself a small smile as he advanced one of his pawns. "Well put."

The two of them continued their dance of positioning, counter positioning, attack and retaliation. Just as Itachi split his attention between the board and his opponent, he knew Squad Five's Lieutenant was doing the same. A few idle comments passed between them as the match progressed, and while Aizen was proving himself to be quite easy to talk to, there was a nagging sensation in the back of Itachi's mind that kept telling him to be wary. His first encounter with the Lieutenant back at the Academy recruitment exhibition was never far from his mind.

Just like before, there was that feeling of being seen as something other than what the man acted like he was viewing him as. Aizen was charming, friendly, intelligent, and quite relaxed considering his rank. Despite Itachi being new to the game of chess, the Lieutenant was clearly taking him seriously as an opponent, making his moves carefully and treating his adversary with a healthy degree of respect. Yet the way that those soft brown eyes of his observed him didn't feel quite right to Itachi. Whenever Aizen smiled, the gesture might appear genuine at first glance, but it never quite seemed to be reflected in his eyes. There was the faintest hint of something much colder behind them, of a mind that was constantly calculating, weighing advantage with disadvantage, and not just with regards to the chess match.

Itachi recognized it, and once again he was struck by where he'd felt it before. Just like the last time he and Aizen had met, the strange mental image of Orochimaru's face superimposed itself in his mind's eye over that of the Lieutenant. It lasted only for a second, but even that was entirely too long for Itachi's tastes. He once again found himself wishing that Jiraiya was attending the party as well, only this time as an observer for this encounter so Itachi could pick his brain about it afterwards.

He wants something. What is it?

I do not know, Jigoku no Joō chimed in, but remain on your guard. You have his attention, and that's not necessarily a good thing.

Glad we're in agreement on that.

His silent conversation with the spirit of his Zanpakutō was then swapped out for a new one with his opponent as Aizen made an observation. "You and Seventh Seat Shisui Uchiha came here tonight in the company of the clan's wayward daughter, yes?"

Itachi nodded. "As her honored guests. She's a close friend of ours, and she wanted our support for this occasion."

"Quite thoughtful of you," Aizen replied, "She's fortunate to have such devoted companions."

Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly as he moved another piece. "Shisui and I might have obvious reasons for being here, but yours are less readily apparent. I wasn't aware that Squad Five was particularly close to Squad Ten or the Drakken Clan."

Aizen shrugged. "We've worked together on occasion, but most of the time, interaction between our divisions is strictly in a professional capacity. However, those occasions have given me the pleasure of speaking extendedly with Captain Drakken, and I suppose you could say that we hit it off. We chat fairly regularly off duty over some shared interests."

"Oh? What might those be?" asked Itachi as he observed the Lieutenant's countermove.

"Philosophy, believe it or not," Aizen answered, "More specifically, the philosophy of governance. Tell me, Itachi; what all do you know about how the Soul Society manages its affairs of state?"

It took Itachi a moment to properly consider the matter. "Truth be told, we're quite strange when it comes to governments. In theory, we're a monarchy, but the Soul King's role all of this is more metaphysical than as an authority figure. His importance is essentially that of the anchor of reality. He has his court and Royal Guard, but they're so insular as to be isolationist. In practice, governing falls to the authorities in the Soul Society rather than the king's realm. That's where things get particularly bizarre."

Aizen smiled as he watched Itachi advance another piece. "By bizarre, I assume you're referring to the balance of power between the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and the Central Forty-Six?"

"More accurately, the imbalance of power," Itachi argued, "We're taught that the Central Forty-Six is merely a judiciary body, but in practice it's a ruling council. Not only do they sit in judgment of crimes committed by Soul Reapers and denizens of the Soul Society as a whole, but they are ultimately the ones who direct the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, the Kidō Corps and the Stealth Force."

Aizen nodded as he moved a piece. "The irony of the situation is particularly rich. Those who sit on that council might have some spirit energy, but their power is purely political. By contrast, our three branches are composed of incredibly gifted and powerful individuals, with the Head Captain being the mightiest of them all. Yet he is completely subservient to the will of the Central Forty-Six. Doesn't that strike you as unnatural?"

"In the land that I hail from, there's a different balance," said Itachi, "My homeland had a feudal lord, but the village that I grew up in was the heart of its defense; its soldiers, spies, medics and strategists almost exclusively came from there. The ruling lord of our land recognized that, and in practice we were allowed considerable autonomy in exchange for protecting our greater nation. The leader of the village where our forces were based out of would always be amongst the most powerful of our warriors, but he would govern in cooperation with a broader ruling council and consult with the feudal lord when necessary. You could call it a hybrid civilian-military government structure, one that's not nearly as lopsided as what's found in the Soul Society."

Aizen scratched his chin as he watched Itachi make his next move. "Fascinating… I've heard rumors, but I would like them to be confirmed. The Realm of the Living that you and Shisui come from is the Shinobi World, correct?"

Itachi nodded. "That's right. What do you know of it?"

"Not much, I'm afraid," Aizen confessed as he countered Itachi's move, "What little I have heard has been quite intriguing, though. Its unique system of governance alone certainly sounds worthy of study."

"What I described to you is the conventional state of affairs between Shinobi and the lords who rule the lands we reside in," Itachi replied, "and it's a gross generalization. Within each region, you'll find unique twists and variations of this setup, and even those who've abandoned it entirely. The Shinobi World is composed of great states and small ones, and no two are completely alike."

"The Soul Society used to be much the same way according to the ancient history texts," Aizen noted as Itachi made his next play, "The trend, I've noticed, has been towards consolidation. There were once many more autonomous or even outright independent noble domains, but look at things now. There are the Principalities of the Five Great Noble Houses, but what lies between them and the heart of the Soul Society nowadays? Apart from a handful of precarious and scattered settlements, nothing but The Wild. So many Realms of the Living sending their dearly departed here, yet that hardly seems reflected in how this domain is governed."

Itachi moved another piece before meeting his opponent's gaze. "What are you getting at with all of this?"

Aizen met his question with another. "What do you know about how the members of the Central Forty-Six are selected?"

Itachi mulled it over and realized he didn't like the answer. "The committee is composed of forty so-called 'wise-men' and six actual judges, and supposedly they're gathered from all over the Soul Society. According to the old Academy lectures, the council has its own talent scouts that are sent out to interview prospective new members. However, the inner workings of the process are very hush-hush; not much in the way of transparency. From what I've learned since joining Squad Two, noble involvement in the selection process isn't unheard of. Bribery, blackmail, favor-for-favor… plenty of rumors go around, but it's hard to prove any of it. Still, it wouldn't exactly be surprising for there to be a ring of truth to it all."

Aizen nodded as he made his next move. "You have clear eyes regarding a black spot that our rulers do not like us paying much attention to. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. Captain Shihōin might not play the political game, but she knows how it works, and that sort of knowledge is necessary for her subordinates to have as well given your area of responsibility. This state of affairs… perhaps it's produced the current stability we enjoy, but would you call it just?"

Itachi shrugged. "What would my opinion on it matter? My role in all this is to hunt down Hollows and help preserve the balance of souls. As long as the Soul Society's politics don't interfere with the mission, it's a secondary concern at best."

"The attitude of a professional, to be sure," Aizen replied as the two men traded pieces, "Your focus on your duties is commendable, but you do recognize some of the inherent problems in our current system, yes?"

"Sure," Itachi answered, "It's meant to preserve the current status quo, ensuring peace and stability at the cost of flexibility, innovation and progress. Change comes slowly in the Soul Society, but the Realms of the Living are another matter entirely. Souls with new ideas and ways of thinking come in to the Soul Society while the Central Forty-Six remains committed to maintaining the state of affairs that they know and love. That creates a natural tension, one that must be given an outlet to keep it from boiling over. Theoretically, if the Central Forty-Six really did pick its members from all across the Soul Society, then those new ideas would begin to filter into the council. However, given just how long souls can live and the interference of the Seireitei's rich and powerful in the process of screening candidates, a clear selection bias is created. Those who make it to the ranks of the council are incentivized to first secure their own position, and then that of the Central Forty-Six as a whole. That's a recipe for stagnation."

Aizen's eyes actually narrowed ever so slightly. "Interesting… that was quicker than the Captain."

"Which one?" asked Itachi, "Are you referring to Captain Drakken?"

Aizen shook his head. "It's not important. Shall we wrap this up? The main event's probably going to start soon, and it would be a shame for you to miss it."

Itachi didn't like how swiftly the Lieutenant had shifted gears, but he sensed that pressing the matter would do more harm than good. He resolved to follow up on it another time and kept a careful eye on his opponent as their match went into the endgame. The board quickly grew sparse, and a few minutes later both men's remaining pieces numbered in the low single digits.

After another minute or two, they came to the inevitable realization, with Aizen being the first to give voice to it. "Well, now… I haven't had one of these in quite some time."

Itachi nodded. "Stalemate. Well fought. You and Captain el-Emani were right about this game."

"Glad you think so," said Aizen as he began putting away the pieces, "Should we get the chance, I wouldn't mind another match."

"I might take you up on that," Itachi replied as he stood up, "Thank you for the game."

Aizen inclined his head as he rose. "You're welcome."

Itachi started to scan the crowd; he wanted to find Shisui and Visaelya so he could join them for tonight's big event. However, as his gaze drifted over the various party-goers, his heart damn near skipped a beat at the sight of a familiar face. He immediately zeroed in; Itachi had to be sure of what he was seeing. The figure was at the periphery, and almost immediately after Itachi caught sight of them they vanished into the shadows. Their eyes met for the briefest of seconds first, though, and that was more than enough for Itachi. It took every last iota of self-control for him to keep his composure in front of Aizen, and he wasn't sure if he was completely successful. The Lieutenant was eyeing him curiously and trying to track Itachi's gaze without the former Shinobi noticing.

Itachi hastily bade Aizen farewell before setting off, determined to find Shisui now. All the while, the face of the man he'd just seen continued to haunt his mind. His attire was different than Itachi remembered; a black and blue kimono instead of a high-collared shirt. Not that it mattered to Itachi. He knew that face very well. The ash-grey hair, the perpetually squinting eyes… and the sheer hatred in those eyes when Itachi's gaze had locked with his.

No mistaking it. I'd recognize him anywhere.

Yashiro Uchiha.

One of the main proponents of our clan's ill-fated coup plot.

….

They'd just wrapped up their extravagant dinner, and Shisui finally saw his opening to get away for a bit. He'd wanted to get up and find Itachi the moment he saw Inabi, but he hadn't wanted to risk tipping off anyone that something was wrong. There was too much that he didn't know here, and while he trusted Visaelya with his life, Shisui most certainly couldn't say the same for her family.

He saw Visaelya and the others bid her uncle and father farewell; the two men were heading off to the Dragon's Lair to make their final preparations for the eagerly anticipated aerial performance. That gave Shisui the chance to quietly slip away without drawing attention, and it didn't take him long to find Itachi. In fact, it would be more accurate to say that Itachi found him… and Shisui could immediately tell that something was wrong.

"We need to talk," said Itachi tersely, "Somewhere private. Now."

Shisui simply nodded. "Let's head outside the walls. The gatekeepers should let us back in easily enough."

The two of them set off, quickly exiting the estate grounds and heading a little way down the street. They rounded a corner and slipped into one of the many side alleyways that ran between the mansions of prominent noble families. Satisfied that they were suitably out of the way, they got down to business.

Itachi went first. "I just saw Yashiro Uchiha in there."

Shisui blinked a few times as he processed that. "Are you serious? Sure you weren't mixing his face up with someone else's?"

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "I tortured him with Tsukuyomi and then cut his head off during the purge, Shisui. You don't forget a man's face after that. It was him. I'm certain of it."

Shisui took a deep breath. "Okay, okay… well, then this makes what I saw even more disturbing. I found another Uchiha; Inabi. It was only for a few seconds, but it was definitely him."

Itachi folded his arms and leaned back against a nearby wall. "Two of the coup plot ringleaders, both attending the same party held by a Great Noble House… it can't be a coincidence."

Shisui nodded. "Agreed. And it's a Drakken Clan party to boot… do you think the Sharingan's compromised?"

Itachi scratched his chin as he considered the matter. "It'd be wise to assume the worst. Still, why would Captain Drakken keep it a secret? He must know that you and I were factors in his niece picking Squad Two over his own unit at the recruitment exhibition. Both he and the clan patriarch were bitter with her over that, and it's probably safe to assume that they hold us partially responsible, regardless of how civil they've been with us so far tonight. If they wanted to get back at us for that, releasing knowledge of the Sharingan to the Central Forty-Six would be a good way to do it. They haven't, though, otherwise you and I would probably be on the run right now."

"Good point," Shisui concurred, "What do we make of that, though? Have Yashiro and Inabi not revealed it to them, or has the clan learned and they're simply sitting on that knowledge until the time is right?"

Itachi shook his head. "It's impossible to say for sure. There's too much that we don't know."

Shisui sighed. "Damn it… what the hell's our move?"

Itachi was quiet for a moment, and Shisui could practically hear the gears spinning away in his head. "I don't think we were meant to see them. The moment I caught sight of Yashiro, he immediately withdrew. I'm assuming it was the same for Inabi?"

Shisui nodded. "Pretty much."

"Thought so," said Itachi, "Yashiro was dressed for the party, but I don't believe the clan wanted him to actually come out in the open. It's just conjecture, of course, but the fact that he moved for cover right away does support it."

Shisui agreed. "Inabi was dressed up as well, but he retreated pretty quickly. Definitely looked like he wasn't expecting either of us to show up tonight. Which is odd, considering that Visaelya's parents allowed her to bring guests and we're pretty well known as close friends of hers. They really should have been expecting us to come."

"Neither of those two were the best when it comes to planning," Itachi pointed out, "They originally wanted you to incapacitate the Third Hokage during the coup, and after your death, that role went to Yashiro. How do you think that would've played out had they been able to go through with their scheme?"

Shisui couldn't help but laugh. "Not well! Yashiro against The Professor? Even if he got the drop on him, the Third would've stomped Yashiro pretty quickly. The fact that they originally wanted me to go after him is… well, I don't know if hilarious or depressing is the right word for it. Either way, they completely had the wrong read on me."

"That's actually something we can use," Itachi argued, "Even after your death, the rest of the clan was convinced that you shared their views and would support the coup. They had no idea of your true thoughts on the matter."

Shisui's brow furrowed. "Do you want me to make contact with them? Pretend to be friendly, see where things go?"

Itachi shook his head. "Not tonight. Making that kind of move so soon might put their guard up, especially since you came here with me. Let's go back in and simply observe for the rest of the night. Make note of any familiar faces you come across in there. We can meet once we get back to the barracks and figure out a plan from there."

Shisui nodded. "Sounds good. I'm assuming you'll want to tell the Captain?"

"Yes," Itachi confirmed, "She already knows the clan's history thanks to me, so she'll understand why these two showing up where they are now is cause for concern. Given the responsibilities of Squad Two and the Stealth Force, she's actually in the best possible position to support us going forward. I'll also need to find an opportunity to inform Jiraiya. I've told him what happened between our clan and the village as well, and he'll be a valuable ally in this matter going forward. This does involve our group project of finding more Shinobi in the Soul Society, after all."

Shisui took a deep breath. "What about Visaelya? I've told her about the clan… and what you did to stop them. She needs to know who her family's getting involved with. I'm not keeping her in the dark on this, Itachi."

"And I won't ask you to," Itachi replied, "not for long, at least. However… let's wait until after the party. She's enjoying herself right now, and she's waited a long time for the chance to begin reconciling with her family. Let's allow her to focus on that for the moment. We can bring her into the loop once we head back to the barracks."

Shisui smiled. "Okay, that works for me. Speaking of which, we should get back in there; she's probably wondering where we've run off to."

Itachi nodded. "You're right. Let's go… and see what the rest of the night brings us."

The two of them set off again, and were back inside the courtyard a moment later. Shisui smiled as he and Itachi found Visaelya, and the two of them spun her a quick tale about wanting to check out part of the estate. They acted relaxed, much as they had before, but for the two Uchiha, this was no longer a festival.

The party had become an espionage mission.

….

"Are you sure Itachi doesn't want to join us up here?" asked Visaelya as she and Shisui settled into their seats, "You really can't ask for a better vantage point than this."

Shisui smiled and shook his head. "He's had the high seats at other noble parties before, and he wants to see things from the ground level this time. I think he also wanted to chat with Isshin again; those two really seemed to hit it off back during that hunt for the third wraith. It's rare for him to branch out and make new friends like that, and I'd like to encourage more of that in him."

Visaelya smiled as well before turning her gaze towards the dome, eagerly awaiting what was about to come flying out of the top of it. "Well, as long as he enjoys himself tonight, I suppose that's enough. Shouldn't be much longer now…"

The immediate Drakken Family and their closest companions had moved to the third story balcony of the mansion a little bit ago. Childhood memories came flooding back to Visaelya as she thought about all the times she'd watched the main attraction of the Flame of Life Festival from this perch. Staring wide-eyed up at the sky as the great winged beasts of the clan circled and swooped overhead, belching fire and lighting up the night as their riders guided them through the performance, cheering with her siblings at the spectacle… it all felt like a lifetime ago. So much had happened since those innocent days, and ever since making the decision that she'd known would cause friction with her family, Visaelya had feared losing such happy moments with her clan for good.

Now, though, she could safely put that fear to rest. Her father and uncle were preparing their mounts out of sight, but the rest of the family was present. Her brother and sister clinked wine glasses and drank before offering some to Visaelya, who politely declined; she wanted to make sure she was clear-eyed and sober for the coming performance. Her cousin had, just like old times, picked a seat further back and to the side so she'd have a bit of space from the others, yet she always smiled shyly whenever Visaelya looked back to make sure she was okay. Her mother was seated to Visaelya's left, watching her and Shisui with a smile and a knowing look in her eyes. Even her grandfather seemed loose and relaxed, leaning back and gazing skyward as he waited for the show to start.

To have come this far alone was a victory for Visaelya, although she knew that this was just the first leg of what would surely be a long and bumpy road. Reconciliation between estranged family members wasn't something that happened overnight, as much as she might wish it to be otherwise. Everyone had been kind and polite so far, but Visaelya hadn't been blind to the underlying tensions. Her siblings almost certainly had questions about what she'd really been thinking when she'd made her choice at graduation, and Visaelya knew that she hadn't considered at the time just how her decision might affect them going forward. There was almost certainly some animosity that they weren't giving voice to just yet, and it would have to come out sooner or later. The same likely went for her grandfather, surely for her uncle, and possibly even for her parents. The healing process had only just begun, and Visaelya wasn't looking forward to what would undoubtedly be some ugly episodes in the months and years to come.

Right now, though, she didn't want to think about any of that. She was back with her family, and her closest friend was at her side. Visaelya wondered what her mother really thought of her and Shisui; they'd have to talk in private later so she could pick her brain. She seemed to like him so far, but Visaelya wanted to make sure that Squad Two's Seventh Seat got Nayla's official seal of approval, as it were.

I never thought mother would have any real issue with him, she mused, and as for father… well, if he has any bones to pick with Shisui, then he'll make it known soon enough. I hope he won't cause a fuss. He seems to like him so far, at least.

You're not really going to let your family's feelings dictate who you see, Nikkō Kanshi-in chimed in, are you?

No. It would certainly make things easier if they approve of him, though. I suppose we'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

A wise sentiment. You've grown up quite a bit since you decided to chart your own path.

I'd like to think so.

A chorus of cheers rang out as over a hundred sky lanterns took flight, released by servants scattered about at key points all over the estate. For veterans of the Flame of Life Festival, it was a long-awaited signal. Leaning forward slightly in her chair, Visaelya's gaze focused on the dome, her entire body tingling with anticipation.

Sure enough, two great roars rang out, and a pair of winged blurs shot out of dome. Illuminated briefly by the sky lanterns before racing right past them, Visaelya could recognize them by silhouette alone. In the lead, of course, was the ashen black Daeloron, still as massive and imposing as he had been back at the recruitment exhibition years ago. She caught a glimpse of her uncle on The Infernal's back, his grin readily apparent even in the dim light of the lanterns. Right behind him was a smaller and sleeker azure-scaled creature; Rayala. Only about two-thirds the size of Daeloron, her father's mount made up for her smaller stature with grace and speed. She could've passed the larger dragon immediately if she'd wanted to, but Visaelya knew that her father was keeping her in check so as to avoid outshining her uncle so early in the performance.

She knew she was grinning like the child she'd once been as the two magnificent creatures ascended, and she fully embraced it. Her grandfather might chide her later for being overly-enthusiastic and not displaying the proper bearing of a noble, but she didn't care in the slightest. Briefly glancing to her right, she saw Shisui smiling as well as he watched the pair of winged behemoths begin to chase after each other overhead, lighting up the sky with streams of flame.

Visaelya tentatively reached over to take his hand, only to be surprised with how quickly and tightly he intertwined his fingers with her own. She was glad that his gaze was on the circling dragons overhead; he'd almost certainly have teased her if he could see just how red her face had become. Her heartbeat picked up considerably, and it was only partially due to the aerial acrobatics that were unfolding up above.

As the sky lanterns gradually spread out, Daeloron and Rayala weaved between them. Despite their great size, neither creature so much as grazed any of the tiny lights that shared the airspace with them. They smoothly twisted and turned around them, chasing each other's tails while letting out joyous roars that were echoed by the onlookers below. While the Flame of Life Festival served primarily to entertain the Drakken Clan and allow the family to show off their magnificent pets to the rest of the aristocracy, the dragons themselves were more than happy to indulge in it.

They're usually so restricted when they're inside the Seireitei, Visaelya thought, Central Forty-Six doesn't like their presence, and they're so limited in when they're allowed to stretch their wings. We usually have to take them well beyond the Rukon District to really let them cut loose.

There were exceptions to those limits, though, and the Flame of Life Festival was one of them. The dragons of the clan had learned to look forward to it, and both Daeloron and Rayala were clearly determined to make the most of it. Both spiraled upwards together, letting fly with great streams of fire to illuminate their trajectory for the observers below.

Visaelya nearly jumped out of her chair as her mother put a hand on her shoulder. "That'll be you someday up there."

Visaelya laughed, more to cover her surprise than anything else. "Come, now! As if I could ever match father and uncle's flying skills!"

"Don't be so sure," Nayla replied with a wink, "I've seen how quickly you learn when you put your mind to it!"

"So have I," Shisui chimed in, "Your family better watch out, especially once you get your own dragon egg. When your mount has hatched and you've trained it properly, you'll become Queen of the Seireitei's Skies!"

Visaelya couldn't help but giggle. "Now that's a good title! Maybe someday…"

Shisui chuckled. "Say the word, and I'll have a crown ready for you when that day comes… Your Majesty!"

Visaelya playfully elbowed him. "Oh, don't start with that! Please!"

Shisui lowered his head in a mock bow, but the mischievous glint remained in his eyes. "As you wish, my Queen!"

Up above, the black and blue dragons had gone so high up that they momentarily vanished behind the clouds. Knowing that they'd be back within short order, Visaelya idly allowed her gaze to drift down towards the crowd below. Between the spectacle that they'd been enjoying and the drinks that continued to flow, the guests were in high spirits, laughing and grinning as they soaked up the festivities for all that they were worth.

Except for one, Visaelya realized.

Itachi.

When she caught sight of him, she saw that his gaze wasn't on the sky, and he didn't have a glass in hand. He was with Isshin, just like Shisui had said, but unlike Squad Ten's Third Seat, Itachi wasn't drinking or observing the show being put on up above. Instead, he was surveying the crowd. Even from this distance, Visaelya recognized the look in his eyes; she'd seen often enough out in the field. He was searching for something or someone, and it didn't appear to be him simply seeking out a friendly face or two in the gathered revelers. This wasn't idle people watching; it was scouting.

Then again, maybe Visaelya was imagining it. When the two dragons reappeared again a moment later, she saw Itachi's gaze turn towards the sky. Isshin looked like he was cheering, and it looked like Itachi had a small smile on his face as the two men took in the next round of aerial acrobatics.

Then Visaelya glanced at Shisui, and she now saw that his gaze wasn't on the sky. That changed quickly enough, but just for a moment, Visaelya had seen him looking around at the assembled guests. Just like Itachi, he'd appeared to be looking for someone, and it was possible that he'd only turned his attention back to the performance above because he'd sensed Visaelya's attention.

Shisui then turned to her and smiled, giving her hand a squeeze and winking. "Gotta give your family credit; they really know how to put on a show!"

You're overthinking things, she silently told herself as she returned his smile, You have to be. There's no threat here for the two of them to look for; you're just letting your nerves from before get the better of you.

With that, her gaze went back to the sky and the soaring fire-breathing creatures dancing in it.

….

Sparing one last glance over her shoulder, Saenenya sighed with relief as she saw Vaemera give her an understanding nod and smile. The grand aerial dance was still in full-swing, but she'd seen it plenty of times over the years and it had kind of lost its charm for her. She would always watch out of respect for her family, but by this point in the Flame of Life Festival she was typically eager to retreat from the party in general. Luckily, this was the point in the festivities where her minimal involvement was no longer required, and Vaemera had become good about recognizing when Saenenya needed to get away from everyone to recharge. That was probably why she'd become closer with her than her other cousins; they had a good grasp of each other's eccentricities. The Drakken Clan was almost entirely dominated by extroverts, which could make life hard for the rare introvert like Saenenya. Finding someone like Vaemera who could recognize when she'd had enough 'fun' and needed some space had been a godsend for Saenenya.

So, while everyone else was watching the dragons and their riders light up the night sky, the daughter of Squad Ten's Captain made her way through the halls and down the steps of the Drakken Clan mansion. Rather than stop at the ground floor, though, she continued her descent. Soon the halls were lit only by torches now rather than the light of lanterns filtering through windows, and her feet practically guided themselves towards her one true happy place in the mansion; the archives.

Saenenya might have joined the Academy and was now training to be a Soul Reaper, but despite how honorable and worthy of a calling it might be, it wasn't actually what she wanted. Scholarly pursuits had always been her true joy, and she loved nothing more than curling up with a book. Whether it was losing herself in some thrilling fantasy novel or scouring ancient tomes for knowledge of long-forgotten spells or weapons, she was far more comfortable with a book in her hands than a sword. She knew that would inevitably cause problems down the line as graduation drew near, but she didn't want to think about that right now.

Maybe I'll pick up that treatise on barrier spells I found yesterday, she idly mused as she reached the entrance of the library, I only got halfway through it before Mother dragged me upstairs for dinner. Shouldn't be too hard to track down again…

When she entered the cavernous archives, she quickly found that she wasn't alone. Fortunately, there was only one other occupant, and it was one that Saenenya was actually familiar with. Sitting at one of the central tables with a map and several books stacked about was a man in a black cloak…

…with rippling violet eyes.

"Oh, you're down here, too," she said by way of greeting as she browsed a nearby shelf, "I should've guessed. You're not one for parties, right?"

"Not ones that are as public as the Flame of Life Festival, at least," the man replied as he looked up from one of the open books next to the map, "You took longer than I thought you would to make your way down here tonight. Did you enjoy the festivities while you were up there?"

Saenenya smiled and nodded. "I did, actually! I think I'm getting a little better with these large gatherings, although… they're still difficult for me."

"I understand," said the cloaked figure, "There is nothing wrong with making incremental progress and recognizing when you need to pull back. You've already come quite a long way from when we first met."

That was certainly true. Saenenya could recall, as if it were yesterday, the first time she'd met the cloaked man. It had been several years ago, and it was in these very archives. She'd shrieked with fright as she'd literally bumped into him while browsing the shelves, and she would've fled in embarrassment and terror had he not stopped her with a firm hand on her shoulders. At first, Saenenya had feared that he would reprimand her, but instead he'd simply asked if she was okay and apologized for startling her even though she had not been paying attention when she'd plowed into him in the first place.

From there, the two of them had struck up an odd friendship of sorts. Saenenya still didn't know his name, and he'd never lowered his hood in her presence, but she'd become comfortable sharing the archives with him. Of course, the family library was so big that it wasn't like having more than a single person present at any one time was an imposition, but Saenenya had typically preferred to read alone. She'd been surprised with how quickly she'd adapted to his presence, and had even grown to look forward to it as time had gone by. His voice might be deep and intimidating, and his air of mystery and strange eyes certainly didn't help matters, but he made up for that with a genuine interest in what she was reading, even providing suggestions when she was looking for something new. When she'd asked him in return what he was studying, she'd initially expected him to brush her off, but she'd been pleasantly surprised when he'd invited her over to his table and shown her the various tomes and maps that he'd be researching on any given day. He wouldn't share everything with her, of course; there were times when he'd politely indicate a desire for privacy, and Saenenya was more than willing to respect that. Everyone had their secrets, after all, and Saenenya knew just how bothersome it could be to fend off the prying of others.

When she found the book that she'd been searching for, she approached his table. "May I join you?"

"Feel free," he answered, gesturing to the seat across from him.

She sat down and opened the tome, searching for the point where she'd left off last time. A few quiet minutes passed, with her occasionally glancing up to look at him when she thought he wasn't looking. She couldn't help but be fascinated by his eyes, especially since they were one of the subjects that he refused to share any information on with her. They were eerie, but also strangely beautiful. There was a sense of arcane power behind them, as if they had sprung forth from some ancient legend or myth, though for the life of her Saenenya could not figure out which one it might be.

Of course, the cloaked figure had always caught her staring in the past, and it didn't take long for him to do so this time. A deep chuckle was the indication this time that she'd been found out.

"How many times must we have this conversation?" he gently chided her, "Your prying eyes will not earn you the secret behind mine."

Saenenya blushed as she hastily buried her head in her book. "Sorry!"

Beneath the hood, the man shook his head, seemingly more amused than anything else. "It's fine. Almost seems to have become a ritual of ours by now, hasn't it? Time has taught me that there is some comfort to be found in certain familiar routines. Perhaps this has become one of them."

Saenenya sheepishly smiled and peeked over the top of the page. "Well, as long as I'm not annoying you."

"I don't think you have the capacity to do that," the man replied, "How I wish your father and grandfather shared that trait."

Saenenya's brow furrowed in concern. "Did you have another argument with them? Is everything okay?"

The cloaked figure sighed. "I fear my counsel is losing its appeal to them. Their new advisor tells them what they want to hear instead of what they need to. I've been forced to become more confrontational with them, but I suspect I'm only serving to further alienate them with every new debate. Diplomacy has always been a… tricky thing for me. Even with the wisdom afforded to me by experience and time, gentle persuasion is not exactly my forte."

"Is… is there anything I can do to help?" she nervously asked.

The hood shifted slightly as the man shook his head. "I appreciate the offer, but I have no desire to get you involved in this affair. You have enough troubling you now that you're in training to become a Soul Reaper. Besides, I do not wish for you to experience a rift with your family. You may be shy, but your presence is a soothing balm amidst scathing winds and scorching heat. You are a kind and gentle soul, Saenenya. Keep those traits, and I will consider that more than enough by way of help."

Some time passed in silence as the two of them buried themselves in their reading material. Occasionally, the cloaked man would rise to return a few books to the shelves before coming back with new ones. Saenenya would curiously look up from her own book to see what he was bringing back, and a pattern emerged, one that she'd seen before. The titles almost always seemed concerned with the Soul Society's distant past… and one particular tribe that the Soul Reapers had fought with.

"Still studying the Quincy?" she asked, "You must have exhausted our archive's supply of material on them by now."

"Quite the contrary," the cloaked man replied as he opened one of the new books, scanned the table of contents before skipping to a chapter about halfway through, "Your family was at the forefront of the war against them, and your ancestors fought fiercely alongside the Head Captain himself in those bitter campaigns. Those that survived the clash were fortunately meticulous notetakers, and they took great care to preserve their records when the rest of the Soul Society sought to forget that bloody feud. I do wish that more of the current family generation's members shared their scholarly inclinations. You, at least, seem to be following in the wise footsteps of your forebears. Stay on the path of knowledge, and it will serve you well."

Saenenya felt herself blushing again; whoever the cloaked man really was, all she knew was that he was one of the few people she knew who treated her focus on knowledge over martial prowess with genuine respect instead of patronization, and it meant the world to her. "I will… thank you."

"You're welcome," said the man as he scanned the current page he was on, "Speaking of family, I heard that your cousin decided to accept the invitation. Did she really show up tonight?"

Saenenya nodded. "Yeah, Visaelya came. It was good to see her again. She looks like she's doing well, and she even brought two friends!"

There was a moment of silence before the figure spoke again. "That's good to hear. Who were her companions?"

"They're both members of Squad Two, just like her," Saenenya answered, "Officers, too; Tenth Seat Itachi Uchiha and Seventh Seat Shisui Uchiha. They seem like decent people. I know Visaelya wouldn't have invited them if they weren't."

"Interesting…" the cloaked man murmured, "Of all people…"

Saenenya raised an eyebrow; something about his tone stood out to her. "Do you… know them?"

"Not personally," the figure replied, "but I know of them. I wonder…"

His voice trailed off, and though Saenenya waited patiently for him to finish, he never did. He did lower his book for a moment, seemingly pondering something. It didn't last long, though, and soon enough he was focusing on the tome again in complete silence.

Saenenya briefly considered pushing the matter before she thought better of it. If her companion had nothing further to say about Visaelya's companions, then that was fine. She could always ask her cousin about them some other time.

Before completely returning her focus to her own book, something caught Saenenya's eye. There was a scrap of paper next to one of the book stacks that the cloaked man had gathered, held in place by the corner of another tome. She saw a few lines of scribbled text on it, as if they were a student's hastily written lecture notes.

'900 years for pulse'

'90 years for intellect'

'9 years for power'

She mulled the words over in her head, trying to figure out the context. She could've just asked her companion, but from the way he was focusing on his current book Saenenya suspected he wouldn't appreciate a distraction right now. So, she simply settled in and lost herself in her own book, a small smile on her face as the outside world vanished beyond the pages.

….

"You were seen?" the cloaked figure hissed in barely contained fury, "You imbeciles! What were you thinking? Wait, scratch that; you clearly lack the ability to think atall!"

I figured he'd react like this, Yashiro thought bitterly, Inabi was right; we should've only told Tekka and figured something out on our own.

The party had officially ended some time ago, although an unofficial afterparty of sorts was in progress back in the garden with some of the Drakken family members and a few close friends engaging in a bit of friendly drinking and games of chance. Yashiro and Inabi, of course, had not been given a chance to partake after recognizing certain guests, and they'd missed out on the aerial show to boot. The two of them had sought out Tekka first, who had refused to join them in the festivities. After conferring with their compatriot for some time, Yashiro and Inabi had reluctantly decided to inform the man who had brought them into the Great Noble House's premises years ago. Tekka had decided to sit the meeting out, just as he had sat out the party. In hindsight, he had made the wise choice. Now Yashiro and Inabi were in one of the private meeting rooms of the estate, and their benefactor's ire was fully trained on them.

"When I brought you within these walls," the cloaked man continued, "I thought I made it clear to you that we were to remain in the shadows. We are all Shinobi; such a task should not be difficult! You hardly lack for comfort inside these grounds, so if you desired fancy food and drink there were perfectly reasonable means to acquire them. What in the name of the Sage of Six Paths possessed you to show your faces at such a public event?"

"We had no reason to believe that anyone there would recognize us," Inabi protested, "There's no way we could have predicted Itachi and Shisui showing up!"

The figure folded his arms, and Yashiro gulped as he saw the harsh gaze of the Rinnegan narrow. "Word was floating about the mansion for all to hear that the family's wayward daughter was coming home. You know just as well as I do what unit she joined, just as you know who is a part of that unit. She is known to be close to both Itachi and Shisui; a reasonable person could assume it possible that she might bring one or both of them to this gathering as her guests! A reasonable and logical Shinobi would have recognized the risk and taken suitable precautions. I once believed that you both were reasonable and logical Shinobi, but that is now called into question."

Despite his fear, Yashiro stood his ground. "Even if they recognized us tonight, what can they do about it? No one else at that party knew who we really were, so neither of them can count on any corroborating witnesses. Besides, even if they told someone, what could they say? That two of their fellow Uchiha were attending a noble family's party? That's hardly a crime."

"No, but now they will have their eyes on the family that's hosting us," the cloaked man countered, "Such scrutiny is not in our interest."

"Maybe we can use it," Inabi suggested nervously.

The figure was clearly skeptical. "I find that hard to believe."

Yashiro saw the angle Inabi was trying to play, and he realized it was probably their only shot to avoid further inciting their superior's wrath. "He's right. Remember what we told you about Shisui? He died before Itachi slaughtered our clan, and while his death was officially ruled a suicide, we always suspected that Itachi was the one who murdered him. Itachi is an enemy, but Shisui could be an ally!"

Inabi enthusiastically nodded. "He was a champion of the Uchiha Clan! He would've sided with us had we been given a chance to put the plan into action. If we can reach out to him covertly, we could bring him into our camp. He'd be an invaluable ally."

"Or a deadly security risk," the cloaked man shot back, "You say that Itachi killed him? The two of them have been working side by side in Squad Two for years now, and all accounts indicate they're still close friends; that hardly seems like the kind of behavior one would associate with a man who had been murdered by someone who he then proceeded to meet again in the afterlife."

"He's probably biding his time," Yashiro argued, "Shisui was a brilliant Shinobi! He was more than just fast and powerful; he was quite intelligent. I'm certain that he's simply waiting for the right opportunity to avenge his death at Itachi's hands. If we make contact with him, we could help him do it and eliminate the threat Itachi poses!"

The figure shook his head. "I think you're seeing what you want to see. You're letting your personal vendetta cloud your judgement, Yashiro. Heed my words; unless I say otherwise, you and Inabi are forbidden from making any moves towards either Itachi or Shisui, whether they be diplomatic or hostile. You are to remain out of sight from here on out. Should you disobey this command, you won't get off with a mere reprimand next time. Do I make myself clear?"

Yashiro grimaced but reluctantly inclined his head. "You do."

The cloaked man glared at him and Inabi for a long moment, then turned his back to the two of the and dismissively gestured towards the door. "Good. Get out of my sight… before I decide to remove you from it permanently for the gross negligence and stupidity you displayed tonight."

Needless to say, Yashiro and Inabi hastily complied.

….

Sitting behind her desk, Yoruichi leaned back for a moment as she processed everything that Itachi and Shisui had just told her. She'd hoped to get some fun stories out of them and Visaelya about the party, but none of what she'd just learned from them was what she'd had in mind. While the two Uchiha waited patiently for her to respond, the third guest was in a much more… animated state.

And by that, one meant that Visaelya was somewhere between fury and panic.

"Let me get this straight," she said, clearly mustering every last iota of self-control to keep herself from screaming at her companions, "You found out in the middle of the party that my family is playing host to two former Shinobi that, in their past lives, tried to orchestrate a coup, and your first instinct was to hide it from me? Itachi, Shisui… why?"

"We were never going to hide it from you for long," Itachi calmly replied, "We wanted to learn more about what we might be dealing with first before jumping to any conclusions. As things stand, there's simply too much that we don't know."

"That's why we asked that you come with us to see the Captain tonight," Shisui added, reaching out to take her hand, "We wanted to make you aware of what was going on… but we also wanted you to enjoy your time with your family first. I know how much tonight's gathering meant to you, Visaelya, and I didn't want to take that from you."

Squad Two's Twelfth Seat took several deep breaths, and her demeanor seemed to steady somewhat. Despite her anger, she didn't refuse Shisui's hand, which Yoruichi took to be a good sign. Still, it was clear that she wasn't about to let things slide.

"I… I understand that… and appreciate it," she began, "That being said… given the implications of what you and Itachi uncovered… wouldn't you agree that there were bigger concerns than my personal feelings?"

"There were," Itachi conceded, "but we wanted to find a way to balance those with your own well-being. If we erred in your eyes, then we can only ask for your forgiveness."

Shisui inclined his head. "Visaelya, we both wanted to make sure that you could use tonight as a chance to start mending the rift with your family and enjoy yourself. I don't regret the decision that Itachi and I made once we found Yashiro and Inabi… but I understand why you're angry with us. I'm sorry. We both are. It's why we at least wanted to make sure you were present with us here and now. We thought that only a brief delay in bringing you into the loop would be acceptable in light of the significance that tonight's festivities had for you. Clearly, we made a mistake. It won't happen again. You have my word on that."

Itachi nodded. "Mine as well. Can you accept that, along with our sincerest apologies?"

Visaelya closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them, she smiled. "I can. I might disagree with your decision, but I really am grateful that the two of you were so considerate of my feelings. I can't exactly stay mad at you two when you sincerely believed that you were acting in a manner that wouldn't jeopardize my chance at reconciliation with my family. Still, if something like this comes up, I want you to pull me aside at the earliest possible chance and fill me in so I can help, okay? I don't think that's too much to ask."

Shisui shook his head and smiled. "No, it's not. Do you agree, Itachi?"

"I do," the Tenth Seat replied.

Visaelya sighed as she rubbed her forehead. "Thank you. All that aside, though… well, this is a real mess."

"Can't argue there," said Shisui.

"Ghosts from our past that refuse to let go," Itachi muttered, "and now the Soul Society will suffer for it…"

Yoruichi leaned forward and clasped her hands in front of her. "Do the two of you genuinely believe that they're a threat? I understand that seeing them tonight was a shock to the system, and where they popped up is definitely concerning, but is it possible that the two of you are overreacting? Itachi, you killed them several years ago; they've clearly spent quite a bit of time in the Soul Society by now. Is there a chance that they've moved along and let the old grudges go? Their presence at the Drakken Clan's estate might be something completely different than what you're reading into it."

Itachi slowly nodded. "That's a distinct possibility. However… I think it's unlikely. Those two had ambition, Yoruichi, and not the noble kind. Even before they began advocating for a coup against the Leaf Village, they wanted the Uchiha Clan to be more than just our society's law enforcement. Perhaps they've let the old vendettas die out, but it's far more likely that they've simply transferred those bitter feelings to a new endeavor."

"I'm with Itachi on this, Captain," said Shisui, "Yes, it's possible that we were simply spooked and let old feelings influence our thinking, but I trust our instincts on this one. Whenever Yashiro and Inabi start gathering with powerful people, nothing good ever comes of it."

Yoruichi scratched her chin as she recalled that fateful conversation with Itachi years ago. "Itachi, you said that Yashiro and Inabi had a third compatriot in advocating for the coup, right? What was his name again? Tekka?"

"Good memory," Itachi complimented her, "We didn't catch sight of Tekka Uchiha at the Flame of Life Festival, but that doesn't mean he wasn't present. For all we know, he could've simply decided to lay low and avoid the risk of exposure."

"My family's mansion and the estate grounds are large, as you all know," Visaelya chimed in, "There are plenty of places where someone might hide out should they wish to keep a low profile."

"Dou you think those two have found him?" asked Shisui, "The Soul Society's huge, and it took years just to find your mother, Itachi. I was here for longer than even Yashiro and Inabi, and I came up empty when it came to finding fellow Uchiha until you joined the Academy."

"I know the statistical probability is low," Itachi conceded, "but the same would've gone for Yashiro and Inabi finding each other, and they seem to have beaten the odds. We can't discount the chance that they've found Tekka… along with other members of the clan."

From the look in his eyes, Yoruichi knew where Itachi's mind had gone. "If they found your father, Itachi… do you think he would join them?"

There was a long moment of silence before Itachi spoke again. "I… I don't know. He was initially reluctant to embrace the coup scheme, but he did eventually go along with it. Given the chance for a fresh start in the Soul Society, I'd prefer to think that he'd reject the likes of Yashiro and his ilk should they approach them… but I can't completely rule out the possibility of him joining forces with them again."

His faith in his father was truly shattered when he sided with the coup plotters, Yoruichi thought, her heart panging in sympathy for the young man, and it never fully recovered. Even after both his father and mother accepted death at his hands during the purge rather than fight back, he still has to consider the possibility of him throwing in his lot with the same people once more. Itachi…

She couldn't begin to imagine the pain of such a rift with her own parents. While she did have her disagreements with both her father and mother, they were nothing that couldn't be worked out with patience and understanding. What had happened between Itachi and Fugaku, though, was something else entirely. Perhaps the two men had reached an understanding during the hellish events of that bloody and fateful night long ago, but the scars still ran all too deep.

"Will you tell your mother about what you and Shisui found tonight?" she asked softly.

Itachi took a deep breath. "I will in the morning. We… would be wise to prepare for the worst. I'll also need to find Jiraiya and bring him up to speed on the situation. If my father is involved and there's a confrontation, Jiraiya will be a valuable ally to have in our corner."

Shisui shook his head. "I think there's a chance for Fugaku this time, Itachi. If he'd believed that there was another option, he would've rejected Yashiro and the others back then. Don't give up on him so easily."

"Your mother can help, can't she?" asked Visaelya, "Surely she would be able to sway your father from going down the same path that he did during your last life."

"We don't even know for sure what 'path' Yashiro and Inabi are on right now," Itachi pointed out, "All we really know is that they're being hosted by your family, and that they bugged out the instant Shisui and I detected them. That's not too much to go on for an investigation."

Yoruichi closed her eyes and took a deep breath. "An investigation… that's going to involve a Great Noble House. This is going to get ugly if we're not careful. Hell, it probably will even if we are."

"Can we even take that next step?" Shisui pointed out, "I mean, what would we say? Sorry, you hosted two guys at a party that tried to overthrow the government of their home village in their past life and we need to check things out to make sure they're not trying for Round Two? Captain, you know just as well as I do that the aristocracy would laugh in our faces at that."

Visaelya agreed. "Even without considering how little we have to actually go on, the simple social taboo of digging into the past lives of souls that came here from one of the Realms of the Living almost shuts things down before they even get off the ground."

Yoruichi nodded. "Believe me, I'm well aware of that. That's why, for the time being, this investigation is going to be off the record."

The room went silent at that for several long and uncomfortable moments. Yoruichi couldn't blame her subordinates for being nervous; there were so many ways that this could blow up in their faces. Her gaze soon fell upon Visaelya, and when the Twelfth Seat met her gaze, she saw the young woman incline her head ever so slightly.

She's already come to the same conclusion, Yoruichi thought, her heart once again aching with sympathy for a subordinate, Visaelya… I hope you can forgive me for what I'm about to put you through. If you cannot, I will understand completely.

"Visaelya," she began, "apart from Itachi and Shisui's discovery, how would you say the night went for you? Your parents, siblings, the rest of your family; would you say that you're on the road to healing?"

Visaelya nodded. "I am. It's only just begun, though… and I expect it to be a very rocky process. They say time heals all wounds, and a great deal of time will be needed here."

"That's only natural," Yoruichi replied, "In the short term, would you at least say that your family is likely to invite you back to the estate soon?"

"Yes," Visaelya confirmed, "Sooner rather than later, I would imagine. When that opportunity arises, I will use it… although not in the way I had initially hoped."

Shisui's eyes widened in realization as he looked back and forth between the Twelfth Seat and Captain. "No… Captain, you can't ask this of her!"

"I won't order it of her," Yoruichi firmly countered, "but I will ask it of her... and she has the right to refuse. Visaelya… if you don't think you can do this, now is the time to tell me. Say the word, and I'll completely discard this plan. Trust me; I promise I will not hold it against you."

"Spying on your own family is no small thing," said Itachi softly as he put a hand on her shoulder, "Believe me, I know that all too well. If you go down this road, shadow will forever haunt your footsteps."

Visaelya closed her eyes for a few seconds and took a deep breath. "Perhaps… but we're Squad Two, are we not? Shadows and us are old friends."

When she opened her eyes again, Yoruichi knew that she'd made up her mind, and Visaelya confirmed it a moment later. "You want a spy inside the Drakken Clan, Captain? You will have her… on one condition."

"Name it," said Yoruichi.

"Whatever knowledge I gain from this unofficial investigation is to be used only in the name of the Soul Society's safety," Visaelya demanded, "It is to have no place in the petty games that our Great Noble Houses play, regardless of the advantage it might bring to certain families. I trust you, Captain… but I need your word on this before I'll commit."

Yoruichi immediately nodded. "You have it. Visaelya, I swear in the name of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads that the information you gain for us, whatever it might be, will only be used in the interest of the Soul Society's security and stability. It will be for the sole purpose of ensuring the collective safety of all those who dwell within our afterlife, whether it be the Seireitei, the Rukon District, or beyond. I promise."

Visaelya bowed, her hands clutching her kimono to suppress the tremors in her arms. "Thank you, Captain."

Yoruichi gave her a sad smile. "You don't need to thank me, Visaelya. What you're about to go through… it'll almost certainly be Hell for you. Just know that if you need anything, I'm here for you. We all are."

Shisui sighed. "If we're really doing this… then I want to go with her when the first chance arises."

Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "Shisui, I understand wanting to support her, but I doubt her family will be nearly as welcoming of you. They let her bring you and Itachi to the party tonight as an olive branch to her. There's no guarantee they'll extend such a courtesy again. Besides, if someone else from Squad Two goes with her every time she visits her family, eventually they'll figure out that something's up."

Then Itachi spoke up, and what he said took her by surprise. "Actually, there might be some merit to it. We could have much to gain… if we're careful."

Yoruichi folded her arms and leaned back. "I'm listening."

"Remember what I told you about what happened after Shisui's death?" asked Itachi, "More specifically, how certain members of the Uchiha Clan reacted to it?"

It didn't take long for Yoruichi to put two and two together. "The suicide note you wrote for him, trying to get the clan to reconsider its path… and Yashiro and his clique suspected you of murdering him. You want to use that."

Itachi nodded. "Yes. I'm certain that Yashiro and the others never once suspected Shisui's true allegiance. If we can find a way for him to make contact with them, we could potentially get him into their circle."

"I suggested trying it tonight," Shisui chimed in, "but we didn't go ahead with it. Making a move so soon after discovering them? No way it wouldn't have raised suspicions. We decided to simply observe and see what else we could find out. Didn't turn out to be much, so we might've made the wrong call."

Yoruichi shook her head. "No, I think you made the right decision. Acting so quickly would almost certainly have tipped them off that something was up. Playing it cool and trying to further scout things out was the way to go. I would've made the same decision in your shoes unless the situation were truly desperate. You kept your wits about you, which means we have an opening."

"I don't know if I'll be able to get you into my family's home again so quickly," Visaelya argued, "We might have to wait awhile before they're comfortable with me bringing you by again occasionally, let alone on a semi-regular basis."

"That's fine," Shisui replied, "We can take it slow and play things by ear. Besides, there might be other ways to draw them out."

Itachi was one step ahead of his friend. "Squad Two's known to police the Seireitei in cooperation with the Stealth Force's Patrol Corps. While we don't intrude directly upon the property of the aristocracy, our patrol routes do run along their borders."

"And we can have Shisui run those routes more frequently, see if Yashiro or one of his buddies takes the bait," Yoruichi finished for him, "It's definitely worth a shot. I'll talk to Lieutenant Ōmaeda tomorrow about making some minor alterations and rotations to who's running inner court patrol duty. Doubt he'll suspect a thing. Between that and Visaelya's visits to her family, we're bound to catch a fish or two sooner or later."

"What happens when we do?" asked Visaelya nervously.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Shisui answered, "Might be better to come back at this after we've all had a good night's sleep, wouldn't you say?"

Visaelya tried and failed to stifle a yawn. "That might not be a bad idea, actually. Captain, may we…?"

Yoruichi smiled and gestured towards the door. "Of course. The three of you have had a busy night, and I think some rest is definitely in order. Needless to say, this whole matter stays between us. Itachi, you can tell your mother and Jiraiya as long as they promise to keep it to themselves, and I might bring Soi-Fon and Kisuke in at some point, but I'll figure that out later. We'll get together tomorrow morning and start hammering out the finer details of all this, okay?"

"Sounds good," said Shisui.

He and Visaelya rose, but Itachi did not. "You two go on ahead. I have something else I want to discuss with the Captain. It shouldn't take too long. Don't let me keep you up."

Visaelya nodded. "Very well, then. Good night, everyone."

"See you all in the morning," said Shisui with a wave.

When the two of them were out the door, Yoruichi leaned forward. "Something you need to get off your chest? I know it's late, but I've got all the time you need."

Itachi was quiet for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. "There was another encounter that I had tonight. I don't know if there's a connection between it and the one with Yashiro, but it was… well, I'm not sure what to make of it, actually."

Yoruichi smiled. "Well, I'm not a mind reader, so there's only one way I can help you make sense of it. Come on, lay it out for me. What happened?"

The question he asked next was not one that she'd been expecting. "What do you know about Squad Five's Lieutenant Sōsuke Aizen?"

Yoruichi blinked. "Lieutenant Aizen was attending the party? Itachi, what exactly went down?"

She sat back and listened for the next few minutes as Itachi recapped his encounter with the Lieutenant, chess match and all. It was another complication on what was proving to be an already very complicated night, and Yoruichi felt like she'd get a headache if anything else got thrown on her plate. Still, she let Itachi lay everything out for her, all the while trying to figure out just what it all meant.

When he wrapped things up, she didn't like the look in his eyes. "Yoruichi… I might just be imagining things, but that game, our conversation, the way he acted during it all… something just felt off about it. Have you ever experienced anything like that with him?"

Yoruichi sighed. "To be honest, I don't know him all that well. He's one of the more senior Lieutenants, but we haven't worked together very much. You've been here long enough to know that there's not much overlap between our respective units."

Itachi nodded. "I'm aware of that. Still, you must at least have an opinion on him."

Yoruichi mulled it over for a moment. "Well, he's definitely talented. Top of his class in pretty much every field during his time at the Academy, so naturally he was highly sought after during the recruitment exhibition. That was just a little before I took over Squad Two, actually. I remember grandmother mentioning that she made a play for him, but ultimately Captain Hirako made the more appealing offer. From what I understand he rose through the ranks quickly and stuck with Squad Five the whole time. Solid mission track record, popular with his subordinates, in good standing with the wider Thirteen Court Guard Squads… pretty much a model officer at first glance, really."

Itachi's eyes narrowed. "At 'first glance'? Almost sounds like there's a bit more to it."

Yoruichi scratched her chin. "A while back, I went out drinking with Captain Hirako. We don't get together too often like that, but he's actually a pretty fun guy, especially when you get the booze flowing. I'd brought Kisuke along at the time, too. We were kicking back and enjoying a bit of time off, had a few drinks under our belts, and then he started talking about his Lieutenant. At first, he was practically singing Aizen's praises. Called him smart and skilled, said he was definitely going places, the usual stuff you'll hear from Captains who are proud of their Lieutenants… but it didn't stay that way."

"Did he have some reservations?" asked Itachi.

"Yeah," Yoruichi confirmed, "He said he didn't feel like he could relax around him, like he always had to be on his toes. At first, I thought he might've been worried about eventually being surpassed by his Lieutenant. It's not exactly unheard of for some Captains to be less than thrilled by that prospect, after all. Turns out it wasn't that, though. It was strange… basically, he'd entrusted him with all the typical duties and responsibilities of a Lieutenant, knew he was capable of carrying them out… but he didn't trust him. Not completely. There was something about the guy that made Captain Hirako want to keep him somewhat at arm's length. He couldn't put it into words, but it seemed like he suspected him of being… well, something other than he seemed. Didn't have evidence or anything like that. It was just a feeling."

"I see," said Itachi, "What are your thoughts on him?"

Yoruichi took a deep breath. "I normally like having more to go on than just a feeling, but Captain Hirako's always been remarkably perceptive. When he's wary of someone, I tend to pay attention. That being said, I've never really seen anything suspicions out of Lieutenant Aizen. I don't really interact with him outside of those rare joint conferences between Captains and Lieutenants. Kisuke's spoken with him a few times in passing, and he said the man struck him as highly intelligent, but he didn't say much beyond that. Captain Hirako's the only reason that either of us have paid any attention to him over the years, and if I'm being honest, it hasn't been all that much attention on our part. Got other things to worry about, you know?"

Itachi nodded. "Of course. You have your own responsibilities. That being said, I think Captain Hirako might be onto something."

Yoruichi's eyes narrowed. "What was it you said about the way he looked at you? It reminded you of Orochimaru, right? That old friend of Jiraiya's who did a bunch of sick experiments and went rogue, tried to possess your body when you were both part of the Akatsuki?"

"The very same," said Itachi, "As far as appearance goes, the two of them are pretty much night and day. The way he was looking at me during the chess match, though… the entire time we were talking then, and back at the recruitment exhibition… the look in his eyes reminded me of Orochimaru. That man saw human beings not as people, but as tools, whether it be for research or personal advancement… or as obstacles to be removed. With Aizen, when I met his gaze… it was the same, Yoruichi. He wasn't seeing me as a person, Soul Reaper or otherwise. He was studying to see if there was something to be gained from me, to discern if I was a potential ally or threat. I'm certain of it. It's only a hunch, but I don't think he sees anyone for who they are as human beings. It's just like my experience with Orochimaru, and I don't like it."

"I wouldn't either if someone looked at me like that," Yoruichi confessed, "Just what was he doing at that party to begin with?"

"He was there at Captain Drakken's invitation," Itachi replied, "Apparently, the two of them are close friends."

"That's news to me," Yoruichi admitted, "but it's not like I track each and every Captain's social interactions. Didn't know he was chummy with Captain el-Emani, either… I don't know what to make of all this."

"What should we do?" asked Itachi, "Talk to Captain Hirako?"

"I'll run this all by him," Yoruichi answered, "but it's not like we'll really be adding much to what he already knows or suspects. End of the day, he's closer to his Lieutenant than any of us. If there's something going on with him, it's his responsibility to figure it out and handle it according. Should he need help, he'll know where to find us. In the meantime, we've got bigger fish to fry."

Itachi nodded. "Right… this whole mess with my clan, trying to figure out what the connection with Visaelya's family is… and we have to do it all off the books, so we won't be able to call upon official resources for help. This is going to be a very delicate operation."

"And likely a long one," Yoruichi added, "We're talking potentially years here, maybe more. You up for this?"

Itachi met her gaze, firm resolve clear in his onyx eyes. "You know my history better than anyone else in the Soul Society, Yoruichi. For good or ill, I will see this through to the end."

Yoruichi smiled. "I know you will, and I'll be right there with you. So will the rest of your friends. You won't have to carry the burden alone this time, Itachi."

Author's Notes: All right, first thing's first, because I can already hear the bitching and moaning on the horizon; the distinctly non-Asian-looking Drakken Clan estate will be long gone by the time Ichigo and the gang finally make their way to the Soul Society. No, I don't consider that a spoiler. A few of you have already proven yourselves intelligent enough to see the writing on the wall. As for the rest of you, you'll see what I mean eventually. So, fear not, your Seireitei will look quite familiar by the time the modern Bleach story kicks off.

On the personal front, as of last week, I'm fully vaccinated. Got both doses, honestly wasn't that big of a deal. Was a little light-headed and dizzy for a bit, but that's pretty much it. Seriously, get it as soon as you're able to do so. It's no big deal. Hell, I actually get shots monthly for allergies, so I'm hardly a stranger to having my arms poked with needles.

Teaser for the next chapter; wraith number four's on the menu! The hunt's going to take Squad Two out west to the Kuchiki Clan's Principality, and Squad Six will be along for the ride. Fun times ahead!

Hope you all liked the chapter! Feel free to review, please stay safe, and I'll see you all next time!