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.

33. Chapter 33

Author's Notes: Hello there! Hope you're all doing well. Spring/early summer's going pretty swell on my end. Had a road trip out to Long Beach (WA, not CA) last month, felt good to take in the sights and sounds of the sea again. Planning on taking another road trip late summer down to one of Oregon's beaches, so that's something to look forward to. Work's eased up quite a bit, staffing's good and the job's become a lot more bearable. Still working through the stash of classic anime Blu-Rays I got at Sakura Con a few months ago, didn't realize how much Lupin III I still hadn't seen! Overall, I'd say life is good right now.

Enjoy!

Part Two: Brink of Rubicon

One week later…

Sitting cross-legged on the ashen and stony floor of the Dragon Lair, a gentle and light-hearted tune flowed from the dark wooden flute in Saenenya's hands. The cheerful melody would've struck a casual onlooker as out of place in the dark and gloomy Dragon Lair, but Saenenya cared not for such jarring juxtapositions. This exercise, which had once filled her with trepidation, was now a favorite part of her routine, one that she treasured just as much as studying spells and the healing arts.

The reason for this joy on Saenenya's part was frolicking across the wide central chamber of the Dragon Lair. Nearly twice the size of a horse already, the dark green-scaled Verdaegon appeared to be having the time of his life. His bright yellow-green eyes glimmered from more than just the Dragon Lair's torchlight as he joyfully leapt about, spreading his wings as if he would take off through the gaping hole above on whim. The fact that he did no such thing was testament to just how much he enjoyed Saenenya's playing, and instead he seemed content with enthusiastic jumping and spewing forth the occasional celebratory burst of flame into the air.

The book was right, Saenenya thought with no small measure of satisfaction, it's the heart of the player, not technique, that the dragons truly respond to. The emotion of the music, not the individual notes or rhythm… lucky me.

Very lucky indeed, since Saenenya considered her musical talent to be mediocre at best. It was not for lack of trying, of course; ever since her cloaked friend had gifted Saenenya the dragon whistle, she had practiced with the flute every chance she could. Her childhood tutors had ensured that she was no stranger to musical theory, but while Saenenya enjoyed listening to others play tunes, she had a rather hard time playing them herself. Even with about a year's worth of practice now, she came off as awkward and stiff if she tried to play a proper piece of music. Fortunately, freewheeling improvisation with the flute came much more naturally to her, and Verdaegon seemed quite happy with it. The trick, Saenenya had found, was to play with feeling, to pour her very soul into each note. Dragons, as it turned out, had quite a keen sense of hearing, and could in fact distinguish between rote routine playing and sincere, heartfelt effort.

Reaching the crescendo of her latest improv jam session, Saenenya was delighted to see Verdaegon spread his wings. Rearing up on his legs, the young dragon let out a shrill series of chirps before taking flight. As he was still quite small for his species, Verdaegon could fly a circular path within the Dragon Lair's central chamber, though his wings did brush against the thick stone walls. He made a few laps, little jets of fire spurting from his mouth before he came down to land in front of Saenenya and nudge her cheek with his snout.

Saenenya put her flute away and smiled as she stood up. "Hungry again? I guess you've earned a snack."

She looked over her shoulder and whistled, prompting two handlers to drag a cart laden with meat forward. They dumped the contents on the ground without ceremony before hastening back, with Saenenya stepping away to give her friend some space. It was well warranted; dragons were not known for their table manners, and that went double for young ones. Verdaegon dug into the pile of meat with wild abandon, sending chunks flying as he scarfed down the pile. More than once, Saenenya had to duck as still-bleeding slabs nearly hit her in the head.

When her scaly companion had settled down somewhat, Saenenya stepped forward and began running her fingers along his neck, eliciting a guttural purring. "That's right, this is your reward. You're such a good boy, Verdy!"

Verdaegon snorted in response to Saenenya's nickname for him, but his purring continued. It was only recently that she'd gained the confidence to grant him an informal moniker. Dragons were prideful creatures, and once given a proper name, they tended to respond mainly to that. If one accepted a nickname, it was usually after spending quite a long time with the rider who had given it. Saenenya was normally risk averse in such matters, but with how enthusiastically Verdaegon had taken to her dragon whistle playing, the young Soul Reaper had found herself emboldened, and her courage had been rewarded.

"No wonder he's grown so quickly," a deep and familiar male voice said from behind her, "I daresay you're spoiling him."

Saenenya grinned as she immediately whirled around to find her cloaked friend approaching. "Hey! I didn't know if I'd get to see you today!"

Tossing noble decorum to the wind, she rushed forward and threw her arms around him. The purple-eyed man was ready; this had become a routine of theirs ever since he'd given Saenenya the dragon whistler. The dragon handlers were no doubt looking on in bemusement, and Saenenya didn't care one bit.

She heard the cloaked man chuckle as he playfully messed with her silver-blonde hair, seemingly not caring in the least about the soot and dust that had gotten in it courtesy of Verdaegon's earlier frolicking. "Well now, you seem to be in a good mood today."

"Of course!" Saenenya beamed as she released him and gestured back at her young fire-breathing companion, who had just finished up the meat pile and was sitting patiently, tail swishing and swaying rhythmically back and forth behind him, "Look at him!"

Saenenya could barely make out a smirk in the dim light beneath the cloaked man's cowl. "With the way you're feeding him, of course he's happy. They do say that happiness is infectious."

"That's not what I mean," Saenenya replied, "He and I actually understand each other now. He listens to me, and he likes being around me… and that's thanks to you."

The fabric of her friend's cloaked rippled as he shook his head. "Please, you give me far too much credit. All I did was convince your parents to pay for a tool that I thought would help you. You're the one who put the work into learning how to use it, and your efforts have been rewarded."

Saenenya felt her face flush red, and her gaze went straight to the floor. "Oh… well, it's not like I'm very good with it. I just play whatever I feel like, and Verdaegon responds. That's all."

"If it's working, then that is enough," her friend pointed out.

Saenenya smiled as she went over to her dragon and began scratching beneath his chin, causing Verdaegon to slightly raise his head to give her better access. "I guess it is."

She then looked over her shoulder. "You want to pet him, too?"

"I'm not sure if that would be wise," the cloaked man replied, "Last time I tried that, he did not take to it very well."

"He's better now," Saenenya insisted, "He was just a bit jumpy last time."

Her friend chuckled. "More than a bit. I distinctly recall him nearly setting my cloak on fire."

"That won't happen this time," Saenenya reassured him as she patted Verdaegon on the snout, "Won't it, Verdy?"

Verdaegon's eyes locked with those of the cloaked man, and he bared his fangs. Looking back and forth between her friend and the dragon, Saenenya's shoulders eventually slumped in defeat.

Maybe Verdy doesn't like his eyes, Saenenya thought, I guess they'd look pretty strange to a dragon… or to a person, really. I've had years to get used to them. Verdy might just need more time.

"Well, I guess he's not in the mood for making a new friend," she conceded.

"Understandable," the cloaked man said, "I was never very good at making new friends myself."

"He'll come around eventually," Saenenya continued, "He just needs more time to get used to you, so keep coming over here as often as you can, okay?"

"I will make the effort," her friend replied.

Saenenya paused for a moment. "By the way, if you don't mind me asking… why are you here today? Not that I'm complaining! I'm just curious."

"I wanted to see if you were here," the cloaked man answered, "I was hoping check up on the progress you've made with your dragon. From what I saw earlier, it seems the answer is quite a bit. That's most reassuring."

There was something about his tone that struck Saenenya as odd. "Why reassuring?"

Her friend was quiet for several seconds. "He looks more than large enough to support you by now. Have you flown him yet?"

Saenenya nodded. "I started practice flights with him a few weeks ago. He has no trouble with me; my weight's pretty much nothing to him. The first time was a bit scary, but I'm getting used to it."

The cloaked man scratched his chin. "I see… what's the furthest you've taken him?"

"To the edge of the Seireitei's barrier and back," Saenenya answered, "We'll be going further soon, though. Father asked my uncle to take me and Verdaegon with him for Rayala's next exercise flight beyond the Seireitei. We'll be going all the way out to The Wild, so it's an endurance test for Verdaegon."

"Do you think he's ready for it this soon?" her friend inquired.

"Definitely," Saenenya declared, "You should see how enthusiastic he'd been on his Seireitei flights. He wants to get out of here and explore. Besides, I need to take him out to The Wild so he can start hunting practice. I can't train him very well for that inside the Seireitei. The sooner I can get him out into the wider world, the better."

The cloaked man studied Verdaegon for a moment. "I agree. You should focus your efforts on his flight endurance. It will serve you well in the future."

Again, something in her friend's tone stood out to Saenenya. It almost sounded like he was worried.

"Is… something the matter?" she tentatively asked, "Why do you think I should focus on his endurance?"

There was another period of silence before the cloaked man spoke again. "In these troubled times, it is prudent to have an escape plan. As a dragon rider, your position's more advantageous to enacting one than others."

Saenenya hadn't been expecting that. "Escape plan? I know things have been… tense lately, but isn't that a bit of an overreaction? This isn't the first time my family or another Great Noble House has gotten into a spat with the others or the Central Forty-Six. These feuds can run for a while, but they always settle down sooner or later."

Her friend sighed wearily. "I wish I shared your confidence in that."

"Usually, I'm the one wishing for confidence," Saenenya remarked as she reached out to place a hand on the cloaked man's arm, "and you're the one who gives it to me. I don't know if there's anything I can do to help, but if you think I can… I'm here."

The cloaked man held her gaze before putting a hand on her shoulder. "You're a very kind soul, Saenenya."

Saenenya blushed but didn't look away. "Well… that's who I've always been."

She saw the thinnest trace of a smile beneath his cowl. "I know."

He then pulled away from her. "I would ask only this; that you focus on training, both yourself and your dragon, now more than ever before. If my fears are proven correct, then the further the two of you can hone your abilities before the worst happens, the better your chances of survival will be. If I'm wrong… well, I will be quite happy to be wrong, and you will still be stronger. Do this for me, so that I may at least have some peace of mind… if only a little."

Saenenya emphatically nodded. "I will, I promise."

"Then I will hold you to that," the cloaked man replied.

He made for the exit, but paused to look back at her. "One more thing."

"Yes?" Saenenya said.

"If the worst comes to pass," her friend began, "I may take… measures to ensure your survival. Measures that you may not appreciate. Should that happen, I will not apologize for taking them… only for taking a choice away from you."

Saenenya blinked in confusion. "What's that supposed to mean?"

The cloaked man chuckled ruefully. "You're a clever young woman, Saenenya. I'm sure you'll puzzle that out in time."

….

Rushing forward, heart racing and eyes wide with panic, Jiraiya nearly stumbled right over the very girl he was so desperate to help. "It's alright, Rangiku! Just stay still and stretch out your leg. I need to see how bad it is."

The strawberry-blonde youth sniffed, fighting heroically to hold back tears while Gin held her by the shoulders. Her hands were clutching at her right leg, with blood seeping through her fingers.

"It hurts…" she hissed, "It really, really hurts!"

"It'll be okay," Gin insisted, a rare look of worry in his slitted eyes as his gaze darted back and forth between Rangiku and Jiraiya, "Jiraiya can fix it… right?"

Jiraiya put on what he hoped was a reassuring smile as he knelt next to Rangiku. "I can. I promise. Now, let me see it."

Rangiku gritted her teeth as she removed her hands and stretched her right leg out as much as the pain would allow. As he examined the limb, Jiraiya inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. He'd feared much worse when he saw Rangiku hit the stone outcropping, but her leg didn't appear to be broken. The bleeding was a concern, but years of tutelage by Captain Unohana had taught him to handle much worse than this.

"Just stay still," Jiraiya cooed as he put his hands over the wound, the sea-green energy of Kaidō flowing from his palms, "It'll be all better in no time."

Rangiku's anguished breathing soon began to ease, while the teardrops gathering in the corners of her eyes receded. "Oh, that… that feels nice. Thank you, Jiraiya."

Gin breathed a small sigh of relief before looking up at Jiraiya, who gave the youth a confident grin. He'd gotten a bit better at reading Gin over time, enough to understand that while the boy usually hid his emotions quite well, that didn't mean they weren't there. If anything, Gin had probably been more worried about Rangiku's injury than Rangiku herself.

That's the thing with keeping your feelings bottled up inside, Jiraiya thought, Itachi's face floating up in his mind, they tend to hit far more intensely that way. It doesn't matter how good you are putting on a mask. When someone knows what to look for, they'll see through it.

"I messed up," Rangiku mumbled as Jiraiya worked his magic, "I'm sorry."

Jiraiya shook his head. "No, it's my fault. I should've taken you two somewhere outside for your first Shunpo attempt. You need more space to get the hang of it."

Rangiku's gaze was fixed on the ground in shame. "Gin did it just fine. I'm the one who failed."

"You didn't fail, Rangiku," Jiraiya countered, "That was a Flash Step you did. You just put a bit too much energy behind it. That's natural for your first one. You'll get better at it."

Rangiku looked up at him, a glimmer of hope in her blue eyes. "Really?"

Jiraiya smiled again. "Count on it. Isn't that right, Gin?"

Rangiku turned to her friend, whose concerned expression was replaced with a surprisingly tender smile of his own. "It is. You just need more practice, Rangiku. That's all."

Actually, Jiraiya thought, the fact that she was able to do this on her first attempt is impressive. It shows just how hard she's been working in her training sessions. As for Gin, I knew he had natural talent, but to pull off his first Flash Step without any incident… this kid has some incredible potential.

After several minutes, Jiraiya eased the flow of energy to his hands and pulled them back. He was relieved to see that Rangiku's wound was closed, though the skin where her injury had been was red and raw. It would not take much to reopen the wound.

"Let's call it here for today," Jiraiya said, carefully helping Rangiku to her feet, "I have early duties tomorrow, and it's already getting late. You two need dinner and rest now. I'll find us a good clearing after work to practice Shunpo in."

He took them upstairs and prepared their meal. Rangiku's spirits were notably improved by the time dinner was over, to the point that she seemed quite eager for the next training session. Gin was his quiet and inscrutable self, though Jiraiya detected the barest trace of restlessness in his slitted eyes. Putting the youths to bed afterwards, Jiraiya then headed back downstairs. He flipped his block card over, went to the front entrance…

…and waited.

"Barrier: Canopy Method Formation," he whispered.

Jiraiya sat down as the transparent sensory field rapidly expanded. Sure enough, it only took slightly longer than ten minutes before he detected Gin's spiritual pressure begin moving from the bedroom to the hall and then the staircase. The boy moved silently and, were it not for the barrier, Jiraiya might not have detected his spiritual pressure at all. He came to a stop just shy of the ground floor, prompting Jiraiya to look over his shoulder and smirk.

"Come on out, Gin," he said, "I know you're there. Planning on slipping out again?"

The silver-haired youth's head poked out from the stairwell. "How did you know?"

Jiraiya shrugged as he dispelled the barrier. "Call it a hunch. You know, you only just got back a while ago. Rangiku's going to be very worried if you take off again so soon."

Gin shook his head as he went over to the living room and flipped his card over. "It's not like that. I wasn't planning on going far tonight, and I'll be back before Rangiku even wakes up."

Jiraiya folded his arms, more than a little skeptical. "Really? And just where exactly do you think you're going?"

Gin held up a satchel and shook it, Kan jingling inside. "There's a street stall that's open late. They sell sweets. I wanted to get some for Rangiku."

It was an endearing gesture, though Jiraiya still wasn't completely sold on it. "Why not just go with her tomorrow?"

Gin looked down, and it struck Jiraiya that this might've been the first time he'd seen the boy show anything approximating embarrassment. "Well… I wanted it to be a surprise. A get-well gift for her injury. I know you've mostly got it healed already, but still…"

Jiraiya smiled and stood up. "That's very thoughtful of you, Gin. How about this; why don't I go with you? I'd like to see this stall, and I can think of a few people back in the Seireitei who might enjoy some gifted sweets."

Now it was Gin's turn to give Jiraiya a skeptical look. "You just want to make sure I don't go wandering further than the stall, don't you?"

Jiraiya chuckled as he held up his hands. "Alright, you got me on that one. Still, you can't blame for it. You do have a habit of disappearing on us from time to time."

Gin surprised Jiraiya with a smirk. "Yeah, I do. Fine then. Let's go."

The two of them headed out the door, with Jiraiya allowing Gin to take the lead. The boy probably wasn't about to try anything now, but Jiraiya still kept a wary eye on him. With the way he'd seen the youth move during their training sessions, if Gin seriously attempted to give Jiraiya the slip, the Legendary Sannin might very well have to work at running the boy down.

Luckily for Jiraiya, Gin did not seem in the mood for tricks tonight. The youth set a casual pace, heading north along the district's main road. Most of the major establishments had closed for the night, but that just meant it was time for the evening market to take over. Stalls lined both sides of the street, and while North 1's close proximity to the Seireitei meant that illegitimate business ventures would not operate brazenly in the open, more than a few of the vendors struck Jiraiya as noticeably sketchy.

"How far away is this stall you like?" Jiraiya asked.

"We're almost there already," Gin answered, pointing up the road towards the left side, "Just a couple blocks to go."

Sure enough, it only took a few minutes before the pair caught sight of their destination. Covered by a dark red awning with several white paper lanterns hanging from nearby posts, the stall struck Jiraiya as not all that different from the one he'd seen Kisuke set up at the annual Blade Dancer Festivals. Rows of clear bags filled with candies lined the table, though the vendor in this case was a kindly-looking elderly woman rather than Squad Two's mischievous Third Seat. Going by the rather large crowd gathered around the stall, the candies she was selling were quite popular.

"Welcome!" she warmly greeted the duo when the line had finally progressed far enough for them to reach her, "What are you interested in tonight?"

"I'm not sure," Jiraiya confessed as he scanned the wares.

It was an impressive variety. He spotted small ovoid-shaped treats that appeared similar to the suck-on candies that Kisuke had made popular within the Seireitei, but that wasn't all on offer. What looked like chewy taffies were also in abundance, as were several assortments of dried and sugared fruits.

"What are you getting Rangiku, Gin?" he inquired.

Gin studied the wares in thought for a moment before he pointed at a bag filled with small orange disk-like candies. "Are those persimmon-flavored?"

The stall-keeper smiled. "They most certainly are. How many would you like?"

"Just one bag," Gin replied as he opened his satchel.

"And you, good sir?" she asked Jiraiya as she took Gin's money while he grabbed the bag.

Jiraiya eventually settled on several bags of taffies and the suck-on candies, already imagining how the faces of their intended recipients would light up when he presented them. Paying up, he and Gin then started heading back south.

"Well, that's it," Gin said, "Don't worry, I'll go home now."

Jiraiya smiled as he patted the youth on the shoulder. "Not just yet. Why don't you and I grab a late-night snack? Pick whatever stall you want, and I'll pay!"

Gin stopped in his tracks and looked up at Jiraiya inquisitively. Jiraiya had hoped by now to have fostered a greater sense of trust in the boy, yet the silver-haired youth still appeared to be sniffing for an ulterior motive. Then again, in this case, he would not be completely wrong.

Whatever questions Gin had, though, were not voiced, with the boy instead simply shrugging a moment later. "Okay."

The two of them strolled down the street for a couple of blocks before Gin led Jiraiya over to the opposite side of the road, his new objective being a stall serving skewered dango. Jiraiya purchased two skewers each, and the duo then sat down on a nearby bench.

"Ah, good stuff!" Jiraiya heartily praised as he munched on his first skewer while keeping one eye on his companion.

Gin nodded as he swallowed his first dango. "It is. Thank you. Are you sure this is alright?"

Jiraiya grinned. "What, worried about me spending too much tonight? Relax. Officer's pay in the Thirteen Court Guard Squads is pretty good."

Gin looked at him thoughtfully. "Good enough for me to support Rangiku?"

"Yeah," Jiraiya confirmed, "Easily. Of course, knowing her, if you became a Soul Reaper, she'd want to do the same. So, you two could support each other and yourselves with no problem. You wouldn't even have to pay for housing or food; that's what the squad barracks are for, after all!"

"But then we wouldn't have freedom like we do now," Gin pointed out.

Jiraiya nodded. "That's true, but it's not as bad as you might think. Sure, you'd have responsibilities, which is why I can't spend as much time with you and Rangiku as I'd like, and your duties would be dangerous, but in exchange you get stability. You get a protected home, comrades, and friends. Plus, it's not like we work all the time; Soul Reapers get days off, you know. It's not a bad deal, really."

Gin was quiet for a few seconds. "People like Soul Reapers in the Seireitei and the inner districts… but it's not always like that in the outer districts."

Jiraiya sighed, knowing what Gin was referring to. "Yeah… there's always the ones who want to abuse their power, especially over the powerless. The outer districts aren't well monitored, though I know Squad Two and the Stealth Force have been trying to change that over the years. Even so, no matter how hard they try, they can't cover it all. There'll always be gaps, and in those gaps… well, you're a smart kid, Gin; you probably know better than me what happens out there."

"I do," Gin murmured.

Jiraiya knew he had to tread carefully. "Did anyone… come after you and Rangiku?"

There was an almost imperceptible shift in Gin's demeanor, as if a shadow had fallen over him. "Once. He was chasing a Hollow that was hunting us. After he killed it… he said he deserved a reward for saving us."

A pit formed in Jiraiya's stomach. "What happened?"

Gin was silent for a very long moment. "You promise… you won't tell Rangiku? She doesn't remember… and I don't want her to."

Jiraiya nodded. "I'll keep quiet. You have my word, Gin."

The boy took a deep breath. "Rangiku was already exhausted from being chased by the Hollow. She passed out after the Soul Reaper killed it. The way the Soul Reaper was looking at her… I knew what he wanted. I saw it before in other districts before I met Rangiku. When the Soul Reaper wasn't looking at me, I grabbed a rock… hit him in the head with it. It knocked him out. Then I took his sword… and killed him."

Jiraiya let out a heavy exhalation, simultaneously disturbed at what he'd heard and relieved that it hadn't been worse, and it had already been pretty bad. "I see. What did you tell Rangiku when she woke up?"

"I took her away from that spot after killing the Soul Reaper," Gin explained, "She was unconscious until I got her back to our hiding place. When she woke up, she remembered the Hollow, but not much else. I told her that the Soul Reaper killed it, and I'd escaped with her. It wasn't a lie."

Not directly, Jiraiya thought, only by omission. Given the circumstances, I can't say that I blame him for it. He really is a clever one.

Eventually, Jiraiya smiled. "You really care a lot about her. Going so far as to kill a Soul Reaper for her… you'd do anything for her, wouldn't you?"

"Anything to keep her safe," Gin affirmed, a hint of his bright blue eyes peering through the usual slitted gaze, "Anything to make whoever tries to hurt her pay."

It was both an endearing and ruthless declaration, one that Jiraiya knew that the boy was completely serious about. "I'm sure Rangiku would appreciate that. There's nothing wrong with being devoted to a close friend. Just as long as you don't take it too far."

Gin's expression was firm. "I'm not going to apologize for killing the Soul Reaper. If another one tried the same thing, I'd do the same thing as I did to that one."

Jiraiya slowly nodded. "I'm sure you would."

The look on Gin's face slightly softened, now more curious than threatening. "You're… not upset about me killing a Soul Reaper?"

Jiraiya took a deep breath. "Well, I can't exactly say that I'm happy about it… but given what he probably wanted to do to Rangiku, I'm not about to blame you for it. That's why you were so wary of me and Itachi when we first found you two, right? You thought we might be like that guy."

"In the beginning, I did," Gin admitted, "Just because you two saved us from that giant snake didn't mean you were on our side. That's what I thought at first, anyway."

The youth then smiled as he looked up at Jiraiya. "You two weren't like him, though. You helped us and didn't want any kind of 'reward.' You saved us, then made our home safer, then gave us a new home, and you've been looking out for us ever since. One bad Soul Reaper, then two good ones… if there are more like you and Itachi, then maybe becoming Soul Reapers wouldn't be so bad for me and Rangiku."

Jiraiya leaned back and looked up at the night sky. "I like to think that more are like us than that guy. Still, there's that old saying about a few bad apples spoiling the whole bunch. If guys like that are the sort of Soul Reapers that people in the outer districts are meeting, then it's only natural that they'd be distrustful of us. Itachi's Captain tries her best to root out the bad ones, but there's only so much Squad Two and the Stealth Force can do. As much as I believe that most of us really try to do the right thing at the end of the day… well, I've been around long enough to know that rotten types are drawn to power, and Soul Reapers have quite a bit of it. There's always those who will join strong groups to abuse that strength."

Glancing back down, he saw Gin's brow furrow slightly. "Are you saying Rangiku and I shouldn't become Soul Reapers?"

"I'm saying you should think carefully before making that decision," Jiraiya answered, "You need to weigh every aspect of the job and environment you'd be working in. The good, the bad, and everything in between. No matter what you and Rangiku decide, just make sure it's a choice that you can live with, and that you understand any risks involved. There are no guarantees in life… or the afterlife, in this case… but you can tilt things in your favor through careful observation and risk assessment. Know what you're getting into, and have a plan for if things go wrong. Do that, Gin, and you'll go far."

Finishing off his first dango skewer, Jiraiya closed his eyes while munching on the second, uncomfortable thoughts of the current tensions bubbling up in his mind. "Choosing to become Soul Reapers is a way off for you two anyway… and right now, I'd say that's a good thing."

He expected Gin to ask why, but the boy surprised him with a much more poignant question. "Is that because there's a war coming?"

Jiraiya's head snapped towards him, instantly replaying past conversations with Itachi as he tried to figure out which one Gin might've overheard. "What makes you say that?"

"It's what I've been hearing when I go out," Gin answered, "People out in the districts are on edge. Everyone's saying that the nobles are itching for a fight. There's been soldiers out here, too."

That the boy had said 'soldiers' instead of 'Soul Reapers' only deepened Jiraiya's sense of alarm. "When have you seen these soldiers? What did they look like?"

"They've been passing through in small groups over the past few weeks," Gin replied, "The one's I've seen… I think they're from the north. They don't wear the kinds of clothes you see around here, and they look… rough, I guess. Like they're from a really tough place to live. That's my impression, anyway."

Jiraiya scratched his chin while munching on dango. It made sense; the main road through North One started at the Seireitei's Black Ridge Gate, and one could follow it all the way out of the Rukon District, up through the Whitefell Mountains, and eventually into the Starmont Clan Principality. Given the increasing presence of Great Noble House soldiers and officers in the Seireitei since the Blade Dancer Festival, a noted uptick in traffic along the path to one of those House's homelands tracked with recent events.

"They don't make trouble when they pass through here, do they?" Jiraiya asked.

Gin shook his head. "No, they just head straight for the Seireitei or back north. The locals give them a wide berth."

Jiraiya sighed. "At least they're not starting fights out here. Still… this isn't good."

"Is that why a war's about to start?" Gin pressed, "Because the nobles are bringing their soldiers to the Seireitei?"

Jiraiya forced a smile. "War isn't guaranteed, Gin. I know people who are trying to stop that from happening. Things aren't exactly great right now, but there's still time for everyone to calm down and come to their senses."

"Will they?" Gin asked, not even bothering to mask his skepticism.

Jiraiya's smile faltered; he did not have the heart to lie. "I… I don't know, Gin. I like to think that no one's crazy enough to want war… but it still happens. I had to fight in one back in my first life. It was ugly then, and a new one here will be just as ugly. Maybe worse. As horrible as it can be, no matter how much people might want to avoid it… well, if not wanting war was all it took, I imagine history would have much less of them. No, that's not the right way to put it. There's always someone who wants it. They don't have to be the majority to get what they want, either."

Gin's gaze drifted down the road towards the Seireitei. "If it does come… what'll happen to Rangiku and me?"

Jiraiya reached over to place a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "I'll keep you two safe. The training ground will be your shelter, and I'll keep it stocked with emergency rations. They might not taste great, but they'll last a long time. You two can ride things out down there."

"What about you?" Gin inquired, and Jiraiya could've sworn he caught a hint of concern in the boy's tone.

Jiraiya wouldn't sugarcoat it. "Well, if fighting breaks out, I'll probably be caught up in the thick of it. I'm a Soul Reaper, and defending the Soul Society's my duty. Won't be my first war, so I like to think that gives me an edge, but… well, there's no guarantees. You and Rangiku don't need to worry; I've already made arrangements to make sure you two are looked after if something happens to me."

Gin looked down for a moment. "I don't want someone else to look after us. Rangiku and I… we want you, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya smiled again, this time genuinely. "Well, that makes three of us. I don't plan on dying Gin. It's just smart to have my bases covered in case the worst happens. I've died before, so planning for death is something I've learned to appreciate."

Gin was quiet for a few seconds. "When you died before… was it in battle?"

Jiraiya loosed a heavy exhalation. "Yeah, it was. Against old students, too. Not the way I wanted to go, but what's done is done. All I can do now is make the most of my second chance in the Soul Society."

Gin's already-slitted eyes seemed to narrow even further. "Your old students… are they in the Soul Society?"

Jiraiya grimaced; he could guess at what the boy was thinking. "They might be, but… if I find them, we're not going to fight again."

"How can you be certain?" Gin asked, "You didn't want to fight them before, but they still killed you. What if they want to fight you again in the Soul Society?"

Jiraiya shook his head. "It's not going to be like that, Gin. Not this time. I know why they did what they did in my old life. If I find them again, I think I can steer things in a different direction this time. A better one."

Gin's eventual response was mixed. "I hope they're smart enough to choose that better direction this time. If they're not… they won't have long to regret their mistake."

Jiraiya cleared his throat. "Gin… I appreciate the thought, I really do, but I'd rather you and them not fight each other. Even for my sake."

Gin shrugged. "Hopefully they won't give me a reason to fight them. If they make the same mistake as they did when they were alive, though, that's on them. Rangiku would be sad if something happened to you. I won't let that go unanswered."

The sentiment could have been endearing, but Jiraiya found it disturbing just how quickly Gin's thoughts seemed to leap towards violent retribution. "Gin, if something does happen between me and my old students should we meet in the afterlife, it's our business. I don't want you or Rangiku trying to avenge me. Blood for blood doesn't lead anywhere healthy in the long run."

"Blood for blood's the only kind of justice people like me ever get in this world," Gin muttered.

Jiraiya sighed. "In the outer districts, I can imagine that. I know you and Rangiku didn't have an easy time of it out there, and you did what you had to do to protect her. Itachi and I didn't bring you two here just so you could keep playing out a brutal cycle, though. We want a better life for you both."

Gin's gaze fell, perhaps the closest approximation to shame Jiraiya had ever seen in the boy. "I know. I… I guess I'm still not used to people like you and Itachi. Adults who actually try to help kids like me and Rangiku… there aren't a lot of them."

Jiraiya smiled as he patted the youth on the back. "You two might not have found many, but there are more than you think, Gin."

Gin looked back up at Jiraiya, and the smile on his face came across as surprisingly sincere. "I don't know if that's true… but I'd like to believe that more people are like you, Jiraiya. Or that they can become like you in time."

Jiraiya chuckled. "It took a long time for me to become who you see now. No one's perfect, Gin, and I'm very much including myself there. Itachi would say the same. The important thing is that we give people the chance to show good in them. Sometimes, they just need a little help in finding it."

Jiraiya saw Gin look towards the Seireitei. "Would that stop a war from coming?"

Jiraiya wearily leaned back and looked up at the sky again, dark scenes of past bloodshed playing out in his mind portending a future he desperately desired to avoid. "I wish it could, Gin. I really, really do."

….

A few days later…

"Are you alright?" Neji asked as he knelt beside Xiuying Zhang, "I didn't strike too hard, did I?"

The brown-eyed Soul Reaper shook her head, pushing a few loose strands of brown hair back into the twin buns she favored as a style. "No… you went easy on me, like always."

The note of dejection in her voice was impossible for Neji to miss. "Well, I don't want to hurt you."

His former classmate, now an unseated Soul Reaper, sighed as Neji helped her up. "I know. I just… I want to make you work for a win. I don't feel like I'm getting any better this way."

"You've improved plenty already," the slender, red-headed Constance Moreau commented from the sidelines, "You lasted longer against him this time than before. Is that not correct, Monsieur Hyūga?"

Neji smiled. "She's right. You're making progress with every sparring match. Both of you are. You just need to persist and be patient."

Xiuying chuckled, though her smirk soon became an admiring smile. "Easy for the genius of our graduating class to say. Constance and I always go all out against you, but you never break a sweat. You might be blind, but it feels like you see right through us. You're really something special, Neji… oh, sorry, I mean Seventeenth Seat Hyūga."

Neji shook his head. "Xiuying, how many times do I have to tell you? When we're not with senior officers, you and Constance can keep calling me 'Neji' like you did back at the Academy."

Xiuying giggled, and Neji thought he caught just a hint of red in her face. "I know, but… well, I like the sound of it!"

"And the next ranks will sound even better," Constance purred, her sparkling blue eyes dazzling in the last rays of the setting sun, "What girl doesn't like a man with ambition and the skill to climb up the hierarchy?"

"True," Xiuying remarked as she playfully poked at Neji's shoulder, "I wonder how long it'll be before you're wearing the Lieutenant's badge!"

"Best keep that sort of talk subdued, lest the rank's current holder hear it," a familiar male voice chimed, "Lieutenant Ōmaeda tends to get a bit touchy whenever he thinks someone is after his position."

Through his blindfold, Neji saw Constance grin, even licking her lips as the new speaker approached. "Eighth Seat Uchiha! Are you planning on joining us for training?"

"You're more than welcome to!" Xiuying chirped with a wink.

Itachi politely shook his head. "While the invitation's appreciated, I'm afraid that I don't have the luxury of time tonight. Neither does Seventeenth Seat Hyūga."

Neji knew what that meant; he'd been killing time until this moment. "You're ready to start our evening patrol."

"Yes," Itachi confirmed, "Are you?"

"Of course," Neji answered, politely bowing to his friends, "Thank you for training with me this afternoon. I'll see you both tomorrow."

Xiuying smiled. "Be careful out there."

"It's only Seireitei patrol, not Rukon," Neji reassured her, "Thanks for the concern, though."

"Don't work too hard tonight," Constance chimed in, "We want you to have plenty of energy for tomorrow's training."

"I'll land a hit on you then!" Xiuying declared.

Neji chuckled; Xiuying's optimistic determination was one of his favorite qualities in her. "Work hard and take your best shot, and you just might be right. Until tomorrow, friends."

He and Itachi immediately Flash Stepped out of the Squad Two barracks courtyard, with the Eighth Seat taking the lead while the Seventeenth Seat's eyes furrowed beneath the blindfold. Neji had been waiting all day for this, confident in his ability to perform the task ahead, yet a hint of apprehension remained.

"That spot we found before," Neji said, "It's still good?"

"I've scouted for potential alternatives," Itachi replied, "but that one is still the best suited for our purposes tonight. If it's under watch, I'll take you to one of the backups."

Neji nodded. "No moon tonight, right?"

"Why else would I have waited until tonight for something this important?" Itachi deadpanned.

"Right," Neji muttered.

They proceeded in a broad arc, working their way around the inner regions of the Seireitei. While their task was urgent, they needed to kill time until night had truly fallen. With the increased presence of soldiers from the distant Principalities in the Seireitei, the risk of detection had grown; Itachi and Neji would take no chances here.

The situation's already deteriorated to a perilous degree, Neji thought as the two Soul Reapers hopped across the rooftops, I can't imagine that us being spotted spying on the Drakken Clan estate would help matters.

As the sun slowly worked its way down in the west, Itachi glanced over his shoulder. "You met with Shikaku yesterday."

Neji didn't bother denying it; no matter how hard he might try, shaking off the multiple tails set upon him by the Stealth Force whenever he journeyed out into the Rukon for one of his intelligence update sessions had proven to be an exercise in futility. "What of it? It's the usual scheduled meeting."

"I'm aware," Itachi said, "What did you tell him about the present state of affairs?"

"Exactly what you and Jiraiya have told me," Neji answered, "No more, no less."

"And what is the Rukon Leaf Village's position on the matter?" Itachi asked.

Neji shook his head. "That's not something I'm privy to."

"Shikaku should've at least hinted at it," Itachi countered, "You're not just a spy; you're an intermediary between us and the Rukon Leaf Village should the need arise, and Shikaku uses you accordingly. It would be sloppy of him to not at least give you a general idea of what the village wants in relation to the Soul Society, and Shikaku does not strike me as a sloppy Shinobi. Quite the opposite, in fact."

Neji blew out an exasperated breath. "He didn't say anything directly, but… the impression I got is that the village just wants to make sure they won't be caught up in any potential fighting. Their policy is passive isolation, hiding from the rest of the afterlife while scouting for familiar Shinobi to bring into the fold. If war breaks out, the Rukon Leaf Village will not involve itself unless the conflict becomes a direct threat."

Itachi seemed satisfied. "Cautious observation from afar, then, with retaliation only against whichever party in the conflict poses a danger. Would that be accurate?"

Neji nodded. "To my knowledge, yes."

"That's good," Itachi said, his tone becoming contemplative, "If they maintain that stance, then this affair should pass them by without harm. Neither party here has any reason to be looking in their direction, and the low profile that the village has kept all these years will serve them well here. The village's leadership seems quite prudent in their policies… they've learned much from the follies of our Realm of the Living. Governing in the afterlife does have its advantages."

Neji became genuinely curious. "Which follies?"

"In the Shinobi World, it was common for nations and their Hidden Villages to intervene when their neighbors were threatened by instability, seeking to take advantage of perceived weakness," Itachi elaborated, "Such incidents became catalysts for broader conflicts, and they always spiraled out of control. That the Rukon Leaf Village is showing restraint when the Seireitei is experiencing political turmoil bodes well. It means the village's leadership is applying the hard-earned experience and history of our Realm of the Living to how they conduct themselves in the afterlife. At least, that's my hope."

Neji mulled it over. "The threat of instability… that's why Danzō wanted to use you for the Uchiha Clan purge; to eliminate that instability before it became obvious to the other powers."

"That's one perspective," Itachi concurred, "and not an inaccurate one. Had the clan launched their coup, there would've been resistance not just from the village leadership, but the other clans once they realized what was happening. Even if the Uchiha had seized the Hokage and ruling council, could they really secure the village itself? They had numbers, but not enough to clamp down on all avenues of resistance, I think. Fighting between the Uchiha and Shinobi loyal to the village or the other clans would've been inevitable, no matter how thoroughly the Uchiha had prepared; no plan survives contact with the enemy. Spies from rival nations would report back to their leaders, and I imagine they would've been keen to take advantage of our weakened state. The odd of sparking a new Shinobi World War would be high."

Neji's brow wrinkled as a counterpoint occurred to him. "Maybe, but that wouldn't have been the first time in recent memory the Leaf Village was vulnerable. The Nine Tailed Fox's attack did devastating damage, and the other nations were undoubtedly aware of that. We were weakened then, but none of them made a move against us. Why?"

"The Shinobi World's long treated Tailed Beast attacks as being akin to natural disasters," Itachi replied, "I imagine some of the reluctance to intervene when the Nine Tailed Fox went on its rampage was because the other nations didn't have a full grasp on the situation. They kept a wary distance as a result. It's not outside the realm of possibility that they also held back because, were the situation reversed, they'd want us to do the same for them. They may have been reluctant to set a new precedent by launching a strike after such a calamity."

Neji's jaw clenched. "I don't know… that can't be all there is to it."

Itachi shook his head. "No, it's not. Here's what I think the real reason was; an external attack would rally the village against a common enemy. Yes, we were vulnerable; we took heavy casualties, including the Fourth Hokage himself. However, an attack against us so soon after such a tragedy would most likely galvanize everyone in the Leaf Village to put aside their differences and fight back against the incursion. I think even the Uchiha Clan, despite the suspicion and resentment my father and the others felt at being held back when the Nine Tailed Fox attacked, would've joined in the defense with everything they had. A united opponent with their back to the wall is not the sort of foe that one wants to face. A foe in conflict with its constituent factions is another matter, though."

Neji nodded in understanding. "It's easier to fight a major power when its already at war with itself. Divide and conquer is the oldest strategy out there."

"And for a good reason; history has proven its effectiveness time after time," Itachi noted.

The pair fell into thoughtful silence as they slowly worked through the rest of their patrol path, patiently waiting for the last rays of daylight to slip beneath the western horizon. The first evening stars were soon twinkling above, while lanterns began lighting up across the Seireitei. It was shaping up to be a beautiful and tranquil summer night, with a gentle breeze providing soothing relief from the day's earlier heat.

"Now?" asked Neji as their rooftop hops brought them closer to the aristocratic quarter.

Itachi nodded. "We'll take a roundabout way. Don't want anyone tracking us. Mind our backs, and whistle if you catch a tail."

The two of them changed course, now working their way counterclockwise. Itachi's path took them over to Sōkyoku Hill as night fell in earnest, with the two Shinobi pausing at the cliff just past the massive execution instrument. Their gazes swept the Seireitei before Itachi nodded at the tower he'd taken them too before, and the pair Flash Stepped in that direction. When they reached the tower, both lay prone, with Neji focusing squarely on the Drakken Clan estate while Itachi was constantly checking their surroundings for potential watchers.

An Uchiha watching a Hyūga's back, Neji mused, I don't know if that's ever happened before. Even when the Uchiha Clan was active with the Leaf Village, I can't recall us ever working directly with them like this. Both of our families were wary of each other… I guess that's natural considering how closely we guard the secrets of our respective Kekkei Genkai.

"You still want me to take the approach we discussed before?" Neji asked.

"I do," Itachi confirmed, "Start in the lower levels and work your way up. From what I understand, a Nalatarin cannot function underground, but the network of chambers that you can find beneath any Great Noble House's mansion make ideal hiding places. If the clan's given up on trying to use the artifact, then it's probably being stored down there."

"Which means it'll be among their stockpiles of Spirit Armor and Weapons," Neji reminded him, "Those might not be 'alive' like a Nalatarin, but their innate spirit energy could still obscure our target."

"I know," Itachi said, "Just narrow it down as best you can. We need to give Visaelya as much of an advantage as we can when the time comes for her search."

"I'll do what I can," Neji replied, "but no promises."

Centering himself, Neji took several deep breaths as he focused his spirit energy in his eyes. While every Hyūga learned to use the Byakugan for both close and long-range observation, each member of the clan tended to find that one focus came more easily to them than the other. Neji had been praised as a genius for his prowess with the Byakugan, yet he was at his best with the clan's Kekkei Genkai in close-range situations. It had taken considerable effort since arriving in the afterlife to improve his long-range prowess, and even now it demanded great focus.

Matters weren't made any easier by the fact that the Drakken Clan estate was presently awash in potent spirit energy. The clan's famous dragons were beacons of it, and their sheer size made them obstacles to observing the rest of the mansion. He had to shift about to peer past them, and even then, bringing one part of the estate into view meant losing another. Aside from the dragons, the estate was teeming with servants, guards, and guests, their constant movement providing further obstruction courtesy of their own spirit energy.

As if all that was not enough, the underground levels where Neji started his search presented another obstacle. Just as he'd told Itachi, the large quantities of Spirit Armor and Weapons stored in the clan's various subterranean vaults were interfering with his effort. It wasn't that the Byakugan couldn't differentiate between spiritually-charged inanimate objects and people. That, in and of itself, was quite easy, as souls possessed pathway networks within them for spirit energy to circulate through much as Shinobi in the Realm of the Living had channels for their chakra, while spirit tools did not. To set them apart, all Neji needed to do was study the energy's behavior. In people, dragons, or other creatures, spirit energy flowed through the pathway networks, looking like a series of rivers running through infinite looping courses. By contrast, the energy of Spirit Armor and Weapons pulsed, flared, and flickered, more akin to a campfire or fluctuating light.

If there had only been a handful of spiritually-charged objects within the estate, then setting them apart from a supposedly 'living' artifact like the Nalatarin would be child's play for Neji. The problem came from sheer weight of numbers and concentration; the Drakken Clan, like any proper Great Noble House, had amassed quite the hoard over the millennia, and as their treasures were stored tightly together in vaults it meant that their pulsing energy signatures overlapped. To Neji, trying to differentiate between them almost felt like staring into the sun trying to spot a comet passing in front of it at high noon.

"I don't know if this will work," he confessed after a few minutes of intense scanning, "The vaults are filled to the brim; I can't make out much detail thanks to the spirit energy saturation."

"Then move on for now," Itachi ordered, "Sweep the rest of the mansion so we can rule out the other levels, then return to the underground complex. If we can give Visaelya at least a defined search grid, that may be enough. It may have to be enough."

Reluctantly concurring, Neji shifted his focus and began methodically moving his gaze up the mansion one floor at a time. It proved significantly easier than scanning the underground chambers. While the aboveground floors were bustling with human activity, they weren't all clumped together like the vaulted treasures below. Neji caught the occasional static signature of spiritually-charged tools, likely displayed as trophies along the walls based on their positions or in the possession of guards, but as they were all spread out widely, they did not pose any obstruction to his vision.

As his scanning progressed, Neji became increasingly discouraged. As expected, the upper levels were for living, not for treasure storage. His keen Byakugan found plenty of powerful people lurking within the Drakken Clan mansion, but nothing that could be the energy signature of a 'living' artifact. Still, he had a job to do, and Neji knew he needed to be thorough in his work.

Reaching the apex of the mansion, Neji was prepared to quickly sweep through the top floor, find nothing, and return to the unpleasant task of attempting to discern what was in the underground vaults. He nearly did just that, but suddenly stopped when his gaze reached what appeared to be perhaps a private study or small meeting room. Several individuals, at least half a dozen, were gathered there, assembled around a being with the most unusual energy signature Neji had ever seen. Rather than a conventional network of energy pathways flowing throughout the body, the channels here appeared all clumped together, as if the person they belonged to had attempted to recreate what Neji's history instructor at Shin'ō Academy had offhandedly referred to as a 'Gordian Knot' within themself. Not only were the energy pathways a confused and twisted tangle, but they seemed to pulse and writhe, like a bunch of snakes all slithering over a beating heart.

That was when Neji's eyes widened in astonished realization. This confusing knot of energy pathways wasn't within a human at all. Panning his focus out a bit, he could make out the very faint outline of a pyramid surrounding the bizarre energy concentration.

"I found it!" he announced, careful to keep his voice down despite his excitement, "Top floor, central room. Looks like maybe a private office of some sort. I count six… no, seven people with it."

"Guards?" Itachi assumed.

Neji took a closer look. "Two outside the room. Inside, I don't think so. Any guards within would be facing outward, but everyone in the room's facing the artifact. The seventh person's the closest… wait a second…"

He saw the energy within the artifact flare up, and Neji immediately comprehended what was happening. "They're trying to use it! Right now!"

"What direction is the seventh person facing?" Itachi asked urgently.

"West," Neji answered, his eyes narrowing to discern greater detail, "Not directly at us… I think. His energy looks strong. Hold on…"

The strange mass of tangled pathways suddenly began to pulsate with greater intensity, and Neji could perceive tendrils of energy reaching out towards the person using the artifact. Those tendrils hesitated for a moment before surging forward, right at the user's head…

…and the user fell to the floor a moment later, the spirit energy within them now an erratic mess and rapidly weakening.

"What's happening in there?" Itachi pressed, "Neji…"

"Whoever was trying to use it just collapsed," Neji explained, "I guess the Nalatarin didn't consider them legitimate."

Itachi blew out a relieved sigh. "So, they still can't wield it. Small favors. How long can you keep this up?"

Neji reached up to wipe sweat from his brow, dimly aware of a slight throbbing sensation in his head. "At this range? Probably twenty minutes before I need a break."

"Stay focused on it for as long as you can," Itachi ordered, "I'm not seeing anyone moving our way, so we should still be in the clear. We need to confirm if they're keeping it where it's at now or if they simply brought it to this room for use and are storing it somewhere else."

"Understood," Neji acknowledged.

"Any idea who was trying to use it?" Itachi inquired.

"It must be someone of prominence within the clan," Neji said, "Their spirit energy was potent. Not at Captain Drakken's level, but nothing to take lightly. I guess that doesn't narrow it down much seeing how powerful Great Noble House members can be, though."

Itachi shook his head. "It's fine. We'll learn who it was through our source soon enough."

Neji nodded. "What happens next, then? You can't use me in the official report for how we found it without compromising the Byakugan."

"And we won't," Itachi reassured him, "There's a few plans we've been working on in preparation for this. When we meet with the others tomorrow night, we'll figure out which one to use."

….

The following evening…

Shisui had been braced for a grim atmosphere as the conspirators convened in Yoruichi's secret training ground, but even his worst expectations were exceeded when Visaelya, barely keeping herself together, delivered the night's gut punch.

"The man you saw… trying to use the Nalatarin..." she croaked out through a raw throat, "was my father."

Shisui's eyes widened in shock. "Seriously?"

Visaelya nodded, her normally-vibrant violet eyes dull and numb. "Yes. My grandfather… announced that he'd fallen ill this morning. 'Ill'… lied right to all our faces."

Shisui reached out to place a hand on her shoulder. "Visaelya… I'm sorry."

She said nothing, simply leaning against him and pressing her head into his shoulder. Looking around, Shisui saw the others processing the news. Yoruichi was shaking her head and rubbing her brow, while Soi-Fon blew out a resigned breath. Kisuke had a mildly concerned look in his eyes, though he didn't express anything beyond that, while Neji was grim and stoic. Turning to Itachi, Shisui saw his onyx eyes focused on Visaelya, his gaze holding more than a hint of sympathy. Given his history, Shisui could well imagine why.

"I thought they'd given up on trying to use it after your uncle and grandfather's attempts," Yoruichi eventually said, "They must've found a new information source that convinced them to take another crack at it."

"Either that, or they're trying to brute force it now," Soi-Fon suggested.

Kisuke shook his head. "You can't 'brute force' a Nalatarin. The accounts I've read are very explicit on what happens if you try that. The Drakken Clan would have ample access to sources on similar instances."

"Alternate information source or brute force, it doesn't change the fact that they're trying to use it now after a prolonged period of not doing so," Itachi remarked, "So, what's prompted that?"

Yoruichi tapped her chin in thought. "Desperation, maybe? I'm sure they can sense the other nobles solidifying the front against them. They might be trying to determine how close we are to proper mobilization."

"They have spies for that," Soi-Fon pointed out, "All Great Noble Houses do."

"No spies can match the observational powers of a Nalatarin, though," Kisuke countered, "From the Seireitei, you could see all the way out to any Principality and check the troop movements of the other houses. They'd be impossible to hide from the artifact's gaze. You could see strongpoints, supply lines, staging areas, and so much more. All in just seconds with a skilled user."

"It'd be incredibly useful in a war," Itachi concurred, "To have that sort of visual command over not only an entire battlefield, but all the lands beyond? Generals and warlords would give anything for that kind of advantage."

"It's essentially a massively amplified Byakugan," Neji noted, "It can't see underground like my clan's eyes can, but that weakness hardly nullifies its strengths. Even if we're not in an open conflict, having that sort of spying power to deploy against rival families is invaluable."

"It's already having an impact," Yoruichi said, "Look at us; we're having this very meeting underground as a precaution. My family's been doing the same when it conducts private business now, and I know we're not the only one."

"I'm more concerned about Visaelya's father being the one trying to use it this time," Shisui chimed in, turning to the woman beside him, "I was under the impression that he's more levelheaded than your uncle and grandfather. Not the type to want anything to do with an affair like this, right?"

Visaelya lifted her head from his shoulder, though she still leaned against him for support. "No… at least, that's what I thought. If anyone was to try using the artifact again, Uncle and Grandfather were the most likely suspects. Father… why?"

"It could be that he's come around to their way of thinking," Itachi cautiously suggested, "or that they may have somehow compelled him towards it. It's been a year since the theft; your uncle and grandfather have had plenty of time to apply pressure. Perhaps it's become too much."

Visaelya closed her eyes and let out an exhausted exhalation. "I want to believe it was compelled. Whatever madness Uncle and Grandfather are playing at… I don't want Father to be a willing accomplice."

Shisui saw Yoruichi's golden eyes fix their piercing gaze on Visaelya. "How did you react when they broke the news of your father's illness?"

Visaelya took a deep breath. "The same way my siblings did... it caught us all completely by surprise. I… I wanted to call Grandfather out; I knew what Father's 'illness' was the moment he broke the news. I held back, though… it would've jeopardized my cover otherwise. As far as my family's concerned, they think I'm just as distraught over this matter as everyone else. They don't know my deeper feelings on this."

Yoruichi's gaze softened. "You did very well, given the circumstances. I'm sorry that you're suffering through this, Visaelya, but you're doing a phenomenal job at keeping your mask up."

Visaelya blew out a weary exhalation. "For all the good that it's done. I've wasted an entire year."

"On the contrary," Itachi argued, "You've used an entire year to firmly establish your cover. Your restraint earlier today ensured that it wasn't wasted."

"And we'll make it count," Yoruichi added as Shisui saw her gaze turn to Neji, "You two stuck around after Visaelya's father passed out; did they move the Nalatarin afterwards?"

Neji shook his head. "I kept my Byakugan locked on it for as long as I could. Well after everyone left the room. The artifact was still there when they cleared out. Of course, there's always the possibility that they've moved it since then."

"I don't think they would've," Visaelya said, "My Grandfather's private study was the room you observed, and others only enter by his invitation. It makes sense for him to keep the artifact in there. He knows that room's constantly under guard, and having it there makes it easy to use or research whenever he wants. I wouldn't be surprised if every source in our archives regarding the Nalatarin has been transferred to his study. No doubt, he and Uncle are still trying to get the legitimacy bestowal ritual right. They've had a year already to refine their approach… it's only a matter of time before they crack it."

"Then we need to move quickly," Shisui said, "We need to get you into his study so you can see the artifact firsthand. Then, you can report back to us, and we can use your testimony to bring this affair to an end."

Visaelya sighed. "It's not that simple. Just getting in there will be tricky. There's only one entrance, and it's constantly guarded. The windows will be sealed with barrier spells, so I can't enter that way. Plus, my Grandfather's in there almost all the time these days. Seeing as the artifact's there, I now know why."

"When does he usually come out?" Itachi inquired.

Shisui watched Visaelya's brow furrow in thought. "Occasionally for a family meal if enough of us are present, but I'm told he typically has the servants bring food and drink to his study, so that's unreliable at best. Meetings with vassals have become more frequent these days, which could present an opening, but there's typically heightened internal security; the vassals tend to bring their own retinues of bodyguards and retainers."

"There has to be an opening we can exploit," Yoruichi mused aloud, "Some window where he's out of the room and security is distracted…"

"During a clan ceremony or holiday, perhaps?" Soi-Fon suggested, "Great Noble House heads are sticklers for events like those. Keeping up appearances and all."

Visaelya's eyes lit up. "That's it! There's one where he'll have to be present as host for the whole event; the Flame of Life Festival. That's our window!"

Kisuke scratched his chin. "Dragons in the sky do make for a nice distraction."

Visaelya nodded eagerly. "Grandfather never misses the Flame of Life Festival, and the dragon flight show is the perfect opportunity. Internal security will be reduced; most of the guards typically get redeployed to the entrances and courtyard to monitor the guests. There's rarely been any trouble at the event, so most of them consider it to be an easy shift and tend to sneak peeks at the flight show. They'll be complacent, which gives us an opening."

"What about the two guards outside your Grandfather's study?" Neji pointed out, "Does their posting change during the festival?"

Visaelya sighed in frustration as she rubbed her forehead. "No, they'll still be there. There's always one unlucky pair that gets stuck with the post during the festival. How can I deal with…"

As her voice trailed off, Shisui saw Visaelya close her eyes. Silence fell as the others patiently waited, hoping that she was coming up with a plan, or at least the inklings of one.

Sure enough, Visaelya's eyes snapped open a few moments later as her gaze turned to Shisui. "I'm still allowed to bring guests, just like before. Shisui, you can come with me inside the mansion and neutralize the guards with genjutsu. Two targets isn't a problem for you, right?"

Shisui shook his head. "No, I could put them both under quickly. Would the exterior guards let you bring someone like me inside the mansion during the festival, though?"

"Guests are allowed inside under escort from either guards or a family member during the festivities," Visaelya elaborated, "None of them would think twice if I brought you inside."

Visaelya's face then flushed red. "Although… they might think you and I are up to something else entirely. Especially if we go inside while everyone's distracted by the flight show."

Yoruichi chuckled. "Yeah, I can see that. It does give you a bit of cover, though."

Shisui smiled knowingly. "Well, if you don't mind rumors flying around about us afterwards, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

Visaelya returned his smile, though she was still blushing. "No… and I'd be quite alright with those sorts of rumors about us."

"Leaving aside the infiltration details," Itachi chimed in, "there's the question of time. The Flame of Life Festival is still a few months out; that's plenty of time for Captain Drakken and the clan patriarch, along with anyone else within their inner circle, to experiment with the Nalatarin. There's the risk that they might gain full use of it before the fall solstice. Are there any earlier celebrations that we could exploit for this?"

"There are some birthdays and other social gatherings scheduled," Visaelya answered, "but none that match the Flame of Life Festival's profile and status. The guest list alone for that event dwarfs all the others, which is why the estate's security force gets focused so much on the entrances and courtyard at the interior's expense. More importantly, the Flame of Life Festival is the only one which guarantees that Grandfather won't be in his study; its prestige is such that his attendance might as well be mandatory. In fact, at this point, failure to attend on his part would be a minor scandal by itself. Given the already-increased scrutiny that's fallen over my clan, Grandfather wouldn't want to compound the risks."

"The Drakken Clan's already spent about a year trying to use the artifact without success," Soi-Fon pointed out, "They may feel confident enough to try again now, but it still seems unlikely that they'd crack the Nalatarin's secrets within the next few months given how long they've already been trying and failing. There's risk, sure, but when it's weighed against the perfect infiltration opportunity provided by the Flame of Life Festival, I don't think it's enough to discount using that date."

"It's a gamble," Kisuke added, "but a calculated one. I'm with Soi-Fon on this one."

"And now I'm questioning what I just said," Soi-Fon grumbled, "Thanks for that."

Kisuke gave her a cheeky grin. "You're welcome."

Shisui saw Yoruichi turn to Itachi. "The timeframe's not great, but nothing about this situation is. You know I'm normally all about striking fast and first, but I think this time waiting for the best window's the right call here."

Itachi inclined his head. "In that case, I have a suggestion that could help mitigate some risk."

Yoruichi smiled. "I'm all ears."

Itachi looked at Neji. "How comfortable are you now with inner Seireitei patrol?"

Neji shrugged. "It's not a challenging duty; I've done it with you enough by now to have the best routes memorized. You're wanting to keep me on that duty until the festival, right?"

Itachi nodded. "Now that you know what to look for, it would be ideal if we can keep you close to the Drakken Clan estate for prolonged periods of time. You can continue to monitor the Nalatarin with the Byakugan and see if anyone tries to use it again."

"I wouldn't be able to do so every hour of the day," Neji pointed out.

"I know," Itachi replied, "That's simply not feasible. Still, being able to watch the artifact for some period of time is better than not being able to at all."

"That position you two used last night to observe the estate," Yoruichi chimed in, "isn't one people would generally be inclined to look at. Might be better for you to lie low there and watch just from that vantage point; it'd be very difficult for anyone in the estate to see you there, rather than if you patrolled like normally."

"True, but that position can be compromised by anyone looking at it from a higher elevation," Soi-Fon argued, "Others should be mapped out and used as appropriate."

"Good point," Yoruichi conceded, "Soi-Fon, can you mark up a map with those positions after the meeting?"

Soi-Fon curtly nodded before turning to Neji. "It won't take long. I'll have it in your hands tomorrow morning."

"Appreciated," Neji said.

"Getting back to the infiltration," Shisui interjected as he glanced at Visaelya, "I think our cover needs a bit more work. It's fine to say that Visaelya and I wanted to have some 'private fun' while everyone else watches the dragon flight, but how's that supposed to explain us getting into the patriarch's private study and finding the artifact? We need to make sure that the eventual report stands up to scrutiny."

"We can say that I wanted to show you around while we had the place to ourselves," Visaelya answered while mulling over the rest, "As for us being in the study… I know the Sharingan requires eye contact for its genjutsu to work… can you put the guards under without them seeing you?"

Shisui thought it over. "Possibly… is there anything I can use in that hallway for cover?"

"Ceremonial armor sets and statues," Visaelya said, "though there's a fair gap between the last set and the study entrance. You might be able to get one depending on the approach angle, but both… that could be tricky."

Shisui smiled and shook his head. "Not as tricky as you might think. As long as I have cover to get me close enough for targeting one guard, the other will follow naturally. What do you think Guard Number Two will do when Number One slumps over?"

Visaelya's eyes narrowed for a moment before Shisui could see the proverbial light turn on. "He'll turn to his companion to see what's wrong… which means his gaze will then be facing your direction."

Shisui nodded and smirked. "Exactly. He'll be out like a light before you know it, just like his buddy."

"And there's your justification," Yoruichi said with a devious smile, "You can say that you were showing Shisui around when you found the guards asleep at their posts. Concerned, you then decided to check your Grandfather's study to see if anything was amiss. You weren't looking for the Nalatarin. You simply stumbled upon it."

Kisuke chuckled. "Just doing your duty as a noble house's daughter… though your house might wish you hadn't done your duty here."

"No, they most certainly won't," Visaelya bitterly concurred, "but that's on whoever among them is responsible for stealing the artifact in the first place. We have our cover, then."

Soi-Fon was concerned. "Will it be enough to satisfy an investigation? As a pretext, it's shakier than I'd like."

"Short of a family member or household staff suddenly coming to us for a confession, it's probably the best we have," Itachi argued, "It's not like we have an abundance of options here."

Soi-Fon reluctantly conceded the point. "No, we don't. I still don't like it, but… I can't think of anything else."

"That takes care of finding the artifact, then," Shisui said, "but what happens next? Should Visaelya and I secure it, or just leave it and report back to you?"

Yoruichi grimaced. "That's a tough call. If you took it, you'd have to sneak it out of the estate and through the Seireitei without anyone noticing. It's not a huge artifact size-wise, but it's not exactly compact, either. Plus, on the legal side, that's theft from a Great Noble House. It could compromise our case."

"But they've already stolen it," Neji pointed out, "We'd just be returning it to the Soul Society's custody."

"You're not wrong," Yoruichi replied, "but you have to remember that we're already playing a dangerous game here. We've been investigating and surveilling a Great Noble House completely off the books. The whole 'stumbled upon the artifact because we saw unconscious guards and were worried' cover story is already a gamble, if a calculated one. Straight up taking the artifact, even if it's with the intent of returning it to Squad Twelve for secure keeping, makes the situation even more dicey for us than it already is."

"It might be best in the short-term to leave it," Itachi suggested, "When Visaelya and Shisui return to report in, we can then go straight to the Head Captain and use their eyewitness testimony to get clearance for a search of the estate. A report from two seated officers from different units should be enough to satisfy the initial bureaucratic hurdles; having one of them be the daughter of the Great Noble House being investigated is a bonus. If the Drakken Clan's still in possession of the artifact when the official search is made, then finding it in the official search seals the case."

"It would definitely look better to the Central Forty-Six than us swiping it from under the clan's noses," Yoruichi concurred, "There would still be a mess to deal with on the back-end of things, but it'd be much more manageable."

"The Head Captain could have some issues of his own here," Kisuke said, "Present this to him quickly, and he might suspect that we've been preparing a while for it. He's old and set in his ways, but he's not an idiot."

Yoruichi nodded. "It won't be easy, but I can handle him. As long as he has no proof of our activities, which we've worked quite hard to make sure he doesn't, we should be okay. He can have as many suspicions as he wants; he won't act on them without solid evidence. Given that this should go a long way towards defusing the tensions that have been building up between the Great Noble Houses, he might even be willing to look the other way. He's not the type to openly comment on aristocratic politics, but I know he hates it when they interfere with our duties, and this whole mess has been seeping into Soul Reaper business more and more lately."

"We'll leave the Head Captain to you, then," Itachi said before folding his arms, "Going back to the infiltration… it might help to have someone nearby monitoring the courtyard in case anyone else heads inside after Visaelya and Shisui do."

Shisui looked at Visaelya. "You've invited me and Itachi to the Flame of Life Festival in the past. Could you get us both in this year?"

Visaelya blew out a heavy breath and rubbed her forehead. "Theoretically, yes, but… it might be riskier this year. Given the tensions between my clan and the Shihōin, I could be treading on thin ice already by just bringing one member of Squad Two along. Yes, you and Itachi are both known by my family as close friends of mine, but they may not be as accepting this year as they have been in the past."

"I could watch from afar," Neji offered, "though communicating any warning would be an issue."

"Tenteikūra could solve that issue," Soi-Fon suggested.

Neji shook his head. "All my focus would be on using the Byakugan; I wouldn't be able to cast the communication spell while keeping the target in sight."

"I could do it for you," Itachi offered, "If I'm with you while you're on observation, you'd just need to tell me if sending a warning is necessary."

Kisuke raised a finger. "Tenteikūra has a flaw; it can be detected by others, even if the messages in the spell aren't directed at them. They won't be able to discern the message's contents, but anyone with a sufficiently trained sense for spirit energy will be able to sense the spell's use."

Itachi nodded. "I'm aware of the drawbacks. It's not an ideal solution, but it's the only way we can transmit a quick warning from a distance."

"There's a way we could mask it, or at least make its use seem less unusual to anyone present at the festival," Yoruichi offered, "Stealth Force patrols are trained to use the spell, though they typically refrain since it can give away their position if one knows what to look for. I can organize a large-scale training exercise that night for the Stealth Force, with its official purpose being practicing rapid communications for emergency responses. If the partygoers and hosts are already accustomed to the sensation of Tenteikūra's use in the background by the time Visaelya and Shisui begin their infiltration, then Itachi's use of it may be brushed off as just part of the ongoing exercise."

Kisuke smiled. "Hey, that could work. It wouldn't hide any message from Itachi, but it would make his use of the spell stand out a lot less in that wider context. The Drakken Clan might be a bit miffed about you planning such an exercise on the night of their big celebration, though."

Yoruichi shrugged. "They can put with some background spirit energy buzz. The rest of the Seireitei puts up with their dragons making noise late into the night every year; turnabout's fair play."

"Hopefully, you won't have to use Tenteikūra at all," Soi-Fon added as she looked at Itachi, "It really should be a last resort. Even with an ongoing exercise providing cover, there's still the risk of it tipping off the Drakken Clan that something's amiss."

"I know," Itachi affirmed, "I'll only use it if it's absolutely necessary."

Shisui tapped his chin. "Does that cover all our bases?"

"I think so," Visaelya answered, "Once we've accessed the study and made visual contact with the artifact, Shisui and I will slip out of the estate. Everyone else will be distracted by the dragon flight; they won't note our absence until the show's over. By then, it'll be too late. We'll have made our report, and you'll be going to the Head Captain for an emergency meeting."

"The Head Captain will have to get sign-off from the Central Forty-Six before an official search of the estate can be made," Itachi remarked, "That means the Drakken Clan's proxies on the council will get a heads-up. That could cause problems for us."

"There's always been the potential for that," Yoruichi conceded, "but if they sent warning and the clan moved the artifact out of the estate before the official search could take place, everyone would know what had just happened. The word of two senior seated officers from two separate units corroborating the artifact's presence at the estate would be impossible to dismiss; at that point, the clan moving the artifact simply confirms that they have it and are hiding it, which does them no favors. Still, it'd be good to have a contingency in place should they try something."

She looked hard at Itachi and Neji. "Would you two be willing to pull an overnighter on this one? Even with the Head Captain presenting the case, it probably wouldn't be until early morning that the Central Forty-Six authorized the search. Always the chance that the Drakken Clan tries moving the Nalatarin during that window."

Itachi turned to Neji. "You can only sustain your Byakugan at long range for around twenty minutes. How long of a break would you require in between if you had to use it repeatedly for such a long period?"

Neji was quiet for a moment. "If I shortened the segments that I was focusing at maximum range on, the breaks would be shorter in turn. Fifteen minutes, maybe… though that period would probably increase as the night goes on. The strain is cumulative, so proper rest would eventually be needed. There might a way to mitigate it, though."

Shisui then saw Neji shoot a wary look at him and Itachi. "What is it?"

Neji hesitated for a second before answering. "Situations like prolonged stakeouts aren't unfamiliar to members of my clan. Over the years, we developed medicines to ease the strain on our eyes for such situations. We kept them secret out of concern for rival clans with similar abilities using them to develop similar countermeasures for the weaknesses of their own eyes."

Shisui immediately realized Neji's issue. "This isn't the Warring States period, or the Shinobi World for that matter, Neji. Itachi and I aren't out to steal your clan's secrets. Defusing this crisis is our only concern. Whatever you have to use to help us with that, we'll make sure it stays secret."

Neji looked back and forth between the two Uchiha before turning to Yoruichi. "I'll need to return to my village for a bit. Our clan elders have what I need, and I'll have to present a good case for them to let me bring it here."

Yoruichi nodded. "I'll grant you leave for the next few days starting tomorrow. Will that be enough time?"

"It should, yes," Neji replied before inclining his head, "Thank you, Captain."

"Neji, come see me after we're done here," Kisuke chimed in, "There's another issue regarding your eyes that I've been meaning to address, and I have just the thing to take care of it."

Neji seemed puzzled but did not argue. "Very well, then."

Yoruichi then turned to Visaelya, her expression softening. "Since the festival's still a way off, you should ask your uncle for a bit of leave before then. It might help to have a little time for yourself, if only to prepare for what's coming. Once the operation's complete and I deliver the report to Head Captain Yamamoto, things are going to get rough, especially for you."

Visaelya inclined her head. "Seeing as I haven't requested any leave since transferring to Squad Ten, I'm sure my uncle would approve a short period of it… though I imagine that wouldn't be the case if he knew the true reason for it."

Yoruichi chuckled ruefully. "Probably. Well, I think that wraps up our business here tonight. Everyone, get what rest you can. If we're successful, the tensions in the Seireitei should finally start subsiding, though there'll probably be a brief nasty patch before then. The ones at the heart of this affair likely won't come quietly once they've been exposed. We'll need to be ready for that."

As the assembled Soul Reapers began heading for the exit, Shisui saw Visaelya turn to Itachi. "Itachi, would you mind staying after with me for a little while? There's something that I wish to discuss with you in private."

Itachi regarded her for a moment before nodding. "Alright."

Shisui reached out to gently grab Visaelya's arm. "Want me to stay, too?"

Visaelya smiled but shook her head. "I appreciate that, but you should return to barracks and rest. The matter I wish to speak with Itachi about is… well, it regards the portion of the Uchiha Clan affair that transpired after your untimely end."

Shisui immediately understood. "Ah, I see. Okay, then. Still… if you need to talk later, you know where to find me."

Visaelya leaned over to plant a soft kiss on his cheek. "I know, and I will be eternally grateful for that."

….

"I'll do anything I can to help you," Itachi began as he and Visaelya sat down on a stone ledge, "However, if you're looking for advice on your current situation, I'm afraid that I can only disappoint you. My experience with family-political drama ended with me committing mass murder, and I would very much hope for a better outcome with regards to your family, Visaelya."

Visaelya slowly nodded, knowing that she was treading on haunted ground for her friend, "That very much makes two of us. Even so, I believe that your experience makes you more qualified to grant advice on this matter than anyone else in the Soul Society. Despite… no, because of how your situation ultimately played out, you understand the gravity of this affair in a way that no one else can."

Itachi took a deep breath. "Well, in that case… what bitter fruits of wisdom do you wish to pick?"

Visaelya then looked sheepishly at the floor. "Uhm… the thing is… I swear, I had it earlier, but… I'm not really sure where to start now."

When she faced him again, she was relieved to see a small and gentle smile on his face. "I understand. Topics like this… they're never easy for us to organize our thoughts around. Take your time. I'm in no rush."

Visaelya spent a few minutes racking her brain before she felt somewhat comfortable moving forward. "I guess… I want to know what you think I should do."

"You'll need to narrow things down a bit," Itachi replied, "What you should do can cover a wider field here than you might think."

Visaelya slowly nodded. "Right, then. After the infiltration, then. Let's start there."

"You should back up a bit, actually," Itachi suggested, "Let's start with the infiltration itself; are you sure it's something you're up for? Is it a course of action that you can commit yourself to and live with the ensuing consequences of?"

Visaelya was taken aback by that. "I already have. What else was that meeting we just had about?"

"It's one thing to say that you're up for it when the plan's first proposed," Itachi countered firmly, "It's another thing entirely when you give it time to truly sink in."

That was true, Visaelya realized. During the meeting, she'd been focused with the others on figuring out a plan and getting the details right, but the true weight of what she was signing up for only now began to hit. She was plotting an infiltration of her home, looking for an artifact that her family had stolen…

…and would then be reporting them to the authorities.

Her shoulders slumped. "When you put it like that… well, what else can I do? This must be done, Itachi… and it must be me that does it. Whether I like it or not, there's no other choice."

Itachi shook his head. "It may seem that way, but there's always a choice. In my experience, the trick is understanding the price of that choice… and being able to live with it. For as long as you can, anyway."

Visaelya swallowed nervously. "How did you live with yours?"

"Seeing as I'm here instead of my old Real of the Living, that would imply I didn't live with it," Itachi quipped before sighing heavily, "When I accepted Danzō's deal… and went through with the purge… that was the moment I truly died. Everything afterwards was just waiting until my body was finally allowed to catch up."

"But you still had to forge ahead until then," Visaelya pressed, "How did you manage it?"

Itachi was silent for a few seconds. "I had my mission beyond the purge… and my end-goal of dying at Sasuke's hands when he was strong enough to avenge our clan. Focusing on that kept me going, along with the medication I secured to manage a terminal illness that I'd caught somewhere along the way. In a sense, having defined goals to concentrate my efforts on gave me a lifeline. Your situation doesn't present such goals beyond the infiltration and whatever subsequent testimony you'll be called to offer when this affair goes to trial. That could make things more difficult for you."

"I'll be going back to Squad Two," Visaelya reminded him, "I'll rejoin you, Shisui, and the others so we can protect the Soul Society together. That's one goal I can focus on."

Itachi inclined his head. "You can. It'll be a somewhat distant one; you can't very well come straight back to us right after providing evidence against your clan without them realizing that was your intention from the beginning. Salvaging your relationship with whatever family members aren't implicated and subsequently imprisoned means sticking around for quite some time. Perhaps holding on to hope of reconciliation with them before eventually returning to us will help… though your road ahead will still be a difficult one."

Visaelya's mind raced ahead, frantically trying to plot out the course of future events. "Imprisonment… as bad as that sounds, that might be actually be the lucky outcome. The artifact theft involved attacking a Squad Twelve Soul Reaper, and she nearly died. If it weren't for that other Soul Reaper losing his purse on duty and coming back for it, she would have died. That's basically attempted murder of a Soul Reaper… not something that Head Captain Yamamoto or the Central Forty-Six would take kindly to."

"At the very least, a certain death sentence for whatever agent your family enlisted to carry out the heist," Itachi confirmed, "assuming he or she can be found. Since they were acting on behalf of the Drakken Clan, that makes whoever ordered the theft accessory to attempted murder of a Soul Reaper by proxy. If the agent isn't apprehended, the Central Forty-Six could rule that the sentence be carried out on whichever family member was most directly involved in hiring them."

Visaelya winced, dread creeping down her spine. "Probably Grandfather or Uncle, if I had to guess… but that would then mean executing either a Great Noble House head or a Captain. That'd be an extreme verdict, one with potentially far-reaching consequences. It could trigger a backlash with the wider aristocracy; even if one of their rivals is going down, the other nobles would fear establishing such precedent."

"In that case, there's always the possibility that the Central Forty-Six goes with a life sentence instead," Itachi suggested, "Seeing as the council's members are proxies for the other Great Noble Houses, I could see them potentially stepping back from the harshest punishment. It's not guaranteed, though."

"No, but it may be more likely," Visaelya argued, though she felt like she was trying to convince herself more than her friend, "The aristocracy, especially the Great Noble Houses, have enjoyed a culture of impunity for millennia. With rare exceptions, members of the Soul Society's elite have gotten away with all manner of offenses. It takes especially egregious crimes for a noble family to face severe sanction… though stealing from Squad Twelve and gravely wounding a Soul Reaper definitely qualify as that. I guess it comes down to what the powers that be value more; preserving the culture of impunity for the elite, or meaningful punitive action as deterrence."

"You've been in the Soul Society for longer than I have," Itachi pointed out, "In your experience, what's the most probable outcome?"

Visaelya sighed. "I honestly don't know. I've never seen anything as bad as this. Such a blatant offense… it's one of those cases that screams for decisive punishment. Death sentence or life in prison… fifty-fifty on which one gets picked, maybe? I just can't see the Central Forty-Six letting anyone off here with a slap on the wrist for something like this. Forget the wounded guard; stealing the Nalatarin amplified discord that was already growing within the Seireitei amongst the aristocracy. The Central Forty-Six values order over all other considerations, and they've gone to extreme lengths in the past to restore it."

"Then you have a good idea of just what fate your family faces," Itachi somberly stated, "which brings us back to my earlier question; can you commit to this course of action, knowing the likely fates that will befall whatever members of your clan are guilty in this affair?"

When he put it like that, it felt like a gut-punch to Visaelya, though one that she should have been ready for. "I… it was bad enough when I just thought that Grandfather and Uncle were driving things. With Father's 'illness' now indicating he's involved, too…I… I…"

Her voice trailed off as the true weight of her actions set in. Committing to the infiltration would mean more than just finding the artifact at the heart of the matter and then reporting back. It was the step required to begin finally resolving the crisis, but taking that step meant implicating her family…

…and potentially signing their death warrants.

She took a deep breath as she met Itachi's gaze. "When you… when you made your choice… how did you know it was the right one?"

Itachi's eyes darkened. "What makes you think that I made the 'right one' back then… or that there was a 'right one' to make in the first place?"

"What you did… it was for your village… for the greater good," Visaelya stammered, "That's why… you had to do it… right?"

Itachi looked off into the distance, and Visaelya sensed that his mind was no longer in the here and now. "Had to? At the time… I believed that to be the case. Danzō presented it as such; either side with the clan in the coup and perish alongside them, or slaughter my family and kin to thwart the coup and spare Sasuke. In my desperate state at the time, I couldn't see beyond that dichotomy. It was only after the dust had settled… after the dark deed was done and I was gone from the village… that I could take a step back and consider alternatives."

Visaelya sat in rapt silence as her friend continued. "It was a futile exercise. The crime was already committed, the victims already buried. Realistically, I knew dwelling on it accomplished nothing, that it was only a distraction from my new mission. Even so… day and night, my mind couldn't let it go. So many scenarios to play out, so many 'what ifs' to ask… I nearly went insane for a time. Perhaps even crossed over that line… assuming my sanity even survived murdering my family. A tenuous assumption at best."

"What other options besides the two Danzō presented were there?" Itachi asked, with Visaelya feeling as though the question was more directed at himself rather than her, "Should I have argued more openly with my father? Been honest with him about my true role as the village's agent, try to sway him towards calling off the coup? It wouldn't have been so clean; even if I could bring him around, there was the matter of the clan hardliners, and their fury towards the village was such that their reaction to my father suddenly joining their side would surely have been violent. There would still be bloodshed, though maybe more of the clan than just my brother and myself would've survived. Or should I have simply washed my hands of it all? Taken my brother and any others I could convince, and abandon the village altogether? Leave the hardliners and the village leadership to fight it out? A short-term escape, but… no matter which side won, we would be hunted as deserters. Any other nation that welcomed us would not have done so for free; once they learned I and those with me were rogue Uchiha, they would've demanded we use the Sharingan in their service, perhaps even try to take it for themselves. In the long-term, I suspect a foul end would've met us eventually. Meanwhile, the village would still suffer strife, perhaps even civil war… and that could trigger foreign intervention, spiraling into a wider conflict."

Itachi ran a hand through his hair, then heavily exhaled before turning back to Visaelya. "Those are just samples of the many alternate scenarios I played out in my head over the years. My point with all of this, Visaelya, is that sometimes there's no clean decision to make. Sometimes, we're placed in a situation where any decision we make is a wrong one. From the village's perspective, my decision to turn against and murder my family was the 'right' one; it preserved the peace and swept their dirty business under the rug. From my family's perspective, it was wrong in the worst way possible, for obvious reasons. Even if my parents accepted it… chose to die at my hands without resistance, as long as I kept Sasuke safe afterwards… it still meant their end, and the near annihilation of our proud clan. As for my perspective… even if my actions were with the intention of saving my little brother and stopping a wider conflict… could I ever honestly call my actions 'right'? Even if I sold myself the excuse that they were a necessary evil, that does not take away any of the evil within them. The choice before you is much the same. No matter what course of action you commit yourself to, from one perspective or another, it will be wrong. Either from your family's, or the Soul Society's… or perhaps even yourself. What it really comes down to in the end, Visaelya, is what sort of 'wrong' you can accept and live with. No matter what choice you make here, there will be doubts chasing you every day afterwards for the rest of your life. Each choice comes with a cost… and you must weigh those costs and determine for yourself which one your heart can carry going forward."

Visaelya pondered all she had just heard before smiling weakly at her companion. "So… basically it's damned if you do, damned if don't? You're not one for easy answers."

"Easy answers are for easy situations," Itachi argued, "Nothing about your situation can be considered easy."

Visaelya chuckled bitterly. "Guess not. I was hoping you'd tell me what I should do, but I guess I'm not getting that from you here."

"It's not something that I have the right to tell you," Itachi said, "Is there a course of action that I personally would prefer you take? Of course. That would be me pushing you towards a particular choice, though, and this is a decision that should be yours, and yours alone. Compulsion from an outside party, even if it comes with the veneer of choice, will narrow your perspective and what decisions you can make. My desperation and fear turned Danzō's ultimatum into a false dichotomy, something he ruthlessly exploited to get what he wanted out of me. I won't do that to you."

"Thanks," Visaelya mumbled, with more than a hint of snark, "Your generosity is so appreciated."

He then reached over to place a hand on her shoulder. "You have the luxury of time, Visaelya. Use it well to carefully ponder your choices and all the potential outcomes of them. No matter what you decide, know that I will respect your decision."

"Even if it's the wrong one?" she asked softly.

Itachi stood up. "I already told you; your situation is one where there might not be a truly 'right' decision for you. What's 'right' from my perspective will still have its own wrong for you. Only you can decide what 'wrong' can be accepted and carried forward. You're the only one who has that right here."

Visaelya exhaled before smiling and rising to her feet. "Well, it might not be what I hoped for when I asked you to talk… but this did help. Thank you, Itachi. I'm sure this wasn't easy for you."

Itachi shook his head. "I've had plenty of time to grow accustomed to revisiting my past. It's never enjoyable, but if it can help my friends, then it's more than bearable. If you can take my experience and use it to reach a better outcome than I did, then it's all worth it."

"No guarantees there," Visaelya remarked, "Not with how messy this situation is."

"Indeed," Itachi concurred, "Do all you can to plot the best course forward, but never forget; the winds of fate are ever fickle. Even the best laid plans can be blown far astray."

….

The following evening…

"Thanks for coming on such short notice," Kisuke said as Itachi entered the secret training ground, "I know I usually give you a bit more head's up than this. Sorry."

Itachi shook his head. "It's fine. What do you need me for?"

Kisuke smiled as he reached over towards an object, roughly an average human's height, draped over with a white cloth and leaning against a stone ledge. "This."

He yanked the covering off, revealing a white humanoid doll. "I give you… the Tenshintai! The fruits of our labors, Itachi."

"You finished it, then," Itachi remarked as he stepped forward to study the object closely, "Earlier than I expected. You said you wanted to test a few more variants after our last experiment."

"I accelerated my timetable," Kisuke explained, "In light of recent events, I figured having a secret Bankai in our back pocket might be helpful."

Itachi folded his arms. "Assuming it works this time. Given that you've invited me here, I take it we're answering that question tonight?"

Kisuke grinned confidently. "Oh, it'll work. I just want you here as an observer. You'll be taking notes while I get my hands dirty."

Itachi looked back and forth between the doll and Kisuke. "I'll play whatever part you need of me. Still… are you sure about this? The last time you had me here working on this, I distinctly recall it not going well. The energy backlash knocked you out for several hours."

"I managed to sort that out since then," Kisuke reassured him, "Adjusting the material composition and frame rigidity did the trick. Trust me, Itachi; it's ready."

Itachi inclined his head. "Only one way to know for sure."

"Agreed," Kisuke said as he drew his sword, "Hold it up for me."

Itachi did so, meeting Kisuke's gaze. "If things get out of hand…"

"Don't intervene," Kisuke interrupted, his expression now deadly serious, "I know Yoruichi wants you looking after me, and I appreciate that, but once this gets started, it's between me and Benihime. Stay out of it, no matter what happens. Do I have your word on that?"

There was a moment's pause before Itachi reluctantly nodded. "You do."

Kisuke then smiled again. "Good. Don't worry, Itachi. Using myself as a lab rat is half the fun!"

Itachi shook his head. "At least you're a more ethical mad scientist than Orochimaru… though that's a very low bar to clear."

"You should introduce us sometime," Kisuke remarked, sounding far too sincere for Itachi's liking, "I bet it'd be fun to compare research notes with him."

"You'd have better luck finding him in the Shinobi World than the afterlife," Itachi deadpanned, "That man sheds bodies like a snake sheds its skin… which is quite fitting with him. I don't know who or what will finally put him down, or where his soul will end up."

"A mystery to solve another time," Kisuke said, dropping into a thrusting stance, "You ready?"

Itachi nodded, bracing himself. "Whenever you are."

A moment of tense hesitation passed before Kisuke plunged his Zanpakutō into the Tenshintai. Itachi Flash Stepped away the instant that Kisuke's blade pierced the doll, expecting the worse, only for nothing to happen. For a second, Itachi wondered if Kisuke had been wrong.

Then there was a brilliant flash of crimson light…

…and the air within the training ground was suddenly filled with the most oppressive and sinister spiritual pressure Itachi had ever felt.

When the light faded, the doll was gone, and Benihime was revealed in all her dark glory. Towering over Kisuke, her long raven hair spilling out over her shoulders and down her back, eyes shut, pale skin clad in a flowing bloodred dress, she looked like nothing less than a baleful goddess. As Squad Two's Third Seat looked up at the manifestation of his Zanpakutō, a single silent second passed…

…before she fell upon him with malevolent fury.

Kisuke's Bankai training had begun.

A week later…

His private office in the family estate lit only by candles, Rhaegon Drakken paced anxiously back and forth. Events were now in motion, connections and allies cultivated over many long years were moving into position, and he could sense his enemies watching warily from the sidelines. After so much time spent forging ties, collecting favors, and making promises of future rewards, Rhaegon should have been elated that matters were at long last shifting from secret diplomacy towards concrete yet covert preparations for action. What he, his father, and other members of the Drakken Clan had dreamed of over the agonizing course of countless nights was now closer than ever to becoming reality; this was cause for celebration. It would have been, were it not for a most persistent fly in the proverbial ointment.

He paused and looked up at the map that hung across the back wall of his office. His gaze swept over the portrayal of the 'known' Soul Society, lingering uneasily over the territories of his family's chief rivals. If everything had gone according to plan, then he would not be gazing at the map guessing at the potential disposition of his opponents' forces going off haphazard reports and speculation; he would have the power to know every detail of the grand strategic picture without consulting such old fashioned and inherently incomplete methods.

Standing off to the side, his white cloaked advisor, the office's only other present occupant, seemed somewhat put off by Rhaegon's overt nervousness. "I thought you'd be in a better mood than this. Between the additional Valkyries slipping into the Seireitei undetected and your family's last holdout vassals falling into line, all the key players are falling into place. At a faster pace than we had originally projected, too. This is what you've wanted for quite some time now, yes?"

His advisor was right, yet Rhaegon couldn't share the sentiment. "How do we know that the Valkyries' arrival is truly unnoticed? How can I truly be certain of the latest commitments we've received? At this point in the plan, we were supposed to hold the means through which all those doubts and more could be decisively laid to rest."

"Ah, then the source of your disquiet is still the artifact," his companion surmised, "I know that it was given a place of prominence in your designs, and rightly so, yet it is not the centerpiece."

"No, but its importance cannot be overstated," Rhaegon pointedly countered, "You've said as much yourself in the past. Leave aside, momentarily, just how useful it would be in this stage of the plan, in precisely mapping our enemies' forces and countermeasures against us. Where it will be the most useful is that precious span of time immediately following our seizure of power. That window in which we consolidate our new position is the most dangerous, for our control will not be complete, and our foes will exploit that to strike back. It is inevitable; we cannot expect those who have been at the top for thousands of years to recede quietly into subservient positions."

The cloaked advisor respectfully inclined his head, glasses glimmering with reflected candlelight. "I understand your concern, but this was always going to be a factor regardless of whether or not we managed to unlock the artifact's power. Ideally, I would prefer we gain mastery over the Nalatarin before making our grand play, and there is still time to do that. You know this. Forgive me for prying, but I must ask; is this newfound trepidation of yours rooted in just our failures regarding the artifact, or do your doubts run deeper?"

Rhaegon grimaced as his gaze fell. "My brother…"

"Ah," the bespectacled man replied in understanding, a hint of mournfulness creeping into his voice, "Of course. I'm thankful that his condition has been improving these past few days. Even so, for the ritual to have failed and put him in such condition… I know I've said this more than once this past week, but I truly am sorry for what happened. I was so certain that we had finally cracked the legitimation ritual's secrets… it seems my knowledge is still incomplete, and now your brother suffers for it."

The cloaked figure then took a step forward. "Even so, I cannot help but note that your disquiet was surfacing even before this failure; if anything, the latest misstep has only amplified it. Now that we are near the brink, are you perhaps having second thoughts? With all due respect, the patriarch has demonstrated far firmer nerve as of late, and it is not like you to waver. Not in the dragon's blood, you once told me."

Rhaegon sighed wearily. "I did, didn't I? Wasn't even that long ago… what's happening to me? For years, I've been so sure of the path we're on, of its necessity and potential… until now. Now, I jitter and second-guess… I don't think I've felt this way since the day I first met Nayla. That… was so long ago."

"It is only natural to fear great change," his advisor offered in reassurance, "Whether it be entering into a relationship or embarking upon revolution, you are taking a similar step; leaving familiarity and venturing into the unknown. A status quo, whether it be personal or political, blankets us with the comfort of routine. It accustoms us to a set order, and those who accept it believe they've found their right place in the grand scheme of things. In a sprawling Web of Worlds, those that have ruled the Soul Society impose that order to keep what they perceive as the chaos of change at bay. With the cycle of souls in the balance, a degree of caution is always understandable, even prudent, but it can and has been overdone to the point of stifling any new growth. This is not healthy. All things must change and evolve. Like water, the world itself must flow ever onwards, otherwise it risks stagnation and rot. The Soul Society reached the point long ago where that stagnation and rot set in; the present state of affairs is proof enough of that. Our powers that be have dammed the river long enough, and now we must boldly breach it to secure our future and bring the river back to its proper course."

Rhaegon pondered his companion's words. "To the proper course… and we deem ourselves the ones who know it best. Our arrogance truly is remarkable, isn't it?"

"I would call it confidence," his friend countered, "How many years did you and I spend discussing the Soul Society's trajectory before we reached our conclusion? It was no snap decision on our part. We gave the matter all appropriate deliberation and then some. Regardless of any doubts we may have, that conclusion has not changed. The Soul Society has ossified; it is no longer capable of adaptation, and this will only grow worse. Head Captain Yamamoto and the Central Forty-Six may believe themselves to be stewards safeguarding the balance of souls, but the threats to that balance will not remain the same. They will evolve. Whether it be Hollows or some new human threat following in the Quincies' footsteps, the result is the same. They will continue to change and grow until, one day, they can challenge the us for supremacy. It's simply a matter of time."

Rhaegon slowly nodded. "A simple study of history shows as much. The ancient Quincy war forced the Head Captain and our forebears to evolve so that they could meet and vanquish the threat, and there were other challengers long before them. Since then, the Head Captain and Central Forty-Six have kept us continually ready to fight the last war. Even the recent Quincy hunts were carried out as nothing more than mop-ups to that old conflict. A footnote to it, if even that."

The cloaked man inclined his head. "Exactly. Even if the hunts were thorough, who's to say that they were completely comprehensive? The Web of Worlds is vast. The Quincies may come from only one Realm of the Living, but their powers rivaled that of us Soul Reapers; they could perfectly be capable of traversing the Web and hiding in Realms that we seldom patrol. Even if their extermination was complete, there is always the chance that another group within a different Realm could awaken similar powers, perhaps even have them bestowed through a being of a similar nature as the Quincies' ancient king. Even that man was not truly the first of his kind. Our official history states otherwise, of course, but you and I have delved deeply into the past that our rulers long suppressed; we know what has lurked in time's abyss. That is why the need for more imaginative and proactive leadership in the Soul Society is crucial."

Rhaegon exhaled in equal parts resignation and resolve. "It is… and it will not come through the established channels. The Head Captain may not be immortal, but I can't see him keeling over from supremely old age anytime soon. As for the Central Forty-Six, their selection process for new members was corrupted long ago. They ceaselessly filter for candidates who promise adherence to the status quo, and those promises are secured through unscrupulous dealings. The legal avenues for progress and reform are blocked. Anything the Central Forty-Six doesn't like, they either swat it down outright or send to committee for the slow, bureaucratic death. It's regrettable, but we're left with no choice. Peaceful evolution has become impossible, so we must force that evolution. That starts with clearing away the rot choking the lifeblood out of the Soul Society."

In the shadow of the bespectacled man's cowl, his lips curled into a small yet satisfied smile. "Our colleagues will revile us at first, but those who survive the coming transformation and pledge themselves to the new order we construct will thank us one day. Of course, we must first ensure our chances of success. That brings us back to our present difficulty; using the artifact. We must have our most powerful opponents' positions precisely mapped out when the moment to strike comes, otherwise we'll be sallying forth into the dark. The last attempt with your brother was an unfortunate failure, but it need not be a decisive one."

Rhaegon folded his arms, his eyes narrowing. "You have an idea."

"I do," his friend confirmed, "I've been reviewing our source texts with your archivists, and our mutual translations have revealed several potential permutations of the legitimacy ritual. They're confident, as am I, that we're finally on the right track. However, those permutations will need to be tested… and there is only one way to do that."

Rhaegon blew out his breath. "More rituals… more trial and error. My brother is in no shape for another attempt, and it would draw undue scrutiny if Father or myself were to suddenly fall 'ill' again. The same goes for Captain Starmont."

"I am aware of that," his advisor acknowledged, "At this delicate stage, it would be unwise to draw more attention directly towards you or the patriarch. I have other candidates in mind."

Rhaegon arched an eyebrow. "Other candidates? We can't just be bringing anyone in to serve as a test subject. Once they see the artifact, they become implicated in our conspiracy. They will be locked in, whether they like it or not, which means we need people we can completely trust in that role. That's a very narrow list of potential candidates."

"Confidentiality concerns were at the forefront of my considerations," the cloaked man assured him, "That is why my list of candidates are those with the greatest possible stake in your illustrious clan's future. They are its future, after all."

Rhaegon immediately realized where this was heading. "My brother's offspring… and my daughter."

The advisor spread his hands. "Who else?"

Rhaegon gritted his teeth. "I don't like this. It's one thing for Father, Brother, and myself to take these risks. We have the fortitude to bear the artifact's backlash if the ritual goes wrong. The youth do not yet possess that same resilience."

"I realize it's hardly ideal," his companion acknowledged, "but our options are running thin here. You and the patriarch could always volunteer, of course, but that would then invite the undue scrutiny you mentioned before."

"The same could be said for using my daughter in this experiment," Rhaegon growled, "or my nieces and nephew."

"I suppose there's always more distant relatives to consider," his advisor suggested, "Cadet branch members, or perhaps a favored officer in your clan's military forces… though that would involve widening the net substantially. I thought you wanted to ensure that the artifact could only be used by members of your immediate family. Then again, you did invite Captain Starmont to try when you first took possession. Maybe you'd be comfortable with another member of his clan getting a bite at this juicy apple?"

Rhaegon bristled. "Torrence is a close friend, and his family has moved into alliance with mine; that is why I trusted him enough to grant him access. He is the exception to the rule, though."

In the shadow of his cowl, Rhaegon's companion smirked. "Ah, of course. His thinking's more in line with yours than the rest of his cautious family, even if they are broadly backing you now. More to the point, you'd rather your clan hold an advantage over his. Even within our revisionist camp, you just can't keep yourself from playing the aristocratic game."

Rhaegon glowered at him. "You mock me?"

The cloaked man held up his hands. "I tease you. No more, no less. Surely a dragon such as yourself can take a bit of heat."

Rhaegon's scowl held for a few seconds before relenting. "Just remember your place. You are counsel in this affair, not the master. That role is mine and my father's. Do we understand each other?"

His advisor nodded. "Of course."

Rhaegon then turned towards one of the candles, regarding its slender, dancing light for a long moment. "The healers say that my brother should be well enough for conversation by tomorrow. I will broach this matter with Father first, then him. Enlisting his offspring would not be my first choice, but the other candidates are even less ideal. Then again, it may well be time to bring our youth in fully to this grand design. Their generation, and those following, stand to benefit the most from the work we're undertaking. It is only right that they help us bring the future into being."

In the dim light, his companion smiled. "I couldn't agree more."

….

A few weeks later…

Events were moving rapidly.

Between a marked uptick in 'family gatherings' and her siblings succumbing to the same 'illness' that had befallen her father and everyone else she suspected of using the Nalatarin, Visaelya felt positively overwhelmed. Her duties as a Soul Reaper seemed downright tame now compared to the maelstrom of drama engulfing the Drakken Clan, to the point that she found herself looking forward to missions these days, no matter how dangerous they might be. Hollows and Konsō were what she'd trained for, and she handled them well. Aristocratic family politics further poisoning the Seireitei with each passing day? Not so much.

Returning to the Squad Ten barracks from a Hollow hunt in the Realm of the Living known as Terra, Visaelya felt as though she was walking on eggshells. Moving quickly through the training yard, she glanced around nervously, dreading the potential sight of her uncle. It was him, after all, who had taken her brother and sister aside on separate occasions within the past two weeks, and now both were bedridden at home.

I once believed he would never cross that line, she thought as she entered her quarters and collapsed on her bed, using Gaerion and Vaemera like this. Is his daughter next? He probably still doesn't completely trust me, otherwise I likely would've been approached by now.

Visaelya took several deep breaths to calm herself. Was she overreacting? No; if anything, she was probably underselling the situation's gravity. She had no proof that her siblings' sudden illness was from using the artifact, but at this point, there was simply no viable alternative explanation. Gaerion and Vaemera had both been in perfect health. They'd even accompanied Visaelya on missions as recently as mere days before this 'illness' had struck them.

It wasn't a question of if they'd attempted to use the Nalatarin. No, what Visaelya really needed to know was whether or not that use had been wholly voluntary. She didn't want to imagine her uncle or grandfather, let alone her father, as being capable of forcing her siblings to use the artifact…

…but she'd been forced to make a lot of uncomfortable considerations the past year.

The notion that her family could go so far as stealing from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and almost killing a Soul Reaper in the process would've been utterly absurd to her just a year or so ago. That her uncle, clan patriarch and father would then use their heirs to unlock the secrets of what they'd stolen despite the very clear dangers posed was another unimaginable horror, but that line too had been crossed. Were there any ethical or moral limits left on the Drakken Clan's leadership? Visaelya could now honestly say that she did not know…

…and that was beyond terrifying for her.

I'm starting to understand why certain senior Soul Reapers love indulging in alcohol, she bitterly mused, I want nothing more than to drink myself into a stupor so I can forget about all of this. It'd do no good, of course… but it'd at least be a temporary reprieve.

She was so caught up in her dismal thoughts that a knock at the door nearly caused Visaelya to jump out of her robes. "Y-yes? Who is it?"

The voice of Squad Ten's second-in-command answered. "Lieutenant Dorel. I heard you just got back. Are you decent?"

"Just a second!" she hollered.

Going over to the small washroom she was afforded as a junior officer, she looked herself over in the mirror and brushed stray locks of long silver-blonde hair out of her face. Visaelya's verdict was that she still looked like hell, but right now, she couldn't be bothered to care; appearances were the least of her present concerns. She then went over to the door and slid it open to greet her visitor.

"Lieutenant," Visaelya said with a polite smile, "it's good to see you."

"Likewise," her superior replied, quickly looking her up and down, "Sorry to disturb you so soon after returning from your mission. I'm sure you'd prefer to rest right now."

That the dark and handsome officer was acting so polite without indulging in even a hint of his typical roguish charm was an alarm by itself for Visaelya, though she kept that concern hidden behind her mask of tired civility. "I won't deny that I was hoping to turn in early this evening, Lieutenant, but I'm at your service as ever. You're not here for a social call, right?"

Obran shook his head. "I'm afraid not. The Captain asked me to relay a message; he'd like to speak with you in his office."

Visaelya's fears were only amplified by that, but she refused to let them show, instead simply bowing to the Lieutenant. "I see. I'll head over right away. Did he say what matter he wishes to address with me?"

"Only that it was one he wanted to discuss in utmost privacy," the Lieutenant answered, "I can't say any more than that."

"I understand," Visaelya said as she stepped out of her quarters and slid the door shut behind her, "Best I be off, then. Good evening to you, Lieutenant."

Keep it together, she silently told herself as she made her way through the barracks, Uncle will be suspicious if you betray any hint of your true leanings. Play meek and passive, and let him make the first move.

She reached the office a few minutes later and lightly rapped her knuckles on the doorframe. "Captain? Ninth Seat Visaelya Drakken, reporting as requested."

There was a brief pause before her uncle's voice responded. "Come in."

Visaelya slid the door open and stepped inside. As she shut the door behind her, Visaelya found herself struck by her Uncle's appearance. Standing behind his desk, Squad Ten's Captain looked even more ragged and weary than Visaelya felt herself to be. His shoulder-length silver-blonde hair was uncharacteristically scattered and messy, while prominent shadows were beneath his violet eyes. Those eyes, normally brimming with confidence, were noticeably dim. Indeed, her Uncle's overall demeanor came across as deflated and somber, which was practically unheard of in Visaelya's experience with him.

He smiled as she drew near, but it seemed like a half-hearted one at best. "Thank you for coming so quickly. How was your hunt?"

"Successful," Visaelya replied with guarded neutrality, "Paris should be free of Hollows and lost souls for a little while, at least."

Rhaegon chuckled. "That city's long been a generator of and magnet for both, and the recent siege by the Prussians only made it worse. Although, I suppose I should call them 'Germans' now; so difficult to keep track of all the changing nations in that Realm of the Living. The reprieve you won them may not last long. Even so, the spirits there will know peace for a time. Well done. I would expect nothing less from you."

Visaelya inclined her head. "Thank you, sir. I'll write up my official report in the morning, if that's alright."

"No need to fret over the paperwork," Rhaegon said before gesturing to one of the chairs in front of his desk, "Please, have a seat."

Visaelya did so, taking a moment to carefully consider her next words. "If I may, sir… I'd like to know why you summoned me, if not for a mission debriefing."

Rhaegon smiled again, putting on a somewhat forced familial air. "Please, you need not keep up formalities when there are no outsiders present. I was simply hoping for a chance to chat with my niece. Do I need pretext for that?"

You 'hoping for a chance to chat' is almost certainly a pretext in and of itself, Visaelya silently accused, but if it's a game you want, Uncle, I'll play along.

"Of course not," she answered, loosening up her posture enough to give the appearance of relaxation, "We've hardly had any such chances, even after I transferred here. Duty is a cruel burden, especially on families."

Rhaegon nodded sagely. "How unfortunately true that is. All the more so, as of late; your schedule's barely given you time to visit your siblings."

"I was planning on rectifying that tomorrow," Visaelya said, "I have no missions scheduled beyond drills, so I wanted to use that chance to check in on Gaerion and Vaemera. I'd also like to see my father if his schedule permits it."

Rhaegon's smile grew. "How fortuitous. I was going to take time off tomorrow and spend the day at our estate. It would please me to no end if you'd join me. I'm sure your parents and siblings would be delighted."

Visaelya smiled in return even as quiet alarm began seeping from the back of her mind. "I'd very much like to accompany you. Will I be excused from my drills?"

"I'll have your duty roster cleared as soon as we're through here," Rhaegon confirmed, "We'll leave bright and early; it's been too long since either of us have had a chance to enjoy the family cooks' scrumptious breakfast."

Visaelya made a show of licking her lips in anticipation. "I heartily concur, Uncle. I can practically taste it already."

Rhaegon let slip a small laugh, and for a moment, it looked to Visaelya as though whatever fears and worries plaguing him had been brushed aside. "As can I."

He then took a deep breath, his expression sliding down into a dourer state. "After we've paid respects to our stricken kin, there's certain family business that I'll be attending to… and I'd like you to be a part of it. Before that invitation can be official, though, you must understand the gravity of it. I know you've been busy with field missions, Visaelya, but you've always been a clever woman; surely, you are not blind to our clan's present state of affairs."

Visaelya allowed a hint of her inner tension to come forth. "I understand that matters between our clan and the Soul Society's governing bodies have become… strained, as of late. Most unfortunate."

The corners of Rhaegon's lips twitched. "An understatement worthy of a diplomat. Perhaps you went down the wrong career path."

"Our family's tutors ensured my education was well-rounded," Visaelya pointedly answered, "and a little diplomacy can go a long way."

Rhaegon conceded the point. "Wise, to be sure. Unfortunately, diplomacy is a two-way street, one that our opposite numbers are no longer meeting us on."

Visaelya's eyes narrowed slightly; she had to play things very carefully here. "Is there a way for us to rectify that?"

She caught a faint glimmer in her Uncle's eyes, and his lips quirked the barest hint of a smile, which Visaelya found reassuring. "That is something the clan's leadership has been discussing frequently, and in detail. Not in isolation, either; we are not the only noble family to have suffered indignities at the hands of those who would deign to rule us. Simple slights are one thing, and to be expected in the game our elite play. To be regarded with thinly veiled hostility, though, for those who we have served alongside over thousands of years protecting the balance of souls so seek our marginalization, our subjugation… it is a bridge too far."

"And how does our family and allies seek to address this intolerable situation?" Visaelya asked.

"By embracing that which the Central Forty-Six has long sought to suppress," Rhaegon answered with growing confidence, "There was a time when that council understood what the Soul Society truly needed to prosper and thrive, and what was required to properly watch over the Web of Worlds. Now, though, they have become so concerned with maintaining their stranglehold over power in the Soul Society that they threaten to choke the very life from those who wish for nothing more than to protect our home and the balance of souls with the full might of our illustrious houses. We are restrained by edicts and rulings from a governing body that cares more about keeping its lofty position than it does with fulfilling the purpose for which it was created in the first place!"

Perhaps belatedly aware that his passion was getting the better of him, Rhaegon then cleared his throat, his previously growing fervor now markedly restrained. "All this is to say, my dear niece, that we have looked to the past for inspiration and solutions against the suffocation of the present power structure, and we have found them. Our family and those who support us labor daily to turn those discoveries into practical tools through which we can save the Soul Society from its present decay, to breathe new life into a body that is foundering. Not for the sake of our own power, but for all souls across the Web of Worlds. We have taken upon ourselves a grand yet somber purpose, Visaelya, and all members of our family must play their part."

Visaelya recognized the moment of truth upon her, and she solemnly bowed. "I understand, Uncle. Whatever my family asks of me, I will serve. To honor my forebears and kin, what strength I possess is theirs, and I only pray that it is enough."

Rhaegon broke out into a genuinely proud smile, simultaneously granting Visaelya reassurance in the success of her performance and stabbing her heart with fresh pangs of guilt. "I promise you, my dear niece, that your service will be eternalized in our family's grand annals when this is all over. The same goes for your siblings and all our kin who take part in this endeavor. When tomorrow comes, you will finally take your rightful place in the Drakken Clan's inner circle, and you will fully grasp the grand purpose to which you are called."

….

The following day…

"This was not the plan," Soi-Fon growled as she lay prone next to Neji, "We need to get her out of there. Her cover must be compromised."

Neji's gaze remained focused on the Drakken Clan estate, Byakugan active as he monitored Visaelya's spirit energy. "I don't think so. From what I can tell, she doesn't appear to be restrained; she's moving about the estate freely. Often in Captain Drakken's presence, but not always. Granted, there have been gaps in my surveillance."

When Visaelya had left a dead-drop notice the night before outlining what had transpired between herself and her Uncle, Yoruichi had wasted no time in summoning the inner circle for an emergency meeting in the secret training ground. Soi-Fon, convinced that Visaelya's family was onto her, had wanted to find some pretext for having her postpone visiting the estate, but Yoruichi had overruled her. Her Lady's reasoning had been the tone of Visaelya's message; the woman seemed confident that her uncle and the rest of her kin remained blind to her being a double agent, and she wanted to exploit this opportunity. Soi-Fon could admire Visaelya's courage, but she feared that her comrade was making a grave mistake.

As a precaution, Yoruichi had positioned Itachi and Shisui nearby. Officially, they were on Seireitei patrol, their designated route for today being through the aristocratic quarter. Unofficially, they were waiting for Soi-Fon to signal them with Tenteikūra the moment Neji spotted anything that suggested Visaelya was in danger. If said signal went out, the two of them would infiltrate the mansion and extract their friend. The fallout from such action would be immense and volatile, but none of them were about to abandon Visaelya to the wolves… or dragons, in this case.

"How are your eyes?" Soi-Fon asked.

"Doing alright," said Neji before rolling into his back, removing the black band, and pulling out small bottle with a tapered end, "My clan's special eyedrops are more potent than I expected."

Soi-Fon watched in idle curiosity Neji squeezed the bottle, with drops of light blue liquid falling into his eyes. From what the former Shinobi had briefly told her before their impromptu surveillance mission started, it was a secret solution devised during the Warring States period enabling Hyūga clan members to ease the strain on their eyes that inevitably resulted from prolonged use of the Byakugan. Neji still needed recovery periods before using his special eyes again, but not only were those recovery periods markedly shorter than usual, but he could then use the Byakugan's powers for considerably longer than normal.

The eyedrops were not the only new tool in Neji's inventory. When their hastily convened observation mission had begun, Soi-Fon had seen him removed a pair of colored lenses from his eyes. Developed by Kisuke, they were meant to obscure the true nature of Neji's eyes should anyone somehow manage to sneak a peek beneath the false blindfold. The lenses gave his eyes the appearance of having cataracts, further selling the illusion of Neji being blind. From what Soi-Fon understood, Neji could still see even with those lenses, but he had to remove them for his clan's special eyedrops to have the desired effect of shortening the Byakugan's recovery time. As a result, the contact lenses were only meant to be worn while Neji was in settings such as the Seireitei, where the need to obscure the Byakugan from others was most acute.

"I'll need a few minutes," Neji noted as he rolled back over and pocketed the little bottle.

Soi-Fon nodded. "What was her last position?"

"One of the upper-floor bedrooms," Neji answered, "She was standing over another with a similar spirit energy signature, though weaker. Probably one of her siblings."

One of those that tried to use the artifact, Soi-Fon thought, which would make them accomplices in this affair now… unless the family forced them to use it. Even then, would the Central Forty-Six consider that sufficiently mitigating circumstances to not sentence them? If not…

She forced those considerations from her mind; she had more pressing matters at hand. "Did you see the Nalatarin earlier?"

"I did," Neji confirmed, "It was still in the patriarch's study. Visaelya hasn't gone anywhere near it so far."

Soi-Fon pondered this information. When word of Visaelya's siblings falling 'ill' had reached them, Squad Two's circle of conspirators had assumed the worst-case scenario. As Visaelya's dead-drop message had indicated her joining Captain Drakken at the family estate for more than just a social call, there was a very strong possibility that she would be asked, or perhaps compelled, to use the artifact herself. Was the family now so desperate to unlock its powers that they were using their youngest generation as test subjects? The present state of Visaelya's siblings pointed towards that, but Rhaegon's daughter was not reported to be suffering any similar 'illness'. If Visaelya was pressured to use the Nalatarin and fell victim to its defenses, would Saenenya be next on the list, or would Captain Drakken keep her away from such danger?

Just how far were they willing to go?

Soi-Fon did not have an answer…

…and she found that to be terrifying.

"Okay," Neji said after a few more minutes had passed, "Ready to resume surveillance."

Soi-Fon watched in mild fascination as the veins near Neji's temples began to bulge, signaling the Byakugan's activation. The special eyes that seemed so highly prized within the Shinobi Realm of the Living were curious indeed, with Soi-Fon marveling at their practical applications. She was already accustomed to Itachi's use of the Sharingan in both field operations and suspect interrogations, but her exposure to Neji's Byakugan was much more limited. At first glance, the Hyūga Clan's Kekkei Genkei seemed more limited in the scope of its capabilities when compared to the Uchiha Clan's Sharingan, but Neji's brief period of service so far in Squad Two had already gone a long way towards demonstrating its incredible utility. She found herself wondering if Squad Two and the Stealth Force could find a way to recruit more members of Neji's clan; Soi-Fon was already imagining what multiple Byakugan users acting in concert could achieve for both field operations and internal investigations or surveillance work.

I should bring it up with Lady Yoruichi later, she mused, though I wouldn't be surprised if it's something that she's already considered.

"Do you have her?" Soi-Fon asked a moment later.

"I do," Neji confirmed, "She just left that bedroom. Two people are with her, both with potent spirit energy. One more so than the other… I think it's Captain Drakken."

Soi-Fon's eyes narrowed. "Where are they going?"

"Downstairs," Neji answered, "Speaking of which, looks like people are starting to gather in the main hall. A few dozen, at least… and growing."

Soi-Fon waited patiently as Neji continued his observation, with her companion soon providing another update. "Visaelya's group is on the ground floor now. They've reached the main hall… now everyone's on the move. Hold on… they're heading underground."

Soi-Fon could feel herself tensing up and forced a deep breath to calm herself. "What do you think? Is it a trap?"

Neji shook his head. "Based on the behavior of everyone's spirit energy, I don't think so."

Soi-Fon eyed him curiously. "Explain."

Neji obliged. "Spirit energy, like chakra, can be influenced by someone's emotional state. Us Hyūga use that to determine if someone is about to attack. Typically, chakra or spirit energy will circulate through one's pathways quicker if the user is preparing to strike, or even if they're simply on guard. From what I'm seeing, the spirit energy of the people surrounding Visaelya is circulating at normal levels. If this was a trap, then that circulation would speed up, even if only slightly."

Soi-Fon sighed. "Makes sense. Still… I don't like it."

Despite her misgivings, there was little Soi-Fon could do but wait now. Action on their part would blow Visaelya's cover, and Yoruichi had made it clear they would only intervene as a last resort. Until then, they had to trust that Visaelya had the situation in hand.

Soi-Fon could only hope that she did.

….

The chamber Visaelya's family had chosen as its meeting room was one that she had only seen sparingly in the past. A long rectangular room lit by torches set in decorative stone-carved dragonhead-style mounts, its floor made up by broad and finely-polished granite tiling, its far end consisting of a dais with steps leading down from both sides. On the wall behind the raised section normally hung a crimson tapestry with a stylized golden-embroidery image of a dragon. For this occasion, that tapestry had a companion; a dark blue one with a wolf's head woven in silver thread. That change alone rang major alarms in Visaelya's head, and it wasn't the only cause for concern.

Every member of her immediate family, save for her stricken siblings, were present. Much of her extended family, including cadet branches that normally weren't seen outside the Drakken Clan's Principality, were also in attendance. Visaelya's head felt like it was on a swivel as she strained to account for everyone in the room. Several of the attendees were representatives of vassal houses, even including Lord Aegagor Gaelnaeros of the notorious Blind Dragons. That the head of a disgraced vassal house had been invited to such a meeting was another disconcerting sign, though a less prominent one than it normally would've been thanks to the other notable guests, both standing on the dais behind Visaelya's father, uncle, and grandfather.

One was no less a figure than Squad Eleven's Captain himself. The tall, muscular, and rugged ninth Kenpachi cut a brooding figure, and Visaelya couldn't help but note that he seemed in a somewhat disheveled state similar to her uncle. His long and dark brown hair had a slightly wilder look to it than usual, like he'd slept fitfully and couldn't be bothered to clean up after awaking. He hadn't shaved for what must've been several days judging by the scruffy beard, and while it could've been a trick of the torchlight, Visaelya thought she saw deep shadows beneath his eyes. It was hardly the sort of image that a prominent member of a Great Noble House, especially one that was also a Captain, would normally want to present at a meeting with another Great Noble House, even one that was considered a close ally. Torrence Starmont might've been considered a brutish warrior, exactly the sort that Squad Eleven strived for in its leadership, but Visaelya had seen him at formal gatherings before, and he usually put in more care for the appearance he'd present at such events than this. What did the lack of care in this case say? It would've been easy for the host family to consider it a mild insult, but no one seemed to be paying it any mind here, which to Visaelya was just another sign of the present situation's gravity.

As for the other notable guest…

…it was nothing less than a Valkyrie.

More accurately, no less a Valkyrie than the Order's leader herself.

Lady Sigrún, like Captain Starmont, had not said so much as a word throughout the meeting thus far, but her silent presence spoke volumes. Though she was suppressing her power, Visaelya still felt an electric tingle in the air from her immense spiritual pressure. How in the name of the Soul King had she been snuck into the estate without Visaelya detecting her presence until literally being in the same room as her? Yes, she was the oldest and therefore most experienced of the Valkyries, so Visaelya assumed that meant her ability to reign in her spiritual pressure was considerable, but when one reached her level of power it simply wasn't possible to completely mask their presence. Was it some trick of Valkyrie spellcasting that the Order kept secret for occasions such as this, or were masking devices or suppressive tools involved? Having studied the Valkyrie while listening to her uncle and the other speakers throughout the meeting, Visaelya couldn't see anything out of the ordinary on her, but that didn't mean much; between her armor and folded wings, there were plenty of spaces where Sigrún could hide things.

Then again, as incredible as it seemed, even the presence of the Valkyries' leader was a secondary concern compared to the ongoing meeting itself. Visaelya's mind had already gone to some dark and foreboding places the night before as she'd tried to anticipate just what her uncle would be dragging her into, but the reality was all laid out before her now, and it was the very worst possible scenario.

Her family was plotting a coup.

And now they were dragging its youngest generation into the scheme.

Her brother and sister weren't present thanks to the consequences of them being pressured into using the Nalatarin, but from what Rhaegon had told Visaelya just prior to the meeting, they had been initiated into the family's 'grand design' quite recently. Visaelya had not spotted Saenenya in attendance, but if the Drakken Clan's wayward princess had been brought into the fold, then surely it was just a matter of time before Rhaegon's own daughter would be as well.

We'll all be implicated now, Visaelya silently despaired, even if we wanted no part of this dastardly business. Uncle, Grandfather… Father…

…do you have any idea what you're calling down upon our heads with this madness!?

It had been a long time since the Soul Society had seen anything approaching rebellion, and for good reason. The Central Forty-Six's policy of extermination against the Quincy remnants, and the sheer brutality with which Head Captain Yamamoto had prosecuted both that campaign and the original war of nearly nine centuries ago, had served more than one purpose. That vicious slaughter was not only a message to whatever other external enemies besides Hollows that the Soul Society may have, but also to those within; try anything, and you will be shown no quarter. As far as a deterrence policy went, it was hard to see just how a more effective one could've been crafted.

That deterrence should have lost none of its potency; the Head Captain might've put on a few more centuries, but given just how incredibly long he had lived, no one could've imagined that his strength was diminished. At least, no one sane could've imagined that. Yet here the Drakken Clan was, contemplating what Visaelya considered to be the peak of insanity. What she had heard and was continuing to hear as the meeting went on could only mean one thing; that her family believed they had the might which was required to challenge the mightiest pillar of the Soul Society's power.

Visaelya's mind frantically ran the calculations in her head, trying to understand just how her clan had reached such a ludicrous conclusion. If Captain Starmont and Sigrún's presence was meant to symbolize that the north's ruling house and the Order of the Valkyries were behind them, then that did grant a significant boost to the Drakken Clan's literal firepower. Yet they would be going up against a man whose primary weapon was widely regarded as not only the pinnacle of fire-type Zanpakutōs, but an instrument of nothing less than apocalyptic might at full strength. Even its Shikai could reduce entire regions to scorched and barren wastelands, and if even half the rumors Visaelya had heard about Head Captain Yamamoto's Bankai were to be believed, then the man might as well be the walking embodiment of Armageddon.

The only hope, and it was the slimmest shred of hope, for success against the Head Captain, at least in Visaelya's mind, would be bringing the entirety of the Drakken and Starmont Clan's special assets into play against him. That meant every Valkyrie and every dragon, and while she might be uncertain regarding the whereabouts of the former, Visaelya was certain about the latter. It simply wasn't possible to house ever dragon and lesser drake at her family's command within the Seireitei. Leaving aside the absurdity of trying to sneak such behemoths into the Seireitei and thus committing a treaty violation that would be impossible to miss, the sheer task of feeding a large group of such massive creatures was a logistical nightmare that broke all bounds of credibility and reality. Within days at most, the dragons and drakes would have no choice but to begin gorging themselves on the Seireitei's inhabitants and those of the Rukon District if they wanted to survive, and that would incite an uprising of truly monumental scale.

In short, what her family appeared to be after simply could not be done.

And yet they were plotting it just the same.

Even worse, much to her horror, the meeting had revealed that Visaelya and her siblings were meant to be instruments in that plot. Central to the scheme was being able to know exactly where the Head Captain was so that a coordinated and overwhelming strike could be made against him, and the Nalatarin was the key. However, the artifact remained locked to the Drakken Clan, debilitating all who tried to use it. As Visaelya had feared, her father and siblings were used as experimental subjects as her uncle and grandfather made continuous adjustments to the legitimation ritual that was meant to bring the Nalatarin's incredible powers under their command. Her uncle had spoken in grandiose terms before those gathered before him of how Gaerion and Vaemera had bravely volunteered for the task, but the periodic glares Visaelya's distraught mother had been covertly shooting Rhaegon's way throughout the meeting suggested that the word 'volunteer' was doing some considerable work. Now, Nayla Drakken's violet eyes were spiting Rhaegon with that same venom as he proudly announced to the assembled crowd that Visaelya would take on the dangerous task.

As Rhaegon beckoned Visaelya forward, Nayla suddenly gripped her arm. "No. You don't have to go along with this."

Visaelya took a deep breath. She very much wanted to side with her mother on this one, but Visaelya also recognized what this really meant. In accepting her uncle's invitation to this meeting, she'd already crossed the point of no return. If she tried to back out, she'd be viewed with suspicion, possibly even confined to keep her from leaking word of what she'd heard here. Of course, that would then raise new issues for the Drakken Clan; the absence of Squad Ten's Ninth Seat would be noted, and the family's conspirators would have to come up with increasingly elaborate cover stories the longer it went on. More importantly, her position as Squad Two's off-the-books agent within the Drakken Clan would be compromised, and she'd be unable to warn her friends as to what was coming. Whether she liked it or not, Visaelya's choice had already been made.

So, she faced her mother, smiled softly, and shook her head. "Mother… I appreciate you trying to protect me. I really, really do. Even so, I cannot turn my back on our clan in its hour of need."

Visaelya then stepped forward, the crowd parting to allow her passage. Head held high, she put on the air of the Drakken Clan's proud heiress, of the youngest generation's eldest daughter and the hope for its future.

The hope that would betray them in the name of the Soul Society.

They are the traitors, the spirit of her Zanpakutō whispered, in the name of their ambition. The path you're on to stop them is necessary. They have no one to blame but themselves; they're the ones who have put you in this position.

And I am the one who has chosen to act against them. I may be serving a higher purpose, but that purpose still involves me turning against my kin. Let's not pretty this up. It's dirty business for all involved, and I just want to get it over with.

It was fortunate that Rhaegon did not ask Visaelya to speak as she took her place next to him on the dais, for words were beyond her at the moment. Instead, her uncle went into a new speech, praising Visaelya's resolve, gushing with pride and joy as he pronounced her fully taken into the fold. To him and all others present, Visaelya was where she finally belonged. They were words that would've sent her heart soaring years ago.

Now, though, they only served to unwittingly twist the knife.

….

"The meeting's dispersing," Neji reported, "Looks like Visaelya's fine."

Soi-Fon let slip a quiet sigh of relief. "That's good. What's she doing now?"

"She's still in the company of some powerful people," Neji answered, "Captain Drakken for certain, possible her clan patriarch as well. One of the others… I think it's another Captain."

Squad Eleven's, no doubt, Soi-Fon thought, I can't imagine any other Captain being invited to a Drakken Clan meeting.

Soi-Fon ground her teeth. "Then she's not out of the woods yet. Are they staying underground?"

"Hold on," Neji said, "Hmm… they're heading for the stairs now, so no."

Soi-Fon waited patiently, with Neji giving another update a minute or so later. "They're at the top floor now."

Soi-Fon bit back a curse; if Visaelya was being taken where Soi-Fon suspected she was, then it meant their timetable regarding the Drakken Clan and the Nalatarin was about to be drastically accelerated.

Sure enough, Soi-Fon got confirmation from Neji just a moment later. "No doubt now; she's being taken to the patriarch's study."

Soi-Fon closed her eyes for a moment, considering options. The danger Visaelya faced was clear; the condition her kin had been in following use of the artifact was proof enough of that. However, none of her family members had died, and in fact had all eventually recovered from their attempts to unlock the Nalatarin's power. If Captain Drakken was taking his niece to the artifact, then it most likely meant that her cover remained intact. Her family would only reveal the Nalatarin to her if they trusted her, and it was vital to keep that trust intact until the moment to move against the conspiracy's ringleaders came. Now Soi-Fon knew that moment would be soon; it would simply be a matter of waiting for Visaelya to recover from the artifact's defenses so she could then deliver her eyewitness testimony and set the endgame into motion.

Despite everyone's concerns for Visaelya's safety, Soi-Fon knew what call she had to make. "Keep your focus on her. If they have her use the artifact, see where they take her afterwards. It'll be good to know where they have her resting should we need to extract her, but we won't make that move unless Lady Yoruichi orders it."

There was a moment of hesitation before Neji acknowledged her. "Understood."

It's not at all how we originally planned for things to go, Soi-Fon thought, but if we play this right, then we can wrap up this whole damn affair ahead of schedule. Visaelya, hang in there.

You just need to play your part for a little longer.

….

As befitted the position, the Drakken Clan patriarch's private study was well-appointed. Stepping inside while flanked by her uncle, grandfather, Captain Starmont, and a handful of who the meeting had shown to be the conspiracy's most fervent advocates, Visaelya took a moment to admire the chamber. A desk carved from the most expensive hardwoods to be found in the Drakken Clan's Principality was set along the far wall, polished finely enough to reflect the light of candles mounted behind and above it. Shelves filled to overflowing with books and scrolls lined the walls, while above them hung long black tapestries with scarlet and gold embroidery depicting dragons soaring beneath the sun. The floor in the room's center was dominated by a wide circular red, its center composed of red while the rim was outlined in two black loops, woven in between which were silver runes. Jutting out from the walls on either side of the doorway were torch-holders carved in the style of dragon heads, as could be found throughout the mansion, though in this case they came with the added luxury of rubies set where eyes would have been on the creatures that inspired them.

None of the fine trappings were worth more than a cursory glance now, though. No, Visaelya only had eyes for what was set in the center of the fine rug. Six long, slender rods with glowing blue crystals were arrayed in a circle, and in the middle of that circle was an object draped in a dark grey sheet. It rose to roughly Visaelya's upper torso, and the noticeable pointed tip was a glaring hint as to what the sheet was concealing. The energy she could feel pulsing beneath that sheet removed any lingering shreds of doubt.

How ironic, she bitterly mused, I was so worried about how Shisui and I would pull off the infiltration, and then Uncle ushers me in himself. All that planning, only for my family to throw open the door for me. He might as well be serving up what I'm seeking on a silver platter. Now, I take my taste…

…and pray that I survive the poisoned fruit.

….

"Status?" Soi-Fon prodded.

"Visaelya's in the center of the room," Neji reported, "The others have fanned out around her in a circle. Captain Drakken's moved next to the artifact."

"And the artifact itself?" Soi-Fon asked.

"Its energy is steady for the moment," Neji answered before pausing, "No… wait a second…"

The hairs on the back of Soi-Fon's neck began rising in alert. "Neji?"

"Captain Drakken must've done something," Neji said, "The artifact's spirit energy is flaring up now. I… I think it's reaching out to Visaelya."

Then the ritual's begun, Soi-Fon thought, I hope Visaelya can endure it.

….

It wasn't at all what Visaelya had expected.

When her uncle had unveiled the Nalatarin and commenced the ritual, Visaelya had been braced for an immediate attack. At first, that fear appeared to be validated as she felt the artifact's energy intensify. Focusing on the artifact as her uncle had instructed, Visaelya had initially felt a powerful pull, as if the Nalatarin was exerting its own gravity. Then, her surroundings and everyone else in the room faded, and she found herself standing in a black void, with only the Nalatarin for company, the pyramidal device providing illumination courtesy of the red, orange, and blue energy swirling within its dark green shell. That energy then started passing through the artifact's surface as if it wasn't even there, reaching out and surrounding her like the tentacles of one of those strange oversized creatures Visaelya had occasionally heard of the fisherfolk in her clan's Principality hauling to shore. They wafted around her, as if floating on an unfelt breeze, their ends slowly but surely converging on Visaelya's head. She forced her eyes to remain open as they inevitably made contact, prepared for the worst. For pain, nausea, frigid cold or searing heat; whatever the artifact would throw at her.

She found none of that.

Instead, a voice began speaking in her head. It was slightly high pitched, and it was difficult for Visaelya to tell if it was male or female. What struck her the most was that the voice seemed almost childlike, in both speech and tone.

"Friend?"

Visaelya blinked; had she heard it right?

She got her answer a second later.

"You are… friend of friend?"

Before Visaelya could formulate an answer, the void surrounding her and the artifact suddenly became a swirling riot of colors. Her world spun, and Visaelya was momentarily overcome with dizziness, but the spiraling panoramic canvass then began to stabilize, resolving itself into an image that Visaelya immediately recognized.

She saw three people standing in a chamber suffused with eerie, icy-blue light. The trio were Soul Reapers, and quite familiar ones at that; Shisui Uchiha, Aika Hirata, and none other than Visaelya herself.

It's the tower where we found the artifact, she realized, the exact moment… what does this mean?

"Friend saved from tower. From monster."

Visaelya then saw herself and Aika shrink slightly in prominence, while Shisui's image was magnified. That was when she remembered; Shisui had entered the chamber first. Shisui had seen the Nalatarin first.

Visaelya's jaw dropped as a wild thought occurred. "No way… could it be?"

The reason that her family had been unable to use the artifact had been chalked up to mistranslating the ritual requirements, but what if it was something much simpler? The Nalatarin had been locked away in that accursed tower for millennia, with only the wraith and wights for company. Whoever its legitimate owner once was had doubtlessly been turned into one of the abomination's wretched servants…

…and the Nalatarin had been bereft of a replacement ever since.

My family's been treating the Nalatarin as though it's a tool, she thought, the pieces falling into place, one that has an overly complicated lock. This whole time, that's been the wrong perspective. The Nalatarin's a living being… strange as it may seem.

"Where is friend? Take to friend?"

The mixture of red, orange, and blue energy swirling within the artifact suddenly became clear as clean spring water.

"Can help find friend."

Not a question this time, but an offer.

One that Visaelya knew she had to reject.

"I can't," she whispered, "I'm sorry."

"Why?"

The ethereal voice now tore at Visaelya's heart. Her treachery would now be twofold. Not only did her choice mean she'd be sabotaging her family, but she would be denying this childlike entity the one thing it had sought for years; to be with someone it trusted, who made it feel safe. In that brief moment at the tower, Shisui had become just that for this relic of a bygone age. He, and to a lesser extent Visaelya and Aika, had become a ray of light for whatever presence inhabited the artifact after millennia spent in what she could only imagine to be all-consuming fear.

And, for the sake of her mission, Visaelya had to slam the door on that ray of light.

"I can't," she repeated softly, suddenly finding herself fighting back tears, "I'm sorry."

The whirling mixture of colors returned to the artifact; its defenses were back up. As her mind was suddenly assailed by blinding light and sharp pain, as her legs gave out and her world spun again, Visaelya felt like she could both laugh and cry. All her family's efforts to unlock the Nalatarin's powers and use it for their conspiracy, not to mention the very act of theft that had set the dangerous spiral of escalating tensions within the Soul Society into motion to begin with, had been for nothing. The artifact had chosen its legitimate wielder long before the Drakken Clan had even gotten their hands on it.

And that wielder was a man who would never give them what they wanted.

….

"She just went down," Neji reported, "Out cold, but alive."

Soi-Fon nodded. "How much longer can you keep her in sight?"

"Probably another five minutes at most," Neji answered, "Looks like they're picking her up now."

"Watch her for as long as you can," Soi-Fon ordered, "See where they take her. Once you've confirmed where they've put her, we'll withdraw."

"Understood," Neji acknowledged.

We're on a countdown now, Soi-Fon thought, and need to prepare accordingly. When Visaelya awakens and reports back, we'll have to act immediately. Even in the best-case scenario, things will get ugly…

…and I'm not the type who bets on best-case scenarios.

….

A few days later…

Jiraiya had not intended to be stealthy, but he still managed to scare poor Isane as he strolled up to the entrance of Squad Four's barracks. "Goodness, Jiraiya! Perhaps you could give a proper greeting next time? I could do with a bit less stress."

He chuckled in response, hoping to set her at ease. "Sorry about that. For what it's worth, I waved when I saw you, but you didn't notice."

Isane hung her head in shame. "How careless of me. Captain Unohana's told me before to be more mindful of my surroundings."

"I'm surprised you're out at this late hour," Jiraiya remarked, gesturing down the pathway he'd seen her approaching from, "What's the lovely Captain got you up to?"

"I just finished dropping off some reports at Squad One's barracks," she explained, "We've completed treatment for the last of their wounded members, and the Head Captain's always insistent on prompt notification."

Jiraiya nodded in understanding. "The ones who fought off that Hollow ambush a few days ago, right? Heard that was a pretty tough engagement."

Isane sighed wearily. "Yes, and the resulting injuries reflected that. We were pulling all-nighters until the worst were stabilized. I hope things calm down for a bit."

Unlikely, Jiraiya thought, masking the grim thoughts with a pleasant smile, and it may be more than wounds caused by Hollows that you end up treating soon.

"Well, don't let me keep you up any later, then," he said, "You should turn in for the night."

"I plan to shortly," Isane heartily concurred, "If you don't mind me asking, Jiraiya, what brings you here?"

Jiraiya grinned. "Come on, Isane; what's the only reason I ever swing by here for? Apart from getting a chance to see you, anyway!"

Isane's face flushed as she looked down in embarrassment. "Oh, you…"

She shook her head and cleared her throat a moment later, trying and failing to completely rid her face of its scarlet hue. "You're here for Captain Unohana, then. She didn't mention anything about inviting you over this evening."

"That's because I'm not invited," Jiraiya elaborated, "It's more a spur of the moment thing. Think she's available by now?"

Isane nodded. "She should be, though I would ask that you try not to impose upon her too much. These past few days have been busier for her than I."

"I promise to be a considerate gentleman," Jiraiya vowed.

Isane let slip a soft laugh and rolled her eyes. "Right. You know I read your books, right? You're many things, Jiraiya, but a gentleman? That needs some work."

Jiraiya placed a hand over his heart and gave an exaggerated wince. "Oof, that hurts, Isane! When did you develop such a sharp tongue?"

Isane winked. "Captain Unohana's been giving me pointers in how to deal with rogues like you."

Jiraiya chuckled and inclined his head. "She's taught her student well."

Isane hastily turned back towards the barracks, and Jiraiya could have sworn he caught a glimpse of her blush returning to prominence. "I still have to much learn, and learning's difficult when I'm sleep deprived. I'm going to get some rest. It was nice to see you again, Jiraiya."

Jiraiya grinned impishly as she set off. "Sweet dreams!"

He waited a few seconds to allow her a decent lead before entering the barracks courtyard. It was mostly empty, save for a handful of Soul Reapers who were passing through on various errands. One of them waved in recognition, which Jiraiya acknowledged in kind as he headed towards the Captain's office.

Reaching it a minute or so later, he lightly rapped his knuckles on the doorframe. "Care for a visitor, Captain?"

"Normally, I'd refuse at this time of night," a familiar female voice responded, "but I wouldn't mind making an exception for you, Jiraiya."

He heard faint footsteps beyond before the door slid open, revealing the lady of the hour in all her serene beauty and with a pleasant smile by way of greeting. "Welcome, Jiraiya. I wasn't expecting you tonight. Mikoto had a lesson this evening, not you. You just missed her, in fact."

"How is she?" Jiraiya asked, "It's been a while since I last had the chance to chat with her."

"Her lessons are coming along well," Unohana answered as she stepped aside and gestured for Jiraiya to enter, "She does seem a bit distracted as of late, though."

"Well, with all that's been going on, there's plenty for her to be distracted over," Jiraiya remarked while she shut the door behind him.

"Without a doubt," Unohana concurred before nodding at the low-set table to the side of her office, "Please, make yourself comfortable. I'll have tea prepared shortly."

Jiraiya settled in and patiently waited, with Unohana returning several minutes later. A pot with whisps of steam curling upwards was in hand, and she had their drinks poured soon enough.

"Thank you," Jiraiya said as he took a sip, "I have missed your tea."

"I've missed sharing it with you," Unohana replied, holding his gaze as she partook in her drink, "I'm all for a social call, Jiraiya, but I have to wonder if that's purely why you're here. If you don't mind me saying so, you're looking about as distracted as Mikoto. Tell me, what troubles you?"

Jiraiya took a deep breath, putting his thoughts in order. "I came here from the Drakken Clan estate. You heard about Ninth Seat Visaelya's condition, right?"

Unohana inclined her head, her expression softening. "Of course. When her sudden illness was announced, I offered my services, but the family rebuffed me… just as it has regarding other members of the family who've suffered this same strange affliction over the past year. How is she?"

Jiraiya sighed. "Still unconscious, but I was told she's at least stable. Family's healers seem to think she'll wake up sometime in the next few days."

"I hope it's soon," Unohana said, eyeing him curiously, "I know Ninth Seat Visaelya is a friend from your Academy days, but I'm rather surprised that the Drakken Clan allowed you to pay a visit. They've been remarkably tight-lipped regarding this strange illness that's been tormenting their family."

Jiraiya smiled sheepishly. "Well, it turns out several of the family members are fans of my literary works… and one of them happens to be her mother. She's even written me in the past praising my stories. When I learned of Visaelya's condition, I sent a letter to her expressing condolences and my wish to check in out of concern for a close friend. Luckily for me, Lady Nayla Drakken was eager to accommodate that wish."

Left unsaid was that Jiraiya's actions had been prompted by more than just friendly concern. Shisui and Itachi were both keen to check up on Visaelya, but them still being part of Squad Two meant that the two of them suddenly showing up under these circumstances risked raising suspicions within the Drakken Clan. Jiraiya's position as a member of Squad Eight combined with his growing fame as an author whose risqué novels were favored by Visaelya's kin gave him an opening that the Uchiha lacked, and he was more than willing to exploit it. From what he had seen, Visaelya was being treated well. Slumbering in what he had learned was her childhood room and constantly attended to by at least one of the family's healers, the Drakken Clan appeared to be handling her as they would any other of their stricken kin, which was as good a sign as any that her cover remained intact.

Unohana knew nothing of Squad Two's off-the-books investigation or Jiraiya's links to it, of course, yet the way she looked at him now suggested that she at least suspected more was at play than he'd let on. "I see. Far be it from to question how you use your fame, especially if it's in the service of a close friend. I imagine poor Lady Nayla must be beside herself, along with her husband. Now all their children have been stricken by this mysterious malady. I suppose they can at least take comfort in the fact that their other scions have been on the mend recently, or so I've heard. If Gaerion and Vaemera are on the road to recovery, then that bodes well for Visaelya. Of course, I've seen none of them myself; this is all secondhand. Take it with a grain of salt."

"Rather odd, don't you think?" Jiraiya prodded, "In the past, Great Noble Houses have clamored for your aid whenever one of their members has fallen seriously ill. They may have their own healers, but they know that you're the best."

Unohana briefly smirked. "According to your flattery."

"According to your long-established record," Jiraiya countered with a mischievous smile, "The flattery's just icing on the cake."

"If you insist," Unohana replied, her expression darkening, "Your main point stands, though. I may not go out of my way to insert myself in the affairs of the nobility, but they are never shy about calling upon my services. All the Great Noble Houses have done so before, including the Drakken Clan. That they have not done so once with regards to this strange illness their family members, and main line family members at that, appear to be suffering is a concerning trend-breaker."

Jiraiya took another sip of his tea before leaning forward slightly. "What do you think it is?"

Unohana gave him a disapproving look. "Have you forgotten what I've been teaching you, Jiraiya? Attempting to ascertain an illness going only by rumor and unverifiable secondhand accounts makes for a sloppy diagnostician."

"Then let's not call it a diagnosis," Jiraiya challenged, "Call it gossip and speculation between two friends. It's not like you'd be entering any of this in an official medical record, after all."

"It's still poor practice," Unohana insisted.

"Oh, come on," Jiraiya pressed, "You're just as curious about this as I am. Don't deny it."

Unohana took a deep breath. "I'll confess that the circumstances surrounding the Drakken Clan's recent medical emergencies are… thought provoking. If this is some form of disease, it's exhibiting some highly unusual behavior."

Jiraiya smirked; now things were going his way. "Such as?"

"I suppose the most standout example is how it's spread so far… or rather, just how limited that spread has been," Unohana explained, "I would expect an illness active within the confines of a Great Noble House's estate to spread widely among the serving staff along with members of the family. However, the announced cases have all been members of the family itself, with the notable exception of Squad Eleven's Captain at the start. Every other case has been someone in the Drakken Clan's main line. Of course, there could be members of the estate staff who are falling victim to this, and we simply don't know about it. After all, how important would the wider Seireitei consider the lives of servants as opposed to those they serve?"

Jiraiya nodded sagely. "True, but consider this; there are far more servants in Great Noble Houses than there are family members themselves, and those servants will inevitably gossip. It doesn't matter how strict the family is with information control or how they monitor their serving staff. Servants aren't confined to the estate; they regularly leave the grounds to run errands such as purchasing supplies or delivering message, not to mention the fact that many live in homes that are outside the estates of the families they serve. If this mystery illness was spreading among the servants, I'm willing to bet that word would've gotten out by now. In fact, there's a good chance that the illness itself would've spread out into the wider Seireitei."

"And it very much hasn't," Unohana noted, "and any rumors of the medical variety tend to make their way here in short order. That very few have this past year supports the notion that, whatever this mystery ailment is, it must have a very limited transmission vector."

"What's that suggest about the disease itself?" Jiraiya prodded.

Unohana took a sip of her tea, then set the cup down and stared contemplatively at its remaining contents for several seconds. "That's difficult to say. My first instinct would be to suggest something hereditary, but Captain Starmont being among the first victims eliminates that possibility; there are no direct blood ties between his family and the Drakken Clan. More importantly, what I know of the clan's medical history does not suggest any prior instances of a sickness matching what we're currently seeing. Then there's our incredibly limited knowledge of the symptoms. All that's leaked out has basically been that the victims have fallen unconscious and remain in that state for several days at least, with the more severe cases being measured in weeks. It's a blessing that none of these cases have been fatal thus far, though there is always the chance that can change. For the sake of Visaelya and any other future victims, I pray that does not happen."

"That makes two of us," Jiraiya muttered.

Unohana inclined her head. "Of course. Getting back to the heart of the matter… based on what little we know or can infer from the course of this illness through the Drakken Clan… I am inclined to lean towards it not being an illness at all. Not a natural one, at least."

Jiraiya clasped his fingers together, holding Unohana's gaze and wondering just where she'd go with this. "Really? If we're not talking natural causes, then what unnatural ones come to mind?"

"Seeing as we're discussing a prominent aristocratic family," Unohana began, "one such cause to be considered is poisoning. It's not unheard of in the power games that the nobility plays, though it's a card that they've played infrequently in recent times."

Jiraiya smirked. "Probably because they're afraid of you sniffing it out."

Unohana graced him with a slight smile. "A fear that I've given them good cause to have. The last time I inspected such a victim and uncovered the toxin used, the affair was then unraveled in short order. Let's just say that the culprits were dealt with decisively, and those behind them took the appropriate lesson… or at least, they've become much more cautious in the poisons they've used ever since. For what little good it's done. I'm not normally one to brag, but there are very few toxic substances in the Soul Society that I'm incapable of detecting."

"I'd expect no less from you," Jiraiya praised.

Unohana's expression then soured. "Be that as it may, I have a hard time considering this strange affair to be the work of poisoning. Why would a prospective poisoner use a substance that only temporarily incapacitates its victims? When going after high-profile targets like the nobility, past instances have been either fatal or crippling. While the victims here are unconscious for a period of time, each has ultimately made a full recovery. Why would a poisoner continue using utilizing the same substance even after the very first cases showed it to be ineffective beyond causing a period of unconsciousness in the victims, with no longer-lasting effects? None of the cases I've seen in the past were anything like this current affair. It may be premature, but based on what little we presently know, I'm inclined to rule out poison."

Jiraiya scratched his chin. "Interesting. Where does that leave us, then?"

He felt a chill run down his spine as a subtle shadow fell upon Unohana's gaze. "Where do you think it leaves us, Jiraiya?"

Jiraiya gulped nervously, fumbling his words. "Well… uhm, about that…"

Unohana let out a mildly exasperated exhalation. "We can cease this beating around the bush. I know the conclusion that you've already come to, Jiraiya. It is the conclusion that the entire Seireitei, save for the dimmest among us, has already come to, yet does not dare speak openly. You need not keep up appearance with me. You've been attempting to lead me towards the conclusion that the artifact stolen from Squad Twelve's vaults last year is at the heart of this matter."

Jiraiya winced before smiling sheepishly. "That obvious, eh?"

"It's the theory that makes the most sense," Unohana elaborated, "You're hardly the only one to have reached such a conclusion; the delicate nature of the matter unfortunately means that accusations cannot be made publicly. Supposedly, such tact is meant to keep the peace… though I personally doubt just how much success it's been having in that regard."

Jiraiya sighed. "Yeah, can't really argue with you there. You'd have to blind, deaf, and dumb to not see that the bigshots are at each other's throats over the damn thing. No one believes for a second that whoever stole the artifact's taken it beyond the Seireitei… and given the 'illness' that suddenly began afflicting the Drakken Clan and a notable ally of it almost immediately after the theft, you can't blame them."

"My point exactly," Unohana confirmed, her expression then softening, "and it's why you really came here tonight. Jiraiya… you're afraid, aren't you?"

The former Shinobi slowly nodded. "I am. I saw war in my old life, Captain. What we're seeing now… this is how it starts. Growing tensions, seeds of distrust blooming into suspicion and hostility, nerves fraying as powerful rivals size each other up… I know how this song and dance ends. I've experienced every bloody step of it… and there's a lot of blood beneath those steps."

Unohana closed her eyes for a moment, and when she opened them again, Jiraiya was struck by what he saw within; apprehension. "As have I."

A heavy silence fell over them, each retreating within themselves. Jiraiya to horrific memories of the Second Shinobi World War, and Unohana… well, the Legendary Sannin could only guess.

She's been around a lot longer than I have, he thought grimly, and has no doubt seen more than her share of conflicts. Wonder how she feels, knowing that it could all play out again…

When Jiraiya eventually spoke, his voice was barely more than a hoarse whisper. "How… how does it keep happening? People in the Soul Society… the ones running it… they've been around for so long, so how do they make the same mistakes as those of us who only have short lives in our Realms of the Living did? They… they should know better."

"They should, yet they don't," Unohana somberly replied, "Souls may live longer than humans in the Realms of the Living, yet they are still human at heart. It doesn't matter how much time they may have to learn from mistakes. In the end, they still possess the same inherent flaws, no matter how much those at the top of the Soul Society may pretend otherwise."

Jiraiya shook his head in despair. "And because of that, the same twisted cycle plays out again… it almost feels like some cruel cosmic joke being played on us all."

"If it's a joke, then only a psychopath would laugh at it," Unohana bitterly declared.

Jiraiya's gaze fell to his cooling tea. "If you know a way out of this mess, I'm all ears."

"I wish that I did," Unohana murmured softly, "I dearly wish that I did."

….

Several days later…

Evening patrol typically was not Itachi's duty, but recent events had spurred a change. Leaving aside the fact that Visaelya remained confined to the Drakken Clan estate as she continued to recover from the Nalatarin's defensive measures, nighttime surveillance by the Stealth Force had indicated a notable increase in people coming and going from the mansion, including a substantial number of personnel who had been identified as prominent officers in the family's military. Being able to observe them with the Sharingan was invaluable, as it would allow Squad Two's resident Uchiha to get a better feel for the strength of what was increasingly shaping up to be potential opposition. Itachi, Shisui, and Mikoto had all been rotating through this new duty, lurking in the shadows of the Seireitei's walls and towers to monitor comings and goings from the mansion.

This night was not proving to be all that productive, though. As he'd silently moved from one observation point to the next, Itachi had only spotted a few individuals enter or leave the estate grounds, and all of them had been members of the mansion's support staff. Well into his current patrol, with only a few more hours before he was scheduled to pull back, it was looking to Itachi like he would not have much to report come the morning.

Whether that's a good thing or bad thing, I don't know, Itachi thought as he Flash Stepped up to the top of a tower overlooking much of the aristocratic quarter, I suppose less martial strength at the mansion will make conducting the arrests easier… assuming the family doesn't mount serious resistance.

The question of making those arrests had now become one of 'when' rather than 'if', and Itachi's apprehension regarding it was growing with each passing day. While the Drakken Clan remained blissfully unaware, the countdown had begun the moment they'd brought Visaelya to the Nalatarin and had her use it. Yoruichi was already quietly preparing, recalling key personnel from outlying patrols to serve as reinforcements in the event of violence. It was everyone's hope that the Drakken Clan's leadership would come quietly once they realized that the gig was up, but Itachi doubted that anyone was expecting things to go so smoothly.

Once more, his mind went back to those dark days leading up the Uchiha Clan massacre. In the end, the combination of Danzō's machinations and the ever-growing fervor of the coup plot's advocates had resulted in an outcome that was only just shy of the absolute worst-case scenario, and even that was only because Itachi serving as the Leaf Village's weapon in the purge had given him just enough influence to ensure Sasuke's survival. This time, Itachi was uncomfortably aware of the fact that he lacked even that modicum of influence. Instead, matters would come down to the choice Visaelya made, the reaction of her family, and the verdict handed down by the Central Forty-Six. While it was easy enough for Itachi to sympathize with Visaelya's position and respect whatever decision she ultimately made, it was the other two factors that had him most concerned.

It's the worst of all worlds, Jigoku no Joō remarked, especially when you factor in the potential for Uchiha support. The clan's command of dragons can be seen as a Kekkei Genkai of sorts, and if they're truly in alignment with the Starmont Clan, then you potentially have Valkyries to contend with, too. Even if the family and their allies are outmatched in the wider military picture by the Soul Society loyalists, their strength within the Seireitei itself is formidable. That strength may convince them they still possess a chance at victory, even if their backs are to the wall. In fact, those precarious circumstances make them all the more dangerous.

Especially since they know the nature of their opposition. They've been part of the Soul Society's ruling elite since the modern power structure was first established; they know exactly how the Central Forty-Six likes to deal with perceived threats. The best-case scenario is the arrest, imprisonment, and potential execution of prominent clan leadership. That's assuming the Central Forty-Six doesn't continue their tradition of embracing the most extreme option.

And the Drakken Clan's had front row seats to the occasions where the Central Forty-Six has gone for the most extreme options. After all, they were just as active in the Quincy war and follow-up exterminations as the rest of their noble contemporaries. With utter annihilation as a very real possibility, they may be more inclined towards drastic action once they sense the walls closing in. One could make an argument that it's self-defense, although that would involve overlooking the clan's agency in bringing about this state of affairs.

They would in turn argue that the Soul Society pushed them towards those actions. Of course, then the Soul Society would respond in kind. The real problem is the deep-rooted nature of the grievances. The theft of the Nalatarin wasn't the start this mess; it was just one shot in a long-running exchange.

Yes, but this particular shot was an escalation. Not only did they steal from the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, but their agent attempted to murder the poor Soul Reaper who was unlucky enough to bear witness. It's only by a miracle that she's still alive, and that her trauma from the event has removed her as a potential threat to the clan. Regardless, the very fact that a Soul Reaper was nearly slain here means a dangerous line was crossed, even if that might not have been the Drakken Clan's intent. The responsibility and consequences still fall upon them, regardless of intentionality.

Were they to fall only upon those most to blame for the escalation, that would be enough. However, the Soul Society is hardly known for leniency when it comes to treason.

Undoubtedly. Still, the sentence cast will be outside the realm of your control. Best not worry unduly over it.

As my friend's caught up in it, I'm afraid we're well beyond that point.

The hairs on the back of his neck suddenly stood up in alert. It was faint, but Itachi could detect multiple spirit energy sources rapidly converging on his location.

Spirit energy overflowing with bitter hatred.

He Flash Stepped away from his perch, and not a moment too soon, for out from the shadows of the night sprung three figures, all wearing black cloaks. Dim moonlight gleamed along the surfaces of the kodachi the assailants held in their right hands, while from their left hands flew clusters of kunai. The first volleys all missed thanks to Itachi's swift evasion, but he wasn't about to take chances. He drew his sword just in time to deflect follow-up throws, with the blocked blades clattering along the top of the wall Itachi was running across. The trio of attackers immediately split up, with one attempting to get ahead of Itachi while the other two moved to pincer him.

And then Itachi saw something that made his blood run cold. Beneath the cowls of his assailants' cloaks were familiar pairs of glowing scarlet orbs.

Immediately recognizing just what he was up against, Itachi activated his Sharingan. Flash Stepping again, he went straight for the opponent who'd moved ahead of him. Using just his right hand, Itachi thrust his Zanpakutō forward and swatted the enemy's blade aside while drawing an Anken with his left. Slashing at the enemy's head while keeping their kodachi at bay, Itachi's Anken caught the cowl of his adversary's cloak and tore it open, revealing very familiar ash-grey hair.

"Yashiro Uchiha," Itachi murmured, his eyes narrowing into an arctic glare.

Kicking the firebrand Uchiha hard in the gut, Itachi immediately whirled around to deflect strikes from the two cloaked figures rushing in from his flanks. As sparks flew from their clashing blades, Itachi then ducked and made a wide sweeping kick that knocked both attackers clean off their feet. Slashing at one with his Zanpakutō and the other with his Anken, he tore the cowls of their cloaks open, revealing the shoulder length black hair of Inabi Uchiha beneath one and the dull-black hair of Tekka Uchiha under the other.

Leaping into the air and putting away the Anken, Itachi raised his left hand. "Bakudō 62: Hyapporankan!"

A blue-white rod of energy appeared over his raised hand, and as Itachi threw it forth it multiplied into a hundred more. With Yashiro still winded by the earlier kick while Inabi and Tekka were scrambling to their feet, all three were unprepared for Itachi's spell, and the rain of rods pinned them in place.

Touching down a moment later, Itachi glared daggers at the members of his clan that he'd long ago come to revile. "What are you three doing here?"

Yashiro grimaced as he struggled against the binding spell. "I should be asking you that. Why are you here instead of the pits of Hell where you belong, Itachi?"

"A question I've asked myself more than once since arriving here," Itachi replied, "and I feel no obligation to share the answer with the likes of you."

He stepped forward, intending to cast another binding spell to reinforce the first before beginning his interrogation in earnest, when another male voice called out into the night. One that was quite familiar, seeing as Itachi had heard it echoing in his memories and nightmares for a very long time.

"What are you fools thinking?!"

Itachi's eyes widened in shock. Looking around frantically, he barely caught sight of a black blur before multiple small orbs flew forth. Pulling back, Itachi landed just outside the range of the detonating smoke bombs, unable to do much more than instinctively evade and raise his sword into a guard position as his mind was flooded with memories of that dark and bloody night from so long ago.

"Do not fear it. This is the path you have chosen. Compared to yours, our pain will be over in an instant. Our philosophies may differ, but I'm still proud of you."

No, Itachi thought desperately, even if he already knew his silent pleas were only fruitless denial, please, no. Please, let it be someone else, anyone else!

Then the voice spoke again from within the smoke, and Itachi felt in spirit energy what he'd last sensed many years ago as chakra. "Go, now!"

"You are truly a kind child."

As the smoke cleared and revealed that his binding spell had been undone, either by a technique of the interloper or perhaps simply his shocked mental state, Itachi could faintly feel the spirit energy of Yashiro, Inabi, Tekka, and their rescuer as they retreated. He could catch them; years of training with Yoruichi had honed his proficiency in the Flash Step technique to an incredible degree, and very few could outrun him now. Yet Itachi's legs felt like tree trunks rooted in place. Even if he'd wanted to move, he doubted that he could do so for anything more than defense. All he could do was stand still as horrifying memories, reawakened by the last encounter he'd expected to have tonight, continued to assail him.

Staring at the estate around whose family this whole ugly affair revolved, and within whose shadows another family was at play, Itachi could only whisper a single word.

"Father…"

….

Sitting behind the desk in the private office that Captain Drakken had long ago bestowed upon him as a token of their friendship, the cloaked man's rippling purple eyes were locked squarely on the pale and terrified figures that were Yashiro, Inabi, and Tekka Uchiha. The man who had saved their sorry hides and returned them to the estate was present as well, standing behind them with his back against the wall by the entrance, his own cloak still pulled up and covering most of his frowning face in shadow. It was fortunate for the trio of firebrands that the purple-eyed man had learned ages ago not to let his emotions get the better of him, because the incandescent fury blazing in his chest was sorely tempting to unleash upon them.

"Tell me," the purple-eyed man eventually growled as he fixed Yashiro with a withering glare, "did you by any chance partake of wine tonight?"

Yashiro blinked rapidly, clearly not expecting this line of questioning. "W-wine? No, sir."

"Brandy, then?" the advisor pressed, "Sake, rum, or perhaps beer? I know that our gracious hosts keep an impressive assortment of liquors stocked. Or maybe your interests lie in other intoxicants that the Soul Society's elites are known to indulge in?"

Yashiro rapidly shook his head, panic imparting a noticeable squeaking quality to his voice. "N-none whatsoever, sir! I swear it!"

The advisor let out a theatrical sigh. "That is a pity. It would've at least provided an excuse for the incredible stupidity you just displayed."

"We've known Itachi's been watching this mansion for years now!" Inabi interjected, "Tonight was a perfect chance to take him out!"

The advisor shook his head, working hard to suppress a frustrated groan. "And just how did that go?"

"We could've taken him!" Tekka claimed, shooting a scowl at the man who'd rescued their worthless skins, "If we hadn't been interrupted, we would've killed him!"

The advisor looked past them. "Was that your impression?"

The man who had dragged the three trouble makers in shook his head. "No. They were beaten well before I arrived."

"Thought so," the advisor remarked, turning his baleful gaze back towards the foolish trio, "An outcome that was easily anticipated. As ever, you three continue to overestimate your abilities. I would've hoped that the harsh lesson of death had cured you of such folly. A pity that's not the case. Now, your latest bout of idiocy complicates a situation that is already rather dicey, to put it mildly. If I didn't need every one of our kin that I can find, I might be inclined to punish one of you permanently in the hopes that the other two might finally learn. Fortunately for you, I do not have that luxury right now. Nevertheless, this cannot happen again, and I will ensure it."

Inabi gulped anxiously. "How so?"

"Tomorrow night, I have another shipment scheduled to head east," the advisor explained, "You three just volunteered yourselves to be part of its escort."

"You can't send us away!" Yashiro protested, "Not at this critical time!"

"It is because of this critical time that I am sending you away!" the advisor snapped, his voice dripping with equal parts contempt and barely-contained rage, "Clearly, you cannot be trusted to conduct yourselves accordingly, and are in fact liable to make the present situation even worse than it already is. Which is quite an accomplishment, I might add."

"But the Drakken Clan needs us!" Tekka insisted, "They cannot prevail without our help!"

The advisor resisted the temptation to start ripping his own hair out in frustration. "Have you paid zero attention to what I've been telling you all since this fiasco began? Our hosts moved prematurely. They have already lost, and no amount of aid we can render would be sufficient to turn the tide. Not as we are now. Had this affair taken place at a later date, as I had originally planned, we might then have the assembled strength required to prevail against the Head Captain. Now, though? Consider it suicide by Ryūjin Jakka. The old man wouldn't even need his Bankai to exterminate the lot of us as things presently stand. It's why my plan took a longer view; more time was needed to amass proper strength while maneuvering to weaken our most formidable foe. Events were set into motion far too soon, so now we must turn our focus to survival and regrouping. The shipments we've been making to the east are in service of that objective."

Inabi took a deep breath. "Will we be allowed to return once the shipment's reached its destination?"

The advisor shook his head. "No. You will remain at the destination and guard the vessel there until the rest of us eventually join you. That is an order that you will obey if you value your future. Do I make myself clear?"

All three nodded in unison, with Yashiro speaking for them. "Crystal, sir."

The advisor then blew out a weary exhalation and motioned dismissively. "Then get out of my sight, before I regret my leniency towards you."

The trio of imbeciles practically tripped over each other in their haste to exit, with the man at the back of the room moving to follow them before the advisor noticed. "Not you. Stay."

The cloaked figure who had brought the three troublemakers in hesitated for a moment before inclining his head, waiting for the door to shut behind him before bowing deeply at the advisor. He then lowered the cowl, revealing a worn and weary man with shoulder-length brown hair, along with onyx eyes that possessed notable creases beneath them.

"If this is regarding my negligence," Fugaku Uchiha said, "I'm deeply sorry. I'll keep a closer eye on those three until they leave tomorrow night."

The advisor shook his head. "Those three own their stupidity; it's not on you. If anything, I should be thanking you for helping them escape. It would've been disastrous if Itachi had gotten the chance to properly interrogate them. Your swift actions kept the situation from getting worse than it already was."

"Even so, it's my responsibility to keep them in line," Fugaku insisted, "To make up for my mistake, I ask that you allow me to join them in tomorrow night's shipment escort. I'll oversee them and ensure that they follow your orders to the letter."

"I have someone else already in mind for the task," the advisor countered, "There's another shipment that I want you to oversee personally. One of the last, and certainly far more important than the one I'm entrusting to those three. Can I count on you to see it through to the vessel?"

"I'll ensure it reaches its destination," Fugaku vowed, "if it's the last thing I do."

"Hopefully, it won't be the last thing you do," the advisor remarked, "There are plenty of tasks in the future that will require capable hands, and you're one of the best of our clan that I've been able to find since crossing over for good."

The man across the desk was quiet for a moment, seemingly taken aback by the praise. "I… thank you. If this isn't about overseeing those three, then may I ask what else you wish of me?"

The advisor leaned forward slightly, eying the man before him intently. "How are you feeling? Tonight's encounter… it may have been brief, and luckily for all involved it ended without injury, but still… I imagine it couldn't have been easy for you."

"Not with your standing instructions, no," Fugaku admitted.

The advisor inclined his head apologetically. "Ah, yes. I understand your desire to make proper contact with him, but I'm afraid that cannot happen. You surely understand why."

"Respectfully, I disagree," Fugaku protested, "If you'd give me the chance to talk to my son, I could bring him over to our side."

"Respectfully, your track record does not inspire confidence in that endeavor," the advisor pointedly shot back, "Otherwise, matters would've gone very differently the last time around."

"I didn't know he'd already made up his mind to side with the village," Fugaku conceded, "In hindsight, I know it should've been obvious. The fault was mine for not putting the pieces together sooner. This is different, though. Itachi's loyalty was to the village; he's no longer with them now."

"No, he is now with the Thirteen Court Guard Squads," the advisor replied, "and has been with them for a long time. Longer than the period in which he was a Leaf Shinobi by now, if I'm not mistaken. He's known, or at least suspected, that his fellow Uchiha were hiding here ever since Yashiro foolishly exposed himself at that party years ago, and he's made no effort to contact any of us since. Instead, he and his friends have been watching this estate like owls in the night. At this point, I believe we're safe in assuming where his present loyalties lie, and they are not with the clan. They never have been."

Fugaku was quiet for a long moment, his shoulders eventually slumping in defeat. "No… I suppose they aren't. When… when did he and I begin diverging? At first, I thought it was during the affair with the Leaf Village, but looking back… perhaps it was well before then. Where did I go wrong with him?"

The advisor was not without sympathy. "In terms of ability and talent, he's one of the finest that our clan's ever produced. You taught him well in our arts. The divergence between you two in outlooks is no simple matter. Every once in a while, the clan's produced individuals who ultimately decide to run counter to its will. In times long past, they would depart of their own choice, or occasionally be exiled; without support, they never lasted long enough to become anything of note. That one such individual arose during the era of the Hidden Village system brought about a unique set of circumstances. Instead of simply fading into obscurity, he placed himself at the village's command in what he believed to be a higher purpose. How you 'went wrong with him', as you say, is not for me to decide or judge. Only you and him know the path taken; only you and him can find the point of divergence."

"It would be easier to do that if you would let me talk to him," Fugaku grumbled.

The advisor's expression hardened beneath the cowl of his cloak. "As I've already said, that cannot happen. We cannot trust him not to use such an opportunity to utilize his prowess in genjutsu to interrogate you. Our designs would be revealed, and he would almost certainly side against us. We are not yet ready to challenge his superiors in the open. Thanks to the misguided course of action that our benefactor has taken, that day is now even further into the future than before."

"When that day does eventually come…" Fugaku began.

"Will I allow you to make contact with him then?" the advisor finished for him, "It's all dependent on the circumstances of the time. I will make no promises."

Fugaku sighed. "I take it the same still applies for my wife, too?"

The advisor nodded. "It does. I will take no chances here. No contact with anyone outside our circle; that is an order. Can I count on you to abide by it?"

There was a brief silence before Fugaku answered. "You can."

"I'll hold you to that," the advisor declared before gesturing towards the door, "Now, go and get some rest. Plenty of work lies ahead of us tomorrow, and I suspect we do not have much time to accomplish it."

….

Yoruichi listened patiently and silently as Itachi, sitting to her right, described his surprise encounter to her. She had been working late to catch up on paperwork when her Eighth Seat returned ahead of schedule and came to her office, and the ashen look on his face was all Yoruichi had needed to understand that something had gone very wrong during his patrol. Knowing how much he enjoyed tea, she quickly prepared some before his impromptu debriefing in the hopes that it would help ease his mind at least a little, though in light of tonight's events Yoruichi didn't expect it to have much more than a mild effect at best.

I was afraid that something like this would happen eventually, she thought, her sympathetic gaze never leaving Itachi, ever since he saw Yashiro at that party years ago. Given what he's told me about him, it's hardly a surprise that Yashiro and his hotheaded comrades gave in to temptation and took a shot at him. If it was just that, Itachi wouldn't look like this right now. No…

…it just had to be his father that showed up, too.

She did not ask if Itachi was certain as to who had intervened and saved Yashiro, Inabi, and Tekka; his tragic family history had made sure that he'd never forget his father's voice, and Yoruichi wouldn't insult him by implying otherwise. Itachi had clearly been shaken badly by the encounter despite how easily he'd defeated his three attackers, and Yoruichi knew that only a select handful of individuals could have that effect on him. If it had him this rattled, then Yoruichi could only imagine how Mikoto would react when she eventually heard the news. It was the worst possible outcome to learn that Fugaku Uchiha was, at the very least, working with the same Uchiha who had been previously spotted at the Drakken Clan's estate…

…and the same Uchiha who'd been such an ardent advocate for the clan's coup plot against the Leaf Village.

When Itachi eventually finished, he lowered his head in shame. "I should've pursued… no, I should've sensed my father coming in the first place and been ready for him. Instead, I froze… and that allowed him to get away with the others. There's no excusing my failure. I'm sorry."

Yoruichi reached over to place a hand over his on the table. "Hey, don't be so hard on yourself. Your reaction to hearing his voice, especially after all that had happened between you two, was perfectly natural, Itachi. Besides, your only mission tonight was to patrol and observe; you hardly failed either of those objectives. If anything, you've given us a valuable piece of intel. Now we know that Fugaku Uchiha is among the Uchiha hiding within the Drakken Clan estate. It might not be where either of us wanted to find him, but we've at least found him. That's a win… even if it's a bittersweet one for you."

Itachi shook his head. "Even so… I let my emotions cloud my judgement. I should've remained calm. If I had, I could've…"

"Could've what?" Yoruichi pressed, "Fight your own father, Itachi? You told me years ago that he ultimately refused to fight you when the purge happened, and even then, I know how hard it still was for you to kill him. You were in no shape to engage him tonight, Itachi. Not with the way things ended between you two. Not when you're still carrying that weight. I know you're self-aware enough to understand that."

"Maybe," Itachi quietly conceded, "but still, I should be capable of burying those feelings for the sake of the mission. That's part of what Squad Two and the Stealth Force are about, right? Putting aside our emotions so we can do the dirty work that the Soul Society requires. I failed in that tonight."

Yoruichi squeezed his hand. "Well, none of us adhere to it perfectly."

"Would you be so lenient if it were another subordinate in my place?" Itachi asked.

"If it was a complete surprise like tonight was for you, then yes," Yoruichi answered with a firm look, "Now that you know your father is among those Uchiha hiding with our opposition, though, it means you can be prepared for a future encounter. As difficult as it might be, and as much as I really don't want to put you through such a confrontation, if it does come about, then I will expect you to be ready for it… and will do all I can to support you in it."

Itachi nodded, and she was relieved to see his lips curl into a very small and bittersweet smile. "I will be… and thank you."

There was a moment of silence before Yoruichi spoke again. "This means we'll have to reinforce our contingent when the time comes to move in for the arrest. I'll want all of the Uchiha under my command present… including your mother. I wish it didn't have to be that way, but…"

"It'll be necessary as a contingency in case any of the Uchiha hiding in the Drakken Clan's estate move to help them resist arrest," Itachi finished for her in resignation, "I understand."

"Will Mikoto?" Yoruichi asked.

Itachi was quiet for a few seconds. "I… I don't know. I can't imagine this will be any easier for her than it is for me."

"I need her present with you and Shisui when this all goes down," Yoruichi pressed, "Best ace in the hole to play against the Sharingan is another one from where I'm sitting, and we don't know how many Uchiha we could end up dealing with here."

Itachi sighed in resignation. "I know. I'll go find her when you and I are done here. She needs to hear this sooner rather than later. I… we'll both need time to prepare. Shisui, too."

"You'll have a bit," Yoruichi said, "though not as much as I'd like. If Visaelya's recovery follows the trends set by her kin, then we probably only have a few more days or so until she's up and about. From there, it won't be long until she reports back to us, and then I have to submit everything to Squad One. There will be no going back after that."

Itachi nodded. "Of course."

Yoruichi hesitated before speaking again, knowing she was about to tread on some very uncomfortable ground. "Itachi… about your father… I'm really hoping it doesn't come down to this, but I need to know. If there's resistance, and he's part of it… can you beat him?"

Itachi's brow furrowed. "When I was planning how to handle the purge, I considered him to be the greatest possible threat. Had he decided to fight back rather than accept what I'd done and let me kill him… I honestly don't know how that struggle would've played out. I had just awakened the Mangekyou thinks to Shisui, and I still didn't grasp the full extent of its powers. My father had plenty of experience under his belt, not to mention his own Mangekyou Sharingan. No matter how many times I played out a confrontation in my head, I could never reach a definitive conclusion. So, speaking truthfully... I didn't know which of us was stronger back then, and I don't know now. I'm sorry."

Yoruichi shook her head. "Don't be; I appreciate the honest appraisal. Let me word it a different way, then; do you think you could hold your own against him until I or someone else can jump in to help?"

Itachi nodded. "I believe so. Most my training was done either on my own or with Shisui, but in my early days I did practice sometimes with Father when his schedule allowed for it. Admittedly, that wasn't much, but it did include a handful of sparring matches. Of course, back then, I was so young and inexperienced that I couldn't outright beat him, but I do recall making him sweat during our sessions. At the very least, I can keep him occupied for however long you would need me to."

"That'll have to be enough," Yoruichi said with a weak smile, "Hopefully, when he sees that you're with the arresting force, he'll make the same decision he did that night years ago. I know you two had your differences, but what you told me about his final act makes things clear; he loved you to the very end, Itachi. I don't think that love's faded since."

She was reassured by the small smile he gave in return. "I… don't think it has, either. Tonight, he didn't try to fight me. He just laid down a smokescreen, freed the others, and withdrew. I don't believe he'd seek out a clash with me, and I don't want one with him. This is the boldest that any of the Uchiha hiding within the Draken Clan estate have been since Shisui and I first discovered them at that party. They've generally kept a very low profile over the years. Going by that behavioral history, they may very well decide to stay hidden when we move against the Drakken Clan's leadership. Perhaps they'll simply flee when the realize what's coming. I'd certainly prefer that over a confrontation. If they're under Father's leadership, he could keep them restrained."

Yoruichi then saw his gaze darken. "Then again… Yashiro and his cohort were the ones driving the coup plot back then. They were constantly feeding and amplifying the atmosphere of distrust and resentment within the clan in those days. They couldn't outright usurp Father's leadership, but they whipped the clan into such a frenzy that he felt like he had no choice but to go along with their desires. Maybe he's learned from his mistakes back then and has a better handle on them now… but there's no way for us to be sure of that."

"That's true," she conceded, tapping her chin as a new thought occurred, "although… it might not be any of them even running the show. Your clan has a very long history, Itachi; there's been plenty of generations prior to yours or your father's that have gone through the cycle of souls. A member of one of those earlier generations could be who's calling the shots."

Itachi slowly nodded. "That's a very real possibility… and a disturbing one. As gifted as mine or Father's generation may have been, there were those before us who were even more powerful. Especially those who experienced the turmoil of the Warring States Period. If one of them is ruling the Uchiha Clan, or at least the faction of the clan that's hiding within the Drakken Clan estate… then the situation could be even more dire than it already is."

"And that's saying a lot," Yoruichi dourly noted.

Itachi was quiet for a few seconds. "At the height of the Uchiha Clan's power during the Warring States Period, it was only the Senju Clan who could stand against us on even ground. We've seen plenty of Uchiha Clan members within the Seireitei over the years… but none from the Senju. My clan's natural counterbalance is missing. Perhaps they've grown emboldened by their absence."

Yoruichi's eyes narrowed. "Maybe they're the cause of that absence. I doubt the older generations of your clan would've easily let go of their grudge against the Senju. They could've decided to act on that blood feud in the afterlife."

"That's a possibility," Itachi admitted, "There's also the chance that members of the Senju Clan might simply have decided to spend their afterlife keeping a low profile. Perhaps hiding in the Leaf Village Jiraiya discovered out in the Rukon District, or maybe in another part of the Soul Society."

"The afterlife's vast," Yoruichi remarked, "Plenty of places for them to lose themselves should they wish. Regardless, it doesn't change our current situation; whatever Uchiha Clan members reside in the Drakken Clan estate, we'll have to contend with them with the forces at the Soul Society's disposal."

"And hope that it's enough," Itachi somberly added.

….

A few days later…

Try not to look like your heart's about to burst from your chest, Kage no Kodomo chided, or the poor girl's going to worry even more than she already is.

Shisui forced himself to take a deep breath, though how much good it did was up for debate. He suddenly had a much keener appreciation for what Itachi must have been going through in the days leading up to the Uchiha Clan purge. Understanding the confrontation that was growing inexorably closer with each passing day, constantly wracking one's brain over possible outcomes while knowing that there was only so much one could do to influence the course of events… it was more nerve-wracking than the leadup to an actual battle.

And it could wind up turning into a battle, he silently reminded himself, considering the literal firepower our targets have access to. Now we potentially have Wicked Eye Fugaku himself as part of the opposition… this just gets worse and worse.

It had been a real shock to his system when Itachi had relayed his encounter with Fugaku and the old coup plot gang to Shisui. While Yashiro and Inabi had already been accounted for in prior incidents, and it was not all that surprising for Tekka to now be counted among them, Fugaku being in the mix represented a much more significant potential threat. From Itachi's accounts, Fugaku had awakened the Mangekyou Sharingan in his first life, which meant he and Shisui had to consider the possibility that the former head of the Uchiha Clan had it again. The fact that neither Itachi or Shisui had awakened the Mangekyou yet in their afterlives was a major point of concern, as it meant they would be going into a hypothetical confrontation with a potential severe handicap.

We at least have an idea as to what we must look out for, Shisui thought, but since Itachi never saw Fugaku actually use the Mangekyou in battle, we can't say for certain what his full range of capabilities are. If he even has it.

So be on the lookout and ready for anything, as you always are. Forget Fugaku for now; you have more immediate concerns.

Forget that we're potentially up against a man who could've been Hokage had things gone differently… easier said than done.

For the sake of your girlfriend, do it anyway.

"Right…" Shisui whispered as he once again checked his surroundings.

Notice of Visaelya's recovery and return to duty had been officially given just this morning, and she'd wasted no time utilizing the dead-drop that had been set up early in her off-the-books mission. A rendezvous in the training ground beneath Sōkyoku Hill had already been arranged for tomorrow night as a chance for an unofficial debrief between the conspirators. The rough plan was that Visaelya would then 'confess' her family's crimes to her old unit before the week was out, and then Squad One would officially be notified, kicking off what Shisui dearly hoped would be endgame of this whole affair. He could've sworn that he'd aged twenty years within the span of just one with how stressed out the giant mess had made him, even if he looked no different physically.

Before any of that would happen, though, a meeting would take place tonight. One not of conspirators, and not of those organizing the arrest of criminals. No, the one tonight was simply between a man and a woman, at the behest of the latter, who had sent a private message to the former before even making the dead-drop. So, here Shisui was, standing at the edge of an alleyway in West Rukon 2, a dark cloak only enhancing the obscuring effect of the shadows from the building he was leaning against.

The sun had set some time ago, but West Rukon 2 was still rather lively. While most of the market stalls had closed up shop around dusk, as an inner district protected by its proximity to the Seireitei and all the Soul Reapers within, West 2 was considered safe enough to have a thriving nightlife. Teahouses and taverns were packed, with the sounds of their raucous patrons echoing through the doorways and out into the streets. Evening vendors were eagerly hawking their wares, having learned long ago that the evening crowd, with its varying degrees of intoxication, made for good customers whose booze-impaired wits did not lend themselves well to haggling. If one wanted to set up a meeting where they could lose themselves in the cover of rowdy gatherings, West 2 at night was perfect.

A little too perfect, in Shisui's case. Visaelya's message had established the signal she'd use to draw his attention, but with all the noise, Shisui was somewhat worried that even his finely honed hearing might not be able to pick it out. He could only hope that she'd taken that into account. The fact that she'd wanted to meet him outside the Seireitei only heightened the concern that seemed to be a constant companion for him as of late.

Then, beneath the cowl of his cloak, Shisui's ears perked up as he heard a faint yet high-pitched noise over the background clamor. It was difficult for him to tell if it was what he'd been waiting for, though, so Shisui resisted the urge to reply immediately. Instead, he waited several seconds before he heard the sound again, at the exact same pitch. That was enough for confirmation, and he cautiously peered out of the alleyway to give a whistle in response. Sure enough, another cloaked figure was in the crowd, their gaze sweeping back and forth before the violet eyes beneath the cowl locked onto Shisui's. The lady of the hour was here, and she wasted no time darting into the alleyway, seizing his arm to pull him further into the shadows. When they were far enough from the main street for her liking, she lowered her hood, revealing the tired yet beautiful face of Visaelya, who immediately threw her arms around him.

"Thank you," she whispered as she tightly embraced him, "Thank you so much for this."

Shisui smiled as he held her close. "You're welcome… though I don't think I've actually done anything yet."

"You're here," she replied as she pulled back just enough to meet his gaze, "Right now, that's all I need."

They stayed in each other's arms for several minutes, with Visaelya pressing her face into Shisui's shoulder. He felt her shudder and heard a series of quiet, gasping sounds, before feeling the first of several wet drops touch against his neck. Shisui considered speaking up for a moment before realizing that words weren't what his companion needed right now, and he simply continued to keep her in what he hoped was a comforting embrace.

Not that I even know what to say, he thought, I don't know if anything can be the 'right' thing to say in a situation like this.

When she eventually regained her composure, she raised her head and leaned in to plant a lingering and tender kiss on his lips. "Sorry, but… I really needed that."

Shisui reached out to caress her cheek. "Hey, you have nothing to apologize for. If anything, it's me and the others who should be apologizing for what we've been asking you to do."

Visaelya shook her head. "It… it needed to be done, and I was the only one who could. You all made it clear that I didn't have to, that you could try to find another way if I wasn't up for it. I made my choice, Shisui… just as my family did. We all have to live with the consequences."

She then raised her hood and gestured out towards the street. "There's an inn just down the block. I paid for a reservation earlier. Don't worry; I used aliases. We'll have a good room until morning."

"Is this alright?" Shisui asked, "I thought you were officially returned to duty; won't there be suspicion if you spend the night outside of Squad Ten's barracks?"

"As far as Squad Ten is concerned, I am within the barracks, sleeping soundly," Visaelya answered, smirking mischievously despite the gravity of her situation, "I've learned a lot from working with Shinobi Soul Reapers like you and Itachi over the years. Squad Ten's one of the more straightforward units; none of their members can compete with Squad Two veterans when it comes to sneaking around. As long as we awaken and depart tomorrow morning before sunrise, I can slip back inside without anyone being the wiser. Besides, Uncle scheduled my duties tomorrow to be later in the day so I can have more time to rest. I might as well take advantage of that."

Taking his hand, she led him in a Flash Step down the street and to the inn she'd mentioned. It was a respectable looking establishment, wide with three stories, the two upper floors possessing a running balcony overlooking the street. Paper lanterns emblazoned with lily patterns hung over the entrance, and the doorway had light blue half-curtains hanging from it.

"Have you been to this place before?" Shisui asked.

"No, but I know it by reputation," Visaelya answered, "It's popular with merchants passing through… along with Soul Reapers who are looking to spend some quality time together outside the Seireitei."

Shisui felt his heartbeat pick up a notch at the undertone, along with a slight upswelling of heat in his face. "Oh… I see. Well, at least we won't rouse suspicion, then."

"That's the idea," Visaelya muttered before pulling him inside.

It only took a few moments for her to check them in with the hostess, with Shisui only making note of the family name she had them under after they were directed towards their room and no one was in earshot. "Kishimoto?"

"Hey, it worked," Visaelya whispered as they climbed the stairs to the third floor, "I was in a rush when I came up with this, okay? You don't have a problem with it, do you?"

"No," Shisui hastily replied, "It's just strange… for some reason, I feel like I should know it. Maybe I heard it in my past life?"

"Well, for tonight, it's your name in this life, Mister Kishimoto," Visaelya insisted as they reached their room, and Shisui could've sworn he saw a hint of red in her face, "and that of your wife."

He was tempted to tease her about the cover identities she'd hastily arranged for this occasion, but as cute as Visaelya could be when flustered, Shisui knew that now was hardly the time to press her buttons.

I'm amazed she's holding up as well as she is.

That makes two of us.

It probably won't last once you two are behind closed doors. Be ready.

I'm trying to be.

The door slid open, revealing a modest yet comfortable room. Set in the middle was a wide bedroll and covers, clearly meant for a couple's use. A dresser and small closet were present in the event that guests brought extra clothing, and a low table was set on the other side of the futon along with two seat cushions. A bottle was set on the table, along with two sake cups, while a tall candle provided illumination.

"You're not usually one for drinking," Shisui said as he slid the door shut behind them.

"It's complimentary," Visaelya explained as she gestured towards the table, "and I'll make an exception tonight."

"Guess I can't blame you for that," Shisui conceded while the two of them shed their cloaks.

He moved to sit across from her, but Visaelya stopped him with a shake of her head. Instead, she reached over to grab the cushion on the other side and moved it to her side of the table, plopping it down to her left. Sitting down next to her, Shisui grabbed the bottle and poured their first cups.

"Well," he began awkwardly, "I… I guess it's not a good occasion for a toast, eh?"

"I disagree," Visaelya replied as she raised her glass and smiled, locking her beautiful violet eyes with his, "I would like to toast… to the man that's helping me stay sane right now."

Shisui chuckled nervously. "You might be giving me too much credit there."

"No, I hardly think I'm giving you enough," Visaelya countered as she gestured towards him with her cup, "To you, Shisui… for everything."

Shisui knew when to drop an argument, so he simply returned her smile and gently tapped his glass against hers. "If you insist."

The two of them downed their cups, with Shisui needing a moment after swallowing the contents of his. "Oh, wow… that's some pretty strong stuff."

"This place advertises itself as keeping potent brews in stock," Visaelya noted, and Shisui could see a flush coming to her face, "I see they were telling the truth."

She then leaned her head on his shoulder while idly refilling their cups. "Back in your old life… when you were going through that mess with your clan… did you and Itachi drink?"

"We were both a bit too young for that at the time," Shisui answered, "Besides, the two of us were so single-mindedly focused on finding a solution that we couldn't even think about booze. It was the furthest thing from our minds. Had we been a bit older at the time, though… well, I can't speak for Itachi, but I might've resorted to the bottle. Maybe we should've done it anyway. One bit of indulgence before everything went to hell… no one would've begrudged us that, right?"

"I certainly wouldn't," Visaelya concurred as her gaze focused on the fluid in their cups glimmering in the candlelight, "You two had it worse than me, really. We already have the plan for my family now, and we've had help from Yoruichi and the others in coming up with it. You two were on your own, though… and you were so much younger than I."

Shisui sighed. "Shinobi don't really get to have childhoods. Not long ones, anyway. Not back when Itachi and I were in the job. Maybe things are different nowadays, though. From what Itachi told me about what he saw in the village when we had that mission years ago, it seems like a lot's changed. Hopefully the new generations of Shinobi get to have more of a childhood than ours did."

Visaelya raised her cup. "How about a drink to that? To the next generations hopefully having it better than ours?"

Shisui grabbed his cup and tapped it against hers. "Sounds good to me."

After the contents poured down his throat, Shisui leaned forward slightly before he caught himself. "Hoo, boy… maybe we should ease up a bit. Two drinks in, but that's already kicking hard."

"You're telling me…" Visaelya slurred, still reaching for the bottle, "but maybe… we should keep going. What's that you said a bit ago? One bit of indulgence before everything goes to hell, right?"

Shisui paused for a moment, his already slightly-tipsy head needing to work a little harder to string sentences together. "Is that… why you really wanted to meet me here tonight?"

"Maybe it was," Visaelya murmured, taking great care in refilling their cups, "Would you think less of me if that was the truth?"

Shisui smiled as he shook his head. "Not at all. I missed the chance my first time around… would be shame to be repeat that mistake."

"It would," Visaelya concurred, her voice softening to barely more than a whisper, "After all… we don't know if we'll get another chance."

The two of them reached for their cups but, whether by sake-induced accident or fate, their hands found each other instead. It was just a brush at first, but then Shisui felt Visaelya intertwine her fingers with his, and a long silence fell over the room.

"We know how it's supposed to go," she said eventually, gazing downward, "I give my report to Yoruichi, she puts everything together and presents it to the Head Captain… then he goes to the Central Forty-Six, gets approval… then the arrests happen. Then trial… then sentencing… I rejoin Squad Two… and then life goes on. Still…"

"Life… or the afterlife… hardly ever goes according to plan," Shisui finished for her, his eyes focused on her rather than their drinks, "That's been my experience. You want things go smoothly… even if they're painful things, just so you can get them over with easier… and then just move on afterwards. What we want… and what actually happens, though… a lot of times, those wind up being two different things."

"None of this is what I wanted," Visaelya despaired, "I wanted to stay with Squad Two… show my family that I could become more than just our clan's name. I wanted to… to be with you… and our friends. Then, when my family eventually came around, maybe… well, no use in dwelling on it now."

"Hey," Shisui whispered, tenderly cupping her chin, and guiding her gaze back towards him, "I know things look bad now, and… well, they are, no getting around that… but not all's lost. If the members of your family who are most responsible for what happened agree to come quietly, then the rest can reorganize and move forward. Sure, it won't be easy; they'll suffer a major hit to their power and status, and coming together under new leadership is going to be a whole different trial. Once they learn of the role you've played, there's no getting around them shunning you for quite some time, too. Even so, there's hope."

"Hope?" she murmured numbly, as if struggling to grasp the very concept.

Shisui forced a smile, desperate to find some way, any way, to lift her spirits. "Yeah. You'll be back with us, so you at least won't be going through everything alone. No matter what happens, we'll protect and support you. Give things enough time, and you can start rebuilding bridges with your family again. After this, it'll definitely take a while… but the nice thing about being souls is we live a lot longer than mortal humans, so you'll have the time needed. It's not going to be a smooth road, but it's one you won't walk alone. I'll be by your side all the way, I promise."

"And… if it doesn't work out that way?" Visaelya asked, and Shisui could feel her begin to tremble against him.

"No matter what way things go, I won't abandon you," Shisui vowed, "I swear, I'll get you through this. I'll stay with you, Visaelya. You won't be alone."

Her eyes glimmered with tears that she was fighting valiantly to hold back, but she still managed a genuine smile. "I'll… I'll hold you to that."

She then leaned forward before Shisui could react, seizing his lips in a fierce kiss. His surprise lasted only for a moment before Shisui surrendered himself over to the moment. He felt her hands firmly grab his shoulders, and he offered no resistance as she pushed him to the floor and climbed on top of him. Soon she was clawing at his robes in a desperate frenzy, and he readily returned the favor. As the couple rolled away from the table, their articles of clothing wound up scattered across the room, but neither of them could be bothered to care about the mess.

By then, they were atop the bedding, and all concerns other than each other were cast aside by passion's powerful winds.

Author's Notes: And with that, the last bit of stage setting is complete. All my powder's been gathered into a nice and volatile stack of kegs, and I'll be lighting the match next chapter in spectacular fashion.

Sorry for how long this took. Been trying to give myself a bit of extra time to relax and take a breather, and while it's worked wonders for my mental health, I'll admit that my writing speed has suffered for it. It is still going to be a slow release rate for a while, though at least the actual war arc itself will be relatively short; only have around four chapters planned, give or take one or two. Then we'll be jumping forward to the Turn Back the Pendulum Arc, and I plan for that to be a hopefully brief one too so I can finally make larger time skips. Also, my Gundam Wing x Tenchi Muyo story is getting closer to endgame, so once that story's completed I'll only be working on two at a time, and I plan on keeping it as just those two from that point forward. So, in the long run, the writing and release pace will gradually start to increase. I hope...

Thanks to everyone who's stuck around this long. Hope this summer (or winter for those in the southern hemisphere) treats you all well. Never forget, it's always good to take a step back and get a little extra time for yourself. So don't deny yourself a chance to retreat and recharge when you get it. Even if it's something as simple as laying down, putting on some music or an audio book, and just zoning out for a couple of hours. We all have the right to just shut our eyes and chill for a bit!

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