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"It was hard-fought and costly, but eventually the Succesionists carried the day," Visaelya replied, "An ambush from warriors of the Shihōin Clan actually succeeded in assassinating the Marshal General, and while the High King narrowly escaped death himself on that occasion, the encounter severely rattled him. With the loss of their chief military commander, the Sovereigntists were eventually forced to withdraw from the Seireitei."

Yoruichi grinned. "They've written some pretty impressive songs over the years about how my ancestors scared the shit out of the High King that day. It's one of our more memorable contributions to the history of the Soul Society."

Visaelya smiled as well, and Itachi could detect the pride swelling up within her. "While I shall be the first to acknowledge the invaluable role that your family played in that engagement, I would be remiss if I did not mention how the Drakken Clan's elite dragon riders drove Sovereigntist divisions from the battle in terror. The threat of death by fire from a swarm of giant winged reptiles will have that effect on even the bravest of foot soldiers, especially when they're being cooked alive in their own armor."

Kirio giggled. "Ah, another example of the classic dick-waving contests between Clans Shihōin and Drakken… as if the Seireitei doesn't have enough of that going on already."

Yoruichi laughed. "Yeah, I guess we do tend to get a little heated about those from time to time!"

Visaelya nodded, looking slightly embarrassed. "Yes… I suppose Great Noble Houses like ours can be a little… excessive when it comes to flaunting our accomplishments."

Yoruichi gave her an encouraging smile. "Trust me, Visaelya, you're fine. It's more the men in your family that tend to go overboard with that sort of thing… especially your uncle."

"No need to remind me, Lady Yoruichi," Soi-Fon quipped dryly, "It took him forever to shut up the last time his family's history was brought up in conversation with him. That meeting we were all at took far longer than it had to because of it."

Visaelya cleared her through. "Great feats from our respective families aside, there was little call for celebration after the Sovereigntists had been driven from the Seireitei. The Succesionists had suffered considerable losses amongst their ranks as well, and while the High King and his followers were in retreat they still had plenty of fighting strength remaining. The opposition needed time to secure the Seireitei completely and give its forces a chance to regroup, which provided the Sovereigntists with an opportunity to strategically reposition themselves for the next phase of the conflict. They wound up fortifying a significant portion of the western Rukon District. With secure housing for their troops and easy access to supplies, it was believed that they could hold out there indefinitely while preparing a counteroffensive to retake the Seireitei. The records indicate that the High King thought as much, but as it turned out, the people of the Rukon District had other ideas."

Jiraiya grinned. "Let me guess; a people's revolt?"

"Yes," Visaelya replied, "The Prince Chancellor may have primarily been charged with administration over the Seireitei when he was alive, but even in that capacity his thoughts had never been far from the needs of the Rukon District. During his period of governance, he directed much-needed resources there from the Seireitei, bolstering patrols and heavily investing in public works designed to improve sanitation, healthcare, and other essential services. He even made several trips himself to the Rukon District to oversee such projects, making him one of the few royals that was actually accessible to the common people. The citizens of the Rukon District never forgot this… and they certainly weren't about to forgive the High King for murdering him."

"So, how did they strike against the Sovereigntists?" asked Itachi.

Visaelya smiled. "They may have been commoners, but they weren't stupid; they knew that a frontal assault against the High King's loyalist forces would be suicide. Instead, their first strike came through sabotage, and arson was a particularly favored tactic. Food stores, homes that had been seized by officers, and much more beside were set alight in the middle of the night. Weapons and armor were stolen in the chaos, and soldiers were lured into back alleys to be cut down. When the Sovereigntists attempted to crack down, the subsequent executions and punitive expeditions only served to further harden the commoners against the High King's followers. They sent messengers with valuable information regarding the Sovereigntists defenses to the Succesionists, and despite the fact that they were still licking their wounds from taking the Seireitei they recognized that they had to strike now while an active insurgency was on their side."

Itachi nodded. "They would've had to move quickly; civilians with stolen weapons and no combat training would've been hard-pressed to stand against an organized and professional fighting force."

"Quite so," said Visaelya, "The Royal Guard and the elite warriors of the Five Great Noble Houses formed the vanguard and struck before the Sovereigntists could put down the uprising for good. Other Succesionist forces took longer to arrive, but eventually they were able to inflict such severe losses on the Sovereigntists that they had no choice but to retreat. They pulled out of the Rukon District completely and headed west. At that point, the High King's plan became simply to flee the continental Soul Society with his Queen and surviving forces and hole up in the home island of Nur-Andunaya. His hope was that the vast distance between the island and the mainland, combined with the Andunayans' dominance over the sea, would discourage pursuit. However, he'd made a fatal mistake; he underestimated the depths of his crimes and just how far the opposition would go to bring him to justice."

"The royal family still dominated the home island at the time, correct?" asked Itachi, "Through the bloodline of the original High King's third son, yes?"

Visaelya nodded. "That's correct. The full details concerning the civil war hadn't yet reached the current High Lord of Andunaya, so despite some reservations he still welcomed the High King and Queen and offered them and their remaining followers safe harbor. Had the reigning High Lord understood the true breadth of the matter, perhaps things would've gone differently. Unfortunately, the hospitality that he extended to Arn-Melgothron proved to be a death sentence not just for the High Lord, but for all who inhabited the home island of Nur-Andunaya."

Jiraiya shook his head. "That sounds a little extreme. You're exaggerating, right?"

Visaelya sighed. "I wish I was. After the Sovereigntists were driven from the mainland, a great council was convened in the Seireitei. With the death of the Prince Chancellor and the retreat of the High King and Queen, the main branch of the royal family had no representation in these deliberations; the throne, for all intents and purposes, was wide open. Since the Five Great Noble Houses could claim royal blood through the lines of the five daughters of the first High King, they eagerly began jockeying for position. However, their individual arguments for ascension were ultimately rendered moot thanks to intervention from the Royal Realm."

Itachi leaned forward. "How so?"

"Do you recall what I said earlier about what happened to the fourth and youngest son of the original High King after the Andunayan coalition secured the Seireitei?" asked Visaelya.

Itachi nodded. "He had gone to the Royal Realm to serve as an intermediary between the Royal Family in the Soul Society and the Soul King's inner circle. That was thousands of years before the civil war, though. What role would he have to play?"

"Directly, none," said Visaelya, "However, his bloodline continued in the Royal Realm, and as I mentioned earlier, the position of intermediary was hereditary. The current holder of the position at the time of the civil war was also a powerful warrior, and thanks to the combination of his strength and his pedigree he became the decisive factor in ending the civil war. The Royal Realm dispatched him to the Seireitei to present a decree to the council; the position of High King of the Soul Society was abolished effective immediately. Since the intermediary had the full backing of the Royal Realm, including the Royal Guard, the council did not dare to protest the matter. The intermediary was also charged with executing another decree; that the home island of Nur-Andunaya be laid to waste and its inhabitants all killed."

Jiraiya glared at her. "So they were all condemned to death even though the inhabitants of the home island had played no part in the violence? Is this the justice of the Soul Society?"

Visaelya gave him a mournful look. "I never said that I agreed with the decree, Jiraiya. However, whatever opposition you and I might feel to such harsh measures is practically irrelevant now. After all, it happened nearly two-thousand years ago; our protests, regardless of how righteous they may be, cannot change what has already been done."

"I know that," Jiraiya growled, "but am I really supposed to ignore the fact that the foundations for the modern Soul Society were laid upon an act of utter slaughter?"

Visaelya closed her eyes for a moment. "If you wish to dispute the matter with the perpetrator, I imagine you'll have your chance to do so upon graduation. After all, they'll be the one presiding over the ceremony."

Both Itachi and Jiraiya were caught completely off-guard by that. They knew instantly who she was referring to, and it hit like a punch to the face.

"You're serious…" Itachi murmured.

Jiraiya shook his head. "I'll be damned…"

Visaelya nodded solemnly. "Yes. His original Andunayan name has been lost to history, deliberately; he abandoned it as a symbol of his dedication to carrying out his mission, and the Central Forty-Six has since purged all traces of it from records official and otherwise. The name he took on as a replacement is one that you know quite well; Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto."

"I think I'm starting to see how he actually became Head Captain," Jiraiya quipped with a dark edge in his voice.

"Even back then, his power was almost beyond reckoning," said Visaelya, "No army was required to destroy Nur-Andunaya. A single ship took the future Head Captain to his destination. The Andunayans believed it was carrying an envoy seeking to offer terms; they did not realize that it actually bore their downfall. Not many eyewitness accounts from the sailors were preserved, but one did survive in the Drakken family archives."

Yoruichi nodded. "The Shihōin family archives have one as well; one of my ancestors was part of the retinue on board the ship. I imagine their accounts and those preserved in your family's archives are similar."

"I believe so," Visaelya replied, "Please, feel free to point out any discrepancies if you hear them."

Yoruichi smiled. "I doubt I'll have any need for that. You've been doing pretty well so far."

"Thank you, Captain Shihōin," said Visaelya before turning back to Itachi and Jiraiya, "According to the records, the ship pulled right into the chief harbor of Nur-Andunaya unopposed. Lord Yamamoto departed the ship alone, but not before giving an explicit order to the vessel's captain; that he was to immediately remove the ship from port as soon as he had gone ashore and put at least five miles between the vessel and the shore… and that he was not to return for him until it was over. I can't imagine what might've gone through that captain's mind as he pulled his ship out of the harbor, especially given what was subsequently unleashed upon Nur-Andunaya."

"So, how did he do it?" asked Itachi grimly, "How did Head Captain Yamamoto go about murdering an entire island's worth of people?"

There was a long pause before Visaelya responded. "According to the records, everyone on the ship, from nobles down to lowly soldiers and crewmen, had an affinity for spirit energy. Therefore… they could all sense the moment Lord Yamamoto unleashed his Bankai. Even if they hadn't, though, they wouldn't have needed to; the flames that engulfed Nur-Andunaya were of such intensity that the accounts compare it to a second sun being born on the surface of the Earth itself. Even as far out to sea as the ship had gotten, people still jumped into the water for relief, so oppressive and powerful was the heat emitted. Given other accounts I've read of the Head Captain's power, it's quite frankly a marvel that the ship itself didn't burst into flames even at such a considerable distance."

Jiraiya grimaced. "Death by fire… that's a bad way to go."

Another grim thought crossed Itachi's mind. "You said earlier that the Andunayans had colonized other islands as well, right? What happened to them?"

"They met the same fate," Visaelya replied, "although it was by Shikai; Lord Yamamoto's Bankai was reserved for the home island alone. One by one, the remaining island settlements were scoured by the flames of Ryūjin Jakka. The Royal Realm would not allow any of them to stand, less they be used as a base from which to rebuild Nur-Andunaya. It took some time to track them all down, but in the end, the purge of the Realm of Starlight was absolute. The islands themselves may still exist, but according to rumors the few sailors who've ventured that far into the west have found only blackened and crumbling ruins."

"An example to any who might wish to set up a base of power separate from that of the Soul Society and the Royal Realm," said Itachi, "Sound about right?"

Visaelya sighed. "I cannot say for sure, but that's one plausible theory. In the end, it hardly matters. Nur-Andunaya was destroyed, and the realm that was built on the foundations it lay in the heart of the Soul Society became the one that we all know today. The divisions of the thirteen armies that sided with the opposition were reorganized into the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, with Lord Yamamoto becoming their first and so-far only Head Captain. The great council that had been convened after the Seireitei and Rukon District was secured was eventually reformed and expanded until it took shape as the governing body we all recognize as the Central Forty-Six. Thus, the modern Soul Society was born, and it's been working continuously to bury all traces of its predecessor ever since."

Kirio smiled. "It hasn't been quite as thorough as the Central Forty-Six might like, though. That's where our mission comes in!"

Visaelya nodded. "Yes… I suppose I went on much longer than I should have. Forgive me for delaying you in presenting your mission briefing, Captain Hikifune; Captain Shihōin."

Yoruichi shook her head. "Don't worry about it. After all, we were the ones who wanted you to give Itachi and Jiraiya the history lesson, and we gave you quite a meaty topic to boot. You did pretty well. Your instructors would be proud."

Visaelya smiled. "Thank you, Captain Shihōin."

Soi-Fon gave her Captain a pointed look. "That said, we really should move on to our present concerns. The knowledge of the past will serve the students well once we arrive on-site, but without mission-specific context it lacks value."

"Quite true," said Kirio as she stepped forward, "Visaelya, you can sit down with Itachi and Jiraiya now. Captain Shihōin and I will take over from here."

Visaelya bowed. "Understood, Captain Hikifune."

As she did as the Captain instructed, Itachi watched as Kirio went over to the chalkboard and sketched out a very rough map of the Soul Society. Meanwhile, Yoruichi pulled out an envelope from her Captain's haori, which Itachi assumed contained their mission orders. She withdrew one sheet of paper and passed it to Kirio. After consulting it for a moment, Squad Twelve's Captain proceeded to make some modifications to her map, with particular attention to detail given to the area north of the Rukon District.

"The Andunayans ruled the Soul Society for millennia," Yoruichi began, "and while for the most part it was considered to be a golden age, there were periods even before the Darfulth where the might of the High Kings was challenged. Large tribes of bandits and marauders have been active in the Soul Society throughout its history, although they've typically been considered more of a nuisance than an actual threat. Normally they're fractured and fight amongst themselves as often as they raid settlements. However, there have been a few occasions where they've set aside their differences to form a united front. That's when the danger they pose to the residents of the Soul Society is the greatest."

"There were a few large armies of raiders that were formed during the reign of the High Kings," said Kirio, "When these gathered in sufficient strength, the Seireitei would marshal its forces to put them down. While infrequent when viewed in the larger context of the old kingdom's history, these suppression campaigns could be rather lengthy affairs. After all, the bandits typically knew The Wild much better than their opponents did. Still, eventually these raider armies would be cornered and forced into a major battle, and that would lead to their undoing."

Yoruichi nodded. "While many of them may have been skilled fighters, these marauders were no matched for the discipline and strength of the forces that the Seireitei could bring to bear against them. Still, despite the fact that these battles ended in victory for the armies of the High Kings, that doesn't change the fact that they were gruesome affairs. Once the campaigns were over, it was Andunayan tradition that grand barrows be carved into the land near the sight of the fiercest fighting for their honored dead."

Visaelya's eyes widened. "I've read about these Andunayan barrows before. Not only were the fallen soldiers of the old kingdom interred within them, but oftentimes their weapons and armor were laid to rest alongside them…"

Kirio smiled. "I see you're already catching on. Good. That'll make this much easier!"

Itachi could guess where this was going. "Has one of these barrows been discovered?"

Yoruichi grinned. "Very good, Itachi! One has, although it was by accident; one of Squad Two's Hollow hunting teams operating in the north stumbled across the entrance to one as they were finishing off their prey."

"Talk about a lucky break," said Jiraiya, "Did they get inside?"

"They were unable to do so," said Soi-Fon, "Not surprising, really; the barrows of the old kingdom were typically sealed with powerful Kidō spells. Breaking through the entrance barriers alone is no small task."

Kirio nodded. "You're quite right. Fortunately, it is a task that can be accomplished by sufficiently powerful and skilled Soul Reapers. Between Yoruichi and myself, overcoming the barriers shouldn't be too hard."

"Don't forget Kisuke," Yoruichi added, "With his advanced Kidō skills, we might able to crack the barriers with a little finesse rather than rely on brute force."

Kirio smiled. "Good point."

Visaelya raised an eyebrow. "Kisuke Urahara? He's only your Third Seat though, right? Is he really that good?"

"You'd be surprised," Yoruichi replied, "Sometimes I think he's almost as good as Tessai. He could've gone far in the Kidō Corps, but it would've been a bit too restrictive given the broad nature of his talents."

"Some people need to be restricted," Soi-Fon grumbled.

Yoruichi laughed. "Now, now, Soi-Fon, what have I told you about trying to place nice with him? If you need to be reminded, I could always order you to serve as his subordinate the next time I send him into the field!"

Soi-Fon's face paled. "Th-that won't be necessary, Lady Yoruichi!"

"Is it really necessary for us to be forcing our way into them?" asked Itachi, "After all, if the barriers currently in place require the power of Captains to dispel, then I would hardly think that they're at risk of being breached by anyone outside the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."

Yoruichi nodded. "For the most part, you're right, but there's always the outside chance that someone with sufficient power who's not within our ranks learns of these barrows and is able to break into them. It's better that we get there first and do a proper survey. Whenever an Andunayan barrow is discovered, cataloguing their contents is considered to be top priority. Anything we deem to be dangerous is taken back to the Seireitei and placed in the custody of Squad Twelve."

Jiraiya sighed. "I understand the importance of making sure powerful Spirit Weapons and Armor don't fall into the wrong hands, but that doesn't change the fact that the mission you've got lined up here is basically grave robbery."

"It is a little unsavory," Kirio admitted, "but it is also necessary. Artifacts like the ones we may encounter in the barrows must be handled with care and cannot be left unsecured. Relying on the defenses put in place by the creators of the barrows is insufficient, no matter how formidable they might be. Now that we have located this barrow, it is our responsibility to secure it, catalogue its contents and transport them back to the Seireitei. That is the standing protocol of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, and it is our duty to uphold it."

Itachi nodded. "Understood. Squad Two and Twelve's roles in this mission seem clear enough, but what about the three of us? As mere students, it doesn't seem like we'd have much to contribute to something like this."

Yoruichi smiled. "Don't sell yourselves short. Of all the students currently attending the Academy, the three of you have by far the most impressive records. There's also the fact that I've had the privilege of overseeing operations that have involved the three of you out in the field since your education began, and you've acquitted yourselves very well on those occasions. At this point in your training, the best way for you to move forward is to get more time in the field, and this mission will offer you a unique chance to fine-tune your abilities."

"Not in a combat sense," Kirio added, "We don't anticipate any hostile contact in this operation, although we must always be on guard in case that does take place. Rather, we want to give the three of you a chance to test your observational skills in the field. Andunayan barrows aren't your ordinary tombs; they're quite expansive in size and require considerable effort to properly survey. You three have already demonstrated excellent situational awareness in the field, so bringing you along on this mission will give you an opportunity to expand those observational abilities to new kinds of environments."

"Well, when you put it that way, I suppose at the very least it'll be a learning experience," said Visaelya, "It'll also be rather historical, in a way. After all, the chance to explore an Andunayan barrow is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

Jiraiya smiled. "Even if it is a grave, it'll be nice to explore a part of the Soul Society that's beyond the Seireitei and the Rukon District. So, just where in the north is this barrow?"

"In the foothills at the base of the Whitefell Mountains, so about halfway between the Seireitei and the Principality of the Starmont Clan," Yoruichi replied, "It's just to the east of the central trade pass. We'll have quite a trip ahead of us."

"When do we set out?" asked Itachi.

"Tomorrow morning," Soi-Fon answered, "It'll be before dawn, so you'd better not stay up too late tonight."

"Speaking of tonight, you won't be going back to the dorms," said Yoruichi, "The three of you will be spending the night in the Squad Two barracks. This way you can leave with us when we set out, and we'll be able to make sure you're outfitted with the right supplies and gear. We're not going too far north but make no mistake; it'll still be much chillier up there than it is down here."

Itachi nodded. "I've operated in cold climates before. I'll be ready."

"Same here," said Jiraiya, "It's been a little while, but I'll be just fine."

Visaelya, on the other hand, looked a bit hesitant. "Just how cold are we talking here? Will there be snow?"

"Unlikely at this time of year," Kirio replied, "That being said, the weather around the Whitefell Mountains has always been a bit unpredictable."

Yoruichi smiled. "Don't worry. We'll have everything we need just in case the weather turns on us. Any other questions?"

"Just one," said Visaelya, and Itachi could've sworn he saw her blush, "Will... will Tenth Seat Uchiha be coming along on this mission?"

Yoruichi raised an eyebrow for a moment, but that gesture was soon replaced by a knowing smirk. "As a matter of fact, he will. Looking forward to seeing Shisui again after he saved your life last year, Miss Drakken?"

Visaelya looked down, her face flushed with embarrassment. "It's not like that!"

Jiraiya chuckled as he gave Itachi a playful elbow. "Man, you Uchiha sure are popular with the ladies!"

"Can you blame us?" asked Kirio as she winked at Itachi, "Having been privileged enough to meet both Itachi and Shisui, I can testify that you boys are both quite a catch!"

"Don't even think about poaching on my territory," said Yoruichi as she gave Itachi a wolfish grin, "I already called dibs on this one, remember?"

Kirio put her hands on her hips. "That's not how it works! He doesn't belong to either of us until graduation!"

Yoruichi smirked. "Then you'd better step up your game, Kirio. I'm going all out with this one, so you'd better do the same if you want to keep up!"

Kirio grinned. "Oh, you'd better believe I will!"

It felt strange to have two Captains competing over whose unit he would join upon graduation. Itachi had to wonder just what would happen as the point of commencement drew closer and closer. He'd heard stories about some Captains going to considerable lengths to get recruits that showed the most promise. Itachi still had a year left at the Academy; just how many division leaders had their eyes on him already?

He pushed that thought to the side for the time being. That was still some ways off; the mission before him now was a far more pressing concern.

Into the north to explore an elaborate tomb left behind by a fallen kingdom, he thought, I never imagined I'd be undertaking such an assignment as a Soul Reaper, or even as one in-training.

This should be interesting…

….

It was a bit intimidating seeing the Squad Two barracks up close. It wasn't the first time Visaelya had visited a home of one of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads; since Squad Ten was considered to be her family's division she'd naturally been given a tour by her uncle before starting her official Soul Reaper training. The Squad Two barracks weren't all that different structure-wise, but the fact that it was considered the turf of a rival Great Noble House did leave her feeling a certain tension.

Shake it off, she scolded herself, Captain Shihōin hasn't shown any signs of hostility towards you. In fact, despite the rivalry of our families she's actually been quite friendly. I should return the courtesy at the very least.

As they walked through the front gate she found herself looking around anxiously. She wasn't expecting trouble; rather, she was on the lookout for a face she'd been hoping to see for a year now. It was part of the reason why she was secretly rather excited for this assignment; it was a chance to work with him again.

And now you're acting like a smitten schoolgirl, she chided herself, Visaelya, snap out of it!

Now, now, ease up a little bit, said a female voice in her head that was most definitely not her own, Given that you're still in the Academy, one could easily make the case that you are a schoolgirl… and certainly a smitten one at that.

It was hard for her to suppress a scowl as she looked down at the hilt of her sword. Itachi and Jiraiya had warned her what would happen when she eventually awakened her Zanpakutō, but even with that advanced notice and a few weeks' worth of practice now it was still rather distracting. The violet hilt-wrapping and golden circular guard were nice to show off to her classmates, but Visaelya wasn't entirely sure if it was worth the price of another entity having access to her thoughts now.

I am not smitten!

Right. Whatever you say.

Visaelya wasn't sure where the spirit of her Zanpakutō got its particular attitude from. She knew that her awakened weapon was supposed to take on traits that were reflected in her, but now she was starting to question that particular lesson. She certainly didn't picture herself being as flippant as her Zanpakutō could be at times.

You need a lesson in manners.

And you need to be more mindful of your surroundings. After all, someone very special's just shown up.

Looking around rapidly, Visaelya's eyes widened as she caught sight of none other than Squad Two's Tenth Seat. That friendly smile she recalled so clearly was on his face again, and her face immediately warmed.

My memories… I'm glad the excitement and fear of that day did not mar my recollection…

Memories, said her Zanpakutō, and Visaelya could already picture the smirk on the spirit of her weapon's face, or dreams? You've had plenty involving him over the past few weeks…

Shut up!

"Welcome back, Captain," he said before turning to the students, "Good to see you three again."

Itachi nodded. "How've you been, Shisui?"

"Pretty well," he replied, "I'll fill you in later, all right?"

"Sounds good," said Itachi.

"Are you going to be our tour guide?" asked Jiraiya.

"That's right," said Shisui, "Captain, I can take them from here if you want me to."

Yoruichi smiled. "Sounds good. I've still got some pre-mission planning to go over with Kisuke and Soi-Fon, so if you can help get them settled in I'd appreciate it."

"Consider it done," said Shisui.

Yoruichi nodded. "Thanks. Let's go, Soi-Fon."

"As you command, Lady Yoruichi," said her bodyguard.

As Yoruichi and Soi-Fon left, Visaelya became acutely aware of Shisui's gaze shifting to her. She tried her best not to blush and hoped she didn't look as nervous as she felt.

His warm smile helped calm her nerves a little bit. "Visaelya Drakken, right? How've you been? I hope your wounds from that joint operation with Squad Ten haven't been bothering you."

He remembers!

Shocker.

I thought I told you to shut up!

She hastily cleared her through and smiled. "I've been very well, thank you. The injuries I took last year have healed nicely, and the remaining scar I wear as a reminder to myself to not become complacent. Had you not been there, I fear that I would not be alive today to take that lesson to heart. I owe you a great debt, Tenth Seat Uchiha."

Shisui laughed. "Please, just call me Shisui! No need to be formal, Miss Drakken."

Visaelya nodded. "I see. In that case… could you please call me Visaelya?"

"Sure thing," he replied, "Anyway, welcome to the Squad Two barracks! Follow me; the least I can do is show you three around before getting you settled in."

Since she'd seen Squad Ten's barracks before, Visaelya had a good idea as to what to expect. There was the training yard, the supply rooms, the kitchen, the meeting and dining halls, offices, and all the other conventional features of a division's home base. However, there were also aspects that Visaelya realized were unique to Squad Two's facilities. The Shihōin Clan crest was visible in a few areas, and in addition to the regular Squad Two facilities Visaelya also saw buildings that were marked for use specifically by the Stealth Force. Individual members of the Stealth Force's subdivisions, including the Executive Militia, Patrol Corps, Detention Unit and more could also be seen going about their business. They carried themselves differently than other Soul Reapers that Visaelya had seen in the past, almost like they were prepared to vanish into the shadows at a moment's notice. While she didn't like to think of herself as the type to be ill-at-ease with such people, she had to admit that the air they gave off was rather eerie.

Shisui seemed to catch her discomfort and gave her another smile. "Don't mind the Stealth Force members. Some of them can take a little getting used to, but they're all right. They just operate differently than the Thirteen Court Guard Squads."

Visaelya nodded. "Right. It's almost hard to believe that Captain Shihōin's their leader. She seems so much… brighter, if that makes any sense."

"It does," said Shisui, "That's the kind of woman our Captain is; even though she's the head of a group that operates in the shadows, her energy burns like the sun at the height of summer. She's warm with friends and comrades, but don't let that fool you; when the time comes for a mission, she gets right down to business."

"Speaking of a mission," said Itachi, "have you ever been on one like this?"

"You mean surveying an Andunayan barrow?" asked Shisui, "No, this one's a first for me. Not too surprising, though; finding barrows of the old kingdom nowadays is pretty rare."

"What about the area it's located in?" asked Jiraiya, "Any experience going that far north?"

Shisui nodded. "I've been up that way a couple times, though the closest I got to the Whitefell Mountains was just within viewing range. It's a bit chilly out there, but not too bad. There's actually some pretty nice scenery out that way. Definitely a beautiful stretch of The Wild, no doubt there."

Jiraiya smiled. "Too bad this won't be a sightseeing trip. I wouldn't mind the chance to explore a little."

Shisui shrugged. "Well, it'll still be quite a hike to get up that way, so you'll have time to take in the view."

"Are there any particular threats in the area that we should be wary of?" asked Itachi.

"Well, there's always the occasional Hollow," Shisui replied, "I mean, tracking them is how we stumbled upon the barrow in the first place. Some of the local wildlife can be a bit on the mean side, especially the wolves, but they'll usually back down after you give them a taste of your spiritual pressure."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "There are predators out there that sense spiritual pressure?"

Shisui nodded. "Yup. It's a phenomenon we've noticed in a few species that roam The Wild. They use it both to hunt and to identify threats. Since Soul Reapers are trained to control their spiritual pressure it naturally comes across to such predators as different than that of untrained beings. Once they realize what they're dealing with, they'll typically leave you alone."

"A response to a threat display," Itachi murmured, "Only instead of conveyed through visual and audio signals, the medium is spirit energy. Interesting…"

Shisui smiled. "The Wild's home to all sorts of creatures that we never would've run into in the world we lived in. I doubt we've run into more than a fraction of what's really out there. Squad Twelve's always got survey teams running around trying to document new species, but The Wild's so vast that they've barely scratched the surface."

"Interesting," said Jiraiya, "I wonder if we'll find any of these special beasties while we're up north."

"I should most certainly most hope not," said Visaelya, "Wolves are easy enough to deal with, but they're hardly the worst that the north has to offer. I'd be much more concerned about the cold-drakes that call the Whitefell Mountains home."

Itachi raised an eyebrow. "Cold drakes?"

"Think dragons, only these ones don't breathe fire," said Shisui, "They typically make their home in most mountain ranges up north, not just the Whitefells. They're not as well known as the ones that the Drakken Clan have tamed in the east, mostly because they don't get around as much. They can't fly and they tend to be more reclusive as a result. Still, they're fiercely territorial, and while they're not particularly fast their hides are incredibly tough, and their claws can carve through most forms of armor with ease."

Visaelya shivered just thinking about them. "I do hope that Captains Shihōin and Hikifune have taken such beasts into account. As students, the three of us are hardly qualified to take on a cold-drake."

Shisui shook his head. "You won't have to worry about that. The barrow's in the foothills; cold-drakes don't usually go down that far. They typically tunnel around in the caves that run through the heart of the Whitefells and feast on the creatures that inhabit them. This barrow shouldn't be anywhere close to their territory."

"I hope you're right," said Itachi.

Shisui shrugged. "Well, if I'm wrong, then at least the Captain will be able to get a decent workout in. You might get to see her unleash her Shikai."

Visaelya's eyes widened slightly. "Have you seen it?"

Shisui nodded. "A few times, yes. It's not often that she brings it out, but when she does… well, let's just say it's a real treat."

Jiraiya grinned. "Well, don't stop there! Give us the goods!"

Shisui chuckled as he shook his head. "Sorry, but I'm afraid that's all you're going to get out of me on that matter. It's considered bad form to talk about a Captain's Zanpakutō with someone that hasn't even officially joined the Thirteen Court Guard Squads yet."

Itachi nodded. "I understand. Forgive us for our impropriety."

Shisui laughed. "Ah, Itachi, you haven't changed; still as serious as ever!"

Visaelya was surprised to actually see Itachi smirk a little at that. "I'd like to think that I've gained a little flexibility in death… and even in life, I seem to recall that I wasn't entirely without a sense of humor. I believe I even made you spit out your drink from laughter on at least one occasion."

"Maybe once," Shisui allowed, "but that's all."

"If you insist," Itachi replied.

It felt strange to hear her classmate talk about his past life so casually. Part of it of course came from the rules of etiquette that had been engrained into Visaelya since childhood, but there was also the simple fact that, unlike her three companions, she'd never actually died before. Being born into the Soul Society, particularly into one of the Five Great Noble Houses, might've been a blessing, but it also meant that she was lacking a means to relate to the perspective of the vast majority of its denizens who were part of the great cycle of souls traversing between the afterlife and the Realms of the Living.

Shisui, Itachi, Jiraiya, she thought, they've all ridden the wheel of life and death and have been born anew… and here I am, struggling to truly understand what that really means for them. Which Realm of the Living did they come from? How did they die… and how did they come to be so at ease with their deaths?

You could always ask them.

It wouldn't be proper.

Perhaps… but that doesn't change the fact that it's what you want.

Sometimes she hated the link between Soul Reaper and Zanpakutō. The power boost that one gained from establishing and growing their rapport with their weapon's spirit was fundamental to the evolution of the Soul Reaper, but the access the Zanpakutō had to the wielder's thoughts and feelings could be downright unnerving.

You'll get used to it. Besides, it's not like I have to read your mind to know what you're thinking.

Believe me, I wish that weren't the case…

"Here we are," said Shisui as the four of them came to a stop in the barracks, "These two rooms will be yours for the night. Itachi, you and Jiraiya are in the one on the left; Visaelya, yours is on the right."

Visaelya nodded. "Thank you, although it isn't necessary to provide me with solo accommodations. I do not require special treatment."

Shisui shook his head. "Maybe, but it's what the Captain's assigned you. Take it for what it is and don't overthink it."

"Understood," she replied.

"Thanks for the tour," said Jiraiya, "I hope we haven't missed dinner; I could use a bite to eat."

Itachi nodded. "Yes, I suppose we could all do with some nourishment. Is the barracks' kitchen still open?"

"Yup," Shisui replied, "Feel free to head on over and grab some dinner. You can find your way back here later, right?"

"I think so, yes," said Itachi.

"Good," said Shisui, "Come find me later; we still have some catching up to do."