The Sun Sets on Greatness

Yahiko:He'd arrived or been invited by the old man of course. His eyes had felt somewhat dead inside. He'd been his hero and ideal someone he thought the world of. When Yahiko's parents died on the mission with him there. It was Yushiro who gave him courage to continue. To walk beyond the world that he saw here. To go and learn the human's ways and study. Yahiko was beyond the reach of cigarettes or any form of enjoyment. These things felt empty and meaningless as his eyes closed. He sat among family but remained further back. His shoulders leaning forward as he sat. It seemed he was lost in thought or perhaps the shock of the moment. It was a big thing to take for him. Everything had been going south since the war and now this. The Shihouin would rally behind Chidori he was sure. But what would he do, he didn't get a letter. Which in some ways hurt, but in other ways he got it. He understood the message loud and clear. He was to maintain what he'd been doing. Acting as a noble should and helping.

His frame didn't move or budge in his hands was a cigarette. He'd not lit it or done anything with it. It almost seemed like he'd forgotten it was there. The level of shock was clear for Yahiko. He spent so much time on earth, now regret consumed him. He felt sorrow for not being here more. For not being there to help the younger members. Certainly, he wasn't the strongest of the Shihouin family. He was, however, intelligent and gifted. A part of him felt a sting inside him as he didn't reach out. He did not go towards those of importance to him. Yahiko was always like this when the pain came. He was withdrawn and had been like it as a boy. But this time, there was no Yushiro to help him up again. His mother and father's passing had been one thing. But this hurt more as his eyes were dry by showed signs of tears. Yahiko had cried and withdrawn from most people. Desiring to come to terms with his grief alone without others. That was his burden to take in at this moment.

Takehiko Kuchiki: His eyes were sore from crying and weeping over the loss. Takehiko took the death of Yushiro harder than most expected. His eyes were red from crying. This man had granted him wisdom and helped him greatly. He also had shown him what a noble should be. Takehiko took that into his heart and embraced it. Those words were kindling to the fire in his heart. His eyes hurt as he'd run out of tears. Wearing traditional black garment despite being told not to do so. It was not a matter of pride for Takehiko but respect. For a man, he considered being important to him. Despite only meeting once he'd gained so much from it. His eyes and expression held sadness and pain in them. As he came later behind his uncle to pay his respects. Takehiko's eyes though had something inside of them. Not ambition but a fire burned within them. He'd gotten a good feeling that Yushiro would ask him how long he intended to act like a child and cry. It wasn't meant to be harsh but a snapping into reality.

Takehiko came to the portrait and silently bowed his head this day. This day was a solemn occasion but not the last. They had work to do and things to accomplish yet. Yushrio put his trust in the next generation. Takehiko could see it or maybe it was a feeling. But he knew that from here on it would be about helping one another. Whatever capacity he could with his mind or skills he'd help the Shihouin. Not for any gift or any promised reward. But for a man, he respected beyond the pale. Yushiro is what Takehiko often imagined his grandfather Unabara would have been like. The old man raised four kids rowdy enough to be considered monsters. Yet somehow maintained his family in a place impossible. Takehiko brought his head down before the casket now. He stopped and stood there for several moments now. It was hard to see the kind man laid to rest. The eternal sleep came for the good too soon. That was obvious to him as his eyes turned now. Looking out over the Shihouin family.

Takehiko made note of each face as he would visit each one of them. Regardless of what they asked of him. He would do his best to help them. This was not a time for just the Shihouin to be apart from them. Nobility is damned all should be offering their hand to them. Helping them as a loved one went to the final slumber. Takehiko stood for a moment his eyes sore but marking each. He had not the power nor the influence of some. He was a Vice-Captain, though this rank was impressive. He would wield his intellect and resolve if need be. But when they'd had enough time to heal. He would come to them all and meet them. Offering an olive branch, being a friend was all he could do. He had no great skills to call upon that altered the world. He was not the Kuchiki heir, he may have held that title for the Unabara. But they were wiped out and best forgotten. His frame finally moved walking away from them. He'd offered them a bow of his head. Words alone would not express the grief they felt.

Takehiko would do all he could as a person. For those in this place and those without. It was his promise to himself above all else. But also to each noble family member. The time for them to keep[ at arm's length needed to close. Even if once he asked Yushiro for power and help, he'd rather of asked for friendship now. Takehiko offered them a sad smile before walking off into the distance to remain and pay respects.

Having to outlive your little brother like this. How unlucky, and they say crossing a cat's path gives you luck. Whoever said that was a liar otherwise her brother shouldn't have died from an illness. Yoruichi attended, naturally, it would be wrong for her not to show up.

While her status with the Shihoin was distant, hence why she had no intention to take back up the mantle of clan head that she had already held previously. She neither wanted it then nor now and it was not her's in the faintest of possibilities that she wanted it. Teaching at the academy was easier and more down her alley.

"My condolensces Lady Yoruichi."

The cat turned to face the voice and noticed a servant of the family, yeah. She was in the form of a cat, at this event of all events. She wasn't trying to be disrespectful or anything but she had been pretty content on using this form for extended periods of time and if we're talking practicality, she didn't have to get dressed up in some overthetop attire. Being a cat liberated her from that, that's not to say if she needed to change she could probably be out, dressed and back in less than a minute. Thirty seconds if she had any real urgency. The slowest part would be getting the clothes on really.

"Thanks."

After finishing with the servant the flash goddess made her way over to Chidori and Rio. Flicking her tail idly before giving a small bow of her head.

"I'm very sorry for your loss. My brother was a good man, he would be proud of both of you and the others."

Her deep voice was lacking in its normal jovial tone that might've been associated with aunt Yoruichi growing up. There was a solemn one in its place, the voice of an old woman somewhat regretting all the times she dodged her little brother's affectionate hugs.

Why where all the young brothers dying?

Hakuyou Shiba wore not his uniform, he wore not the robes he acquired within London, but he wore dark robes baring the Shiba clan symbol. An all black affair which expressed the silent grief he felt. For before he could reconnect with an old friend, one of the last few remnants of a dying age, it was swept up by the rising tide. Yushiro Shihouin had passed away, silently, into that cold darkness. Perhaps in his final moments he raged, fought against such a thing. Or maybe he didn't. Hakuyou would never know, just as he would never truly know the final moments of his younger brother.

He would not weep, he would not shed tears. The heavy heart within his chest seemed to have dulled, become numb to the pain within it. He held that grief within him unable to relinquish it. As he entered into the area, his head bow'd in respect or perhaps to hide his worn features. It was not often he looked his age, that he felt his age, but today was one of those days. So the oldest son of the Shiba , would come to pay respects. Towering above mosts, he cut an imposing figure as he glided across only offering the barest pleasantries to those who stopped him.

Hakuyou Shiba was among the oldest in this room, perhaps rival'd only by Yoruichi herself. He felt her, somewhere, in this room. Some people recognized him, some by name and others more personally. The large black haori draped over his shoulders echo'd past traditions- as he walked to the large casket. One which very much could fit a man like him. Silently he'd place a callous hand upon it, his head bow'd in respect. He'd remain there for a good portion of time, perhaps far longer than most would expect.

I wonder what you would do with more time, Yushiro. Perhaps you shall meet Kaien, once more. I shall see you again, old friend.

He recalled Yushiro as a boy. As a kid. He recalled Kaien as a kid. All so fresh, fresh wounds which seemed to bore into him. To not even be over the death of his younger brother, and to receive another strike so soon was crippling to most. But for the Shinigami of the Silk Road he could only shake his head, understanding well what Yoruichi would be feeling. Finally, he'd release his hand from the casket edge turning around. His eyes briefly looking around, spotting Rio. He did not know if he should sit with them, such was the sake of propriety. He'd approach Rio.

A son was to not die before their parents. A little sibling was to not die before their elders. They where to protect them. He hoped to reach out to Yoruichi. Perhaps she would come with him one day, to visit Kaien's grave.

He had not been yet.

"I offer my condolences, it is- sad I was not able to visit him before this."

"Hmm. Long time no see, Hakuyou."

The voice came from below, like really low down and if Hakuyou looked down he'd probably not have any trouble in figuring out her identity.

"Doesn't take any effort to see you when you walk in. Does it?"

Yoruichi's gaze stayed focused onto him and she flicked her neck towards the seat next to Rio. Technically it was her seat but she could sit on the floor, on one of their laps or even just the seat next to Chidori if she really wanted.

"I'm sure Yushiro would be happy knowing you were able to attend. I think he looked up to you a bit when he was growing up."

The courtyard seemed to fill with more people as the funeral was starting. There was the appearance of a long lost cousin, Yahiko. A close friend of the family and the most esteemed Kuchiki noble, Byakuya. Even his protege, Takehiko had decided to attend. Of all of them, she appreciated Byakuya's presence the most. Even for a man as prideful as himself, he still possessed a heart. Of course, there was another person - a cat - who happened to catch her attention. That voice - even in its masculine timbre, could hardly be mistaken for any other. It was Aunt Yoruichi - a woman Rio had always looked up to whenever she visited, a legendary warrior whose reputation proceeded her.


"Thank you, Auntie. To hear you say those words fills me with nothing but pride on this somber day." Rio turned to gaze at Yugiri again before the appearance of a man she expected to come, arrived to pay his respects. Considering all the stories he spoke about Yushiro, Rio knew - on some base level - that this death weighed heavily on Hakuyou's heart. He always spoke so highly of him and they were just starting to get prepared to let Yushiro meet him again and talk about the old times. Such a moment... would never come to be.

"Fate has a cruel way of working like that, Hakuyou-san. I truly expected the next time you would see Papa would be over a few drinks. He would've been so happy to see an old friend. I would love for you to sit with me... but I am certain most of these reserved seats are for his closest family members. If you wish, I could order one of our servants to place a seat for you... I think that is allo-"

Before Rio could finish her sentence, she overheard Yoruichi joking about Hakuyou's height, only to follow it up with a mention of her Papa. Wait... these two know each other...? She had never heard Hakuyou mention Yoruichi - or perhaps if she did, she may have forgotten during their first meeting.

Turning her gaze towards both Hakuyou and Yoruichi, Rio absentmindedly said;

"You two know each other?"

"Thank you, Yoruichi-chan. I am glad I was able to attend; and to see you once more even if unfortunate circumstances."

The man would reply, noticeably using chan instead of san. This would most certainly affirm Rio that they indeed knew each other and was quite close, as evident as he didn't even use chan for Rio until he made his intentions known to her. But the large man would take a seat where Yoruichi would motion, not wanting to be any more of a sore thumb than he already was. He'd speak low, as to not disturb the guests.

"Yoruichi is one of my oldest friends. I spoke of our acquaintance briefly when we first met, Rio-chan." The man would comment, hopefully jogging her memory of when she explained Yushiro was in fact- not a girl. The man would allow a thin smile to come onto his lips, offering a respectful nod to the other family members who may not know him.

"I am Shiba Hakuyou, an old friend of Yushiro and Yoruichi. I wish we could meet under more favorable circumstances."

His eyes casted down to the feline form, he didn't need to say it. But he hoped she knew. He hope she knew how thankful he was, she had been there for his family when Kaien died. He would be here for her own, in whatever capacity he could be.