Caught in the Act

Rio tilted her head in confusion towards Hakuyou's question as she went inside to order a cup of tea as well, following after her sister once the order was complete. How was she supposed to answer that? She wondered. Well, just answer it? Yeah, that made sense. Rio took a sip of her herbal tea as she let her thoughts simmer for a moment.

"Hakuyou? We've been doing well. He's been busy but we've shared love letters and still let one another know that there is affection and love for the other so anxiety doesn't set in. I'd like to see him soon but family comes first."

Rio took that time to ask a counter-question out of curiosity.

"How has Erchardt been treating you? Good, I presume?"

"That's good to know. I'm glad he's keeping you safe and that the travels you two embark on are fruitful and enlightening." Rio smiled as she continued to consume her tea. She smiled up at Yugiri as she inquired about the tea tasted. It was such a basic question but one she welcomed nevertheless.

"The tea is quite nice, Yugiri-chan. How is yours?"

"I know you don't, sister. I really do need to meet him in person, don't I?" Rio chuckled as she tapped at her cup, staring at her reflection through the green liquid. The defender of the Shihoin had never found much time to relax nowadays. Hakuyou was busy with division duties and it seemed as though the other family members were absorbed in their own day to day habits. It made sense, right? They were a clan first and foremost, but still...


"This is a nice tea place. I can't believe I never noticed it myself. Then again, being consumed as long as I was with training, I didn't care much for tea back then, did I?" She'd chuckle.

Rio smiled at Yugiri's poke towards her head, as it had brought her out of somewhat depressing thoughts. Thoughts she did not wish to reflect on, but still, they ate away at her somewhat. Rio adored Kokoro and Yugiri but found herself annoyed by Chidori.

Chidori seemed like she accepted the fact that most of her siblings and relatives still hate her guts. It was such a troublesome element, truly. Even so, to know that she could still be someone Yugiri talked to without restraint, Rio felt as if her heart was filled with unspeakable happiness.

She shared in her sister's stress, though hers was more rooted in observing and being an overseer over Shihoin activity between family members.


"I can relate. To be honest... there are so many things I find stressful with this family now, and I can't help but wonder why." She would lean into the wall as she brought the teacup towards her lips.

Rio listened to Yugiri intently, dissecting her words piece by piece. They certainly held a lot of merit. Yushiro was not only the head of the clan but a father figure to all of the Shihoin - be they cousin, niece, nephew, daughter, or son. He didn't care if you belonged in his direct family. As long as you accepted the idea of being welcomed into his family, his arms were always open.

He was always so leisurely about helping others, and he made it look so easy welcoming in different members of the clan. Above all, he found a way to keep his own family together. Yoruichi was equally successful in her rule. Was the next generation doomed to fail, then?

"Aunt Yoruichi is probably off enjoying herself as she well deserves. I wouldn't want to bother her with my grievances. How father and Yoruichi managed to maintain stability and solidarity in this family is beyond me. I feel I should be excited that my sister is the head, excited about the future... but every time I reflect on everything... I feel stressed. Anxious. Perturbed. So much so, that I question my own purpose sometimes."

Rio would gaze Yugiri with a somber smile. "Is it wrong to feel that way, Yugiri?"