Legacy [Komamura, Erika, Shishiyuki?]

"The nobility have already condemned my niece once, and I was powerless to stop them then. I have no intention of letting it happen this time, least of all when their actions so flagrantly work only in their own interest. What the people of the Seireitei and Rukongai require at present is support. They require reconstruction. What they do not require is Central 46 clamoring to regain a position of military authority, and so I will keep their authority firmly in check. By force, if that is what is required to protect the well-being of those who are unable to fight back."

It was true, that Shishiyuki would see conflict coming forward. But that conflict, she believed, was in the best interest of the Soul Society. It was in the interest of the people that the aristocracy, which had only ever worked to fatten their own pockets and make their own lives easier, be brought down to a far lower level than they currently occupied.

"Just as Lady Masamune intends to protect the Captain Commander's honor and her dream, I intend to do the same. She did not wish for the nobility to have control over the Gotei; such is why I chose never to request captaincy. So long as you hold the good of the people as your aim, Komamura-dono, then we of the Koizumi will certainly host you for as long as you deem it suitable."

She offered a polite bow to both of them, to Erika as a farewell and to Komamura as a gesture of thanks. Even as head of a Great Noble House, Shishiyuki was never one to hold herself above others when they were so firm in their convictions, and so willing to fight for them.

Joining Shishiyuki in bowing farewell to Erika, Sajin bent at the waist while consumed with the thought that he was at least grateful for her explanation, even if he would have done things differently. He recalled how filled with rage he had been upon hearing what she did, but now he understood her motivations and could no longer bring such anger to bare.

Raising back up, Sajin turned his attention back to the other woman and considered her words carefully. She was someone who evidently did not shy away from conflict, and though he was still loathe to seek such a thing out Sajin was grateful there was a person like her in opposition to the nobles. "The good of the people is the very reason I have come here, Lady Koizumi. It is on their behalf that anger was stirred within me, enough to seek out Erika Masamune myself. And it is on their behalf I do this..."

Without warning Sajin fell to his knees while leaning forward, prostrating himself before the head of the Koizumi just as he had told Lyza he would. "Lady Koizumi, it shames me but I have come here to beg for your aid! You offer to house me, but it is for others I seek your help. I have made promises, ones I cannot hope to keep without the support your house can provide. We need funding for food, water, housing, and employment for Shinigami and their Rukongai families. I do not wish to become enslaved to financial debt as the Gotei once was, but the life debt I owe to the Gotei and Rukongai is greater than any other I could take on."

Shishiyuki considered the words that Komamura had spoken from a position of such overwhelming deference. If he had said them simply standing upright, with assuredness in his position, perhaps she might have felt more disinclined to appreciate that he had made such promises. But it was his willingness to make this request in such a manner that told Shishiyuki far more than any amount of instinct or noble understanding could possibly convey.

A man of his pride would not bow so low without true purpose.

"Then I will offer my assistance to you, Komamura-dono. It was my niece's vision that the Gotei United provide for the shinigami and the people of the Rukongai. It would be a failure to uphold my loyalty to her if I abandoned that aim now."

Shishiyuki would not return such an overwhelming bow, but she did lower herself to a seiza position even so, showing her willingness to treat the man as her equal in these ambitions.

"You will have the support of the Koizumi, with no expectation or intent that you one day repay us. This is simply an act of loyalty for us both."

For the first time in over a century, Sajin Komamura felt proud. He felt pride, not embarrassment, and relief from kneeling and bowing before this woman, begging for her help. The only embarrassment he would have felt would have come from not doing everything in his power to secure aid for Lyza, Komugi and her family, and everyone else he had met who needed it. He didn't look up from the ground though until Shishiyuki guaranteed no expectation of repayment, causing his yellow eyes to light up with surprise.

"Your generosity will aid many people, Lady Koizumi." So that he could look at her in her eyes again, Sajin rose to a matching seiza position in front of Shishiyuki. "We will put it to good use. I will also seek out aid from others to lessen the burden placed on you and your house. I was told the Shiba are the "least-noble nobles", though I do not have a tremendous amount of first hand experience with them. I trust in your word: Do you believe they can be trusted as well?"

"I believe that the Shiba are a house with no love for Central 46. Lady Shiba has long made her home among the people of the Rukongai, away from noble politics. She is certainly trustworthy in these aims, as are, I believe, some other houses."

Was it every house that had voted against Byakuya? No, not all of them. Shishiyuki knew that there were others who might have voted in one way or another simply for the sake of their own ambitions. But she was a shrewd woman herself, and she knew well what sort of people lived here in the Seireitei. She had lived shrouded in deceit longer than perhaps any other noble; it was what made her so adept at crushing those obfuscations.

"I intend to speak with the Shihoin family head soon. My family and theirs have long held a good relationship, and the current head is young. A woman who spent many of her years on Earth, away from the politics of the Seireitei. Perhaps that was the late Lord Shihoin's intention for his heir."

It would not have surprised her one iota if that were the case. Yushiro had been a wise man, one Shishiyuki respected to the utmost. Now was no time to reminisce, however.

"Among the less grand houses, there are a handful who will certainly aid us. I believe I need not give you any introduction to the house Sawachika. Your former Third Seat has since taken lordship of the family, and has long been overt about his continued respect for those days under you."

While Sajin did listen intently, he could not help but worry with such grandiose names being thrown around that a future where civil war between nobles tore Soul Society apart was a possibility. His goal was not to go to war, though he would not shy from conflict where unavoidable. Rather, he wanted to provide an alternative to the greediest of Nobles and their selfish goals, one people flock to of their own accord.

"I do not know much of the Shihoin, though I once met their previous head Yoruichi. I will trust in your dealings with this newest family head." Considering many of these problems arose from the Nobles, to place so much trust in one may have seemed ill-advised to others but he could see the sincerity in Shishiyuki's heart as she gave her honest opinion of other Nobles.

Ken? Sajin had not seen nor spoken to that man in over a century, but he did remember him. The Lord Sawachika was not an easily forgotten man. "I will have to seek him out as well then, any additional support is welcomed. I can only hope he has not changed with time as many others have." Changing the subject again, a serious glint appeared in his yellow eyes, his next words even more serious in tone as well "I believe in order for us to be most successful as an alternative to Central 46, we need a strong leader who can unite the Seireitei and Rukongai. I am not overly familiar with the people in, or were in, the Gotei. In your view would any of the Captains make for such a leader?"

It was reassuring to know that Komamura would trust in her opinion; Shishiyuki knew that the Shihoin were a family she could place more trust in than most. How paradoxical, she had to think, of a family which had always overseen the most shadowed of the Seireitei's organizations.

"Of the former Gotei leadership, I am uncertain if any would be suitable for the position, if one were to create such unity. Lady Masamune would never wish to serve such a position; she is loyal to my niece, and my niece alone. Captain Kuchiki of the 2nd Division has expressed only distaste for such politics, treating her captaincy as duty to the people rather than a position to be held with significant pride."

Perhaps, if she were more inclined, Rukia might have been good for that position, but Shishiyuki would not think to press the woman. It would only fail, she knew, and would hardly even be fair to someone who had likely suffered more than most in the past century.

"Acting Captain St. Vendemiaire of the 3rd Division is popular among the people of the Rukongai, but I am uncertain if he has intention to lead again. Captain Nagoshi is strong, and has built loyalty among many of her division, but authority by force is not what we seek in this. Captain Hisakawa is weak-willed, incapable of seeing through even simple orders for the sake of the Soul Cycle. The 6th's Acting Captain, Rio Shihoin, may have potential, but she is quiet, demure sort in many circumstances. I doubt that she would have the strength to see this through. Captain Kishimoto, though undoubtedly firm in her convictions, is not a woman with attachment to the Soul Society. She has served as captain of the 7th for a purpose, and I believe she would prefer to continue her work on Earth. As for Captain Otoribashi...he is undoubtedly charismatic, and well-liked by his division. My niece was quite fond of him, and he is loyal to her. But at present, he remains in a critical state, unconscious."

That was all of the leadership at present. Shishiyuki had not considered the vice captains, for she doubted that such a position would inspire much in the way of confidence.

"These are troubled times, I am afraid. Perhaps the former Captain Commander Kyoraku. Or, if you feel you are up to the task, I believe that you yourself, Komamura-dono, would be a suitable leader. I have considered a formal expansion of the Koizumi land, to serve as shogun of such a domain, but even that would require other leadership to avoid mere tyranny. I believe it in our best interest to avoid any singular leader again; such a centralized role only paves way for a vacuum."

As Shishiyuki ran through the list of possible candidates, shooting down most of them as she did, some small part of Sajin couldn't help but to compare these people to his own peers from his time as Captain. At least, only until he remembered three of them had betrayed the Gotei Thirteen and plotted to tear down Soul Society and kill its King.

Sajin could not help but be disappointed by Shishiyuki's estimations of these people. At least she seemed supportive of Rose's character, though his current state automatically excluded him. A former Captain Commander would be more qualified than most, but Sajin couldn't help but guess the former part happened for a reason...still, perhaps if he meets her he could find out for himself. Today was proof assumptions were dangerous things.

Me?

Sajin blinked a few times, taken off guard by Shishiyuki's suggestion that not only could he try to lead, but that he was actually suited for it. Suited to follow in Genryusai-dono's footsteps..."I'm afraid I am not suitable, Lady Koizumi. I abandoned Soul Society, and upon my return failed once again to protect anything." At this point he did not feel sorry for himself, this was not Sajin wallowing; he simply believed his absence disqualified him. How, after all, could he ever expect anyone to follow or serve dutifully when he failed at every turn in his own duty?

"Even should Soul Society no longer be within the grasp of only the Central 46 and Gotei, the organization responsible for guarding Soul Society and the balance of the worlds will require a leader. Still, while I do not judge your ambition, I cannot help but wonder which other factions will see the power vacuum as an opportunity to advance their own interests."

"I understand. I will not press you on that matter, then. But know that, should you change your mind, we of the Koizumi would certainly support you."

Shishiyuki was a practical woman; she understood that Komamura, even if he did not believe himself suited, had the potential to be that leader. She understood just as well, however, why he might be so disinclined toward that kind of position. It was not so different from Erika's own lack of ambition toward it, she supposed.

"I believe, for the time being, we will see many step up and attempt to stabilize the Soul Society. There will undoubtedly be those with good intention in their heart; there will be those who seek only their own advancement. I think to stamp down the latter so early might only hinder the former. I, for the time being, am willing to wait, and see where matters go. Shinigami are still on Earth, as former members of the 7th Division. Until the Senkaimon has been restored, there is no chance that we can focus on the balance regardless."

It was what it was, she supposed. A displeasing reality, but one she could not ignore.

"I believe that the Shihoin have the blueprints to that device within their countless stores of treasures. I hope to gain access to it when I speak with Lady Shihoin, at least. But building it will still take time, and I believe we can only be prudent and watch for those who may be suited to lead in the meanwhile."

Shishiyuki's confidence in Sajin would have been more unexpected, but he had already come across people happy for his return rather than disappointed in his absence. Perhaps his perspective was wrongly skewed, he considered in silence. If instead of his failures defining him principals and loyalty did, he need not be so reluctant to serve as a figure for others to look to. Sajin also considered such a role could be an act of sacrifice in their stead, and for just a moment could see himself filling it.

"The Senkaimon is of utmost importance, Lady Koizumi. You mention Shinigami trapped in the Land of the Living. Just last night I met a young woman waiting for her loved one's return, and there are doubtless many more in the same position. Even beyond the morality in reuniting loved ones, the Cycle's balance cannot be forgotten, its maintenance as important a duty as ever. While you work on securing the Senkaimon's repair, I will gather those still willing to do their duty as Shinigami. Together, and with the help of many others, we may yet secure Soul Society's future."

As a final request, Sajin stood and prepared to leave as he asked "Lady Koizumi, if you happen across any wayward Shinigami who still seek a place to call home and to do their duty, I now go to the Sixth Division barracks as I have heard they are rather empty. Please pass my mission along to them, if it pleases you."