Dangerous Toys [Shishiyuki, Chidori]

The last person to knock on her door hit it with quite some force, though it's been years since she had the unfortunate chance to meet her ex-boyfriend's mother. Since then, the Shihoin gate has been a great measure of the threats that lied outside based purely on the sounds of their knocks. Shishiyuki's was one that bellowed through the estate, loud enough to summon Chidori herself to answer.

"What state and what affairs?" Chidori jokingly answered the gate and gestured for her colleague to come in. She has yet to meet Shishiyuki but the Shihoin and Koizumi had history that spanned generation. Where most other people would have been met with a much colder version of Chidori she saved the other the trouble, viewing her as a sort of distant cousin rather than a complete stranger. The Shihoin head lead her through the estate and stopped at a small room fit with a table, some pillows, and a ready tea set. Right next to the tea set was a bottle of sake, though Chidori paid it no mind and acted like it was supposed to be there.

"Thirsty?"

It was refreshing to meet someone who was straight to the point, though that feeling of relief was short lived. Shishiyuki asked many things of her without actually posing a question. Arms folded and cup empty, there was clearly a concerned expression of thought plastered across the Shihoin’s face.

First order of business was the Senakimon. “I’m surprised you came to me before Byakuya did, though perhaps that speaks to his merit as a leader more than anything.” She took a moment to grab the pot of tea, pouring a small amount into her cup. Her eyes focused on the wisps of steam as she thought of her next words carefully. “I will graciously accept your offer but do not think that my family will help for free. For the sake of our comrades stuck in the living realm I do not mind if it returns to how it was before, but I expect a favor in return.”


The cup of tea was brought up to her lips, but before it was even consumed she placed it back down and poured about twice the amount in sake into the cup. “Good.” The contents of the cup were devoured in a single gulp, there being no discernible reaction from Chidori.

“I distinctly remember that meeting, only appeared out of respect for tradition. Between the idiots and the elderly it was clear to me that central 46 is a relic of the past.”


“To speak bluntly, I think a culling of nobles is in order. My family have no need to display our strength, as we can very well defend our claims to right. The Koizumi I imagine have no issue as well, the others not so much. Byakuya has lived in his head too long, as have most Kuchiki.”

“You have my support, this time free of charge. Sake?” She held the bottle out to Shishiyuki as a gesture of good faith, but also in a way to seal whatever deal was being proposed. It was hard to describe her mind space as Chidori was a woman who wore her heart on her sleeve.

There was a slight frown on her face as there seemed to be a slight miscommunication. "Culling may have been the wrong word. Violence would be a last resort if I could help it." In truth she would much rather prefer to just beat down on those that didn't agree with her but even Chidori knew how bad that would make her look let alone the kind of enemies she'd make along the way. Not only that, she's become particularly found of her own family and couldn't imagine destroying another. That'd go past her ideals and squarely push her into monster territory and she wouldn't want Nakano or Yushiro to follow in her footsteps.

With a quick shake of her head she responded to Shishiyuki's concern. "I cannot, in good faith, bring back the Senkaimon with stipulations. In a different time under different circumstances maybe but I am a noble and it is my duty as such to improve the lives of those in the Soul Society, not make them worse. If anything, I'd even go as far to say that those in the Rukongai should be allowed access to this new Senkaimon but I know that's somewhat of a... progressive approach to things." Chidori meant what she said, though. She didn't fault Shishiyuki for wanting or even asking for what she was proposing, but Chidori just couldn't bring herself to.

"On account of my favor..." Chidori closed her eyes and say in silence while she thought about what she would even want from Shishiyuki. It wasn't long before her eyes shot open, an idea having formed. "Historically the Koizumi have bred amazing warriors. I ask, that when he's of age, you oversee Yushiro's training. You don't have to train him personally." That'd square away at least one of her children. The matter of succession was going to be a peculiar one when it happened considering that they were twins and had equal claim, but if Yushiro and Nanako were separately trained then perhaps it would be an easier pick for everyone.

"Unless you have a counteroffer?" Nothing she said was set in stone if the deal was sweet enough.

"Thank you. When all of this is over we should talk more." She spoke with a slight smile as she spoke candidly. It seems that the time was one where Chidori was forced to come out of her hiding hole more frequently, though it was naturally expected of the Shihoin head to show her face more often than not. On the flip side, it's not like anyone was going to come at her for wanting to raise her children.

"If there's nothing else...? If there is I am still here, and if there's anything after the fact you know where to find me. Feel free to come by anytime, your visits are more than welcome. Oh! And you should meet Yushiro sometime soon, he's absolutely adorable." She started to lose focus as her son was brought up but her question still stood. Stay or go, Chidori was willing to work with Shishiyuki.