[It's fleeting, but even that slight pressure in return for the kiss is enough to banish pain and the exhaustion for a moment or two. He cups her cheek with his hand, and regards her with gentle amusement.]
It's not like you to underestimate yourself, Jyuu. Especially in a fight.
[The rejoinder is quietly teasing - in the best part of two millennia, Kyouraku can hardly recall a day when she has not stubbornly challenged either her own limits or those imposed by others. More than once, he has wryly accused her of trying to turn his hair white too, and more than once has received an elbow in his ribs for the trouble.]
Without the Central 46, it's down to the noble houses alone. And while they may not vote in your favour, do you really think that Shihouin would stand against you? Or even Kuchiki, if Ginrei retains control. Unohana will back you if Retsu stands down - they're long-sighted enough to see that there's no better candidate.
Yamamoto, I think, will vote according to their conscience, and it's no secret that Yama-jii thought of you almost as a daughter... unless that's just something he liked to say when he knew I was listening.
[His lips curve in the faintest of smiles at the last, though the loss of the man who had been his sensei for so long is too raw and recent a wound for even Kyouraku to gloss over.]
Even if they wanted to take your captaincy, my friend, they have no one to promote in your place. If they had they would have made a move already. The noble houses lack subtlety, and Retsu isn't here all the time.
[Another smile to accompany his words, this one darker than the last.]
If they lose Thirteenth, then they lose Eighth as well. And if they try to take it by force, I'll kill them.
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momijizukamori
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Date: 2011-02-02 01:59 pm (UTC)It's not like you to underestimate yourself, Jyuu. Especially in a fight.
[The rejoinder is quietly teasing - in the best part of two millennia, Kyouraku can hardly recall a day when she has not stubbornly challenged either her own limits or those imposed by others. More than once, he has wryly accused her of trying to turn his hair white too, and more than once has received an elbow in his ribs for the trouble.]
Without the Central 46, it's down to the noble houses alone. And while they may not vote in your favour, do you really think that Shihouin would stand against you? Or even Kuchiki, if Ginrei retains control. Unohana will back you if Retsu stands down - they're long-sighted enough to see that there's no better candidate.
Yamamoto, I think, will vote according to their conscience, and it's no secret that Yama-jii thought of you almost as a daughter... unless that's just something he liked to say when he knew I was listening.
[His lips curve in the faintest of smiles at the last, though the loss of the man who had been his sensei for so long is too raw and recent a wound for even Kyouraku to gloss over.]
Even if they wanted to take your captaincy, my friend, they have no one to promote in your place. If they had they would have made a move already. The noble houses lack subtlety, and Retsu isn't here all the time.
[Another smile to accompany his words, this one darker than the last.]
If they lose Thirteenth, then they lose Eighth as well. And if they try to take it by force, I'll kill them.