Colourful Mist [Kasha, Shishiyuki]

Now that was something Shishiyuki understood all too well. The Koizumi family, despite presenting themselves as the most forgettable of the noble families, may well have been one of the worst to be born into. The demands of secrecy, of masks upon masks, was something that led so many of them to simply marry those from branch families.

"I feel much the same about Makoto. But I wonder, Kasha, if our family will be able to maintain its traditions much longer regardless. The times are changing. As head of the Koizumi, it is my duty to ensure that our family continues to prosper. I think we both know all too well that holding to those traditions forever will lead to anything but prosperity in the modern Soul Society."

Another sip of tea, as if to punctuate her thoughts. The continuation of this house was what she had sworn to devote herself to. She would do whatever was necessary to achieve that.

"I, personally, intend to never subject Makoto to that. You may rest assured that I would not expect you to do so, either."

"If the elders of the family wish to challenge my decisions, they are certainly welcome to bring forward that challenge in the traditional manner. If they simply act behind my back, then I will take that as acting against the best interests of the Koizumi."

It was a fairly decisive statement to make, given the casual atmosphere of simply having tea with her younger relative. Shishiyuki was perfectly willing to cut down those who would hold the Koizumi back to the oldest traditions. It wasn't as if she was unfamiliar with them herself, after all. She was far older than the vast majority of the household, and had maintained her youth better than most of her peers from that time. She was every bit as capable as they of deciding the value of the old ways.

"The elders will not be present forever, either way. It seems foolish to not consider the well-being of the younger generations such as yourself."

"Perhaps you are right, but even so, it is my duty to think of the Koizumi. If I can create an environment which might convince even one of them to reconsider those rigid traditions, then I will certainly do so."

It was honestly quite difficult, but that was par for the course in Shishiyuki's life. The vast majority of the decisions she made in her life were far from easy ones, and this was simply one more that needed to be made. It was funny, almost, that they had reached this point simply because he came to her for romantic advice. Then again, perhaps it was tragic that something so simple would lead to such a serious topic in their household.

"I can never force all of our family to get along perfectly. In such a large number of people, there will inevitably be strife. All that I can do is ensure they live in an environment which gives them the most opportunity to live happily."

"Our family is an insular one, without many of the political relationships and long-standing alliances that most of the nobility holds onto. Our allegiances have only ever stayed with the Seireitei as a whole, serving impartially and quietly. It is only natural that I would come to care for my family's well-being, and to hold them as more important than the others in my role would hold their family."

Shishiyuki didn't have especially high opinions of any of the other great noble household leaders, though naturally she still made every effort to remain on cordial terms with them. Perhaps the only one that she had respected had been Yuushiro Shihoin-- but, of course, that relationship had always been strained by the Shihoins' longstanding respect for Midori. It was only natural that such a thing would lead Shishiyuki to be unwelcome to some degree.

"Perhaps you are biased, but is it an unwelcome bias to hold a stance on the direction of one's own family? I would simply think of it as emotional investment on your end."