obliteration in a barrel ∅ THE KIDO RAIL GUN

The moment he thought he had his quiet back someone else decided not he heed the warnings of his body language. Then, that same someone had the nerve to try and handle him in his state."Don't lecture me about pushing people away you fucking.. " His hands clenched into fists in his exasperation and frustration. He couldn't think of a word to describe Souta's assholery. "You've spent your entire life avoiding me as if not to be lumped in with me." He'd begun to tap his rubber mallet against his thigh, hitting himself harder and harder. "As if it were a sin for you to be seen as my little brother." Shi'Kuyo bit into the inside of his cheek and smashed the rubber mallet into the ground through the floor. He stood up carefully, his shoulders stiff and a little hunched, never taking his eyes off of Souta's. His frown now twisted into a scowl. "I have a theory for you Souta and after I share it with you, you'll share something with me; the truth.

"And if you don't share the truth with me little brother, I'm going to punch a hole through your chest and then drag you to the other side of the Seireitei to Kawa so she can heal you." It wasn't commonplace for him to genuinely insult his brother, nor threaten him. In fact it was unheard of he ripped on Souta sure but it was always in good spirits and never out of malice.

But, Souta came in when Shi'Kuyo wanted to be left alone with his work. Shi' knew he had to lead eventually, probably the moment he left his room he would have to grab the Corps by the reins. He didn't need a pep talk and he didn't need prodding, he'd only needed some time, distance and solitude. He didn't think he was being all that selfish just asking for a couple weeks to get things in order before he truly accepted that responsibility. He knew Souta came out of a place of concern but the reality of it was that his brother wouldn't have been here 'concerned' about him if it wasn't his own squad that was now missing a Commander and lacking a soldier to take said Commander's place.

He approached his brother, fire in his eyes. "The truth is the only reason you aspired to join this Corps was because for your whole life prior to the academy I was in the Onmitsukido." Though he had always been a kidō talent he never expressed interest in the Kidōshū, because with feelings similar to what he swore was Souta's he distanced himself from anything that would make those around him compare him to his father. "Admit it now. I won't care to listen later when I'm dragging your ass to the Yonbantai."

He kept his distance for now... but if Souta lied to him or Shi'Kuyo felt he was lying.. he really was going to punch that hole in his chest.

"...." Fizzled out. It seemed the sight of his brother ready to take on whatever abuse he was willing to dish out took all the fight right out of him. It was almost horrifying how fast his anger was drained from him with such a gesture. For the life of him he remembered only wanting to love his brother, if not from a distance. How had they fallen this far?

Of course Souta wasn't going to back down from his lashing out. He had always been a mirror of emotions. The way he could understand the feelings of others and identify with them was so uncanny it was a little unnatural. For Shi'Kuyo to have vented to him in such a way, there were bound to be effects to that cause. His shoulders untensed and slumped forward as if in defeat. "You're right Souta, this isn't working and we can't move forward this way. We are failing as brothers and I don't feel very noble right now." He sat back down on the workbench with a heavy plop and heavier exhale. There was still tension in the room, but exploding made him feel a little better.

"Leave it to you to derail my outburst with your own you're definitely my father's son." Sliding over to the edge of the work bench he knocked on the wood, a gesture for Souta to join him. "I'm sorry otouto I didn't mean to put you in my sights, you know my brain is smaller than yours." He hung his arm over Souta's neck once he sat, pulling him in. "I guess I'm already being crushed by the weight of this job." With his free hand he passed the other a section of the protocol ledgers covering the actions to be taken in the case of missing high ranking officers. In hung in the air for both Toko' to see. "I'm not 'kind of' our leader. Minamoto-Sōshi is dead. In the impossible chance she's really not dead, Kidōshū protocol dictates that she be officially declared dead and replaced today."

"The sun set a few hours ago.. that means I am the leader." He paused. "But I can't be -Sōshi. not yet... -Daichō will have to be enough."

Souta's words were reassuring after all. A pep talk did wonders when you weren't too beside yourself with anger to hear and accept it. He took a moment to collect himself and adjust his composure. "I appreciate that, Souta."

"Its a good thing I have you little brother, cause I do need you. Now that I'm in charge you're by succession rites the next in line lead the corps you'll have to double down on your studies if you want to be a competent commander." He mused. "Not that I plan on dying anytime soon." He stood up and seemingly dusted himself off ready to move on from this moment. "Its true kid, I am better than you at the demon arts but because of how good I am, you'll have the means to one day be even better. I mean look at our old man, I'm pretty sure I can wreck him in a kidō fight these days." His vision panned over to the unfinished kidō-weaponized elephant in the room. The damn thing probably wouldn't be finished for some time being that it was a pet project and not at the top of the corps' hit list. His own little something something on the side for now.

Still, a few panels a day kept the project underway.

Donning his inverted haori Shi'Kuyo reveled in the remaining weight of the grief knowing it would be lifted before he knew it. Heading for the door The new-found calm inspired by his brother gave a razor edge to his focus. "Let's go omouto, we have work to do." Leaving the rail gun under lock and key he departed the grounds of the Kidōshū his new lieutenant commander in tow of to fulfill his first official act as Kidōshū-Sōshi.

EXIT!!