#the day Soma died Seiroku wouldn't be the same

[deathfavor]

“When he died, all things soft and beautiful and bright would be buried with him.”

Now when I tell you this is Soma and Seiroku coded-

[deathfavor]

Anonymous said: Seiroku, did you know when you'll marry Soma you'll be next in line to become captain? If he dies and has no heirs will you take over the Date for him, stay as a doctor, leave the band or try to die again?

  It can be quite peculiar how the brain works. Of course Seiroku technically already knew the facts that were being presented to him. It was rather standard procedure for the spouse to take over leading the clan in the absence of a direct heir or one that was not yet eligible to take over the duties. Although he also found it wasn’t uncommon in some regions for it to go to the spouse regardless, a small variation but the principle was the same. Yet there’d always been a disconnect to truly processing it on a personal level. Maybe it was because the idea of Soma dying was so unfathomable. Except, that wasn’t that true. Soma did seem almost impossible to fall to such a fate with his unwavering strength and determination. But at the end of the day, Soma was still a man. Seiroku had been privy to plenty of opportunities where he could have landed fatal blows or set traps long before they’d reached this point in their story.  There were thousands of ways death could come: a person, an illness, oni, a natural disaster, war, age, hundreds upon hundreds. Humans were every bit as fragile as they were tough. For Seiroku, there was one.  

  Except it isn’t really just that the idea of Soma dying seems absurd. It was because Seiroku had never pictured the marriage really going through. No matter how he longed for it, he’d already resolved to tell the truth before the marriage ever went through. And then what? That’s where everything crumbled. He had always figured that Soma would probably hate him. And on the off chance that he didn’t? The world was doomed anyways. It wasn’t as though any of it mattered in the long run. Because they would all die and so would Seiroku’s purpose. ( And thus him shortly after.) But this is just a hypothetical question. If the marriage went through. If Soma died. So many ifs. 

   What would he do? 

   “  It depends on if Soma already has plans in place. If in the event that such comes to pass and he has someone else in mind to pass it off to – “ His shoulders rise and fall.  “  – I wouldn’t fight them for it. Especially since it would have been Soma’s choice. His judgement I trust. “ Would he stay though? That was question that he was less confident in regards to for an answer. This future presumes that Soma is gone but that the world is still here ; that the black kishin has been defeated or imprisoned or something. Assuming that doesn’t kill him, Seiroku still won’t age. There are those he’s grown to care about greatly here but is it enough? If he leaves, it would be in death’s hand. It is a thought that makes the phantom sensation reappear where he’d held the blade to his chest, ready to pierce his black crystal heart. What would be his purpose? There would be nowhere for him to GO if he left besides to Death's door.  

   “ If he wants for ME to take over… “ There’s heavy situational irony in that idea. For the man who hated bushi and sought to slaughter them all to be placed in charge of one of the most powerful bands. (Then again, that irony is already heavy with falling in love with a bushi captain much less one of the grand generals – this was merely digging that pit deeper). Would Soma even consider that? Seiroku taking over the role and leading? Not to mention, once again, his near immortality would bring into questions a matter of how long he would be expected to lead for. How long would Soma want to see? What would he want?

" Of course I would take over for him." The answer is quiet, and it surprises even himself to a degree. He knew he wouldn't spurn Soma's wishes like that, but the ease at which he says it is shocking. If Soma thought he was fit and that there wasn't someone else he wanted to lead, then Seiroku would do everything to make sure the Date thrived and flourished. Even if the thought of dealing with some of the other clans still makes him sick to his stomach - he wouldn't ruin that. Ruining that would mean ruining Soma's legacy, what Soma held so near and dear to him. If Soma was dead, then he lived on through the Date. From their culture surviving, from the clan's success, Seiroku would do his best to ensure it continued to succeed for Soma. Maybe he might make him proud.