Private By Dominance of Blood [Req Akari]

[Chiyo]

Nestled in the upper floors of the Kazekage tower, Chiyo's new office basked in the warm artificial sunlight streaming through two tall windows along the far wall. She'd just finished having the entire space redecorated to her personal tastes and was exceedingly pleased with how it had turned out. The windows were trimmed with sheer black curtains that dimmed the sunlight nicely when needed, but they remained open for now, allowing the natural light to illuminate the room at a more comforting, subdued level for the meeting she was currently anticipating. Judging by what her father had shared about the ANBU operative that had caught her attention at the recent clan leaders' meeting, this conversation was sure to be uncomfortable at best and downright dangerous at worst. Hopefully she could keep it controlled enough that the tower would still be standing by the next day.

The upper half of the walls were covered with a rich purple silk wallpaper featuring a subtle damask pattern that caught the light beautifully, while along the lower half ran elegant wood wainscoting in a deep chocolate color that added warmth and gravitas to the space. The wall between the two windows, however, held a large, impressive bookshelf in the same finish as the lower walls, laden with an eclectic assortment of books and tomes - some new and crisp, others ancient and weathered - along with various trinkets, curiosities, and shinobi tools she'd collected over the years. Her desk was large and imposing, commanding attention, but it was softened by the presence of a lovely metal lamp with a stained glass shade in rich jewel tones, a rounded clay cup that held an assortment of pens and quills, a couple of mostly orderly stacks of papers awaiting her attention, and a couple of well-worn books she'd been perusing that morning during a rare moment of calm.

The Sennin's attention, however, was currently focused on the round low table that sat in the center of the room, surrounded by four plush wingback armchairs upholstered in a sophisticated charcoal grey with an understated pinstripe pattern that matched the color of the office chair positioned behind her desk. Carefully placing the ornate silver filigree tray she carried onto the polished surface of the table, she inspected the offerings she had meticulously prepared as she straightened and smoothed her hands over the charcoal grey sheath dress she wore. A gleaming silver carafe of tea - carefully selected from her personal collection - sat alongside two delicate porcelain cups decorated with lavender flower patterns, a matching silver bowl filled with sugar cubes, a small pitcher of cream, and a large wooden cutting board laden with an artfully arranged assortment of fine cheeses, cured meats, roasted nuts, dried fruits, and small jars of imported jams. A carefully arranged line of crostini curled through the rest of the offerings, creating an inviting display that she hoped might help soften the edges of what promised to be a difficult exchange.

The evening after the tense clan leaders' meeting, while Michino had been resting and recovering from his near-death experience, Chiyo had seized the opportunity to pay a much-needed visit to her father. She'd been meaning to go see him anyway but everything had been so hectic lately that it had taken an ulterior motive to finally get her to bite the bullet and make the trip. The old man was definitely on the mend, mostly getting around on his own now and taking care of himself without assistance, but something had still been distinctly off about his demeanor, a shadow behind his eyes that troubled her. Pushing the concern away for the moment, filing it away to address later, she'd taken the time to get superficially caught up with him, sharing pleasantries and updates before carefully steering the conversation toward her true purpose and asking about the mystery ANBU who had been occupying her thoughts.

What she'd learned during that conversation had brought up a great many concerns she hadn't even known had already been brewing in the background. It had also stirred some extra anger at Toushin for his complete failure to inform her that she'd had a rival for her place as the Black Queen's successor all this time. A rival that, from everything she'd heard, sounded far more likely to simply slit her throat and take the coveted position back by force rather than work cooperatively with her as she hoped might be possible. Teeth pulled nervously, unconsciously, on painted red lips as her mind roiled and churned over the coming conversation, playing out scenarios and counter-scenarios, while her golden eyes flicked anxiously to the ornate clock sitting prominently on the bookshelf with a sharp spike of anxiety tightening in her chest. It wasn't as though she was afraid of the girl, though she'd been told she wasn't to be underestimated, but she didnt want to have to fight her. Honestly, it sounded like the girl just needed someone to lean on.

Using her fancy new title and the authority it carried, she'd sent a formal summons to Kamiya Akari, requesting that she report to the tower that afternoon for a private meeting. Best case scenario, the shinobi would arrive on time, they would sit together like civilized people, sip tea, and Chiyo would expertly, diplomatically convince her to work alongside her for the greater good of their clan and the village. Worst case scenario, one or both of them would not leave this office alive, and all her careful preparations would be for nothing. She could only hope, perhaps futilely, that the information she'd collected from Uzu would be enough to help her navigate this treacherous meeting with minimal bloodshed.

[MFT]

 

[Kamiya Akari]

Akari was a woman of conflict. Not just in the literal sense of the word, but with her personality, appearance, lifestyle. Her smile was always meant to be a cheerful or gentle smile that she wore at nearly all times like it was her nature to do so, disarming and charming the people she met to look past the otherwise odd appearance. Skin as white as snow with the circles upon her cheeks red as blood. Meanwhile, she often chose to take to wearing clothes that were black with red designs. The red complimenting her crimson irises while the black conflicting with the snow white skin. Even the length of her kimono conflicted. The sleeves full length while the lower half of the kimono went down her thighs but only a little ways more than half, showcasing the rather long legs of the young woman who wore black thigh highs.

It was certainly an easy day, however, as she looked out into the chilled winter of the desert, not that it bothered her all that much. Her skin was thicker that most and just as it neither wrinkled nor burned, it had a sort of insulating effect to it, if only to a minor degree. But the blonde woman was used to the extremes of the wasteland of sands. However, she was not expecting anything. No missions, which seemed odd. There used to be missions aplenty with more to be desired, but for some reason this day there were none. That, or she had been purposely restricted from them, both explanations were an ever growing irritation to the young woman. She needed to be doing something and downtime were not generally a fulfilling exercise for her, save for one in futility.

It was unexpected for a messenger to approach her, it was rare that anyone would send her an invite save for when it was highly important. Last one was a summons from Uzu which infused her with the Black Blood. She trained in the techniques that had been implanted in her brain, but other than that, waited, not even having sought out the clan leader...or former clan leader, it seemed, since having completed the mission via the extermination of the traitorous family. More a pleasure than a duty. Still, she was summoned at a certain time and it seemed her schedule had been cleared.

Perhaps as a result of Uzumoreru Chiyoko?

Perhaps it was to flaunt the new title or announce what she was need to do to take her place as Queen. She didn't actively think about the position, but it was always present in her mind. Having a clan, absolute power over the clan and, most importantly, the underworld which Uzumoreru Toushin once ruled. That was the goal. To control the underworld, the shadows were essential and none alive used them to greater extents than herself. Still, the fact that someone else had been made a leader, even as a temporary representative did not sit well with her.

It took no time at all to traverse the well trodden lands of Sunagakure, each route and back alley already etched into the corners of her mind. Not that the destination was any big secret, it was the largest structure in the large village and she made her way up there, much like an elegant lady must portray herself. A servant, or secretary, perhaps even a slave, knocked on the door and opened it before her. The decor was elegant, vastly different than what she would have expected from the daughter of her father and her crimson gaze roamed about freely, taking the sight in, though making sure that at all times the newly appointed woman who ranked second only to the recently reinstated Kazekage would remain in view, ready for an attack.

Muscles tensed ever so subtly, but a charming and ladylike smile played upon her lips, stretching outwards towards her ears. "My, my. It is quite the honor to be summoned to the offices of the Sennin of Homeland Security, Lady Uzumoreru, especially a personal invitation by name. I am humbled, Lady Uzumoreru, it truly is a pleasure. I am Kamiya Akari." Intentionally reiterating her name and title to let her know she was extremely aware of whom she was, Akari lowered her eyes and then herself in a deep bow. She hated bowing to others, it repulsed her greatly and yet she understood the rules of this world. Perhaps she overestimated others or underestimated herself, but she believed anyone in such positions of power would be truly difficult to force their fall from grace. Perhaps she had feigned weakness for so long she believed it herself, but she dare not prepare a test so dangerous as a fight she might lose. The height difference was quite pronounced, almost to a comical extent. She soon straightened up with that soft smile contrasting with the sharp, focused gaze.

Perhaps it was amusing to see someone so young walk with an elegance that was often undeserving of one so young, but she had picked it up and mastered the skill from watching women of wealth in her travels, like any child imitating their elders, but hers was more desperation for survival, moving so made people believe she could be someone of true importance. But every movement had such grace to it, when she wished it, even as she tilted her head to the side every so slightly, the locks of hair shifting softly along with it. "I hope it is not too...impertinent to ask...but to what does one so lowly as myself owe such an honor?"

Quite honestly, she did not consider herself apart of the Uzumoreru clan, even as her own blood had darkened to black, nor was she aware of the change in the registry which added her. The whole undertaking had been no more than a means to an end. Uzumoreru Toushin had told her nothing of his daughter so she assumed it was the same for smaller, shapely woman standing in front of her. She did not presume to take a seat, not even with food so delicious as what had been presented wafting scents towards her nose. Not until instructed to, at least. Villages loved to maintain order. Until she grew to a point where her power was unquestioned, it was a game that would have to be played.

 

[Chiyo]

With a soft knock, Chiyo's office assistant opened the door and stepped back, allowing the pale, willowy woman to enter before closing the door once again with a final click. Golden eyes settled on her visitor's face - steady, assessing - as Chiyo took a single deliberate step forward. Just one. Enough to welcome without crowding.

Toushin's description hadn't been an exaggeration. The girl possessed an otherworldly beauty: crimson eyes that seemed to catch the light, snow-white skin that appeared almost luminous against the dark wood of the doorframe, and pale yellow hair like spun gold. She carried herself with the practiced grace of someone well-versed in these formalities, though something in her bearing carried a subtle challenge; perhaps the deliberate emphasis she'd placed on Chiyo's formal title. Chiyo's smile remained pleasant, unruffled. Let the girl have her small provocations.

"Lady Kamiya! I'm so glad you could make it." The words came warm and welcoming, even as Chiyo took a half-step back, turning her body to open the space between them. Her arm swept outward in an elegant gesture toward the chair across from where she stood, her gaze never wavering from those unrelenting crimson eyes. "Please, come sit and help yourself to some tea. This visit is certainly long overdue.” A brief pause, perfectly timed, before she added with just the right note of rueful apology: "I apologize for my father's failure to introduce us properly." Another measured step backward and Chiyo lowered herself into the chair positioned to the right of the table, closest to the door. Her movements were fluid, economical. The choice of seat was deliberate: close enough to the exit to suggest she had nothing to fear, angled to keep both her guest and the door within her peripheral vision.

Waiting to see if Akari would settle into the offered seat, the smaller woman continued, her voice measured and deliberate. "I requested this meeting because it has come to my attention that Uzu may have..." She paused, the silence stretching just long enough to carry weight. Breaking eye contact, those golden eyes drifted downward as she selected a single grape from the silver tray between them. She rolled it slowly between her index finger and thumb, the small fruit catching the light as it turned. "...misled us in regards to the position as the Black Queen's successor." The grape stilled. Her gaze lifted, locking once more onto the bright crimson orbs of her companion. She held there, watching, waiting; reading whatever fleeting emotions might surface before they were buried again. This was the moment to gauge Akari's understanding, her concern, perhaps even her complicity. The meat of the conversation still lay ahead, and the way forward was treacherous. Too much haste, too little care, and everything could unravel.

 

[Kamiya Akari]

The woman before her was rather a beauty in her own right, but little things such as looks did not impress her as much as most people. They were needless distractions to her, but she had never known lust before. All that mattered to her was their skill, ability and, more important than anything other, how Akari could twist them to serve her own purpose. If she recalled correctly, Uzu once declared himself a king, or former king, of sorts of the Underground. Still, a pampered princess with no skill would not be appointed into a high ranking position within the village, especially not concerning battle such as she was. It was likely that Uzumoreru Chiyoko would be the one fully in charge of the ANBU corps, given her title as Sennin of Homeland Security, not that Akari was the best at following orders to begin with. She'd accept direct ones, so she wouldn't be seen as a traitor, but other than that, she followed her own path.

Crimson eyes were met with golden tones as they connected before smiling sweetly, cutely at her being addressed as "Lady", it certainly felt so odd, for she was so far from nobility. However, with the seat offered, she did take it, crossing her ankles, one behind the other, so as to sit with proper elegance that would befit this room. As both were now seated, the height difference somehow seemed even more exaggerated instead of diminished. "Oh, I would move heaven and earth to arrive at your summons, Lady Uzumoreru, but please, you need not address one such as myself with such formality and unearned titles. Certainly not to give an apology. I am clanless, to my knowledge, an orphan off the street with some meager talent the village took pity on." More or less correct, she was still unaware that the registry had been altered and she never knew her real clan, Kamiya being a false name her family took when fleeing Akkuma.

She leaned forward ever so slightly, reaching out and taking a saucer with cup on top, filled with tea before leaning back, simply holding it up and not drinking. Intentional, at this point, as she listened to the woman speak. Piercing crimson gaze noted that the Uzumoreru Princess seemed content to play with her food, rather than consume the grape nor the drink. "In honesty, I have not seen your father since I completed a mission some time ago. I certainly was unaware he had a daughter and..." Now it was Akari's turn to pause.

She had assumed the time would come for her to be chosen as queen on it's own terms, perhaps upon her 18th birthday, if not sometime sooner. She had not been contacted by the Black Queen nor Uzu, but now Uzu's daughter was put into a high seat of power and contacting her...specifically about the position of Queen. A moment, a split second of realization as the smile which consistently painted her lips slipped. The polite and kind look in her eyes faded, leaving only darkness. This was a meeting to ensure Akari would be loyal to the new queen. Or be poisoned.

"Women Only," she repeated the Queen's echoing words softly under her breath, as if everything became clear. It made sense, parents usually wished the best for their children, to give them power, wealth, status...life. Akari had seen it before, so often. Noted by herself previously, the blonde was an outsider, Uzu would not wish to give her the clan. A few seconds passed before correction was applied and she smiled yet. With intent, once more, she leaned forward and put the cup of tea back on the small table in front of her. "I see. The Captain, your father, once called himself a King...I certainly had not the faintest belief another had been chosen, but if he were a king, is this to say you were a princess who has now become Queen?"

Frustration felt like it was going to consume her. She could not feel pity for others, but she felt like power that was truly meant for her had been ripped from her grasp. However, she had already let her guard slip for a fleeting few seconds which shamed her, she would not do so again, especially owing to the fact that caution must now be at it's highest. This woman was not simply the Queen of the Uzumoreru clan, nor simply just the likely ruler of the Underground, but she wielded absolutely authority second only to the Kazekage. A snap of her fingers would be all it would take for Chiyoko to order her death. Even with this knowledge, it took a great amount of inner restraint from letting the shadow demon slip, oh how it wished to embody all the fury she felt in this moment.

 

[Chiyo]

Chiyo let her polite smile fall in tandem with Akari's, studying the play of emotions - or deliberate lack thereof - across the pallid woman's face as she cut straight to the heart of what Chiyo had hoped to ease them toward more gradually. Toushin had not been exaggerating when he'd described the girl as deviously perceptive. She bought herself a moment by finally popping the grape she'd been toying with into her mouth, letting the silence between them stretch just long enough to gather her thoughts.

Perhaps honesty was the wisest course here. The ANBU held power on par with her own, at the very least, and bore the Black Queen's mark the same as she did; and had clearly been far more willing to shoulder the weight of it. That realization tugged open a line of questioning she hadn't yet considered: why had her grandmother chosen her over this girl? Chiyoko had never wanted the responsibility. She had been perfectly content playing consort to Michino's more political position, operating from the comfortable shadow of his ambitions. And yet all this time, someone willing and more than capable of bearing the burden had been right here, overlooked. A sharp flare of resentment lanced through her before she pushed it firmly back down, swallowing to clear her throat.

"Yes," she said simply, letting the confirmation sit between them for a breath before pressing on. "The Black Queen evidently decided that I, being born of her blood, was the preferred successor." Chiyo shifted to place both feet flat on the floor, turning her palms upward in a small gesture of concession as she continued to watch Akari's face.

"Though from what Toushin shared, it sounds as though you must have been eager for this…" her expression flickered briefly at the word, "…honor, to be yours."

She leaned forward and reached for the teapot, dropping her gaze as she forged onward. "For that, I am truly sorry. Had I known there was another vying for the position, my answer to the Queen's ultimatum would have been a very different one." Two measured spoonfuls of sugar followed by a pale ribbon of milk, a slow stir that turned the dark liquid to soft caramel. She took her time with it, a small and deliberate act of composure, before bringing the cup to her lips.

The porcelain met the table again with a delicate clack. Chiyoko let out a quiet breath and brought her gaze back up to meet Akari's directly. "To be frank, if it were within my power, I would pass the mantle to you here and now. Unfortunately, the nature of the Queen's offer has made that rather…complicated."

She shifted her weight and settled back into the chair, crossing her legs and bringing one finger to rest lightly against her chin. "What I can do," she continued, the measured cadence of her voice carrying the weight of something carefully considered, "is extend a formal invitation into the Uzumoreru Clan," another brief pause, "with the explicit intention of naming you heir to the throne."

A small, genuine smile curved her lips as her gaze settled on the tall woman across from her. The olive branch was on the table. She could only hope it would be taken.