Byaruki thoughts: Side stories for Game of Life
DISCLAIMER : I do not own anything from this story. Entertainment purposes only.
A/N: since I think that I was grasping at straws on Game of Life, I decided to document the supposed events that can support this pairing.
A/N: this chapter will be very long, and highly beneficial…. At least for me. I hope you will get value in it as well.
Chapter 5: A new start [part 9]: Lessons from Sir Carnegie's book
[How to win people in your way of thinking]
For these past few days, Byakuya had been so busy with his obligations as Captain of squad 6, that he could not even join Rukia for their meals.
And he knew it for a fact that she's waiting for him.
For he always found Rukia seating patiently inside the dinning room, all by herself, while the food were untouched.
And it brought pain in his heart.
Because he wanted nothing more, than to spend time with her, but duties comes first: for the greater good of everyone.
[You can't win an argument: the only way to get the best out of an argument is to avoid it]
And now these.
When he finally had time to dine with her, the Kuchiki elders decided to drop by, ruining his mood.
Becasue after the meal, the unofficial meeting started, as they talked about acquiring land properties in the 52nd district of Rukongai.
And one of the Elders argue that, a certain pottery shop, refused to sell his land to the Kuchiki agent, they had assigned.
At this, Rukia's attention was perked up.
52nd? Pottery shop! It's Akina-san's father's pottery shop!
At the thought, Rukia straightened her back, attentive.
Though she wanted to chime in, she opt to remain silent, and just listen.
For she knew that arguing with this powerhouses, will cause more trouble for her, and Akina-san's family.
[a sure way of making enemies, and how to avoid it: show respect for the other person's opinions, never say, "you're wrong"]
At Rukia's change of expression, Byakuya wondered.
Is there an interest for her at the 52nd?
He thought as he kept his silence. Observing her reactions to the conversation.
"You are wrong, Brother Tomoe. That piece of land wasn't really necessary to our ventures. Just let the shop go" an Elder commented, after the conversation wind up to make a bold move against the shop, hard sell.
At being told that he was wrong by a woman, the Elders' anger boiled as he bristles at her.
"Akainu, no wonder your family were ruined, because you are such a weak leader. You think our clan should pass on this opportunity?!" he exclaimed at the heavily adorned Kuchiki Elder, from Akainu family branch.
[If you're wrong: admit it]
At this, Rukia could not help but feel like protecting the Elder from Akainu family, who she agrees with.
The shop should not be sold to them. For it belong to the Fuji family.
As the indignant confrontation among the Elders progress, Byakuya raised his hand to calm everyone.
Silence.
"Forgive me, Kuchiki-sama. I was just concerned about the Fuji family, as I see that my niece, Rukia-sama, seemed to cherish them. I was wrong. I should have put our clan's interest before my own" the Elder from Akainu family admitted, as she feared the clan leader chastising her, for her weak proposal.
[A drop of honey: begin in a friendly way]
At this, everyone's attention went to Rukia.
And Rukia could not help but sweat in nervousness as everyone drilled their focus on her.
But she swallowed her fear.
Silence.
"The clan's best interest should be considered before my own. And I respected everyone's point on this matter" Rukia started to say, as everyone seemed apprehensive.
Though Byakuya's face revealed not a speck of emotion, much less concern.
At his expression, she was shaken, but also desperate to help the Fuji family, in anyway she could.
And so she continued…
[The secret of Socrates : Get the other person saying "yes, yes" immediately]
"as the Elder stated, acquiring the land from the 52nd district, including that of the Fuji's family shop, is indeed a great opportunity" Rukia commented after sometime, agreeing with the Elders, though she really doesn't agree.
At this comment, the Elders seemed to calm down, for the last thing they want is for Byakuya's adopted sister to get involved in decision making for their clan's business dealings.
For they thought that, she had caused enough troubles, for someone like her.
An obligation to the dead. A street rat.
But they would never dare admit this loudly, or else, they risk facing the head of the Kuchiki clan's anger. Knowing very well, the devotion and love, Byakuya had for his late wife.
"Do all of us think so?" Rukia asked mildly, trying her best not to impose her presence, so as to make the quiry seemed to call for action of agreement, rather than to question them.
[The safety valve in handling complaints : let the other person do a great deal of the talking]
"Yes. We certainly agree!" an Elder announced, buying into Rukia's seemingly submissive comment.
At this Rukia kept her silence, for she knew that it's just a matter of time, before her question sink in, and will open floods of complaints and suggestions, now that she had eliminated her self importance in the issue.
Urging them subtly to think in a way that benefit the clan, rather than their own.
And the complaints did come.
"That shop though, was one of the finest suppliers of decorative potteries in Seiretie, including the ones we have in the manor" another leader commented.
"it would be a shame to close the shop" another Elder agreed.
"Fuji and his worker's are very talented pottery maker" another commented.
[How to get cooperation : let the other person feel that the idea is his or her]
"We could acquire their shop, and let them run the business under our clan's ventures" Tomoe finally commented in agreement to everyone, thinking that, it was indeed a great idea.
They could use the Fuji's talents as assets.
[a formula that will work wonders for you : try to see things from the other person's point of view]
As Rukia listened to everyone's comments and suggestions. She understood that, most of them, aren't as selfish and closed minded as she initially thought they were.
In fact, she can now see, how this decision will actually help the Fuji 's family business prosper, if they will get acquired by the Kuchiki clan.
The connection, and networks of distribution will help Akina's family to have better living condition.
And maybe, Akina would not need to work as a servant anymore.
[what everybody wants: be sympathetic with the other person's idea and desires]
Rukia remembered the look of determination in Akina's eyes, and the hidden melancholy.
She also seemed to be more educated than most of Rukongai residents, Rukia noted, knowing perfectly well, the state of education in those districts.
Almost none existent.
And most importantly, Akina seemed to have a very passionate dream, that she had not told about to Rukia.
[An appeal that everybody likes: Appeal to the nobler motives]
"And knowing that our clan's duty is to enrich our people, I agree to everyone's conclusion" Rukia commented as the conversation ended up to her, once again.
At her declaration, everyone fell into silence.
At this, Rukia felt panicked.
Had she said it wrong?
Or was she even allowed to include herself in this decision making conversations.
[The movies do it. TV does it. Why don't you do it? : Dramatize your idea]
Rukia swallowed her trepidation.
"As I listen to every one's comments, I could not help but appreciate everyone's will and convections, to make Kuchiki clan achieve new heights of success and wealth, incomparable to any clan" Rukia said matter of factly.
"I see that the esteemed Elders all contributed to the betterment of their specific functions in the clan. Providing and protecting their charge, like a shinigami fighting against hollows, for the future of the Kuchiki clan" she added, trying to dramatize their supposed egos.
And to Rukia, acting is one of her strong points.
[when nothing else works, try this: throw down a challenge]
"I wonder who amongst the Kuchiki Elders will be able to contribute and protect the clan from threats, by providing their people richly, to secure loyalty" Rukia commented as a subtle challenge.
Where she learned her techniques…
She was not sure of…
But she knew that, back in Rukongai, knowing how to bargain strongly, is a necessity for survival.
At the events that unfold, Byakuya could not help but feel proud with how Rukia handled the situation.
To be continued….
P/N: in the uni, I can speak my mind like I am equal to everyone, but in real life, you have to prove your guts first before your voice will have a chance to be heard.
And here I am... Grinding my guts. Because it's a waste of time waiting for them to change.. I have to change, in order to make a change for the better. By the will of God.
They are not bad people. It's just, they don't know any better. And it's hard to change, if you don't know what to change, in the first place.
So be kind to them. Seeing that you thought that you know better. Keep that in mind. It's your job to inform them of what they don't know, and to listen to them, for the things you don't know.
Because they are your allies in this game, not your enemies.