Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Daydreams Come True ❯ Soi Fon Shaolin ( Chapter 35 )

[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
Tite Kubo owns Bleach.  I just borrowed the characters.  I make no money from this work.
Soi Fong Shaolin

Since Yoruichi left, she had simply been passing time in a grey and unpleasant fug.  While striving to improve her skills, speed, battle techniques and control over her body, mind and Second Division, she remained hollow within.  Her souls seemed to be sucked away by the absence of the person she admired and had given her life to, as simply and easily as she drank water.  It had required little thought or energy to devote her whole being to the service of the woman she viewed as a goddess.

Then she had been abandoned.  Left behind like a discarded pet that had grown too large, annoying or demanding to keep.  It hurt.  Thinking about it hurt her heart and her mind, the pain smarting like the pain of bleach poured over an open, suppurating sore. Yoruichi had gone without an explanation or even a word of farewell.  Her unexplained absence was a constant pain in Soi Fong's heart, which she ignored except for those few moments when she weakened and permitted a few tears to fall.  

There had been a few unsubstantiated reports stating Yoruichi had been seen in certain areas of Soul Society, but investigation into the areas neither proved nor disproved the supposed sightings.  Even though she knew it was foolish and a waste of time, Soi Fong went to each area, hoping for some indication.

For a brief time she'd imagined Yoruichi dead and even thinking of that for a moment turned her cold.  They had been so close.  If Yoruichi had died, she would know and then she would have no hesitation in dying as quickly as she could to be with her beloved mentor.

It hadn't escaped her notice that many people had vanished at the same time.  That peculiar creature who'd hung around Yoruichi like a bad smell until he'd been forced to take up the position of 12th Division Captain, the Kido Master, many of the Captains and assistant Captains had all disappeared.  Where had they gone?  Why had they gone?

Rumours had been constant.  A large Hollow invasion; some experiment going disastrously wrong which was covered up by the then assistant Captain of 12th Division; the Captain-General had an argument with all the people involved and unleased the power of his Zanpakuto on all of them, burning them to ash and leaving no trace... So many rumours, some of them amusing, many of them sad or painful which she tried to ignore but found it impossible to do so.

The Captain-General had never provided an explanation, even when she had made a written request.  For him, apparently, the subject was closed, the events in the past and it was time to move on.  

Unfortunately, it was hard to move on without a heart, or a reason for living.  Performing her duties kept her mind from brooding every second of the day.  Promotion to Captain had been unexpected and in many respects, unwelcome.  How could she hope to measure up to Yoruichi?  She was not of the same noble blood, but only a member of the minor nobility and even worse her assistant captain's status as far as the nobility went was higher than her own.

A pity it was his only positive noteworthy quality.  She assumed his promotion was partially due to family because her observations indicated it certainly wasn't due to his dedication to work, his fighting abilities or pleasant nature.  All of them were lacking as far as she could see and even her attempts at encouraging him to improve showed little effect.  

He was content to remain a big, fat lump of conceited stupidity, content with his role.  Any flicker of ambition was quickly dispelled when he realised it might mean he had to do some work or take some action.  When necessary he could fight adequately, just.  It seemed insulting that a man like him was the second in command for a squad which specialised in stealth, but he was not her selection.  

His lack of ambition and ability once more indicated how different her upbringing was to his.  She had been constantly forced to improve, to work hard and then work harder at any task she was given.  Anything less than full effort was punished as it humbled the family.  She was reminded every day in order to impress upon her, that she wasn't the only person her actions affected.  

She carried this understanding with her into 2nd Division.  If she was lax or didn't dedicate herself fully to her tasks, she would be showing her disloyalty to her family and her Division.  It was part of this tenacity which helped her to continue functioning after Yoruichi left.

Now she had heard reports that Yoruichi had been seen, more than once, and appeared to be assisting the Ryoka.  She had even rescued a boy who had been preparing to fight Byakuya Kuchiki and escaped using Shunpo and apparently quickly outpacing the man who had not been able to match her speed as a boy and he still was unable to match her pace.

She hastened to talk to Captain Kuchiki but he hadn't wished to talk to her.  She was kept waiting without offer of tea or any form of refreshment for an hour.  Simmering with anger, she kept her expression serene and her stance steady, unwilling to display any emotion or momentary disquiet.  Her eyes lowered she examined the floor closely, counting the strand of the tatami matting and ignoring the murmured asides of the seated officer who had taken over in Abarai’s absence.  It had been a shock when she entered the office and noticed he wasn’t there.  It added credence to some of the gossip about Abarai joining with the Ryoka.  There were other vague comments about Zaraki providing protection to a girl for some undisclosed reason.

Sighing loudly, the seated officer once more entered the Captain’s office and emerged, gesturing for her to enter.

"Did you see Yoruichi?" she had demanded bluntly, as she finally entered his office.  If his pride was affronted by her attitude, she didn’t care.  He had often displayed more discourtesy than any of the other Shinigami, using his nobility as an excuse.  All it excused was his inability to bend.

"I saw someone.  It may have been former 2nd Division Captain Shinon," he'd replied, apparently calm, but the hiss in his words indicated his displeasure at either her question or the memory of the meeting.  “My main concern was to prevent the escape of the prisoner and the capture of one of the invaders.”

“You mean you didn’t let your sister escape, but let the others escape.  I question your priorities.”

“It is not your role to question any of my actions, Captain Shaolin.  I answer to Captain Yamamoto, the head of the Seireitei, as do you,” was his brusque reply.  “Now, excuse me. I am busy and have other concerns.”

She almost argued with him, urging him to tell the truth, but experience indicated he would refuse to answer any questions and become more and more distant and cold the longer she remained.

Frustrated at her lack of success she tried to talk with the other people who had been present, but either they were unavailable, or could not be found.  She tried to obtain a meeting with Captain Yamamoto, but Sasakibe politely explained that the Captain was unavailable as it was essential he managed some of the immediate problems and continued to organise the pending execution.

Now she was pacing the streets in frustration.   Her pride had crumbled and she was ready to beg, to ask for any crumb of information until it struck her she was approaching the situation as an amateur.  Blinded by past emotion she had forgotten her current role.

As a commander of her own Division, she could send out her people to seek their former captain.  There was no possible way she could be accused of using her resources unwisely as the capture of the Ryoka was a priority.  If Yoruichi was assisting them then surely her capture was even more of an imperative.  Swiftly she summoned her seated officers, with the exception of her assistant captain and gave the order.

"If anyone hears or sees anything pertaining to former Captain Shinon, tell me immediately.  Do not try to engage her in combat unless I expressly order you to do so."

She watched her officers very carefully and noticed a few questioning glances.  None were directed in her direction, but she felt the concern they felt.  Was it easy for them to forget she was their current Captain and their former captain had forfeited any right to their loyalty?

“I will meet and talk to her; if necessary I will battle and defeat her, then bring her to the justice she has escaped for too long.  She is assisting the humans who have invaded the Seireitei and caused a great amount of damage and injuries.  You may have heard of the number of casualties from the 11th Division.”

Was that a slight indication of amusement from some of her officers?  Did they find the defeat of the 11th Division a cause of laughter? Admittedly, it was a small consolation that the Division, which prided itself on its fighting ability, were so quickly trounced.  There might be less swaggering among the bully boys who made up the Division, or not.  

“Be careful.  We are unsure of the abilities of these invaders or if they are coercing former Captain Shinon to act.   I want you to collect as much information as possible and inform me of any new developments. Go now.”

Feeling an overwhelming need to join in the search she began to move quickly to an area she thought might be a possible area Yoruichi would inhabit, even for a short time.  While she had instructed her squad to find the former captain, in her heart she wished to be the person to first talk to her, confronting her with the facts she must be denying, even now.

Why has she left Soi Fon in the Seireitei?  Didn't she realise how much she meant to her?  Was her seeming affection a lie?  Was everything a lie?  Taking on the role of Captain had not suited her; she wanted to be free to search for her goddess, but the situation made it impossible for anyone else to assume the role.  With the dearth of Shinigami capable of achieving bankai or managing to pass the other requirements for being a Captain, and having been conditioned by her family and upbringing to always act responsibly and accept her duty without question, even the brief attempts and times she had done so with Yoruichi were not enough.  Even though the promotion was unwelcome, she was bound by honour to accept the position and thus became stuck.  Constrained by even more rules than those imposed upon her by her family, stifled by the expectations of her Division and Squad, observed (sometimes satirically, she was sure) by Captains who either thought they had more experience, ability or people skills, she chafed under all the restrictions.  Meetings, discipline, giving orders, following orders, each minute consume with some task which no other person could be trusted to complete to her satisfaction... Was this life?

Again her mind fled to the times when Yoruichi flouted convention and encouraged her to join her on another adventure that had little to do with duty, but more to do with fun.  Only afterward did she realise that part of the benefit of these excursions was she returned, refreshed, to her duties.  In addition, it seemed certain of her talents had been enhanced by using them in a different manner.

Captured by her reminiscences, she had hesitated.  Memories had the power to make her forget for a time the duties she needed to perform.  A slight clearing of a throat drew her attention to a messenger, kneeling obsequiously at her feet.

"Captain Shaolin, I have been sent by Captain-General Yamamoto to ascertain whether you will be attending the execution today.  As you are aware, it is the responsibility of each Captain to see justice being meted out to those who do not follow the rules," were the man's measured words, delivered in a hushed and possibly respectful voice.

A spurt of anger was quickly checked.  Watching a silly female, and a noble one at that, receive punishment wasn't her plan.

The thought arose that if Yoruichi was caught, she might be subject to the same treatment almost made Soi Fong shudder.  

How could it be like this?  She was furious with Yoruichi for her desertion and wished for her to be punished; but punished only by Soi Fong, not by anyone else.  Moreover, the punishment would not involve her death, or even much physical harm.  What she wished for was an acknowledgment that Soi Fon was her equal or even her superior and then an apology.

"I said I'd attend," she snapped, pushing all the conflicting thoughts to the back of her mind.  "Does the Captain-General think it is possible for all the Captains to shirk their responsibilities to settle a few petty feuds?  The incursion of the Ryoka is not an excuse to ignore the rules."  She watched the man's face to check if he was convinced.  She wasn't, but he didn't need to know that.

Stifling a large sigh, she went in search of her Assistant Captain.  If she was going to suffer through the execution so was he.  Too often he shirked his responsibilities and she often ended up correcting his work and making him do it again or giving it to some more talented officer.

It took little time to find him, seated in one of his favourite teahouses where he guzzled tea and food in unequal quantities.  "Come Ômaeda.  Cease the endless stuffing."

"Only having a little snack, Captain.  A man has to keep his strength up in times like this, attacked by Ryoka.  You understand, or maybe not."  He tried to sound assured but instead sounded uncertain.

A grim smile touched her lips.  "Keep your strength up?  An interesting idea.  All your strength seems directed to keeping you partially mobile as you increase your girth.  Now is not the time to eat.  We are attending the execution."

He paled slightly and glanced around the room. "Ur, um.  Captain, I think I need to do some urgent paperwork.  You go ahead and I might join you later?"

The man was trying to find an excuse not to attend.  She leant on the low table with both hands and brought her face close to his.  "As I recall, I am the Captain and you are my subordinate.  I have given you an instruction, not a request, with which you will comply. You will not eat during the execution; you will not talk during the execution.  You will stand as straight and still as a waxwork figure and try to maintain some dignity.  Do you understand?"

The man swallowed hard, his eyes dipping below hers.  "Yes, Captain.  I understand."  

It was fortunate he agreed.  Even so, from now on, he would re-do his work repeatedly until he got it right.  She had considered it was laziness which made him perform so badly, but perhaps it was his hope that if she had to keep correcting his work, she may end up expecting him to work to the standard of his seat.  Things had changed in the Seireitei.  So could he.

He rose to his feet, slightly unsteady as she watched.  "Let us go.  It is improper to appear once the execution has commenced."

Nodding unhappily, he escorted her as she swiftly made her way to the location of the Sokyoku, taking her place next to the 4th Division Captain, who was standing, eyes modestly downcast, appearing serene and unperturbed by the reason they were gathered.  A quick observation before she too cast her gaze on the ground indicated there was a lack of representation amongst the Captains.  Both Captains and Assistant Captains were conspicuous by their absence.    No one represented 3rd Division, 5th Division, 7th Division, 9th Division, 10th Division, 11th Division and 12th Division.  To her astonishment, there was no representative of even the 'alleged' traitors Division! No Captain or 3rd seat stood there to witness the death of their comrade.  Her brother was there, but no one from the 13th Division.

This was unthinkable!  Why were so many Captains absent?  It didn't surprise her that no one represented 11th Division; that man made up his own rules.  She was shocked at the absence of so many Captains.  Was there some task force, which had been created to meet the threat facing the Shinigami, and if so, why hadn't she been recruited?  She had the skills and abilities perfectly suited in the detection and detention of criminals.  

A slight feeling of affront touched her.  Did the Captain-General consider her unable to complete the task?  He'd prefer to permit Captain Ichimaru, who had already failed to kill or incapacitate the Ryoka when he'd encountered them previously, to her?  

Or was something else happening?  She'd heard some whispers about fighting amongst the Captains, dissension in the ranks and emotional encounters between old friends who found they were fighting on different sides.  

It was becoming obvious to her that either the imminent execution or the invasion of the Ryoka had caused carefully repressed antipathy to be released.  Even she was overcome by her emotional and illogical response to the news that Yoruichi had returned.  No reports had mentioned any sightings of the former, pitiful, Captain of the 12th Division.  She had permitted herself a few seconds of fantasy that Yoruichi had returned for her, but quickly dismissed the dream.  Why had she waited so long if she missed her?  There were other factors at play in this situation, which she didn't, yet, know.

Exclamations woke her from her reverie and she looked to see the transformation of the halberd into Kiko Oh.  As soon as it was over, she would seek out Yoruichi herself and end the torment of her desertion.

Her eyes fixed on Rukia she blinked at the unexpected disturbance. An unfamiliar person wearing a torn Shinigami uniform materialised next to the girl.  A red head!  And the execution halted.

"That's impossible.  How could he stop the destructive power of one million zanpakuto using a single zanpakuto?" She exclaimed. "But who? Who is he?"

He had to be a Ryoka.  If he was a Ryoka, how had he managed to gain this amount of strength and power?  She ignored most of the other exclamations except for that of Captain Kyoraku who guessed the person was the one who had defeated the Kenpachi and not been vanquished by Ichimaru.

Not to be gainsaid, the Kiko Oh began to move toward the prisoner again.  From the raised voices, it appeared the Ryoka was arguing with her and as her second in command questioned what was happening, finally, the Captain of the 13th Division appeared, carrying something she recognised.  It bore a crest as familiar to her as her own and she suddenly realised what it meant.

She ordered her Assistant Captain to intercede, but instead of acting as directed, he questioned her.  Testily she answered him, but it was too late for the scaffold was destroyed by the actions of the Ryoka?  How had he managed it?  What was happening?  

Soi gazed, aghast at what she was seeing.  Then things began to really happen.  Rukia was thrown to the ground only to be captured by the renegade Assistant Captain of 6th Division, who at the urging of the orange haired Ryoka began to run, still holding the struggling female in his arms.  This was unthinkable.  Again she shouted orders at the Assistant Captain's who were standing, gawping like a herd of cows.  Finally, they began to move only to be cut down like the incompetent fools they were.

In amazement, Soi watched the 3rd seat of the 13th Division move toward her sister.  She had betrayed the Seireitei by assisting her captain and deserved death, which Soi was glad to provide.  Standing over the fallen female, she prepared to act.

Suddenly she was moving fast, fast and then faster, away from the scaffold and the boy fighting the 6th Division Captain.  She was being removed from the action and only one person had the speed and the skill to undertake this dangerous activity.

Yoruichi!

Yoruichi?

A moment of complete, unfettered joy overcame her.  Her goddess had returned for her.  She was carrying her away from everyone.  From all the important events.

She was carrying her like a child!  Bundled up and helpless in her arms as if she had no choice.  Decisions were not for her.  Instead of asking, the woman had acted without any thought to what she was doing.

As quickly as the joy had sprung up, bitterness returned as rapidly and she began fighting back.  She was not some doll to be picked up and removed at the behest of her former Captain.  Now was the time to prove how much she had changed and grown since her desertion.  She was Captain by right, by her skills, not because she was there to fill in while the Seireitei awaited the return of the daughter of the Shinon family.

Her movements made them fall to the ground hard.  It didn't matter.  Nothing mattered except she now had the chance for vengeance.  To show how little Yoruichi mattered to her and how much she had grown in abilities since her desertion.

As soon as they landed she attacked, using all her anger and bitterness to fuel her kicks and punches, but it seemed not to affect her former Captain. While they fought, everything became clear.  All the rumours were true! Yoruichi had assisted the Ryoka!  She was a traitor!

She commenced speaking, knowing the words she spoke were vital in setting the tone of the conversation and showing Yoruichi she was no longer needed or wanted.

Their conversation was heated, each finding fault with the skills of the other and then Soi struck, noting how her former captain had failed her family.  Yoruichi's words stung and she tried not to listen to the vile words that were flung at her.  In response, she summoned the punishment force, preparing to show her hand.  No one was exempt from justice.

Not even if she still loved her.

Seconds later her squad lay decimated as Yoruichi taunted her once more.  So, she was fast.  Soi could be fast too, when needed.

Then they fought in earnest.  Yoruichi stubbornly refusing to use her zanpakuto, not that Soi could see it anyone.  Instead, she used her speed, strength, arms and legs as weapons.  For a time as they traded words and blows, Soi also did not draw hers, hoping to be able to best her former commander without resorting to the blade.

For all the taunting, Yoruichi's skills had not diminished.  Her speed and ability to anticipate where the blow would fall had not faded and finally Soi had to resort to using the steel.  

In spite of the compliment, she felt Yoruichi didn't respect her powers.  The resentment simmering in her veins demanded retribution and after launching her attack, she took great glee in explaining what had happened.  Her skills had developed as had her ability to unleash further attacks from her zanpakuto and the fatal bee crest flower now blossomed on her opponent's chest.  

To her immense satisfaction her foe ran, speeding away, but Soi followed managing to gain more hits.  Why didn't Yoruichi acknowledge her superiority?  Why didn't she give her the crumb of comfort of permitting her astonishment to show?  Why was she being so stubborn?

Why had she been left behind?

Her anger and pain peaking she revealed her new attack, preparing to kill the one she loved only to be shown her attack was not new, not her idea.

And then with one quick touch her attack was neutralised.  

A torrent of words was released as Soi yelled her pain.  Why was it always like this?  She could outclass nearly every other Shinigami she encountered, but this woman standing in front of her was permanently one-step ahead of her.  

Then, to her shame and horror, she asked the question she'd needed an answer to since her desertion.

Falling to her knees, she wept, the shudders of her pain passing through her as the tears streamed down her face.  

Two warm arms wrapped around her as Yoruichi hugged her.

"I didn't want to leave you behind.  There was no choice and why force you to become an outcast?"

"If I'd been with you I wouldn't have cared!  Don't you understand?"

"I knew you would take over the squad.  I entrusted it to you as you are the only other person capable of controlling it.  Things happened, Soi Fon.  Things led up to this moment and the need to return to stop disaster from overtaking the Seireitei.  You had to be here to grow stronger, away from me."  Yoruichi's voice was soothing and soft as she patted Soi gently on the back.

"You left me here without you," Soi was sobbing even harder.  Hope flared in her heart.  Perhaps Yoruichi hadn't left her behind on purpose.

"My little Soi Fon.  I will explain everything, I promise, but for now, I need you to trust me.  We have something important we have to do, now." Yoruichi had pulled her away and looked her in the eyes, with earnest intent.  "I trust your judgment and need your help."

Those words triggered an immediate acceptance.  "Yes.  Yes.  We have to arrest Rukia."

Yoruichi's face set in a stern and unhappy expression.  "No.  We have to protect Rukia from Aizen."

Soi shook her head in disbelief.  "Captain Aizen is dead."

"Then either he is the living dead, a zombie, a vampire or very, very clever." Yoruichi noticed the confusion on her face.  "Soi Fon.  Trust me.  I'll explain as much as I can on the way, but we have to go now."

Soi nodded.  If Yoruichi needed her help she was  honoured to be able to assist.  She followed listening to the hurried explanation and her horror grew.  

There was something badly wrong in the Seireitei.

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Author's Note

Over a year since I last updated this story.

Last year was ... hard.

Thank you to anybody who reviewed.  While I apologise for the delay, it doesn't seem fair to burden anyone else with the explanation for the extended delay.  Every person experiences good and bad years.  If last year was bad for you, you have my sympathy.

As for the next featured person... Oooohhhhhhh.  Momo???  Rangiku?  The first person who reviews might get to choose.

Please review.

MS