Yoruichi had never said goodbye. Never told Soi she was leaving. Never said anything.
It was one action after another. Never any words after they left the Sakura Grove.
Soi wanted to believe it was a lie. That Yoruichi was just pulling a silly prank.
It had been one night of passion. And then the disappearance the next day.
Later in the same month Soi found out she was with that woman's child.
The little one was a boy. With black hair and gold eyes. He was the only one Soi was never cold towards.
Zakarius Fon.
He had a temper and attitude to match his mother's.
Soi didn't tell him lies. She told him the truth. Who his other parent was. That she had left them without any excuse or explanation.
In the end Zak seemed to hate Yoruichi as much as Soi did.
They trained together, Soi teaching him what she knew, the woman advancing far quicker than her son.
Much to Soi's distaste, Zak seemed to pick up Yoruichi's love for trouble and casual laziness.
She had to admit that he did try his best though.
Omaeda didn't like Zakarius. He found him to be annoying.
The lieutenant barged into his captain's office. Soi was not there. But there was Zak, laying on the couch reading.
Or he would have been if he wasn't glaring at Omaeda from over the top of his book.
"Where's the captain?"
"Minding her own business. Something you should try."
Omaeda growled and left the office.
"Close the door!" Zak went back to reading his book.
The doors slammed shut and Zak smirked to himself.
Soi entered her office three hours later. "Zak."
"Yessss?"
"You've got to stop annoying Omaeda like that."
Zak set his book on his chest. "You sound like you care."
"I really couldn't care less. But until you get your Zanpakuto, it's best to just tell him what he wants to know."
"He needs to learn to mind his own."
"I agree, but that slob is not above attacking you."
"And you think he'd get away with it?"
"Money gets that man everywhere."
Zak sneered. "We're from a noble house too. Why should he get more respect?"
"We're from a lesser noble house. Or I am anyway."
Zak glared at her. "I'm not from that woman's house! I don't want to be either!"
Soi smiled at him. Something only he and his other mother had ever seen.
"I know." She closed the doors behind her and leaned back against them.
"…You think she'll ever come back?"
"I have no doubt in my mind she will."
"…Mom?"
"Hmm?"
"What if the Shihoin's find out about me?"
"Nobody is going to take you from me. Lesser noble house or not I'm still your mother."
Zak hummed to himself.
"It's quite difficult t be your mother at times." Soi glanced at him.
Zak smiled. "Yeah but you're great at it."
Soi chuckled and went to her desk.
Zak sat in front of a small tree.
He'd been really trying to get his Zanpakuto. The boy figured it'd be pretty easy.
Far harder than he thought.
He had his basic sword. But the soul was void of the object.
Meditating for hours on end. It was draining but also rewarding he supposed.
Eventually he wound up in a muddy and tree filled swamp.
"…This…is my soul?"
"Mind." A voice from behind him spoke up.
Zak looked over his shoulder.
A boy about his age with shaggy brown hair and red eyes stared back at him. One band of red and black cloth went from his left hip up to his right shoulder.
And simple black pants, much like that of the stealth force's but size or two smaller, were secured but a strip of gold. The ends of the pants, tied to his ankles by rope, were slightly ripped.
"…Where are your shoes?" Zak questioned.
"Where are yours?" The boy shot back.
"Alrighty."
The boys stared at each other. The stranger wore a small smile.
"So you're my Zanpakuto huh?"
"Indeed I am."
"What's up with the swamp?"
"It shows the tanglements of your mind. It's actually a good thing. To simple sometimes means you don't think or feel enough."
"So they can get more complicated?"
"If the person's soul gets more complicated yes."
"I see…"
The boy stared at him, analyzing.
Zak stared at his feet, which were mostly covered by the murky water.
"You're a tooth and nail fighter." The boy said, calling Zak's attention to him.
"What?"
"When it comes to her you just don't care. But when it comes to your mother…you'll fight tooth and nail if someone insults her."
"My mother deserves respect."
"She's not going to get it if you attack anyone who throws a little barb wire her way."
Zak glared at him. "What?"
The boy smiled. "Your anger is your strength…but you have no control. When people see you loose it like you do they look badly upon her."
Zak frowned.
"They believe she hasn't raised you properly."
"My mother raised me fine. She's the best."
"Then show them that by acting proper. If you fall in line and show them what you can do, they will look at you both with respect."
"…Who are you?"
The boy smiled and turned his back on the other.
Walking back to a large rock, he settled on it and crossed his legs. His arms resting on his knees, palms facing up, he closed his eyes.
"I'm just a monk."
Zak gaped at him. "What's your name?"
The stranger smiled. "Patience is a virtue."
Zak opened his eyes. He was back at the grove. He sucked his teeth. 'He didn't tell me anything!'
Ignoring the laughing at the back of his mind he grabbed his Zanpakuto, stood, and made his way back to the second division.
Soi lay on her bed staring at the ceiling. She heard the front door to the apartment slide open.
She slid out of bed and went to see who it was. "Zakky! Where've you been?" She grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug. Motherly worry she guessed.
"Mom! I gotta breath!" He squirmed in her tight hold, he was only about four inches shorter than her.
Soi released him. "Where were you?"
"Meditating. I found my Zanpakuto's soul." He held out the weapon. It's plain black sheath was now a deep red, the hilt covered with black cloth.
"Very good." Soi ruffled Zak's hair. "Bed…now."
Zak nodded and shuffled past her. Going to his own room.
Soi sighed. He gave her little trouble. Only causing it for others. She wondered if it was because she was a single parent.
She shook her head and walked back to her own room.
Closing the door behind her, she let her forehead press against the cool wood. 'I don't think I'll ever get it. But at least she left me something worth while.'
She smiled and crept to her bed.
I'm alright
Just leave me here alone
I'll be fine, on my own
Just go off with your friends
They don't moan
So loyal
Always by your side
Guess what
You've crossed the line
However,
You're still on my mind
I'm trying to forget
Earlier today
You threw your fists and shouted loud
Left me on the floor and went away
Yeah
I'm alright
Just leave me here alone
I'll be fine, on my own
Just go off with your friends
They don't moan
So loyal
Always by your side
Guess what
You've crossed the line
You've changed in a while
Why should I care
You act so different and I know you've changed
You've been so selfish not only foolish
I'm alright
Just leave me here alone
I'll be fine, on my own
Just go off with your friends
They don't moan
So loyal
Always by your side
Guess what
You've crossed the line
I'm alright
Just leave me here alone
I'll be fine, on my own
Just go off with your friends
They don't moan
So loyal
Guess what
You've crossed the line
~I'm Alright~
~ By~ Theo Altieri
[AN: I thought the song fit Soi Fon and her problem perfectly. I couldn't center it cause fanfic is being a jerk to me right now!]