A/N I love the relationship between Sui-Feng and Yoruichi...this is just a short conversation I imagined them having shortly after Yoruichi's return to the Soul Society.

"So, Sui-Feng…" Yoruichi smiled slowly and easily, her demeanour at its most catlike. It was probably meant to be reassuring but instead made Sui-Feng feel giddy and weak in the knees.

I'm probably just tired from patrol, thought Sui-Feng.

"Look at you, all grown up, Squad 2 Captain and everything," Yoruichi continued. "You should tell me aaaaaall about it…"

What Sui-Feng wanted to say was Yeah right, if you cared so much where were you? Where were you?

What came out was a squeaky sounding "Oh, it wasn't really anything exciting…"

Sui-Feng tried to remind herself that she was not a young girl anymore. She was Squad 2 Captain, Head of the Punishment Force, strong, independent, powerful, and had no need to charm her way into Yoruichi's good books anymore. She could stop being so meek.

"I'm sure that's not true," said Yoruichi. "And anyway, I've been dying to see your bankai."

Sui-Feng blanched. She certainly did not want to talk about her bankai. She had forgotten the uncanny ability Yoruichi had to pick out the most uncomfortable subjects for conversation topics. She felt herself redden- well no wonder, it's really hot in here- she thought.

"I can't show it to you," she mumbled.

"What?"

"I can't show it to you," she said, loud and clear.

"It's that powerful?" Yoruichi grinned again. "An enemy only has to see it and they're dead?"

Sui-Feng decided the easiest option would be just to say yes.

"How do you stop your allies falling victim?" Yoruichi wanted to know. Sui-Feng thought quickly.

"If there was a fight big enough to warrant my bankai, I had the Squad 9 Captain assist me," Sui-Feng lied.

"Oh? Oh I see," said Yoruichi, with another one of her grins. "You've gotten so strong…but I wonder, how did you pass the Captain's exam under those conditions?"

Sui-Feng sighed and very wisely dropped the pretence.

"The mere sight of it doesn't actually kill people," she said.

"Of course it doesn't. I was just teasing," said Yoruichi. "So come on, show me!"

"I can't," said Sui-Feng.

Yoruichi's expression darkened. "Oh my. Keeping secrets, Sui-Feng? Could it be you don't want to show me because you want to use it against me?"

"Of course not. That's ridiculous," said Sui-Feng crossly. "I would never betray you."

"Then show me your bankai!" Yoruichi commanded.

"I can't show you without half the Soul Society seeing it too," she said.

"Who cares?" Yoruichi shrugged.

"I care," said Sui-Feng, stung.

"Fine," said Yoruichi. "I'll just be leaving then, as I am obviously no friend of yours…"

Sui-Feng had also conveniently forgotten how good Yoruichi was at playing dirty. It was a lose-lose situation. She would either lose her pride or lose Yoruichi.

And she had already vowed to herself that she'd never lose Yoruichi again.

"Wait!" said Sui-Feng.

And Yoruichi grinned her cat grin.