A Century's Worth
Sitting on the roof of the Second Division, basking on the warm tiles, Yoruichi watched the goings on within the courtyard with great amusement. With the sun at its highest point, and the year at its hottest time, she did not envy the members of the Onmitsukidō in full black gear. She herself had opted against her cat form, knowing all too well that black fur and such heat did not go together well.
The men weren't training per se, but cleaning every square in the courtyard seemed like hard enough graft for such weather. Ōmaeda walked amongst the men, hands behind his back as some poor Soul Reaper carried a parasol over him. Suì-Fēng was nowhere is sight, leaving the lieutenant to oversee the work progress, bellowing orders to hurry up.
She crossed her arms, leaning on the slant on the roof with her legs dangling. The Soul Society had finally achieved peace after the hell with Aizen, and with it anyone would assume there would be a lull in duties and training. Not this division though, never this division.
Where Suì-Fēng had picked up the harsh taskmaster persona, she didn't know, but it wasn't so bad when Suì was younger. When leading the Onmitsukido herself, Yoruichi always emphasised the importance of cutting loose, especially after a rough day. Back in the day, the two trained hard and with some persistant coaxing, Suì-Fēng did eventually relax.
Speak of the devil, Yoruichi thought as a small breeze cooled her face, which ended as soon as it had started. The edges of a captain's haori brushed Yoruichi's shoulders before settling, as Suì-Fēng stood beside her, appearing from what could've been thin air.
'Yoruichi-sama,' Suì-Fēng said, still looking towards the courtyard. 'I wasn't expecting you today. To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?'
Yoruichi gestured lazily to the scene below. Some of the men had spotted their captain upon the roof and were now working twice as fast to clean the floor. 'That down there. Why have you got them scrubbing the courtyard in this heat?'
She didn't gain an answer right away, which made Yoruichi look up to the younger woman and spot the smallest of frowns forming.
'This is Ōmaeda's doing, he was put in charge today.'
'Would you look at that,' Yoruichi cocked her head to the side. 'He's not even eating, either. Did you hit him too hard on the head?'
The tiny captain gave a small snort. 'Not recently, no.'
Scooting up the gentle slope of the roof, Yoruichi brought her knees up to her chest, placing Suì-Fēng into her main view. Her golden eyes fell onto the gleaming orange hoops that adorned the bottom of the captain's hair. It was an intriguing style, especially as the majority of it was kept short, but the longer braids reminded Yoruichi of how fond Suì-Fēng used to be of her shoulder length hair.
'Is there a reason why you keep your hair like that?' Yoruichi wondered out loud. At that point, Suì-Fēng turned her face completely from view, until the older woman reached out and tugged the closest braid. 'Hey! It obviously means something to you, if you're keeping quiet. Sit down and tell me, I can keep a secret.'
'I shouldn't – sit down I mean. What would my men think?'
Yoruichi shrugged. 'They'd think you were the laziest captain ever, undeserving of the role. Just sit with me, Suì-Fēng.'
The captain complied, albeit slowly, sitting down by a spot beside her old mentor. It took all of Yoruichi's strength not to reach out and stroke the length of one of the braids, knowing Suì-Fēng liked to keep a mean reputation.
'So-'
'What is Ōmaeda doing?' Suì-Fēng cut in, interrupting everything. 'Is that bunting over there?'
Yoruichi squinted towards the far corner, where several division members were clutching metres and metres of triangular shaped fabric. It all looked as orange as her jacket, or the inner lining of Suì's haori.
It was obvious that they were planning some sort of party, but their own captain wasn't in on the event? That was rather amusing. Even more so was the fact she was letting it slide.
'Aren't you curious what they're up to?' Yoruichi asked, still interested in the shiny hoops adorning Suì-Fēng's hair.
'Curious? Yes.' Suì-Fēng admitted. Yoruichi saw a slight shudder from the captain when her hands gently ran the length of the braid. 'Am I going down to ask or help? No. I can't have Ōmaeda knowing I've forgotten some important event. '
Yoruichi chuckled, before standing and stretching. 'Well if you're not too bothered about finding out what such an event could be… I reckon that means you've got to spend the rest of your free time with me.'
'Very well,' Suì-Fēng said, dusting herself down. 'What did you have in mind, Yourichi-sama?'
Was that all the persuasion the girl needed? Excellent.
All Yoruichi fancied doing was basking in the sun with good company, perhaps a place with shade or water to keep them cool. And then a place struck her.
'We're going to the waterfall!'
'The waterfall?'
'The same one you tried to get naked pict-'
Suì-Fēng couldn't cover her face fast enough. 'How many times must you bring that up, Yoruichi-sama?'
A large smirk plastered her face as she watched the usually poker-faced woman squirm at the memory. There was something so satisfying about it. 'I'll bring it up as many times as I think about it.'
Before Yoruichi could show her up in front of her division, Suì-Fēng was already on her feet and heading in the rough direction of the waterfall. It took little effort to catch up, as they both used their Shunpo to reach the place at a fair speed.
Staying purposely behind the captain wasn't a natural occurrence, but once again her eyes fell upon Suì-Fēng's swaying hair and the Second Division's insignia emblazoned on her back. From personal guard to captain, there was so much Yoruichi wished to know, as one hundred years worth of guilt still struck her like a Zanpakutō to the heart.
Suì-Fēng glanced back. The seriousness was there in her voice, just not her face. 'What's the matter Yoruichi-sama? Getting slow in your old age?'
There was something about this Suì-Fēng that appealed to Yoruichi. A century had given her a confidence and cockiness that came with captaincy, but it was in a way the Goddess of Flash demonstrated when Suì-Fēng was still her personal guard. Of course, there was still evidence of the easily embarrassed girl in there.
Yoruichi grinned, kicking off a treetop in order to fall in line. 'And what if I am? You'll just have to carry me there.'
They landed short of the waterfall; close enough to be hit by the cooling spray. Palms open, Yoruichi decided she enjoyed the feeling enough to want to feel more of it. Loosening her orange jacket, the fresh air instantly rushed down the sleeves, cooling her at once.
Suì-Fēng looked on a little more conserved. It looked like she needed a little more coaxing.
'You can't be wearing all that in this heat.'
Suì-Fēng shrugged. 'I cope during the rest of the year.'
'Don't make me cut that obi off myself,' Yoruichi warned, trying not to smile. She piled her discarded clothes into a makeshift pillow, lying flat on her back. There wasn't much grass for a softer surface, but the dry ground was warm and not too rocky.
'You took us this far to lie around?'
Keeping her eyes closed, Yoruichi reached out towards the voice, gesturing for Suì. 'I believe sunbathe is the correct term. Let's talk for a bit. I'm not going to fall asleep, I promise.'
There was a heavy sigh, followed by the sound of skin rubbing against fabric. The sunlight caressing Yoruichi's face replaced by a brief shadow.
'Would you like to use this to lie on?' Suì-Fēng asked, and forcing Yoruichi to look.
Wearing just the backless Onmitsukidō uniform, Suì-Fēng had taken the hint, but also the time to fold everything. With one hand she offered her haori, yellow obi placed neatly on top, and in her other her Zanpakutō.
Your undying need to serve me is showing, Yoruichi thought, wanting to say it out loud instead. Old habits die hard.
Suì-Fēng must've taken her silence as a form of negation, because she sits at long last. Soon the only sound is not the talking Yoruichi promised, but the rushing of water.
And worst of all, Yoruichi observed, through the miniscule gaps between her lashes, Suì is playing with one of the orange hoops in her hair.
'You seem pensive,' Yoruichi said, sitting up.
'I'm just remembering something.'
'Are you once again remembering the time Kiyone tried to ask for my autograph while you hid in the trees?' Yoruichi nudged the smaller woman, expecting another mortified reaction.
Except it didn't quite produce the desired response.
'I know you only returned here the first time because of the Kurosaki kid, but the fact you stepped foot in the Seireitei at all… I'm, I'm happy you're here Yoruichi-sama.'
She didn't sound happy.
'Is that really what you think?' There was a sudden ache in the ex-deserter's heart. She'd brought her old protégé here to have fun and catch up, not for moping about the past. Sitting up properly, Yoruichi threw her left arm over Sui's shoulders, bringing her close. 'Don't think for a second that I didn't want to return to snatch you and take you with me.'
Amazingly, Suì-Fēng doesn't oppose her pressing her face so close that raven tresses tickle her nose. They'd not really been over this issue past their fight, there hadn't been time. Still staring off into space, Suì-Fēng barely showed signs of hearing, other than the slight lean into Yoruichi.
'When I became captain I vowed to be the one to strike you down,' Suì-Fēng murmured, as if hoping Yoruichi wouldn't hear everything. That much Yoruichi remembered from the heat of their fight. 'I also grew my hair from that point on. I refused to cut it until we met again.'
'Oh?' Yoruichi gave a weak smile at the admission. Her hand instinctively going for the braid Suì-Fēng wasn't playing with.
'Naturally, hair can grow a lot within a year, never mind a century.' This time the tiny captain let out a small, bitter laugh. 'So I stopped growing it before it became too impractical. It became my daily reminder of my personal promise.'
Such a constant reminder of the past would act like poison, especially if that reminder trailed down your back.
'I'm sorry you suffered.' Suddenly she knew what she had to do to kick start the change. 'Stand for me.' As hesitant as she was to sit and laze, Suì stood up just as cautious of what was happening. 'Now close your eyes,' Yoruichi ordered. Suzumebachi rested atop of the folded clothes, and Yoruichi wasted no time in picking it up. She walked behind her protégé, studying the tightness in her body and her overall unease. 'So this is a physical representation of all the burdens I left you with?'
'Y-yes. I mean it was.' The zanpakutō's metal rang out as it was unsheathed, and with it Suì-Fēng's spiritual pressure rose slightly. 'What are-'
To any onlooker it would appear as though she was going to kill the leader of the Onmitsukidō. Yoruichi placed the blade against both braids, allowing a few inches to preserve some hair length.
'Do you trust me?' she asked, knowing the answer anyway, but there was an undying need to hear her say it.
This time there was no stutter. 'Yes.'
With one quick swipe, the sharp edge sliced through hair and ribbon alike as if nothing was there in the first place. The cut was clean, and without needing to see what it looked like from the front, Yoruichi could tell that Suì-Fēng suited it already.
'Well, you haven't fulfilled your promise to kill me – yet. But here we are reunited at last. And my promise to you will be that we will carry on where we left off.'
Suì turned, silently accepting what was left of a heavy burden; simply hair, cloth, and metal rings.
One hundred years was a lifetime and more to humans, and Yoruichi only ever started to appreciate what could change in such a time when she was placed among the mortals in Karakura. One hundred years was a long time to hold such a mental weight. She hoped and prayed she could earn Suì-Fēng's true forgiveness.
Sliding Suzumebachi back into the scabbard, Yoruichi tossed it back to its owner.
'This signifies a change for the better,' Yoruichi told her, itching to know what the captain was thinking. 'If you think you're getting rid of me from this point on you'll be sorely mistaken.'
'Likewise,' the captain replied quietly, a bit red-faced. Dropping everything on the floor, Suì-Fēng then turned to the waterfall, gesturing with a nod of her head. 'Did you want to… uh, take a swim?'
Yoruichi smiled broadly at the icebreaker. Her skin was crying out to be cleansed of the sweat that coated everything from her brow to her back. Knowing all too well that Suì-Fēng hated it when she bared all, she stripped down to just her white underclothes. The small captain had her back turned out of politeness.
'Come on, you too!' Yoruichi called out, noting how relieved Suì was at the presence of clothes on her body.
Leaving the other woman to get undressed, Yoruichi meandered over rocks and stepped in the shallowest parts. Since her last visit, the body of water had grown considerably, resembling a lagoon more than anything else. The further she delved into the water, the more it was starting to become her favourite place in the world. Lukewarm and as clear as day, Yoruichi's body rejoiced as the water lapped at her collarbone.
'Today would be nice!' Yoruichi apprehensive as a newborn deer, Suì-Fēng joined her one tiny step at a time, arms crossed as though she was being violated by look alone. Except it was only the two of them here, and it would therefore only be Yoruichi's eyes she felt discomforted by. 'Feeling shy are we?'
The woman slid further into the water, feigning interest in something that required her to look in the opposite direction to Yoruichi. 'Not everyone is as confident as you, Yoruichi-sama.'
'You are confident,' Yoruichi corrected. 'You're no wilting flower on the battlefield.'
'Comfortable then… no one is as comfortable as you are.'
Yoruichi inclined her head and winked, not able to disagree with what was said. She watched as the Second Division leader waded towards the waterfall itself, stopping under the brunt force to let the water soak her completely. The new haircut really did suit her Yoruichi thought as Suì-Fēng raked her fingers though freshly cut tresses.
A sudden urge washed over Yoruichi whilst her companion had her back turned. As swiftly and as silently as possible, Yoruichi dived under the surface, met with crystal clear vision of her target.
Pushing off the wall of rocks, Yoruichi cut through the water like an arrow through air, breaking the surface a second before she came into contact with target. Instead of touching flesh however, her hand hit the crags behind the cascade. Damn, she'd moved.
'Don't think I didn't notice how quiet you'd become, Yoruichi-sama.'
Staring at her hand like it was a foreign object, Yoruichi came to the revelation that Suì-Fēng had fully expected something. 'Did you just...?'
'Read you like an open book?' Suì-Fēng smirked, a fire present in her eyes.
'Look at you lying to me now. You're pretty damn "comfortable" mocking me,' Yoruichi said referring to earlier as she pushed away from the cliff face. Suì-Fēng sidestepped in the water as Yoruichi swam towards her, moving pointedly to the edge as if to get out. 'But I must admit, I like this new you.'
Suì-Fēng stopped, head dipping a fraction. At first, Yoruichi thought she was about to cry, but instead she looked her right in the eye and said, 'I mean no disrespect, Yoruichi-sama, but this personality of mine is hardly "new".'
I guess she's right, Yoruichi thought whilst making herself smile. She hoped it didn't look as wistful as it felt. 'We have quite a way to go, don't we?'
Suì-Fēng surprised her by coming forward and tentatively taking her hands. It was not something the younger Suì-Fēng would have ever done unless given permission, but this time she never sought it. Nevertheless she still looked down, refusing to show off her emotion.
'One hundred years apart is a long time in any lifetime,' Suì-Fēng whispered, still holding Yoruichi's fingers lightly as if ready to place a respectful kiss on them at any time. 'You've not changed a bit since, but I… I've grown. Yet I know everything will return to how it once was.'
There was no fighting the tight embrace that Yoruichi's body automatically responded with. She dipped into the water, grabbing and hoisting Suì-Fēng from the waist in order to twirl her. The action was met with some resistance and a yelp.
'What are you doing?' Clutching onto Yoruichi's shoulders, Suì-Fēng held herself an arm's length away as Yoruichi rotated them both the water, laughing joyously at the entire thing.
'Forgive me, Suì. I'm just…'
She didn't end up finishing her sentence. She couldn't. There weren't enough synonyms for "happy" for Yoruichi to get her point across.
The second she let go, Suì-Fēng really did get out of the water. 'Hey,' she called after, a panic setting in that she'd done something wrong. 'Everything okay?'
Hurriedly pulling a bone-dry uniform over her damp skin, Suì-Fēng smiled uneasily at her. 'Everything is fine, Yoruichi-sama. My skin just feels like it's getting burnt.'
Yoruichi swam to the rocky edge, glancing at the younger woman's shoulders first for any telltale sign of redness. 'Are you sure? You don't look red to… well maybe your face.'
Although Yoruichi's comment appeared true when she said it, the more she looked – well stared, she concluded that the light tint to Suì-Fēng's face was just a blush.
Suì-Fēng continued to get ready, shrugging on her pristine haori like she was ready to leave. In fact, she was leaving. Did she mistake a blush for anger? Slipping slightly on the rocks underfoot, Yoruichi hauled herself out of the water, trying to hold back her urgency to catch up.
'What's the sudden rush?'
Suì-Fēng threw a look over her shoulder, which she rolls as if to say she's been stationary for too long. 'As much as I want to stay, I should check up on my division and whatever procrastinating duty Ōmaeda has set up for them.'
Yoruichi's eyes narrowed slightly. 'Are you trying to get rid of me?'
Suì-Fēng bowed in the middle of tying her obi, keeping it tightened in place with one hand. 'I'm sorry, but I must.'
Deflated but not defeated, Yoruichi also reached for her things, though it didn't feel right putting more clothes on.
They landed in the dead centre of the division's courtyard, startling two of the novices in the process. The reason Suì-Fēng knew they were new was simple; her trained men had nerves of steel.
The previously alarmed recruits had been carrying a long table, thankfully empty, but it tipped over the second they let go.
Leaving the table on its side, one man saluted. 'Greetings, Captain Suì-Fēng!'
'Surely it doesn't take two of you to carry something so light.' Suì-Fēng tilted her head to the side. 'I do not accept weaklings in this division.'
The recruits looked at each other, and in a flash the second recruit had picked up the table and rushed off. The first looked lost, looking for absolutely anything to do, before dashing out of sight also.
Beside her, Yoruichi chuckled, glancing around place to see the progress the men and Ōmaeda had made. 'I really do love the fear you instill in people.'
'Thanks,' she deadpanned.
'Everyone except me, of course.' Suì-Fēng bit the inside of her lip, mentally begging Yoruichi to keep silent on such things around her men. 'Mm, something smells nice around here.'
Suì-Fēng hadn't been ignoring the smell of roasting meats or sizzling fish since returning, in fact she was extremely hungry and missed lunch to spend time with Yoruichi.
Pushing the thought of food to the back of her mind, she quickly remembered she had to tidy up her newly received haircut. 'I suppose there's no point in eating yet then.' Suì-Fēng tugged at a section of hair that cradled her face. 'I need to see to my new haircut however before this... party thing.'
She also needed to find her annoying lieutenant.
'You don't even have the slightest inkling what's going on here still, do you? Did they even invite you to this?' Yoruichi joked.
'Oh I'll be invited. I'm sure no one has a death wish,' Suì-Fēng smirked, causing another new member to recoil who was within earshot. 'You there, pathetic flincher, find Ōmaeda and tell him to report to me immediately.'
Both women ducked into the shade of the barracks, but Yoruichi held back near the entrance. The golden light of day pouring in against her back, giving the outline of her body the halo Suì-Fēng knew Yoruichi deserved.
Eyes like blazing suns looked at Suì-Fēng with a tinge of sadness. 'Why do I feel our little day out is over?'
Yoruichi couldn't be anymore wrong. 'You can stay if you want, you know that, Yoruichi-sama. You're welcome to come to whatever's being prepared, this evening.'
'Well the more I think about it,' Yoruichi's chin rose high, as if trying to mask the upcoming smirk. 'It'll make seeing you tonight all the better if I miss you for several hours. I'll see you back here tonight? '
It sounded like a date.
Yoruichi turned to leave, throwing both her ponytail and a wink over her shoulder. It was a move that Suì-Fēng had learnt many years ago that was as dangerous as Shunko when in the right hands. 'It's a date.'
She'd lost all breath in her lungs, and her face was akin to an oxygen-starved koi.
A/N: Started this in 2014, with the purpose of it being a oneshot that I never really intended to release. I want to get back into the flow of writing again, so had a read through, tweaked bits and decided to post. Unlike the rest of my stories, this one is actually finished!
Next chapter to be up soon.
