'What's going on?'
'Get up!'
'What?'
'You need to get up.'
'Suzumebachi?'
'Yes. Now wake up. Here she comes!'
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Soi snapped up.
Looking around she saw she was in a plain room with just the bedding she was laying in and a small table beside her.
"Your finally awake."
Soi looked over to the door.
Retsu was standing watching her.
"What the hell did you do to me!?"
She tried to stand.
"Stop. You'll be off your feet for a few more hours. Don't rush it."
Soi glared at her and got into a crouch.
Retsu walked forward. "Stop." She repeated.
Soi didn't listen. She pushed herself up to a shaky stand.
She took a few steps away from the other woman.
She fell onto her left knee. Retsu was by her side in a second.
"I told you to stop."
"I don't care!" Soi snapped.
Retsu looked hurt by the girls rudeness.
"I'm trying to help."
"This is your fault! Get away!"
Retsu set her face and grabbed Soi' arm. She hauled the girl up and moved her back t the futon.
"Just stay here." She said as she helped Soi back down.
"I want to leave."
"To bad."
"What do you want!?"
"You."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm not sure. Right now I just want to talk." Unohana sat beside Soi.
The other shuffled away. Again the healer seemed hurt.
"What about?"
"Anything."
"I don't get it."
"We used to connect."
"I was a child and you didn't shoot poison in me!"
"It wasn't poison. It was just something to help you sleep. You haven't gotten much since Yoruichi-sans departure."
"How would you know?"
Retsu just smiled.
"Stupid question." Soi said to herself.
"Very."
She looked up to find Unohana less than a foot away.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing."
"Then why do you look like that?"
"Like what?"
"A cat about to jump a mouse."
Retsu's smile widened. She shot forward and pushed Soi down.
"I'm not going to do anything to you." She confirmed.
Soi was shocked as the fourth division captain laid down beside her.
Retsu wrapped an arm around Soi's waist and cuddled up to the smaller girl.
"This is so weird."
"Hmm?"
"I've known you since I was so small. It seems odd that your acting this way around me."
"Hmm. But it's the way I feel."
"You haven't told me how you feel."
"Attached."
"I feel that." Soi turned her head to Unohana.
"Good. That sleeper tends to make people numb."
"No. I can feel everything just fine."
Retsu smiled. Soi's face stayed blank but her eyes held curiosity.
Soi finally noticed that the healers hair was pulled back. In a simple ponytail.
"I like that."
"Hmm?"
"Your hair. Its pulled back. You should do it more often." Soi looked back up at the ceiling.
Retsu stared at Soi oddly.
The girl looked back to her. "What?"
Unohana actually blushed. "Thank you."
Soi eyed her before turning her eyes back to their previous occupation. "Mm."
The healer smiled again and rested her head on Soi's shoulder.
"How do you like being a captain?"
"Its better than being a servant. But its not what I wanted."
"What did you want?"
"I don't know."
"Yes you do."
"Yeah…I do, but it sounds stupid."
"Tell me. I promise I won't laugh."
The younger looked suspiciously at the older. 'Why not?' She decided. She had kept all her secrets in the past.
"I always wanted to be…." She stopped. It really did sound stupid.
"What?"
"….." Soi mumbled her answer.
"I didn't catch that. Speak up." Retsu smiled as she sat back up.
"A bird!" Soi shouted. "I wanted to be a bird when I was a child."
"That's not stupid at all Soi."
"Yes it is."
"Well tell me why you wanted to be a bird."
"They always get to go where they want. Not a worry in the world. Just follow their instincts." Soi explained.
"That sounds very nice. I wouldn't mind being a bird either then if I could." She was sincere.
"Really?"
"Really, really."
Retsu smiled and placed herself back where she had been. With her upper half laying on top of the younger.
"Is this uncomfortable for you?"
"The way your acting? It makes me very uncomfortable."
"You know what I mean."
"No then. Your very warm."
Retsu smiled and gripped Soi tighter.
Soi fell asleep easy a few minutes after.
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Soi groaned as sunlight hit her closed eyes.
She sat up and opened her eyes slowly.
She stood up and stretched while rubbing her eyes.
She walked out to the small walkway that went all the way down each end.
"Awake I see." Soi looked back in the room.
Retsu walked in carrying a try of food.
"Where am I?" Soi asked as she walked up to the other.
"The guest quarters." Was the answer.
"Who's taking care of my squad? My lieutenant is an idiot so I doubt he could."
"I sent in a request for new lieutenant for your squad just before you came here the other day. They should be there by now."
Soi sat on the futon. "Thanks."
"For the food or the request?"
"Both. But I'm not very hungry."
"Then at least drink your tea and have some of the ramen."
Soi nodded and took the tea.
Retsu smiled and left the room.
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"Where's the captain?" A man asked the new lieutenant of their squad.
She had just gotten there late yesterday.
"Not here. Now get back to your training!" She said sternly.
Her hair was tied back in a long low ponytail. It was a greenish black color, and her eyes were a piercing blue with purple around the edges.
She wore a black tank top with the standard pants and sandals. Her lieutenants badge was worn as a type of necklace. Her Zanpakuto was not on her.
She did have one…but…it was complicated to get to.
"Lieutenant Hotaru." A man ran up to her.
"What is it?"
"Omaeda said he want to challenge you. For his position back on the squad."
"Ugh. Fine, where is this fight gunna be?" Hotaru was annoyed by this. But it would be fun to kick his ass.
"He said he wants to fight in front of the fourth division."
"Why there?"
"He said it was because he wanted to send you there quickly for your injuries after the fight was over."
Hotaru snorted in amusement. "Fine then. When is it?"
"Five minutes."
Hotaru nodded to him and made her way to the fourth division.
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Soi stood just as Retsu walked back in.
"Can I leave now?"
"Do you hate my company so much?"
"I don't hate it…its just…I want to leave."
"I want to keep you to myself."
"I don't care. You've done that long enough."
"What will you do when you get out of here?"
"I…I don't know. Keep training most likely."
"You can't continue training like you are Soi. It'll only make you weak. The human body can only handle so much."
"We're Shinigami. We can handle more than the humans."
"That only depends on the level of tolerance a body has. You don't know what yours is."
"And you do?"
"No. But I don't want you getting yourself hurt."
"Why do you care so much!?"
Soi was silenced by a chaste kiss on her lips.
She was sill in shock when the older pulled away.
"Just because." Unohana smiled.
Soi blushed beet red.
Retsu smiled wider. "You liked it."
"So?"
Retsu laughed quietly and took Soi's hand.
Soi didn't pull away but she didn't return the small squeeze Unohana gave her.
"Captain!?" Someone shouted down the hallway.
"Isane?"
They walked out of the room.
Soi tried to pull her hand away as the fourth squads lieutenant ran up to them.
Retsu wouldn't have it. She gripped Soi's hand like an iron vice.
Soi whimpered in pain.
Isane looked oddly between the two.
"What is it?" The captain asked calmly.
"The old lieutenant of the Soi Fong-taichou's squad and the new lieutenant of the squad are about to fight."
"Where are they?"
"Right out front. Most of our squad and the second squad have gathered."
"We'll be right there. Go on and make sure you can stop them if possible."
"Yes ma'am." Isane ran off again.
Soi whimpered again.
Retsu looked at her. "What's wrong?"
"Your hurting me!" She shouted.
Retsu looked down at their hands and pulled away quickly.
Soi clutched her hand to her and glared at the other woman. Her hand was a little red and bruised at some points.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you." She reached out.
"Get away! You sure can hurt me a lot for a supposed healer who wants to help me." Soi snarled.
"I'm sorry."
"Get away from me!"
Retsu stepped closer anyway and took Soi's hand gently in her own.
Their hands glowed pale green.
"There. All better."
Soi snatched her hand away and glared at her. "It was your fault."
She walked away and Retsu, who was now very sad, followed after her.
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"You sure you want to do this fatty?" Hotaru called to the large man.
"Shut it!" Was the answer. He was doing a few stretches.
"Well hurry up! Let's not wait for the grass to grow."
Omaeda growled and pulled out his Zanpakuto.
Hotaru just smiled.
Soi and Unohana walked out a moment after Omaeda pulled his bade.
Soi finally got her first glimpse of other people she knew. She was finally getting real air.
She felt like she had been here for weeks. She hated it.
"Let's go tubby!" Hotaru called.
"Gegetsuburi! Smash!" Omeada shouted.
A large spiked ball appeared where the blade had been. The hilt turned into a steal staff.
Omaeda laughed loudly. "Let's see what you've got little girl!"
"Lets." Hotaru stood calmly with her hands on her waist.
The large man seemed upset by the girls calmness.
"Crush!" He shouted.
The spiked ball shot itself from the staff and at the new lieutenant.
She put up one hand and caught it. She pressed back hard and sent it back at him. (like in my-otome.)
Omaeda had one moment of shock before his own Zanpakuto slammed into his stomach.
Soi watched in amusement as her old lieutenant was launched back and barreled into a nearby wall.
"Go help him." Unohana commanded her squad.
"Yes ma'am!" A few headed out to retrieve him.
Retsu looked at Soi.
The girl was looking at Hotaru with admiration.
Retsu instantly felt jealous.
Soi walked down the steps and up to the lieutenant.
Hotaru looked curiously at her.
"You did well."
"You are…" She eyed Soi before realization struck.
She froze up and slammed herself down to her knees.
"Soi Fong-taichou."
Soi smiled. This girl reminded her of herself while serving Yoruichi.
"You don't have to bow so low to me. I am not royalty."
Hotaru sat up but did not get up from the ground.
"Not many people are these days."
"Very true. What's your name?"
"Hotaru ma'am."
"Last name?"
"I don't have one."
"I see. You are very accomplished to make it to lieutenant."
"I always wanted to be on a squad. Lieutenant is an honor for someone like me."
"Where are you from?"
"A low place. I don't wish to bore you with the details. But I have come a very long way, am fortunate to be where I am."
"We have something in common then."
"Hmm?"
"I'll explain some other time. Wait here for me."
"Yes ma'am." Hotaru stood as her captain walked away.
She was very fortunate.
"I'm leaving now." Soi said as she walked back to Unohana.
"I figured as much. Please come and visit very soon."
"….I'll think on it. Thank you though."
"What for?"
"Almost breaking my hand and shooting poison in me aside…you took care of me and got me a much better lieutenant. So thank you."
"You're welcome. And I'm very sorry about your hand. It wasn't poison."
"…Yeah. I'll see you some other time."
Soi walked away with her new lieutenant at her heels.
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Hotaru means firefly for those who don't know.
