Chapter one

All the wonderful memories came pouring back.

She placed her palm on the invisible barrier. The gate wall had materialized days ago when the ryoka had tried to break in. The gate guardian was also in the process of healing, so it wasn't a surprise that no one had arrived to prevent her from breaking in. Maybe the situation inside is really chaotic. Or maybe they don't think I'll be able to enter through the barrier. She liked to think it was the latter.

"The Seireitei," She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the cool calm air. The wind swept through the brown mantle that flapped behind her. She looked down at the brooch that held it in place. Oh yeah… I've got to remember to thank her. She could feel warmth spreading all the way to the tips of her fingertips and the end of her feet. "It's great to be back."

The invisible barrier around her palm turned a glow of orange, and as if it were melting, her hands went right through it. I'm so glad they didn't change it though they knew it was possible for one to break in. It would've been troublesome if they did. She paused and turned to the little boy who had frozen to the ground in shock ever since he looked up to find her standing in mid-air above the deathstone walls. She smiled at him.

"See you soon little one."

The instant she was on the inside of the barrier, ryoka alerts could be heard sounding everywhere. They've gotten much faster at this. Now, where should I go? She didn't want random shinigami charging at her from all directions with zanpakutos, and she needed a flat empty space. With a sweep of her hand, the brooch sucked the mantle into its opening and disappeared. She landed on the ground without making a sound, smirk flashed across her face, and she sped off, knowing exactly where she was going to go. She came to a halt right in the middle of a training ground that the Stealth Force often used. At least I know who's coming to 'welcome' me. Sure enough, one by one, the Executive Militia appeared, forming a circle around her. Their captain stood facing her, an annoyed expression on her face.

"You're surrounded girl. Give it up."

The ryoka looked around at her and smirked.

"You sure… Soifon?"

The eyes of the 2nd Division Captain sprang into alert and a moment later, she frowned.


Soifon

"Go back. The intruder's on your grounds."

"Yoruichi-sama!"

"I can handle it! Go back and go to the Sōkyoku Hill once you are done!"

"Yes! I'll try to be quick!"

She had wanted to fight along-side Yoruichi. It had only been hours that they had fought. I had tried to kill her! What was I thinking? How could I do such a thing? She shook her head at her own disbelief. If she did indeed hit Yoruichi twice with Suzumebachi, she would never have had the chance to forgive her. I'm going to get that ryoka. And fast. Yoruichi needs my help.

"Where is he?" She questioned the two Executive Militia who had just appeared by her sides.

"At the Stealth Force training grounds, captain. The Executive Militia has been sent ahead first."

"Alright, let's go."

When they arrived at the grounds, they could see the ryoka standing in the middle of the grounds. No one could have missed her. The ryoka was standing alone by herself, without a sword and without any sign of weapon. It was as if she had been waiting all the while for them to arrive.

"Soifon-taichou! What… what are your orders?"

"We'll surround her. Do not make any unnecessary attacks."

"Yes captain!"

One by one the Executive Militia surrounded the ryoka. The ryoka looked around at her hosts and smiled.

"You're surrounded girl. You can't escape. Give it up." The girl looked around straight at Soifon. Her smirk. There's not even a trace of fear in her eyes.

"How can you be so sure… Soifon?"

Soifon's eyes widened in shock. How could she?! There was a sudden burst of rieatsu and her eyes immediately sprang towards the Sōkyoku Hill. What was going on?

"Looks like it's started…"

Soifon turned her attention back to the girl who had just smile on the ryoka's face had disappeared, and she seemed to be concentrating on the rieatsu. Who is she? How does she even know what's going on? She looked back at Soifon.

"I thought I had more time. Looks like I've to do this fast. Heard of the Flash Goddess?"

Soifon's heart stopped at the mention of her teachers' title. Before she could even blink, the ryoka had disappeared and a split second later she felt a sharp jab at the back of her neck. Before her body could adjust to the sudden movement, the ryoka was back in the centre of the circle. What did she just do? My body feels as if it can't move! What was that? Such quick movement! I'm certain it's shunpo. But shunpo at such a fast rate! It's almost impossible!

"Don't tell her. That Yoruichi."

2nd Division Captain caught a glimpse of the ryoka's smirk as she fell to the floor. Her legs were no longer able to support her body. Every single one of her comrades had also fallen to the ground, paralyzed. What did she… How in the world did she get us all in that flash of time?

The ryoka smiled as she looked towards the sky. To Soifon's shock, a large brooch with a familiar crest started to materialize onto the ryoka's shirt just above her heart. The Shihouin Crest! There's no mistaking it! The girl stationed her hand above it and with a swipe, she was in the air, a brown mantle with a large draw string closure at the collar flapping behind her. She turned in mid-air towards the Sōkyoku Hill.

"Don't worry Soifon. Your paralysis lasts only for an hour. Until then, I'll see you soon."

A blur of brown and she was gone. Soifon's mind was jam-packed with confusion.

"Tai-chou… are you… are you alright?" The executive militia beside her tried to reach out his hand to help her but he had been paralysed and his hand remained on the floor.

"It's alright. Just stay still. You're in the same condition as I am."

Soifon gazed at the clear bright sky. She knew she couldn't do anything to get her body back into movement. Suzumebachi wouldn't be of any help as it wasn't poison that paralyzed her entire body. It was just how the nerves in her body worked. Who was that girl? It wasn't the fact that she didn't carry any weapon that sparked Soifon's curiosity and shock. It wasn't the fact that she was only a young girl, that she had no fear, that she could materialize objects. It was the fact, and only after she had left that Soifon had realized, that she couldn't sense any reiatsu coming from the girl the whole time.