DISCLAIMER: The rights to all copyrighted material mention henceforth in this document are owned by their respective owners.
As some of you have pointed out, the primary impetus behind this fic is Mortal Kombat. The reason this is not listed as a crossover is because characters and locations from Mortal Kombat will not be appearing in this fic. All that I am borrowing from that universe are the concept of the Cyber-Initiative (and even that isn't directly 1:1) and the aesthetics of one of the arenas. However, if enough of you feel that it's appropriate, I will change the categorization of this fic accordingly.
Also, I want to be upfront about this; This fic is not meant to be taken seriously. Though it's probably not self-evident yet, the gravitas and sincerity of the story telling are such as to highlight the insanity of the whole concept. I, at least, find the concept of Cyber-Sui hilarious and I like my jokes told with a straight face.
Also, if you've come here looking for shippy stuff, you will be disappointed.
I've been pretty consistently spelling "Gotei" wrong this whole time. Shame on you all for not catching it.
Do not adjust your monitor. This is my first uninterrupted chapter. In fact, this may be my first uninterrupted anything.
New drinking game! Every time Sui-Feng goes to see Unohana in one of my fics you take a shot.
Sui-Feng's breath hitched as the blow landed. It was a flat palm strike, hitting squarely in the sternum.
The attack was delivered by the Third Seat of the Second Division and was received by an officer of the Keiratai. Sui-Feng could feel her chest tighten as she watched the officer crumple. It was shameful.
"This isn't good," Sui-Feng's voice was thin, airy, and strained. He remaining arm was resting on the railing of the causeway that overlooked sparring match she was watching, supporting her.
"Huh?" Omeada turned his attention to Sui-Feng. He was standing next to her observing the fight, his hands and mouth conspicuously devoid of rice crackers.
"The men aren't progressing at the rate I need them to." Sui-Feng forced the words out of her mouth, her voice falling off as she spoke. The sentence was followed by a few shallow breaths.
"Is there anything I can do?" Omeada asked with a sincerity that never failed to surprise Sui-Feng no matter how many times she heard it.
"No," Sui-Feng shook her head. "Your skills in shunpo are respectable and you've done a commendable job in training the men in that," She paused for a breath. "But your kendo and hakuda skills are still lacking. It's because I can't train them."
"Should I call for the next two to be observed?" He replied, offering no rebuttal to his Captain's criticism.
"No," Sui-Feng's response came out as more of a strained wheeze. "I'm done for today." She had only overseen four matches. "I am trusting you to maintain the regiment I detailed."
"Yes, Taicho," Omeada saluted and watched as Sui-Feng turned and leave, her steps slow and heavy.
There was a time when Sui-Feng's mere presence inspired fear. She was the commander of the two most feared and secretive Division in all of the Seireitei. The mere thought of disobedience to the Gotei 13 was enough to bring her wrath down upon you. No matter the Division, all cleared the way as she passed though the Seiretei's causeways and ceased their conversations. She was treated with the reverence and respect that her station demanded.
Now, the path was still cleared, but it was to make her passage easier. People avoided eye contact as not to risk staring. The silence that descended was not of reverence, but that of pity. It disgusted her.
It was easy to forget just how large the Seireitei actually was. Even with all the sekkiseki stone, bounding from rooftop to rooftop was enough to traverse the miles of complex paths in little time with relative ease. On foot, the distances between places can become confusing and exhausting.
"Oh! Good afternoon Sui-Feng." She had been so focused on the path in front of her that she failed to notice Ukitake come up next to her. She didn't even have the energy to mentally berate herself.
"It's too hot." She replied to the greeting. The heat had never bothered her before, but her robes and uniform were heavy and stifling now.
"Yes, it seems that time of year is upon us again," Ukitake nodded, falling in step with the woman. "The Research Institute says that it's not likely to get as hot as last year, so we won't have to be dealing with as many cases of heat exhaustion." Something in that sentence elicited a sharp glare from Sui-Feng. Undeterred by the look or the silence that followed it, Ukitake continued to walk next to her.
"What brings you out this way?" Ukitake asked. "We don't often see members of the Second out in these parts."
"I'm on my way to speak to Unohana." Sui-Feng replied. "And this is the shortest way to the Fourth."
"Yes, she seems to be quite popular these days." Ukitake said thoughtfully.
"Is there a purpose to this?" Sui-Feng stopped and looked at Ukitake. "I'll have you know that I am quite capable of finding my own way. Your escort is far from necessary."
"I assure you I didn't mean any offence." He held up his hands defensively. "I just say you and thought it would be nice to say hello." Without a word, Sui-Feng began to turn and walk away. "Well actually, there was something I wanted to give you." She turned around to find a small pouch stretched out towards her.
"What is it?" She asked cautiously.
"It's a blend of tea I discovered." He answered. "I find it helps me when I going through one of my spells."
"What does it do?" She asked curiously.
"It's just tea." Ukitake replied with a short laugh. "I just find its taste and smell soothing and was thinking you might as well." Sui-Feng hesitated for a long moment before finally relenting and accepting the gift. To have sunk so low as to garner Ukitake's pity. Truly pathetic.
Ukitake's pestering did serve to distract Sui-Feng from her arduous journey. Shortly after she rid herself of the man she arrived at her destination. She hurried her pace and quickly sheltered herself from the sun in the infirmary's air conditioning. The building she entered was the Fourth Division's clinic, designated for those with ailments and injures that were either minor or non-emergencies.
"Hello Taicho." Sui-Feng was greeted with casual familiarity by the clerk at the front desk, a tall boy whose dark hair was in desperate need of washing.
"Is Unohana available?" Sui-Feng asked, a far cry from her past tone with those of lower rank.
"I'm sorry, but she at the emergency ward tending to some patients." He sounded sincere in his apology. "I'll send someone to tell her that you want to see her, if you don't mind waiting."
"That's fine," She turned and walked to the attached waiting room. Truthfully, she was thankful for the opportunity to sit. Thankfully, there was no one else in the waiting room, which spared her the awkward looks and questions. On the table next to her was a copy of that month's Seireitei Communication, devoid of any contributions from her. Sui-Feng grabbed it and began to flip though its articles looking for a distraction to help her pass the time.
After reading nearly the entire magazine, Sui-Feng finally heard a door open. Looking up, she saw Unohana greeting her with her usual warm smile. Sui-Feng let out an audible sigh of relief. The last thing left to read was another excerpt from one of Kyoraku's dreadful romance novels.
"Sorry to keep you waiting." Unohana greeted her. "Please follow me." Sui-Feng was lead back to one of the exam rooms, though she did not take a seat on the elevated exam table, opting instead for the chair next to it. "How are you feeling?"
"Not good," Sui-Feng's posture slumped. "Every day I can do less and less."
"You shouldn't be pushing yourself like this." Unohana shook her head sadly. "It pains me to think that you are literally going to work yourself to death."
When Aizen fell those Captain's and Vizards who had been foolhardy enough to confront him, he stated plainly himself that he hadn't intended for the wounds he inflicted upon them to be fatal. However, he failed to take into account the conditions of those he was attacking.
By the time Aizen struck down Sui-Feng, she had already allowed herself to be beaten and bruised in order to gain intelligence on the Arrancar and preformed a field amputation on her arm only to return to the battle and fire her banki twice, even though she can only normally fire it once every three days.
The vast disparity in the reaitsu of Sui-Feng and Aizen resulted in massive damage to the woman. Damage that not even Unohana and all her medical prowess was not able to fully repair. Even with the luxuries of peace, Sui-Feng's condition was still deteriorating and her time dwindling.
"What would you have me do then?" Sui-Feng asked in exasperation. "Sit in my quarters and wait to die? I have to do everything I can to make sure that the Onmistukido stays functioning. There's no one ready to replace me and we can't afford to be headless again."
"I understand," Unohana resigned. "I merely wish that you would take some time to rest. The harder you push yourself, the less time you will have to work with."
"The faster I work, the more time I will have to rest." Sui-Feng retorted.
"If that's how you feel…" Unohana sighed.
"That's why I am here." Sui-Feng affirmed. "Do you have any stronger pain killers?" Silently, Unohana stood and walked to the medicine cabinet on the wall.
"I don't like to use these." Unohana produced a bottle form the cabinet. "But at this point, I think the benefits will outweigh the side effects." They were very powerful painkillers that if used for prolonged periods of time could cause damage to the liver and other organs.
"Thank you." Sui-Feng took the bottle and pocketed it. Unohana retuned Sui-Feng's solemn look with the warmest smile she could offer. Sui-Feng was finally starting to appreciate the small pleasantries she once though meaningless and wastes of time.
By the time Sui-Feng made it back to her quarters, the sun had already started to set. Fortunately, there was nothing pressing that Sui-Feng needed to attend to. Shortly after the Winter War, Nanao offered to take on her clerical work, since she was already used to handling such paperwork due to her own Captain's irresponsibility. Sui-Feng refused at first but finally accepted the offer a few weeks ago.
Tiredly, Sui-Feng shed her haori and tossed it aside, not particularly caring where it landed. She fell back into the chair behind her desk heavily, squirming to remove the bag of tea leaves Ukitake gave her and the new painkillers so she could find some position of relative comfort.
The crushing realization of her condition hit her anew every night. By the time she finished what little work she could accomplish she was always almost completely exhausted. And the pain was nearly excruciating. It wasn't soreness that came from exertion, but the agony of injury. When she was out and about, she could at least partially ignore it and go about her duty. But here, alone with nothing to occupy her mind, it was all she felt.
Not bothering to find some liquid to wash them down, Sui-Feng swallowed two of the pills that Unohana had given her. After a brutal wait that seemed much longer than it actually was, she felt the effects of the medication wash over her. If felt as if a weight was lifted off her chest and her breath came easier as the pain eased.
Sui-Feng turned her attention to the wall clock on her left. It was only a little after eight. Going to sleep now felt too much like admitting defeat. Having nothing else to do, she grabbed the pouch of leaves she had been given and dragged herself to the small cooking annex, where she began to heat a small kettle of water.
Once the water was heated to the optimal temperature, she got out a cup and brewed herself a cup of tea. As much as she hated to admit it, the tea did smell good, though her medicated mind couldn't quite place the scents and flavor. The heat it spread though her body helped relax her, putting her in a state of relative ease.
Sui-Feng felt so good that she decided that it would be best for her to turn in before the state wore of. At the very least she might get a few hours of sound sleep before the pain woke her up in the night.
Surprisingly, the painkillers lasted the night, as it was well into the morning before the aching in her chest woke her up. Pulling herself out of her bed, she forced her feet to move her about, swallowing two more pills and having another cup of the tea before she bathed and dressed.
She exited her quarters full of hope that she might actually accomplish something of meaning only to find a messenger outside her door. What was normally an unremarkable occurrence was made noteworthy by the fact that the messenger was not from any of the Divisions of the Gotei 13 but from her own Clan.
"Good morning, Taicho," The messenger bowed. Military rank superseded all others in the Feng House. "I have a message for you from the Council." He presented an envelope to her and she took it.
"How pressing is this?" Sui-Feng asked.
"They would not say." The messenger replied. "All that I was told was to deliver it."
"Then I shall read it this evening. You are dismissed." Sui-Feng waved him off and he left. Quickly she placed the envelope on her desk and left, not wanting to squander what time the medication gave her.