Disclaimer: Bleach isn't mine, but it sure is fun to write like it is.
The Art of Transformation
by siyentista
Chapter 2: Aftermath
Moments after the battles concluded, Kisuke opened a giant senkai gate and the Fourth Division's best healers rushed out to administer first aid to the Vizards and the shinigami in the worst conditions while the less injured defenders were brought back to their headquarters.
The fourth seat happened upon the most heartbreaking scene, bathed in the orange light of the gloriously setting sun. Omaeda-fukutaichou was silent and solemn for once. He was gritting his teeth even as he averted his eyes from the fallen captain still positioned awkwardly in his arms and the distraught woman before them. Yoruichi's now-bleeding right hand was firmly wrapped around the blade just below the hilt where Aizen's hand was. She needed to prevent the sword from plunging deeper, but she refused to touch any part of the dead maniac. She ran the trembling fingers of her left hand slowly and gently down Soi Fong's face. "Soi Fong… Soi Fong… Soi Fong… ," she kept calling patiently in a voice that was so unlike the confident and mischievous person she was. "Please, Soi Fong… ," she said more desperately, though exactly what it was she wanted, she wouldn't say.
"Excuse me," the fourth seat interrupted delicately, "I've come to help."
Yoruichi paused, drew her hand back slowly then and turned to give the woman some space while making sure not to disturb the sword.
The fourth seat spread her palms over Soi Fong's forehead and performed a diagnostic kidou spell. She decided that it was best to go with a placating euphemism, "She is alive but weak. We will need to move quickly if we are to save her." Yoruichi, eyes now filled with hope, nodded determinedly. Omaeda grunted.
"The first thing we would have to do is get rid of that sword," she frowned at Yoruichi's bleeding hand. "I need you to pull it out as quickly and smoothly as you can, then step back so I can stop the bleeding. After that… ," she trailed off, remembering the possessive manner in which Yoruichi was touching Soi Fong's face. "After that, I'll set her bone and Omaeda-fukutaichou will help me get carry her back to the headquarters where we will have the proper facilities to deal with the rest of her injuries."
Yoruichi's eyes narrowed and she clenched her jaw. "You can escort us there and stay in the waiting room while we heal her." the fearful fourth seat added quickly. "Look, we don't have much time!" she exclaimed.
Yoruichi furrowed her eyebrows and let out a strangled, "Alright, let's do this on three."
At the first count, Yoruichi breathed in deeply. At the second, she breathed out. By the third count, Yoruichi's frayed nerves were temporarily glued together, and she used the grace of a former captain and Onmitsukidou commander to pull the sword out smoothly even as it cut deeper into her palm. When she let go of the blade, blood flowed out of her hands in place of the tears that threatened to spill from the corners of her eyes.
Everything was a blur to her after that.
She had stubbornly refused treatment to her hands until Soi Fong was in the operating room. When she got back to the waiting room, Omaeda was gone, either receiving treatment or sent home to get rest. There was a written report with a note addressed to her on the table. The fourth seat wisely decided that it wouldn't be healthy to be in the same room as Yoruichi when she found out about the full extent of Second Division captain's injuries.
The report, which contained some input from Omaeda, detailed the minor bruises from the fight with Ggio, the missing arm from the fight with Barragan, the pierced organs due to Kyouka Suigetsu, and the broken ribs, broken leg and internal injuries Soi Fong obtained from her fall. Those were far worse than she had expected. It would take a long time for the captain to recover, the report said.
Yoruichi was tempted to storm Hueco Mundo to retrieve Unohana or Inoue herself. Yoruichi's largely undiminished reiatsu flared and she punched the wall. Right then, Unohana, who had just been debriefed on their successful Hueco Mundo mission, entered the building. The two women stared at each other in surprise through the hole Yoruichi just made.
Yoruichi's eyes went wide at the thought of having angered the kind but surprisingly terrifying leader of the Fourth Division. The healer Yoruichi recognized from the battlefield earlier approached her captain and whispered something in her ear while Unohana kept her eyes on Yoruichi. Finally, Unohana sighed.
"Shihouin-san, take a walk with me," she said calmly.
Agitated and accustomed to speed and constant movement, Yoruichi struggled to keep the slow and calm pace of her companion. Despite the late hour, the courtyard was bustling with activity and Yoruichi felt like she should likewise be doing something.
"Shihouin-san," Unohana addressed her former colleague. "My officer has informed me of Soi Fong-taichou's status. She was in critical condition, but she has been stabilized. The physical injuries are easy to heal. I, myself, will tend to her remaining injuries as soon as we are finished here. Please do not worry."
"But… ," Yoruichi began when Unohana interrupted.
"Shihouin-san," she said softly but sternly, "I know she means a lot to you, but there are many people here who are precious to other people too. My squad will see to their complete recovery… all of them, and I would appreciate it if you would let them do their jobs without fear of harassment and let our patients recover in peace."
Yoruichi flinched.
With a sigh, Unohana continued more kindly, "We've rescued Inoue-san and she is here in the Seireitei so it will be possible for her to speed up the recovery. But please calm down and don't bother her right now. She is unhurt, but from what I understand, something has had her traumatized. I am sure that she will be happy to help us reconstruct Soi Fong-taichou's arm once she feels better."
Unohana frowned at Yoruichi's bandaged hand and bloodshot eyes. "For now, I think it would be best if you go home and rest. It's late and you deserve it. After all, I've been told that you killed Aizen."
Yoruichi couldn't care less about that tidbit at the moment, but she didn't want to cross the captain and didn't want to keep her from healing Soi Fong. Finally, she murmured in resignation, "I'll… I'll be at the captain's quarters at the Second's barracks. Please let me know as soon as anything changes."