A good decision is based on knowledge and not numbers.
~Plato
Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach.
"That it certainly has Kimi-chan! You should come visit more often!" The male voice exclaims with a joyful laugh, causing the captain to genuinely feel a sense of relief since this whole mess again. Her cousin's presence did that to her.
"It would be easier for me to visit if you weren't in exile." She teases in response, grinning at the black cat sitting atop her desk. Kimiko had missed her cousin dearly. Growing up the two were practically sisters, being first cousins and being so close in age. Their similar appearance only added to the confusion.
When Yoruichi takes her human form anyone would mistake the two women for sisters. The pair share the same mocha skin, golden eyes, and burgundy hair; though Kimiko's is curly instead of pin straight, and had a reddish undertone. Other than that, the only real difference between the two is their statures; where Yoruichi is tall and thin, Kimiko is short and curvy.
"Is the Council still stuffing Byakuya-boy down your throat?" Her cousin questions mischievously, causing Kimiko to roll her eyes. The Shihoin council works tirelessly trying to convince her to marry Byakuya; her wife's body barely had time to settle in the ground when the members started hounding her.
Kimiko is calm, collected, level-headed. She never makes rash, emotion-driven decisions, she never loses her temper; it's how she's always been.
The first council member to approach her after her wife's death ended up in the hospital with three broken ribs and a fractured tibia. If it hadn't been for her grandfather further restraining her, the council member would surely be dead. After that, the council was more cautious, they took precautions, but never relented.
It's not that Kimiko was blind to how advantageous the marriage would be; Byakuya is the widowed head of the highest ranking noble family, and she's the elder sister to the Shihoin clan head. Uniting the two families would make them unstoppable. She knows the Kuchiki's council is pressing the matter with Byakuya, but she also knows he's even more unwilling then she is. A feat to be commended.
"Do you know how many times a day I consider marrying Jushiro just to get them off my back?" It's a joke, but not completely. After all, her friend is the head of a noble family, and Kimiko has no doubt that Jushiro would consent if she asked. Not because of the notion that he has romantic feelings for her, which he doesn't, but because it's the kind of man he is. She really doesn't deserve his friendship. "If you hadn't jumped ship in the first place and married Byakuya like you were supposed to I wouldn't be left to clean up your mess."
"I wouldn't submit him to the torture. Besides, I do recall you having something of a crush on him when we were children." Kimiko rolls her eyes at her cousins teasing words. While it's true that the younger Shihoin used to foster something of a crush on the Kuchiki heir, it was pushed aside decades ago. She found happiness elsewhere.
"I think it's time to discuss the real reason you're in my office Yoru-nee. You're not here to discuss my love life." The captain says, taking a seat at her desk and crossing her arms. The mood in the room drastically changes and it's comforting to her. This was familiar. Before Yoruichi defected, the pair worked closely together.
"I need to know the intel that you've collected thus far. As you know, something big is happening."
"I don't have anything concrete as usual, just my intuition mostly."
"I've bet my life on your intuition more times than I can count and here I stand." Kimiko smirks at her cousin. Yoruichi made her feel safe, gave her confidence, an effect she's always had on her. Taking a deep breath, she unloads it all.
"Gin and Aizen are conspiring together, that much is clear to me. Aizen tried to deter me not long before you showed up, but I am not so easily shaken." Notwithstanding how she snapped at Aizen of course. "They're using your invasion as a cover for an objective that remains unclear to me. One can assume it has something to do with Rukia Kuchiki; the death penalty is hardly appropriate for the severity, well lack of, of her crimes. Her sentence is proceeding much too fast, and the Sokyoku is being used. That alone is unheard of for anyone below the level of captain. The one factor that doesn't fall in line is Central 46. They are the ones in charge of these proceedings. I have too many questions and not enough answers Yoru-nee, that coupled with the sense of foreboding in my gut doesn't sit well."
The captain sighs deeply, leaning back in her chair as the black cat on her desk contemplates the new information.
"The Hogyoko is residing inside of Rukia. Kisuke implanted it inside of her in hopes of keeping it hidden." Pieces of the puzzle begin falling into places, lines begin connecting and Kimiko resists the urge to break her desk in half out of sheer annoyance.
"That son of a bitch continues to cause me trouble from a different world. You need to keep a tighter leash on that bastard Yoru-nee." Kimiko and Kisuke have a long history, both being masters of intellect and deceptions. He's the one who gifted her the black fan she keeps on her person at all times. She loves the man like a brother, but he never ceases to cause her trouble. "At least I know what they're playing at now. The only missing piece is Central 46; I have to confirm that they've infiltrated it. These are dangerous times Yoru-nee, be careful."
"I'm always careful Kimi-chan." Before the black cat can launch itself out of the window, Kimiko relays one last warning.
"Yoru-nee," she starts. "Watch out for Sui-Feng. She's gotten stronger, and if my sources are correct, which they always are, she's learned Flashcry. I've no doubt you're stronger than her, but her raw desperation could give her an upper hand if you're not careful."
Kimiko has kept a careful eye on her cousin's former subordinate. She knew how much Yoruichi meant to Sui-Feng and she knew how much the abandonment hurt the girl. The captain has gotten more than one dirty look.
"Please, I'm always careful." And with that, she's gone. With a sigh Kimiko leans her head back and takes a deep breath, taking a much needed trip to her Inner World.
When she arrives the rain is the first thing she notices. The cold water soaks her to the bone. Spotting the small gazebo in the distance, she begins trudging towards it, knowing that's where she'll find who she's looking for.
"The rain is very calming." Her Zanpakuto, Hinotsubasa, comments. The phoenix is gracefully perched on a white bench, the flames on her wings illuminating the space between them.
"You are a flaming bird; you hate the rain." Kimiko comments dully, taking a seat next to the bird. One of the flaming wings reaches out to brush the girl across her cheek affectionately, causing her to smile.
"Rain brings life, that is something I can appreciate." The motherly phoenix replies. "Besides, I can't be cross with you for being troubled, you have every right to be."
"I'm sorry." The woman says and the pair lapse into a comfortable silence, watching the rainfall together.
"You didn't come here to watch the rain with me." Hinotsubasa eventually says pointedly.
"You know me too well." Kimiko says with a smile that doesn't reach her eyes. "I don't know what to do anymore. What has it come to that two captains plan to betray the Soul Society? We are the pillars that hold this world together, if two of those pillars collapse the chaos will be devastating."
"If the chaos will be devastating shouldn't you be working to lessen the devastation even the smallest bit?"
"I'm scared." The woman admits, knowing it's pointless to beat around the bush when it comes to her Zanpakuto. "I want to be wrong about this. As long as I don't confirm it I can convince myself that maybe I'm wrong."
"But you know you're not wrong. Could you forgive yourself if you didn't do everything in your power to lessen the damage this will cause? If two captains plan to defect many people will be hurt in the wake of it, probably even killed."
"Hotaru has been coming up recently. If I pursue this, I think I may get answers to questions I long gave up on."
"Ah, but those are the answers you need the most."
The pair don't talk anymore, simply enjoying each other's company.
A/N: Hope you enjoyed, please leave feedback!