Chapter 3 - Ripples
A/N: Exams are over! That means I can actually get back to writing. Yay! Again, I would like to thank everyone who has reviewed or place this story on their favourite list, it is really encouraging. Anyway, on with the story.
Warnings: Swearing. Over analysis of certain characters and their relationship.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach. It and all its related characters are the intellectual property of Kubo Tite and no profit is being made from this story.
Start small…
Easier said than done, you arrogant bastard.
Her ribs throbbed distractingly, almost in retaliation for her violent thoughts against the man who had given her both advice and substantial bruising.
It's your own fault. Who leaves themselves that open against a stronger opponent just to fuck with a hat?
Soifon smirked, even as the pain intensified. It was so worth it. Urahara would have to come up with an entirely new invention just to get those dirt stains out of his hat.
She lay sprawled on the porch of the Urahara Shoten, cataloguing her injuries in the shade as the sun continued to beat down unabated just metres from her position. An examination of her chin and cheek with her fingers revealed a tenderness that spoke of future bruising. Her knuckles were bloodied and her right hand ached from where Urahara had nearly crushed the bones. A quick check of her side and ribs confirmed nothing was broken, but they would be sore in the morning.
All and all, Soifon felt pretty pathetic, even if Urahara hadn't left their little beat down unscathed either. Why was it every time she got into a fight with someone even remotely connected to Yoruichi that her emotions decided to take over? Had she really been this out of control before?
If she kept this up, she was going to get herself killed or worse.
All the more reason to get yourself together and settle things with that woman. No more distractions, no more doing any less than your best because some random suppressed feelings decide combat is the perfect time to make themselves known.
Pulling herself into a sitting position, Soifon wondered whether it would be worth waiting for Yoruichi to return and if talking to her at this point was really such a good idea.
The sooner she did something the better. On the other hand, she would have to explain why she was curled up in a bruised heap on the porch of her former mentor's place of residence in the first place.
"Sorry Yoruichi-sama, I thought beating the shit out of Urahara would help me come to terms with my raging issues surrounding him and by extension you? Yeah, that will go over so well." Soifon muttered darkly.
"I don't know. I thought it helped you out a bit, even if it was unnecessarily violent."
Her head jerked to the left, catching the amused expression on Urahara's face just as he brought up his fan lazily to cover it.
She frowned, annoyed at not registering his presence behind her sooner, but not really having the energy to care.
"Most people would have gotten the hint by now," she said half-heartedly, as she gazed at him over her shoulder.
Urahara lent back against the doorframe of the shop's entrance and although she could not see it, she imagined he was still grinning obnoxiously.
"I'm special that way. Besides, as you're still technically on my property, so…" he cheerfully intoned, his free hand broadly gesturing to the porch she was seated on.
Soifon grunted and rose.
"Then I'll leave-" Urahara jerked forward as he cut her off.
"Wait, wait! I came here to offer you my help!" he exclaimed, neatly swinging around in front her to block her exit.
"We tried that already. It failed. Now move." Her eyes narrowed, ready to shove him aside if she had to.
Urahara's hands shot up in a placating gesture, his fan snapping open and gently pointing towards her injured face.
"Not that kind of help. I wouldn't be gentleman if I let you leave here all banged up, now would I?" he said.
Soifon regarded him suspiciously. Medical treatment was probably wise and it would help her dodge unwanted question upon her return to Soul Society. However, this was still Urahara…excepting help from him sent white-hot spikes of rage and humiliation though her being. Besides, who knew what kind of remedies a nutball like Urahara had lying around.
"Don't look so suspicious, Soifon-taichou. I finally found the time to recreate a version of the healing springs back in Soul Society. I already tested it out and it's just the thing for small wounds," he said, fan now pointing towards his own face.
Healing springs? Soifon had heard of them but never actually seen them before. But now that she got a good look at Urahara's face the wounds she had inflicted earlier were no where to be seen.
"A quick soak before you leave wouldn't hurt, will it?" Urahara questioned, his eyes shining brightly from underneath his hair and hat.
I thought you were trying to stop doing stupid things because of your irrational hatred? Accepting his help won't kill you.
Soifon's shoulders slumped and with a sigh she reluctantly shook her head in acceptance.
Urahara turned and happily motioned for her to follow him back into the store.
"Hey Kisuke, we're back!" Yoruichi's voice sounded throughout the Shoten as she strode through the entrance to the back of the store, Jinta and Ururu at her side.
Urahara stuck his head out from the store room, arms loaded with the stock he was in the process of organising.
"Yoruichi-san! So you all are. How was the ice-cream?" he asked, dropping the dubiously obtained items into the box at his feet and casually kicking it behind him.
"It was good. It was so nice of Yoruichi-san to take us for ice-cream, especially since it is so hot out." Ururu shyly piped up, sitting down at the table in the kitchen.
"Yeah, except you're so boring! Who orders plain vanilla anyway?" Jinta exclaimed, throwing himself into the chair across from her.
Ururu looked hurt and Jinta grinned viciously, but Yoruichi spoke up before he could continue his usual torment.
"There's nothing wrong with vanilla, Ururu-chan. Just ignore him. Isn't it your turn to help restock the shelves anyway Jinta-kun?" she said, running a hand lazily through her unbound hair.
"No fair! Isn't that Tessai's job?" Jinta grumbled, swinging his legs up onto the table as he spoke.
"Tessai-san had to leave to pick up a special shipment for me, and he already swept up out the front, so it's your turn Jinta-kun." Urahara said, cheerfully motioning to a stack of boxes pilled next to him.
Jinta grunted in annoyance but rose and sulkily took a box as he headed to the front of the store where most of the normal merchandise was kept. Ururu also stood.
"I'll go help him. It gets done faster that way," she said quietly, but smiled when Urahara grinned at her, nodding approvingly.
"Such a nice, responsible girl. I hope they didn't give you too much trouble," Urahara said, turning to Yoruichi as Ururu skipped to the front of the store.
"Not really. The weather, on the other hand…" Yoruichi grimaced, one hand wiping away the sweat that had formed on the back of her neck while the other held her hair back.
"I really should have tied it up. I feel sticky," she continued, more to herself than to the man next to her.
Yoruichi made a disgusted face as she used her hands to gently peel her sweat soaked shirt away from her skin, only to let it snap back into place with a sigh.
"Guess I'll have a bath. Do anything interesting while we were away?" she asked, finally directing her full attention back to Urahara.
Not at all put off by her lapse of concentration, Urahara smiled at Yoruichi as he replied, "Just the usual. However, I think I may have just the way to help you out."
Yoruichi blinked as he gestured to her slightly dishevelled appearance, then to the door that led to the underground training area.
The water was deliciously cool and Soifon felt her muscles relaxing instantly as she slid into the manmade pool. It was an odd temperature for a healing spring, but given the weather, it was appropriate.
Situated at the very edge of Urahara's training grounds in a specially made clearing, the spring was free from the usual barren waste that made up the rest of the underground area. Instead it was surrounded by healthy looking trees with plenty of leaves, soft grass and other such greenery.
Soifon briefly wondered how such an environment was sustained underground, but such thoughts soon left as she was almost fully submerged.
The injured skin on her knuckles burned briefly upon contact with the water and when Soifon looked down at them, they were nearly healed completely. The light burning sensation spread quickly to her torso and Soifon could already feel the ache in her ribs and side vanishing.
She cupped some of the water in her hands and brought it to her face, gently rubbing the liquid into her wounds. Upon inspecting her reflection, any bruising from Urahara's knockout strike was gone.
Soifon had to grudgingly give the man some credit. No matter what she thought of him, Urahara's inventions could definitely do what he claimed. Even if he was still a nutball. Maybe she was being ungrateful, as he had taken her attempt to bash his skull in with surprisingly good grace.
He had even kindly provided her towel for when she was finished, and it lay just within reach on the pool's edge, along with her neatly folded clothes. Suzumebachi rested atop them in its sheath, just an arms length away as well.
Even so, the thought of accepting his help still pissed her off. As for his advice… maybe it was just as good as his inventions. The only thing she had to lose by taking it was her pride.
Soifon slumped further into the water, letting it reach her chin as she rested her head against the pool's edge.
Starting small was easy in theory, but changing things with Yoruichi-sama could not be that easy, could they?
Well to begin with, equals don't go around addressing each other in such a deferring manner. She supposed to be your friend, not your lord.
Soifon blinked, startled at the sudden line of thought. She had always addressed Yoruichi that way. It seemed wrong not to do so. Then again, some changes had to be made and this small but drastic step might be beneficial.
But then what does one call a friend who is still the most important person in their life while still being unsure if they even count as a friend in the first place?
Yoruichi.
No, no, no, too familiar, too insubordinate, wrongWRongWRONG..! Besides, the last time you called her that you tried to impale her with your sword.
…well that's out then. Bet you couldn't make yourself say it anyway.
Yoru-chan.
Fuck, no! That was even worse!
Yoruichi-senpai.
She is not your teacher or leader anymore. Yoruichi-taichou is out for the same reason.
Shihouin-san.
That's a little too distant. I though you actually wanted to be friends with the damn woman.
Soifon gritted her teeth. Why the hell was this so hard?
Yoruichi-san…
…
It was a good a start as any.
Soifon let out an aggravated sigh, sitting up and running both hand through her hair. No matter how much thought she put into her relationship with Yoruichi, it still felt like she was getting no where.
She had also definitely overstayed her welcome, her wounds long since healed from the lengthy soak.
Just as she was contemplating reaching for her towel, a small sound caused her head to snap up, her body half-turning as her right hand scrambled on the ledge behind her for Suzumebachi hilt.
Only for it nearly fall from her suddenly nerveless fingers as she found herself staring up at a large expanse of smooth, richly tanned skin.
"…" Soifon let out a small strangled sound, to stunned to actually blush at the sight of her naked ex-captain. This was rapidly followed by her left eye beginning to twitch involuntarily. The next time she saw Urahara, no matter the help he had provided, he was a dead man.
For her part Yoruichi actually looked just as surprised at Soifon's presence, but recovered swiftly, a grin quickly spreading over her features.
"Soifon! Kisuke didn't tell me you were here!" she said, happily coming closer to the healing spring.
Soifon managed to clear her throat, pointedly looking away from Yoruichi's naked form while smoothly putting Suzumebachi back down with her clothes, but still within easy reach. If Yoruichi noticed the paranoid gesture, she ignored it.
"It must have slipped his mind," Soifon mumbled, more to herself than to other woman. So very, very dead.
Yoruichi smiled, coming to a stop just before the edge of the pool.
"Yeah, he's like that. Mind if I join you?" she asked, casually dripping a foot into the water and flicking it gently in Soifon's direction.
The drops hit Soifon's exposed neck, causing her to shiver but finally look back in Yoruichi's direction. She kept her eyes glued to Yoruichi's face, too afraid blink in case they slipped lower.
Staring at Yoruichi-sama so openly was rude, but staring at her naked body was even worse. Even instinct Soifon possessed was imploring her to bow her head and look away, but she mentally gritted her teeth and maintained eye contact.
Yoruichi-san, you idiot. Not Yoruichi-sama. Yoruichi-san. Do you want change or not!
Soifon let out a slow breath, hoping Yoruichi hadn't noticed the unnatural pause before her answer.
"Not at all, Yoruichi-san. We're basically in your home anyway."
Yoruichi raised an eyebrow at the new address, but did not comment on it. Instead she knelt, and then slid smoothly into the spring with a contented sigh.
Soifon suddenly found the water's surface incredibly interesting.
A warm laugh drew her attention back to Yoruichi, the older woman now next to her and submerged up to her shoulders.
"Don't be so shy, Soifon. I don't bite, I promise," she said, her wide grin revealing perfectly white teeth as she lent back against the side of the spring.
Soifon's gaze automatically shifted to the dark-skinned woman's sharper than average canine teeth and she suddenly wasn't so sure she would protest if Yoruichi chose to bite her anyway. The realisation was profoundly disturbing for more than one reason.
Sensing Soifon's wandering attention; Yoruichi reached over and gently tapped her on the shoulder. Soifon started, causing Yoruichi to laugh again.
"Hey, relax a bit will you. What's the point of being somewhere this nice on a hot day if you can't loosen up?" Yoruichi asked.
"Sorry." Soifon mumbled, but Yoruichi just shook her head.
"Don't be. But I really didn't expect to see you here. Any particular reason you felt like dropping by, or did you just come here to skip out on paperwork and cool down?" she teased.
Soifon hesitated slightly before replying.
"Actually, I came to talk to you." Soifon mentally winced. It was technically true. In a violent, round about kind of way.
"Really?" Yoruichi didn't seem too surprised, but Soifon supposed there really weren't any other compelling reasons why she would drop by the Urahara Shoten.
"Anything I should be worried about?" she asked.
Soifon stared hard at the surface of the water, studiously avoiding Yoruichi's curious gaze.
"Are…are we friends Yoruichi-san?" Soifon asked in a quiet voice. Were we ever friends?
Yoruichi blinked, her relaxed expression disappearing at the sudden change their conversation had taken. She shot Soifon a concerned look.
"Of course we are. Are you okay Soifon?"
Soifon swallowed, unable to answer the worry in those golden eyes. Suddenly, confronting Yoruichi about their relationship didn't seem like such a good idea.
An uncomfortable weight lodged itself in her chest. She'd failed.
Again.
Trying to laugh it off would be even more suspicious, so Soifon settled for the closest thing to the truth she could force from her lips.
"It's stupid. I just…miss you, I guess."
A faint look of worry still tainted Yoruichi's features, but she smiled and Soifon could breathe again.
"That's not so stupid. You're allowed to get lonely, you know. Even I do." Yoruichi said softly.
"But you have Urahara and everyone else here in the real world to keep you company. Why would you be lonely?"
That a person like Yoruichi could be lonely was unthinkable to Soifon. In her mind, Yoruichi was very much like the animal whose form she borrowed, permitting others to have her company as she pleased and alone only because she chose to be.
"And you have your subordinates, the other captains and everyone else in Seireitei, even if you're not close to them. Friends can't be measured against friends and it's okay to lonely for the company of a single person." Yoruichi replied evenly.
Was it possible that Yoruichi missed Soifon too, even just a little? She dared not hope, but it was enough to give her the courage to ask Yoruichi one more thing.
"Then…if it is okay with you Yoruichi-san, would it be possible for us to spend some more time together? In case you ever get lonely too?"
A warm hand touched her shoulder.
"I'd like that."
A/N: Poor confused Soifon. But at least she finally got somewhere beyond thinking. Also, Urahara is such a sneaky bastard. Oh well, it works mostly to everyone's advantage. Sorry if the pace of the story is slow but change takes time.
Next chapter is probably going to be an interlude chapter where the P.O.V switches to Yoruichi's thoughts and feelings instead of Soifon's.
Thanks for reading and constructive criticism is always welcome.