Chapter 4

Unohana gently lifted Soi Fon into her arms, Soi Fon only protesting slightly by squirming until she fell into a comfortable daze again.

"Let's get home" Unohana said mostly to Yoruichi who sat on her haunches on Unohana's desk.

Unohana had almost reached her home when Soi Fon stirred and opened her eyes. "Mommy?" She muttered, Unohana smiling gently.

"Go back to sleep honey, we are almost home."

"OK mommy" Soi Fon said smiling gently and got comfortable in Unohana's arms once more. Unohana smiled, entering her apartment a few minutes later.

It wasn't big, but it was cozy. It had a kitchen and a small living room, a bathroom and 2 bedrooms. The garden in the back was big and served as a place of solitude on Unohana's days off.

"I got some of my subordinates to get my spare bedroom ready for Soi Fon" Unohana said to Yoruichi as she walked through the door to Soi's new room.

"Not bad" Yoruichi said, slightly impressed.

The room was small but not too small. The bed was low, and small enough for Soi to sleep in. The room had electric lights in the ceiling, and the floor was adorned with a fluffy carpet for Soi to sit on if she decided to play with some of the toys that were lying around.

Unohana laid Soi down in her bed, the plush cat still tight in her grip, before Unohana gently dragged the covers up to Soi's chin.

"Good night my sweet" she said walking out, letting the door stand open with a small crack in case Soi woke up and got worried not knowing where she was.

"Now then Yoruichi san I don't have too much space, but I can give you a blanket to lie on if you need it."

"That would be great Unohana taicho, thank you" Yoruichi said smiling.

Unohana nodded and walked to get a wrapped blanket. She laid it on the floor upon where she knew the heating cables of the house went through so that Yoruichi would have a warm night.

"Good night Yoruichi San, if you hear Soi waking up, feel free to tell me."

"I will" Yoruichi said lying down settling down. "Good night Retsu, I will see you in the morning."

Unohana nodded and walked into her own room, not closing the door.

BLEACHBLEACHBLEACH

The next morning Yoruichi woke of the moans of a small child waking up. She rose and yawned before sprinting into Unohana's room. Jumping onto her bed she padded up to her face.

"Unohana… Unohana?"

Unohana groaned and opened a bleary eye. "What is it Yoruichi san?"

"I think Soi Fon has woken up."

Unohana sat up Yoruichi trying not to stare as she saw Unohana without her usual braid, dressed in a white night dress.

"Thank you Yoruichi san, stay out of sight for a while ok?"

Yoruichi nodded. Unohana smiled and walked into Soi's room, where Soi was indeed sitting up, looking around her room as she dragged the sleep out of her eyes.

"Good morning dear, slept well?" Unohana asked.

Soi Fon nodded smiling.

"Then let's get you ready for the day shall we?" Unohana asked.

After getting dressed Unohana used a few minutes of getting Soi into clean clothes, washing her face and combing her hair before she led Soi into the kitchen.

"Now dear, I have a small surprise for you."

"Really? What is it?" Soi asked, looking curious.

"Close your eyes" Unohana said smiling.

Soi Fon did, Unohana smiling as Yoruichi took her cue, running to Unohana who turned to Soi again.

"Open your eyes."

Soi did and saw Yoruichi, her eyes turning twice as big.

"KITTY" she squealed taking Yoruichi up, which her height and age meant that she held Yoruichi under her front legs, her hind legs still on the floor.

"Meow" came the response from Yoruichi who gave Unohana a look that said 'help me.'

"Soi Fon dear, you are hurting the kitty" Unohana said.

Soi blinked and let the cat go. Yoruichi shaked her head shaking off her dizziness, before gently stepping up to Soi, playing the curious cat. Figuring that it was safe she meowed again before licking Soi's face, Soi laughing happily.

"Now then Soi Fon, we need to have some ground rules" Unohana said gently. "This cat isn't a toy, but a living creature, you mustn't be mad at her if she's too tired to play with you, and when you play with her be gentle ok?"

Soi Fon nodded, gently petting Yoruichi, who responded with purring gently.

"Then sit here and play gently, I will make breakfast."

Soi Fon smiled and sat down scratching Yoruichi behind the ear.

After a while Unohana sat a pair of plates on the kitchen table.

"Come on Soi Fon, breakfast time."

Soi rose from where she had been sitting with Yoruichi, who had laid down on her back, playfully trying to attack Soi Fon's hand, to the young girls delight.

"Now then here you go" Unohana said putting down a bowl of water and a bowl filled with tuna for Yoruichi, gently scratching her behind her ear.

Unohana smiled and sat down as Yoruichi started eating without a protest. "Now then Soi Fon what do we say before we eat?"

"Idatakimasu" Soi Fon said smiling taking her chopsticks and reached for the steamed rice.

Down at the floor Yoruichi smiled gently. Her little bee was too adorable for words sometimes.