Disclaimer: Bleach isn't mine, but it sure is fun to write like it is.
Author's notes:
Thanks for the reviews! Glad some people are enjoying the story. Keep it coming! =)
My apologies for the short chapters. I'm a newbie at this and as my name suggests, I actually am a scientist. That basically means that I tend to be concise, though I'm hoping to develop the ability to write longer for future pieces. For now, I hope you don't mind too much. At the very least, I will put out multiple chapters at a time so you have a little more to read.
I'd really like it if there was someone I could bounce ideas off of. I'm a little stuck at chapter 11 right now, and I can't publish what I've already written until I'm sure that it goes well with the rest of the story.
The Art of Transformation
by siyentista
Chapter 6: Awakening
Three days from the battle with Aizen, the fourth seat was just about to check on Soi Fong when the captain groaned and crinkled her face. The fourth seat nearly jumped out of her skin at the unexpected sound.
She hurriedly performed the diagnostic kidou spell with her palms suspended over her patient. Soi Fong swallowed. She furrowed her eyebrows and struggled to clear the cobwebs in her head. Finally, after a teary yawn, she opened her eyes blearily.
"Urgh. Where am I?" she grated confusedly.
"Fourth Division, Taichou," the fourth seat replied.
Now it was Soi Fong's turn to get startled. It hadn't registered that there was someone else in the room.
"You were injured in the battle against Aizen and the Arrancar… It's been three days, Taichou," the healer explained as she put a glass of water to the captain's lips.
Soi Fong vaguely recalled the battle. She was low on reiatsu… Aizen was toying with the Vizards and… 'Yoruichi-sama was in danger!' Her eyes widened. "Yoruichi-sama! Is she okay? Was she hurt?" she asked frantically as she tried to get up. The attempt at movement almost made the healer spill the water. Soi Fong, on the other hand, hissed in pain when every one of her healing injuries decided to make themselves known.
Soi Fong noticed belatedly that she was a giant roll of bandages. She scowled.
The fourth seat thought of the Sou-taichou's announcement of their victory and she recalled what she witnessed in the direct aftermath of the battle. "Shihouin-dono is completely uninjured from the battle, Taichou. She managed to kill the traitor, Aizen. The battle has been won."
Soi Fong's jaw slackened. "We… won? We… won. Ha! We won!" Soi Fong exclaimed ecstatically. She had a big and genuine smile on her face, "And Yoruichi-sama is safe, you say?"
The fourth seat, used to the odd behaviors surrounding disease, injury, death, and recovery wasn't fazed by the uncharacteristic show of… pleasant… emotions from the captain of the Second Division. "Yes, and Shihouin-dono has been visiting you. So has your lieutenant and some of the other captains. I'm sure Unohana-taichou will take care of informing them that you have awakened."
Soi Fong leaned her head back with a satisfied smile. "That's good," she said softly, really only referring to the fact that Yoruichi was unharmed.
"Taichou, I will let Unohana-taichou know that you have regained consciousness. I'll come back with more pain medication."
Soi Fong gave her a small nod of appreciation before she was left to her thoughts.
'So we won the battle, huh? What happened after I lost consciousness?' She would definitely ask Unohana if she knew.
Soi Fong cringed when she thought of just where she was when she lost consciousness. In the air. High, high above the ground. 'No wonder I look like a mummy,' she said to herself, unwittingly repeating Yoruichi's thoughts from earlier. She was surprised that she was even alive.
Soi Fong wondered if she should be alarmed that she thought so lightly of death. Perhaps it was because she had resigned herself to it when she set off after Aizen?
Part of her thought that it may have been because she had finally protected Yoruichi-sama with her life like she promised, and she did it against the vilest of enemies with a technique that only she and her mentor knew.
There was a contentment that came with finally serving the purpose she had been trained for since her youth. There was satisfaction to be found in finally proving her strength and worthiness to stand side by side with Yoruichi-sama.
Perhaps there was also a comfort in knowing that Yoruichi-sama was not, in fact, a goddess. She was vulnerable to Aizen. She was in danger. She had needed Soi Fong.
As Soi Fong closed her eyes sleepily, she somehow felt like life was going to be different.
***
She awakened to a ruckus and opened her eyes just in time to see Yoruichi scrambling to the room hurriedly against the wishes of the Fourth Division healers. Yoruichi froze by the door, one hand still hanging on to the door frame from when she made a sharp turn. Two golden eyes stared intensely. Soi Fong stared back, slightly puzzled and embarrassed by the attention.
"Soi Fong!" Yoruichi shouted elatedly, having confirmed with her own eyes that her friend was awake. She grinned widely as she walked quickly to Soi Fong's side. She felt like hugging the woman tightly, but caught herself before she could aggravate the injuries.
Soi Fong was wearing a genuine smile as well. "Yoruichi-sama," she greeted, "you are safe."
Yoruichi crossed her arms and stood indignantly. "Of course I am!"
Soi Fong was about to apologize for offending Yoruichi, when she broke into a teasing grin. "How could I not be when you pulled that little suicide stunt of yours?"
Soi Fong was torn between being proud or apologetic, so she settled for being happy. Yoruichi, on the other hand, began describing the battle in a more colorful and playful manner than she had with the senior captains the day after the battle. Her unheard words from the previous day remained unheard.
"You did well, Soi Fong," she commended. "Aizen was a tough one so what you did was kinda justified. But if you ever get it in your head to risk your life for my sake again, I'll kill you myself, got it?" Yoruichi threatened while pointing at Soi Fong.
"Uh… sure?" Soi Fong answered uncertainly.
"Thank you, Soi Fong," Yoruichi said in a much softer tone after some time.
'Yes, being happy would do just fine,' Soi Fong thought.