This was meant to be a happy-go-lucky little journey, but here we go. I think I couldn't help but spin a bit of drama in this. ;)
Kotetsu Isane, vice-captain of the 4th Division, watched as a flustered 2nd Division Captain rushed through the doors of the infirmary carrying a sweating Shihoin Yoruichi. The latter was clinging onto Soi-Fon's uniform like a child.
"Taichou..." She looked over to Unohana, who had the slightest look of guilt on her face.
"I know." The captain closed her eyes. "Perhaps we've gone too far."
Unohana called over some Shinigami to attend to Yoruichi. They lead Soi-Fon and Yoruichi to the nearest care unit, and Unohana followed them inside.
"Unohana-taichou." Soi-Fon turned towards the older woman, a worried scowl etched unto her face. "She's burning up. I'm not sure what happened, but it seems she was exposed to foul weather and alcohol."
Unohana made her way towards the bed where Yoruichi was laid down. Soi-Fon was perched at the edge of the mattress, staying as close as she could but leaving enough room to keep the tan-skinned captain comfortable. Unohana laid her hands over Yoruichi, and soon the warmth of healing kido was emanating from her. "She will be fine." She nodded to Soi-Fon, who visibly relaxed.
"What happened?"
"I..." Unohana trailed off. Then slowly, she bowed. "Please accept my humblest apology, Soi Fon-taichou."
"Wha-?"
"We have tread too deep into your personal lives, and have brought unnecessary worry to you."
Soi-Fon's mouth was a hard line. "Do you have something to do with her illness?"
"It's not an illness." Unohana reassured. "It's simply a serum. The symptoms are present, and she may be in mild discomfort, but her life is far from threatened."
"Explain yourself." Soi-Fon's words were cold as ice. She stood up from the side of the bed and sat down on the nearest chair. Her back was tense and her face was hard, she looked as though she was ready to pounce into battle at any time.
"This serum was prepared by Kurotsuchi-taichou and myself."
A sudden memory flashed back to Soi-Fon - back when Zaraki was drugged and had attacked her like a madman.
-Flashback-
"It was a potion called 'Bloodlust', for obvious reasons." Mayuri tsk'd to himself and walked over to Zaraki. He took out an odd-looking syringe and injected it into him.
"Speaking of potions, do you have what I asked for prepared already?" Unohana made idle chat with Mayuri as she walked over to Soi Fon.
"Not yet." He shrugged. "In a few days or weeks perhaps."
-/Flasback-
Soi-Fon set her jaw, and her fists clenched. She didn't like being toyed with.
"I'm terribly sorry, Soi Fon-taichou." Unohana repeated. "But the captains and the vice-captains were meddling with affairs which I now realize were not ours to meddle with. We noticed the... er... attraction between you and Shihoin-taichou and worked to speed up the process of realization."
"You what?! You were setting us up?" She frowned and felt her temper rise. I knew it was all too good to have just been coincidental.
"That would be a better term, yes." Unohana sighed. "We thought it would be harmless, and that you both would benefit from it."
"Well Yoruichi's bedridden and burning up!" She threw up her hands in exasperation. "And the incident with Zaraki, too?! The dinner and the shooting stars I can forgive. But that goddamned Kurotsuchi!" She growled.
"The fever is nothing. She will recover soon, now that I have treated her. This was merely a setup for you to display your care for her." Unohana looked at her with gentleness. "I was wrong to think the situation would need to be fabricated."
"You don't need to set something like that up!" Soi-Fon blew up. First, it was all the work she had to do today. Then, it was Yoruichi being a pain in the ass. Even after that, the whole argument that blew over happened and to top it off was something like this showing up out of nowhere. This day was turning out to be a pretty sour one for the Commander-in-Chief of Onmitsukido.
Soi-Fon glared death unto Unohana. "You don't need to fake it! I would never fake it. I will always worry about Yoruichi-sama!" Frustration and anger filled her. How dare they treat our feelings like playthings! "You don't need to build these make-believe situations for you to see I care about her." Her breath hitched and her eyes stung. Only now had she been able to voice these feelings out. She didn't want them to come out so angry.
"Soi-Fon..." Unohana bowed once again. "I do not know what to do other than to apologize."
"Tend to her." Soi-Fon did her best to tame her rage. Unohana shouldn't be getting the brunt of her anger - she was only one of many who participated. If anything, she appreciated the captain for being honest with her. "But I... thank you for you honesty." Soi-Fon muttered softly.
Unohana gave her a soft nod. "Would you like me to leave you two?"
"Yes, please. And if you can - warn the captains and vice captains that I will be having a word with them regarding this... scheme." She deadpanned.
The 4th Division Captain wordlessly agreed and excused herself. Her vice-captain was waiting outside.
"Taichou." Isane groaned. "We're all gonna be dead tomorrow."
"Not quite." Unohana reassured with a soft smile. "But very close."
When Yoruichi came to, she noticed two things. First, she was in an unfamiliar room. Second, her arm was warm.
"Soi?" The 8th Division captain stirred slightly, careful not the disturb the sleeping mass to her right. Her eyes softened. It seems I passed out from whatever fever it was I was having. She stayed with me here?
Soi-Fon was holding her hand and had fallen asleep on her arm. Yoruichi moved over to place a small kiss on Soi-Fon's head. "I'm so sorry for earlier." She muttered softly. Her only response was Soi-Fon's steady breathing. "Though I'm glad that doesn't wake you anymore."
As if on cue, Soi-Fon started to stir. Yoruichi smirked as a groggy Soi-Fon propped herself up. "I spoke too soon." The elder girl said softly. "Good morning."
"Y-Yoruichi-sama?" Soi-Fon looked at her, her face painted with worry and then relief. "I'm glad you're better."
"That was a shitty experience. Don't drink Shinji's sake - that's stuff's toxic." Yoruichi made a face.
Soi-Fon's expression darkened for a moment. "Oh I know. But that's a story for later." Her face took on an unreadable expression, and she slowly retracted her arm.
That is, as far as Yoruichi would let her. "Don't. I like the warmth." She tightened their hold. "Soi?"
"Yes?"
"I'm sorry." Yoruichi held her gaze.
"Me too." Soi-Fon sighed
"I..." Golden orbs shifted away, catching some of the early sunlight streaking through. "I meant it."
Soi-Fon knew perfectly well what she was talking about. "Mm." She looked down at her other hand which was curled up on her lap.
"I'm not kidding around, Soi." Yoruichi sat up, taking Soi's hand into both of hers, pleading for the younger girl to look at her the same way she was.
"It's just this whole thing..." Soi-Fon took a deep breath as she took her hand back. "Was just us two being pushed around and set up by people."
Yoruichi smirked. "I could kind of tell."
Soi-Fon raised an eyebrow. "You what?"
"I'm surprised you couldn't." Yoruichi grinned. "Byakuya really gave it away for me." She tsk'd to herself mockingly.
The smaller girl slightly flushed. "Of course I wouldn't think of it!"
"Shh, shh- my little bee; buzzing over little things as always." Yoruichi teased, insisting on taking Soi's hand into hers once again. "Why must you let go of my hand all the time?"
"You let go of more than just my hand once, Yoruichi-sama." Soi-Fon laughed, a bit bitterly. "For a good hundred years."
Yoruichi's expression softened as she searched those iron eyes. "Soi... can't you tell it's different now?"
"What is it?" Soi-Fon needed to know. But she didn't want to plead or sound desperate. She didn't want to cross this line and not be able to go back if things didn't work out well.
"It could be many things." Yoruichi let Soi-Fon go and leaned back down into the bed. "Lay with me?"
Soi-Fon immediately turned red. "Yoruichi-sama!"
"Please?"
The younger girl paused. Shihoin Yoruichi didn't say 'please'. And so, Soi-Fon tentatively stood up and watched as Yoruichi scooted over. She sat down the bed and leaned back, careful not to take too much space. Yoruichi instinctively inched closer, welcoming Soi-Fon's warmth and security. Soi-Fon's tension dispersed as she let herself be held in the most innocent way - much like how she used hold Yoruichi on her lap over a hundred years ago. There was no malice, there was no teasing and there was no awkwardness. It was just right.
"As I was saying." Yoruichi looked up and outside the window towards the rising sun, a slight smile on her lips. She lowered herself so that she would be the one snuggling up to Soi-Fon - her head was at Soi-Fon's chest and the younger girl had her arms around Yoruichi. "It could be many things, like - this." She took Soi-Fon's hand and placed it on her stomach as she turned to look at her. "The little flock of bumblebees and butterflies you give me here."
"Or," Yoruichi herself flushed as she moved closer to give a small peck on Soi-Fon's cheek. "That adorable blush you have when I do that." She grinned; Soi-Fon blushed furiously.
Soi-Fon still hadn't said a word, but she curled up to Yoruichi nonetheless. She understood actions much better than words.
"Or," The 8th Division Captain started once again. "It could be how it feels when we're like this." Yoruichi closed her eyes as she snuggled deeper into Soi-Fon's warmth, making like a cat and curling up.
The younger of the two let herself smile despite everything that just happened. She held onto Yoruichi and ran small fingers down her cascading purple hair. Her hand went lower and rubbed her old mentor's back, comforting her in her illness and soothing her haggard, but improving, breathing.
"Soi?"
"Mm?"
Yoruichi, for once, had a look of insecurity. She brought her face up and leveled it with Soi-Fon's, staying close but with enough space for comfort. She set her golden eyes on Soi-Fon's steel ones and held her gaze. Soi-Fon's arms circled Yoruichi's neck. "Won't you say something?" She chewed on her lip.
"Say something? No."
Yoruichi stiffened. Any response was better than none.
"I'll just show you." And Soi-Fon closed the distance and caught her Yoruichi-sama's lips with hers.
*Gets giddy from kissy scene. :3* There will still be a next chapter! So hang on, guys. ;)