February
"Kuchiki-taichou to see you, Commander." Soifon looked up from her paperwork and nodded curtly, dismissing the keigun. She continued to write small, neat strokes even when Byakuya pushed open the doors and seated himself in front of her desk.
Only after several more minutes did she replace her brush and arrange the sheaf of papers in order. When she had kept them in a cupboard, she finally spoke to Byakuya.
"To what do I owe the honour of this visit, Kuchiki taichou?"
"I see." His voice was steady. "You have forgotten, have you not?"
Soifon's lips curled into a frown as her mind raced through her appointments for the day. Report to Yamamoto shou-taichou. Done. Inspect the keigun. Done. Oversee hakuda training for the Detention Unit. Done. Inspect security at the Shihoin estate. Done. See Yourichi-sama off to the real world. Done. Finish up paperwork. Done. What have I forgotten?
She looked at him quizzically. They had not made an appointment to meet. She could not recall what she could possibly have left out in the day.
"I told you, Byakuya-bo. I told you she would surely forget!" Yoruichi's voice rang out in a merry peal as she strode in purposefully in her cat form. Byakuya closed his eyes and nodded, tired at having proved Yoruichi Shihoin right again.
"Yoruichi-sama! I thought you had gone to the Urahara shop! Wh-"
Yoruichi leapt up onto the desk and sat on the stacks of papers that demanded Soifon's attention. "It's your birthday, Soifon. Byakuya-bo was hoping to take you out to dinner but he'll take so long to get round to it you may be another hundred years older before you finally step out the door."
Byakuya rose from the chair and reminded himself to hold his temper in check. "Shihoin Yoruichi. You have said enough. I would appreciate if you let me speak for myself." He turned to Soifon, who was looking somewhat bewildered. "Soifon taichou, it would please me greatly if you would dine with me tonight." He said it not as an invitation or command, but as a matter of fact.
Such an imperious man, thought Soifon.
And I am to wed him.
"The pleasure is mine, Kuchiki taichou." Soifon bowed and smiled to herself.
