Sos this is a bit late had a few virus's on my computer to sort out

anyway here it is hope you enjoy

Chapter 9

It had been nearly a week since Yoruichi had come to stay in Seireitei to help Soi Fon out with her division, and things seemed to be going well between the two. Soi Fon seemed to be a little more comfortable with the arrangement than she was when the dark skinned woman first arrived. Yoruichi was happy to actually have something to do other than lounging around Urahara shoten bored out of her mind, and the fact that she got to spend time with Soi was always a bonus.

Over the few day in which she had been there helping her former student adapt to life without her eyes, and she had found that the young girl...no woman still occupied a place deep within her heart a place she had closed off long ago when she had left Seireitei. Were these feelings platonic or romantic she didn't know. She had never bothered too much with romance while she had been in the human world so she wasn't sure all she knew was that when she was around Soi she felt light and happy as if nothing in the world mattered that she could do anything with the young woman by her side. Everything just felt so right when she was with her. Soi made her feel safe and secure a feeling she hadn't felt in a very long time. Did Soi feel the same though; that she didn't know and that was what scared her.

Yoruichi had just finished running the division through their morning training and was making her way to the division office where she would wait for Soi to finish her morning training. She still had no idea what the Chinese woman was doing or where she had gotten the training. She and Soi trained in the afternoon before they went back to the office to finish their paperwork, and she had never seen anything that looked like what she was doing in the mornings. Soi took the mornings and nights to train alone Yoruichi had watched her several times in the morning but had never been able to catch her evening training no matter how hard she tried.

Soi was sat in her office when the now transformed Yoruichi arrived her pen was twirling though her fingers like a small baton, and her veil covered face focusing infront of her. Yoruichi smiled to herself as she jumped up onto the desk and made her way over to her former student. Her cat form was the only form she could use to get close to the young girl without her completely freaking out on her.

"My, someone is distracted." Yoruichi said a smirk resounding in her voice.

Soi jumped badly and dropped her pen back onto the desk.

"Yoruichi, is that you?" Soi asked her hands gliding across the desk as she searched for her pen.

"Are you ok?" Yoruichi asked tilting her head slightly. "You look a little distressed."

Soi Fon said nothing as she concentrated on finding her fallen writing implement she didn't want to tell Yoruichi that she had surprised her; it troubled her greatly to know that she couldn't detect the flash goddess.

"I'm fine." Soi finally said as she located her pen and clasped it tightly in her hand.

Yoruichi observed the young woman briefly taking in the woman's flustered look, but she shrugged it off and jumped lightly onto her students lap to begin work for the day. This was their custom now when they worked Yoruichi had taken to sitting on the girl's lap she looked on it as a way to be as close as she dared to the girl.

Saying no more the two got to work, Yoruichi sensed that they was something bothering the young captain and had been for a while she had only noticed it a little, and Soi being very good at hiding it. What could be bothering the young woman nothing bad had happened recently except Soi Fon's whole accident, but Soi had seemed to be coping well with the loss of her sight she didn't get lost around Seireitei often at least that was what Unohana had informed her, and the only thing that seemed to be of any notice was that the young woman had a period of being rather clumsy tripping over things in her office and in her private quarters, and she was especially clumsy and uncoordinated when she was angry or nervous.

They were half way through the mornings work when there was a knock on the door. Yoruichi's ears pricked up as she gazed at the door.

"Are we expecting anyone?" Yoruichi asked as she placed her paws on the desk and passed her yellow gaze at the door.

"No, I don't think so." Soi Fon stated as she leant back in her chair. "Enter!"

A messenger walked in and knelt before her and lowered his head in respect. Soi Fon didn't move not being able to see the action. Yoruichi's golden gaze watched him intently wondering what message he was bringing them.

"Please excuse me Captain Soi Fon, Lady Yoruichi." The messenger stated.

"Yes?" Soi Fon stated as she turned her head to face him full on.

"Captain Soi Fon, Soutaicho Yamamoto requests your presence in his office." The messenger stated.

"Now?" she asked.

"Yes Ma'am. He also requests that Lady Yoruichi take care of the division for the rest of the day."

"It's gonna take the rest of the day?" Soi Fon enquired.

"I'm not sure Ma'am." Was the messengers reply.

Yoruichi jumped onto the desk as Soi Fon got to her feet and collected her staff from where she had left it before heading towards the door.

"Is this ok with you Yoruichi?" Soi Fon asked as she got to the door.

"It's fine, I'll catch you later." The feline replied.

Soi Fon nodded before following the messenger out of the room. The Young Chinese woman wondered what the Soutaicho would want to see her about the division had been running smoothly with Yoruichi's help so it couldn't be that, so what could it be, Soi searched her brain trying to think of a reason as to why he would want to speak with her in private. But she couldn't come up with a reason. Resigning herself to her fate the captain took a deep breath and made her way to the first division's captain's chambers.

Soi Fon didn't appear for the rest of the day, and Yoruichi wondered what was keeping her young protégé. Surely the Soutaicho didn't need her for this long unless it was something of utter importance, but that couldn't be it Yamamoto had declared that Soi Fon was not allowed to take on any missions until he was absolutely convinced that she could handle any situation thrown at her. Yoruichi tried to come up with some reason as to why Soi wouldn't have come back as she observed the division running through its evening training and sparring sessions. Where could her little bee have gone to?

Yoruichi ran a hand through her hair as she glanced out at the sea of black clad people as some sparred with each other delivering kicks and punches with blinding speed and accuracy, while others ran through drills and routines their movements strong, powerful and now in complete sync with those around them. The division was finally back up to scratch, and they were functioning as they should have been.

After watching them for a little longer Yoruichi decided to dismiss the division for the night and head back to Soi Fon's room to wait for the captain to return, since it was starting to get dark in Seireitei she assumed the young woman would head back to her private rooms. Yoruichi walked down the wooden corridor which would lead her to Soi Fon's private room.

She had spent the entire day trying to sort out what she was feeling for her little bee, but had been unable to come up with anything that put her at ease, she felt the only thing that would put her at rest was knowing if Soi felt the same. She was positive that she did harbour feelings for the young woman but sheer inexperience was keeping her from acting on her feelings, but the way her heart sped up when she was around the woman, and the way her body tingled when Soi touched her even if it was accidental it was intoxicating and addictive, and Yoruichi wanted nothing more than to wrap her arms around her little bee and protect her from all harm keeping her for herself and herself alone. But she daren't act on her impulses until she was sure the young captain felt the same for her. She needed to find out or at least get a hint as to how the young woman was feeling. It would be difficult since she was a firm believer in the eyes being a window to the soul, but Soi had no eyes so she was going to have to work extra hard in trying to find out how the girl felt. Yoruichi felt that she had no choice in order to find out whether or not her little bee harboured feelings for her it would mean jeopardizing the fragile bonds they had just recreated, but Yoruichi desperately wanted...no needed to know.

Strengthening her resolve Yoruichi opened the door to Soi's room to wait for the young captain and then see if she could get any information out of the girl on how she felt towards her if at all possible. Upon entering the room Yoruichi froze at the sight that greeted her. Soi Fon was sat curled up on her sofa her knees drawn up under her chin her arms wrapped around them, her veil was gone and the black silk blindfold was back in place over her eyes. The young woman was hunched and closed off sitting in the dark confines of her private rooms. The look on her face gave the impression of utter and complete defeat. Yoruichi couldn't move, what had happened, and what had the Soutaicho said to her to make her like this.

"Soi?" Yoruichi said carefully as she made her way quietly towards the defeated captain.

Soi visibly jumped in her seat her face darting to the origin of the voice.

"Y-Yoruichi?" Soi asked her voice cracking.

"I'm here." The dark skinned woman replied as she went to sit on the sofa next to her former student.

Soi took a deep breath and held her knees tighter so that they hid some of her face from view.

"What happened?"The dark skinned woman asked.

Soi Fon didn't reply only took another deep breath as if she was trying to calm herself down so that she could explain or come up with an excuse as to why she was sat in the dark.

"It's...nothing." the young woman stated trying to avoid looking in the elder woman's direction.

"Like hell it is?" Yoruichi bit back, she was getting upset too why did Soi look so defeated, and why was she not telling her anything. Soi remained facing away from the flash goddess. "Come on, I thought we were passed this tell me what's wrong? What did the Soutaicho say to you to upset you so much?"

"He didn't upset me!" Soi shot back whipping her head around to face her.

"So why are you sat curled up in a ball in the dark?" Yoruichi asked as calmly as she could.

Soi shifted slightly making her discomfort evident. Taking a deep breath Yoruichi shifted forward so she was closer to the young woman she reached out and cupped the girls cheek in her hand and turned her face so that she was facing her direction.

"C'mon Soi, you know you can tell me anything. I don't like seeing you all alone and depressed just tell me what happened maybe I can help you." Yoruichi said. The defeated look upon the young woman's face pulled at her heart strings. She never wanted to see her looking this upset, and she would do anything to get the look off of her face.

Soi sighed sadly before letting go of her knees and shifting into a crossed legged position so that she was now facing her former master.

"The Soutaicho wanted to speak with me." Soi started.

"Yeah, I got that bit." Yoruichi said drawing her hand back from Soi's face, missing the contact immediately.

"Well, he asked how I was coping and if I found your assistance to be a benefit to the running of the division." The Chinese woman explained. "Then he got onto the real reason he called me. He had received a message from Central 46. They have brought my capability as a captain under question; they have become convinced that my lack of sight will inhibit my ability to command my division."

"That's bullshit!" Yoruichi blurted out. "You're doing fine with the division training the division has never been a problem the only thing you struggle with is paperwork, and that's pretty inevitable if they take in what's happened."

"That may be true but...Central 46 has decreed that my loss of sight it too big a drawback, and that I will pull down the division with this disability." Soi said her voice began to crack, she was getting upset again.

"So in retaliation they have said that I am no longer fit to be captain of the second division, and should be replaced immediately."

Yoruichi was speechless, how could they do this to her, Soi Fon was one of the most reliable captains in the whole of the Gotei 13. She took care of any problems in the division with quick and decisive actions, and it was very rare for there to be any serious problems in the 2nd division.

"But the Soutaicho managed to get them to revoke the decision, but there is however there is one condition." Soi Fon stated her voice still sounding a little broken.

"What condition?" Yoruichi asked her eyes were still wide she was still shocked that the central 46 could decree that Soi Fon be stripped of her command.

"In order to prove my ability as captain of the 2nd division I have to go through a trial of combat, and have to fight and defeat every single member of the division or I will be stripped of my command and exiled from Seireitei." Soi Fon finished bowing over her knees to hide the look of shame and sadness on her face.

Yoruichi didn't know what to do. How could the central 46 decree such actions against her? Soi was taking it hard, very hard her head was bowed and her body shuddered as if she was crying. Yoruichi didn't know what to do; she couldn't confront the young woman about her feelings now it would be too cruel, but her heart was breaking at the sight of Soi Fon so shattered at the prospect of potentially losing all she had ever known. Yoruichi knew all she could do for the young captain was simply be there for her.

Shifting even closer to the young captain Yoruichi reached out and wrapped her arms around Soi's small but powerful frame pulling her as close as she dared. She gently rubbed small circles on Soi's back trying to calm her as she uttered reassurances into her ear. It took a minute or two but slowly Soi returned the embrace that was offered and buried her face into the crook of Yoruichi's neck. Drawing the young woman tighter against her Yoruichi decided that she would not confront the young woman about her feelings now. Soi needed comfort for now and she was happy to give it. She didn't need any more emotional turmoil so she would wait for a better time, but for now she was content just to be there for her little bee holding her, comforting her for as long as she needed her to be.

Eventually Soi's breathing settled and evened out her body relaxed, and her face lost its broken look realizing the young woman had fallen asleep Yoruichi carefully settled down on the sofa trying to get comfortable it would be cruel to wake the girl now, she had had a hard day and deserved at least some peace before she faced what had been placed before her.

Positioning the young captain so that she wouldn't fall off the sofa Yoruichi wrapped her arms securely and protectively around the girls waist for now Soi needed something solid and real to hold onto as she came to terms with this new challenge, and Yoruichi would do everything she could to help the captain through this, anything just to keep the defeated look off of her little bees face, the look that almost broke the flash Goddesses heart to see.

Ok then that was it.

I'm gonna go and dive back into the world of blood, guts and Viking longboats (And hopefully not drown while I'm at it)

I hope to update soon.

Bye Bye