It was almost midnight when Kukaku took the mic on stage. "Alright, everyone. It's open mic season. No emotional sharing of your pathetic lives, Keigo. Grab the guitar, and start singing anyone. Whether it be a composition of yours or your favorite song from other artists. We, at Urahara cafe, promise you that there won't be any tomato throwing. But your safety is beyond our control once you step out of building". There was a collective laugh and clapping from the patrons, while Keigo and Mizuiro pushed each other towards the stage.

"This is so much more fun than that pub Renji frequents" observed Rangiku, who was now amused at a young Keigo singing. Well, wailing was a more appropriate description. When Kukaku took the mic forcefully from Keigo and pushed him off the stage, Rangiku stood up and pointed at Soi Fon.

If Soi Fon's dagger looks could kill, Rangiku's soul would have been be totally severed from her body at that point. And if heavy blushing could cause spontaneous combustion, Soi Fon's body was already reduced to ashes. "Okay! Let's give the floor to Soi Fon. Be nice kiddies, or there'd be a shortage on what you're drinking right now" Kukaku smirked at Soi Fon who failed to decide what she wanted to accomplish first: strangle Kukaku, burn Rangiku on a stake, or run and hide.

Soi Fon sighed as the rest of the crowd now moved on to look her way. She slowly stood up, "accidentally" kicking Rangiku's shin as she walked away from the booth. She took the guitar, sat down on the stool on stage, and spoke. "I didn't write this*. But I hope you like it anyway" As she started strumming the guitar, the crowd went silent. She drew in air as she prepared to sing.

I don't know what you smoke

Or countries you've been to

If you speak any other languages

other than your own

But I'd like to meet you

I don't know if you drive

If you love the ground beneath you

I don't know if you write letters

or you panic on the phone

I'd like to call you all the same

If you want to, I am game

Rangiku smiled as she scanned the room. People's mouth were hanging open out of admiration. Soi Fon, like anything she placed her mind into, mastered the guitar. Though her voice was a little shaky, the effect seemed to have been more positive as it brought out a sense of vulnerability fitting for the song.

I don't know if you can swim

If the sea has any draw for you

If you're better in the morning

Or when the sun goes down

I'd like to talk to you

It wasn't just the audience who were at awe. Yoruichi leaned over the counter clutching the tray in her hands.

She heard herself let out a small gasp when Soi Fon looked up and met Yoruichi's eyes across the room, and smiled for a split second.

I don't know if you can dance

If the thought ever occurred to you

If you eat what you've been given

Or you push it round your plate

I'd like to cook for you all the same

I would want to, I am game

She felt as if there was no one else on the room except her and Soi Fon. Everything, time itself, moved in slow fashion as she continued to lock eyes with Soi Fon.

If you walk my way

And I could keep my head

we could creep away in the dark

or maybe not

we could shoot it down anyway

I don't know if you read novels or the magazines

If you love the hand that feeds you

I assume that your heart's been bruised

I know I'd like to know you

No amount of cheering from the crowd drowned Soi Fon's voice for Yoruichi.

You don't know if I can draw at all

or what records I am into

If I sleep like a spoon

or rarely at all

or maybe you would do?

maybe you would do

If I walk your way I will keep my head

we will feel our way through the dark

though I don't know you

I think that I would do

I don't fall easy at all

With the last line, Soi Fon maintained eye contact with Yoruichi, as if she was directly speaking to her. And for the first time, the thought came over her, that it might just as well be possible that Soi Fon was singing this for her. But she quickly dismissed it as Rangiku met Soi Fon downstage and gave her a hug. "That was fucking awesome, Soi!"

"Remind me to kill you later" was all Soi Fon could mutter with gritted teeth as she tried to smile at the audience, who were now asking for an encore. "Uh, sorry guys, you're looking at a one-trick pony, i've got nothing else on my sleeves" There was a collective groan of disappointment. Dragging her towards the door, Rangiku lowered her head and whispered "You won't have the guts to kill me after giving you this bit of information. While you were up there, someonehad a dreamy look in her eyes"

"Oh, this was part of your plan?" An epiphany occurred at Soi Fon who lit up a cigarette as soon as they went out of the cafe and walked towards the parking lot.

"Given your temper, you think I'd risk my neck if there was no end goal to this?" With a smug and victorious look on her face, Rangiku kept pace with Soi Fon "she couldn't keep her eyes off you. I swear. The whole time. And don't look now, she's trying to catch up on us"

---

Yoruichi maintained a grin as she jogged closer to Soi Fon and Rangiku. "Great performance. You surprised me there". Putting up a cigarette, she continued "Mind if I join you for a bit?"

"She's amazing, isn't she?" Rangiku snaked her left arm over Soi Fon's waist, who had been controlling her laugh all night at her friend's great acting skills. She's a natural, alright.

"You play the guitar, like you were born to do it" It was an obvious, and somewhat bitchy dismissal of Rangiku's presence, as Yoruichi continued to address Soi Fon, and Soi Fon alone. Being ignored is something that she wasn't used to, but Soi Fon was more than sure Rangiku didn't mind it this time. Rangiku continued to address Yoruichi, but with her leftt fingers now toying with Soi Fon's braids. "Oh, she's a genius, aren't you babe?" Another minute of this, and the party would be over, as Soi Fon couldn't control her laughter anymore "We have to go, bye!"

Yoruichi was stunned by Soi Fon's abrupt farewell.

Placing her hands in her pockets, Yoruichi found herself fidgeting and at a loss on what to say.

---

"What the fuck was that all about, Shihouin?" It was Kukaku who stepped outside as well for a break. The only thing she witnessed was a defeated-looking Yoruichi as Soi Fon and Rangiku drive off. "can your shoulders get any lower than that?"

"Ugh, why are you here? Who's looking out for the customers? I better get in now" It was a valid reason and an excuse for Yoruichi to avoid Kukaku's question, but she almost slipped as her friend held her by the wrist and pulled her back.

Smirking, Kukaku menacingly narrowed her eyes and lowered her voice "oh hell no you're going to keep quiet about this, Yoruichi. I observed you all night. You kept eye on her the whole time. The moment she stepped in, you were flirting with her, despite her obvious relationship with that girl she was with. You looked like you were undressing that girl in your mind"

'Gah. Not everyone has a mind like yours, Kukaku, let go, or we'd both end up jobless" It was a frustrating situation. What Kukaku was saying was half true and half false. She did keep an eye on Soi Fon all night, and she might have given her extra attention, even though she refused to call it flirting. But the thought of how Soi Fon looked naked was something that never crossed her mind. Till now, that is. The moment Kukaku made that suggestion, flashes of a naked Soi Fon ran through her mind, at least how she'd pictured Soi Fon to look like naked. Ergh. Pervert.

Kukaku guffawed as Yoruichi got lost in her own thoughts. "See? You're definitely having sex with her in your mind as we speak. So when did you start liking.."

"I DON'T! GODDAMNIT!!!....I mean.."

Kukaku was surprised at Yoruichi losing her cool. She was rarely defensive, and hardly apologetic of her actions, and so Kukaku knew better than to push the issue further. She put the topic to rest "Bah. Say nothing more, Shihouin" flicking her cigarette, she went back inside the cafe, leaving Yoruichi stunned at her own behavior.

"Girlfriend?"

"I dont ha...wait, no, that didn't come out right, I meant, I never...Im not..What makes you think..."

"I don't! But, I was testing you"

Sudden flashbacks of last week's encounter with Soi Fon filled her mind. Did I pass her test? What does she want?

----

After changing clothes, Rangiku collapsed in her bed and slept almost immediately. Soi Fon on the other hand lied awake for a few more minutes before exhaustion took over her body. And as she relaxed herself to sleep, there was only one thing on her mind.

I want her.

------

Writer's note:

The song Soi Fon "sang" is I don't know by Lisa Hannigan.

The community has been kind to me, with words of encouragement and helpful corrections. Thanks! I'm changing the rating to M, after this chapter, though please don't expect abrupt changes already. With that I hope you bear with me, as some of you might think this is dragging. As much as I want to jump into solid Soi Fon/Yoruichi yuri goodness, I'm hoping to develop the characters and plot in a tight, solid manner (as much as I can, anyway).