35 - Do you have Yoruichi's heart?
Yoruichi stares at you condition, your battered and bruised appearance and torn clothing. She chuckles with a cough. "I was planning to ask you how I looked but I can see you had a worse day than I did. Are you okay?"
"I have seen better days," You laugh. "How are you feeling?"
"Awful." Yoruichi grunts, with a playful look in her eyes. "Next silly question?"
"I thought I was going to lose you Yoruichi-sama," You begin, remembering the awful feeling of standing next to her bed while she was unconscious. "I…"
"Shhhhh," Yoruichi whispers softly. "It's over. Unohana said I will fully recover."
"Unohana?" You ask questioningly.
"You were still asleep when she was in here when I regained consciousness." Yoruichi explains with a catlike smile. "She told me what you did and assured me I would be fine and something about not waking you until she left the room because you wanted to be the first thing I saw."
You blush as you feel her left hand still stroking your hair before moving to the back of your neck and gently tug you towards her. Offering no resistance, you stand and lean over her as she pulls you into a gentle kiss.
"Thank you, Sui Feng." Yoruichi says softly when she breaks the kiss. "My hero."
You could feel you cheeks getting warmer. "You are… ahem… welcome."
The two of you talk for a while as you tell her your experience in recovering the stolen scrolls and your quest to find the antidote. Yoruichi hangs onto every word but later you can see exhaustion starts to overcome your former mentor.
"You should sleep," You whisper to her. "I'll stay by your side."
"On that chair," She shakes her head. "Go to your quarters, Sui Feng and look after yourself."
"I won't leave your side. Not until you can walk out of here."
Yoruichi's eye lids become heavier. "You are so wonderful and equally… stubborn." Then she pats the spot on the bed side her. "Come and lay here."
Your eyes widen. "Yoruichi-sama?"
"Lay next to me," Yoruichi repeats playfully. "If you insist on not leaving then at least let me see you rest comfortably."
You hesitate when she finally takes your hand into hers and softly adds. "Please."
You still hesitate a moment longer before relenting. "I don't believe this." You murmur to yourself, wondering what people will think if this should get out.
You carefully crawl into the small hospital bed and a smiling Yoruichi shifts over to give you more room but still it is a tight fit for two. You settle on your side facing Yoruichi as she wraps an arm around you, to pull you in closer. Now lying against her you feel the warmth from her body. This is nice but you can't help but worry about someone walking in and someone WILL walk in eventually.
You envision the rumours starting and people whispering stories behind your back. You are not sure you can stand that. You spent years building your representation up from the lowly ranks to a respected, although a slightly feared captain. All of that could crumble with you getting caught cuddling with Yoruichi on a hospital bed!
Do you:
Admit this is a bad idea and leave? Go to 37
Stay with her and not worry? Go to 38