Chapter 51
Fuji sat guard over the sleeping form of her taicho through the entire night, until finally she fell asleep in her seat just as the first rays of sun seeped through the windows.
Kin was first inside that day, Kitty being at the espada's room, and quickly found Fuji a blanket. Just as she draped it over the blonde's shoulders, Soi Fon herself stirred. Soi Fon groaned and sat up, looking over to Kin who held up a finger to her mouth, pointing to Fuji.
"The poor thing has been up all night looking after you, let's not wake her up."
Soi Fon looked over to her sleeping third seat and sighed. "Stupid girl, it's not like I was in danger."
"I'm not sure she agrees with you" Kin said gently. "People in love often do crazy things and play overprotective of the people they care for… speaking from personal experience of course."
Soi Fon grunted. "Was I the only one not aware that Fuji had a thing for me?"
"Has a thing you mean… no probably not, but I am dating Kitty, you learn to pick up one or two hints after a while." Kin walked up to Soi Fon and took her hands in her own. "You are lucky, you only got some hairline fractures, they'll heal right up with some simple kido spells."
Kin's hand glowed green and hovered over Soi Fon's injured digits. Soi Fon still looked over at Fuji. "Why didn't she say anything."
"Two main reasons I guess. First off she knew that you didn't feel the same."
"And the second?"
"She want's you to be happy… and being with her wont make you happy… she is willing to sacrifice her happiness for yours… you should know that feeling well I am guessing."
Soi Fon huffed. "That's different."
"No it's not… for a couple to work, they both need to be willing to sacrifice something for the other."
"Really now… and how much have Petro sacrificed for you?"
"Everything" Kin said simply, a small smile on her face.
"And you? What have you done for her?"
"Putting it like this taicho, through all the years Kitty and I have been together and been sparring, never once has she beaten me in an all out fight… and yet, she's the 3rd seat instead of me, because I know she loves the attention. Now I have other patients to look after, you should stay for a while longer, but you can leave if you feel like it."
Kin smiled and turned on her heal. "Have a nice day Soi Fon taicho."
Soi Fon waited until Kin had closed the door before she huffed. "If you expect me to hug you and thank you for being by my side you can forget it."
Fuji opened an eye, a small smile on her face. "Had a good sleep?"
"Better than yours I suspect."
Fuji stretched, rising from her chair. "I couldn't really leave you here could I?"
"Why not?"
"Would you leave Yoruichi's side if she was in here?" Soi Fon sighed. "How long Fuji?"
Fuji shrugged. "I don't know… at least since that day… the day I found you."
"That's quite some time Fuji."
"You've been in love with Yoruichi longer Fuji said in a low voice. She's a lucky woman to have you."
Soi Fon huffed. "For the love of… can't you people let it rest?"
"No" Fuji said, her voice firm. "Stop trying to avoid the subject taicho I know you and I can see it in your face. The way you light up every time she is near… and how you seem to sink and fall when she leaves you again."
Soi Fon sighed. "All right… let's say you are right, let's say I am in love with her… why should that matter? She is the most beautiful thing that has ever existed, and a Shihouin on top…" Soi Fon sulked again, looking at her lap. "I am not worthy of her… I am nothing beside her… how could she ever love someone as plain as me."
Fuji looked at her. "I am very close to smacking you right now, you know that right?"
Soi Fon looked at Fuji who looked at her, a deep scowl on her face. "You? Plain? In my eyes there are the most beautiful woman in the friggin gotei 13."
"No I'm not" Soi Fon grumbled.
"Then who do you think is the most beautiful, next to Yoruichi of course."
Soi Fon shrugged. "Matsumoto I guess."
"Matsumoto? Taicho, Matsumoto is a woman with drinking problems and a large bust that is only going to get her in trouble when she get's old… besides she hides herself with makeup, and flaunt her assets… you don't need any of it to be beautiful."
Fuji smiled. "Now I'll go and get your stuff, something tells me you want to get out of that bed soon."
And with that Fuji left leaving Soi Fon behind with her thoughts.
No more than half an hour later Soi Fon and Fuji left the 4th heading back to the 2nd.
"Hey Fuji."
"Hai taicho?"
"Something tells me Petro is at the espada's place… why don't you go and talk with her for a while?"
Fuji grinned. "Tanks taicho, have a nice day."
As Fuji rushed off Soi Fon allowed herself a small smile. "Stupid girl… its not like I need your thanks."
Kitty was sitting guard, sketching away in her sketchbook as Halibel was playing chess with Hitsugaya taicho who had made good on his promise to come and visit. Kitty looked up as the door opened and Fuji walked in.
Fuji gave a polite bow to Hitsugaya before turning to glare at Kitty. "I am going to murder you… what in the world were you thinking, telling her the truth?"
Halibel blinked and looked at Hitsugaya raising an eyebrow.
The white haired teenager could do nothing more than to shrug, showing that he had no idea what was going on either.
Kitty sighed. "She was trying to push you away again and I hate it when you walk around all emo and mopey."
"Dangit Kitty it's not the first time this has happened."
"No, but maybe it's the last."
Fuji huffed. "Yeah because taicho cares so much about personal feelings."
Kitty sighed. "Fine then Fuji, argue all you want but here is the crux of things. Now she knows… and I can't take it back, so what do you want me to do?"
Fuji groaned and took a deep breath. "Just wait until the tournament Petro, I will pummel you."
"I wish you luck with that" Kitty said smiling as Fuji turned around, bowing to Hitsugaya once again before she left, slamming the door shut as she walked out.
Hitsugaya turned to Kitty. "What was that about?"
"The usual" Kitty said smiling. "Me not caring about boundaries making people open up."
"So… matchmaking?"
"No" Kitty said. "I don't matchmaking if I don't intend the two to end up together… this was just intensifying a friendship a bit further."
"What's the difference?" Halibel asked moving her bishop down the board.
"At the end of the day they'll just care a bit more about the other and not doing 'the bouncy bed game' until the break of dawn."
Hitsugaya flushed deep red, Halibel allowing herself a small snort of amusement. Hitsugaya looked down on the board again and moved his knight to intercept the bishop Halibel had moved.
Halibel's face didn't budge an inch as she moved her rock. "Check mate."
Hitsugaya blinked. "Dangit, every time. Best 11 out of 20?"
But just as he said it, a small black butterfly flew in through the window, landing on Hitsugaya's outstretched hand.
"Taicho and fuku taicho meeting" he said rising from his place at the end of Halibel's bed.
"Probably just the usual meet ups for the tournament. If I get the time I'll come back" he said to Halibel, bowing to the two women in the room before walking out.
Kitty smiled. "Such a caring man… taking time off from his busy schedule to come keep you company."
"If you are insinuating something." Kitty raised her hands in defense.
"I'm just pointing out how nice he is… a taicho's duties are pretty extensive. Now I can play some chess with you if you'd like. I'm not really good though, so bear with me."
Halibel let the subject lie. Besides if the smile on the girl's face was any indication, the discussion she had ended was not over by a long shot.
…
Ichigo frowned as he looked around. Something seemed off. True it was usual to have a taicho meeting about this time to announce who would participate in the annual tournament so that everyone in the different squads could prepare, but still… why was the fuku taicho's here?
"Something wrong Ichigo?"
Ichigo turned to Rukia, standing right behind his left shoulder. "No not really… I just wondered why the fuku taicho's are here too, its not like we need anyone else to deliver the messages."
Rukia scowled. "So what are you saying, you don't need us here at all?"
"Don't get so defensive I didn't mean it like that."
"Then what did you mean stupid head?"
"Watch it midget I outrank you."
"Oh pulling rank are we? That's so mature, how old are you, 3?"
Everyone else sighed. "Here they go again" Kira said with a sigh, standing to Ichigo's right.
The two probably would have continued on if not for Unohana who walked up to the two with her usual serene smile asking them if they could please quiet down so that the meeting could start.
The two fifth squaders agreed, gulping as Unohana walked away to her own spot, Kyoraku and Ukitake sharing a knowing smile. The last one's to arrive, Kenpachi and Yachiru, entered without even looking up at Yamamoto as he started the meeting.
"This meeting is going to revolve around the annual tournament… however I have conversed with Kurosotchi taicho who has a proposal for everyone here who is willing to listen."
Nemu stepped forward from her spot, smiling gently to Akon who no more than a week ago had been promoted up to fuku taicho.
"The tournament is always a way for our squads to compete against each other in a showdown of shinigami vs shinigami in a never ending brawl. I have a suggestion that can make it more than that, as well as involving ourselves a tad more in the game other than to just watch."
"What exactly are you proposing?" Hisagi asked, sounding curious.
Nemu smiled. "Say that we made a points system on top of the regular elimination rounds. Each participant starts off with the same amount of points. If they win they get more points and when they lose they end up with the sum they had prior to the match starting. If they want they can bet some of the points they already have for advantages or by doubling their score if they are certain that they will win their match."
"So… when everything is done what will the points gain them?" Ukitake asked in wonder.
"The ultimate prize if they have enough points" Nemu said. "A chance to fight a taicho or fuku taicho of their choosing."
Everyone suddenly looked up. Soi Fon were the first to collect her thoughts.
"And how many points do they need for that?"
"Well that's what we are here to find out if you are interested. I plan to take each participant through a series of test to find out their skill levels in 6 levels, attack, defence, mobility, kidou, intellect and stamina. If you are up for it I will put you all through the same tests. The better your score the higher the points and the harder the participants have to fight for the chance to get to fight you."
"Sounds interesting enough" Kyoraku said with a smile. "I'm in."
"Then let's all take a vote" Yamamoto said. "All for Kurosotchi taicho's suggestion raise your hand."
Over half the arms rose in the air.
"All right then, the suggestion is accepted. Because of obvious reasons I will not participate, I hope that's acceptable Kurosotchi taicho?"
"Of course sou taicho."
"Very well. Participants from each squad will now be called up, I hope you all have decided your champions."
Everyone nodded, making sure that the sou taicho saw them.
"1st squad's champions this year is 4th seat Hakaru Hitoshi and 8th seat Marro Lyuu."
Soi Fon walked up from her spot. "Representatives from the 2nd squad are 3rd seat Kara Fuji and 4th seat Tanaka Yukiko."
Kira stepped up. "From the 3rd squad I'll send my 6th seat Senou Kai and my 9th seat Arano Kei."
Unohana stepped forward. "The 4th squad will send 3rd seat Petro Kitty and 4th seat Tochigi Kin."
"Big shock" came the amused mutter from Kenpachi down the lane.
Ichigo stepped up. "The 5th squad will send 7th seat Miwa Takashi and 10th seat Erazi Chieko."
Byakuya moved out next. "The 6th squad will send their 7th Seat Rokubo Rikichi and our 8th seat Jazar Junichi."
Komamura's voice filled the room. "The 7th send their 5th seat Kotaro Mora and 10th seat Umar Isamu."
Kyoraku smiled as he lifted his hat away from his face. "The 8th squad sends 3rd seat Amazaghji Rannessea and 6th seat Nayu Shiroki."
Hisagi stepped up. "The 9th squad sends 4th seat Akuro Tora and 7th seat Yahada Mahuro."
Hitsugaya stepped up. "The 10th squad will send 3rd seat Taka Hotaru and 5th seat Jatsu Hitomi as representatives."
Kenpachi as his usual gruff self stepped up. "We'll send Igana and Yumichika, 4th and 5th seat as per usual."
Nemu smiled. "The 12th will send 5th seat Anro Satoru and 8th seat Salura Niku."
Ukitake stepped up. "I'm sending 3rd seat Kotetsu Kiyone and 6th seat Darrah Maiko."
Yamamoto nodded. "Very well. The names have been written down. Kurosotchi taicho will send you a hell butterfly when she is ready to start the tests. Meeting adjourned."
