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6 Degrees of Separation
Chapter 1
What If?
One week and 2 days have passed since Aizen fell and Soul Society won the Winter War. Structurally everything was almost in too good a condition, but the mental and emotional scars will be a constant reminder of what transpired. The Viasored, who were there to help Soul Society at the turning point of the war were granted their old positions as Captains. Most everybody was healed, and back doing their old routines. Having dealt with all the immediate problems, it was the time to hold services for the fallen soldiers. For the most part the winter war did not have any casualties, but one and that casualty crippled the Stealth Force of the Gotei.
It was a beautiful morning, the ancient city illuminated by the suns warm rays. Gardens flourished, in remembrance to a fallen hero the Gotei 13 gathered in the ceremonial courtyard of the Second Division. All the Captains and Lieutenants of the Gotei 13, Corps Commanders of the Stealth Force, and Executive Militia officers gathered in the vast clearing over looking the 2nd Division. All stood ramrod straight, gazing at the ornate cherry wood cremation dome in front of which was displayed the portrait of the late Captain Soi-Fon. Captain-General took his place in front of all the gathered, beside him the Fon and Shihouin relatives.
Quickly, Yamamoto glanced at all the gathered in front row: Byakuya, Unohana, Hitsugaya, Ukitake, Kyouraku, Ichigo, and Omaeda. Yamamoto was not an ignorant man; he knew the history that those shinigami shared with the late Captain. They were a tragic sight; Toushirou was already in a depressed state due to the comatose Momo, but to lose a sister figure almost threw him over the edge. Unohana, the unreadable, serene Captain of the 4th Division was dour, unapproachable, unknowingly to all she saw the relentless Captain of the 2nd Division as a daughter. When Soi-Fon was broken, crippled by the loss of her only friend and idol Yoruichi Shihouin, no one was there to help pick up the pieces of the broken girl but her. It was the beginning of the very prosperous friendship, which lasted over a century. Kyouraku, the goofy aloof Captain of the 8th Division, was sober the loss of a friend was not something that he experienced often, the pain was not drowned out by the sake, so out of respect he would act presentable. In the rise of the Stealth Force Commander-in-Chief, he was there to help with the political turmoil, but once that was done and over, they were back to acquaintances, but he never forgot the nights she would drown herself in sake just to get away. Ukitake was a frequent guest of Yoruichi Shihouin, so well acquainted with the bodyguard, who at the time was Soi-Fon. Byakuya the cold, emotionless Kuchiki, lost a childhood training partner, the training sessions of the Kuchiki heir and the Shihouin bodyguard were the talk of Soul Society, the clash of ego's destroyed many buildings, consequently causing the last of Yamamoto's black hair to turn silver. The Corps Commanders of the Stealth Force stood tall and proud reflecting well on their fallen commander, all for the exception of one, Omaeda. He undoubtedly blamed himself for the early demise of the 2nd Division Captain. The once burly proud sarcastic lieutenant was quiet pale guild ridden. But, what stood out to the Captain-General was the reason behind the absence of the Shihouin Princess. Soi-Fon and her were almost like sisters their bound was strong enough to last through a shady betrayal, exile than a war. Equally as surprised by the absence of Urahara Kisuke, it was common knowledge that he had a phobia of the Captain of the 2nd Division, but not to the extent as to not to attend a funeral. Deciding against any further delays he began his speech,
"It is with great sadness that we are gathered here today to say farewell to the fearless Captain of the Second Division and Commander of the Stealth Force Soi-Fon. I would also like to extend my deepest condolences to the family of this fine Captain, and the Shihouin. Your daughter will be greatly missed and surely remembered, it was my pride being the Commander of such a valiant Captain. Captain Soi-Fon has shown us what it means to lead by example. In the battle against Aizen, she defeated 2 of his fraccion saving her Lieutenant, then the King of Hueco Mundo himself. While battling against him she unremorsefully gave up her arm, defending our cause and Soul Society with the whole of her being. And when the resolve of Ichigo Kurosaki was flattering in the face of uncertainty, she inspired him to take a stand and fight for the freedom we have now. Finally giving the Substitute soul reaper a chance to strike down Aizen himself. " His voice resonated through the clearing as well as the hearts of all those standing there, a moments pause before he would begin anew, "I hope that the Stealth Force is proud of their Commander-in-Chief, as the Captain-General of the Gotei 13 I am honored to have lead such a venerable captain. It is time to see off a friend, daughter, sister, Captain, and Commander Shaolin"
It was at that moment, most of the Gotei looked down to acknowledge the fallen Captain. Toushirou could not hold his sorrow any longer, his head dipped down but his stature stood tall; a lone crystalline tear fell to the ground out of his broken teal eyes. His Lieutenant Matsumoto liked the late captain Soi-Fon, all the women in Soul Society grew particularly close due to the SWA, and she could understand the feelings of her captain on some levels. While the usually stoic captain of the 6th Division the noble Captain Kuchiki, wore his cold mask proudly but his eyes were as broken as Toushirou's, the sharp, dark, steel orbs gazed with emptiness as if they were blank. Rukia herself was not close to the late captain, but could understand how her brother felt everybody knew they long history that the two shred. Her deep cerulean eyes, full of remorse as if on impulse she squeezed his large hand, to signify that he was not alone she was also there with him, to no avail she received no response not even the tiniest shift. Finally the old General spoke his deep voice bellowed through the field like a shockwave, "Light the grave!" With one smooth swing of his ancient sword, the wooden dome caught on fire. The bright red glow warmed the field, a false comfort spread through the flames gentle heat. But, to those who knew the late Captain the daunting reality set in, she was gone and not coming back, somewhere reborn as a human sentenced to live a new life.
Ichigo could not bear any longer; he was the one, the one who was supposed to save everyone. Soi-Fon's last words lingered in his head bearing a heavy weight on his conscience. "Don't be mistaken we haven't come here prepared to die. We're fighting to live. All that "protect the world" nonsense is nothing more than a grand cause with a nice ring to it. We're fighting so that we can life so that you can life, and to protect everybody from Aizen's grasp. Do not fall behind Kurosaki Ichigo."(Tuto 389) Her resolve rubbed off on him and he felt empowered, but at the same time he was angry that those were her last words to him. He couldn't face Yoruichi it was his fault. Orihime stood next to him, moping beating herself up for not being able to protect everybody, it was her job to heal everybody. Despite all that Unohana said, guilt overcame the girl.
10 minutes later
The ceremonial gardens of the 2nd Division were now a place of remembrance and mourning. The crowd resembled statues immobile, until a rogue breeze would blow past them. Soon after the Shihouin clan and Fon clan left to attend a private ceremony. The fire from the grave burned strong, crackling sending the smell of ash to all who stood. Now nobody stood in rows, people stood in their cliques but still the only topic was the late Captain.
Until….
The fine light of day provided no cover for the 3-cloaked figures that appeared. Standing in front of the ceremonial flame. The top ranking military force, stood dumbfounded by the audacity of the 3 intruders. The Captain-General stood in front of the cloaked figures unable to make out their faces; the shade fell perfectly masking their features. As the 3 took a step the Gotei and Stealth Force stood at attention with their palms resting on their sword's hilts. The permanently scowling face of the Captain-General, morphed into a menacing grimace, the straight stance of the old captain unwavering, boasting the backbone of the one who held an iron grip on Soul Society's largest and most powerful military force. The shortest of the 3-cloaked figures took another threatening step forward, but the body language indicated some impassiveness. The reatsu suppressing coats obscured the identity of the enigmatic figures even further. Shortest of the 3 figures slid her arms tightly gripping the hood of the reatsu suppressing cloak, in one flick of the wrist she threw off the cloak. Revealing, the believed to be deceased Commander-in-Chief of the Stealth Force; Soi-Fon wore her usual attire the uniform of the Supreme Commander with her seethed zanpakuto on her back, but her eyes changed from a steel gray to a blood red. Behind her the two cloaked figures followed suit, revealing Yoruichi in her usual attire an orange jacket, black leggings and legwarmers to her side was the former Captain of the 12th Division Kisuke Urahara dawning his usual goofy expression, and green hat, jacket and signature sandals.
The Captain-General of the Gotei 13 was not one to be speechless, on any occasion, but this time he was wide eyes as well as open-mouthed. Behind him the once serious crowd was now full of fainted and bewildered people, the Corps Commanders were blank slates not knowing what emotion to express, the SWA members excluding Yachiru were passed out, Kyouraku and Viasored Captains couldn't help but snicker at the sheer irony. Kurotsuchi gawked at them as if their zanpakuto destroyed his lab…again. While the rest of the gathered Gotei 13 and Stealth Force operatives were just gaping at the unfolding scene at them as if they were deep blinded by incoming headlights. The 2 behind Soi-Fon were having a laugh-attack mentally, the never before seen faces of the "intimidating" Gotei were now akin to those of scared children. Even Soi-Fon herself couldn't help but smirk, as she stepped up almost face to face with the Captain-General facing him stoically, her piercing red eyes beamed through him, then angled at the dumbfounded crowd "Who the hell do you think you are burying? Do you think that the Supreme Commander of the Stealth Force, could die do easily? Especially by the hands of a criminal like Aizen?" Yoruichi just smirked, but on the inside she was rolling on the floor laughing, Urahara mentally applauded her for pulling such a big one over on them.
Nobody moved and inch, the mental setback of a Captain coming back from the dead took a toll on some peoples psyche. They have only dealt with that once and that turned out to be a traitor, who could have destroyed Soul Society. But in the ranks of the Gotei there was a little pink hellion who, knew how to respond to every situation. Yachiru Kusajishi jumped on her Ken-chan's head, yelling, "I knew it! I tried telling ya that Ninja-Bee-chan is alive!" leave it to the 11th Division lieutenant to snap the Gotei officers out of their shocked trances, especially the Captain-General.
Clearing his throat Yamamoto said "Captain Soi-Fon would you care to explain… how are you alive?" Yamamoto was wary of red eyes, which could only signify one thing.
"Captain-General Yamamoto it is quite simple, you out of all people should know. It is true the blow that I have received from Aizen should have been fatal, but it must have been the Hogyouku coming in contact with my reatsu. Truthfully, I am not sure how I survived. But I woke up in the Urahara shop. From there I spent 9 days training and learning about this. Apparently there was a seal on it since I have been very young. I would like to have a discussion about it sometime." She explained vehemently, narrowing her eyes at Yamamoto.
In the crowd discretely Unohana shot a glance to Rose, Shinji, Yoruichi, Kyouraku, and Ukitake who all nodded in unison.
Yamamoto directed the king of all intimidating death glares towards Urahara. He would be damned if he didn't find out why was he not informed of the new development in his subordinate's nature. The equivocal scientist had a slight chill go down his spine from the austerity of the grimace.
"Captain-General the thing is, when Yoruichi and I arrived at the battle field we witnessed Soi-Fon being cut down by Aizen. To keep Yoruichi's focus on Ichimaru rather than her protégé I went to check on her. When I came over I noticed a seal on her neck, which was quite strange since it disappeared soon after, but there was a pulse. I had used a special device of my invention to transport her to Tessai for immediate healing. But I managed to replace the real Soi-Fon with an extra-special death dummy. As to not make Soi-Fon look like a deserter." Unohana's, Byakuya's, Toushirou's, and Yamamoto's brow began to twitch in, the sheer irony that they did not check in the most obvious place of all. Even Soi-Fon herself, did not hear the explanation of how she wound up in the Urahara shop, now that she is not oblivious she was on the verge of exploding. Suddenly her neck began to pulsate, sending wave of stinging pain through her body with each pulse. Trying not give anything away she just rubbed her neck. But some reatsu leaked out chilling the air, dispensing a stinging sensation to everybody, standing in the ceremonial area. Unohana's interest was now piqued she would undoubtedly investigate.
Yamamoto decided that it was enough of a shock for one day, "Attention!" he bellowed, adding reatsu for emphasis. "Seeing as how this funeral is now obsolete due to the one in question being alive, you are all dismissed." He himself flash-stepped away from the scene so did the Corps Commanders after receiving a nod of acknowledgement from their reinstated Supreme Commander, Omaeda left as well seeing as this was not the time to annoy his Captain. After a few moments the male lieutenants nodded at their captains who allowed them to leave. The female lieutenants led by Rangiku all tackled the resurrected Soi-Fon.
"Ninja-chan!" broadcasted the little pink haired hellion. Matsumoto hugged the petite Captain mashing Soi-Fon into her chest. Nanao even joined in slightly, then Nemu joined in and couldn't help but crush everybody with her iron hold. All the male Captains of the Gotei 13 were perpetrating, for the first time feeling pity for the petite woman. Finally, Unohana the voice of reason in the SWA, walked up to them and coerced in an innocent voice, "May I speak to Captain Soi-Fon" All the women were gone like the summer breeze. Then the child prodigy Hitsugaya dropped to his knees, screaming, "How! I tried to do that for 100 years!" Shinji felt bad for the little sucker, patting him on the back he sighed. "She has ways man."
Falling, to the ground like a pancake she quickly dusted her self off, glancing at her savior. "Thanks Unohana, that helped"
"Your quite welcome. Would you like to join me for tea with a few other Captains?" Unohana's gentle voice accompanied by sweet smile seemed like a very frightening death threat. Even with her new found power she would be bat-shit crazy to deny one of the few beings she was afraid of something. As Unohana, left satisfied with the compliance, she noticed in her peripheral Urahara as well as the humans leaving for the precipice world without Yoruichi, which brought hope to her.
Byakuya, Yoruichi, Shinji, as well as Rose and Ukitake followed Unohana, but before they were out of earshot the cat woman asked a menacing question, that stunted the noble, "So, Byakuya-bo were you worried about my little bee?" Leave it to Shihouin Yoruichi to publically embarrass Byakuya Kuchiki. As the rest of the Captains left for their respective divisions all that was heard were the snickers of Sajin, Kurotsuchi, and Kensei.
Only Kyouraku remained as well as Hitsugaya, turning to Soi-Fon the former approached like a fool. "So Captain Soi-Fon how's your inner Hollow? I heard Ichigo talk about his and that guy is an ass." He inquired in an as-a-matter-of-fact tone. Soi-Fon hated being lumped in with other people especially if they were smug humans, her eyebrow twitched. "Number 1 do not lump me in with Kurosaki. 2 It is not a Hollow it seems that I am part Noble." One silver haired prodigy who was as wide-eyed as Yachiru after an espresso over heard her explanation; Kyouraku took it much more professionally.
"I understand, Noblesse don't associate with soul reapers all that often now."
"No it's not that it's that you resemble your mother so much now, and I only now noticed." Soi-Fon was unable to respond, due to her being interrupted by a certain Kenpachi who swung his jagged sword at her. She quickly dodged completely untroubled. Zaraki, himself was surprised that anybody could dodge his attacks and not be the slightest bit bothered.
"Kyouraku, this will have to wait." The hatted Captain nodded and left, but Toushirou stayed to watch the scene unfold. The older Captain who donned the pink robes sighed, everything seemed to be falling into place, the younger ones so full of energy, while he retreated to the 4th Division.
"Quit the bull and fight!" He yelled manically, once again causing her to doubt his sanity.
She was caught slightly off guard by Zaraki's outburst but not surprised. Soi-Fon new she had no time for a fight and definitely not when she had and impeding talk with Yamamoto and subtle one-sided interrogation with Unohana.
However that didn't stop Zaraki's onslaught of attacks, which she had to admit have gotten more focused over the years even subtly so, the change was evident now to her own surprise. They were locked in a deadly dance of parries hits and dodges. One wrong move and she could end up with out an arm...again. A slice with the sword, countered by a quick dodge, a deadly elbow blocked by the blunt of the blade and this continued, without so much as a drop of reatsu waisted. Until Soi-Fong caught in the corner of her eye Toushiro's worried and somewhat annoyed glare pointed at them.
"Zaraki have you not heard Unohana? Are you foolish enough to inflict the wrath of Retsu Unohana upon yourself?" She sure as hell wasn't, "If it were any other time I would gladly oblige, I am dying to fight you with Suzumebachi like this." She retorted coldly. Toushirou had missed her, amusing put-downs of the other Captains, but his patience was waning.
"Captains, I suggest that we get going before Unohana begins to wonder where you have went, and it comes back to bite the entire Gotei 13." The young captains interjected.
Even the brute of the 11th Division was not one to pick a fight with Retsu Unohana nonchalantly he shrugged heading out to his division. Leaving her alone with Toushirou, "What a tedious day." She exclaimed approaching her friend.
He sighed daring not look her in the eye with his broken teal eyes "In that you are correct." He was somewhat puzzled at what Soi wanted to discuss. Hell nothing surprised him now, after the stunt that she pulled. She cleared her throat, "Toushirou how are you I saw what happened with Momo. It isn't your fault…" her voice trailed off. Soi-Fon was actually feeling pity for her old friend. He looked her dead in the eye, her sharp blood red orbs, staring into his teal eyes. "No it is, it is my fault that I let Aizen fool me with his sword. You then seemingly died…it was rough" His voice solemn, was past blaming himself he just wants his friend back, he never showed such emotion to anybody besides his lieutenant. Before he could finish his train of thought he was hugged. It was not a passionate lovers hug but a friendly one. He embraced her as well, in this moment he forgot about his loss, about the death toll, about his broken lieutenant, broken by the death of Gin. He remembered how he and Soi became friends, when they were first promoted to Captaincy they had their own emotional baggage to deal with, they never showed their feelings, both masters of the death and façade. Then it ended as abruptly as it began.
Soi looked at him, almost, almost kindly urging him, "Come one Toushirou, we have to get to Unohana's"
"Yes," Both flash stepping at a relatively fast pace, to the 4th Division tearoom, at the chadubai were Rose, Shinji, Byakuya, Ukitake, Shunsui, Yoruichi and Unohana, sipping tea. Walking to the table Soi-Fon sat down at the table next to Byakuya and Unohana, across from Toushirou.
"I assume you all want the full story of how I got this and what happened." She said immediately getting their full attention. "You wont believe what happened…
AN- This is the first story that I have wrote even though I appreciate any time you have spent criticizing my work, but please do make it constructive and not make it scurrilous. I hope that you review and enjoy the story.
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