It was two weeks later and Suì-Fēng was at Kūkaku's home preparing to bring, baby Kazui home to his family when she noticed a series of portraits hanging on the wall.
With little Kazui in her arms Suì-Fēng strolled the line making note of some of the Shiba Clan heads, like Isshin and his son Ichigo, even Kūkaku herself. But seeing the last portrait made Suì-Fēng's face blanch and her blood run cold if it were not for the fact, she was holding a baby Suì-Fēng probably would have feinted.
"Kūkaku" Suì-Fēng called out pointing to the portrait, she asks, "Who is that, I don't see a name"
"Huh!" Kūkaku said turning around she looked at the portrait saying, Him, he is the founder of Clan Shiba!"
"Why!"
"Because, there is an officer if Ichigo's unit that could be his twin" Suì-Fēng said matter of factly.
"I'd like to meet this man!" Kūkaku stated.
"He should be finishing up his 100-mile run right about now." Suì-Fēng said.
As they cross The Seireitei Kūkaku commented, "You seem to have the gift"
"What Gift Kūkaku" Suì-Fēng asked.
"Getting babies to fall asleep in your arms" Kūkaku pointed out as they approach The 22nd Division.
"Chief Warrant Officer Tsubasa" Suì-Fēng called, "A word, someone wants to meet you"
"My Office!" Chief Warrant Officer Tsubasa replied walking through the complex.
A the three of them enter the office Shouhei wordlessly put up a soundproof/Spy-proof Kido, saying, "Now we can talk feely"
That's when Kūkaku got a good look at the man saying, "Your right he does look like the man in the portrait"
"I assume you mean the founder of Shiba Clan" Shouhei stated. That comment got both women's attention as they both turn to look at him asking. "HOW"
Sighing Shouhei said with a light chuckle, "I thought it would take longer to figure this out, then again I thought Ichigo and his father were the only living members of Clan Shiba"
"Suì-Fēng Lady Shiba speaks very highly of you" Looking at both women he said, "What I am about to say stays between the three of us!"
"What are you trying to tell us!" Kūkaku asks not knowing if she really wanted to hear the answer.
"I don't resemble the founder of your clan Kūkaku, I am the founder of your clan!"
"W-W-What" Kūkaku stated as her voice rose three octaves
"As the son of the Soul King, I have a very long life, I'm not immortal but some would see me that way, it also paints a target on my back"
Suì-Fēng started getting very angry as she feels she is being made to look like a fool as Shouhei said softly, "Suì-Fēng if I had come out and told you, what would you have done"
"Easy put you in the Maggots Nest!" Suì-Fēng said without a moment's hesitation!
I'll leave you two alone for a moment!" Shouhei said as he lift to send a Jigokuchō to Yoruichi.
"Suì-Fēng", Kūkaku asked, "Is this the first time you have fallen in love!"
She nods as Kūkaku pointed to her head saying, "Stop thinking with that" Pointing to her heart Kūkaku said, "Start thinking with this, that's what Yoruichi would tell you"
From just behind her Yoruichi said,
"Suì-Fēng, Ichigo doesn't care about the age gap, he loves me with his whole heart" Yoruichi said, "He doesn't see the noble, he doesn't see the master assassin, he sees the women and I love him for that"
"Now I just Feel Foolish"
"Suì-Fēng" Think back to the battle 2 weeks ago, what was Shouhei doing
"He was fighting right beside me" Suì-Fēng stated.
"Was he, from, what I recall he was protecting you Suì-Fēng!" Yoruichi told her.
"Y-Yes" Suì-Fēng said, for the first time, "He said he wanted to take me to dinner, then he made it from just for me!"
"I wanted to, but he said he wanted your consent first"
"And I've given it!" Yoruichi told her, "He didn't tell me… but he is the spitting image of his father"
"Yoruichi" Suì-Fēng asks, "What was it that made you fall for him"
"What was it that made me think of him as more than a brash teenager" Yoruichi asks.
Not sure she could find the words Suì-Fēng just nods as Yoruichi said, "I don't know that there was one thing I can pinpoint!"
"He would constantly surprise me"
"How So!" Suì-Fēng asks.
"Ichigo has sacrificed so much for the Soul Society, he doesn't like to talk about it, but he died twice for us"
"How did he!" Suì-Fēng starts to ask as Yoruichi said, "His Inner Hollow saved him!"
"Ulquiorra was the one that killed him the first time, he was hit at point blank range by a Gran Rey Cero"
"That was his First Death"
Both Kūkaku and Suì-Fēng looked at Yoruichi in stunned silence thinking the same thing, He went that far!
"He Went To Hell To Save His Sister Yuzu, He Even Died Their"
Suì-Fēng suddenly realizes what Yoruichi told her without telling her as she thinks, He cut the chains of hell, they are supposed to be unbreakable!
"He is waiting for you in the training yard!" Yoruichi told her bee
A man in his 30s with brown hair and blue eyes is waiting by the back exit to the training yard, he said, "A moment Captain"
"You should know, you're the first women he has shown interest in since the death of the first Lady Shiba"
Suì-Fēng was taken aback by the admission as the man said, "You may call me Marcus"
"Thank you, Marcus." Suì-Fēng said to the man.
"Suì-Fēng" Marcus called, "Nobility is not a birthright… It's a state of being, and mind!"
"Thank you, Hi-" Suì-Fēng started to say as she was silenced by Marcus who put a finger over her lips saying, "I'm here as a father, not the soul king, besides your practically family"
"Do you love Shouhei, Suì-Fēng"
30 minutes later as Marcus and Yoruichi enter squad 4 barracks they here Yuzu Grumbling about another trip to pick up formula.
Taking a seat Marcus asks, "What is this formula for"
"Well" Yuzu said, "In the human world, the one where I came from, if a new mother can't nurse her own child, we have baby formula!"
"Please explain nurse her own child" Marcus stated.
"A new mother, like Yoruichi produces milk in her breasts and the baby feeds" Yuzu said.
Marcus produced a Jigokuchō he whispers something to it and lets it fly. Moments later Kirio Hikifune appears saying, "Highness!"
Yuzu thinks, Highness, that means!
As Marcus goes to stand, he is bombarded with a hug, Kirio moves to defend her king when Marcus, softly said, "It's all right Kiro, she is just showing affection for a grandfather!"
Turning slightly crimson Yuzu said, "Thank you grandfather"
Turning to Kiro, and holding the now empty container Yuzu said, "Grandfather tells me you can make more of this"
Dipping a wet finger into the container Kirio Hikifune's face scrunches up in disgust at the taste of the powder itself, saying, "Shouldn't be too hard, and I can even improve the taste as a bonus"
Both Yuzu and Kirio Hikifune are deep in discussion as Marcus and Yoruichi leave as Yuzu thinks, Love you grandfather, in her mind Yuzu hears I Love you to Yuzu. Making the girl smile.
"Hikifune, I know your one of grandfathers bodyguards… Can you take me to visit him sometime!" Yuzu asked.
"He didn't tell you, shame on him!" Hikifune said, "As his descendent that information in imprinted in your, I think the humans call it D.N.A!"
Back at the 22nd Division 30 minutes later, Chief Warrant Officer Tsubasa sits in the training yard in a kneeling position with his head down as Suì-Fēng approaches Shouhei with the last thing said Marcus said on her mind "Do You Love Him."
"Why did he ask me that!" Suì-Fēng thinks as she steps out into the sunlight
"Suì-Fēng I kneel before you unarmed, if in order to save face you feel you need to strike me down, I will not resist" Shouhei told her, in her mind Suì-Fēng thinks, Is he asking me… to kill him!
Seconds stretched into agonizing minutes as Kūkaku watched Suì-Fēng walking over to her ancestor and is about to intercede when Yoruichi grabs her shoulder and said, "Wait, he knows what he is doing!"
The thought alone horrifies the Captain as she closed distance it was the longest walk of her life until she was standing right over him. She was awash with conflicting emotions as she stood over Shouhei with her Zanpakutō dawn high overhead ready to strike, yes, she was hurt, yes, she wanted to hurt him, but kill him.
Suì-Fēng could feel her heart and her head each at war with the other
She watched him as he knelt before her unmoving awaiting her judgment, awaiting death itself.
Is this what she wanted?
As a bead of sweat made its way down over Yoruichi's temple she thought to herself, For once in your life think with your heart Suì-Fēng!
"But!" Kūkaku said as Yoruichi said, "Just watch, he is speaking the only language Suì-Fēng will understand right now!"
Kūkaku watched as Suì-Fēng's Zanpakutō slipped from her hands to the ground. At first, she thought the Captain was about to strike. Her heart screaming "No"
Taking one last step Suì-Fēng falls to her knees with tears in her eyes as she embraces him, ! Her heart swelling with but one emotion "Love" for the man before her, she whispers, "Only if we die together!"
Suì-Fēng herself was visibly shaken unable to stop her hands from trembling as Shouhei slowly takes the Zanpakutō sheath from her and slides the Zanpakutō back in.
Feeling herself breath again and with her irritation started to grow Kūkaku said, "Will someone please explain what we just saw!"
"The ultimate gesture of trust between warriors' old friend!" Yoruichi said softly, "He exposed his neck to her, knowing she could kill him
"Suì-Fēng love, could you help me to my feet, my legs do not want to work just now." Suì-Fēng slowly unfolded his legs massaging them to increase the flow of spiritual energy.
"Glad I'm not the only shaken one" Suì-Fēng said leaning into his chest
They sat like that for 30 minutes then Shouhei re-positioned himself and lifted Suì-Fēng like a bride on her wedding day as the lady in question squealed in surprise. Then he Whispered, The next time I carry you like this you will be my wife!
Suì-Fēng's face went blanch white as she thought to herself, Did he just ask me…
"But how did he know she would not kill him!" Kūkaku asks
As Shouhei walks in cradling Suì-Fēng in his arms he said, "I didn't!"
Lifting her head from the crook of Shouhei shoulder and the look on her face said, You were prepared to die!
"Yes, love I was!" Shouhei told her, "Some Women are worth dying for"
As they made it back to his quarters a general announcement was made throughout the entire Soul Society itself.
By Order Of The Soul King A Special Session Has Been Called To Order In 30 Minutes Time All Members Of The Gotei 13 Are Expected To Attend