Chapter Three

Shihouin Satoshi was a man who without a doubt loved his daughter. Many said she favored him but in all actuallity he saw late wife in her. She was just like her mother and she was the last gift his wife had given him. Like any child she tried his nerves, prodded at her boundaries, and tip toed any line she could without out right breaking the rules. However, regardless of whatever nonsense she would find herself entangled in she would always remain daddy's little girl. When his daughter had left Sereitei he hadn't known what to think. At first he told himself to believe that she had been kidnapped but he knew that was impossible because there wasn't a soul, dead or alive, that could kidnap Yoruichi. If there were any attempts there would corpses of her attackers like a trail of breadcrumbs. Since there weren't any he had an inkling of who could have made his daughter leave of her own free will...Urahara Kisuke. He had never been fond of the scientist as a boy but he was one of the few people that Yoruichi cared for as a friend so to keep his daughter happy he tolerated the friendship with a closed mouth. He prayed to whoever was listening that his daughter hadn't decided to elope with the man under the circumstances.

There were many scenarios that ran rampant in Satoshi's mind but none of them made much sense, especially when he weighed the fact that she left her bodyguard behind. The Feng family could be loyal to a fault, from the first Feng to Sui-Feng they were fiercely protective of their charges. The young girl was no different but if one watched it wasn't hard to tell that she held more than a deep care or admiration for his daughter. After Yoruichi had come home talking about the girl a fascination for her grew and he watched her progress as well for 7 years until Yoruichi brought the girl intto her personal guard. They grew close and became inseparable. When Yoruichi left he watched her descent into madness and depression. He could honestly say he was worried about her well-being. Thankfully she received help from a captain in the Gotei 13 and from there she made a mind blowing transformation. While her improvement was made solely with the mind of killing his daughter it seemed she was trying to prove something to the ghost that still haunted her mind. The Onmitsukido which had been days away from being back under Satoshi's power was given to her after Yamamoto Genryuusai had a talk with him about the girl. The proposition was to let Sui-Feng command the police force under the Captain-Commanders watchful eye. Satoshi quickly agreed for he had no want to leave retirement for the headache that the Onmistukido was. After the offer of giving her the chance to run the prestigious division he was curious as to what she would do. In less than a year not only had she won the men over she had restructured the entire division to where the 2nd division and the Onmitstukido were one well oiled machine. He couldn't have done better if he had tried. So instead of giving her any flak about being the head of a division that was usually only meant for one with Shihouin blood he let her take the reins. Many of the elders still grumbled about his decision to this day but grumbling was all they could do. He argued that the Ops Force was still under Shihouin rule because the Feng family were still servants to the Shihouin.

"Surely you knew that you would have to begin courting to find a husband to carry on the family line?" Satoshi sighed.

"This soon?" Yoruichi growled, " I have barely been exonerated for an hour and you're already trying to bid me off like some prized cow?"

"It wounds me that you think so little of me" Satoshi said in mock hurt. " I would have waited but, it seems there are other factors in the works. I have given some time so you have at least year and a time."

"What do you mean other factors?" Yoruichi asked eyeing him.

" I am not liberty to say. However you are to meet with all of the other clan heads two months from now at the entrance of Kirinji Tenjiro's City" Satoshi explained gauging the reaction of the two in front of him.

The silence in the room was suffocating. Surprise and confusion were the prominent emotion on both Yoruichi and Sui-Feng's faces. Sui-Feng was looking at Yoruichi for answers. Why would she be going to Tenjiro's City? That was the headquarters of the Royal Guards. No one ever went there, let alone was summoned. It didn't sit well for Sui-Feng at all. Yoruichi was just as lost as her former protege. She had never heard of anyone in Sereitei being called to Tenjiro's City unless a new Royal Guard member was being chosen but she knew that they would never pick her because nobles were forbidden from being chosen.

"Why? I've never heard of you going there." Yoruichi inquired. Satoshi sighed and looked out the window to his left. It seemed like he was weighing his response.

"You're correct, I have never been there myself but your great great great grandfather has. He handled what he had to for the good of Sereitei and I pray you will do the same." His tone was worrisome but if Yoruichi noticed she chose not to comment on it. It was unsettling to see her father this way.

"Excuse me Shihouin-Dono but while this is very unsettling news there was something you wanted to discuss with me." Sui-Feng stated observing Satoshi's conduct. He didn't give much besides the fact that the present conversation was a bit of a burden to him.

"Indeed. I trust that you and Yoruichi have resolved your spat?" Sui-Feng had to pull on every bit of training she had not to turn red as a beet. What did he mean by spat? did he know what they had been doing just moments before he walked in? Satoshi smiled as he watched her curious reaction. Sui-Feng noticed where Yoruichi got her misvhievious smile from. His wasn't as cheeky as his daughter's but it had a definitely devious in nature like he knew something she didn't.

" Hai, we have father." Yoruichi answered for Sui-Feng buying her some time to recover. This only seemed to make Satoshi smile more.

"Still answering for her it seems...curious," He said slowly. " I need Yoruichi under your protection again. With upcoming events there are sure to be those that will try and stop future events and you are the only person I trust to keep her safe."

Sui-Feng bowed at the praise. Hearing those words from him honored her. "Of course, I will protect her with my life."

" I know Shaolin. That's why I'm adding onto the Feng families estate. Your families service to mine has been one that had bordered on friendship for generations. I plan to make sure it stays that way. However I hope that you will take my offer to take board down the hall from Yoruichi to stay as close as possible. I also understand that since you both have your responsibilities as Captains that you cannot be by her side at certain times. If you could choose your best men and have them watch her during the day-"

"No." Yoruichi snapped. " I don't need more guards I can take care of myself."

"It's not up for discussion." He raised a hand when it looked like Yoruichi was going to interrupt him again, "I know that you are capable of handling yourself but there are people that will want to dead and I'll be damned if I let your pride and my ignorance lead you to your death. You will have a guard or I will put you down myself."

His tone left no room for argument and he effectively stunned Yoruichi into silence. Her father had never spoken to her that way.

"Your best men will guard her by day and you by night. Is there anything that hasn't been covered?" Satoshi said obviously upset at having to talk to his daughter as he had.

"No Shihouin-dono, I understand. The Feng family thanks you for your gracious rewards and praise. I will move my things after my shift." Sui-Feng answered bowing once again. Satoshi nodded and turned to leave. Stopping in the doorway he turned to look at Yoruichi,"I'm sorry my daughter but you must understand that your survival is more than just about our family lineage. You will understand soon." Having said that he left leaving a frowning Yoruichi behind.

"Well that was weird right Bee?" Yoruichi turned to look at her guard only see that she was only in Sui-Feng's office. 'Ara,' she thought, 'where did she go?'

A ominous inhuman screech reverberated through the darkness. It was followed by the snarls and growls of countless creatures sliding over, under, and through each other viciously. The sound of snapping teeth was followed by more snarls as once again the screech was heard louder than the last. The darkness covered everything like a blanket making it impossible for one without training ones eyes to see through it. This suffocating darkness hid the monster standing in the middle of the horde of creatures. The seemingly humanoid creature was tall, barrel chested and toned. However if one were to look at him closely his eyes were blood red like a hollows but had white star like shapes for pupils. He opened his mouth again to let out another long winded screech. The snarling around him stopped as the creatures began to writhe as if they were in pain. The sickening sound of snapping bones and muscles filled the air as the creatures turned into a humanoid form. Those that were unfortunate enough to turn faster than the others were immediately attacked by the slower ones and shredded as they were devoured.

When they had finished changing they looked in the center of their camp as they waited for their master to change. The grunts as he changed were laborous but soon ended as they looked at the master's long dark hair and now normal eyes. the iris was now blood red but the pupil had turned cat like and black. He looked around at now humanoid creatures surrounding him some were covered in blood from devouring their brothers others had malicious glee in their eyes. It had been so long since they had been in human form

"The girl has returned. With her lies our revenge, in her lies our power, in her death we are redeemed from this shame!" His heavy voice growled out hatefully. "For eons we have been trapped here thanks to my bastard brother. Now we can take revenge for what happened all those years ago! I will take my place as the rightful ruler! I will be King! I will drink the blood redemption out of the Shihouin's skulls and build my throne with their bones! I will overtake Soul Society and I will make the Soul King beg me to kill him when I am finished! Are you ready to begin?"

The ungodly sound of his men hissing their approval filled the air and slowly a chant began:

"Osamu!"

"Osamu!

"OSAMU!"

Sui-Feng sat among her favorite cherry blossoms thinking about the recent events. Many things did not sit well with her the first being that Satoshi seemed sure that someone wanted Yoruichi dead. Besides the normal politics that nobles went through Sui-Feng didn't understand who could be such a danger to Yoruichi. He hadn't given her much to go on either. There was nothing Sui-Feng hated more than being in the dark about an enemy. How could she protect her Goddess from a threat she knew nothing about? An assassin did their homework about their enemy and studied them for weaknesses and anything else they could use to their advantage. They learned to think like the enemy so they would know what the target was thinking before they thought it. They kept the mission at the forefocus of their mind and locked away all weakness.

The 2nd division captain sighed heavily and watched as a lazy cherry blossom floated away on the current she had given it. She couldn't believe that she had almost taken Yoruichi. If they hadn't been interrupted sh was sure that she would have dishonored both of their families. The way it felt inbetween Yoruichi's legs made her feel powerful. It was as if Yoruichi had wrapped herself around life line, as if she never wanted Sui-Feng to leave from between them ever again. The raw need felt was something that Sui-Feng had never imagined. Yoruichi had submitted to her willingly and even let her take control.

'I wonder if she let Urahara do the same?' She frowned. The two did seem awfully close but Sui wouldn't go jumping to conclusions. It didn't matter if she had let him anyway. She was going to be married so any ridiculous thought she had any with her goddess was now laughable. Her family had just been awarded more status and were powerful than they had ever been thanks to her hard work. Her grandmother was proud of her and that gave Sui-Feng great joy because while her family had taken a huge blow in the past with parents and brothers dying long ago she had stayed strong and brought the family honor. Her grandfather had been proud of her when she had become Commander right before he died of old age. Sui-Feng felt that she must uphold the honor that she had restored and make sure not to ruin because she couldn't keep her emotions in check.

In a way it was a good thing that Yoruichi was to be married. It would make it easier for her to make the seperation and do her job the best of her ability. After all, Yoruichi's safety was her priority and if something happened to her she would never forgive herself.

The sun began its descent below the horizon signaling the day was coming to an end. Yoruichi was in the Real World on top of Kisuke's shop watching the sun set. She had decided to give Sui-Feng some space understanding that the woman needed to think. She had dropped a bombshell on Sui-Feng and the heavy make out session hadn't been how Yoruichi had wanted to reveal her feelings. Everything had happened so fast that she just reacted. She wanted Sui-Feng so bad after her return but felt that until all the conflict had been resolved she needed to wait. It had been elating to be able to work with Sui-Feng and it made her feel like she had a chance to fix things. She would never regret that moment. The feeling of the lips she had craved for so long on her and responding with as much need that she felt had made the floodgates open. She wanted to give herself to Sui-Feng. Why had her father interrupted them? And with such horrible news.

Yoruichi sucked her teeth at the memory of her impending marriage to someone she would never love. If only Sui-Feng had been born male. She would have immediately proposed that they be married. Her father more than likely agreed with the decision since the Feng clan had been so close with hers. They had given so much in service to her family. Unfortunately Sui was not a man. So she would more than likely be paired with some chauvanit idiot who was only interested in her title and her body. Sui-Feng knew her better than anyone besides Kiskue and her father. However she never relaxed around anyone else like she did Sui-Feng. She wasn't sure when she fell in love with the woman but the feeling of loneliness and regret she felt when she left had been excruciating. She promised herself that she would never leave Sui-Feng's side again. She needed her. There was no way she could get out of marriage but she knew that she wanted to give herself to Sui-Feng before anyone has was able to touch her.

"Yoruichi-san" Kisuke's voice called out from down below. "Tessai has prepare your favorite dish to celebrate your reinstatement. Come on down."

Yoruichi smiled. A good time would give her a chance to rest her troubled thoughts. "On my way." she called out and jumped landing gracefully before going inside.

So there you have it another chapter. I'm going to try and upload another one at the end of every week seeing as I need to make sure I manage my time between this and school. Thank you for all the wonderful reviews they are the fuel that will keep this story going. Just a few things I want to talk about: Satoshi will be different than most of the depictions most authors write about Yoruichi's father. He will also help this story develop because of the background he has. I hope you all like the change of pace. Sui-Feng will be tested next chapter as she goes to visit her grandmother and manage the renovations at her compound. I would like to give more history about the Feng family thus making Sui-Feng stronger. Also what will Yoruichi find out from her father when she to talk to him? Tune in next week for another chapter of Only Ever Yours!

Heaven's Inquiry