I'd liked to first take a brief moment to thank darkmachines and RG-Guest for their reviews/feedback. To address some of the points of the latter, I'll begin by saying that the only downside to Unohana marrying and having a child, is that she's been reduced to 'Retsu' or 'Lady Ukitake'.
And now, while it wasn't intentional (as I had always planned on him being a Holocaust survivor), the parallel you made between Crowley and Magneto is certainly something to think about. Secondly, considering your mention of the Matrix of Leadership, I take it that you've seen the 1986 Transformers movie (aka, the good one) right? Anyway, moving on, I hope that you're enjoying the dynamic between Szayel and Urahara as much as I am as I write it. I'm surprised you didn't comment on the "this is the first time you called me Kisuke" line.
Next, and perhaps of most interesting, are the comments you made about Orihime and Ulquiorra: While I find your comments interesting, I have tried to avoid an overt messianic allusion when it comes to depictions of good and evil or light and dark. That said, any allusions between the Virgin Marry and other female religious figures/goddesses are partly intentional, as I find her power of Negation to be downright godlike. And finally, while I've kept the nature of the Matrix of Knowledge is intentionally vague, will say that my thinking was that the scope of the matrix would be recorded history- ie, when people began to document history in a form of language/communication as we now know it.
Warning: This Chapter contains explicit (consensual) Sexual Content.
TO FORGE A
BETTER TOMORROW
Chapter LXI: "The Avatar"
The Living Realm, Karakura City...
2014, Early Spring Trimester...
Sitting down in his office, in the back of his shop, Urahara reclined back in his chair. He took a deep breath, then exhaled, before setting his striped hat on his desk and running his hands through his wavy light blonde hair. A moment passed, his eyes closed, before he moved to retrieve it.
He paused, the garment still in hand...
"You just might be in over your head, Kisuke..." He muttered to himself.
His head was already practically spinning from everything he'd gone though during his brief sojourn in the Soul Realm. Though, he suspected, these little 'trips' of his would soon become a regular occurrence for him in the days to come. And yet, the ex-Shinigami didn't have much time to process all of this, as soon after returning, he'd been further bombarded with yet even more news.
First, there was the fact that he'd been approached by Yoruichi and Tessai, who'd informed him of the disturbing nightmares/visions that Ichigo Kurosaki had been subjected to- the details of which had been garnered from the youth's own writings. Writings, that also described the teen's various dreamscapes- from darkened western mansions, to lavish green landscapes, and so on...
It was at this point that he planted the green and white striped hat upon his head, then folded his arms across his chest as he continued leaning back in his office chair.
"And now, our past mistakes are finally coming to bight us in the ass." He mused wearily.
And then, there was the other news he'd received, regarding Orihime Inoue. The first 'breadcrumbs' were provided by the young human woman's best friend, Tatsuki Arisawa. The sporty dark-haired girl has gone on to alert him to the fact that her friend had repeatedly experienced 'visions'- during which she had ultimately lost consciousness, to some degree.
Kisuke Urahara had received additional confirmation on this point from the young lady herself. When the Shopkeeper approached Orihime on the matter, she'd initially been reluctant to elaborate. However, Orihime had ultimately relented and gone into further details...
The fiery redhead had described to him a series of vivid imagery: from sudden and overwhelming flashes of a blue horizon before her as she flew through the air at inhuman speed, to her being engulfed in the golden light of the radiance of her own body, to her looking upon unfamiliar foreign faces as she stood in strange and exotic locals, to her 'wielding' light itself in her hands, and so on.
The first and most intense of these incidents, apparently, had been enough to end up causing her to loose consciousness, resulting in her collapsing in the kitchen of her own home!
And so, since learning of this unsettling development, the former Captain and Shopkeeper had made a point of attempting to get his head around the gravity of everything... And yet, there was another factor to consider in all of this: that in addition to the rush of imagery she had been subjected to, there was the fact that the young woman had... well, for lack of a better word, transformed.
By her own accounts, she had explained to him how- when confronted by these Brethren- Orihime had manifested a sort of 'armor' around herself- composed entirely of a golden light. And, as he had come to understand, it was this aura which she had used to drive off her would-be abductors.
But what really troubled him were the implications of these facts... More than ever, the scruffy-faced blonde was beginning to suspect that there was more to the young human woman- even more than her already formidable abilities of Negation. And that was saying something!
He also couldn't help but wonder just why the Brethren had taken an interest in the young woman. On one hand, Urahara could understand why they might view her as an 'asset' worth acquiring...
The young woman already possessed the downright god-like ability to undo the ravages of space and time, to seemingly defy the 'will' of the very universe itself. And yet, the former Shinigami was quickly beginning to realize that the staggering powers she'd displayed so far were nothing more than just a preview of what she was truly capable of in the days to come...
Rubbing his chin, he looked to the screen of his computer. "Kisuke, it would seem that I am rapidly becoming lost in the gigantic scope of events..." Urahara mused aloud to himself.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Soul Society, Division Twelve HQ...
Sitting back on the 'bed' within the examination room, Soifon turned her gaze upwards, giving a small sigh as she looked up at the fluorescent light fixtures in the ceiling above her.
"You know, Captain Grantz," the petite female Shinigami started. "It wasn't really necessary for you to come down here in person, just to carry out this examination." Soifon reasoned, as she turned her head to look over to Szayel, who was standing behind a bank of instruments.
The Arrancar in question looked up, smiling back cheerfully. "Oh, nonsense, Captain Soifon!" Szayel replied, fixing his fellow Captain with a wide grin. "The truth is, that I've been looking for an excuse to leave those stuffy archives and get back to my division- if only for a while." The bespectacled Espada explained to her. "In truth, it's more like you're doing me a favor."
Soifon nodded, relaxing once again. "Now then, Captain," Szayel resumed. "Tell me, how have you been feeling since the last time we spoke?" He inquired in his usual tone, that was somehow both edgy and amiable at the same time, hinting at the madness and danger behind the charisma and intellect.
"Better." She replied simply, before cringing at her own obtuseness. "Er, well... Recently, I think that in the last week and a half, the morning sickness hasn't been as bad."
He nodded, seemingly making note of this. This was only her second check-up, four weeks since she'd come to the Twelfth for her first monthly exam. Soifon had initially wondered why she wasn't going to the Fourth for this, but then soon figured that the highly technical equipment involved in monitoring the pregnancy was better suited the scientifically-minded members of the R&D Division.
"That's to be expected." The Espada replied, adjusting his glasses. "Given that you're now ten weeks into your term, in all likelihood, you can expect the nausea and other symptoms to progressively lessen over the course of the next four weeks or so." He offered reassuringly.
Again, she nodded, before blushing faintly. Since learning of the time frame of her conception, Soifon couldn't help but suspect that the actual moment when she would have gotten pregnant was very likely the resulting sex she'd had with Ggio after showing off that flashy set of lingerie...
The slender woman blushed at the thought, and she could only guess that something had just 'clicked' between the two of them, which lead to her current state.
"Tell me, is there anything else you're wondering about?" The Arrancar asked.
"Well, there are a few thing," the Shinigami Captain began, momentarily hesitating before going on to respond to the man. "I know that it's probably just a hormonal thing..." Soifon blushed. "My mood is so unpredictable: sometimes I want to cry, while other times... well, I'm more needy than I'd like."
"Captain," Szayel began, adjusting his 'glasses'. "Forgive me for being so bold... But I must say, you can no longer simply think of yourself as just 'The Captain', when you are also a woman and a mother." The Octavio continued. "Now, what of your other concerns?"
The slender woman hesitated. "When... will we be able to know the gender of the child?"
"A good question." He responded, lacing his fingers together. "Well, normally, the mother has to be about eighteen to twenty weeks along for the ultrasound to reveal the cub's gender." Szayel explained to the woman. "However, the gestation period for Hollows is faster."
"How much faster are we talking about?" Soifon inquired.
"Typically, six months." The Espada replied, adjusting his glasses. "However, as your cub is only half Hollow, it's likely that's we'll be able to tell the gender is as little as four weeks."
"Wait, so do we have any idea how long my pregnancy is going to be?" The dark-haired woman asked, before rising up on to her elbows as she addressed the scientific Arrancar.
"Given that your cub is a hybrid... It's likely that the pregnancy will last around seven and a half moths, and I imagine that you'll begin to start physically showing around five moths."
Soifon nodded, before she laid back down on the examination bed, quietly taking in everything that she'd learned over the course of this small scope of time...
"Now," Szayel resumed. "As everything seems to be in order, I'd like to-" he had begun to say, only to be cut off when the doors to the room were swung abruptly swung open!
"Soifon!" None other than Yoruichi Shihoin exclaimed happily. The two Captains were left to look on in shock and surprise as the dusky-skinned woman strode confidently into the exam room.
Soifon looked downright mortified by the sudden unannounced arrival of her former mentor, and the former Shinigami looked to be about to speak further, when Szayel cleared his throat.
"Lady Shihoin." He started pointedly, his tone firm but polite. "Please, I really must insist that you take more care in future- and keep in mind that you dealing with a pregnant woman." The Espada continued intently. "Especially, as surprising them is highly inadvisable."
Yoruichi appeared to give this some thought for a moment, then nodded. "Of course, of course!" She replied enthusiastically, the flashy woman's smile never leaving her face. "I just wanted to pay a much overdue visit to my dear former student- for some looong needed catching up."
"And besides," the noblewoman and shape-shifter continued, circling her arms around the shoulders of the smaller female. "After all, my cute little hornet's always been happy to see me in the past." Yoruichi went on, practically nuzzling her as she addressed the bespectacled Arrancar.
Meanwhile, the Captain of the Second Division and the Head of the Black-Ops was feeling decidedly 'trapped' at the moment, as she sat- caught in the embrace of the boisterous woman- as she. In the end, Soifon could only sigh to herself as Yoruichi went on about her as if she were her daughter!
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"The 'scope'." Urahara murmured, recalling his prior remark. "Is it even possible for a person to grasp the true scope of what's going on?" He mused with a wry chuckle. "And then, it can't be a coincidence that Orihime began experiencing these visions as everything else is playing out..."
"No, she's a... chess piece in this colossal game," the man went on thoughtfully, rubbing his chin as he pondered over recent events. "A vitally important one, but a piece none the less."
Perhaps, she was the 'Queen', he mused with a slight smile. At the same time as this, he couldn't help but think of how more traditionally-minded people might think of Shogi pieces. However, the scope of the young woman's powers far exceeded the abilities of any of the players in the Japanese game. No, the woman was more akin the omnipotent player piece of the western game.
His eyes went wide. "No, I should have considered it before now..."
"What kind of being has the power to alter the world around them at will?" The blonde-haired man thought silently to himself. "What kind of being is capable of defying the very flow of time itself, of changing fate, of remaking that which was previously lost?"
Urahara rose up from his chair, struck by the implications of this line of thinking. "Is it possible?" He commented in a trembling voice, trying to steady himself. "It is possible that she could actually be...?" The man trailed off, afraid to voice his thought out loud.
Turning away, he slammed his hands down upon a nearby desk. "After all, just how many countless prophesies speaking of higher beings returning to the world are there?" He mused aloud to himself in a detached, slightly eerie tone, his eyes focused on anything in particular.
"But that girl," Urahara continued. "Could she be some kind of... mortal vessel, an Avatar?"
"You're closer than you realize, Mr. Urahara."
As soon he heard the voice, he turned toward the direction it came from. "You?!"
"Hello." The Man in White replied with a smile.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
Soul Society Commons...
"No shit, you and Captain Soifon?" Renji exclaimed with a big smile. "Ggio, that's amazing news!"
"Congratulations," Arachne offered, a similar smile upon her face. "To both you and to your mate."
The tattooed male Shinigami nodded in agreement with his partner. With his hands wresting casually upon his hips, his broad shoulders were arched slightly upward. He wore a new bandanna-like garment folded and tied across his brow, the fabric decorated with intricate little patterns.
"How fare along is she with the cub?" Arachne inquired, moving the conversation along.
The female Arrancar's long raven hair was pulled into a ponytail in the back, and a dark purple scarf was draped around her neck. She was clad in a modified black robe, tied loosely around the waist by a dark purple sash, the gap in the front showing off both the pale valley of her cleavage and her Hollow Hole below her breasts. The lower half was slit high on either side, showing off her long legs- covered in dark purple leggings and black knee-high boots. Her curved Zanpakuto was tucked into the sash.
"About eight weeks." Ggio replied after a moment.
The Lieutenant of the Sixth Division and the dark-haired female Arrancar, along with their mutual friend- the former Fraccion Ggio Vega- were standing in a courtyard-like area. It was one of the many open-air commons grounds formed between the Divisions surrounding the central area- which itself was comprised of the First Division and the Gotei Council building.
"Again, congratulations- to both of you." Renji offered the cat-like Arrancar in a friendly tone, as he slapped a hand upon Ggio's shoulder in a congratulatory gesture. "I mean it, it's a nice change to finally have some good news after everything we've all been through."
The three of them exchanged smiled. "Thank you." Ggio replied, if a bit bashfully. "Though... to be honest, I imagine Soifon would have liked to keep this news under wraps for a little while longer."
"What do you mean?" Renji asked quizzically. "Is Captain Soifon not happy about this?"
The smaller Arrancar was quick to shake his head. "No, no, not at all!" Ggio replied insistently, as he looked between Renji and Arachne. "It's just, that certain people make that impossible."
"Of course." Renji replied after a moment, nodding, as an image of Yoruichi passed through his head.
"It's a long story." He offered when Arachne looked to him in confusion. "I'll explain later." Renji went on to add. "But anyway, never the less, this is still great news. Once the Captain is done with her check-up at the Twelfth, we should all go out this evening and celebrate."
"That sounds like a great idea!"
The trio turned to observe the approaching figure of Yoruichi- a blushing Soifon in-tow- smiling and waving at them as she headed their way. Renji simply shook his head, as Arachne gave a look of utter confusion, while Ggio felt his cheeks burn at the prospect of what was to come...
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"I sometimes wonder how the Captain ever managed to come as far as she has," Szayel remarked with a sly smile. "Considering who she had a mentor and former Superior Officer."
Nemu nodded at this. "Yoruichi Shihoin always had a rather domineering personality." The Lieutenant offered in her usual measured tone. "Thinking back on things, whenever Shihoin appeared, the Captain seemed to undergo a dramatic change in her behavior and personality."
Szayel chuckled, while running his hands down the curves of her body, before resting his head against her bosom. "Nemu my darling, you really are a rare gem." The Arrancar remarked softly, before casting his gaze up to meet her own. "What would I do without your insights?" He asked playfully.
She was seated on his lap, looking down, her green eyes meeting his golden ones. When he brought a hand up to caress her cheek, she sighed softly. The next moment, she was quietly watching as he undid the obi sash around her waist, removing it and opening up her short kimono.
The purple-haired woman leaned down to share a kiss with him. She moaned faintly into his mouth as she felt his tongue against her own. Then, Szayel drew back and brought his lips to her breasts, kissing at the pale flesh, before invariably capturing one of her pink nipples. Nemu sighed, her cheeks flushed a rosy color as she blushed in response to the stimulation. As he worked the one breast with his mouth, he brought a hand to tend to the other, teasing the flesh with his fingers.
Nemu ran her hands leisurely down his chest, looking into his eyes as she drew down the zipper of his uniform, revealing the sculpted lines of his torso. She noted that he seemed pleased with her boldness, as he scooped her up. His hands under her bottom, holding her against his chest, he carried her over to the bed. The female Shinigami gave a feminine gasp as he deposited her onto to the sheets.
He then removed her kimono. However, what he did next took her by surprise. "Szayel-sama?" Nemu inquired in response to him slipping a blindfold over her eyes. "What are you-"
"Shhh." He replied. "Don't worry, just think of this as an experiment." Szayel offered her, as the next thing she knew, he lifted up her arms and bound her wrists with something soft. "I think you'll find this experience to be rather enjoyable." The pink-haired Hollow reasoned.
Szayel sat up, removing his jacket as he took a moment to admire his 'handiwork': The tantalizing sight of the gorgeous woman on the black bed sheets, her wrists bound and eyes covered, her shapely breasts rising up and down as she waited expectantly for his next move. "When someone is unable to see, their other senses become more acute." He explained to her.
"Including their sense of touch." Szayel added in a low tone, his words punctuated by a gasp from her as he slowly ran his hands up along her thighs. He smiled, deciding to test things further as he crawled to the head of the bed, to her side. Nemu gasped, her back arching when she felt his breath on the shell of her ear, then trembled as she felt his fingertips upon her stomach.
Nemu heard the sheets rustling again, indicating he was moving. She let out a hissing sound when she felt what she recognized to be a fingertip, running up her inner thigh. Her blush darkened when she felt his fingers brush against the fabric of her underwear. Nemu knew he would be able to see how aroused she was by the obvious damp spot in the black fabric. Sure enough, Szayel must have noticed, because he stroked the tips of his fingers up the line of her sex, eliciting a moan from her.
Szayel gave a satisfied smile at her response. By now, the Espada could tell that she was feeling it, as evident by the growing telltale wet spot in her panties, which was now beginning to cling to the crease of her slit as he continued to stroke the lips of her sex through the black undergarment. He watched as she began to shiver involuntarily, toes curling and back stiffening...
...Moments before she was pushed over the edge, her body unable to do anything else as she climaxed, soaking her panties and fingers with her juices as she came. He slid the sullied garment off of her, then finished undressing himself, before sliding her legs apart and moving in between them.
Suddenly, Nemu let out a languid cry as her slick folds were parted, followed by the familiar sensation of his member entering her. She gave off a protracted moan as her partner proceeded to bury himself to the hilt within her tight passage. Thankfully, he didn't waist any time, as he felt his hands on her hips as he began slowly thrusting into her- rocking her body with each motion.
Szayel continued for a little while, thrusting into with slow deliberate strokes. Gradually, he began to increase the pace and intensity. With each movement, her body rocked in time with his, until Nemu was crying out in pleasure. It wasn't long until the Arrancar realized that he was nearing his limit, and by the look of it, so was his partner. He leaned in and kissed her, giving a few more hard long thrusts.
Then he buried himself inside of her, just as her inner walls clamped down around his length. Both of them went rigid as they climaxed. Szayel came inside of her, savoring the moment as she continued to spasm around him as she road out her orgasm. After a while, he pulled the blindfold off of her.
"So then," Szayel started casually. "How was the experience?"
She was still gasping for breath, and so was unable to answer at first. After a few moments, Nemu was able to think clearly enough to form a reply. "It was... very... stimulating."
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"Hello." The Man in White replied with a smile.
Urahara gave a look of visible annoyance at the sight of the mysterious visitor. "What happened to your usual flash of light, and what on earth are you doing here?"
Brushing a gloved hand through his blonde hair- which actually appeared to be slightly darker than he remembered it being- the man nodded. "Regarding your first question, I've begun to realize that people can sometimes find the 'light show' a bit unsettling." He answered.
"In regards to your second question," the 'visitor' continued. "As you might expect, the answer to that is a bit more complicated." The Man went on. "I have no doubt that Mr. Grantz will have spun quite a tale for you when it comes to our past exchanges..." He paused. "But as you yourself are beginning to realize, everything that's happening is part of a much large affair."
"But why now?" The former Shinigami asked. "Why appear before me now, of all times?"
"Because major threads will soon be converging." He replied. "You see, I was present at Miss Inoue's side when she lost conscious." The Man in White explained. "We both know she's a very special young lady, but what you're only just beginning to fully grasp is the extent of just how special she is."
"As I relayed to both Mr. Grantz and to Mr. Schiffer, I am not withholding information from you and the others for some self-serving reason." He continued evenly. "The truth is, if I could tell you more, I would, but the 'reality' of things is literally magnitudes beyond what you're capable of knowing."
Urahara covered his mouth momentarily, before meeting his gaze once more. "I... I'm afraid, I'm scared to even say it loud... to give voice to the conclusion I've reached." He went on say in an uncertain tone, all while he gripped his iconic green and white striped hat in his hand.
The man without a name nodded. "Truth can be frightening." He replied sympathetically. "It frightens me too, so much that there are times when I wish I didn't know the extent of everything that's happening."
"But Orihime... What is she?" The shopkeeper spoke. "I know that she's... becoming something more, something greater, she's..." He faltered, unable to give voice to the last bit.
"Orihime Inoue is the mortal manifestation of the power and the will of a greater consciousness, a force that humanity has come know as the Deva or Bodhisattva of Light and the Sun." The Man in White revealed to him. "Molizhitian or Molizhitian Pusa to some, but in your vernacular: she is, very simply put, the Avatar of Marishi." He went on to declare.
"My god..." Urahara uttered, running his hands through his dull blonde hair. "But why? Why tell me this?"
"Because you've experience existence in multiple realms," he replied. "And, because you're intelligent and open to new possibilities." The mysterious man continued. "Just as, most of all, your thinking is not hidebound by simplistic and pedestrian notions of truth and morality."
Silence passed between them, as everything continued to sink in. "Goodbye, for now, Mister Urahara." The Man in White went on to say. "Fear not, my friend, we will meet again- so, until that time, remain vigilant, and do try to keep a positive outlook on things."
And with that, he vanished!
"A positive outlook?'' Urahara staggered back, aghast, falling into his office chair. "Good lord... what now?" He asked himself out loud, putting his hat back on. "What do I do now, what can I do?" The shopkeeper rubbed his chin, before slumping back and looking up at the ceiling. "Well, I know what I can't do..."
"The last thing we need right now is me going and frightening people," he muttered. "Especially Orihime..."
With that, he got back to his feet, and left the room.
. . . ...o.o.o... . . .
"One thing I am curious about though, is how all you guys ended up becoming friends."
The group was seated at a booth, in the corner of a restaurant, which Yoruichi had recommended as a good place to eat. Renji and Arachne were sitting on one side, while the Shihoin noble- her arm around a still visibly embarrassed Soifon- and Ggio seated across from them.
"Well, I don't know if it's that interesting of a story..." Renji started, while Yoruichi flagged down one of the servers to place an order for another round of drinks (on her).
"We ran into each other at the same hot-springs resort." Arachne answered, smiling.
"Oh really now?" Yoruichi replied, arching a brow. "And just what were you all doing at such a place?" She asked, a lurid smile on her face as she took a drink from her cup.
"We were both there... on a special couples holiday." Renji answered, somewhat reluctantly, blushing faintly at the admission as he downed the contents of his cup.
"It was so much fun," Arachne chimed in. "When we weren't doing other things, I got to spend time with Lady Soifon, while Renji got to hang out with Fraccion Vega."
"Please, there's no need to be so formal..." Ggio insisted.
The Flash Goddess had given a knowing smile and nodded as soon as Arachne had uttered the words 'other things'. Renji couldn't help but note to himself how the female Arrancar beside him and the dark-skinned woman across the table seemed to be on the same wavelength.
"That's true." Ggio added with a smile. "Hanging out with Renji was nice." He added. "It was a good change of pace speaking with him, seeing as how he's in a similar situation to me."
"What do you mean?" Soifon asked, at last breaking her silence, just as the server returned to the table to deliver the drinks that Yoruichi had ordered earlier.
A bottle of sake and four cups for the others, along with a cup of hot tea for Soifon...
"You know," the cat-like Arrancar started, looking to her. "Miss Arachne is a Hollow, which means- like us- that he's in a mixed relationship." Ggio explained, taking a drink of sake.
"Oh." Soifon replied simply, while Renji gave a knowing look, before looking intently to her cup and taking a drink. "Well... now that you've actually pointed it out," the slender woman continued. "I guess that is something." She reasoned, for the benefit of those seated at the table.
"He brings up a good point." Yoruichi remarked, before she slid across the bench in order to drape an arm across Ggio's shoulder's, the Arrancar blushing while Soifon gave a startled look- swiftly followed by one of annoyance as her mentor continued. "Have you guys gotten any flack over that?"
"Nothing serious, really, just some grumbling here and there." The tattooed Shinigami admitted to the others after a momentary hesitation at the question.
"I haven't had any trouble." The raven-haired Arrancar replied. "Everyone's been perfectly nice to me."
"Of course they have." Renji scoffed, taking a drink. "That's because you're stunningly beautiful!"
This time, it was Arachne's turn to blush, her deep garnet eyes sparkling as she looked at her Shinigami partner seated beside her. At the same time as this, the crimson-haired Lieutenant silently noted that the female Captain sitting across the table was now clearly glaring at Yoruichi.
Arachne threw her arms around him affectionately. "I think I know of someone who's going to have a really good night tonight." She remarked in a particularly suggestive tone, kissing him on the cheek.
This earned a burst of laughter from the dusky-skinned woman, who seemed completely oblivious to the fact that the slender woman sitting next to her was now visibly staring daggers at her.
"No one's been rude to me." Ggio stated, doing his best to maintain his composure in spite of the fact that exotic-looking woman had draped herself around him, to say nothing of the fact that her exquisite bosom was resting casually against his shoulder and arm as she spoke.
"Well, again, there's a reason for that." Yoruichi remarked. "First off, no one's gonna lay a hand on the Second Division Captain's boy-toy." She declared with a smile. "People probably think you'd kill them for so much as giving Ggio a hard time... The men probably think she'd castrate 'em."
Renji actually spit out some of his drink at this, almost choking from laughter, all while the female Arrancar beside cackled similarly. As this was going on, Yoruichi was idly toying with a bit of Ggio's dark hair.
"What about you two," Yoruichi covertly asked. "Is Arachne on the pill?"
The woman in question smiled and nodded. "Renji insisted... And now, looking back, I can understand why he did." The female Arrancar continued. "Not that I'm against the idea of having Renji's cubs, but still, I get it." Arachne hastened to add. "After all, we have plenty of time."
"Smart thinking." Yoruichi replied, still seemingly oblivious to Soifon's withering gaze.
Just then, she turned back to Soifon, scooting over to her. "Relax, my little Hornet." The golden-eyed noblewoman murmured, leaning in close, tilting the other woman's chin up as she looked into her dark eyes with a lusty gaze. "If anyone should be jealous, it would be your cute little beau."
"Whaaah?" Soifon stammered, her face going bright red.
"I haven't forgotten the nights we used to share, 114 years ago." She spoke. "Honestly, if the stud over there hadn't stepped up to the plate, I'd have had half a mind to relive the old days with you."
"M- Mistress Soifon..." Soifon murmured softly, still blushing darkly.
Renji and Arachne watched as Ggio arched a brow at this. However, before the male Arrancar could have a chance to say something, the former Captain spoke up. "Relax, both of you."
Folding her hands behind her head, she continued. "Besides, I'm not the sort of woman who'd try to break up a happy couple- especially those who're expecting a kid."
Not missing a beat, Yoruichi looked off to the side. "Oh look, I think our food's coming."
The server arrived at their booth, setting down a platter of chicken skewers in the center of the table, followed by their individual meals: including Renji's bowl of beef noodles; Arachne's plate of pork and savory noodles; Ggio's tuna and sticky white rice; and Soifon's beef Gyūdon bowl and a side order of Gyōza dumplings (Yoruichi had insisted, saying she was "eating for two").
"Quick now, everyone, eat up while it's hot!" Yoruichi exclaimed with a broad grin, encouraging everyone to dig in. "And you, Soifon," the dark-skinned woman continued. "You make sure to eat up all of the Gyōza- after all, the garlic is good for you."
Ggio ginned as he watched his mate's former mentor make a fuss over her.
Renji smiled to himself as he picked up his chopsticks...
It really was these sort of moments that the Lieutenant lived for: enjoying good food and drinks in the company of his partner and his close friends. Renji smirked inwardly, thinking about just how unlikely it was that he could count among his friends the Captain of the Second Division.
All things considered, his life was pretty good!
(- End of Chapter LXI... -)