Hundred Year Rumors

She hated it, and often yelled at those who spoke it. Soi Fon really hated those rumors. She idolized Yoruichi, and they bitterly whispered about her behind her back. It was wrong, and ever since she had practically become Yoruichi's apprentice, she hated them all the more. Whenever she was with her, she was too awe or preoccupied to pay mind to them, or bring it up. Not that she really should anyway. An affair that had happened with a captain years ago probably wasn't one of the best topics.

Urahara's banishment had happened before Soi Fon had ever spoken to Yoruichi, and with what she knew of her now, it didn't seem to have that great of an affect on her. She was happy, a little carefree and not very bent up on the rules, or formalities. Soi Fon had trouble with that sometimes, not speaking to her formally actually meant carefully planning on what to say. Yoruichi often laughed when she murmured apologies from the floor as she bowed in front of her.

Yoruichi definitely wasn't affected. The more she thought on it, the more she dismissed them as rumors. And the more she dismissed the rumors, the more she wondered why they had been started. Her befuddled thoughts demanded answers, and she had to know. But she had no one but Yoruichi to ask.

Will that really be the right thing to do? They are rumors, but they had to start somewhere.

She cautiously headed down the hall. Yoruichi had told her never to hesitate if she ever cared to visit her away from 'work', but she had never before taken her up on that offer. That actually wasn't the only thing making her nervous. Yoruichi was normally out at this time, disappearing off somewhere. No one ever asked.

Feeling shaky, Soi Fon paused in front of the door, before she opened her mouth she heard Yoruichi tell her to enter.

Of course she can tell I'm here.

Shaking her head to make the uneasy feeling go away, she looked up at the much taller form of Yoruichi. She was smiling.

"Yes?"

How was she supposed to ask? Deciding being forward was the best, she bowed.

"Sorry to bother you, Y-Yoruichi-sama."

"What is it Soi Fon?"

She bit her cheeks before continuing. "Are the rumors true?"

Yoruichi's gold eyes were fixed on her, her smile gone. Soi Fon couldn't look away, she had asked. She didn't know how long they stared at each other, but when Yoruichi turned away and Soi Fon dared to move, she felt stiff.

"Most of them aren't."

Soi Fon didn't wait to see if she said anymore, and quickly dashed out of the room.

Yoruichi turned, only to see the disappearing form of Soi Fon. It really was time to go. Seven years… She shook her head. She was not going to go to the living world! At least, not yet.

Not yet Kisuke.

--

Two weeks. It had been two weeks. Soi Fon was running, sometimes she hated being short. This had noting to do with her questions. Several days before she asked, things had been strange. Well, only strange to her. She sped past people, ignoring their startled cries as she ran through them. Was it even that different? If anything, she had just decided to be at home for a while. She was back to nothing, and hoping that it wasn't true. She pulled the door open, panting.

Empty. She fell to her knees, she was really gone. Soi Fon was going to cry.

Why had Yoruichi-sama left?!

--

- I really enjoyed doing Soi Fon's take.. getting away from Yoruichi's angst!