Usually within the walls Seireitei, a meeting of the Captains is a highly formal and distinguished event. However, it is also extremely rare for an urgent assemblage to be announced in the middle of the night; Commander Yamamoto has sent out the message that all division captains are to take their respective place in the meeting hall at once.
Shunsui Kyoraku, the flamboyant Captain of the Eighth Division, arrived to the meeting in his sleeping robes rather than his usual pink haori. He slugged to his position before instantly falling asleep.
The Tenth Division Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya, who at least managed to arrive with the right attires, kicked the snoozing captain beside him in the shin; if the meeting is urgent enough to be held at such time, something vital must be at stake.
"Better than Kenpachi I guess" Hitsugaya muttered silently to himself, eyeing the eleventh division captain, who is currently topless.
Kyoraku jerked awaked and looked around as if he didn't know why he was there. Then, rubbing his eyes leisurely, he turned to face the commander.
"What's up with this meeting eh, gramps?" He complained disapprovingly, "It's surprising that all the captains actually showed up, although…" He glanced at the vacant spot to Yamamoto's right, "It would seem that our second division captain decided to sleep in…how strange."
Yamamoto coughed loudly and tapped his cane vigorously on the floor, a gesture towards his current patience level.
"I have summoned the captains because we are faced with another dire situation." His ancient voice crackled through the hall like fire. "It would appear that we have once again been betrayed by one of our own."
The focus in the room visibly heightened.
"We have irrefutable evidence that Captain Soifon has killed members of her own regiment and has escaped to the human world." Yamamoto continued, his composure statue-like. "Until further notice, all captains are t…"
"P-Pardon my interruption, Commander!"
Everyone turned to face the ill, Thirteenth Division Captain Jushiro Ukitake, who has stepped out of his position. Ukitake took a deep breath before continuing.
"I believe it is highly unlikely for one such as Soifon-san to betray Soul Society. If anything, I don't think we should take initiative until further investag…"
"I never mentioned anything about taking initiative, Captain Ukitake." Yamamoto growled. To everyone's surprise, there was a touch of understanding in Yamamoto's tone. "Captain Soifon is a person who believes highly in order and law, so naturally, it is hard to accept the fact that one such as herself would turn against us."
"However," his voice hardening once more, "that does not change the fact that a captain has committed a serious crime, and criminals shall be punished accordingly. We will not hunt her down simply because the defense within our walls is weak after the defection of Aizen. We will need all our strength to counter his next move. For the time being, all captains are to inform their squad of the content of this meeting. Also, every individual is required to carry their Zanpakuto outside of compound, for safety measures. Dismissed!"
For a moment, nobody moved. The fluttering of an butterfly can be heard in the silence that followed.
Slowly, one by one, the captains of the Gotei Thirteen, or whats left of it, exited the room.
Ukitake and Kyoraku walked out of the hall together. Even though its already midnight, the innumerable stars in the sky illuminated their path.
"Well?" Ukitake started expectantly, "What do you think?
Kyoraku looked up curiously at the stars. "I think…" He began somberly, "that if Soifon really did betray us, we should carry our Zanpakuto... even while in bed, don't you think?"
Ukitake isn't amused
"Shunsui! This is serious! You know fully well that Soifon would never commit treason. She's the most loyal one out of all of us!"
"For sure…" Kyoraku trailed off, rubbing his eyes solemnly. Aizen, Gin, Tosen and now, Soifon...
"I have a bad feeling about this."
"Ichi-nee-san! Have you seen my pajama? I can't find it." Yuzu looked like she's about to wail.
Ichigo, with a box of first aid kit in his hands and a bulge under his shirt, stumbled into a stop to face his little sister.
"Err, sorry Yuzu, haven't seen it. Maybe the living room." Trying to avoid suspicion, he walked casually up the stairs before speeding off into his room.
Soifon is sitting on the edge of the bed, taking curious glances around Ichigo's room. Aside from the sheets of paper scattered on the wooden floor, the room is surprisingly simple and organized. She stopped when Ichigo entered.
"Here." Ichigo tossed Yuzu's pajama next to her. "I'll take a look at that cut on your shoulder. You can put your clothing in that basket over there later, it goes into the washer."
Soifon's lips thinned doubtfully. "You know how to treat wounds?"
"Not entirely, but I know the basics," Ichigo pulled out a piece of cloth and a bottle of alcohol from the bag. "My dad's the head of this clinic, so he's treating all kinds of people everyday; I picked up a few tips along the way."
He poured an abundant amount of the liquid into the white sheet.
"Anyway, you'll have to take that off," Ichigo stated flatly, mentioning towards her bloodied robe, "I have to disinfect the wounds before wrapping it up."
Soifon gave him a leveled look, but complied anyways. Gingerly, she peeled off her captain haori and tossed it into the washer basket, revealing a scarlet gash that trailed from her shoulder to her lower back.
Ichigo winced at the sight.
"So," he began, dabbing the cut gently with the fabric, "those three guys that attacked you, the ahh, Omniki…"
"Onmitsukido." Soifon corrected
"Right, those guys. You said you're their commander right?"
The captain nodded
"Well, how does that make any sense? Why were they after you?"
Soifon shifted a little so Ichigo can treat her lower back. "I…" She paused for a moment before continuing. "I guess you can say that I've been discharged from my position."
Her voice is void of any emotions. Ichigo continued dabbing her wound, waiting for an elaboration. When none came, he decided not to push the matter any further.
None of my business I guess.
Ichigo threw the bloodied cloth into the trashcan before attempting to bandage the cut. He worked soundlessly rest of the way, trying his best to cover up the wound without confining her movement. Satisfied with his work, he stood up and picked up the excess scraps on the floor and bed, depositing them into the trash bin.
Soifon examined his handicraft with a critical eye, swinging her arm back and forth to test out its efficiency. Satisfied, she favored Ichigo with a small smile.
"Thank you." She said curtly
"Uh-huh."
Ichigo dragged a chair from his desk towards the edge of the bed. He sat down facing Soifon.
"So" he started "what are you going to do now?"
"What do you mean?"
Ichigo scratched his hair sheepishly. "Well, for one thing, it doesn't look like you'll be heading back to Soul Society anytime soon. I mean, where are you going to stay?"
Soifon looked at him somewhat expectantly. "I would think, Kurosaki, that the answer to that question is obvious."
Ichigo stared at her in disbelief. She's got to be joking. He only just met her a few hours ago, yet there she is, requesting to stay as if its the must natural thing in the world.
"W-What? You can't just…I mean," He pointed a finger at her accusingly. "How can you even say that with a straight face? How do you think my family's going to react if they find a girl in my ro-"
"I won't be caught." Soifon stated simply. "I am the Second Division Captain after all."
Shes got a point there
"That's not point here! You can't just barge into someo-"
"Kurosaki."
Ichigo stopped talking at once; there was a hint of bitterness in her voice.
"Does… does my presence displease you that much?"
Ichigo nearly chocked; her sudden change in attitude was unexpected. He quickly looked away, hiding the faint blush that graced his cheeks. Whats up with her, getting all serious?
He coughed loudly before turning to face her.
"Err... its not you, its just that…" Ichigo racked his brain to find the right words. "I mean, you're a captain for crying out loud! I just didn't think its right for a captain to sleep in place like…like" He waved a hand frantically around his room to elaborate his point.
Soifon stared at him, bemused. That was probably the last answer she'd expected coming from him. It's flattering, in a way.
"Well, in that case." Soifon removed herself from Ichigo's bed and smiled. The guy is a lot more considerate than he looked. "I'll have you know that I'm not the pickiest captain out there. I don't really care where I sleep as long there's a bed."
Ichigo slumped in defeat.
"Your impossible." Ichigo muttered, shaking his head. He then pointed at his closet. "In there?"
Soifon walked over and slid the closet door open; inside is a lot roomier than she expected. Surprisingly, there are already several layers of mattresses placed inside.
"Oh, Rukia used to sleep in there, forgot to clean it up after she left." Ichigo explained
Soifon nodded in acceptance and gently stepped inside. "Good night, Kurosaki", and with that, she slid the door close.
Ichigo sighed. The day is turning from bad to worst.
How did it ended up like this?
Without changing his clothe, Ichigo closed the lights and climbed into his bed, letting the darkness wash over his sight. Then, hoping to god that he doesn't make any sound in his sleep, Ichigo closed his eyes.
Author Note
Thanks for reading and thanks for the reviews. Next update will probably take a little longer. Seeya(-_-)^