At last; an update! I know it's about time right (so sorry )! Well anyway, the wait has finally ended and you will now know why (or what) has been keeping Soifon so… busy. *enter evil laughter* Also, thank you so much for all of the wonderful reviews and favorite! Now without further ado, let's continue with SoG!

Chapter 3

The nightingales just began to yield to the larks when Soifon's mental alarm clock urged her to awaken. As a captain, her body automatically adjusted to waking up at the break of dawn to attend to her duties. This morning was no different; she needed to get to where she needed to be on time, in fact maybe a little early, to ensure that today goes smoothly. Cracking open an eye, Soi waited until her vision became clearer before attempting to move her sleep-numbed body. At last, once she regained full control of her existence, the captain willed herself to get up and prepare herself for the day ahead. Yet, she found herself immobilized. Soifon gave a soft groan before searching for the reason behind her current inability to move. The answer was literally right in her face as she slowly turned her head to get a look behind her.

Wrapped around her smaller form was none other than Yoruichi. Soi couldn't help but to quickly turn her head away, her face burning pink but a small smile was present on her lips. She should have known, since this is how she usually wakes up; a goddess spooning her with one tan arm tightly holding her smaller form to the Shihoin's own body and the other arm serving as the captain's pillow. As much as Soi didn't want to leave Yoruichi's loving hold, she couldn't help but think that this is going to be a long process.

Oh great…. Now I have to get out of her deadly embrace. Ugh I knew this would happen…

Carefully taking the tan goddess's arm, Soifon slowly tried to unwind her arm from around her waist. Of course, it was no easy task; the still asleep Yoruichi only tightened and strengthened her arm to have her holding her little bee to her, causing the captain to strain to escape her clutches. After a few minutes of patience and timing, Soi had successfully broken out of her lover's grasp without waking her up. She gave a sigh of relief before congratulating herself; even though Yoruichi was a heavy sleeper. However, she knew she needed to act fast and leave before the Shihoin has a chance to wake up. She quickly began to do her morning routine; shower, get dressed, brush her hair and teeth, and grabbing a glass of water before gathering everything she needed.

Opening her closet, Soi dragged a large sack that was filled to the brim with its contents. Pulling the fairly heavy sack out of the closet and bedroom and finally into the living room, the young captain dropped it near the front door before heaving a sigh. She was given the day off for the holiday as was every soul reaper in Soul Society. A few years ago, Soifon would have protested about the day off; but now she had plans to use each and every free hour she could get. Of course, she had originally planned to spend this Christmas with Yoruichi; their first Christmas together. However, there was a slight change in plans. Soi knew that this whole 'not spending Christmas with her' was really annoying and depressing for her goddess but this was for the best. Some things need to be sacrificed for the greater good and Soi had nothing but the best intensions. Besides, the young captain had no idea how Yoruichi would act if she found out the truth of her late nights, early mornings and the majority of holidays; therefore, the secrecy must maintain a steady fluctuation.

But Soi couldn't help the constant guilt that weighed down on her heart each and every time she had to leave the Shihoin. It pained her to see the face of her lover sadden and frown as she leaves her presence, but she had other things to attend to. Not everything revolved around Yoruichi Shihoin anymore (only 75% of her attention was allowed on her now) and her lover needed to understand that. Besides, Soifon rather enjoyed the time she spent away. Most of the time was a learning experience while other times she is the one who teaches. It was a mysterious time that would always keep her guessing and enticing her to return as quickly as possible. She needed to go.

Making her way back to the bedroom, Soifon was able to witness a very adorable scene, causing her to hold back a giggle. Yoruichi, who was still asleep, was running a hand over and around the spot her little bee once was. Unable to find her lover, the sleeping Shihoin groaned and began to somewhat frantically search for her missing lover. A frown made its way onto the goddess's face as she felt nothing but sheets and a comforter beside her. Finally ending her suffering, Soi walked closer to the queen sized bed and silently placed her pillow in the clutches of her distressed goddess. Yoruichi instantly pulled the pillow closer, snuggling it tightly to her own body. She breathed deeply in, presumably taking in the scent of her lover before sighing dreamily and settling back into a calm state of sleep with Soi's pillow in her grasp. The captain laughed and thanked her lucky stars that she was not in that pillow's state; Yoruichi was seriously hugging that pillow with quite a bit of strength…! Taking a chance, Soifon leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her goddess's cheek.

"I'm sorry that we can't spend our first Christmas morning together. But I-"

Yoruichi snored loudly, causing Soi to flinch and crouch on the floor in fear of being caught. Peaking over the edge of the bed, the captain confirmed that the tan woman was still slumbering.

"And…there goes the moment," Soifon stated to herself. She stood once again, placed one last kiss on the Shihoin's face and whispered a soft 'I love you' to her before slowly and silently exiting the room. Soifon reached the living room and entered the corridor that leads to the kitchen. Entering the kitchen, the captain took another sack and placed a bunch of cookware into it; pans and pot of varying sizes, silverware, and plates, Tupperware, other such equipment and a vast variety of ingredients. She hoisted the now full bag over her shoulder and carried it to the front door where she placed it next to the bigger sack. Unfortunately, the smaller sacks landing was not all that quiet. The pots and pans clattered on the ground, causing the captain cringe.

Smooth move, Soifon. Now she's definitely going to wake up!

After waiting a good few seconds, Soifon opened her eyes to see that she was still alone in the room. Soi was in disbelief.

No way… she's still asleep?! Geez a hollow attack wouldn't wake her up.

Collecting all of the spilt contents of the floor, Soi repacked the small sack before picking both of the sacks up, one in each hand. Then it hit her…crap. She couldn't open the door…

I'm such an idiot sometimes…

Carefully dropping the sacks again, Soifon opened the front door, which opened with a soft *click*. Before she knew what was happening, Soifon only heard a loud wind-like noise and a warm feeling behind her.

Crap…

"Thought I couldn't tell the difference between my little bee and a pillow? Nice try though."

Soifon turned to the familiar voice to find a fully dressed for the day Yoruichi with her arms crossed over her chest. The Shihoin had her brow raised as gazed at the smaller woman who looked up at her sheepishly. The older woman smirked and shook her head before bending over to pick up the larger sack and slung it over her shoulder.

"Wait, what are you-"

"I'm helping you take all of this," she gestured to the bag over her shoulder, "to wherever you're going. Also, I distinctly remember that you promised me last night to take me to wherever you are going. So…here I am."

"What?! I never agreed to-"

"Oh yes you did! Now let's get a move on," Yoruichi stated before stepping over the threshold.

"Lady Yoruichi, I really don't think this is a… good idea," Soifon reasoned but to no avail. Yoruichi paused in the doorway. The silence that the atmosphere adopted was heavy and Soifon felt a feeling of dread enter her thoughts. Yoruichi turns toward her, her shoulders back and posture straight and proper. Slowly, but surely, a smirk found its way on her lips which made a harsh shiver travel up Soifon's spine.

Yoruichi steps toward the smaller woman before seizing her into a loving embrace, shocking the captain. What the heck?

"Merry Christmas, my little bee. Hopeful this day will be a good one, eh?" the Shihoin said confidently. She places an affectionate kiss on the top of her lover's head before withdrawing from the embrace, but still having her arm wrapped around the younger woman's waist. She leans forward slowly. Soifon catches on to Yoruichi's action and tilts her head up to meet her lips. Their lips met in an exhilarating embrace that left both women breathless. The kiss lasted a couple of seconds but it felt like a millennium for the two shunpo masters. Pulling away, they looked into each other's eyes; gold clashing with silver. Both were smiling and their eyes glinted with romance.

"Y-yeah, I hope so too."

"Good."

And with that, Soifon picked up the smaller sack filled with kitchen utensils with a sigh. Yoruichi gestured for the younger woman to go ahead of her with a jerk of her head. Soi nodded slowly before inching past Yoruichi and exiting the house. Yoruichi laughed at her little bee's behavior and shut the door behind them.

Today will be an eventful day.

….

The duo had decided to walk to their destination…wherever that may be. All Yoruichi knows is that they were walking through a snow-covered forest. Everything looked the same to her so she trusted Soifon to show her the way and not get them lost. Yoruichi had tried multiple times to get some indication of to where they were going but to no avail. Soi would always change the subject or flat out decline answering the question. However the Shihoin heiress just brushed it off and decided to ask other question; she has to find some way to pass the time, right?

"So, how much longer until we're there?"

"Not much longer" Soi responded, not taking her eyes off her current direction.

"What's in this bag?" Yoruichi inquired, hefting the giant bag higher in her shoulder. This action caused Soifon to turn to her with a baffled face.

"Don't do that! I don't want anything to break!"

"Oh, so they're things that are important?"

"Yes! Just please be careful," Soi sighed, calming down a bit before turning back to face the direction they were heading in.

Yoruichi only chuckled at her but she couldn't help but to stare at her little bee. There was no possible way that Soifon realizes how much she actually loves her. The Shihoin heiress has never been happier as she has these past three months and she considers herself fortunate to have her. This is why Yoruichi is completely perplexed since Soi believes that she shouldn't be with her because they are of different noble statures and that the she isn't good enough. Ha, if anything, Yoruichi is undeserving of Soifon. There is no doubt that the captain was definitely a better person than the former commander. Many would say that Yoruichi was the better person and that's just because she is friendlier, older, and more experienced. However, Soi had many qualities that the older woman did not grasp.

Upholding a promise being one of them, Yoruichi thought to herself.

Which led to another point; here they were walking to who- knows-where and for what? For Yoruichi to see what or who the hell her little was doing when not with her. Soi didn't even promise to take her; Yoruichi had to trick her into bring her. Soi was keeping a promise she didn't even make! The feeling of selfishness rose in the older woman's consciousness as she began to think about the past. Over a hundred years ago, the Goddess of Flash broke and changed the life of a very specific person and the bad thing was that she sincerely had no idea exactly how much of an impact she had made on her protégé. But later, she realized a very potent thought that constantly lingered in her subconscious; she hadn't fathomed the massive impact her little bee had made on her. Grief and longing had affected her every time her little bee crossed her mind. However, she couldn't help but feel a vast amount of pride once news about her protégé is moving up in the rank of the stealth force and squad two even though it is accompanied by regret and sorrow; she wasn't there to see her shine and grow. She wasn't there to see Soi prosper or witness the joy and relief she had when she first achieved bankai. She wasn't there stop her whenever Soi was over-exerting herself with training or carry her home and get her medical attention when she passed out from exhaustion. She wasn't there to cuddle her and calm her when she cried herself to sleep or to help her when she began to fall into depression and cutting off all interaction with people. And all of that was just the surface of the cold surface that was Soifon. After her return, Yoruichi realized after her interesting encounter with Unohana one crucial awareness;

It's all my fault… My little bee, please don't leave me. You cannot comprehend how much I hold you dear. I'll show you how much I love you but I wouldn't be able to bear you leaving me. I promise, I'll do anything to make you happy so please…don't leave me.

Yoruichi sighed heavily, shaking her head as she thought to herself. Noticing the action, a concern look adorned the captain face as she looked to her oblivious lover. She looked at the neutral demeanor on the goddess's face as they trudge through the snowy forest in silence.

"Lady Yoruichi, I'm sorry I am putting you through this… I can tell that this is making you unhappy and I understa-"

"What is it exactly that you are putting me through, Soi?"

"This. Right now, we are supposed to be back home, celebrating our first Christmas together. But here we are; in the middle of some forest carrying giant sacks and with all honesty, I have no idea why you are here," Soi explained, trying to understand why the Shihoin was trudging through the cold snow and carrying a very heavy bag while she could be relaxing at home and sitting by the fireplace or visiting friends. She continued to walk as she looked at her lover, expecting some kind of reasoning.

"Why wouldn't I be here? For one I'm helping you carry these bags to Kami knows where and secondly, like you said it's our first Christmas together and I want to spend it with you, no matter what we are doing," Yoruichi paused looking at the young captain before continuing, "Besides, I am very curious about where you are going every time you leave my side."

"Well I guess you aren't leaving then; I just hope you are going to be alright after you find out," Soi muttered, looking down at her feet as they landed so lightly on the snow that they didn't sink into the white powder.

"Would there be… a-a reason why I would be mad about where we are going?" Yoruichi inquired, seeing if Soi would confess to her suspicions.

"W-well I'm just… concerned about how you are going to react is all."

"Hey, if everything is peachy, then I'll be fine; but if I have to kick someone to kingdom come then I will not hesitate to do so," the older woman explained with a dark tone. Soifon was aware of Yoruichi's harden stare, the frown on her brow and the determined look in those golden irises; concern grew on the captain's face as she picked up the pace. Maybe it's best to get this day over with as soon as possible.

"Come on," Soifon called softly, "let's shunpo there; we'll be there soon."

…

Twenty minutes of shunpo allowed the two women to arrive at their destination; a small cottage in the center of a round valley in the middle of a seemingly never ending forest. Yoruichi distinctly remembers this place from the previous night when she was… spy- no… "checking up" on what Soifon was doing. They walked straight up to the house and Yoruichi realized how out of shape this cottage really was. It was small, definitely; but the physical aspects of it were in poor condition. There were crack in the exterior walls and the chimney was collapsing in on itself. The door seemed to be but a giant piece of wood with a with no lock mechanism. The roof itself seemed to be made out of giant stacks of hay and sticks. But the place tried it's very best to seem cozy. The smoke in coming out of the crumbling chimney gave it a homey feel while the vines coming up the southern wall made the cottage look somewhat spectacular. However, the main thing that caught Yoruichi's eye was the abundance of flowers that are covered in snow while some are left untouched. This set off alarms in the goddess's head, doesn't everyone know that you cannot really plant things in the winter; they'll die?! But she had to say, if all of the snow wasn't freezing the plants to death, they would have made the house look a lot cuter. Maybe she'll stop by later in the spring or-

…Wait a minute!

Yeah Yoruichi, you're going to come back to this woman stealer's house to see the flowers; are you an idiot! Speaking of idiots, it really does feel terrible that Soi's cheating on me with a seemingly extremely low class person; or jut extremely poor….

Snapping out of her thoughts, Yoruichi noticed that Soi climbed the rickety three steps to reach the porch of the cottage, the steps creaking with each step. The floorboards groaned in protest as the captain set down her bag filled with kitchenware and ingredients before hopping off the porch and signaling for Yoruichi to do the same. The Shihoin followed suit; setting down her ginormous bag of who knows what and followed Soi to the back of the house. The two women silently made their way a good thousand feet away from the house before they came to the edge of the forest where Soifon just stood and looked at. Yoruichi awkwardly stood behind her lover, wondering what the hell they were doing.

"Soi, wha-"

"Shh! You have to be quiet!" Soi reasoned in a hushed voice, not taking her eyes off the woods surrounding them. Yoruichi gave her an apologetic look before scanning the forest. Literally, all she could see was white, trees, bushes, white, white, white, trees, white, white, more white and red- wait what!? Yoruichi tried to find the red color again but it completely disappeared!

Where did it go? I swear I saw something…

Soi's head snapped toward the direction were she too saw must have seen some form of movement of red. Yoruichi watched as a smirk curled on her lover's lips before she called out, "Nice try but I saw you!"

A sharp 'snap!' came from their right; the opposite direction in which they saw the first presence. The duo looked to that direction, seeing nothing but Yoruichi caught a figure from the corner of her eye. She turned to see only nothing.

What is going on?!

"Soi are you-"

"Sh! Lady Yoruichi be quiet!" Soi whispered before yelling, "Come on! Are you gonna come out?"

Yoruichi took Soi's advice and piped down before scanning the surrounding area. It was actually quite frightening; every few seconds, she saw movement and various colors but each and every time she turns her head or body to get a glimpse of whatever was stalking them, it was gone. The Shihoin couldn't wrap her mind around the situation. She looked over at Soi who was smiling while she examined the snow-covered forest. What was this some kind of game? Why is she so happy?

What the hell…

Out of nowhere, a cacophony a battle cries rang out in the silence of a peaceful snowy morning, causing nearby flocks of birds to fly away. Then Yoruichi watched as the assailants tackled her lover to the snowy ground. The older woman went into attack mode; what was this and who was attacking her little bee? She was about to pounce and attack but noticed the squeals of joy and laughs coming from the… dog pile? Yoruichi paused,

How many are there..? One…three… five…eight!?

The next thing she noticed was that they varied in sizes… ages actually. They were all hugging and talking excitedly with the grinning captain as the younger woman greeted each one with bear hugs and 'Merry Christmas's'.

Wait they're… CHILDREN?

Yoruichi stared on at the would be fluffy scene as each child tried to get the captain's attention, telling her about what had happened since the time they last saw her. Eventually, after a good minute of conversations and hugs, Soifon finally noticed the confused Yoruichi standing three feet away. Soifon got up and cleared her voice gaining the group of children's attention.

"Everyone, I'd like to introduce my girlfriend Lady Yoruichi Shihoin. Lady Yoruichi these are the children that I like to dedicate my time away from you to; Haruka, Mio, Habiki, Hotaru, Mizuki, Ryuu, Tsubaki, and little Ran."

All of the children (except for the baby, Ran, who was carried by Haruka) lied on in a straight line before smiling and greeting her with an altogether "Hi!"

"Oh uh… hi!"

And that's it for that chapter! I tried to make it a tad longer than the rest to make up for my laziness (so sorry again. I think I surprised you huh? And no the children are of no relation to Soifon. The children aren't even related to each other (hint: they're orphans). So that's alittle insight for the next chapter. So until then Bye, Thanks for reading!

-Huntress