Whispers followed Soifon as she walked along the corridor. They had started last week, when Isane had opened her big mouth and told her sister, Kiyone, who had an even bigger mouth, apparently now the entire school was under the impression that she was having a torrid affair with either a rich college kid or a wealthy business man – depending on who you asked. Thankfully no one seemed to be thinking that she might actually be seeing a woman. The rumors were bad enough as it was, adding her sexuality to the mix would just be throwing gas onto an already blazing inferno.
She gripped the strap of her messenger bag tightly in one hand, the only sign that she was actually bothered by the constant whispers. She was making a point to not show that she was annoyed by what people were saying, and that it didn't bother her. For the most part it didn't bother her, the only ones that hurt were that people she had known for years, people who were supposed to be her friends were also helping spread these rumors.
It didn't matter to her that there was truth to the rumors. As far as she was concerned, her so-called friends shouldn't be helping spread them.
"Fon!"
Soifon groaned at the sound of Byakuya's voice coming from behind. She stopped and looked back over her shoulder; he was walking up to her, his face expressionless. He was getting really good at that lately, it was slightly disconcerting.
"What do you want, Kuchiki?"
He pulled a text book from his own bag and held it out for her. "You left this."
She muttered a half-hearted thanks and took the book, slipping inside her own bag.
"Are you going for lunch?" He asked.
She nodded. "Does this mean that I'm going to have to put up with your company?"
"It's better than eating alone, is it not?" he said.
"I guess," Soifon replied. She continued walking down the corridor, this time with Byakuya walking at her side. It was aggravating having to put up with him, but at least he was mostly quiet and didn't attempt to fill the silence with pointless babbling. As much as Soifon liked Isane, sometimes her constant worrying got on her nerves.
They found an empty table out in the quad, and Soifon silently tucked into her meagre lunch. Sitting opposite her, Byakuya was occupied reading a book of some description. Soifon couldn't be certain, but she thought that it might have been one she was supposed to be reading for classics. Yoruichi would be angry with her if she knew that Soifon still wasn't putting in effort at school.
A group of students went by, chattering among themselves. When they passed Soifon they all went quiet and directed smirks in her direction. Once they were just out of sight she heard them all start up laughing loudly. She scowled down at her lunch.
"Ignore them," Byakuya said quietly.
"It's not as though they bother me," she muttered sullenly.
"Of course not," he said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "That's why you're holding your chopsticks tight enough to snap them."
"I am not!" Soifon snapped, her chopsticks breaking in two as she spoke.
Byakuya chuckled softly and turned a page of his book, not even looking up to Soifon. "In a few weeks they'll have something else to gossip about. Just wait; you'll be old news by the end of term."
She threw her now useless chopsticks down on the ground, and didn't bother to reply.
"I must admit," Byakuya continued, "Even I am interested in hearing the truth. Who is this mystery man that you're seeing? Aging business man or college kid with too much time and money on his hands?"
Soifon scowled at him. "I dunno, why don't you tell me?"
Byakuya carefully closed his book and placed it down on the table. He regarded Soifon with a look that suggested that he was trying for the expressionless face again, but was failing. His brow creased as he frowned slightly, just enough to let her know that he was actually bothered.
"A college student with more money than sense," he answered. "There are plenty of female students here who fraternize with business men. The difference between them and you in easy to distinguish. They're more concerned with their looks; designer clothes, styled hair, perfect makeup. You however, look as though you've been dragged through a hedge backwards and then sent tumbling down a gradient slope."
Her lips curled as she glared at him. "Always good to know what you think of me."
"The business men who see these girls only want them to look good hanging off of their arm," He explained. "It's why they buy them such expensive gifts of jewellery and clothes. They themselves are an accessory. Of course," he blushed lightly here, "They must be able to do... other things... as well to please him. But still, you do not fit that type."
"Wouldn't a rich college kid pretty much want the same thing?"
"The sex, of course," Byakuya was still blushing, his cheeks a pretty pink, "but they would not be as concerned with your appearance. I imagine he would be the type to try to take advantage of someone with lower self esteem."
"You're an idiot," Soifon said flatly. Byakuya stared at her, his eyes widening slightly. "I'm not being taken advantage of in the slightest. But thank you for thinking that I'm so sad and pathetic that I'd fall for someone like that."
"I didn't say that. You're vulnerable right now, you're still grieving and someone might take advantage of that."
"Stop lecturing me," Soifon stood up and grabbed her bag, sick of hearing Byakuya's nonsense. "I know what I'm doing. I'm not being taken advantage of. He wants me to do well in school. He insists that I actually turn up every day. He actually cares." Which was a startling and disturbing thought for Soifon. She still couldn't decide if Yoruichi was only pretending to care of if the woman was far more human than she often pretended to be.
Soifon left the remains of her lunch along with Byakuya and stormed off back into the building. As soon as she went through the door a huddled group of girls turned as she entered and started giggling and whispering among themselves, some even pointing. She slowed and scanned the long hallways. She knew that as she walked down it everyone would stop and stare, and then turn to whisper about her among their little groups. She felt anger well up in her and her face burned.
"Keep walking," Byakuya's calm voice said from behind, and Soifon felt his hand against the small of her back, pushing her forward. "I'll walk you to your classroom."
"I don't need you to babysit me," she hissed. She started walking though, with byakuya's ahnd pushing her forward.
"I know," he replied. "Indulge me. Perhaps I enjoy babysitting you." He almost sounded amused.
She sighed. Perhaps if she let him to this then a whole new set of rumors about her would spring up.
"You sure that you're okay?" Kisuke asked, handing Yoruichi a glass of water.
"I'm fine," she replied. "I just got a little lightheaded is all. Guess I stood up too quickly." She took the water from him and sipped it. At least her hands had stopped shaking.
"Right," Kisuke said skeptically. "Is there something that you're not telling me?"
"You're the one who deals in secrets, not me," Yoruichi said. She placed the glass of water down on her desk and took a couple of deep calming breaths. "I haven't been getting much sleep lately."
"I know. I live with you remember?" He sighed and perched himself on the edge of her desk. "You don't have to try and please everyone. I'm a big boy, I can look after myself. Shinji's an ass, but you can trust him to pull his weight. You should just be concentrating on your own work. There's no point in working yourself ill for other people."
"I'm fine, Kisuke. Really I am."
"You looked like you were about to faint," He said. "You're not looking after yourself. When was the last time you sat down and had a proper meal? When did you last get a full night's sleep?"
"You're starting to sound like your mom."
"I'm being very serious here, Yoruichi." He was, and she was finding it disturbing. "You won't do anyone any good if you burn yourself out."
She sighed and rubbed at her eyes. She couldn't actually remember when she'd last enjoyed a proper night's sleep. Somewhere between work and Soifon she just didn't seem to have the time for something as seemingly normal and necessary as sleep.
"Look, I'll see if I can finish up early tonight," she said. "And we can go home and have a proper meal and I can get an early night. How does that sound?"
"Okay. Don't go calling Soifon though."
She directed a frown at him. As a rule, they didn't mention Soifon outside of her apartment. They certainly didn't bring her up at work.
"I'm serious, Yoruichi," he said sternly, or as stern as Kisuke ever got. "She can survive a couple of nights without your attentions, and you really need the time to rest."
"Ever think I find her company relaxing?"
He laughed. "I'm sure you do. In very small doses. She's an interesting girl," He smirked, "and I'm sure you've taught her very well, but let's face it. She's a very demanding and time consuming girl. I really should have listed her earlier; she doesn't need you looking after her."
She disagreed with that, but she kept her mouth shut, instead taking a gulp of water. Everything about Soifon screamed that she needed Yoruichi's help. The girl was lost and in desperate need of guidance. It was just unfortunate that Yoruichi wasn't in the best position to be helping her out.
Small steps, she reminded herself. She couldn't cure all of Soifon's woes in a single day. She had to be careful with her, wary even, Soifon was the exact type of person to flee from help when offered rather than accept it. Yoruichi had to be patient with her.
"Look, Yoruichi," Kisuke said slowly, "about Soifon..."
"What about her?" Yoruichi damn near glared at him.
He looked away and ruffled his hair with both hands. "Don't you think this has gone on long enough?"
"I have no idea what you're talking about."
"If you cut down on the amount of time you spend with her, you wouldn't be half as worn out as you are," He reasoned. "It's never going to go anywhere. In about a years' time, chances are that you two won't even be speaking. It would probably be for the best if you just ended things with her now."
"I'm not going to abandon her, Kisuke."
"Abandon her?" He seemed genuinely confused. "You need to stop seeing her as some sort of victim that you need to help."
Yoruichi groaned and held her head in her hands. "I have a headache."
"Fine," Kisuke muttered. "I'll not say anymore." He slipped off the edge of the desk and made his way to the office door where he paused and looked back over his shoulder at Yoruichi. "Do you really want to risk everything just for a couple of months with this girl?"
Yoruichi frowned. "I'm hardly risking everything."
"If you're caught then it won't end well," he said. "I shouldn't be surprised though, you've always been the kind of person to sacrifice herself for others." He smirked again. "Especially for those you love."
Now she scowled at him. "Get out!"
"Right you are!" He waved in a dramatic fashion and exited her office, slamming the door close behind himself.
Yoruichi sunk down into her chair. Her headache was showing no signs of lessening, and she massaged her temples with her fingertips. Kisuke knew her too well, he could read her like a book, and although he spoke from the heart and wanted nothing more than her safety and happiness, he had really managed to miss the point entirely this time.
At this point, it would be worse for her to give up on Soifon than it would be to see it through to whatever end would come for them.
Short chapter is short, but also necessary. Longer chapter next time I think.
Thanks for the reviews. And a special thanks to all those who've put this fic on their alerts or favourite lists. That really means a lot to me.