Yoruichi shifted uncomfortably, the hood of her car did not make for a good seat. She leaned back against the windshield and stared up at the night sky. It was a cloudless night but because of the light pollution from the city she couldn't make out a single star.

Next to her, Soifon leaned forward, her knees drawn up and her arms resting across them. She was once again wearing scruffy jeans that were a little bit too big for her, the hems frayed and a tear up the right thigh. She wore a hooded jacket with a yellow stripe over a small black shirt that had a logo for a band that Yoruichi didn't recognise. Next to her, Yoruichi felt overdressed in her slim fitting jeans and black top.

"I used to come out here a lot when I was younger," Yoruichi said, trying to break the silence.

"I'm surprised you can remember so long ago."

"Urgh!" Yoruichi hung her head. "That's not funny," she said, though she was smiling.

Soifon shrugged. "No, it's not," she agreed.

"Unbearable child," Yoruichi said laughing. She leaned back against the windshield, enjoying the orange glow of the night sky.

"Why'd you come out there then?" Soifon asked. She leaned back too, looking upwards. "It's not as though there's anything here."

They were at least an hours' drive outside of Tokyo, parked up at a park located near the outskirts of the city.

"I guess I found it peaceful," Yoruichi said.

"Boring is more like it."

"You're a lot crankier than usual. Is something bothering you?"

Soifon shrugged.

"I'll take that as a yes." Sighing, Yoruichi pushed herself up from her slouched position. "You can tell me, even if it's ridiculous I promise I won't laugh."

Soifon turned her head and gave her a flat stare. "That's not reassuring."

Yoruichi laughed again. She reached for Soifon's hand and took hold of it, giving it a gentle squeeze. "Seriously is something wrong?"

"I suppose." Soifon hunched up her shoulders and stared out straight in front of her. She didn't remove her hand form Yoruichi's though, which gave Yoruichi some small comfort that perhaps Soifon was starting to trust her more. "It's just that... I have this friend."

Yoruichi sat up, making sure to pay attention. She was fairly certain that this was going to be even more teenage melodrama that was being blown way out of proportion, but if it was bad enough that it was bothering Soifon, then she'd listen. She did though wonder if this friend was perhaps Byakuya and if this was going to be something she really didn't want to here.

"But I don't think that we're friends anymore," Soifon continued.

Yoruichi couldn't help but wonder exactly what Soifon meant by not being friends anymore. Was she speaking about Byakuya? Did she mean that he considered them to be more than friends? Did Soifon want to be more than friends with him? She was young, she probably didn't know what she wanted yet.

"Go on," Yoruichi said.

Soifon seemed to struggle for a moment, trying to find the right words. "She spread a rumor about me at school."

"Huh?" Yoruichi blurted. She hadn't expected that. "What kind of rumor?"

"That I'm having some sort of love affair with an elderly business man."

Yoruichi broke her promise and burst out laughing. Soifon glared at her. "I'm sorry," Yoruichi said. "I really am, but that's very funny. And also a little disturbing how close to the truth she is."

"Elderly business woman would have been a worse rumor," Soifon muttered viciously.

"I am not even close to being elderly!" Yoruichi snapped. She sighed. "What exactly does this friend know?"

"She knows that I'm seeing someone outside of school that is much older than me." Soifon shrugged. "That's about all."

"And she spread it around school?"

"Yes... well, no, not really. She's too nice to do something that mean," Soifon explained. "But she has this sister who's a compete blabbermouth. She just doesn't think before speaking. So Isane, that's my friend, told her sister who then pretty much told everyone."

"And since it's a rumor at school it's probably been exaggerated."

"Exactly."

"Rumors pass," Yoruichi said. "Just ride it out, in a week or so they'll find something else to talk about. You're just flavour of the month."

"That's what Byakuya said!" Soifon somehow managed to sound annoyed by this.

"Byakuya?" Yoruichi looked at her.

"He's this guy at school. Recently he's just decided that we're friends or something." Soifon growled in annoyance. "We hardly spoke before and now he's everywhere I go."

"You don't like him?"

"He's alright."

"Just alright? Take that Byakuya," Yoruichi chuckled. "But he's right, the rumor will pass. Just don't do anything to add to it and you'll be fine. If it's really bothering you though, you could speak to your homeroom teacher or even another teacher who you trust."

Soifon didn't seem to hear her. "And now there's all these rumors about me and Byakuya," She raged. "Everyone thinks that we're a couple. And now people are saying that I'm some sort of gold digger and that I'm just using Byakuya for his money."

"Could be worse," Yoruichi said. "They could be saying that your aging business man is Ginrei, Byakuya's grandfather."

Soifon froze for a moment and then laughed softly. "That's disgusting."

"Hey, I am told by friends that for an older man, Ginrei still has it."

"Has what? Arthritis?"

Yoruichi laughed.

"How do you know who Ginrei is?" Soifon enquired.

"It's his job that I'm going for," Yoruichi explained. "And yes, I do know Byakuya as well. The Kuchiki's are family friends."

Soifon was staring at her. "Seriously? You know Byakuya?" She whipped her head away and looked annoyed. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"Why would I? It's not exactly interesting information." Yoruichi sat up and slid off of the hood of the car. She took a moment to dust off her legs. "And while we're being honest, I should tell you that I saw you and Byakuya the other day."

Soifon stared at her, she was frowning but Yoruichi could see the question in her eyes. "Where?"

"Outside some coffee shop. You both looked quite cosy," Yoruichi teased. She was surprised that Soifon actually blushed. Yoruichi raised an eyebrow. "Should I be jealous?"

"You were spying on me?" Soifon demanded.

"No, I wasn't spying on you. I just happened to see you." Yoruichi sighed and straightened up. "I can see why there are rumors about you two though. It's fairly obvious that he likes you."

Soifon spluttered and her blush intensified until her whole face was burning a deep red.

"Do you like him?" Yoruichi was surprised at how calm her voice sounded. "It's okay if you do, I won't be angry." She'd be disappointed though. Completely crushed when she thought about it, but she wouldn't be angry. These things did happen after all, and Yoruichi knew that neither she nor Soifon would have any control over it.

Soifon's face twisted. "No!" She nearly yelled. "I don't. Not... Not like that anyways."

Yoruichi smiled in relief. She had actually been worried for a moment there. "But you do like being friends with him?"

Soifon reluctantly nodded. "He's been trying to talk to me for a while now," she said. "I think he thinks that we have something in common. I guess you know that his dad died. HE closed himself off from everyone when that happened, wouldn't speak to people."

"Until he started talking to you?"

Soifon nodded. "Ever since my bro-" She cut off with a sudden gasp, her eyes wide. She looked away from Yoruichi.

Yoruichi sighed. She wanted to tell Soifon that it was okay to talk about them, but she didn't want to interfere. What did she know about grief?

"Come on," Yoruichi said softly. "Let's head back."

Soifon slid from the car and slowly trudged to the passenger side and climbed in. Her head was hanging low and she looked miserable.

Yoruichi settled into the seat next to her and put the key into the ignition.

"How did you know?" Soifon asked quietly.

Yoruichi frowned in confusion. "How did I know what?" Yoruichi didn't look over to Soifon; she kept her eyes forward and looked out to the surrounding scenery.

"That you're... well..." Soifon trailed off.

"That I'm gay?" Yoruichi guessed. She turned to face Soifon and the girl nodded. Yoruichi shrugged. "I just did. I honestly didn't put that much thought into it. At school when my friends were gushing over some guy, I was standing there looking at some girls' legs and thinking about how sexy they were. It just made sense to me right off the bat."

"Does your dad know?"

Yoruichi nodded. "Yeah, I told him a few years ago."

"How did he take it?"

"He was..." Yoruichi thought for a moment. "Shocked. At first, and then he was angry, really angry. Then I think he was disappointed. We didn't speak for a bit. Then one day, he called me and told me it was okay and that as long as I was happy, then he was happy. I still think he's a little bit disappointed though."

"What about your mom?"

"She doesn't know," Yoruichi admitted. "I've never felt inclined to tell her, it's not any of her business."

"So everything just worked out for you," Soifon mumbled. "I think my parents would freak out."

"Are you thinking about telling them?"

Soifon shook her head. "I think it would kill my dad."

"There's no rush," Yoruichi said. "You have all the time in the world. It's one of the benefits of being young."

Soifon smiled. "I suppose time works against you at your age."

"Yes, it does," Yoruichi replied. "Now let's get out of here. I have a hankering for pizza."

Soifon's smiled widened. "That sounds good."

Soifon pressed her face down into the pillow. She and Yoruichi had stayed up for a good chunk of the night talking. Soifon was surprised by how understanding Yoruichi had been about all the silly stuff Soifon had to say about school. It was very easy to forget that Yoruichi had already been through High School and had a good idea of how everything worked there. It helped that she was also willing to share some mildly embarrassing and very funny stories about what she had got up to during High School.

Smiling, Soifon ran her hand across the bare skin of Yoruichi's arm. They were lying in bed; Yoruichi was once again snuggled up close to Soifon, her arm wrapped around the smaller girl almost protectively and one of her legs draped over Soifon's. They had fallen asleep wrapped up like this, holding each other. It felt nice.

Soifon rolled over so that she could face Yoruichi, careful not to wake the older woman. Yoruichi looked relaxed; her breathing was slow and steady, and a lock of hair was falling across her face. Soifon brushed it back with a finger and watched as the muscles in Yoruichi's face reacted to her touch. Soifon moved closer and closed her eyes.

When Soifon opened her eyes again, several hours must have passed. Bright sunlight spilled through the blinds and cast the room in a dim glow. Yoruichi had rolled onto her back at some point and her arm was flung out away from her body. Soifon was gripping her other arm to her body. She released the limb and pushed herself up. The room was surprisingly tidy, probably owing to the fact that Yoruichi hadn't felt the need to throw Soifon's clothes across it in her usual manner. But then there hadn't been any need to last night. Settling back down, Soifon rolled onto her back and stared up at the ceiling. They hadn't done anything last night except talk and then go to sleep. She was wearing a borrowed shirt from Yoruichi, and with a shock she realised that it was the first time she slept in Yoruichi's bed wearing anything. The realization made her laugh.

Next to her Yoruichi shifted and mumbled something sleepily. She rubbed her eyes with her hand and then rolled over onto her stomach, now much closer to Soifon. Yoruichi's face was pressed into the pillow and Soifon watched the steady rise and fall of her back.

"Stop staring," Yoruichi said her words muffled into the pillow.

Startled, Soifon spluttered a moment before answering. "I'm not."

"Yes, you are," Yoruichi said. "I can feel your eyes on me."

Soifon blushed slightly and turned her head, looking back to the ceiling.

"What time is it?" Yoruichi asked.

Soifon had to sit up to check the alarm clock. "It's half nine," she answered.

"This is the closest I've had to a lie-in in weeks."

"Half-nine id hardly a lie-in," Soifon pointed out. "I don't think it counts unless you sleep past eleven."

"That's just really lazy." Yoruichi twisted onto her back and covered a yawn with her hand. She ruffled her hair and then settled back down, her eyes closed. "You getting up?"

"No."

"Then settle back down. You're making me feel like I should get up."

Soifon lay back down, careful to keep a slight distance between her and Yoruichi. While she did enjoy the whole cuddling thing that seemed to be going on recently, she was a little unsure about actually instigating it.

"So," Yoruichi rolled onto her side and faced Soifon, her eyes now open, "what's the plan for today?"

Soifon shrugged. "Dunno. Don't you have work?"

"Nope, I am as free as a bird today." Yoruichi smiled. "We could spend the entire day in bed."

A tentative smiled crept up Soifon's face. "We could."

Yoruichi shuffled closer to Soifon, her hand lying against her hip. "We should certainly..." her hand moved up Soifon's body, trailing up her side and her arm to her neck, and settling on her face. "... Spend the morning in bed." Yoruichi kissed her, and Soifon couldn't stop the smile that broke out from the feel of those soft lips against her own.

Soifon had to agree, this was easily the best way to spend the morning. She'd rolled onto her back and Yoruichi was half way on top of her. Soifon scrunched her fingers into Yoruichi's hair, brushing it back so that it didn't fall on her face. Yoruichi grinned against her. Her tongue flicked against Soifon's lips and Soifon gasped, and she moved as though to catch Yoruichi's tongue with her lips.

Yoruichi's hands cupped her face and she kissed Soifon again, her mouth open and her tongue sliding inside Soifon's mouth. She found all those little sensitive areas that Soifon had never known existed until Yoruichi had invaded her mouth.

Soifon's hands ran down Yoruichi's body and she gripped her hips. She shifted her legs, all too aware the all the blood and heat of her body had travelled south and was pooling between her thighs. She trembled as Yoruichi's lips slid down her neck. Her hands were raking up her sides, pulling her shirt with them. Soifon raised her body from the bed a moment, her arms above her head as Yoruichi removed her shirt. She was shaking as Yoruichi continued with planting kisses along her collarbone. Her hands were running along her body, tracing her slight curves and lingering on sensitive areas.

Yoruichi stopped and raised her head, looking Soifon in the eye. "You okay?" She asked. Her face was flushed and her eyes a little unfocused, but her voice was steady.

Soifon nodded. "Y-yeah, I'm fine," she answered. Her own voice was not steady. It shook with her need as her body quaked beneath Yoruichi.

Yoruichi smiled softly. She pressed a soft kiss to Soifon's lips. "Good," she whispered. Her head lowered and once again her lips attached to Soifon's skin. Her tongue flittered and trailed over Soifon. Her hands went back to gliding over Soifon's skin, going lower and lower, to Soifon's thighs.

Soifon arched back. She placed her hands above her head and gripped the pillow, pressing her head back. It was getting to be too much, the build up of pressure within her and her need for release. Her breathing was heavy and she fought to control it.

"Shh, it's okay," Yoruichi murmured against her hip. She kissed the jut of bone and then sucked the sensitive skin gently. "Just a little longer, I promise."

Soifon wanted to reply but couldn't. Her throat had gone tight and the only noise she managed to make was a whimper. Her whimper rose into a cry when she felt Yoruichi finally where she wanted her to be.

Sorry for the wait, hopefully it was worth it. I actually planned on this chapter being a little longer than this, but the planned scene just didn't fit and I liked this as an ending for the chapter. Lots of drama next chapter. I need to build myself up to it.

I might have just earned the M rating.