Suzumebachi (The Hornet Rises)

The days passed by in a haze of papers and ink, and when the affairs of the estate had been settled, Soifon returned to Seireitei and found herself in a familiar position: waiting before Yoruichi's door. She had returned to the headquarters this very evening, and was eager to greet her commander.

I have not done this in a month. Soifon took a deep breathe, and proceeded to announce herself. "Yoruichi-sama, this is Soifon, reporting-" The screen door flung open there was Yoruichi, kitted out in her combat uniform without her Captain's haori, striding out purposefully.

"Hey, Soifon. Come!" And she shun-po'ed away. Soifon raced after her, keeping up but with some effort. Just one month and I am so out of practice!

They raced across the rooftops of Seiretei, oblivious to most as they flash-stepped, changing positions more quickly than the untrained eye could perceive. Within a few minutes, they had come to a bamboo glade deep in the forest. Yoruichi came to a sudden stop, and suddenly aimed a punch at Soifon, who deftly blocked it. "Yoruichi-sama!"

"Come on, Soifon! Defend yourself!" Yoruichi grinned again and kicked Soifon in the back before somersaulting to an elevated position in the trees.

So commander and subordinate sparred and exchanged blows. Soifon felt slightly rusty from her lack of practice, but she was able to block most of Yoruichi's attacks.

"That's enough. Well done, Soifon. I am glad to see that a month away hasn't made you a softie. How was your time away?" Yoruichi smiled, and Soifon quickly bowed.

"I… I have settled my family affairs,Yoruichi-sama, and I am back as promised." She looked up, and permitted herself a smile of contentment. "And I am very glad to be back serving you."

Yoruichi looked at her quizzically again. That familiar gaze. "So, did you miss me?"

"Yourichi-sama!"

"Haha, you should see your expression, Soifon!" Soifon found herself in the familiar position of being completely blindsided by her commander. Yoruichi's laughter rang through the evening sky. "Come, let us return. Tell me all about your time back home."

This is my home, Yoruichi-sama.

********

"Buzz, buzz, buzz…"

Yoruichi-sama? Soifon's eyes snapped open. It was late at night and the room was completely dark. She could not detect her commander's presence in the room. The buzzing continued.

Perhaps there is a stray bee in the room. Soifon chuckled at the aptness of it. Go home, little bee. It is late. Both you and I have a lot of work to do tomorrow. You have pollen to gather and honey to make, I have training and guard duties.

"But I am home, Soifon. Buzz, buzz, buzz…"

Soifon sat up with a start. The voice – where was it coming from? She cast her eyes around in search of the invisible, and unsheathed her zanpakuto.

At that moment, Soifon blacked out.

A valley of impenetrable darkness. I… I do not know where I am. Yoruichi-sama? Is that you? I must escape.

Soifon stumbled through the darkness. Her eyes could not see, while all around her ears were tickled with an incessant but faint buzzing that rose up and down in cascading waves.

Soifon.

"Who is it? Is that you, Yoruichi-sama?"

From within the darkness, a light appeared from a rock on the ground. A flower sprouted from it, and a honey bee hovered over the centre of the flower, gathering pollen. Soifon smiled at the sight.

With frightening speed, a much larger hornet encased in black descended on the bee, and stung it aggressively. The bee fell into the flower, dead. "No!" yelled Soifon. "Leave the poor thing alone! You have no right to…"

The world faded black again.

I thought you wanted to be stronger? Faster? More powerful?

"I do not understand…What…"

Call my name.

"I do not know your name."

Call my name.

Almost unbidden, the word rose up within her. "Suzumebachi."

Soifon felt her zanpakuto changing. The blade shone, and the entire sword seemed to fade from within her grip and dissolve. Something cold and hard wrapped around her right forearm and wrist like a gauntlet, with a pointed blade encasing her middle finger.

What do you want me to do, Soifon?

"I… I do not know..."

You know what I am born to do. What are you born to do?

A light flashed, and suspended in mid-air was a homonka, a butterfly traced in white against the pitch black darkness.

What do you want us to do, Soifon?

"Jinteki Shakusetsu. Sting all enemies to death, Suzumebachi," she whispered.

Soifon leapt forward and plunged the pointed blade into the centre of the homonka.

When Soifon came to, she found herself in her bed. Yoruichi was sitting next to her, toweling her subordinate's forehead. "Yoruichi-sama! I am so sorry!" Soifon hastened to get out of bed but fell back limply, her body more exhausted than she had realized.

"Hush, Soifon. Just lie back down and rest."

The world spun as the blood rushed out of Soifon's head, and she felt slightly ill. She remembered that unending darkness, and that sudden surge of power as she zeroed in on the homonka.

"You didn't turn up at the usual hour and I knew something must be wrong. I came here to look for you and found you in a feverish wreck on the floor, clutching your zanpakuto in a death grip. How do you feel?"

Soifon could feel her commander's eyes bearing on her once more. I don't even know what happened myself, Yoruichi-sama. She shut her eyes tightly and flexed the fingers on her right hand.

"Did you have an encounter with your zanpakuto?" Yoruichi asked quietly.

Startled yet again, Soifon opened her eyes and met her commander's gaze. "I think I did, Yoruichi-sama. It seemed so surreal and I am so unsure of what happened. I did not want to trouble you…"

"Silly," smiled Yoruichi ruefully, tousling Soifon's hair. "And did you think I would dismiss what you have to say? Tell me what you remember."

Amazing, thought Yoruichi, as Soifon recounted her vision. She has discovered her zanpakuto's name and unlocked her shikai. I was not wrong about her potential. She has far to go, and may achieve bankai one day… perhaps I should have her transferred to the Second Squad as a full-fledged Shinigami instead of her serving as my bodyguard or in the keigun. Maybe I'll drop a word of recommendation to the Captain-Commander. Then again, her shikai sounds like the ideal assassination weapon…" and she frowned, pondering what would be better.

Soifon caught the frown. "Yoruichi-sama? Have I done something displeasing? Has something bad happened to me? I… I… will I still be able to serve you?" Her eyes cast down into her hands.

The commander patted her hand and got up to go. "Don't meet me at my quarters in the morning anymore." Soifon's heart fell to the pits of her stomach and she felt the tears well up in her eyes. I have failed… I am not worthy…

Yoruichi paused in the doorway. Without turning back, she said. "You will meet me at the sakura grove instead. We are going to whip you and Suzumebachi into shape, every morning, before duties begin. You had better rest, I expect to see you first thing tomorrow." She paused, and her voice dropped a notch. "It's been a while. I've missed you, Soifon. I am glad you are back." In a flash, she was gone.

Soifon realized at that moment that nothing was more precious than hope, and the tears tumbled out of her eyes in relief.