Crack (Darkness Falls)

Soifon knelt next to Yoruichi's seat in the Captain's office. It was already very late but she stayed up to await Yoruichi's return. There was something foul and strange happening, and Soifon knew she had to be on the alert in these times.

She did not have to wait long. Yoruichi slipped quietly into the office and sat down, a weary expression on her face.

"The Captain-Commander is taking this very seriously, Soifon. The Captains of the 3rd, 5th and 7th Squads have been sent out, along with Yaodamaru of the 8th Squad and Hachigen of the Kido Corps. It seems that nearly all of Kensei's team is missing. These are some of our strongest fighters in Soul Society. There would have been no need to send them out unless the threat was real…"

Soifon felt a fear gripping her heart. It was both vaguely familiar yet foreign, and she gritted her teeth, as though she could drive that feeling away by sheer will. "I will stay by your side and protect you, Yoruichi-sama." Even then, Soifon knew that this issue involved more than Yoruichi's safety, but the security of the entire Seireitei. If even Captain Muguruma had been subdued…

"Haha! Maybe I should assign you to Kisuke! He was frantic with worry for Hiyori." Yoruichi attempted to lighten the mood, but even she felt too burdened to keep it up.

"You are worried about Captain Urahara, Yoruichi-sama." Soifon stated it plainly, not as a question, but as a matter of fact.

Yoruichi sighed. Soifon knew her well. "He wanted to go after her, Soifon. He regretted sending her out alone in the afternoon, and he was quite beside himself at the Captains' meeting. I told him off for making a scene in front of the Captain Commander."

She sighed again. "I reminded him that he had entrusted her with the task. To go after her would show he doubted her capabilities, which would bring her shame and dishonor her. I wonder if I should have said what I did. What do you think, Soifon? Is it better to be generous with concern, or to withhold it for the sake of honour?" She looked at Soifon intently.

Soifon bowed her head. "I do not know the answer, Yoruichi-sama. For me, the two have never diverged since I entered your service. To be concerned about your welfare and to do my utmost to protect you is a matter of honour for me and my family."

Yoruichi nodded. Her hand reached out and grasped Soifon's and they sat in the solace of each other's company in silence.