Scars
Nearly a week had passed since the destruction of the Sokyoku. Yoruichi's days were filled with extensive briefings with Captain Commander Yamamoto as they tried to figure out Aizen's next steps. "Do not underestimate his cunning. He intends to sit on the throne of heaven? He shall have to amass great reiatsu and unleash a tidal wave of spiritual power. We need to find out what he is doing and make our preparations," cautioned Yamamoto. Kisuke joined in these briefings via transmission, updating that all was well in the real world. Whatever Aizen was up to, he would surely bide his time and not rush.
She did not try to visit the Second Squad again, reasoning that Soifon probably did not want to see her as well. They had met at the official briefing sessions that Yamamoto conducted for all the current Captains, whereby he explained Yoruichi and Urahara's roles and the Gotei 13's future strategies against Aizen. Soifon had nodded in acknowledgement when Yoruichi greeted her, but she steadfastly refused to look her in the eye. At one of these meetings, Captain Shunsui had sidled up to Soifon and muttered "How fortunate you are to have Yoruichi-san back safely! I wonder how my dear Lisa is…" Yoruichi overheard the remark and glared at Shunsui. Soifon stared pointedly at her shoes, and made polite and noncommittal replies.
Instead, Yoruichi spent plenty of time at the 4th Squad's infirmary. She was glad to see that Ichigo's wounds were healing well, and that Byakuya had recovered sufficiently to be transferred to his estate for the rest of his recuperation period. Yoruichi felt a small twinge of gratification at successfully annoying Byakuya by telling him that his grandfather would have been proud that he had finally displayed a modicum of emotion, after having swung to the other extreme in his adulthood.
"Unohana senpai!"
"Yoruichi. Welcome back." Unohana greeted in return. "How have you been?"
"None the worse for the wear," Yoruichi grinned, "but please let me know if medical research shows that shinigami will age faster in the real world than in Soul Society!"
Unohana smiled and made no assessment of Yoruichi's physical condition. "The young ryoka is strong and is healing well. He should be ready to return to his world in another week or so."
"I trust the shinigami are also recovering well under your care."
"Yes. What the squads cannot do, my vice-captain Isane does. What Isane cannot do, I do. Along with Minazuki. Ah here comes one of our most serious cases. See how he is up and about already." A lithe, strong and bald shinigami approached Unohana, a troubled expression on his face. He seemed to have been split from shoulder to hip and sewn together again. Yoruichi could see a long scar running down his left.
"Unohana-taichou, I am sorry to intrude, but if I may I seek your opinion..." His voice seemed to crack slightly. "Will… will I be fit enough to continue fighting?"
Unohana replied with characteristic calm. "Ikkaku, your body has received a great trauma. While the flesh will heal, the scar will remain. The area will scab over and become less sensitive, yet do not be deceived – this does not mean you have become stronger there. This same area will actually be most prone to injury again." The young man looked crushed. "But I can assure you that the 11th Squad will have no reason to expel you. You can adapt your training and overcome this injury."
"I… I… thank you, Unohana taichou!" Ecstatic, Ikkaku ran down the corridor, whooping.
The scar will remain. That thought haunted Yoruichi.
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"Who gave you your name, Soifon? I was told in your file that your name was originally Shaolin Fon."
"I… I did, Yoruichi-sama."
"Why did you give yourself this name?"
"It was my grandmother's code name when she served in the Onmitsukido, Yoruichi-sama."
"Soifon. Shattered Bee. That is a rather sad name, isn't it?"
"I… I suppose it is, Yoruichi-sama."
Yoruichi gazed intently at her new guard. Soifon had been in her service for a month now, and she found it hard to believe how rarely this girl smiled.
She noted in her file that Soifon's five brothers had died while serving the Onmitsukido. Her grandmother and last remaining brother had passed away on the same day. Soifon's father had been a trusted guard to Yoruichi's family, and he was assassinated by the enemies of the Shihoin when Soifon was six years old.
Her loved ones have all left her, she realized. She tried to lighten the mood. "Hey don't look so glum! Smile, little bee."
Soifon looked up and smiled shyly. "Thank you, Yoruichi-sama."
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