Intelligence
The senkaimon opened against the night sky, a black portal that seemed to drown out the stars. Soifon stepped out from the gate onto the rooftop just below her feet. So this is what the real world is like. She had never been dispatched here for a mission in over a century of service, although other members of the keigun had, and she knew of several Shinigami who had specific jurisdictions in guiding souls and conducting burials within this dimension.
Karakura Town. This was where that ryoka boy, Kurosaki Ichigo came from. This was where Rukia Kuchiki had illegally transferred her powers to him.
This is where Yoruichi-sama has been staying for the past hundred years.
Soifon breathed the night air deeply, noting that it was not as fresh as the air back in Soul Society. No doubt caused by those inadequate transportation devices known as "cars". I suppose it cannot be helped if one does not know shun-po or cannot manipulate senkaimon. Vice-Captain Nemu Kurosutchi had been tasked with briefing her about the workings of the real world and Soifon had studied her notes diligently before coming, not wanting to seem like a rookie.
Behind her, the senkaimon sealed itself. Soifon knew that she had to be more cautious tonight as she was up against an apparently powerful enemy in an unfamiliar terrain. All Captains and Vice-Captains were required to put limiters on their powers while in the real world, and this meant a compromise in her fighting abilities. She had been sent on a data-gathering mission would only use force in the last resort. She concealed herself in the shadows, glad that at least one thing was similar in both Soul Society and Karakura Town.
She waited for her contact to appear, and soon he did. She heard the tapping sounds of the geta against the floor and a man's head appeared in the doorway below her, covered in a green and white hat. The man turned up and looked at Soifon's spot in the shadows and he grinned widely. "Welcome to Urahara Shop, Soifon."
Urahara Kisuke. Soifon could not bring herself to say his name in greeting, as she recalled her distaste of him. He was always informal, lackadaisical, lazy. He's the one who got Yoruichi-sama into all this… She knew that her assessment was unfair, but she could not help herself. She simply nodded wordlessly and jumped down from the roof.
"Yamamoto shou-taichou sent me here to gather some data on the mysterious disappearances," she stated matter-of-factly, "I was told to establish contact with someone who would be of help." She looked at him intently, wondering what help he could offer.
Urahara tugged at his hat and prevaricated. "Ah… you see… I am afraid I am quite tied up with my shop right now. After all, I am but a humble shopkeeper with accounts to keep and inventories to manage…" Soifon tried to keep her temper in check but she could feel herself patience ebbing away quickly.
"…so this will be your help instead!" with a flourish, he pointed towards the doorway where a black cat sat, its golden eyes alert.
"Soifon," greeted the cat, and Soifon nearly fell over in surprise. "Yo…Yoruichi-sama. Is that you? You can speak?" Soifon was blindsided by the realization that her former mentor would be going on this mission with her, and by the fact that she could actually speak while in her cat form.
Yoruichi nodded. "We have no time for pleasantries now. Kisuke has detected some abnormal activity near the train station and we must hurry." The cat bounded out of the door and ran off. "Follow me!"
To the untrained eye, this was the normal sight of a cat making its nightly rounds, as it ran along walls leapt over railings. Only those with spiritual eyes could see another figure running alongside the cat, keeping even pace, nodding affirmatively when instructed to be careful.
It took them a few seconds to arrive at the train station. They concealed their reiatsu and hid behind a carriage. Soifon spotted a woman seated along the tracks, smiling beckoningly at a man standing in the distance. The man lumbered over to her, his eyes glazed over. What unnatural force is this? She seems to be entrapping his spirit! The woman stood up and embraced the man, and Soifon felt a stir in the air and she recognized the change in reiatsu – she is attempting to take his soul!
"Soifon, you stay here and gather the data. You'll probably have limiters on so I'll take her out. Send the data quickly!" Soifon nodded and pressed few buttons on the complicated gadget that had been given to her. The black cat sprang forward and transformed into Yoruichi, who landed a well-timed blow and forced the couple apart.
"Ah… and why are you coming between a man and woman having their fun?" the woman looked coldly at Yoruichi, who was supporting the unconscious human male in her arms.
"Well, he doesn't seem to be up for much fun now. I know you were trying to steal his spirit. Who are you and who put you up to this?"
Yoruichi's opponent smiled and a cold, hollow laughter rang out. She disappeared in a flash without answering Yoruichi's question.
Soifon terminated the data transmission and ran up to help Yoruichi, and they eased the unconscious train conductor down on the tracks. "Did you recognize her, Yoruichi-sama?" asked Soifon.
Yoruichi furrowed her brows. "Not in this form. It seems there are more of them than Kisuke or I imagined, which would explain the frequency of the attacks. Soifon – you had best report back to Seiretei immediately. I will carry out some more investigations and report to Captain Yamamoto soon."
"Yes, Yoruichi-sama." Soifon bowed and flash-stepped to another spot where a senkaimon awaited her. Mission accomplished, she thought.
Soifon learnt two critical pieces of information that night – first, that she still fell in naturally under Yoruichi's leadership after all these years, and second, she had forgiven her sufficiently to be able to work with her.