Negligence Pays
After debriefing Yamamoto on her reconnaissance mission, Soifon flash-stepped into her office to an unfamiliar and unwelcome sight. Her Vice-Captain, Omaeda, was on her seat and asleep. There were rice cracker crumbs strewn all over his face and onto her table.
"Omaeda!" bellowed Soifon, thoroughly displeased that he had taken her seat and that he had been caught napping, an obvious lapse in duty.
"H.. huh? Wha… tai… taichou!" Omaeda's snapped open and he stood up clumsily, knocking over the table and spilling Soifon's neat piles of paperwork all over the floor.
Soifon looked at him coldly as he scrambled to make himself presentable before his Captain. Her personal guards had briefed her as soon as she returned to Seireitei, and she was well aware that Omaeda had barely carried out his own duties as Corps Commander of the Patrol Corps, and had neglected those she had entrusted to him. All the better. I will have less mistakes to undo.
"Taichou! Welcome back! How was your mission?"
"I finished the task assigned to me. What about you?"
"Ah… I… I…"
Soifon snapped. "Omaeda! As Corps Commander, you are responsible for the Patrol Corps. As Vice-Captain of the Second Squad, you are to cover my duties when I am not around. What kind of example have you been setting to my squad?"
Omaeda flinched, knowing that his Captain's small size belied her strength over him.
Soifon's voice dropped dangerously low, a near murmur. Just like a hornet primed to sting, thought Omaeda nervously. "So, Omaeda, what do you reckon is the appropriate punishment?"
Omaeda was wise enough to see that he had little choice in the matter. "You are the Captain, taichou. Do as you see fit."
Soifon smiled grimly. I am going to make you pay.