There and Back Again
Soifon flash-stepped back to her office, glad that the Shinigami Women's Association meeting was over. Yoruichi had disappeared with Byakuya after the meeting and Soifon felt a small pang of regret interspersed with a measure of relief. She was still unsure how to relate to Yoruichi, although she certainly did not mind her presence and in fact was quite glad to have her around. Perhaps we might have spoken a bit more on the way back… but what would we say anyway? So, Yoruichi-sama, what have you been up to these hundred years? Me… well…
She found it easiest to relate to Yoruichi when they were working together. Then, a common goal and topic was constructed for them, and both knew their roles within the mission. Leader and Follower. Planner and Executer. Peers in Strategising. The structures provided some artificial framework with which Soifon could relate to Yoruichi without the complexities of a century past affecting her. The mission opportunities gave her an outlet with which to serve Yoruichi without the subservience of the past, since Soifon was no longer simply serving a personal liege but Soul Society at large.
She was thus pondering the tangled structures of interpersonal relationships when Yoruichi suddenly appeared before her, a large folder of documents in her hands. "Yo… Yoruichi-sama!"
"Soifon, I've just spoken to Byakuya. Captain Commander Yamamoto has had him dig up the Kuchiki family's records of the history of Soul Society, and we have unearthed some troubling information about the phenomenon plaguing the real world." Yoruichi's eyes narrowed. "I must trouble you to take this information to Kisuke immediately. I will be calling on the Captain Commander with Byakuya right now, please report to us when you return."
Soifon nodded. She took the folder and stepped into the awaiting senkaimon and found herself on the roof of the Urahara Shop once more.
*******
"And so, that is the situation, which you will find described in these documents. Yoruichi-sama wishes to convey that she will continue her investigations into these Bountou in Soul Society and will only return in a few days' time," reported Soifon. Across from her, Urahara Kisuke and Tessai Tsukabishi were analysing the documents, deep in thought. Finally, Urahara cleared his throat. "This is excellent work. I am sorry to have troubled you for this."
Soifon looked away. "It was nothing. I will leave you to your work – I must report back to Yoruichi-sama now."
She got up to leave but paused, finally taking in her surroundings. She noticed the dilapidated walls, the threadbare rooms, the peeling paint… "This place… it is not in fit condition for Yoruichi-sama to live in," she noted matter-of-factly.
"Wh… why you-" an infuriated Tessai began to speak, but Soifon only looked coldly at him. Urahara quickly stepped between the two and laughed his characteristic little laugh. "My apologies, but even so, this place has a nice feel to it."
Soifon turned around and looked him in the eye. "You do understand that if anything should happen to Yoruichi-sama while she is here, I will make you regret it."
And she disappeared in a flash.
"Y…you… why do you allow her to speak to you like this?" spluttered Tessai with incredulous anger.
"Ah… I just don't want any trouble coming from her." Urahara chuckled. "Besides, if Yoruichi were here to hear this, she would have been quite glad, I think."