The Heart Has Its Reasons
"Commander, I have news from Captain Hitsugaya of the Tenth Squad. The ryoka are on their way to Soul Society from the real world!"
"Commander, the ryoka have entered Soul Society and have hidden themselves in the Rukongai."
"Commander, the Senzaikyuu has just been bombed!"
It was a week where one bad news followed another. Soifon was in the middle of a patrol with a squad of guards when she received the latest piece of news. She gritted her teeth. "Keigun, receive your orders. Everyone is to split into teams and secure your respective jurisdictions. Keep a look out for the ryoka. Inform me as soon as you sight the invaders. No one is to be allowed in or out of Seireitei as of today."
Even then, Soifon knew that the additional security measures would be futile against such an enemy. They have already sneaked in and caught us completely unawares. The Senzaikyuu was a challenge. They want to make the point that we cannot stop them. They will be coming after us next. She clenched her fists. I must stop them!
Her guards disappeared, having flash-stepped to their respective posts. Soifon steeled herself, knowing that it would be a long night of patrolling and vigilance. Mentally, she mapped out the gates of Seireitei, determined to use shun-po to traverse between them for the better part of the night in order to ensure that security remained intact.
Deep in the night, Soifon was alerted to an attempted exit from Seireitei. She flash-stepped to the Red Hollow Gate, where she saw a contingent of guards standing before a familiar face.
"You will let me pass."
"I am sorry,Kuchiki taichou, but our Commander has given explicit instructions. No one is to leave or enter Seireitei tonight… Taichou!"
Soifon's guards immediately bowed when they realized she had arrived. "Return to your posts. I will handle this." They nodded and disappeared back into the shadows. Soifon turned to face Byakuya. "Kuchiki-taichou, if I may ask – where are you going?"
"Where I wish," Byakuya replied, his face set toward the gate.
"Why do you seek to exit into the Rukongai?" questioned Soifon.
"I am on my own business," came the detached reply.
Soifon recalled an earlier report in the day. Rukia Kuchiki had been severely injured by one of the Bount, and would have died but for Byakuya's intervention. Her attacker had escaped. "You seek to avenge your sister?" she asked.
A frosty silence descended. Byakuya finally spoke. "I must protect this land. And I will kill anyone who is an enemy of the Soul Society. No matter who they are."
It was Soifon's turn to pause. "I too seek to protect Seireitei, Kuchiki taichou. And I will kill anyone who is an enemy of Soul Society. Whoever they may be." Soifon turned away. "I will get on my duty now, and so shall you."
Byakuya looked at Soifon out of the corner of his eye. In a flash, he was out of the gate and in the woods of Rukongai.