The Heart Has Its Reasons II
Soifon looked up from her discussions with Yoruichi. It was late into the night and she had hoped to finish up and retire soon, but the keigun had just informed her that two shinigami were seeking to exit Sereitei without permission. These two were fairly powerful as well, and she knew she would have to handle them personally. Soifon excused herself and flash-stepped away.
Why is Kuchiki-taichou doing nothing about this? He must have known something like this would happen. Even I wanted to do something like this when Yoruichi-sama was in trouble…
Rukia's eyes widened in fear when Soifon flash-stepped in before her with one hand up, blocking the senkaimon. Renji gasped slightly, but hunkered down in determination, one hand on Zabimaru's hilt.
"And where do you think you are going?" asked Soifon.
"Please, Soifon taichou, you have to let us go. We must rescue Inoue!" Something about the urgency and determination in Rukia's voice touched Soifon, but she hardened herself. "Orders are orders, Kuchiki. You were ordered to return to Seiretei and this is where you shall stay. That applies to you too, Abarai."
"She is right. Orders are orders." A cold voice came from behind Rukia and Renji. "My orders were to bring them back, and that was all. What they do after that is their own business."
"Nii-sama!"
"Taichou!"
Byakuya tossed two robes to Renji and Rukia. "These will protect you from the sand and the wind, whever it is you are going." He turned and walked away.
Soifon looked at Rukia and Renji, who were staring at the robes in their hands and the departing Byakuya in amazement. They finally recovered their composure and took a step towards the senkaimon. "Soifon taichou, I…"
To their surprise, Soifon lowered her hand and stepped away. "As your brother and Captain, Kuchiki taichou will answer to Captain Commander Yamamoto for this. I will leave you; do what you must."
She flash-stepped back to her office. Yoruichi looked at her quizzicially as she came in, and asked "What was that about?"
Soifon nodded throughtfully. "It turned out to be nothing much. Just doing what I would have done these past hundred years."