When Sakuras Bloom Chapter 44: I Promise, a bleach fanfic

Last Words

The summons came earlier than expected. Barely a week after Abarai Renji and Kuchiki Rukia left for Hueco Mundo, Yamamoto dispatched the captains and Vice-Captains of the Fourth, Sixth, Eleventh and Twelfth Squads as the strike force to infiltrate Hueco Mundo.

Soifon was normally serious, and no one had discerned anything from her demeanour since Yamamoto first revealed to her what was to come. However, a somber mood now descended all throughout Seireitei once the full weight of what was to come was announced. Even the normally irrepressible Rangiku was quieter, while Shunsui hardly smiled anymore. Only Yachiru and Kenpachi behaved as though nothing had changed. On the eve of their departure for Huecon Mundo, Yachiru had spoken excitedly of her plans for creating a new line of arrancar dolls to roleplay scenarios in the model of Karakura Town before she got distracted by snacks. Nemu had been supportive as usual – at least they will have each other for company in Hueco Mundo, thought Soifon.

Yoruichi had informed them that Urahara's device was ready and that the setup of the Tenkai Kecchu was complete. Aizen had sent an advance squad of hollows into Karakura Town to pave the way for his arrival, but some how a motley crew of modified souls and humans with spiritual ability had managed to defeat his troops. The swap was completed almost instantaneously, and the real Karakura Town and its sleeping inhabitants were transported into a forest in Rukongai, while the town's artificial counterpart was sent to take its place in the real world. The keigun were on standby, ready to take up the positions they had rehearsed for.

Soifon walked around her office, her hands lingering on the items that had become familiar. The desk. Her chair. Tomorrow, she would be off to the real world for the battle she had been training all her life for. She touched the folds of her haori, amazed at how she had gotten used to it. And will I live another day to put it on? I must.

When Karakura Town had come into Soul Society, she had summoned the keigun and transferred command to Yoruichi. As it had been a hundred years ago, and perhaps as it should have been. She knew that her troops would obey Yoruichi just as well as they obeyed her. She toyed briefly with the idea of giving a farewell address – just in case – but decided against it, reasoning that her troops would fight better without worrying about her.

There were one place she wanted to visit. In a flash, Soifon was in the sakura grove once more. Winter had robbed it of its flowers, but just being amidst the trees gave Soifon a sense of peace. The trees were cold to her touch, but she imagined how they would look when spring came. She recalled the amount of her rage and frustration that they had taken from her during her darkest days. "Perhaps we shall meet once more in spring," she whispered.

A voice interrupted her thoughs. "I thought I would find you here."

"Yoruichi-sama!" She turned around and saw Yoruichi dressed in the combat uniform of the Onmitsukido. "It still fits you well. I am glad."

Yoruichi tugged at the black uniform. "I prefer my own clothes, but I agree with you. This will be better for troop morale. And if I need to use shunko, this will work perfectly."

She looked at her protégé. "You ready for tomorrow?"

Soifon sighed and looked up at the sky. "If I am not ready now, I will never be. All those years training here – it all comes down to the battle tomorrow – and we shall be victorious and live, or fail and die."

They stood in silence. Finally, Soifon spoke up. "Yoruichi-sama, if I do not return from the battle… could you please let my steward know that all I have is his. He has been a faithful servant all these years… I am happy to trust all that belongs to the Fon family to him."

Yoruichi looked at Soifon intently. No, Soifon, I will not do this. Because you are coming back.

Soifon looked at her feet, took a deep breath, and continued. "You are the closest friend I have ever had, Yoruichi-sama. I did not dare to admit to myself that I thought of you as a friend, because I had put you on a pedestal. Who was I to presume myself a friend of the princess of the Tenshinheishouban? Perhaps time has helped that perspective, or that I can no longer lie to myself."

"When I was lonely, you looked out for me. You mentored me and you made me stronger. You made me the person I am today. Nemu is devoted to Kurotsuchi taichou but he cares little for her. I am much more fortunate that my taichou actually cared for me."

Soifon continued. "I have seen in Hinamori, Kira, Hisagi, what total and abject betrayal looks like. I hated you then, that is past. You have never done to me what Aizen, Ichimaru and Tosen have done. Even they believe there is something of their betrayers that can be redeemed – how much more I of you?"

To Yoruichi's great surprise, Soifon dropped on her knees. No, you have not done this since that day we met and fought – why…

"Forgive me, Yoruichi-sama. Forgive me for hating you, for hurting you and thinking that I could kill you."

I am the one who should ask for forgiveness, and yet you are here asking me? Soifon, my dear silly girl…

Yoruichi bent down and put her arms around Soifon. "And if you are my friend, then why should you bow to me? Do not be silly, child." Her eyes clouded over. "I am no longer your Captain or the Head of the Shihoin family, and you are no longer bound to me by honour of your family. You are the Captain of the Second Squad and Commander in Chief of the Onmitsukido in your own right. My reappearance does not change that."

Yoruichi looked at Soifon with a firm tenderness. "Yet I will still hold you against your promise." Soifon looked up in surprise. "Don't you dare die in the battle, Soifon. Not when I've found a friend and sister I thought I had lost for a hundred years. I need you to come back."

"Yoruichi-sama!"

I, Soifon, will give my blood and soul to safeguard the wellbeing of Yoruichi-sama.

Yes, I promise.

I promise.