Soifon sat in her bed, eyes wide as she stared intently at a framed photo of Tadashi and her. The photo was when he was first made a Lieutenant and her when she was first made a Captain. She had tried to keep a serious and refrained face but couldn't help but smile when Tadashi wrapped an arm around her and leaned over her with a big smile on his face.
She remembered when it was taken and secretly made more copies of it, one for a photo album the two had started for the division and another for herself. Now she put it on a dresser in front of her bed so when she wanted to she could lay and look at it. Now however, instead of making her smile, it was reminding her of her most current mission.
After the Yamigun disbanded after the death of the top three leaders she had been forced to write a mission report. In it it questioned the abilities of the zanpakuto of the person she fought.
The woman, going by the name of Rika Tonaka, used an illusion type zanpakuto that was able to go into the victims mind and attack them mentally. She had stated that her zanpakuto was also able to see inside the mind of the person closest to the victim using their bond. While under the affect of the zanpakuto she had broken free of the mental attack and then was put into the second part of the ability. During which Tadashi had confessed his love for her and then faded away.
Due to that she had been thinking more of Tadashi that se ever did before. For the first time in her life the composed Captain was avoiding the person she loved. How was she able to talk to him if she couldn't stop blushing and stuttering in his presence? She sighed and fell back in her bed with a sigh.
"God damn it Tadashi, I don't know what to do."
Tadashi stood outside his division barracks. He, for the first time in a long time, flustered and nervous. He had never set foot inside the division as their Captain before and today was the day he was supposed to stand in front of his whole division and say, "I am your Captain."
Hinamori was standing in front of him, a gentle smile on her face, "Captain Tadashi, I'm sure they'll all love you."
He shook his head, "I highly doubt it. But I can't just sit out here like this either." Tadashi took a deep breath before walking forward, "I'm ready."
He stepped inside and was immediately aware that every division member was located in the courtyard. Hinamori smiled and waved to them all and turned back to Tadashi who had a look of surprise on him.
"Sorry, I felt that this would be the easiest way." She turned to the division members, "Everyone please welcome Captain Tadashi with open hearts and open minds."
Tadashi stepped forward and bowed, "Hello everybody. My name is Tadashi Takeshi, Former Lieutenant of Squad Two and newly instated Captain of Squad Five. However I will not be able to call myself your Captain until you all accept me. I know you all feel hurt and betrayed by what's happened to this division and the Third and Ninth. With all hope I aim to fix that and strengthen the bonds of this division more so than they've ever been before." He bowed his head, "Please, allow me to be your Captain, to help you, to train you, and protect you!"
There was silence and no one talked, Momo sighed and put a hand on Tadashi's shoulder. He sighed and stood up, facing the whole of his division. The division members didn't look happy nor angry, just neutral. Until one member stepped forward.
He was a tall man, tan skin and muscled, with spiky blonde hair that was pushed back a bit. He narrowed his eyes at Tadashi, "What makes you think you can be our Captain? We had a Captain that no one could replace and you think you can just step in an say you're our Captain? I don't believe it!" He was downright glaring at Tadashi, "Take off the Captain Haori, I won't accept you as our Captain."
Some people cheered while others shook their head. Hinamori gasped and stepped forward, "Fourth Seat Sho! Apologize right-" "It's fine."
Hinamori stopped and looked towards Tadashi who pulled off the Captain haori and held it in his hands, "Sho right?" At his tense nod he continued, "By the sound of it you believe your better suited to be the Captain? Is that right?"
Sho nodded, "Who better to lead than a Division member?" More cheering and Hinamori shook her head.
Tadashi sighed, "Let me tell you now. I have been a shinigami for over 100 years, I started off in the Eleventh Divison as the Third Seat under my father, the Lieutenant, and my mother, the Captain. I was there when Shinji Hirako was the Captain of Squad Five, when Aizen was the Lieutenant, Gin Ichimaru was the Third Seat, and Ichirou when he was the Fourth Seat. Simply put I've been here for a long time. So when you say that you can't replace a great Captain? I laugh. Shinji Hirako was an amazing Captain, more so than Aizen, and he was replaced. As much as I hate to tell you I find I must. We shinigami are soldiers, expected to die and serve. Captains are no different, it's just harder to replace them."
Hinamori looked at Tadashi in surprise, not expecting such a grim outlook on life. Tadashi sighed and ran a hand through his hair, "Those who wish to upsurp me can fight me, all at once even. I may sound like I'm contradicting myself but while I won't say I'm your Captain until you accept me I will say that I was handed this job by Captain Commander Yammamoto himself." Tadashi looked into the eyes of Sho, "Tell me then, do you wish to take a chance against me?"
At Sho's defiant look Tadashi sighed, "Fine then. Everyone who doesn't wish to fight against me can you please step behind me?"
Around half of the division went behind him, all with sypathetic looks on their faces and receiving a smile from Hinamori. Sho and the other half of the division stood in front of him, pulling out their zanpakutos and ready to release them.
Tadashi cocked an eyebrow, "Zanjutsu off the bat? Since your facing a Captain level fighter I would suggest that you use Kido to surprise me, a third of your group using Hakuda to put me in a close distance fight while another third uses Zanjutsu in the fray. Not to mention your teamwork capablities and how well you can work together." Tadashi popped his knuckles, "You have already failed though. I won't use Hakuda or Kido and will merely use my sealed zanpakuto." Tadashi pulled out his long zanpakuto and pointed it towards the mass, "I will not spill a single drop of your blood. You will however need a trip to the Fourth Division."
Sho smirked and lifted his zanpakuto in the air, running forward with a battle cry.
Hinamori sighed and turned to the rest of the division, mostly women and some men who knew of Tadashi's reputation, "Please watch our Captains fight. I have fully accepted him as our Captain and he's proved to me that he has more than it takes to be one." She smiled at everyone, "It may seem like a fight but he's actually teaching them!"
Luckily Sho and his group didn't hear her and instead attacked the still Tadashi.
The fight lasted a minute and at the end of it all there was a courtyard filled with barely concious people, their pain filled moans filling the air. Tadashi stood in the middle, his Captain haori tucked under his arm.
"You see now? I'm sure if you used the plan I proposed you would've lasted at least another minute or two." He bowed his head, "I'm sorry for injuring you all to this extent. I will personally take care of any medical payment needed." He turned to a small girl and smiled, "What's your name?"
The girl, a small women of about Hinamori's height with long blue hair that fell to her hips and stormy blue eyes, answered, a small blush overtaking her face, "F-Fifth Seat Chiharu Saki!"
Tadashi looked perplexed over her enthusiatic reply, "Alright then, Chiharu can you please contact the Fourth Division and have them send over some healers? When you get back with them head towards the dojo so we can have a party okay?"
She nodded and turned to run off, tripping over her feet before righting herself and running away. Hinamori smiled, "She's very enthusiastic and timid but she's really strong, I'm sure you'll get along with her."
Tadashi nodded, "Uh huh...okay then everyone still able let's head to the dojo." He grinned, "And bring all the sake!"
Soifon walked stiffly towards the Fifth Division, passing my a small blue haired girl on her way. The girl's face was as red as a tomato and she kept saying 'Captain' under her breath with a blissful smile on her face.
Soifon smiled inwardly at the girl's crush on her Captain, knowing she was in a similar situation.
I can't wait to surprise Tadashi with this! His favorite food that took me forever to perfect! She smiled down at the bento she had filled with his favorite seafood dishes like Onigiri with tuna inside, fried rice with shrimp mixed in, and Nigiri sushi.
Soifon smiled down at the bento, It took me a while to make but it's worth it! I'm sure Tadashi will love it!
She smiled even more when she came upon the Fifth Division Barracks. The moment she stepped inside the barrack's courtyard her smile left her face and was replaced by a confused forwn.
Why is there so many unconcious shinigami? Oh well I can't be stuck worrying about that!
She ran into the compound, running towards where she sensed Tadashi's reiatsu. It took a couple minutes but she found him when she saw him sitting at the head of a group. He was sitting down, Hinamori next to him, and the rest of his division sitting in front of him. They were all laughing, smiling and lauhing along with a joke someone had told.
However, as she stepped inside, Tadashi stopped laughing and turned to her. He smiled once he met her eyes and jumped to his feet. Soifon had to stop herself from blushing as she saw him walking to her.
Damn that woman and her zanpakuto! Even a simple thing gets me flustered now!
"Soifon!" He stopped once he was in front of her, "Came to join the party?"
Soifon nodded meekly, "Y-Yeah. I figured you'd be hungry too so I..." She gulped and held out the bento in front of her, not speaking. Tadashi had a confused smile on his face before smiling widely and grabbing onto the bento.
"You didn't!" He opened the bento and took a whif before smiling with his eyes close as if to savor the aroma, "Soifon's Homemade Cooking. I wish I could have this everyday! For breakfast, lunch, and dinner!"
Unbeknown to him but painfully known to her, the whole of his division, the ones not in the courtyard, were paying rapt attention to the Two Captains conversation.
One of the people, an unseated officer spoke up quietly to Momo, "Hey Lieutenant, I heard that Captain Soifon was one of the meaner Captains so why is she acting like a girl with a crush over there?"
Hinamori turned to who spoke with a knowing smile, "You didn't know? Those two are childhood friends and have known each other for 110 years. And to your comment on her acting..." She grinned with an evil look in her eyes, "It is way past a silly crush."
Soifon, hearing her comment, blushed and resembled a tomato while Tadashi bit into one of his dishes.
After he swallowed he looked down to Soifon, "Makes me miss the Second already." He turned to the rest of the division and pointed to Soifon, "Everyone say hi to Soifon!" He said it with a grin.
The division members jumped to their feet with a salute, "Hello Captain Soifon!"
Soifon nodded to them all. She turned back to Tadashi, finally gaining her composure, "Well I only came to give you the bento and I have to get going to a Shinigami Women's Association meeting sooo..."
Tadashi smiled and nodded, "Of course." He seemed to think for a second, "When you're free let's get some dinner alright?"
Soifon nodded, "A-Alright." As a date? As friends? Ahhhh, this is going to drive me insane!
She turned and swiftly left the room, leaving Tadashi to turn to the rest of the division.
Tadashi was silent before frowning, "So...anyone think she was acting weird?"
Hinamori shrugged, "I don't know, after that mission it seems that's become her usual behavior. In fact I-"
The doors opened again and Soifon walked in. Tadashi turned to her, "Soi what's-"
She didn't allow him to finish as she grabbed onto his collar and pulled him down to her. Without any hesitation she leaned forward and kissed him. Tadashi was frozen with shock while Soifon had her eyes closed and continued to kiss him for a few more seconds before disconnecting and walking away with a smile.
Tadashi straightened up, his eyes still wide from shock and a healthy blush overtaking his face, "S-Soi?" He didn't move from the spot and steam seemed to rise from his body.
The division members walked over him and were forced to stiffle their laughs as they saw their Captain completely red, matching his hair, steam rising from his ears, and his eyes becoming swirls, all with a dazed smile on his face.
Soifon's smile didn't leave her, even as she walked into the Shinigami Women's Association Headquarters in the Kuchiki Estate. She sat down in a comfortable position next to Captain Unohana who smiled once she saw her.
"Soifon, you seem happy."
Soifon turned to Unohana, "Do I? I wonder why."
Hinamori walked in then, giggling like mad. She had to cover her mouth with both hands to stop herself when she saw Soifon but even that didn't seem to work. The other members, Isane, Kiyone her sister, Rangiku, Yachiru, Nanao, and Rukia all looked towards her with vulture like eyes.
"What happened Momo?" Asked Rangiku as she took a sip of sake.
Momo just shook her head, refusing to meet anyone in the eye, "N-Nothing!"
Rukia smirked, "Oh really then?" I'll get it out of her later! "So, I hear that Saburo went on a vacation for a couple weeks."
Isane nodded, a hint of sadness in her eyes, "Yes, in Karakura Town. It was lonely in the Fourth for a while but I'm glad he's back now. I was worried though, espicially when I heard that he was attacked by an Adjuchas in a park."
That caught attention and Soifon leaned forward, "An Adjuchas? Why wasn't anyone from Seireitei deployed to help?"
Isane shrugged, "I don't know but I do know that he fought it and several other Hollows off until Kurosaki could get there. It's impressive though, even though he has bankai he's still Lieutenant level and he was able to fight off an Adjuchas." She sighed, "I'm just glad he wasn't hurt too badly." Then she smiled, "But ever since he's come back he's been telling me how fun it is at the Kurosaki house. Did you guys know that Kurosaki has slittle sisters?"
Yachiru leaned forward, excitement clear in her eyes, "Ichi has sisters? What are they like?" She was clearly looking for playmates.
Rukia decided to take up that question, "He has two sisters who are twins. Karin is a little rough and a tomboy but she's really nice when you get to know her and she really cares about her family despite what people may think. Yuzu is easily the kindest person I have ever met. She acts like the Mother in the household and is responsible for all the cooking and laundry. I think without her in the house they wouldn't be able to do anything right." She smiled fondly, as if remembering her time in the household.
Isane smiled at the comment, "Well that's good. I was wondering what they were like, Saburo kept talking about the Yuzu girl."
Before anyone could get any ideas Soifon shook her head, "He's way too young for that. Give him a couple years before you peope try playing matchmaker."
Rukia nodded in consent, "She is too. Not to mention Ichigo would kill him."
Rangiku pouted, "You people are no fun!" Referring to Soifon and Rukia before smirking, "Well there's still you two then!" The two girls blushed and tried to deny anything but were silence when Rangiku held up a hand, "Don't even! Soifon, honey, you don't even try to hide it! And Rukia, doll, we have a whole list on reasons why you and that Ichigo boy are so good together!"
Hinamori errupted into giggles at the mention of Soifon's love life and couldn't stop. Everyone looked at her weirdly before a knowing look passed through their eyes. Even the normally serious Nanao was interested in any new developments.
She pushed up her glasses, trying to seem uninterested, "Hinamori, what exactly happened?"
Soifon's eyes widened and she brought up her hands, "Don't say anything! Nothing happened!"
Everyone, except Yachiru who was too young and Nemu who was inexpereinced in romance matters, shot off a list of questions.
Before anything could happen the door was thrown open. Everyone's eyes panned to the doors to see Matsuri with her Lieutenant badge on her left arm. She gulped and stepped in and bowed to everyone.
"Hello everyone! I'm Matsuri Kudo! And I-"
Soifon frowned, "You could just sit down...you don't need to be so formal."
Matsuri's eyes widened and she started splutering, "C-Captain?"
Unohana smiled her motherly smile up at her, "So this is the new Lieutenant of Squad Two? It's nice to meet you." Matsuri nodded, surprised at being talked to by the Most Beautiful Woman in Seireitei..
Matsuri moved and sat down next to Momo and Nemu and Rangiku waved, "Join me for some sake!"
"Matsuri doesn't drink." A deep voice they knew didn't belong to any female drifted throughout the room, "Can't hold her liquor, she prefers smoothies."
Unohana frowned at the direction of Soifon, "Your stealth abilities are very impressive, fitting for someone who stood as the Lieutenant of Squad Two for over a hundred years."
Soifon gasped and jumped up, turning around as the form of Tadashi was seen stepping out of the shadows behind her, "Thank you Retsu, I'll take the compliment to heart."
He turned to Soifon to see her stuttering. He didn't say anything for a while before smirking and leaning forward, "Two can play that game, S-O-I-F-O-N." Before she could say anything he bent down and kissed her. This time she was the one frozen while he was relaxed.
Everyone except Hinamori was shocked by this. Rukia had a red face and her eyes were wide, Nanao's glasses were hanging from her nose, Nemu cocked an eyebrow and took notes on what was happening while thinking of a glasses wearing archer, even Unohana was surprised.
Tadashi leaned back and grinned at the flabbergasted look in Soifon's eyes, "Dinner is still on." He turned and walked out of the room, "I can get used to doing that."
Soifon was wide eyed, a small blush overtaking her face before touching her lips, "Me too...Tadashi..."
No sooner than when she said that the whole room errupted into cheers and grabbed onto Soifon as if she was a doll.
It took 109 years and an enemy with an interesting zanpakuto to finally kiss him and yet... waiting all those years, all those battles, all those hard times...it was worth the wait.