Yo! I'm glad you guys like it so far. I was kinda tired of seeing Soi Fon being portrayed as some awkward weakling, so I wanted to show her for what she is, a complete badass! I'm sorry about the short chapters; I'll work on making them longer. Also I'll be updating every weekend with one or two chapters each. Constructive criticism would be great too :)

Also, this will be slow going. Every few chapters will be important events in Soi Fon's life, leading up to her adult life.

-Partners!?-

"Soi Fon, this man will be your partner from now on."

Soi Fon glared at the disgustingly over sized man in front of her. Omaeda was what they called him.

"Man? He seems more of a pig in clothing than a man." she spat.

Omaeda didn't flinch at the comment; he seemed to be too absorbed in his crackers to care.

Yamamoto sighed at the young girls distaste."Miss Fon, must I remind you that an experienced employee must oversee you until you reach the appropriate age? It is the agreement your guardian and I have settled on."

Soi Fon huffed. "Guardian? That woman hardly counts as a guardian!" she spat with just as much disgust when insulting Omaeda. "She spends her free time getting drunk and playing with fireworks."

"If these conditions are not met, then you may as well prepare to wait seven more years. That is if you wish to work with us."

Soi Fon glared at Yamamoto. She was angry. Angry, that she was treated like a baby by everyone in the Gotei 13. She didn't need anyone to babysit her! She may be young, but she can damn well take care of herself. It wasn't as if Kukaku actually did anything other than give her a place to live. Of course she was grateful for it, but the woman could have at least taught her something other than how to make a bomb.

While Soi Fon was busy, mentally cursing everyone who had looked down on her, Yamamoto continued to speak, his voice firm.

"In all honesty, I would rather not have such a young child associated with this type of business..." Soi Fon's heart sank at what he may be suggesting. Noting her drastic change in mood, he continued on. "But in truth, this company needs you. A child as young as you can easily shadow a client without any suspicion of danger."

There it is again. A child. That's all she is to these people. A little kid they can bend to their will.

Soi Fon hardened her face, eyes furrowing and jaw clenching. "But aren't I just a helpless kid? This man is obviously a clear sign that you think I can't handle myself." she spat.

Yamamoto had lost his patience with the girl. "This man is a symbol of our acceptance."Soi Fon shrank back at Yamamoto's harsh tone."His one and only purpose from now on, until you reach seventeen years of age, is to accompany you on every mission, and to ensure that you are not killed."

His voice softened slightly, and took on a softer tone.

"Soi Fon, you are a valuable asset to this company. With the skill you have now at such a young age, it would be foolish to turn you away for being so young. The mere fact that Kukaku brought you to me personally is enough of a reason to keep you with us."

She stood in front of the old man silently, studying his rarely open eyes, searching for a hidden lie. She was waiting for these people to deceive her, to jerk away what very little she already has. She's waiting for them to crush the small amount of trust she has left.

"The eyes are a window into the mind", that's what Kuukaku had said to her, before introducing her to Yamamoto all those weeks ago. She ran the conversation back in her mind.

"It doesn't matter how good of an actor you are." she whispered, inching her face to Soi Fon's slowly, breath reeking of sake. It was almost intimidating... Until she backed away quickly, nearly puking onto the table separating them. Unfazed, she merely downed another cup of sake, pointing two fingers at her own two eyes. "If you uh... Literally... Yeah. If you literally look long enough into their eyes, you'll see them falter. Their pupils might dilate or twitch ... if only for a moment." She slammed another cup of sake. "BAM! That's when you know kid."

At the moment she thought the woman to just be a drunken fool. But now, Kukaku just may be useful after all.

And inside Yamamoto's eyes, she saw no lies, only the raw truth. For now.

Soi Fon bowed, and then stood; straightening her back, realizing that she had reacted too harshly without considering the meaning of the old man's decision. "I understand sir. Please excuse my rude behavior."

"I can see why you are so wary of us Soi Fon." he said, understanding of her outright rejection of the idea. "But you must see that this is for the benefit of both you and me."

Immediately she replied, "Yes sir."

Yamamoto sighed, and leaned back into his large wooden chair. The splintering legs creaked under his movement.

"Now leave girl. Omaeda will show you to your new living quarters."

Nodding, Soi Fon turned on her heels and headed towards the entrance, with Omaeda following suit.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, she was immediately bathed in the cleansing white moonlight. Taking a deep breath, letting the cool air rush into her lungs, and tuning her ears to the silence the night sky brought on, she took a moment to collect herself.

The head of the Gotei 13 had openly expressed their need of her loyalty to the organization. To compensate for the fact that Soi Fon is still only a ten year old girl he had assigned one of his own men to watch over her. Not only that, but he had done so in person.

Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the sound of moist chewing. It disgusted her, instantly causing a scowl to form on her previously smooth features.

She spun around, glaring at the source of her disgust. Omaeda.

He stood, oblivious to her piercing gaze, and continued to eat the crackers hidden inside his large sleeve without a care in the world.

Soi Fon grit her teeth and slowly called his name."Omaeda?"

He swallowed the rest of the crackers in his mouth, and looked down at Soi Fon. "Yeah?"

"What is it you're eating there?"

Smiling, he held a cracker out to her."Fried crackers. Want one? They're pretty damn good."

Resisting the urge to outright slap him, she took a deep breath.

"No thanks, but can you come closer please?" she asked in a sickly sweet voice.

Taking heavy steps, he walked closer to her. "Eh? What is it?"

In one quick motion, Soi Fon swung her leg back, hitting Omaeda dead center between his thighs. Crying out in pain he dropped his bag of crackers and knelt down to cover himself. "Why did you do that!"

Stopping herself from bursting out in laughter at the massive man's cry, she walked over to the spilt bag. "Because I don't like the way you chew."

Omaeda groaned."So you kicked me?"

Looking him in the eye, she slowly crushed the crackers with her foot. "Yes."

Omaeda rose back up to his feet, at the same time he was eyeing Soi Fon making sure she wouldn't do anything else.

Quirking her eyebrow, she glared at him. "What?"

"That was rude." He mumbled.

Ignoring him, she looked back towards the empty street."Where's the car?"

Kicking the crushed remains of his favorite fried crackers, Omaeda pointed down the road, towards the oversized black truck. "There."

Soi Fon scoffed at the pitch black Dodge Ram and began walking towards it. "Compensating for something?"

He blushed, although it looked more as if he was struggling to breath to Soi Fon. "What are you talkin' about? A kid like you shouldn't be so mouthy you know, especially around the great Omaeda Marechiyo!" he yelled proudly, pointing his large thumb at his chest.

Ignoring his dramatic show of narcissism, she continued walking down the road, mumbling Omaeda's first name out loud to get a feel for it. "Marechiyo? Chiyo? That sounds too cute… and Marechiyo is just a mouthful… Omaeda, now that just rolls off the tongue like nothing."

After reaching the car that was still locked, she called back to Omaeda, who was slowly making his way towards her. "Open the door!"

Pulling out the remote from inside his large sleeves, he pressed a button that unlocked the car. Soi Fon jumped into the passenger seat, but had to grab onto the handrail because she was too short to just step inside, much to her embarrassment, and slammed the door shut. Soon after, Omaeda entered the car, easily sliding in without a hassle. He looked at Soi Fon and grinned. Huffing, she crossed her arms and shrank into the oversized seat, her face turning a very obvious bright red.

Turning the key, the car roared to life, and Omaeda drove out of the neighborhood towards Soi Fon's new home.