Chapter 5: Rumors
Pissed was the only word to describe what Soi Fong was feeling at this very instant. Eyebrows twitching. Check. Vein at the top of head bulging. Check. Balled up fists. Check. Oomadea watched as and checked off the various signs his taichou was displaying. For a very stoic person, this level of display proves how great her rage is. If I make it out of this room unharmed, I swear to God I'll cut down on the junk that I gorge myself on every day.
"Oomadea"
Soi Fong's voice cut like through the abnormally silent room like a sharp blade cutting through soft butter.
"Y-Yes taichou?" he stood up straighter.
"What is the meaning of this?" she gestured to the pile of paper that littered her floor.
"And this" she picked up a piece of completed paperwork with greasy fingerprints blotting out most of the words.
"And this" she gestured vaguely at the crumbs lining the sides and corners of the paperwork that he had just turned in.
"…." Words failed him. He watched as her hands twitched and braced himself for the attack that never came.
"Tai-taichou?" he tried keeping the fear out of his voice and failing miserably.
"Take them out, redo them. After you're done, clean up the mess you created in my office and if this were to happen again…" the look on her face said it all.
"H-ha-hai!"
"What are you doing still standing around here for? You might want to leave while I'm still feeling merciful, which isn't going to last very long. Just because I lifted your punishment doesn't mean you can turn in sloppy work. Repeat this and you'll see."
Oomadea dashed out of the room as though a pack of blood-crazed rabid hounds were on his tail.
That was fun. Soi Fong let a small smile grace her lips. Yoruichi would have loved watching stuff like that. She is always complaining of being bored. A frown marred her features as the thoughts of her lover crossed her mind. What is up with here and the captain of the sixth? The past two weeks she has been returning back late, in a really good mood talking about her Byakuya-yago and how fun it was. No. I mustn't be paranoid. I will ask her when I see her. If I see her. Soi Fong could not help but add the last part bitterly. It has been two weeks since she last saw her lover. It's either Yoruichi is back and asleep when Soi Fong return or that she return only after Soi Fong fell asleep. When Yoruichi stopped by at her office, she only stayed for five minutes and did not even attempt to grope her. The kiss she gave feels more perfunctory than affectionate. She strode along the corridors, her mood darkening.
"Have you heard? The head of the Shihouin clan is to wed Kuchiki taichou. No wonder the two of them seem pretty close when I saw them last week."
"Are you serious?! What about Soi Fong taichou? I thought she and Shihouin-sama was close."
"Doesn't seem like these days. Besides, I heard from my cousin. He works for the Shihouin clan as the assistant to Shihouin Yoruichi-sama's cousin, Shihouin Nana. He said she was so smug over the whole thing because she knew that Yoruichi-sama would reject the proposal and she would be made head."
Soi Fong could barely believe her ears. Yoruichi. HER Yoruichi is engaged to Kuchiki Byakuya and she didn't let her know about it?! Suddenly her dream came back to her. Oh. My. God. Her worst nightmare had come to life. Is that why she has been avoiding me? To subtly let me know that she doesn't need me anymore? I need to talk to her. With that, she marched to her quarters, all thoughts of training had evaporated from her mind.
--Soi Fong's place—
Yoruichi was lounging on the couch, her feet dangling off the hand rest. Why is she taking so long to return? Maybe I should go check on her… just as she was about to push herself off the couch, Soi Fong slide open the door.
"Soi! You're back early!" she was about to wrap her arms around the said woman when she caught the look on her face. It was blank, the way it was when they first met after a hundred years of separation. Except this time, the rage was gone and replace by immense sadness. It seemed as if Soi Fong wasn't there at all. A shell and nothing more.
"Soi?"
"Soi?"
Yoruichi is getting worried. Her lover looked as though someone very precious had died right in front of her and she could not do anything to save that person. Something's wrong. She idly wondered if it has anything to do with Byakuya's visits the last two weeks but quickly brush them away to concentrate on her lover.
"Soi" she hugged the younger woman.
Soi Fong felt Yoruichi hug her and stiffened immediately. She heard the concern in Yoruichi's voice. Is that just an act? Why do you care? You're marrying Kuchiki Byakuya. There is no need for you to concern yourself with me any longer.
Yoruichi felt Soi Fong stiffen. What is wrong with her? Pulling back, she tipped Soi Fong's face up to face her. Gold bore down on steel. What is wrong with you? Talk to me. Please.
It was as if Soi Fong got the silent plea. She opened her mouth and the words that came out of her mouth caused Yoruichi's jaw to drop there and then before she herself ended up flooring.
"When are you going to tell me?"
The hurt was evident in her voice.
Tell her what? Yoruichi looked back, confused.
"When are you planning on telling me that you're engaged to Kuchiki Byakuya? Are you planning on telling me at all? Or you are just going to pull that same stunt you did back then?"
Before Yoruichi could fully comprehend the situation, Soi Fong wrenched herself out of the embrace and trudge to her room.
What the fuck?! Yoruichi was confused as hell. Me engaged to Byakuya-yago?! Don't be ridiculous. Someone must have been around spreading rumors. When I find you, you will pay for making Soi Fong look that miserable and that broken. I will make you pay for letting that look cross her face. Kuchiki Byakuya. You have a lot of explaining to do.
With that she flash stepped her way to the captain office of the sixth squad with a determined look on her face.
--Sixth squad captain's office—
Kuchiki Byakuya sat at his desk, his face impassive. Yet inside, he was raging. That damn cat. Can't she just sit and listen for once in her life. Each time. Each time I wanted to ask her about her plans on getting out of this mess, she have to pull a stunt that make me so mad that I forget my original purpose. Doesn't she know how important and how big this whole stupid engagement is going to be?! I have absolutely no intention of marrying that crazy woman. And I don't think Soi Fong taichou would be very happy about it also. Despite his obvious dislike for the Shihouin clan head, he smiled. He know how important those two are to each other. They are just like you and me, Hisana. I will talk to her. I will not lose my temper and go after her like I did the last few times.
He felt it. That reiatsu. It's her. Speak of the devil. Judging by the feel of the reiatsu, he knew something must have happened. I really am in for it this time. It's all her fault. I should never have let her get under my skin. Byakuya sat at his desk, dreading his next encounter with the Shihouin princess. This is going to be a long day.
AN: Hello ppl! I know it feels like I have dropped off the face of this earth for good with the long infrequent updates. I'm so sorry! It's the hols and I have no reason to be taking this long. I know…Anw, here is an update, in anticipation and celebration of the unveiling of Soi Fong's bankai. Manga readers, I'm sure you know what I'm talking abt. Finally we get to see her bankai. I'll try to update this at least once every week. I promise! =)