Chapter 5: Orihime

(Sorry about the wait. I promise to explain everything on my profile soon but for now, please enjoy the next chapter!)

A month or so had passed since the assassination of Toshio Obuzu. Despite the loss of at least 10 men, it was considered a great success and Soifon even received light praise from the Head Captain for her actions while she recuperated at the Squad 4 barracks. She healed fast, being able to return to duty within a day after she was admitted to Captain Unohana's care. By some miracle, Ming was able to recover the hair ring Soifon had lost during the battle and she was able to attach a new thread to it. Within a few days of returning from her mission, Soifon was physically back to normal.

Her mental and emotional states, on the other hand, remained in disarray.

At first, the realization that her recent addiction to contact could be fed by anyone, even the likes of her lieutenant, gave her a sense of relief. After all, if just anyone could make her feel this way, then it simply couldn't have been that big of a deal, right? Maybe it was just a temporary phase like her teacup obsession back when she was a child, (She still couldn't believe Yoruichi made her men sit down at their tea parties with them.) and would soon go away. It was with this mentality that Soifon was able to accept the fact she had basically been carried like a child to the Squad 4 barracks by Marechiyo and Ming. Of course, it still embarrassed her when Lieutenant Kotetsu playfully brought it up but one deadly glare was enough to silence the tall woman for the rest of Soifon's visit.

As the days turned to weeks, however, Soifon became acutely aware of a problem regarding her strange new need.

Namely, the paranoia.

Of course, no one actually knew of Soifon's little secret and she sure as hell intended to keep it that way. After all, what kind of reputation would the Onmitsukido have if it came out their Captain-Commander liked being petted or carried? Just the mere thought of it was enough to make Soifon flush with shame. Thus, once she returned from her barracks, she made it a point to act as normal as possible. She kept her men distant from her and from each other and bred hostility as she always had. She gave Marechiyo a good talking-down to concerning his snack stashes throughout the barracks and put him on toilet duty again. She did her best to appear as cold and ruthless as she always had been to everyone she knew.

And yet, despite all the walls she put up around herself and her little secret, it still felt like she was being watched at all times.

Sometimes, it was a snicker she would hear out in the street. Sometimes, she swore she heard her name in a hushed conversation. Sometimes, she felt someone's gaze on her as she passed them by, only to turn around and find them walking away. It was only these small moments but they were enough to put Soifon on edge, to make her mind race with the rather horrifying possibility that somehow, everyone knew her secret and were just waiting for the perfect moment to expose her. It was enough to even give her nightmares about everyone pointing and laughing at the great big softy she had become. These nightmares left her shaking in her futon.

There was one consolation that came from this whole ordeal, however, and that was Ming.

The blue-haired girl recovered only a day after her captain and was ready and willing to report for duty the evening she returned from Squad 4. Normally, Soifon would have been annoyed by such a chipper attitude in the aftermath of such an intense mission but, considering how well Ming handled herself and the fact she put up with Marechiyo to carry her captain to safety, she decided to let it slide. Ming seemed to notice Soifon out of sorts that evening and shyly offered another head massage.

Soifon almost barked out a fierce "No!" but was able to stop herself. She remembered her little epiphany during the mission and gave it some thought.

"I suppose...there's no real harm in it, right? I mean, she's clearly loyal. She's proven that quite a bit. And no one else has to know."

With this thought began a rather interesting addition to Soifon's life, namely Ming's little massages. It happened every few days and always when Ming was reporting the events of another mission or simply relaying a message from another captain. Never was she straight up called into Soifon's office to give her a massage. Soifon rationalized it to herself as simply not wanting to waste Ming's time when she had important training to attend to, even as her face tinted itself in pink. Ming never questioned her captain's methods or reasoning. She was just happy to help her secret idol relieve her stress, especially if it meant getting to run her fingers through her silky black hair.

This was an arrangement that suited both parties just fine and Soifon was certain she had found the balance she needed to get through this little phase of hers.

Unfortunately, things did not stay peaceful for long.

Thanks in part to her squad's efforts, the Gotei 13 was able to uncover Aizen's master plan and the means by which he intended to go about it. As with everyone, Soifon had formed a million little theories concerning that rat bastard's true motive but none could compare to the nightmarish reality. Apparently, Aizen was using the Hogyoku he had pilfered from Rukia Kuchiki to create an army of Arrancar from the Hollow population in Hueco Mundo, an accursed place few Shinigami have ever laid eyes on. Once the army was complete, he was going to wage war against the Seireitei and secure an enriched spirit zone known as Karakura Town, (Interestingly, the same place the Royka that saved Rukia came from.) From there, he intended to sacrifice the souls of its inhabitants and fashion a key to the Royal Palace, all so he could assassinate the Soul King.

The news was unsettling to say the least.

The Head Captain was swift in informing the Ryoka, who at that point were to be considered allies in the fight against Aizen. Soifon wasn't completely on board with that sentiment but went along with it all the same. For the next few weeks, it seemed everyone, both in the Soul Society and the World of the Living, was gearing up for war. Soifon spent whatever time she didn't force herself to eat or sleep training diligently. Even her little massages with Ming took a back seat to her constant preparation, something she only realized a week or so after the fact. Soifon smiled to herself, taking it as a sign that her accursed addiction to contact was finally beginning to wane. She was starting to feel like her old self again and her training only increased in intensity as a result.

It was the second to last week in October, while on a run into the Rukongai for training supplies, that Soifon bumped into fellow captain Jushiro Ukitake.

"Why, if it isn't Captain Soifon!" He greeted warmly. "How have you been?"

"Um...quite well. Thank you." Soifon responded awkwardly. It wasn't that she hated Jushiro. In fact, he was one of the few captains that didn't piss her off most of the time. It was simply that she was still haunted about the whole calendar incident that happened over a month ago. If her secret addiction to touch being exposed turned her into a laughing stock, then those photos Yoruichi took would force her out of the Seireitei forever. She still shuddered whenever she heard a camera click.

Despite being victimized by Soifon during that hectic time, Jushiro seemed to have no animosity toward his fellow captain as he beamed upon her response. "That's great to hear! We could use some more good news around here for a change."

"I...I suppose."

Jushiro noticed the bags in Soifon's hand and the training supplies within. "Oh, I see you've been quite busy lately."

"Huh?" Soifon followed Jushiro's gaze to her bags. "Ah. That's correct. The battle against Aizen and his Arrancar will be upon us soon and I intend to make that bastard pay for deceiving us!"

Jushiro sweatdropped. "My, what a vicious motivation, Captain Soifon." His face took on a more serious expression. "But you are correct. We have a great battle ahead of us and little time to prepare for it."

"In that case, shouldn't you be training your men as well?" Soifon asked.

Jushiro laughed as he scratched the back of his head. "As a matter of fact, I was just on my way back to the barracks." He lifted his own bag, full of drinks and snacks. "I was just picking up some things for Inoue to try."

Soifon blinked. "Inoue? As in Orihime Inoue? The Ryoka girl?"

"Oh, did you not know?" He asked innocently. "I've recently given Rukia Kuchiki permission to train with Inoue at my Division's old training grounds."

Soifon nearly dropped her supplies. "Wha-What!? Captain Ukitake! A-Are you insane? You can't just start inviting humans into our world all willy-nilly like that, even if they're friends with a Substitute Shinigami!"

Jushiro laughed heartedly. "Come now, Soifon! That Ryoka business is all in the past now! Ichigo and his friends are allies now and against the likes of Aizen, we could use all the allies we can get, right?"

"I suppose so," Soifon reluctantly agreed. "But is it really a good idea to let a bunch of teenaged humans get involved in this?"

"Why Soifon, have you forgotten so soon?" Jushiro asked. "These youngsters more than proved their strength during their rescue of Rukia. They are far more than ordinary humans and Inoue's powers have been growing exponentially!"

"They have?" Soifon raised an eyebrow.

"Say, why don't you come join me for a while at the training grounds?" Jushiro offered. "You can see how much those two girls have improved for yourself!"

Soifon panicked and started waving her free hand frantically. "T-That's kind of you to offer, Captain Jushiro but I really shouldn-"

Jushiro wrapped his arm around her shoulder, pulling her tiny frame into his own. "Come on, it'll be fun! And who knows? You might even learn something useful for your own training!"

Soifon struggled as Jushiro ushered her down the road, too caught up in his personal excitement to notice. Realizing that she was trapped, Soifon sighed in defeat and matched Jushiro's footing. "Somehow I highly doubt that."


Before long, both captains made it to the old training grounds. Even before the field came into view, Soifon could hear the cries and grunts of two female voices as well as the sounds of Kido being used. Both she and Jushiro entered the field right as Rukia was rushing toward Orihime with yet another attack.

"Santen Kesshun! I reject!" Orihime shouted as she placed her hands in front of herself, willing three of her hairpins to fly out of her hair. They formed a triangle before her and within that space formed a yellow energy shield. It finished forming right as Rukia brought her sword down. The tiny Shinigami kicked herself off from the shield and back across the field as Orihime disengaged it.

"Alright! Here it comes, Orihime!"

"Right!" Orihime nodded.

Tsugi no mai, Hakuren!" Rukia stabbed the ground before her a few times, waited until ice particles floated up from the indents she created and sent them flying toward Orihime as a powerful gust of artic air. Soifon noticed that the Reiryoku being put into the attack was subdued, even if it hit Orihime at point-blank range, it would not give her anything worse than a prolonged shiver. She shifted her gaze to the orange-haired human who was once again holding her hands before herself.

Santen Kesshun! I reject!" She shouted as the shield once again formed before her. Rukia's attack smashed into the shield, causing Orihime to wince as she was pushed back a foot. This only lasted for about a second, however, and with a determined look on her face, Orihime planted her feet firmly in the ground and focused on her shield. After a few moments, the artic blast exploded in a mess of ice and wind and Orihime disengaged her shield before dropping to her knees.

"Amazing," Soifon thought as Jushiro clapped next to her. "Even if it was subdued, the fact that her shield can withstand such a forceful attack..."

"Orihime!" Rukia shouted as she sheathed her blade and rushed over to her friend. "Are you alright?"

"I-I'm fine!" Orihime assured as she sat up. Her hair was messy and there were dirt stains on her face but her smile and small chuckle sounded genuine enough. Rukia grabbed Orihime's hand once she was close enough and pulled her back on her feet. "I do wish I was able to activate Santen Kesshun quicker the second time."

"Are you kidding?" Rukia asked. "You managed to summon it twice in the span of five seconds! Yesterday, you needed ten! You're improving, Orihime, and fast!"

Orihime beamed. "Y-You really think so, Rukia?"

"She's not the only one," Jushiro spoke up, alerting the two girls to his and Soifon's presence as they approached them.

"Captain Ukitake! Captain Soifon?" Rukia asked.

"We happened to arrive just in time to see that demonstration," Jushiro continued. "I must say Inoue, you've come a long way since you started training here."

Orihime blushed and scratched the back of her head. "Oh! It's nothing really! I've just been practicing opening and closing Santen Kesshun is all!" It was then that Orihime noticed Soifon standing next to Jushiro. "Huh?"

"Hmm?" Jushiro noticed the girl's confusion at once. "Oh, forgive my rudeness! You two haven't been properly introduced, have you?" He gestured to his fellow captain. "Inoue, I'd like you to meet Captain Soifon of the Second Division. She leads the Onmitsukido, also known as the Stealth Force."

"Wow!" Orihime awed. "Rukia told me all about the Stealth Force! Are you really in charge of all those tough ninjas?"

Soifon was taken aback. She was caught off guard by Jushiro's sudden introduction of her and unprepared for Orihime's keen interest. Nonetheless, she cleared her throat and replied. "I am. The Onmitsukido is in charge of covert operations and punishment of criminal elements. I'm afraid I can't tell you more than that, given our nature, but rest assured we play an important part of upholding the peace around the Seireitei.

"Amazing!" Orihime exclaimed. "To think that there's an entire Division of ninjas in the Soul Society! Oh! Is it true that a ninja's favorite food is ramen?"

"R-Ramen?" Once again, Soifon was taken aback. "T-That's not-"

"And is it true that you can all turn into naked ladies?" Orihime asked innocently. "I know Yoruichi can turn into a cat so I was just wondering!"

Jushiro simply blushed bright red as Soifon's eye twitched. "W-Wha?"

"Orihime!" Rukia ran up to her friend in a panic. "I already told you! The ninjas in Captain Soifon's Division are not like the ones in your manga! They're completely different people!"

Orihime blushed as she realized her folly. "Oops! S-Sorry about that!" She scratched the back of her head again. "I guess I got carried away."

Rukia sighed and turned sheepishly to the two captains. "Sorry about that. Orihime got most of her knowledge of ninjas from Human World comic books."

"Just what the hell kind of comic books has she been reading!?" Both Jushiro and Soifon thought in unison.

"By the way," Rukia continued. "May I ask what brings you here, Captain Soifon? Don't get me wrong. I'm honored by your presence. We both are. I'm just curious."

"Huh?" It took Soifon about a minute to comprehend Rukia's question. "Oh. I uh, happened to bump into Captain Jushiro while picking up supplies for my own training. He...insisted I come to see your friend's progress." Soifon shot a glare at Jushiro for a few seconds after saying this but the 13th Division captain remained oblivious, simply chuckling to himself.

"Oh I see!" Rukia replied. "Well, what do you think?"

"What do I think about what?"

"About Orihime's progress of course!"

Soifon stiffened.

"Yes, Captain Soifon, what is your opinion on Inoue's progress?" Jushiro joined in, causing his fellow captain to break out into a cold sweat. "I'm sure the girl could use input from someone as experienced as you."

Soifon continued to shudder as she realized all eyes were on her now, bright and happy with smiles urging her into engaging in a conversation she wanted no part of. Slowly, she turned to Jushiro who only closed his eyes as he grinned even wider. "Damn you, Ukitake!" She thought through gritted teeth and glaring eyes. "Just what is your angle here!? What do you hope to get out of putting me in this awkward situation!? Is this some sort of covert payback for the calendar incident? It is, isn't it? You white-haired demon!"

"Well?" Jushiro asked without opening his eyes.

Soifon fought the urge to hiss at her fellow captain and reluctantly turned back to the human before her. She watched Soifon with a nervous posture, her shoulders hunched and her index fingers pressed together. It was clear she was being put on the spot in her own way. In that, Soifon found a strange sense of sympathy.

"Well, if you want my honest opinion, you'd never survive in battle with an Arrancar at your current level."

Orihime gasped while Rukia and Jushiro adopted concerned looks on their faces. In Jushiro's eyes, there was a hint of knowing, as if part of him was afraid Soifon would say something like this and regretted bringing her here.

"However, as far as progress goes, I must admit you've come a long way in a rather short amount of time." She continued. "In that regard, you've surpassed a few Shinigami I know," Marechiyo came into Soifon's mind as she said this.

Jushiro and Rukia exhaled in relief as Orihime blushed and covered her mouth, her eyes sparkling with pride. "Y-You mean it!?"

Soifon nodded. "Keep up the good work and you won't be deadweight on the battlefield." Her voice was soft as she spoke but her face remained stern, her hands on her hips as if she was giving a lecture.

Orihime's eyes watered with tears of joy. "Oh thank you!" Without warning, the orange-haired high schooler leapt at Soifon with open arms. All three Shinigami were dumbstruck as Orihime wrapped her arms around the lithe Captain-Commander and pulled her into a tight hug, Soifon's face being buried into the human's chest. "You don't know how happy it makes me to hear that from someone like you! I promise to do my very best!"

"O-Orihime!" Rukia stammered, fearing for her friend's life.

"I-Inoue! For your safety, I must insist you release Captain Soifon at once! She's not the type for...huh?"

"Is something wrong, Captain?" A already panicking Rukia asked as she noticed Jushiro's expression change at once.

"C-Captain Soifon?"

Her anxiety sky-high, Rukia turned to where her captain was looking and, without realizing it, adopted his expression of confusion for herself.

Soifon, the no-nonsense, ruthless Captain-Commander of the Onmitsukido, was as limp as a ragdoll in Orihime's embrace, her own arms dangling like wind chimes besides her body. What really shocked the Squad 13 Shinigami, however, was the expression on Soifon's face, at least, the top half of it they could see. Rather than a venomous glare, her eyes were closed in content, her brows laxed and her skin pink. It was as if she was actually enjoying the contact.

"C-Captain Soifon?" Jushiro repeated.'

Soifon's eyes flew open at once and blinked as they met Jushiro's and Rukia's gazes. Slowly, they trailed up to the human girl squeezing their owner like she were a teddy bear won by her boyfriend at the carnival. Realization bled into Soifon like acid rain and as, with her face turning a dark shade of red, she slowly looked back up at her fellow Shinigami.

"They...They saw..." The images of mockery from her nightmares returned as Soifon's lips began to quiver. "They...They'll find out!"

"Gah!" She struggled against Orihime's embrace. "Let go of me! I hate being touched!" She launched herself away from the human girl, knocking her down as she landed on her feet and open palm, panting heavily.

"Orihime!" Rukia shouted as she rushed toward her friend.

"Captain Soifon!? Just what has gotten into you?" Jushiro asked.

"J-Just stay away from me, all of you! I hate being touched!" Soifon repeated. Before Jushiro could try to question her further, she flash-stepped out of the field, leaving behind the two dumbfounded Shinigami and an equally confused human.

"Orihime?" Rukia grabbed her friend's shoulder. "Are you alright?"

Orihime didn't respond at first. She continued to stare at the spot where Soifon was standing not but a moment ago. Then, after a few blinks, she looked up at the two Shinigami with a quizzical look on her face. "Did...Did I do something wrong?"

All Jushiro and Rukia could do was look at each other in concern.

(Sorry if it seemed a little short. Still kinda going through some crap right now. Until next time, blessed be!)