Chapter 14 – Gather! The Gotei Thirteen!

Disclaimer: Even after 5 Years, I still do not own Bleach or any of its Characters.

"Speech."

'Thoughts.'

"Past Speech."

"Echoing Speech."

'Echoing Thoughts.'

Author Note: It's great to see you again! This chapter, Chapter 14, is an update that I've been aspiring to publish for quite some time even before I went on my 5-year break from the fanfiction! It holds many crucial developments in regards to Yoruichi's place in Soul Society and her interactions with her peers.

Due to a very important achievement in my professional life, which I personally consider a victory, I've decided (among others) to publish this Chapter ahead of schedule as I've been DYING to send it out to you guys.

I thank those who have taken their time to demonstrate their appreciation with a review, and just want to let you guys know that I cherish and integrate every single piece of criticism to improve my writing so we'll both have a much better fanfiction experience! If only I could reply to the Guests as well! I was very excited from the good vibes that Chapter 13 got, so I feel confident in moving forwards with the story.

I will not spoil much so, without further delay – I will see you at the bottom of the webpage!

"Shi-in-ta-ou."

Yoruichi could once again feel herself basking in the warmth of Soi-Fon's slender, soothed body, which was comfortably embraced by her arms, so soft and snuggled against her with great care and compassion. Her bee's scent had long since engulfed her, lulling her senses as she slept blissfully.

As Soi-Fon's dozes could be felt reverberating through her protégé's being, Yoruichi's heart clenched in her chest from gratitude and happiness. A century of nightmares, of loneliness, of despair, had finally come to an end in the elated embrace that the two of them shared beneath a single blanket.

Yoruichi chuckled to herself, realized that it wasn't the first time those thoughts of gratitude had entered her mind. She and Soi-Fon, as she had learned, will really need time to get used to the new, euphoric reality that the two of them had made. Despite the regrets and pain of the past, which she wasn't about to dwell on currently, Yoruichi had the feeling that she will deeply content herself and enjoy supporting Soi-Fon in adjusting to the fact that she was back in her life.

Just like she knew Soi-Fon was doing by simply being alive and peacefully sleeping in her arms right now.

"Shih-n tai-ou."

However, just like the blissful night beforehand, when the two of them had slept in the same cuddle, such precious moments had to be treasured, as they did not last forever. And when Yoruichi felt a foreign touch invading her senses, different from the comforting sensation that Soi-Fon's slim body granted her drowsy senses as she slept, her tranquility grew farther and farther from her.

Regardless, the feeling of Soi-Fon's warm body against hers became clearer and clearer as her mind was yanked away by the delicate hand placing itself on her shoulder, causing the drowsy Goddess to hum in delight as she pressed further against her bee, noting how Soi-Fon seemed to unconsciously react to her actions by relaxing even further.

She buried her face even further into Soi-Fon's raven locks, inhaling their natural, sweetened sense that was so addicting she couldn't get enough of it. Her heart thumped powerfully in her chest as she felt it squeezing against Soi-Fon's, the younger woman weakly nuzzling herself deeper into the crook of her neck, clearly delighted to be embraced like this by her Goddess. Yoruichi knew that if she were aware and composed, Soi-Fon would've reacted very differently, possibly tensing up and protesting about what she was doing and being unworthy of Gundanchou-Kakka's divine affection, which made these moments all the more precious to her.

Warm shivers flowed through her being at Soi-Fon's fatigued reactions, lulling her further into compassionate, ecstatic thoughts about her student. Her musings, however, were interrupted once again as swimming thoughts turned more and more coherent in reaction to the foreign hand tapping ever so gently against her shoulder.

"Shihoin-taichou, good morning."

The feminine, elegant voice had probably noticed her soft stirring in reaction to being touched, and several seconds later Yoruichi's mind was aware enough to register the soft sunlight shimmering and caressing her closed eyelids.

Gathering all the strength she could muster in her drowsy state, Yoruichi's eyes squeezed shut even further at the bright light, frowning. "Not…now…" She found herself mumbling weakly, her irritation contradicting the passionate manner in which she began caressing Soi-Fon's upper back beneath the blanket, brushing against the fabric of her yukata.

"I am aware that this is unpleasant to you,"

Yoruichi was finally sober enough to realize that this voice belonged to none other than the Fourth Division's Captain, Unohana. So motherly and coddling, the Goddess of Flash felt Unohana's elegant hand lightly tapping her shoulder once again."You will not be awake for long," Unohana continued apologetically, seeing how Yoruichi was fighting against her consciousness by coddling her sleeping beloved.

What a sweet way to escape reality.

"But we will not be out for long. You can continue resting with Soi-Fon-chan when we return from the Captains' Meeting."

'…Oh. Right.'

Yoruichi was awake enough, in her exhausted state, for Unohana's distance echo to finally reverberate against her ears, noting that it was quite close despite the softness of it. Without opening her fidgeting eyes, Yoruichi knew that Unohana was probably right next to her bed.

Yoruichi's golden, bagged eyes fluttered into a squint and she immediately groaned, blinded by the penetrative, glowing sunlight that filled her vision. As it cleared away, however, she could see that it painted the raven locks she was burying her face in with a dazzling gleam.

Begrudgingly, Yoruichi turned her head to the side as much as she could, her violet locks brushing off of her face as she looked over her shoulder at the blurred figure of Unohana. Her eyes attempted to get accustomed to the light in the room, resulting in her vision slowly sobering until Yoruichi could finally make out Unohana's kind, remorseful smile.

And the fact that the Fourth Division's Captain was holding unto a pile of folded garments with her other hand.

Seeing that she was awake, and visibly frustrated, Unohana bent backwards and retrieved her other hand from Yoruichi's shoulder, noting how the Second Division's New Captain has yet to let go of the subject of her affection.

"By the way, Shihoin-taichou," Unohana started, seeing that Yoruichi tensed up when she finally registered her new title being spoken by her elegant colleague. Unohana held the folded pile of clothes in both of her hands and extended it forwards. Yoruichi's tensed expression changed into that of weak surprise when she was finally aware enough to notice that said garments were consisted of a the Second Division Captain's Haori, the Onmitsukido Commander-in-Chief's uniform, and, shockingly, the salvaged of her previous attire. "This is for you. I've gathered them myself."

The traditional, beige warmers for her legs, wrists and neckleg and wrist warmers, as well as the headband she used to tie her ponytail, were all there. Yoruichi gazed in wonder, the drowsiness in her visage decreasing ever so slightly at the thoughtful gesture from Unohana. The older Captain treaded lightly, her traditional Shinigami socks thumping against the wooden floor as she rounded the makeshift double-bed and reached the chair on the other side.

Yoruichi's eyes followed her, noticing how her movements became even softer when she reached Soi-Fon's side. Unohana bent to place the clothes on the wooden chair. She also lifted her gaze to spare an analyzing glance at Soi-Fon's beeping cardiac monitor and IV.

Her blue eyes then glanced over as she bent backwards, scanning over Soi-Fon's expression and the tranquil, peaceful way she dozed was so visible. Yoruichi's expression turned slightly concerned, the little remnants of exhaustion in her eyes dissipating ever so slowly.

However, when Unohana beamed up a smile of satisfaction and joy, Yoruichi found herself washed with relief.

"Soi-Fon-chan responded really well to the treatment yesterday." The Fourth Division's Captain noted observantly as she once again rounded Soi-Fon's bed, her movements followed by Yoruichi's drowsy eyes, to stand next to the entrance to the room. "Just a little bit more and I can begin reducing medications."

Yoruichi's eyes widened and she tenderly unwrapped her arms from Soi-Fon's body, turning around and bending upwards into a sitting position as she ignored the assault of vertigo overtaking her. "R-Really?" She breathed weakly, her voice hopeful and relieved. Unohana's eyes only brightened at her enthusiastic reaction.

"Yes. But it will take some time."

Yoruichi could feel herself smiling in happiness, her golden eyes sparkling as they reflected the sunlight caressing her back. Unohana suppressed a chuckle, recalling fond memories from the good old days. However, she resolved to reminiscence on those later.

"I do not wish to bother you any further, Shihoin-taichou, but you should probably get dressed," Unohana then implored apologetically, turning over her shoulder to look at her concerned colleague. "I'll be making a detour around the Relief Station and come back shortly. We'll go together to the Captains' Meeting."

Yoruichi breathed slightly, surprised and grateful for Unohana's proposal. "Thank you for your help," She muttered weakly, seeing that Unohana now turned halfway to look at her with a kind, graceful smile, radiating kindness.

"It's my pleasure." The Fourth Division's Captain dismissed thoughtfully. She then turned back towards the curtains and parted them sideways, taking her leave and being swallowed into the darkened hallways of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center.

With her departure, Soi-Fon and Yoruichi's room had gone warm and silent, allowing the Goddess to drowsily look over her shoulder at Soi-Fon. The raven-haired girl was still in a deep, anesthetic slumber, but she seemed to have noticed the absence of Yoruichi's embrace, stirring and shifting weakly against the covers to display her discontent regarding her departure.

Yoruichi turned around and bent forwards, taking advantage of Soi-Fon's delirious, sleeping state to plant a passionate kiss on her forehead, accompanied by a light chuckle at the lack of protests from her at the gesture. "Good Morning, Soi-Fon," She whispered tenderly as she straightened up, making sure not to awake her sleeping protégé. Soi-Fon's body melted back into the bed in reaction with an inaudible murmur that was muffled by the oxygen mask covering her mouth and nose.

Yoruichi beamed up at the sight of her once more before she walked around their beds, much like how Unohana did, to grab her attire. As she did so, she noticed the sunlight peeking over the horizon from the windows and reaffirmed how truly spectacular the sight of it caressing Soi-Fon's figure was.

Unohana's reassurance that she'll have the rest of the day to herself after the cumbersome Captains' Meeting kept Yoruichi's mood from turning utterly sour, and her musings of the quality time they would spend together occupied her mind as the Second Division's Captain retrieved the relevant articles of clothing and returned to sit down at her own side of the bed. She placed the Captain's Haori and Onmitsukido Head's uniform right next to her before moving to take off her Yukata.

Rolling the soft fabric off her shoulders and letting it pool at the bed around her waist, Yoruichi suppressed the shivers as her figure was exposed to the room's air through the bandages. She looked down to examine the dressing that clung tightly to her upper body in the same matter as Soi-Fon's. She mentally winced at the dried blood markings of her own wound, noting that it also resembled Soi-Fon's fatal injury. She may need to get these bandages changed afterwards, but she was more than able to do so herself, and did not require assistance.

Her eyes narrowed remorsefully, anger paving its way to her mind when she realized that the wound she had sustained wasn't as severe as she initially thought. The possibility that Aizen had used her injury to serve as the catalyst of Soi-Fon's mental and physical breakdown wasn't so far-fetched, making this wound all the more sickening for her. Her fists clenched as she brought them out of her Yukata's sleeves and stood up, moving it out of her way to rest by the bottom of the bed.

Minutes later, with much caution and calculated steps, the caramel-skinned Hakuda Master managed to slip herself into the Omnitsukido Commander-in-Chief's uniform. With final pulling and adjustments of the usually-revealing top over her voluptuous features, Yoruichi noted that it was showing more bandages than skin this time. She moved shifted slightly to make sure Unohana got the fit correctly, turning back with the intention of having another gushing look at Soi-Fon as she did so.

That was when her eyes caught a glimpse of her own reflection in the mirror, and she couldn't help but stare and freeze.

Aside from the violet waterfalls, wild and disheveled at her sides, she looked just like how she did before she left Soi-Fon, bringing about a churning wave of pain and nostalgia to carve through her heart. She hesitatingly brought her fingers to brush through her long hair as she did so, afraid to be caught by the illusion and noting how her hair was the only inconsistency separating the two versions of herself.

'This…I wonder how Soi-Fon would react if she saw me like this…' She pondered sadly, losing herself in her own thoughts. Yoruichi's eyes then travelled downwards, meeting Soi-Fon's face once more with a gaze of longing that didn't last for as long as she expected.

'Maybe…if I…'

Her heartbeats grew erratic inside her chest as an idea flashed through her mind. In reaction, she instantly prevented herself from physically shaking her head, choosing to stow away the idea in the same mental box as many other ideas labeled as "things I should do after I reunite with Soi-Fon". A mental list she never thought that she would get the pleasure of visiting.

"Quick as always, even in your condition."

Yoruichi jolted up at the abrupt sound of curtains being brushed apart, and turned around to look over her shoulder at Unohana donning an amused smile on her face. "Of course." She noted sternly, her voice glinting with slight gratitude at the compliment. "I want to get this over with as quickly as possible."

Unohana nodded in understanding. "Are you all set to go?" She inquired conclusively.

Yoruichi returned get gaze to the sleeping Soi-Fon in silence. The two stood there for a few seconds before she finally spoke, her body tense. "Unohana-san…when Soi-Fon…" She began hesitatingly. Unohana's blue eyes softened, her smile fading away as she looked at Soi-Fon as well. "Every time she wakes up…she…"

"I'm aware."

Unohana already realized that it was hard for Yoruichi to speak about Soi-Fon's condition ever since her medical examination yesterday. When Yoruichi displayed hesitation at her words, she knew exactly what was on. She walked elegantly to stand next to Yoruichi, turning her eyes from Soi-Fon to admire the view of Soul Society's sun rising over the horizon.

"Soi-Fon-chan has quite the heavy psychological trauma," She started sympathically, noting how Yoruichi's hands trembled slightly at her sides. Her bandaged back, exposed by her Onmitsukido Commander-in-Chief uniform, stiffened at her words. "It would be better to inform you that she developed, among others, rather severe anxieties."

Yoruichi's breath hitched in her throat, remorse once again fragmenting her heart from inside out, holding back a snarl of self-loathing. The extent of the devastation that she had brought upon Soi-Fon with her defection, as much as she tried to suppress it from her thoughts, was becoming clearer and clearer by the day.

"Fortunately," Unohana added empathically, noting the tense atmosphere that Yoruichi's sudden spike of reiatsu sent across the room. Yoruichi glanced over at her, almost pleading for any kind of hopeful elaboration. "You're only witnessing amplified symptoms due to the medications' effects. With plenty of devotion and care from you, Soi-Fon will eventually be able to bring her anxieties under control."

Relief and hope prodded the edges of Yoruichi's visage as she looked back at the sleeping Soi-Fon, her eyes slightly distant. 'Bring her anxieties under control, huh?' She wondered mentally, noting that Unohana always chose the best array of words when explaining about Soi-Fon's condition.

The soul, much like the body, could only heal to a certain extent.

Unohana basically announced to Yoruichi that the damage she had done to Soi-Fon by leaving wasn't something that can be completely healed.

Somewhere deep inside, she had already accepted that.

Hearing it directly from Unohana was a whole different kind of hell.

One she was not going to drag Soi-Fon through ever again.

The invisible force that crushed Yoruichi's soul was pushed back and quarantined when another idea lit up in Yoruichi's mind. There was no use sitting and moping over Soi-Fon's condition when she could do everything within her power to help her.

Her heart lit with determination.

Unohana perked up when, abruptly and swiftly as ever, Yoruichi began moving around, nimble on her feet, to do a various actions which soon brought a smile to the Fourth Division Captain's face.

"When I left Soul Society," Yoruichi started with a pained tone, bending to pick up her Yukata from the bottom of her bed to drag it up to the middle of the bed. "My quarters were as organized as they could've been."

She then quickly rounded the double-bed, but not before grabbing the Second Division's Captain Haori and throwing it around her shoulders to drape over her form as she walked. "If Soi-Fon wakes up alone," She continued gravely, grabbing the neck, wrist and leg warmers piled up on the chair next to Soi-Fon's side of the bed. Yoruichi brought them closer to her face with a small smirk of delight at the fact that they were still oozing with her scent. "I need to make sure that even now she can understand that I'll return."

Unohana nodded in understanding, seeing how Yoruichi quickly tossed the warmers over to her own side of the bed. They landed in a scattered pile over the yukata that she'd taken off, only contributing to the impression that the place she slept at was hit by a typhoon. With her work done, Yoruichi slipped her arms into the sleeves of her Captain's Haori, looking over the results of her work with small spark of satisfaction.

Unohana found herself surprised at Yoruichi's solution to the problem as she looked at the bed.

It truly seemed like whoever slept there only just left and was very intent on coming back by the way that they allowed themselves to leave behind such a terrible mess. "I also made sure Isane-san would be here to keep watch over Soi-Fon-chan," Unohana added rather sheepishly, making Yoruichi turn and face her abruptly. "She will take care of her while you are away."

Yoruichi's eyes narrowed sternly, obviously thinking about Unohana's notion. Her mind drifted off back to the hostile, bitter interaction that she had with Isane when she first woke up in the General Relief Station and panicked over Soi-Fon's absence. The poor Fukutaichou had attempted to restrain her using Haiwana to no avail, and in retaliation Yoruichi nearly assaulted her.

All in all, she gave the woman quite the scare.

Regardless of that, her eyes still locked with Unohana's, accompanied by bit of caution that was carved into them. Unohana quickly understood Yoruichi's reluctance at leaving Soi-Fon in the hands of someone who was practically a total stranger for her. "You need not worry, Shihoin-taichou." She reassured softly, taking a step closer to the hesitant Second Division Captain.

Her blue eyes portrayed her genuine emotions rather than the fake façade she would usually wear but lacked their narrow, sharp formation.

Something that was the middle ground, a harmonious symphony between Unohana Retsu and Unohana Yachiru.

Yoruichi was instantaneously awestruck, taken aback by that new expression, and her eyes widened with surprise.

"Isane-san is the only person that I would trust enough when it concerns Soi-Fon-chan." Unohana emphasized with confidence, noting Yoruichi's stunned gaze. Unohana Yachiru, who considered most of her peers as nothing more than prey and cattle for their weakness, has attempted to demonstrate a new side of her right before Yoruichi's eyes. "She is a close friend of mine. I can guarantee to you that Soi-Fon-chan will be safe in her care. I've also vaguely briefed Isane-san about her condition without revealing more than the absolute necessity, thus she knows how to care for her until we return."

Yoruichi nodded hesitatingly at Unohana's display of conviction, rather convinced. However, it was not a typical persuasion which was common to the Fourth Division's Captain, when she would secretly use her inhuman, bloodthirsty Reiatsu in a comical vibe to intimidate the other side into complete enslavement.

Unohana looked back at the window and perceived that dawn has already arrived. They were late.

"We should be on our way. Isane-san waiting outside." She pointed out hurriedly, mentally yanking Yoruichi away from her immersion.

"Yes." Yoruichi agreed embarrassingly before turning her eyes to the sleeping Soi-Fon. She resolved to take a few steps forwards and bend down over the bed so her lips were ghosting over Soi-Fon's ear in a whisper. "Sweet dreams, Soi-Fon. I'll be back soon."

With her swift parting said, Yoruichi turned back to face Unohana, tensing up at the way she was smiling at her with teasing, narrowed eyes. "Let's go." She mumbled nervously, frantically dispersing the heat pooling at her cheeks. Unohana nodded at her request and the two Captains proceeded towards the exit together.

Unohana parted the curtains and slipped between them ever so silently with Yoruichi mimicking her exact movements in the same manner. However, she stop tp look over her shoulder one last time at her sleeping bee, seeing how she was caressed by the rising sun's warm light as she dozed.

Before she had a change of heart and decided to stay with Soi-Fon rather than follow Unohana, Yoruichi didn't stare long and just tore her eyes from the sight. With that final peek, she went on and passed through the curtains.

Yoruichi was immediately welcomed by the eerie, cold atmosphere of the Psychiatric and Physical Rehabilitation Center upon exiting the room. The darkened gloom slammed into her like a wall of bricks, forcing her to stiffen and catch a breath in her throat. There were absolutely no traces of the warmth that constantly enveloped her when she was in her and Soi-Fon's room.

"We will be leaving now, Isane-san."

Looking to her right, Yoruichi spotted Unohana's blue eyes, which almost sparkled in the dim light, and Isane's discomforted expressions as she stole glances at her. From Isane's widened eyes and tensed body, overflowing with shock, Yoruichi could easily see that her new style nearly made the woman double over in disbelief.

"H-Hai, Unohana-taichou." Isane replied obediently, brightening up Unohana Retsu's smile.

"Have a pleasant morning," Unohana bid her Fukutaichou farewell, nodding to her curtly and receiving a bow of respect in return. Diverting her eyes to meet Yoruichi's for the briefest moment before she resumed walking.

With Unohana's presence diminishing, Yoruichi resolved to follow her, but her steps ended abruptly when she came to face with Isane. Isane hesitatingly turned fully to face Yoruichi, the remorse and shock in her visage were evident. She tried not to scan the Second Division Captain from head to toe.

Yoruichi didn't have time to spare, so she made her message clear.

"I apologize for back then," She began professionally, her golden eyes now steely and stern yet burning with their everlasting, signature flame.

Isane was shackled down by the new aura of authority surrounding the Head of the Onmitsukido. Her pools of gold seemed so sharp and steadfast, but she lacked the ferocious hostility that she displayed back then. Regardless, she was taken aback and dropped her mouth at Yoruichi's apology.

"I-I'm sorry too, I shouldn't have-" Isane began, but was carelessly dismissed by the tanned woman.

"You were just following instructions," Yoruichi commented dispassionately, plunging Isane's words back down her vocals. "I'm…grateful to you for looking after Soi-Fon until we return."

Isane was dumbfounded.

"I-It's no problem!" She managed to stammer after a short silence, completely losing her composure around the new Captain. She proceeded to take a light bow as if to signify her acceptance of Yoruichi's new, temporary position within the Gotei Thirteen. "Be well, Shihoin-taichou."

Yoruichi nodded and nonchalantly passed Isane from around, her bare feet pulsing swiftly against the wooden planked floor as she followed Unohana's shrinking figure. As her Second Division Captain's Haori fluttered behind her, Yoruichi's took note to Isane's reaction at the sight of her apparel. The Goddess groaned mentally when she came to the conclusion that her new appearance might draw unwanted attention.

In the shady corridors of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center, at morning, it was colder than usual and some would even go as far as avoid entering the place unless they definitely had to. Yoruichi understood why. Even so, the white glow of Unohana's Captain Haori was like a guiding light for the groggy Shihoin as her body slowly awakened by the constant exertion of walking.

Unohana's presence turned out to be way more than that, however, once they finally emerged from the darkened menace of the Psychiatric Center to the green-tinted, bright hallways of the General Relief Station. It felt as if they had just crossed through the Garganta from Hueco Mundo, and Yoruichi had to squint her slightly bagged eyes in reaction to the light which was reflected by every nook and cranny of the compound.

Her focus on adjusting to her new surroundings was not only limited to the luminescence, though, as the two Captains found themselves bypassing several Shinigami while they navigated through the Station. As her eyes steeled themselves and glanced sideways ever so slightly, her gaze collided with the expressions of onlookers, whether patients or commissioned active Gotei Thirteen Shinigami.

She realized that her conclusion about the public response to her new status, as derived from her interaction with Isane, was a far cry from the true reality.

Ranging from total bewilderment to barely repressed hostility, Yoruichi was soon aware that all eyes seemed to be glued to her as she marched, unwavering and scowling, behind Unohana through the intersecting hallways of the Fourth Division.

She had to thank the graceful Captain, however, as she found that the elegant presence of Unohana as Captain and the most dread-inducing individual in Soul Society warded off what might've certainly been unwanted interactions with the population of Soul Society.

Yoruichi made sure to convey her gratitude and relief to Unohana with her expression, when she found that the older woman had slowed down her pace, resulting in the two Captains walking side by side. Unohana sent Yoruichi infrequent glances of comforting smiles, only to be answered by her stern and professional, yet appreciative, glower.

Unohana found herself drifting off to her own thoughts, however, when she witnessed Yoruichi's emotionless glare bringing forth utter, paralyzing dread from the eyes of the older Shinigami that they passed by on their way.

Those who still recognized her from her days as Captain of the Second Division.

A bloodthirsty, murderous smile graced the features of Unohana Yachiru for the slightest fraction of a second, vanishing as if it had never existed before anyone could detect the small crack in her persona.

This sure brought back good memories.

The two Captains then emerged from the General Relief Station out to the marbled streets and districts of Seireitei. The dawn's light reflected off from the marbled floor into Yoruichi's golden pools and Unohana's icy-blue eyes

The reactions to their morning walk by the early birds of Soul Society multiplied tenfold.

This was going to be an interesting day for Unohana.

The more Yamamoto entertained that bizarre thought in his mind, the closer he got to realizing that the current assembly of the Gotei Thirteen was similar to a meeting of the Fourth Division's Rehab Support Group.

Hitsugaya, Komamura and Byakuya, just as he expected, had all arrived in the nick of time with the first light of dawn. Despite looking more like mummified Shinigami in their current states, they found the time to respectfully don their Captain uniforms, masking the bandages covering their bodies to a certain extent.

Byakuya seemed as cool, calm and collected as always, but a hint of exhaustion was accompanying his dignified posture. He resolved to look straight ahead, seemingly staring into nothingness, but his expression clearly showed that his thoughts wandered. His change of heart and brotherly confession to Rukia left the Kuchiki Noble with a lot of self-reflection to do. His attendance at the Assembly even with severe nature of his wounds served as a living proof his devotion to the regulations and orders of the Gotei Thirteen, but something told Yamamoto that he would no longer blindly adhere those same rules like the fanatic that he used to be.

Toshiro seemed more irritated than usual, his icy eyes forming a deep scowl at the fact that they've been standing in complete silence for too many minutes. The young prodigy obviously had more pressing matters to attend to. Whether it was chasing after Matsumoto as comic relief or doing paperwork, one would not know.

But by the seriousness and sorrow hidden behind his defiant demeanor, it was easily seen that his thoughts lay elsewhere.

Komamura no longer wore the mask that obscured his face from his peers. Having his animalistic traits acknowledged and accepted by his comrades, his eyes clearly showed relief and comfort at the fact he no longer needed to hide his face in public. Even so, he, too, was gazing into the distance, apparently trying to push away and cope with the fact that the spot next to his, which was usually reserved to Tousen, was now occupied by Kenapchi's monstrous aura.

Surprisingly – Zaraki Kenpachi had also arrived quite early as well, in a perfectly fit condition without a single graze to mark the recent injuries he had sustained by Ichigo and Tousen. The Eleventh Division's Captain had quite the inhuman capabilities, the closest thing Yamamoto had ever seen to Unohana Yachiru's incomprehensible abilities.

If only he were as dedicated to his position.

Zaraki wasn't accompanied by a traditional Captain Haori. He resorted to a sloppy wardrobe consisting of his Shinigami attire and not much else. It was evident that despite the fact that attendance was mandatory, Kenpachi didn't think much of it. His eyes merely displayed boredom and cold irritation, already accustomed to the fact that Captains' gatherings were mostly consisted of waiting.

As if on cue, Mayuri emerged into the Assembly Hall, his mask and white skin glinting against the soft light of the dawn from the barred windows. He walked slowly and professionally, like always, not sparing a glance at his fellow Captains.

He still realized that he was not the last to arrive, which was the only thing that contributed to the display of some emotions behind his makeup.

Mostly frustration.

"Morning." He spoke simply and carelessly, as if to thin air. His greeting was answered by complete, suspenseful silence, but Mayuri didn't bother with it. He obviously considered this Assembly a waste of time.

Thanks to his inventive and controversial way of conducting himself as he managed the Twelfth Division, Mayuri didn't even have a scratch on himself from his fight with Ishida Uryu, the Ryoka Quincy. He took his usual spot next to Toshiro and, just as expected, the tension between the two Captains flared instantly, Hitsugaya's glower intensifying.

They never liked each other.

"Genryusai-dono," Komamura's voice broke the silence after several minutes, a much needed break in the squeezing air of the Captains' Gathering. His voice was deep, humble and respectful as it always were when addressing to Yamamoto, turning to look at his Superior with observant eyes. "Apologies for my manners, but we've been waiting for quite some time. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn't protest. However, our physical conditions aren't optimal."

Yamamoto's eyes fluttered into a squint at Komamura's claim, and the others seemed to acknowledge his point despite the nature of their relationship with each other. It was true that the current agenda of the Captains' Assembly was crucial, however, so was the medical condition of some of the attendants.

Yamamoto was about to reply to Komamura's concern, but a sudden, reverberating echo of a voice approaching from afar caused the words to die down in his throat.

The other Captains noticed the blabbering tone as it grew louder and louder in volume, eventually transcending into the comical ramblings of none other than Shunsui Kyoraku.

"I mean, surely the situation in my Division is pretty bad," Kyoraku's voice could be heard from the other side of the hallway, echoing through the luxurious corridor and dispersing the silence that once again reigned between the Gotei Thirteen's Elites. "But I wish Nanao-chan would just take some time off from work to relax with me, you know?"

"It's your work that she's doing, Shunsui," The responsible, deep voice of Ukitake could be heard answering to his life-long friend in a scold. Obviously the duo would always arrive together to Captains' Meetings, unless Ukitake was forced to stay and rest in his quarters due to his illness.

"I know, I know," Kyoraku whined in defeat at Ukitake's lack of humor and amusement. He always attempted to lighten up the mood between them. "I'll help her after we're done here."

As Kyoraku's reaction came to an end, the two Captains made their entry into the Assembly Hall. Once they arrived, Ukitake's eyes traveled from Captain to Captain in a polite, yet emotionless stare. He then parted from Kyoraku as they walked to take his own place right next to Kenpachi. "Good Morning," Ukitake greeted respectfully, only to be answered by their silent stances, much like Mayuri.

Apparently his colleagues were begrudging him for being late.

Well, it's not they weren't aware that greetings between most of the Captains were just a procedural gesture.

"Yo."

Kyoraku was much more casual than his white-haired friend.

The flowery counterpart of the Kyoraku-Ukitake duo lifted his right hand as he looked at his teacher's irritated eyes with a laid-back counter. "Mornin' Yama-Jii," He added with a fake sense of glee, able to feel the berating in the Captain-Commander's hardening glare. His eyes proceeded to scan over the other Captains with surprise and embarrassment, meeting each of their harsh eyes. "Looks like almost everyone's here eh? Sorry for being late. We had some things to take care of."

Yamamoto's eyes wavered into a close without hesitation, his features instantly softening in acceptance. It was an unspoken agreement between him and Kyoraku to show respect and tact whenever discussing a flare of Ukitake's illness. The others seemed to notice it as well, leading to a decrease in hostility from Byakuya and Toshiro as they moved ever so slightly to accommodate the approach of their taller comrade.

Several shifts from both Kyoraku and Ukitake was everything that the others got before the same, uncomfortable and tensed silence descended upon the Gotei Thirteen's Captains once again.

One minute.

Two minutes.

Three minutes.

Ten minutes have already passed and Toshiro swore that his patience was at its end. His icy eyes now a harsh, scorching glare, he didn't even glance over to Yamamoto before opening his mouth to speak in a menacing grimace. "How long do we-"

"Good Morning, everyone."

Unohana's elegant, apologetic voice caressed over the Captains' ears as the graceful woman emerged through the gigantic paper doors of the hall, her hands clasped together in her natural posture when her dignified elegance is at its peak.

"My apologies for our delay," Unohana continued humbly as she walked forwards, her feet lightly pulsing against the wooden-planked floor. "We did not intend to make you wait."

For a moment there the silence persisted at the calming aura that Unohana showered over her colleagues.

Soon enough, though, Toshiro's anger morphed slowly to take the form of confusion, his apparent rant sunk down his throat. The other Captains donned various expressions of inquiry and bewilderment, ranging from Kenpachi's eyes hardening to Kyoraku blinking several times.

'We?'

Yamamoto's eyes fluttered into a steadfast, determined gaze at his subordinates' confusion as Unohana moved slowly to take her place next to the bewildered Byakuya.

It was apparent to everyone in the room that Soi-Fon will not be showing up.

Thus, right there and then, before each of them had the chance to ponder Unohana's words, another set of bare footsteps could be heard echoing across the hall.

And, without as much as a glance or a word, the Second Division's New Captain walked in.

To portray the symphony of responses within the top brass of the Gotei Thirteen, one would need to look away from Yoruichi's serious, professional frown and gauge up the reactions of those around her as she marched, powerful and unwavering, to take her spot next to Unohana.

Kenpachi attempted to suppress an excited grin that was prodding the edges of his battle-hardened features. His eyes were glued to the violet-haired Mistress before him, noting how her bearings displayed no consideration to those around her. 'Finally something interesting.' He mused to himself, eyes focusing back into reality so he could follow the sight of her.

Just as he remembered – Yoruichi wasn't a soft weakling compared to the Captains.

Komamura wasn't particularly an acquaintance of Yoruichi. Far from it. But yesterday's events at the Dining Hall of the General Relief Station, and the conversation that he held with his fellow Captains at the time, had proven to him the nature of the no-bullshit woman that was now on display in front of him. The ferocious and steely aura surrounding her made the Onmitsukido Head a splitting image, if not a guiding light, to the way Soi-Fon conducted herself. He resorted, against his better judgement and will, to a drop of his mouth as his body tensed.

It was one of those rare cases when Byakuya's expression was quite similar to Ashisogi Jizo's Bankai form, the Kuchiki Clan's Head composure utterly shattered and thrown to the wind. His eyes were, even with his usual tendency to be impassionate and controlled, widened in shock. He probably didn't notice his mouth gaping to reveal pearly, white teeth. Despite the connection that they seemed to have in their childhood, Yoruichi's cold look didn't waver or turn to him in the slightest as she passed in front of the Kuchiki noble.

The only ones who were acknowledged by Yoruichi as she entered the Assembly Hall were Kyoraku and Ukitake, who both adorned faces that made it seem as if they had seen a ghost from one hundred years back. Their eyes were identical in the way they opened like saucers in utter surprise, accompanied by dropped jaws and disbelieved postures. Kyoraku, however, found it within himself to grin slightly.

Yoruichi's golden eyes traveled and met theirs as she walked, noble and dignified all the while. However, Kyoraku and Ukitake could feel her scowl somewhat softening as she glimpsed at them.

"Don't worry, Yoruichi-san, you're safe now."

She recalled Ukitake's kind words back then, when they had met her at the General Relief Station, hysteric and barely conscious as she struggled her way to find Soi-Fon's room. In the haze of her drugged, delirious mind, their arrival was like a glow of pure shimmer enveloping her in a protective display of support.

"We'll get you there, Yoruichi-san…"

She recalled the warmth of Kyoraku's arms as they slipped under her and carried her off with tender and care befitting a gentleman, how he catered to her as she drifted with her head nodding off against his chest, considering him and Ukitake as nothing less than her saviors at the moment. Her eyes may have seemed like they were devoid of any warmth as she looked at them, but they were still carved with her immense gratitude for their help that day. It toned down her harsh glare as she met their gawks, only to avert her eyes back forwards a second after.

Hitsugaya Toshiro looked like he had been punched in the gut by Kokujo Tengen Myo, icy-blue eyes completely wild and body tense with repressed awe and, as the sight in front of him finally registered in his dumbfounded mind, fury. He soon clenched his teeth, his hands closing into weakly trembling fists. His snarl slowly unraveled, following Yoruichi's figure.

Yamamoto's opened eyes seemed to be immersed in a memory long forgotten by him as he witnessed Yoruichi making her way to Unohana's side. Despite the fact she didn't even spare a peek towards him, both of them acknowledged the other's presence. The Captain-Commander found himself glad that such a capable individual agreed to assist the Gotei Thirteen, even if she had her own reasons. Seeing Yoruichi dressed like this, even with her long, flowing and unkempt violet locks, took him to these days back then.

Mayuri just grinned knowingly.

It wasn't long after Yoruichi's arrival that hell's gates opened.

"What the fuck is this!?" Hitsugaya finally snapped, his shaking tone enraged as he took a step forwards to direct his body and snarl to Yamamoto. The other Captains turned their eyes to look at him, except for Yoruichi, who resolved to close her golden irises as she ignored the prodigy's tantrum. "What is that traitor doing here!? We were just now betrayed by Aizen! Just now! Why the hell is that Ryoka the Taichou of the Second Division!? Why is she wearing Soi-Fon-taichou's coat!? You crazy old man! Ryoka should be punished! Not rewarded! Haven't you learned by now!?"

The others stood silent as Toshiro overwhelmed the room with his spiteful wrath, knowing that the subject of treachery was rather a fresh wound for the young, short-tempered Captain. Hitsugaya's furious eyes remained locked with Yamamoto's observant ones all the while. His rage only burned stronger at the indifference of his superior's features.

The matter of her "deeds" was indeed known to the Gotei Thirteen as the greatest defector of Soul Society. Her assistance in the escape of Urahara Kisuke and his comrades was a guideline in conversations and lectures that involved the subjects of the most famous atrocities committed against Soul Society. As one of the most prominent Captains of the previous generation, holding the deepest secrets in the palm of her hand as the Head of the Onmitsukido, her defection probably hurt the Gotei Thirteen just as much as Aizen's did. Hence, Toshiro's reaction wasn't something that Yoruichi and the others didn't expect.

Nevertheless, it didn't stop the bitter relationships between the Captains from surfacing.

"My, my," Mayuri started gleefully, his grinning lips morphing into a mocking frown around his bare, white teeth. "You shouldn't be the one to talk about defectors and the punishment that they deserve."

The attention of those present in the room was instantly shifted towards the Mad Scientist, Toshiro going as far as to redirect his infuriated eyes at Mayuri's mocking taunt. There was a common belief that whenever Mayuri intervened things would go haywire. He never had anything pleasant to say.

Kyoraku, who was right next to the two Captains, found himself looking at the exchange with a nervous, fidgeting stance. He was conflicted as to whether or not he should interrupt what was threatening to ensue. He glanced over at Ukitake for the briefest moment, seeking his counsel, but the neutral façade of his friend didn't assist in the slightest.

Kenpachi's grin simply broadened. He was starting to feel happy for actually showing up.

"What did you say, bastard?" Hitsugaya hissed wrathfully, not caring that Mayuri was right in front of him. His height, though, forced the smaller Captain to tilt his head upwards so he could catch the Twelfth Division's Captain with his deep glower.

"In such dire times, when we're faced with great peril, we must put aside our differences and strive together to restore balance. Three Captains have defected, the Hogyoku was stolen and our casualties are plenty. Sosuke Aizen has a master plan, and we need to recover fast. We can afford to make exceptions in light of the recent situation." Mayuri elaborated observantly, his eyes pursing slightly in sadistic joy when he saw that Hitsugaya's snarl was weakening at his rather acceptable explanation. The others seemed to be slightly surprised at this as well.

"If not – Aizen's little lapdog wouldn't have lived to see another day. She's a traitor too, isn't she?"

A long, mortifying silence ensues, in which Toshiro was frozen solid his widened eyes locked with Mayuri's.

'He's…not talking about…Momo…'

Something inside the unsuspecting Hitsugaya snapped.

There was no way in hell, absolutely no chance on earth that Mayuri was talking about Momo.

.

.

.

He was talking about Momo.

"YOU PIECE OF SHIT!"

Toshiro's bestial, murderous roar was accompanied by his Reiatsu flaring across the room as, with blinding speed, he sent his hand over his head to reach towards his Zanpakuto, grabbing its hilt so hard his knuckles turned pale. Hyorinmaru instantly reacted to his newfound, endless fury, turning the air around the Captains cold and heavy.

Hitsugaya's snap was like music to the gleeful Mayuri's ears as he sent his own hand, just as fast, to grasp Ashisogi Jizo's hilt between his legs, taking a step back as well. He found himself tensing at the bloodlust in the blazing, wild eyes of the Tenth Division's Captain.

That was when Kyoraku, who was caught utterly horrified at Mayuri's words, realized that he should probably intervene.

"W-Wait! Stop! Hitsugaya-taichou!" Kyoraku called frantically as, with an apologetic smile and hysteric actions, he launched forwards to intercept Toshiro. He wrapped his arms around the young Captain in a harsh, full Nelson just as he was about to draw Hyorinmaru from its sheath. "Don't do it! He's just provoking you!"

Hitsugaya began to instantly struggle as hard as he could against the taller, flowery Captain's grasp, pulling and turning as much as possible. His snarl was still glued to Mayuri's now-grinning, insulting face, seeing that the Prodigy was inferior to Kyoraku when it came to physical prowess due to their size, among others.

"I'LL KILL YOU! I SWEAR I WILL KILL YOU!" Toshiro roared wildly when he managed to digest, in his boiling mind, that there was no use fighting against Kyoraku's hold. Nevertheless, he continued to do so while screaming in rage. The chilly breeze fading in from Hyorinmaru paled in comparison to the burning inferno inside each and every vein of his body.

Images of Momo began flashing through his mind, shattering apart his inhibitors as he saw her tears and blood searing in front of him. "YOU PSYCHOPATHIC TRASH!" He screamed, causing Kyoraku to wince at the strength and volume of his tone. "DON'T YOU DARE TALK ABOUT MOMO! WHAT DOES A SCUM LIKE YOU KNOW!? YOU EXPERIMENT ON YOUR SUBORDINATES! YOU BEAT AND RAPE YOUR OWN DAUGHTER YOU SICK FUCK! MURDERER! FILTH!"

At first, when Toshiro snapped and hell's gates opened, Yoruichi couldn't care less and remained emotionless to the exchange between the two Captains. However, at Toshiro's claim the stomach of the Second Division's Captain twisted silently, perking Unohana up from her thoughts when she noticed that the Onmitsukido Head's body tensed and her narrow, cold eyes opened.

The subject of the twisted Mayuri's sadistic reign within his Division wasn't such a close-guarded secret, and so, was mostly known throughout Seireitei. His inhuman abuse and degrading mistreatment towards Nemu, however, was a taboo that none of the Gotei Thirteen's Captains wished to talk about, or else they would risk sullying the fragile relationships between them even further. It was the elephant in the room that they preferred to turn a blind eye to whenever the subject of Mayuri and his behavior would come up.

Still, when thrown into the open air just like that by an enraged Toshiro, a fair retaliation in its own right to Mayuri's horrifying taunt, Ukitake found his own eyes widening in dread, Komamura's teeth clenched harshly in disgust and even Byakuya was affected.

Kenpachi was just having fun.

Mayuri surveyed his peers and noticed that neither of them were surprised at Hitsugaya's words before returning to look at the younger Captain, his grin no longer glued to his masked features. "My conduct within the premises of my Division is my own, private matters," He defended carelessly, shrugging off the accusations thrown at him. By that time Hitsugaya managed to bring the vortex of fury in his heart under control and ceased his animalistic fighting against the discomforted Kyoraku's hold. "As for my treatment towards Nemu, you're always welcome to question her on the matter and see just how misinformed your accusations are."

It was a blatant, repulsive lie. Anyone with half a brain could tell that.

Yoruichi, however, found herself involuntarily keeping that information in the depths of her impassive psyche.

Before things got the chance to deteriorate further, however, Yamamoto's Reiatsu overwhelmed that of Toshiro and weighted down on the participants in the Assembly, effectively freezing each of them in place and retrieving the traditional silence of the Hall.

Mayuri's engaging expression was wiped completely without any trace. Kyoraku and Hitsugaya, the latter still in the former's hold, both looked over their shoulders in surprise. Ukitake found Yamamoto's Reiatsu straining his body more than the usual, and resorted to a fatigued and shocked look towards his Master.

Yoruichi's glare deepened, recalling that this also tended to be a frequent occurrence in Captains' Meetings.

The others remained silent and attentive in reaction to their superior's traditional outburst.

"Are you two just about done with your pathetic bickering!?" Yamamoto snapped loudly, his raspy voice overflowing with frustration at the behavior of his underlings. "If you have the energy to fight amongst yourselves, it would benefit us all if you made use of it it to repair the damages done to Soul Society by recent events!"

Kyoraku hesitatingly softened his hold on Hitsugaya, noting that as the young Captain's shock in reaction to Yamamoto's outburst faded, his anger settled back in. Contrary to his expectations, however, Toshiro made no move to break free from him, keeping his temper under agonizing control. "Sorry about that, Hitsugaya-taichou," Kyoraku mumbled sheepishly as he untangled his arms from Toshiro completely, satisfied at his display of restraint. He bent backwards and walked so he was now standing between the two Captains, effectively separating them from each other. "I'll be taking that spot if you don't mind."

"Tsk." Mayuri clicked his tongue in annoyance as he turned back to his formal posture. He obviously paid no regard to what he had said, dismissing the subject without even as much as a gesture to display his regret for what he had said. Kyoraku's final action put an end to the bitter fight between him and Toshiro, which could've ended much worse.

Hitsugaya assumed his neutral stance as well, but his hands were clenched into fists at his sides. He closed his eyes shut and kept another snarl at bay, Mayuri's disgusting words drilling in his head again and again, scorching his stomach with spite for the Mad Scientist. The fact that he was now between Unohana and Kyoraku, who were the most soothing individuals of the Gotei Thirteen, calmed his incited rage.

Seeing that they were no longer at it, Kenpachi's grin vanished from his face, realizing that it was probably time for the boring part of the meeting. Komamura closed his eyes in partial relief after his shock subsided and Byakuya calmly labeled the act as another display of pointless, open hostilities between Captains. Ukitake let a breath of relief escape his lips after recovering from Yamamoto's outburst of Reiatsu while Unohana's concerned, cautious expression beamed up into a smile of joy. She was happy at the fact that the situation didn't escalate to a point in which she would've directly intervened in place of her old comrade.

When it was finally concluded that the matter has been debunked effectively, Yamamoto stood up from his seat eye up the other Captains quietly. He assumed that there should be a need for an explanation. "I will say this once and there will be no discussion over it," Yamamoto began harshly, keeping his look on Hitsugaya and Mayuri. Toshiro still had his eyes shut and Mayuri was looking forwards with distaste, neither of them returning his gaze. "I requested Shihoin Yoruichi to draw on her experience from her time as the former Captain of the Second Division and provide assistance to the Gotei Thirteen. The fact that she has accepted the request is of great value to us all. You shall treat her with respect and courtesy!"

Yamamoto's scold did not go unheard by his subordinates, noting how Hitsugaya's eyes stirred in frustration. The trio of Unohana, Ukitake and Kyoraku, already known by Yamamoto to be on the friendliest terms with the withdrawn, harsh Shihoin Mistress, acknowledged his elaboration positively.

"I believe that introductions are in order." Yamamoto continued sternly, deciding to deliver the ball over to the other Captains' fields.

"Shihoin Yoruichi," Yoruichi snapped bitterly and without delay, her intense, grave tone slicing over Yamamoto's authority like a knife. Her closed eyes fluttered open once again to reveal narrow, professional irises that blazed with restrained discontent at the current circumstances. "I'm the former Captain of the Second Division and Head of the Onmitsukido. I will be replacing Soi-Fon."

She held her steely eyes open, though narrow, to signify that she will be attentive from this point on, but spared any pleasantries in the introduction that she nearly spat out at her colleagues. She made certain to heavily emphasize Soi-Fon as the motive for which she had accepted the request. By now she had deduced that the subject of her little bee was probably something the other Captains avoided, as to why she chose to tackle it head on so there will be no further questions.

It seems that her colleagues, each in their own way, acknowledged her "circumstances".

Three spots away from her, Kyoraku's smile broadened. 'I'm getting quite nostalgic,' He thought jokingly in reaction to the sight of Yoruichi. From his brief glance towards Ukitake, he knew that his comrade felt the same.

"Unohana Retsu," Unohana chimed happily right next to her, causing Yoruichi's scowl to warm ever so slightly as they glanced at each other. Unohana's chest fluttered with satisfaction at Yoruichi's instant reaction, as such gestures were not common for the tanned woman during Assemblies. The grace and elegance in her voice was like a soft lullaby to the tensed air around her fellow Captains. "I hold the position of Captain at the Fourth Division. It is an honor to be working with you again, Shihoin-taichou."

Unohana ended her introduction by closing her eyes and allowing her smile to radiate warmth over her colleague, who instantly responded by a court nod as her eyes returned to look forwards.

After a short while, another voice, masking a certain level of confusion and nervousness, faded in. "Kuchiki Byakuya, Captain of the Sixth Division." Byakuya began as he attempted to regain the composure that he had lost over the appearance of Yoruichi in the Gotei Thirteen. He was taken aback by her new, menacing demeanor, to which he was starting to grow accustomed. If Yoruichi heard or acknowledged his words, she didn't show it the slightest bit. 'This Yoruichi…is certainly different from the one I remember.'

The tension next to Byakuya spiked, alongside a moment of silence, as Toshiro crossed his arms and clenched his teeth tight, obviously opposing Yamamoto's decision. "Hitsugaya Toshiro," He spat angrily, not even bothering to open his eyes, in the same manner as Yoruichi did. Yoruichi, on her end, had no thought to spare to him. "2Tenth Division's Captain."

Kyoraku decided to diffuse the ominous aura around the Gotei Thirteen as he took a step forward and turned, his gentle smile meeting Yoruichi's golden eyes, noticing that she returned his gaze rather indifferently. "Yo, Yoruichi-san," He greeted casually, tilting his sandogasa upwards to notice her expression, which warmed up at his attitude. The two were already close, and with Kyoraku's laid-back nature, it was obvious that there will be no formal introductions. "I'm happy to see you've healed up well. Send Soi-Fon-chan my regards."

Yoruichi nearly sported a smile at Kyoraku's kind words, her posture calming as she nodded at him. "Thank you." She replied simply, her professional voice, sprinkled with gratitude, betraying her impassive visage. The empathy that the flowery Captain displayed towards her student sure pulled at her heartstrings.

"Kurotsuchi Mayuri," Mayuri slipped instantly with the same dismissive shrug as before. He didn't bother to look at Yoruichi as she redirected her eyes forwards and hardened her scowl back to its emotionless form. "Captain of the Twelfth Division and Head of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute."

It was now Ukitake's turn to look at Yoruichi from the other side of the hall. His green eyes met her golden, appreciate gaze. He wasn't as casual as Kyoraku and, obviously, Yoruichi realized that he didn't want to be treated by her the same way as his friend. "I'm Jushiro Ukitake," the ill Captain spoke with a respectful tone to his deep voice. Yoruichi took notice of that and made sure she seemed respectfully attentive. "I serve as Captain of the Thirteenth Division. It's my pleasure to be your acquaintance."

Kyoraku was always good at conveying, in formal settings, the words that Ukitake's dignified tendencies didn't let him. Yoruichi was aware of that as she gave a nod of recognition and the next moment Ukitake's eyes tore themselves away from her own.

"Kenpachi Zaraki,"

These were the only words spoken carelessly by the Eleventh Division's Captain in the form of a frustrated growl.

Seeing that he was the last one, Komamura decided to get this over with. His feline eyes turned to meet Yoruichi's, golden gazes colliding against each other. Yoruichi soon closed hers in response, something that Komamura didn't pay much heed to. "Sajin Komamura, Captain of the Seventh Division," He announced simply. "I am also responsible for the Third, Fifth and Ninth Divisions until further notice."

Komamura's words concluded the introduction that Yamamoto requested of his subordinates. Being officially over, silence once again descended upon the Assembly Hall.

"Very well, let us begin." Yamamoto spoke with his usual, harsh voice. He returned to sit on his chair and held his staff with his hands clasped over it, eyes fluttering into a close. "Sosuke Aizen, Ichimaru Gin and Kaname Tousen have defected from Soul Society and resorted to collaborating with the Hollows. They have settled into Hueco Mundo by the assistance of Gillians and are currently working to establish a dominant base of operations at that location. Said events were not without repercussions to our ranks, as you are already aware of. We have officially implemented Emergency Protocols and are now under their regulations. The Third, Fifth and Ninth Divisions' Fukutaichou are hereby entrusted with leaderships over their respective Divisions, under the command of Komamura-taichou. I have been granted the authority of Central Forty Six by a special decree. Shihoin-taichou shall lead the Second Division and the Onmitsukido until a more permanent solution is found."

There were no questions or reactions from the Captains of the Gotei Thirteen at Yamamoto's instructions, each of them obviously desiring to end this Assembly as soon as possible. It has already started on the wrong foot. "Our main objective and top priority under Emergency Protocols is not the interception and persecution of the traitors," Yamamoto continued, his tone rugged and dry. "Rather, it is the restoration and reconstruction of our own capabilities as the main body tasked with defending Soul Society and its inhabitants. As such, we will be conducting assemblies for analysis, monitoring and evaluations at pre-determined intervals. I would like you all to report to me regarding the progress and conduct of your respective Divisions with all that it entails. If you are unable to attend for any reason, notify me beforehand. In addition, you are obligated to send a physical documentation of your report. We will now move to an open discussion regarding damage assessments."

The rest of the discussion proceeded rather boringly and, to everyone's secret delight, smoothly.

Each Captain presented a detailed report regarding the status of their Divisions, with Unohana expanding to cover the current status of the General Relief Station's Logistics. Yoruichi remained silent, having just assumed leadership over both the Onmitsukido and the Second Division, she had yet to gauge any information regarding the current condition of both.

And then it was Ukitake's turn to speak.

The exhaustion oozed off the ill Captain's voice and it seemed as if he was struggling to keep appearances, eyes becoming hazed ever so slightly. Both Yoruichi and Unohana instantly picked up on his exhaustion, and the latter was about to interrupt him.

She was beaten to it by Kyoraku.

Ukitake's best friend didn't hesitate for a minute and made an appeal for Yamamoto to excuse the both of them from the meeting. Despite the white-haired Captain's dignified disapproval, he ended up being supported by Kyoraku out of the hall, his wobbling stroll accompanied by a string of coughs that signified the collapse of the strong front he attempted to put up, knowing there was no use pretending that nothing was wrong anymore.

Yoruichi's eyes softened with concern as she watched the ordeal, recalling that it was a frequent occurrence whenever it came to the Thirteenth Division's Captain and his lung-illness.

Unohana looked at the two Captains' backs, which grew more and more distant, with a sympathic, saddened smile.

As they disappeared into the hallways of the First Division, Yamamoto continued his briefing in a much more melancholic fashion, retrieving his subordinates' attention.

An hour soon passed and, after a detailed elaboration on the current situation of the Gotei Thirteen and the various tasks handed out by the Captain-Commander, the meeting finally seemed like it was about to end.

"On that note, the meeting is adjourned." Yamamoto concluded with a sense of satisfaction at well-done information exchange that the Gotei Thirteen's Captains performed. It proved valuable to the broader understanding of their current circumstances. His hold on the wooden staff harboring Ryujin Jakka tightened as a support for him to stand up and address the forum. "You are dismissed. Thank you for your time."

It didn't even take Yamamoto to finish his grateful speech for Hitsugaya to stomp out of the Assembly Hall, icy eyes contorted with irritation and averted from his colleagues. He was gone as quickly as it took the other Captains to notice his departure, his rage obviously replenished from having nothing to separate him from Mayuri since Kyoraku left with Ukitake.

Kenpachi was the second to go, launching with a distasteful huff at the time he wasted on the meeting. It could've gone to a better use like fighting. He was shortly followed by Mayuri, who seemed slightly less regretful of the time spent, but just as irate.

Byakuya faded away with them, obviously deducing that it would be better to make haste so he could rest as much as possible. His wounds were still fresh and, as powerful as he was, he couldn't afford to overexert himself if he wanted to make a swift recovery.

"Shall we go, Shihoin-taichou?"

Unohana's kind voice perked Yoruichi out of her thoughts, causing her harsh eyes to soften as she turned to look at the inquiring woman. "Yes," She agreed simply, her voice instilled with excitement and relief when she realized that she could go back to Soi-Fon now. Unohana watched Yoruichi's fast, eager walking pace as the Second Division's Captain bypassed her and the two began walking side by side.

Komamura decided to remain behind with Yamamoto, perhaps to discuss further on the three Divisions that he was in charge of.

"I advise you to remain with Soi-Fon for the rest of the day," Unohana spoke thoughtfully, noting how Yoruichi's expression was yearning and distanced as the two of them walked through the open hallways encompassing the private, lush garden of the First Division.

The sound of flowing water soothed down Yoruichi's agitated being, and the sunlight reflecting off of the warm, brown-hued walls engulfed her with its rays. She turned her eyes and nodded fondly at Unohana's advice. She wasn't about to say "no" to that. "I will also need to evaluate your condition," Unohana elaborated gracefully, her blue eyes brushing over the bandages which weren't obscured by her Captain's Haori and Onmitsukido Head's uniform.

"Thank you, Unohana-taichou," Yoruichi replied appreciatively, her expression no longer professional now that it was only the two of them, strolling alone with no onlookers in sight. The area surrounding the Assembly Hall was mostly private, luxurious and reserved to Captains and Lieutenants only. "I…really appreciate your help."

"There you go again with your gratitude!"

"It's not something that I take for granted!"

Unohana found herself suppressing a giggle at Yoruichi's flustered response, noting the change in Yoruichi's demeanor. "I think you've healed up very well." She diverted from the subject with a hint of comical pride in her tone, obviously satisfied at the good treatment that she'd administered to the tanned woman back at Soukyoku Hill. "A walk from the General Relief Station to the First Division wouldn't be an easy task for someone in your condition."

Yoruichi just nodded in understanding at Unohana's observant comment. Her regenerative abilities, much like other Captains', were nothing to scoff at. Soi-Fon also boasted amazing capabilities when it came to healing, as noted by Unohana multiple times.

And so the two women fell into uncomfortable silence as they left the premises of the First Division, walking through the sundrenched districts of Seireitei. Unohana quickly noticed that Yoruichi's frown morphed back into a harsh, consistent glare, her golden eyes sparkling in the sunlight. She was once again subjected to the shocked looks and aggressive stares of the Shinigami that they passed through on marbled streets.

Unohana did what she was best at, glancing over to each and every Shinigami with a subtle, "kind" smile, terrifying them to the core with her special Reiatsu as Unohana Yachiru. She made sure that she was walking next to Yoruichi, closely, to show the bond that they've shared, warding off the Shihoin Mistress' discomfort.

No one in their right mind would dare mess with a friend of Unohana Retsu.

The General Relief Station, as morning almost turned to noon, was much more awake than when Yoruichi and Unohana left. Nurses and Fourth Division Members were buzzing everywhere, patients hanged around or took a rest at the flourishing courtyard established specifically for their comfort, or were having a good laugh over the last bites of breakfast at the Dining Hall before it closed off to prepare for lunch.

It would seem less like a hospital and more of a rendezvous hub for the wounded. The fresh, green-hued walls reflected the sunlight coming in from the many windows to give the compound an especially refreshing aroma.

However, some of the green hallways continued further and further into the General Relief Station, where they ever so slowly morphed and darkened until the hospitalized wouldn't even realize that they were still in the same building. This dim-lighted, cold and eerie place was where the comatose or especially fragile patients were being taken care of, and as such they had to be segregated from the rest of the station under strict regulations.

Isane never truly realized how depressing and cruel the Psychiatric Rehabilitation Center truly was to its inhabitants. But she never actually had to dwell on it, as she was much more focused on being transfixed by the back of the dozing Soi-Fon in front of her, sleeping on her side. She never predicted that this room she was in would be so different than the others, with bright rays of light caressing it through the windows, spreading warmth across every inch.

The settings rendered her unable to sink down into a good reading of the "Seireitei Communications" Magazine or, more importantly, Unohana's columns posted within it.

She released a comforted sigh when Soi-Fon shifted slightly in her sleep. Soi-Fon's face burrowed deeper into Yoruichi's neck warmer, which now lay next to her. It would seem like the former Captain wanted the silky fabric to merge with her skin.

It wasn't long after Yoruichi and Unohana left that Soi-Fon stirred in her sleep and eventually regained consciousness. When she did open her silvery eyes, she was instantly overcome with panic at the fact that Yoruichi was nowhere in sight, much to Isane's panic.

Her constant struggles and attempts to get up ensued, accompanied by infrequent calls to her master. If Isane hadn't gone out of her shock from seeing the usually cruel and harsh Soi-Fon like this, she wouldn't have been able to spur to action like she did.

Mustering up the kindest expression she could make, Isane showered Soi-Fon with words of comfort while making sure to prevent her from sitting up, noticing how her bagged eyes were now widened and stricken with hysteria. Her anxiety was debilitating and, while trying her best to assure her that Yoruichi was coming back, Isane found herself displaying the garments that the new Second Division's Captain had left behind.

When something finally clicked in for the delirious Soi-Fon's mind, Isane opted to extend Yoruichi's neck warmer to her with a reassuring smile. The other woman was barely able to take it with a slight blush tinting her cheeks at the scent overflowing from it and, after pressing the neck warmer close to her face, calmed the slightest bit.

Communicating with her, however, proved to be more than difficult for Isane as a result of the medication impeding the young woman's awareness, effectively putting her in a trance. Yoruichi's absence also evidently took its toll on her and she proved to be very difficult to handle.

Even after one of the nurses arrived with breakfast for the two of them, Soi-Fon was still hypnotized and had to be fed like a child while keeping her complete attention at Yoruichi's neck warmer, the scent of her master intoxicating her entranced senses.

Not even a moment after Isane managed to use elaborate and sophisticated means of convincing the patient to cooperate with her and eat a nutritional breakfast, Soi-Fon returned to sleep as if she was never awake.

The whole ordeal had proven to be a tough great learning experience for Isane, who obviously reaffirmed that Soi-Fon and Yoruichi shared something that couldn't be understood at first glance. It threw her back to the dangerous interaction that she had with Yoruichi when the latter had woken up without Soi-Fon by her side.

'Our Division's medications sure have their way of influencing the patients,' Isane pondered worryingly as a small smile decorated her face. She never believed that such a vulnerable version of Soi-Fon existed, let alone that she had managed to witness it. She noted how Soi-Fon's body rose and fell ever so slightly in her slumber, the oxygen mask no longer attached to her face.

Isane considered the current version of Soi-Fon as a much better alternative to her façade as the merciless Captain of the Second Division. At first, she believed that the interactions between the two of them would be strained and uncomfortable after what Soi-Fon did to her younger sister, Kiyone, at Soukyoku Hill. But when she saw Soi-Fon in her current state, the kindhearted Lieutenant couldn't bring herself to hate her.

If Soi-Fon had any recollection of her actions back at Soukyoku Hill, she didn't seem to show it. The silver-permed Shinigami even had a hard time realizing whether Soi-Fon was aware of who was taking care of her.

Her mental breakdown, resulting from a century of accumulated repression and grief which burst when Yoruichi was injured, was as severe as it could get. In addition, unlike the physical injuries that she had sustained, it will require immense care and dedication from both Soi-Fon and Yoruichi to restore the shattered parts of her psyche. Unohana had made sure to convey the full scale of the young woman's condition to her.

Isane found herself clenching her teeth. This was not going to be an easy journey for Soi-Fon.

Aizen sure knew what he was doing back then.

Isane's ears perked abruptly, able to make out the rhythm of footsteps fading in from behind the entrance to the room. She didn't even have time to process it before, with frantic and impatient movements, the fabric hanging up on the doorframe to reveal a fervent Yoruichi accompanied by Unohana's kind smile, much to Isane's delight.

The Lieutenant found herself standing up, closing the Seireitei Communications Magazine and stowing it away for later use. "Welcome back." She greeted silently, careful as to not disturb Soi-Fon's sleep.

Unohana beamed up in response to the warm welcome while Yoruichi simply nodded. Her professional scowl, however, melted away when her eyes fixated themselves on the sight of her sleeping student. Yoruichi took several steps towards her side of the bed and leaned over, folding one leg over the mattress so she could reach closer to the younger woman.

It seemed like both Unohana and Isane blurred away from existence for her at that moment.

Isane rounded Soi-Fon's bed and walked over to her Captain, stopping in front of her to bow her head down lightly. "Thank you for your help, Isane-san," Unohana started gratefully, trying to push back the growing feeling of joy at seeing her Lieutenant again. Isane just returned her smile, appreciating the gesture. "I hope you didn't encounter any difficulties."

"There wasn't anything aside from what you briefed me about," Isane replied humbly, reassuring Unohana's concerns. She saw her Captain glancing sideways momentarily to observe how Yoruichi gushed at her disciple with infatuation. The fact that there were now three people awake in the room, talking, easily made Soi-Fon fidget in her sleep.

"We should probably take our leave," Unohana noted with hint of reluctance in her voice. Now that her promise to Yoruichi was fulfilled, she knew that the Second Division's Captain was intending to continue from where she left off this morning. Unohana didn't want herself or Isane to intrude on her. "I need your help, Isane-san."

"Hai, Taichou," Isane replied obediently, obviously getting the hint and approving to it without opposition.

Unohana turned sideways to face Yoruichi, seeing how satisfied she was at the sight of Soi-Fon nuzzled against the garments that she'd left. Her eyes softened in relief, noting that Yoruichi's method indeed proved useful.

It also meant that Soi-Fon had probably woken up when she and Yoruichi were away.

"Shihoin-taichou,"

Yoruichi was yanked away from her thoughts and nervously tore her eyes away from Soi-Fon, looking over her shoulder to meet Unohana's apologetic smile. "Isane-san and I will be leaving now," Unohana continued gracefully as Isane also turned to look at Yoruichi with her own, discomforted expression. "I will return in an hour or two for the checkup we've agreed on."

Yoruichi nodded in approval, the warm smile that was dedicated to Soi-Fon already replaced with a half-hearted, neutral expression. "Thank you for your help," She replied sternly, her eyes drifting off of Unohana's figure to meet Isane's gaze. The Lieutenant instantly tensed when she noticed that Yoruichi's gratitude was also directed to her.

"I-It's nothing, I was just doing my job." She stammered sheepishly, blushing in response to the attention she got from the Captain she'd discerned as cold and impassive.

"Soi-Fon means a lot to me." Yoruichi clarified harshly, her expression now turning into a discontent frown. She had also managed to deduce what probably went on between Soi-Fon and Isane after she and Unohana departed for the meeting at dawn. "You helped her. I appreciate it."

Isane averted her eyes from Yoruichi's intense gaze, red still tinting her cheeks. "Hai…" She mumbled quietly, putting her hands behind her body. "She…didn't eat a lot for breakfast so…"

Yoruichi's look relaxed at the nervous Isane's mutterings. "I'll take it from here," She assured nonchalantly, bending backwards from her posture over the double bed so she could assume a more professional stance while addressing the leaders of the Fourth Division.

Unohana, however, took it as a sign that they should probably be leaving now.

"See you soon, Shihoin-taichou," Unohana said with a polite nod before turning around and treading elegantly towards the entrance. Isane turned to look at her superior frantically before lightly bowing to Yoruichi and following her footsteps.

Just like that, the pair molded through the curtains and disappeared from sight, giving Yoruichi her privacy with the sleeping Soi-Fon.

Yoruichi, on her end, didn't waste any time as she tossed away her façade, allowing the ice in her golden eyes to evaporate as she returned to look at Soi-Fon. She slipped out of her Captain's Haori and laid it to rest on her own side of the bed, exposing her Onmitsukido Head's uniform.

A seductive, affectionate smile paved its way onto her tanned features as she crawled up to the bed with sly, muted movements.

Her once-icy eyes were now loaded with infatuated mischief.

When her swimming mind could no longer detect the sensation of Yoruichi's neck warmer pressed against her face, Soi-Fon's thoughts lurched into frantic buzzing once again. She stirred and shifted as the sleeping dreams engulfing her washed away by her growing awareness. Her panicking thoughts, however, soon vanished when she managed to realize that the atmosphere around her remained heavy with the scent of her Goddess.

The pillow supporting her head as she slept changed its shape and had gone much softer, its warmth soothing her more and more. She turned her head sideways, her cheek squeezing against the softness of it. As she did so, her sense of smell was overwhelmed to the brim with more of Yoruichi's scent, which seemed to be stored in the new pillow she had received, so sweet and addicting it caused heat to gather around her cheeks.

She resorted to snuggling against it, so delighted that she was gifted with such an invaluable treasure.

Her pleasure was short lived, however, when she found that the new position she'd assumed wasn't as comfortable as she originally thought, straining her neck and amputated shoulder.

This pillow was aligned quite strangely.

"Not as comfy as before?"

Before she got a chance to return her head to its original position, her heart fluttered in her chest from her Goddess' passionate, husky words, causing her bagged eyes to pry themselves into a squint. Her blurred eyesight cleared up ever so slowly, dizziness gripping her being as she awakened. She managed to make out the soft hand which journeyed and cupped her cheek from the side, supporting her face and assisting her back to her original position.

Her strained, clouded thoughts dispersed at the blurred sight in front of her, which wasn't the usual ceiling of her and Yoruichi's room. Ever so slowly, as her drowsiness diminished, Yoruichi's loving smile faded into view, her passionate, golden eyes locked with hers lovingly.

Soi-Fon found her chest clenching, her blush deepening when she finally, in her weakened state, realized that her Goddess was using her own thighs to serve as a lap pillow. Yoruichi perched herself against the head of the bed in a traditional seiza sitting position, gushing at her from above.

No longer adorned with the Onmitsukido Head's uniform, Yoruichi was now wearing her hospital yukata, looking down at the disbelieved, exhausted Soi-Fon. Her flowing locks descended from both sides of her tanned, divine face, creating a magical partition of violet hair that sparkled with the sunlight coming in from the windows.

"Yoruichi-sama…" Soi-Fon managed to hear herself mumble, her voice weak and hoarse. Her eyes moistened at the sight of her Goddess' smile evolving into a comforting grin as she intertwined her petite fingers with raven, disheveled strands.

"I'm sorry for leaving so suddenly today," She apologized compassionately, lowering her face down so they were closer to Soi-Fon's. She found it amusing how the younger woman, even in her current state, attempted to shrink away in pure mortification at the position they were in. It seemed like she was slightly more aware now than before, her flush intensifying. "But don't think you can't get rid of me so easily…I'm not going anywhere. I'm here."

She spoke these words with a lighthearted tone that harbored intense feelings from the depths of her heart, trying to lighten up the mood between the two of them. Even so, Yoruichi's smile turned saddened when her assurance caused tears of happiness to sting the corners of Soi-Fon's eyes. She immediately moved her petite fingers to brush them aside.

"You're here…"

Yoruichi's eyes perked, her smile wiped away briefly to be replaced by a shocked gawk when Soi-Fon began sobbing lightly with the little energy she had available. Her broken eyes seemed more coherent than the last several times in which she was awake, sending intense waves of warm shivers across the new Onmitsukido Head's body.

"You're…here…" Soi-Fon repeated, her mouth curving into a weak snarl from her weeping. Yoruichi's smile returned at her words and she continued wiping away her tears. The soft brushes of her delicate fingers against her skin only reaffirmed to Soi-Fon that these blissful emotions surfacing within her weren't an illusion.

"Yeah…" Yoruichi gushed lovingly, making sure to convey every single bit of her love to Soi-Fon with the warmth of her tone.

Soi-Fon's awareness was gradually returning to her, but Yoruichi concluded that perhaps the current situation wasn't so bad. She observed Soi-Fon as her flushed expression once again became tearful, and decided that she should indulge the little bee further by resuming to brush through her hair and wipe away her tears with passion, her smile glued to her face all the while.

She cherished those little moments in which Soi-Fon's feelings towards her were free from her usual, obedient tendencies and completely bare for her to see.

Seeing Soi-Fon react so pleasurably to her actions only strengthened the love that Yoruichi had confessed to her right after she drifted off to sleep last night, under the light of the moon. She didn't care that Soi-Fon probably didn't hear what she had said as she sailed away blissfully, because the two of them had already, deep down, understood what kind of bond they shared.

The lunch that was placed on the table for the two of them by one of the nurses could wait for now. They had all the time in the world to spend together.

"I'm here with you."

The groups of Koi journeyed all across the large ponds of the beautiful gardens surrounding Ukitake's quarters at the Thirteenth Division. They decorated the midday sunlight with sparkles of splashing waters. The melody of the chirping birds hidden within the gardens' tress calmed Ukitake's overstrained body as he leaned his head against his hand, folding his arm towards him and resting his elbow against the low table he was sitting next to.

He released an exhausted pant, glancing over at the cup of green tea which was brought ten minutes ago by his devoted Lieutenants, Kiyone and Sentaro. They always knew how to take care of him when he had a flare-up of his illness, and were now absent, having departed towards the General Relief Station to retrieve some medical supplies for their struggling Captain.

"Something's on your mind, Jushiro?"

After all, they knew that he will be left in good hands.

Kyoraku, who was sitting on the opposite side of the table, turned his sympathizing smile to his friend. His own cup of tea, already empty, was placed in front of him. He had just been gazing off into thoughts as he lost himself in the beautiful view from Ukitake's residence, marveling at the ponds, big trees and orange rooftops of the tall, traditional Seireitei buildings. They glowed against the sunlight like additional suns, radiating over the vivid scenery. The view was harmonized amazingly well with the green colored walls of Ukitake's room, only complimenting the small compound even further.

It looked exactly like something out of a painting.

"I'm simply tired." Ukitake lamented weakly, trying not to gloom down the mood more than the usual. "I had to wake up early, and there is only so much that Kotetsu-san and Kotsubaki-san are authorized to handle as my assistants. I'll be fine."

After the two of them departed from the Captains' Assembly, Kyoraku brought Ukitake straight back home and remained with him as he received his routine medical assistance from his Lieutenants. His condition wasn't as severe as usual thanks to the fact that Kyoraku has become a master at discerning when his partner's medical condition acted up and react accordingly.

Early rising paired up with physical exertion and a long meeting has proven to be more than what Ukitake could handle, despite his attempts to generate a contrary impression.

Knowing that delving further into the subject of the burden laid on him under Emergency Protocols is not what Ukitake wished for, Kyoraku simply returned his gaze back to the wonderful view in front of him. "Pretty shocking, huh?" He asked simply, knowing how to hook Ukitake back into a conversation.

He didn't even need to elaborate any further for his fellow Captain to lift his head from his palm and look at him with a determined, conflicted expression. "To think that Genryusai-dono would reinstate Yoruichi-san…" He blurted worryingly, his fatigued eyes becoming sharp and resourceful. Kyoraku took note of his strong attitude. The initial surprise and happiness that they felt from getting hit in the groin by the nostalgic sight of Yoruichi as the Second Division's Captain was no longer evident between the two after further dwelling on Yamamoto's decision. "I don't doubt her abilities to carry out this position but…isn't this too much?"

Kyoraku chuckled in response, knowing what the white-haired Shinigami was referring to. "What, you scared all of the sudden?" He teased childishly. Ukitake, as usual, was unfazed by it, causing Kyoraku's expression to turn semi-serious. "She may be harsh as a Captain, but that's not something that her Division can't handle. They're used to it."

"You can't compare Shihoin-taichou to Soi-Fon-san." Ukitake countered irritatingly, perking up the flowery Captain from his laid-back aura. "Don't forget that she used to be called Tyrant Yoruichi."

"Those gossiping Shinigami make the weirdest names for us! Soi-Fon-chan was rough too, you know!"

"Soi-Fon-san wasn't close to her level!"

"Oh my, I'm glad Soi-Fon-chan didn't hear you say that about her!"

"Come on, Shunsui."

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, am I right? It's common logic."

Jushiro was about to reply but found his words stuck in his throat. It would be completely logical that Soi-Fon, who worshiped and adored Yoruichi as a Goddess, would attempt to follow in her footsteps with every inch of her being even after her defection.

It wasn't a surprise for the two of them when she began establishing an iron grip over the Second Division when she became Captain one hundred years ago. It seemed that even as her conflicting emotions towards her master grew, her heart didn't forget its eternal promise and complete devotion to her master. Even so, her actions and behavior as Captain throughout those years only reminded the two friends how closely she resembled Yoruichi.

"Yoruichi-san and Yama-jii weren't on good terms either." Kyoraku added observantly, glancing sideways as he formed a picture in his mind. "Not after the way he screwed up."

In his mind, Kyoraku pictured Yoruichi from a century ago, her arms folded in front of her and an emotionless, cruel scowl carved to her tanned face. Her golden eyes were frozen with an utter lack of empathy, closely resembling the look that she adorned in the Captains' Meeting they had at dawn.

"She was a really difficult Captain to deal with, wasn't she?"

"I wouldn't go that far."

"But she was very harsh!"

Surrounding her, in Kyoraku's mind, were countless members of her Onmitsukido force, mercilessly disciplined under the inhuman standards and demands that she, as Captain, imposed on them. Each of them bore a professional, impassionate expression that made them seem more like an army of Nemus.

"To all but one."

Kyoraku perked up at Ukitake's comment, noting how he involuntarily formed in his mind a young version of Soi-Fon, her smooth, raven locks reaching all the way to her shoulders and her infatuated smile, accompanied by big, worshipping eyes, looking up to Yoruichi. Unlike the other soldiers, who were surrounding Yoruichi from the back, the young version Soi-Fon was standing right next to her.

"You know that these two were always so close," Kyoraku pointed out informatively. Ukitake closed his eyes in understanding. "She was a whole different person when Soi-Fon-chan was around. Don't you remember?"

Ukitake's eyes fluttered open, downcast and concerned at Kyoraku's inquiry. "That is why she quarreled with Genryusai-dono to no end after the decision he made." He mumbled depressingly, Kyoraku's smile saddening at his words. "I think she still holds a grudge."

Ukitake formed his own image in his buzzing mind, a scene with Yoruichi standing tall on one side and Yamamoto standing unfazed on the other. Yoruichi could be seen shooting a death glare over to the Captain-Commander, her hands clenched into fists. Yamamoto's eyes were squinted open, his expression aggressive and vigilant, displaying open contempt towards the other Captain. He was holding his traditional staff next to him with one hand, unlike his usual, calm pose. He wasn't about to take a beating from Yoruichi's murderous glower without fighting back.

"I'm sure she does." Kyoraku corrected jokingly, yanking Ukitake from the image that he spent effort into forming in his head. The casual Captain returned to gush off into the distance as he continued. "Well…things are about to get interesting if you ask me."

Ukitake nodded in agreement as his eyes followed Kyoraku's and admired the view outside of his quarters as well. "They sure are." He replied frustratingly, his voice strained and rather tired from this morning's events.

With that, the two friends trailed off into a long, awkward silence which was seldom interrupted by the soothing music of bird chirps and Koi splashes.

.

.

.

"Don't you have work to do, Shunsui?"

"Nah, I'm sure Nanao-chan's at it."

And so the curtain rises on the new Epilogue of our new arc of "Captain Yoruichi". I took the liberty of defining her personality and behavior as Captain, which may seem a little OOC to you guys, from the little bits of glimpses that we got from her behavior towards simple Onmitsukido soldiers. I decided to deduce her Captain personality from a combination of the latter with the way Soi-Fon, who worships Yoruichi, usually conducts herself within her Division in the franchise.

I really enjoyed writing the Assembly of the Gotei Thirteen. It will definitely not be the last that we see of them.

Now, pay close attention, as I'm currently going to write my chapters a little bit shorter in the near future. I want to give you all an amazing story that you won't find cumbersome to read. I aim for chapters that we could all read in one sitting and won't have our eyes gauged out by the team we reach this Author Note of mine.

To make up for it, I'm going to have a much larger quantity of chapters and, hopefully, update more frequently despite Life usually getting in the way.

I'm also about to integrate some separate side chapters labeled as "Extra", which will usually feature other characters in the Bleach Universe and how they are being affected by recent events in the fanfiction. It's because I wish to elaborate and add more depths to characters who would otherwise seem to be like one-dimensional characters. It's more to show that each of them has their own thoughts, problems, and experiences, aside from focusing it all on the (currently overflowing) YoruSoi fluff.

So, as for next chapter, we will be deviating from our usual focus on the Cat and the Bee. Time to see what the little Prodigy of the Gotei Thirteen is up to. Tune in for next chapter! "Defrosted (Extra)"! It will certainly be worth it.

To close it off, I would once again like to thank those of you who took time to review my chapters and post criticism. If you have any ideas, comments, feedback or just simply want to express yourselves, I refer you to the existence of the REVIEW BOX, a trusty ally of mine who's helped me through many hardships. I am not paid to endorse it by any means necessary.

See you next Chapter!