Little Bee

Another day, Soul Society, Seireitei, Second Division barracks.

"Ah! So boring, so boring! That bastard Kyōraku is completely under Lisa's thumb, Ukitake's health is poor, and Kaien and Kukaku must be busy again! What's Kisuke doing now, more experiments? Ah! Life is so boring!"

Reclining sideways in her chair, Yoruichi Shihōin propped up her chin and complained without pause, all while sneaking glances at Shadow beside her as he handled the division's paperwork.

At last, Shadow set down his brush and let out a rather helpless sigh.

"What are you sighing for?!" Miss Yoruichi Shihōin demanded unhappily.

"I knew it would be like this."

"Eh?!"

"I had people prepare everything early this morning!" Shadow rose from behind the desk and walked around it. "Well, if it's a picnic, I think Lady Yoruichi will like it."

"A picnic!"

Yoruichi Shihōin froze for a moment, then sprang from her chair and threw her arms around Shadow's neck. Nodding eagerly, she said with a bright grin, "Mm-hm! I knew Shadow was the best!"

"Let's go! Wait!"

Just as she stepped forward, Yoruichi Shihōin suddenly stopped. She yanked off her captain's haori, tossed it to Shadow, then continued outside.

Shadow let out a soft breath, neatly folded the haori, and put it away. Then he created a Shadow Clone and instructed it to deal with the documents before following after her.

Northeast of the Second Division barracks was a winding aerial corridor, a passage reserved for the Punishment Force's upper ranks.

Every guard stationed there was an exceptional talent selected from the Punishment Force. Not only were they highly capable, but they had also been tempered by blood and fire, making their loyalty unquestionable.

After Soi Fon joined the guard unit directly under the Punishment Force commander, Yoruichi Shihōin assigned her to this place. To Soi Fon, it was a matter of great pride.

Yoruichi Shihōin walked lightly along the corridor, with Shadow following one step behind her. Farther back were two Punishment Force members.

Upon seeing Yoruichi Shihōin approach, the guards stationed on both sides respectfully lowered their heads.

When Yoruichi Shihōin passed a petite Punishment Force member, she stopped and turned her head to ask, "How is it, Soi Fon? Have you gotten used to your duties in the guard unit?"

"Yes, Commander!"

Apparently not expecting Yoruichi Shihōin to ask such a question, Soi Fon blanked for a moment before hurriedly nodding.

Yoruichi Shihōin stared at Soi Fon for a while. Then she suddenly turned her head and looked around as if searching for something, asking in confusion, "Huh? What's that sound? Buzz, buzz!"

Her puzzled expression made it seem as though something truly was flying around her.

"Got you!"

She suddenly smacked Soi Fon on the head, where she wore an old Edo-style bun, and said with faint helplessness, "You should be noisy, because there's a little bee here!"

"Th-That..."

Though Yoruichi Shihōin had already withdrawn her hand, Soi Fon was still extremely nervous.

"I told you before, didn't I? Just call me Yoruichi."

Yoruichi Shihōin bent slightly and looked directly into Soi Fon's eyes, a trace of anticipation gleaming in her golden gaze.

"B-But..."

Although she very much wanted to call her that, Soi Fon still hesitated. Yet seeing the expectation in Yoruichi Shihōin's eyes, she gathered herself for a moment before calling out, "Lady Yoruichi!"

Yoruichi Shihōin tilted her head and smiled with satisfaction, her eyes curving into crescents. "That's more like it! Come with me!"

With that, she straightened up, turned around, and ran forward.

"Ah, um..."

Yoruichi Shihōin's utterly unpredictable behavior left Soi Fon stunned.

Perhaps noticing that Soi Fon had not followed, Yoruichi Shihōin stopped after running more than ten meters. She sighed helplessly, turned her head sideways, and shouted at Soi Fon, who was still standing where she was, "I said come with me, so just come along!"

"Y-Yes, ma'am!"

This time, though she still did not quite understand, Soi Fon answered without hesitation. Clenching her fists, she ran in one breath to stand before Yoruichi Shihōin.

Yoruichi Shihōin patted Soi Fon on the head. "That's more like it!"

As she spoke, she tilted her head and gave a soft laugh.

"Alright!"

Yoruichi Shihōin patted Soi Fon's head again, then turned and continued running forward with a smile. "Hurry up and catch up. Today, we're going on a picnic!"

"Eh?!"

Soi Fon was utterly dumbfounded, but she still followed closely behind. To her, as long as it was Yoruichi Shihōin's order, even if it meant mountains of blades and seas of fire, she would follow without hesitation. Simply because Yoruichi Shihōin was the person she had respected and admired from the bottom of her heart since childhood.

Shadow stood where he was, his cold gaze fixed on Soi Fon's retreating figure. No one knew what he was thinking.

"Shadow, you're so slow! Hurry up!"

"Yes, Lady Yoruichi!"

Shadow came back to himself and followed after her, letting out an imperceptible sigh.

"If one day I'm no longer here, Lady Yoruichi..."

Soul Society, on an unnamed hill near the Seireitei's Second Division.

The afternoon sunlight was still brilliant and bright, gently spilling across the land and bringing life to all things. It glimmered across the water like a mirror, reflecting the verdant scenery around it.

The playful fish could be clearly seen in the clean, crystal-clear river, while white clouds drifted across the sky and left their reflections on the water. Everything was so pure and beautiful, like the most exquisite painting.

Under the shade of dense trees, Yoruichi Shihōin, Shadow, and Soi Fon sat together. A breeze drifted past, carrying an enticing fragrance.

"Hey, Shadow, when will it be ready? I'm starving!"

Looking at the grilled fish, golden and tender as it gave off an irresistible aroma, Yoruichi Shihōin asked again without tiring of it.

"It'll be ready soon!"

Shadow turned the fish on the rack again and brushed it with seasoning, answering just as patiently.

"Lady Yoruichi..." Soi Fon held out some snacks and said softly, "If you're hungry, have some snacks."

"Ha! Thank you, Soi Fon!"

Though Yoruichi Shihōin did not really want snacks at the moment, Soi Fon's gesture still made her quite happy.

Some versions of Safari on iPhone may freeze. This site has already been optimized for that issue. If it still happens, try another browser, such as Google Chrome, or switch back to the default font—yes, the font is the cause—and contact us. We will find a way to improve it.