Little Bee

Another day in the Soul Society, Seireitei, Second Division Barracks.

"Ah! So boring, boring! That bastard Kyōraku is being kept on a tight leash by Lisa, Ukitake's health is poor, and Kaien and Kukaku are probably busy again! And Kisuke, what experiment is that guy doing now? Ah! Life is so boring!"

Reclining sideways in her chair, Yoruichi Shihōin propped her chin on one hand and complained endlessly, all while sneaking glances from the corner of her eye at Shadow, who was handling division affairs beside her.

At last, Shadow set down his pen and sighed helplessly.

"What are you sighing for?" Lady Yoruichi Shihōin said unhappily.

"I knew it would be like this."

"Huh!!!"

"I had people prepare everything long ago!" Shadow rose from behind the desk and walked out. "Well, if it's a picnic, I think Lady Yoruichi would like it."

"A picnic!"

Yoruichi Shihōin froze for a moment, then sprang up from her chair and threw her arms around Shadow's neck. Her little head bobbed repeatedly as she grinned. "Mm-hm, mm-hm! I knew Shadow was the best!"

"Let's go! Wait!"

Her advancing steps suddenly stopped. Yoruichi Shihōin tore off her captain's haori and tossed it to Shadow before continuing out the door.

Shadow let out a light breath, folded the haori and put it away, then created a Shadow Clone and instructed him to deal with the documents before following after her.

Northeast of the Second Division Barracks stood a winding, twisting corridor built high in the air. It was a passage reserved for the Punishment Force's upper ranks and its commander.

Every member of the guard unit stationed there was an exceptional talent chosen from among thousands in the Punishment Force. Not only were they powerful, they had also been tested through blood and fire, so their loyalty was naturally beyond question.

After joining the guard unit directly under the Punishment Force commander, Soi Fon had been assigned there by Yoruichi Shihōin. To Soi Fon, it was something to be proud of.

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

When the guards on either side saw Yoruichi Shihōin approaching, each of them respectfully lowered their heads.

As Yoruichi Shihōin passed a petite Punishment Force member, she stopped and turned 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 out for a moment before hurriedly nodding.

Yoruichi Shihōin studied Soi Fon for a while. Suddenly, she turned her head and looked around as though searching for something, asking in confusion, "Eh? What's that sound? Buzz, buzz."

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

"Caught you!"

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

"Th-That...!"

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

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

Yoruichi Shihōin bent slightly and looked Soi Fon straight in the eye, a trace of expectation in her golden gaze.

"B-But..."

Although she truly 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 finally calling out, "Lady Yoruichi!"

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

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

"Eh? Um..."

Soi Fon was left stunned by Yoruichi Shihōin's completely unpredictable behavior.

Seemingly realizing that Soi Fon had not followed, Yoruichi Shihōin, who had already run more than ten meters away, stopped and sighed helplessly. Tilting her head toward Soi Fon, who was still standing where she was, she shouted, "I said come with me! Just follow me!"

"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's head. "That's more like it!"

As she spoke, she tilted her head and chuckled softly.

"Alright!"

Yoruichi Shihōin patted Soi Fon's head once more, then turned and continued running forward. "Hurry up and keep up! Today, we're going on a picnic!"

"Huh!!!"

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 climbing a mountain of blades or crossing a sea of flames, she would follow without hesitation. That was simply because Yoruichi Shihōin was the person she had sincerely respected and admired from the depths of her heart since childhood.

Standing where he was, Shadow watched Soi Fon run farther away with cold eyes, seemingly lost in thought.

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

"Yes, Lady Yoruichi!"

Shadow came back to himself and followed after them, sighing so softly that no trace of it showed.

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

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

The afternoon sunlight remained brilliant and bright, spilling gently across the earth and bringing life to all things. It shone upon the water in dazzling patches like a mirror, reflecting the lush green scenery around it.

One could clearly see little fish frolicking in the clean, clear river, as well as the reflections left on the water's surface by white clouds drifting through the sky. Everything was so pure and beautiful, like the most exquisite painting.

Beneath the shade of dense trees, Yoruichi Shihōin, Shadow, and Soi Fon sat together in a circle. A gentle breeze swept past, carrying an enticing fragrance.

"Hey, Shadow, when will it be ready? I'm about to starve!"

Looking at the tender, golden grilled fish that gave off such a tempting aroma, Yoruichi Shihōin asked again without growing tired of it.

"It'll be ready soon!"

Shadow turned the grilled fish over again on the rack, brushed seasonings over it, and answered with equal patience.

"Lady Yoruichi..." Soi Fon held out some sweets from the side and said softly, "If you're hungry, have some sweets."

"Ha! Thank you so much, Soi Fon!"

Though Yoruichi Shihōin did not particularly want sweets at the moment, she was still quite happy about Soi Fon's gesture.