Second Meeting: Things Stolen

Hello all! We meet again! Rather surprising, I know, considering my track record. Originally, I had intended for this to be the second chapter, however, as I think we all know, inspiration works in funny ways. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter. Soifon and Byakuya in their youth are quite entertaining to write. They're a lot freer and open with their emotions. I love writing Soifon most because, although she tries her best to be the consummate professional, she's still a young girl. Well, I very much enjoyed this chapter and I hope you do as well!

The fourth time Soifon journeyed to the Kuchiki manner was the first time they came face to face. Incidentally, it was also the first time Yoruichi had her apprentice accompany her on an actual diplomatically oriented trip. On the previous occasions, Soifon served as an escort for some asinine reason or even a little spying escapade; really, any scheme (silly or not) that the Shihoin head cooked up. Soifon gazed in awe at her mistress, bedecked in finery. She remembered the first time she had set eyes on Yoruichi, she was like a goddess then and even now, after getting to know her, Soifon had difficulty not regarding her as such. Her tawny skin seemed to glow and her golden eyes flashed dangerously. If she had not been wearing such an undignified smirk, there was no doubt that she could be described anything other than a goddess. Unfortunately, the image was further ruined when her mistress decided to open her mouth.

"Are you excited to go see your boyfriend?" Yoruichi teased. If there was one thing Soifon hated, it was that her mistress never forgot. Especially concerns with her young ward. Prying into Soifon's love life, or in reality, lack thereof, never failed to amuse the head of the Shihoin house. She seemed to revel in the idea of playing big sister and matchmaker even if her services had never been, and never would be, requested.

"I already told you, I do NOT have a crush on that guy! I've never even… I've never even met him!" Soifon spluttered. She felt the blood rushing to her face and her ears. No, this wouldn't do. She was blushing. She couldn't blush. It was unseemly, unprofessional, immature. And, worst of all, if Yoruichi saw, she'd never hear the end of it. Yoruichi never forgot. Ever. Soifon clawed at her neck anxiously for the safety of her mask only to remember it wasn't there. Since she would be accompanying her mistress at her side this time, it had been deemed unnecessary. Never before had she yearned for the anonymity provided by the black cotton cloth. She opted for Plan B, because, as a ninja she could never go without a few backup plans, and ducked her head, hiding her flaming face behind a curtain of ebony locks. If her rosy cheeks hadn't captured Yoruichi's attention, and it looked like it hadn't thankfully, the sudden motion sure did. The downside of the backup plan. The older woman smirked as she stared at the crown of her young friend's head. She had an inkling of what was going on.

"Soifon, is something wrong? Why are you staring at the ground?" She asked. Soifon would have felt relief but the tone just seemed too innocent and unaware to be genuine. No, Yoruichi knew. Always always always go with Plan A, she chastised herself silently while wracking her brain for a suitable explanation.

"Ah, no I'm not staring at the ground, Yoruichi-sama!" She exclaimed as she forced her gaze up at her mistress' face. "I was just admiring your shoes, they are so lovely! Are they new?" The last bit came out as a rush and she felt like a blubbering idiot. Yoruichi's smile grew to a Cheshire grin. Partly because she was proud of Soifon improvising on the spot, but mostly because the girl had, knowingly or not, tapped into one of the woman's more hidden interests. Shoes.

"Why yes, they're new. So observant!" She exclaimed as she lifted her hem a bit for a better view. "The maker, he's been working with me for years and gave them to me free of charge! Are they not exquisite? Apparently, I'm some sort of muse for him." She said with a small smile and a look that said that he was not the only one. Soifon sighed in relief as her teacher prattled on about the make and quality. Maybe talking about shoes wasn't the best idea after all.

"Ah, Yoruichi-sama, our meeting? We're going to be late…"

"Oh you can't wait to get back into your lover's arms I see? Calm down we'll be there in no time! When we arrive you'll be on your own, though, so don't do anything I wouldn't doooo! Wait…" Yoruichi paused as she considered the very long list of things she would do and the trifling little she wouldn't.

"Ack! No that's not what I meant! And what do you mean I'll be on my own?" It was at this moment that poor Soifon realized in situations like this, she just couldn't win.

Yoruichi and her companion arrived at the Kuchiki estate in a manner Yoruichi liked to call "fashionably late", which is to say incredibly and embarrassingly tardy. Awaiting them were not servants, as Soifon had grown accustomed to, but Ginrei Kuchiki and the Kuchiki brat, better known as Byakuya. For the second time that day, she wished she had her mask on. In her years, she had learned the value of anonymity. She watched without a sound as the two heads of the most powerful families in the Soul Society made the polite greetings and formalities ingrained into all members of nobility. The group made their way to the courtyard, all the while talking about this and that and various other trivialities.

"Yoruichi, I have had the servants prepare us some tea. Would you like to come inside?" Ginrei asked. His voice was deep and filled with authority. Even from his posture, it was apparent he was quite skilled. He was clearly a man to be respected.

"Ah, yes. I would like nothing better." Yoruichi purred, following him into the manor. Soifon started after them but a light touch from her mistress halted the motion. "Now, now, this is adults, only. Maybe in a few years." Yoruichi's tone was playful, but her message was clear. Stay put. Soifon stood at a loss. What was her purpose in coming, then? She glanced over and her eye caught the figure of Ginrei's grandson, leaning most undignified against the stone wall. Her eyes narrowed, all the while stubbornly ignoring the slight acceleration of her heart. She should have known.

She was staring at him again… or rather, she was glaring at him. It was hard to miss the cold gaze those black eyes kept sending his way. If looks could kill, he would have certainly been deceased by then and it would not have been pretty. It took him a while to recognize the face, taut in its severity. She was Yoruichi's shadow, the one who always accompanied her when the Shihoin head deigned to visit, but it was the first time she had come without her mask.

She was pretty, he decided, in that severe way that came from one who'd grown up too fast and seen things they'd rather forget. She was also younger than he had anticipated. When her face had been obscured, she had seemed older. It might have been the coldness in her eyes that he was now oh so familiar with. Her face in its entirety seemed to soften the effect, somewhat. Maybe it was her hair, cropped to her chin, that framed her face. All in all she appeared capable, loyal, and most noticeably of all, a seething ball of fury pointed at his direction. What had he done to piss her off? He wondered to himself.

Did he dare talk to her? They were just standing around the courtyard. He could just go back inside and practice his swordplay. The girl didn't seem like she would be one to particularly care. But at the same time, she was intriguing. Not just because she had a stare that could make most men cry. It was simply the fact that she seemed utterly genuine. He didn't meet many girls like that. Most of the time they were too distracted by his position and made fools of themselves falling over their feet, fawning. No. She was definitely not like other girls. It looked like practice would have to wait because he was going to get to know her a little better.

"What's your name?"

She didn't respond. He would have thought she didn't hear if it had not been the thinning of her lips. She was a stubborn one, that was for sure. The two were startled when they heard Yoruichi yell from behind the paper door,

"Soifon! Her name is Soifon!"

"YOURICHI-SAMA!"

Byakuya did not fail to notice the girl's grimace at her mistress' outburst. Soifon. So that was her name.

"What is your problem with me?" He couldn't help but ask. "I noticed that since you arrived, you have done nothing but glower."

"You are disrespectful to Yoruichi-sama. How can you ever expect me to look upon you favorably?" She replied curtly. She gave a wicked glare to further emphasize her point.

"Well, you could get to know me, first. But you see… your mistress always takes things from me. I think that's a valid enough reason not to be entirely nice every once and a while." he said carefully, eying his now quiet companion, "Every time she comes, she'll steal something of mine and I think it's only fair that I can return the favor." She chuckled at his words; he really was arrogant if he thought he could ever succeed at stealing something from Yoruichi. She was too fast, too clever, and too mischievous herself to fall victim to such an attempt. If Byakuya thought he could actually prevail over her mistress, he was just like all the other delusional, conceited aristocrats she had come in contact with so often. Money, she found, could buy many things, but humility and good sense was not one of them.

"You can try, but you won't succeed." She murmured softly, her eyes downcast. If he had been looking, he would have seen the gleam of pride return in her eyes, but his gaze was fixed elsewhere.

"Probably not, you're right. At least not yet." He admitted after a moment. His response surprised the young girl. She had assumed he would balk at her comment and assert his "superior skills". It seemed the Kuchiki at least had some semblance of sense which, given her previous experience with him, actually came as something of a shock. She had assumed he would just assault her with some bombastic speech aobut how his abilities eclipsed those of her mistress or something of that sort. Perhaps she had been wrong about him, she thought to herself as she snuck a quick glance at him. After all, he did have nice hair. Bad people just didn't have nice hair, she had found. Theirs were usually gelled and styled to the brink of death. And Yoruichi had nice hair, so smooth and long and silky. Folks like Kisuke Urahara, she wrinkled her nose at the thought of him, their hair was just a travesty.

She looked at him again, her hair logic making her a bit friendly, but the sight of him gave her a pang of nervousness. The way he was looking at her was disconcerting. It was almost predatory but that wasn't quite it. She could not describe how he looked at that moment but she knew that whatever was coming would not be good.

"What are you planning to do?" She barked. "I will not let you touch a hair on Yoruichi-sama's head nor will I allow you to desecrate anything that belongs to her. Please cast aside your foolish plans, whatever they may be, at once."

This time, the look he gave was very recognizable. He was looking smug. Very smug and Soifon wondered briefly how much trouble she would get into if she wiped that look off with her fist.

"I don't plan on trying anything on that were-cat just yet." He said calmly, "but I know what will be the next best thing. You."

Her eyes widened in disbelief. Had she heard him correctly? Was he out of his mind? She and Yoruichi were not alike. How could she be expected to serve as a substitute, in any way to someone like her mistress? Not to mention, what could he possibly take from her?

"You're stupider than I thought," she said, her voice harsh and hostile. "What could you possibly take from me? I have nothing. I am but a servant and guardian for Yoruichi-sama."

"Nothing you say? I bet I can prove you wrong. And I can promise you that once I take it, you'll never get it back." He said with a smirk.

"You are a fool," she hissed as she listed in her head all she owned. Weapons, her uniform, her mask. Nothing of value. Was he delusional?

"I'm telling you, I don-" She was cut off by a pair of lips pressed to her own. Soifon froze. She felt his hands around her arms and felt the tickle of his hair across her cheek. It really was as silky as it looked. No, now was not the time for that. Hair appreciation hour was long over. It was time to rectify this affront to her dignity. She wrestled herself away, breathless and incredulous.

"You… you…" She couldn't seem to form words, she was so angry.

"We're even now." Byakuya said evenly. He was smiling. He looked so disgustingly proud of himself.

Soifon couldn't think of anything to say, so she did the only thing she could think of. She punched him.

Yoruichi and Ginrei returned from their tea to a memorable sight. In one corner of the courtyard lay Byakuya, sprawled out and unconscious. His eye was swollen and red. It was going to be a nasty black eye by the next day. On the other side was a fuming Soifon. Her hands were clenched into fists and she was flushed and breathless. Out of anger or embarrassment, Yoruichi didn't know. For once, she decided it would be best not to ask.

A kiss? He kissed her? Who did he think he was? Some Romeo, Casanova incarnate? Well, she was no Juliet; she was a highly trained and lethal warrior. Being kissed didn't transform her into some prissy princess and she for sure wasn't falling head over heels for him. The disrespect! Byakuya had bought himself a number two spot on Soifon's prestigious "Destroy at All Costs" list, second to Kisuke Urahara's permanent number one position. Then again, she reasoned, getting upset over the situation would be the reaction the Kuchiki heir would want. Was it really so valuable? It was just a kiss, a pressing together of lips, nothing special. It was only her very first kiss. Soifon clenched her fists. No, Byakuya Kuchiki was going down and she would also take down anyone who would even imply that she kind of, sort of, in the tiniest way, liked it. Even if she kind of, sort of, in the tiniest way, did.

So that's that! I do hope you enjoyed reading this. Please feel free to leave a review. Constructive criticism is very much welcome and I love hearing what you all think!