"That's enough, Soifon. You remind me of myself. I even think of you sometimes as my little sister." — Yoruichi Shihōin.
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The room stilled as Itachi's words flowed, not because of shock at the utterance, but because very few of them knew how to reply to it. It was said with such cold detachment that, for a moment, a brief image flashed across their minds: one where Itachi stood between them and said Hollows with cold red eyes and a colder gleaming Zanpakutō.
"Oi oi, don't you think we're going too far?" Isshin interrupted, cutting through the brimming atmosphere with his quip.
"Regardless of what is and what happened, the fact remains that there is nothing we can do about the Hōgyoku, am I right?" he looked at Itachi who gave him a small nod. "Then that is that. We finally ended the threat that is Aizen after decades. I don't know about you all, but dealing with the politics of everything, not to mention Central 46, is not something I'm looking forward to right this instant."
"Oh would you look at that? I agree too." Shunsui joined in, all too eagerly to get away from whatever it was that was just waiting to happen. Like Isshin said, it was best if they pushed all the gritty problems to another day.
And from the looks of it, he wasn't the only one sharing that sentiment.
They all looked at Yamamoto, most with pleading eyes that shouted just how little they wished to be here for this exact reason.
Alas, it was not the be. Yamamoto didn't even look amused by their posturing, even less convinced by the childish antics, his eyes more interested in focusing on Itachi, for the most part, and the Exiled.
It wasn't a simple decision to just dismiss them, not when they just defeated Aizen, and a lot more of the testimonies of the Exiled and the Visored still had to be taken.
The other Captains saw the look on Yamamoto's face and couldn't help but groan as they knew they were about to remain on the same spot for at least a few hours.
"Now that you all have stopped bickering like babies, start from the top."
And cue more groaning.
....
Five hours. That was how long Yamamoto held them back. And for half of that time, Shunsui and Isshin made it clear how little they wanted to be there. Alas the old captain cared little for their plight… or maybe he did and he kept them there regardless, out of old bitter spite.
And of course neither of them were brave enough to say their thoughts to his face.
"Ah, what a long day!" Shunsui moaned in delight as soon as they stepped outside the 1st Division. "So who's up for a little drink?"
Byakuya simply left, as with Sajin and Kenpachi. A few others politely declined, mostly due to their duties, or new ones as in case of the Visored, which left only Itachi, Jūshirō, Yoruichi and Unohana free.
Itachi couldn't refuse, not when Shunsui had every plan of dragging him out. Yoruichi wasn't one to turn down free drinks and a chance to get tipsy. As for Unohana and Jūshirō, they mostly agreed just because.
The spot for their litter rendezvous was by a small pond behind Shunsui house/office. A very quiet place with a natural feel to it. One Itachi readily enjoyed on the few occasions he and Shunsui enjoyed a bottle or two.
Unfortunately Isshin couldn't be here as much as he wished because a very irate Lieutenant dragged him off as soon as he stepped outside the 1st Division.
"How did life as an 'Exiled' and former traitor treat you, Yoruichi?" Jūshirō asked with curious concern plaiting his words.
"Eh, it wasn't too bad." Yoruichi shrugged nonchalantly. "It had its perks, I guess. I could sleep anytime I wanted to for one. It's kinda hard to top reckless indulgence and a little bit of sloth."
Jūshirō and Unohana chuckled while Shunsui looked as if someone just told him his dream was achievable. It gave him a different kind of hurt and hope.
"There's also the usual Hollow nuisance every now and then and we couldn't be too active in case a certain stalker was snooping around for us." She took a deep swig with a hearty laugh and wiped off the foam on her lips. "All in all, it wasn't as bad as it could have been."
"Well, I for one am glad that you're back here with us." Unohana said, earning her a cat grin from Yoruichi.
"Of course you are. I'm sure you were all sad and depressed little ol' me left."
"Not really." Itachi finally said, cutting through Yoruichi's reverie with cold, short words.
Her grin widened as she glommed to his side, snaking her arms around one of his and pulling herself into him with a teasing smile.
"Heya? Why don't you say how you really feel, Itachi? Don't worry, none of us will laugh. I know you missed me."
The glint in her eyes was now a blinding luminesce as she glued herself to him, his arm trapped in hers, her face a few inches from him with a cheshire smirk plastered egotistically on it.
"Come on now, you missed me, didn't you–" The smile on her face and her words were cut off with Itachi's reply.
"I did." He said simply. "And so did Soi Fon, as did Yūshirō. Few people did, not much."
Whatever smug quip or teasing smile she had been planning on fizzled away in her stunned surprise at Itachi's easy admittance.
She expected a few things; his silence, faux nonchalance, a cold logical reply that would cut through her prodding, a systematic admittance maybe — but not this. Not this easy and heartfelt acceptance.
"Heh. So you've changed this much." Her smile became more somber and gentle. "Seems like I really missed a lot."
Itachi agreed with a nod. "You did."
The rest of their time passed at a calm pace, filled with more jokes and lighthearted conversation even as the night slowly wore off. The Captains soaked in the simplicity of it, a calm night with shared drinks.
...
Itachi and Yoruichi slowly walked towards the 2nd Division as the first rays of sunlight peeked through the clouds and bathed the Seireitei in that reminiscent morning glow.
"This place rarely ever changes, you know." Yoruichi began as Shinigami slowly filtered out. "I spent quite some time here and I've barely noticed anything different. I guess that's the beauty of it."
"Whatever do you mean?"
She looked around, a gesture that Itachi copied, and spoke towards the Shinigami that went about their day. "The Seireitei is home to the strongest souls in Soul Society. And just like how the stronger the soul the more resistant it is to change, Seireitei somehow perfectly mirrors that."
She chuckled. "It is one of the greatest comforts this place has. No matter how far or near you are from it, you will always have that confidence that it'll be just the way you left it. And besides, can you picture this place being any different?"
"You're right. I can't." He agreed and she scoffed.
"Of course I'm right. It's me after all."
To Itachi's credit, he didn't groan or whine but his lack of expression more than spoke of his intended reaction.
"I forgot how insufferable you can be. I did not miss that."
"Haha, pout all you want, you big softy, but I'm here to stay."
They fell into a beat of silence as they passed through the gates of the 2nd Division, which earned them more than a few shocked gazes – owed to the casualness with which the former exiled Captain of the 2nd Division strolled in with their current Captain.
"I thought you would be visiting your clan before all this. What changed your mind?"
She looked at him, a little bit surprised. "You caught that?"
"Caught what? The fact that you're uncomfortable with facing Soi Fon after ghosting her for decades, or the fact that you feel rather alien in the Division that once used to be yours? In that case, I didn't."
She jabbed her elbows to his sides rather harshly but he just paused for half a step and let it sail harmlessly before him.
"Congratulations, you finally achieved humor. But keep the smart mouth to yourself. I'm a cat, I'm not supposed to do overly complicated and emotional word bridges."
"So you say." They stepped past the doors of the main building and he felt Yoruichi bristle for a brief moment. He knew the upcoming conversation was not one she was looking forward to.
"You could have visited your brother first. He has been worried sick for you."
Yoruichi however shook her head. "If I did that then both of you will think I ran away, and I don't run away. I can meet Yūshirō later, now however, I have to face an angry bee."
"A very angry and disappointed bee. With quite the stinger I might add."
"Shut up, Itachi. You're not helping." She scowled.
"Good. I wasn't planning to."
"Fuck you, Itachi."