With the Captains suffering casualties and heavy injuries on their side, all hope seemed to be lost... until Shinji Hirako appeared, along with the rest of the former Shinigami. Though the aid of the Vizards certainly helped to draw the battle in their favor, it seemed Aizen's power alone proved too much for them.
It certainly had been a long night as Sayuri wandered the halls of the 2nd Division barracks. She had nearly collided into Soi Fon when she went to deliver her reports to her, it seemed as though the most recent encounters she has had with Soi Fon - she only managed to make herself look like a fool to her Captain, the one she admires most. Sayuri could not help but sneer at herself in vexation, she did not understand why she turns into such an idiot in front of Soi Fon. Well, that is not entirely accurate, she knew why, she just could not understand why it was such a sudden difficult struggle to hold even the most modicum level of composure, if even that, around her.
An abrupt rush to her head suddenly struck her, she stumbled a bit in her steps. Narrowly preventing herself from a fall, she leaned against the wall to hold herself up and regain balance. It was fatigue, she rested her left hand on the left side of her brow taking a few deep labored breathes out of the sudden rush of exhaustion. It was her body telling her its had enough. Maybe she had been pushing herself to hard lately she thought, but in the next instance she scoffed at the rumination. Pushing herself forward, she pushed off the wall bearing through her fatigue and kept walking.
Fresh air, that is all she needed she believed, some fresh air to breath into her lungs. Focusing on her steps making certain not to stumble again, she walked out to the courtyard. The cool night air felt good to breath into her lungs, a little bit invigorating. It did not appear anyone was there, though with her current fatigue, her perceptions could easily be deceiving her. She saw a tree out in the middle of the courtyard, a good place to rest if any, no disgrace in a little bit of rest, right? But she scarcely got halfway to the tree until all she saw was darkness.
Opening her eyes only a few seconds later she found herself laying on the grass of the courtyard, in that moment she realized she had just fainted. With an ashamed grunt at her current weakness, even more so as she could not even fully stand, she crawled on her hands and knees to the tree as she cursed herself, "You're... so damned weak... You want 5th Seat...? Ha... Look at yourself... crawling on the ground just because you're a little tired...", finally reaching the tree, she flopped against it into a seated position. Sitting there for a brief moment - even that helped her enough to become a bit more lucid and not look quite as exhausted as she did a second ago. But even so, the fatigue plaguing her was still obvious upon her.
It was then when she finally begun to relax a little, she could perceive someone near...
Post by Rebel Raven on Jul 16, 2009 18:55:32 GMT -5
Soifon was indeed near, and had watched her subordinate struggle her way to the tree. As much as she wanted to ignore her subordinates, and let them get stronger on their own, she found herself a bit more compelled to pay attention to this one with her ambition.
She leapt from the rooftop she inhabited where she viewed of the area, then landed a few yards away gracefully. Soifon walked over with purpose, then stopped about 6 feet away, "What's wrong with you?" she asked sternly. Of course she cared what was wrong with Sayuri, but from the sounds of it, she wanted to know what was making the woman a weak link instead of being friendly about it.
Soifon couldn't seem to muster sympathy as long as she remained ignorant of the woman's state of being, hence why she asked. Even if she knew, Soifon might still be hard pressed to show much mercy.
As she asked, and stood there, the tiny woman took a pose of authority with her feet spread about shoulder's distance with her arms crossed over her captain's haori, her eyes looking down at the woman rather than her head angled to face her. Her lips were straight, neither a frown, nor a smile, though perhaps the angle made them appear more of a serious frown than anything.
All in all she did her best to maintain that rough, hard exterior that covered her softer womanly self that few had ever seen. The shy, insecure, girlcrushy interior that she never denied was there, nor did she deny it was a part of herself. What she did deny, however, was that it was a good thing to show while leading a squad.
She couldn't help but have noticed Sayuri's quiet, but harsh words, and aspirations to become closer seated than she were. 5th seat wasn't as prestigious as any of the upper seats, but it was still a place of power. She could not blame the woman for it, but if anyone were to become closer, Soifon needed to know their strengths, and weaknesses before she allowed it. If she allowed it. She certainly would not just let anyone in the upper ranks of her squad.
Sayuri's eyes went wide in utter shock and dread the second she heard Soifon's voice, she is the last person Sayuri wanted to see her like this. Her head snapped to Soifon, looking up at her Captain as Sayuri sat up against the tree out of her exhaustion. Cursing herself once again her mind, her family was right - she is pushing herself far too hard and at this very moment she is paying the price for it. The one she idolizes to see her like this, it was more than she could bear, her face blushed once again out of feeling ashamed and embarrassed for Soifon to see her like this.
No, she was not going to show such weaknesses in front of Soifon, reaching up the trunk of the tree with her right hand, she grasped onto a small low growing branch and pulled herself up onto her feet. She took a couple deep breathes, the little kunoichi stood eye to eye with her Captain. She still blushed a little from her embarrassment but her eyes turned to a steely determination, attempting to shrug off her exhaustion, "N-Nothing, Captain... Just a little tired is all, but... I... I can still serve."
That was a partial lie, and she knew it, her service in both the Onmitsukido's Executive Branch and 2nd Division while trying to raise herself within the 2nd Division taking on as much as she can out of her ambition without taking much if any time to rest, it was was taking its toll on her. Her spirit was willing, but her tiny, thin frame had reached its limit it. It then dawned on her she just admitted she was tired, she gulped a little as she stood there seeing it as a mistake.
Post by Rebel Raven on Jul 16, 2009 23:04:11 GMT -5
Soifon watched Sayuri do, well, what she would have done to Yoruichi if she were in her shoes, but she didn't show any sort of connection. Her face didn't show any hint of the daydreams she had with her serving Yoruichi.
Soifon knelt down slowly, gently, and then stared Sayuri in the eyes at eye level, then spoke flatly, "Don't push yourself. You're no good to me exhausted, and passing out. Is that understood?" Her voice was softer, but no less serious, and still far from motherly, and concerned. It sounded like a velvet fisted order that still left little room for argument.
"Now, is there anything you want to help you get your energy back?" she gave a rare offer, and one that shouldn't be taken lightly. Such an offer may never, ever, ever come again.
She took a gamble on this, and extended some show of concern. As she rarely did this she had no idea where it would lead.
Soifon rested a wrist loosely on the knee of her which pointed upwards as her other knee rested in the grass giving her stability. She maintained a serious, but not evil, or mean look as she kept an eye on Sayuri as she waited for an answer.
Her head held low in response to Soifon's words and nodded completely compliant to her, she would never go against anything her Captain would tell her, especially with that Captain being Soifon. Sayuri's eyes turned downcast accepting the criticism, becoming quite passive to Soifon - she practically wanted to crawl within herself, "Forgive me, Captain... I will try harder not to disappoint you."
But her eyes popped open wide in reaction to Soifon's offer of giving her aid. It was the very last thing she ever expected to hear from her Captain. She must look to be in a pretty pitiful state for even Soifon to be willing to give her help. Her blushing became a dash more red in response to the offer, though, she could not help it even if she wanted to.
The dark brown eyes of the little kunoichi looked away feeling ashamed of herself for accepting the offer, because she much rather show Soifon she strong. But, she could not even walk to the tree earlier, she had to crawl to it. Her held low yet again as she grimaced as it was a painful thing for her to admit her weakness to one she admires and holds in so much esteem, "Forgive me, Captain... I... I just need to get to my quarters to rest...", she could not bring herself to directly ask Soifon to help her get to her quarters, but the implication of the request was clearly within the tone of her words.
Sayuri's eyes still looking downcast at her failure, "I apologize, Captain... but may I ask you something?"
Post by Rebel Raven on Jul 17, 2009 0:22:39 GMT -5
Soifon sighed, "Don't apologize, just do," she said flatly, almost disappointed.
Soifon looked at Sayuri as she continued to apologize, "Don't be sorry, just be strong," she coached her some, then Soifon stood slowly.
She offered Sayuri a hand, then helped her up, "Yes, Sayuri, what is it?" What? Just because Soifon tended to ignore her subordinates didn't mean she didn't learn their names. Soifon wanted to strike a Sun Tsu-ian balance of strict, and compassionate leadership, but it was hard to do.
She wondered what it was that she were interested in. Like many things, this would help Soifon learn how the mind of one of her subordinates worked so she could best apply them to the field... mostly.
With dozens of people under her, sooner or later she'd have to pick one she liked, right? Besides her Lieutenant, anyhow... right?
But if Sayuri was the one remained to be seen. She needed to learn about her, and this was as good of a time as any.
Sayuri's brow furrowed a little as she blushed a bit more when Soifon offered her hand to her, nervously she placed her dainty left hand into Soifon's. Her hands may be dainty and slender fingers, but was also quite calloused from her years of training. At the moment, she was so unlike how she usually is around the others of Executive Militia branch and 2nd Division, she can maintain a strong composure. But, that exterior cracks around Soifon turning herself into nervous wreck she is now.
With Soifon's help she was able to get to her feet, but she wavered a bit as she stood with Soifon's aid only able to uphold a little balance; though scarcely able to maintain her full height which was no higher than Soifon's herself. Staring off for a moment when Soifon agreed to allow Sayuri to ask her a question, she let out a tiny calming sigh before asking, "How... How do you do it, Captain?... Remain so strong while leading both the Executive Militia branch of the Onmitsukido and lead the 2nd Division... I'm working as hard as I can in both to grow stronger - serve as a better assassin... If there's anyone here who has the best insight to accomplishing such goals - it's you.", she gently closed her eyes contemplatively when she finished.
She wavered once again as stood scarcely regaining her balance, placing her right hand on her brow as she breathed a couple labored breaths. Soifon is more than correct, if she keeps pushing herself like this, she is no good to anyone - especially to Soifon, her idol and Captain.
Post by Rebel Raven on Jul 17, 2009 1:56:46 GMT -5
Soifon was impressed with the question, but it was a hard one to answer, "I'm only hard when I need to be, and that's usually when I am in public. I know how to relax, and I do not overextend myself." "I had the luxury to learn that lesson at a very young age from my predecessor," she explained calmly.
"I do not like to relax in the presence of my squads," she explained further, then continued, "since I do have a reputation to uphold, and I expect you to not do anything to harm that reputation." Soifon had basically opened up to this woman to a higher degree than she had anyone else in either squad. She had no idea why, but she just felt a bit more comfortable around Sayuri. She didn't know if she liked it or not, honestly.
Soifon shouldered one of Sayuri's arms, and kept her upright, and stable as she walked her towards the barracks, "Where's your quarters?"
It hit her like a ton of bricks. Sepia toned memories of her own idol as they had moments like this. Immediately a big mental plunger pushed all of it to the back of her mind so she did not embarrass herself in front of her subordinate with reactions to memories of her mentor.
She walked on with Sayuri to help her to her room.
Sayuri's head immediately turned to her Captain looking upon her taken aback by Soifon's giving her such an honest answer about herself, but it was something she took in and treated with a great measure of respect on Soifon's part. Upholding a reputation was something Sayuri understand perfectly on family and clan level, certainly, but like Soifon on a personal level, too. Keeping a level-head and controlled sense of self and not allowing herself to be shaken in front of others is something she had always been, and strove to maintain because it makes one a sharp warrior and assassin.
Albeit, that is far from what she appears tobe now, she quickly replied to Soifon, "I would never betray you, Captain... Never...", she felt it only fair she share a piece of herself sense her Captain was big enough to do so for her, "I'm... not like this...", she closed her eyes as she continued, "normally... Remaining collected and calm is something I pride myself on... for another to see me like this... it's shameful... Especially with that someone being you, Captain... you're the last one I wanted to see me like this - weak... A Captain should not have to suffer from their subordinates... I will not allow this failure to happen again.", she tactful made sure not to mention the greatest wound to her pride that it is the one she admires most, Soifon, to see her like this - her eyes stern and humorless, much like her truer to her usual personality finished by saying once more, "I promise I will never betray you, Captain."
When Soifon positioned herself to shoulder, Sayuri's eyes popped open wide once again the second she felt Soifon against her. Unconsciously her body tensed up a bit, blushing more than just a little like she had been earlier til now. In answer of Soifon's question, she pointed in the direction of where here quarters are, replying with a quiet, soft passive tone, "This way, Captain.", and with Soifon's help walked back to her quarters.
Post by Rebel Raven on Jul 17, 2009 3:33:16 GMT -5
"I wouldn't toss out absolutes so readily, Sayuri," Soifon said softly, "There is no telling what will be asked of you in the future, and by who." "Still, the sentiment is appreciated. I do value the loyalty of my squad's members." Soifon added with hints of warmth.
She listened as the young Shinigami mirrored Soifon's on outlook life, and felt a bit of a kinship, even though every young punk wanted to be like that. Tough, and hard, yet they over did it, or failed at it.
Sayuri seemed more sincere, and dedicated, though, "If it's not in you, Sayuri, do not push yourself to do it. You're under no obligations to be someone that puts up a front."
"Don't dwell on shortcomings, Sayuri. Learn from them, then move on." Soifon said to Sayuri calmly as she gave council to her. "Doing otherwise will just burden you unnecessarily," she added calmly.
"I think you need to visit Squad four in the morning after you rest. You're very tense," she said offhandedly as she helped Sayuri along.
She nodded to Sayuri as she pointed the way, and helped her along the way.
She lead Sayuri to her quarters then stopped at the door.
Soifon did not open the door to the woman's room as she respected, and valued a person's privacy as much as she valued her own, and had no reason to violate Sayuri's inner sanctum. What she did in the business of her own room was her business.
"Here we are. Will you be all right?" she said in a calm, private tone so no one else would overhear, at least not without being spotted. It was for the good of her squad to make sure that the girl would feel better soon... or Soifon told herself.
She wasn't sure anymore. Maybe all her time spent ignoring her subordinates prevented her from learning how to deal with them when she did deal with them... at least beyond striking them for being stupid, or getting in her way, which, also, was pretty stupid.
Sayuri must have lucked out to not be hit any time tonight as she caught Soifon in a better mood, and there was no one around to see.
