Wind's Calling

Leave of Absence

The obi felt tight, her hair being done was something she wasn't used to, and the brightly colored kimono wasn't helping with the stares. (Y/n) couldn't believe her closet had been this colorful compared to what she had now and it nearly blinded her when she woke up that morning. It was supposed to be just a walk, something to get her mind numbed. A simple stroll where she could take in what had changed and what had stayed completely the same without her zanpakuto at her side. Yet she had let her feet carry her through the barracks and to the offices. She could at least grab a few things from hers to go over while she was on leave; that was allowed right?
She sighed as one of the newer soul reapers stopped in front of her with a sly grin, his hand held out in a friendly gesture. "Say one word," she snapped quickly. His mouth closed as his eyes widened, "Say anything and I'll have you on some measly guard duty the minute I see your paperwork on my desk."
"I-I'm sorry," he scowled a bit. "Ma'am, I was just-"
"Wondering if I'm lost," (Y/n) finished and opened the door to her own office. He looked inside and then at her back as she walked in and dug through the desk. A bottle of sake was sitting neatly in the center with a bow tied to it, a folded note weighed down by the gift it came with. "Go do your job and quit loitering around my space." He was gone quickly, her hands working on pulling the note from its place. Shunsui had been there, a promise of sticky buns with a poorly drawn smilie face making her smile a bit.
She needed to find out how he knew when she was in a precarious situation, no matter how touching it was starting to feel. He wouldn't be there all the time but the pattern couldn't be ignored anymore. It had to be a burden for him, no matter what he said about spending time with her. She wasn't really worth saving. The situations she was placed in and her reactions were her fault; were something she had built and done accumulating.
Her fingers found the necklace he had given her, tracing over the edges of the single blossom. It conflicted with the choker but it made her chest warm, leading her to leave it against her collarbones even when she slept. "I guess it's not a childish crush anymore," she muttered.
"Yamamoto," the growl made her look up. Soi Feng stood in the doorway, a deep scowl on her face as the black eyes pierced into (Y/n)'s.
"Captain," she stood up straight quickly, her hands falling to her sides in the same moment.
"Appointment," Soi Feng snapped. "An appointment!" (Y/n)'s mouth would have fallen open if not for her surprise, the other woman marching her way over and grabbing (Y/n)'s wrist.
"Captain, I'm not-"
"The women's society is having a meeting and you're coming," she barked. "End of story."
"I'm sorry, what," (Y/n) gasped. The restriction of her leg movements had her stumbling after the raven haired woman, confusion evident on her face as she tried to keep up.
"You need more friends than just me," she proclaimed.
"I don't- wait we're friends," the question made the other stop and stare at her and her mouth couldn't close fast enough.
"What else would we be," she asked in shock.
"Acquaintances? Good combat partners," (Y/n) questioned. Soi Feng huffed and let go, slamming a set of doors open as she stormed into an office and sat down at a table with a few other women. (Y/n) was left there to stand in confusion, the women staring at her expectantly.
"(Y/n), you finally made it," Unohana sang. "You look beautiful like that." (Y/n) turned red, her body stiff at the sudden stared she was getting from the others.
"Oh! Oh! Come sit next to me," a small girl with pink hair grabbed (Y/n)'s hand and she jerked. Her hand pulled away quickly as her other reaches for the zanpakuto that wasn't there.
"Yachiru," Soi Feng warned. The girl looked up at (Y/n) before moving to a seat and taking it quickly, watching (Y/n) intently. "I hope you don't mind I brought her here, she's in a leave of absence and has been wandering the Seretei." Unohana stood up slowly and walked over, taking (Y/n)'s arm and leading her to a seat between her and Soi Feng.
"It's not combat but I'm sure you'll feel better having something to do," she nodded.
"I-I'm sorry," (Y/n) bowed her head awkwardly while keeping her back as straight as possible. The women began to talk about what seemed like everything and nothing at the same time, the air almost content as she just sat there in a confused trance like state of mind.
"(Y/n), what do you think," Nanao spoke up, the table growing quiet as their attention went to (Y/n). "Does a retreat to a bath house sound good to you?"
"A bath house," (Y/n)'s words were airy as they left on a small breath. "I-I uh, is that popular nowadays?"
"Yup," Yachiru sang. She giggled as (Y/n) stared, "You must not have a lot of friends, Yama! How do you not know that?" (Y/n) flinched a bit, staring down at the table and picking at the sleeves of her kimono.
Isane cleared her throat and spared a glance to Unohana, "Yachiru, keep your voice down."
"I don't," (Y/n) hated how her voice sounded in the moment and she took a breath. "I don't have many friends. I was gone a long time." Soi Feng smirked a bit and crossed her arms as she leaned back, not bothering to hide the intense stare aimed at (Y/n). "I apologize, I'm not good with what's new in the soul society."
"Well why didn't you say so, silly," Yachiru cried. She bounced in her chair with her arms up, being every bit the child she looked. "We can show you everything! The candy store, the bath house, the best clothing store; everything!"
(Y/n) looked down, turning pink as she rubbed her face again, "I- um, thank you. I'd like that." The ruffle of her hair made her glance at Soi Feng who had an uncharacteristically sweet smile on her face.
"Where did you go," Nanao pushed her glasses up her nose, squinting in (Y/n)'s direction. It made the woman shift in her chair as the smile on Soi Feng's face was replaced with a peeved look. "The magazine says nothing about where you disappeared to."
"I'm unable to say anything at this time," the words were the smoothest and least awkward thing that came from her mouth. The room grew quiet as they stared at her, Nanao clearly irritated at the response.
"It's going to take time for (Y/n) to feel comfortable about it," Unohana cut in, slicing the tension that was growing in the air. "Just like the rest of us, she has her own secrets to keep and I'm sure you understand how heavy that can be for someone." The blush on (Y/n)'s face paled as she stared at Unohana. The woman wasn't wrong but it didn't have to be heavy.
What scared her about sharing with anyone was the questions and accusations that would follow. There were people to answer to if that happened and who knew what uproar or shame she'd bring to her grandfather's table. Soi Feng sucked her teeth and (Y/n) flinched.
"Get that look off your face. No ones taking a bit out of you for it," she sniffed.