Wind's Calling

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(Y/n) stood behind Soi Fon as she debriefed the other captains. She stayed quiet, feeling eyes on her as she kept her gaze down. Ichigo having taken a supposed hostage didn't help his situation but to her, it didn't sound like something he'd do unless it was suggested. Amagai stepped up to suggest his aid in fighting Ichigo and (Y/n) frowned. The meeting was adjourned and she was wrenched to face someone.
Captain Mayuri got in her face, displeasure spread on it generously as he tried to intimidate her. "Again, you're at this meeting when you shouldn't be," he snapped.
"Captain, I am a shadow again today," she replied.
"You are a suspicious character," he growled.
"Back off, Mayuri," Soi Fon snapped. She was next to (Y/n), her classic scowl deeper than normal. "She's done nothing wrong."
"She could be telling our enemies what happens inside that room," Mayuri grabbed (Y/n) by the hair and pulled her from Next to Soi Fon. (Y/n)'s head blanked as she drew her zanpakuto, something stiff blocking it from striking the captain's temple.
"Mayuri," Shunsui's pommel was holding (Y/n)'s blade back, his free hand holding Mayuri's wrist. "She was deployed with Soi Fon in this situation and had given her insight as the disruption unfolded. I don't think this is warranted."
"Third Seat Yamamoto isn't a traitor, either," Amagai added. He stood on the other side of Mayuri, the captain stepping back from the growing crowd around them. "Why would a traitor give you the report you shared with the rest of us?" (Y/n) grit her teeth, her body being turned and blocked by Shunsui.
"Breath, little (Y/n)," he whispered. She flashed from him, her heart racing as she slammed her office door shut behind her. The bone of her mask was coming to her face without her pulling it on, her chest squeezing as she stabbed into the wall with a yell. Of course that captain would be vocal about her presence. He knew no other way of acting.
The knock at her door caught her by surprise and she flinched, pulling at the mask on her face. It wouldn't come off and she grunted, "Who is it?"
"Open the door," Soi Fon ordered. (Y/n) held her breath as her head went back, ripping her zanpakuto from the wall as she let the door go. She walked to the other side of her office as Soi Fon let herself in with nothing less than fury in her tone, "You left mid way through a fight."
"To report," (Y/n) countered.
"The report goes after," Soi Fon scolded.
"I was investigating that clan as a Yamamoto under orders from the Yamamoto head," she barked. The room fell silent as she kept her face angled away from her friend. "They've been moving suspiciously and I hadn't given my findings before this."
"So you knew something was wrong," Soi Fon asked incredulously. "And you didn't tell me?"
"I was hungover! I didn't know where we were going," (Y/n) snapped.
"Look at me," Soi Fon ordered. "Look me in the eye and tell me what you knew, immediately."
"This ain't a good time," (Y/n) hissed. She rubbed around the mask as she tried to pull the formed bit off.
"I need this information now," Soi Fon's feet sounded on the floor and (Y/n) slammed her face into the wall as she tried to think of a way to get the mask bits off.
"Don't," (Y/n) sighed after the short silence. "Is the door closed?"
"It is," Soi Fon replied.
"Don't make a sound about my face. I am too high strung to control myself," (Y/n) heard the begging and internally berated herself for it. "You're the first actual friend I've had since coming back and I don't know what to do."
"You're getting emotional," Soi Fon warned.
"Do you blame me," she asked. There was silence again and her shoulders fell. "Can you blame me?"
"No," Soi Fon sighed. (Y/n) heard her shift around and slowly turned, the woman's eyes going wide.
"Lord Kumoi is the center of suspicion right now and I know you've noticed his behavior," (Y/n) didn't make eye contact, sitting on the opposite couch of Soi Fon. "I have nothing on them as they ransacked my room and stole all of my accumulated reports. Ichigo Kurosaki was protecting the Kasumioji heiress and that's as much as I can reveal."
"I have orders to capture him," Soi Fon choked out.
"I know, so act on them until I can get more," (Y/n) asked.
"Tell me what's on your face," Soi Fon countered the request. "And look at me while you speak. We're friends, after all." (Y/n) stared at her, Soi Fon's gaze steady even as it focused on the partially formed mask.
"I woke up with it," (Y/n) replied slowly.
"The Hueco Mundo report isn't fraudulent then," Soi Fon muttered softly. "Have you discovered what it is yet?"
"Yes," (Y/n) stated.
Soi Fon waited a moment before sighing, leaning back in the couch, "I guess you can't tell me."
"I'm sorry," (Y/n) nodded.
"If you can't control that, then put the whole mask on," Soi Fon stood up and put a hand on her hip, staring down at (Y/n). "You're still my shadow and you still have a duty. "We'll play along with everything for now."
(Y/n) blinked, her hands starting to shake a bit, "What about-"
"You can tell me when you're ready. It doesn't look like an easy conversation," the black haired woman turned with her arms crossed. "Besides, you'll have a different insight into the situation and I'll need that." (Y/n) pulled the mask on slowly, standing up and standing a bit behind Soi Fon. The other grabbed her wrist and pulled (Y/n) in front of her, fixing the collar of (Y/n)'s jacket.
"Don't go out looking like a mess," Soi Fon sniffed. "Your reputation's already trash thanks to the rumors."
"Thank you," (Y/n) muttered. Soi Fon started fixing her hair and she chuckled nervously after flinching from her hands. "It isn't that bad, Soi Fon. My hair is going to get messed up if we engage anyways."
"We need to find a hairstyle that fits you better then," she sniffed. "You're making a bad presentation of yourself like this."
"I don't really have time to make myself look better," (Y/n) stopped Soi Fon's hands and pulled the mask completely off. "But thank you."
"We need to conduct search parties and now that squad three is involved, we need to stall," Soi Fon stepped out of the office, (Y/n) hurrying close behind her. (Y/n) was pulled up next to Soi Fon and she blinked. "I'm putting you in charge of the teams closer to the manor. If you see anything report to me immediately."
"Yes ma'am," (Y/n) nodded.