Yoruichi stood up and looked Soi Fon in the eyes. There was no flicker in Soi Fon's eyes. Only deep affection and loyalty, even a burning desire to redeem herself.
"If there was ever a conflict between Kazuya and Soul Society, who would you stand with?"
"His side," Soi Fon answered without hesitation. "I'll never betray Yoruichi-sama and Kazuya… sama as long as I'm never abandoned."
The word abandon jerked Yoruichi. Soi Fon's loyalty had always been deep. And when Soi Fon thought she was betrayed, this fierce loyalty turned into an intense hatred. If not for Kazuya's nosiness, Soi Fon might not have forgiven Yoruichi so easily.
"What if we're the villains in that conflict?"
Soi Fon bowed her head, her fists clenched. After a few moments, she looked up with a steel gaze. "My duty to Soul Society will always come second to Yoruichi-sama and Kazuya-sama."
The past mistake of never standing up for Yoruichi haunted her to this day. She never did anything to remove the 'Exile' brand the Central 46 imprinted on Yoruichi because she misunderstood Yoruichi as a traitor. Never again. Even if Yoruichi asked her to fight against the Captain-Commander, she would do it.
She'd kill anyone who threatened Yoruichi and Kazuya's safety as she was taught from her childhood.
Yoruichi ruffled Soi Fon's hair, eyes softening. This brash disciple of hers began to feel much more easier on her eyes now. Soi Fon, right now, was more loyal and devoted to her than Yoruichi's time as a Captain.
"Then Kazuya and I will be in your 'care' from now on."
The teasing tone and strange emphasis on 'care' made Soi Fon blush. She might be a little thick-headed when it came to her own feelings, but she wasn't ignorant about customs and traditions. As Yoruichi's attendant, it would be her duty to warm his bed. She'd even have to call him Master and act like a little servant girl while doing so.
This matter should've been of utmost humiliation for the strongest female Shinigami as well as a Captain of her own squad and the Head of Onmitsukidō. However, Soi Fon's couldn't muster any shame or disgust against this idea. As she imagined her future, her mind ran rampant with uncharacteristically lewd scenarios. Lost within her world, she became impervious to how her heartbeat quickened, how her cheeks flushed, and how a hazy mist clouded her eyes.
Yoruichi noticed the sudden changes in Soi Fon and smirked. How could she not understand the heart of the little girl who had followed behind her for more than a century? Soi Fon always had a deep impression of Kazuya, and in Hueco Mundo, it transformed into an unmistakable crush.
The big bad wolf bared his fangs into Soi Fon's heart without her knowing.
Soi Fon closed her eyes and whispered, "I-It's the price to redeem myself. I must persevere for Yoruichi-sama…"
Even hearing this, Yoruichi remained silent. Because she needed Soi Fon. Because she, too, was afraid of being devoured by the big bad wolf. With Soi Fon by her side, she'd have more courage to face what was becoming an inevitable event for her.
'I'll let nature take its course. If I get married to him, so be it.'
At least she'd give her heart willingly unlike her flustered little attendant, who would be served to the big bad wolf on a silver platter.
…
Kazuya had a poker face as he observed the whole exchange between Yoruichi and Soi Fon. The difference between these two always gave me a headache. Today, everything had been neatly resolved because of his impromptu decision to scare the two.
"Always expect the unexpected."
{Nah, this is peak drama,} Nami said jovially. {As expected of a princess, her gifts are unique. She wrapped a beautiful Captain in ribbons for her future husband. Classic Yoruichi.}
"What will you give Father?"
Nami chuckled at Tsubasa's question. {It's a surprise. What about you?}
"I'll give him my body."
{Wow, talk about a cheap present.}
Tsubasa growled, "I won't take such an insult even from my mother."
{What will you do about it? What can you do about it, huh?}
"I… I will turn you to ashes with my flames."
{Ohhh, I'm so scared.} Nami snorted. {You want to kill me with those measly flames of yours? Bitch, I'm the goddess of death. Even if you get your own soul, a thousand of you won't be able to kill me. Did you forget how you had to imprison me before because you could not kill me?}
"You… you're going too far!"
{So what?}
"Father…" Tsubasa turned to her 'father' when her 'mother' began bullying her for no reason as though she was a little girl.
Kazuya hadn't forgotten how this bullied 'daughter' of his had nearly made him lose his mind. It was the first time he had lost himself to anger.
'Tsubasa, don't argue with Nami.'
Tsubasa never stood a chance against Nami, especially now that she had been reliant on Nami's soul to shelter hers.
'You too, Nami. Don't treat your daughter like that, or I'll never give you another one.'
{Hey, that's not fair!}
"Father, I also want one. I shall teach her my flame of life, Izanami's flame of death, and Father's flames too. She'll be the strongest daughter in the world!"
{Sheesh, what a crazy idea. My turn comes first, so my daughter will mature quicker. Hehe, I'll teach her how to bully Tsubasa's little girl like I bully her mother.}
"No! I won't let anyone bully her!"
{It's already decided.}
Nami kept teasing and bullying the agitated Tsubasa for a while. {Partner, now that Soi Fon is on our side, why not show her your true form?}
"I'm way too busy today."
{Understandable… Have a nice day.}
…
Kazuya arrived at the battlefield between Lisa and Tōsen. The ground was scarred with deep gouges and splatters of blood. His maid-concubine was dominating the fight. Tōsen's Shihakushō was torn and bloody. Thin cuts covered his body, each one weeping red. He breathed heavily, yet his grip on Suzumushi stayed steady.
Lisa paused, retreating with a flash step. She looked at Kazuya through the cross-shaped opening in her helmet. She resembled the Hollow he'd seen in her Inner World—her head covered in a helmet with a plume of black weathers, her shoulder and thighs covered in sleek white bone armor, and the rest of her form swirling with dark smoke.
Her left arm had elongated into a sharp blade while her right still held a long polearm, her Shikai.
She wielded both her Shinigami and Hollow powers, but both weren't in perfect harmony. They existed as separate powers still, and her Hollow had also surpassed her Shikai.
If she could just overcome this final hurdle, Kazuya knew her strength would soar to a new dimension. Kazuya had full confidence in taking Lisa and Yoruichi to that stage in a few years.
"You're here," Lisa called out calmly. "Don't leave now, or you'll miss out on your maid finishing off this hypocrite."
"Alright."
Tōsen's gaze flicked to Kazuya. "Who are you?"
Kazuya pointed at Lisa with his ethereal arm. "She is my maid concubine."
His voice came out gravely and serious, nothing like that charming voice of 4th Squad's once-in-a-millenium Shinigami Kazuya.
"Lisa, discard your Shikai. It's not helpful in your current form."
Lisa nodded and released her Shikai, which noticeably lowered her Reiatsu drain. Her right arm grew a thin blade.
"Sorry, Haguro Tonbo. I'll make up for it later."
She crossed her sword arms and stared at Tosen. Hours ago, Tōsen had crushed her. Knocked her out cold. Left her bleeding in that lab while he walked away with contempt.
Now, she completely surpassed Tōsen with his Shikai. It also happened because of one person. She had given him her body, heart, soul in exchange for strength.
And it was completely worth it.
"Come, Tōsen. Let me send you to Hell."