Hey, it's been a while, huh? Sorry for not uploading for so long, I was really busy with, you know, military stuff. That, and I was also really nervous about this chapter. I suck at doing romance and this whole process is kinda nerve-wracking for me.
Good news though, I finished the fanfic. I have like 47 stored chapters, and since I finally finished, I'm gonna do one hell of a mass release next week. I don't know if I'll release it all since I always re-read for last-touch editing, but I'll try. It's also good that I managed to finish everything now, since there might be a shitshow coming soon. If anything will happen I'll let you guys know, but if it does... Fuck my life.
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The morning air was crisp, a gentle reminder of the night's fading chill. As the sun began to crest over the horizon, the world was drenched in a gentle palette of pinks, oranges, and soft purples. The sunrays streamed through the trees, their leaves stirring lightly in the early morning breeze, casting dancing shadows on the dew-kissed grass below.
Yoruichi was awake early, as was her routine, her training regimen demanding an early start. But today, her mind was elsewhere. As she ran through the quiet, tranquil surroundings of the training ground, going beyond it. Yoruichi's thoughts were on Ryu and the conversation they had shared the night before, she couldn't put her finger on it, but something felt different.
He'd opened up to her, a rare instance of vulnerability in their typically playful and competitive relationship. As she walked, she replayed their conversation in her mind, thinking if she could've replied in a better manner.
Yoruichi found herself drawn to the thought of him, the image of his faint smile when he agreed to share his feelings with her in the future. A warmth spread through her at the memory, surprising her.
"Haha. Who knew that even after hundreds of years, I'm still discovering new things about myself? I wonder if this is how Soifon felt about me. It's funny, getting to experience this side of the story," Yoruichi chuckled with a hint of self-mockery in her voice.
As Yoruichi meandered through the verdant forest, a swift rustling interrupted her thoughts. From the corner of her eye, she saw a flash of black and gold. The sight was so familiar, it was as if it was imprinted in her subconscious. "Speak of the devil," Yoruichi muttered, trying to blend into the greenery to avoid Soifon.
Soifon was engaged in her daily training routine, her body shimmering with sweat as she skillfully navigated around the trees with incredible speed. The morning sun glinted off her attire, making her almost glow amidst the greenery with her graceful movements. Well, graceful up until she saw Yoruichi who didn't have enough time to camouflage herself.
Upon seeing her former mentor, she skidded to a stop. Soifon's eyes widened, a mixture of surprise and confusion flashed across her face. "Y-Yoruichi," she stammered, her usually confident voice faltering slightly.
Yoruichi, caught off guard, felt a familiar awkwardness creep up. She had been avoiding Soifon for a while, given the younger woman's past obsession with her as well as other things. A wave of discomfort washed over her, but she forced a small, polite smile onto her face. "Soifon, you're up early," she said, a strained chuckle escaping her lips.
Caught in the stillness that followed her words, Yoruichi studied Soifon's reaction, pondering if she should resume her run and dodge the confrontation. To her surprise, Soifon merely looked at her for a few tense moments, her gaze reflecting an emotion Yoruichi couldn't quite place. "You're also... Up early," she finally replied.
The awkwardness hung between them like a tangible fog, muddying the crisp morning air. In an effort to dissipate it, Yoruichi shifted her gaze towards the sunrise, its colors now splashed across the sky like a beautiful painting. "It's a beautiful morning, isn't it?" she asked, hoping the casual conversation would ease the tension.
Soifon's gaze followed Yoruichi's, landing on the breathtaking view. "It is," she agreed, her voice now steadier. But there was a slight pause before she added, "Yoruichi, why are you avoiding me?"
The directness of the question caught Yoruichi off guard. She turned to look at Soifon, searching her face for signs of hurt or anger, but found none. Soifon's expression was calm, almost serene, a far cry from the obsessive infatuation Yoruichi had once known.
Yoruichi, caught in Soifon's steady gaze, felt the weight of the question sink in. The casual ease of the morning seemed to have been replaced by a heavy silence that hung in the air, thick and palpable. Soifon's calm demeanor made her even more unsettled. Yoruichi could deal with an obsessive Soifon, that wasn't an issue for her, but this new one? Yoruichi didn't know how to approach the situation.
Taking a deep breath, Yoruichi prepared herself for the conversation she had been dreading. "I...," she started, her voice faltering as she tried to find the right words. She looked down at the grass beneath her feet, focusing on the morning dew glistening under the sun's soft rays. "I wasn't sure how to talk to you, or if I even had the right to..." she finally said, her voice barely above a whisper.
The silence that followed was heavier than before. Yoruichi felt a pang of unease as she studied Soifon's reaction, bracing herself for a flood of emotions she assumed would come. But Soifon merely stood there, taking in Yoruichi's words. Her expression wasn't stoic, but it didn't seem like she would blow up at any minute like Yoruichi thought.
Eventually, Soifon spoke, breaking the silence that had wrapped around them. Her response, however, was anything but expected. "You're right. After all the years we've known each other, you left me alone without a second thought. If I were you, I wouldn't make contact with someone I hurt to that degree," she said, her voice calm and composed. "And I was hurt, Yoruichi. Hurt far more than you could imagine. And if you were to talk to me a couple of months ago, I would have still felt that way," Soifon took a pause as a warm glint appeared in her eyes.
"But I entered a relationship with someone that actually gives me affection back. It helped me to realize just how toxic our relationship was. I know that it was mostly my fault. I was obsessed and captivated with you, and I pushed those unwanted feelings onto you even though you didn't want them. And I'm sorry for that.
That said, you knew about my feelings and you still led me on. You toyed with me for your own amusement with no regard for my feelings. Hell, the only reason you're uncomfortable now is because you think you took it too far, even though all the previous things you did were just as bad in my eyes. I haven't forgiven you for that yet," Soifon said with a steely gaze, but Yoruihci could see her hand trembling slightly.
A deafening silence engulfed the forest as Soifon's words settled in the air. Each syllable lingered, echoing in Yoruichi's ears. The morning breeze rustled the leaves above the two women's heads, amplifying the gravity of their conversation.
Yoruichi stood frozen, her mind reeling from Soifon's confession. Her gaze remained fixed on Soifon, seeing the unwavering determination in her golden eyes, the slight tremble in her hand, and the bitter truth resonating in her words.
A myriad of emotions welled up within her, surging like a wave, and then crashing, only to be replaced by a strange calmness. She hadn't realized the depth of the pain she had inflicted, and looking back, she should've recognized it a long time ago.
Finally, with a heavy sigh, Yoruichi looked up at Soifon. A newfound resolve sparkled in her eyes, mirroring the rays of the rising sun. "I can't change the past, Soifon, nor can I justify my actions," Yoruichi admitted, her voice no more than a whisper, yet clear and resolute.
"But, I can acknowledge my part in it. I was... thoughtless, and I regret the pain I've caused you. It was never my intention to lead you on or toy with your feelings. But I did, unknowingly or not, and for that... I am truly sorry," she added, her voice steady and sincere, meeting Soifon's gaze directly.
As Soifon's lips curved into a small smile, Yoruichi watched her muscles relax, the tension that had been apparent in her body melting away. Soifon's shoulders sagged slightly, a sigh of relief escaping her lips. "...I guess that's a good start. Wow, this went a lot better than I expected," Soifon said.
Feeling a weight lifted off her chest, Yoruichi tilted her head, her eyes narrowed in curiosity, "How did you think that this would have gone?" She asked.
Soifon shrugged, her cheeks flushing slightly, an awkward chuckle slipping past her lips. "Well, I assumed you'll try to downplay it, maybe joke around and not take me seriously like you would've done previously," she admitted, rubbing the back of her neck.
Yoruichi chuckled, her gaze softening. She studied her former protege, the woman that tried to mimic her every move, now standing strong in front of her, carrying herself with a maturity that astounded Yoruichi. "You know, you look much better this way. Was entering a relationship really all that happened to you?" She questioned, disbelief tinting her voice.
A warm smile spread across Soifon's face, lighting up her features. "Yup. I have a wonderful boyfriend who managed to set my head straight," she replied, her eyes glistening with genuine happiness.
Her smile was so radiant it made Yoruichi's heart ache, a lump forming in her throat. "Must be nice," she murmured, her voice barely audible, a sense of longing evident in her tone.
Soifon turned her attention back to Yoruichi, her brows furrowed in concern. Her gaze was intense, studying her former mentor with a newfound curiosity. "Hold on. I've been thinking about this for a while, but you're not your usual self today. Something's off, you look stressed and confused. I didn't know what it was, but... do you have someone you're interested in?" She asked, shock lacing her voice.
Yoruichi felt a rush of emotions, a mix of surprise, confusion, and frustration. For the first time in her life, she felt like a cornered animal, unsure of how to respond. "Maybe? I don't know, it's frustrating!" she yelled out, her voice echoing through the forest, the words hanging in the morning air.
The corner of Soifon's mouth quirked up in amusement, a chuckle bubbling from her throat. "Yeah, you're interested in him. My advice? Ask him out, I can't see any reason that someone will refuse you. Anyway, I should probably go. Come by if you have the time, I'll introduce you to my boyfriend," she said, turning on her heel and disappearing into the greenery, leaving Yoruichi alone with her thoughts.
Yoruichi was left staring at the spot where Soifon had disappeared, her words echoing in her mind.
She sighed, a hint of a smile tugging at her lips. She knew she had a lot to think about, a lot to confront, and perhaps, a confession of her own to make. But for now, she was just relieved and surprised at how well their conversation had gone, allowing herself a moment to bask in the quiet serenity of the forest.