Soi Fon's gaze sharpened. The golden-haired Hollow put her senses on high alert, despite not releasing a hint of Reiatsu. She felt a sense of uneasiness, every instinct telling her the Hollow had come here with ill intent.
"Sorry to keep you waiting. I'm Tier Harribel. How should I address you?"
The polite greeting did nothing to ease the tension in Soi Fon's muscles. She kept her feet planted, knees half-bent, posture never quite relaxed. With the right timing, she—or rather her life—would buy a few precious seconds for Yoruichi. More than enough time for the Flash Goddess to escape.
Yoruichi ignored the mood entirely, waving a hand. "I'm Yoruichi. This is Soi Fon, my..." She paused, then shook her head. "That's not important right now. Let's talk about why you invited us here. You must want something from us."
Surrounded by beings who could kill them both easily, Yoruichi still showed the fearless confidence that had won her over decades ago.
'She is still so amazing.'
Harribel nodded in Soi Fon's direction, then returned her focus to Yoruichi. "I wish to discuss something with your Shinigami faction. I assume you hold the higher authority among you."
Yoruichi chuckled. "I'm not even a Shinigami. You should speak to her."
Soi Fon stared, bewildered, as Yoruichi stepped back and nudged her forward. She felt as if she'd been thrown to the wolves—that, too, by the person she'd follow anywhere.
"Yoruichi-sama…"
Two small hands squeezed her shoulders reassuringly. "I have your back."
Soi Fon straightened her posture, drawing on every lesson about staying calm that her noble family had taught her. "I won't disappoint you."
No answer came. Soi Fon glanced back to see Yoruichi, her beloved mistress, circling the other Hollow like an overexcited fangirl.
"Hey! Your armor is pretty slick. What's your name? Hollow Knight?"
A tear of sorrow emerged from her eye. Yoruichi hadn't changed at all; she was always eager to shove her duties in others' hands.
'I was sold out…'
Harribel looked like she wanted to say some sympathetic words, but Soi Fon had already pulled herself together. Harribel clapped her hands twice, and three Hollows appeared with furniture, moving in perfect sync.
A table and two chairs were set up in the center of the room, making it suitable for a discussion.
Soi Fon sighed and took the seat. Her training had prepared her for many things, but talking politics with Hollow rulers wasn't one of them.
Harribel sat down, one arm folding beneath her chest, the other lifting to gesture as she began to speak, "The Reiatsu I feel from you is on par with her. Your position should be rather high in Soul Society."
"Why? Planning to ransom us?"
Harribel's face stayed the same, like a stone. "Soul Society has nothing we desire."
Soi Fon furrowed her brows. "Soul Society has souls. Millions of them."
There had never been negotiations between Soul Society and Hueco Mundo. The Gotei 13 would let thousands in Rukongai die before sacrificing a single captain—whether that spoke about a Lieutenant's value, or how little outer district lives mattered, was not something she wanted to think about.
Sorrow flickered in Harribel's eyes. Being grouped with violent, indulgent Hollows was unpleasant, but she was one of them at the end of the day. Hollows had garnered this horrendous reputation from time immemorial, deservedly so.
"...I do need something from Soul Society," Harribel said. "A peace agreement between Soul Society and Reino Sereno. Can you deliver my request to your leader?"
Soi Fon's eyes narrowed. "Is it to buy time to stabilize your rule?"
It was really stupid to argue here. The smarter move would be to accept any condition and leave. But Soi Fon never liked being a coward.
Harribel showed no reaction. Not a sliver of emotion, as though expecting such a response. "Your people will never leave us alone even if I say no."
Divided, the Gotei 13 could keep Hollows in check. United, Hueco Mundo would threaten the balance of the world and the very existence of Soul Society. The difference in numbers was just that staggering.
Allowing a natural leader like Harribel to grow unrestrained would be catastrophic.
Harribel continued, "My people will never invade Living World or Soul Society. I can promise you that."
Soi Fon almost felt convinced that the golden-haired Hollow had a noble goal, until doubts started creeping in.
'Why is she doing this? She can hide everything if she kills me and Yoruichi.'
If two Captain-level Shinigami perished in Hueco Mundo, Yamamoto would hesitate before sending more. That alone would buy Harribel precious time.
'It's like she wants to convince me. Why?'
Soi Fon stared at Harribel, trying to decipher her intentions. Only signs of sincerity could be seen in those eyes.
She firmly shook her head. "I'll be honest with you. We can't afford to let you grow."
Seeing Harribel in contemplative silence, Soi Fon observed the quiet Hollow. He was minding his own business while Yoruichi tried her damn best to get him to break his character. The fact that he remained calm in the face of Yoruichi's silly antics earned a stamp of approval from Soi Fon.
Giving him a nod, she continued, "Even now you're a threat to us. He can fight two Captains like me. You know less than ten Shinigami can stop him in this world."
Harribel's lips curved in a gentle smile. "It's a matter of trust."
"Trust… Yes, why should I trust you? Why should I believe this isn't a trick? Who can promise you won't bare your fangs at us later?"
"My dream is to create a safe place for Hollows—somewhere they don't have to worry about survival." The smile grew brighter, changing her stern features. The level of gentleness wasn't something one would expect from a Hollow. "I have an ally who can vouch for it. You and your companion trust him."
The words made Soi Fon's heart race. "Someone we trust? Who?"
Harribel's gaze shifted meaningfully toward the armored figure. He placed a hand on Yoruichi's shoulder, gently moved her aside with careful courtesy, then reached up to remove his helmet.
The smiling face beneath the helm struck Soi Fon like a punch. Her chair scraped backward as she stood up out of shock.
"Kazuya!" The name came out choked. Her breathing came fast and shallow as she tried to make sense of what she was seeing. "How could it be you?!"
Eyes that refused to believe reality fell on Kazuya.
The corner of his lips twitched. "Have we met before?"
"You don't remember me?! Yoruichi-sama, he… he has been brainwashed! We must save him!"
The time they shared was full of unpleasant memories about her being bullied, teased, and beaten. But the one at the cave earlier… The thought of being forgotten by him was like a knife to her chest.
"Don't you forget me before I get my revenge!"