Yoruichi Shihoin is the former head of the Shihoin Clan, one of Soul Society's four great noble houses. She defected from the soul society, thus forfeiting her role. Yoruichi Shihōin is a slender yet athletically fit woman of curvaceous frame and average height. She has dark skin, golden irises, and black hair. Her hair is waist-length and kept in a ponytail with chin-length bangs framing the sides of her face. Her standard attire consists of a black, backless, sleeveless undershirt, an orange over-shirt with two white straps on each shoulder, a large beige sash around her waist,[5] and black stretch pants with a pair of lightweight brown shoes, which allow for stealth and easy use of Shunpo. She occasionally wears long beige wrist and leg warmers, each secured by bands. Unlike any other known Shinigami, she can transform into a small black cat for long periods of time. In this form, she has a distinctive male voice and golden eyes. Yoruichi is intelligent and witty, holding an intimate knowledge of Soul Society and its workings, as she was the former leader of the Onmitsukidō and the Second Division's captain. Although of noble birth, she acts differently from most other nobles, acting more casual and less traditional with people. While it is unknown how she obtained her cat transformation, she appears to prefer spending most of her time in it. Upon showing her Shinigami form to anyone, she often forgets to put on clothes, as she had grown used to not needing them; due to being in cat form for so long. She especially takes delight in transforming in front of people to see their shocked reaction, due to her cat form making her sound male. Her love for her cat form extends to great anger should someone harm it or insult its appearance. Although relatively calm and mature when a situation calls for it, Yoruichi is quite laid-back and playful, often teasing or flirting with others. Yoruichi prefers to drink milk, which fits with her practice of transforming into a cat. Yoruichi is one of few Shinigami who doesn’t use a Zanpakuto, instead preferring hand to hand combat at electric Kido attacks.