Finally, the day was over. Now he could see his dear Nanao. It was true that lieutenants were to stay with their captains, but the busy days had prevented that. And only Shunsui knew how much he missed Nanao (though a few close friends did tease him about it). The other captains only teased him because they didn't know; Shunsui loved his lieutenant. Only a few more feet and he'd be in the courtyard of the Eighth Squad barracks, not on the roofs of the Seireitei.
"You're going to trip on those sleeves, Captain."
Why had Nanao's voice suddenly echoed in his mind…? He shrugged it off, ignoring her words of advice. She had spoken those words when he flaunted that gaudy, pink haori. Then, he felt a tugging on his left sleeve and looked down to see his foot on said sleeve. 'That's why,' he thought, losing his footing. The ground was rushing up to greet him, and darkness followed.
"Sorry Nanao…" he mumbled, voice fading. "Guess I'll be late…"
"Captain!"
Nanao was finally there, which was good. Shunsui knew she'd come, but seeing her standing there, staring down at him with worried eyes… it touched him.
"Oh, hey there, Nana-oh," he greeted, lazy smile plastered on his face. "What brings you here?"
"Ca-captain, what happened?"
Nanao already knew- the question was just out of habit. A lower office had explained things to her on her way there: Shunsui had fallen off a roof on his way to the barracks for dinner (as though eating really mattered), but that didn't mean they knew how he fell.
"I really should've listened to you, Nanao," he explained with a laugh and a wince. "Said I have some broken ribs…"
The sleeves. Of course. Nanao sighed with a shake of her head, rolling her eyes. She should be scolding him and worrying over him… but the sight of him just lying there almost helpless was just way too funny. So she laughed. Shunsui blinked in confusion. Nanao couldn't be laughing… she had to be crying. That was it.
"Ah, my little Nanao… don't cry."
She laughed more, and Shunsui stared at her. No, she was laughing, all right. At him. Oh great, what would the captains think, with his lieutenant laughing at him?
"All right Nanao," he sighed, "stop that."
The faithful lieutenant did as told, though she did fight a few giggles. Shunsui sat up (much against Nanao's wishes) and stood to face more objections. He rested his arm through the opening in his kimono, striding past Nanao.
"Captain, where are you going!" Nanao asked, following him out of the room.
"Dinner."
Nanao faltered for a second before running to catch up to her captain. He was a weird one all right, but what was she going to do? Follow him to dinner—that was what.
"You know what, my little Nanao?"
"What is it, Captain?"
"I wasn't rushing for dinner…"
"Then what for?"
She was confused now, and that grin on his face didn't help things at all.
"You."
That was unexpected. Ah, well. She sighed, shaking her head.
"I was waiting for you," Nanao admitted, bowing her head.
"Of course you were, my little Nanao. Of course you were…"
