I do not own Bleach.
The forest was dark and the moon was full. There wasn't a sound to be heard in the chilled air. A small child was alone in a clearing and sat on a large boulder. She looked up at the moon and tucked her short black hair behind her ears. Her violet eyes sparkled in the moonlight.
*ROAR*
The child looked towards the monster running into the clearing. She didn't move or scream, just looked at the monster running towards her. She closed her eyes as the monster neared. But nothing came.
The small girl opened her eyes, but she couldn't see anything. Several minutes seemed to pass as the child's eyes adjusted to the dim light peeking out from behind the clouds. She took a tentative step further into the darkened space, but the floor didn't feel right. It felt like something was coating the bottoms of her feet. It was cold and sticky, but also very slick.
She began to make out puddles as the sky cleared and the full moon peeked out from behind the clouds. She looks towards the moon, she can easily see it through the broken down wall before her.
The child made her way to the edge of the floor and hopped down onto the dew covered grass. She smiled as the sticky goop was washed off of her feet by the cold dew. Walking out into the moonlit meadow felt like a walk through a cool stream, relaxing and calming.
She looked back behind her to see what the house she was in looked like. But all she saw was teeth. She looked above the teeth and saw glowing red eyes smiling at her.
"KYA!" The little girl screamed, but she couldn't even hear herself over the monster's roar as it lunged towards her with two open mouths.
*ROAR* *ROAR* *RO..EP* *BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*
Nanao sat up straight and quickly reached over and turned off her alarm clock. 6:00 am. She stared down at her wrist and the crystal bracelet wrapped around it. Nanao rested her head in her hands as she took several deep breaths. She hadn't had a dream like that in a while. She could almost forget her past, but some things couldn't be forgotten so easily.
Nanao sat on the edge of her bed and stretched as she reached for the glasses on her bedside table. Placing the glasses on her face, she laid her bracelet down where her glasses had been. Then got up and dressed quickly before gathering her large book and heading for the office.
She opened her door and swung her book out mechanically. "Good morning Taichou." She stepped over her Taichou and continued walking through the 8th squad barracks towards the offices. This wasn't the first time her Taichou had been waiting outside her door for her. And it wasn't like he was trying to do it secretly either. He didn't even bother to try and hide his reiatsu signature.
Shunsui rubbed the front of his nose as he got up off of the floor. He wasn't an early person, any day. Except today, Nanao had been acting strange for the past week since Aizen had deserted Seireitei. He was worried about her. "Good morning my lovely Nanao-chan." He followed after her with a grin on his face.
"Are you coming in to work with me this morning? It's quite early for you to be up." Nanao knew he was up to something, he was never up before noon. But what was he up to? Nanao held herself back from looking at him out of the corner of her eyes as he caught up to her. 'Taichou, what are you planning?'
Shunsui knew she was suspicious of his actions, she was very smart. "It's not that early. And of course I would join my beautiful Nanao-chan at work. Where else would I be heading if not to be with the most beautiful woman that I have ever seen?" He tried to place a hand on her shoulder to slow her down to walk with him, but Nanao was having none of that.
Nanao gripped her fan tightly as she whacked Kyoraku's hand away from her shoulder. "Please refrain from saying such inappropriate things, Kyoraku-Taichou." Nanao fixed her glasses and continued walking briskly. This was going to be a long day.
"But they are true." Nanao sighed as she walked into their joint office. She gave him an annoyed look as he followed her into the office. "Your glasses have a spot on them." Shunsui reached for her glasses, hoping to get a better look at her uniquely coloured eyes.
Nanao panicked, she couldn't take off her glasses. Not here. "NO!" She swatted Shunsui's hand then punched him in the chest, hard. She sent him back at least three feet. She looked at Shunsui with worry. "Sorry, Taichou. I...I don't know what came over me." She couldn't look at him. 'Great job there. Now he will really know something is up. Baka! Looks like I'll be wearing the bracelet to work from now on.'
Shunsui fixed his uniform. He had never gotten a reaction like that before, but he had never tried to take off her glasses before. "It's okay Nanao-chan. No harm done." He walked past her and laid down on the couch in the office. It was definitely too early to do anything but sleep. "Wake me up in a few hours? You can do it with a kiss if you like."
Nanao rolled her eyes and sat down at her desk. "Please don't say such things in the office, Taichou. And if you don't plan on doing work, then sleep in your own room instead of the office." She began on the day's paperwork as she listened to the light snoring of her Taichou.
She had finished most of the paperwork by noon and was well into the second half of the paperwork by the time Shunsui woke up. Which was at around 2:20.
"Good morning Nanao-chan." Shunsui yawned as he stretched out on the couch. He was well caught up on the sleep he had skipped out on while waking up to walk with Nanao.
"It's afternoon, Taichou." Nanao fixed her glasses as she held back a glare. "I have some papers for you to sign." Nanao got up from her desk with the short stack of papers in hand.
"Can't you sign them for me?" Shunsui hated paperwork, with a passion, but knew it had to be done.
"No. Taichou forms now go through a reiatsu test. You need to fill it out and sign it." Nanao placed the papers on his desk. "Now finish them so that I can leave early tonight." Nanao walked back to her desk and squared away the paperwork she had finished. 'Then maybe I can actually get to that book. Or take a bath, a nice hot and relaxing bath.' Nanao smiled at the plans that she was formulating in her mind.
Shunsui caught sight of Nanao smilig to herself. "Do you have something special planned for tonight?" He was curious as to why Nanao wanted to leave early tonight. He could grant her that any time she wished, but she always insisted on staying until the work was done. 'Does she have a date?'
Nanao shook her head. "I just want to relax and know that the work is done, for once."
"Okay. Will you join me for dinner then?" Shunsui walked to his desk and began filling out the paperwork.
"Sadly you have a meeting to go to. It starts in ten minutes by the way." Nanao looked towards the clock on the wall and smiled. She could avoid him for the rest of the day. 'And hopefully not till noon tomorrow.'
"Shall I walk with you to hand them in?" Nanao's hopes dropped, of course he would be like that. Shunsui smiled at Nanao as he held the small stack of papers he had just finished in his hand. "Nanao-chan shouldn't have to carry all of the paperwork."
"Just most of it." Nanao picked up the pile that was on her desk and began walking to 1st squad barracks. She ignored the man behind her. She finally spoke to him once they reached 1st squad. "You should get to your meeting. I'll take care of the paperwork." She held out her hand for Kyoraku to pass her his stack of finished paperwork.
"Nonsense Nanao-chan. The meeting can wait a few more minutes." Shunsui smiled at his Fukutaichou while taking her fan to his nose.
'He could have dodged that.' Nanao sighed as she swiped the papers from his hand. "There will be none of that, Kyoraku-Taichou. Now get to your meeting." Nanao pointed down the hall towards the meeting room. 'I feel like I am scolding a child.'
"You're so cold Nanao-chan. Will you wait for my meeting to be done? Then I can walk you home." Shunsui was hoping to find out why Nanao was so tense this past week. It had him worried, worried enough to miss sleep for crying out loud. "Please my lovely beautiful Nanao-chan."
"That would be very inappropriate, Kyoraku-Taichou." Nanao turned away from the pink clad man. "But we will see." She continued down the hall to the paper office to hand in the finished work as she ignored the happy and childish sounds coming from the man that was behind her. She sighed as the sound faded away. 'Why can't he act his age? He's probably older than me for crying out loud!'
Nanao walked briskly to the paperwork office. She lifted her pile of paperwork onto the counter top. "This is 8th squad's paperwork for today. And yesterday. And Taichou paperwork for last week."
The man behind the counter began sorting through the paperwork. "Finally got Kyoraku-Taichou to do some of his work?" He continued sorting out the tall stack of papers. "We are still missing your budget form for last week and this week."
"I guessed that. Taichou has been hiding them from me so I won't cut down the amount of sake he orders. But then he forgets to finish them and hand them in." Nanao leaned on the counter with a sigh. "If you give me a new form I can quickly fill them out for you."
The shinigami reached under the counter and pulled out three sheets of paper. "One for last week. One for this week. And another so you can hand in next weeks on time."
Nanao took the three sheets eagerly. "Thank you very much. Do you think I could photocopy one of these so I have a supply incase my Taichou continues to do this?" Nanao smiled as the paperwork man gave her a nod. "Thank you very much."
Nanao filled out the budget sheet as the shinigami finished sorting out the stack of paperwork. She finished both sheets as he finished sorting. "I will sort those if you can fill out the release forms please." He took the two finished budget sheets from the Fukutaichou as he passed her three more sheets of paperwork.
Nanao smiled as she filed out the papers. "There is paperwork with everything, ne?" She handed them back after she filled them out. She dropped the smile once he thanked her and turned away. She hated how everything had to have a form with it. 'Stupid damn paperwork.'
She looked at the clock on the wall. She had three hours till the meeting that Shunsui was in would probably be done. "That's quite a bit of time to do nothing in." She sighed as she walked to the porch. She could wait while looking at the garden, 1st squad always had a garden in bloom. 'Why am I even waiting for him in the first place?' She sat down and took a deep breath as a breeze blew through the courtyard. Bringing a mouth watering scent to her. 'It does give me a chance to indulge a bit.'
"I never thought I would see you wait for your Taichou to finish with a meeting, Ise-Fukutaichou." Nanao turned to see Sasakibe-Fukutaichou walking towards her. "Will you join me for some tea while you wait?" Sasakibe stood and waited for his fellow Fukutaichou to join him.
"Thank you for the offer. I would very much like to join you." Nanao smiled at him as she followed him to one of the various tea rooms situated around the main garden. "I'm surprised you aren't with Yamamoto-Soutaichou in the meeting." She tried to hold her breath as much as possible, she didn't want her stomach to start growling.
"I am not required at this meeting." He escorted Nanao inside and went about making tea as Nanao slid the shoji doors open and allowed the gentle breeze into the room. It was a beautiful day, one that Shunsui would definitely prefer to spend outdoors. "Why are you waiting for your Taichou? Has he done something to stir your anger?"
"No, nothing like that. Just wanted to spend a bit of time here." Nanao sat patiently as Sasakibe made the tea. He was making tea in an English tea pot. He preferred English teas to traditional green tea. They sat in a comfortable silence as the tea steeped.
Nanao looked out over the garden. Various flowers were in bloom and loose petals floated on the gentle breeze. She could picture Shunsui laying under the trees. His sakkat covering his face, his pink kimono layed out flat, and a soft, lazy smile on his lips. She smiled at the picture in her mind.
"Something amusing, Ise-Fukutaichou?" Nanao hadn't payed much attention to the man sitting beside her and the tray of tea between them. Sasakibe could easily guess what she was day dreaming about. The slight blush that was dusting her cheeks gave that away.
"No. Just thinking of how beautiful the day was. Thank you." She accepted the cup of tea he offered her. It was Earl Grey, one of her favourites.
They sat and enjoyed the tea as the petals continued to dance in the breeze. The sun began to set once they had finished the pot of tea. Neither had said much, they were content with watching the garden.
Nanao set down her empty cup and stood up. "Thank you for the tea and company, Sasakibe-Fukutaichou." She bowed to him and waited for his reply.
"It was my pleasure. Thank you for indulging me, Ise-Fukutaichou." Nanao straightened once he gave his reply and walked towards the gate of the division.
Nanao could sense someone walking up behind her. So she moved over to the side to let them pass, but they didn't. She looked over her shoulder and her eyes widened. "W..what are you doing here...Aizen?"
Aizen gave the startled girl a gentle smile. "Is there a problem if I come and check on people? And don't worry about me. No one but you can see me." He reached up and tilted Nanao's glasses. "They were a bit crocked."
"Thank you." Nanao gripped her fan tightly in her hand. "What are you doing here?"
Aizen gave a soft chuckle at the girl's answer. "Don't worry. My plan is moving along as planned. And I would like you to join me." He continued to smile as Nanao took a step back in hesitation. "Remember what you said? You said that you would do anything for me. That was the price for my help."
Nanao looked at her feet and took several deep breaths. "Are we leaving now?"
"No." Nanao looked at Aizen in surprise. "But I will be back to collect you soon. I just thought that you would like some time to prepare." He brought a hand up and glided the back of his hand down Nanao's cheek. "Take care of yourself till then." Aizen walked past Nanao and towards the exit to 1st division.
Nanao stood still as she watched Aizen walk away and out of sight. Her gaze then moved to everything around her. The buildings that had grown so familiar and the people that she had gotten used to. It was all about to change.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood up. She began charging up a kido, but stopped once she recognized the reiatsu that was coming towards her.
Shunsui let out some of his reiatsu when he noticed a harsh glow coming from Nanao's hand. He noticed her relax a bit, but she was still tense. He slowly walked up and stopped once he was standing beside Nanao. "Are you alright Nanao-chan? You seem very tense. Did something happen?"
Nanao shook her head as she began to walk away. "Just stressed out. There is still a lot of paperwork that needs to get done before next week." She continued walking away. She frowned a bit, she had thought that Kyoraku would be following her. "Goodnight Kyoraku-Taichou." She waved before she turned the corner and began making her way towards her barrack.
After several minutes of walking, Nanao sighed loudly as she stopped walking. "If you are going to follow me home, Taichou, then you should hide your presence better." Nanao turned and glared at the last corner she passed. She sighed again as her Taichou refused to step out from his hiding place. Nanao turned and put her hands on her hips. "It's such a lovely night." She began speaking in a loud voice. "If only I had someone to share it with."
"Why didn't my lovely Nanao-chan say so sooner?" Shunsui smiled as he stepped up beside Nanao and went to put his arm around her waist. He pulled it back quickly when she produced her fan from her sleeve. "Why would my Nanao-chan want to hurt her wonderful Shunsui?"
Nanao sighed loudly as she began to walk again. "I wouldn't have to if you stopped acting so inappropriately, Taichou." A small smile crept onto her face as Kyoraku caught up with her again.
They walked in a comfortable silence back to 8th squad and to the barracks. Nanao turned towards her Taichou and gave him a short bow. "Thank you for walking with me Kyoraku-Taichou."
Shunsui smiled back at Nanao. "It is a gentleman's duty to escort a beautiful woman home. And it is always a pleasure to spend time with my wonderful Nanao-chan." He scooped up Nanao's hand and gave it a quick kiss.
Nanao pulled her hand back and reached behind her for the handle on her door. She knew she was blushing. "Have a good evening Taichou." She quickly slipped into her barrack and closed the door behind her. She locked it and took several deep breaths. 'Damn it. Why does he have to smell so good all the time? And now my hand smells like him. That's going to drive me nuts all night.'
Nanao let out a small groan as she kicked off her sandals and walked over to her counter. She picked up the small crystal bracelet and clipped it onto her wrist. "Now I can relieve my scalp of this torture." Nanao reached up and unclipped her hair, letting it fall down onto her shoulders. "It's getting long. I'm going to have to cut it soon."
Nanao walked into the kitchen and began making herself a cup of tea. "I think it will be 'Citrus Lavender Sage' tonight. I need to relax." Nanao let her tea steep as she went into her bathroom to make herself a bath.
~a few hours later~
Nanao sat on her couch with a book in her lap and a cup of tea on the table beside her glasses. She reached over to grab her cup, but missed and pushed it off the table. It smashed onto the floor. "Damn it." Nanao set her book down and got up to clean the mess that was now on her hardwood floor.
*Growl*
Nanao clutched her stomach as an intense pain shot through her body. She bit her lips as the pain rolled through her abdomen once more before subsiding a bit. "Damn it all." Nanao picked herself up and staggered towards her kitchen. "This is what happens when you let yourself get hungry and smell delicious things."
Nanao opened her fridge and pulled out a bowl. She closed the door and sat the bowl down on the counter as she pulled a spoon out of the drawer. She pulled the wrapping off of the bowl and revealed the bright green jello that was in it. "Thank you for this food."
It took Nanao not even 2 minutes to finish off the bowl of jello. A small gurgle sounded from her stomach. Nanao sighed as she turned back towards the fridge. "I freakin' hate this. Stupid hunger." Nanao pulled another bowl out from the fridge and began eating it as she walked into her bedroom. Turning out the lights as she went.
She sat on her bed as she ate her green jello. "This stuff could at least come in different colours. And maybe other flavours too." She set the empty bowl down and sighed as she laid back onto her pillow.
She looked around the dim room that was lit only by her bedside lamp. The glass off of photos glowed in the light and hid the photos they contained. But Nanao knew each of them by heart. "Too bad I can't take any of them with me. But I'm sure they will be appreciated here."
Nanao smiled as she turned off her lamp and closed her eyes. This was one thing she always enjoyed about her nights. Letting her body relax and regain energy while her mind went through memories. Sometimes she really liked having a perfect memory.
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