Of Love and Parenting: A Love Story
By: Bloody-Stiletto
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Disclaimer: It's quite unfortunate that I do not own our lovely couple here and the rest of the Bleach characters. The plot is mine, though.
Dedication: To my friends Carlo-kun and Aika-chan who introduced me to the wonderful world of 'Bleach Fever', and of course, to everybody hooked up into the unspoken romance of Shunsui and Nanao-chan! Yeah! This one's for all of you!
Now, on with the fic! Enjoy! )
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Prologue:
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.:Nanao's P.O.V:.
As heavy raining filled the silence of the empty hallway, my hurrying footsteps became audible. It was a good thing that other squad members already went home. Well, even if they stayed past their work time, my gleaming lenses and tear stained face would probably be enough to send them all packing—literally. Drawing sharp breaths and walking hurriedly seemed to make an impression.
An impression that says 'Nanao Ise is so damn hurt right now'…
"Wait! Nanao-chan!"
I could only close my eyes as I heard him. With this feeling I'm having right now, certainly, THAT man would be the LEAST person I would like to talk to. He's also the last man I would ever want to see… for that man is the very reason of my anger—Kyoraku Shunsui.
'How could he?' My insides screamed as I continued to hasten my pace. His persistent voice called out my name once again and yet, I managed to ignore it.
Truly, every woman has her limit—and I, for once, is definitely at my limit.
A squad transfer is all I could wish for. Being under Kyoraku-taicho for the next centuries to come would be totally unbearable!
My emotions intensified as a recent incident flashed in my mind.
I was expecting him to be slacking off somewhere. Stealing a nap or maybe enjoying a drink of sake… If any of those speculations weren't right, then there could only be one thing he must be doing—flirting.
I was waiting in ages for his paper works. And yet again, as a fukutaicho, I should nag him to finish it as soon as possible. My instinct tells me that he is in his office. And that's where I'm going right now.
As I reached my destination, I instantly stopped dead on my tracks—too stunned to even say a word.
The door was left open. For some reason, my heart skipped a beat. For a moment, I knew then that I was about to see something 'unwanted'. And I blamed this uneasy feeling for that.
Before I could even react and stop myself, I was already peering through the door.
And there was my taicho in the absence of his pink haori…with the new female squad member of our division in his arms.
And right there, I noticed a heavy feeling inside me. Call me 'hurt' or what… I don't know. Seeing the woman resting comfortably on his chest, the feeling became heavier.
It was probably because of several emotions desperately trying to fit in.
Pain.
Sadness.
Fury.
And much to my confusion…betrayal. Yes, I managed to distinguish a few of them.
I felt these for some unknown reason. I don't know why I'm hurting. I don't know what makes me want to cry and I definitely don't know why I'm feeling betrayed.
All I know is that… I do not like what I'm seeing—not even a slightest bit.
A stifled sob escaped my throat. Alarmed, I clasped my hands on my mouth. "Ise Fukutaicho!" the girl exclaimed and immediately broke away from Kyoraku-taicho's embrace.
It was then that I realized that my presence had already been noticed. Feeling the building tension, I decided that I have to leave. I didn't even bother to pay attention to their calls as I started to walk away.
I don't want them to see me breaking down like this. No, definitely not in front of Kyoraku-taicho.
It never occurred to me that I would react this way. Normally, I could've just close the door and let them be. I could've just ignored it…
…but now?
Tears were stinging my eyes. I knew then that it was time to go—to leave this place as soon as possible.
What would Kyoraku-taicho think if he caught me crying?
More importantly… what would I say if he asked 'why'?
Heavens help me! The last thing I wanted to happen…is for me to realize that I've fallen for him.
…
I managed to reach the front door with Kyoraku-taicho tailing my behind. If drenching myself into the harsh cold rain would lead me to get out of this place, then so be it. If that's what it takes to escape his pathetic excuse…
And here I was, about to open the door—trying to convince myself that I escaped him for once. But my false hope vanished in an instant as a strong grip on my wrist stopped me from doing so.
"Nanao-chan, look at me." His usual gentle tone went on. I felt his warm breath reach my senses followed by my rapid heartbeat. His rough callused hands gripping me with a message that says, 'I'm not letting you go until you hear me out.'
Tears once again threatened to fall as I shook my head. "T-There's nothing to explain, really…Kyoraku-taicho." I said trying to act strong despite my cracked voice. Plastering a fake smile on my face, I tried to add meaning to my words.
I'm in no position to act like this. These tears… this feeling… Everything is just out of place.
I, for one thing, am out of place as well.
"When I said 'Look at me', I meant it as an order." His authority coated his words and filled the ambiance.
Kami-sama… I hate it when he uses that tone.
A captain's order is an order…regardless of the reason behind it. The truth behind the saying 'a fukutaicho is inferior to his taicho' was really apparent. Rebellious as I was, I turned around and faced him with my wrist still enclosed in his firm grasp. I had no choice but to follow. He made it an order.
Surrendering myself in his overwhelming authority, I looked up and met his gaze. His piercing gaze that surprisingly read my every move, thoughts… and even my emotions—though I always denied it whenever he sees through me.
At the back of my mind, I thought that if I could look at him straight in the eye, I could convince him to let me go. After all, there's no point in torturing me like this! He could explain himself a dozen times for all I care!
To my surprise, he placed his hands on top of my shoulders and gave a gentle squeeze. As if my vision was tricking me, amusement crossed his every feature. A broad smile playing on his lips… an unknown sparkle illuminating in his dark eyes.
In a word, he was happy—and I was confused. What's with the sudden change?
"I finally caught you, Nanao-chan." He answered my unspoken question. It was obvious to me that he was trying to suppress his laughter. He looked like he had just found out something. But for 'something' that could make him like this… what could it be?
"You're jealous." He stated bluntly in front of my very own eyes. Before I could even say anything, his hearty laugh was already echoing through the walls of 8th division's headquarters.
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.:Shunsui's P.O.V:.
I couldn't help but laugh seeing how startled she was. I must've said it a little to bluntly but hey, it's not everyday that I get to squeeze her out like this. My lovely Nanao-chan is a very hard shell to crack.
And that made her interesting.
I might be looking like a lunatic right now—laughing my head off and all. But the whole thing just makes me crazy! So crazy about seeing my Nanao-chan reacting like this. If only she knew… how happy I could be because of her.
"I beg your pardon, Kyoraku-taicho. I am not jealous as you claimed." She said and shoved away my hands. From what I'm seeing, I could say that I really pissed her off. Well, who wouldn't be? Women are naturally secretive creatures. They hate it when their feelings unfold unexpectedly.
And I have just unfolded my Nanao-chan's feelings. Can life get any more exciting than this?
"Yare, yare Nanao-chan. It's nothing to be shy of. Jealousy is natural in a relationship." I told her and claimed her hands. To answer my question earlier, yes. Life can get more exciting—especially if I get to tease my Nanao-chan like this. God, look at that gorgeous red face. Isn't she wonderful?
"Our relationship is nothing more of a fukutaicho and a taicho's, sir! And I would really appreciate it if we end this conversation as soon as possible." She said sternly and took away her hands at once—as if she was burned from my touch. Her face was already furious and blushing. And there, I could almost anticipate a hard slap on my face—considering how pissed off she is at me right now.
Though I'm not really sure why her gorgeous face is so red, I could still be sure of one thing.
If not for my title as 'taicho', I would be dead meat by now.
But since our usual bickering makes my life so worthy of living, allow me to continue my favorite habit. Call me stubborn or what—the hell I care.
"Ah, but Nanao-chan, isn't jealousy an indicator of a developing relationship?" It was so amusing how a stressful day would end up like this.
"Once again, sir! I am NOT jealous!" She blurted out gathering as much self-control as she could. Hey, tell you what, at times like this, it was always clear who would be the winner of our little game.
"I didn't mention it was YOU, Nanao-chan." Pushing my luck further, I leaned and whispered to her ear, "Or could it possibly be you, then?"
I watched as her furious expression became startled for a while. Often, I caught her off guard with my retorts. Much to my satisfaction, she struggled to fight me back. "With all due respect, sir! No woman in her right mind would fuss about your flirting with women!"
I sighed, feigning a hurt expression. "Such sharp words could wound my fragile heart, Nanao-chan." On my own point of view, our 'talk' is taking a little bit too long. There's no point fooling around when it's already obvious.
She is jealous.
"It's your fault, Kyoraku-taicho! If you weren't so pushy--"
But her words were left unsaid as a loud cry caught our attention. As both of us finally fell silent, I realized that it wasn't a normal cry—and this cry was coming from outside. Yes, in the pouring rain outside 8th Division's headquarters.
"Taicho!" her alarmed expression told me that we were just thinking the same thing.
Indeed, it was a baby's cry.
Shocked, I opened the main door and was greeted by the cold, piercing droplets of harsh rain. Finally, it dawned to me that the baby's crying was real. Real enough for me to hear Nanao-chan to gasp in surprise…
And there it was… a crying baby covered in soaked, ragged blanket in front of us.
So much for the 'Nanao-chan is jealous' argument…
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.:Nanao's P.O.V:.
It didn't cross my mind that today would be a 'double-bombshell' day. The 'Kyoraku-taicho and a female squad member' incident already shocked me enough. But this…
How should I describe 'finding a baby in our doorstep' to be like?
I saw him approach the baby, unmindful of the insensitive rain—and there, I was a bit startled. I've always thought his soft spot were only for beautiful women. But never did it cross my mind that his soft spot also included children—an abandoned baby to be precise.
Knowing him, he should've been more cautious. What if it wasn't a real baby? What if it's an enemy's trap to lure him out?
But before I knew it, he was already in front of me—soaking wet and cradling the baby in his arms.
"Nanao-chan… someone left this baby in front of our doorstep." Pity was well evident on his voice. His eyes speak of sympathy as he looked at the baby he was carrying. "He's a red-haired baby boy." He added with a smile after slightly unwrapping the ragged blanket.
As if longing for human's warmth, the baby's cries slightly subsided.
"I… I can see that…" Still in distress, it was all I could manage to say. How am I supposed to react in a situation like this? Someone has just abandoned a baby—and WE just happened to find it.
And HE seemed to be happy about it.
Much to my surprise, Kyoraku-taicho's questioning eyes met mine. "Neh, Nanao-chan…" His tender voice said in a cold manner. With his dark eyes not leaving mine, I knew then that he was seeking hope. A hope for me to answer his question… "What should I do?"
It's not really unusual when he asks me what he should do. But still, every time he gives me that question, often times I am left dumbfounded. The serious look on his face as he tried to soothe the crying baby seemed to fascinate me. It was as if… he wanted to keep the baby.
But who am I to tell him the right thing to do?
This is so confusing.
"We should just contact the 4th squad and inform them of our situation, sir." I said and walked towards them. "They should be able to look after him."
The red-haired baby who appeared to be nearly a year old had already stopped crying. His tiny hands clutched Kyoraku-taicho's drenched haori and his innocent eyes stared at me for some time. The poor thing wasn't even aware of how pitiful his situation is…
Who would be so selfish enough to leave this helpless baby under a freezing rain, for goodness sake?!
The baby looked up at the man who was carrying him. I watched as Kyoraku-taicho gave him a warm smile. I've always known that his enigmatic smile is his ace in hooking up with women. But now I realized, even a baby can fall for that smile.
Well… even I could fall for it.
"Look Nanao-chan, he's smiling." I heard him say followed by his gentle laugh. Truly, the baby was smiling back and letting out small chuckles. He seemed to enjoy Kyoraku-taicho's affectionate company.
A baby boy in Kyoraku-taicho's arms with smiles plastered on their faces…
It looked as if… I'm witnessing a father-and-son bonding moment. Though I hate to admit it, it somehow managed to lighten up my feelings. Despite the coldness of the surroundings, a warm feeling managed to crept along the insides of my soul.
It even made me forget the stressful fight we had earlier.
"Papa!"
My nerves jolted out back to reality.
I witnessed the shock on Kyoraku-taicho's face as the baby repeated his previous word. "Papa!"
Now this time, it was my turn to laugh. I was just thinking about a 'father-and-son' picture a while ago. Finally, I'll be getting my revenge. Not everybody gets away that easy when they make fun of Nanao Ise. I said and laughed out, "Looks like you've got yourself a son, Kyoraku-taicho." Truly, this is so amusing.
So amusing that I'm feeling tears bursting out as I laughed.
"Mama!"
The world seemed to freeze. I stared in awe as the baby's short arms reached out on me. Still in his bright smile and cheerful eyes, he called out once again. "Mama!"
Without a doubt, the baby has just referred me as his 'Mama'… and HIM as his 'Papa'.
"Looks like you got yourself a son, too, Nanao-chan. Oh, scratch that. He's OUR son now."
In the end, it was HIM who was laughing.
Goodness, I think I'm about to faint!
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(to be continued.. if interesting enough)
A/n: Hello minna-san! Please don't forget to review! I would really look forward to hear you all out. Until next chapter, hopefully. Haha… Ciao! )