Well, I've never written Bleach fanfiction before- not that much fanfiction at all, really- so constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. This is just a drabble that I wrote while listening to Someday by Rob Thomas.

Disclaimer: You've no idea. I do not own Bleach, anime or manga, or its characters. All I have is this laptop and a snowman tissue-box-holder.

Someday

Nanao looked up. It was almost dark. She'd lost the entire afternoon without noticing, wrapped up in paperwork as she was.

She rubbed stinging eyes and, wincing, tried to rotate her head on her neck. She listened closely. There didn't seem to be anybody around at all. No wonder…it was almost nighttime. How was it that it was always like this? All her days ended with her poring over papers at her desk.

Alone.

That was the kicker. Unlike many of the other officers, she didn't have anyone to go home to. Sure, she'd had the occasional fling when she was younger (okay, two) and most of the time she appreciated living alone, but sometimes the stark reality of her nonexistent love-life hit her hard.

It wasn't like she needed somebody or she'd die without someone; she was quite self-sufficient. On most nights, she went home and sat down with a good book if she didn't have other work to occupy her.

Sometimes, though, sometimes she fell into an odd funk. Why didn't she go out? She should go out and find someone suited for her. The problem…Nanao wasn't exactly appealing to those who didn't know her. Most first impressions classed her as a studious, quiet person. And she was. At least, that was a part of her personality. It just so happened that that's the image that strangers got from her.

She decided to go home. There was no use in wallowing in this unproductive mood. But it was so tempting…a rare wave of self-pity washed over her. She tried to battle it, but suddenly gave up. Resignation flowed through her. To her surprise, tears pricked at her eyes in response to those emotions. She rubbed at her face, squeezing her eyes closed. She knew what – or rather, who– she wanted.

And despite herself, a little hope welled up in her. Someday, it whispered. Someday. She was lost in her internal reverie before a very familiar voice interrupted her.

"Nanao-chan?"

Only years of practice held the surprised blush from her face. Trying to speak around the lump in her throat, she didn't quite convey the proper annoyance.

"Yes? If it isn't important, Captain, I'm leaving soon." Even to her, her voice sounded world-weary and cheerless. She cleared her throat as concern crossed his face.

"Nanao-chan, are you okay?" A tearful laugh tried to escape. She crushed it with her will. The stillborn laugh escaped as a mixture of a sigh and a cough.

"Of course, Captain." She stood and cleared her desk of loose papers and set a stack in the out-box. "If you'll excuse me, Captain, I'll be going home now." She stepped around him without meeting his eyes and walked numbly home. It was unnerving, that he should still have this effect on her.

She let herself in and sat down hard on her bed. Unbidden, her earlier thoughts wound back into her brain. Why did she stay alone, without seeking a companion?

The look in her captain's eyes flitted over her brain and she dropped her head into her hands with a sigh. Right. That's why.

It's unedited, unpolished, and raw.

Like it, love it, execrate it?

Let me know.

~~Magickless