Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or its characters.
A/N & summary: this was a little something I thought of for Nanao and Shunsui. It came completely out of nowhere but I had to write it down. Its very short. It is far sadder than anything I have ever written. Italics are flashback.
Lost
He wasn't coming back.
Nanao could finally admit this to herself as she sat on the roof of the Hachibantai.
One stupid rumor and she had given up on him.
"Nanao-chan, do you still love me?"
"Yes,"
"You know I would never do that to you, it was just out of-hand gossip."
She stayed silent.
"Can't you give me another chance to prove it to you?"
"…no."
She cursed herself daily for saying that single word she didn't mean.
Regret ate at her heart, but it was there nonetheless.
Five years it had been, since he had gone off on that routine trip with the Gotei taicho.
Five long years since everyone but him had returned.
No one had said a word about it.
There had been no body.
There had been no funeral.
His spot in the taicho lineup still remained empty, as if waiting for him to return.
But it had been five years of continued silence.
Nanao watched a sakura blossom fall.
Spring had lost its beauty in her violet orbs.
The Hachibantai itself had lost its spark of life.
She had no choice now.
Five years was a long time, even in the Seireitei.
She didn't have a choice other than to accept it finally.
He wasn't coming back.
A/N: please review. Keep in mind I never said he was dead. If you want a happy ending in the form of another chapter or a sequel, I'd be happy to write it.