Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is AU and in honor of the 2010 Winter Olympics.


It Takes Two to Tango

Nanao sighed softly as she finished up her stretches. She was just about ready to actually get on the ice. It was something that she had almost been avoiding. As much as she loved to skate, these days getting on the ice was something of a challenge. She wouldn't give up on a career in figure skating just yet, but practice sessions could get rather depressing anymore. Her inability to jump consistently colored everything. Voices as she entered the main area of the rink caught her attention.

"Of course, I can introduce you. I think it's a great idea," Rangiku sounded delighted about something.

Nanao joined her friend rink side to find Rangiku chatting with a tall man she recognizes as Shunsui Kyoraku. Nanao had known that the ice danced trained here, but she couldn't remember seeing him before. Besides, his partner had retired last year, and Nanao wasn't sure who his new one was. Rangiku turned to her with a bright smile.

"Nanao, this is Shunsui Kyoraku. He has a request for you. Shunsui, this is Nanao Ise."

Nanao blinked a little. "Pleased to meet you. A request?"

Kyoraku nodded. "I want you to audition as my new partner."

"But I'm not an ice dancer," the words were out of her mouth before Nanao could think.

Kyoraku smirked. "Maybe not, sweetheart, but you move like one. How's this, you come skate one dance with me, and if you still don't think you should audition, I'll drop it."

She frowned at the endearment, but it was a fair proposal. "All right. I don't actually know more than a few ice dances though. I haven't practiced them in at least a year."

The man just laughed. "We'll stick to a waltz."

He held out a hand to her, and Nanao hesitantly took it. Kyoraku let her out onto the ice and let her get her legs under her a little before he gestured to Rangiku to start some music. A slow waltz began, and he led her into the steps of the dance. It didn't take Nanao long to remember her old lessons. It was surprisingly easy to follow Kyoraku through the steps of the dance, and he was nice enough to warn her before he did things like spin or dip her. When the music ended, they came to a stop in the center of the ice. Kyoraku grinned at her.

"Still think you're not an ice dancer, sweetheart?" He kept a hold of her hands. "Feel like working on that program a little? Rangiku said she'd keep your coach distracted."

So Nanao found herself spending the rest of her practice session working with Kyoraku on the waltz program. It was an interesting hour and a half. On the one hand, Kyoraku kept insisting on calling her things like sweetheart or precious. But on the other hand, he was incredibly patient in coaching her through the program adding in the spins and lifts that he had omitted on their first run through. It was different than what Nanao was used to, but she didn't find it all too hard to adjust. All in all, it was one of the better practice sessions she had had in ages. Kyoraku definitely gave her more praise than her coach had in years.

He came to sit next to her afterwards as they both were getting out of their skates.

"So, my darling Nanao, are you going to audition?"

She gave him a stern look. "It's just Nanao, and yes, I am."