Only One

Chapter 2

By Light of the Firefly

OOOOO

The next three weeks went on as normal as they could under the circumstances.

Pieces were falling back into place slowly. Every capable member in every squad took on extra work loads. So many shigami were injured, many were dead. There were numerous holes to fill in the day to day life of Soul Society. Everything was a mess. So much needed to be done with so little available help.

Every day seemed the same as the last.

Wake early, work as hard and as long as you can doing whatever needs done, then squeeze in a meal and go to bed. Repeat tomorrow.

All squads suffered blows, and still were by the day. The 4th Division was at their max capacity, forcing them to send many patients to their barracks to continue their recovery. The members of the healing squad were exhausted beyond anything they have dealt with before just by the sheer number of cases they had. The majority of injuries were left to heal on their own, so that the 4th's kido could focus on the graver cases. They needed every bit of help they could get.

But every day got a little brighter.

The Soul Society was rebuilt a little more every time I stopped to take notice. Piles of rubble and destroyed buildings were cleared, new ones erected in their wake. It was a sign that eventually, life would go on as before once again. These things being repaired and resurrected from broken stones and bricks was proof of that. The pieces were changed, but that only meant they had to be fitted together differently to work.

All of us felt much the same. The Winter War was a bloody leaf in our history now. But we are stronger because of it. We are all changed, but we have found a way to fit together to make Soul Society run smooth enough that things would get done in time. The lines of the squads were blurred as everyone did what needed done, regardless of the job. A sincere comradeship formed amongst the ranks, drawn by their common goals and tragic losses.

Injured members were healing a little more each day. It was a rare occurrence to be in any room in the entire compound without seeing someone with some ailment. Casts, slings, and bandages were on every other member. But their spirits were alive with purpose. Even the injured played their roles in getting us back on track.

Minor injured members, such as me, were stuck to the desk jobs. This, really, was an old hat to me. What's 5 more stacks of paperwork compared to what I usually turn out in a shift anyhow? I'm anxious to get away from this, though. I want to be more of a help. It is unusually hard to concentrate when you know that the more capable seated officers, such as my Captain, are hunting down the stray left over's of Aizen's army. They are minimal threat types, but a threat nonetheless. After 100 years of being at his right hand for missions like this, my body is practically humming to be at his side right now.

I shoot another glare at my brace-bound lower leg. The cast was removed last week only to be replaced by a less binding but equally restrictive brace. Only a few more days, I was told, then I could walk unassisted. The fracture wasn't as bad as it could have been, and is healing quickly on its own.

Stretching my arms and hands out to release some tension, I let out a sigh and dive back into this mess of papers laid over every available surface, repeating to myself: This too shall pass.

OOOOO

I was startled awake suddenly; my eyes shot open to meet the view of my darkened ceiling. Pushing myself into a seated position, I start scanning my surroundings for the robe I keep close to the bed for these frequent occasions. Pulling the robe on, I rose to my feet flexing my tender ankle experimentally. Much better today, only a slight twinge of discomfort met my effort.

It took a few moments for my mind to fight of the remnants of sleep, but I managed to stumble to my feet and start the hot water boiling for tea.

With two steaming cups, I slid open the paper door to the back balcony, my bare feet meeting the chill of the wooden planks. A quick glance found the Captain's familiar figure leaning against the wall next to the door, staring quietly into the night. One knee was bent, his arm resting casually over it with the ridiculous straw hat held in his hand.

I sink down next to him, handing one mug to him silently. He turns his sad eyes on me then with a slight lift of his lips, taking the offered cup.

"Trouble sleeping again?" I ask, not needing the answer. This is a habit of his that I'm never sure I understand. He seeks out my company on nights like this, although since the war started, the visits are more frequent. I chalked it up some years ago to the fact that he despises fighting; it's just not in his nature. He is too tender hearted for his own good sometimes. Although he has verbally manipulated many would-be fights into a truce more often than not, lately there has been no other choice.

Killing was mandatory, so was loss.

"Ah, Nanao-chan," He sighs, bringing the mug to his lips. "I don't smell sake in here."

"You never do, sir."

"No, I suppose your right." He chuckled, taking a sip. "But a man can hope, eh?"

I lean back against the wall, relaxing next to him. Even at this dark hour, the streets below are busy with the night shift's activities. We sit quietly for a while listening to the noises around us.

"How are you feeling?" He asks suddenly, noticing my absent brace. "Unohana-san said you could take it off?"

"Today, actually. It feels just fine." I took a sip from my own mug, remembering my visit to the 4th earlier. "Captain Ukitake should be released in a few more days as well."

"It's about time he gets back to work." He said lightly, before the other emotion crept into his voice. "I wish I could have…." He trailed off, no doubt falling back into the guilt of the other Captain's injury again.

We've been over this conversation already; no amount of reassurance will allow his conscience to rest. Wonderweiss had taken them completely by surprise by slamming a hand through Ukitake's chest right in front of him. He has convinced himself it was his lack of attention that caused it, against my and his friend's enforcement otherwise.

"Anyhow," He was back to easier conversation again, "I wanted to tell you, if you're feeling up to it in a few days, there's a mid-level disturbance in the Rukongai that needs handled. You could come with me if you need a break from the office?"

"I'll gladly go." I said, thrilled of the idea of feeling useful again. Even if my mission is overseen my Captain guaranteeing no heavy fighting will ensue, at least there is a mission for me. "What's the disturbance?"

"Didn't get all the details," He said, glancing over at me. "Something about a sorceresses. Ready to get back out there, huh?"

"Very much."

"Good, I'd love my beautiful lieutenant accompanying me much more than the fellows I've been pairing up with. Good men, but not nearly as easy on the eyes." He grinned, wagging his eyebrows at me. His mood obviously improved. "A mission just for us, sweets."

Rolling my eyes, I muttered a "I can't wait."

"Ah, don't be like that. I'm doing you a favor, after all, getting you some fresh air!" He said in mock hurtfulness.

"I can't argue with that aspect of it." I agreed, gathering up the empty cups and slowly standing up. He gracefully unfolded next to me, watching me like a hawk for any wince of discomfort from the movement.

"You're sure you're ready for that much movement?" He asked seriously, apparently not one hundred percent convinced by my unlimping gait.

"More than ready." I said firmly, meeting his eyes so he knew how serious I was. "I wouldn't agree to it if I wasn't."

He stared at me silently a moment longer before nodding. "Day after tomorrow then."

"Goodnight, Captain."

"What's a goodnight without a kiss?" He asked, puckering dramatically.

I slid the door shut in his face, allowing a smile now that he couldn't see my face.

"Cruel, cruel Nanao-chan." His muffled voice sighed. He never gives it a rest, the goof.

I set the cups in the sink and returned to my futon, stretching out. I drifted to sleep tracking his fading retsiu.

OOOOO

I walked at a brisk pace next to my Captain in the following days, having helped him with various tasks around the compound at his request. No doubt so he could watch my movements throughout the morning to make sure I was alright to go out with him into the field.

He isn't as smooth with his slyness as he thinks he is, after all.

My ankle was holding up just fine, nothing more than a dull ache now. I need the movement anyways due to forced rest.

"Well, I suppose it's time to head out, hm?" He asked causally, glancing over at me. I nod my approval, waiting patiently as he turns back to our 5th seat to explain our mission and whereabouts. The conversation wraps up, with a clap on the younger mans back, and his eyes are on mine again.

"Shall we, love?"

Moving swiftly in shunpo across the Rukongai, he briefs me on what he knows. A sorceress of some sort was apparently causing a good bit of problems this whole time, but with the war we didn't have the man power to deal with it. It was shoved into the 'low priority' corner until now. Her powers aren't clear to us however, as not much research as turned anything up. Her spiritual pressure is said to be mid-level, and she has the support of the surrounding village in the 88th district. They look up to her as some sort of guardian to their village. Which explains the lack of response when the research was conducted.

Shortly, I feel her strange retsiu prickling at my senses. It's powerful, but doesn't seem like much of a threat to us. Oddly enough, it seems there are two sources, with almost identical energy signatures. I glance at my Captain, with a silent question.

"Strange…" I heard him mutter next to me, a contemplating look on his face. "Well, if nothing else it may prove to be interesting."

I notice the village below us has gone mostly quiet at the sight of us. Everyone seemed to be stopping to take notice. It was common knowledge that shigami aren't well liked in the outer districts. We continued to move along the rooftops, not wanting to add to their agitation.

Before long we had entered a distant part of the Rukongai now, as the pressure in the air grew steadily denser, and landed in the thick forest. It seemed to be highly concentrated here. A heavy fog covered the area, blocking the woods from view and giving an eerie look to the whole area.

Soon as our feet touched the soft ground, we automatically assumed the back to back stance, scanning the area from all angles. There were no sounds, no breeze. Too still. I could feel the hairs at the back of my neck tingle with unease.

Something was here. The question was where.

After a moment of nothing changing either in scenery or sense of pressure in the air, I felt him relax subtly behind me. Suddenly I felt a sense of calm come over me too, momentarily distracting me from my current state. I blinked quickly; my vision seemed slightly hazy for some reason before clearing.

I turned to say something to the Captain about the change and quickly realized he was gone. Surprised, did a startled twirl but still couldn't see him anywhere. Calming, I reached out and realized his retsiu was still very near. Something was not right with this at all.

My vision fuzzed up again, before clearing, reveling a limp form of my Captain lying on the ground several feel away. Panic slammed into me before I squashed it and focused myself, both hands lighting up with the angry blue flame of my kido. I took up a defensive stance and slowly backed up toward his prone body, constantly scanning the area for anything that needed shot.

I felt my heel bump into him behind me, chancing a quick look down at him. I saw no blood but it didn't look like he was breathing. His face was an unnatural pale shade.

Forgetting reason, I dropped to my knees, grabbing two fistfuls of his harori and giving a good jerk trying to wake him.

"Captain!" I shouted, he showed no response. I checked for a pulse and found none. A lump rose to my throat instantly, choking me up as I tried to swallow around it and focus on what to do. My vision grew hazy once again, this time accompied by a bright stunning flash of light, momentarily blinding me.

I felt his solid form below me literally vanish under my hands. An illusion?

In the few seconds this took to occur, I felt painful grips of hands on me. Before I had the chance to struggle, something cold and metallic clamped around my neck, clicking into place. I had an instant sense of water thrown on a flame inside my chest.

The smoldering of my spiritual pressure stunned me briefly as I gasped, struggling against the hands holding me, tearing me off balance, forcing me to the ground.

There was a shattering blow of pain to the back of my head; I felt my limbs go instantly limp. The warm wetness crept down my scalp as if in slow motion.

A pair of boots entered my vision, followed by a feminine chuckling above.

And then there was blackness.

OOOOO

Ok, this is so not the direction I had planned for this story. It took on a life of its own and is now turning into its own thing.

So….let me know what u think. ^_^