Chapter 4: Library Duty

"It's melody, meetings and partings give you a new sound,
A sound so you don't lose that smile, yeah,
Just melody, melody, that song you sang once upon a time
I swear I'll never forget it."
-Uverworld "Just Melody"

Nina pushed a cart down the narrow but tall aisles filled with books and began re-shelving the recent returns. Lieutenant Ise of the Eighth Division was a frequent visitor as well as Lieutenant Hinamori and, of course, Captain Aizen. She placed volumes on the shelves she could reach first before working her way up, pausing only to glance at titles so she could be sure to put them in their correct places.

However, a title caught her eye, and she glanced at it: Honing and Improving Your Kidou. Nina's brow furrowed reflectively as she opened the cover and began skimming the pages of the book. Nina paused on the fourth chapter and read it for several paragraphs as she leaned on her full book cart beside her.

"Wouldn't you be more comfortable reading that at your desk?"

Nina looked up to see Captain Aizen standing in the aisle holding several volumes of his own, many of which were from the archives room.

Nina stretched up to shelve the book. "I was only glancing at it."

Aizen came up behind her, took the book from Nina, and pushed it onto the tall shelf. "You looked too engrossed in that chapter to simply be 'glancing' at it."

Nina turned to face her captain. "Something caught my eye, and I thought I should read it."

Aizen had a second look at the title and shook his head. "I actually don't agree with some of the techniques in that book. You should stop by my office and I can give you better material on kidou."

Nina bowed her head at Aizen. "Thank you, Captain." She glanced toward his books. "Would you like for me to check those out for you?"

He smiled. "Yes, I would, actually. Thank you."

Nina led him to her desk and took his books. She signed his name in a ledger and placed a little due date card inside one of the covers. She slid the volumes back to her captain and offered a shy smile. "I hope you enjoy them."

"I'm certain that I will," he remarked. Aizen smiled pleasantly. "I hope you enjoyed the calligraphy session with me last Saturday."

"I did. I think the techniques I learned with it might actually apply to painting as well."

"I believe your skill in painting may have benefitted you when doing calligraphy. You caught on very quickly."

"I don't think I will ever write it as well as you, Captain."

Aizen chuckled. "I have been doing calligraphy for many years, Seito-san. Like painting, it only takes practice, and I honestly believe that with enough practice, you will be able to write calligraphy as well as I can, if not better." He gathered his books from the counter. "As much as I would love to stay and chat, I must be going. Have a good day."

She went back to her cart and finished re-shelving the books. Nina found a few archive volumes that had somehow wormed their way into the library regulars. She put the cart back and took the few volumes downstairs into the archives department.

"Hello?" Nina called. She was not sure whether Yumichika was on duty yet or if it was even his day to come in. She saw Yumichika nearly every day she worked here, and he would often speak with her at least once during their duty. Nina decided that he was indeed quite attractive, though in a very feminine way, but that did not matter to her. Yumichika seemed to have a pleasant personality, though there had been times where he had made a shallow or arrogant remark, though not directed at her. Still, she very much enjoyed seeing him daily, and at the moment, he seemed the only friend that she had.

"I'm back here!" he called.

Nina meandered down the aisles of dusty, ancient volumes, some that were older than their ages combined and twice over. She raised a finger to her nose and rubbed underneath, scratching an itch brought on by the dust.

She finally happened upon him in the next to last aisle, and she offered a slight smile toward him. "Hello."

"Seito-san," he acknowledged. "Did you need something?"

Nina held the books out to Yumichika. "Actually, these got mixed in with mine, so I thought I'd bring them down to you."

He turned to her and accepted them graciously. "Thank you, Seito-san. I thought I had some missing."

Nina glanced up at some of the books he was shelving. "These ones are certainly old, aren't they?"

Yumichika placed a volume onto a dusty shelf. The archives room was musty and smelled of ancient paper and ink. "Indeed they are. Some of these archives are as old as Yamamoto himself, around 2000 years, I believe."

"Wow..." she breathed, amazed. "So I guess this chronicles all of Soul Society's history?"

"Pretty much, though there are still many documents that reside only within the Central 46 Chambers. However, the Kuchiki family has the most extensive and complete archives."

"Are the documents belonging to the Central 46 available to the public?"

"No," he said. "Those documents are completely restricted. Not even a captain has ever laid eyes on them from what I understand."

"Such a mystery to me this place is," Nina remarked. "It has such a rich history. It must be quite interesting to have the responsibility to keep such important documents."

Yumichika shrugged. "It's just work, really, although I do sometimes come across something pretty interesting. I also do much of the filing and work for my division because no one else will do it."

That last remark sounded somewhat bitter, but Nina politely shrugged it off. "Oh, I'm sure they appreciate it."

"Sure they do," he retorted sarcastically.

"Some people don't express their gratification well, Ayasegawa-san." She smiled. "I would certainly appreciate it if I were in your division."

This provoked a small smile. "I'm certain you would, Seito-san."

"I should be getting back upstairs. It's nearly time to lock up."

"Is it that time already?" He placed the last volume to be put away on the shelf. "I'll be along in a minute."

Nina returned to the upper level of the library and began to pack her art supplies into her bag before heading off to the building's many wings to notify any stragglers of the closing hour. When she returned to the desk, she found some people still waiting in line to check out their books before they left. She politely complied, not wanting to deprive fellow bookworms of their pleasure and escape from the daily life of training, routine, and combat.

After the last name in the log had been entered and the last due date card was placed within the books, Nina turned the lock on the door and waited for Yumichika so she could let him out. His punctuality was impeccable as he reached the doors in time. The pair turned and exited the building together, and Nina gave the door a final tug to be absolutely sure it was safely locked.

"It's certainly a nice evening, isn't Seito-san?"

"Indeed it is," she responded, adjusting her shoulder bag.

"Hey...would I be out of line if I asked you to hang out?"

Nina turned her head to look at Yumichika. "Er, now?"

He smiled a little. "Well, why not?" He smoothed his black bobbed hair. "You're gorgeous like me, and beautiful people are the only ones allowed to be seen with me."

Nina arched an eyebrow at that last remark, but she smiled anyway. "I don't consider myself as such, but I will gladly accept your invitation."

"Good!" he said cheerily. "So, are you hungry, Seito-san? I know a really good ramen shop not far from here. Ikkaku is supposed to meet me there."

"I won't be intruding will I?"

"Nah, Ikkaku won't mind," Yumichika giggled.

"Oh, well, thank you." Nina smiled. "I'm just glad for the invite."

Nina and Yumichika entered the ramen shop and took a seat. People from all over Seireitei were milling about and talking pleasantly while enjoying their ramen bowls. The place smelled of sake, dumplings, and ramen, and held a welcoming atmosphere. Nina and Yumichika seated themselves in the midst of all the socialization, and some greeted the Fifth Seat as he seated Nina before himself.

It was not long before Ikkaku Madarame found Yumichika seated with an unfamiliar but lovely face. He sat and grinned at Nina as he propped his zanpakuto against the small table.

"So who's your friend, Yumichika?" he asked.

Yumichika smiled pleasantly. "This is Nina Seito. She's from the Fifth Division."

"Yeah?" Ikkaku said with interest. "You a seated officer?"

Nina nodded. "Yes. I am in Third Seat."

Ikkaku raised his eyebrows. "Recent promotion?"

Nina nodded.

"Congrats." He grinned proudly. "We'll have to spar so I can see what you do."

"We can if you want, though I am sure you will easily beat me."

"Maybe we can do a date, too," Ikkaku added.

Nina giggled, genuinely amused. "I hate to let you down, but I'm afraid I do not know you well enough to merit that kind of interaction with me. I will say that I don't find bald men unattractive."

Ikkaku scowled. "No one's bald here."

"Calm down, Ikkaku," Yumichika told him, though an amused glint danced in his eyes.

Ikkaku took a drink of his sake, and Nina felt badly that she had strummed what was apparently a sensitive nerve. She had not meant to insult him. He did seem nice, though somewhat overconfident. But Nina approved of his company nonetheless, and she, Yumichika, and Ikkaku talked for hours after they finished their ramen bowls. They socialized for so long, in fact, that the crowd in the ramen shop began to thin out, and they were the only ones left.

Nina glanced up to see the annoyed glares of the shop's staff. "I think they want us to leave. We're the last ones here."

Yumichika glanced around. "Yeah, I guess we better go."

He stood up, and Nina found upon standing that she felt rather sluggish and slightly wobbly. It was clear she'd had a little too much sake, though not enough to make her a stumbling drunk. They left the ramen shop, and the doors were closed right behind them.

"Will you be alright walking home so late?" Yumichika asked. He glanced at Ikkaku who was tipsy, and he wanted to stand by his friend to be sure he did not wind up in a trash can or in some other compromising position.

Nina nodded. "I should be. Thank you."

"Well, alright then. Goodnight."

The two men left, and Nina yawned. She had not intended to stay out as late as she did, and from what Ikkaku and Yumichika had told her, Eleventh Division was far more lax in their rules than her own company, and she hoped that she would not sleep through her alarm and receive a reprimand from Lieutenant Hinamori, or worse, Captain Aizen.

She made her way through the Fifth Division gate alone. Not a single shinigami was on the walkways or streets, and even the building windows were darkened. The moon was hidden behind the clouds which added to the opacity. Everything was eerily quiet, and Nina walked toward her apartment silently.

In all the calmness of the evening, however, she somehow did not feel completely alone. In fact, it rather felt as though someone was trailing her, and she did not like it. Nina put her hand on the hilt of Kiyohime and ducked around a corner to nail them if she had to. She felt the reiryoku of the presence come closer to her, and she drew Kiyohime ever so silently. She suddenly revealed herself and brandished her sword only to be startled and met by Captain Aizen who gave a very slight flinch, apparently startled himself.

"C-Captain Aizen!" she yelped. Immediately she put away her zanpakutoand bowed deeply, arms at her sides. "I-I'm very sorry!"

Aizen reached out and lifted her chin up to look at his face. "And what are you doing out so late Nina-san?"

Nina blushed and slowly straightened. Aizen had been calling her 'Nina-san' since their calligraphy session last Saturday. He seemed more comfortable using a less formal address to his subordinates, though Nina herself insisted she call him by his rank. He did not seem in the least bit angry that she had withdrawn her zanpakutoto defend herself, for he looked down at her with gentle brown eyes that smiled even in the darkness.

"I...I was out with some acquaintances," she told him, re-sheathing Kiyohime. "I really had no intention of staying out so late."

"Ah, well there's nothing wrong in having a little fun sometimes, Nina-san." He paused and gazed at her intently. "Your eyes seem a bit glazed. You haven't been drinking have you?"

Nina was caught off-guard. "I...um...well, I had some sake with my acquaintances, yes, but I am not completely inebriated." She bit her lip. "Have I violated a rule about that? I'm not usually one to drink."

He chuckled. "No. As long as you're off duty, then it doesn't matter to me what you do in your spare time. But I don't want you wandering alone at night when you're foggy, either. Your apartment isn't far from here. I should escort you."

"No! I don't want to trouble you at such a late hour, Captain. But thank you."

"Nonsense. It isn't very far. Come."

Nina adjusted her bag once more and walked alongside her captain. "Are you enjoying your books?"

"Yes, very much so," he responded pleasantly. Aizen glanced at her bag. "Have you drawn anything lately?"

"Oh, um, yes. I've been doing a good number of pieces since I've been working at the library."

"Ah, I suppose that gives you a good chance to watch people in their natural surroundings." He smiled. "My friend, Captain Ichimaru, likes to people watch, though he doesn't draw them."

They paused at her door, and she opened it. "Thank you, Captain Aizen. Perhaps I will see you tomorrow. Again, I apologize for drawing my zanpakuto on you."

"Please don't worry about it, Nina-san," he said gently. "I understand that walking around this late at night is a good reason to be on edge. We should always be alert, even when we think we are safe." He smiled. "Good night, Nina-san."

"Good night."

Nina disappeared into her quarters as Aizen turned from her doorway.

"Out for a walk with the new subordinate?" a familiar voice asked.

"Yes. She's charming isn't she, Gin?"

"Ah, she is a pretty thing. You could get into some real trouble." Gin's fox-like grin stretched across his face.

Aizen sighed and joined Captain Ichimaru. "I don't intend to let anyone know."

"Tsk tsk. Just don't get attached," Gin warned.

"You know I am incapable of attachments, Gin."