Chapter 4

Silently and oblivious to the scene unfolding at the bar she had left a couple hours earlier, Nanao glided through the halls of the 12th division's laboratory section. She had spent some time wondering the grounds of the city, working through her confused thoughts and making sure she had decided on the best course of action.

It was dark, with no lighting other than the glow of intermittently spaced terminal screens. Nanao had been to this area only a few times before, and was for once thankful no one could see her to question her presence in the building.

More and more, the members of the 12th were resembling creatures from the Island of Dr. Moreau, and were infrequently seen around the rest of Seireitei. There were rumors about the work being done by the division, whispers about how without Urahara to keep Mayuri in check, he frequently crossed the ethical lines in his testing and attempted enhancements.

Yet, Nanao had the feeling Mayuri was exactly what she needed at the moment. She headed towards the back of lab, knowing that it was here she was likely to find the scientist toiling.

Mayuri stood working at a large table covered in odd sized vials and beekers, with a box shaped glass case located at its center. The scientist must have believed himself to be alone, as for once his mantle shaped crown was missing from his head. Nanao was surprised to see he had thick dark blue hair that fell in a fringe over his eyes, as he leaned down to concentrate on his work.

The scientist appeared to be placing samples of something on microscope sized slides, but instead of examining them, he placed them inside the box in the center of the table. Once they were in position, Mayuri flipped a switch, the box whirred to life, and after a moment, Nanao watched him absently record the displayed numbers on a data pad.

Nanao thanked her good luck, and moved close to the box to see if her assumption that Mayuri was testing the samples from the precipice world was correct. After a glance at the slides, Nanao confirmed that was indeed what he was doing.

She watched him load up the next set, and holding her perceived breath, she stuck in her hand through the box to interfere with the data collection.

As Nanao suspected would happen, the box began beeping loudly at the addition of her incorporeal hand with the other material being tested. Working off the assumption that whatever had happened to her was the result of the cleaner and the precipice world, she guessed that the sensitive equipment Mayuri was using to test its samples would be attuned to her presence as well.

Mayuri crinkled his upper brow in surprise at the results. Hoping to not lose him in this crucial moment, Nanao yanked out her hand to change the test results once again.

She began moving her hand in and out of the box, in non random timed intervals, in a pattern she felt certain Mayuri would recognize as interesting.

Puzzled, Mayuri pulled the samples out of the box completely, and then hit the button to run the test again. She took the bait, and re-inserted her hand, setting off the sensors without the samples.

Obviously enticed by the strange display, Mayuri hastily recorded the data and replacing his mantle, quickly ran to depart the 12th's laboratory.

For the first time since the incident, Nanao truly felt hopeful about her situation. It wasn't the false hope that she tried to make herself believe in earlier, but instead she actually thought she might find a way to get back to normal.

Moving with haste, she went to follow Mayuri, hoping he was headed to the Head Captain's office to report his results.

In the office at the 1st division, the Head Captain listened patiently to the scientist's explanations.

"So, what is it you want exactly now?"

"I want to run tests on the individuals who experienced the cleaner burst this morning for trace resonance and side effects."

"Fine, but the testing will be supervised."

"No problem."

"And Captain Mayuri – I don't want any of them coming out with side effects from your tests either, understood?"

"Psshhh. Fine."

"I will call a Captains meeting to inform the requested individuals to show up at your lab for tests in 15 minutes. "

"Understood."

Still heady from the progress being made, Nanao followed Mayuri out of the 1st, and decided to check up on her double and the Captain at the bar. He would be on his way to the called meeting shortly, anyways.

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Arriving at the bar, Nanao's heart felt like it dropped from her chest at what she saw. Captain Kyouraku and her doppleganger were coming out of the building, with the double obviously quite inebriated, walking straight and standing up right only with her companion's added support and assistance.

They paused in the moonlit night on the side of a walkway, the other Nanao leaning on the railing for a moment to compose herself. Her Captain took the double's hand tenderly, and whispered something in her ear to make her giggle in delight.

This was not what Nanao wanted to see. A ball of strange emotion formed in the pit of her stomach, draining away her mood that had formed after the development in the 12th's lab.

How could she be jealous...of herself? It felt like her Captain was cheating on her, which in itself was an unexpected feeling, given they weren't even in a relationship and she repeatedly ignored his attempts to begin one. Plus – he had been spending all that time with Lisa. Surely, he wouldn't mess with Nanao's emotions while involved with someone else?

Nanao took a breath. All this was beside the point, and not the matter at hand. She had to get back into her body, at once.

Luckily, a messenger flash stepped next to them and delivered the notice for the Captain's meeting, saving her from witnessing the scene any further.

Double Nanao and Captain Kyouraku headed to the first division, with the incorporeal Nanao following slightly behind them.

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Shunsui sat Nanao down on the bench outside the 1st's office.

"Wait here. I promise I won't be long, as long as you promise to not move or talk to anyone."

Nanao grinned the sloppy smile of intoxication and said, "I promise." while batting her eyes innocently at him.

Shaking his head in disbelief at her behavior, Shunsui walked into the meeting. He couldn't believe it was called at such an inopportune time. He needed to get Nanao back home, feed her headache medicine and several glasses of water to attempt to stave off the inevitable hangover, and then put her to bed. Hopefully, in the morning they could discuss what was going in on her head.

Clearing his throat, the Head Captain began the meeting.

"I will make this brief. Captain Mayuri requires all individuals who attended the precipice world mission to report to his laboratory immediately for side effect testing. He has assured me it will quick and non-invasive."

Great, Shunsui cursed his luck. He was going to have to hand hold Nanao through that, he realized.

The assembled Captains turned to leave to inform their officers, and for those who had been present, submit to testing themselves.

Shunsui was relieved to see Nanao had kept her promise and remained on the bench.

"Good job, Did you talk to anyone?"

She responded by miming a lip zip and smiled.

"Ok, well, you can talk to me. We have to go to the 12th. You have to submit to a quick test for side effects from the precipice world burst. "

"But I just want to go home with you, Shunsui," she whined.

His eyes winded at her use of his given name.

"I will take you home, as long as you are good and take the test." He wasn't sure he liked Nanao playing the child role, even if she was drunk. Part of what he liked best about her was her wit and retorts to his banter. He prayed the testing would be over quickly.

Following them, Nanao's cheeks felt tinged with shame and embarrassment at the actions of her double. She hoped this was just the result of the burst as well, and not what she would always act like after consuming alcohol.

They all arrived at the lab, and Shunsui supported Nanao as they stood in line behind the other officers for Mayuri's test. The scientist had assembled a walk through sensor system, and was recording the data as each person passed through the gate.

When it reached Nanao's turn, Shunsui steadied her and let go of her hand. Gripping the sides of the gate, she walked through, setting off beeping alarms on all connected instruments.

"Stay right where you are" Mayuri instructed, walking over to her with a hand held wand. Waving it over her front and back, he clucked his tongue in consideration.

"Interesting, very interesting, I will need to collect additional samples."

"What does that involve?" Shunsui was immediately suspicious.

"Just a clip of her hair, some skin samples."

"Why is only Nanao setting off the equipment?"

"Why indeed? Did you do something you shouldn't have while inside?" Mayuri clucked.

Captain Hitsugaya spoke up, "Ise was the one who opened the gate to the precipice world with her sword. Perhaps there is a connection?"

Mayuri seemed surprised at the guess, "Astute of you, Captain."

Incorporeal Nanao was elated that finally someone had noticed that she specifically had a problem, and intently observed Mayuri's collection of the samples.

"So what now?" Shunsui was concerned. "What could the side effects be?"

"I will need to run some additional tests and get back to you in the morning hours. For now, it's all right for her to return to her quarters."

"All right, I will observe her overnight. Just to be safe..."

Mayuri had all ready lost interest, and began walking back with his samples. The collected officers dispersed, and Shunsui grabbed Nanao's hand to take her back to her room.

Watching her double, she didn't even care that her Captain was holding her hand, she was so happy at the events. She debated whether to watch Mayuri's tests, or follow herself back to her room.

Opting to stay with Mayuri just in case a new development occurred, Nanao watched the couple walk silently into the cool night and hurried back into the lab.

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Shunsui and Nanao paced themselves slowly on the walk back to her apartment. He didn't want to flash step, for fear it would upset her tender alcohol laden stomach.

"Where are your keys?" He inquired as they reached her door.

"You're going to have to find them." She looked at him with a grin, biting her lip.

Normally, he would be more then happy to search Nanao looking for a hidden item on her body, but tonight, he just felt wary. Still though, he couldn't resist the offer, and held his breath as he reached into the folds of her uniform. It was still his Nanao, after all.

Luckily, they were easily placed, and he pulled them out to unlock the door.

Nanao vaulted herself inside, landing on the couch, patting the cushion next to her.

"I saved this spot just for you...Shunsui." She seemed tickled with herself for using the name.

"All right, we can talk for a bit, but only after I get some water into you," he said looking around, heading into her kitchen. Everything was immaculately clean in the apartment, every nick nack and book in an obvious specific place.

"Do you feel strange after the test? Has there been any indication something might be wrong as the result of this morning?" He inquired as he filled up the glass.

"Well, Shunsui, I am drunk for the first time after all. How would I really know what's the alcohol and what's from the cleaner?" She responded arrogantly, as if it was the completely obvious answer to his question.

"Fair point, now drink all of this down" He agreed, handing her the water and settling down in the couch next to her.

"I always do what you tell me, Sir" Nanao said with a wink.

"I'm not sure that's true..."

"It can be for, tonight...Sir."

With that, Nanao crawled into Shunsui's lap. He was instantly torn. She felt exquisite perched up against him, and when she leaned close enough to his face he could smell her shampoo, lilacs. Inhaling deeply, he tried to steel himself for what he was sure would come next, and for what he knew his response would have to be.

Nanao took her hand and rested it on the side of his face, pressing her own in close proximity.

"I see the way you look at me." she breathed, her words barely a whisper near his ear.

Nanao's voice, while she was so close, and sat on his lap, set off an irresistible avalanche of emotion within his very core. The steel he had attempted to gather inside himself melted at once.

"N-nano, you're very drunk -"

Her mouth connecting with his cut him off mid sentence. Wet lips parted his own, impossibly soft and tender. Opening up to accept the kiss eagerly despite his mind deciding on the complete opposite action, Shunsui was helpless to the moment.

It was right then that Nanao walked into her apartment to witness the scene between her double and her Captain.

Her mind froze, she stared at them, herself on top of his lap, their lips locked. She couldn't think, didn't know how to react – so many emotions were firing off in her head at once. Inexplicable jealousy at not being able to experience the situation herself, anger at her captain for taking advantage of her when drunk, disgust at her own behavior, and also – a slight hint of happiness. Wait, happiness? Yes, she realized, deep down she wanted confirmation that her Captain's feelings were genuine. Pausing, she realized she felt a deep sadness. This would not have been her choice for their first serious kiss.

Oddly, Nanao felt she was intruding, and turned to leave. She didn't know where to go, Mayuri had gone to bed for the night after his tests. So instead, she walked to Captain Kyouraku's apartment, slipped through the door, and laid down inside on the floor on her back, staring at the ceiling, silently counting the minutes until morning, trying not to think about what had just happened, or to dwell on her current situation .

Back at Nanao's apartment, Shunsui opened his eyes as he finally pulled back from the kiss.

Taking a deep breath, he looked up into Nanao's eyes. "You're very drunk. And you might be experiencing some behavior affecting side effect. For now, let's just sleep."

Herself doe eyed and breathless from their kiss, Nanao was indeed sleepy from the alcohol, and allowed herself to be picked up off his lap, and placed in a laying down position on the couch.

"Only if you promise to watch me fall asleep."

"I think I can manage that."

She snuggled into the pillow, and handed him her glasses, removing her hair clip.

With her jet black hair fanned out, eyes closed, and a small smile still on her lips as if she had just been told a wonderful secret, Shunsui regarded how truly precious she was to him. All he could do was hope she wouldn't regret any of this in the morning, and that nothing was actually wrong as the result of her mission. Slowly, he nodded off to sleep watching her, himself wearing a huge grin.

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