Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is AU. I am not very familiar with the Bleach anime, and Katen Kyokotsu's personality is based on the manga and my own suppositions.


A Drop of Blood

Nanao stared at the silk wrapped sword in her lap. It wouldn't hurt to look at the blade, and she had already pretty much made up her mind to do this. That was if all this didn't turn out to be a delusion in the morning. She was still considering that a possibility. Carefully unwrapping the silk, Nanao found that the sword was a slim wakizashi. Almost instinctively she drew the blade. Like Katen Kyokotsu, the blade looked well used and not at all its true age. Well, she was assuming that it older than it looked; Nanao didn't know that for sure.

There were characters on this blade that she could easily read. Nanao frowned slightly. It read: Yamazakurakaze Kakure. Setting the blade across her lap, Nanao looked up at the two men.

"So how exactly do I bond with the sword?"

Jyuushiro smiled. "What is the swords name?"

"The characters on the blade. They're the name of the blade and the release word or phrase," Shunsui explained. "Only a potential partner for the sword can read them for the most part."

"Yamazakurakaze." Then Nanao's frown deepened. "But I thought I saw characters on Katen Kyokotsu."

Shunsui looked slightly uncomfortable. "There are exceptions, and Katen was trying to get your attention. Anyway, all your really need to do now is cut yourself on the blade and let some of your blood touch it. Yamazakurakaze will do the rest."

Nanao nodded. She took a moment to consider if she really wanted to do this. It would change things quite significantly. But something about it felt right, and while she might not be able to give a logical reason for her decision at the moment, but Nanao was pretty sure she was making the right one. Carefully pressing her thumb against the edge of the blade, Nanao waited until a bead of blood appeared before pulling her thumb away and sticking it in her mouth.

She watched rather fascinated as the drop of blood seemed to disappear into the metal of the blade.

I've been waiting for you. I'm Yamazakurakaze, but you know that.

The voice was a soft alto. Nanao blinked.

Nanao. It is a lovely name. Let the boys take care of you tonight. They might be a little silly, but they'll take care of you. We can get to work in the morning. There's plenty for us to do to get you up to speed.

"Would you like some more tea?" Nanao looked up at Jyuushiro, startled. He just smiled. "You look like you could use it. Don't worry. You get used to voices in your head after awhile."

"Another cup of tea would be lovely."

He got up and left her alone with Shunsui. The other man smiled gently at her.

"We should take about your living arrangements for the next few days. I'll have someone from my division come take care of the window tomorrow, but until it's repaired, you really shouldn't stay here. It won't be safe." He ran a hand through his hair. "You're welcome to come stay with me for a few days. I have plenty of room, and it will give us a chance to teach you the basics."

It is a good idea. Yamazakurakaze chimed in.

Agreed. That was Katen Kyokotsu.

Nanao started at his voice. "I thought that I wouldn't hear your sword anymore once I had bonded to my own."

Shunsui shook his head. "Nope. I'm afraid you're stuck with hearing him, but it is only when you're in close proximity to him. You will be able to learn how to block him out if it's any consolation."

Nanao nodded. She was beginning to feel very tired. As inconvenient as it would be, she could see Shunsui and the swords' point.

"That's fine for tonight and tomorrow night. I do have to be back at work on Monday."

Shunsui blinked. "Sure, we can manage. Where do you work?"

"The Kyoto National Museum. I'm in charge of cataloging their artifacts." Nanao's frown returned. "That's where I found Katen Kyokotsu actually. The sword set was in a group of new items that had just been bought at auction."

"You work with Rangiku?"

It was Nanao's turn to blink. "Rangiku is one of you? Well, I guess that explains why she's always running off for family emergencies."

Shunsui snorted. "Between her brother and his husband, that's not surprising. Her brother's a teenage half ice dragon who has just come into his power in the past few years, and her husband is probably one of the most powerful kitsune alive. Though I think half the time Gin is just looking for an excuse to get together with his wife. He runs the Third Division. They're headquartered in Ise."

Jyuushiro reappeared with a tray and several cups of tea.

"Nanao's coming home with us?" He smiled at her. "I'm staying with Shunsui as well while I'm in town. I actually live in Izumo, though I visit Kyoto fairly often."

Nanao accepted the cup of tea he offered. "It won't take me long to pack."

Though part of her was wondering just what she had gotten herself into tonight.