One Hundred Ways to Love
10 of 100: Ice
Note: Some of these themes will connect together and some will not.
The sky was gray, Nanao noted. The previous night's snowfall had accumulated to a mere four inches but it was the ice that was proving fretful. Since she had stepped out of the office a moment ago it had become alarmingly apparent that the walkway to the street was snow over ice and very dangerous. If she didn't pay attention and walk slowly she'd surely end up on her behind and her Captain was, unfortunately, behind her and not in front of her and that would only be even more embarrassing. It was her place to be behind him but he had insisted that she go along ahead of him and arguing only would've taken more time.
"This is depressing… not only did I have to get up early but it's not even sunny out," he groused behind her.
Nanao at first ignored the remark instead concentrating on her footing. He had only managed to make the first of the morning meeting due to her constant reminders for the past two weeks. She had reminded him of it at every possible opportunity. He had managed to surprise her by being on time at the office… Of course there was the possibility that he hadn't left the office from the previous night, she couldn't be sure. Either way as long as he went she wasn't sure it really mattered. And possibly… just possibly, she was giving her Captain too little credit. He rarely missed a meeting, especially important ones.
"Hey, Nanao-chan… what's your favorite season?"
Captain Kyouraku was given to asking her such idle questions. Moreover, he was given to asking them more than once. She couldn't remember how many times he'd asked her the same thing, over and over through the years. Each time her answer was the same. She wasn't sure if he was testing her to see if her answers would change or if he simply didn't remember asking in the first place. It was a rather melancholy thought to think they'd been together for so long and he couldn't remember her answers.
"Winter, Captain."
"Why?" she heard the cloth of his uniform rustle behind her and the crunch of the snow beneath their feet as they reached the street.
As they turned to head to Division One for their Annual Join Conference she wondered at her answer. Why did she like winter? Why was she forced to wonder every time he asked? She was in the minority with winter as her favorite season. Her Captain, she knew, preferred spring. It was poetically fitting for him and perhaps poetically fitting for her, the cold Vice-Captain of Eight.
The trip itself was a short one. Only a few blocks separated them from Division One and unlike some of their colleagues, Nanao was not directionally challenged and knew the way very well, even with her landmarks covered in glistening white. She had walked this path too many times to have forgotten it.
But the question of her Captain remained unanswered. Why did she like winter? Because it was cold? She did like the cold, the way it froze ones fingers, toes, and nose so quickly… the sting of a cool wind against ones cheek… the additional warmth provided by her coffee mug in the office… the comfortable weight of her favorite blanket over her shoulders at home… she suddenly knew the answer and knew at once she could not say it aloud.
Winter was a season for cuddling.
He'd like that answer, she thought, though she dared not give it to him.
"Good morning, Shunsui!"
Nanao looked up to see Captain Ukitake on the front steps. He was smiling. Did he like winter also?
"Good morning, Vice-Captain Ise. Beautiful morning isn't it?"
His enthusiasm warmed her for reasons she couldn't quite name and she found herself half smiling in return. It was a beautiful morning really. Now that they were there and on-time.
"It is lovely today," she agreed. "Good morning to you also, Captain."
The unexpected weight of her captain's arm across her shoulder startled the smile from her face. He leaned down smiling gently at her. "Maybe one day, Nanao-chan will tell me why she likes winter."
She thought maybe she caught a sad glint in his eye, perhaps caused by her unwillingness to share. Just as quickly, however, he straightened and was up standing beside his friend, his warmth drawn away from her. Maybe she had imagined this whole thing. With a sigh she found herself following them in, trading the icy front steps for the warmed halls of Division One.
Maybe next year she would have the courage to tell her Captain why she liked winter, but she doubted it.