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Chapter 10: Foolish Premonition
Nanao woke to darkness. She stayed still for a second to get her bearings and orient herself and she soon knew that she was in her rooms, in her comfy bed and that she was not alone in it. Shunsui was lying pressed to her back, spooning his big body around her slender one tenderly. They were both lying on top of the blankets but it wasn't cold at all. His arm was lazily draped over her naked middle so that his hand rested softly against her belly and his other arm was currently used as her pillow.
Nanao saw in the moonlight that she was mostly naked. Her haori was open and bunched up so high on her shoulders that she could have worn nothing at all. And since she could feel skin pressing against her naked back she presumed that Shunsui was in pretty much the same state.
Somehow she was completely awake but she didn't know what had woken her. She looked at her clock and saw that it was just past midnight. So it had begun. The day. She didn't know what it had in store for her and she really didn't want to think about it but there was no use in avoiding it. Useless.
Slowly as not to disturb Shunsui's slumber, she disentangled herself from his arm and slid out under it to sit at the edge of her bed. The window near her bed had its curtains still pulled back so that she had an unobstructed view onto the white moon and all the stars. You couldn't imagine that it had rained so horribly looking at the cloudless illuminated night sky now.
Nanao rose into a standing position and went to the window so she was able to look at all the twinkling stars. If only she could read the future from them.
She had had sex with her taicho and it was her who had initiated it. She still couldn't believe her daring yesterday but it had seemed to be so natural …and it had felt so good. She just couldn't have a bad conscience about it.
But she didn't know what would happen now, and she didn't like that one bit. She knew that it felt good to be with him, it felt comfortable. Strangely enough he was very easy to talk to. About pretty much everything.
She had known of course that behind all his goofy, lazy, no-worries drunkard attitude he kept a side of himself hidden. A very philosophical and mature side. The side that had helped him to become one of the strongest Shinigami there was. She was curiously looking forward to having conversations with him. Can you believe it?
She had actually learned a lot of him over the years without her really realizing it. She didn't know if he had done it on purpose but it was he who had taught her about being a Shinigami, being an honest, brave and just person.
She looked back at the bed and somehow wasn't surprised to find her taicho's eyes open and fixed on her. He didn't say anything, just stretched out his arm towards her and she followed the silent invitation back to the bed. It was strange but she wasn't self-conscious in the least at the moment. Although her haori was open and left her front completely naked to his gaze she didn't even attempt to close it.
Shunsui was still. Not moving a bit. Just waiting on her, silently. Nanao went over to him and kneeled on her bed in front of him for a second just to appreciate Shunsui naked in the moonlight. But soon enough she lay back down into the arms of her lover who tightened his arms around her waist and tucked her firmly against his front. Nanao felt enfolded, she felt treasured, she felt …loved.
"I'm scared of today." She whispered into the silence of her lover's arms. In answer Shunsui tightened his arms around her.
xxxoxxx
Nanao woke as she usually did, with the sun. Luck had it that her rooms faced east so she could worship the sun with every rising. She loved it. She was still cradled in Shunsui's arms and for a second she didn't want to move. Sighing she knew that she'd have to get up.
"Shunsui, wake up, it's morning." Nanao said in a very gentle voice.
Her only answer was a puff of breath onto her shoulder blades.
"Shunsui, we have to wake up." She said a bit louder.
Shunsui didn't say anything. He only tightened his arm around her waist.
"Shunsui!" Her voice was just a little bit sharper than before.
"Hn, Nana' slee', i's sti' ni't." Were his garbled words.
"It is not night, it is morning, look outside the window. The sun is up."
Instead of waking up he turned his face into the pillow and sighed. Loudly.
"Nanao, sleep." Was the only thing he said and it seemed as if he fell asleep again.
Nanao blinked. This couldn't be happening. She slid out under his arm and was soon kneeling next to the bed and saw that he was really sleeping again. Unbelievable.
With a shake of her head and rolling her eyes she commenced to get ready for the upcoming day.
xxxoxxx
When Shunsui woke it was probably late morning and a squinty eyed look at the clock next to the bed confirmed this.
A look at the other side of Nanao's generous bed confirmed also that he was alone in it.
He vaguely remembered Nanao getting up at an ungodly hour. How anybody could get up so early was beyond him. But that was his Nanao-chan. Responsible until her last breath. He had to admit that if she wasn't so dedicated he feared that the Division would be in total anarchy. Not that that would necessarily be a bad thing, he concluded after having visions of drunken excesses in his mind. Actually, it'd be fun.
He heaved his body out of bed and remembered that he didn't have anything to wear except for his two haori and walking over to the pile, he noticed that they were neatly spread out on the floor. He smiled. Nanao had probably done that this morning. She thought of everything.
Walking over to the haori and touching them he discovered that they were still damp. He sighed.
He took them nonetheless and made his way to his quarters. The only garment on its usual place was his hat and he had Nanao's haori slung around his hips. But his damp haoris were held in his arms.
On his way he met a Shinigami who looked as if he had overslept too and was running towards the training grounds with a donut in his mouth. When he saw his taicho walking around with barely any clothes on he blinked and stumbled so hard that he lay face down with his legs bent over in the air. Twitching.
Shunsui chuckled and made his way towards his quarters without any more incident.
xxxoxxx
Nanao was already working when he came into the office a few… hours after her.
She looked up when the door was jerked open and her taicho sprang into the room with a hunted look on his face. He closed the door instantly behind himself and leaned against it for a second to catch his breath.
Nanao had stopped writing when he had stormed in but continued as if nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"The hyenas got you too?" Nanao asked without looking up, alluding to the Shinigami amassed in the office.
"What?!" Shunsui asked still breathing heavily. He looked as if he had gotten the shock of his life.
"The, - the…-" He couldn't go on.
"The Shinigami in the office have ambushed you and hunted you down with thousands of questions to satisfy their obvious need for gossip? Yeah, me too." Nanao said still without looking up or any inflection in her voice.
Shunsui shuddered and went over to the comfy and worn couch to sit down.
"Whoa, I thought I wouldn't make it in here alive."
"Tch, at least they're not following you into the office."
Shunsui just raised his eyebrows. Without answering Nanao nodded in the general direction of the door and Shunsui saw the scorch mark next to it.
Shunsui chuckled.
"Well, they became …pesky." Nanao defended her actions.
"Don't worry, I can understand you completely." He sucked in a breath. "I need sleep now. Desperately."
Nanao looked up at him and blinked. She hadn't realized until now that he wasn't wearing his customary pink haori. It looked…odd. For all that she said that she found the garment ridiculous for a man in his position, it was …unfamiliar to see him without it.
"You're not wearing your haori." She stated the obvious.
Shunsui looked down at himself and then sighed. "Ah, yes, it was still quite damp and I do have a few captain's haori and uniforms but my pink one is unique." He lamented. "Why? Is my Nanao-chan missing it?"
"I do nothing of the sort, Kyōraku-taicho." She said but her blush belied her words.
"Oh, you wound me, Nanao-chan. Am I not your Shunsui?" He asked pouting and lay back down onto the couch.
"We are in the office, taicho." Was her simple remark.
Shunsui just sighed and tried to get comfy on the couch. With a lot of squirming.
Nanao's face was getting more and more pinched and her grip on the brush was getting tighter and tighter. It was a wonder it hadn't broken yet. After a few more minutes of Shunsui's wriggling, Nanao lost her patience.
"What are you doing, taicho?!" Nanao asked in a sharp tone.
A pitiful moan came from Shunsui, then he said, "It's not the same without my haori. It feels different." His voice really sounded bothered and Nanao was just contemplating feeling any kind of sympathy for him when he squelched any kind of sympathy she could have felt.
"My beautiful Nanao-chan has to come and keep me company."
Nanao threw the nearest thing handy which incidentally was a paperweight. Shunsui was just fast enough to not get a bump on his head. Wouldn't have been the first time.
"Nanao-chan!" He said accusingly.
"You deserved it and now do some paperwork. There are some that need your signature."
"Just fake it, Nanao-chan. I don't even know what I'm signing most of the time anyway. You could make me sign something that said that I resign and make you taicho and I wouldn't even know."
Nanao just gave him a look. The Look. And Shunsui swiftly went to his desk but not without a pain filled and pathetic moan.
And so it happened that actually both were doing some work for once.
"What are we doing tonight?" Shunsui asked out of the blue.
Nanao looked over at him and he really did make an odd sight. For once he really looked like a captain with his white haori, although he was still wearing his hat, but his head was held in the palm of one hand as if it was too heavy to be held up on its own.
Sighing, Nanao went back to her paperwork but suddenly there was a knock on the door. Both looked up and Nanao wasn't too sure if she really wanted to let anybody in. But…
"Enter." Nanao said imperiously.
The shoji door was slid open cautiously and Nanao couldn't begrudge the somebody, looking at the scorched wall next to the door where an unfortunate soul had dared to inquire about the whereabouts of the taicho.
Akahagi Hiroshi the Division's 3rd Seat stuck his head through the door slowly and when he saw the taicho sitting at his desk, actually doing paperwork he nearly keeled over.
"Akahagi-san, do you have anything to say?" Nanao wasn't really taking kindly to anybody coming into her office today.
"Ano, Ise-fukutaicho, I just wanted to know about the training schedule. It wasn't posted at its usual spot this morning."
Nanao blinked. And then blinked again. Had she…, oh my no, she had forgotten to post the schedule!
"Oh, yes, I totally forgot." Nanao bowed over a drawer and so she couldn't see the shell-shocked look the 3rd Seat wore and bestowed upon the taicho. But she found the right papers quickly and held them out to the Shinigami who took them with a small respectful bow and then he was gone again.
"Nanao-chan!" Shunsui said flabbergasted, "You forgot to do something? You? Unthinkable!"
"Do be quiet, taicho. It can happen to anyone." Nanao was blushing furiously and was quite embarrassed that she had forgotten to do something. Was she neglecting her work because of what had happened with her taicho?
"But not to you. You're an über workaholic who is organised into the last strand of her hair!" He could see the dark look descending on her face and so back-pedalled quickly.
"I mean, of course, it can happen to anyone." But Nanao wasn't assuaged.
"So what are we gonna do tonight?" Shunsui wanted to desperately change the topic.
Nanao looked at him for a second but then sighed.
"I don't know, let's just survive the day then we will see…" Before Nanao could say anything else a Hell butterfly flew in through the window and resounded loudly,
"Kyōraku-taicho and Ise-fukutaicho are requested at 1st Division Headquarter. Urgently. End of announcement."
xxxoxxx
Shunsui and Nanao stood in front of the Spartan desk of the soutaicho, not moving an inch and trying to stay stoic and not show any feelings in the face of the marble statue that was the soutaicho.
Although nobody had yet said a word the silence was oppressive in itself. But the soutaicho broke the silence.
"What is the meaning of this? I hear so many rumours and accusations which are forgetting of the pride of the Gotei13. No taicho or fukutaicho should behave in such a fashion. Are there any foundations to all these rumours?" The soutaicho asked straight out.
Nanao had no idea what to do. This was it. Now the punishments would come. If they said the truth, that is. Could they lie to the soutaicho? Would it be worth it? Nanao was principally against lying. Actually she abhorred it but should they do it?
She couldn't end her train of thoughts because Shunsui answered equally bluntly as the soutaicho had asked.
"Yes, actually there are, Yama-ji." Shunsui was nearly…happy, Nanao decided. The bastard.
Yamamoto-soutaicho didn't move or comment, just asked, "And when did this start?"
Shunsui seemed to be thinking about that. Nanao was just standing there looking from one man to the other. She felt as if she was a simple bystander to their conversation.
"Ah, Yama-ji. I guess it really started at the party after the fighting." Shunsui kept it simple. Not divulging anything too personal but not lying either.
"I see." Was the only thing the soutaicho said, opening one eye a crack.
"Dismissed." He intoned in a powerful voice.
What? That was it?! Nanao nearly crumpled after all the strain and adrenaline left her body. This couldn't be so easy. Could it?
Nanao looked over at Shunsui and saw the same dumbstruck expression on his face but he caught himself swiftly and replied jovially.
"Yare, Yama-ji, alright, so that's that then. Come on, Nanao-chan, let's get lunch." And he shuffled Nanao-chan out in front of himself, not wasting another minute in which the soutaicho could change his mind.
They were nearly to the doors when the next words of the soutaicho stopped them dead in their tracks.
"I will hand over this issue to the Central 46 to make an objective decision. You will hear their verdict soon and abide by it."
xxxoxxx
Nanao couldn't think, couldn't talk. Was this really happening? How often had she wondered about such things in the last few days now? Never in her life had she had problems with her future or her present for that matter. She knew what she was doing. She liked rules because if you kept to them, she really believed that no harm could come to you then. Naïve it may be but it comforted her.
This was surreal. In a matter of seconds the soutaicho had destroyed everything. Everything. This would not end in a happy ending. It would end in heartbreak and tears. She just knew it!
Shunsui was behind her trying to catch up to her because as soon as those words had penetrated her mind, she had fled the 1st Division's Inner Office in search of somewhere deserted where she could scream. She didn't stop to acknowledge anybody and not even Shunsui could hold her back at the moment.
Until he used a little shunpo step, that is, to catch her around the middle and hold her securely to his chest. Which wasn't easy because she fought him like a wildcat. He knew that she wasn't giving it her all but it was still difficult to overpower her and not hurt her. But then he pressed her against one of the walls and she was contained, having the wall to her front and him pressing against her back. Only slowly did she come down and quiet in his arms but when she stopped completely and started crying he was desperately hoping for the return of the wildcat.
Nanao felt like she was falling apart inside, and took a deep breath in an effort to regain control. She did have some pride after all.
"Shh, Nanao. Everything will be alright. Come, come." And soon the containing grip he had on her changed into a tender and comforting embrace. Nanao turned around and gripped his haori tightly and cried into his chest. She'd never needed to lean on anyone else but this situation was so out of her control that she didn't know what else she could do.
He slipped off her glasses and put them on the top of her head until she could bury her face into his strong chest completely.
"Come, Nanao-chan, let's get out of here." And with that Shunsui put a strong arm around Nanao's waist and guided her out of the first Division's confusing hallways. As soon as they stepped their first foot out of the Headquarter, Shunsui's grip tightened on her and he shunpoed away from Sereitei so fast that Nanao had to close her eyes in order not to vomit. She hadn't really realized exactly how fast he could be.
Nanao moved away from Shunsui and took deep and cleansing breaths. Her stomach took its time to rearrange itself properly again.
"Heavens, I had no idea you were that fast." Nanao gasped out in between breaths.
Shunsui chuckled, "Oh, my Nanao-chan, I had a lot of practice, chasing after you all this time."
Nanao had to smile at that.
It was only now that she was able to look around and swiftly sucked in her breath. It was beautiful. He had brought them to a little natural pool in the middle of some woods. The light was filtered through the leaves and the pool shimmered like a thousand diamonds in the rays of the sun.
It was so unbelievably quiet that you could even hear the rustle of leaves in the wind over the gurgling of the water that formed the little pool at one place.
"This is breathtaking." Nanao whispered, not wanting to break the spell of this place.
Shunsui hugged her from behind and whispered into her ear, "Only the best for my Nanao-chan."
Nanao sighed because for one moment she had forgotten why they were here. For one second she had just …enjoyed the moment. Enjoyed being in such beauty and magnificence.
Shunsui detached himself from her and stepped to the edge of the pool where he sat down. He took off his sandals and let his feet dangle in the water languorously.
Nanao wandered over to him and sat down next to him so that she could lean her head onto his shoulder. Shunsui kissed her head gently and resumed to let his feet enjoy the water.
"What is your plan?" Nanao asked quietly. She knew he had to have a plan.
"Hmm, I don't know yet." He answered negligently.
Nanao looked up quickly into his face. He had his eyes closed and a small smile curled his lips sensually.
"B-But you must have a plan!" Nanao was aghast.
"Why, do you have one?" Shunsui asked without opening his eyes.
"Well, no, that's why I thought you would have one." Nanao accused.
Shunsui quickly removed his clothes; Nanao couldn't even blink, so fast was he naked and in the pool. It was probably deeper than it looked since he was fully submerged to his head.
Nanao knew without him having to say anything that he wanted her to follow him into the pool. Nanao didn't think about it, she switched off her brain as she so often did when with him and did what her heart wanted. And what her heart wanted now was to go to him.
She took her clothes off under the watchful eyes of Shunsui which was a bit uncomfortable, not that she didn't like her body or anything in that matter, but Shunsui just had a very close eye on her. As soon as she was inside he pulled her body flush to his and started to kiss her sensually.
"Do not think. Feel."
And with that Shunsui commenced to show her exactly what she had been missing all those long and lonely years.
His lips were even softer than the water on her skin. They were the lips of a pure sinner. Of someone who knew how to make a woman scream in pleasure and ecstasy.
Nanao had never really contemplated, or rather never dared to contemplate that he would be an extraordinary lover. A sensual and languorous artist with the body and stamina of a warrior.
Shunsui was a masterful lover. She could have never imagined the things he was able to do to her body…and her soul.
xxxoxxx
When the two got back to the Division it was around mid-afternoon but they couldn't really get back to work because as soon as they entered their Squad Building a summons for a captain's meeting went out.
Nanao's heart beat doubled in speed. She had an inkling that this summons had something to do with the two of them.
Shunsui turned to her and kissed her right there in front of all the Shinigami of their Division and Nanao blushed furiously as soon as he had shunpoed away and let her stand on her own.
But then the Division erupted into loud cheers and hoots and whistles.
Nanao was trying to remember if you could die from embarrassment. But then she remembered that she was fukutaicho of the Division and in a clear voice asked, "Don't you have anything else to do? No, well, I have a lot of work waiting for you." And the Shinigami scrambled to get back to their work.
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I know it's a bit shorter than usual but I said everything I wanted in this chapter and I know what I want to do in the next chapter and it wouldn't have fit here. It's supposed to be a chapter on its own.
Let me know what you think about the chapter, the story, the characters etc.
What you like/dislike. I can only improve if you point out my weaknesses and strengths in writing so… review PLEASE!!
Oh and could somebody kindly explain to me how to make those neat margins? Somehow they always vanish in between my Word and the Internet. I'd really be thankful!!