My Only One

Chapter 10

By: Light of the Firefly

OOOOO

The shabby little shed turned out to be just that.

Several panels of wood were missing, there were a few panels missing from the roof as well. There were weeds inside, and the whole thing creaked in a low moan every time the wind picked up.

It wasn't much warmer inside than outside, but it at least gave us shelter from the chilly breezes. We had to climb through a mess of undergrowth to get to the little hut, but it was blissfully empty of any wild creatures once we were inside. Or people, for that matter.

We had an at length debate on sleeping outside, and enjoying a fire. Or inside, with no fire. Inside won, as the gusts of cold spring air sent both our teeth chattering.

Sitting on the cold, soft earth, I leaned back against the rough boards of the wall. The enclosure was small, but we didn't need much more. I wished I had thought to grab some extra garments on our shopping spree to lay down for bedding against the dirt, but it doesn't do me much good to dwell on that now. We will just have to manage to rest in our sitting positions. That or face in the dirt. I know which I pick.

"If nothing else, this definatly gives us a break from routine." His voice was quieted in the darkness, sitting next to me.

"You always take breaks from routine." I pointed out, tucking my hands into my sleeves. The kimono was thick and much warmer than I thought. I was somewhat comfortable actually.

"I'm no good when overworked. I shut down completely. It's a sad sight, really."

"Beings how I've never seen such an occurrence, I'll have to take your word on it. " Really using 'overworked' in any context with him was laughable.

"I did my fair share before I got you! I was all by myself, alone in that cold dark office. Paperwork as my only company…" He defended, whinning slightly.

"And sake." I muttered.

"I consider my work ethic now as due relaxation." He continued, happy with himself for his answer. "For my horrible existence before I got my lovely Luetenant."

"Really."

"Well sure." Captain could argue with anyone about anything and win I bet. His voice is entirely too warm and honest to question. For some reason that is amplified in the dark when I can't see his features clearly.

"Then I'll be due my relaxation soon, seeing how I've done my fair share by now, correct?" I asked, smiling to myself. He manages to revert me to childish games constantly. I'm not sure how.

"I tell you to take breaks all the time!"

"Sometimes rather forcefully." I agreed. He was if nothing else, he was always concerned I didn't relax enough. He has tried many creative ways over the years to get me to do so.

"In all seriousness, Nanao-chan," He said, alerting me with the use of the 's' word. "You really should take better care of yourself. I do worry about you."

"Well, as it happens, I'm on a bit of a camping trip as we speak." I said dryly. "It's been very relaxing."

"As I said, a break from routine." I could hear the smile in his voice. "I couldn't enjoy a camping trip more with any other."

If I had to guess, I would say he was almost content with this predicament. He has been rather high spirited today, as if his usual worries have lifted some. I hate when the sadness is so clear on his face. It doesn't happen often, but when it does it's a rather heart wrenching sight. The world simply isn't right if Captain Kyaruku is saddened. Living so long, I couldn't even begin to guess at how many losses he's suffered. Since we have been away from the compound, it seems he is more focused than usual. More natural, almost. His shoulders sit a little squarer, as if some of his usual burdens have eased their weight on him. I consider this for a while to myself, and realize I like the change.

I shifted around where I sat, reclining more. I was uncomfortable, but tired enough to not care.

"Do you think that we'll make it back soon?" He wondered. "I can't honestly tell you the last time I've had to simply walk such a distance. I suppose I have become lazy over the years."

"Shunpo is quicker." I agreed. "We are all lazy in that sense."

My hand traveled to the metal collar at my neck and I frowned. I had almost forgotten how ordinary we were at the moment.

"Several more days, probably." By my calculations, if we walk all day uninterrupted, we could make it back in about 4-5 days. "We will be entering the next district by probably midday tomorrow. If we wake up early enough and make good time."

"I almost hate for this to end. We haven't had this much bonding time in a while!" He said cheerfully, and I groaned.

"Perhaps I'll look back on it fondly, once I've had a hot bath and get back to my life." I said, sarcastically. I could already feel the kinks in my neck and back that would be happily waiting for me in the morning.

"You should never overlook situations like these. They are what define your life, after all." He said, shifting where he sat as well.

"Sleeping in a shed in stolen attire?" I asked, yawning.

"Not that, Nanao-chan." He chuckled, his voice closer now since he had moved. I could tell he was facing me. "All of the events leading up to this. Challenging yourself, striving for survival. Leaning on a comrade, learning things about yourself and others you never knew. These are essential to your growth as a soul. Never disregard any experience, no matter how terrible it seems. You learn from everything, moments like these especially."

When he got reflective like this, it always stilled me silent for a moment. Captain Kyouraku is truly wise, and it is so easy to forget with his playful nature.

I took a deep breath of moist earth and wood, grass and wild air, then smiled in the dark. After a moment, nodding in agreement even though he probably couldn't make out the movement. I felt his eyes on me nonetheless.

"At any rate, we should rest now. A long day of torturous walking is ahead of us." He sighed dramatically, shifting around once again. "We will be covered with blisters when this is all over."

Before I realized he had moved, I felt his warm lips and brush of his stubble against my cheek. The kiss was chaste, but stupidly had my heart rate kick up a notch. His lips lingered, and I felt his breathing change subtly.

Loss of one sense makes the others stronger. I can't see well, more like an outline of everything, and shadowed shapes. In the darkness, all I knew of my surroundings was with my sense of touch, which was heightened because of it. Every touch felt ten times more powerful.

I honestly think he had meant for this to be a flirtatious peck on my cheek, with some teasing. Just to get a rise out of me. But as the moment stretched on, I could feel the shift of his mood turn heavier, less playful.

"I am glad to have you here, Nanao." He said, too quietly and too seriously, directly into my ear, his forehead leaned against my temple. I kept my face trained straight, not moving toward or away from him, my hands clutching at my kimono in my lap. "Even though the whole picture is a bit of a mess, tonight is perfect. We are just us, no titles or ranks. It's nice, having you next to me, where you belong."

I sat still and stiff, having frozen all over. He hadn't moved away from my face yet and his breath ghosted over my skin with his words. The suffix dropped made the statement sound that much more intimate. It was overwhelming, but fitting as easily as pieces to a puzzle.

For a fleeting moment I felt time slow around us, his lips brushed the skin along my jaw, nuzzling so lightly I thought it was possible I had imagined it altogether. I dug my nails tighter into the cotton in my lap.

He shifted closer at my side and I fought to continue staring straight ahead and not turn to him. He pulled back only slightly, leaning his head in front of my line of vision. Hesitantly, bringing his mouth closer to mine. My own response was a disturbing mix of anticipation and dread. Hoping that he would close the space and finally kiss me, need clawing at me from every corner. And at the same time hoping he would pull away and make a stupid remark to ruin the atmosphere that was suddenly hard to breathe in.

His lips were inching closer to mine. I swallowed hard, my mouth opened to say something but nothing left it. I could feel the warmth of his lips against my own as he stopped a mere inch from touching. He was waiting for me to deny or accept him.

I shivered suddenly, jolting me back to myself again from wherever I had gone. My body felt like it was free of the immobility now, and I remembered my place in the world again.

He leaned in to close the distance then.

I planted my hand against his face and shoved him away. It wasn't the classiest way to let him down, especially when he was this intense. He let out a light hearted groan of frustration, allowing me to push him back and give me space.

"So cruel…" He mumbled against my palm. I thought he may have nipped at it as well, but I couldn't be sure. I snatched my hand back instantly regardless and turned, hunching my shoulders away from him.

I took a moment to try and settle back into the semi-comfortable reclining position I had managed to get earlier. No such luck, I believed he ruined any chance of comfort I had for the remainder of the evening. Even my heartbeat felt irregular.

He settled heavily against the wall and sighed, the way a child would flop down unhappily and pout over something. I could almost picture him cross his arms over his chest and giving me a dirty look behind my back. The image made me grin to myself.

"Stop it." I said, sounding like I was every bit as annoyed and tense as I felt. The shed was still too small, the air too tight. With the pent up energy coiling inside of me, I felt like I needed to get up and take a brisk walk outside.

At least then I'd have something to clear my foggy mind. Redirect my thoughts. Focus. Anything but this.

The thought crossed my mind that I should have hit him earlier for the personal space contact. He no doubt is more arrogant now because of my lack of painful response. As if he needs anymore ego boosts. Or any more encouragements, for that matter.

He was certainly smoother than I give him credit for. That was the closest he's ever gotten to actually planting one on me. I was the fool who sat and let him, however, so I can't really justify hitting him over the almost kiss. That I had almost allowed. I was an idiot. Briefly.

"Sweet dreams, my cold, lovely Nanao-chan. One day you wouldn't be able to resist your handsome and charming Captain." He sighed heavily next to me in the dark. He had led us back to the familiar joking tones again.

I stayed silent. A part of me knew he really truly wanted that kiss. And that made my stomach tip at the unspoken words between us, the quiet understanding we shared. It really didn't need to be voiced; we already knew all the particulars.

But the silence screamed in my ears nonetheless.

My eyes drifted closed shortly after, a blush still firmly heating my cheeks.

Understanding or not, it was still an almost kiss…

OOOOO

If I thought waking up yesterday had been embarrassing, I got the shock of my life on today's situation.

I was quite comfortable, really. Waking up with a sense of contentment that shouldn't have been there. Once my groggy mind started snapping to attention, I quickly assessed my current state.

I had wiggled to the ground in my sleep apparently, as I was curled on my side. Which wasn't bad, I was warm enough and in a more natural sleeping position. There would be dirt on my kimono, but that wasn't the big issue.

My head was resting too comfortably; my pillow was warm and very unpillow-like. Upon opening my eyes I was met with the expanse of black shinigami uniform.

Pushing up slightly in confusion, it was making more sense now.

Captain Kyouraku was still in his reclined position, leaning against the wall. I had laid my head on his thigh, with one of my arms wrapped around it for good measure. I felt my face flush instantly only a moment before I realized his hand resting firmly on my rear as well.

I scrambled away from him so quickly, I nearly lost my balance.

My movement woke him, as his arm fell to the ground without me to support it.

"You're a pervert even in your sleep!" I accused, trying to place the blame elsewhere. I obviously was the one getting personal in my sleep. He simply rested his arm where it was comfortable. I had scooted away from him in my quick escape, noticing how cold the air was without his warmth now.

"I assure you, whatever I do in my sleep I can't be held accountable for." He said, groggily and yawned. The early morning light shone brightly through some of the missing panels, landing across his features. It caught his dark waves, sending shines of gold and auburn through his hair. "Especially with a beautiful woman cuddled up to me."

"You-!"

"You woke me when you shifted to your spot there in the first place." He shrugged, standing.

I stared open mouthed at him for a moment in disbelief. He stretched and moved towards the door.

"Why didn't you move me?" I snapped, standing quickly too. He was outside before I could get my bearings. "Or wake me up?"

"I can deny you nothing, my Nanao-chan!" He sing-songed, taking a huge breath of air once he was standing in the sunshine.

Now that it was daylight, I could see our surroundings much better. We were nestled on a hillside, the woods thin around us. The brush was heavy though, as we started picking our way back down to the path that was once a road.

"Could you next time deny me the embarrassment of finding myself in these positions?" I asked, grouchy. A thorn pricked my thumb as I pushed a branch to the side and I muttered a curse. "As I am obviously not trust worthy in my sleep either."

"I would then be denying myself the pleasure of your snuggling!" He argues easily, glancing back at my curse. He looks at the drop of blood and a pitying look passed his features.

"So did you lay your hand on my butt before or after you fell back asleep?" I asked, quirking an eyebrow at him as I brought the thumb to my mouth.

"I laid my hand on your shoulder initially." He assured me, continuing the downhill hike. Several branches he held for me to pass now. "I can't help where it ended up."

"I'm sure." I grumbled, shooting him a glare. He smiled at me, unflinching.

At the bottom of the hill, we resume along the now narrow dirt path, walking towards the east. The sun is blaring brightly; we both squint as we continue on.

"Your bruising is almost gone." He comments suddenly, not bothering to look over at me as he does, most likely having assessed it earlier.

"Good." I didn't really know what else to say. I couldn't wait until when all visible proof of that episode was gone.

He looks down at me now, tracing my face with his gaze for a moment silently.

"Should we go around the next village or through?" He wonders out loud finally turning back to the path ahead of us. It is widening out again, looking more like a road once more. I glance up, seeing the smoke rise in the far distant hills ahead of us.

"Through would be quicker. Around would be safer." I offered. He nods thoughtfully. "We should acquire weapons at some point, too sir."

"Yes, I was thinking along those lines last night." He sighs. "It's still very strange to not have the weight of the swords at my side. Like I'm missing a limb that's been there all my life."

"For me it's the silence in my head." I slipped, not meaning to say as much out loud.

"Yes, that too." He agrees, avoiding the subject for my sake I would imagine. While I share a wonderful, if not overly talkative, relationship with my zanpakto, I'm all around rather poor with it. It's a bit of a touchy spot for me, as I have tried to advance with skills without much luck. I blame it on my talent for kido; there was never much use for me to force myself to learn to fight better with my sword at close range when I could easily blast an enemy from afar. Only when I was low on energy did I pull it out. I'm a rather decent sword fighter, but my attacks are weaker than others of my station.

With my kido, however, I have no equal in my station.

All of which are gone right now, so none of this matters much at the time.

I let out a sigh, trying to get back on track with the conversation. "I would say avoid this village. Nightfall, we can obtain a weapon somehow. Perhaps there will be a sword smith in this town and we could get inside later."

"Are you going to show me some other neat trick you know?" Captain Kyouraku asked, cocking an eyebrow at me. I wonder if his words have innuendo laced through them, but decide to not get baited.

"I'd prefer to obtain such things as quietly and unnoticed as possible. If that's what you're referring to, then yes, we will be breaking the law again to do that." I said, logically.

His arm halted my movements, falling in front of me suddenly. His palm was spread facing me. Universal sign of trouble.

"We have company." He said easily, not a hint of concern in his voice.

I stared at the arm in my way with confusion for a split second, before looking up at him. I was instantly on alert at the familiar molding of his features. Although his face was a mask of relaxation, even friendliness, his eyes narrowed fractionally. His gaze was staring intensely to the right and mine followed. This was a look I knew meant be prepared for a fight.

Out of the woods and brush off to the side of the road, stepped four rather large men. All of which were armed to the teeth, and grinning like lunatics.

"Well, well, well." Boomed the one to the far right. "What have we here, fellows?"

OOOOO

Hmmmmmm…cliffhanger anyone?