I don't own bleach or the characters, etc, etc.
Ch. 10
Nanao looked at herself nervously in the mirror. She had just left Ran-chan's tender mercies (Nanao had been forbidden to refer to her as "Rangiku" again under threat of having to spend the night looking like a hooker from hell), and she had to say that Ran-chan was a magician with fashion and make-up. Although the other woman could drive a person to distraction almost as easily as Kyouraku-sama when she put her mind to it, she was incredibly warm and lively, and most of all there seemed very little she wouldn't do for someone she considered a friend.
In this case, she'd put up with Nanao's fidgeting and worries, summarily ignored them all, gotten Nanao ready for the big night and then promptly booted her out the door to collect her boss; a task she was supposed to be doing instead of meditating over her own reflection.
Turning on her heel Nanao did her best not to break an ankle in her absurd (but beautiful) shoes or tip over as she moved purposefully down the hallway towards Kyouraku-sama's office.
Shunsui was just pouring himself a glass of pre-party sake when he heard movement outside of his doorway. Looking up he saw his Nanao-chan and started to smile at her before his very breath froze in his chest.
She was a picture of loveliness; even better than any dream or fantasy he'd ever had. Better because instead of an image of his mind this was the real thing, as evidenced by the fact that Nanao-chan still had her ever-present glasses. She wore a sleeveless Indigo dress cut to just under the knee with a shallow boat-neck that formed her body all the way to her hips as snugly as if it had been made just for her. There was a slight amount of tastefully done make-up (with a pink lipstick so sweet it was all he could do to keep from kissing it from her lips) and although her hair was still up, instead of its usual severe style it was pulled into a soft bun under her right ear.
Someone could have shot Shunsui dead at that very moment and he would've died a happy man.
Rising from his desk Shunsui walked towards Nanao in an almost predatory gait. "You stole my heart right out of my chest Nanao-chan! Your loveliness never ceases to amaze me. My little cat looks good enough to eat up." Stopping before Nanao he reached out towards her shoulder, causing her to twitch most adorably, but Shunsui merely picked a feather off of her dress and blew it away.
Eyeing Kyouraku-sama warily Nanao replied "Thank you for the compliment Kyouraku-sama. You look quite presentable as well."
"Quite presentable! Why your praise almost draws a blush from me Nanao-chan. I didn't believe you ever noticed my appearance in the slightest."
Nanao stepped back towards the door. "I don't put a lot of thought into appearance, as I'm sure you well know Kyouraku-sama. Still, good manners dictate that a returned compliment is correct in this instance. Besides, I know that you are well aware of your own appeal – you don't need me to tell you you're a handsome man. Now if you please it's more than time for us to leave."
As he watched with a bemused smile his Nanao-chan turned and walked back through the doorway, causing Shunsui's heart to almost stop for the second time in as many minutes. That sinful piece of fabric that clung to Nanao like a second skin didn't have a back to speak of and yards of Nanao's delicious skin was laid bare. It was enough to give a man his age a heart attack, Shunsui thought as he shook his head and followed his little cat out of the building. But if he was to die, what a view!
An hour later Nanao stood, drink in hand, and feeling somewhat star-struck at the Gala. The people were gorgeous, Kyouraku-sama...er...the food...looked delicious, and the room was enormous. So far she'd been introduced to 10 times as many people as she could possibly remember the names for, had managed to wrangle her slippery boss up to the front for the opening speech (on time even!), and was now waiting for Ukitake-sama to introduce her to this mysterious personage.
Speaking of, she could see him making his way towards her this very moment, with an ancient and distinguished looking gentleman beside him.
"Nanao-san, I'd like to introduce you to Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto, the Chairperson of the board of trustees and retired CEO of the company. Yama-ji, may I introduce you to Nanao Ise, Shunsui's personal assistant and tamer" Ukitake-sama beamed at her.
Trying to control a random burst of butterflies in her stomach Nanao bowed as gracefully as she could in her present get-up (oh to not be in these infernal heels!) and introduced herself: "It is an honour to meet you Yamamoto-kaicho."
"I've heard a great deal about you Nanao-kun. I understand that you have lasted an almost infinite amount of time as compared to your predecessors as Shunsui's personal assistant. Highly commendable" rumbled Yamamaoto-sama replied. Although the man looked truly ancient Nanao could acutely feel the power and intellect the man possessed.
"Thank you for your consideration Yamamoto-kaicho. I merely strive to complete my job with the care it demands" Nanao somehow managed to get out through the frog in her throat.
Happily Ukitake-sama broke in at that moment "there, now do you believe me Yama-ji? I promised that I'd produce the being responsible for the almost prodigious amount of work Shunsui has been producing this past year", and then smiled apologetically at Nanao: "You see Nanao-chan, Yama-ji and I have been watching over our beloved chronic under-performer for many years now and despaired of ever finding a proper motivation for him."
Nanao smiled politely back at Ukitake-sama, "I'm sure that as his oldest friend and mentor you have both experienced your share of frustration. Hopefully I will be able to meet your expectations and continue watching over Kyouraku-sama."
Yamamoto-sama merely nodded silently, his expression thoughtful. Nanao had a feeling that he only spoke when he felt like it was important, and expected people to listen and obey at those times.
Nanao maintained as professional an expression as possible as a small pause interrupted the conversation, followed by a hard left-turn by Ukitake-sama by way of an observation. "Yama-ji, do you recognize that man that Shunsui appears to be preparing to murder? I confess I don't recognize him at all."
Nanao looked across the room to see who Ukitake-sama was referring to and promptly felt the bottom drop out of her stomach.
"I don't believe that I do, which is a rarity" was Yamamoto-kaicho's reply as he raised his bushy eyebrows quizzically.
Almost unable to tear her eyes from the horrific car-crash in front of her Nanao excused herself in a hopefully non-suspicious manner "Ah, I'm afraid I do. Please excuse me for a moment Yamamoto-kaicho, Ukitake-sama", Nanao walked as briskly as she could without seeming to towards Kyouraku-sama and Mori-kun.
When the unassuming young man had come to stand beside Shunsui he'd thought nothing of it, making small-talk of no importance as was his habit. That was until he noticed that "Hiroki Morita-kun's" eyes were fixed unerringly on Nanao-chan, with an expression that said he was stripping her in his mind. A flare of jealousy and icy fury kindled in Shunsui's gut, but he gave as little outward inclination as possible.
"Ah ah Hiroki-kun, I'm afraid staring is rude. Someone will take note of it shortly if you can't tear your eyes away, although I can hardly blame you as Nanao-chan is certainly exquisite" Shunsui said mildly.
Breaking his gaze momentarily Hiroki-kun smiled an unpleasantly lascivious smile in reply "I apologize. It's just that if someone had told me Ise-san (at this the man nodded in Nanao-chan's direction) would look like that in a few short years I wouldn't have let her go so easily."
Unbeknownst to the other man Shunsui's entire focus was on him to a pin-point accuracy. "It sounds like you're...acquainted...with Nanao-chan. Were you perhaps an old friend of hers?"
"Acquainted...you could say that" said Hiroki-kun, again with that detestable smile.
Before Shunsui could press the matter further he saw Nanao-chan, HIS Nanao-chan striding purposefully towards them. Schooling his expression to appear as normal as he could manage he waited for her to stop before them. "Ah, Nanao-chan! We were just talking about you. I believe that you are acquainted with Hiroki-kun?"
"I apologize for interrupting your conversation Kyouraku-sama, Mori-kun" Nanao replied expression distinctly chilly. "Yes, Mori-kun and I were...friends...in University and graduated together, although I had not expected to meet him again." Switching her attention to the other man she politely enquired "I hope you have been well?"
Stepping close enough to Nanao that Shunsui wanted to snatch him away Hiroki-kun smiled a good-humoured smile (completely unlike the one from only moments before): "Yes I have been well Ise-san, and I can see that you have been as well. I'm hurt however; saying that we were friends is a bit of an understatement don't you think?"
Colouring ever-so-slightly and looking distinctly uncomfortable to an eye as familiar with Nanao-chan's form as Shunsui's Nanao stepped away from Hiroki-kun and towards Shunsui (a balm on his ever-dwindling temper). "I suppose you could consider it an understatement; however it would be an overstatement to say that you are even so much as a friend to me now. It was pleasant making your acquaintance once again, however I'm afraid that I have some business with Kyouraku-sama."
"Yare yare, more work when you should be playing Nanao-chan? Such a hard task-master." Shunsui turned to the other man, excusing himself not for the sake of the man before him (who did not realize how lucky he was to be escaping unscathed if what Shunsui was reading from the changes in his Nanao-chan's expression and body language was correct). "Please excuse us Hiroki-kun. Enjoy the remainder of your evening."
"And you as well Kyouraku-san," said Hiroki-kun, never taking his eyes off Nanao. "I would very much like to renew our "acquaintance" Nanao-chan. I hope we see each other again."
At this Nanao merely inclined her head and lead Shunsui away, or rather he lead her, one hand on the small of her back. That she allowed it to remain would have normally pleased Shunsui greatly, but in this case he couldn't help but see it as a further indication that something was wrong.
As Kyouraku-sama lead her away from the crowd and onto a small balcony Nanao's mind raced. What should she say to explain pulling him away from Mori-san? She didn't want to explain the whole sordid history, but she knew that Kyouraku-sama would want an explanation for the quite-frankly out of character display. Her emotions twisted her stomach like laundry being rung out. She despised how small and vulnerable she felt just at that moment, and how frantic. Her only comfort was the warmth of her boss beside her, but even that made her feel angrier with herself for needing it.
They came to stand side by side quietly and neither moved for several long minutes. Nanao settled her mind as best as she could, trying to find some semblance of a complete thought. She appreciated Kyoruaku-sama's sensitivity in this moment. Anyone else would have tried to pry, but he just waited patiently for her to collect herself.
"Kyouraku-sama, I apologize for that unseemly display. I would like to offer you an explanation and you certainly deserve one, but it's honestly not something that I want to talk about. Certainly not here at any rate."
Turning to he caught her gaze for a moment with his, and all of the rioting feelings inside Nanao stilled. In the moonlight and as close as they were Nanao could see that Kyouraku-sama understood what had happened, even with that small amount of information. He raised his hand slowly, cupped it along one side of her face, rubbing his thumb over the wrinkles between her brows. "I see shadows in your eyes Nanao-chan and I can't bear to see them. You don't need to explain, and if I can ever be a vehicle for your rescue don't hesitate to use me as such."
At that instant Nanao could have cried she was so relieved. As frustrated and infuriated as Kyouraku-sama could make her feel, just now she deeply appreciated his depth of understanding and empathy. Drawing a shaky breath she got herself under control as best she could and gave him as firm a smile as she could manage. "Thank you Kyouraku-sama."
"Ah Nanao-chan, don't look at me like that. I'm still a man you know and I only have so much self-control when it comes to my beautiful little cat" Kyouraku-sama replied, smiling down at her wryly, lowering his hand and turning to lean on the railing, slouching over his elbows and looking up at the night sky.
Nanao joined him in that posture a moment later, the cool breeze before them and the brightness and tinkling sophistication of the party behind them.
"I find that I'm bored by this party Nanao-chan, and in great need of tea. There's a cafe not even three blocks from here, but I find I'm not in a mood to be alone either. If I asked you to come with me, would you, Nanao-chan?" Kyouraku-sama asked after a length of time in an almost meditative tone.
Gazing at him out of the corner of her eye Nanao pondered for a moment. "As I find that I currently owe you a favour Kyouraku-sama I will, on one condition."
"Condition's my little cat? And what condition is that?" Kyouraku-sama asked, obviously intrigued.
Standing up and stretching her back out slowly Nanao took her time in answering. "I'm too tired to want to have to beat back my wayward and incorrigible boss with a weapon. If you promise to behave, I would appreciate a cup of tea if Kyouraku-sama is offering."
Obviously taking this as a challenge Kyouraku-sama pulled a moue of disappointment. "My Nanao-chan has no faith in me. Does she think that I'd take advantage of her after inviting her in such a gentlemanly fashion?"
"In a word: yes, Kyouraku-sama. Your word if you please." Nanao-chan smiled coolly at him.
"Fine, fine little cat. You have your promise, but you wound me deeply with your insinuations" Kyouraku said, standing up as well. "After you my delightful and suspicious Nanao-chan", Kyouraku motioned her back the way they'd came.
Watching her pass through the doors and back into the party beyond Shunsui felt his heart warm. His Nanao-chan was well on her way to recovery, bargaining like that, and he would get a chance to use his plan after all, although he supposed he should go a little bit easy on his little cat-chan given the circumstances. Fair was fair he supposed, and he'd already gotten something of great value tonight: an insight into the mind of Nanao-chan, and perhaps an idea of her resistance. Although Shunsui didn't know Nanao's history with that detestable man, he knew something of it.
As they walked across the room and towards the door Shunsui caught another sight of Hiroki-kun and felt his eyes narrow slightly. Shunsui despised fighting and viewed it as no solution, but if he was Hiroki-kun he would be careful. After all, there were exceptions to every rule.
Once again, I was editing my own work here. If anyone sees any massive mistakes or has any suggestions I would appreciate hearing them. Thanks for everyone who has already read/reviewed the story, and thanks in advance to everyone that hopefully will!