The issue had been published within hours of her return, the rumors had started flying by midday, and Nanao had come to a horrible conclusion. She was attracted to her captain. And not by a small amount.

She had tried to rationalize it. There weren't many attractive males in her life, she had thought. But that was a lie. Many of her fellow second seats were males, and good looking. She just wasn't interested in them as she was her captain.

Nanao refused to admit it though. It was just the fact he looked out for her. There was nothing more. So, for the last month she had avoided speaking to him when it was not strictly necessary. This had become increasingly difficult as he had started to become worried about her.

She had even taken to visiting the poor, and usually better than other, bookstores in the Rukon to easily to remove herself from his vicinity.

In fact, she was heading home from one such trip as the clouds drifted in the blue sky above. She was trying to concentrate on what she knew about this author instead of all the remarks her captain would undoubtedly be making on the wonderful weather. Nanao had discovered, as many others had, that trying not to think of something only brought it to the forefront of one's mind. It was becoming increasingly annoying.

Her head came up at a snap of a foot placed incorrectly when trying to be quiet. She turned to see a half circle of twelve raggedly clothed men behind her and her face fell into one of displeasure. Is this what my life has come to? She though despairingly as she examined them and their low quality weapons. Avoiding my captain to be harassed by a couple of inexperienced thieves?

"I'm sorry men, but I don't have any money and if I did, you wouldn't be gaining any in such a rude manner." She said calmly. "I am in a bad mood at the moment and could easily claim self defense. It isn't very wise to target a ranking member of the Gotei."

In hindsight, Nanao wasn't sure why she thought that would deter them and had taken advantage of the troublesome thought in her head to use as the scapegoat. The most aggravating thing was that from that moment on, everything unwise she did had Rangiku saying 'Oh she's thinking of a certain man.'

A tan man in a brown shirt with a dull blade jumped at her and her only reaction was a widening of her eyes, surprised that he would actually be stupid enough to do that. Then, a flash of pink floral came into her view and she turned her head, missing the move that made the man trip past them. Her captain was standing in front of her, a dark look in his eyes as he tilted his hat up.

"Bit of trouble, eh Nanao?"

His words held no tone of joking as his gaze swept over the men, pinning them in their spots. She shivered at the feeling of his spiritual pressure filling the small street and sending cold chills over her skin. "Sir."

Shunsui cut across her, a small, condescending smile on his face. "You boys wouldn't be trying to harm my Nanao-chan, would you?" He said quite calmly. "Because, beside her ability to severely handicap all of you, if you did manage to hurt her, many people would be out for your blood. All of squad eight for harming their respected and beloved lieutenant and many other fuku-taichos to name a few."

"Then there'd be me of course."

Nanao stared at her captain, rather taken aback by this very different personality. Was this on her account? No, it must be because she was his only capable vice-captain to date, she should not let her own feelings blur the truth.

Yet his ability to instill such fear in such few words was, frightening.

As the men ran off, begging forgiveness, he turned to look down at her, a stern look on his face. "Nanao, you should be more careful. Where was that beautifully smart head of yours to even let such an incident develop?"

She blushed, knocking the hand away from her head and turned to walk back down the street, head held high. "I could have handled it sir."

"Really? A moment later and you would have been cut." He reminded, following her.

A kido went past the rim of his hat and he looked at her, startled at the angry look behind the raised hand and flashing glasses. "I would have handled it. I'm not a little girl to be coddled anymore." She snapped before walking away stiffly.

Shunsui rubbed his face, depression etched in every line. "That 's what you get for trying to act heroic." He muttered before falling into step behind her.

It's short, it's been a while, I'm sorry! I just felt beholden to get something out before we went into a week of testing. Please review?

~Willow