Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is for the 30 Kisses challenge using list gamma. Theme 21: Swear Words; Profanity.

The Way I Am

Shunsui Kyoraku frowned as the sounds of gossip reached him. Normally, it didn't bother him, but he had heard Nanao's name mentioned, and that had caught his attention. The gaggle of women in front of him seemed unaware of his presence, and he took the opportunity to eavesdrop on the conversation.

"She's just not good enough for him. I don't understand why someone hasn't challenged for the position already. I mean, all she's good for is doing the administrative work really. I've never seen her actually fight. And there's absolutely no reason for his fascination with her except for the fact that she's a challenge. She's not the type that he normally attracts."

One of the other women snorted. "Not that she's that attractive. It's completely unfair. I mean some of us actually put some effort in attracting Captain Kyoraku, and he doesn't even spare us so much of a second glance."

The woman at the edge of the group bit her lip. "Lieutenant Ise is really nice though. I mean, she came over to the Fifth and helped Lieutenant Hinamori with the kidou class. She was a really good teacher. Maybe she's just really reserved in public. We don't know why Captain Kyoraku likes her so much."

The first woman scoffed at that. "Honestly, Natsuko, niceness isn't the point. As long as Kyoraku's enamored of her, no one else has a chance to snare him. Besides, she's rather plain and doesn't provide the appropriate image for the Eighth's lieutenant."

They hadn't noticed him, and Shunsui fought to keep his reaitsu suppressed until they were gone. He bit back the urge to swear. He was too annoyed to be polite at the moment. His frown deepened when he recognized the barely perceptible flicker of reaitsu nearby. Bad enough that he had to overhear that, but Nanao shouldn't have to hear it as well. He didn't know if she believed any of that rubbish or not, but it was not pleasant to hear yourself talked about that way. He certainly didn't believe any of it. Well, except for the young woman from the Fifth; she clearly had recognized some of Nanao's sterling qualities.

The hint of her reaitsu was gone within moments. She had disappeared. Probably back to the office if he knew his lieutenant. Shunsui headed back towards the office himself. He wanted to have a chat with his Nanao-chan. He didn't think that the overheard conversation would bother her too much; she was far too confident in herself for that. But he wanted to make sure of that, and he wanted her to know that despite what anyone else might think she was his perfect, beautiful, elegant Nanao-chan.

He found her bustling around the office as if nothing had happened. Only a slight crease in her forehead would alert anyone that something besides the regular paperwork was bothering her.

"Nanao-chan."

She sighed and glanced up at him. "I'm fine, Captain. Kiko Hanamori has never liked me. Not when I showed her up in kidou class when I was just fifteen years old, and not when I took her to task a year after I made Lieutenant for nearly burning down half the division's quarters with an illicit party run amuck. This isn't the first time I've heard gossip like that. I'm used to it."

He frowned at her. She shouldn't be used to it. Nanao shouldn't be used to hearing that kind of bile. Even if it wasn't true. Especially if it wasn't true. His lieutenant continued to bustle about the office, and Shunsui wasn't quite sure what he wanted to say to her. He just needed her to know that he didn't believe any of that nonsense.

"Nanao."

She paused in her work. He rarely used just her name without any endearment. Shunsui gestured to the couch.

"Sit."

She sat down, her hands folded in her lap and a puzzled look on his face.

He gently took her hands in his own. "I want you to listen to me. Their words might not bother you, but they bother me. I don't like it when people speak badly of you, and I don't like it when people assume they know what I need in either a lieutenant or in a partner. I love you. I love you because you're my adorable Nanao-chan. Because you are smart and competent and still so kind and strict. You're Nanao, and that has always been what I needed."

Shunsui cupped her face in his hands. He slid his hands into her raven hair and kissed her. When he pulled away, Nanao was smiling.

"I know that. I've known it for awhile. Why do you think I don't care about their opinions?"