"Nanao-chan. Follow me."

Those words changed so much today. I thought it was going to be another day at the office helping Isao-san complete the endless stream of paperwork that came through the 8th division. But Kyouraku taicho swept into the office and stood in front of my small desk covered in paper and uttered those words. And it wasn't his usual lighthearted self either. He meant business.

Hundreds of scenarios ran through my head. Had I inadvertently done something wrong? Was he unhappy with my performance as a division member? Did I cause the division harm with a report that I may have completed incorrectly? Then a certain fukutaicho's words came to mind. Was Kaien fukutaicho right? Was Taicho going to promote me? It would fit since it was a serious decision and Taicho was acting unusually serious.

Kyouraku taicho patiently waited for those few moments to pass and me to look up at him and meet his eyes. He remained motionless until I responded in kind with: "Hai."

Dramatically as he came in, he swept out with his haoris flaring out as he turned. I had to walk fairly quickly to keep up with my large captain. I caught a moment of Isao-san and the others starting to gossip in low tones as we quickly moved away from my shared office.

We walked in silence. Other division members turned and watched as we walked by. I'm sure they were curious what Kyouraku taicho was doing with a serious look, a determined gait and a small girl shinigami almost running to keep up with him.

After a minute or two, I realized we must be heading towards the training grounds and my suspicions were confirmed. Only when we first entered the large sparing field did Kyouraku taicho speak again.

"Nanao-chan has been keeping secrets." My eyes widened at the accusation. Granted I am a private person, I hardly kept secrets, save for one. I deemed it highly improbable that my captain could deduce that I had achieved shikai.

"I wouldn't do such a thing, Kyouraku taicho." I responded coolly. I was not giving up my secret so easily.

"Do not lie Nanao. It's unbecoming of someone who seeks knowledge as much as you do."

Part of me saw what he was doing. He was goading me to get angry and lose composure. He wanted me to fight him. I wasn't going to be manipulated so easily. Two can play this game. I was surprised that he dropped the playful suffix to my name. I wonder if it was to catch me off guard. Another part of me was concerned about dealing with a captain, granted it's my pacifist captain. If I was to verbally joust with him, I needed to be careful as to be professional, still get my point across and not be rude. Fighting him I'm at a large disadvantage. Speed, experience, sheer size… actually in every manner, I think I'm at a disadvantage to him. I would be demolished in an actual battle against him. The only option left was to outwit him.

"Why would I keep secrets, Kyouraku taicho?" Put him on the spot on why he suspects me.

"I think you would be the best to answer that question." I mentally gave a dark chuckle. He's good at this, throwing the question back at me. I wasn't debating just anyone.

"I don't have an answer, sir."

"You do not lie well, Nanao-chan." I'm losing ground. "The division kitchens have gone over budget in the past three months. Isao-san has reported that you have not been in the office for extended periods of time yet still complete your portion of the paperwork. And despite your diligent efforts to mask your reiatsu, it has spiked to alarming levels from time to time during this time period. Enough so that new recruits will gasp at the sudden heaviness in the air. I know what all these things mean, Nanao-chan, so stop avoiding the issue."

He paused. I need to be more careful in the future. He knew I had shikai and he wanted to see it. I wouldn't give him the satisfaction of calling Saimitsu just yet. I dared to look him in his eyes. I wonder if my eyes shone the same determination that was in his. I had to give him the best I had, since I failed at sidestepping the issue.

"Fight me, Nanao-chan."

I adjusted my stance to prepare for his approach. He readied too, but didn't draw his swords nor did he advance. He knew I preferred kido so was probably preparing for that. Kyouraku taicho has probably fought many people who favored kido and thus prepared for typical courses of action. I needed to surprise him. I called back the memories of all the kido strategy books I've read and the lessons I listened to at the academy. It turned out that our spar was nothing but a battle of wits. Taicho knew I read all the books on kido and strategy. It was really down to how creative he thought I was. I was satisfied to see surprise on his face when I did a string of chantless kido spells, but didn't let any of them touch him. After a few minutes of him dodging or deflecting my spells he pulled one on me. I blocked it easily. It was my turn to be surpised. Taicho was really skilled in kido and I had no previous inkling. Taicho has had ages to become better in any number of areas, but never hinted at kido. I wasn't as good as he was, but I was close. He did have speed and endurance on me so I was tiring quickly. Saimitsu quietly informed me that he was ready. He knew that his short blade wouldn't be effective against either blade of Kyouraku Taicho. He was referring to our new abilities. So I waited for another string of spells from my captain to release.

"Kashite kashoku, Saimitsu!" I quickly opened up the steel fan and stood in the line of fire. I absorbed the two destructive spells and waited for the oncoming binding spell. One tricky thing I learned that Saimitsu can do is reflect spells as well as absorb them. Which he looks so much like a mirror to begin with. Kyouraku taicho certainly was surprised when he was caught by his own binding spell and I shunpoed right in front of him with my fan aimed at him. I was breathing heavily and Taicho's eyes were wide, staring at my fan. Then he burst out laughing! Of all the things to do when you're cornered, he laughed. I released the spells, sealed Saimitsu and glared at him.

"Nanao-chan! That was wonderful. We need to do that again sometime. Only if you…" He paused.

"Only if I what, Kyouraku taicho?"

"Only if you become my fukutaicho." He grinned. "And don't tell me you haven't thought about it. You've been keeping company with Kaien-kun. He's such a bad influence, eavesdropping on certain captains." What doesn't he know?! So infuriating! But I was still shocked despite speculation on the issue.

"Only if you think my abilities are adequate for the position, Taicho."

He chuckled and told me he'll see me in the office.

Fukutaicho Ise Nanao of the 8th division. It sounds wonderful.


A/N: Man, I'm really getting into long chapters here. Maybe the next few won't be as long. We'll see. As always, Enjoy!