One Hundred Ways to Love
38of 100: Black Tea
Having tea with her Captain wasn't something she was accustomed to doing. Despite that, she found it a relaxing break from sitting in her office reading over expense reports. Though Kiyone and Sentaro had been checking the records Nanao could simply not sit still long enough to do nothing.
Now, at least she was occupied by keeping an eye on Captain Ukitake. Kiyone and Sentaro were apparently upset that he was overtaxing himself. Nanao wasn't sure what he was supposedly overtaxing himself on because he had been out of work the last three days. Far be it from her to begrudge the man his sick days but she didn't need a half hour lecture from the two Third Seats on why he needed to rest and she needed to have tea with him.
"Are you unwell today?"
Captain Ukitake lifted his head to look at her. He'd been staring quietly into his tea for several long moments. "I'm feeling much recovered actually. Kiyone and Sentaro are simply worriers. You do not have to stay, I'm sure there's something else you could be doing."
Nanao shook her head. In truth, there was nothing for her to be doing. The boredom was beginning to take its toll. At least in Eight she had never encountered this type of boredom.
"You're bored with us, aren't you?" he asked.
Captain Ukitake was the epitome of genuine and to lie to him was an insult.
"The staff here is much more self-reliant than I am used to. It leaves me with little to do."
"Please do not feel that you need stay because you promised that you would do so for a certain term. Shunsui would be beside himself with joy that you came back early and I'm sure it would ease Honda-san's mind a bit from what I've heard of the matter."
Nanao sighed. "I couldn't. I decided there were things I wished to do here when I started and I have not yet accomplished all of them."
"Are these things that you cannot due in Division Eight itself?"
She shook her head. "I would not have the time and Captain Kyouraku believes there are some things that women should not do."
Patrol. Combat. Killing.
He did not like her to engage in such activity. She was never sure exactly if it was because he didn't like to see women involved in the harsh activities or if he simply didn't want to risk her being injured.
"It is not something dangerous?"
Now, he too, looked concerned and Nanao sighed. "No."
"Do not think me too old-fashioned, Ise-san. I know we have not been close friends but we have been acquainted a very long time I would not like to see you injured again."
"It is not possible to go through life avoiding injury and certainly not life like this one."
"You went on a Hollow hunt yesterday with some of the Academy students, how did that turn out?" he asked, a turn of topic, if only by degrees.
"Favorably. There are many promising students and there were no injuries."
"Have you ever considered applying to be a teacher?"
"I've thought of it," she answered. Truthfully, there were too many things she'd miss to leave in such a way. "I've decided I'm going to visit Karakura Town in two days."
The announcement clearly surprised him. "Is there any particular reason why?"
"There is training session being held in the Community Park. Apparently, Karakura Town has a high number of instances of Hollow activity."
"Ah. Are you going as participant or teacher?"
"Participant. It's a leadership seminar on inspiring battle tactics and how to lead troops successfully."
"Forgive me for saying so, but why do you need such a class?"
"It is never possible to predict what skill set will be necessary for the future. If you please, I would prefer you not tell Captain Kyoraku."
"Oh?" Ukitake's mouth curved. "Is it a secret?"
"It is not, but I would ismply prefer not to discuss it with him."
"Well," he answered. "That sounds fine. Please notify me of any problems."
She nodded. "Certainly, although since this is a standard exercise, I do not foresee any."
"Lunch, lunch with my Nanao."
He was singing and she hadn't even stepped inside yet. Sighing, she pushed open the door and scowled at the bent track. It still wasn't fixed?
"Nanao is here."
She wasn't sure what her expectations had been when they'd decided to have lunch. Probably something quick and served with alcohol as Shunsui could be impatient when he was hungry. Instead, she was swept into his office where his furniture had been pushed aside to make room for three low tables and a bunch of cushions.
And company.
She blinked in surprise. "Captain-"
"We're having a lunch party!" he exclaimed.
Nanao was ushered in and sat next to her former Captain. He pulled her scandalously close, though she tried to scoot away, and her efforts toward propriety got her his arm around her waist.
Across from them, Matsumoto was grinning like a cat with cream, Renji and Hisagi were arguing about something, Kiyone and Sentaro were glaring and then the door opened to admit Captain Ukitake. Abruptly, she felt guilty. If she'd known he was coming she would've escorted him over properly, as it was she'd left him behind, how rude of her. The gentle Captain seemed to sense that as he took a seat beside her on the opposite side.
"No worries, Ise-san. I know the way here," he reassured her.
The food came via servers and the alcohol came after, though Nanao insisted upon water. Quietly, she watched lunch unfold. It was almost surreal being in the center of another outing engineered by her Captain. Her visions of lunch hadn't been anything quite like this one, though she admitted to herself she ought not be surprised.
It seemed a long time since she'd been squeezed into one of his outings but it probably hadn't been as long as that. Sitting there, sipping tea, which had been brought instead of her water, she watched live unfold. Matsumoto got dragged into Renji's argument, Kiyone and Sentaro were debating candies, and her Captains were talking over her head. She had always managed to get surrounded by people with more life than her. Nanao was always the dullest thing in the room, the rock that never shone.
When the clock ticked precariously past one the afternoon, Nanao was ready to go. Some part of her wanted to touch him, just to reach out before she said her goodbyes, but she wasn't sure just then it would be appropriate. To touch his thigh would be too intimate and far too public, to touch his arm felt almost the same, so she nixed the plan.
No touching.
Instead she straightened. "If you'll excuse me."
He did the touching instead, reaching out to slide on arm around her waist bunching her up against his side. The Captain was warm and solid and his hand was hot on her hip. "Leaving me already, Nanao-chan...?"
"I have a meeting to go to and if I am late no doubt Kusajishi-san will drag everyone into trouble. There are some things that still need prepared before I go."
It wasn't a total lie. Nanao did have to go and pick up emergency candy but it was the major detour she felt she needed. The sorry truth was she was tired of this gathering and longed to be away from it. Part of her was sad he'd decided to invite over all his friends because that part wanted him all to herself. Even as she thought it she wondered what she'd do with all his attention focused solely on her.
Looking across the table she met Matsumoto's eye. "If you bring anything alcoholic to the meeting, you'll be attending it from the veranda."
"Aye, aye!" The blonde giggled and Nanao wondered if there was anything she hated more than giggling. She and the other woman would never be close, she thought. Matsumoto Rangiku had no work ethic. Sliding away from her Captain's arm Nanao tucked away her feelings, her disappointment and everything else and moved toward the door.
Sometimes there was simply no place to lodge all the excess emotions. At the front door she glared at the damage once again and stepped outside. Division Eight's problems were not hers, she reminded herself.
Not yet.
Resisting the urge to put another dent in the already damaged surface she headed for the front gate.
"Captain Kyouraku."
The older man turned his head toward the voice. "Hmm?"
"Are you aware that Ise-san has been dating other men?"
Kyouraku regarded Vice-Captain Hisagi carefully. The younger man had always been cautious with facial expression.
"I've heard," he answered.
The answer didn't seem to be of the sort the younger man wanted.
"Is she doing so with your approval?"
"My approval?" The whole table was watching then. Kyouraku regarded the question warily, as warily as he was regarding the asker. "No."
"But you're not interfering?"
"Not yet," the Captain answered. "I am not stopping her from seeing other men but that doesn't mean she doesn't belong to me."
The words were a challenge but Hisagi didn't seem threatened. Was he interested in Nanao?
"If that is the situation, why is she seeing other men?"
Kyouraku shared a glance with Ukitake and sighed, leaning back casually. Did he dare say the answer on the tip of his tongue. He had given her one a week or two, albeit without telling her. "That is something only she can tell you. Ask her if you wish to know."
The younger Vice-Captain sat stilly, digesting the information.
"Are you interested in her?" Kyoraku asked directly. If Hisagi had enough courage to ask about the matter directly, he ought to be man enough to admit it.
"Yes," he answered.
"You're not good for her, " the Captain immediately answered. "But go ahead and court her, I have promised not to interfere for at least two weeks."
"What happens at the end of two weeks?"
Kyouraku smiled. "If you're still around at the end of two weeks, you'll find out."
"Vice-Captain Ise."
Nanao turned at the gateway surprised to find herself suddenly in company. Her first thoughts were of her agenda and how much time she had left to prepare when she turned to see Hisagi Shuuhei behind her and then amended that. She probably wouldn't need to plan for extra time. He was unlikely to delay her.
"May I help you with something?" Their interactions in the past had always been work-related. Her rare appearances at drinking parties had never led her into his company.
"Are you headed directly back to Division Thirteen?"
"No," she answered. Did he want something from there? That was unusual. "I have some things I need to pick up for the Women's Meeting."
"Is it close?"
"About an hour from now, did you require assistance?"
"No. I understand tomorrow you are going on that trip to Karakura, the leadership meeting."
She inclined her head. As far as she knew none of the other officers had signed up, at least, none of the Vice-Captains. She was certain that she had not missed Hisagi's name.
"Yes, I am going."
"I spoke with the instructor last night and several of the activities will involve partners. Asking ahead of time, I would like to be your partner tomorrow."
Avoiding the question, she said instead. "I was not aware that you were going."
"I was a late sign-up and with things on such uneven grounds in some of the Divisions there may be some useful skills to learn."
She wondered if Hisagi was being considered for any of the open Captain positions and if that at all mattered to her. Seeing no reasonable reason to accept, she inclined her head. "Very well, I would be glad to have you as a partner, thank you for asking."
"In that case, let's meet in the morning. We may as well go together."
Again, seeing no reasonable option to decline, she accepted. "Very well. Should I meet you somewhere?"
"I'll meet you. Division Nine's office is closer to the gate we're using, want to meet there? Or I could walk to your house?"
She shook her head negatively. "It would be an unnecessary trip out of the way, Division Nine is fine."
Reaching out, he took the gate from her hand and held it open for her. Nanao stepped out feeling suddenly very awkward. Things had not always been this way for her, er, around him.
"Thank you."
"I will see you in the morning."
Nodding, she turned and began to walk away. Was she making too much of that exchange or had he seemed unusually... intense?
AN: I've been working on this like 4 hours, kept getting distracted by stuff. And now I'm off to train my mecha before I start 39.
darkangel1910: No worries, because I have no plan for any story when I start to write them. I have an idea that becomes a first chapter and it evolves as it goes.