Chapter 7

A week later

Nanao

Valentine's day hadn't gotten them anywhere, of course, and now Lisa had decided that they had to make their next move. And she had, of course decided that Nanao was the perfect help for that.

'I do not need to ask anyone about homosexuality.' she had argued logically. 'I know enough, and I can look up anything I want in the library.'
'Yes, but you are so young and innocent. It will be perfectly plausible for you to ask, and I will talk for you, as your mentor and everything.' Lisa had answered, looking determined. 'Besides, can you think of anyone else?'

'Captain Hitsugaya.' Nanao answered. Lisa just looked at her.
Nanao sighted. Yes, she could also see that that wasn't realistic.

'Okay, point taken. Let's get this over with then.' Lisa grinned, and dragged her towards division thirteen.

.

Kyouraku

He looked up when he felt his Lisa and Nanao 's Reiatsu approach. It was late afternoon, he had finished his work, there was no reason for them to come here except a social visit or an emergency.
Ukitake sat up as well.

Lisa walked into the garden, wearing an expression that made Kyouraku tense without being sure why. 'She's planning something.' Ukitake said in a low voice beside him. Yes, that did describe it well.
Following her was Nanao, who looked reluctant, though she tried to hide it behind a serious expression. But she couldn't hide her slight blush.

Kyouraku exchanged a glance and a raised eyebrow at Ukitake. This might be interesting. Ukitake nodded back slightly.

Both girls bowed, and Ukitake invited them to sit, friendly smile an his face hiding his typical curious gaze. 'How can we help you?' he asked.

Lisa gave a slight smile. 'We had an interesting conversation about homosexuality just now.'
Which caused you to come here why exactly?
'And while I could answer most of Nanao-chan's questions.' the younger woman's blush deepened. 'I realized that after a hundred years in the human world, I don't actually know how it works in soul society. I mean socially, I assume sex works the same way.'
Kyouraku found it amusing to see both Nanao and Ukitake blush, but he decided against teasing. This might be important for the girls after all.

'Okay, so what do you want to know?' he encouraged. Lisa shrugged. 'Well, how do people react to that kind of stuff?' she asked.

Mostly, they blush. He didn't say it. Be serious.

'Well that's hard to answer generally, given how different Shinigami are age-wise, and that some come from noble families and some were born human, and some in Rukongai. Generally, I don't think you have to worry, stuff like that isn't any one elses business anyways.'
Ukitake took over. 'Some of the old Shinigami consider it inappropriate to talk about it, but are otherwise neutral. The younger Shinigami are mostly really open. In Rukongai, no one cares either way, and since more and more Shinigami come from there, that's the general opinion. There are always some people who decide to react badly, but that is looked down upon by the rest, so you don't have to worry about that. The only one really against all forms of homosexuality are some of the houses.'
He hesitated, so Kyouraku took over again.
'Though that varies a lot depending on the house and on your position in it. I think they just pretend to be against homosexuality, and actually don't care as long as they can find a powerful and polite heir.'

.

Ukitake

Lisa acknowledged the information, then fixed Nanao and Kyouraku with her gaze. 'So, would you two have a problem, because you are from a house?'

Interesting question, actually. Ukitake noted. Not that it mattered, unless Nanao was in a relationship?

Kyouraku shook his head. 'I don't think so. We aren't really important to them. Even if they care, as a captain and a lieutenant we would have enough power to ignore them.' he said decisively.

Lisa nodded again, not asking another question.

'Are you interested on an academic or on a personal level, Nanao-chan?' Kyouraku asked her, voice gentle. Ukitake watched as she blushed more, and didn't seem to know what to say.

'I can help you find books on the topic if you want.' Ukitake offered, smiling at her. He knew she probably had more questions that she was comfortable asking, and she had always liked books. And since he knew his way around the library well, it was a logical offer.
He didn't have to say that he had read several books on the topic himself, researching out of his own interest.

.

Nanao

'Thank you.' She said, trying to stop her blush. 'I… I'm fine. I read enough already.' She had read through everything she could find, right after she had realized that the way she thought about the other female Shinigami was not always what would be considered platonic.
Which meant her interest was personal, but she couldn't just say that, could she? And since she had agreed to this conversation to get Kyouraku and Ukitake together, that couldn't be considered an academic interest either, so she could also not say that.

'There's also the fourth division you can always talk to.' Kyouraku said. 'Captain Unohana started a counseling program when she became captain, you can talk to her about anything, and she won't ever tell anyone.'

It was really endearing how supportive they were.

'And for you there's always your Shinigami women's association, right? I suppose you could talk to them.' he added.

Nanao smiled slightly at him. 'I could, but they have a strong tendency to gossip about everything. I mean, I'm not ashamed or anything, I just consider this to be private information?'

Ukitake smiled at her. 'That's fine, you don't have to tell anyone. It doesn't change who you are, no matter if people know or don't know.'
Kyouraku nodded. 'And you certainly can always talk to us, we won't tell nor judge. Promise.' He grinned at her, like he always did.

Nanao felt herself relax. Time to go now. She smiled at them while she got up and bowed deeply. 'Thank you.' Lisa got up with her, and they left together.

Nanao would have liked to stay longer, just to talk about other, less embarrassing topics, but that wasn't part of the plan.

.

'Well done.' Lisa said as they walked back. 'Saying it that way was a brilliant strategy. Now they know they both think it's okay, and they have a reason to talk about it. You're getting really good at playing them.'

Nanao didn't look at her. She thinks that wasn't serious? How does that woman work?

'Thanks' she just said.

.

Kyouraku

'Interesting' Ukitake remarked after the women had left.

Kyouraku nodded. 'Do you think it's possible the pranks weren't directed at us, but at Nanao-chan from the beginning?' he asked. Ukitake looked thoughtful.

'Well, the first one, the sounds… if it was Nanao with her, I still don't get why she agreed. But it makes more sense as an action directed at Nanao than at us. But the chocolates… I don't see what that has to do with her. But then, I also don't see why they would do it if it was directed at us. Do you think Lisa is… I don't know, courting Nanao?'

Kyouraku considered it. 'I don't know. I also don't get the chocolate. Except… maybe Lisa told Nanao-chan they would do a series of pranks on us, to get her to do the first one, and then had to do something harmless so it wouldn't show. But I don't see why Nanao-chan would agree...'

Well, unless she was actually in love with Lisa, and wanted to do her the favor.

Kyouraku grinned. 'Seems my girls are growing up.'
Ukitake rolled his eyes. 'You do realize they have been grown up for decades? You're being silly.' He said it with a smile though, and Kyouraku just laughed.