Author's Notes: Set after the Soul Society arc. Spoilers!

Breathe the Storm

She woke instantly alert, not a muscle moving as she gazed about the strange, familiar lines of her room, a crack of lightning painting the walls white and banishing any shadows. Exhaling, she blinked and draped an arm across her forehead, wondering why she had awakened. The summer storm outside was loud but she knew instinctively that that was not what had tiptoed across her dreams.

Then she felt him.

He was sitting outside the door, his silhoutte barely visible through the rice paper. The low vibration of his spiritual pressure was at a comforting pulse, dimmed because of the late hour and the fact that he was relaxed. She lay there a moment, lulled by his pressence, before sitting up and sliding off her futon, bare feet soundless against the wooden floor.

Stopping in front of the door, she slid it open about a foot, the sound of rain falling washing over her. Shunsui didn't move, though it was obvious he knew she was there. Instead, he continued watching the thunderstorm, his twin katanas tilted against his shoulder, straw hat on the ground beside him. Nanao let her voice penetrate the silence.

"Off duty?"

She glimpsed the corner of his easy smile. "Just." He paused. "Did I wake you?"

"No."

His smile stayed as if he knew she was lying. She sighed a little and looked out over the wet courtyard, solemn, understanding that she had long ago lost the power to deceive her Captain.

"Why are you out here?" she asked him. He didn't look at her.

"I was thinking of you." He turned his head finally, a gentle expression on his face. "Were you dreaming of me as well, Nanao-chan?"

She felt a blush stain her cheeks and she glanced away, wanting to adjust glasses she wasn't wearing, anything to distract him. His gaze was too knowing, sometimes.

Shunsui chuckled softly and unfolded himself, standing straight, swords in hand. She was forced to look at him again when he reached out and tucked a free strand of hair behind her ear, the brush of his fingertips against her cheek a caress. Almost against her will, she leaned ever so slightly into his hand and he stilled, the two of them breathing together within a storm.

Her voice was breathless. "It's over," she reminded him. You no longer have to worry. "We're alright." You didn't die on me.

His hand fell away from her and she immediately missed it. His lips replaced it, though, as he pressed a kiss to her cheek. Seconds passed and she found herself drowning in the scent of flowers and rain.

"Good night, Nanao-chan," he murmured in her ear and stepped back, leaving her with his touch on her skin and a warmth in her chest. She watched him go and knew she'd find him sitting outside her door tomorrow night. She smiled quietly to herself.

Maybe next time she'd invite him in.

The End.