Chapter two.
About three in the morning Nanao could be found sitting on the counter, her legs pulled into her chest. She rested her cheek on her knees looking thoughtfully at the room.
Shunsui woke in his sleeping bag, immediately looking for his Nanao-chan. She must have moved him because he knew that the position he'd fallen asleep in was not this comfortable. His eyes settled on her. She was awake, he had expected as much.
Nanao started as a warm sleeping bag was wrapped around her shoulders. She spotted her taichou behind her. He smiled before hopping up on the counter. He had pulled a new sleeping bag from the unused pile and settled that around himself.
Nanao snuggled into the warmth of the bag around her breathing deeply. It smelled deliciously like Shunsui. She found it slightly amusing that he could still smell of sake even though the last of seretei's supply had been used up in a party he'd thrown two weeks previously in order to get everyone's minds off the situation. It had been seretei wide by the end of the night… Nanao smiled at the memory. She'd tried to be disapproving at the beginning but seeing everyone smiling had convinced her it was worth it in the end….
"You know Nanao-chan I think everybody smiled today."
Nanao nodded slightly against her knees.
"You did an amazing thing Nanao-chan. I don't just mean with the thirteenth either. Everyone was involved, everybody was happy."
She had done fabulously. The fun had lasted until dinner time. It was only later that Shunsui learned that supplies were shorter than he had thought and that Nanao was attempting to keep their minds from their stomachs. She'd succeeded, feeding only Kimmagi in the kitchen due to her condition.
She'd been thoughtful too. The cream splodges that they had placed on the walls while "Decorating" glowed softly in the darkness like nightlights. They took the shadows from the room with their comforting light. Upon further inspection Shunsui had realised that the orange patches gave off a slight warmth and that the red patches smelled of the division. Each patch gave off just the tiniest hint of the reiatsu of the person who'd thrown the ball and it made for a warmer atmosphere.
Shunsui loved the look of the mess hall right at that point in time. It was, in most normal peoples opinions a mess. Shunsui loved mess… He was pretty sure he was never going to change the room, orders from Yama-Ji or not.
"I think this is my new favourite room in the division Nanao-chan."
"I think it's a mess." Nanao deadpanned.
Shunsui chuckled. "You made up those balls on the spot didn't you?"
"Yes sir."
"And the results of the explosions."
Nanao nodded again. "Yes Taichou."
"They didn't burst with colour originally either did they?"
"No they didn't."
"I know it may go against your love of order Nanao-chan but they love it. It's something the eighth and thirteenth squad did together."
"That was the idea behind it."
"And the reiatsu of everybody up on the walls."
"You noticed that then."
"It's a beautiful idea Nanao chan. The night lights are very clever."
"It isn't nice in here at night."
"It's not." Shunsui agreed. "And the warmth of the orange ones…"
Nanao stayed quiet.
"And the red ones."
"I didn't think you'd be able to smell that one."
"It smells of you Nanao-chan."
"It smells of you taichou." She corrected. "The whole division smells of you. That's what I was aiming for."
"How did you manage that one?"
"I took the scent off my clothes. They smelled of you since the previous night."
"If you took it off your clothes then I'm right in saying it smells of you too Nanao-chan."
"You're right." Nanao murmured.
"You favoured shades of green and blue towards the end."
"I was getting tired… My reiatsu is mint green…I apologise"
"I know that but why are you apologising Nanao-chan?"
She offered him a tiny tired smile.
"I didn't know you could do such frivolous things with kidou."
"You can't unless you're a master… I made all those spells up on the spot."
"And that makes this room all the more special Nanao-chan. Thank you." He said sincerely.
"You're welcome taichou." She replied quietly.
"You know Nanao-chan I'm not changing it back."
"I was afraid you were going to say that."
Shunsui chuckled. "So Nanao-chan. Have you any bright ideas for tomorrow?"
"I have an idea… It's not quite as…active as today's but I think they'll enjoy it once they have it done. It'll keep them busy if you want to go and see Ukitake-taichou in the fourth. He's probably worried about his squad… And I know you're worried about him…"
"Thank you Nanao-chan." She just nodded.
"I think it's time we got some sleep Nanao-chan. He opened his arms in a half hearted attempt. His smile almost split his face when she willingly settled herself in his arms. He wasn't even going to make her tonight. Still smiling he pulled both the open sleeping bags over them. "Goodnight Nanao-chan. Sweet dreams."
Nanao felt Shunsui place a soft kiss on the crown of her head. She fell asleep, a slight smile twitching her lips.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"Taichou."
Shunsui opened an eye lazily. "Kimmagi-san." he said sleepily.
"Taichou I was wondering if maybe you'd help with breakfast… I don't want to wake fukutaichou it's so rare she ever sleeps in but I can't do it myself…"
Shunsui looked down at his chest in shock. Sure enough Nanao was still curled up. Fast asleep. "What time is it?"
"A little after nine Sir."
Shunsui's eyebrows shot to his hairline. Kimmagi giggled.
"I know. Strange isn't it?" Said Kimmagi quietly.
"Sure. I'll help." Shunsui carefully sat up, bringing Nanao with him. He gently settled her back on the counter, covering her with the makeshift blankets and slid to his feet.
Shunsui placed a finger on his lips offering the grinning squad a grin in return and a wink resulting in suppressed sniggers.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"Nanao-chan. Nanao-chan."
Nanao slit her eyes open.
"Nanao-chan breakfast is ready if you want it. You can go back to sleep if you want instead."
"Breakfast…?" She mumbled. She gasped "Breakfast!" She shot up. "What time is it?"
The squad chuckled causing Nanao to blush violently at the attention.
"It's a little after ten Nanao-chan. Don't worry about it." Shunsui soothed. He offered her her plate which she took with a quiet thank you. Shunsui left her to herself to wake up a little, shooting the squads a pointed glance. They went back to their food.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Nanao had perked up a bit after breakfast.
"Nanao-chan. Do you need to go out to get anything for today's activity before I go out?"
"Yes I need to go to the office to collect a few things from the store room. You're going early Taichou."
"Well I don't want to miss the fun Nanao-chan!"
"I'll go now then taichou."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Nanao returned 15 minutes later laden down with huge sheets of paper and boxes of brushes.
"Yare Nanao-chan what are you up to?" Asked Shunsui playfully, taking the boxes from her arms.
"You'll see when you get back taichou."
"It'll be a flying visit then." He said happily. "I'll see you all in a bit." He called to the squad.
Nanao sighed taking her seat in the ring, the open space beside her for Shunsui.
"So what are we doing?"
"Okay so this is a little less active than yesterday. I'm going to give you all a sheet of paper and I want you to write your name on it. After that you pass it on to the next person who will write something they like about you. A comment. You don't sign your comments and the sheet gets passed around the ring until everybody has written on it. It doesn't matter how well you know each other. All that matters is that what you write is true. If you like their hair. Write it down."
"That's so sweet!" Said one of the women. The men looked sceptical.
"I know it may sound stupid now." Nanao directed to the men. "But you'll enjoy it. If you don't the men get to pick the activity for tomorrow. Deal?" The men nodded. Looking smug.
Giving out the sheets, brushes and ink took longer than expected. Then again there were almost two hundred people to cater for.
"Ise-Fukutaichou what about Kyoraku taichou… he's not here."
Nanao frowned. "An extra sheet will make it awkward.." She said thoughtfully.
"I know. Put you and Taichou on the same sheet. You can hang it in the office." A woman piped up.
"That's a great idea fukutaichou!"
"Okay." Said Nanao, scrapping the sheet with her name on it and instead writing Nanao and Shunsui across a clean sheet.
"Have you done this before fukutaichou?"
"We did it in my first year history class back in the academy."
Between chatter and getting organised Shunsui had only managed to miss three sheets when he arrived in the circle.
"Juu said to tell all his gang that he's okay and that he'll join us as soon as he's well enough to. He said in the meantime to have fun."
The thirteenth division smiled in thanks.
"So! What are we doing?" Nanao explained the basics while Shunsui's grin widened. "I've done this before." He said with a grin. "History back in the academy. I still have the sheet."
"Did you have the same teacher?"
"Well I had Yamamoto." Said Shunsui taking the sheet from the recruit next to him.
"So did I." Said Nanao.
"Woah! Yamamoto-sama taught?"
Both laughed. "Yeah the academy had only been founded when I was there so Yama-Ji taught a lot of my classes." Shunsui offered.
"When I got there he was busy with seretei and the Goeti 13. He only taught History and advanced sword work. Sword work wasn't my thing so I only had him for history. He stopped teaching altogether after my first year." She said. Talking while writing.
"How long ago was that?" Asked a recruit, amazed.
"Well I left the academy four hundred and seventy two years ago so four hundred and seventy nine years ago." The recruits gaped.
"What?" Asked Shunsui amused at the looks.
"T-that's a long time ago."
"You didn't think I was that old?" Said Nanao slightly amused. The group shook their heads in unison.
"When did you join the eighth division fukutaichou?"
"Four hundred and seventy two years ago."
"Seriously!"
"You've never left the eighth division.?"
"No."
"Never?"
"Never." Nanao agreed.
"But I thought everyone moved at least once fukutaichou. I'm 300 years on this squad. I can't even remember you."
Shunsui chuckled. "There's probably a few of you who knew Nanao-chan before she even hit maturity."
"Taichou." Said Nanao, embarrassed.
"You were on a squad before you hit maturity?!"
"She was seated before she hit maturity." Said Shunsui. Nanao smacked him with her fan.
Nanao scowled. "My body was around eight years old at the time."
"Wow! I didn't know that could even happen!"
"I may not have done advanced sword arts but I was top of my class in advanced kidou." Said Nanao coolly.
"You were top of your class anyway Nanao-chan." Shunsui reminded.
"Kami-sama I remember you! You blew the ninth seat up for calling you a baby!"
Nanao went crimson and Shunsui laughed joyfully.
"That's her."
"When did you become fukutaichou Ise-san?" Asked a thirteenth division member interested.
"One hundred and twenty seven years ago. I replaced my mentor Yadomaru-san."
"Why'd she leave?"
"Vizard." Said Shunsui and Nanao together.
"Oh."
"What seats did you have before you became fukutaichou?"
"Well I was 18th seat for over two hundred years." Said Nanao, nodding to their 18th seat. Times were pretty peaceful so you held your rank. Then our 13th seat died and everyone shifted up a rank. I was 17th for quite a while. When our seventh seat retired I fought for his position and won. A year later I was promoted to fukutaichou."
"Cool."
"Did you ever have a seat taichou?"
"Yeah. I did actually. When I graduated there were only two squads. Sword and kidou. Yama-Ji created a third squad for graduates. I was Juu's second in command.
Nanao looked surprised. She'd never been told this before.
"Three years later Yama-Ji decided we needed a separate squad for healing. Unohana-taichou was third seat at the time and when her squad formed so did mine. I remember him calling the meeting to tell us he eventually wanted to form 12 squads."
"Twelve?" Asked the squad thirteen third seats.
"Twelve." Shunsui confirmed. "Yama-Ji asked us each to pick our favourite number. Juu turned around and said his favourite number was thirteen and so the thirteenth squad was born."
The recruits laughed at Shunsui's over the top fanfare. He handed Nanao the sheet he'd just written on.
"It was quite amusing. For the longest time There were only squads one, two, four, eight and thirteen."
"How'd you end up on the eighth fukutaichou?"
"The same way as taichou really. I was offered whichever squad I wanted. I turned down the sixth squad.. They requested me. I very nearly went to the twelfth squad."
"Science. I could see that. Why didn't you go?" Asked Kimmagi.
"To be totally honest I thought Urahara-san was creepy."
Laughter irrupted around the circle.
"Aw give her a break Nanao-chan was only a baby." Shunsui defended her.
"Sorry fukutaichou. So how'd you choose eighth?"
"Eight is my favourite number."
"That's it? No logic at all?"
"Nope. If you look at my records it's actually the reason I wrote down."
"Wow. And here you are all those years later."
"Is it not weird taichou? Watching fukutaichou grow up only to work with her so closely?"
The whole room knew the real question being asked, even Nanao.
"You mean how can I find her attractive?" Asked Shunsui amused.
"Well it's not exactly a big secret Taichou…"
"Not really no…" Shunsui agreed thoughtfully. "It's not something you'll understand until you're older. Almost five hundred years is a very long time. I don't connect Nanao now with who she was when she first joined the squad at all. That being said I didn't really know her she was Lisa-san's pet at the time." He teased.
"Taichou!"
"No really. Nanao-chan is probably just getting to the point where she understands now."
Nanao nodded.
"When you know someone as long as we know each other there's a point where there's a line drawn and that person becomes two different people. Their child self and the person they are."
"So you kind of forget their past?"
"Not really no. I can still laugh at the fact that when Nanao-chan was a teenager she couldn't look at me without blushing."
"TAICHOU!" Nanao smacked him. Hard. While the squad roared with laughter. If she'd been embarrassed before now she was mortified.
"And she still reacts because it's still her." Said Shunsui laughing. She smacked him again. "But it's behind us now. Even if she does still blush beautifully."
"Don't make me start talking about the first time I was drunk or my first sex ed lesson taichou because they'll never let you have another recruit again. Infact they'd probably fire you. And don't get me started on you and Lisa-san because I have enough stories to-" Shunsui clapped a hand over her mouth.
"I get it Nanao-chan that was unnecessarily cruel I'm sorry." Nanao glared at him.
"That really was mean taichou." A seat said.
Shunsui released her and Nanao pointedly ignored him for the rest of the activity.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
The atmosphere as the squads finally read their sheets was really quite emotional with tears from most of the women and more than a few of the men.
"I take it you men aren't picking the activity for tomorrow then?" Said Kimmagi, pleased.
The men shook their heads, still reading their sheets.
Across the circle from Nanao Kiyone sat absolutely motionless. "Kiyone-san are you okay?" Nanao asked, concerned.
In a flash the girl was on her feet and sprinted across the circle, throwing herself into her counterpart's arms. "You big idiot I love you too." She said through tears, kissing him soundly on the lips.
Cheers broke out throughout the circle for the two third seats and everyone clapped. Even Nanao managed to summon a smile though she felt like crying.
Nanao left the group as soon as it was plausible to, disappearing into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Kimmagi shot Shunsui a worried look and he nodded before rising.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Shunsui found Nanao in the kitchen. She was chopping vegetables with force before scooping them into the huge pot on the stove and repeating the process. Her eyes were dry but every few seconds her lip quivered violently, her mouth curving downwards in the effort to keep the tears in.
Shunsui felt a painful pang in his chest.
"Taichou can you please just get out a few minutes. Please?" She asked in a choked voice.
"Nanao-chan I'm so sorry."
"I-" She took a breath. "I know you are but can I please just have a minute." She took a shuddering breath.
"Sure Nanao-chan." He said softly.
"Thank you." She whispered tearfully.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
Nanao was sitting on their counter with a sleeping bag wrapped tightly around her late that night. Dinner earlier had been a very uneasy affair and Shunsui had gone out afterwards. To see Juu and lament and maybe gain some advice. Nanao had taken to the kitchen and had washed the crockery and cutlery of every recruit. Kimmagi had joined her for a short while offering her an ear and some support but Nanao didn't want to talk. She confirmed that she knew Shunsui didn't mean to hurt her and then asked for some time alone.
Shunsui approached her cautiously.
"Nanao-chan."
She looked up. Shunsui looked haggard, his posture slumped and his eyes eternally sad. He looked as sorry as he felt.
"Nanao-chan I'm sorry. I'm so so sorry. I never meant to hurt you. I was just playing. Honest Nanao-chan… Please don't be so sad. I don't deserve it but please forgive me. I'm not above begging for it Nanao-chan. Please."
She patted the counter silently.
"There's nothing to forgive you for. You didn't mean to hurt me but you need to understand what you're sorry for."
Shunsui sat up on the bench silently and looked at her. He was listening. Nanao took a steadying breath.
"Taichou you need to understand that I can't take embarrassment like that very well. It's who I am. When I was in the academy there was an instructor that took absolute pleasure in embarrassing me every chance she got. She taught me for my whole six years there and I haven't been able to take it since. I-I understand that you see me as too separate people. There are people I see like that and I'm happy that you do see me that way but Kyoraku taichou I'm not two people. Not in my mind. That awkward teenager was me taichou and it hurts to remember that." She finished in a whisper.
Shunsui scooped her into a tight hug. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry." He whispered repeatedly into her hair, rocking her. Nanao buried her face in his shoulder a few tears escaping her hold and soaking into the pink haori on his shoulders. Shunsui rubbed her back and felt her gradually calm down until she was just resting her cheek on his shoulder, her breathing clamed.
"Yare Nanao-chan I think I've held you more over the passed week than I have since I met you." Shunsui teased gently. Nanao rapped him over the knuckles half heartedly but made no sign of moving.
"Comfortable." She mumbled.
Shunsui manoeuvred them until he was sitting against the wall at the left of the counter, his back supported.
"They'll treasure those sheets Nanao-chan."
"Some more than others."
Shunsui smiled at the top of her head. "Juu's gonna be mad."
"Why?" She felt the laughter deep in his chest.
"Because Nanao-chan, Juu's been working on getting them together for over two years now. He'll be sorry he missed it. Figures it would take you one little sheet of paper to do what the thirteenth couldn't for years."
Nanao gave a slight laugh.
"Do you still have your original from the academy?"
"I did. With my quarters destroyed I don't know if it survived. It was…quite important to me during my academy years. Even now I guess…"
"Why is it still important now Nanao-chan?"
"Yamamoto-sama isn't particularly fond of me taichou. I don't know if you've noticed. He doesn't dislike me but…"
"He does seem to hold you at arms length in comparison to a lot of the other lieutenants. Especially since you're one of the most senior members of the Goeti 13..."
Nanao nodded slightly against his shoulder. "I've worked for him almost five hundred years and that sheet is the first and last time he's ever complimented me on anything."
"You don't need his approval Nanao-chan."
"I know I don't. I gave up striving for it hundreds of years ago. It'd still be nice though."
"Was it your kidou?"
"My hair, actually."
Shunsui laughed. "You did wear it very long back then."
"It got in the way." Said Nanao with a shrug.
"Ever practical Nanao-chan."
They were silent for a few minutes, watching their sleeping charges.
"So what's on the agenda for tomorrow Nanao-chan?"
"I'm not sure yet."
"Hmm I'll just have to wait and see then."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"I think they're happy just to sit around and talk for now." Said Shunsui as he joined his second in a corner of the chatter filled hall after breakfast.
Nanao nodded her agreement.
"What are you up to over here anyway?" Asked Shunsui suspiciously.
"Fukutaichou is making up kidou for us taichou."
"Oh she is is she?" Said Shunsui amused. "Ne, just try not to wear her out."
"Yes taichou."
The squads hung around happily in groups for most of the morning. Every so often Nanao would throw one of her group's new inventions out for the room to see.
She'd just filled the room with bubbles and everyone was popping them excitedly when the voice boomed out.
"What is going on in here."
Nanao's face froze in horror and she clapped her hands, disposing of the bubbles immediately and giving everyone a clear view of the Soutaichou.
"Yama-Ji!" Shunsui greeted happily.
"I hope that the person responsible for this childish use of kidou has their licence as a master and will not require trial."
The whole room sucked in a breath.
"I'm responsible Yamamoto-sama." Said Nanao getting to her feet and bowing. "I assure you that I am the only person in this room that has been creating kidou."
"Ise-fukutaichou."
Not a soul breathed.
"I came over to check that you were okay with such a large group of people in a combined space and inform you that Ukitake-taichou would be joining you tomorrow. I did not expect this. What happened to this room?"
"We redecorated Yama-Ji. " Said Shunsui without even attempting to hide his grin.
"Yes I can see that. Ise-fukutaichou have you no control over him?"
"Actually Yamamoto-sama. It was my idea."
Shunsui beamed and a few of the recruits hid sniggers badly.
"I see." Said Yamamoto.
"Y-yamamto-sama fukutaichou just wanted us to have a bit of fun." Said Kimmagi.
"T-there was nothing harmful in it she just wanted to t-take our minds off things."
"A-and we swear she never taught us the release for any of the kidou." Said another recruit nervously.
"Indeed." Said Yamamoto. "Shunsui. Please."
The men left the room and Nanao let out a long breath.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"What is it Shunsui?" Asked Yamamoto.
"You know smirking when you get out of the room doesn't work. Nanao-chan still feels about two inches tall." There was obvious annoyance in Shunsui's voice.
Yamamoto remained silent, he wanted to hear where this was going.
"Nanao-chan basically runs that squad in there and she has them closer than I ever even imagined possible. She's working herself to the bone to keep them fed, well slept, in good health and in high spirits. They're smiling Yama-Ji and right now those are the only two squads in the Goeti thirteen who can. Who cares if we make a bit of a mess? Who cares if we're childish as long as the days that are possibly their last are good ones?!"
"Shunsui."
"I'm not done yet Yama-Ji! You know yesterday Nanao decided to do the comment exercise that you used to do with all your first year history classes back in the academy and she made a lot of people happy. She still has her original sheet. She still treasures it and you wrote the most important comment on that sheet because she believes that it is the first and last compliment you've ever given her. And she's right! She's never been anywhere near you without me since her first year and she's never had so much as a well done even though you know she runs the entire eighth division and the paperwork for most of the Goeti thirteen. Be indifferent towards her if you insist upon it but I will not allow you to put her down like you did in there in front of two whole squads. The fact that she can even make up kidou like that on the spot just cements her position as the best kidou artist in seretei. I couldn't even dream of being able to do that and neither could you Yama-Ji! You're out of line."
"I'm sorry I upset you so much Shunsui."
"I am not the one in need of your apology. Now what is going on?"
"We've just received word that Aizen and his troops are marching on us again we estimate their arrival at approximately 6.08 am tomorrow. The duty of mobilising all the troops of the Goeti 13 is falling to you and the Ise-fukutaichou as you have already proven your squad to be the most well prepared. The other captains, lieutenants and I will focus our attention directly upon the traitors and the esapada."
"And you trust Nanao-chan to pull something like this off?"
"Shunsui I may not say it often but Ise-fukutaichou is probably the best fukutaichou in the Goeti thirteen. She would be number one candidate for a captain's position if I thought for a moment she would take it. She is not going to leave the eighth division and she is not going to leave you. That much is obvious. Ise-san has never required my praise. She stopped striving for it hundreds of years ago and that trait alone makes her stronger than most of the Goeti thirteen. It's a trait you and Jushiro only learned that day when the three of you faced me down. It's standing on your own two feet. I give praise where praise is required. Not where it is due Shunsui. When it comes to Ise-fukutaichou it is most definitely due.
"So we have until 6.08 to mobilise all thirteen squads?"
"That is correct."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"I have today's activity." Shunsui boomed upon re-entering.
"What are we doing taichou?"
"Ballroom dancing." Sang Shunsui happily.
"Ballroom dancing?"
"Well it's seeming like we're going to have a few parties to attend after all this is over. Besides it's a life skill."
"Don't you need a partner for that?"
"Yare Nanao-chan is a beautiful dancer. Right Nanao-chan?"
"I can dance."
"Excellent! Grab a partner and lets get started!"
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"Where'd you two learn to dance?"
"Noble families believe dance is a requirement." Said Shunsui simply.
"Fukutaichou?"
"It's a trait I maintain from my human life. The Ise's were a French noble family."
"Really?" Asked Shunsui, interested. She'd never shared that scrap of information.
"Yes. I did some research while I was still in the academy. Francis Ise was the eldest son of the family and was set to inherit the position of family head. His step-brother and step-father went behind his back though and instead of staying in the bloodline all the property went to their family, The Berry family. Francis was shipped to Japan to stay with some distant relatives. He married and had two sons. It's likely that I am the third daughter of the second son."
"I never knew you knew so much."
Nanao shrugged as the danced before splitting up to go and correct posture and steps in the squads.
"Taichou. Can you dance Latin?"
"Naturally." Shunsui replied.
"Ise-fukutaichou."
"No way." Said Nanao sternly.
"But you can." Said the recruit with a grin.
Nanao sighed. "Yes. I can."
"Pleeeeeeeease Ise-san?"
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"You're helping taichou?"
"I'm giving Kimmagi a night off Nanao-chan. She needs to be resting. Besides I need to speak to you about what Yama-Ji wanted earlier." Nanao caught the edge in his voice immediately and kicked the kitchen door closed.
"What's going on taichou."
"Aizen is launching another attack tomorrow at approximately 6.08 am. Yama-Ji has put you and I in charge of co-ordinating the squads while the other captains and lieutenants deal with Aizen, Gin, Tosen and the espada."
"The squads as in every squad in the Goeti thirteen?" Said Nanao wearily.
"Yep."
"And you've known since you spoke to Yamamoto-sama?"
"Yes."
"Damnit taichou there are some things that come before fun!" Nanao yelled. "You're telling me you've known for six hours!? We have work to do!" She shouted, a look of pure and utter frustration on her face. Shunsui felt slightly guilty.
"There's no use in upsetting everybody before we have to. If we'd started work earlier on we'd have to deal with a restless squad and we'd have got nothing done. I think we should let them eat dinner and tell them afterwards. That way everyone's had a good meal and we can work while they try to sleep."
Nanao seemed to deflate before his eyes. She ran a hand through her hair tiredly. "Okay… We'll do it your way but damn it taichou you need to tell me these things."
Shunsui nodded. "Lets make dinner Nanao-chan."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"Uh-oh."
"What d'you think he's done now?"
"It's probably over that dance."
"That was hot!"
"I think they're the only people in seretei who could make something that hot in full Shinigami uniform."
"Oh come off it they're hot anyway." Another recruit piped up.
"They do seem to have something of a flirtation…" The eighth squad laughed heartily at the observation from the thirteenth division member.
"Gods it's more than a flirtation! Everybody knows that Ise-fukutaichou is head over heels for taichou except taichou. Heck she's all but confirmed it herself!"
"And as illustrated today and yesterday taichou makes no effort to hide his attraction to fukutaichou."
"So… Why aren't they together?" Asked the young recruit Nanao had carried in a few days previous.
"Stubborn. And it's not just fukutaichou either. Taichou knows that if he pushed hard enough he could have her and fukutaichou deals with his daily declarations of love. They like things the way they are."
"But they'd be so perfect!"
"Ah but that's the beauty of Shunsui-san and Nanao-san. So different yet they share a common fear."
There were multiple gasps. "Taichou!" Cried a number of members of the thirteenth division. Ukitake smiled and settled himself among the ranks.
"What are they afraid of Ukitake-taichou?"
"Change."
"Change?"
"They're creatures of habit, both of them all you need to do is look at their history to see it. Do you want my opinion?"
Every recruit nodded.
"They've fallen so deep that they're secure just the way they are."
"What's that mean?"
"Men!" Said Kimmagi, shaking her head at the clueless recruit. She sighed. "It means that for all his womanising taichou's always going to come back to fukutaichou and she knows it. Everybody in seretei knows that. They've dug themselves into a happy little rut right where they are."
"Precisely. Now what brought on this conversation?"
"Taichou and fukutaichou were teaching us ballroom dancing earlier."
"We made them dance Latin."
"It was HOT!"
Juushiro laughed good naturedly. "Where have they gotten off to?"
"Kitchen."
"Definitely fighting." A recruit confirmed as Juushiro glanced at the closed door.
"We know enough to know fukutaichou is furious about something."
Ukitake was pretty sure he knew what it was.
"Taichou'll butter her up again somehow."
The door to the kitchen opened, interrupting their conversation.
"What are we discussing?" Asked Shunsui with a grin that clearly said he had a fair idea.
"Nothing important Shunsui. I'm just greeting the squads."
"Juu!" Shunsui sang happily. "Dinners up everyone." He directed to the squads.
OoOoOoOoOoOo
"The captain commander said not to expect you until tomorrow Ukitake-san." Nanao spoke during dinner.
"Well with things happening the way they are I discharged myself against medical advice." He replied quietly.
"I bet Retsu-san loved that."
"She wasn't impressed, no. I've been forbidden from fighting but I figured I can hold down base and maybe be of some use…"
"Nanao-chan and I were discussing it while making dinner that'd be very helpful." Shunsui replied in a low voice.
"We intend on telling them after dinner." Nanao added quietly.
Ukitake nodded. "We'll discuss it then."
OoOoOoOoOoOo
A/N: Chapter two! Wow it was a long one! For anyone who is even the slightest bit interested the Berry family really were a powerful noble family in France back in the 15th centaury. Just a piece of useless information for you…. Oh! And the comment exercise actually does exist. My own class did it in history as first years. Lol!
Review!!!
