A/N: Three!

The atmosphere in the mess hall was tense but mercifully quiet. It was coming up on two am and the recruits slept uneasily. In the right hand corner to the back of the room a map of seretei was pinned to the wall lit dimly by a number of Nanao's cream splodges which surrounded it. Also on the wall were a number of large sheets of paper covered in Nanao's perfect script and Shunsui's surprisingly elegant scrawl. The man in question was currently standing with his back to the room facing the map and obviously thinking deeply. His other half was out- They definitely were not the only Captain and lieutenant group awake tonight- though they weren't directly involved all the other captains needed to know exactly what was happening with their squad. The weather had taken a turn and seretei was being pelted by a blizzard. It was making their job all the more difficult.

Ukitake was watching his friend from the other side of the room. The sickly man had willingly taken on the job of keeping people calm leaving the duo to work. He'd listened originally but had given up. He'd finally been witness to why exactly Shunsui and Nanao were partners. They were amazing. There was simply no other way of putting it. Yamamoto definitely had his head screwed on in appointing the eighths heads to this particular job. Ukitake had had no idea they were such strategists! It was phenomenal… and together… there were just no words to describe it… it was like they were on a wave length just for them.

Ukitake had realised that people were probably wrong for thanking kidou for squad eight's survival. It was a key factor but a part of a much bigger strategy of Nanao's which she had been quick to explain to both men. The look in Shunsui's eyes… He had obviously never known of Nanao's talent… So full of admiration and excitement. He knew that it was something they could share. Ukitake doubted he'd ever seen anybody look at another human being with such pure love.

And that's what it was. A love so pure that they almost glowed, a love still innocent yet having survived so much. Surviving so much.

Ukitake had separated himself. There was no way he was ever going to follow what they were doing and he contented himself in keeping the squad as calm as possible. It had become obvious that the recruits were drawn to their heads in the time of trouble. As much as it hurt him to Ukitake knew that Shunsui and Nanao needed the space to work and kept the recruits away. It was becoming clearer and clearer that Nanao and Shunsui truly were the parents of the recruits of the eighth division.

Ukitake glanced at the door as Nanao entered in a flurry of snow, her cheeks and nose pink with the cold and shivering violently. He watched as she shook the snow off her and cast a sad glance over the group. It was killing her to know they needed her and she just didn't have the time to help. He watched as she bent down beside Kimmagi, pulling the extra blanket over the sleeping woman before sweeping across the room to Shunsui. He watched as she offered a thought and Shunsui lit up, his mind running at a hundred miles an hour as he scribbled he paused and Nanao took over from where his thoughts had left him before marking a squad position on the map. Shunsui nodded in agreement.

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"That should work." Nanao agreed with a nod. "I think we need to concentrate the third. Kira-fukutaichou has focused on group work since Ichimaru left."

"Hmm." Shunsui agreed. "It's how he held the squad together with all their troubles. Smarter than he looks, Kira-Izuru. I think we should split them in two and send them to the north and south fringes to monitor the nearest districts."

"You want to keep them as far away from Ichimaru as possible."

"Precisely. If we can spare the fifth I'd be happier to do the same with them."

"We can't spare them both and I think the third are in a better state mentally…"

"So we send the fifth to the fringes and the third… To protect the first division."

"I'm sure there's plenty there Aizen would love to get his hands on."

"My thoughts exactly-. Nanao-chan you're shivering. You shouldn't be out there without at least your Haori!" Shunsui scolded suddenly.

"I'm fine sir." She waved it off.

"You'll catch a cold Nanao-chan. We could really do with having you well for this battle." Before she could protest Shunsui had placed his pink haori around her shoulders. "Arms through." He ordered.

"Sir I'll ruin it. Look the hem is dragging and I'm bound to burn the sleeves with kidou." She held up her concealed hands to emphasise her point.

"I can get a new haori Nanao-chan. I can't get a new Nanao-chan though. Don't make me order you Nanao-chan you know I don't like it."

Nanao sighed, rolling up her sleeves until her hands were usable. Privately she didn't really want to take it off. She had always adored silk and it was warm and smelled of Shunsui. Her taichou had worn this garment since before she had ever met him and a small part of her was touched that he'd give it up for her. She'd figured he'd sooner give up his captain's jacket than the piece of silk.

Shunsui smiled. Truth be told he'd always had a bit of a fantasy of Nanao wearing his "pink monstrosity" as she so lovingly dubbed it. He wasn't disappointed, she looked adorable, dwarfed by the fabric. The small smile that turned her lips up made his heart soar, he knew that somewhere deep down Nanao had always had a slight curiosity about it.

"Sir. I have a theory…"

"Lets hear it Nanao-chan."

"Well it's stupid, it's just a theory I have no concrete evidence but… I think the focus of the problems are going to actually be division barracks three, five and nine."

"You think they left something? Maybe an access route?"

"Not necessarily… Maybe. I think if he had there would have been far better times to attack us if that were the case though. If he had attacked during the trouble with the noble family we'd all be dead. That would've been the obvious time. If theres one thing we know about Aizen it's that he's logical and prepares meticulously. I just don't think he's going to pick a random place in the court to attack. He want perfection."

"You're right Nanao-chan. The third, fifth and ninth barracks are still almost fully intact. Where better to attack than the best known areas. He probably figures we're going to leave squads to defend their own divisions as well…" Shunsui eyed her suddenly. "You've been working with this scenario in mind all night haven't you?"

"Yes sir."

"Have I told you that I love you today Nanao-chan?"

She shot him a half hearted glare. "Not today taichou but this is the fourth time in twenty four hours." She said with a tired sigh.

"Really Nanao-chan. You amaze me." He said seriously, meeting her eyes.

The moment was interrupted as Yamamoto entered the hall.

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Yamamoto nodded as the pair finished. Ukitake had joined them too, listening intently.

"That's amazing." Said Ukitake, awed.

"I take it you have discovered the reason why I appointed you to this job. Will you remain behind to man the base?"

"No. We're leaving that to Ukitake-taichou and ninth seat Kimmagi."

"Why the ninth seat?"

"She's pregnant. Sir." Nanao's voice dared him to comment on a woman's place.

"Five months along with twins isn't it wonderful sir? We get to be grandparents!" Said Shunsui happily.

Ukitake had to hide a smile at Shunsui's purposeful attempt to wind up the head captain. He idly wondered what their mentor had done this time. When Nanao's usual scandalised reprimand didn't come he deduced that it had to have something to do with her.

"I have not received the paperwork."

"I filled out and signed the paperwork, had taichou co-sign it and delivered it to the fourth division myself sir. At that point a memo was sent to the first division from the fourth which I co-signed with Unohana taichou. I believe it is your fourth seat which handles such paperwork sir." Her tone was one of complete respect and pleasant but it was obvious that she was not happy about something.

"I will check it up Ise-fukutaichou."

"Do." Said Nanao coolly.

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The pair had decided not long after Yamamoto left that there was no more they could do. They hadn't slept though. They had forced Ukitake to and had stayed up just…talking. Not about anything in particular and definitely not about the war.

It was…nice and it soothed Shunsui to know that her favourite colour was yellow and her favourite scent was cinnamon. He was under no illusions. They were both going to be in the thick of it in a few hours and he wanted to know these seemingly worthless things… just in case.

Nanao sighed softly into his chest. She'd curled into his side when they'd settled down with just a little prod from Shunsui. She fit so perfectly…

"I should make breakfast. They aren't going to eat much but I'd like them to take something." She pulled herself into a seated position.

Shunsui nodded from his position. "Would you like a hand?"

"No, I'll be fine sir."

"Okay Nanao-chan."

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"Pink is a good colour on you fukutaichou." Said Kimmagi as they nibbled on their breakfast, nobody truly hungry…

"Personally I've never been a fan."

"Taichou is."

Nanao glared at the younger woman but was actually happy that she could joke at this point.

"He's wanted to see me in it for hundreds of years I figured I might as well indulge him in case…"

Kimmagi smiled, showing her understanding.

"You're going to be split up during the battle."

"We decided the best way to do it was to station us on opposite sides of Seretei. That way we can physically monitor all the squads under our control." Kimmagi nodded.

"Did you get any sleep last night?" She asked sympathetically.

Nanao shook her head. "It was after four before we finished up the preparations. There was no point."

Kimmagi glanced at the clock.

5.47 am.

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The alarm sounded at 6 am, calling all Shinigami to their positions in wait of attack. The air was thick with tension and after situating their own squad and the thirteenth they flash stepped across seretei. They paused at the junction between their designated routes. Shunsui grasped her in a tight hug.

"Make sure I see you later Nanao-chan."

"I will taichou." They separated but Nanao grasped his wrist suddenly. "Don't die sir." She said quietly. "I'm not sure I could take that."

"I'll see you later Nanao-chan." He placed a kiss on her forehead and as one the disappeared in opposite directions.

"It was six am the following morning when it happened.

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Nanao had been right. The attacks had been focused on the three divisions that once belonged to the traitors with the captain's battle occurring on the hill. Shunsui was currently in the ninth and sparring furiously with an espada. Apparently Aizen had discovered who the strategists behind seretei's defence were and had ordered them terminated. Shunsui only hoped Nanao was alright. She was currently in the third and he had no contact with her besides messages passed via Ukitake and Kimmagi in the base. They'd been fighting non stop for 24 hours… She had to be tiring just as he was.

He couldn't say he was surprised when the espada spied an opening, his sword work was getting sloppy and this espada had obviously come fresh into the battle to fight him. He wasn't going to block the attack, he knew it, and watched as it came down on him as if in slow motion.

Suddenly he felt a searing heat in his pocket and a barrier of pure gold appeared before him. The esapada screamed as his Zampaktou made contact with it and vibrations rattled the earth around them. A slow grin spread across Shunsui's face as he took out the Arranacar in two quick movements. He inspected the barrier around him in awe before it dissolved. Protective kidou number one hundred. Nanao-chan was the only person in seretei who could cast it effectively. He reached into his pocket and pulled out the familiar hair clip. She must have slipped it into his pocket the previous morning.

"Shunsui! What happened? We just felt Nanao-san's reiatsu flair right beside you." Came Juu's frantic voice in his ear.

"It's okay Juu. She planted a protection amulet on me she's still in third."

He heard his friend expel a long breath and ask Kimmagi to get in contact with Nanao.

"You won't get her Juu she's probably fighting. Aizen's caught on to who we are."

"He's what!" Kimmagi yelled.

"Listen Juu, when you do get a hold of her tell her I said thanks. She just saved my life."

"Will do Shun. There's just been a massive increase in reiatsu in the fifth's training grounds. It looks like menos."

"I'm on my way Juu."

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It was eight o clock that evening when the signal of victory finally rose in seretei. The end of the winter war.

The court was chaos.

Nanao knew where her first port of call was. She was returning to the eighth division mess hall. Before leaving she had ordered all eighth and thirteenth division members who were either uninjured or not seriously injured to return there instead of the fourth division to ease the pressure. She probably had a lot of healing awaiting her.

As she had expected the hall was madness. Members of the eighth and thirteenth ploughed around along with members of every other squad in the Goeti 13 from what Nanao could see. The mess hall had become something of a safe zone during the battle. Everyone knew that if anyone's barrier kidou would hold in was Nanao's. Her heart lifted slightly to see so many people in the hall. So many still alive and without serious injury. As much as she was delighted she knew she had to put some order on things.

"Listen up!" She yelled. Though she wasn't that loud silence fell immediately.

"Fukutaichou!"

"You're okay!"

"Where's taichou?"

"He's probably working on recovery. Right now I need everybody to listen to me."

"Yes m'am!"

"Okay. I want you to organise yourselves as best you can in your divisions to facilitate both healing and counting. Do NOT move anybody with an injury that could be anyway serious."

"Yes M'am!"

"Nanao-san. Are you okay?"

Nanao turned to the owner of the voice and offered Ukitake a tired smile. "I'll be fine Ukitake-san." She turned to the group. "I need the help of all uninjured kidou competent recruits. Lets try and set some order on this place."

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A half an hour later Nanao had some semblance of order on the huge group. By the fifth seats count there were around five hundred people present. Nanao and a few other recruits, mostly from the eighth were making rounds, healing all that required it. They had also healed any fourth division recruits with minor injuries and they were helping a great deal.

A huge amount of the recruits had passed out from sheer exhaustion. Nanao envied them. Her weary body would like nothing more than to pass out and forget everything at that point but she didn't have the luxury of such actions. So she kept going, and pushing her limits.

Ukitake watched her with pure respect. Her ability to walk into a room of five hundred people and simply take charge was astounding. She was short, thin and very badly battered, dressed in the familiar tattered pink haori that only served to dwarf her further but never once was her position questioned. She gave off an air of power and security that calmed the horrified group. Her voice allowed for no arguments and her kidou cast a calming affect.

Ukitake was worried about her though. He knew through his and Kimmagi-san's coordinating that she had not gotten off lightly during that battle, not at all. He wanted her to rest but he knew that wasn't going to happen. Not before she was one hundred percent certain that everyone was stable and even more importantly that Shunsui was alive. She was putting on a brave face for the group's sake but couldn't fool him.

Nanao was sending the first communication butterfly to the fourth division to confirm numbers when the door flung open. She glanced up at Shunsui but kept speaking calmly to the butterfly as he approached. He waited by her side for her to finish. Nanao sent the butterfly a minute later and a split second later she found herself in Shunsui's arms.

"Nanao." He breathed.

Nanao felt her legs give out from under her.

"Nanao-chan?" He said worriedly.

"I'm so glad you're okay Taichou." She whispered.

"Nanao… what's wrong?"

"I have a deep laceration on my abdomen and I've lost too much blood. Your Haori is hiding it. My power level is at about 16 percent… Don't scare them any more than they already are Taichou." She whispered.

"Nanao-chan!" He scolded. He shook his head. "Lets go outside." He shot Juushiro a look, informing him of what was happening. The white haired captain nodded.

Once outside the barracks Shunsui scooped her up.

"Sir!"

"We are going to the fourth Nanao-chan."

"But-"

"Nanao-chan you've done enough." He said sternly.

The flash stepped across seretei.

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"Kyoraku-taichou."

Shunsui looked up at the motherly taichou of the healing division. When Shunsui had brought her in Unohana had treated Nanao herself. Nanao-chan had taken a lot of the pressure off the fourth by organising the safe zone and Unohana knew very well how draining kidou truly was. She had felt it her personal duty.

"Unohana-taichou." Said Shunsui.

"She's stable. Ise-san took quite a battering during that battle. I've healed up all her wounds but there isn't much I can do for bruising which is quite extensive on her right thigh and shoulder. Like most the captains she has serious snow bruising on her hands and face. The palms of her hands are torn from the sheer amount of kidou she expelled."

"Oh gods…"

"It isn't something you should worry about Kyoraku taichou. It's quite common. She flashed her own palms to show old scarring and calluses as well as some new wounds. Ise-san's hands are quite similar it's an injury she'd receive on quite a regular basis. Most kidou masters are female so it's not something that's talked about. It isn't very pretty. Her own reiatsu will have them healed up in a couple of hours. As for the wound she told you about it was one of the worst. It never pierced any organs or major blood vessels, she would've known that. She left it just a little too long."

"What about her powers?"

"Simple exhaustion Kyoraku-taichou. I'm treating quite a number of captains for the same problem. She'll sleep it off. The trouble only comes when a soul reapers powers hit zero."

"What happens then?"

"It is unlikely that they will ever be regained. Zaraki taichou currently finds himself in that situation. He's critical. I suggest that you go and rest yourself Kyoraku-taichou. The whole of seretei know who the real masterminds behind the battle were and your own and Ise-san's account will probably be required tomorrow. Ise-san should probably wake around five pm."

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"Shunsui how is she?" Asked Juushiro.

The remainder of the eighth division watched with baited breath.

"She lost a lot of blood and exhausted her powers to sixteen percent. She'll be fine in the morning."

"Taichou we tried to check her we swear."

"She wouldn't stay still long enough."

"We're sorry."

"She wouldn't stand still because she couldn't. She'd worn her body out physically and was using reiatsu to power it. One of the characteristics is an inability to stand still."

"I-I didn't even know that was possible."

"It's an ability only a kidou master can control and it isn't recommended. It isn't something that's taught. Retsu was running similarly." He directed to Juushiro.

"Everyone needs to get some sleep." Ukitake piped up.

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Nanao and Shunsui stood among the ranks of the remaining captain's and lieutenants the following night. The group was far from it's usual regal sight. Most were still dressed in tattered uniforms and everyone looked haggard. The fukutaichous from divisions one, two, five and seven had all lost their lives in the final battle along with Maiyuri-taichou and Kenpachi who had passed away early that morning.

True to her usual self Nanao had woken four hours earlier than expected with an almost full power ranking but an exhausted physical body. She'd insisted on helping in the mass clean up that had begun and was responsible for putting order back on the devastated courts. Everybody was happy to defer to her, even Yamamoto, and she soon had the official figures totted up and all squads back in their own barracks.

"There is still the matter of the four missing espada." Byakuya spoke up.

"We're missing espada?" Said Shunsui.

"Yes. The third, fourth, and two of their fractions." Yamamoto confirmed.

"The third and hers are dead Yama-Ji. I took them out myself. Well.. With a little help from Nanao-chan."

"What!" Yelled the group.

"I can confirm the deaths of the fourth and his Yamamoto-Soutaichou. They attacked me about twenty four hours into the battle." Nanao spoke up meekly. Shunsui beamed at her while the rest of the captain's gaped.

"You killed an espada?!"

Nanao simply nodded.

"I don't understand. Why did Aizen send two of his top out of their way to get you two?" Said Hitsugaya.

"He learned that Kyoraku-taichou and Ise-fukutaichou were the coordinators and attempted to terminate them from that point onwards." Ukitake answered.

"Kyoraku-taichou you said you had Ise-fuku-taichou's help." Yamamoto prompted. "You were meant to be on opposite sides of seretei."

"We were sir. Nanao-chan slipped a protective amulet into my pocket before the battle. It activated when my life was threatened."

Shunsui dug into his pocket and removed the familiar clip.

"That's impressive." Said Hitsugaya. "It worked?"

"It was strong enough to stop the third in her tracks." Said Shunsui simply.

There were a few murmurs of respect and amazement.

"What was the total figure dead Ise-fukutaichou?" Yamamoto interrupted.

"Five hundred and thirteen people died Sir but no squad is without members. A further seven hundred were injured in some way. There were 1705 people in seretei before this all started."

"So you're telling us only two hundred people died in the final battle?"

"That is correct."

"That's amazing. How did you do it?"

Nanao and Shunsui shared a small smile.

"Teamwork."

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It was late when Shunsui and Nanao returned to the mess hall. There wasn't a sound in the room. The recruits slept peacefully in the moonlight and the dim glow from the walls. The mess hall was an altogether less scary place without the threat of violence hanging over Seretei, Nanao decided, though the obvious drop in numbers still caused a sharp pain in her chest.

The pair carefully stepped over the sleeping bodies until they found an open spot near the centre of the squad. Kimmagi gave them a tearful smile as they settled carefully into the spot. Nanao grasped the younger woman's hand tight. Offering the comfort that she knew wasn't enough. Shunsui settled behind his second, spooning her and wrapping an arm around her waist. She felt him burry his face in her hair but couldn't bring herself to fight. She sighed.

Comfort was something they all needed right then. But one way or another they were going to get through this. Things could only get better from there…

Nanao dropped off to sleep on the thought.

Comforted.

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A/N: Chapter threeeeeeeeeee and the last of this short story. Just the epilouge left!

Review!! XD

Becca