This one was difficult to write the way I wanted to write it; but this is how it came out. The part near the end seems too awkward to me, but I didn't know how to fix it.

Thank you to all of my reviewers, and I hope you enjoy this one.

Theme: War

Warnings: None

They were given an hour's warning before the attack on Karakura Town. They now had half an hour to gather the remaining captains and vice-captains for battle. After a brief argument, Yamamoto had ordered that a small troop led by a vice-captain stay behind; the person chosen for this was Ise Nanao.

She currently stood in the doorway of her office, watching Shunsui calmly sip a cup of sake on porch outside. Nanao approached him carefully.

"Kyoraku-taicho," she greeted softly. Shunsui turned to look at her, setting down his cup.

"Nanao-chan," he returned with a smile. "Did you need something?"

Nanao opened her mouth, but nothing came out. She closed it again and bowed her head. "No sir. I just wanted to wish you good luck."

She didn't dare look at him- which is why she didn't noticed he was in front of her until a large hand lifted her chin.

"Is that all you wanted to say, Nanao?"

Nanao swallowed, shaking her head. There were many things she wanted to say, out of fear she wouldn't see him again, but she would never say them. It took her a moment to find her voice.

"Please… please come back alive."

Two large hands came up and gently cupped her face. For the first time, she did not push or smack him away. When she looked up, his deep brown eyes were staring at her, a small but serious smile on his face.

"My dearest Nanao, I will always return as long as you are here waiting for me."

She stared up at him, reaching for his hands, a watery smile forming on her face.

"Of course, Taicho." Lowering her head to hide her tears as she grasped his hands, she was surprised when she felt a pair of soft lips kissing the top of her head.

"Make that a promise, my precious Nanao-chan," he said, squeezing her hands.

"I… I will be h-here… waiting for you." Her pale, slender hands slid out of his large brown ones as she embraced him, trembling. In the distance, she heard the Emergency Hell Butterflies signaling the troops to gather at the gate where they would enter the Fake Karakura Town.

"My beloved Nanao," Shunsui murmured into her hair, giving her one final squeeze. "I'll be right back."

With those words Nanao let go, and watched him head to the gates, his pink haori fluttering in the wind. When he was out of out sight, she turned back to her office, wiping her eyes.