A/N: Okay, techically it's tomorrow already, but I'm still up at one in the morning so this is like the same day for me. I've realized that these are just a hair shorter than usual, so I'm going to try and fix that. I didn't want this fic to be ridiculously long, but I need to do it justice. I'm excited because I just thought of something I can add to it. Good, not good? Let me know. -KG

Chapter Two: A New Face

With a yawn and a stretch, Shunsui lazily opened his eyes. Nanao had already gone, but he still felt the warmth and the indent where she had laid next to him. He really enjoyed that feeling. After chasing after her for so long, it was nice to bathe in the glory once he had her.

Sitting up slightly, he noticed that his Nanao-chan had left the shades closed for him, knowing it would be really bright by the time he got up. He smiled at her thoughtfulness. How did he ever function without her? Maybe he never really lived until he met her. This is what he liked to tell himself.

Getting up, he noticed that it was still a little before noon. It was slightly early for him, but all the more reason to spend time with his Nanao-chan. Maybe he could get her to take a sake break with him today. He smiled again as some other memories came to mind. She didn't actually drink with him, not being a very avid drinker, but she did take the time out to sit with him.

When he thought about it, he probably should do some of the division work instead of pushing it all on Nanao. She did a fantastic job of it, but she probably shouldn't have to do all of it. She never seemed to complain, but he knew that on some days she was tired of it. On those kinds of days he usually did help, but it was usually because he was threatened. He sighted. Oh well, he just tried harder to make it up to her afterwards.

After cleaning up and getting dressed, he went over to fetch his haori and his hat. He stopped in front of the mirror on her dresser after putting on his hat, relieved to see it void of blood. Those had been tiring times. Since then, he never had to see Nanao in such a state of unrest. He was glad.

Lately, they had stayed more at her home than his. They alternated every once in a while, rarely spending a night away from each other. Shunsui didn't mind this in the slightest.

Making sure the door shut and the barrier up, he flashed towards the office in the hopes of seeing his Nanao-chan.

XoXoXoX

The office door slid open and the pink-clad captain strolled in, cheery as ever.

"Nanao-chan!" He was beaming. Then again, how could he not? He had woken up to his lovely Nanao-chan after all.

"Good morning." She already knew who it was before he had opened the door. She knew him better than the back of her own hand, something she secretly took pride in. She looked up, smiling at him. "You're early. I didn't expect you for another hour or so."

"I just couldn't wait to see my Nanao-chan any longer."

He walked to the side of her, giving her a kiss. He would've lingered a bit longer, but he knew that she didn't like showing off in public. If someone walked in she could get...upset. She didn't believe in flaunting like that, and he couldn't understand it for the life of him. Hell, if he had his way, everyone would be jealous of the things he did.

She smiled at him again. He was glad to see that she didn't find the action offensive in any way. It had been a long time since she used her fan, and he liked it that way.

He glanced down at her desk to see minimal work there. Good, maybe it wouldn't be a late night then. He'd made it a point to stay as long as she did, even if she was the only one working. He didn't think she minded the company.

As routine dictated, he went and lounged on the couch, much the same as he did everyday. Here he would listen to Nanao scribble away on the work, while she listened to his deep breathing while he slept. She had told him once that listening to him soothed her, and he wouldn't ever forget it. That had been once of her more revealing moments. Those didn't happen very often, even sparingly when they were alone.

Being content as he was, he settled for closing his eyes and listening to Nanao and the outside world. Sure, he'd just gotten up a little while ago, but now was different. Now he was with Nanao. He wouldn't need to break out the sake until later.

Remembering something from earlier, he struck up a conversation.

"Rumor has it that there's a new addition to the Third."

"Oh?" She didn't need to look up.

"Yeah, some kind of prodigy or something. They said he went through the academy like nothing. Tested out of everything. Yamma-Ji was going to give him an officer test I think."

She stopped writing for a moment. "Really? Those don't occur very often. I think Captain Hitsugaya was the last one, and that was so long ago."

"He's pretty skilled, I guess. It's a good thing they didn't put him in the Tenth, I think there may have been troubles."

She nodded her head in agreement. "Where did you hear this from? I don't believe I've heard of it before."

"Rangiku was telling me yesterday what Izuru told her. From what it sounds like, he wasn't too happy about it. He could just be jealous, I hear he's rather fond of Ivy."

"Nonsense. Captain Giahara is his good friend, even though she's the captain. They have more of a brother-sister relationship I think. At least, that's what I get from her at Association meetings. He must have some other reason." She had looked back down to her work.

"Maybe. I guess we'll see. They plan on stopping by one of these days. Apparently he was encouraged to mingle a bit. They wanted to see if he would be better placed somewhere other than Third. Rangiku said that you'd probably get along great with him. He's supposedly well-organized too."

She rolled her eyes at this statement, although he couldn't see.

"And if he's like any other callous man that she's said I'd get along with, I'll end up setting him on fire within the first five minutes."

He smiled from his place on the couch. "Well, if he flirts too much with you, feel free. I don't mind in the slightest."

He silently envisioned what a wild Nanao-chan would look like, her roasting some man for trying to touch her. It made him feel giddy that she was protective of herself, being attached and all, but then he turned serious, realizing that she would probably do it if he did touch her. That is, after he got done with him.

"We'll see I suppose. Who knows? Maybe he's an okay guy after all."

"Perhaps. Let's hope that Rangiku is actually right this time."

He nodded his head, aware of all the supposed people that Rangiku had previously tried to hook her up with. He hadn't really approved, but it was Rangiku's idea that maybe Nanao didn't pay him any mind because she was less experienced than him. It made some sense, but the whole thing turned out for naught.

He also noticed that she didn't address him once since he got here. It was strange, he mused, that she seemed to not know what to call him. Sure, when they were alone she called him Shunsui, but that dwindled when within the office. He supposed that she thought calling him 'Captain' or 'Sir' was defeating the purpose now, even though that's what she called him in the presence of others.

It was the odd times like this, stuck between the personal and professional world, that she seemed to struggle. It had been over a year already, but it was still something she was having problems with. Oh well, he figured that there would be many more years to come in which she would find the medium, so he wasn't worried about it.

Not wanting to think any more, he tilted his hat downwards and prepared for sleep.

XoXoXoX

"Sir." Nanao was standing on the roof of the office, where Shunsui had drifted to at some point in the afternoon. It was a nice day with a gentle breeze, but the weather was not helping her get him up.

Looking down at him, she couldn't help but smile at the peaceful look on his face. It was the same kind she woke up to many mornings, and it was the same one that she gave an awakening kiss to. She had to refrain from doing that now.

It wasn't that it was a bad thing, she just didn't like showing the soft side of her in public. He got to see that side other times.

Feeling slightly bolder that no one was around, she stood behind his head, blocking out the light. Crouching down to be closer to him, she shook his shoulder a little. "Shunsui."

She was rewarded with one eye peeking open at her, a goofy smile coming to his face.

"Now that's better. What is it, Nanao-chan?"

Before he could blink, she pulled out her fan and lightly tapped him with it. She got up, stepping out of the light. Striking his face, he groaned and threw and arm over his face, his hat been askew.

"My Nanao-chan is so cruel." He clutched at his heart.

"We have company. I'll be in the office."

Getting up, he followed her down, coming to greet his visitors. Upon entering, he saw three people standing before him, the captain and lieutenant of the Third Division and another young man. With an inclination of her head, the Third Captain spoke up.

"Good afternoon, Nanao, Shunsui."

-End of part two