Author's note: I do not own Bleach or its characters. This is AU.

Redefining Boundaries

Once Nanao extracted herself from their embrace, she found that she wasn't quite sure how to treat Sir Kyoraku. She was so happy to have him back she thought her heart would burst, but she also found herself unaccountably shy. She wasn't the little girl he had done his best to spoil anymore. It also didn't help that Shunsui Kyoraku was a very attractive man. Nanao might have avoided any romantic entanglements with the court, but she wasn't immune to the lure of romance, and Kyoraku was someone she trusted. She'd always been very fond of him, and now she was finding that she might have something of a crush on him.

However, Nanao really didn't have time to sort out her feelings for her champion right now. There would be a council meeting in a few hours, and she didn't know how much Sir Kyoraku knew about the current situation.

"How was your trip here, Sir Kyoraku?"

"It was fine, Nanao-chan." He looked down at her. "How are you?"

"Busy. I've been trying to keep on top of everything. If the council senses any weakness on my part, they strike, and I can't afford to lose control right now."

He rest a soothing hand at the small of her back as they headed out of the archives. "What the current issue?"

"Border movements. I know something is going on, but I don't know enough about strategy and troop movements to really figure it out. I think there is something going on at our border with the Arrancar, but the military keeps telling me that it is normal activity and nothing to worry about." Nanao sighed. "Sir Ukitake has been helping me, but he says it's not really his area of expertise."

Kyoraku nodded. "He's a good commander, but he wasn't ever the one to dictate our over all battle plan. Do you have any maps or reports?"

"In my office. We have about two hours before the council meeting."

They spent a rather confusing hour in her office going over the maps she had. By the time Nanao had to go and change for the council meeting, she thought she understood what was going on better. At least, she understood what was going on at the borders better. Her relationship with her champion on the other hand, that was another story. Nanao just couldn't seem to figure out how to act. Half the time she fell back on her normal formality while the rest of the time she acted more like the child she had been under her care.

She slipped away before the council meeting to get dressed in a court kimono. When she returned to her office, her champion did a double take.

"Nanao-chan?" Kyoraku blinked. "You grew up."

Nervously, she smoothed the folds of her indigo kimono. He seemed rather startled by that fact. "Would you escort me to the council meeting, Sir Kyoraku?"

He smiled. "Of course, Nanao-chan."

They made quite an impression at the meeting. None one was expecting her to walk in on Sir Kyoraku, and her opponents started the meeting off balance. She had been worried when Kyoraku had stiffened beside her at the sight of General Tousen. Nanao could practically feel him vibrate with anger. She had squeezed his arm, and he calmed a little, but Nanao took note of that reaction. His presence was quite an asset for her. Somehow, Shunsui seemed to know just when to let her take the lead and when to speak up on his own initiative. It was one of the smoother meetings she'd had with the council. Aizen once again brought up the subject of marriage, but it was quickly squashed without much debate.

Afterwards, Nanao was forced to deal with a number of other duties and parted ways with her champion, but only after she had made plans to see him the next day. Nanao frowned. She should arrange quarters at the palace for him as well. She knew that he would have a place to stay with the Shinigami Knights, but she might need him here at the palace overnight. But where could she put him that would be convenient? Nanao couldn't put him in the Royal wing without offending propriety, and she wasn't about to stick him with the rest of the court. The servant's quarters were out as well. With a sigh, she went off to find a palace floor plan. There had to be some place near her she could put her champion.