Well first of all I would like to thank all the reviewers and I'm glad you're all enjoying it! I hope that you will continue to enjoy reading. I do not own Bleach by the way. Now that I have gotten everything out of the way you may commence reading.
Not Such a Vagrant
Standing up, Ukitake went to shut the door, muffling the voices and dimming the room even further. The glow of a candle lit up the small, crowded room. Shunsui began their tale,
"Well as you can see, we are not mere vagabonds that have no raising whatsoever. You might recognize me, for I am Kyouraku Shunsui." One of the three started in surprise as she recognized the name.
"N-N-N-No way! Kyouraku Shunsui was a noble that disappeared around five years ago!" Nanao cried out. Gravely nodding, Kyouraku continued to speak,
"That is me and this is Jyuushirou Ukitake," while he gestured to Ukitake,
"and Gin Ichimaru." Rangiku's eyes widened imperceptibly at this introduction as Unohana patiently waited and listened, the explanation would come soon she knew.
Disbelief clouded Nanao's face as she her skeptical look slid over the three men, comparing them to portraits that she had seen when her tutors had taught her. Each bore a distinct similarity to the unsmiling, serious portraits that remained whirling in her mind. It couldn't be possible! Could it? Suddenly Gin cut in,
"How'd ya figure out we were nobles anyway?" Startled, Nanao explained,
"I had been tutored since I was a small child, Rangiku received the same treatment and Unohana-san?" Nanao turned to face Unohana,
"Well I had known Kyouraku and Jyuushirou when we were children." Double takes were taken as recognition lit up both Ukitake and Shunsui's eyes,
"Retsu?"
"Retsu-Chan!"
Once more Gin's voice interrupted as he began to explain,
"All of us came from noble families, it's true. We were all friends from childhood and had known each other for quite a while. Soon it was Shunsui's 16th birthday, they were holding a big ball and it was during this ball, his parents announced his betrothal," at this Nanao seemed to fidget and Shunsui continued the tale,
"I was unwilling to marry because I was not about to let go of my freedom so early on. So, I ran away. Jyuu and Gin here followed along with me and here we are today." Giving a flourish with these words, Kyouraku seemed to try and lighten the tension within the room.
Nanao attempted to hide her stare but Rangiku openly gaped at the supposed nobles finally Nanao broke the silence with a simple question,
"Was getting married such an atrocious though to you?" Kyouraku shuddered and showing some of his overdramatic personality answered,
"YES! Of course, I don't wish to be tied down to someone so early in my life!" A single eyebrow raises as Nanao looked at the drama king a glare.
"Aw, do you hate me Nanao-Chan?" Another glare was sent his way as Nanao stiffened,
"Don't call me that. It's inappropriate!" Cowering under the force that had Nanao had shown, Kyouraku was about to reply childishly with a whine before Unohana broke in,
"I suggest we all get to bed soon before the boat is fixed if we wish to have energy in the morning." Nodding in agreement, Ukitake swung the door open to allow the loud laughter and light to pour in the room. Slowly they made their way up to the rooms,
"Umm…sorry ladies but one of you will need to room with one of us the rooms can fit only two people." Ukitake mumbled. Nodding, Unohana's eyes flashed dangerously flashed as all three of the men stepped back while the ladies conferred,
"I will not sleep in the same room as any of those men." Rangiku's voice was flat and allowed no argument.
The first smirk Rangiku has had in days slowly stretched across her face,
"Nanao…"
"NO!"
"But Nanao!"
"NO!"
"Please!" Rangiku continued to plead until Nanao finally burst, exasperated,
"Fine! But 1 one of you will have to take my place tomorrow!" A happy Rangiku leapt at Nanao,
"Thank you!" Struggling out of Rangiku's grasp, Nanao only met a wall…a living, breathing wall that is,
"Nanao-Chan! I will share my room with you!" Nanao only shot a helpless glare at the rest of the group as they watched on, withholding snickers while Nanao was dragged off to her doom…or was she.
A whap resounded through the corridor as within the room that Shunsui had dragged Nanao she hit him with the fan that she had hidden within her sleeve while she attempted to prevent herself from harming the man more than was repairable.
"Ow! Nanao-Chan hit me! Why would you do that to me?" Cutting in through Kyouraku's laments, Nanao spoke through the door her voice amused with the childish way Shunsui held himself,
"You know? I might be able to survive the night after all." Smiles shared through the small crowd, Ukitake handed the key to the girl's room and they left to their respective rooms for the night.
Throughout the night however in the shared room, loud sounds came from the room. They ranged from amorous declarations to yells of outrage. Needless to say no one got sleep that night…except the two rooms of people that had expected this to happen and slept like the dead. Though even in this turmoil, there was a lull of silence right before the sun would rise.
A quiet conversation had ensued during this lull of silence,
"You know? Once when I was only a child of only eleven, my parents had betrothed me to an unknown man same as you." One of Kyouraku's eyes slid open to stare at Nanao as she continued her monologue, ignoring him, she continued to fall back into the past,
"It had been a normal day, I was outside in the garden, reading before my tutor came. Both of my parents walked outside, I didn't find this abnormal, they came out regularly to join me. Than they told me that I was to marry when I was to turn 17. I accepted this, almost grateful for they could've said I was to marry at 15 or 16. I would have more time than. But suddenly my father rushed me onto that merchant ship you had seen me in. I don't know why, he just did." Falling silent both contemplated their situation before Kyouraku began to speak,
"My parents hadn't even warned me, just announced it during my birthday. I was completely stunned," laughing bitterly, he continued,
"I probably looked like an idiot but than rage began to grow in my heart, I couldn't believe they would do this to me, they should've known that I was not the sort of person who would enjoy being dragged down so early in life. They should've known." This last statement was quiet, whispered.
They remained silent and quiet for the rest of the time until the sun rose and the door to their room creaked open. Shunsui had his happy go lucky face glued to his real face while Nanao fended off his advances, they seemed normal on the surface. A new bond had formed between the two and this would be the beginning.
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