"Are you really sure this is ok, Kyouraku-san?" Nanao's mother asked fussing with her outfit again.

"Positive," he said kindly and tried not to grind his teeth. The carriage ride out to his family's was taking forever. It'd been so long since he'd ridden there that he'd forgotten how far out they were. He'd tried to make up a reason for him and Nanao to shunpo, but her mother had been quite insistent they all arrive together. They hit another bump in the rode that threw Nanao up against his side. She braced her hands on his knee and the door and looked about as miserable as he felt. The conservative little black dress and flats she'd picked up from her apartment and wore tonight were not nearly as fun as the red dress.

"How much further is it? I do hope we won't be late."

"Nearly there," Shunsui answered as the carriage turned onto the last winding road leading up to the Kyouraku estates.

The carriage pulled up to a stop a few minutes later and Nanao crawled out quickly. He'd tried to help her into the carriage in the first place, but she'd refused so he exited after her and turned back to help the rest of the ladies in her family out of the carriage.

The front door of his family home burst open and four children came flying out. Adults followed behind, but his nephews and his toddling niece were already bolting across the lawn hollering for Uncle Shunsui and Aunt Nanao. They were lucky that the children had known Nanao their whole lives and called her aunt long before this charade.

He grinned as Nanao knelt down to greet them and nearly got knocked off her feet as they tumbled into her arms.

Shunsui glanced over at her family and her mother, sister, and brother-in-law looked shocked at the children and Nanao's apparent lack of decorum. Her father however was smiling fondly at the scene. "My nephews Aito, Akihito, and Aoto and my niece Akane," he supplied.

Nanao rose to her feet with Aoto already clinging to her neck and his little legs wrapped around her middle. She used one hand to support the little boy and bent over slightly to hold on to Akane's hand to help her toddle along.

There was a chorus of "Uncle Shunsui!" as they made their way over and he greeted them happily. He bent down as they reached him to swing Akane into his arms so that Nanao could stand up completely straight.

"Did you miss us?" Shunsui asked grinning. Another chorus of yeses.

"Aoto-chan, please get off of Nanao-san," his sister-in-law chastised as the adults caught up with the children.

"It's fine, Leiko-san, really."

"Can I show you my kido ball, Aunt Nanao? I'm getting really good at it. I practiced it just like you showed me," Akihito asked tugging on Nanao's dress.

"Not today, Akihito, it's all of your bedtimes. You got to stay up to see Shunsui and Nanao-san. It's off to bed now."

"Oh, but if he's practiced," Nanao argued and then blushed and bit her lip obviously realizing she'd overstepped her bounds. She was a sucker for an eager student though.

"Let them stay up a little while," Shunsui wheedled. "We don't get to see them that often."

"And who's fault is that?" his mother asked as she and his father caught up to the group.

"I know, I know, I don't visit enough." He made the rounds of introductions and Nanao's family bowed and scraped gamely.

"Can I give you a tour of the house?" his mother offered. Nanao's mother looked like Christmas had come early as she quickly agreed. "Perhaps you both can spend some time with the children in the training rooms while we show the Ises around?"

The boys cheered and little Akane seemed to already be falling asleep in his arms. "I've got a new judo move to show you too!" Aito added.

"Well come on then," Nanao said playfully. Shunsui loved the way she lit up around his nephews and niece. She'd always had a soft spot for children. Often times during family events she attended with him if Nanao went missing you could find her off with the children.

"Can Aunt Nanao read us our bedtime story tonight?" Aoto requested from her shoulder.

"I don't know," Leiko started cautiously.

"I'd be happy to if it's no trouble."

"If you want, but don't feel obligated just because they asked."

"It's alright, I enjoy it. Who wants a shunpo ride to the training room?" The boys clamored all at once and she gathered Aito and Akihito into her arms along with Aoto instructing all three boys to hold on as tight as they could. Shunsui smiled as they disappeared in a flash.

"You better go after her," his mother said warmly. "Those three can be a handful."

"Nanao has hundreds of them at the division. Trust me she can handle it."

"I can take Akane-chan," Shou offered.

"If you must," Shunsui pouted.

"Have your own if you want to hang on to them," his father teased as Shunsui transferred the sleeping little girl to his brother's arms.

"Are you sure?" Shunsui asked making eye contact with his mother. It was a bit rude for them to show up and dump Nanao's family on them, but he'd be relieved to spend some time with her and the boys after that carriage ride.

"Of course, you and Nanao-san would be bored silly on a tour. We'll get you when we're done so we can all have dinner."

Shunsui kissed her cheek and bolted off feeling much like a little boy who had been dismissed from his lessons. He got to the training room only to find Nanao helping Akihito perfect his kido ball while the two other boys wrestled. Akihito was the middle brother and the quietest of the three. He'd taken an instant shine to Nanao when he was just a little baby and the affection had never wavered. The first party they'd come to after Akihito had been born his sister-in-law had given a screaming Akihito to Nanao as she'd tried to talk Aito into formal wear before everyone arrived. Nanao had started a harmless little kido sparking between her fingers in front of the baby and to everyone's surprise he'd settled down instantly and been content to watch the small light show intently. He'd stayed in Nanao's arms for most of the rest of the night falling asleep in them not much later. Leiko had just been grateful to have a break as Akihito was a fussy baby. Shunsui was never sure if Akihito's love of kido was genuine or if he just adored Nanao so much that he became interested to further garner her attention. Nanao clapped in delight as the boys little ball of kido evened out.

"Well Aito-chan? Where's this new move?"

Nanao grinned up at him and looked at the other two ruffled boys as they disentangled themselves from each other. Aito prepared himself and attacked, and Shunsui made a show of defending himself. What felt like a warm soft snowball hit his side a few minutes later and he looked over to see Akihito forming another kido ball to throw at him with Nanao's encouragement.

"Traitor!" He gently knocked Aoto to the side as the boy charged him and lunged for her. Nanao laughed and grabbed Akihito dodging to the right.

"Hit him again," she encouraged. Akihito tossed another weak kido spell at him and Nanao quickly shunpoed away from Shunsui's hands.

"Uncle Shunsui?" Aito asked clearly unsure who's side to take.

"Who's that? I'm a big bad hollow," he growled taking a ridiculous stance. "And I'm going to eat you all."

"Get behind me boys," Nanao called. He lunged forward and hit a kido barrier. It was hastily constructed and didn't have a hope of stopping him, but then she was playing too. He paced in front of it while the boys cheered.

He threw a kido at the barrier to make a shower of sparks rain down for effect. Nanao burst through the barrier with a harmless kido burning at her fist. She swung for him and he caught her fist pulling her more into a dance than a fight. She laughed and twisted away from him and he felt his nephews impact him on all sides. He made fake swipes at them and roared. Nanao went to tackle him and he braced himself for the impact stopping her forward motion.

"You're not in the right clothes to wrestle me," he intoned in her ear. He felt her slacken in surprise and then throw her shoulder into it again. It caught him under the rib cage and he grunted. Three more little impacts rocked him and he danced back from them taking Nanao with him. He spun and threw her over his shoulder getting a firm hold on her thighs.

"Let her go hollow!" Akihito charged him again and he stepped around the boy ignoring Nanao's small fists pounding a pattern on his back as she laughed and twisted in his hold.

A few minutes later his family threw the door open to find Nanao in a compromising position over his shoulder, two boys hanging off his arms, and one at the end of his reach where he'd planted his hand on Akihito's face.

Nanao's mother gave a horrified little gasp, but Shunsui's parents were grinning. His brother and sister-in-law on the other hand were not so pleased.

"Oh Shunsui, we'll never get them to bed now."

He gave a guilty smile. Perhaps they shouldn't have riled them up quite so much. But that's what fun uncles were for. Nanao poked him in the side and he shook the boys off his arms to help lower her back to the ground. She was blushing a bright red, or perhaps the blood had just rushed to her head being thrown over his shoulder like that, and she fussed with her hair and dress to get everything back in place. Then she twirled and high kicked him in the chest. It'd surprised him, but she'd done it without any shunpo speed behind it so he had plenty of time to react. Moving with the hit he went into a controlled fall and gave a few dramatic rolls for good measure before sprawling on the ground and playing dead.

"The hollow is down and the mission is complete," Nanao said in her strictest Fukutaicho voice. Shunsui grinned into the ground. "Soldiers form up." He turned his head slightly to see Nanao's mother looking like she was going to faint and his nephews bumbling to line up in front of Nanao. "Time to return to the barracks and get a good nights rest." That earned her a collective groan. "No whining allowed in the 8th Division." Which wasn't altogether true as Shunsui whined often and loudly, but Nanao didn't allow it in most of her troops.

"Ise Fukutaicho," Aito tried. "We request to go on another mission."

"The request is denied. Sleepy soldiers get eaten by hollows. Sleep is essential for effective shinigami. You'd think you boys would know that. Your uncle is one of the most powerful Taichos in the Gotei 13 and look at how much he sleeps." Their eyes went wide as they drew the wrong conclusions, which Nanao had fully intended. "Not getting enough sleep can stunt your reiatsu growth, and I won't have stunted soldiers who refuse to sleep in my division. Now march."

Shunsui had to stifle a laugh that would have surly embarrassed the boys as they worked themselves into a crooked little line and did their best to march out of the room and down the hall towards their bedrooms as Nanao followed calling out a marching beat. He pulled himself to his feet and reached for the hat that had gotten lost in the scuffle.

"Think Nanao-san wants to quit the Gotei 13 and work for us instead?" Leiko asked watching the procession move down the hall with amusement.

"Not a chance, and don't you offer." Leiko rolled her eyes at him and followed in Nanao and the boys' wake.

"Why don't we head down to the dining room?" his mother offered the Ises. "Nanao-san and Leiko-san can join us once the boys are down."

"I'll stay to help. I need to put Akane in bed anyway," Shou said and Shunsui hastily added his own services so as not to spend extra time with the Ises. His mother looked annoyed, but hid it quickly, and her and his father guided Nanao's family away.

"She really is wonderful with them," Shou commented shifting the still sleeping Akane in his arms. "Does she want children?"

"Someday. Although she has convinced herself it's not something that will happen for her." His brother gave him a questioning look as they headed down the hallway. Shunsui really didn't feel like explaining Hachiro and didn't think Nanao would appreciate it even if he did. "She got burned by an ex and hasn't had the best luck with dating."

"Obviously, if she's using you as a good alternative," his brother said dryly.

"I'm a catch," Shunsui argued. "Nanao-chan would be lucky to have a boyfriend like me." Shou snorted. "I'm way better than what her mother has set her up with."

"I can think of five men off the top of my head who would love to meet Nanao-san and be much better husband material than you."

"Sure, if they could survive her mother for longer than a day."

"No man likes their mother-in-law. You think I enjoy spending time with Leiko's mother? She likes to grind on about us not doing enough to support their side of the family and about Leiko not having enough help even though she knows Leiko chooses to be as involved with the children as she is. She also has a disgusting cough she never seems able to shake. You put up with them because you love your wife and she's worth it. Also they tend to give you apology sex, which isn't a bad thing."

"Your mother-in-law or your wife?" Shou gave Shunsui a dry look for that comment. "I'm getting ripped off."

"My point is that there are plenty of men who will find Nanao-san worth the trouble of her mother."

"Well, of course Nanao-chan is worth the trouble of her mother. It was just a joke. Just leave it alone, Shou." He followed Shou into Akane's room where his brother deposited her in a crib before heading down to the boys' room. Currently all three of them shared a room by choice. Shunsui and Shou had never done so as Shou was much older than Shunsui and Shunsui had headed off to the academy so young anyway. Nanao was reading them a story about a brave shinigami and using kido to add special effects to the tale as Leiko looked on with a smile.

"Does she babysit?"

Shunsui grinned. "She'd honestly probably enjoy that."

"You really never want any of this?"

"It's a lot of responsibility," Shunsui answered with a shrug. "All those little lives depending on you. It seemed like a bad bet in my profession. I'd have never been able to give a wife the support or attention she needed either with my career. Besides there was never a woman who inspired me to try."

"Sometimes I think it's a pity you're so talented with a sword and reiatsu. You were so suited to a life of leisure as a second son."

Shunsui laughed quietly and Nanao's eyes flickered to them in the doorway. She gave a small smile and went back to her story. "I'd have gotten bored."

"Probably."

Nanao finished the story and snapped the book shut standing up and saluting the three little boys. They saluted back as best they could and Nanao ordered lights out. The boys dropped back into their beds as Leiko and Nanao made their way to the door and shut off the lights. Leiko instantly melted into his brother's waiting arms, and Shunsui felt a momentarily pang of jealousy at their easy closeness.

"You ok?" Nanao asked touching his arm gently.

"Of course, Nanao-chan."

"Where's my family? Torturing your parents?"

"My parents had Shunsui for a child. There's nothing your parents could do that they can't handle," Shou said smiling over his wife's head.

"Everyone is always picking on me."

"Poor baby."

"I really am. Nanao-chan, comfort me." He threw his arms wide and she laughed and pushed them away, but did take his hand and started leading him down the hallway.

"Let's go save them."

The dinner was fine. His parents were experts in navigating social situations and drawing interesting conversations from even the dullest people. His mother even managed to get Nanao's sister to talk for a few brief moments about the upcoming baby. He'd glanced at Nanao during the conversation, but she'd been perfectly relaxed and happy. She hadn't given away a hint of what she was feeling if anything at all. He was actually relieved now that his parents had invited them, as it was one less awkward meal he had to manage with her family. They'd reached dessert and he smiled as Nanao's eyes lit up as the servants carried out the plated food. She had such a sweet tooth and it made her easy to bribe, which was lucky since he'd had to use it often to get her to forgive him for minor indiscretions.

"What are you smiling about?" Nanao hissed quietly next to him.

"Nothing," he said shoving a spoonful in his mouth. "Enjoying your dessert?"

Nanao narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. "You're up to something."

"Me? Never."

"Taicho."

"Maybe I'm just thinking about how fun it would be to lick this chocolate sauce off you. Wanna try later tonight?" he teased wiggling his eyebrows at her. It served her right for thinking the worst of him.

"What are you two whispering about?" Shunsui's mother asked drawing the whole table's attention to them.

Nanao blushed and floundered for an excuse. "I was hoping Shunsui could tell me the name of the painter who did that piece. It's beautiful." She fibbed and pointed at a painting directly across from her. "I didn't want to interrupt the conversation, sorry!"

"I didn't know you had an interest in art, Nanao-san," Shunsui's dad said looking interested. The old man had taken up painting in his old age and was fond of talking about it to anyone he could.

"Nanao-chan is an artist herself," Shunsui informed his father happily.

"Oh, I just draw and paint occasionally for fun," Nanao said trying to brush the comment off and sinking down in her seat.

"You're really rather good," Nanao's father added proudly. Shunsui agreed wholeheartedly. Nanao rarely let him see anything, but when she did he was always impressed. Still she was shaking her head.

"Your father is right. You're a wonderful artist." Shunsui preened under the approving look her father sent him for those words. "You should let more people see your work."

"The piece is by a good friend of mine," Shou said clearly trying to save Nanao from further discomfort. "His name is Takumi-san." Shunsui gave a soft little growl under his breath and Nanao gave him a questioning look. "Ignore him," Shou advised. "Shunsui has always had issues with Takumi-san for reasons known only to himself."

"He's a weasel."

Shou rolled his eyes. "I've known Takumi-san since we were children and I can assure you he is not a weasel."

"Wait, are we talking about Kita Takumi?" Nanao asked.

"You've heard of him?"

"I went to one of his shows a couple years back. I've been a big fan ever since."

"You didn't tell me that." Shunsui pouted at her.

"It's never come up," she said with a shrug.

"I could introduce you?" Shou offered sounding pleased and Shunsui instantly thought of their earlier conversation. No way was Shou setting Nanao-chan up with that nitwit. Shunsui had hated Takumi for as long as he could remember. He'd met him on his first break back at home from the academy. Takumi and his brother had become fast friends while Shunsui was away and he could admit that most of his initial hatred may have just possibly stemmed from jealousy over his brother's affections. Takumi had also found Shunsui's presence irritating and they'd gotten off on a bad foot. They'd done nothing but annoy each other ever since.

"I'm sure Takumi-san is far too busy for that," Nanao said waving it off. Good girl! Shunsui dropped an arm affectionately along the back of her chair.

"Nonsense. Takumi-san loves meeting his fans."

"If it really wouldn't be any trouble?"

"I'll contact him tomorrow."

Shunsui pulled his arm back and crossed them over his chest in displeasure. "Don't rush yourself."

"Stop being a jerk," Shou chastised. "Takumi-san manages to get along perfectly well with everyone other than you. I'll let you know what he says Nanao-san."

"Thank you, and really it's no worry if he can't meet me." Shunsui pushed his plate away from him. He'd lost his appetite. "Oh, don't be a baby," Nanao chastised.

"He's no good."

"He's so awful he tainted your cake?"

"Yes," Shunsui brooded.

Nanao laughed and dug her fork into his dish bringing it up and presenting it to him. "Here comes the carriage," she teased bumpily bring the fork towards his mouth in a mockery of the game people used to get fussy babies to eat. His family laughed, and he enjoyed the equal looks of horror and confusion on Nanao's mother, sister, and brother-in-law's faces. He loved that she was comfortable enough with his family to forget hers and play. He did a more exaggerated pout and turned his head away from the fork.

"The carriage is going to crash if the tunnel doesn't open!" Shunsui smiled and turned back towards her capturing her wrist and leaning forward to eat the cake off the end of the fork. "See that wasn't so hard." He pulled her arm closer and placed a kiss on the inside of her wrist feeling her pulse kick up a notch under his lips. He flicked his eyes up to her face and found her blushing yet again, and he knew she was thinking about his earlier chocolate sauce comment. Satisfied, he released her wrist and stole his fork back.

"Fine, I'll eat the cake." He pushed it through the chocolate sauce on his plate and took another bite sending Nanao a wink. She rolled her eyes as she got her blush under control.

"What other artists do you like Nanao-san?" Shunsui's dad asked stealing her attention away again. The conversation continued and Shunsui hoped it had been enough to distract his brother from the Takumi thought. If he hadn't met Hachiro, Takumi would definitely be last on his list of potential boyfriends for Nanao. Laughter bubbled out of her at something his father had said and he couldn't help but grin at the sound. His list of men worthy of her was getting shorter by the day. Was it his fault that she was too good for everyone?

Dinner wrapped up shortly after and everyone slowly started making their way to the door. Nanao's family offered profuse thanks for hosting and the normal politeness abounded. Shunsui's father helped them into the carriage and Shunsui noticed Nanao allowed him to help her in too. Apparently Shunsui was the only man she wouldn't accept help from.

"I'm glad we did this," his mother's voice said.

"Yeah, it was fun." Turning away from the carriage he found his mom at his side. "Although I noticed you didn't say anything about doing it again soon."

"You and Nanao-san are welcome anytime you want," his mother responded with a small smile. "In fact you should come more often."

Shunsui laughed and pulled her into a hug. "It really was perfect, thanks again." He released her and turned back to the carriage set on going home, before his mother's voice stalled him again.

"What about your cousin Abe?"

"What about him?"

"I think he and Nanao-san might be a good match."

What was with everyone trying to set Nanao up? The woman was perfectly capable of getting her own dates if she wanted them. "He was married."

"A decade ago, Shunsui," his mother said waving the thought off. "It be good to see him in a new relationship and it was such a tragedy when his wife got sick and passed away. They would have definitely had children if she'd lived. He's an avid reader and such a kind man. I think they might hit it off. Besides it'd be easy to explain to her family if they did. She could just say they met at a family event and once you moved on to your next girl she and Abe got together."

"Mom."

"What? It'd be perfect and then we'd get to keep her."

"Nanao-chan isn't going anywhere unless you know something I don't?"

"Oh, you know what I mean. Sure, she'll stay your Fukutaicho, but she's going to fall in love one day and get married and have children and go off with her new family. I just think it'd be nice if that family was us. I like her."

"If Nanao-chan asks to be set up then fire away. Until that time just leave the poor woman alone. She already has one meddling mother."

"But I have better prospects for her."

"I love you, Mom," he said giving the woman a kiss on the forehead. "But leave my Nanao-chan alone. Goodnight." His mother gave a displeased huff but didn't fight any further as he headed off to the carriage.

"You going to help me too?" Shunsui asked his dad who was still leaning into the carriage chatting with Nanao and Tadao about some painting.

His father grinned and held out a hand gallantly to help Shunsui into the carriage. Laughing Shunsui grabbed the hand and gave his father a brief firm hug before bounding up the carriage stair and settling in next to Nanao.

They were off a few minutes later and Shunsui tried to pleasantly accept her mother and sister's compliments on his family, home, and dinner. He hated carriage rides. A rut in the road threw Nanao against him and he lifted an arm to wrap around her waist and secure her at his side. She shot him a grateful smile and he decided that carriage rides did have a couple perks.

Her family carried on whatever dull conversation they were having and Shunsui tuned them out watching the dark countryside slide by. Nanao's weight settled more heavily against his side and he glanced down to find she had nodded off. He smiled and shifted a bit so her head was leaning at a more comfortable angle. Couldn't have Nanao-chan waking up with a neck cramp.

Shunsui felt eyes on him and glanced up to find her father watching them. His first instinct was to pull away from her, but he stopped himself short. There wasn't any reason to and for once her father didn't look angry at him just appraising. Shunsui stared back and her father finally rejoined the family's conversation.

Nanao made a little sighing sound and he ran his hand gently up and down her back. She curled into him further and he smiled. He'd miss this when this was all over. Not her family or carriage rides, but how easy and relaxed she was with him in their personal time. They'd always been friends, but she'd been sure to keep her physical space. He liked touching her without getting kido blasted through a wall.

In fact, he was surprised by how much he enjoyed spending time with her and having her close. He didn't keep many female friends, conquests yes, but friends no. Retsu was a friend, but more on the colleague level. Lisa was a friend, but sex had always been part of that equation and they'd never seriously considered spending time together as friends outside of work, drinking, or having sex. Matsumoto was a similar type of friend, of course without the sex. They enjoyed spending time relaxing and drinking together and talking about very little of consequence. Other than that and his family, women in his life were there to flirt with and have a bit of fun in bed with.

The carriage rumbled over another rut and Nanao made a sound of protest, wrapped an arm around his waist, and snuggled closer. Yeah, besides her family this was pretty nice. Maybe when this was all over he could convince her that going back to the way they were was pointless. It's not like you could uncross lines that'd been crossed. Although he did suppose that he'd have to stop kissing her. That would be a loss. Who would have thought her lips would be that soft or her so responsive? Bad Shunsui. He forced the thought away. And this, he supposed, was why he didn't have more female friends.

They pulled to a stop outside his house and he gently lifted her arm and readjusted her so she was leaning back against the seat before getting out. Her mother reached out to shake her awake and he stopped her hand. Instead he reached in and pulled Nanao into his arms. Her eyes fluttered and she started to wake up.

He pulled her in closer to keep her warm. "It's fine, Nanao-chan, go back to sleep." She muttered but settled down in his hold. It was way after his Nanao-chan's bedtime for the workweek after all. Her family piled out behind them and he headed towards the door. He directed her father to the key under the pot near his door and carried her over the threshold kicking off his shoes as he went.

"You all need anything else tonight?"

"We should be able to manage." Nanao's mother looked like she was going to argue or try to find something they needed, but Shunsui took her father's words and ran. Well, he didn't run as that would have woken Nanao up, but he sure did move as swiftly as he could down the hallway and to the bedroom.

He put Nanao down on the bed and slipped her shoes and glasses off. Taking the hair clip gently out of her hair he debated turning her alarm off as it'd probably do her good to sleep in. Then again he didn't fancy the murdering that would happen in the morning if he did so. Opting to live he went to the bathroom and got ready for bed leaving the alarm alone. A smile grew on his face when he walked back out only to find Nanao sprawled diagonally across the bed.

Nudging her back over to her side of the bed he crawled in beside her. Maybe he could still talk her into sleepovers in the future. Friends did that right? He'd stayed at Jyuushiro's and vice versa. She stayed at Matsumoto's sometimes too.

Shunsui pushed a piece of hair out of her sleeping face. Her lower lip had caught on the pillow and she was drooling a little. It was sort of cute. She'd be mortified. He wished he had a camera. Instead he shifted her slightly so the drooling stopped and curled up next to her. Sleepovers would definitely be in order.

A/N: Sorry it's a bit later today. I'm vacationing on the west coast so I slept in :) Gotta love any day where you don't have to answer work email. Hope this chapter was as fun as you were all hoping for! Also my roommate who betas for me said Shunsui wanting sleepovers is creepy, I stand by it being cute, lol.