She was lost. She hated being lost, but there was no helping it. Some 3rd division creeps hadn't had anything better to do then try to torture her for the evening and she'd evaded them so far by darting into the forest on the grounds of the second division. She could still hear them crashing through the woods behind her though, and she didn't think twice about swimming the river and crawling into the nearest crevice in a cave wall. She'd been hounded by enough bored teenage shinigami to know it was best to keep moving until they well and truly lost interest or discovered weaker prey. Nanao wasn't even sure what she'd done to set them off today. She supposed she shouldn't have been reading while walking. That was the first flag of an easy target. Really, she should know better by now, and she'd lost her book anyway somewhere in the forest during her retreat. She'd have to go back and find it later, although she supposed it was just as well seeing as how it would have gotten as wet as she currently was.
She sighed as she crawled deeper into the cave tunnel and secretly wished she'd told Kyouraku Taicho where she was going so that he'd notice how long she'd been gone. He'd been out of the office sick today though, which probably just meant he had a hangover. He always lied the next day and told her he'd had a cold, but she was old enough to know when he'd been drinking. She heard the boy's voices from seemingly far away and pressed deeper into the darkness. Sometimes she was very thankful that she was such a small child. It was an advantage when trying to slip into places adults and older children couldn't follow. At least it was hot out and she was starting to dry off from her impromptu swim.
Nanao altered her course when she saw a faint light illuminating the darkness ahead. There was no point in escaping her torturers only to fall into a pit in the dark cave. She squeezed out between two rocks and then up and over a pile of boulders to find herself standing in a bizarrely hollowed out area that appeared to be man made. There were people inside milling around, but something seemed off about them, and she suddenly had a very bad feeling about her route of escape.
"One, two, buckle my shoe," a woman rambled as she walked towards where Nanao stood indecisively, wondering if she should slip back through the crack and face the known evil. "Three, four, shut the door." The woman stopped in front of Nanao and started cackling. "Shut the door! Shut the door!"
"How many times have I told you to shut up with that stupid rhyme?" a man bellowed before he charged the woman and tackled her right into the pile of rocks Nanao had previously been perched on, but had jumped away from just in time. Two more men ran out to join the fray and Nanao couldn't tell if they were trying to stop the fight or make it bigger. Reiatsu spiked, and Nanao scuttled away from the fight and deeper into the compound wondering if she should have braved the brawling people for her only known method of escape. A huge crash and a breaking noise behind her made her more confident she'd made the right decision.
People wandered seemingly aimlessly, most didn't seem to be entirely aware of where they were, and Nanao tried to stick to the walls as she attempted to figure out where she was and better yet where the exit was. She was so busy watching for possible attacks that she didn't notice the person lying on the ground in front of her until she tripped over them. The girl stared blankly up at the ceiling and then started wailing like an animal caught in a trap. Nanao shoved herself to her feet and stumbled past the keening girl as she lay unmoving on the ground and around the corner.
"Tachio, I'll make it work I promise," a crazed man yelled as he charged her. "My pretty Taicho." It was only the hand over her mouth that kept her from screaming when she was tugged behind a nearby boulder and out of the newest man's line of sight.
"Shhh," the man who had grabbed her hushed. "What'd a kid like you do to get thrown in the Maggot's Nest?"
"The what?" she asked mimicking the man and whispering.
"The Maggot's Nest, the detention unit," he clarified gesturing to their surroundings. "Can't imagine you're much of threat to the Gotei 13. You're just a baby."
"I'm not a baby," she protested fisting her hands on her hips. "I just got in here through a crack."
"Where?" the man snapped suddenly interested. His abrupt intensity frightened her and she lied.
"I'm not sure," she said. "Somewhere in that direction."
"Let's go," he said hauling her to her feet and dragging her along behind him in the incorrect direction she had indicated. "You have to help me get out of here. I was innocent. I didn't do anything, and I didn't even get a trail, just all of a sudden locked up."
"What is this place?" she asked again struggling to keep up with his long strides and his tugging hand, but loath to leave his side as he seemed to be the only person exhibiting any signs of sanity at all.
"It's where they put you when they want to forget you. It's what they do if you break any of their rules or may break any of their rules," he said scanning the area desperately and urging her along. "Doesn't matter if it's your fault or not, they'll just lock you up and throw away the keys."
"Who?"
"The Gotei 13 of course. Not even your division will know what happened to you. You'll just disappear," he ranted on. "One day you're there and the next you're just not. Like you never existed."
Nanao felt a shiver go down her spine and wondered if something like this had happened to Yadomaru fukutaicho. All she wanted to do now was get loose of this man's hold and make a break for the tunnel she came in through and away from the nightmare world she'd discovered.
"Hurry up, we've got to avoid the guard's second sweep. Now where is this exit?"
"I don't know. I can't remember. Please, let go," she said starting to struggle.
"Make a noise and I'll let the crazy ones have you," the man threatened and continued to walk and maintain his hold on her. He tugged her behind him, as she could only assume what was the guard swept by them, and then continued her forward again. It crossed her mind to call out to them, but had to wonder if the guards would be any better than the prisoners.
Nanao started contemplating kido spells that would distract him long enough for her to escape and found her brain oddly blank. She really really did not like this place, and she was starting to panic as the man dragged her further away from the exit and into what looked like more restricted tunnels.
A door burst open up ahead and a man ran out screaming and holding his hand, which appeared to be steaming rather dangerously. Nanao and her captor flattened themselves against the wall and tried to be invisible as the man ran howling down the corridor.
"Well, that was a failed trial," a voice said in disappointment. Nanao tried to suppress a shudder as the painted man stepped into the hallway. The new Taicho of the 12th, Kurotsuchi, was nothing like Urahara Taicho. Urahara had always been quick with a smile and a laugh and she'd enjoyed the few times she'd met him. Not that they had any personal relationship, but she had occasionally studied with Akon in the 12th and run into the likeable Taicho. "Perhaps it would be better to just start from scratch after all," Kuotsuchi muttered. "Impossible to find good help."
Nanao couldn't decided whether she wanted the Taicho to walk by without seeing them or if she wanted him to notice and get her away from the deranged man currently holding her hand. Given that could be a case of getting out of the pan and into the fire. An ill-timed noise from down the tunnel took away her options though as it drew the Taicho out of his inner musing and he glanced around. "Where are you going?"
"Nowhere, sir," the man shuddered next to her.
"What are you?" Kurotsuchi asked staring down at Nanao.
"8th division, Ise Nanao, sir," she stuttered out bowing politely as the man next to her tried to creep away.
"Ah, yes, Kyouraku's newest shadow," Kurostuchi said looking her over and then seeming to get bored. He looked for a moment like he had every intention of passing her by and she still couldn't decide whether she was pleased with that fact or not. Then he suddenly stopped and turned on her. "Why are you down here? I can't imagine Kyouraku would quietly let you be arrested and taken away here. Did you perform some sort of illegal kido? That is your strong point is it not?"
"I got lost. I'm not supposed to be here," she said honestly.
Kurostuchi cackled. "No one is supposed to be here. Interesting that you haven't been killed yet. You, what did you want with it?"
Nanao supposed she was the "it" and felt the man next to her flinch. "I was just looking out for the tiny thing."
"Aren't you the one who was in solitary just last week for killing a man down here? Yes, you were test subject 44B," Kurostuchi said analyzing him. "Already up and around. Hmm, perhaps I could use you again."
Suddenly Nanao felt herself pulled in front of the man and surprisingly strong hands twisting her head on her neck uncomfortably. "Try to experiment on me again and I'll break her neck."
"What do I care?" Kurostuchi asked with a shrug. "All children are replaceable."
She felt the man's grip tighten and her fight or flight kicked in. Nanao started to struggle and blasted the man off of her with a shot of red fire. She wasn't sure Kurostuchi was to be trusted, but at least he hadn't threatened to directly kill her yet.
"Hmm, that man really shouldn't be in here if such a low life form can decommission him so easily. He poses no threat. What an idiot," Kurostuchi finished with a shrug. Then he started to stride down the hall and Nanao bounded after him. After all he must have some way of getting in and out.
"Why are you following me?"
"I need to get out," Nanao said simply. "I shouldn't be here."
"And how do you know that?"
"I haven't done anything wrong," she replied.
"Doesn't matter," Kurostuchi said gleefully. "They can make you disappear for whatever they damn please, just helps if you actually broke some law or another."
"Well I'm not supposed to be here," she argued stubbornly trying to push away the panic of being left down here. "Kyouraku Taicho will come looking if I don't go back to the 8th soon."
"Why do you follow Kyouraku around?"
"Huh?" she asked stupidly unable to follow his line of questioning.
"The drunkard, why do you follow him?"
"He's my Taicho," Nanao answered uncertainly.
"Yes, but you follow him about socially," Kurostuchi commented scrutinizing her over his shoulder. "I don't spend time with my unseated division members unless I'm running trials. So why are you always around him?"
Nanao swallowed hard trying not to imagine what sorts of trials he'd be running and said honestly, half convinced this man was a human lie detector or had modified himself to be one, "He's nice to me. He likes to read with me. Kyouraku Taicho seems to like me around, and if I'm at his side then I can look after him better."
"Why look after him at all?" Kurostuchi asked interested.
"Well because he looks after me," she said confused. "Kyouraku Taicho says the 8th is like a family and a family looks out for one another."
"Family, huh?" Kurostuchi muttered. "Would you die for him?"
"Of course, sir," Nanao said hoping they would reach an exit soon.
"Interesting," Kurostuchi said thoughtfully. "A child would be very loyal and easily influenced, but so easily broken. Improvements would need to be made." Nanao didn't know what to say to that so she just continued along behind him and hoped he wouldn't shoo her away.
"This way then," he said as they finally came to a large guarded door.
"To where?" Nanao asked.
"The 12th," he answered absentmindedly. "I have a few things I'd like to look into."
They walked through the heavy doors and Nanao severely contemplated bolting. She'd get a harsh talking to later for disrespecting a Taicho if she got away, but frankly the man gave her the willies. She doubted Kyouraku Taicho would get too mad if she just said she was scared, he'd probably even think it was cute. The thought made her growl in her own head. She didn't want to be cute. She wanted to be fierce like Yadomaru fukutaicho. She'd simply bare up with it. It wasn't like he could kill her without repercussions, probably.
Nanao wouldn't admit it out loud, but she was pleased when they happened to bump into Kyouraku Taicho and Kaien Fukutaicho headed down the street. It seems her Taicho's "sickness" had passed enough for him to be up and about at least. She nearly charged into his arms, but at the last second restrained herself and stood stoically next to the 12th division Taicho.
"Mayuri-kun, what are you doing with my Nanao-chan?" Kyouraku called happily as the two groups paused facing one another.
"Nothing she won't return from," Kurostuchi dismissed rapidly starting to move forward again.
"Isn't there someone in your division that will do?" Kyouraku asked calmly. "Unfortunately I need her help right now."
"I don't believe they allow minors into the bars," Kurostuchi said dryly. "I'll return her in one piece."
"One piece or no, I need her back now," Kyouraku said with a shrug.
Kurostuchi sighed, but turned back to glance down at Nanao. "How well do you survive broken bones?"
"About like everyone else I suppose, sir," she squeaked.
"And poison?"
"Not very well at all, sir," Nanao answered suddenly wondering if all in one piece really qualified as happy and healthy in Kurostuchi's mind.
He made a thoughtful hum and then said, "What would cause you to stop fighting for your Taicho?"
"Nothing, sir," Nanao answered earnestly and blushed when she realized she'd said it in front of Kyouraku. She glanced in his direction and only got the briefest glimpse of a sad smile.
"Excellent," Kurostuchi said. "I have much to do. You may have her back." Then he wandered off like he'd done them all a favor.
"How'd that one get you Nanao-chan?" Kaien asked with a dramatic shiver.
"We just bumped into each other," Nanao said vaguely.
"What happened to your cheek?" Kyouraku asked gently, and it reminded Nanao that a tree branch had lashed her there earlier when she was fleeing her pursuers.
"Ah, just a twig," Nanao said rubbing at it and wincing as she got some dirt in the scratch making it sting.
"Yare, yare, don't touch it," Kyouraku chastised lightly scooping her up and pulling her hand away. She flushed furiously, but didn't fight him. It'd been a long day and his arms felt like coming home. "We'll get Jyuu-chan to play nurse. We were just headed over there anyway."
"Don't you mean doctor?" Kaien asked.
"Don't you think that sounds dirtier?" Kyouraku shot back as they started to walk.
Kaien laughed and said, "Now that you mention it they both sound kind of dirty. Why don't we just say Ukitake Taicho will fix her up?"
"Because there is nothing broken about my Nanao-chan," Kyouraku said looking dramatically offended. "She's perfect just the way she is, even with a busted up cheek."
"I don't know about that," Kaien teased. "Don't you think her eyes are a little too close together?"
"Are you going to take that, Nanao-chan?" Kyouraku asked indignantly.
Nanao just giggled and snuggled in closer to her Taicho as the two men continued to walk and argue on about other senseless things. She raised her hand to rub her stinging cheek unconsciously and Kyouraku grabbed her fingers and stopped her before she could. "No touching, that's an order," he said with a grin.
"Yes, Kyouraku Taicho," she said simply. She couldn't be happier that she'd been placed in the 8th and not with someone creepy like the 12th division Taicho. She never planned on leaving.
Nanao's head started to hurt and she shook it trying to clear away the cobwebs. The movement only seemed to make it worse though. She tried again and felt herself slowly moving out of her dreams and into reality.
Blinking her eyes, Nanao quickly realized she was in a room in the 4th and her head was pounding. It took her a few minutes to remember the fight with Kenpachi before she could quite figure out where she was.
The dream was really an old memory that she hadn't actively thought about in quite sometime. She still got shivers remembering the Maggot's Nest she'd stumbled into as a little girl. Years later when she'd discovered her shikai she'd had no doubt in her mind that it was a big enough offense to get her locked up in the detainment unit. Being able to bend space itself was dangerous and already an illegal kido. She didn't think the Gotei 13 would take the thought of her being able to simply place an exploding kido inside their brains whenever the fancy caught her would go over very well and she'd hidden it since the first moment she'd recognized what it was she could do. It was easy enough to say that it just magnified her kido when she could instantly transport a kido spell from its origin to its destination. Without having to travel it was faster and hadn't lost any energy in the process. As long as this was done quickly without intense scrutiny most people didn't figure out what was actually occurring, especially if she didn't place it inside the body, but rather right in front of the target. She'd realized shortly she could do the same with small physical objects too, quite easily with her zanpakto in fact, but had never let that particular talent be viewed, as it would instantly expose her ability. Pure energy was much easier to play with without anyone being the wiser.
Even if the Gotei 13 did figure out what she was doing and felt comfortable enough to allow her to continue with them she had no doubt in her mind that she'd either be shipped off to the kido corps or the 2nd to work as an assassin. She could only imagine any bankai she might achieve would allow her to manipulate space on a greater scale, maybe even one day to the point where she could move herself right through walls and locked doors. The thought of slipping into enemies homes and killing them in their sleep held no particular appeal to her though, and she was well aware of the fact that the Gotei 13 would have no qualms employing her as such. It'd be the Maggot's Nest, a life of endless killing, or a life constantly on the run if her zanpaktou's ability was ever discovered.
Nanao groaned as she shook her depressing thoughts away and pushed herself up in the bed. Her head and neck hurt and she'd be more than pleased to have a healer swing by with some pain killing kido or medicine. Glancing around the room she found herself utterly alone and tried not to feel hurt. It was the first time she'd ever woken up in the 4th alone in hundreds of years. Without fail Shunsui had always been at her side like an overanxious puppy when she opened her eyes. She supposed she shouldn't have expected anything else, but she felt almost like she was still inside a dream without him there to fuss over her. She glanced around for a call button for a healer and was halted in her search as the door creaked open.
"You're awake," Jyuushiro said with a pleased smile as he came further into the room.
"So the throbbing in my head keeps reminding me," she said giving him a weak smile.
"I'll get Retsu-san," he said and she didn't argue. He slipped out of the room again and she leaned back once more. She'd been a moron the other night to expose her power like that. Hopefully the fight with Kenpachi had distracted him and everyone else from the more dangerous matter. A concussion she could handle, all the other options were unacceptable.
A half hour later with the healing kidos applied and Jyuushiro sitting next to her bed again Nanao was getting drowsy. "Aren't you supposed to be in bed too?" she asked.
"Retsu-san doesn't mind so much if I'm just walking down the hall and sitting," he said with a smile. Nanao really wanted to ask where Shunsui was, but her pride wouldn't let her do it. "You may have explained this already, but why were you in a fight with Kenpachi in the first place?"
"It was stupid," Nanao sighed.
"What happened?"
"He was just insulting Shunsui and I lost it," Nanao admitted and then bit her tongue to punish herself for using his first name.
"People always insult Shunsui," Jyuushiro said tolerantly. "Perhaps next time you should fight one of them instead of Zaraki Taicho."
"Most people don't have the guts to say Kyouraku Taicho's been training me up to be his play thing my entire life," Nanao groused. "They may think it, but they know better than to say it." She saw Jyuushiro's look darken which was impressive as it took quite a lot to make the calm older man angry.
"Nanao-san, you should ignore them," Jyuushiro scolded halfheartedly.
"Don't you mean I should ignore them if they can beat me?" she asked frustrated. "I'm getting stronger Jyuushiro-san. Neither you nor Kyouraku Taicho can change that. I'm going to be able to take him on one day."
Not without me, she heard Kage whisper in the back of her mind. You can train all you like, but if you ignore me you'll never make your potential.
"I'm not trying to stop you," Ukitake said. "I'm merely pointing out that might does not equal right and that was something you used to be well aware of."
"But might sure as hell helps," she said confidently. She didn't mean to worry her long time friend and mentor, but she was simply tired of taking the abuse and she didn't plan to for much longer.
Jyuushiro reached out and pressed a loose lock of hair behind her ear with a sigh. "I know I have no right to interfere, but please don't take up with Kenpachi. If it has to be someone stay with Kuchiki-san or Hisagi-san," he said and must have seen the defense spring to her eyes. "It's said with a fatherly concern, Nanao-san. Don't date the bad boy just to piss off your ex. Either of the other two will do just as nicely."
"Stop it!" Nanao shouted and the volume hurt her own head. "Why does everyone think everything I'm doing is focused on getting back at Kyouraku-san? Even you. I'm training to better myself. I took the job because I wanted to. And I have never in my entire life been the woman that dates and screws someone just to get someone else jealous. I will be with whoever I choose to be with because its what I want and I couldn't give two shits what Shunsui thinks on the matter."
Jyuushiro winced and looked properly chastised. "I'm sorry, Nanao-san, I didn't mean it quite that way."
"Please leave," she said more calmly. She hated being rude to Jyuushiro, but she was tired and annoyed and frankly a little more than irritated that Shunsui was still not here.
Jyuushiro stood calmly and kept his face carefully neutral. "I really do apologize Nanao-san. I only want what's best for you, but I will, of course, respect your wishes." He moved out of the room and revealed Hisagi standing indecisively at the door with a vase of flowers. "Hisagi Taicho," Jyuushiro greeted benignly, but Nanao could hear the underlying upset in his voice and wanted to give herself another concussion for hurting him.
"Ukitake Taicho," Hisagi replied bowing slightly. He glanced over at Nanao and asked, "Bad time?"
"It's fine," Nanao answered giving him a weak smile. "I think I'm done being an ass to one of my most loyal friends and truest supporters." Jyuushiro flashed her a brief half smile and a nod, and while she knew she'd apologize more thoroughly later it would do for now. Ukitake slipped out of the room and Hisagi entered it.
"I, er, heard about the fight with Kenpachi and thought you might like some flowers," he said placing them on her side table.
"Thank you," she said. "That was very thoughtful."
"Yeah," he agreed looking a little uncomfortable for having overheard her and Jyuushiro's argument. "You look better than I thought you would."
Nanao burst out laughing at that. "And how did you think I would look?"
"Well from the way people were telling it," he said plopping down in the vacated chair. "I thought both you and Kenpachi would be missing ligaments."
"All in one piece, except for a few dead brain cells," she said with a laugh.
"Eh, I'm sure you didn't need those anyway with all the ones you've saved by not drinking with the rest of us," he joked.
Nanao smiled but felt a pull in her heart at the simple way he referred to 'the rest of us' as if she were something outside of everyone else. True, it had always been that way, but she was always hurt to be reminded of it. In the past she'd always comforted herself with the fact that while she was not part of the rest of us she was part of Kyouraku and Ukitake's friendship. Now she wasn't quite sure where she fit.
"So how long are you stuck here?" he asked shifting in the chair uncomfortably. It was obvious Hisagi had not spent a lot of time sitting by bedsides in the 4th and clearly didn't enjoy it.
"I'll be released later tonight," Nanao said with a shrug. "It's really not that bad. I just might have some vertigo and headaches for a week or two."
"Well that's good I guess," he said scratching the back of his neck. "We'll have to grab dinner to celebrate."
"Sure," Nanao said with a smile. "I owe you a rain check anyway."
There was silence for a few moments and then Hisagi sighed. "Look, Nanao-san, are you seeing someone right now?"
"I see you. My head isn't that damaged," she said being intentionally difficult. She didn't love vague questions, and it annoyed her when people couldn't just say what they meant. If he wanted to know if she was dating someone then he'd have to ask outright.
"Oh, well, that's not exactly what I meant," he said shifting nervously.
"Oh?" she asked innocently.
"Well, no," he answered considering every word. "I meant more like are you dating anyone right now?"
"I see," she said calmly. "No, I'm not."
He looked relieved and she wondered what stories were going around the streets of the Seireitei about her. "Look, I know I just said we'd go to dinner as friends, but I'd really like to make it a date."
He looked at her anxiously and she felt her stomach do a flip. Her first instinct was to say no gently, but then glancing around the room one final time and still not finding Shunsui there, she couldn't seem to remember why she would. This was the way it was going to be from now on. "Ok," she said simply.
"So yes then," Hisagi clarified grinning.
"Yes," Nanao said mustering a smile.
"Tomorrow night?" Hisagi asked. "I could pick you up at your place around 8ish?"
"Sure, tomorrow night," she agreed. "I'm really sorry, but I need to take a nap now. My head is hurting."
"Oh right, of course," he said happily. "Feel better and see you tomorrow. Unless you want me to walk you home tonight?"
"No, that's all right, Ukitake-san said he'd help me," she lied. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Hisagi left the room and Nanao took a deep breath in the quiet air. She was supposed to be happy. She was getting stronger, she'd stood up to Kenpachi, and she had a date with an attractive, interesting man her own age. Nanao hoped it was just the head injury that was making her slightly nauseous. The room tilted again and she shut her eyes and let sleep take her.
She must have slept for a few hours because when she woke up again Shunsui was sitting in the chair next to her bed. He didn't notice when she woke up, and she took the rare occurrence to look him over. Usually the moment she opened her eyes he was all over her cooing. Now he just looked preoccupied and overwhelmed staring into the corner of the room. Nanao shifted in the bed and his eyes swept over to her.
"How're you feeling, Nanao-chan?"
"Better," she said truthfully. "You weren't here this morning."
"Ah, no," he said quietly. "I had a few things to get done, and I didn't think you were going to wake up till this afternoon. Sorry about that."
"It's alright," she said with a shrug as she sat up slowly. "It's not your responsibility to be here. It was just an observation." She saw him flinch, and couldn't help feeling a little better for having hurt him too. It was petty, but she'd hated waking up alone more than she thought she would.
"Nanao, I need to talk to you," he said morosely and she got a powerfully bad feeling about what was coming next.
"Well, I'm not going anywhere fast," she said coldly, mentally steeling herself for whatever was about to be said.
"You're going to hear rumors, and I want you to have it from me first," he said meeting her eyes. "I want you to have the truth." She watched him silently and said nothing to interrupt him. "I moved Kiyoko into my house this morning. She's staying in the guest room. I have no intention of marrying her or having any real relationship with her, but if that child is mine I'm sure as hell not going to let my family get their claws in it. I had to get her away from there. I had to take responsibility and protect them. I'm sorry."
"It's not any of my concern," Nanao replied in a rigidly calm voice. "They're your family, of course you have to do what's best for them. You'll be a good father."
"Nanao-chan," he said and reached out for her hand, which she stiffly pulled away. He dropped his hand in defeat and hunched back in the chair.
"It's fine. I knew this was going to have to happen. You were the only one in denial," she said holding down her urge to cry. It was true, she had known it was going to have to happen. They were both going to have to move on, but it still felt like something inside of her was slowly suffocating and dying.
"It's for the baby," he said. "Not the girl. I don't want anything to do with her, and I know you won't have me, but please for kami sake don't hate me for this."
"I already told you," she said. "I could never hate you."
The silence stretched and Nanao wondered if she could make him leave. She wanted to scream and cry and throw a fit and she didn't want to be anywhere near him when she did. Unohana happened by to save the day. She processed her quickly and did one more thorough scan before announcing Nanao fit enough to go home.
"You do have someone to escort you, right?" Unohana asked lightly.
"I can," Kyouraku started to say.
"Hisagi-san said he'd walk me home," Nanao answered, which technically was the truth, and then she lied, "he should be here in a few minutes in fact."
"Good," Unohana said briskly. "Make sure to get lots of rest over the next few days and avoid any further head injuries. It'd really be best if you had someone to stay with you tonight."
"Yes, Unohana Taicho, it won't be a problem," Nanao said contritely. The healer swept out of the room and Kyouraku stood up uncomfortably.
"You're sure you don't want me to walk you?" he asked.
"Shuuhei-san will be here soon enough," she said with a shrug. "There's no need. You have people waiting for you at home. You should go."
Shunsui opened his mouth as if to say something and then closed it again. "Take care, Nanao-chan."
"You too," she said softly and gave him a few minutes head start before getting out of the bed herself. She walked home slowly that night and stopped by the hell butterfly cages on her way out of the 4th. They weren't supposed to be used for personal messages, but as she was sending it to the Rukongai if it was tracked she could always say it was business.
She made it home and got her shoes off before there was a knock on the door. She pushed it open and sank into her brother's waiting arms.
"Shhh, Nao-chan," he soothed as he pressed them back into her entranceway and shut the door behind him. "Everything is going to be alright."
"Thank you for coming, Nii-san," she sniffled into his chest.
"Anything for my little sister," he said hugging her tightly. "Didn't I promise you you'd never be alone again?"
"Stay here tonight?" she asked, feeling like a child, but needing the comfort. It was all real. There was no waking up from this bad dream anymore. Shunsui had a child with someone else and they were going to have to start planning their futures apart.
"Anything you need," he said without hesitation. "I'll even make you my world famous Tsukimi udon,"
"Which is still one of the only things you know how to make," Nanao said with a slight laugh.
"Only the best for Nao-chan," he said moving into her apartment further and giving Boo a welcoming pet. "Come on then."
Nanao curled up on her couch with Boo in her lap and listened to her brother move around the kitchen. It was good to have family, and it was good to be loved. Life would go on, but she didn't think anyone would judge her too harshly if she had one more good final cry later that evening.
A/N: A little delayed again, I know :( Hopefully its long enough and good enough to make up for it. Still in the midst of writer's block, but I am apartment sitting for a friend next weekend so hopefully I can crack it and get back to my weekly postings.
Please review and keep me coming back for more!