Nanao woke up to her alarm blaring in her ear and groaned before reaching out and smacking the dumb thing off. She felt a kiss on her throat and rolled over to find a smiling Hisagi.

"Morning," he said.

"Morning," she grumbled.

"Well now this is a surprise," he commented running his hand down her side. "Are you not a morning person?"

"What made you think I would be?" she asked tiredly, barely processing the conversation.

"I don't know. Maybe the prim and punctual Ise Nanao I saw at early morning fukutaicho meetings for the past couple decades?"

"Just because I'm professional and do my job well doesn't mean I like getting up early any more than I like paperwork," she said rolling her eyes. Her desire to sleep in had been a weakness Shunsui had tried to exploit at every given opportunity. She'd actually had to threaten to stay at her own place once if he continued to mess with her alarm.

"Come on," Hisagi said sitting up and throwing his legs over the side of the bed. "I'll make coffee if you have it."

"I think I only have some caffeinated tea," she said blinking unenthusiastically and forcing herself to sit up.

"Then that's what I'll make," he said before getting up and planting a kiss on her head.

"You're in an awfully good mood," she growled feeling more miserable as his positive mood practically bounced around the room.

"I did just spend the night with a beautiful woman," he said with a smile. "What's there to be down about?"

"We didn't even have sex," Nanao pointed out trying to knock him down a peg.

"Foreplay is fun too," he said winking at her. "Regretting not?"

She threw her pillow at him with a laugh and reluctantly got out of the bed. "Go make that tea." He stole another kiss and walked out humming. Well, that would be something to adjust to. Her mornings with Shunsui had mainly consisted of him trying to convince her to stay in bed and then him promptly passing back out when she refused and went about getting ready for the day.

Nanao slipped into the bathroom and brushed her teeth before switching into some loose pants and a tank top that she'd taken to wearing when training with the 11th. Her hair was in need of a cut and she'd switched to a ponytail for the early morning runs. All of it combined had earned her a few woof whistles the first day she'd shown up that way, but they'd all learned well and good what lines couldn't be crossed. It'd helped that when Kenpachi had shown up for one of the early morning training sessions he'd actually greeted her and spent the first portion of the run pacing her and discussing some battle strategy he'd witnessed back in the Rukongai. The less pleasant part had been when Yachiru had decided she wanted a piggy back from Nanao for the second half of the run. It'd been a good workout, but Nanao had thought she was going to drop dead by the end of it.

"Are you aware of exactly how early it is?" Hisagi asked as he came back into the room with a tea mug in hand.

"Training with the 11th," she explained with a laugh.

"Ugh, what a way to start the day," he said.

"It's not that bad," Nanao said with a shrug. "Once you get to know them they don't seem nearly so thick headed."

"And then out to the Rukongai?"

"Nope, training with the second in hand to hand, then out to the Rukongai," she said sipping the tea. It was too hot and she blew across the top of it.

"Any chance you're coming for some sword practice today?" he asked hopefully.

Nanao snorted and reached down to pet Boo as he wound his way between her legs. "I think we both know we wouldn't get any sword practice in."

"We could if you really wanted to," he said with a grin. "We still haven't worked with your shikai."

"I've got a full day in the Rukongai," she excused herself quickly. "Maybe next week."

"But you are coming out with us all tonight, right?" he asked. He didn't have to say who us was, as it didn't really matter. Hisagi, much like Matsumoto, traveled in large packs. He was in more demand even then Kyouraku had ever been. While Shunsui was a social butterfly, part of it had always been an act. He'd been perfectly content to stay home alone and read, or paint, or just think. While Kyouraku made appearances at everything it wasn't often that he stayed out the whole time, preferring to end the night either with Jyuushiro or her. Even before her, he'd liked to go home with one woman and the quiet, or if in a particular mood get drunk with strangers who wouldn't be nosey about his personal life as long as he kept buying the drinks. Hisagi, on the other hand, knew everyone and seemed to be good friends with most of them. He was always catching up with someone on their lives and in exchange sharing his own updates. Nanao had been waiting for the stream of friends to stop, or repeat, or at least form up into one solid inner circle over the past few weeks and hadn't seen any sign of it. Besides the regular company of Abari, Matsumoto, and Izura, Hisagi seemed to glide between social groups with ease. He'd stay out in the company of large groups all night long if given the choice. He thrived on being with other people. The only nights they went home before a closing time was when Nanao just couldn't take it any longer. Often she'd beg off and go home alone as she just simply didn't have the endurance for so many all nighters, which always resulted in an exhausting back and forth of trying to convince him it was indeed ok for him to stay out without her.

"Yeah, I have a shunpo lesson with Kuchiki Taicho, but then I'll stop by," she said. "Do you know where you all are going?"

"One of the regular places I'm sure," he said. "I'll make sure not to lock down on my reiatsu too hard. Should be easy to find."

"Sure," she agreed and couldn't bring herself to admit that she still occasionally had problems picking his out amidst a group of pulsing reiatsus. It'd been a long time since she'd had to learn a new signature. The only reiatsus she'd searched for over the past few decades had been Rangiku's, Jyuushiro's, and Shunsui's, and those she knew as well as she knew her own. Hopefully Rangiku would be with Hisagi tonight and she could cheat a little if she had problems finding him. "You can stay here if you don't need to be in the office yet," she offered awkwardly as she headed for the door.

"Eh, I'll just stop by my place and then get an early start on the paperwork," he said. "Want me to walk you to the 11th?"

"Want me to get beat up?" she returned with a laugh. "Because having a guy walk me to training will definitely set them off."

"Fine, big tough Ise-san can get there all by herself," he said happily. "I'll see you tonight."

"See you then," she replied with a smile as he pulled on his shoes and then kissed her goodbye. The rest of the morning was uneventful. Training went off without a hitch, and Soi Fon had decided to move her into some of their more advanced sessions, which pleased her. Not that Soi Fon had ever admitted that she was getting better, but at least the constant glares had eased up a little and Nanao thought that was probably the best she could hope for from the strict woman. For once things were looking up.

Nanao found herself hurrying to make it to the Rukongai on time later that day. She'd been invited to sit in on a class for some of the younger members of the Higurashi family and she was anxious to observe the similarities and differences between their teaching methods and the Academy's.

"Shinigami-chan," a voice called out as she hustled through the main gates. Groaning internally she turned to face him. "What? No good morning?"

"I'm not sure I know how to properly address you now," Nanao said nastily. She wasn't in the mood for Kei's power struggle today.

"Kei-san as always is fine," he answered casually, but there was no question in his tone that there would be stiff repercussions were she to start broadcasting he was the kumicho. "I need to speak with you."

"I believe you are speaking to me," she said coldly, using one of the lines Kyouraku used to use on her when he wanted to push her buttons. "Look I'm supposed to observe a class. I have to be going."

"There will be another class," Kei said and she could tell that that was the end of the discussion if she still wanted to be welcomed on the Higurashi's territory.

"Lead the way," she said keeping her tone carefully neutral. She followed him through the grounds into the main building and back into what appeared to be his office. He called for a maid to bring tea and then knelt across from her, motioning for her to do the same.

"I had an interesting piece of news this morning," Kei said nonchalantly. He waited for her to prompt him and she instead hung on to the silence. "Nobu Kumicho died yesterday not long after we left. In fact, many people think the Higurashi engineered it. They just can't seem to figure out how we got his heart to stop. There wasn't any chance to slip him a poison."

"What a terrible coincidence," Nanao said blandly being careful not to display any emotions on her face. The maid entered and set down the tea as Kei watched her for a long while in silence. "Did you just bring me here to hear the latest gossip?" she asked as the maid swept from the room again.

"I brought you here to find out how you did it," he said tranquilly.

"Did what?" she asked.

"How'd you kill Nobu, Ise?" he asked and there was no joking in his question.

"I didn't," she lied simply. "You said yourself, his heart stopped. You can't honestly think I have the power to stop men's hearts."

"Not at all," he said. "That wouldn't begin to explain what you pulled off in the field yesterday." Nanao sat silently and fought the worried voice in the back of her head that said she'd pushed her luck too far. Kei was far from an idiot. "You see I just can't manage to figure out how you got the kido to kill those hollows through our group without killing any of us, and don't say it was a few lucky shots because I don't think you'd risk having an unlucky shot hitting your brother. It didn't go over, around, or under, so how'd you hit your mark every single time?"

"I've always been talented at kido," she said noncommittally.

"Downright magical with it," he agreed sipping his tea. "Unfortunately I don't believe in magic, and I don't think a practical girl like you does either."

"Heat of the moment, I really couldn't tell you play by play what I did," she said casually picking up her own tea. "I saw an opening and I took it. I don't understand what you're so upset about. It saved your life didn't it?"

He laughed outright at that. "I am well aware that my life was only a default save as a result of being right next to Mamoru-kun. Don't think for a minute I'd believe you'd gone out of your way for me."

"I'm here to be an ambassador. To help in whatever way I can. Letting the Higurashi Kumicho get killed would not be in my best interests," she said.

"No, but I don't think you'd break any laws to save me, sweetheart," he said with a vicious smile and those too intelligent eyes.

"What are you implying?" she asked coldly.

"That you must have used a spatial displacement spell to get those kido shots where they needed to go, which I wasn't even aware was possible in that amount of time" he said simply. "And from what I know of shinigami laws those are highly illegal. You see I made sure to do my research on shinigami when you came. You don't let a potential enemy into your home without knowing all of their weaknesses and strengths."

"I'm not an enemy," she repeated for what felt like the 100th time as her mind quickly raced over all her options.

"No, I don't believe you are, but I had no guarantee of that beyond your brother's word," Kei said simply, "and his word means slightly less when it comes to you."

"Is there a point to this conversation besides you accusing me of being a murderer and a criminal?" she asked getting quickly fed up.

"I'm curious," he said, "What would happen if the shinigami knew you had broken their laws?"

"As I'm sure you already know, there would be a ruling and punishment," she said unabashedly. "Which there won't be because I did nothing of the sort."At least she could be grateful that he didn't seem to have attached the power to her zanpaktou. They might only lock her up for a while and put heavy reiatsu restrictions on her if they thought she'd done an illegal spell, but to have it be her main source of power would be utterly unacceptable. The choice would then be to let the Central 46 control her and use her power secretly as they pleased or an instant sentence to the Maggot's Nest. Nanao wasn't fond of either option.

"That might be interesting to see, how their legal system works," Kei said flippantly. "Shall I tell them and watch the proceedings?"

"Tell them whatever you want," Nanao said frostily. "I haven't done anything wrong."

"It would be difficult to prove," he acknowledged nodding. "I'm not even sure Mamoru-kun would back me up were I to pursue this course of action, which is a troubling thought in itself. It had crossed my mind to test it and find out if he would."

"Mamoru would do the right thing," Nanao said evenly. "He'd tell the truth. Nothing less and nothing more."

"Yes, I believe you're right," Kei said nodding. "Only I'm quite sure his truth would be that it all happened so fast he wasn't sure what happened."

"A carefully neutral ground, and also the truth," Nanao agreed.

"Would the shinigami even take the word of a yakuza over one of their own?"

"It's possible," Nanao said with a shrug. "I am after all a kido master and it would stand to reason that I would have the power and the knowledge to pull off the spell you are accusing me of performing, but with my track record you'd be hard put to prove it."

"It would plant the seeds of doubt though, wouldn't it? Make your next misstep more egregious," he said picking up his tea again.

"Are you threatening me?" she asked evenly. "Is this what this is all about? Making up some way to blackmail me?" She set her cup down and stood up gracefully. "Do what you like, Kei-san. But until you can prove I had anything to do with that spell or that man's death you'll only make yourself look like an idiot and damage relations further with the Gotei 13."

"So sure of that?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"Studious, administrative, Ise Nanao doesn't have it in her," she said plainly. "Just ask around. Everyone would agree."

"Except for that Taicho of yours I would think," he said smiling nastily. "I'll bet he knows exactly what you're capable of."

Nanao laughed outright at that. "You honestly think Kyouraku Taicho would do anything to cause me harm?"

"I've heard it wasn't an amicable breakup," Kei noted.

"This time you didn't do your homework very well. That man would die to protect me," Nanao said confidently. "So I wouldn't waste my breath if I were you."

"And would you return the favor for him?" Kei asked watching her closely.

"Try something, and find out," she threatened feeling her hackles rise. It was one thing for him to try to bully her. If he went after Kyouraku in any way she would tear him apart, kumicho or no.

"He cheated on you," Kei pointed out.

"I'm perfectly aware," she growled.

"And still you'd defend him?"

"Till my last breath," she said honestly. "You don't know anything about us."

"You show your weaknesses too easily child," he stated with pity in his tone.

"Go after my weakness and you'll discover my strength," she replied evenly.

"Yes," he said, "I believe that is true. I want you with us."

"With you?" she asked suspiciously. If this had all been some ploy to get her to quit the Gotei 13 then he wasn't as smart as he thought he was.

"Yes," he said motioning for her to resume her seat across from him. "There is a meeting of representatives from several yakuza families from different territories in Apulia this coming week. We leave in four days."

"And why do you want me there?"

"Again, the appearance of having a shinigami under our thumb would look impressive," he said lightly and smiled as she glared at him. "Beyond that Apulia is a bit different in that many of their Yakuza actually are from their noble ruling class and have no respect for anyone who isn't."

"I'm not a noble," she said pointing out the obvious.

"No, but as they do not have their own shinigami like system in Apulia they are often under the mistaken impression that shinigami are the higher end of the ruling class in the Seireitei and Rukongai and are at least worth acknowledging. I am willing to play off of that belief."

"And what's in it for me except standing there and looking noble?" she asked lightly.

"During these meetings tensions always run high. There are often assassination attempts."

"And you think I can look out for you better than your own men?" she asked not believing it for a second.

"No, nor do I think you would," he said honestly. "But I am not kumicho, and as a replacement has not been chosen Mamoru-kun will serve as the Higurashi's representative. I believe your brother's safety will make the trip worthwhile for you."

"Four days?" she asked.

"I knew you would be agreeable," he said with a smile.

"I'll talk to the Soutaicho about it," she said offhandedly, although she already knew she'd simply say it was important and he would approve her to go. So far her reports hadn't been very helpful to the Gotei 13 beyond explaining some daily life interactions in the Rukongai and getting a better handle on what yakuza families ran which territories. A meeting like this one might actually offer some valuable information.

"Wonderful," he said lightly. "Although while we're there I would be careful about illegal kido spells if I were you."

"As I don't and won't use any, there isn't much to worry about," she said icily.

"Good," Kei said. "Then my watching you won't be a problem."

"Beyond it being creepy and bordering on harassment?" she asked sarcastically. "No, not at all."

Kei laughed and had she been in any way friendly with him she'd have probably enjoyed the sound. It was a deep healthy laugh that reminded her of Kyouraku's if she was perfectly honest with herself. "I wish I'd known what you'd turn into all those years ago when the two of you showed up on my doorstep," he said finally. "I'd have kept the set and taken Tanaka down myself if I had to. It'd have been worth the hassle, if I'd only known."

"You were the one my brother asked to help hide me?" she asked quietly. She'd known the Higurashi had made it possible, but she'd never attributed the action to Kei directly. She'd always assumed a lower member of the family had deigned to help them.

"He snuck in past all the guards and put on quite a show," Kei said looking off into a memory and smiling slightly. "He was an impressive kid, although you could tell he was terrified out of his mind. Once he got out that he had a sister and the name Tanaka I didn't need much more to know why though. I was surprised he'd had the guts to run at all. Tanaka did nasty things to children that tried to escape."

"You knew what Tanaka was and you did nothing?" she asked seriously.

"Everyone out here knew what Tanaka was," he said. "But he was a powerful man. As long as he stayed away from the Higurashi women we remained carefully neutral. It wasn't worth the fight. Just like Nobu."

"It was probably worth it to all those women who suffered at his hands," Nanao seethed ignoring the jab about Nobu. "And all those defenseless children."

"Those women and children weren't my business," Kei said peacefully sipping tea. "Still so young yet, shinigami-chan. You can't save everyone. Battles must be chosen. You didn't see Mamoru-kun going directly after Tanaka after all that either did you? He'd done what was important, made his baby sister safe. Your lofty ideals might tell you that all life is precious, but when push comes to shove, there's only a few people in the world you're really going to give two shits about saving. It's human nature, sweetheart. You save the ones you love."

"And who do you love?" she asked cynically.

"Myself, and the Higurashi family," he said staring her down. "And that's it, shinigami-chan. Mamoru-kun is our common ground, but if you ever do anything that puts the Higurashi in direct danger again I will end you. Don't ever forget it."

"I won't," she said standing to leave stiffly. "I'll see you in four days."

A/N: Thank you all for the encouraging reviews! I'm so glad I didn't get hate you notes :) Trying to edit and post as quickly as I can while still managing life, sorry it's a bit short this time. As always reviews and thoughts are appreciated and sometimes even spur me into adding things I wouldn't have thought of otherwise!