Title: Injustice

Author: FactVsFiction

Paring: Shunsui/Nanao

Disclaimer: I don't own bleach! Kubo does!

A/N: Finally a Nanao/Shunsui multi-chapter. Hope you enjoy!

Injustice

Shunsui closed his eyes in acceptance of his faith. This was it. The battle had been vicious, that was certain, but when 7 Arrancar had focused on him alone even the great captain of the 8th had no hope. He had swindled the number down to four but four separate blows from a combination attack had him down and staring his faith in the eye. He watched with resignation as the blade flew towards him, his eyes closing to brace for the impact that never came.

His eyes slid open just long enough to see two black haired women with their backs to him. Blades raised as together they blocked the enormous blow. One was his Nanao-Chan, dressed in the basic Shinigami robes. Her hair had come loose and flew around her wildly. The other was an almost identical height and wore a distressingly familiar sailor suit…

He fell into the darkness. His last thought. This was not going to be a good reunion.

The women worked together, perfectly synchronised. Neither bothered to even look to the other as they took out the threat together. Nanao hefted her taichou's weight onto her shoulder. "I'll take him back." She stated simply. She was gone in a flash.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

"Oh don't tell me. Said the voice from the door. You're his fuku-taichou?" Nanao looked up from her desk and into the steel grey eyes of her mentor and processor Yadomaru-Lisa.

"Yes." Said Nanao simply. Returning to her work.

"Damn. Old pervert must have missed me more than I thought!" Said Lisa, amused. "What's your name kid! You sure we aren't sisters? Bet your appointment sent a few eyebrows into the hairline. Though you do seem capable of a good fight."

"If you have no official business here Yadomaru-san I politely request you leave." Said Nanao steadily.

"Hardass are we? Shunsui always did like 'em like that."

"I request again that you leave."

"Ouch. What kid? You didn't actually think you earned your position of your own merit did you? A little squirt like you? Tell me. Does he call you by my name?"

That was it. Nanao's whole body trembled with rage and she shot to her feet. A ball of kidou formed in her hand. "I am NOT sleeping with my captain." She spoke with a deathly calm voice. Nanao stalked around her desk.

"Doesn't change the fact that he hired you." Said Lisa. She was enjoying teasing the girl and she could see the tears building in her eyes behind her glasses.

"Get out of my office."

"Used to be mine"

"GET OUT!" Nanao yelled. Loosing control. She hurled the kidou at a wall.

The shout and bang brought the newly healed Shunsui running. "What's going…" The question died in his throat as he took in the scene. Lisa was smirking. Nanao was leaning n her desk. Shaking from head to toe and breathing sharply Shunsui was horrified to see the tears on her cheeks.

"What did you do Lisa.?" He questioned coldly.

"Just having some fun with your new play thing Shunsui. You missed me that much did you?" Nanao choked on another sob. A new set of tears falling.

Shunsui's whole presence went cold.

Nanao wasn't staying any longer. She needed out. She barged past them both, taking off at a sprint. Shunsui slammed the office door.

"Oh come on Shuns if she was willing to take that position after me then she must be desperate. No harm done your play thing will come back."

"You have no idea what you've just done." Said Shunsui quietly.

"So melodramatic!"

"YOU HAVE NO IDEA!" He lost it. Shunsui rarely shouted. It wasn't good.

"If Nanao quits over your completely incorrect accusations there will be hell to pay! You hear me Lisa!"

"Na-Nanao?" Said Lisa shakily.

"You didn't even get her name first! You accused Nanao of that! Your own protégée. SHE CAN'T HELP WHO SHE LOOKS LIKE!"

"That was…Nanao..? B-but that's not right. Nanao's only a child."

"You left one hundred years ago." Snarled Shunsui. "People grow up."

Lisa just gaped.

"They grow up and learn to cover up the wounds of childhood abandonment that you've just torn open. You were the only person she's ever trusted completely and you TORE HER TO SHREDS!"

"Shunsui I didn't know. I didn't know it was Nanao. I wouldn't have!"

"Well it's a bit late for that. Do you have any idea how much nerve she showed in taking your position. The baby of the squad and your image. Do you have any idea how much people talked? How insecure she is about that already without your input?"

"I'm sorry!"

"If she quits you will be." Shunsui snarled. "Get out of my sight!"

OOOOOOO

"Unohana-taichou do you feel that?" Asked Isane worriedly. The 4th division taichou's nodded.

"Somebody's kidou is self harming. From the strength I suggest it is a master. Please go and track the person Isane-San. It is a dangerous situation for any Shinigami to be in. But for a Kidou master…"

"Understood. Taichou."

OOOOOOO

"Ise-San? Ise-San!" Isane ran to the 8th division fuku-taichou's bedside. Nanao lay on her side. Her breath coming in pained gasps, her arms were wrapped round her stomach and her knees were drawn to her chest. Pain racked her small frame.

"Ise-san what happened?" Isane asked in horror as she worked to stabilise the other woman's kidou.

"Hurts…" She gasped. "I'm not her…"She whispered. "I'm not her!" Stronger this time. Suddenly her kidou launched a new attack.

Isane realised that she couldn't handle this. Ise-San was just too powerful in Kidou arts to subdue. Being as careful as possible Isane lifted the quaking body and flash stepped as fast as she could.

OOOOOOO

Two hours later. Isane sat exhausted by Nanao's bedside, just staring at the other woman. It had taken both her and her captain to subdue the woman's kidou. Isane just couldn't understand. Of all the women in the Goeti 13 Isane had always believed Ise-san to be the most mentally stable, herself included. Self harming Kidou was not self activated. It took the purest of self loathing to cause the soul to torture itself. Isane couldn't believe that of all people it was Ise-san. What had happened the usually confident woman?

Suddenly her musings were interrupted as the 8th's taichou's ran into the room. "Nanao-chan! What happened? Is she okay?"

"Calm down Kyouraru-taichou" Said Unohana calmly sweeping into the room. Have a seat.

"What Happened?" Shunsui demanded.

"Ise-San's kidou has attacked her body." Said Unohana softly.

"S-self harming. B-but.."

"We were hoping you may know why." said Unohana.

"She repeated over and over I'm not her. Does it mean anything to you?" Asked Isane.

"Perhaps an identity crisis?" Said Unohana.

Shunsui put his head in his hands, sinking into a chair.

"That's a yes." Said Unohana.

"What happened Captain Kyoraku?" Said Isane softly. It was obvious that the girl was still shaken from what she had witnessed.

"Lisa-San is in soul society."

"I had heard." Said Unohana. "Reports say that she and Nanao-san worked as one to defend you. Nanao-San is still that insecure?" She asked, deeply concerned.

Shunsui shook his head dejectedly. "Lisa-San didn't recognise Nanao-Chan. You know how harsh she can be."

"I do. I need you to tell me exactly what was said so that we may begin to rebuild her confidence, Shunsui-San."

"I don't know." Said Shunsui sadly. "I ran there when Nanao lost control of her kidou. Threw it at a wall. She was furious… A-and sobbing. I've never seen Nanao-chan cry like that. Even the night Lisa-San left her as a child. She implied that Nanao was a replacement for her in more ways than one. Nan… Nanao-Chan ran. Lisa-San was the only person she's ever trusted completely…"

"And Lisa-San threw it back in her face." Unohana finished sadly. Shunsui just nodded into his hands.

This wasn't good at all.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Nanao was released from the 4th squad's care 2 days later. She had woken after 13 hours, her calm and composed self. The young 8th division fuku-taichou had apologised profusely for her 'childish' behaviour and for wasting Captain Unohana's and Isane's time. Of course both had told her she was talking nonsense but Nanao was adamant.

To the untrained eye Nanao appeared to be perfectly healthy but her condition scared Isane. Having witnessed first hand the devastation one simple loss of composure on Nanao's part could cause her body Isane had to wonder just how much the stoic vice-captain of the eighth kept under wraps in order to control her obviously immense power.

Nanao was playing a dangerous game with her powers and it needed to be dealt with. It was common knowledge in seretei that Nanao never used her Zampaktu. Arguably the most powerful kidou artist in soul society most assumed it was because she had no need… But having seen this… Isane was worried that Nanao was hiding deeper problems than her insecurity.

Shunsui had come to see her shortly after she woke. The poor man was torn apart by her condition, knowing that it was he that was at the root of these problems. True to form Nanao had refused to open up, completely dismissing the fact that any of the previous day had ever happened. Shunsui, knowing his Lieutenant best had followed her lead and let the subject drop for the time being. Isane figured that Nanao wouldn't be so lucky when the time to face Lisa came around.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Isane had volunteered to walk Nanao back to her division. Nanao Ise didn't keep friends but Isane knew her reasonably well by Nanao's standards. Nanao had agreed, knowing the caring healer would not take no for an answer and the duo had set out together.

They walked in silence. Isane knew enough to know not to start a conversation when Nanao was so obviously lost in her thoughts. Instead she settled on watching her body language.

"Oi! Yadomaru!" Someone yelled. Sprinting up to them Abari Renji placed a hand on Nanao's shoulder. She stiffened and Isane cringed. She watched as Nanao took a deep calming breath, closing her eyes. After gathering her composure the violet orbs opened and she turned to face Renji.

"Oh. Sorry Ise-san. You two really could be twins ya know!" Said Renji with a grin. Isane sighed. Men really had no tact.

"No matter." Said Nanao, seemingly perfectly calm.

"Anyway Ise-san. We need you too. Your taichou was sent looking for you. There's a meeting you need to attend."

"Thank you Abari-san." He shunpoed away.

"It's my own fault anyway." Said Nanao, sensing the healers eyes on her. " I should've put my hair up. Kyorau-Taichou forgot to put a clip in my overnight bag when he gathered it. Nothing to be done about it now. We'll be late."

With that the pair shunpoed across seretei to the 1st division.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

"Apologies for our tardiness Soutaichou-sama." Said Nanao with a composed bow as she and Isane entered.

"Take your places Ise-san, Koetsu-san." Both women hurried to take their positions beside their captains.

Nanao's hair did not go un-noticed as she walked to her position and she became quite self-conscious at more than one appreciative look sent her way. It really was quite startling for anyone who hadn't seen it before. Nanao's hair fell deadly straight to her waist when down. It was pitch black but shone the colour of her eyes where the light hit it. She silently took her place beside Shunsui who with an apologetic look offered her her clip. She gave a tiny nod of thanks and set to pulling her hair up into it's usual roll as Yamamoto began the meeting.

As hard as she tried Nanao found herself lost in her own thoughts for most of the meeting, only returning in reality just in time to hear Yamamoto address herself and Shunsui.

"Now. Regarding Yadomaru-Lisa's decision to remain in soul society now that the law against the visards has been lifted. Ise-san if you could please fetch Yadomaru-san from the waiting room I'd like to address you together."

Nanao gave a sharp nod, breaking rank, and returned a minute later, an uncomfortable looking Lisa in toe.

"You may take a position on Kyoraku's left Yadomaru-san."

Nanao re-took the lieutenants position on the right. She had a bad feeling that she wasn't going to like this talk but revealed nothing on her face.

"There has been much talk within the central 46 about what to do with you both. My first intention was to give Yadomaru-san the highest available seated position in a squad but the decision was removed from my hands. Soul society acknowledges that Yadomaru-Lisa was wronged and that she did not leave her position of her own free will. The central 46 have ruled that due to this fact the lieutenant's position of the 8th division was never vacated making Ise-san's appointment to the position null and void."

Gasps echoed around the room. Surely Yamamoto couldn't be implying what they thought he was. Lisa was gaping at the Captain commander. Her double on the other hand was focusing straight ahead of her ignoring her Captain's sad gaze.

"Ise-san." Said Yamamoto.

"I understand Sir. Law 46b section 17 states that a lieutenant may be replaced in two ways. Through the resignation or promotion of the previous Lieutenant or the treachery of the Lieutenant. I was promoted under the second circumstances. Yadomaru-san did not resign, nor was there treachery so my position does not stand." Said Nanao quietly.

"Yama-Ji I'm going to have to object to that. That isn't fair." Shunsui spoke up, looking down on his Lieutenant who was still steadily avoiding his gaze.

"I object as well. I have no intention of stealing Nanao-san's position. It's hers." Nanao's eyes widened slightly at Lisa's willingness as she spoke from Shunsui's left.

"I have already objected to the central 46 myself." Said Yamamoto. "I was overruled."

Whispers broke out among the Captains and their vices. Anyone could see that this was completely unfair and everyone was aware that since Nanao took her position the 8th division and in fact, the whole Goeti 13 had run a lot more smoothly. Nanao had earned her position and it was her devotion that made squad 8 the most specialised in combative kidou in the 13. She had given the eighth squad her talent and their specialisation and this was not the way to repay her.

"I think I speak for all the Captains when I say that for the record, we object as well." Hitsugaya said cool and calm. All the Captain's nodded their agreement.

"Unfortunately it does not matter. The central 46 recognise the wrong that has been done to Ise-san in this situation also. Ise-san was promoted from 18th seat 100 years ago which is currently taken. She has a choice. They are willing to offer Ise-san the position of demon arts professor in the academy due to her mastery. She can return to an unseated position in the eighth or compete for a seated position in another squad. Or. She can challenge Yadomaru-san in a structured duel for her position. It is her choice." Said the commander looking at Nanao.

"I will think about it Sir." Said Nanao quietly. Yamamoto nodded.

"Whatever that choice may be as of now Yadomaru-Lisa is reinstated as Vice captain of the 8th division."

Nanao numbly reached for the plaque on her arm. Tugging gently at the soft white material and slowly unwinding it from her arm. She ran her fingers across the smooth brass, feeling the ridges of the kanji for the eighth division before approaching Lisa. Seemingly perfectly composed she handed the gob smacked woman the badge and bowed. She then turned on her heels and left the hall, head held high.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

The Captains studiously ignored the contained explosion of frustrated reiatsu 10 minutes later. Shunsui's expression, however, became even more melancholy if it were possible and Lisa cringed, guilt clear on her features. Trust Nanao to take the time to put up barriers and find an uninhabited area.

The lieutenants weren't quite as tactful and looked extremely curious as to why their captains were ignoring a huge surge in captain's level spiritual pressure. Byakuya shook his head at the questioning Renji. Yamamoto-Soutaichou closed the meeting and they were dismissed.

OoOoOoOoOoOo

Shunsui took it upon himself to enter the Lieutenants quarters that night. The door was open and he knew Nanao was well aware of his presence Boxes littered the quarters which were lit only by moonlight and Shunsui manoeuvred his way through them. Sure enough he found Nanao exactly where he expected to. She sat on the ledge of the circular window in the living room, her bare feet pulled up onto the sill and a book closed in her lap. She stared out the window, lost in her thoughts.

Shunsui remembered back to the time just after Lisa left. Nanao had only been a child… Missing her time reading with Lisa Nanao had taken to curling up in the circular window of the Captain's office to read. It was true. She was never popular as a new recruit and Shunsui never said a word about her presence, figuring she needed the company as much as he did. Never once did she ask for his opinion on what she was reading though. She didn't really speak to him at all. Even in her years as fuku-taichou Shunsui would often enter the office to find her sitting in that window. Often asleep, sometimes thinking as she was now. He'd purposely had one built into her quarters.

"Nanao-Chan"

Shunsui watched as a single tear ran down her pale, glowing cheek in the moonlight. She wiped it away as it reached her sculpted jaw line.

"I'm almost packed Sir. You can tell Yadomaru-Fukutaichou that I'll be out by lunchtime tomorrow." Said Nanao, regaining her composure.

"Nanao-Chan" He repeated. It was all he could bring himself to say.

"I'll be fine Taichou." She stated in her usual no nonsense tone.

"Where will you go?"

"The dormitories for the time being Taichou."

Shunsui swallowed, trying to slow his rapidly beating heart. This was the question.

"What are you going to do? Nanao-chan?"

He saw her slump back against the wall and took his cue. He sat on the opposite side of the window ledge. She moved her bare feet wordlessly, making space for his own. They sat like that, just facing each other in the window ledge for a few minutes.

"I don't know." She was quiet. She sighed, pulling her knees to her chest. "I'm not moving to another squad. That's certain."

"What about teaching? That's an amazing position Nana-Chan. They have a lot of faith in you to offer it."

"It'd be great." She said, not even correcting the use of her childhood nickname. It was rare they spoke like this. Like the friends they were rather than captain and subordinate and it was allowed in such situations as long as the knowledge of it's existence never left the room. She loved speaking to him like this.

"You don't sound so enthusiastic Nana-Chan."

"Teaching would be perfect on a practical level but I don't want to leave squad 8. I've been here my entire career and I feel I feel…"

She struggled with her words. Nanao wasn't very good with emotional expression a result of her trust issues after Lisa's disappearance. The fact that she was trying said a lot to Shunsui. She usually bottled everything up until there was a result like the earlier explosion. She really didn't know what to do… She was looking for help.

"I feel like I'd be abandoning the troops."

The troops. Shunsui thought sadly. They were not going to take this well when they found out at the morning meeting. For all Nanao's bossing and for all their complaining the eighth squad were well known to be the most loyal in the 13 protection squads and they were loyal to Nanao, their "Boss", above everyone else, himself included. It was only fair. She ran the squad, Shunsui was the first to admit that, she taught them, organised them and fought with them. At loss, she mourned with them, at success she celebrated with them. In her own twisted way she was Mother to every single recruit on the squad from himself right down to the newest rookie and Lisa was never going to fill those shoes.

Of course Shunsui knew Nanao was thinking on a practical level. Nanao had pulled squad eight from the gutter. There were 6 years between Lisa's leave and Nanao's appointment, just long enough for Nanao to reach maturity. After the childhood years soul reapers tended to stop growing for a few millennia before finally entering the final stage like yama-ji. Most soul reapers didn't live that long and so maturity was the disappearance of ones childhood body. It was frowned upon to promote immature souls and Shunsui knew early on that the only person he wanted as his second was Ise Nanao.

During those six years though the squad fell into despair. Shunsui blamed himself for Lisa's situation and drank himself into oblivion daily. Most of the squad had abandoned him and he couldn't say he blamed them. Nanao had been their saviour. She'd pulled the squad together. Pulled him together and made certain that squad eight had something to be proud of. Sure enough they had fast become known as the top combative kidou squad. She inspired loyalty in him, in the squad, and unintentionally in herself. If she were to leave now their kidou would fall to pieces. There was no doubt about it. Nanao was a competitive person by nature and to see her work go down the drain would kill her.

"They'd understand Nana-chan."

No they wouldn't. Thought both with an internal sigh.

"You aren't going to challenge. Are you?"

She was silent for a minute.

"I don't want to get in the way…" Her voice was tiny as she spoke her most inner thoughts.

"What are you talking about?"

"I won't challenge if you don't want me to."

"What makes you think I don't want you to?"

"Well" She said, leaning forward to rub her feet. "Why would you want me to? I remember how happy you were when I was little. How easy everything was. You drank less and joked more because Lisa-san understood them."

Shunsui went to interrupt.

"And I know that Lisa-san's sexual orientation is lesbian Taichou so it's nothing to do with that." She said before he could comment.

"I remember the years after she left and how hard you took it. I remember vowing never to drink because I saw what it did to you and someone had to be there to pick you up. I remember teaching myself the paperwork so I could do the urgent things while you slept it off and how after 3 months I could forge your signature perfectly. Lisa-san's absence did that to you. She's your best friend and I am not getting in the way."

Her voice cracked in the last sentence and she blinked back the tears.

Shunsui on the other hand allowed his tears to fall freely.

"That's exactly why I want you to challenge it Nanao-chan."

"W-what?"

"You picked us up Nanao-chan. You picked me up. You dealt with the things about me that nobody else could. You cleaned up my mess and put me back together again. Yare yare Nanao-chan you forged my signature for me! You! Lisa-san was my best friend along with Jyuushiro but Nanao-chan how could you ever believe yourself a replacement. NOBODY could ever replace you in my life. Nobody! You sell yourself short over and over again when I can't imagine my life without you in it. Lisa changed Nanao-chan. I knew that as soon as she said what she did to you, and that change isn't her fault, but please Nana-chan I know you can win if you try. I want you to stay."

"Kyoraku-taichou. Are you sober?!" She exclaimed lightly with a watery smile.

"Is it that obvious my Nanao-chan?"

This drew a smile from Nanao, her lips curved upwards and she looked at him with fond eyes. He actually got sober… for her.

"Thank you. I'll think about it."

"That's all I ask my dear Nanao-chan. Though a hug wouldn't go astray." He added with a charming smile.

Nanao wiped the tears from her cheeks. "You'd better keep your hands to yourself!"

"Of course my darling Nanao."

OoOoOoOoOoOo

A/N: Yay! Multi-chapter Shunsui/Nanao! Review! I'm really REALLY bad for becoming bored of multi-chapter fics so you really do need to convince me to post!

Becca