Bleach Fan Fiction ❯ Lessons to Learn ❯ Wishful Thinking ( Chapter 5 )

[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]

AN: Another moral served to you fresh from my typing fingers! This one features Kyouraku and Nanao. Enjoy and review if you want to.

"Well, welcome to the Eighth Squad, and I hope that you enjoy it here," she said, shifting her clipboard in her grip. "Please follow me."

She turned and strode out of the room, confident that her inductee was on her heels. She was mainly this confident because of the short skirt she wore, showing off her long, slender legs as she neared the door of her superior's office. She stopped just short of the handle and turned back to the trembling man who stood behind her. She shifted her weight to her other leg and adjusted her glasses.

"This is the Captain's office. If you any questions or concerns, find me or you can ask him." She paused to observe his terrified stance that included chattering teeth and wobbling knees. She tried to suppress a smile, and decided to keep talking to will it away. "There is no reason to be afraid of the Captain. Actually, he's pretty harmless. He's laid back, a little too much for my tastes, and he'll even have a drink with you. But of course, it would be of his suggestion. Just calm down; there's no reason to be afraid."

She reached behind her, grabbed the handle and pushed the door open. She looked over her shoulder and sighed inwardly at the reclining frame of her Captain lounging in his usual spot on the floor, in front of the large window. He lay on his side with his back to them, his straw hat tipped over his unshaven face. She went into the room and waited for the timid man to venture inside after her. Clearing her throat, she said, "I've brought our newest member to you, and I hope that you'd at least want to sit up and meet him."

He groaned as he lazily rolled onto his back. He tipped his hat back from his eyes and gazed at his visitors. "Hey," he said, eying the young man. "Welcome."

"Sit up please," she ordered, flinging her pen at his face. She missed and scowled.

"I can see him just the same from down here. Don't get so angry."

She adjusted her glasses again and impatiently held out her hand, requesting her pen. He handed it to her, and smiled. She walked away in a huff, and he chuckled under his breath. "She's funny."

"I doubt it," she mumbled, scribbling on her clipboard. "Well, I have errands to run, so why don't you two just stay here and talk?"

"Fine. Go."

She quickly left the room and shut the door behind her. The young man watched her leave and turned quivering eyes back to the man he feared. "C-can I sit down somewhere?" he squeaked.

"Come and sit by me. Do you want a drink?"

Afraid to disagree with anything at the moment, the man nodded. In one swift motion, the Captain was sitting up and reaching for a jug near the corner of the room. He fetched two cups and filled them to the brim. He pushed one toward the man, who picked it up with shaking hands. "T-thank you."

"Mmmhmm," he hummed, downing his cup in a gulp or two. "So, how do you like Nanao?"

"S-she's really n-nice."

The Captain nodded at his vague answer. "Yes, she is nice. But not always. Do you know what makes her mad the most?" His voice lowered to a whisper.

"No, what?"

"When I tell people that we are married and have two kids. She hates that."

The man looked at him curiously. "Do you? Is it some kind of secret that you aren't supposed to tell?"

He looked at the man blankly. He shook his head and roared into laughter, throwing his head back. "Not at all! She'd never be crazy enough to marry me! But I wish she would go off her rocker and marry me. Hell, I try to drive her insane every day, and still I haven't done it."

More curiousity struck into the man's glare. "Then why do you tell people that you are married?"

The laughter stopped and a serious look took its place. "See, to folks who don't know that we aren't together wouldn't know that it was a lie. I mean, we fight like a married couple, or at least it seems that way to me. But really, it isn't hard to convince someone of anything, just as you keep the truth out of their reach. Always remember that. It might come in handy sometime."

"Yes sir."

Nodding in satisfaction that he had imparted a few words of wisdom, the Captain laughed again, "now how about another drink? And this time, don't spill half of it on yourself with your unsteady hands. You shouldn't waste good drink."

"Yes sir."

As he poured another cupful for the both of them, the door opened again and Nanao appeared in the doorway. She approached the seated men and handed the higher-ranked one a slip of paper. "Here," she said, then turning to leave again. "Read it."

The Captain waited until she had left the room before he opened the slip of folded paper. His eyes scanned over the words, and his lips pulled back into a smile. "She's funny."

"What does it say sir?"

Reading it again, he recited, "don't tell him we are married with kids. Remember, scandalous lies will be your downfall."

The man's expression didn't change from confusion. "And that's funny?"

"Yep, that's my Nanao. Y'know, our anniversary is coming up..."


AN: Yep. That's all. Review if you want to, but it would be nice if you did.