Author's Note: I'm sorry that this update is so late. Life has inevitably interfered in my writing and reading, and as regrettable as that is it is still unavoidable. I hope that you can forgive me. At the very least here's chapter seven. I hope you enjoy.

Thanks to the following people who have reviewed since chapter six: Mysticwolf, kinasu346912, Ivy Dayal, Anhalir, Winter Vines, Automailjunkie44, Kitsune Moonstar, darkangel1910, and Tushirou Lover. Very Special thanks to Hitsu-taicho for the wonderful support, constructive criticism, and for just being my conscience in general.

Disclaimer: I don't own bleach or it's wonderful characters, but I do enjoy playing with them from time to time.

Chapter Seven: Chrysanthemums

Nanao had just finished the last form in today's stack of paperwork. She looked over to where the door to the courtyard was open. She knew that her Captain rested just outside of that door. She could just hear his soft snores. During the warm months of spring and summer he could often be found thus, either napping or staring off in contemplation.

Not wanting to wake him now that she had just completed his portion of the paperwork, Nanao was just contemplating a cup of tea. It was still a few hours before the day was over. She smiled as she realized that she had managed to finish the paperwork early today. Deciding that a cup of tea was just what she needed, she went to fix one. Having finished her task she brought her tea back into the office and sat down. Tilting her chair away from the desk Nanao gazed out of the open window.

Squad Eight had one of the most beautiful gardens in all of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads, only rivaled by Squad Thirteen and Squad Four. It wasn't lost on Nanao that all three of those squads were Captained by the three oldest and wisest captains in all of Seireitei.

Nanao was knocked out of her musings when she heard a knock on the office door. Nanao thought this a little odd since she always kept the door open when she was in the office. "Enter"

Nanao wasn't surprised when she saw one of the younger unseated members of the squad appear in the doorway. Shina Yamazaki was a very small, diminutive woman. She had only been in the squad for a few months after graduating The Academy.

The Vice-Captain waved her into the office and asked, "Yamazaki-san, Is there something I can help you with?"

The girl's reply surprised Nanao, "Vice-Captain Ise, I came to ask for your help."

"Go ahead and sit down and explain the situation to me. I'll see if I can help."

"It started when I was in The Academy. There was this one boy who thinks that Kido is useless. As you know, I love kido and am actually better at it than using my Zanpakuto. I would always practice on training ground thirteen. Yukio Ito is the boy's name. He and his friends would always practice their swordsmanship on training ground twelve just so they could make fun of me. I tried moving to another training ground but they followed me. Kido is stupid they would say. They thought I was pretty much useless as a shinigami."

"I love my Zanpakuto, but I like Kido. It's wonderful to fight with and I can feel it's power coursing through me. I knew that I wouldn't be at The Academy forever. I did my best to avoid them when I could, and ignore them when I couldn't. When I graduated and came here I thought it would end, but I was out training this afternoon and two of them walked by."

At this point in the story Nanao heard Yamazaki-san's voice waver and grow softer. Nanao thought she knew where this was going, but she didn't want to interrupt her story. Nanao didn't condone fighting outside of hollows, training, or organized competition, even if she did think it might have been justified in this situation. These were things that Nanao, as a Kido user, had heard many times.

"It started again. I thought when I was accepted into a Squad that was different than their's it would end, I was wrong. I didn't think it was possible for it to get worse, but it has. Now not only do they insult me and my ability as a Shinigami, but they…."

At this point Shina's voice dropped off and she lowered her head as if she were afraid to finish her story. After a slight pause, in which she realized that her Captain was no longer snoring softly, she encouraged her subordinate to continue, "Yamazaki-san, it is okay. You can tell me what they said."

"Vice-Captain Ise it is so disrespectful. They said that they always knew that I was worthless, and now they had proof. They said that that was why I got stuck in Squad Eight. The squad that had an inadequate drunkard for a Captain and a Vice-Captain that isn't capable of doing anything more than filling out some forms."

This was all said quickly as if she was afraid of the words herself. She knew that it was likely to come out when she came here, but she had needed to ask for some help. Shina couldn't help but sit there and wonder if she had just made a huge mistake.

"Ahhh. I see," Nanao thought. Thinking that there was at least one thing that she could do to help her subordinate, she replied, "Yamazaki-san. I will of course help. I would be happy to change the training schedule so that you can use a different area."

Thinking that this would help solve the problem in question, Nanao was confused when the young girl in front of her hunched her shoulders further. At that point it occurred to Nanao that their might be more to the story. "Is there something else, Yamazaki-san?"

As the girl looked up there was a look of embarrassment in her eyes, "I just got so angry. I have so much respect for you and Captain Kyouraku. The more they said I was useless the angrier I got. I was so excited to be accepted into Squad Eight. I know that I haven't been here long, but I really like it here I just…..I just…. I lost my temper."

This really wasn't what Nanao had expected. She had helped the young girl during squad training a few times and she had never heard her raise her voice. Yamazaki-san had always been soft spoken. Nanao would never have thought she would have lost her temper, because of some taunts. It must have been building up inside of her for a long time. "What happened when you lost your temper," Nanao asked hoping that she wouldn't have to write a formal apology to the boy's Captain.

"Well…. I challenged him to a fight. That way I could beat him and he would have to stop tormenting me," replied Shina.

Shina hadn't really been thinking of the repercussions when she had issued that challenge and now here she was.

Vice-Captain Ise had been silent so long that Shina had started wondering if there was a rule that stated she wasn't allowed to issue a challenge to a member of another squad. She hoped her Vice-Captain wasn't going to punish her or worse kick her out of her new squad.

When Nanao finally spoke she saw the disappointment in her subordinate's eyes, "Yamazaki-san, I respect the fact that you are trying to resolve the situation, but I am not sure that a challenge is the best way to go about it. There have always been some people that feel the same way this boy does about Kido. Being a Kido user myself I have heard the same sentiments many times. I think that we should find another way to solve this problem."

"But Vice-Captain Ise……" Shina was interrupted by a deep male voice coming from behind them.

"Now, Now, Nanao-chan. This is a challenge for honor. I think it is only fair for Yamazaki-san to be able to defend her honor, and fight for what she believes in," Captain Kyouraku stated from his perch against the open door frame.

Not wanting to openly contradict her captain, Nanao sighed and replied, "Very well Captain." Turning her attention back to Yamazaki-san she continued, "When is this challenge supposed to take place?"

Trying very hard to hide her hopefulness the small shinigami replied, "In two weeks Vice-Captain."

"And I assume that you wanted to ask for my help training for this challenge," Nanao guessed.

"Yes Vice-Captain. If it wouldn't be too much trouble."

"I will work out a schedule that will work for both of us. I will post it next to the regular training schedule in the morning," Nanao informed her.

"Thank you Vice-Captain," and with that she turned to walk away, and continued, "Thank you very much Captain."

Before Shina got to the door however Nanao stopped her, "Yamazaki-san. What Squad is Yukio Ito in?"

To her Vice-Captain's surprise she replied, "Oh. He's Twelfth seat of Squad Eleven." And with that said she walked out the door.

After the young shinigami left Nanao turned a level gaze at her superior, wondering what had made him interrupt her.

Seeing the look she was giving him she asked, "What is it Nanao-chan."

"Sir. I don't think that this is a good solution to the problem. As someone who is Kido adept I have heard these things many times. I have learned not to pay them much attention. It is something Yamazaki-san will have to learn if she chooses to pursue kido."

With a smile Captain Kyouraku replied, "Normally I would agree with you Nanao-chan, but it looks like someone needs to show the next generation that Kido users are to be respected."

Seeing the surprised look on his Vice-Captain's face he continued, "You might believe all that now, but you still knocked Tanaka-san on his ass when you were still in The Academy."

It took her a few seconds to hide her shock that he remembered that one report from her file. It had been so long ago.

Recalling one last thing she asked, "Sir, just how am I supposed to help her win against a seated officer of Squad Eleven when she is an unseated officer in our own squad?"

Kyouraku stopped before he reached the door and replied, "I have faith in you Nanao-chan. You will find away. It's a fight that she will eventually have to fight. She might as well do it now since she's ready. After all he can't be all that smart, I am a very adept at being a drunkard."

She just sat back down at her desk and watched him turn with a wink and walk out the door, probably to finish the nap that had been interrupted.

Nanao just sat for a few minutes contemplating what she could teach the petite girl to help her win. She took a sip of her tea, realized that it had grown cold, and sighed. Sitting her teacup back down she began to rearrange her schedule to allow her time for everything plus the added training with Yamazaki-san.

The following day Nanao made her way toward the Eighth Squad's training grounds thinking about what they would work on today. When she was close she heard shouting. It sounded like people were arguing.

Walking slowly so as to not be noticed Nanao continued to the training ground. When she reached it she saw that three boys were indeed taunting Yamazaki-san. It sounded much like what the girl had told her yesterday. Except now they were explaining in graphic detail what would happen to her when she lost the challenge.

Having heard enough, Nanao decided that her Captain had apparently been right and something had to be done about these troublemakers. She wouldn't do anything drastic, but she didn't want them spying on her student either. She made her way toward the girl.

Once she got there she noticed that once the boys saw her they stopped trying to scare Yamazaki-san, but they weren't leaving either. This just wouldn't do.

"Yamazaki-san, I believe it is time for our training to start," Nanao stated.

"Yes, Vice-Captain."

As the young shinigami moved toward the middle of the training area Nanao noticed that the boys made no move to leave. Apparently they thought that since they weren't on Squad Eight property that she would just let them stay and watch. With a soft sigh she walked closer to the boys, "Boys."

They replied, "Vice-Captain," not being able to hide their disgust.

Without showing any outward sign that she had heard it in their voices, Nanao put a barrier up in breakneck speed. Within seconds there was a barrier around the entire training area, starting inches from the feet of the boys. Nanao could see them looking puzzled and slightly frightened, and she couldn't help a small smile.

At that point Yamazaki appeared beside her and asked, "Vice-Captain, Is that a barrier?"

"Yes it is. I couldn't ask them to leave because they are not on Squad Eight property, but I didn't like the idea that they would be watching your training either. So I created a barrier that they can't see through. However, We can see them."

As Shina nodded her head in understanding she couldn't suppress the awe she felt for her Vice-Captain. She hadn't given any indication that she was putting up a barrier and it came up so fast.

Nanao was ready to begin and asked the petite girl, "Are you ready to begin?"

"Yes, Vice-Captain."

As they walked toward the center of the area Nanao stated, "The first thing I'm going to teach you is how to do Kido without the spirit chant."

Nanao trained with Yamazaki for the entire two weeks and even Nanao was surprised at how quickly the girl learned. It was the day of the challenge and Nanao had offered their training area as a location and both parties had agreed. So at noon she found herself making her way to the training ground, to watch the fight with her Captain.

Once they got there Nanao noticed that most of Squad Eight had turned out to cheer on the young girl. The boy from Squad Eleven had also shown up with supporters. She also noticed that quite a few members of Squad Thirteen were there and wondered why they had came to watch. However when she spotted Captain Ukitake she realized that they were probably here because he was.

Nanao watched as Captain Kyouraku went to talk with Captain Ukitake and made her way over to her small subordinate.

"Yamazaki-san, are you ready?"

"I am Vice-Captain," replied the small shinigami.

Nanao couldn't help but notice that the girl was anxious so she gave her a last bit of advice, "Just remember the plan and you will do fine."

The girl nodded before moving to the area where the fight would take place.

Seeing that both shinigami had made their way toward the marked off area Ukitake stood and began speaking, "Since this is a challenge between two different squads I will be mediating as an unbiased party. The fight will end when one of you is no longer able to fight."

When both parties had acknowledged the rules they both took their stance and Ukitake said, "Begin."

Nanao was standing next to her Captain in the best view possible as the match began.

Ito drew his sword and charged at Yamazaki. Nanao knew that Yamasaki would be ready, it was after all what they had trained for, so she wasn't surprised when the small girl shouted, "Red Flame Canon." The assembly watched as the ground below Ito's feet dissolved and he had to jump out of the way.

Not waiting until he gained his feet, Yamazaki quickly put more distance between them. Having regained his footing Ito charged again and this time when his opponent yelled "Red Flame Canon" he changed tactics.

As he wasn't much faster than his opponent, Ito jumped into the air trying to surprise Yamazaki from above. However she was anticipating this and already had her next attack ready as she called out, "Pale Fire Crash. The blue ball of energy flew toward the boy from Squad Eleven and he couldn't dodge it completely. When he landed his right sleeve had been destroyed and his arm showed minor burns.

In a fit of anger that she had managed to injure him, he shouted out, "Shake the earth, Buru." Having unsealed his Zanpakuto it transformed from a traditional katana to something resembling a large hammer.

When he hit the ground with the large hammer the earth shot up and aimed itself at the young girl. Not able to get off another direct attack she ran toward one side of the arena and kneeled down, and let the rubble fly over her. Angry that she had out maneuvered him, he tried again, with similar results. Except this time she ran to the opposite side of the arena. This continued until he had forced her to all four sides of the arena.

Kyouraku was a little surprised that the young girl had learned to use kido without the use of the spirit chant so quickly, but it was becoming apparent that it wouldn't be enough. "Nanao-chan I am going to get Juu to stop this she is going to get hurt."

"No Captain, This is her fight. Please let her finish," Nanao replied with a small smirk on her face.

At that point Yamazaki stopped dead in her tracks and faced her opponent right as he swung his hammer again. Waiting to the last possible second she ducked down and placed both of her hands on the ground, and let the boulders fly right over her head before shouting, "

Plant Manipulation."

The onlookers just watched as four vines ascended from the ground and wrapped themselves around Ito and forced him to the ground. As the vines drug him down he lost his grip on his Zanpakuto and it fell to the ground. Now that he had lost his Zanpakuto he had no way to fight the tightening plant. He could do nothing but watch as small pink flowers budded out of the vines. Nanao's smirk grew into a genuine smile as Yamazaki walked toward her furious opponent and gathered her reiatsu in her hand. Having reached him she placed her had inches from his face and looked toward Ukitake.

Ukitake nodded and stood, "The winner is Shina Yamazaki of Squad Eight."

Nanao saw that her small subordinate was looking at her and grinning from ear to ear. The Vice-Captain nodded to her and turned to leave the field as all of Squad Eight descended on the victor.

Having finished the remainder of the paperwork for that day Nanao was just about to leave when Captain Kyouraku and Captain Ukitake came into the office. Apparently they were going to have a visit this evening.

Nanao was gathering her things for the evening when Shunsui stated, "Nanao-chan, I have seen you do that Kido before and that is not what it looked like."

"Well sir. Yamazaki didn't have the control necessary for the one you saw me do so I modified it. She was able to do it because she inserted her reiatsu into the ground at the four points. And then again for the completion."

"I understand that Nanao-chan. What I was getting at was the fact that when you do it there are no pink flowers."

Nanao couldn't help but think that she should have realized he would pick up on the pink flowers. However she continued, "They have no significance other than the fact that I thought that it would appropriately represent Squad Eight, sir.

Before he could reply there was a knock at the door to the office, and Nanao called out, "Enter."

Shina Yamazaki walked into the room holding two flowers. Each stem held an orb of small delicate white petals. Nanao could tell they were Chrysanthemums. She had seen a picture of them a few times in her book, so she knew that they meant, "You are a great friend".

Nanao was to shocked to speak when the girl ran over to Nanao and hugged her. "Thanks so much Vice-Captain Ise," and after handing her the flowers continued, "I would like so much to be your friend,"

Nanao could do nothing but take the flowers and reply, "Of course I would be honored to be your friend. Knowing that she would place one of the flowers in her Journal later.

Before jogging out of the room Nanao's new friend said, "Well apparently everyone wants to have a party to support my victory so I'll see you later," and with that she left.

Shunsui just stood there and looked at his Nanao-chan, holding her book and the flowers, as Yamazaki walked out.

Once the girl had left Nanao just sighed.

Kyouraku asked, "What is it Nanao-chan?"

Nanao just walked toward the door as she said, "They already got to her to. Well at least after tonight she will be an official member of the Squad, with drunken dancing and everything."

As Nanao walked down the hall to her room she heard the deep laughter of her Captain and his best friend.

"Juu, You know, sometimes my Nanao-chan is scary good with Kido," Shunsui confided in his best friend.

Author's note: There it is. I hope it is up to par. I know that you all have waited a long time for it and I apologize. I'm hoping that I am now back into the groove of things. This is my first oc so please be nice. Concrit is welcome and appreciated. Please read and review. I hope to see you next time.