Author's Note: I have had the idea for this fic for quite some time, but every time I sat down to start it what came out just didn't seem right. This time I actually liked the beginning. I haven't forgotten about flowers, and it will be updated as soon as I can catch a new fluff bunny. Any suggestions for flowers are appreciated. Please enjoy.

CHAIN OF MEMORIES

Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach.

Chapter One: Fear

Shunsui watched as the gate, that would take him back to his Nanao-chan, opened. Thanks to the fact that Urahara had reopened the gate to Hueco Mundo the other captain's and Vice-Captains had made it back in time for the end of the final battle. Along with the Vizard which appeared to be a complete surprise to most of the people there. Himself included, but he was happy that he could finally apologize to Lisa-chan. Of course she had smacked him, and he couldn't help but be reminded of his Nanao-chan.

Walking through the gate with Ukitake at his side. They were both moving slow due to Ukitake being injured. Even though Unohana had healed him it had aggravated his illness. They weren't even halfway back to Soul Society when the snowy-haired captain looked at him and said, "Shunsui, you're practically vibrating with excitement. You should go on ahead so you can see Ise-san."

As if he could just leave his long time best friend. "Now Juu, I'm sure that Nanao-chan will be waiting," Shunsui replied. Then turning serious, he continued, "She is no doubt furious, but I'm

glad she wasn't there for that."

Ukitake just nodded and concentrated on making his way back to Soul Society under his own power.

It took a while, but once they made it to the other side of the gate they both sighed. It had been a long day. He was just about to tell his friend that he would escort him to Squad Four when he noticed movement out of the corner of his eye. A lower seated member of Squad Four had just flash-stepped up to Captain Unohana and her Vice-Captain. They appeared to be in a deep discussion about something. Kyouraku couldn't help but get a bad feeling when he saw the look on Isane-san's face.

"I wonder what's going on over there?" Shunsui inquired of his friend.

Ukitake, having seen the same thing, replied, "I have no idea, but it doesn't look good. Maybe we should go ask Retsu-san."

Agreeing wholeheartedly, Shunsui nodded, but still couldn't rid himself of that bad feeling. Together they made their way to the small group of healers. Once there Ukitake asked, "Retsu-san, is everything alright?"

Kyouraku wasn't the least bit surprised when she replied, "No, Ukitake-san, everything is not alright. It appears that while the battles were raging in Hueco Mundo and the living world, there was also a battle here. Luckily it was only lead by one Arrancar and the others were regular hollows. Aizen was apparently trying to win this war on every front."

At this point Shunsui's blood ran cold. He knew who had been left behind to maintain the safety of Soul Society, and he wasn't liking the picture that was forming in his mind. He also noticed that Captain Unohana was giving her full attention to his friend and hadn't so much as glanced in his direction. He knew there was something going on, other that the fact that there was a battle here, and he was going to get to the bottom of it. "Unohana-san. Was Nanao-chan injured?" he asked as a knot formed in his chest.

It was as if all the air had left his lungs and his body was too afraid to refill them, not wanting to miss her answer. He hoped beyond hope that she wouldn't give him the answer that he so greatly feared. She looked him straight in the eyes, but was silent still. At that point, he knew he wouldn't like her answer, but stood there motionless and did the only thing he could. He waited.

It was probably just seconds before she spoke, but, to him, it felt like an eternity. He could have lived a hundred of his lifetimes in that span of a few seconds of silence. However, he couldn't bring himself to be relieved when she finally spoke, "Ise-san was injured when she engaged the Arrancar…."

A part of his mind knew that she was still speaking, but he couldn't seem to hear her as a roaring began in his ears. He couldn't seem to catch his breath either. He felt like all the air had been sucked out of the world and the only thing left, was for him to drown while standing on dry land. The fact that she had stayed behind, because he had asked it of her, and gotten hurt because of it was staggering.

He was broken out of his inner turmoil when Ukitake grabbed his shoulder and jerked hard, while yelling his name. He looked down at his friends hand, still placed on his shoulder, and was shocked to see it shaking. At that point, he realized he was trembling.

Realizing that Ukitake was now trying to speak to him he did his best to lessen the roaring in his ears and managed to take a deep breath. This seemed to help a little so he closed his eyes and just continued to breath for a few seconds. When he opened his eyes the roaring in his ears had diminished to a slight buzzing, and he could finally hear what his friend had been trying to tell him.

"She is alive, Shunsui."

Ukitake could visibly see his friends relief at this news. Even though his eyes were, once again, closed his trembling eased and some color returned to his face. However, he was still breathing hard.

Drawing on his vast experience, Shunsui did his best to gain a hold on his emotions and his worry. He could not help his Nanao-chan if he didn't get a grip. She was alive and he had once again found hope.

The first thing Kyouraku noticed when he opened his eyes was that Captain Unohana was no longer standing there. Ukitake was still grasping his shoulder, but the only other person standing with them was Vice-Captain Kotetsu.

Looking at the purple haired girl, Shunsui asked, "How bad is it?"

He was not encouraged by her response, "Sir, I don't know the extent of her injuries. Captain Unohana has returned to Squad Four to assist in her treatment."

With a nod to the Vice-Captain, Captain Kyouraku looked to his best friend and said, "I have to go see her Juu."

He could see a look of understanding in his friend's eyes as he replied, "Go on ahead. I will be there as soon as I can."

Stuck between wanting to make sure his best friend was okay and wanting to see his Nanao-chan Shunsui hesitated.

Isane apparently understood his dilemma, and stated, "Captain I will make sure that Captain Ukitake makes it to Squad Four."

With one last reassurance from Juushirou, the pink clad captain made his way toward the woman he loved.

Author's Note: Well there it was. I'm sorry. It appears to be a cliffhanger, but I couldn't find a better place to stop that wasn't just as bad. This is my first chapter fic that isn't a collection of one-shots, so please tell me what you think. Please read and review. Constructive Criticism is always welcome.