Author's Note: I know I left you guys at a very bad spot, but there shouldn't be a cliff hanger at the end of this one. I hope that helps. I hope you enjoy. This chapter will be posted in two sections. This is part 1. I am sorry for taking so long for this chapter to be posted. In my defense I have spent the last four months being sick in the bathroom because I'm pregnant.
Disclaimer: I don't own Bleach or any of it's wonderful characters.
Chain of Memory
Chapter 3: Unknown (part 1)
Nanao wasn't sure what was going on. At this point she wasn't sure of anything. She just realized with a start that she was in a room with a man she didn't know and she wasn't even sure of her own name. He had called her Nanao as he looked directly at her so she had answered his questions, but she was totally confused. She didn't know the man, but she felt like she recognized his voice. Nanao wasn't sure what to make of that either.
She starred up at him waiting for an answer to her question. He looked as confused as she felt. Nanao did the only thing she could and tried to make since of her current situation. Realizing that she didn't know where she was or how she had come to be there was a shock, but it paled in comparison to not even knowing her own name.
At this point there was a quiet knock on the door and both Nanao and the man looked toward the door to see a woman wearing a white hoari and a long braid beneath her chin walk in followed by a tall white haired man wearing the same white hoari.
"Ise-san, How are you feeling?" the woman asked in a quiet voice.
Nanao was confused more than ever and starting to get frustrated. Ignoring the woman's question Nanao inquired, "Is my name Ise. I thought it was Nanao?"
This surprised both captains and caused them both to look inquiringly at Captain Kyouraku. He shook his head and informed them, "We seem to have a problem. Nanao doesn't know her name or who I am."
Ukitake's eyes widened, but Unohana calmly walked up to the bed and addressed the distressed Vice-Captain, "Your name is Ise Nanao."
Happy that one of her question had finally been answered Nanao nodded.
The woman continued, "Do you know who I am?"
Nanao just shook her head as she began to realize that her memory was seriously lacking.
"My name is Unohana Retsu and I am a healer. You were injured and it seems that you have lost your memory, but I will do every thing I can to help you."
Nanao just nodded once again not sure what response was required.
The man next to her introduced himself as Ukitake Juushirou, but the first man she had already spoken with remained oddly silent. While she couldn't remember who he was she couldn't help but feel that she knew him. However, the healer drew her attention by continuing, " You were in a battle and you were injured. This has caused you to have a memory loss. How are you feeling right now?"
Nanao took in the woman's words and paused to take stock of her injuries, "Well, physically I feel fine except for a nasty head ache. However to be honest, I'm a little freaked out."
With a kind smile the Fourth Squad Captain replied, "That's completely understandable." Unohana continued to make her way to the confused Vice-Captain's side. "I can heal your head ache, but you should take this medicine. It will help your head and your energy will increase more quickly," Unohana stated as she pulled a small sealed capsule out of her pocket and handed it to Nanao while Ukitake poured a glass of water.
Nanao looked from the small pill in her hand to the people surrounding her bed. Realizing that she couldn't remember any of these people, and given her current situation, she wasn't sure who she could trust. Taking a drink of the water to moisten her throat she replied, "That's alright, I'm sure my head ache will go away on it's own. I don't really need to take any medicine for it."
The room was silent while she placed the pill on the side table, but continued to drink the water. "That's fine Nanao-chan you don't have to take it if you don't want to, but Unohana-san just wanted to make you feel better sooner, "Kyouraku was the first to speak.
The still unusually somber Captain had realized that his Vice-Captain was frightened and unsure. He couldn't help thinking that it was unusual to see her this way. Apparently they would all have to regain her trust. Looking up at his friends he asked, "Could you both give us a few moments?"
The two captains paused before nodding. Nanao just watched them leave as she sat there waiting for what would come. She just wished she had some idea of what was to come. Once the door had shut the man in pink turned back to her and she looked away once again not wanting to make eye contact.
Shunsui wasn't sure what was going through his Vice-Captain's head at that moment. It seemed no matter how he tried to gain her attention she wouldn't look at him. Finally he just sat back in his chair and waited. It was something he had become used to doing with the woman. She wouldn't talk unless she was ready. It made him happy to see that part of his Nanao-Chan was still there.
His waiting, however, was rewarded when he heard her sigh softly and look over to him. It appeared that she was ready. "Why do you seem so familiar to me?" she asked him.
Surprised he just sat there for a second before answering, "Do you remember me?"
"Not really, no. However I feel like I should remember you. You feel familiar. Like any minute now I should know what you are going to say or do, but I can't remember," Nanao replied.
This information made Shunsui smile. He had made a habit of keeping her on her toes. He couldn't remember the last time she had known what he was going to say of do, but he liked the fact that she thought that she should be able to.
"Actually, you and I are friends. We have been for a while," replied Shunsui, wanting to keep it simple for now.
Author's Note: Thank You so much to everyone who has reviewed Chain of Memory. It means a lot to me. Unknown Part 2 will be up by Thursday. See you then.