Booklight

It was a hot muggy night in the seireitei. Despite the sun having set there was still a thick humidity in the air.

            At the squad 8 barracks a young girl sat outside reading a book almost as big as her. The moon was her only companion as she read. The dark and quiet would unnerve most others but she felt it calming and the best way to fully engage in her book.

            Creaking floorboards alerted her that she was no longer alone. She could only see a dark silhouette that shrunk as it squatted down to her level before a familiar deep voice greeted her.

            "Nanao-chan what are you doing out here so late?" her captain asked softly.

            "I'm reading sir," she said softly, feeling nervous talking to someone so important.

            "Yes I can see that Nanao-chan but why in the dark? That's bad for your eyes you know," he chastised gently.

            "I like reading at night. Besides, it's not bad for my sight. I asked Captain Unohana and she said so," she responded lifting her chin a bit.

            Shunsui chuckled and rose. "Alright, if Retsu-chan says so then it's okay." He looked like he would say more as he looked off in the distance but instead walked off throwing a "See you later Nanao-chan" over his shoulder as he left.

            Quickly dismissing his presence Nanao happily immersed back into her book. Page after page delighted her as the story unfolded and her lit with excitement to see how it would end. She blinked as she slowly became aware of a soft glow to her right.

            Turning she jumped at seeing her captain sitting beside her. Between them was a glowing jar of fireflies, neither of which she had noticed having been too immersed in her book.

            Stammering she clutched the book to her chest. "S-sir, what are you doing here?" she asked.

            "I brought some light for you Nanao-chan," he said nonchalantly as if he had been there the whole time.

            Not sure how to respond she glanced back and forth between him and the jar before setting her boo aside to get a better look at the later. The "jar" was an old sake jug that now glowed from within thanks to the bugs.

            "Is it alright to keep them in there?" she asked peering closely at them, fascinated as the bugs blinked. She was happy for the gesture but didn't want them to suffer.

            "Oh. They're fine," he told her grinning softly. "You just can't keep them in there for more than the night." He glanced at her while she stared at the jar in silent entranced.

            "Ah," she responded absently as if she hadn't really heard him. Suddenly she gasped and sat up looking around. The winking of the fireflies had drawn more filling the grounds with dozens of blinking lights.

            Looking between the jar and the lights she lowered her head and asked softly "Can I let them go?"

            Shunsui nodded afraid if he opened his mouth he'd chuckle and she'd think he was laughing at her.

            Looking for once like a normal young girl she gave him a huge unguarded grin before excitedly grabbing the jar and jumping off the porch with it. Standing in the middle of the lawn she held it up and pulled off the cork, releasing the fireflies to join the others. Her eyes darted back and forth as she watched them flit around.

            Shunsui grinned as he watched her. The young girl often acted too old for her age, trying to fit into a job suited for someone older. He knew it couldn't be easy for her being the only one her age and being alone so much wasn't healthy.

            Both he and Lisa agreed the girl had promise but knew if they publicly showed favor to her it would it harder for her. So he had decided on the fireflies as a pleasant surprise for her as well as the other gift they had deiced on.

            Grinning he reached into his robes as he called her over.

            Quickly running over she stopped in front of him and fiddled with her robes nervous. "Yes sir," she asked softly.

            "Here," he told her handing her a wrapped bundle with a smile.

            Raising her eyebrows in confusion, but unable to refuse, she accepted and unwrapped it to reveal a big book titles "Suzunari Hime".

            'For me," she asked disbelievingly looking up at him with surprise.

            "Yes. Happy Birthday Nanao-chan," he told her softly causing her to gasp.

            "How did you…" she asked trailing off.

            "Because you're a member of my squad," he told her joyfully. "And that's not your only present, Vice-Captain Yadomaru has agreed to read it with you each first of the month," he continued on before she could interrupt. They had both agreed that the attention would be good for bringing her out of her shell, and even though he knew Lisa would deny it she cared a lot for the young girl.

            "Really? I-"she stammered not sure how to respond.

            "Thank you is good enough," he told her gently.

            "Thank you sir," she said softly bowing deeply.

            "You're welcome. I hope you enjoy it and the reading sessions," he told her getting up and walking off. "Good night Nanao-chan," he rumbled.

            Standing there clutching the book to her chest a drop fell onto the book as tears filled her eyes. They had remembered her birthday! And had arranged for Vice-Captain Yadomaru to read to her! The feeling was wonderful to know that even though no one else had remembered or hadn't even bothered to ask they had and had gotten her such wonderful gifts.

            Wiping her eyes she climbed back onto the porch and placed her new book with her old one. Grinning she laid down and enjoyed the fireflies still floating around. It was definitely one of the most beautiful gifts she had received. She didn't know how long her other gift of reading with Vice-Captain Yadomaru would last but she would cherish each moment.

            After a while she finally decided it time to go to bed and picked up her books to go inside. In her room she carefully set the new book in a safe place. It had become her greatest treasure. One she would cherish for the rest of her life.

(A/N: Love this one. Had to type it again, but oh well. Thanx for reading. Review please! And of course…HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANAO!)