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77 of 100: Punishment
There were four Captains in the room and the senior officer of the Kidou Corps. He was a man she had never seen before; perhaps he was a new replacement. Promotions in the Kidou Corps were not as widespread in news. The others, Unohana, Ukitake, Yamamoto, and Kyouraku, were all seated quietly.
“I have not found the situation to be as presented,” Captain Unohana started. “After examining Ise Nanao thoroughly yesterday I found no key makings upon her skin.”
“That is impossible,” the Kidou Senior grumbled.
Nanao was curled up on her knees behind them, her standard uniform replaced with the white kosode of a prisoner. She kept her gaze to the floor and stayed very still while they discussed her case. She knew well why she’d been brought and she waited and prayed hard, doing everything short of crossing her fingers. All this – when all she’d wanted was to experience life a little more. Ridiculous.
“Ise-san.”
Nanao was startled into awareness and her head snapped up. They were all watching her, their necks craned to peak at her.
Captain Unohana was the least intimidating, so Nanao focused on her. She couldn’t look at her current Captain Ukitake. After all, what had she done but bring shame to him by behaving so recklessly? She couldn’t look at her former Captain Kyouraku – he had tried to help her and what had she done but run away? As for Captain Yamamoto… she didn’t even know what his motives were or where he stood.
“Could you disrobe for me, as we discussed earlier?”
Their discussion earlier was why Nanao’s chest was wrapped so tight in linen bindings it ached when she breathed. It probably hadn’t been necessary as she’d done it to herself, but it kept her focused. Or, it was supposed to.
Captain Unohana had fully prepared her for the possibility of proving the case, as she called it. Baring her skin before all four Captains would be incontrovertible proof of her innocence.
Quietly, she slid the white material open over her chest revealing the tight binding and then down over her shoulders. Nanao kept her eyes to the floor. Her pale white skin was smooth and unblemished.
“Isn’t the evidence supposed to be some kind of disfigurement?” Captain Ukitake asked. “She looks quite unblemished to me.”
“That is not possible-“The Kidou Senior began, only to be interrupted gently by Captain Unohana.
“I hope you are not suggesting that my exam results are incorrect. In addition, Ise-san has put up with the indignity of being asked to strip off her clothes to prove her innocence. I think this is conclusive evidence enough.”
“Mmmm,” Captain Yamamoto hummed. “Thank you for your cooperation, Ise-san. Vice-Captain Sasakibe will escort you out.”
With as much dignity as she could muster, Nanao pulled her clothing back on and stumbled onto her feet, tucking her kosode tight beneath her sash so it covered her linen bindings once again. The Vice-Captain of the First Division was standing behind her and Nanao didn’t attempt to evade him as he put a hand out and around one of her arms.
Just as Vice-Captain Sasakibe pulled the door open to let them out, a person appeared on the opposite side. Nanao’s expression was carefully neutral as she met the eyes of the stoic scientist, Akon.
“Good afternoon, Ise-san.”
His greeting was a quiet brush, the same soft rustle that was their sleeves touching as they passed by one another.
“Good afternoon,” she repeated softly as the Vice-Captain led her out the door.
She heard voices rise as she left the chamber. One could only wonder what the Division Twelve officer had had in his hands in the manila envelope pressed to his chest.
Evidence, her mind whispered traitorously.
After all, who really knew where the loyalties of Akon rested. Division Twelve didn’t even take care of its own that she was aware.
“Ise-san!”
She had been sequestered by herself in a guarded room not far from the meeting. Waiting anxiously she had restlessly paced the room before forcing herself to sit. Neither actions had done anything for her state of mind. Now, the door sliding open to admit her Captain, Nanao was disappointed to find the wrong one waiting for her, his light hair catching the light.
It was Captain Ukitake.
“We’re done here. Let me escort you back.” His expression was careful and his tone moreso. Vice-Captain Sasakibe had gone, the guards were missing and the hall was empty. She had, somewhow, expected to see Captain Unohana or Captain Kyouraku, but both were out of sight. It left her strangely disappointed.
Quietly, Captain Ukitake led her to the doorway and into the streets, still in her stark white kosode. She felt strangely naked in it. The walk would be a longer one than she desired and it looked like it would be had in quiet. She bit her tongue to prevent apologizing to him, he seemed inclined to silence.
“We will be returning to Division Thirteen now,” he offered, relieving her of the stillness.
“I see. I’m sorry for all of this.”
He glanced at her briefly and smiled gently. “The Kidou Corps saw an opportunity and tried to make the most of it, let’s say. As it happens, you have some interesting allies.”
Briefly, she wondered if he meant Akon and decided not to ask. He couldn’t possibly know about Captain Unohana or Kyouraku-sama’s involvement, could he? Not that quickly? She settled for silence.
“And then what?” she prompted.
He sighed. “Unfortunately, you did take a leave of absence from duty without permission and too many people became aware of that. The terms of your punishment were left to my discretion, but the regulations are fairly standard, as I’m sure you’re aware.”
She frowned. “You’re putting me on unpaid suspension for three weeks?”
“It was my original intention, but I received a rather subtle direction that you are not to exert yourself with any kidou tasks for six weeks.” They exchanged a quick glance. “Since you cannot lead any kidou classes safely, I will have you lead a hand-to-hand combat course. This course of action was also frowned upon, but I cannot have you sit by in idleness. Your return to Division Eight will not be expedited with you stowed away in detention – if I recall, you have a challenge fight ahead of you to prepare for. So think of it for what it is – endurance training.”
Nanao nodded in agreement. What else could she do?
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