The main TAC laboratory was filled with hulking machines and rows of specimens contained in test tubes. Matsudaira Asuza weaved among the machines gracefully, her eyes raptly gathering all the precious information she could possibly hold. This was what gave her her ultimate high; the power of scientific experimentation. *Now, if only I could get a hold of my ultimate specimen....*

There was a creak behind her, followed by the sound of feet shuffling inside. She turned, expecting to see her boss Kunikida, or possibly Momiji...

What she saw made her heart quicken.

Kusanagi Mamoru stood in the doorway, a embarassed flush blossoming on his face. He seemed to have grown almost a foot taller overnight; his clothes were *way* too tight, giving Matsudaira a grand view of his... well, let's just say he looked *damn* hot! A few wisps of green hair seemed to peek over the open chest of his shirt. That wasn't the oddest thing, however; his body seemed to be covered in a heavy dusting of yellow powder, which he shed bits of with every step. "Um... I think there's something wrong with me..." he squeaked, his voice cracking midway through the sentence.

Matsudaira positively glowed with excitement. "Oh, I'm *sure* I can help you out...."

*~*

Heard from behind the lab door:

"Uh, what are you going to do with those handcuffs?"

"Shut up and hold still; I've got to get a specimen from you..."

*~*

The TAC stood in the main office, gaping at the figures that stood before them. "What th' hell happened to you, Kusanagi?" Koume managed to sputter out.

Matsudaira answered, "It seemes that our *friend* here," and she winked
at the hapless Aragami teen, "is undergoing a belated case of maturity."

The group stared in incomprehension as Kusanagi scratched his head nervously; the flowers growing in his hair waved with the motion. "In other words," the scientist said, "Kusanagi is a late bloomer."

The entire TAC facefaulted.