Prologue

"With all due respect Head Captain," The captain of squad twelve said slowly through very gritted teeth, "what the fuck?"

Judging from the one raised eyebrow from the old man before him, that was clearly out of line and out of character, even for him. A statement like that could get him more than just a little time in jail for that but it needed to be said. Obviously, there must be sort of mistake.

The reason behind Mayuri currently fuming anger is found in a hell butterfly that flew to him a few hours earlier this morning ordering him to report to the Head Captain's Office immediately.

His patience dilapidated by the second.

The fact that his experiments could suffer because of this decision by the head captain, abraided him in untold ways. Mayuri had frowned in thought after listening to the message. Did this have anything to do with the recent development in the Quincy movement? Mayuri is not one to receive his information on the basis rumors. He ensured that he knew all things that happen in the Seiretei at all times. In the space of time since he's set up his secret surveillance camera systems all over the Seireitei, he's amounted a treasure trove of data, ranging from mundane activities of soul reapers to the most debauched of fetishes. And had become an unabashed voyeur as he observes couples secretly pleasure one another- (well, as secretly as they thought). Some had really surprised him and that's saying something!

He's been keeping abreast with any changes in the reports that fluttered into the Squad One's barracks, there was nothing that Head Captain Yamamoto could say to him that he didn't already know. Still, he'd venture up there on the premise of the order. His experiments were paramount-yes- but to ignore the order of the Head Captain was to ask for unnecessary trouble.

He'd ignore any pleasantries offered up from lower ranks on his arrival at the barracks, focusing on making his way to the Head Captain's office in as short an order as possible.

"Head Captain," Mayuri intoned evenly as he was permitted entry into the open office. As usual, there was nothing there but a desk, three bare walls, one large window terrace, and the head Captain and his lieutenant faithfully behind him.

"Captain Kurotsuchi," The Head Captain eyes peeked through their heavy wrinkled shuttered at him.

"May I have the details of this requested summons?" Mayuri said without delay, his impatience edging to the surface as he's anxious to get back to his lab. Every second away from his work was like a blow to his time schedule. The need to be there grinds on his mind like a mental press and only by supervising every detail and facet and witnessing the relationships between changes and results, can he be eased of this pressure. It gnawed at him. Both his gift and his curse.

The quicker this was over, the better it would be for Mayuri.

The balded man took his measure, sleeved elbows on the humble desk and fingers stapled before his face and Mayuri could immediately tell that he was not going to be released as soon as he wanted.