CHAPTER 2

I awoke to find the sun was no longer out. I sat up in bed rubbing my head and yawning. I looked down on my lap and noticed the book I had been reading was gone. I didn't give it any more thought. I looked down at my outfit and made a sarcastic face. "Hmm. I won't be needing this any more today." I mumbled as I got up and started rummaging through my closet. "nope, nope,...nope." I absentmindedly flipped through my clothes. "Ah ha! There you are!" I grabbed my favorite black tank top and a pair of jeans. My black top was low cut and my jeans were a bit faded and torn, but I didn't mind. That was my favorite outfit. Of course, I did have nicer clothes, but none the less, these were my absolute favorites. I slipped on a pair of my favorite shoes and headed out the door.

I was going to head back to the lab to finish up my projects I had left earlier, before Mayuri found out I had been slacking. I often did this. I mean, why do things now when you can put them off until later? I giggled at the thought. I quietly tiptoed past Mayuri's office. I could feel his spiritual pressure spiking as he was yelling. I stopped and put my ear to his office door to see what it was he was fussing about this time. "WHAT DO YOU MEAN, SHE TOOK THE DAY OFF?" His voice echoed. "I'm just relaying the message Captain Kurotsuchi, sir. I believe she wasn't feeling well." a familiar voice stated. "What the hell, That's Akon." I thought. "...Fine. I will deal with her later." Mayuri sighed, still infuriated.

I started creeping back to the lab rather quickly and took a seat at one of the computers. I started typing in my flawless data about gigais . "Easy stuff." I mumbled to myself. Suddenly I felt someones hand on my shoulder. "Oh shit." I mentally cursed, "He's caught me." I turned around slowly, as chills ran down my spine. To my surprise, it was just Akon. "Oh thank Gods, It's just you." I sighed in relief. "Yeah, you better be thanking me. I just saved your ass!" Akon spat. "Why?" I questioned with a hint of anger. My ego was a little hurt. I didn't need his help. Hell, I wasn't afraid of Mayuri...ok, well, maybe just a little, But that's beside the point. "Because...I just did!" he answered with anger as his voice raised. A slight blush washed over his face.

I stood up, crossed my arms and looked away. He was really starting to piss me off. "Well, maybe if he didn't assign me to such boring research then I might actually stay on task!" I shouted. It was loud. Mayuri had to have heard it. Hell, everyone in the SDRI could have probably heard it, but I didn't care. "Whatever." Akon shook his head and rolled his eyes. I stomped back to my room. I was enraged. Akon really knew how to push my buttons. I finally reached my room. I went in slamming the door behind me. By now I had a headache.

I stormed to the bathroom, turned on the faucet and watched my bathtub fill with hot water. I needed to melt away my anger and bring my headache down to a dull roar. Baths always seemed to help me relax. It wasn't long before the tub filled up. I cut off the water and went to grab some clean undies. I began to shed my clothes and hoped in the tub. I winced slightly as the hot water engulfed my body. I instantly felt relaxed as the water washed over me. I closed my eyes and begin to let my mind wonder.

As soon as I felt my mind starting to calm itself and my headache dissipating, I got out of the tub. "Just what I needed." I sighed in a rather cheerful tone. I dried myself off and slid on my lacy black panties and my matching black bra.

I walked out of the bathroom and headed to the kitchen to brew a cup of tea. I noticed the tea and a cup were already out. "That's odd. I never leave these out." I started to get suspicious and kind of nervous at the same time. I went to the stove to heat the pot of water, but stopped in an instant. It was already hot as if it had just been used. "Ok, now this is really weird." my heart started to race. I left the kitchen empty handed and retraced my steps to investigate.

As soon as I looked up I saw MY captain, Mayuri Kurotsuchi, sitting on MY small bright green sofa, reading MY book, and drinking MY tea! Was I shocked? Hell yes I was! I screamed a little. "Now, now. Is that any way to greet your captain?" He smirked taking a sip of tea. "What?" I couldn't form a sentence. "I was wondering how long it would take you to realize I was here. You walked right past me." He stared at me in an odd, like he found something about me interesting. I could feel his eyes moving up my body. I looked down at myself. "OH SHIT!" I mentally screamed. I forgot I had been walking around my living quarters in my bra and panties. I felt my face catch on fire with a blush.

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING HERE? YOU COULD HAVE AT LEAST KNOCKED OR SOMETHING!" I yelled trying to cover up my body with my arms. "I did. The door was unlocked, so I decided to come in." he smirked. "ARE YOU CRAZY?" I yelled again, this time I ran to the bathroom and quickly got dressed. I couldn't believe what had just happened. I walked back calmly. "Please sit." Mayuri patted the sofa cushion next to him. A blush lit up my face once again. Me, sitting that close to him! I hesitated a little, but then gave in.

I sat down next to him. I was so close to him. I took in his every feature. He smelled so intoxicating. He smelled of tea leaves and musky spices. Oh gods, I couldn't stay angry at him. I blushed even more. Mayuri noticing this placed his hand on my knee and smirked. "We need to talk, my dear." I swallowed hard.