Kurotsuchi sighed at his desk while checking over the last of the reports. Shiori was next to him jotting down notes.
"I detest these meetings."
She hesitated for a moment before hugging him from behind.
"If you want, I can wait outside for you."
He chuckled and put his hands on her arms.
"As much as I would like that, I need you to stay here."
She sighed and rested her head on his shoulder.
"I know we need to test that new Hollow Hiyosu found but it won't be as interesting without you."
Mayuri picked Shiori up and set her on his lap.
"Beautiful Shiori, I promise I'll be back in a short time."
She giggled and gave him a passionate kiss before she got off of him.
"Thank you for helping me review these reports, Shiori."
"I was happy to be able to help."
Mayuri left the Department with Nemu alongside him.
Since she had dinner with Shiori and Sasakibe, Nemu had spent a lot of time with the Assistant Captain. Kurotsuchi didn't pay much attention, since it gave him more alone time with Shiori.
Inside, Nemu was starting feeling something new for the First Squad Lieutenant. He was very smart, kind, and somewhat funny. Chojiro knew as much about Western life as she did about science.
She was created by Kurotsuchi but Chojiro made her feel more like a person every day.
When they entered the Squad 1 building, the other Captains and their Lieutenants were arriving. The Assistant Captain meetings weren't held on the same day as Captain meetings but they would be there in case the Captain needed a message.
Nemu saw Chojiro and he smiled at her. She turned pink and glanced to her Captain. As soon as the Captain left her side, she went over to Chojiro.
"Hello, Nemu. How is your day going?"
"Fine. And yours?"
He chuckled.
"Great. I heard about this new tea shop in the Rukongai. Would you care to join me?"
With a deeper blush, she nodded.
-------------------
Mayuri wanted to rip the vocal chords out of every Captain in order to shut them all up. There was never a particular order in what Squads gave their reports and he went first. Now he had to wait for all the others to finish.
All he wanted was to return to the Department, take Shiori into his office, and have her listen to his rants. The woman was nearly a saint in how she was never bothered by how long he could speak. She became a little defensive when he talked about Captains but he admired that about her.
"If there's nothing else..." Captain-General Yamamoto said. "Shall we call an end to this?"
Soi Fon stepped forward.
"I would like to bring up an issue I have."
Stupid woman. Mayuri thought trying not to scowl.
"What is it, Squad 2 Captain?"
The petite woman looked over to Mayuri.
"I witnessed Kurotsuchi in an inapporpriate position with one of his subordinates."
He whirled around to face her.
"Pardon?"
"Two days ago, you were in the streets with one of your younger staff. I was surprised to see a fellow Captain in such a manner. Or is making out with new members your way of getting to know them?"
Captain-General noted Kurotsuchi's anger.
"Is this true?"
Kurotsuchi clenched his fist.
"Yes..."
Soi Fon turned to the Captain-General.
"I motion for this woman to be transfered to another Squad."
"What?!"
"If you're distracting yourself from your job because of her, naturally she should be moved."
"I refuse. I will not allow that to happen."
Captain Zaraki roared in laughter.
"This guy found a woman who puts up with him?!"
Captain-General groaned.
"I do not approve of such a relationship. How do the others feel about this union?"
Captain Ukitake stepped forward.
"Times are changing. Its not unheard of in the Human World for people in the same buisness to date. Perhaps the old ways should be updated."
Mayuri didn't want them to decide if his relationship with Shiori was good or not.
Captain Komamura glanced to Kurotsuchi.
"Kurotsuchi, didn't you say in your reports that recent studies and advancements are up considerably since Shiori joined?"
"What are you getting at?" Soi Fon asked.
"I understand that many of us do not personally know Miss Yusa but I am certain that she is a brilliant mind. I see no problem with those two."
Captain-General cleared his throat.
"Kurotsuchi, while myself and Soi Fon seem to dislike your relationship, it seems others are welcome to the idea. Just remember, you are a Captain of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads and must set an example to others."
He nodded, contimplating whether he should just crawl under a rock. They made it seem like a pathetic childhood romance.
Soi Fon was unhappy with the decision. The old ways needed to be kept but it seemed like it wasn't the case in this matter.
"How do we know he won't get tired of her and toss her aside? The productivity levels will drop then."
"I would-"
Mayuri stopped himself.
"Go on."
Mayuri glared firmly at Soi Fon.
"I would rather be locked back in the Maggot's Nest than hurt Shiori. She is a dedicated mind to advancements and known in the Department for her keen intellect."
Captain Zaraki laughed again.
"Stop laughing!" Kurotsuchi yelled.
"I call this meeting to an end."
The Captain-General left the room and the others began leaving. A few Captains started asking Kurotsuchi questions about Shiori.
"Who is she?"
"You are being gentle with her, aren't you?"
Thats when Kurotsuchi noticed Shiori talking to Nemu, her left arm in a splint.
"What happened?" he said quickly going over to her.
Shiori laughed nervously.
"A group was carrying the Hollow and it got loose. We were able to recapture it but not before it whacked some of us into a wall. My arm hurt a little so Akon put it this on it and told me to report over."
Captain Zaraki approached Shiori.
"This the girl?"
Shiori made a small squeak and hid behind Nemu.
The Squad 11 Captain grabbed her on the back of her kosode and lifted her so they were eye to eye.
Considering he was over a foot taller than her, she couldn't help the strangled noise from her throat.
"Tiny little thing."
Captain Ukitake and Captain Kyoraku came over.
"Put her down, Zaraki. You're terrifying her."
He quickly released her without bothering to set her down. Mayuri caught her around the waist and glared at Zaraki.
"Cute," Zaraki said laughing.
When Mayuri set her down, Shiori bowed to the Captains.
"I should be heading back. Good-"
"We didn't dismiss you yet."
Captain Kyoraku went over and patted Shiori's head.
"You're a lovely woman."
Shiori blushed before Mayuri slapped away Kyoraku's hand.
"Didn't anyone ever tell you not to touch other people's things?"
Shiori stepped back and Mayuri stood protectively in front of her.
"Nemu, take her away."
"Yes, Mayuri-Sama."
Once they were farther away, Shiori asked Nemu to drop her off at her house instead of the Department.
Nemu nodded and set her down.
"Thank you, Nemu. I hear you and Chojiro are getting along nicely."
A hint of pink covered Nemu's cheeks.
"He is...very nice."
Shiori smiled and whispered in Nemu's ear.
"He always wondered what you would like like with your hair out of the braid."
She winked. Nemu reached her hand back, felt her braid, looked at Shiori with an uncertain expression.
"Nemu?"
"I...do not know...how do I make myself...more presentable?"
Shiori smiled.
"If you want, I can lend you one of my kimonos. Knowing him, he'll wear the Shihakusho still but I have one that matches your eyes!"
Nemu was flustered.
"Thank you."
Shiori sent a message to Chojiro to pick Nemu up at her house, just in case Mayuri was home before her.
She was fixing Nemu's hair when the Assistant Captain glanced at the kimono.
It was the same shade of green as her eyes with white flowers on it.
"Is it okay? I tried to adjust it. I even made it short like your Shihakusho."
"Its...pretty."
Shiori giggled and hugged Nemu.
"Thank you! I didn't know if you liked it or not!"
Nemu's hair had a wave to it and her short bangs were kept up with a white headband.
A quick knock at the door alerted Chojiro was there.
"Coming!"
Shiori opened the door and yanked him in.
"Shiori? Is Nemu okay?"
He looked at the woman, turned bright red, and stuttered.
"N...Nemu...you look...fantastic."
She blushed and bowed.
"Get out of here, you two."
Chojiro took Nemu's hand and led her out of the house.