Disclaimer- I don't own BLEACH, just Ai, Manami, Shizuko and a few others.

Special Thanks!!! ToIllegitimi- I know you didn't want this but you deserve this! She is my muse!

10. Complication

Waking up in the warm arms of a man was the most intoxicating feeling. Manami couldn't help her soft moan as she snuggled further into Mayuri's neck. She had no choice but to smile when his hold on her waist tightened and she felt the kiss on her head. Needing to look at him, she sat up on her elbow. His eyes fluttered open and he gave a tired yawn. Who would have thought she would ever be like this with a man?

"Good morning," she sighed.

"Same to you," he reached up to push back a strand of lavender hair that had fallen in her face. She was beaming with something that hadn't been there when he'd first met her…was that because of him?

"I probably need to go home before training this morning," she said sadly, as she laid her head back on his shoulder, "but I really don't want too…"

"I don't particularly want you to either," he moved so they better facing one another, "But you are coming right back." He ran a finger down her cheek, "Just hurry back…"

"I will," she grinned and closed her eyes, "now I just have to find my clothes."

"I'll help you," he kissed her before sitting up, "then I can walk you home."

"You will?" she questioned in surprise, "it won't bother you if someone sees us?"

"No…" he paused and faced her, "would it bother you?"

She shook her head slowly, "I don't guess it's anybody else's business is it?"

He walked to her, "Manami, if you want to go alone then I-"

"No," she didn't even attempt to hide her excitement, "I'd love for you to take me home…I just wanted to be sure you were alright with it."

He only kissed her before placing on his mask and taking her by the hand, "You ready?"

"As I'll ever be…" she allowed him to lead her through the usually cold corridors of the 12th, but they didn't seem that way anymore. At least not as extremely.

The Seireitei was quiet. It gave her a sense of peace. Maybe there was hope that she could have a 'normal' relationship with a man. Being there with him, made it seem so simple…so possible…

When they turned a corner almost at her home a flock of birds flew out of the way, "look I even scare birds," he spoke softly with a small laugh, "Everything fears the twisted Captain Kurotsuchi."

"No," she disagreed swinging their arms. "They fear that freaky clown mask…"

"It attracted you," he sent her a toothy grin.

She let out a throaty laugh and had his blood pumping. Her laugh was enthralling…

"I could do with out the mask actually," she shrugged in a joking manner.

"You say that now…" he rolled his eyes.

Her heart sank a little when they reached her home, but she tried to keep in mind that'd she see him soon enough. She turned to face him, "Well, I suppose I'll see you later," she sighed.

"You'd better," he placed a hand under her chin, "I'm going to be running a rather lengthy experiment today, so just ask any of my men and they'll bring you to me."

"Okay," she nodded in understanding. She looked up at him from under her lashes shyly, "Would-would it be too much to ask for a k-kiss?"

His stomach twisted in pleasure. She really didn't mind that anyone could see them-if there had been anyone awake…In the simple style they seemed to have already developed, he didn't waste his breath for a verbal answer, but instead bent to grant her wish. He pulled her closer to him as the passion ignited. He wanted that kiss to last him through the few hours they would be separated. Her tongue traced his bottom lip demanding entry. He smiled as he allowed it. She had just been stuttering during her request, but here she was slowly let that hard covering slip away. Every fiber of his being was concentrated on her.

Both felt a sense of depression he pulled back. He pushed a thick strand of hair behind her ear, "Now go so you can return to me soon," he physically turned her to face the door.

"Ok," she laughed and walked inside. After sliding the door shut she rested her back against it for a solid three seconds before squealing with delight.

Manami found training to go by very smoothly. There had been no idiotic questions and that had been a plus. However maybe that was because she felt to good to let the small things get to as they usually did. She knew she was being unusually perky, but she really couldn't hold it in. She had been bubbly and always ready to help taking everything with ease…but she was also restless. She was ready to see Mayuri again…

Now she was helping her captain finish cleaning up from the days training. She could hear her sister and lieutenant Hinamori.

Momo addressed Ai, "Is everything ok?"

It was a good question, Ai had been uncharacteristically quiet.

"No," Ai sighed simply, "But if the captain would hurry up it will be…"

That was odd…what the hell was going on? Now the she thought about it both her twin and captain had been watching her a lot that day…

"Oh…" Momo murmured, "Well, since we're done here I'm going to go take these to Toshiro."

"Wait!" Shizuko called, "I want you to take Manami with you."

"What?" both girls chimed in unison. Why? It was always awkward to be a third wheel, but especially with lieutenant Hinamori and Captain Hitsugaya…at least she had a good excuse!

"I really need to get to the 12th-"

"Manami," Ai cut her sister off shortly, "It's just an errand. Not to mention she's your captain, not Mayuri Kurotsuchi."

"I know that…" Manami said looking to the ground. Well, that was rude…something was up. She'd hurry and help Momo and return to Mayuri to gage his opinion on things. She turned her body towards Shizuko, "Yes captain, please forgive me for arguing…"

"Manami-" Shizuko went to take her hand but she pretended not to notice. Manami had already taken Momo by the hand leaving Ai and Shizuko alone.

Mayuri Kurotsuchi couldn't concentrate. He needed to see Manami. This experiment kept going wrong. As much as he hated to admit it, it was his fault. He'd get into a good working mode and the he'd catch whiff of her scent on his clothes and then he'd have to backtrack. She was driving him crazy and she wasn't even there. That was part of what dug at him the most. She wasn't there. She was off somewhere training. Training in preparation to purposefully put her in danger, which could possibly take her away from him. He'd just found her! He had no intentions of losing her… She'd stumbled into his life, but she wasn't stumbling out. And he'd figure out a way to keep her. He was a scientist after all…

But now he needed to work. She'd be fine for the day and he'd persuade her to stay again that night. That would ease a little of his worry. If she slept with him, he could keep her in a protective embrace through the night. She could sleep soundly and trust that no one would touch her. How many times had she lain awake in fear of what lurked in the dark? How often did- No. he'd wonder later. Right now he had a job to do dammit.

"Kurotsuchi!"

His head roared. He'd told the entire division he was busy and that he didn't want to be interrupted unless it was because they were bringing Manami to him. But that voice was not the soft one he longed to hear.

A sneer already fixed on his face; he whipped around to face the out spoken twin. "I do believe its Captain Kurotsuchi to you. And I have no business with you. Incase you didn't notice I'm in the-"

"Stay the hell away from my sister." She growled.

He put down the tool in his hand and crossed his arms over his chest. Great. Now he had to deal with this crazy bitch…perhaps he should tell Byakuya to put a tighter leash on his ward. "I do not answer to you and neither does she. What she and I do is real-"

"No." she interrupted yet again. "You have no-"

"Ai," Shizuko cut in. "Let him talk." She looked to Captain Kurotsuchi, "What was that all about this morning? Why were you and Manami out so early?"

"It is none of your concern." His voice was chilly. He didn't mind that they had been seen together, but he would nip this in the bud before they went after Manami.

"None of my concern?" Ai gave an exasperated laugh. "She is my twin. She has been through hell and does not need you to play with her heart. You've already messed her up physically; she doesn't need anymore mental trauma. So you sick bastard, keep the hell out of her life."

"No, Ai." An ice cold voice cut in from behind her. All eyes went to Manami. His chest constricted; he wouldn't be able to shield her now…"you keep the hell out of mine and Mayuri's relationship. I have always tried my damnedest to stay out of your life and you and I both know how hard that is for me. But I try, because it's what I always believed was the right thing. However, here you are forcing your way into my life. That will not work."

She was fuming with anger. She had got almost halfway there with Momo before the vision had hit. She'd seen the entrance to the 12th division, her sister holding a young man by the collar, and then she'd seen Mayuri's furious face. That was when she knew. She understood why they had been acting so funny.

"'Nami!" Ai shook her head, "He's just using you for your visions. Don't you see that?"

"He and I have already discussed these things," Manami lifted her head in defiance. She would not be talked down to. She wasn't known for her courage, but she had every intention of changing that.

"After all men have done to you, you decide to get involved with a sadist?" Ai was exasperated.

"Don't start with me," Manami was beginning to shake. How dare she! The girl lecturing her worked as whore and she was getting onto her for a romance with one man? "First of all, you do not know him at all. Secondly, I could say a thing or two about what our experiences with men have done to you and Mayuri knows about my past. He knows everything…"

Ai's anger hit its peak and she boiled completely over, "Are you insane?!" she screamed, "Give him something to use against you! Manami you're only going to get hurt again! And let me ask you this: what were you doing with him this morning?"

A tear slid down Manami's cheek. Dammit. She didn't want to cry, but her sister was verbally displaying her worst fears. But she would tell her what had gone on. "He was walking me home," She managed through gritted teeth, "because I warmed his bed last night." She intentionally made that sound more intimate then it had been… No. it had been that intimate, it had just been different than what most considered fitting the definition. But by god it had felt like she belonged with that man, in that bed and she planned to fight for it. Manami looked to Mayuri. His face was full of shock. They had interrupted his work. She wouldn't blame him if he saw her as more trouble than she was worth. Knowing that hurt more than anything she had ever endured. She could only say one thing to him, "I'm so sorry…" and with that she ran out of the room.

Mayuri didn't know what to do. Manami's eyes had displayed embarrassment, anger, fear, and pain all at once. He took a staggered step toward her. He wanted to go after her to gather close and swear to her that it would just be the two of them. They could leave the Seireitei and just go. However, when he stopped and thought, he knew that that wasn't possible. He really just wanted to take out the one that had caused all of this. As the rage over came him, he turned on Ai. But she was ready for him.

"Thanks you son of a bitch!" she roared as her hand picked up an empty beaker on the table to her right, "you just ruined my relationship with my sister!" she hurled the glass object at him before taking off.

Then the man turned to Shizuko, "Well, what shall you do about your third seat?" he demanded. He hoped he'd ruined the relationship and that he could have Manami all to himself.

But she only squared her shoulders, "Nothing," she stated, "You haven't given her any reason to trust you…" Shizuko sighed, "Please, don't hurt Manami…If you do, you had better have some place good to hide, because there are many that will want to skin you alive."

Before he could think of a retort, she turned and walked out. In frustration he knocked everything off of the experiment table and rapped his fists on it. He needed to go find Manami.

Manami had her destination in mind. She was moving as fast as she could to get there. She needed advice and there was only one person she wanted to even see-besides Mayuri, but that was out of the question. She needed Yumichika…she knew he wouldn't shun her for her new found lover. Sure he might have to take a few minutes to soak it in, but he would never turn her away because of it.

When the shadow loomed over her she gasped and spun to face the man behind her.

"Lieutenant Ōmaeda!" she tried to smile, "you scared me…"

"I saw something pretty interesting this morning," he laughed as he stepped around her to block her way. "Can you guess what it was?"

"No and I don't wish to," she sighed and tried to make her way around him. "Please move…"

"No, I'm not done talking to you," he continuously blocked her attempts at escape, "Did that freak taste good?" he bent down next to her, "You sure were sucking some face this morning. I didn't know you were that much like your sister!"

"Shut up," she cringed at the shots he was taking. "She's a big girl and is-"

"And you're not?" he taunted, "But I bet he makes you feel like a big girl doesn't he?" he chortled as another idea hit him, "No, he's more of a dominatrix type right? That's really how you got hurt isn't it?"

The anger coiled in her belly. She wanted to talk to Yumichika. She pushed against him, but his words were breaking through.

"Or what about the legendary tongue?" he goaded, "I bet you just love it in your-"

"Shut up!" she shouted and faked a left in attempt to get past, but it did no good.

"Who's next on your freak list?" he provoked, "Captain Komamura?"

"Leave me alone," she demanded as she braced herself for one last attempt.

"What if he asks you to marry him?" her heart jumped at that. Marriage? They'd just started a relationship, "Would you bring a warped child into life? Would you risk your body to his freak seed?"

That was it. She had heard enough. Taking a deep breath she prepared to attempt to run right through him.

Mayuri was on a mission to find her. He needed to be sure she was alright. To let her know they would be okay. He was following her scent. The one that had been haunting him all day long. As the smell got stronger, the louder an obnoxious voice got. The moment he recognized it, he sped up. What the hell was Ōmaeda doing near her? Could the pig not listen?

He was a few steps from eye sight when he heard the questions he was harassing her with. He'd heard Manami's soft voice utter, "Leave me alone." The questions that followed had his blood curdling. "What if he asks you to marry him? Would you bring a warped child into life? Would you risk your body to his freak seed?" No. she would not have to deal with that. She belonged to him.

When he turned the corner, he saw Manami ricochet off of the blob that was Ōmaeda's stomach and straight into the white wall. She whimpered as she slid down the wall. He knew immediately she was in pain.

"Oh gods," Ōmaeda muttered. Just as he began to move to help her up, he was knocked off of his feet.

Manami's jaw dropped. Mayuri stood in front of her with his foot crushing Ōmaeda's wind pipe.

"I warned you, you pig," Mayuri Kurotsuchi hissed, "Now you've hurt her and I'm afraid I shall just have to kill you."

Manami's stomach pitched. Her shoulder was in pain, but she couldn't let Mayuri hurt him.

"No!" Manami shouted as the spots danced in front of her eyes, "Mayuri please!"

Manami was wracking her brain, she had to stop all of this before somebody else was injured, but no one was listening. A worrier's cry echoed around them just as Ai launched herself at the two men. Soon Manami found herself watching her sister pitted against two men that were above her rank.

"Stop this," Manami cried. "Please! I'll be fine! Somebody is going to get hurt!" a low swing from Ai had Ōmaeda taking a step back, "Ai, please! We can work this out!" Mayuri came close to slicing Ai's arm, "Mayuri! That's my sister! Please!"

Her pleas were eating at him. The only reason he wasn't calling on his zanpakuto was because he didn't know that he could risk upsetting Manami even more. But this man had hurt her and Ai had come at him. He wouldn't call out to his sword, but he wouldn't back down either.

"Stop this!" a commanding voice sounded. The blows stopped but all swords were still drawn. Shizuko stepped to stand by Manami, "Ai, lower your weapon."

"Not until they do," she argued on a shaky voice, "somebody hurt my sister…so they have to pay."

"No it was-"

"Then he's the one you're after," Mayuri inclined his head towards Ōmaeda, "But I'm afraid you'll have to get in line."

"Like hell I will," Ai scoffed and swung out at Ōmaeda all over again, but before she could call out to her zanpakuto, a large hand came to rest on her shoulder.

"I believe your captain gave you orders," Kenpachi Zaraki said in a low voice. When she jerked her shoulder back he went to take a move to get her sword.

"That won't necessary," Byakuya spoke as he placed his hand over Zaraki's.

"Get the fuck away from me!" Ai shouted and began to swing again. She was at a loss and ready to cut anything. "I am fucking tired of men! My body belongs to me and nobody else!"

Manami knew then that something else had happened for Ai to get so upset. She needed help…

When strong arms came around her she barely noticed. Ukitake's voice was semi comforting, but it wasn't the same protection that Mayuri gave her.

"Don't touch her," Mayuri growled as he beat Ōmaeda back with his sword. He'd seen the sickly captain of the 13th division take his woman into his arms.

"She needs medical attention!" Ukitake retorted and began to examine her.

"No," Manami fought against him. She was feeling better, but couldn't deal with anyone there. She wanted to talk to Yumichika. She was putting Mayuri through so many dilemmas… "Make them stop." The voices around her were closing in on her. Byakuya and Kenpachi were arguing.

"Please Ai!" Shizuko begged.

"Come on Ai," Renji persisted, "You're okay. It's all gonna be ok…"

She couldn't stand it anymore as soon as Ukitake let her go to intervene in between the men she pushed the nausea aside and bolted.

Mayuri growled when as he watched her run off. He wanted to run after her, but damned Ukitake stood in his way. He didn't much care when Zaraki carried Shizuko away. That was two less people in his way. Ai had hit the ground in shambles. He needed to comfort Manami. He didn't give a damn about her sister. She had caused all the problems that had put them where they were now.

Renji picked the wench up off of the ground and face his captain."I'll bring her to your home later Captain." Renji said softly.

"Lieutenant Ōmaeda," Ukitake spoke bringing the focus back on the man in his way, "I suggest you get back to your division as fast as you can before you get yourself killed. Captain Kuchiki, I believe it be best that you head home as well, I shall escort Captain Kurotsuchi home as we have something to discuss. I believe what has gone on here today will be brought up again soon as a whole with all involved, but as things stand everyone needs a break."

There was nothing to answer with. Ōmaeda limped away, Ai had hit him once in the leg and he'd have to go bandage that. Having no idea what Ukitake might have to say he feigned disinterest and rolled his eyes. Then he remembered a very important issue. He stopped and called out to Byakuya and waited for him to turn around.

"I will be by to see you tomorrow there are things we must address," the head of the 12th division stated before allowing himself to be led away by Ukitake.

In pain and emotionally worn she knocked on the door of the home Yumichika and Ikkaku shared. When the door slid open and her eyes met Yumichika's she fell apart and began to bawl. He gathered her close and quickly pulled her inside.

"What wrong baby?" he cooed as he led her to sit down, "Ikkaku! Make some tea! And get me bandages!"

"I don't know what to-to do," she sobbed.

"Just start at the beginning." He said softly as he pet her hair. It irked him to see her like this. What had happened? Who did he have to kill? Then he remembered an interesting detail, "Was it that pig Ōmaeda?"

"No," she started to defend but cut herself off, "well yes…but Ai too…"

"Ai?" now he was very confused. He knew the rumors of Ai being, well lose, but would she really degrade herself with him?

"I shared a bed with Mayuri Kurotsuchi…" she said softly.

Yumichika had not expected that. He heard Ikkaku's sharp intake of breath from the kitchen. Mayuri Kurotsuchi? Hmmm…he had never seen that coming, but he'd have to hear about it before he judged.

"You slept with Captain Kurotsuchi? Well…"

"Well, we didn't do that. At least not, well…everything…"

"Aw!" he grinned, "I don't like his look, but does he make you happy?"

"Yeah," she nodded wiping her eyes, "But Ai saw us together and threatened him…" she hiccupped, "Then I went off on her and ran out and was on my way here, but Ōmaeda caught me and apparently he saw Mayuri kissing me goodbye this morning and he said such terrible things to me…" she paused for a moment and took a deep breath, "I tried to barrel past him, but I hit the wall and this happened…" she touched her shoulder, "Mayuri watched me get hurt and went off then Ai got involved…all three had swords drawn…Then my captain showed up, then yours, and the Captain Kuchiki and Lieutenant Abarai. It took Captain Ukitake to finally break everything up…" she was shaking, "I ran here, before it was over…am I a coward?"

"Aw…" he murmured, "Of course not!"

"What should I do?" she cried just as Ikkaku came in.

"Right now," Yumichika began, "you will drink tea and let me fix you up! Then you are going to take Ikkaku's bed. You need to rest and clear your head." he ordered, "We will discuss this business tomorrow."

"Thank you," she sighed, "but I'd hate to put Ik-"

"I'll be fine," Ikkaku interrupted her. "You will take my bed…"

"Knowing she really just wanted to rest she gave in, "thank you…"

OVER 4000 WORDS! Longest I've written for this story! YAY!

BTW!!!

Please check out Majestic Harlot! Its Ai's story with Byakuya!

OR

Take a look-see and Tainted Innocence! The romance between Shizuko and Kenpachi!

BTW (again): Reviews really help keep me motivated…

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!THANKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

luffysqueen25

sesshy13

Shortchannel4

Ivoryclaw

Illegitimi

I'llxBexUrxEnigma2010

Rushumble

The White Rose

Zaya Ayame

kudokuchan69

For your reviews!

-Fallon-