Authors Note: This story seems a little slow-paced to me. Is that an issue? Anyways, I hope everyone is doing good. I especially say that to my fellow Americans, as it is tax time in America, and that is one of the most stressful times of the year. If you are having a difficult time, I hope that this story helps you by showing you that your situation could be worse.

Chapter 14

"So, you must be the soul reaper I have heard many interesting things about." Takeshi stood before the ancient Head-Captain, and the man before him inspired nothing but fear. He was the most powerful soul reaper in the Seireitei, and had been for over 1000 years. Such power was beyond his comprehension. "I assume you know why you are here.

Even in the face of such a terrifying force, Takeshi felt no inclination to act with propriety. "I believe so, but you should go ahead and tell me anyways, in case my assumption is wrong." He made sure to incorporate subtle sarcasm into his response.

Yamamoto's eyes narrowed. "You insolent pup. I have neither the time nor the patience to deal with your rebellious nature. However, I shall tell you why you have been brought before me."

"You have been brought here today because Captain Sui-Feng of the 13 Court Guard Squads suspects you of conspiring with Former Captains Sosuke Aizen, Kaname Tōsen, and Gin Ichimaru. I also wish to see this strength Captain Sui-Feng described to me."
Takeshi crossed his arms" "Of course that's why." He sighed. "Fine, let's get this over with."

If it was one of the facial features that he had, the Head-Captain would have smirked. "As you wish." He slammed the bottom of his staff against the ground. "Captain Kurotsuchi, we are ready."

"I expect a bonus to be included in my salary for the overtime I had to do to make this." The mad scientist walked in from a Shōji to the left of Yamamoto. Typically, Takeshi would be making a joke about Mayuri's makeup, but given the present circumstances and the strange multicolored gun he was carrying, it had more of the effect of warpaint. There were several other Squad 12 members following him carrying similar guns with different color schemes. One was dragging a large machine, to which all the guns were connected by a neon green rope type tubing. "I accept money and test subjects, preferably the latter."

"Thank you for helping on such short notice. Does your machine work?"

"Yes. My Memory Extraction Device can copy and record the memories of the subject. I can also isolate memories related a specific subject, for example, Aizen. However, my extensive tests have found that it is limited to a few months. Once it has been recorded, it can be sent to a computer and viewed. All this with no permanent side effects to the subject."

Yamamoto nodded his head. "Good work. I will consider your request for an overtime bonus." He turned to Takeshi. "Will you willingly submit to having your memories examined?"

Takeshi scoffed. "I don't appreciate people peeking into my private life."

Mayuri's piped in. "You don't need to be such a baby. As I said, the machine can isolate memories based on certain criterium. Unless your private life has to with the traitors, we have no need to view it."

"Yeah, whatever. You have my consent. You would have done it with or without it, so I may as well give it."

Yamamoto's voice boomed. "Bakudō # 79, Kuyō Shibari!" 8 "black holes" spiritual pressure surrounded Takeshi, and then a 9th appeared on the center of his chest.
Takeshi found that he was unable to move at all, and he looked up questioning lay at the Head-Captain. However, it was Mayuri who felt the need to explain. "You see, although there are no real side affects that we know of, it is going to be quite painful. I have found it is best to restrain the subjects before doing this." The Squad 12 members took up positions around him and and pointed their guns at him, as did Mayuri. "Now men, be sure not to hit any vital spots. Ready... aim... FIRE!"

The guns shot 1.5 inch metallic rods with sharpened ends and they had hooks on the end. The metallic rods were attached to the guns by some sort of neon green rope. They were fired at about half the speed of a bullet.

They penetrated his skin about 2 inches, then they were pulled back. The hooks caught on his flesh and the rope was pulled taut. Takeshi was wondering where the pain that he had been told of was, because he had felt way worse than this before.

Mayuri interrupted his thoughts. "Alright everyone, switch to extraction mode in 3... 2... 1... NOW!" He flipped a small switch on his gun, and the others followed suit. Electrical charges flowed down the lines and all at once hit Takeshi. "All of your nerve endings are being activated at once as the machine uses those to access your Central Nervous System to record your memories." Takeshi could not hear him though. The pain was so great it blocked out everything else in the world. It was all he could do to stay conscious.

A purple liquid trickled through the tubing from the gun to the machine. The machine whirred and received the liquid data (if he can change himself to a liquid, he can data to a liquid too ). This continued for several more minutes. To Takeshi, time had no meaning. All that there was in his world was the pain. It was an all-consuming feeling that nothing in his life compared to at that moment.

When the process was finally over, there were no signs of physical damage other than where the rods were embedded into him. He was even able to retain some sense of composure. Despite all of this, he was on the verge of passing out. "Is that all you have?"

Mayuri chuckled. "You have just withstood what can be considered to be the greatest pain possible for a human being to experience. I commend you." As he said that, Takeshi collapsed on to the floor. "On second though, I suppose the body does have its limitations." His subordinates pulled the rods out of his body and walked away dragging with them the machine and the precious data. "I will have some of my men work on discovering if he has any connection to Aizen. It will be a few days though. It takes a long time to sift through memories." He then followed his subordinates out.

Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto looked at the passed out soul reaper standing before him. He was rude, arrogant, and had no respect for authority figures. Even with all that, he still hoped that he wasn't a traitor. There are not a lot of soul reapers with the kind of will power he has.

Authors Note: See? No matter how bad you are doing, at least you can find solace in the fact that you are not experiencing the greatest physical pain imaginable. Take care everyone.