Ngoc Chau does not own Bleach

Okay, so I know that I'm moving this rather fast, but there's only a few more chapters until the end and then there's also a sort of deleted/alternate takes chapter where I post up stuff that I deleted from editing where it was good stuff, but it just had no place in the flow of the story.

The reason for this chapter, besides showing how Mayuri is growing is also supposed to show how close they are and it was something that the last chapter foreshadowed. This is not the resulting chapter of last chapter, but it's more foreshadowment.

Nemu was growing nervous just as the meeting seemed to be coming to its end for the proposition that she wanted to discuss had not yet been introduced by the Soutaicho. Though her fears were put to rest when the Soutaicho finally turned the floor over to her, telling all of the other captains, "Kurotsuchi-taicho has something that she would like to discuss with all of us."

She had thought her confidence had grown since her creator's death, but there were times she still imagined herself to be the timid, submissive lieutenant of the Twelfth Division, that often had no point in any sort of conversation. She cleared her throat and stepped forward, made sure that all of them could hear her. "I would like to recommend Kurotsuchi, Mayuri to apply for the Captain Proficiency Test."

There was an audible hush over the audience and one captain spoke up first, "Are you sure that's what you really want right now, Kurotsuchi-Taicho? I'm not saying that he doesn't have the qualifications to be a captain, but he is perhaps it would be best to wait a few more years before we let him take the Captain Proficiency Test. He's only learned Bankai not too long ago, he must hardly be able to do anything more than summon it and poison everybody. Give him some more time to mature into the role and to learn how to effectively use it. Besides, there are no open posts for Captain right now."

A few more responses went around. From the Third, Sixth and Ninth, there was some support but it was very unenthusiastic. There was the usual response from Eleventh that reasoned that her son was too young to be captain and he would "Fuck everything up." There was a strange ardour from the Tenth which gave its support to Mayuri. Again, the main argument against her son being captain was, "There's no available spots for Captain in the Gotei 13."

"Then I volunteer in stepping down as the Captain of the Twelfth Division." she said almost immediately.

Again there was an audible hush.

"That does not seem to be very wise of you, Kurotsuchi-Taicho. It would seem to be a waste of a person, especially just so that one's own child could be a captain." The Soutaicho said, "Forgive me for saying this, but your father the previous captain of your division was a captain that most was not comfortable with. His loss was a great one and we were fortunate to have you his daughter take up his mantle. But that was only because he was gone. We see no reason for you right now to lose your position simply because your son has just achieved the final stage of his zanpakuto."

She felt indignant but did not show it. Her creator was a good man and the fact that they could forget it so easily and not even show respect in his death made her all the more indignant. "My purpose to my late captain was not to continue his legacy for him, but to bring up his true successor, his son, until the time came for him to be made a captain. The time is now and I request that he be allowed to take the Captain Proficiency Test and when he passes, he should be made captain of my division. I am very willing to step down for him and retire. Although it was very recent that he learned Bankai, he is more than capable of performing it: in fact he is very close to mastering it."
She knew she had no fear nor nothing to influence their decision of her request or to blackmail them onto her terms. But she could only hope that her conduct and merit could be worth something at this crucial moment. She admitted that her creator's reputation had somewhat tarnished everybody's opinion of her boy already and even now it was close to preventing him from possibly being recognized as one powerful enough for the captain class; all because they feared that he would be too much like his father. His father was someone to fear, yes, but he was also someone to be admired. He did what the other captains had done as well, but in an unorthodox method that had others question his motives. She so wished that they could recognize Mayuri to be worthy, she already knew he was, but let them see it too.

A period of silence passed and her nerves were strung tighter with every second. Would they decline her? If so, what could she tell Mayuri? Would she have to allow them to deny her boy's birthright, the very purpose of his life?

With a groan as he leaned forward upon his cane, the Soutaicho told her that he would agree to allow her son to take the Captain Proficiency Test, but there was a condition that must be paid to. "We will let him, but we cannot guarantee that he will immediately be promoted to the post of Captain. For it is in the best interests that we keep you as captain and then he will be made a captain later on when an opening becomes available."

"But" Nemu began, "he must be made a captain of the Twelfth Division, no other could suit him. If I must stay a captain, I would rather be transferred to another division and allow him mine."

Another captain said her word, "If Kurotsuchi-taich is so determined to let her son be captain in her place, I think that we should allow it. Kurotsuchi -taicho is well liked by all and I think it would be acceptable for her to be transferred elsewhere. But like the late captain, perhaps her son is only suited for the Twelfth Division."

At first, ambivalent murmurs were spoken between standing captains and then they turned approvingly. Nemu smiled at Unohana for her piece and was thankful that the woman had such belief in her son. It was amazing that depending on which captain's words were heard, others would be swayed as well. Nemu would have to remember to tell Mayuri that it was thanks to Unohana's support in him being captain that he got it.

The Soutaicho agreed; Nemu would remain the captain of the Twelfth division until another opening became available to which if her son was deemed sufficient to be captain, he would take over her post and she would be transferred to another division. All that was needed now was for her son to arrange a date with the Soutaicho and two other captains so that they could see him display his abilities with his bankai.

Nemu had left the Captain's meeting happy and eager to tell her son the news. Upon arriving, she saw that he was busy at work, his portfolio in his hands and surrounded by a circle of shinigami who were aimless and looked to him to know what to do. She waited until he was finished giving out instructions to talk to him.

She approached him and he acknowledged her with a nod of his head and a very terse, "Taicho."

She told him of what had transpired in the Captain's meeting, that she had managed to gain their approval in letting him apply for the Captain Proficiency Test. At his silence, she also added that she had the most confidence that he would pass and become Captain.

"And of what division would I be the captain of, Taicho?" he asked, crossing his arms.

"You would be the captain of this division." she answered.

With this, he raised a non-existent brow and asked what would become of her.

She replied that once there was an opening for a captain, she would be transferred to that division to take over the post while he would remain with the Twelfth to be its new Captain.

Though his voice was expressionless, she sensed a concern from him, "Can't you become my lieutenant if I am to be the new Captain of the Twelfth?"

She shook her head and answered almost regretfully, "The condition that they told me if you were to take the Test was that I would have to remain as a captain. I agreed. No other division but this one could be led effectively by any other but you. I have only been tending to this division until you would be ready to lead it. This is your father's legacy to you."

He opened his mouth to speak, but his attentions were diverted to a couple of shinigami around the corner who were not so discreetly listening in on them. "Just because I'm talking doesn't mean you can stop working, you eavesdroppers! Get back to work or so help me, you'll find yourselves my new test subjects!"
Shinigami ran away in a flurry.

She saw him chew on his bottom lip, his neck and head stiffen. He was breathing hard and he turned to her, his eyes narrowed to her in a way that she had seen directed at others but never saw directed solely at her. Nemu felt quite uneasy to face him angry for he had never appeared angry at her; upset and disagreeable now and again, but never angry.
"Of course I would rather stay in this division. Every time I am subjected to speak to those of other divisions, particularly the Eleventh, I feel that my IQ drops with every work. Thinking that way, I suppose that I will decline the chance to take the Captain Proficiency Test."

Her eyes widened at what she was hearing from him. Why should he decline? Anybody would be honoured to have someone recommend them for the chance of being the captain. Why was it that he did not want to assume this august role?
She voiced her thoughts, "Why?"

He carelessly opened the portfolio that had been in his arms. His fingers skimmed through the pages of it. There was an arrogance in his eyes as he looked upat her, his head tilted at an angle that in the light had her reminisce back to her creator.
" 'Why?' " he mocked her, his brows furrowed, "Why indeed. Because I have no desire to go to another division and I can only see your abilities and qualities being wasted for some other slack jawed division when it could be put to better use here in the SDRI. Therefore, until I see that you have become useless to our work, you'll stay here in the twelfth by my side as the captain and I as your lieutenant. Cynical and impudent as it may sound coming from your lieutenant, Nemu." he accented heavily upon her name, "albeit you wear the captain's haori here, it is I who runs this division."

And she was not at all offended. Nemu could feel nothing but pride and admiration for the boy before her. She smiled that small smile she had not smiled in so long, only reserved for the man who could not take seeing anything but seriousness when it came to business and work.
"Yes, Mayuri-sama." She bowed to him and rose, feeling quite young as though it was years ago that she wore the lieutenant's badge, that was now on her son's arm, on her own.

Yes, she thought, he would make a very marvellous captain.

Then together they went on their rounds about the labs to check up on their subordinates; however she noticed most acutely that despite his strong words earlier, Mayuri remained a step behind her.

Despite him being rude, I want you guys to sort of read that he would turn down being captain to stay with Nemu. Sweet, huh? He just doesn't want to be all gushy about it. Ah, the reason why the kiss isn't on their minds is because thy're working. But to keep you on your seats. I will tell you that the next chapter is a lemon. Between Mayuri and Nemu. An actual lemon scene happening between them.
Why? Wait to find out.
How? I will be sure to describe it graphically for you(naughty!)
When? Chapter should be coming out in two days or so, but the setting for it takes place about two months from this chapter and everything is still... usual in a sense.

Stay tuned!

But what did you think?