The Captain of squad 9, Kensei Muguruma, kept his gaze focused on his surroundings as he and six members of his squad trudged onward through the dirt filled streets of the 79th district, known as Kusajishi. He had no clue as to how the hell was he going to find the guy he was looking for. It wasn't like he could stop one of the souls and ask.
When it came down to it, Kusajishi was like the armpit of the Soul Society. Only one other district was even less desirable, that being district 80, known as Zaraki. If Kusajishi was the armpit, then Zaraki could only be summed up as a living hell. Only a certain kind of soul could survive in the lower numbered districts, and in order to do so, that soul would have to possess tremendous strength…both physically and mentally.
"We've been at this for almost four hours, Captain. Maybe we should head back now?" Kensei heard his Co-Lieutenant, Shuhei Hisagi, speak up behind him.
"No. Our orders were clear. We can't turn back now. We must make sure that no one else is sick. If we miss something and others get infected, it will be our fault." Kensei countered.
Shuhei nodded to his captain and silently admitted Kensei was right. Shuhei would feel responsible if he gave up now and more souls ended up ill…or worse, dead.
"I think we should fan out from here. Mashiro, you take two men with you and head to the east side of the district." Kensei ordered.
The green haired woman looked up at him and shrugged her petite shoulder before she agreed.
"Okay. You two come with me." She stated pointing to two male lower ranks.
Both men stood forward. They seemed on high alert, never having ventured into the higher numbered districts. Mashiro didn't feel the need to worry. She was perfectly capable of handling anything that came her way.
"We'll meet back here in two hours. Make sure you keep an eye out." Kensei instructed her.
"Okay." She replied, with a half-hearted lift of her left hand.
Kensei sighed at her nonchalant attitude. She may be his other Co-lieutenant, but the woman seemed to be taking the mission a bit too lightly for his liking.
"Let's go. Keep your eyes peeled for anything that looks suspicious." Kensei ordered.
Shuhei and the 12th seat both replied in unison.
"Yes, Sir."
Shuhei wiped the sweat from his brow as he continued to search the buildings that surrounded them. He could feel the glares of the residents as he passed them by and it was like invisible daggers being thrown at him. Many of the souls who lived in the high numbers were low on spirit energy and felt that the soul reapers had been given the better end of the stick. They were bitter and envious of the power they couldn't possess, and sometimes that made them act stupid.
Kensei paused just as they came to the last bend in the pathway. After taking a turn, the path would go into a dead end, forcing them to turn around and go back the way they came. His intuition told him that he was missing something, and he couldn't shake the restless feeling in the pit of his gut.
Just out of the corner of his eye he caught sight of a small boy walking barefoot, wearing a torn and tattered kimono. He appeared to be around the age of ten, but he couldn't be sure. The boy looked at the three men with wide brown eyes, backing away as if scared. Kensei tilted his head as an idea occurred to him. The adults in this district wouldn't open their mouths for anything, but maybe this kid could point him in the right direction.
"Hey Kid, you know where I can find a guy named Hayate Sakurai?" Kensei asked.
The child averted his gaze and stayed silent as he tried to side step them. Kensei stepped in his way, blocking him from being able to evade them. The boy paused and looked back up at him, his eyes darting in all directions, trying to see if anyone else could see them.
"I'm not supposed to tell you soul reapers anything!" The child replied.
Kensei figured it was something like that.
"Come on, Kid. I don't have all day. Do you know him or not?" Kensei countered.
The boy's brow furrowed as he seemed to be weighing his options. He knew. Kensei could feel it.
"It's important that we find him. He might be sick." Shuhei stepped forward and hunched down making himself less intimidating for the boy.
"Yeah. He has been." The boy replied.
"Is that right? Well, we can get him help if you tell us where he stays." Shuhei continued.
Kensei stood back and decided to let his Co-lieutenant take over. It seemed the boy reacted better to his approach.
"H…He used to go to the academy, but they kicked him out. I...I used to want to be like Hayate, but he was mean." The boy replied.
"Was he mean to you?" Shuhei asked.
The child shook his head.
"No, he was screaming at a pretty lady." The boy answered.
"Did he call her Mikka?" Shuhei pressed.
The boy's eyes widened at the mention of the name and Shuhei realized they had just gotten a very lucky break.
"Yea! That's what he called her. He stays with two other mean guys now." He answered.
Now that Shuhei was able to get the boy talking he could see that the child had somehow retained a sense of honor, not liking a lady being yelled at.
"What's your name?" Shuhei asked.
The boy dropped his gaze down to his dirty bare feet.
"It's okay if you don't want to tell me, but it's really important that we find Hayate and his friends. It could help Mikka." Shuhei continued, hating that he had to use the woman as leverage.
"Is she sick too?" he asked, looking back up at Shuhei with sad brown eyes.
Shuhei felt dirty, he didn't want to tell the kid, but it was the truth.
"She is, but there are other soul reapers who are trying to make her better." Shuhei answered.
"Okay, if it'll help the pretty lady I'll tell you. You passed it already. It's back that way, the house with the red mark on the door." He answered.
Shuhei smiled at him.
"You have been a big help. Thank you." Shuhei replied.
The child nodded his head as his shoulders slumped a little.
"Please don't tell. I…I wasn't supposed to tell soul reapers anything." He repeated.
"Your secret is safe with us, Kid." Kensei spoke up as he turned on his heal, leaving Shuhei with the child.
Now that he had a decent lead, he wasn't in any mood to waste any more time. He and his 12th seat walked side by side, both keeping their eyes open for a red mark.
"Over there, Captain!"
Kensei turned his head and saw a door with red paint sloshed down the front of it. He wasn't sure what to make of it, but he didn't have time to think about it. Kensei ignored the glares and curious stares as some of the residents watched him step up to the door and knock loudly. The door didn't seem to have a real latch, and it swung open on its own.
"Did you find him, Captain?" He heard Shuhei call out to him from afar.
Kensei covered his mouth and nose as he stepped back away from the doorway. Shuhei caught up to the two men then.
"What is it, Captain?" Shuhei asked as he noticed the sweat dripping down his captain's forehead as he covered his face with his hand.
Shuhei went to step forward, but Kensei clasped him hard by the shoulder before he could. It didn't stop Shuhei from being able to see inside. It just prevented him from stepping too close.
"They're dead…" Shuhei whispered.
"Captain Kurotsuchi!"
Mayuri opened his sleep filled eyes as he heard the voice of his Lieutenant calling his name. He was also knocking rather persistently on his door in conjunction.
"What is it, Akon!?" he snapped as he rolled over onto his back.
"I'm sorry to disturb you so soon Captain, but Captain Muguruma has just arrived. He says he needs to speak with you urgently." Akon explained.
Mayuri let out a frustrated sigh as he looked over at the clock that sat on his bedside table. He'd only been asleep for a little over four hours, and had half the mind to dismiss whatever it was the Captain of Squad 9 had come to tell him, but he decided against it.
"Very well, I will be out momentarily!" Mayuri called out.
"Yes, Sir." He heard Akon's muffled reply through his bedroom door.
Mayuri tossed the blankets aside and pushed himself up into a sitting position in the middle of his large futon. It had taken him almost a full hour to fall asleep after the intimate moment he had shared with Ayumi, and even still he couldn't seem to shake the memory of the woman's lips pressing over his own.
He sighed deeply as he lifted his hand and ran it through his uncovered dark blue hair. Mayuri figured he might as well get it over with and go and see what the fuss was about. He turned his body and pushed himself up from the futon and stepped inside his personal bathing area. He caught his unpainted reflection in the mirror and paused.
Mayuri normally wouldn't step out of his room without putting on his signature face paint and headdress, but considering he planned on coming right back to bed, he didn't see the point in taking the time to apply it. He turned on the tap and bent down, splashing his face with cool water in an attempt to refresh himself, which seemed to work as the grittiness from his eyes dissipated.
Without overthinking the situation, Mayuri turned off the tap and grabbed a hand towel to pat his face dry, then tossed the towel back onto the counter before turning back out into his sleeping quarters. Making his way over to his wardrobe, he shrugged out of his black kimono and reached up, pulling a clean Shihakusho from a metal hanger. He then quickly redressed securing the band around his lean hips before stepping into his sandals.
He didn't bother to put on socks or to even grab his Zanpakuto from its stand, but he did, however, reach out and grab his Captain's Haori, securing it over his shoulders before pulling the door open and stepping out into the hallway. As he walked he grew more alert and the fuzzy feeling of fatigue lessoned as he turned down the last corridor that would lead him to his personal lab space.
Mayuri stepped into the room and was greeted by four bewildered expressions. Well, it seemed that his decision to come out unadorned was indeed unexpected.
"You felt the need to disrupt my sleep, so come on and spit it out, what is this news?" Mayuri demanded.
Kensei stepped forward from the group, standing with his legs spread and his arms crossed over his wide chest. Mayuri had the urge to roll his eyes as he watched the man's display.
"We've just come back from Kusajishi. It doesn't look good either. Hayate Sakurai is dead." Kensei blurted.
Mayuri's brow rose at the other Captain's statement.
"He and two other men known in the district, a couple of thugs." Kensei continued.
"I see, and how, pray tell, does this concern me?" Mayuri asked.
Kensei let out a ragged breath before he continued.
"They died of whatever this virus is. No signs of any foul play." Kensei countered.
"You didn't think of bringing me a sample?" Mayuri scolded.
"The only thought I had was to get my men out of harm's way. If you want a sample that damn bad, go and get it yourself." Kensei retorted.
"My, my. Funny how gratitude seems to waver as the years go by! I think I'll remember that if you ever happen to be turned back into a Zombie again." Mayuri replied.
Kensei sighed at the reminder of his debt to the madman standing in front of him.
"Go and get it myself, you say? Very well then. Akon, send a message to both Squad 11 and Squad 2. Tell the Captains that I require both Linake Zaraki and Sosuke Aizen's assistance." Mayuri ordered.
"Yes, Sir." Akon replied before stepping out of the room to carry out his order.
"How the hell is a traitor and a pregnant woman going to help you?" Kensei barked.
"Ah, now let's see, that pregnant woman has the ability of covering herself in flames. Now I know to a laymen such as yourself it may be hard to comprehend, but in most cases, a virus cannot survive under high degrees of heat. I shall collect my samples and Linake will incinerate the corpses along with the building in an attempt to prevent any further spreading of the infection." Mayuri explained.
Kensei frowned as he silently admitted the man had a point.
"And Aizen?" Kensei growled the name.
"Why, who better to send in to collect said samples then a man who is Immortal?" Mayuri grinned.
Ayumi's shoulders slumped for the millionth time as she tried to snake her way around the maze of hallways. She had managed to make it from her room to the bathing area, in order to take a relaxing bath, and back to her room, but once she had decided to head back to the lab and see if Rin wanted company for dinner, she had only ended up getting herself lost. She could hear the faint sound of voices coming from afar, so she decided to follow them and hoped it wouldn't lead her into any awkward situation.
She lifted her hands absent mindedly and remembered she didn't have any glasses on her face to adjust. She blinked her newly regenerated eyes and a soft smile returned to her lips that spread out into a full grin, as the memory of her first kiss replayed in her mind. She seemed to get lost in the memory instead of paying attention to her surroundings, and ended up bumping into a large framed man with platinum blonde hair.
"I am so sorry." Ayumi began as she looked up at the man.
"No harm done, but you should walk with your head up. You'll see what's in front of you better." He replied.
"Ayumi!" She jumped at the sound of Mayuri's voice calling her name.
The good news was, she made it to the lab entrance. The bad news was, she was about to get another ear full about paying attention to her surroundings.
Kensei looked down at the pretty brunette and noticed the way her face flushed at the sound of Mayuri calling her. He lifted his brow as she squared her shoulders and allowed herself to turn and face the Squad 12 Captain.
"I…I'm sorry, Captain." The words rushed out of her mouth before her head had lifted fully.
Ayumi's breath caught in her lungs as her lips parted. Her knees buckled, and her heart literally leapt in her chest. Mayuri Kurotsuchi stood in front of her completely exposed. His skin no longer painted white, but was a healthy looking peach, and his dark blue hair was a bit long and shaggy looking. A part of his overgrown bangs hung down over his forehead.
He was gorgeous.
"Good grief, I corrected your vision and yet, here you are, still bumping into everyone." He shook his head as he sighed.
Ayumi didn't trust herself to speak again. She thought the man was intimidating before with the face paint and headdress…now that she knew what lived underneath her mind had back pedaled her straight into her awkward mode.
"I…I…"
"I swear, if I hear one more apology from you…" Mayuri's golden gaze stared her down intensely, making her shrink down and lift her arms around herself.
"Take it easy, Kurotsuchi. No need to be so hard on her." Kensei interrupted reminding Mayuri of the man's presence.
"What gives you the right to tell me how to speak to my own subordinate? And furthermore, why are you still here!?" Mayuri snapped at the Squad 9 Captain.
"I forgot, there is no reasoning with a man like you." Kensei retorted, turning away from the madman.
Shuhei stole a glance at the young woman he recognized before he followed his captain out of the room. He remembered that she had bumped into him too only a couple days before. Shuhei couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something about the way the woman was looking at her captain…but he knew one thing. The look in her eyes had nothing to do with fear.
Once the members of Squad 9 left his view, Mayuri stepped forward, closing the gap between him and Ayumi. He heard her sharp intake of breath as he gripped her by the wrist and pulled her into the lab space away from the open hallway. His grip was firm but he wasn't pressing hard enough to hurt her. He pulled her in front of him and backed her up against the wall. Her eyes widened and she absentmindedly licked her lips in preparation for him.
"The only man you should be pressing up against, is me." He stated as he gripped her other wrist in his free hand and lifted both of her arms above her head.
He leaned into her, pressing his body against her soft curves, giving into the temptation.
Her breath hitched as he changed his grip on her, pinning her to the wall with only one large slender hand. His left hand fell to the side of her face and she felt his thumb run across her bottom lip.
"You seem to have woken something up inside me, Ayumi. I am afraid I cannot ignore it for much longer." He whispered.
"I didn't mean to upset you." She whispered back.
She heard his soft laughter as he leaned his head down right next to her ear.
"I've already told you once, if you had upset me, you would know it." He countered before lifting his head and pressing his lips to the side of her jawline.
"Captain Kurotsuchi…" She whispered breathlessly.
"I think we've crossed the line between Captain and simple Subordinate, wouldn't you? You may call me, Mayuri." He instructed right before he claimed her mouth with his.
Ayumi leaned into the wall behind her for support as she felt Mayuri's firm lips cover hers once again. Her knees trembled and she willed herself to stay upright as he tilted his head, deepening the kiss. She felt the rush of heat spread throughout her body as his hot tongue slipped passed her lips and lapped against hers, encouraging her to respond to him.
She didn't need his encouragement. She felt like she was burning up inside, her body flushed from head to toe. She moaned into his mouth as his left hand skimmed down the side of her body from her breast all the way down to her thigh and back up again. She could feel his arousal pressing up against her, and it made her want even more.
She felt uncomfortable in her clothes, and she knew that if her hands were not pinned above her head she would have been tearing at the fabric herself. She'd never felt more alive than in this moment…never felt more beautiful. Mayuri pulled his tongue back and she felt his lips lightly press over hers once more before he pulled his head away.
"I'm afraid I cannot allow myself to go much further than this. Duty calls, and I have to prepare for a trip to Kusajishi." He explained.
Ayumi understood what he was trying to say, but it didn't do much to stifle her utter disappointment. She was so riled up she wouldn't have stopped him from taking her right there against the wall, even though it would have been her first time.
"I understand." She replied.
Mayuri smiled at her. He lifted his hand from her wrists, allowing her the use of her hands once more, and while her arousal still made her feel bold enough, she reached out and grabbed the front of his Captain's Haori and pressed her mouth over his on her own. One more kiss…just to let him know how much she wanted him.
She let her hands drop and backed away from him. Her gaze fell to the floor as she tried to comprehend everything that was happening.
"Ayumi." He spoke lowly as he took hold of her chin. Her gaze lifted back to his.
"I spent many hours working on that serum to fix those pretty eyes of yours. Walk with your head high and use them." He demanded.
She felt her lips lift into a slight smile.
"Yes, Captain." She replied.
Ayumi saw the way his head tilted and his brow furrowed.
"I mean…Yes, Mayuri." She corrected herself.
"Where were you heading to before you bumped into Captain Muguruma?" he asked her.
"I was going to ask Rin if he wanted to eat with me. I figured you would still be asleep, or I would have rather gone with you." Ayumi answered honestly.
"Unfortunately, I cannot accompany you this time. Rin should be on his way through in the next couple minutes, you can ask him then. If you should see Akon on your way let him know I went to finish getting dressed." Mayuri replied as he turned away from her.
"Okay." She replied before he walked out of the room.
Ayumi leaned her body back against the wall and laughed.
She didn't have to ask to know what he had meant. He was going to hide his remarkably handsome face behind his face paint. Even though she would never fully comprehend his reasons for wearing it, she smiled at the thought of possibly being the only woman to wake up next to him without it, at least she hoped it wasn't just wishful thinking.
He'd said she'd woken something up inside of him, if he only knew just how much he'd just woken up within her. She hoped she wasn't being foolish when it came to the situation. Ayumi would be the first to admit she didn't know anything about what it felt like to be in a relationship with someone.
If she wasn't careful she may end up giving Mayuri more than the man was capable of handling. The logical part of her brain told her it was just simple attraction and nothing to read much into, but when he kissed her, when he touched her, her chest grew tight with an explainable emotion, it almost felt like…Love.
Mayuri walked down the hallways that led him back to his Captain's quarters. His mind was filled with the events that had just taken place. Earlier he had told himself before falling asleep that he couldn't let Ayumi get under his skin, and what had he accomplished? Not a damn thing. The woman did more than just get under his skin, she dug her claws in and burrowed.
Mayuri was scowling by the time he made it back to his room. He pushed the door open and shrugged out of his Captain's Haori and the top to his Shihakusho allowing the bottoms to hang loosely on his hips. His body was still sensitive form the stimulation, he didn't understand what made Ayumi so damn appealing.
Yes, the woman was beautiful and she proved that she was smarter than average, yet, she made him act like some simple minded brute, pressing her into the wall in such a way. His body responded to the memory, refueling his arousal all over again. He shook his head as he entered back into his private bathing area and made quick work of applying the special white concealer. He had personally made it, it was a protectant for his skin mainly, but he also didn't see the problem with making it a bit of a signature style.
He took the time to make sure that his hands, arms, torso and face were fully coated, and he even used a specially designed brush for his back. He turned so that he could see in the mirror in order to apply it. Once satisfied he brought his attention to the detail on his face, using a thicker black concealer he covered his chin completely, then moved up to his forehead filling it in all the way down to the sides of his nose. When he felt content enough, he returned the caps to each bottle and stood as he waited for the substance to dry.
Mayuri stared at himself in the mirror as his mind wondered back to the woman. It seemed that he couldn't get any more than a couple minutes reprieve until some thought regarding her would creep back up from the depths of his psyche. What was it about the woman!? Why did he crave to see her!? He'd never felt more haunted by an urge.
The way she had looked up at him with heavy lidded eyes and kiss swollen lips had sent a wave of the most intense male satisfaction he had ever felt. In that moment he had wanted nothing more than to strip her bare and take her, right there, against the wall with no cares of who may have entered. If it hadn't been for the new information he had been given and the fact he was expecting Captain Zaraki to barge into the lab at any moment, snarling and carrying on-What do you want with my woman, Kurotsuchi? Mayuri would have taken Ayumi, he knew that much was true.
Was he really that similar to other men? He'd never thought it possible that his resolve could be swayed so easily by a pretty face and a pair of green eyes. Her thick body did more than catch his attention and it sent him spiraling down into a carnal abyss where the only things that existed were the two of them, and the only thing worth having was the pleasure they could discover together. Even the soft smell of jasmine mixed with her personal scent drove him crazy. Mayuri patted his face to test and see if the foundations had dried as his mind continued to race.
If he did bring her into his room to have his way with her, would one time be enough for him, or would it only throw fuel onto the preverbal fire? There was also the question of the strange sensations that filled his chest whenever she was around him, why, they almost felt to be some kind of emotional response to her merely being around him. It had happened again when she had pulled on his haori and taken another kiss from him. She hadn't seen his expression, but he was sure his surprise would have been evident.
Mayuri met his own gaze in the mirror in front of him.
"Nothing wrong with wanting the woman, I suppose." He spoke aloud.
"Ugh! The woman has me talking to my own reflection! Is this just the beginning of this madness?" He snarled, pushing away from the bathroom counter and stepping back into his room.
"Either way, I have other things that need my attention now!" He berated himself.
Mayuri put on the top to his Shihakusho and tucked it into place, once again tying the band above his hips before bending down and putting on his socks. This time he walked over to a small table were the current headdress he wore sat. He picked it up and placed it on his head, then tucked his hair up underneath.
He reached out and took hold of his sheathed Zanpakuto and placed it directly in front of him. He hooked the sheath to the band around his waist before tossing his Captain's Haori back over his shoulders and securing his arms into the long sleeves. With a pause at the door he secured his sandals to his feet and without any more delay he stepped back out into the hallway.
Linake Zaraki smiled at the the Lieutenant of Squad 12 as he opened the large metal door to the entrance of the Squad 12 barracks.
"Hello, Akon." She greeted him.
"Yes, Hello, Mrs. Zaraki, it's nice to see you again." He replied.
"Cut this chit-chat! What the hell is this about?" Akon raised his head and met Kenpachi Zaraki's gaze.
The man looked down right agitated and if he had to guess a bit insulted.
"Captain Kurotsuchi will have to explain. I merely sent the messages at his request." Akon replied.
"Tch. Messages? Who else did he send for?" Kenpachi demanded.
"Sosuke Aizen." Akon answered simply.
Kenpachi's glare intensified.
Linake reached her hand up and laid her palm on Kenpachi's forearm.
He turned his scowl on her and Linake sighed. Why the man had to have such a stubborn streak was beyond her, it was quite obvious to her that Captain Kurotsuchi just wanted her help in some way.
"This isn't happening, Woman." Kenpachi growled at her.
Akon stood patiently waiting for the couple to stop trading glares with each other when he spotted two more souls walking up to the doors.
"You asked for Sosuke, what I don't understand is why?" Soifon, the captain of squad 2 asked.
Linake slid over closer to her husband giving the petite captain some room on the threshold.
"If the four of you would be kind enough to enter the building, I will tell you." Mayuri replied, his voice laced with sarcasm as he appeared behind his Lieutenant.
Kenpachi growled from low in his chest before he placed his palm flat against Linake's back ushering her inside. It seemed that the Squad 12 Captain had raised the warrior's curiosity. Akon held the door open and waited for Soifon and Sosuke to enter.
"Did Amaya not wish to join you?" Akon asked.
"She is busy helping Captain Kotetsu." Sosuke replied.
"Ah. Of course." Akon replied as he pushed the metal door closed, then secured it once more.
Mayuri led the group down the dimly lit hallway back into his personal lab space. His gaze searched the room and he found it empty, he could only guess that Rin had accepted Ayumi's invitation and they had gone to eat. Mayuri walked over to his computer station and as he waited for everyone to catch up with him he typed in his access code.
The room filled with the two captains, the substitute and the immortal. Akon followed the group close behind. Once back inside the lab, the Lieutenant took the time to step over to his own computer station. He lifted his personal chair and walked it over to where Linake was standing and sat it down behind her as he placed his hand to her shoulder.
She turned her head and smiled at his kind gesture.
"Thank you, Akon." She replied.
He simply nodded, feeling the intense gaze of Kenpachi baring down on him.
Akon lifted his head to the giant man and was given a simple nod of thanks from Captain Zaraki before he stepped to the side of the room.
Linake sat down and placed her hands over her growing belly as she waited for the Squad 12 Captain to start his explanation. Kenpachi moved to stand behind her and she felt his large hands cover her shoulders, his way of indicating to her that he was there and he was willing to hear Mayuri out.
The only sound in the room was the taping of keys as Mayuri accessed his files and brought up all of the microscopic images of the virus he had on file, from the oldest to the newest. He stepped aside and turned his attention to the group.
"What am I looking at, Kurotsuchi?" Kenpachi asked, breaking the silence.
"Ah. Well, allow me to speak in terms you will understand, this is what is known as a spore of bacteria. It would seem that this nasty little virus has been living among us in the Soul Society for many years going unnoticed." Mayuri began.
"What's it have to do with us?" Kenpachi continued.
"That's the thing, for now I am not really certain on what its impact could possibly be. For now there are three women from the academy who have come down with this strain." Mayuri explained, pointing to the last picture on the screen.
Linake reached her hand up and placed it on Kenpachi's before she stood from the chair.
"What are you doing?" Kenpachi asked her.
"Getting a closer look." She answered as she walked in front of the screens.
Linake wasn't anywhere close to a genius like Mayuri, and even though her major in college had been Astronomy when she lived in the human world, she knew a little bit about basic cellular biology, she knew a spore when she saw one, and this one looked like it was evolving.
"It's getting stronger?" Linake asked Mayuri as she turned and faced him.
The squad 12 captain smiled at her question.
"It is indeed. I have just been notified that three men in the 79th district have been found dead. It would seem that one of the men had a relationship with a woman who is currently under Captain Kotetsu's care." Mayuri continued.
"That's unfortunate. What is it that you want from me and Sosuke?" Linake asked.
"It would seem that the Squad 9 Captain was not competent enough to collect a sample for me. I am afraid I cannot conclude that it was in fact this virus that killed those men until I have the evidence to support the claim." Mayuri answered.
"I think I understand where this is leading, you want me to collect the samples for you, is that correct, Captain Kurotsuchi?" Sosuke Aizen asked.
"Precisely!" Mayuri answered with a grin.
"What about Linake?" Kenpachi growled.
"I would like for her to use her flames in order to cleanse the area." Mayuri answered.
"You mean you want her to go around this virus?" Kenpachi pressed.
"She wouldn't be going inside the home with the deceased, I would simply need her to set the house ablaze with them inside after Aizen is able to collect what I need. It's rather simple." Mayuri countered.
"If it's so fucking simple why aren't you doing it?" Kenpachi spat.
"Oh boy, here it comes." Mayuri commented with a sigh.
"Kenpachi, I should be fine outside of the house with my flames." Linake addressed her husband.
"Should be, ain't good enough. How the hell am I supposed to protect you and the kid from something I can't see?" Kenpachi retorted.
Linake sighed as she placed her palm over her stomach.
"Well, I'm afraid if the Squad 11 Captain is that adamant about his objections we will have no other alternative then to prepare ourselves for what could possibly come." Mayuri stated.
"And what is that?" Kenpachi snapped.
Linake looked up at her husband with sad eyes.
"A pandemic." She answered.
"What the hell is that?" he growled, not liking it when she used terms he wasn't familiar with.
"If those men were killed by this virus and we don't prevent it from spreading by destroying anything it's come in contact with, it could spread across all of the districts. It could even come inside the Seireitei." Linake explained.
"Well if these men were killed by the same virus that those women you mentioned have, it's already in the Seireitei." Soifon pointed out.
"Captain Kotetsu has put the medical unit on lock down and I have been informed that my 5th seat is now not even allowed to come out." She continued.
Linake's lips parted at the new information.
"Amaya's in quarantine?" She asked.
Sosuke nodded.
"I am sure that is all just a simple precaution. I was not even given the opportunity to examine the women myself." Mayuri stated.
"You've been inside and so has Lady Yoruichi, neither of you have come down with anything." Soifon pointed out.
"Yes well, the one thing that Yoruichi and I have in common is a high level of Spiritual Pressure, the virus may not be able to get past higher levels, and of course that is simply just a theory." Mayuri replied.
"What about Ayumi?" Linake asked.
Mayuri turned his gaze to Linake at the mention of her.
"How do you know of her?" Mayuri asked.
"She and Rin stopped by the other day, has she been around these women form the academy?" Linake asked.
"The three of them were actually her roommates." Mayuri answered honestly.
Linake felt her face flush.
"That woman who was holding my son?" Kenpachi growled.
Linake lifted her gaze to her husband and nodded.
"You have nothing to worry about as far as Ayumi is concerned, I have tested her myself, twice. She has no sign of the virus in her blood what-so-ever." Mayuri reassured them.
Linake leaned back against Mayuri's computer desk and sighed in relief.
"You better hope you're right about that, Kurotsuchi." Kenpachi threatened.
Mayuri met the Captain of Squad 11's angry gaze.
"Have I ever been wrong?" Mayuri challenged.
"Fine. I'll let Linake do this, but I'm coming with her, this virus ain't the only thing you have watch out for in Kusajishi." Kenpachi gave in.
"Excellent!" Mayuri smiled.