Mayuri Kurotsuchi lifted his head from his computer, feeling the tender touch on his shoulder. He didn't need to look up to know it was his wife; he would know her presence anywhere.
"Have you eaten?" Ayumi whispered, knowing her husband well enough to understand he'd skip a meal when investigating something he felt was important.
Mayuri leaned back in his chair, a sigh escaping his parted lips.
"I have not. I have had more pressing issues to deal with." Mayuri answered.
"I figured that would be the case." Ayumi replied as she pivoted her body reaching her hand down lower on his chest, covering his heart with the palm of her hand.
Ayumi could feel the steady beat of his heart underneath the white fabric of his captain's haori. It didn't take a genius to understand that Mayuri would feel a sense of restlessness until he felt his objective was completed.
"Now is the time you begin to harass me for being so careless about myself and ask me to accompany you to get something to eat." Mayuri smiled.
Ayumi allowed herself a soft laugh at her husband. Over the past year the two of them had found a sense of comfort within on another. Never in her wildest dreams did Ayumi think that one day she would have been married to the man she had admired for so long.
"How are the children?" Mayuri asked; changing the subject to another important topic.
"The girls are fine. I just left Nemuri's room." Ayumi answered.
"Good. At least one thing is going smoothly." Mayuri replied with a heavy breath.
Ayumi felt the frown spread across her lips, feeling the tension across Mayuri's chest. She knew this situation was agitating him; her husband being the type of man who wanted to study every aspect of a situation. The fact the enemy was something unknown to him was leaving him irritated.
"I am sure you will be able to collect enough information once you make contact." Ayumi offered; not knowing if it would be enough to humor his mood.
Ayumi knew that once the enemy revealed the slightest bit of a weakness, Mayuri would latch onto it and flip it to his advantage. The man's mind worked in such a mysterious way.
"Yes. Well, let us hope it will be that simple." Mayuri countered; lifting his left hand to caress her forearm.
"I have absolute faith in you, Mayuri." Ayumi assured him as she moved her stance, daring to slide her body in front of him.
Mayuri slid his eyes open, meeting her gaze as the woman took it upon herself to sit atop his lap. Mayuri smiled lifting his arms in silent invitation; not able to deny her the comfort she saught. Ayumi smiled softly back at him, seeing the love gleaming from the man's golden eyes; something he could no longer hide from her.
"It goes without saying that I wish for you to stay within the soul society. No matter what visions you may have during the war, you are to stay here." Mayuri demanded, his gaze turning serious.
"I understand." Ayumi replied softly.
"I have made arrangements for you and the children to be looked after by Captain Kuchiki while I am away." Mayuri announced.
"Captain Kuchiki? Do you mean Byakuya?" Ayumi asked for clarification.
"I do. He opted to stay behind in order to protect the soul society just in case of a breach. We will have to use a technology that is quite fickle, it will transport a large portion of the human world into a vacant area within the soul society as to protect the human inhabitants." Mayuri explained.
"I see. I remember reading about that in one of your reports. It was used during the fight against...Aizen." Ayumi sighed.
"Yes. It was. You and the children will be moved to Kuchiki manor before I leave. It is my understanding that all of the children will be placed there, young Takeo and Akio as well." Mayuri smiled.
"I have no problem looking after them, too. I take it Linake is going into battle?" Ayumi asked.
"It would seem so." Mayuri replied.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't relieved." Ayumi admitted.
"I would not leave you unless I knew you would be looked after, Ayumi. You and the children will always be one of my highest priorities." Mayuri countered; shocking Ayumi a little by his abrupt admission.
"I thank you for thinking of us." Ayumi replied, lifting her hand to the side of his painted face, about to lean into him for a kiss.
"There is not a day that passes that I don't think of you and our children, Ayumi." Mayuri continued.
Ayumi leaned closer to him, loving the way it felt to be wrapped up in the man's arms. Each moment spent being held by him only reminded her of how lucky she had become. Life hadn't started out so easy for her, but this man, with one simple gesture of love and respect had managed to give her the one thing she had always longed for...a home. A place to grow as a woman, as a wife and mother.
Mayuri chuckled at her, seeing the longing in the woman's gaze. Before Ayumi could close the distance between them, Mayuri pressed his lips to hers, giving her the affection she craved most. Ayumi pulled back from him slightly, whispering against his parted lips.
"Please...be careful."
"Tch. I thought you said you have faith in me? I may be stepping into unknown territory, but it wouldn't be the first time. It's really not much of an issue. I will assess the situation and by any means rid us of this folly." Mayuri promised.
"I know how your brilliant mind works." Ayumi whispered.
"Then you understand the absurdity of asking me to take care." Mayuri countered.
"I love you." Ayumi replied.
Mayuri hesitated, his parted lips hovering against hers; still to this day hearing the woman's declaration sent a wave of such strange emotions coursing through him. Emotions he had long since stopped trying to fight no matter how deep the ache spread across his chest.
"And I love you." Mayuri admitted pressing his lips firmly against hers, taking another kiss.
Ayumi kissed back before leaning to look at him, only Mayuri could manage to calm her under such stressful circumstances.
"Come and eat with me, please?" Ayumi asked.
Mayuri let out a sigh before he nodded, thinking he may as well give his body the strength it needed in order to be of use.
"Very well." He agreed.
"Why not!? I don't see the problem with letting me in to speak to him!" Amaya shouted at Akon.
"I can't let you in to speak with anyone without the captain's permission, Amaya. He just left for lunch. You are going to have to wait and ask Captain Kurotsuchi's permission to see Grimmjow." Akon explained.
Amaya's brow furrowed, not liking being denied her opportunity to try and apologize, to an Espada, no less. Amaya felt if she didn't do it now, she might lose her nerve. It had to be now, while she felt this sense of shame inside her. She couldn't allow another minute to pass!
"I'm sorry, Akon." Ayumi whispered before lifting her right hand and forcing the man into the wall behind him.
Akon let out a grimace as his frame hit the thick concrete. His head lifted, revealing dark eyes filled with exasperation. Keeping the man pinned with her telekinetic abilities, Amaya secured the doors to the squad 12 barracks with a wave of her hand, the light from the open door dissipated, casting the hallway in shadows. Yet again she was using her power to get her way, but she really didn't know what else to do.
"This really isn't helping you any. I hope you know that." Akon hissed at her.
Amaya walked up to him, meeting his gaze head on, allowing him to see the vulnerability inside her. The sense of desperation she had. It had taken everything in her to shield her intentions from Sosuke. It wouldn't take long for him to pick up on her and understand that she intended to do. It was the only thing she could think of, to allow Grimmjow to have his retaliation.
"What are you planning, Amaya!? I don't like the look on your face." Akon stated.
Amaya watched the man's brow furrow as she reached her left hand low to the pocket of his bottoms, snaring a copy of the key to the cell Karina and Grimmjow were being kept in. Amaya wasn't stupid, she knew that captain Kurotsuchi had sealed Grimmjow of his power, but that didn't mean he couldn't be lethal. In face, if Amaya forbid herself from using her powers, Grimmjow could surely kill her with one swift blow.
"Amaya! What are you trying to prove here? I get that Linake yelled at you and you're probably realizing you handled the situation the wrong way, but walking into a death trap isn't going to solve anything!" Akon growled at her.
"I'm tired of pretending to be something I'm not, Lieutenant." Amaya answered before giving him her back and walking down the hallway.
Amaya knew her power could keep the man pinned just because she willed it to be so, still, the fact she held so much power quite literally at her fingertips didn't lesson her misery; what good is having power if you fail every time you use it? If you hurt people who don't deserve it?
Amaya hurried down the maze of hallways, the route to the room Karina had been placed in still fresh in her mind. She could feel the block she had placed between her and Sosuke beginning to thin, and her time was almost up. Soon, her husband would be coming to stop her, and that was one thing she couldn't let happen. Soifon wasn't who she wanted to become, a powerful member of the stealth force really wasn't even what she wanted-in truth, she wanted to heal, she wanted to help Isane.
Amaya fought the welling of tears as she made it to the thick metal door and slipped the key into the lock. The loud scratching of metal filled her ears as the giant door swung open on it's hinges. Amaya paused in the doorway, her heart hammering in her chest as the mental block broke, shattering into a million splinters. The last thing she heard before she lost her breath was the sound of her husband screaming her name.
"Grimmjow!" Karina yelled; her hand lifting to cover her mouth.
Grimmjow snarled, his upper lip lifting above his teeth, never had he ever looked more like a beast. Karina stepped forward, lowering her hand and reaching for her lover, her hesitation making her pause as Grimmjow pulled Amaya Aizen into the room by her throat. The large door swung closed slamming into the door jam creating an echo throughout the hallway.
Amaya's dark gaze locked onto Grimmjow's as he squeezed harder, knowing all it would take was the simple twist of his wrist and he could break the bitch's neck. But something made him still, something in her eyes-is that...fear?
"G-Grimmjow!" Karina called out to him again.
"What!?" Grimmjow spat back at her, refusing to look away from his prey; it wasn't everyday that someone he hunted walked right into his hands.
"Grimmjow, she's not fighting back!" Karina rushed her explanation.
"You think I give a shit about that? You think I should just let her go after what she did!?" Grimmjow growled.
Karina rushed forward, stealing a glance at Amaya's face as she pressed her hand to Grimmjow's shoulder. If this had happened a day earlier, Karina wouldn't have been so keen to stop him. Amaya Aizen had walked with a cruel arrogance that day, showboating her powers as if she were some kind of goddess, but something in the woman had seemed to...change.
Karina watched as Grimmjow lessened his hold against the woman's throat even thought he side of his jaw ticked from the urge to crush her with his bare hands. Grimmjow narrowed his gaze, leaning his head in he inhaled the scent seeping off of Amaya. Some emotions were so strong they could cast a scent of their own; fear was one of them, but this didn't smell like fear.
"Tch." Grimmjow snorted before releasing his hand completely.
Amaya sucked in a deep breath as if on reflex, not out of sheer will to live. Karina shook her head as she tried to process the changes within the woman. How could someone go from one extreme to the next? It didn't make any sense!
"Why did you stop, Espada?" Amaya croaked.
"Karina's right, you're not even trying to fight me back. Why the hell would I fall for a trap like that? What's your fucking game!? You tryin' to get me to kill ya so that I sign my own death warrant?" Grimmjow countered.
"No!" Amaya whispered as she shook her head.
Karina kept silent, taking a couple steps back, knowing well enough she had just found herself caught in the middle of one confusing situation-Had Amaya really come here with the intention of...dying?
"So what, am I supposed to believe you're acting like this because you care all of a sudden? Come to cleanse your conscious, Amaya?" Grimmjow sneered as he began to pace the room, his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
"I came to apologize." Amaya whispered so lowly Karina couldn't even make out the words but Grimmjow's head snapped up so quickly Karina couldn't help but take another step back.
"You what!?" Grimmjow snapped.
"I'm sorry..." Amaya stated, this time loud enough for Karina to hear her.
Grimmjow rushed forward, his speed unlike anything Karina could have ever imagined. His frame was almost cat-like as he snared the woman by the front of her black top, lifting her clear up off of her feet, placing them face to face, so close Amaya could feel his rushed breaths shoot across her face. Grimmjow let out a growl of frustration as his anger only increased, it wasn't long ago that he would have laughed in the woman's face before thrusting his fist through her chest-so what was it? Why the fuck couldn't he bring himself to kill her?
Amaya didn't flinch, her body limp and lifeless, no fight within her what-so-ever.
"Fuck, I think I preferred the bitch who stabbed me over this shit. You look pathetic!" Grimmjow barked before letting go of her so abruptly that Amaya fell flat on her ass.
Karina found herself moving forward as if she intended to help, but made herself pause; her own emotions conflicting her judgement. Amaya had been so cruel to her it was hard to accept that the woman was being genuine with her apology. Karina forced her eyes closed, not wanting to see anymore.
"Karina..." Amaya spoke lowly.
"Don't! Don't you dare try and beg her for forgiveness!" Grimmjow snarled, leaning his frame down to face Amaya head on.
"Come on, soul reaper, why don't you use your tricks on me!? Why don't you use that sword of yours and cut my heart out this time!" Grimmjow taunted her.
"Take another step forward, Grimmjow, and I will tear your heart out of your chest myself."
"Tch. bout time you showed up." Grimmjow countered, tilting his head to the left, meeting Aizen's intense gaze.
Karina forced her eyes to open, her lips parting as the room seemed to fill with weight, as if an unseen force so immense was filling every corner of the room. Karina searched, trying to find the cause.
"You've said what you came to say, Amaya. Let's go." Sosuke demanded as he bent in front of his wife.
Amaya stared up at him, her dark eyes pleading emotions he once would have written off as nothing more than a show of weakness.
"Tch, how fucking touching. Lord Aizen comforting his bitch of a wife." Grimmjow spat.
Karina sucked in a rushed breath, backing her body all the way against the wall as Sosuke's spiritual pressure spiked, surrounding the room with a deep purple wave of energy, the very energy Karina had felt the minute he'd walked into the room-holy shit! That energy is coming from him? What the hell is he? And why is Grimmjow speaking to him as if he knows him personally?
"Careful, Grimmjow. I was once nice enough to give you the form you live in now, without me, you wouldn't have half of your current power. You would still be running around Hueco Mundo eating the souls of other hollows dreaming of the day you would become king. Don't make me regret that decision." Sosuke retorted.
Karina's gaze darted, looking over at Grimmjow, half of her expecting him to throw back a retort, telling him he was crazy; but it didn't come-eating the souls of other hollows? Karina felt her knees buckle underneath her, the weight of understanding crashing over her human frame was too much. Karina slid down the concrete wall, her shoulders slumping as she hung her head forward-what the hell have I been giving my body to?
"That was a low blow, even for you." Grimmjow growled, seeing Karina's reaction out of his peripheral vision, knowing well enough the bastard had chosen his words carefully, knowing the impact it would have on Karina's mental state-a human woman with an Espada was already fucked up enough, tell that human woman the stories of his past and she'd most likely never trust him again.
"You know what they say, don't you Grimmjow? All is fair, in love and war." Aizen countered.
Grimmjow clenched his teeth, knowing if he pushed Aizen any harder than he'd already done, the threat of death would become reality. Aizen wasn't like the others and never had been. If Grimmjow wasn't careful, he'd find himself watching as Aizen ripped his beating heart from his chest only to toss it down on the ground with a smile on his face-but why? Why would he threaten me over a woman? What's your game, Aizen...have you really even changed at all?
"Sosuke..." Amaya called to him, bringing his attention back to what really mattered to him.
Aizen smiled down at her, even though her actions had angered him, he couldn't bring himself to berate her, knowing full well what was behind her actions, such tender human emotions, the emotions of the woman he loved more than anything.
"I've got you, Sweet Amaya. You've said what you came to say." Sosuke spoke calmly before lifting his wife into his arms and carrying her out of the room.
Sosuke didn't even stop to lock the door behind him. He knew others would say it was all a part of his plan. That he wanted chaos to surround them all, but his actions had been much more simple than that, he'd left the door open to give the human woman the chance to escape the beast within her cell. A true apology was the opportunity of freedom.
Karina lifted her head as she heard footsteps echo down the hallway-the door! He hadn't locked the door! Karina turned her head, not daring to look Grimmjow in the eye-what the hell was that all about!? What the bloody hell was going on!?
"Karina." Grimmjow called her name, but didn't walk toward her yet.
Fucking Aizen! This was the last thing he needed. He'd gotten her to trust him fully, and now he was back at square one, facing the heavy burden of explaining his own evolution to a human. Karina didn't look up at him as she found enough strength to lift herself back to her feet. Grimmjow felt the absurd urge to help her, but pushed it away-the fuck if he'd allow himself to move an inch in her direction if she couldn't even look him in the eye! I made love to her and she won't even look at me!
"Is what he said true, Grimmjow?" Karina whispered.
"Does it matter?" Grimmjow spat back.
Karina felt her body flinch from his tone. Was it so bloody difficult for the man to just be honest with her!? Karina let out choked sob as she turned her body for the door. Luckily Amaya had arrived shortly after the two of them had gotten dressed again. They had both been preparing for Mayuri's arrival, both intent on her being examined; for the first time since she had been brought to the soul society, Karina had felt the smallest glimmer of hope.
Grimmjow pushed off of the pads of his bare feet; but his speed was cut short with his powers being sealed by Kurotsuchi. Karina let out a yelp as she pushed passed the heavy door allowing it to fall back against Grimmjow as she took off at full speed down the maze of hallways. Her chest heaving as the sound of her heart beat pulsed so loudly it's all she could hear.
Karina rushed forward, her inexperience with the building only causing her confusion as she ran into a dead end. Quickly, she backtracked and sprinted forward in another direction, the sound of Grimmjow's footsteps closing in on her-I'll be damned if I'm going to let him use me! If he can't be honest with me, he can sod off! Karina felt her anger override her fear, the past couple days she had felt so helpless!
"Goddamn it, Karina! Stop!" Grimmjow growled at her as he gained his speed, both of them running full force down the dimly lit corridor of the squad 12 barracks. Karina still didn't know where she was, or how far from the exit she was, or even what she would find if she did manage to get outside. She wasn't in the human world anymore; her human life had been stolen from her the minute she'd seen him standing outside the pub.
Karina cursed loudly, a moan of pain escaping her as Grimmjow knocked her legs out form under her, their bodies rolling across the hard floor as Grimmjow managed to get the upper hand, straddling her hips with his thighs he pinned her down to the floor, hovering above her, he met her gaze. Karina wrestled with his grip, knowing he didn't have nearly as much strength with his power being sealed.
Karina lifted her knee catching him with her knee above his groin. Grimmjow let out a curse, growling in frustration as he tried to subdue her without really hurting her. He wanted her to calm the fuck down, but she was all spit and fire, completely pissed at him for something he couldn't even help. If she really hated him now, he should just let her walk away, but he couldn't-I can't let her go! She's mine!
"Will you knock it off!?" Grimmjow barked.
"Fuck you! You can't even be honest with me about yourself! Why the hell should I listen to you!? What do you plan to do with me, Grimmjow? Are you going to fuck me until you get bored with me, then eat my soul?" Karina spat.
" Are you fucking nuts!?" Grimmjow spat back, the very thought of anyone eating her soul making his hackles rise-figures she would think the worst of me, even after I've saved her fucking life!
"Get off of me!" Karina demanded as she ripped her arm free from him, reaching her hand up to claw at his face, but her snared her wrist with his free hand.
"Calm the fuck down, will ya!?" Grimmjow snapped.
Karina shoved at him with her knee once more, dead set on fighting him off, something inside her shifted, her movements becoming swifter, as if her own reflexes were evolving. Grimmjow let out a grunt as her arm slipped passed his grip again, her hand landing a strike against his jaw with unimaginable speed.
"What the fuck, Karina!?" Grimmjow cursed her.
Grimmjow felt his body pause as he looked down at her, trying to meet her gaze in order to reason with her, but the eyes that stared back at him weren't the familiar chocolate brown he was used to. Instead he was met with eyes so black the light from the wall lamp above them reflected back at him, there inside the dark void was a single slit of white, the pupil reminded him of...a serpent.
Grimmjow felt his instincts rise, warning him of the threat of danger, in one swift motion he hauled himself up to his feet, backing away from Karina as she went to her knees. Grimmjow shook his head as he watcher her fold her body into herself, her arms pulling her knees into her chest, coiled up into a position that warned him not to come any closer to her.
"What the fuck are you?" Grimmjow whispered.
Karina lifted her head back, bearing a set of fangs to him, the skin above her forehead mutating before his eyes. The pale flesh he had pressed his lips against only hours ago was now light purple, sleek and shiny against the light above her, there was no mistaking it, she was morphing into something else, it was...scales.
"What the hell is going on here!?" Mayuri Kurotsuchi's voice rang out down the hallway.
Grimmjow heard the man, but for the life of him, he couldn't take his eyes away from Karina. It looked as if she was turning into a...snake. How the hell could that be!? She smells human, she's not a hollow, if she were I would be able to tell!
"Oh my..." Mayuri whispered coming up to stand next to Grimmjow.
Ayumi let out a gasp, lifting her hand to her chest as she stared down at the woman, not in horror, but utter fascination.
"Mayuri...is she..." Ayumi started.
"No. if that were the case she would have adorned her mask." Mayuri answered.
Grimmjow let out a breath, remembering that hollows did have masks, what was on Karina's face wasn't a mask, it looked as if it were her actual skin. Grimmjow leaned down, resting his elbows on his knees, not even caring that he was barefoot and shirtless in the middle of the squad 12 barracks. The fact Mayuri hadn't even commented on his lack of dress only told Grimmjow one thing...whatever was happening to Karina was something Mayuri found interesting. Interesting enough not to harass Grimmjow for his lack of manners.
"Karina..." Grimmjow called out to her, keeping is voice lighter now that his anger had subsided.
Karina answered the call with another hiss, this time it looked as if her fangs had spit at him. Mayuri lurched forward, grabbing Karina by the back of her neck, his grip firm yet not enough pressure to cause the woman any real pain. Karina went still, moving her jaw as if trying to land a bite.
"My goodness...it would seem our dear subject 6 is in fact...venomous." Mayuri grinned.
"The fuck does that mean?" Grimmjow snapped, causing Ayumi to look over at him with sympathetic eyes.
Grimmjow met the woman's gaze and had to remind himself who she belonged to; the woman's eyes were striking, such a vivid shade of green it would take anyone's breath away. This was the first real good look of Ayumi he had gotten, the first time he'd seen her the color of her eyes really hadn't been a priority; but even with her beauty, she didn't hold a candle to Karina, even with her skin full of scales and her eyes hollow points, she still looked beautiful to him.
" I am afraid I am going to have to sedate her. Nothing to fuss over, I assure you." Mayuri insisted as he slipped a syringe from his inner pocket, using his teeth he pulled the cap back from the needle before jabbing Karina's bicep. Within seconds Karina's eyes fluttered closed, her body going limp as darkness overtook her senses. Grimmjow frowned as he looked up at Mayuri from his hunched position.
"Tch. How many of those do you carry with you, anyway." Grimmjow sighed.
Mayuri shrugged his shoulders.
" As many as I deem necessary, honestly, what would we have done if I hadn't been carrying a mild sedative with me?" Mayuri challenged.
Karina let out a moan as her eyes slipped open. Letting out a wince she tried to lift her hand to shield her eyes from the light above her, but found her arms were now restrained. Panic consumed her, making her call out as she tried to kick her legs, but they too were strapped down to the side of the medical bed.
"What the bloody hell is this?" Karina demanded; squinting against the overhead light shining right in her face.
Mayuri Kurotsuchi greeted her with a wide toothy smile as he leaned over the lamp he had placed in order to study the woman's scales more closely. It seemed the sedative had worn off at just the right time. Mayuri and Ayumi had taken advantage of the opportunity, running test after test on the woman during the hours she was sedated.
Karina blinked her eyes rapidly as the light was switched off, allowing her pupils to adjust to the room. Karina caught sight of brown hair as Ayumi Kurotsuchi swung the lamp on it's arm, moving it back in place next to the medical bed.
"Sorry for the light. We were trying to get a better look at your skin. It seems your body as gone back to it's original state." Ayumi explained.
Karina stared up at her, her brow furrowing with confusion-there mad! The lot of them! What the hell would they need to look at my skin for!?
"Why am I strapped to the bed? I don't understand..." Karina asked; her memory going back to the last thing she remembered.
Grimmjow. We'd been fighting in the hall! Did he knock me out?
"It would appear you have no recollection of the events that took place. Tell me, Karina, have you ever experienced black outs in the past?" Mayuri asked.
Karina shook her head at him as she thought about it.
"No. I don't remember ever having any." Karina answered honestly.
" I see. It would appear her coming in contact with Grimmjow has accelerated her own abilities." Mayuri muttered.
"I guess that would make sense, considering what she is." Ayumi smiled.
"What are you two going on about!? What do you mean?" Karina challenged them, her tone showing her agitation.
"Further more, why am I strapped to the bed as if I'm some bloody lunatic?" Karina demanded.
" For our protection, my dear subject 6. I couldn't risk my wife being bitten." Mayuri smiled.
"Bitten...?" Karina whispered.
"I think it's safe to remove them while we explain it to her, Mayuri." Ayumi offered; her voice coming out so sweet.
Karina felt her stomach roll at the thought of them explaining anything to her; a part of her wanted to act like a child and shield her ears while she hummed loudly. A show of pure childish defiance.
"Where is Grimmjow?" Karina whispered.
"I'm over here..." Grimmjow's rough voice called out to her from the other side of the room.
Karina's lips closed as she heard the man's voice, the memory of what had happened between them earlier flooding her mind. The anger she had felt about no longer having control over her own life. Karina allowed her body to relax into the bed, even though she'd been knocked out cold, she all of a sudden felt very tired, but it was an emotional sense of fatigue.
Karina lifted her arms in an attempt to allow better blood circulation now that her binds had been removed. Ayumi leaned over her, placing her hand to her forehead in such a motherly gesture Karina couldn't help smile at her-This woman seems sweet...like Linake.
"I am sure you are confused, Karina. I am sorry for the rough couple of days you have had." Ayumi began.
Karina shook her head, not wanting to hear an apology from her; she hadn't done anything to be sorry for.
"My name is Ayumi. Ayumi Kurotsuchi." She offered.
" Karina Reiko." Karina answered, not wanting to be rude.
"Here. Drink this. We have taken quite a few samples from you, it will help with feeling lightheaded." Mayuri ordered as he shoved a small plastic cup at her.
Karina sighed before managing to push herself into a sitting position on the bed. Now that she'd sat up she could see the whole room, in the distance Grimmjow was leaning against the wall, still barefoot and shirtless. Akon was sitting at his computer, seeming to be studying something interesting on his screen. The whole room carried a heaviness within it, as if a bomb was about to be dropped on her.
Karina reached out, accepting the cup from Mayuri and scrunched her nose a the thick green substance it held.
"What is this?" Karina asked.
"The contents really shouldn't be a concern. I can however assure you it will not bring you any further discomfort." Mayuri replied.
Going out on a whim, Karina decided to trust the strange man and took a sip. To her amazement, it actually tasted...good. While she couldn't place it, it was almost soothing, thick and warm, like hot chocolate only more earthy than sweet.
"It's full of nutrients and vitamins a human needs in order to sustain a healthy immune system." Ayumi offered.
"It's not too bad. Thanks." Karina replied, taking another sip.
"I need to ask you something, Karina. Something that might seem a bit personal." Ayumi started.
Karina turned her head, ignoring Grimmjow as he pushed himself from the wall and made his way across the room to stand closer.
"O-okay..." Karina replied.
"How is your relationship with your mother?" Ayumi asked.
"My mum? I-I guess you could say it's fine. Why?" Karina countered.
"Would you happen to know if your mother has ever experienced something strange? Has she ever had an accident or any sort?" Ayumi continued.
"No...not that she's told me, anyway." Karina answered honestly.
" I see." Ayumi nodded.
"Why? What's going on with me?" Karina demanded.
"Your powers have begun to manifest, Karina. It seems like high emotions can be a trigger for you. It also looks like your abilites are more designed to be that of a defense mechanism." Ayumi explained.
"I-I-used powers?" Karina mumbled.
"Oh yes. In fact I would say your case has been one of the most interesting I have come across in quite some time." Mayuri grinned; holding up a stack of white papers with strange symbols printed across the paper.
"I do say, I find it quite strange myself, you don't seem to have much in common with the others..." Mayuri continued.
"Others?" Karina whispered...her stomach lurching, threatening to make her lose what she'd just drank.
"I-I'm not a soul reaper, am I?" Karina asked as she slid her eyes closed-please say no, please say no!
"No. In fact, I almost missed the signs entirely. I was a bit preoccupied by the physical changes you manifested, but traces of the same aura manipulation are present." Mayuri stated.
"Aura manipulation? I don't understand what you're trying to tell me." Karina sighed.
"Karina, you are what we call a fullbringer." Ayumi whispered.
"A full-what?" Karina countered.
"It's a human being who has inherited a portion of hollow power from a parent who has survived an attack. Usually it happens when the mother of the child has been attacked during pregnancy." Ayumi explained.
Karina felt her face flush, her body turning hot as the color drained from her face; in all her years she never would have imagined she would be here, sitting in this bed, having a conversation with beings who shouldn't exist about super natural powers. Worst of all, she believed every word.
"So what happens now?" Karina asked.
"Now? The answer to that question is simple. You either wallow in self-pity or you accept the abilities you have been given. Hone them and use them to your advantage. I must say, my dear subject 6, you are full of the most amusing of surprises." Mayuri grinned.