Akon paused and looked up from his work station as he heard the sounds of knocking coming from the front entry. Ayumi lifted her head and her brow rose as she too heard the sound.
"You keep going, Akon, I'll go answer it, just tell me what way to turn…" Ayumi stated as she pulled the protective goggles from her face.
It had only taken Ayumi twenty minutes to break down Mayuri's formula, a feat she had never expected to accomplish in such a short time, but she felt proud of herself and the feeling was unlike any she had ever felt.
"Right, go out into the main hall and take a left, follow it down and take another left, you will run into the doors. Make sure to lock them again when you're finished." Akon replied leaning back down to complete the second batch of condensed Reishi Serum.
Ayumi stepped out of the back and walked past Akon's computer station were Nemuri was busy measuring out the components needed for another batch. The process was more difficult than it seemed, and rather time consuming. It seemed that while the Soul Society was made up of Reishi, it wasn't all that easy to collect or condense. A certain gadget that Mayuri had created allowed for the process to be sped up immensely-leave it to that man to figure out how to turn an energy source into a semi-solid substance.
Nemuri looked up from the station, her clear safety glasses slipping down her nose, due to them being a bit too large for her face.
"I can answer for you, if you wish, Miss Otsuka." Nemuri spoke up.
Ayumi smiled at her as she passed by.
"Not necessary, Nemuri, you keep working, you've been a big help!"
Nemuri smiled as she watched the woman walk out into the main hallway.
Ayumi turned left and scurried down the hallway, the loud repetitive knocks helping in guiding her way. Whoever it was on the other side of the door was quite adamant in getting someone's attention. Ayumi hurried around another left turn and ran into the main doorway, she turned her body to face the large structure and lifted the giant metal arm that locked the doors in place and pulled them open.
"Finally!" Linake sighed as she stepped forward.
Ayumi's brow rose as she took in the state of the substitute, she looked distraught.
"Is everything okay?" Ayumi asked.
Linake shook her head.
"I just came back from Squad 4, it looks like Captain Kotetsu has come down with the virus, Hanataro is also starting to show early signs." Linake explained.
Ayumi closed her eyes as realization dawned on her-is that what my power was trying to tell me?
"I am very sorry to hear that. Has the head captain been informed?" Ayumi replied as she stepped aside allowing Linake entrance into the building.
Linake stepped forward as she nodded.
"I went with the head captain and my Lieutenant to speak with Amaya. My Lieutenant is about to be sent to my world to investigate the possibility of this virus being there, Amaya and I had to brief him for his mission." Linake answered.
Ayumi's brow rose at the possibility of not only two worlds, but all three being affected.
"I see. What about Amaya? Is she showing signs?" Ayumi asked, while mentally calculating the amount of Reishi Serum that would need to be manufactured.
"So far she says she is okay, but I don't know." Linake sighed.
"She went against captain Kotetsu's wishes and allowed Sosuke inside the unit. Now that he knows this is contagious, the head captain is taking this more seriously, nobody is even allowed near the medical unit without his permission. The punishment force is now on guard." Linake continued.
"I understand. Do you know much about science Linake?" Ayumi asked.
Linake's brow furrowed at the question.
"I know the basics, I'm more of a moon and stars kind of gal." Linake replied.
"I see. Well, even with the basics you should be able to help out good enough. I think we may have come up with something that will help and we could use another pair of hands." Ayumi explained.
Linake's lips parted.
"Oh that's good news. I won't be around any of the slides or anything will I? Kenpachi would have a fit with me." Linake stated.
Ayumi smiled.
"No, that won't be necessary, just help with measurements and mixing." Ayumi answered.
"I'll help then. I would rather keep my mind occupied, with my husband gone and my best friend facing illness, I need all the distractions I can get." Linake agreed stepping deeper into the hallway as Ayumi closed the doors and secured the latch back down.
"What is it that you think you have found?" Linake asked as the two women walked side by side down the hall.
"Mayuri had created something to heal my eyesight, it's a condensed Reishi serum that rejuvenates the structure of cells within the body. It healed me in about twelve hours. However, it still may not be an actual cure, but it should prevent the virus from ending up fatal." Ayumi replied.
Linake glanced over at the woman seeming to be searching her face.
"Oh, I guess I didn't notice, but, you did have glasses on the first time I met you, didn't you?" Linake replied.
Ayumi smiled.
"I did."
"Well, I'm glad that Mayuri felt the need to heal you, now this gives us an advantage." Linake smiled.
The two women made their way down the dim hallway, making the second left turn and entered Mayuri's lab space.
"I've brought us another pair of hands, Akon." Ayumi announced.
Nemuri paused and looked up from her task and she smiled.
Linake walked inside the room and met the girl's smile.
"Hey Sweetie." Linake greeted her.
"Hello, Mrs. Zaraki." Nemuri replied politely.
Linake half-laughed and shook her head. It didn't matter how many times she told the child she could call her by name, she refused. A trait that Mayuri had instilled in her was to be polite at all times. Linake had actually been impressed with the squad 12 captain's parenting skills over the years, and she was burning to press Ayumi for more information on her relationship with the eccentric man, but, she also knew it was none of her business.
Akon peeked out from behind the station at the back of the room.
"Ah, Linake… good, you might actually be of use to us." Akon stated before disappearing again.
"You see, Akon and I are having to make more of what Mayuri had originally created, so, if you wouldn't mind helping Nemuri measure out more portions of ingredients, it would help the process immensely." Ayumi explained.
"Okay, Sure." Linake replied.
Ayumi smiled softly before walking over to Mayuri's computer station, taking a hold of the back of Mayuri's chair she pushed it across the room placing it on the other side of the Akon's personal station, facing Nemuri.
"Thanks." Linake replied as she took a seat across from the pre-teen.
"Alright, Sweetheart, teach me how to do this." Linake spoke to Nemuri.
"Yes, Ma'am." Nemuri replied.
Feeling content with the situation Ayumi made her way to the back and took her place next to her Lieutenant.
"I take it Linake was the one knocking?" Akon asked.
"Yes. Captain Kotetsu and her 3rd seat have succumbed to the virus." Ayumi informed him.
Akon paused and lifted his head, his eyes closing for a brief moment before he replied.
"Then let's keep working, I'm nearly done mixing the second batch and then I will have to add the components for intravenous use. While I do that, do you feel comfortable mixing the third batch?" He asked.
"Yes, of course." Ayumi replied.
Mayuri and Kenpachi passed through the main gates of the Seireitei and turned down the pathway that would lead them both back to the research and development building. As they walked, Mayuri noticed the lack of soul reapers that would normally be out and about, running around to their destinations.
"Zaraki, did you notice how empty the pathways are?" Mayuri asked.
Kenpachi glanced over at him.
"Now that you bring it up, it does seem kinda weird." Kenpachi replied.
"I think I'll take a detour before I head back to my lab." Mayuri stated as he turned down another path that would lead him to the Squad 4 medical unit.
"I've been stuck with you this long, I might as well come too." Kenpachi sighed as he followed.
"This is quite peculiar indeed, it's the middle of the afternoon and nobody is out." Mayuri continued to state his observations out loud.
"You think something happened?" Kenpachi asked.
Mayuri lifted his hands indicating that the brutes guess was as good as his.
"There is no telling, with everything that has taken place, the sky is the limit." Mayuri replied.
Kenpachi sighed heavily behind him, and Mayuri understood the man's woe. Kenpachi was not only a husband now, but also a father, his plate had never been fuller with him being in charge of his squad and trying to juggle his growing family. Mayuri didn't have to wonder what the man would be capable of if anything ever happened to Zaraki's brood, it wouldn't be too far from his own behavior, if something were to ever happen to Nemuri, and now, Ayumi.
The two captains turned the corner and paused as they saw the squad 4 medical unit now being guarded by the punishment force.
"What the hell?" Kenpachi stated.
"Yes…what the hell, indeed." Mayuri replied as he continued to walk forward.
"You! Tell me, what is going on? Why have you been stationed here?" Mayuri demanded the punishment force member to answer.
The man's jaw fell as he seemed to recognize who was asking the question.
"Uh…we've been ordered to keep everyone away from the building by the head captain. A mandatory cease and desist has been placed, this virus…it's contagious." The man answered.
"Contagious, you say? Who else has come down with it?" Mayuri pressed.
"C…Captain Kotetsu and her 3rd seat, sir." The man answered.
"Oh my, well this whole situation just got a lot more paramount." Mayuri commented as he glanced over at Zaraki.
"I guess that's why nobody is out then, Kyoraku has everyone in their barracks." Kenpachi stated.
"Yes, it would seem he is actually taking this more seriously." Mayuri commented.
"I gotta find Linake." Kenpachi stated abruptly as he turned to walk away.
The sound of knocking on glass made both captains pause and look.
Amaya Aizen stood at the window trying to get their attention. Mayuri and Kenpachi shared a glance and Kenpachi shrugged, he'd give the woman a minute, she was after all, his wife's best friend.
Kenpachi stepped forward intending on going to the window when the man in all black stepped in front of his stride.
"I am not allowed to let anyone pass!" the man swallowed hard as he stated his claim.
"Get the fuck out of my way!" Kenpachi growled.
"C…captain Zaraki, I've been given strict orders from the head captain." The man continued.
"You can shove those orders up your ass, now move!" Kenpachi challenged.
The man's shoulders slumped, seeming to understand that the squad 11 captain wasn't in the mood to be told what to do, he reluctantly side-stepped out of the giants way.
Kenpachi continued forward to the window, Mayuri followed.
"You okay?" Kenpachi asked as he came to the window.
Amaya allowed herself a half-hearted smile.
"I'm starting to feel a fever coming on, so, I don't know." She answered honestly.
Kenpachi's brow furrowed.
"Does Linake know?" He asked.
Amaya shook her head.
"Please…I lied to her…I don't want her to worry, the baby doesn't need to be put under any more stress." Amaya replied.
"Tch. You're putting me on the spot, Amaya. You know I don't keep things from her." Kenpachi countered.
"Please, Kenpachi!" The woman's brown eyes looked up at him, pleading.
Kenpachi let out an exasperated sigh as he rubbed the back of his neck with his palm.
"Fine." He replied.
"Captain Kurotsuchi, did you have any luck in Hueco Mundo?" Amaya asked.
Mayuri stepped forward and met the woman's gaze. As he studied her face he noticed the lack of color in her cheeks, the heaviness of her eyes, she was more than feverish, the woman was ill.
"I was successful in the matter of retrieving more samples, I am afraid I still have more research to conduct before I will be able to assist you further." Mayuri answered, feeling out of place with the situation.
Amaya nodded.
"Okay…the students don't seem to be doing as well as before, I…I don't know if they are going to last much longer." Amaya admitted, her eyes tearing.
Mayuri could only guess, but as far as the woman was concerned, he knew her well enough to understand that if the students died under her care, she would blame herself, just as the Squad 4 captain would.
"I will do everything in my power to prevent that from happening, Amaya." Mayuri assured her.
Amaya nodded.
"Where is Sosuke?" Kenpachi asked.
Amaya turned her head, seeming to be looking at someone. Sosuke Aizen stepped into the line of sight behind his wife.
"I let him in." Amaya admitted.
"Good." Kenpachi replied.
"Kenpachi, I'm pretty sure Linake went to the research and development unit. Also, Ikkaku has already been sent to my world." Amaya informed him.
"Okay." He replied.
"Come on, Amaya, you need to rest now." Sosuke spoke behind his wife.
"Where is the head captain now?" Mayuri asked her before Sosuke could pull her away.
"Waiting for you…" Amaya answered.
Shunsui Kyoraku paced back and forth the crowded lab space that belonged to Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Now that the situation had turned dire, he was starting to regret the orders he had given the squad 12 captain. As head captain of the Gotei 13, it was Shunsui's responsibility to insure the safety of all of his captains, now he couldn't help but feel that he had failed in sending Mayuri away-Maybe if I would have listened to him and let him continue his research, Isane and the others could have been spared.
"Head Captain?" Ayumi asked tentatively as she approached him.
Shunsui lifted his gaze and looked at the young woman.
"Yes?" he answered.
"Akon and I have successfully made enough of the Reishi Serum for a trial run in order to see how well our theory will pan out. Mind you, this is not something that we feel will be a complete cure, but, it's worth it to try in order to stabilize what amounts of Reiatsu the sick have left." Ayumi explained.
Shunsui sighed heavily.
"Well, alright then. If you think this could help in any way it's better than nothing, I suppose." Shunsui replied.
Ayumi nodded.
"It's the best that we can come up with as of now, until our captain returns form his mission." Ayumi stated.
Shunsui nodded as he turned to face his Lieutenant.
"Nanao, I think it would be best if we delivered this medication to the squad 4 medical unit ourselves." Shunsui instructed.
"Yes, Head captain." Nanao Ise replied as she stepped forward.
Ayumi paused, seeming to be thinking about something.
"Is there anyone still conscious that will be able to administer the serum?" She asked.
Shunsui lifted his hand and placed it on the young woman's shoulder.
"Sosuke has enough of an understanding in this kind of thing, I'm sure he will manage just fine." Shunsui replied.
"How much of this stuff have you made? I would like to have enough for everyone occupying the medical unit." He continued.
"We figured that would be the best option, so we made enough for six people to be treated at the same time, of course, that excludes Aizen, until we can make more to continue with the treatments." Akon answered, as he walked over to the head captain holding a wooden crate containing IV fluid bags filled with a bright blue liquid.
"Alright then, I guess we'll go ahead and give this a shot." Shunsui stated, taking the crate from the 12th division Lieutenant.
"What the hell is going on in here? I leave for a matter of hours and I return to this?" Mayuri demanded as he took in the sight of his lab space and not to mention, the amount of souls that occupied it.
Everyone in the room stilled and looked over at the hallway where the captain of the 12th division stood, his eyes zeroing in on his computer station.
Ayumi turned and smiled wide as she saw Mayuri, she was so thankful that he had returned safely that she forgot about her manners and gave into the urge to run to him. Mayuri paused as he felt the woman throw her arms around his shoulders pulling him into a tight embrace. The room stayed silent as Mayuri lifted his arms and hugged his lover back.
"I managed to use your computer, I'm sorry, I needed to get information." Ayumi admitted to him.
"And where is the book?" Mayuri asked lowly.
"It's still in your room, everything I did I managed to do with only an hour and twenty minutes of studying it." Ayumi replied.
Mayuri blinked at the woman's answer-An hour and twenty minutes? Either the woman was vastly smarter than he realized or he had simply not made his code complicated enough.
"I see, and what is it that you needed so desperately? Have you and Akon figured something out that I am not aware of?" Mayuri asked.
Ayumi pulled back from their embrace and met his gaze.
"Akon and I came up with a theory that the Reishi Serum you created for me might help in stabilizing the sick." Ayumi answered.
"Is that so? That is quite a plausible theory now that you mention it to me, I see no problem in giving it a try." Mayuri encouraged.
"And what of the samples from the 79th district?" Mayuri continued.
"All positive." Akon answered.
Mayuri lifted his gaze to his Lieutenant.
"Hmm, yes, well, I figured that would be the case, and now that I have seen the current state of Hueco Mundo, I am inclined to say this virus is there as well, although, I won't be completely sure until I am able to confirm it by testing the samples I have acquired." Mayuri stated.
Shunsui turned to face the 12th division captain, tucking the crate under his arm before he walked forward.
"I'm glad to hear the trip wasn't a complete waste of time." Shunsui answered.
"Where is my husband?"Linake asked as she stood from Mayuri's chair, her worry evident on her face.
Mayuri met the woman's gaze and smiled softly.
"The brute decided it would be best to wash the blood off of him before he saw you, so he is currently using one of the private facilities I have here." Mayuri answered.
Linake's brow furrowed as she stepped forward, her right hand pressing against her rounding abdomen.
"Where is it?" Linake insisted.
Mayuri shook his head at her.
"He will be out momentarily, nothing to fuss over, I can assure you, none of the blood belonged to him" Mayuri smiled.
Linake let out a sigh of relief and almost gave into the urge to punch Mayuri in the shoulder for scaring her. She knew her husband was the act first, think later type.
"I'm glad to see that you and Captain Zaraki made it back safely. I guess for now our priority would be to give this "Serum" a try." Shunsui stated.
"It would seem so, I will walk you to the door." Mayuri replied as he dropped his arms from Ayumi's waist and turned away from her.
Shunsui's brow furrowed at the man's behavior and decided it would be best to humor the 12th division captain, so, he followed him out into the hallway, Nanao not far behind.
Once the three were far enough out of range for the others in the main lab to hear, Mayuri asked another question.
"How much of this serum was made?"
Shunsui blinked, thinking it was odd that Mayuri would want to ask the question in private.
"Enough for everyone in the Unit, minus Sosuke, why the secrecy?" Shunsui countered.
Mayuri sighed.
"I just witnessed Amaya Aizen beg Zaraki not to let his wife know of her illness, I simply wanted to make sure there was enough for Amaya as well." Mayuri explained.
Nanao let out a soft gasp behind the two men.
"She told us she was fine not even a couple hours ago." The Lieutenant stated.
Mayuri nodded.
"Yes, and I am sure Linake was present when she told you her lie, it is all in the best interest for Linake, we all know that with her being pregnant, stress is something that can be quite detrimental." Mayuri replied, now regretting his earlier teasing.
Shunsui let out another defeated sigh.
"I guess this virus isn't going to cut us any slack is it?" Shunsui frowned.
"Now that I have returned, you can be assured that I will do everything in my power to make sure this virus is obliterated." Mayuri promised as the three came to the front doors of the building.
Mayuri lifted the metal arm that kept the doors locked in place and pulled them open. Nanao stepped out into the mid afternoon sun and waited patiently for her captain as he paused.
"There is one thing I couldn't help but notice about this whole situation." Shunsui began.
Mayuri's brow lifted in curiosity.
"And what would that be, exactly?" Mayuri asked.
Shunsui tipped his head to the side, and averted his gaze.
"Out of all the people who have been exposed to this virus from the get go, only one has not come down with it yet- Ayumi, that's a little strange, don't you think?" Shunsui asked.
Mayuri felt a wave of outrage spread up his spine.
"What are you trying to imply? I have made it clear that Ayumi is not infected, I don't see why this issue is being brought up now, I would also like to remind you that Ayumi is not the only one- myself, you and, also, Yoruichi have not succumbed to our early exposure." Mayuri snapped.
Shunsui sighed as he lifted his free hand and closed his eyes, indicating that Mayuri may have jumped to the wrong conclusion.
"Now hold on a second, Captain Kurotsuchi. The thing that yourself, Yoruichi and I have in common is our high spiritual pressure. Captain Kotetsu may be at a captain's level now, but she is fairly new to that position and I'm afraid her spiritual pressure is at a lower level than ours. What I'm getting at is, Ayumi's spiritual pressure is even lower then Captain Kotetsu's, yet, she's okay, that might be something to look into." Shunsui countered.
Mayuri paused as he absorbed the head captain's observation.
"I'll leave you to it, Captian Kurotsuchi." Shunsui replied as he tipped his hat to the 12th division captain and exited the building.
Mayuri pushed the doors closed, securing the metal bar back down in place then turned abruptly making his way back to the main lab, to Ayumi-Am I so transfixed by the woman's beauty that I was blind as to what was right in front of me this whole time?
Mayuri's mind raced as he hurried down the hallway running into a lost captain of the 11th division on his way.
"This place is like a fucking maze, Kurotsuchi!" Kenpachi complained as he walked down an adjacent hallway from one of the private bathing chambers. He was freshly bathed, wearing a clean Shihakusho, his Zanpakuto tucked into the band at his waist.
Mayuri didn't even pause to speak to the brute, now that the head captain had filled his mind with the possibility, he needed to know for sure.
"Where's the fire?" Kenpachi barked as he followed Mayuri, his long legs giving him the advantage of being able to keep up with the squad 12 captain.
"I really don't have the time to bicker back and forth with you right now, Zaraki." Mayuri snapped as the two men entered into the main lab.
Kenpachi paused as he saw his wife's happy expression and he smiled back down at his woman as he closed the distance between them. Linake reached her arms out for him and Kenpachi chuckled as he lifted her up allowing her to wrap herself around his body. Linake pressed her lips over his, then whispered.
"I'm glad you're home."
Kenpachi met her gaze and tightened his arms around her.
"Me too." He replied.
"Captain? What are you doing?" Akon asked abruptly.
Linake and Kenpachi both turned their attention to the squad 12 Captain. Kenpachi's brow furrowed as he watched Mayuri grip Ayumi by the bicep, pulling her to the back of the lab.
"What the hell is he doing?" Linake stated as she scrambled in Kenpachi's arms, trying to get him to put her down.
"Calm down, wife. He's not hurting her." Kenpachi countered.
Akon and Nemuri both followed Mayuri to the back of the lab with confused expressions. Kenpachi's brow rose when he witnessed Mayuri lift the woman off her feet in order to sit her down on the medical bed.
"Clear out of the room, all of you!" Mayuri demanded as he turned to the concerned faces that surrounded him.
"Captain, what is going on?" Akon pressed as he looked over at Ayumi's bewildered expression.
"I do not have the time to explain this to you right now, now do as I say, Akon!" Mayuri spat.
Akon opened his mouth to argue on Ayumi's behalf but Nemuri stopped him when the child reached up and closed her small hand over his forearm.
Akon looked down at Nemuri as his brow furrowed.
"Yes, we will listen to Master Mayuri!" The child stated as she pulled on the Lieutenant's arm.
Akon reluctantly allowed the child to lead him out of the lab and Kenpachi followed Nemuri as well, carrying Linake out.
"I don't know if I really want to leave Ayumi in there with him." Linake whispered to Kenpachi.
Kenpachi chuckled.
"Like I said, he's not hurting her, woman." Kenpachi replied as he walked them farther down the hallway intending to take his wife home and conduct a little research of his own.
Ayumi's heart pounded as she looked up at Mayuri, she was so confused by his brash behavior that it left her feeling unsure of herself again.
"Have I done something wrong?" She asked.
Mayuri's intense gold eyes met hers, seeing the uncertainty his impatience had caused her.
Without another word Mayuri framed her face with his hands and pressed his mouth over hers, harder than he ever had before. Ayumi let out a shocked gasp and even though she wanted to relax into his kiss, his intensity made her hesitate. She couldn't understand what could have possibly happened to make the man's mood change to such a degree.
Ayumi tentatively kissed him back leaving her hands at her sides, allowing him to claim her mouth with his own.
Mayuri pulled away from her just as abruptly and looked back at her.
"I need to test something and in order to do it, I'll need to take a sample of bone marrow." Mayuri stated.
Ayumi's eyes widened at his statement.
"B…but I thought you'd already tested me…I…I'm not sick." Ayumi stumbled over her words, her fear showing in her eyes.
Mayuri caressed the sides of her face with his palms trying to reassure her.
"I understand that you are not sick, what I need to test for is the reason why." Mayuri answered.
Ayumi's brow rose in confusion.
"I…I don't understand, Mayuri, where is this coming from?" Ayumi asked him.
Mayuri smiled at her before he replied.
"If what has been brought to my attention is in fact true, then you, Ayumi Otsuka, are in fact, perfect." Mayuri stated with a smile.
"P…Perfect?" She repeated, still seeming to be confused.
Mayuri sighed as he backed away from her and walked over to the medicine cabinet in the back of the lab, he would have rather given the woman another sedative and allowed her to sleep during the procedure, but time was of the essence.
"Mayuri, please explain what you mean!" Ayumi begged.
Mayuri pulled out a vile of local anesthetic and a syringe, along with a scalpel and a larger syringe with a very intimidating needle attached to the end, he would need it in order to pass through the woman's bone.
"Have you ever heard of Non-Specific innate immunity?" Mayuri asked her.
Ayumi paused at his question and her eyes widened when he turned to face her, her gaze zeroing in on the tools he held in his hands.
"I know what immunity is, yes, but I don't know what that has to do with me." Ayumi countered.
"Tell me, Ayumi, have you ever come down with anything in the past? Such as a cold, or any other type of discomfort?" Mayuri continued as he passed her by and walked around to the other side of the bed where the small metal table sat, laying out the sterile packaged tools he had collected for the bone marrow biopsy.
Ayumi thought back on her life in the soul society, the only discomfort she had ever had was from the accident, while others around her had fallen ill at times, she hadn't.
"No, I have not." She replied honestly.
"Well, then you see what it would have to do with you, Non-Specific innate immunity is a degree of resistance to all infections in general and if you in fact have this rarity, you yourself could be the cure." Mayuri explained.
Ayumi's jaw fell as she turned to face him, her emotions seeming to get the better of her as her eyes filled with tears.
"I…I've developed antibodies?" She whispered.
Mayuri grinned at her before he replied.
"That is what I need to test, I am afraid I do not have the luxury of time in order to sedate you." Mayuri explained as he walked over to the side of the bed and leaned down, pressing his lips over hers again.
Now that Ayumi understood the situation, she didn't hesitate to kiss him back fully. Mayuri pulled away from her kiss and met her gaze.
"I'm afraid you'll just have to be strong for me and handle what pain you might feel, I'll be sure to make it up to you later." Mayuri stated, his tone low.
Ayumi nodded.
"If there is any chance that this could be true, I'll deal with the pain." Ayumi replied.
Mayuri smiled at her before he gave her his instruction.
"I'll need you to remove the bottoms of your Shihakusho and lay flat on your stomach."
Ayumi nodded again and she reached out for the tie to her Shihakusho and pulled it free, she was still wearing the same one from earlier, having never made it to her room to change. Ayumi lifted her hips from the bed and allowed her bottoms to fall to the floor as she held her top closed with her left hand. She slid back on the bed and laid down on her side before rolling over onto her stomach, laying her head down sideways so she could look up at him.
Ayumi pushed back her nerves as she watched Mayuri wash his hands over at the small sink before turning back to her.
"I'll be sure to do this as quickly as possible." Mayuri assured her.
He could see the swarm of emotions that his recent information had caused her, while he never intended to make the woman fearful of him his abrupt way of handling the situation had done so, and he found himself regretting his impatience on the matter-I will be sure to make it up to her thoroughly later on.
"Okay." Ayumi spoke softly.
Mayuri walked over to the metal table and pulled back the packaging to a fresh syringe and filled the vile up a little less than half way before walking over and taking a seat on the side of the bed. He leaned over her left hip and pulled the side of her panties that covered her right hip down.
"This will sting." He warned her as he pushed the needle down into the back of her right hip.
Ayumi closed her eyes and winced as she felt the sting and the pressure of the anesthetic being injected. Mayuri pulled the needle from her skin and laid the used syringe down, using his right hand he pressed down on the injection sight, hoping to ease the pain from the sting as well as help the numbing of the medication spread more evenly.
The two sat in silence for a few minutes before Mayuri tested the localized area by pinching her hard. When she didn't respond he knew that the medication had taken effect. Mayuri stood, picking up the sealed scalpel from the table and pulled back the packaging. Ayumi looked up at him and watched as he created his own assembly line- alcohol pad, scalpel, very big needle-Now is not the time to be a coward, Ayumi!
Mayuri pulled the metal table closer to the bedside and sat back down next to her, using his right hand he wiped the numbed area with the alcohol before picking up the small scalpel from the table. Ayumi squeezed her eyes shut, preparing herself for intense pain.
"Relax for me, or you will only make this harder on yourself." Mayuri demanded.
"Okay…" Ayumi replied taking in a deep breath as she willed her muscles to let go, she trusted Mayrui, it was time to show him that.
"You may feel a bit of pressure as I make a small incision." He warned her.
Mayuri leaned over her again, skillfully with a flick of his wrist he created the incision that was necessary for the needle to pass through.
"Now see, that wasn't that bad, was it?" Mayuri asked her.
"No…it wasn't" Ayumi answered.
Mayuri sat the scalpel down on the table and reached out for the large syringe.
"You may feel more pain as I collect the sample, unfortunately, I cannot fill this too quickly or it may cause you even more discomfort." Mayuri explained.
He pressed the large needle into the small incision with enough pressure to pass through the muscle tissue, when he felt the resistance of her bone he pushed down a bit harder until he felt it give.
Ayumi let out a low moan of pain as she felt a deep ache spread out across her hip, she felt a tremendous amount of pressure as well, but she knew it would have been one hundred times worse if someone other than Mayuri had been performing the procedure. She felt the pressure shift as Mayuri pulled back on the plunger, pulling the sample of her bone marrow from her body.
"You are doing quite well, Ayumi, just a minute or two more and it will all be over." He assured her.
"Okay…" She replied, trying to concentrate on her breathing.
Mayuri slowly filled the syringe all the way to the top, he didn't want to have to put her through another biopsy at a later time, so he intended to gather as much as he could in one go in hopes of not having to do so. He stopped once he felt content and gently pulled the needle back out, careful not to jar her as he did.
Mayuri sat the sample back down on the metal table and took a handful of gauze in his right hand and covered the small incision, pressing down with his palm.
"I am finished, I just need to get the bleeding under control and I will bandage you up." Mayuri stated.
Ayumi let out a relieved sigh as she heard him say he was finished. It hadn't really been too awful, but it was still something she didn't want to have to do again, although, she knew if she had to in order to help others, she would.
Mayuri continued to lean his body over her left hip, his right hand pressing down over her right. In an effort to ease her discomfort Mayuri used his left hand to lift the top to her Shihakusho exposing the soft skin of her lower back to him. Mayuri leaned forward and pressed his open mouth over the small bend in her lower back right above her tail bone.
He heard the woman gasp as she felt his kiss against her skin, he knew he had more important things to be thinking about, and that time was not something the two of them could afford to waste, but the man in him could not allow the woman to go without some form of his affection.
"Mayuri…" She whispered to him as she felt his tongue flick out across her skin, tasting her.
Mayuri forced himself to pull away from her before he did something foolish in the moment and ended up wasting too much time-I have a job to do!
Mayuri forced himself to pull away from the temptation of the woman's porcelain skin, and forced the base need he had for her into the back off his mind. He would make time with her once the current situation had been handled properly.
Sighing to himself Mayuri reached out for more gauze then folded it into a neat square before lifting the mass of bloodstained cotton from her incision. He paused, making sure the bleeding had stopped. The incision was less than half an inch and wouldn't require any stitching. Mayuri placed the folded square of sterile gauze over the incision then secured it in place with a few strips of adhesive around the edges.
"It would be best if you kept your movements to a minimum, that way you do not make the wound bleed unnecessarily, but, you should get dressed." Mayuri stated.
"Okay…" Ayumi replied as she pushed herself up from the medical bed turning onto her left side.
She could still feel a dull ache in the right side of her hip as she forced her legs over the side of the bed and sat upright. She leaned forward, searching for the floor with the tips of her toes and once she found it she braced herself before pushing herself off the bed, back onto her feet.
"Hold on." Mayuri demanded her as he walked around the foot of the bed and bent down picking up the bottoms of her Shihakusho for her. Ayumi's lips parted as he looked up at her from his hunched position.
"Lift your leg." He instructed her. Ayumi complied allowing Mayuri to assist her in putting her bottoms back on- a thought that sounded ironic to her, since all she really wanted was to leave them off and have her way with him now that he was back.
Ayumi held onto his shoulders as she stepped into the legs of her Shihakusho, the man's golden gaze peering up at her as he pulled the fabric up over her thick hips. Ayumi smiled down at him as he leaned in and stole another moment between them, pressing his lips over the front of her hipbone before standing to his full height.
Ayumi carefully tucked the top to her Shihakusho back into the bottoms and secured the tie at her waist, making sure that she was once again decent.
"Give me a few moments to clean up and I will start the testing process." Mayuri explained.
"I can clean up, you go ahead." Ayumi countered.
Mayuri paused and then nodded.
"Very well." He replied before walking back to the small table to collect the sample of her bone marrow.
Ayumi slowly walked over to the table and picked up the items he had used for her procedure, she knew that the metal could be reused again after running it through the sterilizer machine, so she carefully picked up the small scalpel, using the wad of half used cotton, she wiped the reminisce of her own blood from the small blade and set it aside.
Ayumi carefully picked up the syringe used for the local anesthetic and tossed it down into the trash can below the table, along with the bloody gauze and the alcohol pad. Taking Mayuri's advice to heart she took hold of the vile of local anesthetic, then slowly walked over to the medicine cabinet and placed it back inside.
Mayuri opened the compartment to the blood analyzer and found the vials he was searching for. The virus was present in all three samples from the men, each man having a different genetic makeup. If introducing a small drop of Ayumi's marrow caused a reaction to the active virus, he would have his answer.
Mayuri made quick work of collecting small samples from each specimen on slides, much the same way Akon had done before.
Ayumi appeared at his side, her bottom lip tucked between her teeth as she watched him.
"You're doing that out in the open?" She asked him.
Mayuri paused and looked over at her.
"What difference does it make at this point? I mean really, we've all been subjected to this, it's only a matter of time before it spreads throughout the soul society and Hueco Mundo." Mayuri countered.
Ayumi sighed, not wanting to admit to herself that the man had a point, the virus had been drug all over the place, the academy, the 79th district, and the medical unit. The only ones who were safe at this point were the souls lucky enough to have unbelievable spiritual pressure.
Mayuri stepped back and walked over to the microscope at the small station that was littered with her and Akon's mess. Ayumi half expected him to chastise her for being so untidy, but, he seemed to be too preoccupied at the moment.
Mayuri slid the first of the three samples under the microscope, first checking to make sure the virus was still alive and active within the blood. When he saw the small spore moving around, it's hooked shape prevalent, he knew he had his target. Mayuri lifted the syringe full of Ayumi's pure bone marrow and allowed the smallest microscopic amount to fall onto the slide in front of him.
As the two samples merged he watched intently as Ayumi's cells took over, one by one, the cells left over from the male sample seemed to be absorbed by Ayumi's. Mayuri grinned from ear to ear when he witnessed the miraculous reaction, each cell that had been amped up by Ayumi's antibodies quickly went to work, attacking the spores.
Ayumi sat patiently awaiting the fate of her old roommates, the fate of everyone within the soul society-Is there really something special about me after all?
Mayuri lifted his head and his gaze met hers and by the grin on Mayuri's face her heart leapt with a fluttering of hope.
"Perfect…" Mayuri stated.