Ayumi didn't bother knocking on Mayuri's door, instead, she pushed it open stepping into the dark room sneaking a peek at the large futon in the middle of the room. The only light came from the window behind the dark blue curtain, it was almost six in the evening and the sky had already turned pink as the sun had begun to set outside.
She stepped closer to the futon realizing that he had not only decided to sleep, but he had bathed before taking his nap. Mayuri lay in the middle of the bed, on his stomach, his overgrown bangs falling across his unpainted forehead. Ayumi went to step forward, but then hesitated. She had asked Akon to come and wake Mayuri, thinking that seeing her would only end up angering him upon waking, but Akon had insisted that she go.
Bracing herself for whatever was to come between them, Ayumi inhaled a deep breath for courage as she bent down on the bed, going to her knees by his side. She reached her hand out and softly caressed the back of Mayuri's uncovered shoulders. Ayumi heard his sudden intake of breath as he opened his eyes and looked up at her.
Mayuri's brow furrowed as he blinked and then turned onto his back.
"I take it the timer has gone off?" Mayuri asked as he lifted his hands to his face and rubbed at his eyes.
"Yes, it has." Ayumi whispered.
"Very well. I will be out momentarily." He replied.
Ayumi felt a deep pang in her chest at his complete dismissal of her, and she couldn't help but wonder if her earlier actions had ruined whatever it was that had started between them.
"O…Okay." Ayumi replied trying to reign in her raw emotions before she embarrassed herself in front of him.
Stifling a wince she pushed her body back on the mattress and forced herself to stand, about to head back to the lab.
"Why are you wearing that!?" Mayuri demanded.
Ayumi slowly turned to face him, knowing he was referring to her old academy uniform.
"I took a bath a while ago, and this is all I had to change into that was clean." Ayumi replied.
"Have Akon give you another Shihakusho, I don't like seeing a member of my squad walking around in such a state!" Mayuri snapped at her.
Ayumi turned away from him as she pulled her bottom lip between her teeth.
"I'm sorry…" Ayumi whispered.
Mayuri paused, his brow lifting at her soft spoken words.
"I believe I have already explained to you that you are running out of apologies!" Mayuri countered.
"I know that I upset you earlier, but if you would just let me explain…" Ayumi replied.
Mayuri snorted.
"I simply do not have time for this nonsense!" He grated.
Ayumi didn't allow herself to make the choking sound that had threatened to escape from the back of her throat. She figured she had just gotten her first lesson as to what happened when someone really angered Mayuri. Instead of making a scene and further complicating the situation, Ayumi decided to leave him be as she raised her arms and wrapped them around her middle, feeling insecure all over again. She then headed for the door.
"Stop!" Mayuri demanded as he pushed himself up from the futon and stomped over to her.
Ayumi let out a shocked gasp as she felt his hands close over her forearms forcing her arms down to her sides as his body pressed against her from behind, his groin aligning with her backside.
"I cannot stand it when you behave in such a way, as if you are inferior! As for your earlier statement, simply saying you upset me is an understatement, Ayumi!" Mayuri snapped, slipping his hands down her forearms, firmly wrapping his fingers around her wrists.
"I really am sorry, Mayuri!" Ayumi pleaded, hoping that somehow he wouldn't hold her actions against her and take away the only sense of home she'd ever known.
"You should think about your actions, then you would not have anything to apologize for!" Mayuri retorted.
Ayumi opened her mouth to reply, but she didn't know what to say, she felt that anything she said would not be enough to make him understand.
"You did exactly what I had instructed you not to do! How am I supposed to keep my authority as a captain if I have you undermining me in front of my subordinates?! Not to mention that you sided with Zaraki!" Mayuri continued.
"I didn't side with anyone and I wasn't trying to undermine you in any way! I just agreed with Captain Zaraki, I can't fight, I can't even do Kido very well, and I only wanted you to take better care of yourself! I…" Ayumi's voice cracked as her emotions threatened to give her away.
"Ah, It seems that you are having trouble holding back those emotions of yours, tell me, woman, just what is behind these outbursts?" Mayuri continued.
"It doesn't matter…" Ayumi answered, feeling almost defeated.
"Oh I think it does matter, in fact, I want you to look me in the eye and tell me." Mayuri demanded as he changed his hold on her by gripping her by the biceps, turning her to face him.
The jarring caused Ayumi to wince from the pain in her hip, and she noticed the way Mayuri studied her face, concern filling his gaze, overriding his anger as he loosened his grip.
Ayumi dropped her gaze, even though she knew it was cowardly—how am I supposed to tell a man like him that I love him?
"You are not helping your situation by avoiding the issue, now speak up! I have other things that require my attention." Mayuri ordered.
Ayumi inhaled a deep breath and then exhaled slowly before deciding that she really didn't want to be a coward anymore, she had spent too many years living with such painful insecurity that it burned inside. Feeling that it would be better to just spill it and get his reaction over with, she met his gaze.
Mayuri watched as the woman lifted her gaze to his, her Caledon eyes were filled with so much held back emotion that Mayuri almost feared what she was about to say. When Ayumi lifted her hands to the side of his face tentatively, Mayuri almost felt the need to pull away from her touch, but forced himself to stay put, he needed to know what was really behind her actions.
"I love you, Mayuri!" Ayumi whispered as she stared into his eyes.
Ayumi watched for his reaction to her declaration, but it seemed that all she had managed to do was stun him. His jaw fell ajar and he averted his gaze, his brow furrowing from apparent confusion, as if he couldn't comprehend what she had just told him—a reaction she had half-expected from the brilliant scientist.
"You love me?" Mayuri repeated softly, still seeming to be in the process of understanding her admission.
"Yes! I didn't mean to make you angry with me, Mayuri, I just couldn't handle seeing you push yourself so hard, I don't understand why you feel the need to take this so personally! I…I know that you have been through worse situations than this, but…"
Ayumi's rambling was cut off by Mayuri's abrupt reaction, it seemed that her declaration had finally managed to sink in as his golden gaze met hers, the grip he held on her biceps tightened and she felt herself being pushed backwards. Ayumi let out a gasp as her back was pressed against the wall behind her.
Mayuri lifted his right hand taking a hold of her by the chin, tilting her head back before he took possession of her mouth with fury, overlapping their lips, molding her to him, he demanding that she part for him by pressing against her jaw with his fingers.
Ayumi relaxed as she felt Mayuri slip his tongue past her parted lips, once again causing her body to react to him. Ayumi lifted her hands, burying them into his hair as he pressed his body against hers, covering her with his raw heat.
Mayuri had kissed her passionately before, but never with so much behind it, she could feel his impatience, his frustration. However, now something more was coming to the forefront and even though Ayumi felt foolish for hoping, she couldn't help but wonder if it was his own love pouring out of him.
Ayumi gasped against his lips as she felt his hands come down over her breasts caressing her with more force than he ever had previously, sending an erotic shudder throughout her body.
Mayuri didn't stop there, it seemed touching her through the barrier of her top was not enough for him. He didn't even break their kiss as he jerked the fabric away from her breasts, exposing her curves to him. He groaned into her mouth, demanding that she take his kiss even deeper as his palms covered and squeezed her and his tongue delved.
Ayumi moaned against his mouth as she felt the heat of his hands possessing her, her body responded instantly sending a jolt of electric energy right into her lower abdomen.
Mayuri pulled away from their kiss abruptly and forced himself to drop his hands from the woman's breasts as he kissed a trail of hot open-mouthed kisses down the side of her neck. He could feel her hands on his back, caressing him through the silk of his Kimono, giving him encouragement.
Mayuri wanted nothing more than to strip the woman naked and take her forcefully against the wall, his body shook from the need, but he wouldn't allow himself to give in the compulsion—I have a job to do!
"Mayuri…" Ayumi whispered to him as her hands stilled against his back, she could feel him trembling.
"I need you to give me a moment to myself, Ayumi, before I end up fucking you against the wall like some common Neanderthal." Mayuri panted before forcing himself to back away from her.
The mere sight of her leaning back against the wall, with her top pulled open, her green eyes staring back, heavy with her arousal for him, only indicated that she was just as mindless for him as he seemed to be for her. It made his chest tighten—the love in your eyes woman, how am I just now seeing it? It seems that Zaraki was right…
Ayumi pushed away from the wall as she reached her hand up and pulled her top closed. She wasn't sure what had stopped Mayuri from doing exactly what he had described to her and in all honestly, in the moment, Ayumi felt like she would have relished every minute of it if he had.
"I do not have the time to give into these urges right now!" Mayuri continued, seeming to feel the need to explain his reason to her.
Ayumi nodded as understanding filled her. His research needed to come first before anything else and if she truly loved him, Ayumi would have to support that drive that lived within him.
"I understand, now is not the time." Ayumi replied as she secured the tie to her top back around her waist and turned to leave the room to give him the moment he had asked for.
Ayumi wasn't even bothered by the fact that Mayuri had not felt the need to tell her he loved her back. She wasn't naive enough to think that just because she loved him would mean he felt the same. From his reaction to her admission, the passion he hadn't been able to hold back, it seemed to her that maybe the knots she'd wound him up in may have been pulled just a little too tight—I need to back off, give him some space!
"Ayumi…" Mayuri called out to her just as she reached the door.
"Yes?" she asked as her hand stilled on the latch.
"While your admission pleases me, and I can understand your justifications, do not ever take another man's side against me again!" Mayuri demanded.
Ayumi closed her eyes as all the tension in her body evaporated—He's willing to put this behind us?
"I won't!" Ayumi promised before she pulled the door open and stepped out into the hallway.
Mayuri staggered back, finding the chair that sat in front of his desk, and sat. Lifting his hands he rubbed them across his face and over the back of his neck as he willed himself to calm down—the woman has no idea what she is doing to me…
Mayuri leaned back in the chair and stared up at the ceiling, feeling an odd sense of both elation and uncertainty. How was he supposed to answer her declaration when he didn't even understand the concept of love? Why had her admission sent him into such an uncontrollable frenzy—I think I love her back…
Mayuri did understand one thing, the woman had absolutely no problem in bringing out the base urges within him—the urges that lived deep inside every man. Mayuri would normally never dream of willingly comparing himself to the brutish captain of squad 11, but he feared he had just acted within the realm of a brute himself—and the bastard was in fact right all along, Ayumi was in love with him, and it pleased him down to his very essence.
Taking a deep breath, the captain of squad 12 squared his shoulders and stood from his chair. While he may not understand what was bombarding him, one thing he was certain of, he did care for the woman, whether he labeled it as love or not was insignificant, he wanted her and so she would be his, it was fairly simple really.
With his internal battle pacified for the moment, Mayuri turned his attention to the dire issue at hand. He had a vaccine to finish and others who were in desperate need of treatment. Now that he had rested, even though it chafed him to admit it, he did in fact feel better.
Mayuri sighed as he made his way to his bathing area intending to apply his concealer, but when he met his reflection in the mirror, he hesitated. The personal matters between him and Ayumi had taken up a lot of time, Mayuri figured it would be best not to waste anymore by doing his daily ritual. He didn't plan on leaving the building until him and Zaraki spoke more about their plans to reinvade Hueco Mundo, so, he didn't really see the issue with going out unadorned.
Deciding, Mayuri stepped back out into his room and walked over to his wardrobe, pulling a clean Shihakusho form a hanger, Mayuri let his silk kimono fall from his body before quickly dressing. Mayuri paused when he didn't see his captain's haori on its hook, but then remembered he had tossed it on the ground earlier out of anger.
Mayuri bent down and picked up the soiled white fabric and dug his hand into the inner pocket, pulling the glass vials filled with Hollow samples out. He placed the dirty haori into a basket, intending to have it cleaned at a later time. It was no bother, he had an extra one he remembered as he re-opened his wardrobe and reached to the back pulling the replacement haori forward.
Mayuri stepped over to the door, slipping on his sandals as well as the fresh haori before he reached for the doors latch and stepped out into the hallway. He felt as naked as the man ever could without his headdress and concealer, but, if it allotted him more time in order to get his job done, so be it.
Mayuri continued down the hall, half expecting Ayumi to be waiting for him so that the two could walk back together, but it seemed she had taken his command for space to heart and went without him. He squared his shoulders and prepared his mind for what was to come as he entered his lab space.
Once again, the squad 12 captain was greeted with a room full of surprised expressions, just as he had been when he'd come out to meet with the captain of squad 9.
"That is fucking weird…I don't think I've ever seen you without that shit you wear on your face…" Kenpachi commented, seeming to still be loitering within the lab.
Mayuri rolled his eyes as he ignored the man's taunt stepping forward into the space.
Akon walked over to him intending to fill his captain in on what had been accomplished but paused.
Mayuri had turned his head when he realized that not only Zaraki was present, but also Linake and their son, Takeo.
It had been quite some time since Mayuri had had the opportunity to see the child and he found himself feeling almost happy when he looked down at the wild blue eyed toddler. While still quite young, it was apparent that the boy would eventually take after his father in height and build, already seeming to look around the age of three, when he was in fact not even two.
"He's gotten a lot bigger since I saw him last." Mayuri commented.
Linake smiled back at Mayuri warmly as she bounced her son on her knee.
"Yeah, he has, he grows like a weed!" Linake replied.
"Would you like to hold him?" Linake offered.
Mayuri averted his gaze and cleared his throat before answering.
"I'm afraid I don't have the time, maybe later…" Mayuri answered.
"Okay." Linake replied, with what seemed to be a sort of "knowing" smile on her lips.
Linake was getting better at reading whoever was around her, which made Mayuri a bit uncomfortable under her scrutiny. It wasn't that Mayuri didn't want to admit to his thoughts of having his own child, in fact, there was a chance that Ayumi could have already conceived—why does the mere thought of this send such a warm sensation through me?
"Captain?" Akon stated to get his attention.
Mayuri met his Lieutenant's gaze as he shook the personal thoughts from his mind.
"Yes, Akon, tell me, what were you able to accomplish?" Mayuri asked as he reeled in his focus, not even allowing himself to steal a peek at Ayumi who stood at the back of the lab.
"We managed to make enough of the Reishi Serum for twelve doses. The head captain had come to speak with you, but when I informed him that you had gone to rest, he didn't feel the need for me to wake you." Akon explained.
Mayuri sighed at the reminder.
"I see, and did the head captain affirm his intentions?" Mayuri asked.
Akon nodded as he replied.
"He merely wanted to ask if we had anything extra that could be given to the female Espada." Akon answered.
"Ah, I see, well, in that case, since you have twelve bags prepared, I don't see any reason not to have one delivered for her. Also; I wish for you to examine these while I check on the vaccine and begin to combine it with the prepared Reishi Serum." Mayuri explained as he held out the glass vials he had taken from his haori.
Akon held out his hand and lifted his brow in question.
"Are these the samples from Hueco Mundo?" He asked.
"Indeed they are, I would like for you to be sure that this virus is in fact the same, and also, take account of the characteristics of the female Espada's cellular structure. I do not want to run into any complications when giving her a vaccine. I need to know now if the introduction of a soul reapers cell's will have any form of adverse reaction to her." Mayuri explained.
Akon nodded.
"Understood, I'll get right on it, but, do you know which vial belongs to the female?" Akon asked.
"The one with the pink cap." Mayuri answered before turning to face the captain of squad 11.
"Is there a reason you and your family are loitering in my lab?" Mayuri asked.
Kenpachi met his gaze and grinned.
"Once you're done mixing this vaccine of yours, you and I will be going on another assignment." Kenpachi answered.
Mayuri scoffed.
"I take it you took the opportunity to reveal your notions to the head captain when he stopped by?" Mayuri replied, his brow raising.
"That's right! So, hurry up and get this shit over with, I'm itching to get this party started…" Kenpachi smiled.
"Yes, I am sure you are…" Mayuri replied, his tone of voice revealing his lack of enthusiasm as he frowned.
"In that case, make yourself useful and deliver this to the Espada." Mayuri countered as he picked up a bag of Reishi Serum from the nearby counter and tossed it at the squad 11 captain.
Kenpachi caught the bag with one hand without even blinking.
"I'm not one of your subordinates, Kurotsuchi!" Kenpachi retorted.
Mayuri huffed with apparent agitation.
"I am aware of this, frankly speaking, the only thing you are currently, is a pain in the ass!" Mayuri spat.
Kenpachi chuckled at the reaction his jibe had gotten.
Linake sighed as she shook her head at the two men.
"Well, someone needs to deliver it to her." Linake spoke up softly.
Kenpachi turned his gaze over to his wife and winked at her.
"I'm going, woman, I just like giving him shit…" Kenpachi replied as he tilted his head towards Mayuri.
"We'll come with you then." Linake replied.
"The hell you will! Sit your ass back down and don't even think about it...I'm not taking any chances!" Kenpachi ordered.
"Alright then." Linake replied as she sat back down in Akon's chair.
Kenpachi turned on his heel and headed out into the hallway as Nemuri took it upon herself to stand and follow the captain in order to lead him to the exit and so she could secure the doors.
Mayuri turned his attention to the more pressing matters now that the agitating brute had left the room. Taking care with his movements Mayuri opened one of the many machines he had stored in the back of the lab, this one, however, was a tumbler mixer, used when mixing any form of medication whether it be in liquid form or powder.
Gently, Mayuri tipped the cone like metal vessel sideways allowing the synthesized vaccine to spill into a large wide mouthed glass beaker and then waited patiently until every drop of the liquid had fallen on its own before scooping the rest out with an applicator. From there he moved back over to the small space that belonged to Nemuri and prepared to mix the vaccine in with the already prepared Reishi Serum.
"Ayumi, bring me six of those IV Bags of Reishi Serum!" Mayuri ordered.
Ayumi looked up from the station she had been silently working with Akon as Mayuri called out his order to her. Akon glanced down at her, his dark eyes seeming to sense that something had happened between her and his captain recently. Ayumi turned away from the station and stepped over to the small counter they had stacked the completed bags onto.
She grabbed six, then silently walked over to her captain, and waited for his further instruction.
Mayuri allowed himself to look at her and her expression only left him feeling confused. Now that the two of them had had time to cool down from the intense rush of lust, it seemed, other more tender emotions were coming to the forefront.
Mayuri accepted the IV bags from her and she smiled softy at him before simply turning away without a word to him. Mayuri turned his attention back to the vaccine, even though deep down all he really wanted was to force the woman to tell him why the light within her green gaze had seemed to dim.
Mayuri had been under the impression that everything had been resolved between them, so why did it feel like the woman was trying to pull away—is it because I didn't bring up how I feel?
Nearly twenty minutes later Kenpachi managed to find the Medical Unit, after somehow taking the scenic route...
His brows rose at the absence of the punishment force. He wondered if the head captain had called them off due to the new discovery of this vaccine Kurotsuchi had managed to come up with, at least, Kenpachi thought Mayuri had come up with it. The details really didn't mean dick, the only thing that mattered to him was if the shit worked…then, and only then, would he be able to breathe a little easier—then I'll know my family is safe again!
Kenpachi walked up to the main doors and knocked, not bothering to go the window this time. He heard heavy footsteps walking towards him and was surprised to see that it was the head captain answering the door instead of Sosuke.
"You called off the guard and you're inside? You must have a lot of faith in Kurotsuchi!" Kenpachi commented.
Shunsui smiled softly before he replied.
"After everything he's been able to accomplish, why wouldn't I?" the head captain retorted.
"Guess you have a point…" Kenpachi replied.
"What brings you over, Captain Zaraki?" Shunsui asked.
Kenpachi held up the IV bag filled with the Reishi Serum.
"For the Espada." Kenpachi stated as he tossed the bag to him.
Shunsui caught it outright and his smiled deepened.
"Didn't expect this to be delivered by you." Shunsui remarked.
"Yeah, well, someone had to bring it and Kurotsuchi's busy." Kenpachi countered as he shrugged his shoulders.
"How's Amaya?" Kenpachi asked, changing the subject.
"She seems to be getting a little stronger now, hasn't woken back up yet, but, Isane and Hanataro have for a couple minutes at a time." Shunsui answered.
"That's good, what about the students?" Kenpachi continued.
Shunsui sighed heavily as he shook his head.
"None of them are not making much progress, I'm beginning to wonder how these three women were even able to join the academy, it seems like their spiritual pressure is immensely low. Mikka had to be intubated." Shunsui answered.
"Intubated? You mean a machine is breathing for her now?" Kenpachi asked.
Shunsui nodded.
"Doesn't seem like luck is on their side, does it?" Kenpachi stated.
"No…it doesn't, and I've had a hell of a time trying to keep Yoruichi from trying to come see them. That woman isn't easy to sweet talk…" Shunsui replied.
Kenpachi shrugged.
"Whats the harm in letting her see her students?" Kenpachi retorted.
Shunsui sighed again.
"I guess there really isn't any now." Shunsui admitted.
"Nobody else from there has gotten sick?" Kenpachi asked, thinking it was weird.
"Not that I've been told about, I think it was caught early enough to prevent from spreading there, it all depends on the spiritual pressure and if it's weak enough to allow the virus through." Shunsui explained.
"I get ya." Kenpachi stated before turning to walk away.
"What about these Espada, Zaraki, Did you have a chance to speak with Captain Kurotsuchi?" Shunsui called out.
Kenpachi paused and turned half way to face him again.
"Haven't gotten to the details yet, but he knows we're going back." Kenpachi answered before walking away.
Shunsui shook his head as he stepped back into the medical unit and walked over to the aqua haired female that was lying on one of the medical beds. Sosuke has administered an IV for her to give her fluid in order to prevent dehydration, it seemed that the female had taken quite the leap when deciding to travel in her condition. If she was this bad, he hoped the other two could manage to stay alive long enough for Zaraki and Kurotsuchi to make it to them, before that shit storm really did decide to rain down on the soul society.
"Captain Kurotsuchi?" Akon stated.
Mayuri looked up from the small table over at his Lieutenant.
"Yes?" He replied.
"It looks as if there will not be any adverse reactions with the Espada's cellular structure after all, I believe the vaccine will in fact work for her as well as it would anyone else here in the soul society. That being said, we don't know about the other Espada still in Hueco Mundo, as you know, we really can't assume that every Espada has the same structure." Akon explained.
Mayuri nodded.
"Yes, well, we really won't have the option of study, we will just have to administer the vaccine to the others and hope for the best. I take it the virus is in fact the same? " Mayuri replied.
"Yes, sir, it is." Akon answered.
Mayuri turned his attention back to the bags of Reishi as he nodded. He had successfully mixed the vaccine into all six bags and now all it would require was a second mixing process that would take at least an hour, in order for the vaccine to thoroughly set within the Reishi bonds. Then, it would finally be suitable for administration.
"Captain?" Akon spoke softly.
Mayuri's brow lifted as he looked up.
"What is it?" Mayuri asked.
Akon hesitated as he averted his gaze to the ground and lifted his hand to the back of his neck.
"Is everything okay? I mean, between you and Ayumi?" He asked.
"I believe that is none of your business, Akon." Mayuri replied, keeping his voice light, but getting his point across, he had no intention of discussing what happened between him and Ayumi with anyone, even if it was Akon. Mayuri may have known the man since he was a child, but, personal was personal.
Akon let himself sigh.
"Yes, Sir." Akon replied before walking away.
Mayuri tried to keep his concentration on the current task but the fact that even Akon could tell the difference in Ayumi's behavior only clarified that something was changing between them. For the life of him, Mayuri couldn't figure it out. What had happened between her leaving his room and coming back to the lab?
Mayuri didn't care for the sudden sense of unease that filled him when he thought about the possibility of her pulling away, would she get to the point she no longer wanted to love him?—I'll just have to be honest with her then, even if it is painfully difficult…
"You making any progress back there, Kurotsuchi, or are you just twiddling your thumbs?"
Mayuri let out an irritated groan at the sound the of barbarians voice once again filling his lab—Just who the hell had decided to let the brute back inside?!