Byakuya Kuchiki stood patiently as he watched the Lieutenant of Squad 12 set up a portable station in the middle of the 79th district. The head captain had long since returned to the squad 1 barracks intending to get the rest he needed, leaving the squad 6 captain in charge of the current task.
"It only should take me around another twenty minutes and I'll have everything set up and ready to go." Akon informed him.
Byakuya lifted his gaze to the man and nodded. It seemed that the head captain was not the only one in need of rest, while Akon had stated he had been able to take a short nap, it did not look as if it had been long enough. Akon's mannerisms were sharper than usual, Byakuya noted, almost as if the man were trying to suppress his agitated state.
Byakuya turned his gaze to Nemuri, the pre-teen girl seemed out of her element standing in the dirt filled streets of such a harsh district. The squad 6 captain didn't know how to feel about his niece's friend being subjected to the angry nature of some of the souls that lived within Kusajishi.
Byakuya turned his head abruptly to the left as he sensed a disturbance of energy close to the area.
"I can sense Master Mayuri's spiritual pressure close by!" Nemuri stated to her Lieutenant.
Akon looked up at her and turned his body to face the south as he let out a deep breath, seeming to look almost relieved.
Byakuya allowed his eyes to close briefly as, he too, recognized the energies behind the disturbance. It seemed that the four had actually made it back like he had predicted.
"Could we go and meet them, Akon?" Nemuri asked, the child obviously concerned for her father figure.
"We have an assignment to do, Nemuri, the Captain will come on his own when he senses us close by." Akon explained to her.
"Okay…" Nemuri answered as she turned back to her task of setting up the portable vaccination station the two had carried to the location.
Byakuya chose to stay silent as he overheard the conversation between the two, but something was amiss, he could feel it. While he could sense the spiritual pressure of both Captains they seemed to be stationary—why would they stay in once place? Had something happened to one of the women?
Byakuya turned his gaze to the long line of souls that stood in a single file line, some seemed content to listen and obey the orders they had been given, while others seemed to be growing impatient—I am afraid I cannot leave my post in order to find out…
Linake continued to pull in deep breaths as she turned her head up to the afternoon sky. As she absorbed the sun's energy into her body she felt its power instantly, like a warm welcoming hug after being trapped inside the cold darkness of Hueco Mundo for such a long time. The difference between the two worlds was uncanny, literally like day and night.
While the moon here in the soul society soothed and calmed gently, the moon in Hueco Mundo was just as predatory as the creatures who lived there, that was one sky Linake didn't have the urge to study anymore now that she knew its nature, but even so, the relationship was still there, it had still held its balance, even if the outcome had not been pleasant.
"Is she getting better?" Ayumi asked as she walked ahead and leaned down next to Kenpachi's side.
"Yeah…she'll be okay now." Kenpachi answered for her.
Ayumi nodded before she lifted her hand attempting to reach out and give Linake comfort by touching her, but her wrist was caught by the squad 11 captain's giant hand. Ayumi's body jarred as she jumped from the unexpected grip.
"She's too hot for you to touch her right now…" Kenpachi explained as he dropped his hand from her wrist.
Ayumi pulled her arm back, the squad 11 captain hadn't hurt her with his grip, but she felt a bit shaken by his abrupt nature.
"I see. I'm sorry…" Ayumi replied.
Kenpachi dropped his arm back around his wife's body and that's when Ayumi spotted the exposed skin of the Captain's forearms. Ayumi's jaw fell as she noticed the man's skin singe and blister to a bright red, and even though it had to hurt like hell, he refused to let go of his wife.
"The two of you should go on ahead, as soon as she charges up I'm taking her back to the barracks to sleep." Kenpachi stated.
Ayumi stood up straight and glanced over at Mayuri who was standing with his left arm crossed over his midsection, his right hand resting on his chin as he watched Linake intently. Ayumi didn't have to ask him to know his mind was filled with questions, he was probably trying to do the math in his head to try and explain the plausibility of what they were witnessing Linake accomplish—even I know there is no such explanation!
"Mayuri?" Ayumi called out softly.
She watched as he blinked his eyes rapidly coming back from inside his mind.
"Yes? What is it?" He asked her.
"Captain Zaraki says we should go ahead without them." Ayumi explained.
"Ah, I see. If that is what you wish, Zaraki, we will leave you to it." Mayuri decided as he stepped forward, taking Ayumi by the hand once again.
Ayumi didn't follow at first, her concerned green gaze still looking back at Linake.
"I assure you, she will be fine…" Mayuri spoke softly.
Ayumi nodded before she allowed herself to turn giving the couple her back. She felt Mayuri squeeze her hand gently as the two of them began to walk down the dirt pathway that would lead them deeper into the 79th district.
"Why are we going this way? Shouldn't we head back to the lab?" Ayumi questioned as she looked over at him.
"I am sure if you reach out hard enough you will sense what I do." Mayuri replied.
Ayumi's brow furrowed at his cryptic answer but she decided to humor him as she closed her eyes and concentrated. She hadn't been all that great with sensing spiritual pressure in the past, but ever since she and Mayuri's relationship had changed, Ayumi had become more aware of him, of his presence, and she could sense his energy now.
"Do you feel them? Their quite a ways ahead of us still…" Mayuri stated.
Ayumi sighed as she opened her eyes and shook her head.
"I don't feel anything…" She answered.
"Ah, well. You have been away for quite a few hours. Akon and Nemuri are in this direction, I can sense them." Mayuri explained.
"What would they be doing in Kusajishi?" Ayumi asked.
Mayuri smiled softly.
"My guess would be that the two of them are completing the tasks that I had originally expected you to lead…" Mayuri answered.
Ayumi's lips parted revealing her surprise.
"Lead!? Why would I lead anything when Akon is the Lieutenant?" Ayumi interjected.
"I've been meaning to speak with you about your station within the squad. I've already spoken with Akon and we have come to an agreement, while he is my Lieutenant and will continue to keep that title, you are now to be considered a seated officer of the division, you have become my 3rd seat." Mayuri explained.
Ayumi's eyes widened as she stared up at Mayuri, she couldn't believe what he had just told her and apparently the news had affected her ability to look at him and walk at the same time. Ayumi tripped herself up by stepping on the pant leg of her old academy uniform.
Mayuri tightened his grip on her hand as he turned his body reaching out with his free arm, he caught her around the waist before she could fall. Ayumi met his gaze as he smiled down at her, it seemed that her clumsy nature had managed to claim her once again, but she wasn't complaining.
The pair found themselves in the intimate position her clumsiness had put them in, to an onlooker it would look as if they had been dancing and he had decided to dip her. Mayuri's right hand still held her left tightly, their fingers threaded together, while his left arm supported her around the waist, Ayumi had somehow managed to wrap her right arm around the back of his neck.
Ayumi's breath hitched in her chest as she looked up at the man she had almost quite literally fallen for. Ayumi parted her lips to speak to him, but found herself being silenced by Mayuri's abrupt decision to kiss her.
Ayumi allowed her eyes to slide shut as she gave over to the moment between them, her heart rate began to accelerate as Mayuri slipped his tongue between her parted lips and began to tease her with short flicks as his lips molded over hers, overlapping after each caress of his tongue.
Ayumi could feel the man's need for her as it seemed to pour out from inside him. He had been almost mindless with her the last time when he'd pushed her against his bedroom wall, but yet, Mayuri still felt the need to hold himself back—will I ever see him let go for me completely?
Mayuri drug his lips across hers once more before he pulled away from their kiss. Ayumi allowed her eyes to slip back open, already expecting him to make a comment about his duty and how he couldn't afford to be sidetracked by her, but he didn't speak, instead she was met with his hungry golden gaze.
"I'm afraid this dirt pathway is not the place for this…" Mayuri finally spoke bringing himself back to the present.
Ayumi nodded as he took a hold of her and using the strength in his lean body he changed his stance, pulling them both back up into a standing position, which pressed her up against him.
"I don't want to hear your protests about my decision, Ayumi, you are more than qualified for the position I have decided to give you." Mayuri stated.
"You don't think that it would look bias, I mean, with us being together?" Ayumi asked.
Mayuri allowed himself to smile at her.
"I don't, and even if others do, I simply do not care…"
Linake lowered her head as she felt her fatigue begin to wane, it was almost like her body was a battery about to crap out on her and the sun's rays were her electrical outlet, slowly giving her a full charge again.
"You okay now, woman?" Kenpachi asked as he tightened his arms around her, both of his palms laid flat against her rounded belly.
"Yes, I'm okay…I told you I would be fine…" Linake answered.
"What's up with you, Linake!? Why didn't you say something to me? I could have gotten you here sooner!" Kenpachi asked.
Linake could feel the tension coming from his body as he pressed himself against her.
"I didn't feel like my spiritual pressure was being drained, I knew that the moon was pulling energy from me, but, I guess I misunderstood what was happening…I thought the energy was just dense and it was making me feel tired…I wasn't trying to lie to you, Kenpachi!" Linake tried to explain.
Kenpachi felt her body slump in his arms as her head fell forward.
"I just wanted to be able to stand on my own for once, but I guess I'm still the weakest link…" Linake continued.
Kenpachi snorted.
"The only weakness you have, woman, is how you're thinking! I don't think less of you because of what happened, it just pissed me off because it felt like you were holding back the fact you needed help!" Kenpachi retorted.
"I'm sorry…I didn't even start to feel drained until right before Nelliel opened the Garganta, that's when I realized I'd made a mistake…" Linake explained.
"Listen to me, woman. You're not weak! You pulled down an energy that not even me or Kurotsuchi could get passed!" Kenpachi stated.
"I understand that, but-"
"But nothing! I thought you were over this shit, but I guess a part of you still does feel like that human woman from before…" Kenpachi sighed.
Linake's eyes slid shut tightly as she heard her husband's comment and even though she was trying her hardest to hold back her emotions, it seemed she couldn't even do that.
"What's it gonna take, woman? You can't really still be scared of the changes, or is that the real reason you won't use your Zanpakuto?" Kenpachi asked.
Linake lifted her hand to her face and angrily wiped at her unwelcome tears before she replied.
"No, I'm not scared of it! A part of me is always going to remember how I was when I was first brought here, I'm always going to be human, but I've changed since then, I've gotten stronger than that!" Linake countered.
"Then what's the problem, Linake? I love you the way you are, woman, you don't have to change for me or anyone else!" Kenpachi countered.
"You're so strong and so fearless, I just wish that I could be more like you…" Linake admitted.
"Tch. I have news for you woman, you're never going to reach my level, and I'll be damned if I'm going to sit here and watch you kill yourself trying to. The day you married me, you became mine, and I protect what's mine, you don't need to be as strong as I am, all you need to be is yourself." Kenpachi countered.
"Now stop crying, woman, you know that bugs me! Can you walk or do I need to carry you back to the barracks?" Kenpachi asked, abruptly changing the subject.
Linake sniffled as she wiped her face with her glowing hands, the sun's energy was still coursing through her body making her shine from within.
"I can walk." She answered.
Kenpachi leaned forward, about to help his wife up from her sitting position, when he felt a gentle thump hit against his palm. Kenpachi's brow lifted and even though he still felt agitated, he couldn't help the smile that spread across his lips, it seemed like his kid was already trying to talk back to him…
"Did you feel that?" Linake asked him, her voice filling with excitement as she pressed her hand over his.
"Yeah…" Kenpachi answered.
Kenpachi's eyes closed briefly, and just like that, the moment between them changed again, he felt his agitation deflate as his mind zeroed in on what was the most important to him, they were back in the soul society and Linake and the kid were safe again!
Akon turned his gaze to the south once more. He and Nemuri had managed to set up the makeshift vaccine station and Akon was just about to start administering treatment to the residence of the 79th district. When he didn't see any sign of his captain or Ayumi he turned his gaze back to the squad 6 captain.
Byakuya met his gaze and even though no words were exchanged, Akon got the feeling that Captain Kuchiki could sense something wasn't quite right as well—I hope one of the women didn't get hurt!
Akon turned his gaze forward, deciding that if anything had in fact happened, the women were in more than capable hands between his captain and Captain Zaraki. Nemuri stood by Akon's side awaiting his further instructions patiently.
"Alright, let's get this started. Come forward and take a seat…" Akon instructed the first soul in line.
The young woman who appeared to be in her early twenties looked back at Akon with a fearful expression.
Akon sighed.
"It's just a medication, it's nothing to be afraid of." Akon explained.
The young woman's blue eyes met his and he guessed that she saw his sincerity because she stepped forward and took a seat in the wooden fold up chair Akon had carried out himself.
Nemuri stepped forward, ready to carry out her duties as she asked the soul her name.
"I am Kameko Nomura." The young woman answered as she lifted her hand and pushed her red hair back behind her ear.
Nemuri quickly took her notes, writing down the woman's name and also labeling her as female. Akon reached out with gloved hands and grabbed a prefilled syringe from the wooden box they had stored them in for travel and uncapped it.
The young woman's breath hitched when Akon bent down in front of her and gently reached out, taking a hold of her right wrist gently. With the souls not actually showing active signs of the virus there was no immediate threat, which allowed for Akon to simply inject the vaccine into the thick muscle issue in the back of each souls arm verses having to inject straight into the vein.
The vaccine would work its way through the proteins within the muscle, then it would be carried out into the bloodstream, where Ayumi's antibodies would work their magic, allowing each soul who was vaccinated to share in her immunity.
"I'll need you to lift the sleeve of your kimono." Akon instructed Kameko.
Nemuri's small hand appeared in front of Akon's face, holding an unwrapped alcohol pad.
Akon paused as he let go of the woman's wrist and realized that he had almost forgotten to clean the injection site, but instead of showing his failure, he simply accepted it as if it had been a part of Nemuri's job.
The woman's sky blue gaze met his for a brief second before she reached out with her left hand and pulled the tattered material up high enough to expose her soft pale skin. Akon leaned forward and rubbed the back of her arm with the antiseptic before handing the used square of cotton back to Nemuri, then, he used the now free hand to grab the skin at the back of Kameko's bicep.
"Will this keep me from getting sick?" Kameko asked as he jabbed the thin needle into her flesh and pushed down on the plunger.
"Yes. It will. That's it, you're done." Akon replied as he pulled the used needle free from her skin and tossed it down into another empty wooden box he had placed under the small table.
Kameko smiled softly up at him before she pulled her sleeve back down and then stood up from the chair.
"You may feel slight bruising or a cramping sensation where I injected you, that's normal, if you start to feel sick, report to the squad 4 medical unit." Akon informed her.
"Is that your squad?" she asked.
Akon sighed, trying his best not to snap at the woman—it's not her fault I haven't gotten enough sleep…
"No. I'm the Lieutenant of Squad 12." Akon answered her.
Kameko allowed herself to smile up at him again before she replied.
"Then I guess I should say thank you, Lieutenant."
Akon's brow rose for a brief second, then he gave her a simple curt nod before turning away from her.
"Next!" Akon called out, hoping that the young woman would understand he wasn't there to socialize, he had a job to do!
Byakuya lifted his gaze back to the left as he sensed the squad 12 captain's spiritual pressure coming closer to the location. The squad 6 captain felt a sense of relief when he spotted Mayuri walking with his subordinate—No, that phrase no longer described the two accurately…
It seemed that whatever had been keeping the two captains stationary had been dealt with because Byakuya could also sense that Zaraki was now also on the move, heading back towards the Seireitei with Linake.
Mayuri turned his head and met the squad 6 captain's gaze. Byakuya allowed himself to step forward, meeting the couple half way on the path.
"I had not expected you to be the one overseeing my subordinates." Mayuri admitted as he closed the distance between them.
Byakuya's features didn't change before he replied.
"I was given orders by the head captain to see to this. Did everything go as you had planned in Hueco Mundo?" Byakuya asked him.
Mayuri tilted his head to the left and smiled.
"I wouldn't say it went completely as I had planned it…" Mayuri answered honestly as his gaze darted to Ayumi.
Byakuya understood the meaning of the man's mannerisms.
"I am pleased to see that you made it safely." Byakuya stated as his grey gaze met the young woman's.
Ayumi smiled up at the Squad 6 captain softly, her gaze wary, as if she almost expected the noblemen to scold her for her and Linake's undercover mission.
"I couldn't help but notice the pause when you arrived, did something happen?" Byakuya continued, now addressing Mayuri.
"Ah, well. Yes and no, while a lot did occur, it will need to be discussed at a later time, I can assure you that everyone has made it back safely." Mayuri answered.
"I see. I expect you would like to discuss these matters with all of the squad captains present?" Byakuya concluded.
"That would be correct, now, if you would not mind, I would like to go and speak with my Lieutenant." Mayuri answered.
The squad 6 captain gave a simple nod before stepping aside allowing Mayuri to walk forward.
"I see that you were able to complete the instructions I left you with." Mayuri stated as he walked up to his Lieutenant.
"Master Mayuri!" Nemuri called out as she smiled.
Mayuri glanced down at the girl, returning her smile with one of his own before he placed his free hand on her shoulder.
Akon glanced up from his crouched position, the male soul sitting in the wooden fold up chair stared up at the squad 12 captain warily.
"Glad to see your back, Captain." Akon stated.
"Yes, well, it looks as if you were more than capable without us." Mayuri continued to smile.
Akon's gaze drifted to Ayumi and the side of his mouth lifted into a sly smile.
"I'm sorry that I left without telling you, Lieutenant, Linake was very adamant about not telling anyone…" Ayumi felt the need to explain.
"I figured it was something along those lines…" Akon replied before turning his attention back to the soul sitting in the chair.
Akon quickly finished administering the vaccine he held in his gloved hands and then tossed the empty syringe down into the box at his feet. The man stood from the chair seeming to no longer be comfortable with his surroundings now that Mayuri had arrived.
Ayumi watched the soul make a b-line for the only open pathway between them and Akon. The man's actions made her shake her head—I don't see what there is to be so scared of!
Mayuri turned his attention forward seeming to notice the amount of souls that were currently lined up awaiting to be treated.
"Tell me, Akon, what lead you to choose this district to start with?" Mayuri asked curiously.
Akon met his captain's gaze again.
"The head captain instructed it." Akon answered.
"Ah, I see. Well, in that case, we shall assist you." Mayuri stated.
Akon's brow furrowed at his captains statement.
"What? Do you not approve of my decision?" Mayuri asked.
"You've gotten less sleep than I have recently, wouldn't it be better for the two of you to go and rest?" Akon asked.
Mayuri sighed heavily as he toyed with his Lieutenants reasoning, while he had been awake for almost forty-eight hours and he in fact could feel the fatigue wearing on his body, he didn't feel the need to rush back to the Seireitei.
"I can rest when this task is completed, besides, between the three of us, this process will run a lot more smoothly." Mayuri answered.
"You want me to administer the vaccines too?" Ayumi asked.
Mayuri turned his head and met her concerned gaze and remembered the woman's personal aversion to needles.
"I am sure you can find it in yourself to manage, in the future, I may require you to assist me in something as evasive as a surgical procedure, and this will give you some much needed practice." Mayuri explained.
Ayumi let out an exasperated sigh not even bothering to hide her apprehension from the man. While she really didn't want to stick people with a needle, Ayumi thought she understood what was behind Mayuri's motives; they had left Akon by himself with a monstrous work load and a vast amount of responsibility, and even though Mayuri would never admit it out loud, he felt the need to help his Lieutenant—and Ayumi agreed, it was the least they could do.