"Tell us, Captain Kurotsuchi, what were you able to find out about this virus in Hueco Mundo?" Shunsui Kyoraku asked.
Mayuri stepped forward from his position in line, it hadn't taken the head captain long to call a mandatory captain's meeting, it seemed that one day had been all the man was willing to give them to recuperate from their journey.
Mayuri met the man's gaze as he stepped into the middle of squad 1's great hall.
"There have been many unknown factors concerning the events within the other dimension. I am afraid that I still have not come to a conclusion as to the virus or its origin. It would be safe to say that whoever, or whatever the host may have been has long since passed. I can, however, assure you that the vaccine that has been created will counter the adverse effects and as long as we issue a new protocol that requires new admittance to be vaccinated upon arrival, we should not have any more trouble." Mayuri answered.
"I find it pretty strange that something like this can just pop up out of nowhere." The head captain continued.
Mayuri sighed heavily.
"While I understand that this situation did in fact seem to "pop up out of nowhere" it in fact has been an active bacteria within the soul society for at least thirty years. Just as with any other cellular structure it has undergone its own personal evolution, it simply went unnoticed by us until it grew strong enough to become relevant." Mayuri corrected.
"So you're saying it wasn't that you couldn't find something, but, that there's no longer a source to be found, right?!" Kensei Muguruma asked.
Mayuri turned his head to the right, giving the squad 9 captain enough attention to understand he had been heard.
"Precisely! It would be nothing more than a waste of time to grasp at theoretical straws at this point, frankly speaking, the where and how no longer matter." Mayuri answered.
"And what about these strange behaviors regarding hollows? Did you have any luck figuring out what was behind that mess?" Shunsui continued.
"Yes. In fact it was Linake Zaraki that figured out what was behind the issue." Mayuri answered.
Shunsui's brow rose at the mention of the woman.
"It would seem that the "Queen" of Hueco Mundo had been passed down a form of knowledge from the previous king. The Espada were able to use the planetary energy of their moon, hence creating a pattern of gravitational pulls that surrounded the world. In doing so, it also created a barrier that prevented the lower level hollows from leaving in order to feed, causing the massive hoards and also preventing any who had perished from being able to transmigrate." Mayuri explained.
"Ah, hell." Shunsui frowned.
"What measures were taken to correct this situation?" Byakuya Kuchiki asked.
Mayuri turned his attention to his left to address the captain of squad 6 then smiled.
"I can assure you the energy has been sent back. While I was not present during the whole process, Captain Zaraki looked after his wife while she successfully sent each of the gravitational pulls back to their source. I also left instructions with Nelliel, the Espada that allowed both Linake and my subordinate to enter Hueco Mundo, to speak with her queen regarding the events. It was stated that the Espada were unaware of the fact that what they had intended to use for protection, was nothing more than a hindrance." Mayuri explained.
"And you believe that?" Soifon interjected.
Mayuri allowed his gaze to shift to the petite captain of squad 2, his smile fading from his face at her apparent jab at his own personal judgment.
"As a matter of fact I do, it was quite apparent by their behaviors and the environment around them. Simple misguidance was the issue, I do not see what they would have had to gain by allowing their own world to slowly decay!" Mayuri countered.
"Captain Zaraki, where is Linake now?" Shunsui asked the squad 11 captain.
Kenpachi turned his gaze to the man before answering, but didn't change his stance, keeping his arms tucked inside his Shihakusho.
"She's back at the barracks, sleeping." Kenpachi answered.
Mayuri turned his gaze to the brute, whose brow furrowed at the mention of Linake still seeming to be suffering from her exhaustion.
"Has her spiritual pressure not stabilized completely?" Mayuri asked.
"Hold on, what was wrong with her Spiritual Pressure? I was under the impression that everyone made it back safely." Shunsui interjected.
Kenpachi sighed heavily.
"Whatever the hell that moon energy did to her took a lot out of her, but she'll be okay, it's just gonna take her some time." Kenpachi answered Mayuri first.
"When Linake was sending back that energy she had to put her spiritual pressure into it, long story short, hollows aren't the only thing in Hueco Mundo that eat energy." Kenpachi continued.
"You mean to tell me that the moon itself was feeding off of her in exchange?!" Mayuri demanded.
"Yeah..." Kenpachi replied.
"Why did you want to know?" Kenpachi asked Shunsui.
Shunsui sighed.
"I was going to ask for her to be summoned here, so that we could have a better understanding of just what it was she did, but, I'll wait and speak to her at another time." Shunsui replied.
Kenapchi nodded.
"I guess the next order of business is to figure out what area of the soul society we want to hit with this vaccine next?" Shunsui stated, changing the topic back to the more personal matter.
"I would suggest that everyone within the Seireitei be vaccinated next, all squads and its members, simply due to the fact that the building that came into most contact with the virus is in fact within the walls." Mayuri offered.
"Alright, I'll take that. What would be your next move?" Shunsui replied.
"Next would be the academy, vaccinate every student and teacher, from then on we will move to the noble houses and down through each district." Mayuri continued.
"It seems like you've already put a lot of thought into this plan, so, I have no issues following your lead on this, Captain Kurotsuchi." Shunsui agreed.
"Very well…" Mayuri stated.
"Alright then, you can all return to your squads." Shunsui announced, closing the short meeting.
Mayuri turned on his heel abruptly and made his way over to the brute, why the man hadn't thought of saying anything to him about his wife's condition irritated him and he hadn't the slightest clue as to why.
"Zaraki!" Mayuri called out to him just as the giant stepped out into the main hallway.
Kenpachi paused and turned to face him.
"What?"
Mayuri reached into the pocket of his captain's haori pulling out two prefilled syringes of the vaccine and held them out to him.
"Administer one of these to Linake and the other to your son." Mayuri instructed.
Kenpachi's brow furrowed.
"Why are you giving these to me now?" Kenpachi countered.
"The Reishi Serum will help stabilize Linake's spiritual pressure, and as for Takeo, he is the most vulnerable due to his age, it would be best for the two of them to have it now rather than later." Mayuri explained.
"Alright, how do I give it to them?" Kenpachi asked.
"Injecting into the back of the arm will suffice, just be sure to clean the area before doing so…" Mayuri answered.
"You have my thanks, Kurotsuchi." Kenpachi replied.
Mayuri half-laughed.
"Yes, well, let's not make a habit out of it, quite frankly, I find it unsettling." Mayuri countered.
Kenpachi chuckled.
"Now if you'll excuse me, I have another matter I must go and prepare for…" Mayuri stated before turning away from the brute.
Now that the plan of action had been set, Mayuri and his squad would need to operate at a quick pace, making sure that enough of the vaccine was in high supply—I also need to prepare for the beasts arrival, that is, if he keeps his word…
Ayumi paused as she heard the sounds of knocking echoing down the hallway of the squad 12 barracks. While Mayuri had been summoned to a captain's meeting, her and Akon had gone ahead and continued preparing for the upcoming vaccinations that would need to take place.
Akon lifted his own head at the sound and let out a frustrated sigh. Ayumi turned her gaze to him and smiled softly, it seemed Akon wasn't happy with the constant interruptions to their work.
"I'll go and see who it is." Ayumi stated before setting down the dropper she had been using to mix another batch of the vaccine and then removed the gloves from her hands.
Nemuri looked up from her seat at Akon's station and braced herself to stand.
"I'll get it, Sweetie." Ayumi stated as she walked by.
"Yes, Ma'am." Nemuri replied, smiling before she turned back to the tabletop.
Ayumi stepped out into the now familiar hallway and easily made her way to the two large metal doors to the entrance, pausing to lift the large metal bar that secured the building before allowing the doors to open.
"Captain Kotetsu!?" Ayumi replied, not able to hide her surprise.
"Hello, Ayumi. I hope you don't mind, Hanataro and I have come to offer our assistance." Isane stated.
Ayumi allowed herself to smile, even though deep down she was hesitant…
"I see. Please, excuse me, Captain, but, are the two of you really well enough?" Ayumi asked.
Isane met Ayumi's gaze as a soft smile spread across her lips.
"I know it seems sudden, but, we both seem to be feeling much better, and I personally would rather help than stay in bed all day." Isane answered.
Ayumi nodded before stepping to the side in order to allow the Captain and 3rd seat inside the building, but, when Ayumi's gaze lifted and peeked outside, she noticed the four women standing behind the Squad 4 captain.
"They would like to speak with you." Isane stated before stepping inside.
"Alright. I'm afraid a captains meeting was called, so, Mayuri is not inside, but you will be able to find Akon in the lab." Ayumi stated.
Isane paused as her brow furrowed.
"I wasn't given orders to appear to a meeting…" Isane replied.
Ayumi met the woman's confused gaze before she shrugged.
"Maybe the head captain thought you would still be resting?" Ayumi offered.
Isane sighed softly before turning to her subordinate.
"I will be back, Hanataro, follow Lieutenant Akon's instruction until I return." Isane ordered.
"Yes, Captain." Yamada replied.
Ayumi didn't have to ask where the Squad 4 captain was heading, it seemed the notion that she had been left out of the loop didn't sit well.
As Isane passed, the group of four women walked forward.
"Hey there! You and Linake gave us quite the scare with that stunt you pulled!" Yoruichi began.
Ayumi half-laughed.
"Yeah, sorry about that." Ayumi answered.
Yoruichi shrugged.
"Only thing that matters is you made it back safe."
Ayumi nodded as she smiled back at her former instructor.
"I'm glad to see the three of you up and walking around…" Ayumi addressed her former roommates.
The three women looked up at her, each of them staring back at her with what looked like shame in their eyes.
Haru stepped forward and reached out wrapping her arms around Ayumi's shoulders.
"Uh…" Ayumi sputtered, as even more surprise filled her.
"Thank you so much, Ayumi!" Haru whispered before pulling away.
"Y…You're welcome…but, I really didn't do much…" Ayumi answered, feeling a little awkward about the situation.
"We were told about everything you did, Ayumi, and we just wanted you to know that we appreciate your help!" Haru explained.
Ayumi nodded, not really sure how to respond, the situation was a little strange to say the least, while Ayumi didn't hold a personal grudge against the women and would never want to see them in pain, it didn't change the fact that their alienation had left her out in the cold all those years.
"I'm sorry!" Mikka blurted.
Ayumi's brows rose as she looked over at the woman and for once she wasn't met with a mocking expression.
"You don't have to apologize." Ayumi replied.
"On the contrary, I believe in this case an apology is more than warranted!" Mayuri stated, announcing his return.
Ayumi turned her gaze to her lover and the disapproving look on his face told her more than she needed to know. Mayuri didn't like the way she had been treated by the other women, it had been apparent to her he had caught onto the situation early on due to his observant nature.
"Mayuri, really, it's alright…" Ayumi countered.
Mayuri narrowed his gaze at Ayumi as he walked forward taking his place by her side. He turned his head, his intense gold gaze scanning over the three women who had felt it necessary to make Ayumi feel isolated due to her intellect.
"Yes, well, you may be more forgiving then I am. I look at these women and I see nothing more than a sense of guilty conscious. Perhaps the three of you should think upon your actions, it may be possible that in the future, others will not be as understanding as Ayumi appears to be." Mayuri stated.
Ayumi watched as the three women averted their gazes from Mayuri.
"Mayuri, please—"Ayumi started.
"No, Ayumi…Captain Kurotsuchi is right…I do feel guilty, and it was my fault that you were not included in things in the past. I didn't understand you, and I never even gave you a chance, but, you still helped me even after how I treated you, and now I see that I was wrong." Mikka stated.
Ayumi sighed heavily as she met the young woman's gaze.
"I accept your apology, Mikka."
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry too." Rei added.
"Me too." Haru spoke up.
Ayumi nodded her head before she had to avert her gaze, the situation was becoming even more awkward for her as emotions she didn't want shown threatened to creep back up. A part of her wanted to act childish and tell them all to go to hell, but, that just wasn't her. They may have been immature and acted on impulse, and the isolation and mocking tones may have hurt deep down, but, Ayumi had survived much worse growing up in Kusajishi.
"Alright, girls. I think we've taken up enough of Ayumi's time, we need to head back to the academy now." Lady Yoruichi stated.
The three women nodded their heads and each stole another glace in Ayumi's direction before turning away from her and heading down the pathway.
Lady Yoruichi turned and called out to Ayumi over her shoulder.
"Don't be a stranger, Ayumi!" Yoruichi winked.
Ayumi smiled and waved at her former instructor.
"Why is it that you feel the need to placate those around you? Are you just adverse to conflict, or are you really that compassionate?" Mayuri asked.
Ayumi turned and met Mayuri's gaze.
"Honestly? A little of both, when you can't fight back, what's the point of starting a fight?" Ayumi countered before turning away from him and meeting Hanataro's wide eyed gaze.
Mayuri sighed heavily at the woman's comeback—I guess I simply won't tell her what I have planned, it doesn't seem like she would be able to handle it…
Hanataro stood in the still open doorway of the main entrance doing his best to look inconspicuous as Ayumi passed him by and headed down the hallway without another word.
Mayuri stepped inside and closed the doors, pausing to lower the metal arm in place—I will break that woman of those self-conscious habits one day, one way or another, she will learn to stand up for herself!
Mayuri turned his gaze and rolled his eyes at the 3rd seat of squad 4.
"Come along, Yamada, I'll find you something to do…" Mayuri ordered.
"Yes, Captain." Hanataro answered softly before following Mayuri down the dimly lit hallway.
Grimmjow turned his head in each direction, checking to see if any of the women were lurking around, he couldn't afford for anyone to try and be nosey. It had been three days since the freak had injected him and low and behold, the bastard hadn't been lying to him. Grimmjow knew that much was true, because he still had a pulse…
Grimmjow sighed as he turned down the rounded corridor, keeping his eyes peeled. Just as the Espada went to place his hand to the front doors of Las Noches he heard a low feminine voice speak out to him.
"Where are you going, Grimmjow?"
He paused, silently cursing before he turned his head and met his Queen's emerald gaze.
"I have some unfinished business…" Grimmjow answered.
Hailbel stepped forward, the long white flowing robe she was wearing hung loosely over her curves. Over the past couple days, everyone had taken a turn for the better, thanks to the freak.
"I no longer have my barriers because of that substitute, whatever this business is that you're speaking of better not cause us anymore trouble!" Halibel countered.
"I'm keeping up my end of a deal, that's all." Grimmjow replied.
"And what deal would that be?" Halibel pressed.
"I'm helping the freak get rid of some trash…" Grimmjow answered.
"You plan to enter back into the soul society, alone?" Halibel asked.
The side of Grimmjow's lips lifted into a cocky half grin.
"Yeah, I do, don't worry about it…"
Haribel narrowed her gaze at the lower ranked male that stood in front of her. While her first reaction to the news that her barriers had been torn down by none other than a substitute soul reaper had left her feeling angry, once the situation had been further explained to her by Nelliel, her anger had waned. Now that she had been given more time to rest and as her mind cleared from the haze of fever, Halibel understood that she too would one day have a debt to the soul reapers that she would repay.
"You are free to go. Upon your arrival, I wish for you to give the head captain another message from me, in exchange for the soul reapers assistance, I grant them a one-time offer, if ever they needed, they may call upon us in a time of war." Halibel stated before turning on her heel and walking away.
Grimmjow turned his body to reface the doorway and placed his palm against the concrete. Once opened enough for him to leave, Grimmjow stepped forward—for being so-called enemies, we're getting awfully fucking cozy!