Ayumi smiled as she looked over at Nemuri. While it seemed a bit surreal, Ayumi found herself sitting in the private dining area with both Mayuri and his daughter. The scene almost felt quite domestic to her as the three of them shared a meal in comfortable silence.

Nemuri looked from her tray and Ayumi averted her gaze, she didn't want to make the situation uncomfortable for the girl, for she was confused about what roll she would even play when it came to Nemuri; she didn't want to overstep her boundaries.

"Master Mayuri? I've finished, would it be alright if I went for something sweet?" Nemuri asked.

Mayuri paused and turned his gaze to the pre-teen and from the look he gave her he didn't seem pleased with the idea.

Ayumi pulled her bottom lip between her teeth in an effort not to speak.

"You know how I feel about your eating habits, Nemuri, sugar is not something you need to overindulge in." Mayuri commented.

Nemuri lowered her gaze back to the table and nodded.

"Yes, Sir."

Ayumi let go of her lip, no longer able to hold back from what she wanted to say.

"She did finish her dinner, Mayuri, and she's been doing such a good job in the lab, why not let her have something?" Ayumi asked, hoping she wasn't actually overstepping those boundaries.

Nemuri's wide eyed gaze looked up from the table at Ayumi.

Mayuri looked across the table at her as well and then sighed.

"Yes, she has been doing well, hasn't she? Very well, you may go and get something, but you're not to over indulge, and do not think this will become a regular occurrence." Mayuri gave in.

Nemuri smiled up at her father figure before bracing herself on the table to stand.

"Thank you, Master Mayuri!" she spoke softly before she turned her happy gaze back to Ayumi.

Ayumi didn't need to hear Nemuri thank her, she could see the gratitude written on the girl's face.

Once standing Nemuri grabbed her empty tray of dishes and turned on her heel heading for the exit. Ayumi felt a bit nervous when she heard the door click shut, leaving her alone with the man.

Mayuri's gaze narrowed and Ayumi braced herself for whatever he was about to say.

"It would seem that as we go forward there are going to be situations we do not agree on." Mayuri stated.

Ayumi's brow lifted as surprise filled her, she had expected Mayuri to feel agitated by her meddling.

"I'm sorry. I really don't know where my place is when it comes to Nemuri; what role I am to play." Ayumi admitted.

Mayuri tilted his head to the side, as if her statement didn't make sense to him.

"Are we not together?" Mayuri countered.

Ayumi sighed.

"Yes, but, it's been the two of you for so long, I mean, she's your daughter…" Ayumi replied.

"Hmm, I suppose in a sense she is." Mayuri stated.

Ayumi allowed herself to smile at the man, was it really so hard for him to see the way Nemuri viewed him?

"You may not have conceived her yourself, Mayuri, but you did create her, and it's apparent that she thinks of you as a father figure." Ayumi countered.

Mayuri's brow furrowed as he looked back at the woman who sat across from him, the topic of how Nemuri felt about him had never been brought up before and it had never been something he had even cared to question.

"I see. Perhaps I should pay closer attention." Mayuri replied.

Ayumi nodded before she turned her attention back to her own meal.

"While on the topic of conception, when would be your next cycle of ovulation?" Mayuri asked casually.

Ayumi paused, her chopsticks hovering in the air mid-way to her mouth.

"Uh…I think it just passed." Ayumi admitted, feeling taken aback by the turn of the conversation.

"I see. We will have to make a record of it then, that way we know." Mayuri continued.

Ayumi let her chopsticks fall back down to the bowl in front of her as a wave of utter disappointment washed over her, the only reason she could see his interest in the topic was if he were trying to prevent her from conceiving.

"Alright then." Ayumi replied.

Mayuri stilled as he witnessed the woman's body language change, almost as if he had upset her in some way.

"What is it? Do you not want children of your own?" Mayuri asked.

Ayumi felt her face flush as she realized her assumption had been the opposite of his intent.

"No…I…I thought you were implying you didn't want them." Ayumi forced herself to admit.

Mayuri half-laughed before letting out a soft sigh.

"What is it that I told you about assumptions?" Mayuri countered.

Ayumi allowed herself to smile before she answered him.

"That they make an ass out of me."

"Precisely!" Mayuri smiled back.

Grimmjow kept moving down the white sands attempting to put some distance between him and Las Noches. It was one thing for the Queen to be aware of his plan, but he didn't feel like explaining the situation to any of the others, especially Nelliel. The woman was too soft sometimes; she wouldn't be able to see the bigger picture.

The Espada stopped once he had walked a good half mile. He figured it was good enough as he lifted his hand and called open the rift between the dimensions. Once the black mass opened wide enough for him to enter, he stepped inside the void and allowed the entrance to close behind him. Grimmjow shoved his hands into the pockets of his pants as he walked down the pathway created by his own energy.

At least this time he wouldn't have to do as much guessing about where he was, unless the void spit him out in unfamiliar territory. The hard part was going to be trying to sort out all the scents; he hadn't been lying to the freak when he told him those men had had a certain scent to them, they did, he would just have to find it again—If I were a bottom feeder, where would I hang my hat?

Grimmjow thought about his plan of action as he kept walking down the abysmal tunnel, enjoying the sense of inner peace it gave him for the time being, soon, he would be after his prey and once he caught them he would be able to see the freak in action. For some strange reason, Grimmjow knew that those three men were about to regret the moment they laid eyes on that woman—He's going to tear them apart!

While Grimmjow had walked the pathway at a steady pace, it seemed the Garganta had not been as long as he'd expected it to be, which didn't come as much of a surprise to him, he wasn't looking forward to this visit. It wasn't like the soul reapers were going to roll out the welcome mat for him—all I have to do is mention the freak and they'll let me pass!

Grimmjow lifted his right leg, stepping out onto a dirt pathway, not much different than the last time, except now, he was alone. The Espada paused for a couple minutes, tilting his head up to the darkened sky in an effort to seek out any nearby scents. Turning his head to the south he was able to pick up on the scents of many people and what smelled like smoke from multiple fires burning—residents trying to keep warm?

Deciding, Grimmjow walked forward in order to follow the trail of scents to the location; he had no clue what district he was even in, and from what he had come to understand, not all areas of the soul society were filled with rainbows. As he walked forward, another scent became even more prominent in the air around him, a scent he would never be able to misplace; the scent of blood.

"Who the hell are you!?"

Grimmjow stilled, keeping his hands in his pockets he turned slightly to see whoever had spoken to him. Grimmjow met the man's dark, crazed gaze.

"What's it to you?" Grimmjow snapped.

"Strong words, for a dead man!" The stranger threatened.

Grimmjow chuckled.

"What district is this?" Grimmjow demanded.

"Pretty stupid of you, to go wondering in a place you don't know, this is district 80, known as Zaraki." The deluded man answered.

Grimmjow shook his head as he understood his dilemma; he hadn't been let out close to the Seireitei, instead he'd been dropped off in the worst part of the soul society, it was a place where only the crazy would dare enter—Lucky for me, I have my fair share of crazy…

The strange man stepped closer and Grimmjow caught the gleam of the steel from the short sword the stranger was carrying in his right hand; the blade was coated with remnants of blood—must have been what I was smelling…

"I wouldn't come at me, unless you want to die." Grimmjow threatened.

The stranger laughed outright.

"What makes you so sure of yourself?" The man taunted.

Grimmjow allowed himself to smile as he turned his face fully, revealing the white bone on the side of his jaw in the moonlight.

"What the fuck!? What are you!?" The man yelled as he held up his blade defensively.

"Your worst nightmare…" Grimmjow sneered.

Ayumi pushed open the door to Mayuri's sleeping quarters and stepped inside, holding it open for her lover. Mayuri had insisted that she go and collect her things from the room she had been occupying once they had finished with dinner. He had also informed her that his quarters had now become their quarters. The simple thought of sharing the space with the man day after day made Ayumi's heart race a little.

Mayuri walked inside and dropped the duffle bag full of her stuff down on the floor next to his desk.

"What do you have inside this thing that is so heavy?" Mayuri asked, his brow furrowing.

Ayumi paused, remembering all of the magazines she had stuffed inside…

"Nothing important really." Ayumi answered, feeling a wave of embarrassment wash over her.

Mayuri turned his head and looked at her.

"Well, you're being quite vague, I'll just look for myself then." Mayuri stated.

"Uh…" Ayumi lifted her hand in a feeble attempt at a denial, but he had already bent down and unzipped the duffle.

Mayuri pulled the sides to the woman's bag apart and was met with a very large stack of magazines; the very magazine he had published the findings of all of his research and experiments in monthly. Mayuri dug his hand inside and pulled out a few of them, paying attention to the dates as he looked.

"You've been following my work for over three years, it would seem." Mayuri smiled as he looked over at her.

The woman had turned away from him, giving him her profile as she stared into the bathing area, her arms once again wrapped around her middle—why would finding these cause her so much embarrassment?

Mayuri tossed the old Magazines back down into the bag and stood to his full height, the woman had yet to even reply to him, seeming to be stuck inside her own mind.

Mayuri sighed as he crossed over to her and reached out for her, grasping her by her left forearm. Ayumi looked up and met his gaze, seeming to come back to the present reality and not the over dramatization he was sure lived inside her mind.

"There is no need for this reaction, woman, I am not upset or appalled in the slightest by your interest in my work, while I wasn't expecting you to go to the lengths of keeping copies, I find your admiration quite flattering, as I've stated before." Mayuri explained.

Ayumi sighed before she let her other arm drop from her middle.

"I thought you would think I was strange, I will admit reading your research is what kept me going all those years, you kept me inspired." Ayumi admitted.

Mayuri's brow rose as he heard the woman's explanation.

"Why is it that you did not seek out to meet me prior to being placed in my squad?" Mayuri asked.

Ayumi averted her gaze before she answered.

"I wanted to, it's why I requested to be placed in your squad." Ayumi admitted.

Mayuri's lips parted slightly at hearing her admission.

"I was under the impression that Yoruichi picked you for my squad, not that you had requested to join." Mayuri smiled.

"I didn't seek this out, what's happened between us, I just wanted a chance to work with you!" Ayumi stated.

"I understand. This does not change how I view you in the slightest, in fact, it makes me feel more at ease with you." Mayuri replied as he pulled her closer to him.

Ayumi allowed him to pull her against him as he wrapped his arms around her.

"It would not have mattered to me if you had sought a relationship with me in the beginning, I'm afraid the outcome would have been the same regardless." Mayuri spoke softly as he met her gaze.

"This all seems a little surreal to me sometimes…" Ayumi admitted.

Mayuri chuckled.

"Yes, it does. I will not deny that this journey you have put me on has tested me in more ways than I could have ever imagined." Mayuri stated.

Ayumi smiled as she met his gaze, hearing him speak to her so openly about what was between them was like a dream in itself, and she had to admit, the notion that the man was interested in having a family with her made her heart fill with so much warmth she feared it might burst.

Mayuri met her smile with one of his own before leaning into her and pressing his lips over hers. Ayumi wrapped her arms around his shoulders, pressing her body against him completely, savoring the feel of the man she loved being so close to.

Mayuri stared down at Ayumi as she abruptly pulled away from his kiss, he felt her body break out in sudden chills. Ayumi felt her stomach clinch as every muscle in her body started to seize up against Mayuri as she felt the now familiar wave of panic fill her.

Mayuri's brow furrowed as he looked down at Ayumi, her body had gone rigid against him indicating that something wasn't right with her, instead of prodding her with all the questions that raced through his mind, he shoved his worry back and just watched her. When he noticed the way the woman's eyes seemed to go vacant as if she were no longer looking at him, he understood—She was having another of her visions, another warning…

Ayumi fought to slow her breathing, to calm her rapid beating heart as her vision went black—Stay calm, it's just like last time, just watch…

Ayumi forced her panicked mind to focus, to zone in on what she was being warned about. As she concentrated, she was met with a familiar mocking grin accompanied by piercing blue eyes—Grimmjow! As the scene continued to flash, she saw dirt filled roads and the glint of bloodstained steel in the moonlight.

Grimmjow turned his body fully, facing the dumbass who had a death wish and a thought occurred to him—this fuck-head knows the pathways, he can lead me around…

Using his quick reflexes Grimmjow reached out with his right hand gripping the man by the wrist that held the short sword, with minimal effort, Grimmjow twisted and didn't spot until he heard the bone pop.

The man cried out as pain shot up his forearm.

"You broke my fucking wrist! You son of a bitch!" The stranger yelled.

"You're lucky that's all I've done, bottom feeder!" Grimmjow countered.

The man looked up at him, his glazed over brown eyes meeting Grimmjow piercing gaze.

Grimmjow smiled.

"Yell ya what, I won't punch a hole through your chest if you lead me into the 79th district, I'm looking for some old friends…" Grimmjow lied.

"Fuck you! Why the hell would I help a freak like you!?" The stranger spat.

Grimmjow tightened his hold on the man's broken wrist digging his thumb into the fractured bones—so, that's what it feels like to be called a freak…

The man howled as he fell to his knees in the dirt, Grimmjow leaned back, lifting his leg he kicked the worm right in the chest sending him flying back a couple feet—I might as well become the nightmare!

Mayuri tightened his grip around Ayumi as he continued to study her behaviors, after a mere couple of minutes Ayumi blinked her eyes rapidly, seeming to come back from whatever state her mind had been in.

"It looked as if you were having another vision, tell me, what did you see?" Mayuri asked.

Ayumi met Mayuri's gaze and forced herself to push past the anxiety that her newfound ability always seemed to give her.

"Grimmjow! He's here, I can't tell what district, all I could see was the dirt pathway and what looked like a short sword covered in blood." Ayumi answered.

Mayuri lifted his head and smiled—it seems the beast has decided to keep his word after all.

"What would Grimmjow come back for? Do you think something went wrong with one of the other Espada?" Ayumi asked as she tried to get control over her shaking body.

Mayuri lowered his head and met the woman's gaze.

"He is here to pay his debt to me." Mayuri admitted.

Ayumi's brow furrowed as she looked at him.

"What debt? I didn't know he had one!" Ayumi asked.

Mayuri raised his hands, running them down her arms in an attempt to try and help calm her as he debated on telling her the truth, he still didn't know if Ayumi would be able to handle his plan—the woman is so sensitive, she would most likely tell me not to bother.

"Nothing to worry about, I will handle this. You said it was a dirt pathway, could you make out anything else?" Mayuri asked.

Ayumi stared back at him, her features giving away her confused state and Mayuri half-expected her to press him about his intentions.

"All I could see were trees to the side, if I had to guess it's one of the lower districts." Ayumi answered.

"Very well. I will start my search in Kusajishi then." Mayuri stated.

"I'm coming with you!" Ayumi insisted.

Mayuri snorted.

"I don't think so, Ayumi. I need you to stay here for me while I do this." Mayuri demanded.

'Do what!? What are you doing, Mayuri!?" Ayumi pressed.

Mayuri sighed heavily, not liking the pleading look she was giving him and it almost made him feel the need to be honest with her, but he didn't have the time it would take to make her see reason.

"I simply do not wish to tell you right now, however, I will explain everything when I return, I am afraid time is not on my side, I need to get to the beast before someone else realizes another Garganta has been opened." Mayuri answered before backing away from her.

Ayumi stared up at him feeling like he'd just punched her in the gut—what was he about to do that was so horrible he didn't feel comfortable telling her!?

Ayumi watched him as he squared his shoulders and walked towards the door, her anxiety increased as her mind raced with so many scenarios, so many "What If's."

Mayuri paused, turning his body, he looked over his shoulder at her.

"If you should have another vision while I am gone, know that I will be alright, and for once, do not come after me!" Mayuri ordered before pulling the door open and stepping back out into the hall.

Mayuri walked at a quick pace, he would need to make a quick stop in his lab in order to prepare for the hunt, and if the Espada turned out to be successful in catching his prey, he would be ready for them!

Ayumi watched as Mayuri shut the door behind him leaving her alone in the room, alone with her mind, her fear. Ayumi blinked her eyes rapidly and didn't even try to force her emotions back as her tears fell—if he doesn't trust me, how can he really say he loves me?

As her mind continued to race Ayumi walked herself over to the chair that sat in front of Mayuri's desk and as if his warning had been some kind of clue, some kind of omen, Ayumi tried to prepare herself for another vision—I hope whatever I see doesn't end up breaking my heart!

Grimmjow tightened his hold on the worm's broken wrist as he forced the man to walk forward. It seemed the kick to the chest had done its job, making the pathetic excuse for a man realize that Grimmjow wasn't up for any games. The jackass had already been walking ahead of him for what seemed like at least an hour and they had yet to come up on anything familiar, just more dirt, and more trees.

Grimmjow squeezed the man's broken limb once more.

"You better not be jerking me around, bottom feeder, if you plan to lead me anywhere other than Kusajishi, I'll snap your fucking neck!" Grimmjow threatened.

"It's just up ahead, I swear!" The man pleaded, feeling the almost unbearable pain shoot up his wrist into his forearm.

"My goodness…could you have made it any more difficult for me to find you?"

Grimmjow jerked his head up as the familiar voice rang out into the night.

"That you, Kurotsuchi!?" Grimmjow asked.

"Yes, it is. Tell me, beast, have you found my prey?" Mayuri asked as he stepped closer out of the shadow, his golden eyes gleaming, and a wide toothy grin plastered on his face.