Grimmjow met the mad man's smile with one of his own before letting go of the bottom feeder. The stranger paused and looked between the two for a minute seeming to be judging his chances for a successful escape.
"Haven't picked up on anything yet, I was trying to find my way out of this shit hole." Grimmjow answered Mayuri's question.
Mayuri walked forward closing the distance between them, his right hand braced on the hilt of his Zanpakuto.
"Ah, I see, is that your reason for taking advantage of this man?" Mayuri asked as his gaze moved to the bottom feeder.
"Tch. Nah, jackass thought he stood a chance against me in a fight." Grimmjow grinned.
"Oh, I see. Now I'm beginning to see the bigger picture. You! What district do you come from?" Mayuri demanded.
The stranger looked up at the squad 12 captain as he held onto his broken wrist with the other hand, seeming to be attempting to support the injury the beast inflicted.
"I'm from Kusajishi." The stranger answered.
"Huh, if that is the case, then what, pray tell, were you doing in Zaraki? It's always been my understanding that souls work their way up throughout the districts, not sink down lower." Mayuri questioned.
"Does it matter?" the man countered.
Mayuri narrowed his gaze, as the stupid man dared to talk back to him in such a way.
"As a matter of fact, it does not, I could care less what it is that you do with your time, however, since you hail from the 79th district perhaps you still have some value." Mayuri replied.
Grimmjow turned his attention to the bottom feeder, his lips lifting into a sneer.
"I am seeking three men, it would be safe to assume that the three would be seen together often, since apparently they like to target their victims as a group." Mayuri continued.
"Why the hell should I tell you anything, soul reaper!?"
Mayuri gripped the hilt of his Zanpakuto, pulling it from its sheath quickly, without even calling upon his Shikai, He lifted his blade to the man's throat.
"Your cooperation would be recommended, I am afraid you are doing nothing more than trying my patience and wasting my time, if you prove to be of no use to me, then perhaps I should just end your pathetic existence right now!" Mayuri threatened.
Mayuri met the strange man's wide eyed gaze as he pushed the tip of his Zanpakuto against the man's throat, pricking the skin just enough to cause a single crimson line to drip from his throat, this man was living on borrowed time as it was.
"Three men you said? I only know of one group of three men." The stranger admitted.
"Ah, now see, was that really so difficult?" Mayuri replied before lowering his blade.
"Where would we be able to find this group of men?" Grimmjow demanded.
"They stay on the outskirts of Kusajishi, if these men are the ones you're looking for, they are known for fighting dirty, ganging up on their victims, even been known to target women within the district, even I'm not that low." The stranger revealed.
Mayuri tilted his head as he studied the man's facial expression, trying to gauge the sincerity behind the man's words.
Grimmjow looked back at Mayuri before he spoke.
"Sounds like these guys might be the trash you're looking for…"
Mayuri turned his gaze to the beast and allowed himself to smile.
"Yes, I believe that term fits them quite nicely."
Mayuri turned his attention back to the man.
"If you value your life you will lead us to the last known area you saw these men, and if you are successful in leading me to them, I will let you live, but know this, if you open your mouth to protest or give me any grief, I will not hesitate to kill you." Mayuri warned.
The strange man met Mayuri's intense stare and swallowed deeply. Mayuri didn't have to guess to understand that the man was feeling afraid, and even though the vagrant was not a part of his plan, he had sealed his own fate when he'd decided to pick a fight with an opponent who just so happened to be his ally for the time being, and lucky for them, they were now one step closer.
Mayuri lifted his Zanpakuto once more, allowing it to slide back down into the sheath that hung low on the band that held his Shihakusho in place. After surveying the stranger once more, Mayuri turned to the side and gestured with his hand for the man to step forward in order to lead the way.
"Don't even think about running, I'll catch you before you make it ten feet." Grimmjow warned the bottom feeder as he passed him by—some threat he turned out to be, the dumbass is literally shaking...
Grimmjow sighed to himself as he placed his hands back into the pockets at the sides of his lean hips. Mayuri turned his head, meeting the beast's gaze, the two of them coming to an unspoken agreement, until the task was complete, they would think of each other as allies.
The unlikely team of the soul reaper captain and the espada stepped forward, both men coming parallel to one another on the pathway, shoulder to shoulder, they walked in silence, both keeping watch on their guide.
Ayumi fought against the chills that still assaulted her body as she lowered herself down into the large wooden tub inside Mayuri's bathing area. While Ayumi still felt rather raw inside, unsure of what to think, she had managed to calm herself enough to stop the tears.
It wasn't as if Mayuri had lied to her, in fact he had been brutally honest. Ayumi sighed as she tucked her knees against her chest and wrapped her arms around herself. The hot water enveloped her as the tub continued to fill, surrounding her in a cloud of steam—what are you doing, Mayuri!?
Ayumi closed her eyes and tried to think, tried to look back on the past week's events and pin-point what Grimmjow could possibly do to help Mayuri in some way—what would motivate Mayuri to even accept help from the Espada?
As her eyes opened, Ayumi leaned forward turning the tap to the bath off and then allowed herself lean back against the wooden basin, her stomach feeling queasy from her worry. Mayuri had already been gone for almost two hours and even though he had hurt her by deciding to leave her out of his plans, she couldn't help but worry about him. As each minute had passed Ayumi had only grown more anxious, willing the man to walk back inside the room, hoping that when he did he would be okay.
Ayumi reached her arms up and wrapped them around her stomach as she soaked in the hot water, her mind still sifting through past memories, all the days that had gone by, all the things that had happened to her in such a short time. With every memory that passed she came to the realization that no matter what this secret plan of his turned out to be, she would still love him—I can still sense his spiritual pressure, so at least I know he's still in the soul society.
Ayumi let out a ragged sigh as she tried to force her body to relax, but it seemed to be in vain, she couldn't shake the restlessness that plagued her, so she decided to stop trying. Ayumi allowed her mind to wander as her eyes slid shut again, as memories replayed inside her mind Ayumi felt the creeping sensation of dread crawl up her spine once again.
This time, due to Mayuri's parting words, Ayumi had been expecting another vision, another warning. She kept her eyes closed and this time, she forced her body to relax against the strange sensation. Her heart began to pound deeply, her breath quickened as distorted images flashed inside her mind.
Ayumi focused on the images, trying to push back the anxiety and zero in on whatever she was about to see. Ayumi's body jerked as the face of a man appeared as if he were leaning over her. Ayumi tightened her arms around her middle as she realized she was seeing through someone else's eyes, experiencing what was about to happen to them.
The man's face was covered in shadow, almost as if a fire was lit nearby and it made it difficult to see him fully. As a wave of panic filled her Ayumi realized she wasn't feeling her own emotions this time, but whoever she was seeing through. Ayumi gasped and cried out as she felt the man reach out and grip the fabric that would have been covering her chest, it was then that Ayumi realized she was seeing through the eyes of another woman.
Ayumi's heart began to race as she heard her own voice mimic the woman's pleas.
"No! Don't! Please!" She begged, trying to kick at her assailant.
Ayumi jerked her leg up out of the water and kicked at the air, but whoever she was seeing through had made contact, hitting the man in the lower abdomen, as the man was forced backwards from the blow the light from the nearby fire illuminated his face and Ayumi gasped as recognition and understanding filled her— that man! That face! The one that had been trying to grab me the night Grimmjow came through the Garganta!
Ayumi forced herself up into a sitting position inside the tub, refusing to lose whatever connection she had with the woman, while it was not easy to watch, not easy to feel the woman's fear, Ayumi needed to look, she needed to watch and try and pinpoint the woman's location, so she could get her the help she needed!
Ayumi pushed herself back in the tub flat against the wooden basin as the woman did the same, pushing herself up against what felt like a tree trunk behind her. Ayumi brought her hand up from around her middle clutching torn fabric that wasn't there. The woman's attempt at hiding herself from her attacker.
Ayumi cried out again, feeling the woman's panic as the man lunged for her again, his face snarling, the same look he'd given Ayumi that night when she'd been lying in the dirt.
Ayumi's head jerked to the side violently as if she had been backhanded. Pain Ayumi shouldn't be able to feel spread across her eye socket and lower cheekbone making her eyes tear as her breath got lodged in her chest.
Ayumi heard the sounds of familiar mocking laughter to her right and when the woman opened her eyes, Ayumi had not been surprised to see them—The other two men from that night, is this what my fate would have been if not for Grimmjow? Would this be how Mayuri would have found me?
Ayumi braced herself for more, forcing herself not to break the connection. She couldn't place the area fully and she feared she wouldn't be able to, but just as Ayumi began to feel overwhelmed, wondering if she should go to the head captain, the woman let out another scream.
Ayumi pushed herself up against the tub wrapping her arms around herself as she tried to make herself as small as possible, her body trembled, her mind raced, confusion filled her as the sound of a man screaming in agony filled her ears. The woman jerked her head up to see what had happened. All the breath in Ayumi's lungs rushed out as the scene played in her mind as if it were happening in real time.
The man who had struck the unknown woman was caught off guard as a figure appeared and gripped him by the throat. The force from the action pushed the offending man backwards with amazing speed and he was now pinned to a nearby tree by another man dressed in all black.
Ayumi sighed as relief filled her. The woman looked up at the newcomer, feeling just as uncertain of him as the others. When the newcomer turned his head and met the woman's fear filled gaze, she was met with a pair of intense piercing blue eyes—Grimmjow!
Ayumi sucked in a deep breath as her eyes began to blink rapidly, confusion and anger filled her as she looked around the steam filled bathroom—No! I need to see more!
For whatever reason the connection to the events had been severed, once again leaving her in the dark about what was happening and it left Ayumi feeling frustrated—what good is this ability if it doesn't last long enough for me to see everything!
Mayuri's earlier actions made sense to Ayumi now, he had been hesitant to tell her his plans because he figured she would try and talk him out of it, try and stop him from seeking out revenge and the most pathetic thing about the situation was, she would have—my compassionate nature clouds my judgment!
Ayumi lowered her head briefly as realization hit her hard—Mayuri loves me so much, he struck a deal with Grimmjow in order to find those men, in order to kill them, in order to make them pay for what they had intended to do to me!
Ayumi pushed herself up from the water and climbed over the side of the wooden basin and reached for the towel she has placed on the counter. Ayumi wrapped it around herself as she stepped out into the bedroom. Her mind raced as she tried to locate something for her to wear, but then she paused.
"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 had told her.
Ayumi let out a deep sigh as she took a seat in the chair of the desk and pressed her hands over her face, her emotions once again playing havoc with her thought process. Ayumi lifted her head as fresh tears spilled from her eyes, the very eyes that Mayuri had treated, had healed—you better come back to me safely, Mayuri Kurotsuchi!
Grimmjow walked forward as he picked up a familiar scent in the air. Mayuri paused, watching the beast.
"What is it? What did you pick up on?" Mayuri asked.
"I think I found 'em. Kind of hard to tell cause I'm also picking up the smell of a fire." Grimmjow answered.
'I see. It would not hurt to head in that direction to investigate." Mayuri stated before his gaze turned to the stranger who had been leading them down the pathways.
"Is this close to the last place you saw these men?" Mayuri asked him.
The stranger nodded.
"They change their camps location ever now and then, but it's always around this area." He answered.
"Very well." Mayuri replied.
"I'll lead the way, they're not far off." Grimmjow insisted walking past their guide.
"If he knows the way, you two don't really have any more use for me." The stranger stated.
Mayuri turned his head, to the pathetic man.
"I will be the one to determine when I no longer have use for you, now walk!" Mayuri countered.
Mayuri watched the strange man avert his gaze and hang his head down lowly before he complied.
The three of them continued down the main pathway for a short time before the beast veered off heading into the thick brush of the forest that outlined the district. Mayuri didn't hesitate to follow, clasping a hold of the back of the strangers tattered kimono, Mayuri pulled the man along with him.
"It would seem you do not want to be seen with us by these men, is there something you have failed to share with us?" Mayuri questioned the vagrant before letting go of his kimono.
The man didn't turn his head or look up before he answered.
"These three aren't normal."
Mayuri sighed as he heard the explanation, the more information Mayuri received about the group, the more he wished to eradicate them. It did not sit well with Mayuri knowing that such beings like this existed inside the soul society—lower level beings, unable to undergo the simplest forms of evolution, why, even the beast seems to have evolved more successfully.
Grimmjow paused suddenly as his head jerked to the left, swearing that he heard something off in the distance.
"You two hear anything just now?" Grimmjow called back to them.
Mayuri turned his attention to the beast and stilled. The three of them stood in the middle of the overgrown brush of the forest as they waited for a sound.
"No! Don't! Please!"
Mayuri's brow furrowed as the clear sound of a woman's screamed plea echoed throughout the night. Grimmjow turned his head, his gaze meeting the soul reapers, another unspoken agreement passed between them as Mayuri braced himself to flash step and Grimmjow used Sonído, both men no longer caring about their vagrant guide.
Grimmjow pushed himself past the trees at a speed even faster than the soul reaper captain, his Sonído giving him a little bit of an advantage making him the first to appear. Grimmjow tilted his head taking in the smell around him as he pushed himself forward into the small clearing, even with the smoke from the fire, he had no doubt, these were the men he had been looking for.
Grimmjow didn't pause as he scanned over the scene in front of him; a man of short stature with short brown hair and a bit of a gut was leaning over a young woman, his hand raised in the air as if he intended to strike her. Grimmjow lifted his head, smelling the soft scent of blood and it didn't take him long to realize he'd already hit her once.
Grimmjow closed the distance between him and the maggot, his eyes shifted for an instant, seeing the blood run from a gash on the young woman's cheek bone, his gaze lowered, seeing the state of her clothing. The man let out a howling scream as Grimmjow latched his iron like grip around the degenerate's throat—it was one thing to fight someone, but to try and violate a woman?
The maggot let out a loud grunt as Girmmjow slammed him against a nearby tree truck, squeezing against the man's windpipe, causing him to gasp for air.
"What the fuck!? Where the hell did you come from?" Another man jumped up from his place at the fire while the other stayed seated, seeming to be confused about the sudden appearance of the Espada.
"You better let him go!" The man standing demanded.
"Or you'll do what, exactly?" Mayuri asked as he appeared in front of the two.
The man standing staggered back a little, apparent shock spreading across his features.
"A soul reaper!?" The man gritted.
Mayuri turned his head seeking out the reason behind the woman's screams. When he noticed the young red haired woman slumped against the tree clinging to the torn top of her ragged kimono, Mayuri's anger deepened—this is what they had intended to do to Ayumi!?
"My goodness…it seems we arrived in just the nick of time." Mayuri rasped before turning his gaze, searching the mediocre camp for something the woman could cover herself with, but he came up short.
Mayuri sighed heavily as he turned away from the two men, not seeing them as much of a threat and made his way over to the beast. Mayuri lifted his hands and tugged on the back of Grimmjow's black jacket.
"I would like to borrow this from you, if you do not mind." Mayuri stated.
Grimmjow sighed before allowing his grip to loosen from the maggots throat and shrugged out of his jacket, already knowing what the soul reaper intended to use it for.
"Behind you!" The young woman called out a warning a little too late.
Mayuri grimaced as he felt the tip of something jagged impale him right through his left shoulder. Grimmjow turned and kicked the cowardly bastard in the stomach, sending him flying backwards.
"Tch. Shouldn't have let your guard down, soul reaper!" Grimmjow admonished.
Mayuri turned his attention to the woman who stared up at him in what looked like complete horror and then tossed the beast's jacket at her.
"Cover yourself!" Mayuri demanded her before he turned to the man who still laid on the ground next to the fire.
"You will come to regret that decision, by the time I am done with you, you will be begging for your death!" Mayuri spat as he gripped the hilt of his Zanpakuto and pulled it from its sheath.
"Claw out! Ashisogi Jizo!"
Mayuri stomped his way over to the man who had dared to inflict an injury upon him in such a way. Grimmjow lifted his hand taking a hold of the man against the tree once more but kept his eyes on the soul reaper. It seemed that the mad scientist had been pushed to his limits as he loomed over the man, lifting his leg, Mayuri then slammed his foot down on the offenders' chest.
The man grunted and coughed loudly followed by a scream of pain as Mayuri jammed the golden blade of his Shikai into the man's shoulder, the very same place the man had decided to jam a large jagged tree branch into him.
Mayuri's golden eyes widened from the sense of satisfaction he heard from the man's wails.
"How pathetic!" Mayuri taunted him as he lifted and pulled the blade from the man's flesh, now that he had stabbed him, he would no longer be able to use that arm. Without hesitation Mayuri moved to the next shoulder, repeating the same process, Mayuri put his strength into the attack as he plunged the blade down again rendering both of the man's arms useless.
Mayuri caught movement in his peripheral vision as the third man decided to try and make a run for it.
"I got him!" Grimmjow growled before taking off, leaving Mayuri with the two men and the horrified woman.
"Fucking soul reaper!" The man leaning against the tree croaked.
Mayuri turned his head to the man and grinned widely.
"I'm not just any soul reaper, I just happen to be the captain of the 12th division, and it would seem that you and these men have managed to make a grave error in judgement." Mayuri countered.
"I haven't done anything to you, you're just out here sticking your nose in my business!" the man retorted.
Mayuri lifted and pulled the blade of his Zanpakuto free from the other man's shoulder, ignoring his pain filled groan as he walked over to the ring leader.
"Your business? Is that what you call this behavior? My, my, it would seem that you need to be taught a very valuable lesson in etiquette." Mayuri stated as he closed the distance between them.
"What are you gonna do, kill me?" The man taunted.
"Yes. That is exactly what my intentions are, it seems that if certain circumstances had not prevented you, you would have treated someone quite dear to me in the same manner you treated this young woman, and frankly speaking, the mere thought of that possibility sickens me. I told her that if I found you, I would show you a level of fear that you never knew existed, and I plan to keep my word." Mayuri explained.
"What the fuck are you talking about? I never did anything to any woman you would know." The man countered.
Mayuri met the pathetic fools gaze and smiled, it seemed that denial was the man's only straw left for him to grasp as realization hit him—already I see fear in his eyes, how delightful!
"You might as well drop the act, jackass, I remember you from that night, and if my memory serves me, you were the one closest to the woman when I came through!" Grimmjow stated as he appeared, dragging the third man by his throat.
Mayuri glared at the lying insect who stared back at him.
"I've had enough of this folly, we both know what it is that you intended…" Mayuri stated before reaching his free hand into the pocket of his captain's haori.
"I always take advantage of the opportunities presented to me, it just so happens that I have a little drug I've been dying to test, I think I'll make you my new test subject!" Mayuri grinned.
"Don't come near me, fucking freak!"
"Freak you say? I seem to be getting called that an awful lot these days…" Mayuri commented.
"Oh well, in a matter of minutes you will no longer be relevant!" Mayuri smiled as he stepped forward.
Mayuri watched as the man held up his hands in a defensive motion trying to prepare himself for Mayuri's attack, but it was nothing more than a foolhardy attempt. Mayuri lifted his Zanpakuto, using his right hand he plunged the three pronged blade into the man's shoulder, rendering the muscles and tendons useless. The man reached out with his other hand grasping at the blade as pain filled him. Mayuri turned his hand a little twisting the blade, making the man cry out in agony.
Now that one of his arms had been rendered useless Mayuri lifted his hand to his mouth and used his teeth to uncap the syringe he had pulled from his inner pocket. The man's eyes widened as he tried to move and swing his balled up fist at Mayuri, but he was now pinned to the tree behind him.
Mayuri lifted his hand and jabbed the needle into the side of man's neck and pushed down on the plunger sending his experimental drug into the man's bloodstream.
"What did you just give him?" Grimmjow asked, finding it a little weird that that soul reaper would use a drug to get his revenge on the man.
"I just gave him a highly concentrated hallucinogen mixed with a high dosage of adrenaline, whatever he ends up seeing is sure to make me out to be quite the monster, the high dosage of adrenaline will prevent his heart from functioning properly, causing his heart rate to increase to a level beyond its functioning ability. I promised Ayumi I would show him a level of fear he did not know existed, so I took the time to create something." Mayuri explained.
Mayuri watched as the man pinned to the tree began to scream, his eyes widened as the man tried to back away from Mayuri, the added adrenaline making him strong enough to rip his own flesh as he pulled against the blade that had him pinned.
"Ah, it's taking effect! What I wouldn't give to see how I appear to you." Mayuri smiled as he leaned into the man's face.
The man's panicked screams intensified as he tore more of his flesh apart beginning to reveal the severed tendons and the white of the bone.
Mayuri turned his attention to the man's face and grinned. Sweat began to drip down the man's forehead, coating his face as the man gasped for air uncontrollably. Mayuri lowered his gaze to the man's throat, even with the man being overweight he was able to see his pulse point thudding against the skin, a sure sign that the adrenaline had been an effective ingredient, the man's fear was causing him to have the flight response, yet being pinned to the tree prevented it.
While Mayuri knew the added bouts of adrenaline would interfere with pain receptors in the brain, he had taken the liberty of adding another of his drugs to the compound, instead of his pain receptors being blocked, they were now amplified, with every tear of the man's flesh a rush of agonizing pain would fill him, only to increase the rapid beating of his heart.
"I must say, I find this end for you rather fitting, it would seem you enjoyed filling others with terror, as if you were under some kind of misguided logic that you were in control, but as I see it, you didn't understand the concept. The fact you would dare to act in such a vile way towards a woman as you have clearly demonstrates that you are neither a man nor were you in control." Mayuri stated.
Grimmjow turned his head as he spotted movement in his peripheral. The young woman that he had saved seemed to be interested in what the soul reaper was doing as she stood up on shaking legs and walked closer. There really wasn't much to her with how thin she looked, but he guessed her face was appealing, being oval in shape with soft feminine features. Although her cheek was swollen and her eye had already started to blacken from the man's assault, she was still pretty.
"You might not want to look at this." Grimmjow warned her as she stepped closer, watching the man who had thought it funny to terrorize her scream in agony.
"I want to see." She answered him softly as she held his jacket closed over her torn kimono.
Mayuri stood to the side as he heard the woman speak of wishing to see her attacker.
"You may take your pleasure in watching this man die." Mayuri stated.
"You sure about that, Kurotsuchi?" Grimmjow asked.
Mayuri turned and faced the beast for a brief moment before turning back to the man who was now clutching his chest with his free hand, now seconds away from death. The frail looking woman stepped forward meeting the man's wide eyes. Her face was stoic as she watched the man gasp his last breath before his body went limp, the blade of Mayuri's Zanpakuto cut through the flesh of the man's shoulder cleanly as his body fell, spurting blood from the severed artery.
"You obviously have no understanding of the minds psychology, allowing this woman to see what I have done to this man will allow her to move on peacefully. Otherwise she could have sustained reoccurring trauma for many years to come, even to the point of ruining any possible future for her romantically." Mayuri explained.
Grimmjow sighed not wanting to admit to himself that the squad 12 captain was starting to make sense.
"I don't get it though, how did this guy die?" Grimmjow continued.
Mayuri sighed as he stepped forward grabbing the hilt of his Zanpakuto from the tree before he replied.
"I guess if I were to put it in laymen's terms; I scared him to death." Mayuri smiled.
"Tch. You're one creepy son of a bitch sometimes, Kurotsuchi…" Grimmjow smirked.
"I'm not sure if that was meant to be an insult or a compliment?" Mayuri countered.
Grimmjow shook his head.
"You gonna leave that stick in your shoulder all night?" Grimmjow asked, realizing that not only was the man's mind creepy, but his ability to withstand pain seemed too high to be natural, the man hadn't even let out a scream when being impaled.
"I'm sorry I warned you too late, Captain." The young woman spoke softly as she turned to face the two of them.
Mayuri sighed as he reached his hand up and took a hold of the branch that had been shoved through his shoulder.
"How much is sticking out behind?" Mayuri asked.
"About a good six inches." Grimmjow answered.
"Is that all? I would have thought he'd grab a larger weapon." Mayuri replied before tightening his grip and pulling the thick stick out of his shoulder completely.
Grimmjow found himself shaking his head again as he watched the soul reaper toss the blood soaked stick to the ground and turn on his heel abruptly, his gaze zeroing in on the man Grimmjow still held by the throat.
"It would seem I still have two test subjects left." Mayuri grinned.
Ayumi tossed the blankets aside as she pushed herself up from the middle of the futon and glanced over at the clock for the millionth time, it was almost midnight and Mayuri still hadn't made it back yet. Ayumi had had to force herself three times to stay inside the bedroom and not take off looking for him again, the man didn't realize how anxious it made her having to wait for him to come home.
Now that the two of them had been honest with each other about their feelings, and with the rate their relationship was moving, Ayumi couldn't help the dread in the back of her mind that maybe somehow, someway, her new life would be taken from her.
After spending so many years alone, so many years being written off by others, it almost scared her how much she loved Mayuri, and even Nemuri, Akon and Rin; her squad was now her family. Ayumi had finally found a place that made her feel at ease, filled with people who understood her and encouraged her to use her mind, to be herself, even though she still didn't fully comprehend exactly who she was.
No longer able to take the waiting, Ayumi stood from the futon and crossed over the room to the light switch, she had tried to make herself sleep, telling herself that Mayuri and Grimmjow had helped the woman and then took care of business—I don't even care that he killed those men, this world is better off without them in it!
Ayumi walked over to the door and slipped on her sandals, deciding that her purple kimono would have to do since she didn't have anything else clean to wear. Pulling the door to the bedroom open she stepped out into the dimly lit hallway. Ayumi sighed as she walked down the empty corridor, she knew she wasn't going to leave the building, he'd asked her not to—I just need to walk and get out of that room for a while.
As Ayumi turned the corner she heard the sound of voices echoing and her heart leapt as she hurried her pace and turned the corner into the main lab. Ayumi gasped loudly, her hands rising to cover her mouth as she took in the site of her lover—He has a fucking hole in him!
Both Akon and Mayuri lifted their heads as the two men turned to face her. Ayumi noticed the petite red haired woman who had been blocked by Mayuri and Ayumi felt a rush of relief fill her—she's okay!
"Ayumi?! What are you doing running around the halls dressed in such a way?!" Mayuri scolded as he walked over to her.
Ayumi stared up at him as if he were stupid—He's scolding me for my legs being bare, yet he's the one with a gaping hole in his shoulder!?
"What happened to you?" Ayumi asked softly as she raised her hands and cupped the sides of his face.
"I'll explain it all to you momentarily." Mayuri answered.
"Captain, I can escort Miss Nomura to squad 4 if you wish." Akon offered.
Mayuri turned his attention to his Lieutenant again, then sighed.
"Very well. I don't think she will need too much treatment, although, her weight is rather low for her body structure." Mayuri stated blatantly.
"Mayrui!" Ayumi scolded.
"What? It's true." Mayuri countered.
"I've always been on the thinner side, I'm afraid." Kameko stated.
Mayuri tilted his head as he looked at the young woman, she looked to be around twenty years' old tops, although it went without saying she was most likely much older than her physical appearance. While the woman looked frail, she did have a decent amount of spiritual pressure—was it possible that the woman was not aware of her body's changes?
"I see. Well, when you speak with Captain Kotetsu request a full physical analysis." Mayuri stated.
Akon raised his brow at his captain's order.
"A full physical? I thought those were only given to souls requesting admittance to the academy?" Akon countered.
"They are." Mayuri answered as he shrugged his shoulders.
Ayumi winced internally as she saw Mayuri's movement, but he didn't even seem fazed by the fact he was missing a chunk of his body.
"Yes, Captain. If you'll come with me, Miss Nomura." Akon replied gesturing with his hand for the woman to step forward.
Kameko looked up and smiled softly at the squad 12 Lieutenant before stepping forward and allowing him to lead her. As the two of them walked down the dimly lit hallway towards the door the young woman couldn't help the gratitude she felt towards the squad 12 captain, the Lieutenant, and even the Espada.
After the squad 12 captain and the Espada had escorted her into the unfamiliar territory of the Seireitei, Grimmjow had looked over at her with a reluctant expression before he'd asked for his jacket back. Akon had insisted that she step inside the squad 12 barracks before removing the garment and had even removed his own lab coat, draping it over her slim body before taking the jacket back out to the Espada himself.
Grimmjow had only stayed long enough to deliver his Queens message to Mayuri, explaining that he had been instructed to let the head captain know, but, he'd figured leaving the invitation with Mayuri was good enough before he'd tossed his jacket over his shoulder and walked away, leaving the young woman and the two soul reapers behind.
"Thank you for escorting me, Lieutenant." Kameko spoke softly.
Akon turned, looking down at the woman, her sky blue eyes staring up at him. Akon's brow furrowed as he took in the woman's appearance. It had only been a matter of days since he had vaccinated her and yet, here she was, standing in front of him with bruises and a deep gash across her delicate features.
"You're welcome." Akon answered simply before turning his attention back to the pathway in front of them.
The two continued to walk next to each other as an almost awkward tension surrounded them, Akon couldn't be sure, but when he'd looked back into the woman's stare, he thought he'd seen something that looked an awful lot like interest, and if that were really the case, Akon feared he was about to enter some serious unknown terriroy for him—I have no idea how to respond…
"You have to be in pain, Mayuri, shouldn't you be the one going to Squad 4?" Ayumi stated as she stepped closer to him.
Mayuri met her concerned gaze and smiled at her.
"I actually happen to have a high tolerance for pain, I am afraid this is nothing more than an agitation for me, and no, I do not require the assistance of squad 4." Mayuri answered before turning away from her.
Ayumi stood slacked jawed as she listened to his explanation—a hole in his body is just an agitation?!
Ayumi shook her head as she followed him into the back of the lab and found him standing in front of the medicine cabinet.
"I would have taken care of this sooner if I would have remembered to grab this, I'm afraid my excitement clouded my judgment." Mayuri sighed.
Ayumi paused she watched him grab what looked like a small tab filled with a liquid substance.
"I am afraid there are many things about my body you have yet to witness, Ayumi. Some of which you may not be comfortable viewing." Mayuri warned her before taking the time to remove both his damaged captains Haori and the top to his Shihakusho without as much as a grimace of pain.
Ayumi stepped closer to him, wanting to reach out and give him comfort, but, she stopped herself as he lifted the Hojikuzai to the skin in the middle of his shoulder and forced the small plastic tip into the exposed flesh. While the Hojikuzai was normally used to regenerate his arm when lost in battle, it would also suffice in repairing the damage from the man's feeble attempt at attack.
Ayumi paused as she watched him administer whatever drug was inside the small tab. Ayumi gasped and took a step back as Mayuri's flesh began to take on a mutated form, his painted flesh oozed forward as if it had been turned into a semi-solid substance.
Mayuri kept his eyes locked on the woman, trying to gauge her reaction to things about him she had yet to know— I wonder what the woman would think of everything I have done to myself. The things I have done in the past, all the foes I have killed...
Ayumi met his gaze once the drug had finished reconstructing his body leaving his shoulder as perfect as it had been before he'd left her. Mayuri had half-expected to see fear or revulsion, but instead, he seemed to be seeing nothing more than outright fascination.
Mayuri's lips parted as Ayumi stepped closer placing her warm hand to the very shoulder he had just treated.
"How?" She whispered.
"I have done many experiments to my body and its structure, including the cells and even my own blood." Mayuri explained.
Ayumi started up at him, thinking she understood what he was trying to explain to her.
"You turned yourself into a weapon." Ayumi concluded.
Mayuri's brow rose as he took in the woman's assessment.
"I believe that would be an accurate way to describe what I have done, yes." Mayuri admitted.
"What's wrong, Mayuri? I can feel your tension against my touch." Ayumi asked him.
"There are many things that you still do not understand about me and many factors that have not been revealed, things that happened during the Quincy war and even farther back still." Mayuri answered.
Ayumi allowed her hand to drop from his chest as she listened to him try and open up to her, but it felt as if he were expecting her rejection.
"I'm really not concerned with what you did sixteen years ago, Mayuri, I understand, probably more than others that circumstances can change someone, situations that present another way of thinking, revelations and insights, a change of view." Ayumi countered.
"I have killed many, Ayumi. In fact, I killed three more tonight…" Mayuri admitted.
Ayumi sighed as her face became stoic, for the first time, Mayuri could not read the woman's emotions on her features.
"I already knew that you had, Mayuri, I mean, is there a soul reaper here who hasn't killed many?" Ayumi countered.
Mayuri snorted at the woman's logic.
"I also know that if it weren't for you, many of your comrades would not be alive right now." Ayumi continued.
Mayuri's brow furrowed before he replied.
"That information had not been made public, other than the procedure that I performed for Izuru Kira. How would you know of the others?" Mayuri asked.
Ayumi smiled at him and even though a part of her wanted to avert her gaze and shy away from another of her secrets, she didn't allow herself.
"Lady Yoruichi was very forthcoming with many of her answers to my questions regarding you. I know of what you did for Captain Hitsugaya and his Lieutenant, and many others." Ayumi admitted.
"Tch. Well, I hope her loose lipped behavior isn't a common occurrence!" Mayuri grumbled.
"Mayuri, I love the man whose standing right in front of me, right here, right now, nothing in your past will ever change that, no matter how painful it may be, I see the man you are, I see the way you care for Nemuri even though you try and hide it and I can also see the love you have for me." Ayumi stated.
"Is that so?" Mayuri countered as he leaned closer to her, so close she could feel the heat emanating from him.
"You have yet to comment on the fact I have admitted to killing three more tonight…" Mayuri reiterated.
Ayumi nodded.
"I almost went to try and find you again, I had another vision, the most vivid that I have ever had, I saw everything that girl experienced through her eyes. I know who you killed and why Mayuri." Ayumi explained.
"I see. That explains your demeanor. Now you realize what was behind their intent." Mayuri sighed.
"How much of me did you see?" Mayuri continued, wanting to be sure.
Ayumi half-laughed.
"I didn't see you at all, whatever connection I had was broken the minute Grimmjow showed up." Ayumi explained.
"It's probably for the best that you did not witness everything, but, you can take my word that I kept my promise to you." Mayuri stated.
Ayumi met his gaze as he stared down at her, his golden eyes filled with so many unspoken emotions.
Ayumi lifted her hands, cupping the sides of his face before she leaned into him and pressed her lips to his. Mayuri allowed the woman to show him her affection and this time when the deep ache spread across his chest he didn't try to push it away, instead, he wrapped his arms around the woman's waist, pulling her up against him seeking out her warmth, needing to feel her closer to him.
Mayuri tipped his head back and stared down at the woman, her Caledon eyes searching him, trying to gauge his thought process.
"I'll always protect you." Mayuri stated.
"I know." Ayumi smiled.