"There have been recent reports of a Hollow problem in Karakura Town," Yamamoto relayed.
"When isn't there?" Kenpachi grumbled, making a few Captains snicker in response.
Yamamoto ignored the man's reply, continuing, "I want this matter dealt with and I am sending a Captain immediately. Any volunteers?" There were none. The Head Captain looked over the group before his eyes landed on a candidate. "Captain Kurotsuchi, it's been a while since you've been out on the field."
The Captain's gaze hardened. "That's because I work in the labs," he answered.
"Then I want you to go on this mission and rid the town of these Hollows. Some fresh air could do you some good."
Mayuri scoffed, not having a choice in the matter. "When do I leave?"
"Now," the Head Captain answered.
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Kitt Clinton rolled down the street in her wheelchair, steering around pedestrians and bikers. It was a nice day, the warm sun cascading onto her olive toned skin. Her black hair was pulled up into a high ponytail. It was finally summer vacation, meaning that she could spend her days wheeling around and exploring Karakura rather than be cooped up in a classroom.
She wheeled herself into the Main District of Karakura, looking in the shop windows. Kitt visited the bookstore, buying the latest science books, and ate lunch at a small café. She would've called a friend to join her, but they were all working. Kitt being twenty was friends with Orihime, seeing that they were neighbors. She was also held back a few years due to her condition, thus just recently graduating with Orihime's class.
Her one working eye scanned the area, trying to figure out where to go next. Then there was an explosion feet away. The force sent Kitt flying out of her wheelchair, sprawling across the ground. People began to run for cover, not noticing Kitt's fallen form. She did the best she could not to get stepped on, crawling on her arms to get back to the chair.
A large amount of pressure pressed into her back, throwing her off. It made a cold sweat break out on her back, feeling like she was in danger. Slowly, Kitt turned around to be faced with a monster. She was too scared to cry out for help, but that didn't stop the monster from screaming in her face. Kitt waited to be killed, before the monster was slammed into a building. She looked up to find a man with a sword in hand. "Such a shame you're not worthy to be a test subject," he stated. "I was hoping me coming out would've worked to my benefit, but I guess not. Claw out, Ashisogi Jizo!"
Kitt watched as the sword transformed. She looked on in shock as the man slashed at the monster, rendering some limbs useless. The monster looked back down at Kitt, lunging forward trying to eat her. Mayuri's eyes landed on the human lying on the ground. At the last second, he appeared in front of her, slicing the thing in half.
"Stupid girl for not leaving," he muttered, sheathing the sword.
"Well excuse me for not being able to walk," she shot back.
Mayuri's eyes flashed towards Kitt in surprise. "You can see me."
"As clear as day. And thank you for saving me..."
"My name is not important."
Kitt rolled her eyes, trying to turn her wheelchair upright. Mayuri, seeing her trouble, stepped forward, setting it back up. He then lifted her into the chair, handing over the bag of books that lay strewn on the ground.
"Thank you again," Kitt said smiling.
Mayuri looked at her eyes, seeing one shining a brightly colored blue. Her other was duller, with no life in it whatsoever. "Go back to what you were doing, human," he said before disappearing.
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"You handled that Hollow very well, Captain Kurotsuchi," Yamamoto praised when he returned.
"Does that mean I can return to my lab and never have to leave again?" Mayuri asked.
"We shall see." That made the scientist growl lowly as he left.
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Kitt sat at the library, reading some books. She had a whole stack of them sitting beside her on the table, one opened. Her eye scanned over the pages, getting as much information as she could. When the library was about to close Kitt finally pulled herself away from the books and wheeled herself to the exit. She looked up and down the street, trying to decide if she should go home or grab something to eat first.
Then something wrapped around Kitt's body, hoisting her into the air. She cried out in surprise, the grip tightening around her. The young woman was soon flying through the air, over the streets and buildings, having no idea where she was going. Kitt struggled in her kidnapper's grip, finally getting one arm free. Managing to turn around, her eyes widened, finding herself in the grip of a monster. "Let me go!" she yelled, still squirming.
"Silence," it hissed, not stopping. The thing began to run up the side of a building before it was slammed against it. Its grip on Kitt loosened, making her slip away. She screamed as she fell towards the ground. The monster above roared, turning towards its attacker. Kitt reached out, grabbing hold of a flagpole that jutted out from the building. Her arms screamed at the force of the stop, but Kitt gritted her teeth, not letting go. She pulled herself up so her arms were wrapped around the top before looking back up. The man from a few days ago was back again, fighting the monster.
People below could see Kitt hanging from the flagpole as chunks of the building began to fall towards the ground. The young woman ducked her head, trying to protect herself from getting hurt. "Someone help me!" she yelled. The ground was still thirty feet down.
Mayuri's eyes strayed for a second, noticing the same girl from before clinging for dear life to a pole. The Captain then turned back to the Hollow, which lashed out at him. "She's mine!" it yelled, trying to cut down the man.
"I'm curious as to why you Hollows want her so much," Mayuri spoke.
"Don't make me laugh! Don't tell me that you haven't noticed her large amount of spiritual pressure!" Mayuri had not because he saw no need to analyze it. "Her soul could fill the belly of any Hollow times two! And with the fact that she's such an easy target in her state it's practically a meal being handed to you on a plate!"
The Hollow attacked again, but Mayuri was ready, releasing some poisons. It cried out in anger, its arms smashing into the building from the pain. The Captain then delivered the final bow. Kitt's screams came from below as one of the sections of building crashed into the pole, making it bend and creak at an odd angle. Kitt's arms that were wrapped around the pole fell as she slid down to the end of the metal on her hands.
Her grip finally slipped. Kitt cried out as she fell, nothing left to grab onto. Those below began screaming, watching as she fell. Then something shot through the air, grabbing the back of her belt. Inches from the ground it tugged at her body, pulling the young woman back up. The crowd watched in shock as she flew back up into the air by an unknown force.
Mayuri arm snapped back into place, getting a better hold of Kitt in the process. He then flash stepped higher into the air before reaching the top of the building. The man stopped, looking down at Kitt's shocked form as she tried to calm down her rapidly beating heart. Mayuri growled at having to rescue a human, wanting nothing more than to return to the Soul Society.
"Can you stand?" he asked, snapping Kitt from her shocked state.
She gave him a strained grin. "I wish that were possible," she answered.
The Captain then remembered the wheelchair, thinking she was just recovering from an injury. He now realized it was permanent. He sighed in frustration. "Where is it?"
"A few blocks from here I think," Kitt answered, pointing towards the way she had just come. Mayuri flashed stepped off, the human wrapping her arms around his neck to help hold herself up. They found the desired item a few minutes later. Kitt pouted, looking down at the mangled metal. "Great," she grumbled. "Those are expensive..."
"Where do you live?" he asked, Kitt giving him the address.
She opened the door to the apartment and Mayuri walked inside, setting Kitt in a chair. "Is there anyone who can take care of you?" he asked, wanting nothing but to get out of there.
"No. All of my friends are busy and I have no family." Mayuri growled in annoyance, looking away. His eyes traveled all around the room. "This is the second time you have saved me, sir. May I please know your name now?"
Mayuri cocked an eyebrow at the human, not knowing why she was so interested in his name. "Mayuri Kurotsuchi," he finally answered.
Kitt smiled lightly. "Kitt Clinton. It's nice to meet you."
"Do you know why those Hollows were after you?"
"So that's what they're called. And the answer is no. This has never happened before. If it had I would not be alive now would I?"
Mayuri's attention drew to her legs and back over to her dull eye. "What's wrong with your legs... and eye?"
Kitt sighed. "Knew it wouldn't take you long to ask. You're a scientist, I can tell, so you're curious." Mayuri cocked an eyebrow in interest, wonder how she had figured that out. "I had an accident when I was younger and was paralyzed from the waist down. As for my eye I was blind at birth. Doctors say I'll never be able to walk again, but I have hope."
"Where's your family?"
"Dead. They died a few years ago and I've been living by myself since."
Silence fell over the two. Mayuri wanted nothing more than to leave, but was conflicted with the thought of leaving her alone. "What do you do for a living, Mr. Kurotsuchi?"
"I'm the head of a Research and Development Department."
Kitt's eyes lit up in excitement. "Are you really?" Mayuri nodded, wary of her sudden excitement. "That's so cool! My dream is to do something like that."
"Really?" the Captain asked in curiosity.
Kitt nodded. "Go into my living room and check out all the books I have on scientific research." He did, amazed at her collection. "So, do you like it?"
"I've never seen books like this," he answered, picking one up.
Kitt's brows furrow. "Never seen them? But you're a scientist, no?"
Mayuri chuckled cruelly. "Yes, but I work with different books, not these."
"Oh..." He then walked back into the room. "You dress really funny."
Mayuri glared. "That's because it aids me in battle."
Kitt examined Mayuri for a few seconds before asking, "What are you exactly, Mr. Kurotsuchi?"
The Captain was debating on whether to tell her or not wondering if she'd believe him. "I'm a Soul Reaper, meaning that I kill Hollows and save souls from being eaten by them."
"And a human," Kitt pointed out with a grin. Mayuri rolled his eyes. "A Soul Reaper, huh?" she asked, resting her elbow on the table, chin resting in the palm of her hand. "Never heard of them."
"That's because humans shouldn't be able to see us. Only those with high spiritual pressure can see them as well as Hollows."
"Like me."
Mayuri nodded. "That's why you've been attacked for the last few days. It's dangerous even if I'm telling you this now."
Kitt smiled sweetly. "Well then, thank you for telling and trusting me with this information." That caught Mayuri by surprise. This woman intrigued him. "You know you don't have to stay. You can leave. Eventually one of my friends will come over."
Mayuri shook his head, not knowing why he wouldn't leave her alone. Also, the fact that she could be attacked by another Hollow at any moment made the Captain mildly worried for her safety. The girl couldn't protect herself.
Then an idea came to the Captain. "I'll make a deal with you, woman." Kitt cocked an eyebrow, listening. "You come with me and be a test subject to learn the effects of returning a paralyzed person's walking ability, and I'll give you back your legs."
Kitt's eyes lit up. "You'd do that?" she whispered. Mayuri nodded. "Deal." He walked forward. "Just let me write a note to my friend to let her know where I went so she doesn't worry." Mayuri waited and when she was done, he picked her back up. A rice paper door appeared, Kitt's excitement growing. He then walked inside and they disappeared.
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"Captain Mayuri Kurotsuchi, explain yourself for bringing a human to the Soul Society," Yamamoto's voice boomed at the meeting that was held.
"She's a perfect test subject and agreed to it," he answered. "The woman also has high spiritual pressure, which is why the sudden appearance of Hollows was occurring in Karakura Town. You are the one who said you wanted the matter dealt with quickly." The Head Captain fumed at the remark. "In any case, with her here, the Hollow attacks should diminish."
"Very well," the Captain finally answered. "However, one slip up, and we'll send her back to the World of the Living." Mayuri nodded. "And her name?"
"Kitt Clinton."
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Kitt sat in the hallway outside her room, legs draped over the wooden edge. She over looked a courtyard in the center of the barracks, watching Soul Reapers' walk around. Nemu then came up to her. "The Captain is back and ready to start," she spoke.
Kitt nodded, the Lieutenant hoisting the woman onto her back. "Nemu, is there anything I have to bring?" Kitt asked.
"No, just yourself. The Captain will be asking you questions and taking some samples."
"Oh... okay..." Kitt answered, watching as they walked. "This place is beautiful. I never dreamed a place like this could exist." Nemu didn't answer as they entered the labs. Kitt couldn't believe the equipment before her, her eye roaming everywhere and trying to see everything. However, they came to the Captain's office too soon for Kitt's liking and she pouted. Mayuri couldn't help but chuckle at her expression.
"Did you like the tour through the labs?" he asked, taking a clipboard in hand.
Kitt nodded, smiling. "Looks really cool. Do you think I might be able to look around more at a later date?"
"We'll see..."
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"Captain Kurotsuchi, I hope you called this meeting for a good reason," Yamamoto stated when everyone arrived.
"I have," the Captain answered, stepping forward. "As everyone knows I've been experimenting on the human woman I brought from the World of the Living. The Research and Development Squad has been working to figure out how to remove paralysis from a victim."
"What have you discovered?"
"See for yourself." The doors opened and Kitt walked in. The Captains stared in shock and wonder. Kitt stepped through the rows of Captains, stopping next to Mayuri. "The Squad has determined the pressure points in the body that has been blocked and severed, restricting movement. However, due to Clinton's condition, seeing that she was paralyzed for so long, we had to make a few adjustments."
Kitt raised her pant legs, revealing some pieces of metal that covered her skin. "With robotic science we were able to recreate muscles where they were greatly damaged, reconnecting brain currents so it can move with human flesh. Now, if we were able to treat someone within a small amount of time of an incident, we would not have to resort to this right away, but start working on repairing what was lost so the Shinigami can still have their proper legs."
"This find is most intriguing," the Head Captain stated, everyone nodding in agreement. "You have clearly made history in the Soul Society." He looked over at Kitt. "What is your decision, now that you have accomplished what you came here for?"
Kitt thought about it. She had made more of a home here in the Soul Society then in the World of the Living. The woman found she could do so much more now. She worked in the Division as a staff member, helping with experiments and research. It was more then she could have ever asked for in her sixteen months of living in the Soul Society. "I'd like to stay here and continue working in the Twelfth Division if it's not too much to ask."
Yamamoto nodded. "Very well. Kitt Clinton, you will formally take your place in the Twelfth Division as a member of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads." Her eyes lit up in excitement. "Dismissed."
"Kitt, you're here to stay?" Nemu asked when they returned.
"The Head Captain gave me the okay," Kitt answered with a smile. Nemu smiled lightly back. She then left to deliver some results to a branch in the labs. Kitt turned around, looking for Mayuri. He wasn't there. She walked down the halls before knocking on his door.
"Come in," he ordered from the other side. Kitt slid open the door, not seeing her Captain. "What do you need, Kitt?" Mayuri asked.
She leaned against a wall, waiting for her Captain to come out of his room. "Did I do well at the meeting today, Captain?"
He chuckled. "You did well. How are you feeling?"
"Like I can fight off some Hollows," Kitt answered, smirking at her own joke.
Mayuri chuckled again, the door to his room opening. Kitt looked over and watched as he walked out. His makeup was missing, as well as his gadgets. She had never seen him without his dress up, and Kitt had to admit, she liked it. "There will be no Hollow fighting for you anytime soon. We don't want you to lose your mobility again, now do we?"
Kitt grinned. "No, I know."
Mayuri raised a hand, lightly stroking her cheek. "I wish we knew what to do with your eye though..."
She smiled softly. "It doesn't matter. I don't mind being blind in one eye. I think it would be weird for me if I could actually see out of it."
Mayuri leaned forward, kissing the shell of Kitt's ear, then her forehead. "The experiment was a success, and that's all that matters."
"I agree."
The Captain wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling Kitt into his chest. She responded by wrapping her arms around his waist. "I'm glad you decided to stay," he whispered, his lips inches from hers.
"I'm glad you allowed me to," she whispered back.
They're lips met softly, the two of them relishing the feeling of the contact. Mayuri's other hand then reached up, cupping Kitt's cheek, the other tangling into her hair. Kitt's arms tighten around Mayuri's waist, pulling him in closer. She pressed her lips harder into the Captain, hands gripping at his robes. They didn't pull away from each other, their breaths coming out more harshly, their kisses becoming more passionate.
And the rest is history.