Author's Note: A certain part of this chapter contains a scene that is sexual in nature. If you are uncomfortable with such descriptions then avoid the part that contains such action. Thanks for reading.

(Serval days later)

Dr. Franxx stood over Futoshi, observing the wounded boy as he slept. The Klaxosaur's poison had festered rapidly in the boy's wound and now was spreading all across his chest.

"At this rate, his whole body will be infected." Dr. Franxx muttered.

The worst part about it is that he had no idea what to do. Very few victims ever came back alive after they were attacked, and even then most of them died within hours. Futoshi, however, was still alive, and apart from the poison spreading, he seemed to be okay.

Seeing Futoshi like this had him utterly confused. He had set course for the Garden to make it look like Futoshi could be saved to Squad 13. However, he had fully expected for the boy to die which would mean he would have an excuse to turn away. Futoshi, however, was still alive, and now they had to continue to the Garden to see if the boy could be healed.

Dr. Franxx grimaced in frustration. The Garden would put them directly in Papa's sights, and one misstep could lead to disaster. Everything right now was in a very fragile state and it wouldn't take very much for it to all collapse. He needed to find a way to pull off this visit to the Garden what wouldn't jeopardize the plan or his daughter's safety. But how was he supposed to do it? He would not let his daughter fall back into the hands of Papa, and that meant that he had to keep Squad 13, and most importantly Hiro alive.

He sighed. There was no way he could plan his way through this. The best option he had was to keep APE off Plantation 13, and then get in and get out of the Garden fast. Mentally he snarled. The lack of a plan; was driving him nuts, and he hated not being able to plan and maneuver around obstacles. How could he assure that everything he had been working towards didn't come crashing down around him?

As he thought, he became aware that Futoshi was beginning to whimper and he could see the sheets shifting as the boy moved.

"No. No please don't eat me." Futoshi whimpered. "No please I don't want to…."

Curiously ignoring the whimpering boy, he pulled back the sheets and gazed at the wound. Immediately a sickly sweet smelling smell attacked what remained of his nose, making him grimace in disgust. He didn't have very long to process it however because the sight of the wound made him gasp. A dark blue lump pulsated on where the wound had been, beating in time with what he presumed was the boy's heartbeat.

"What the hell.." He whispered. "I've never seen anything like this before."

Thick sticky veins were prominent around the edges and they looked like they dived into the boy's chest. Something strange was going on with this growth, but he had no idea what to do about it. Never in his life had he seen something like this, and its presence was baffling.

Suddenly the boy spasmed and let out a loud whimper. Some fluorescent blue substance shot through Futoshi's veins emanating from the wound in his chest. He watched as the substance ran all over the boy's body, making him look like some bizarre glowing spider web. As the substance flowed through Futoshi's veins, he noted that it was the same color as the accents on the Klaxosaurs.

Completely baffled, he watched as the substance slowly began to fade, returning Futoshi's skin to its usual appearance.

Suddenly the boy began to moan and shake, as something disturbed him in his sleep. He looked at the boy completely dumbfounded. What the hell was going on? Never in his life had he seen anything this extreme.

Abruptly the boy sat up, his eyes flying about the room as he dragged in scared gasps of air.

Quickly he reached a hand out to console the boy. "It alright son, there's no need to be scared."

Futoshi's eyes swung to meet his own, and he was startled to see that they were a bright glowing blue. They almost looked like the queen's eyes, except that they had none of her beauty. He stared at them utterly dumbfounded. How did he have those eyes?

Futoshi gulped and said in a thin raspy voice. "B-But t-the Klaxosaur! I-Its going to eat me!"

Shaking himself out of his thoughts he consoled the boy. "It's alright, there's no Klaxosaur here. Go back to sleep Futoshi, I promise I won't let any Klaxosaur hurt you."

Slowly the boy relaxed, and he watched as Futoshi's eyes slowly returned to their normal color.

"Y-Your sure?" The boy asked hesitantly, still glancing around the room.

"Absolutely." He said gently. "You have my guaranty that no Klaxosaurs will find you here."

All of Futoshi's last remaining strength seemed to dissolve when he heard that, and the boy crashed down back onto the bed. Gently he reached down and grabbed the sheets and draped them back over the boy.

"You get some rest Futoshi." He said with a small smile. "And don't worry u'll be back with your squadmates in no time."

"P-Promise?" The boy asked pathetically.

He nodded. "As soon as we get you to the Garden, we're going to fix you right up. And then you'll get to be back with your friends."

The boy gave a very small nod and then his eyes drooped closed, and the boy fell back into an uneasy sleep.

He sat there and watched the boy for a few minutes, before finally deciding to get up and leave. Carefully he grabbed his cane and stood up, his old knees creaking as he did so.

"Urgh, I really am getting to old." He muttered as he left the room.

The door hissed shut behind him and he glanced around to make sure there were no stray guards wondering around. Turning back to the door he locked it, to keep anybody from entering. The squad was already nervous and restless enough, the last thing he needed was one of them to come and visit Futoshi and see him in his current state. When he was certain that everything was locked up tight, and that nobody was following him, he set off towards the control center. He had a few sensitive things that he needed to talk to the administrators about, and it wouldn't due to be followed.

A few minutes later he walked into the main control center and was greeted by the many lights of holographic displays.

Hachi turned and gave in a salute, and Nana was not too far behind him.

"Sir!" The both said standing at attention.

"Settle down." He said walking forward. "This old geezer is too old to be playing soldier."

"Yes, Sir." They both said relaxing a little bit.

He rolled his eyes. Nana and Hachi felt like they owed him everything, but really he was the one who should be thanking them. Without their help and willingness to go along with his plan, he would have probably long failed. Without them his daughter would probably still be in the hands of Papa, being tortured and abused for the rest of her life. None of what he had accomplished or planned to do would come to fruition without their help.

"So Hachi, hows Papa's little war with the Klaxosaur's going." He asked.

"Slow but with a definite decline in Papa's favor," Hachi said. "Thirty plantations have been destroyed so far, with only moderate losses for the Klaxosaurs."

"Interesting…" He muttered. "But everything can't be going this well where's the hitch."

"Well at the moment there's no major problems," Hachi replied. "The only thing that I can comment on is that this Klaxosaur armada down by the old South America is out of position. They pursued a group of plantations, but now that the plantations are destroyed, they have a long trek to the closest plantation."

Pondering he stroked his metal chin. "Anything else?"

"Not really. The only thing I think is a little odd is that several plantations have suspiciously clear paths to the Gran Crevasse, but I doubt they pose any real threat."

"Hmm… Interesting. How about the Nines. Where are they?"

"That I am not quite sure of," Hachi said, with a slight grimace. "They disappeared off the map a few days ago, and now I can't find them."

He gave a slight grunt of announce at that news. He didn't like not knowing where that squad was, and the fact that they could be anywhere bothered him.

With a slight shake of his head, he returned to their conversation. "Well please keep me informed if you spot anything suspicious; but for now, good work."

"Thank you, Sir," Hachi said nodding in thanks. "Oh and one other thing. I have clearance from the Garden to dock when we arrive, so everything is in order if you need it, Sir."

He sighed. "Very Well. Be sure to keep APE off the plantation as much as possible. Having them search Mistilteinn, would be problematic."

"Of course Sir."

Turning his attention to Nana he waited for her report. "So how is Squad 13 doing?"

"Fine enough at the moment," Nana replied. "They're all concerned for Futoshi, but I think the initial shock is wearing off."

"That's to be expected." He said waving his hand. "How about everything else. Have they discovered any of the information in the library yet?"

"Ikuno seems to be the furthest along compared to everyone else since the library reports that she's in there the most. I also think that Ichigo is interested as well. Before the attack on the nest, she was on her period, and I think that may have sparked her curiosity. How much she knows I am unsure, but unfortunately since the attack on the nest, she seems to be preoccupied with the rest of the squad."

Before Nana continued an instinctive question burst from him. "How are Zero Two and Hiro? Are they okay?"

"Yeah, they're fine. Most of their time is spent together, and they seem to be in good health."

"Do they know any of the information in the library?"

Nana frowned. "I don't think so. I haven't observed them going in there, and I think they are to preoccupied with each other to take the time to read those books." Nana cleared her throat a little nervously. "If I'm being perfectly honesty Sir, I think that's for the best. If Zero Two really is as fertile as you say she is, then theirs a possibility that she may become pregnant before this is all over."

He sighed, Nana had a point. He'd analyzed his daughter's period blood and knew how fertile she really was. Her womb was lined with an extremely thick and extremely potent lining which made it almost impossible for a fertilized egg not to implant.

He tapped his finger on his walking stick. Although since Hiro wasn't, at least for the moment a hybrid maybe he wouldn't be able to fertilize her. If his sperm was still a human then they may not be compatible. But then, what if it was? He'd seen Hiro's eyes, which meant that his body was changing into a hybrid. The only thing that was missing for the moment was horns, but even those could be hidden under Hiro's long bangs. He grimaced. The truth was, that he had no idea what Hiro's condition was. He could very well be able to impregnate Zero Two, and the only thing stopping him was his lack of knowledge.

It was this fact that now had him confused on what to do. He could tell them not to do it and warn them of the consequences that would result from that union. At the same time, however, it would alert them to what their bodies could do, and they may go an try it anyway. On the other hand however if he kept his mouth shut, they may remain oblivious and everything would remain a mystery. The unfortunate part of that plan was that somebody was bound to start talking sooner or later and then they may attempt to perform such an act.

He sighed and decided to focus on problems he could solve. "Anything else?"

"Yes, Sir," Nana said after a pause. "I propose that after Genista is repaired we do a partner shuffle with Mitsuru and Kokoro as a team."

"Make it so." He said with a wave. He instantly saw the sense in that idea, and he had been thinking along similar lines.

"One more thing Sir," Nana said hurriedly. "I have a prototype for the fertility pads you suggested."

"Very good. Where is it?" He said.

Serval days ago, when the squad had returned from the nest he had seen Ichigo's period blood on her suit. Instantly he had known that he had been doing all the girl a disservice. Since a period wasn't something he had to deal with he had forgotten what a mess it was. When Futoshi had been taken care of and when the squad had finally left, he had Nana go to work on designing a fertility pad for the girls.

"Its right here Sir," Nana said picking it up from the workstation next to her and handing it to him.

Carefully he examined it for a few seconds. This should work, but he felt that his daughter was going to need more protection. "This should work for most of the girls." He said "But I want you to make a separate set for Zero Two, and increase the lining. I'm not confident that this can absorb all her blood."

"I'll get started immediately." She replied.

"Alright well if that's everything, then good work you two." He said congratulating them.

"Thank you, Sir." They both said with another salute.

He rolled his eyes and turned to make his way back to his office. Before he left, one of the control consoles started beeping sounded an alarm. Turning back he waited for a report.

"What is it?"

"Its nothing Sir," Hachi commented. "Just that a storm is approaching the plantation from the west."

Hachi tapped the controls for a few seconds. "It looks like the worst of it will be passed by the morning, but it's going to rain for the next few days."

He smiled. Rain was good, it broke the monotony of the dead dry Earth. It was a shame that it didn't make anything grow since the ground was completely devoid of nutrients.

"Well have Mistilteinn mimic the weather outside the plantation, maybe some of the squad will enjoy the rain."

Without waiting for an answer he turned and made his way out.

"Push and pull." He muttered. "Push and pull."

Ikuno sat in the library her numerous books and notes laid out in front of her. The library's lights filled the room with light, almost as if denying the dark storm that brewed in the night sky far above. Ever since the disastrous attack on the Klaxosaur nest, Ikuno had been more determined than ever to delve deeper into the secrets that the library had to offer. She just knew that the information that was stored in this room was more vital than anything she had ever been taught.

Over the past serval days she had finally come to a basic understanding of why males and females were different, and the reasons for it.

Stretching Ikuno, sat back in her chair to let her eyes take a break from all the reading that she had been doing. Reaching down she stroked her belly and mulled over all the information that was swirling around in her head. She imagined what it would be like to have a baby growing inside of her. If what she had read was accurate then it would probably be uncomfortable. She had seen pictures of what happened to a girls body while they were pregnant and had read some pretty interesting accounts of what it felt like. She imagined her body swelling as a baby grew inside her, and she could almost feel its little legs kicking her as it moved around. Closing her eyes, she tried to picture milking leaking from her breasts in preparation to feed the baby.

She found the whole idea of having a baby to be very satisfying. It felt good to know that she was capable of something more than just fighting Klaxosaurs. Thinking back she remembered everything she could about what it would feel like to have her own baby in her arms. All the accounts she had read had said that it would be an amazing and gratifying experience; and although there were some painful things to deal with, the euphoria of holding something that you created was all worth it.

She sighed. There was only one problem. She needed a boy's sperm in order to create one. It was ridiculous that she needed to find some boy to impregnate her. Over the past serval days, she had read all about it. If she wanted to get her egg fertilized then she was going to need to have a boy deposit himself within her. The only problem with that is that she would need to completely surrender and expose herself while she harvested the cells that she needed.

It was so dumb! Girls already had to do everything, why couldn't she conceive her own child? If she ever got pregnant, she would have to carry the baby for nine months while it grew, then birth it from her body, and finally, she would then have to feed it from her breasts. All boys had to do was enjoy themselves, before depositing their sperm. Why did boys have to contain those cells? Girls already had to do everything except a few spurts, so why couldn't she have contained the cells to impregnate herself? At the very least why couldn't she have another girl impregnate her? Girls were so much cooler than boys. She just simply couldn't understand how the big blocky body of a boy was supposed to be attractive. Girls had such elegant curves, and their bodies had such nuanced complexities to it.

Ikuno shivered in her seat as she thought about it. Everything about a girl was fascinating to her and the very thought of what every girl possessed made her aroused. The way a girl's breasts sat on the body; full and supple just waiting for the cue to produce a life nurturing milk. The way their hips made much an elegant curve, biologically designed to carry life. And finally the most magnificent thing of all. An organ that was so detailed and complex, but at the same time strong and resilient. An organ that could create and nurture life in its womb, to then deliver it into the world.

Girls were just so much more nuanced then boys, and part of her really hated that she would have to go to one and collect a boys sperm if she ever wanted a baby. It wasn't that she hated the boys in the squad. They were, for the most part, nice people, and she didn't dislike having them around. It was just that she found girls to be much more interesting, and if she was ever going to make a baby, she would rather have a girl impregnate her instead of a boy.

She sighed sadly as the rain outside crashed against the ground. If she could have picked anyone to have a child with it would have been Naomi. She was such a sweet person, and everything about her was just perfect. Everything from her beautiful chestnut hair, to her radiant smile. Why did something so pure and beautiful have to go? Of all the people in the world, why did the one person she had ever had feelings for have to go!? Plantation 13 carried millions of useless adults! Why! Why! Why did Naomi have to die!? Why couldn't it have been one of them!? Why couldn't have one of their useless lives been sacrificed, instead of Naomi!?

Ikuno felt like she was going to explode. "Naomi…" She muttered. "I'm so sorry." Tears were beginning to slide down her face. "I'm so sorry... I-If only there was something I could have done to save you, then perhaps you'd still be here."

Forcefully she shook herself and whipped away her tears. Quickly before she could sink back into her sadness she numbed herself with reading more books.

For the longest time, she just thumbed through page after page, barely taking in any of the information.

Klaxosaurs are a species of biomechanical organisms, that began attacking the human race for seemingly no reason.

"Yeah, yeah," Ikuno muttered. "Nothing that we didn't already know."

Although the history books say that these creatures are savages who's sole purpose is to destroy; I hope my research notes into this topic may prove useful in the future.

Ikuno's curiosity was sparked so she decided to keep reading.

Firstly, the misconception that a Klaxosaur's sole purpose is to kill, I believe is wrong. Through careful observation and study, I have concluded that these creatures are actually extremely nuanced and exhibit a high level of intelligence. Although they may not be able to speak, it seems that they possess some sort of highly advanced way of communicating.

After my recent reanalysis of my Klaxosaur sample, I have discovered that my previous assumption that Klaxosaurs were biomechanical was partially wrong. It seems that their outer shell that I had once thought of as mechanical is actually more of some kind of super tough malleable skin. I couldn't and still can't decipher the exact composition but its basic structure served its purpose while designing Papa's project. I do however plan on incorporating more of the knowledge I do know into my daughter's design; when she's ready.

Ikuno scratched her head in confusion. Whoever had written this had done it as some kind of journal which made it hard to fully comprehend what they were talking about. Flipping the page she kept reading.

Klaxosaur breeding.

I think I finally have a basic understanding of how the Klaxosaurs breed. From what I understand it seems like how they breed is divided into two groups. First are the attack group. This group seems to be by far the most common, and are the ones constantly attacking the plantations. From my analysis of their DNA, it seems that these Klaxosaurs are all female. They, however, seem to have the ability to self-impregnate; which allows them to replicate and attack in large numbers. Whether their offspring are actually birthed/layed or are instead just deployed I am uncertain. It seems however that they are immediately ready for combat regardless. These Klaxosaurs have also been seen being carried into battle by larger Klaxosaurs. Strangely, however, the ones that deploy the attack groups seemed to be delivering more than just one type, so I am unsure of the connection between the carrier and the ones deployed.

Ikuno stared at the words she was reading in amazement as a loud clap of thunder echoed across the night sky. This simple book contained more information about Klaxosaurs then she had ever learned from Papa.

"H-How come we weren't taught any of this?" Ikuno muttered in amazement.

Excited she kept reading.

The second group of Klaxosaurs seems to breed in a more traditional way. I once had the privilege to witness two Klaxosaurs mating deep underground. They both seemed to be thoroughly enjoying this activity, and when they were done they gave each other an affectionate nuzzle. I believe this helps point to Klaxosaurs having at least a human level of intelligence; since this group seems to be able to form at least some level of familial bond.

I would propose that this group of Klaxosaurs, judging by the couple's genitalia, has both male and female. It also seems that as long as the Klaxosaurs are of this particular group they can mate with any variety or class. My best guess would be that it promotes diversity and allows for unique combinations of Klaxosaur.

Something that seems unique to this group is that the offspring are laid in some sort of pods and gathered by their mothers in nests. Although I have never witnessed this myself it also appears that once these Klaxosaurs hatch they are nursed by their mothers. The evidence I have of this is that a squad was able to observe a mother nursing during a planned invasion of a nest. Unfortunately, when this squad returned and inquired about their discovery, they were coincidently taken out. Luckily, however, I was able to save the last pair of pilots, and they are now in my employ.

Ikuno sat back in her chair, her mind thoroughly blown. More information about the Klaxosaurs had been shoved into her head in the past few minutes, then Papa had ever taught her. The truth about humanities enemy was now laid bare. The secrets that their overlord had tried to obscure was now divulged for anybody who was willing to hear.

Ikuno rubbed her face in a vain attempt to get her mind to focus. Facts, thoughts, theories, and realizations were all fly around in her head, making it absolutely impossible to think clearly. Was everything they had ever learned a lie?

She shook her head. She had been right about those pods. Her research into babies had prompted that theory in the cave, but now she had evidence to back up her claim. The squad had invaded a Klaxosaur nest full of growing babies, and they had been this close to destroying them.

She sighed. Futoshi's attempt to destroy the eggs was what had gotten him poisoned; and even though it must be a cruel fate to endure, the Klaxosaur's actions were completely understandable.

"She was just defending her babies." Ikuno whispered sadly.

Ikuno sat in silence for a few minutes, just mulling over the events that had transpired in that cave and the reasons behind them.

"A mother's instincts." She muttered with sad smile.

Silently she rubbed her tired eyes and became aware of just how tired she actually was. Yawning she got up and began to put the books away. After a long night of reading, she needed to get to bed and scrounge at least a few hours of sleep.

The last book slide onto the shelf and she let out a loud sigh. Quietly she shut off the lights and the room was enveloped in darkness. Rain splashed down outside soaking the ground and creating massive puddles. A bolt of lightning flashed across the sky, far above the plantation, closely echoed by the sound of rolling thunder.

Ikuno stood in the darkness thinking. Where would this all go? It was now obvious that somebody was setting them on a path that diverged from the one that Papa had been shoving them towards their entire life. But where was this path leading? This new path was bound to clash with Papa, so what would happen when it did?

The information that was in this very library couldn't be kept hidden forever. For the moment she was the one who knew the most but this all couldn't remain hidden for much longer. The squad's shock from Futoshi's injury wouldn't last for much longer. Sooner or later somebody would read what she had read, and then what? Ikuno herself didn't know how much longer she could keep her own mouth shut. So what would happen when the whole squad found out?

Ikuno knew that as soon as everyone knew this information, something was going to happen. Would they really be able to fight the Klaxosaurs after knowing what they really were? How could the squad kill something that was only trying to protect itself and its offspring from them?

Ikuno shivered at the next thought. What would happen if one of them got pregnant? Ikuno had been observing the squad enough to know that one of the pairs was bound to at least attempt making a baby. Hiro and Zero Two were prime candidates and would probably be the first ones to try it. And then what. If Zero Two got pregnant the squad wouldn't be able to hide it for long. After a few months, her belly would be too big to hide, and no amount of clothing would hide the fact that new life was growing within her. And what about the rest of the squad. What if all the girls got pregnant? Ikuno herself had found what her body could do to be exciting, so what if the other girls thought the same thing. The only obstacle that was standing in Ikuno's way was that she wanted to find a way that didn't involve a boy, but the other girls would have no such problems. They'd all get curious enough eventually and then they'd all be pregnant. How was this all going to work? How could they keep the desires and knowledge that they had, hidden from the world?

With one final flash of lightning and clap of thunder, the storm began to calm down. But contrary to the weather outside the storm in Ikuno's mind raged ever on.

Rain splattered down from Mistilteinn's giant dome, mimicking the weather outside the plantation. The rain soaked the ground and created massive puddles, that were perfect to play in. The sky far above them was grey and overcast, but that meant nothing to the pair. They had each other and that's all that mattered. Every member of the squad had their own way of dealing with the stress the felt for Futoshi, and this pair decided to focus on each other, and nothing else.

He dashed through the rain jumping from puddle to puddle. The freezing cold water from his leaps and the rain were freezing him to the bone, but he didn't notice. The one he loved was right on his tail, and she very close to catching him.

"I'm going to catch you, Darling!" She cried.

"Nah! You're to slow! He cried back, laughing.

He leaped to the next puddle its freezing waters soaking his already frozen feet. Leaping again he dashed through the rain, feet landing in puddle after puddle. Behind him he heard the sound of her running feet, splashing in the puddles that he had just cleared. Ducking he dodged a tree branch and then leaped over a fallen log.

As he kept running he saw that up ahead was the lake he had met Zero Two. With a yelp of delight, he flew towards it, leaping over the fallen branch that Zero Two had once placed her undergarments on.

"Darling!" She cried.

Smiling and laughing he turned to greet her and saw her beautiful smiling face. His excitement was so great that he slipped on a patch of slick mud and was sent sprawling. He made an attempt to get up but Zero Two was on top of him.

"Caught you, Darling!" She cried, leaping on top of him.

She landed on his chest, her legs straddling him as her chest heaved from the effort of catching him.

"You play dirty." He pouted, trying to hide the big smile that was creeping across his face.

She brought her face close and rubbed her nose against his, nuzzling him while humming happily.

"Not as dirty as you." She purred. "Hows using puddles and trees fair?"

"Hey at least their already there." He said nuzzling her back. "I just used what resources I had."

"Yeah, but now I'm all wet." She said, her face dangerously close. "I'm so wet that even my undergarment are soaked through, and they're not even a swimsuit."

Her body got closer and closer to his, her firm breasts pressing into him as her desire for closeness increased.

"You may want to have that looked at." He teased. "That could be a problem."

"Ass!" She cried, in mock outrage.

Leaning down, she bit his ear, her sharp teeth digging into him as she applied more and more pressure. Hiro felt a jolt of excitement dash through him as his nose began to pick up the beginnings of the pheromones his mate was releasing.

"Ow!" He complained playfully. "Your mean."

"Darling needs punishment, for saying such humiliating things to me." She mewled.

"Hey, it's your problem, not mine." He giggled.

This time she bit down even harder, her aroused passion pouring into him through her fangs.

"Ow." He complained. "Your not very nice."

She let go off his ear, and hungrily licked the side of his face, tasting his aroused sweat mixed with rainwater.

"You make it to easy." She purred.

"Your too naughty." He replied.

But before she could open her mouth to reply he used his strength, to get out from under her. Thoroughly aroused by her and unaware of what he was doing he mounted her, thrusting his crotch into hers and unconsciously feeling her through their clothes.

Aroused by her love for him, and unconsciously stimulated by their shared biology, she instinctively drew him closer. Her legs wrapping around his waist pulling him deeper into her and allowing him full access. Both of them were becoming more and more aroused, their bodies escalating them towards a climax full of passion and love.

Suddenly Hiro's foot slipped on a patch of mud, and he collapsed on top of her. Hiro's legs had been the only thing supporting them, and when he lost his balance they sprawled sideways into the thick wet mud. Disentangling himself from her, he rolled to the side into the more thick wet mud.

Spitting dirt out of his mouth he sat up, his whole body covered in mud. Soggily he looked around for Zero Two.

He heard her adorable laugh and he found his muddy princess lying in the mud next to him. Clots of mud were tangled in her hair, and her face was covered in big brown smears.

Both of their uniforms were completely soiled and absolutely caked in cold wet mud. Looking at himself, he pitied whoever was going to have to clean his uniform.

Zero Two's laughter was still persisting, and she clutched her sides wheezing, and giggling uncontrollably. Her laughter rolled and fell, dancing through the air and sparkling in the raindrops.

He looked at her, doing his best to not start giggling as well.

"What's so funny?" He asked, with a huge smile.

"I-I d-don't k-know!" She wheezed.

"Y-Your weird." He said giggling.

Serval long minutes later, they both regained control of themselves.

"That was fun." Zero Two said sweetly.

"Yeah." He agreed. "Although I pity whoever has to wash our suits."

Zero Two looked around for a few moments. "The lakes right there, why don't we do them a favor."

He gave the lake a long look. There was no way anybody was going to get him to jump in there. After all the rain they'd had that water was going to be freezing.

"You're crazy!" He countered. "There's no way I'm jumping in that!"

"Oh, come on Darling it'll be fun." She bubbled, sitting up.

"More like it'll be cold." He muttered.

"Not if we do it together." She said, with a playful look on her face.

She began to crawl towards him, an evil grinning sliding across her face.

He began to back away, crawling backwards over the slippery mud.

"Oh no, that not going to work on me." He said with pretend sternness.

Her grin got even wider. "Come on Darling." She whispered seductively. "I'm not going to hurt you."

"That's not what I'm worried about. I'm worried about getting…"

Suddenly his hand slipped on the mud he had put his weight on, and he was slid down the slick muddy slope. Cold and wet, he made an attempt to get up but Zero Two pounced on him.

"Gotcha!" She yelped excitedly.

He laughed. Zero Two was so adorable when she was being playful, and he couldn't resist indulging in her fun.

"You're to sneaky for your own good." He said raising his hands in a gesture of submission.

"Yeah but I won." She said, bopping him on the nose with a muddy finger.

Playfully he snapped at her hand, his teeth just missing her hand as it dashed out of the way.

"No!" She said, with pretend sternness. "Bad Darling."

She placed her muddy finger on his lips, almost daring him to do it again.

With a playful growl he snapped again, and again just missed her.

"I think Darling needs punishment." She said sternly.

She leaned down and gave him a kiss, but by doing this she took her weight of her knees.

It was the opportunity he needed. Lightning fast he escaped out from under her and flipped her over so she was lying in the mud. She giggled happily and probably expected to be mounted again, but he wasn't going to do the same thing twice. Instead, he spun to her side and scooped her up, his arms under her knees and back. Lifting her up he carefully began to walk his way towards the water.

He inhaled sharply as he wadded thigh-deep into the frozen water. Zero Two squirmed in his arms, and then looked at him with the cutest puppy dog expression.

"You don't have to do this you know." She pleaded pathetically.

"Oh, I think I do." He said triumphantly. Grinning he tossed her into the water.

His victory was short-lived however because as Zero Two crashed into the water, the impact made a colossal splash.

He yelped in surprise as the freezing water splashed onto him. Hurriedly he began to back away, but Zero Two launched out of the water, and tackled him. With a cry of dismay, he felt himself fall backwards into the water. Instantly he was swallowed by its cold icy embrace, and he felt his body seize up in reaction to the cold.

Immediately he scrambled to his feet, and burst from the freezing depths. Frozen he waddled back towards shore.

"That's way to cold!" He burst out.

Next to him Zero Two burst from the water, examining loudly about how cold the water was.

"That wasn't very nice." She said with pretend anger.

"Hey, your the one that wanted to wash off didn't you?" He countered with a grin.

"Yeah, but I was picturing something that involved less throwing." She said shivering.

"I can't always do the same thing can I?" He replied. "You'll get bored."

She grinned. "Come on Darling lets go get changed, before we freeze to death."

He nodded in agreement. "Yeah lets, or you'll be melting me with a blow-dryer for the next week."

A few minutes later they arrived back at the house, cold and wet from the torrential downpour outside. Shivering they discarded their shoes by the door, and blissfully stepped into the warm house. Their feet made wet slapping noises as the crossed the lobby and began to make their way up the stairs. As they climbed the stairs Hiro looked behind him and saw that Ichigo and Goro were sitting together in the living room. They seemed to be alone, and Ichigo had a contented smile on her face. Curiously he tried to spot the rest of the squad but none of them seemed to be in the living room. Shrugging he turned back around and kept following Zero Two up the stairs.

Finally, they got to their room, and Zero Two yanked open the door and bounded in. Chuckling he followed her, closing the door behind him. Yawning he bent down and began sorting through a pile of their clothes that they had stashed up here. As he sorted he listened to Zero Two humming a song as she did whatever it was she was doing.

Suddenly his vision went dark, as Zero Two slipped something over his eyes her delighted giggle ringing in his ears. Laughing he straightened up.

"Hey.." He said sweetly. "What are you doing?"

"Shhhh.." She whispered, her warm breath tickling his ear.

A massive wave of pheromones suddenly washed over him, and his blood electrified, as his mate's arousal stimulated his own. His face began to heat up, and he felt a bulge in his pants, as his excitement surged with energy. Gulping he felt Zero Two's delicate hands reach around to his front and stroke his chest as she searched for his uniform's zipper. Finding it she gently pulled on it till the whole thing was unzipped.

"Zero Two.." He whispered.

Ignoring him she gently guided him out of his uniform her perfect hands caressing the muscles of his chest and shoulders as she worked. His shirt discarded on the floor she nuzzled the back of his neck, humming happily as her desire for closeness increased.

"Y-Your all I've ever wanted." She mumbled. "Your everything that I've always dreamed of."

"Zero Two.. I.." He said, a little taken aback by her sudden confession.

"Shhh…" She whispered.

Suddenly another wave of electrifying pheromones washed over him stimulating him to join his mate in arousal. His mouth began to water, and suddenly his mind was filled with images and fantasies of her naked body.

While he was lost in thoughts Zero Two undid her bra and let it fall to the floor. In her aroused state her breasts had swollen to their full size and her nipples were erect. Her breasts tingled with amusement, and with an ever-increasing desire to be touched, caressed, and pressed up against Darling's perfect body.

The member in-between his legs was dying to be released, it strained against his pants almost as if trying to spear its way out into the world. The fantasy of Zero Two's naked body was driving him nuts. She was so beautiful and perfect. He was by far the luckiest man in the world to have a princess as gorgeous as her.

Suddenly he felt Zero Two's arms wrap around him as she pulled him into a tight embrace. Two soft and supple mounds of perfection were being pressed into the muscles of his back, and it took him serval long moments to process the fact that she was pressing her breasts up against him. Zero Two rubbed her breasts against the muscles on his back, and since he was blindfolded he had no choice but to be completely absorbed by her perfection. He felt Zero Two's hot breath against the back of his neck as she continued to rub herself up against him, all the while releasing her tantalizing pheromones.

"Darling…" She breathed into his ear. "I want to see you naked… I want to see everything that's been hidden from me."

"Then what are we still standing here for?" He whispered back smiling.

She giggled. "I like the way you think."

Her hands traced their way down his chest, as she slowly made her way down to his waist. Fumbling for a moment she undid his pants and then slide them down till they fell to his feet. Next, she began to slide his underwear off but he stopped her.

"Wait." He said. "Take the blindfold off first."

Obliging she reached up and undid the blindfold. It fell away and he opened his eyes the world coming back into focus. Her hands began to trace back down towards his waist but again he stopped her. Turning around he took a few moments to appreciate her endless beauty. His eyes hungrily traced out her perfect figure, taking in every facet of her skin.

As another wave of pheromones washed over him he lost whatever remaining restraint he had. Pulling her into a tight hug he kissed her. Their lips smashed together, each of them pouring every ounce of passion and love that they could into each other. Her lips were just so soft and perfect that he couldn't help but pour every ounce of himself into her.

Their passion was so intoxicating that neither of them noticed that the had unconsciously made their way over to the bed until it was too late. Both of them fell onto the bed, their bodies mashing together as they landed.

It was then that they finally broke apart. Both of them were red in the face and panting.

"Y-Your s-so perfect." He panted. Humming happily he buried his face in her neck, just wanting to be as close to her as possible.

"My Darling." She whimpered.

With the utmost passion, he panted kiss after kiss on her neck and jaw, completely showering her with affection and love. As he kissed her as he ground their bodies together, the feeling of her soft breasts against him was so stimulating that he couldn't help but desire more. His member thrust between her legs, seeking to be driven deep inside her so that he could deposit himself within her most sacred place. The only things keeping him from thrusting right up to the hilt was the underwear that they were both still regrettable wearing.

Zero Two's arms tightened almost painfully around him as she hugged him to her with all the passion she could muster. "I f-finally h-have you." She breathed to herself her voice trembling with emotion. "I finally have you."

Slowly he worked his way up to her ear and gently began to nibble at her earlobe. His sharp teeth gently adding pressure as he experimented with pleasuring her. She squirmed beneath him, and he heard her gave a slight moan. Emboldened he stuck his tongue in her ear, trying to see how far it would go.

"Ahh.." She giggled, flinching towards him. "Darling that feels weird…"

Sitting up he looked her, a big stupid smile on his face. "Your weird." He countered giggling.

Leaning forward Zero Two excitedly bit his nose, as an act of playful revenge.

"Your a meany.." He complained giggling.

Next she licked his eye, her saliva making a wet trail on his face.

"Ahh!" He exclaimed laughing. "Help, I'm being attacked!"

She snapped at him against, but he drew his head up just in time. Leaning down he began to kiss her neck again but this time he trailed his way down towards her breasts. Gently he buried his face in her chest and kissed her as her supple breasts cushion his face. Breathing deeply he caught a massive dose of the pheromones leaking from her body and his desire for her grew exponentially more potent.

Above him Zero Two took a deep breath and shivered in excitement as his own pheromones drove her arousment to ever increasing heights. "D-Darling." She moaned.

Slowly and with the lightest touch, he planted gently kisses on her breasts his lips barely grazing her skin. Tenderly he kissed one her nipples, before playing with it with the tip of his tongue. His warm and wet saliva coated her extremely sensitive nipple priming it for more of his ministrations.

Zero Two squirmed and moaned under him, her anticipation building as he teased her. Grinning he looked up at her, and their eyes met as the moment stretched on and on for what seemed like an eternity.

Suddenly and without warning, he blew on her wet nipple cooling it and sending its hypersensitive nerves into overdrive. Zero Two let out a loud moan of pleasure, and her body spasmed as she became more and more aroused by his presence.

Emboldened by her reaction he kissed her nipple again before taking the whole thing into his mouth. Hungrily he sucked on it, the muscles of his cheeks working as if trying to milk something from her breast. He sucked and sucked his mouth gently tugging her nipple stimulating it and sending Zero Two into a spiral of pleasure.

"D-Darling…. T-That feels s-so good." She moaned.

Saying nothing he continued his sucking but decided that her other breast must be really lonely. Reaching up he gently rubbed and squeezed it as well, massaging her second beautiful mound of perfection. As he worked he marveled at how complex and intricate she was. These two perfect mounds of flesh that sat on her chest were so warm and soft, but at the same time were uniform and fit perfectly into his hand.

"Pant." "Pant." "Pant." "Darling. Darling. Darling." Came her labored breathing.

With one final suck and squeeze he released her breasts, and slowly began to kiss his way down her toned belly. The taste of her salty sweat on his lips urging him to touch every nook and cranny of her lightly muscled yet soft belly.

When he got low enough he felt her hip bone beneath her skin, and planted dozens of little kisses along its surface. Instinctually he knowing that this was the frame that would house something truly special and that he should honor its significants.

"Y-Your so incredible." He whispered between kisses.

"Y-Your t-the special one." She said her voice thick with arousal and longing.

Working his way down he stroked his hands along her beautifully toned thighs feeling her perfectly toned muscles, along with her feather soft skin. Slowly he continued down towards her feet paying homage to every inch of her body with tender kisses.

"My Prince." Zero Two breathed to herself.

When he had finally given everyone of her toes a tender kiss, he looked up and licked his lips. He gazed over the landscape of her body, until their eyes met. She stared at him, her emerald eyes filled with passion and love. But behind all her affection was a hunger, and a desire for him to explore the one place he hadn't and had been purposely putting off.

"Darling.." She whispered. "Please…"

Slowly she opened her legs to reveal her most special place hidden only by a thin, pink, and sopping wet piece of cloth. He stared at it hungrily, his mouth watering at the thought of what lay between her legs. Taking a deep breath however, he slowly kiss his way back up towards his prize, teasing her till her anticipation reached a fever pitch. She squirmed and moaned in a futile effort to relieve herself of her mind-numbing desire.

Finally he reached her crotch and slowly slid his hands up to the straps of her underwear. Glacially he plead away her wet underwear completely saturated with her juices. Tossing it aside he looked up to seeing her.

And there it was.

A lotus of unimaginable beauty and complexity sat nestled between her legs, dripping its sweet and succulent nectar. A sweet and moist smell washed over him, and all of his remaining restraint left him. Crawling forward he buried his face between her legs and prepared to taste her sweet nectar. Hungrily he licked the lips of her flower, and tasted the most sweetest and most succulent nectar he had ever tasted. The taste was so complex and unique, perfectly encapsulating the very essence of her being.

Zero Two let out a series of moans, and ran her hands excitedly through his hair barely missing the two small horns that protruded from his forehead.

Hungrily he licked the middle of her flower, feeling and tasting the various complexities it had to offer. As he explored he broke down the various parts that made up her core. A hole that led deeper inside her was the source of the delicious nectar. Some sort of muscle made up that hole and each time it convulsed more and more of that nectar leaked from within her depths. A second much smaller whole lay above that, but what purpose it served was beyond him. Finally, he came to the very tip of her flower, where it was crowned by an engorged little bud. Curious he played with it with the tip of his tongue and the reaction was immediate. Zero Two suddenly sucked in her breath and her legs lightly squeezed his head.

"Whatever you do don't stop." She moaned, panting.

Emboldened he began to lick, suck, and play with that little bud, pleasuring her in whatever way he could. He rolled his tongue across its surface, wrapped his lips around it and sucked, even letting his tongue flick it as fast as it could in order to get her to moan and groan his name.

Zero Two spasmed in pleasure as she felt something building deep within her. Something was growing and soon she knew it would come exploding out of her. More and more fluid was dripping from her, and she didn't know how much longer she could hold back whatever was about to come.

"Darling." She moaned. "Something's coming. I can't stop it."

He had no idea what that meant, but instinctually he knew it was a good thing. In an effort to help her towards this climax of pleasure, he slipped his middle and index fingers inside her. A couple of inches in he felt an engorged lump inside her. Curious he bent his fingers in a beckoning motion, to see what would happen.

The reaction was instant. Zero Two let out a gasp of pleasure, and her legs tighten evermore around as head. Instantly he knew that if he could keep pleasuring her bud and the lump thing, he would give his princess something that would leave her absolutely speechless.

Encouraged he did his best to keep up his devotion to her, his tongue and fingers working simultaneously to make her climax in pleasure.

She spasmed and moaned her whole body completely absorbed in her pleasure. Suddenly her legs tighten vice-like around him, and her hands pulled his head deep into her.

"Darling!" She cried.

She arched her back and pressed herself against him as a liquid squirted from her, splashing all over his face. Completely covered in her wet juices he raised his head, a huge smile on his face. For a few moments, he watched in awe as Zero Two trembled and spasmed her pleasure so intense that she had lost all control over her body. The lotus between her legs pulsated spilling more and more of its sweet nectar, all over the petals of her flower. Hungrily he bent down and lapped away all her sweet juices, cleaning his mate for whatever might come next.

Giggling happily he crawled up next to her and watched her slowly regain control of herself. When she finally was in control enough she turned to look at him, her smile spreading from ear to ear filled with endless amounts of passion and love.

"That was amazing." She said breathlessly.

"You taste amazing." He replied rubbing their noses together.

Her face that was already scarlet flushed even darker.

"T-That's an embarrassing thing to say." She said, looking all over his body.

"Yeah but its true." He said wiggly himself closer. He was so absorbed in trying to get closer to her, that he didn't even notice as his stiffness pressed up against her flower.

"You need to be taught a lesson about what happens when you say stuff like that to me!" She cried happily, feeling her objective.

Before he could say or do anything else, Zero Two crawled on top of him and pinned him to the bed. Aroused he watched as she scooted back till her head was just above his throbbing crotch as it strained to be released from its cloth prison. Zero Two wasted no time and yanked his underwear off and threw it aside. His proud member stood at attention quivering with excitement and defying the world.

He watched in anticipation as Zero Two studied it for a few moments, deciding the best way to tackle the thing that stood before her. After a few more moments of contemplation she planted a kiss at the bottom of his shaft. Slowly and carefully he felt Zero Two's tender lips plant dozens of little kisses all the way up his shaft. He groaned with pleasure as his anticipation reached a fever pitch, his tip leaking a clear fluid in preparation for what was to come.

Finally she reached his leaking tip her mouth salivating at the sight of Darling's big handsome member. Hungrily she licked at the fluid tasting Darling for the first time.

He moaned in pleasure. "Zero Two.."

Embolden Zero Two place his member in her mouth and began to suck on it. Her head bobbed up and down, her hair flying all over the place as she energetically pleasured her mate. She rubbed her tongue around his tip causing him to moan and groan her name as she worked.

"Zero Two… Your so perfect… Your the best person in the world…"

In response to his praise, he felt Zero Two increase her speed, all the facets of her mouth working in overdrive to pleasure him. He began to feel a pressure building in his balls as something inside him cried out to be released. Something primal inside him wanted to leave his body and take root within her. He could no longer contain it anymore. This part of him was hers to transform, hers to grow, and hers to nurture. It belonged to her!

"Zero Two, somethings coming. I can't stop it!" He moaned.

Suddenly he bucked his hips deep into her mouth as he felt something surging towards his tip. The next moment it leapt form him ejaculating in long thick spurts that filled her mouth. Superhuman amounts shot from him, in long ropes of climactic pleasure. Zero Two's mouth was filling fast, and she had no choice but to release his pulsating member. He watched his mind dazed with pleasure as golden ropes of his thick essence were flung from his body and onto her face.

With one final spurt the last of his golden load leaked from his tip and began to drip down his shaft. Still dazed he watched in utter fascination as Zero Two shallowed the mouth full of his essence that she holding. When the last of it had slide down her throat she looked at him her eyes alight with fiery passion. Grinning she used her finger to collect the last of his golden essence and "pop" it into her mouth.

Finally catching his breath again he stared at her as she climbed back up next to him a contented smile on her face.

"Wha'd it taste like." He asked out of morbid curiosity.

She thought for a few seconds, making her adorable thinking face that he loved so much.

"Hmm…. I'd say the best description would be salty…." Leaning forward she kissed him, and he could taste his essence on her lips. "But at the same time it was unique to you, which makes it all the more special."

The sat for a few minutes in silence, both unaware that they were leaking more and more of their bonding pheromones. Unconsciously their bodies began to prepare them again, and he felt his member rising again as his arousal began to escalate.

With a sudden shiver he scooted closer to her, and accidentally slid his member against the flower between her legs. Her folds were already wet with nectar and as he slid himself against her, she deposited it onto him.

Gasping both of them looked into each other's eyes, each reflecting the others level of arousal. His primal mind taking over he suddenly rolled on top of her and moated her, his member pushing against the petals of her flower. The urge to drive himself deep into her depths was becoming overpowering and he didn't know how much longer he could hold on. Zero Two did not help his situation at all and she wrapped her arms and legs around him, pulling herself even closer to him

"Darling." She mewed. "I want to know what will happen if you penetrate me with your member. I want to know what will happen if you shoot your golden essence into me."

The urge to plunge himself deep inside was reaching a fever pitch, and soon he knew that his restraint would be utterly gone. He desperately wanted to spill his golden essence within her and see what her beautiful lotus would do with it.

"Your sure?" He said, fighting to stay in control.

"Yes." She whispered, as she leaked more of her sweet nectar. "I want to know what will happen."

He rubbed his tip in the folds of her lotus until he found its core which led deep into her depths. With one final glance up at her he…..

Suddenly a voice from the stairwell to the third floor broke their precious moment, shattering their passion into a million pieces.

"Hey." Ichigo called up. "Are you guys coming to have lunch or not?"

Immediately his member shriveled back to its usual size becoming flaccid and limp as his head whipped around in fear. With a yelp of surprise Zero Two let go of him and crashed back onto the bed.

We'll be right down!" He called trying not to let the fear of being caught show in his voice. "Zero Two's just lost her headband!"

"Alight, well lunch is ready when you want it." Ichigo called back, before descending the stairs.

Both of them breathed a sigh of relief at how close they had been to being caught naked together.

"That was close." He sighed, climbing off her.

"Yeah it was." She said sounding disappointed that they had been interrupted.

Quickly he crossed the room and picked up a pile of fresh uniforms for each of them. Walking back over to the bed he handed her, her clothes before dressing himself.

"Your really handsome, Darling." She said suddenly as he was pulling on his underwear.

Blushing he said. "Not as beautiful as you."

A few moments later her voice broke the sound of shuffling clothes. "Nobodies ever appreciate me like you have.."

Buttoning his pants and utterly confused he turned to give his full attention to her.

"Zero Two I…"

"Darling." She interrupted sounding slightly desperate.

"Yeah?" He asked confused.

"You know how the Doctor said that we're going to the Garden to try and save Futoshi?"

Confused and utterly bewildered as to where this was going he nodded, and signaled her to continue.

"I uhh…. I uhh… I w-want to show you something while w-were there." She said looking at him. "Would… Would you be willing to do that f-for me?"

Reaching out he grasped her hand and gave it a little squeeze. "Of course. I'll do anything for you."

She blushed. "T-Thank you."

Late that night Ichigo sat in the living room thumbing through reports on her communicator. It had been another long agonizing day and she was so disoriented she didn't know what to do. How was she supposed to manage everything at once? And to add to her ever-increasing problems Futoshi was on the verge of dying and there was nothing she could do about it.

She exhaled hard, and threw down her communicator, putting her head in her hands. Why did this have to be so difficult? She was supposed to be squad leader. Shouldn't she have this stuff figured out?

Sighing she thought of Hiro and Zero Two. That was the ideal way to do with stress. It would be so nice to just fool around with her partner instead of agonizing over every little detail and problem.

The sound of steps alerted her to the presence of someone entering the room. Looking up she spotted Ikuno taking the seat across from her.

"Good evening." Ikuno greeted.

"Evening." She grunted back.

"You sound exhausted." Ikuno commented. "Something on your mind?"

"Well lets see." She replied. "We got Futoshi dying beneath our feet. We got Hiro and Zero Two doing who knows what. The squad's confused and in disarray. Papa's been lying to us for our entire lives. The Klaxosaur's aren't what we think they are. And I'm bleeding from between my legs like a wounded animal."

Ikuno smiled at the shit storm she had unleashed. "It sounds like half of that you can't do anything about."

"What do you mean? Somebodies got to deal with it."

Ikuno rolled her eyes. "Look I totally get your concern for Futoshi. We all feel it, and we're all concerned for him. I just tried to visit him but his room is locked, and everything I tried to get around the lock failed."

"Futoshi's room is locked? Since when?" She interrupted.

"I don't know. And the administrators wouldn't give me a straight answer either."

"But…."

"Look Ichigo I don't know why they just won't." Ikuno said cutting her off. "Now lets see about some things that we can get answers to."

Ichigo was about to interrupt her again but Ikuno plowed on.

"Now as for Hiro and Zero Two. Their going to do whatever they want, and there's not much we can do about it. Its best to just leave them alone and not interfere."

"Yeah I know that." Ichigo said realizing she was going to get nowhere with Futoshi, and switching tacks. "I just don't know how to help them or get Zero Two to be friends with everyone else." She said dejectedly.

"You can't." Ikuno answered. "Hiro and Zero Two don't need your help, their perfectly fine on their own. And forcing Zero Two to participate when she's not ready is like trying to make a flower blooms before its ready. She'll blossom on her own; she just needs more time with Hiro." Ikuno looked off into the distance. "There's obviously a reason she's spending so much time with him. I'd be willing to bet that something unthinkable happened to her, and now she's just trying to make up as much time as possible with Hiro."

She looked at Ikuno slightly dumbfounded. That was a very surprising and deep analysis of somebody who was mostly a mystery to everybody.

She sighed and realized that she had vastly overcomplicated matters in her own head. "I've been an idiot haven't I?

"Hey at least you've been doing something." Ikuno said with a smile. "My partner's been to busy with his thump up Kokoro's ass to be of any use."

"He's been doing what!" She interrupted shocked.

Ikuno rolled her eyes and hung her head. "Figure of speech Ichigo. Figure of speech."

"Oh.." She said somewhat lamely. That was kind of obvious now that she thought about it.

"Anyway. I have something for you." Ikuno said reaching into her pocket.

"Really? What is it?" She asked curious.

"A list of books that I've read and thought were useful." Ikuno replied holding it out to her. "I've noticed that you haven't been in the library the last few days, and I figured I'd save you the trouble of a mindless search whenever you get around to it."

Reaching out Ikuno gave the list to her.

"T-Thanks…" She said, gazing at the list. "W-What are these books about?"

"Women, pregnancy, sex, childbirth," Ikuno said yawning. "Oh, and an a very interesting research journal on the Klaxosaurs."

She stared at Ikuno confused. "What are p-pregn..ancy, s-sex, and childbirth?"

"It'd just be better if you read about it instead of having me try to explain it to you. Its quite complicated and I barely understand it myself." Ikuno said leaning back into her couch. "Although If I had to recommend one book, I'd say go with the Klaxosaur research journal. That was quite groundbreaking to say the least."

Ichigo stared at the list for a long moment before slipping it into her pocket. "Thanks." She said smiling.

"Don't mention it." Ikuno replied with a yawn. "I need someone to talk to about this stuff before I burst."

She smiled. "I guess I better get reading."

"I'd wait until tomorrow." Ikuno said, yawning and stretching. "Its getting a little late to start doing research."

"Fair point." She conceded.

Ikuno gave an enormous yawn. "Well I'm off to bed. Need anything before I go?"

"A mind like yours and a whole lot of patience would be nice." She said ruthfully.

Ikuno chuckled and turned to leave. "I afraid there's not much I can do about that. Good night Ichigo."

"Night."

A few minutes later Ichigo got up to go to bed herself. Today had been a long day, and right now she was exhausted. Reaching down she tapped the pocket with the list of books to make sure it was still there. Luckily it was and she continued on. Climbing the stairs she turned towards her room. Tomorrow was going to be a busy day and she needed to make sure that she was well rested, so that she could get every scrape she could, out of every book she read.

Author's Note:

Thank you for reading Chapter 10 of The Jian Bird.

I apologize for the delay, I never intended for this to take as long as it did. Hopefully the next chapter will be up in a couple weeks.

Stay tuned for chapter 11 of The Jian Bird: The Reason