Night of Determination

[chrollo]

A small quiet breeze rushed through the grounds of the 1st division. Koike sat in a cross legged fashion underneath the green branches of a lively tree. His spine positioned attentively in the direction its trunk. Meanwhile his slender face and white bangs were pointed into the open vastness of the first division. About 100 meters a head was a path that lead to a bridge perched over a large lake and beyond that lay the entrance to a heavily forested area. The ground was covered in the shadows of their over grown leaves and branches. A small light illuminated their tops but the bottom floor was pitch black.

Meanwhile Koike sat on a patch of short grass. The blades of green pressed against the skin exposed by his short uniform. Tenka Shiruetto lay still in front of him. The ivory sheath let off a sharp glare from the hundreds of candles that were strewn about several buildings around. They emitted a warm yellowish glow and hung from the underside of the rooftops by a weighty metal chain. Koike continued to hold his serene pose of silence, eyes closed, as he thought about why he had come here.

The truth was quite simple. While he felt to a certain degree he had become much stronger over the past 5 years he knew in fact he was exponentially far from the power of a captain. He had not even begun training his bankai, and his reikyoku was minuscule compared to his captain .Koike knew it would take him at least 10 years to find the strength to capture his bankai. The vice-captain was quite aware that in ten year’s time with constant training he would probably not only attain bankai but his reikyoku would be much stronger. However, he wondered if the flame of his revenge could last another 10 years. Since he had joined the first division as vice-captain Koike had begun to distance himself from his tragedy. He had begun to grow complacent while away from the memory of his former friend. When he first made the oath of revenge he was quite sure that he would never forget the pain that filled his body, and yet here he was starting to forget.

Koike stood up grabbing his zanpakuto as he rose. He violently drew the blade from its sheath and slashed at the air. The arced slash was accurate but lacked the impact of even non seated members. It really is pointless, he thought to himself. Koike had contemplated learning bankai since Ito-sempai's death. Unfortunately he knew he was extremely limited in style of weapons. If his bankai resembled anything other than that of a kusarigama he would probably be screwed. Perhaps his bankai would continue to be a kusarigama. However even so he would be cut off from the powers of his shikai. It almost felt pointless to have mastered them if he would one day learn bankai. This doubt and anxiety had plagued him. The short white haired captain slowly closed his eyes once again.

The gears finally began to turn and he knew what had to be done. He had made his decision. He would learn bankai. He would fight whatever fight he needed to make his dream come true, even if that meant starting all over from bankai. Although the young vice-captain knew even with bankai it might take him another 1000 years of training to be a match for Hitsugaya, but it would be the only way to surpass that genius of geniuses. It was the only way. Koike opened his eyes and shouted "I will learn bankai!"

[chrollo]

“So you want bankai now, huh,” a small voice muttered in a tone of superiority. It was a low baritone voice that Koike had heard far too much in one life time. Koike’s cheek began to fluster as he processed the bastards words. He couldn’t help but be embarrassed to have that fellow hear him being so serious. That stupid rabbit was by far the most serious existence in the universe. He couldn’t help but despise his luck at having to bond with a humorless lout like him.

“Yea, so what of it. Where are you anyway? Come out here and show me bankai, right now you useless bastard. GAAHHH,” the shiro no kami no fuko taicho shouted into the air. His voice carried a wicked childishness as he demanded Tenka give him bankai as if it were a toy in a toy store. Of course Koike knew it wasn’t so easy, and he knew that Tenka Shiruetto would never give him what he wanted so easy. He was an inconvenient little zanpakuto spirit. However, he knew it would be aggravating as hell to listen to his wild demands. Soon enough he heard a sharp “TCH” coming from behind him.

“You want me to give bankai to you just like that. What kind of idiot are you. No, never mind I don’t want to hear you prattle on any more. Why did I have to end up with you,” the rabbit cried letting out a prideful sigh from behind the vice-captain.

Koike turned to face the small white rabbit with licorice eyes. Almost immediately Koike began to regret his decision. Now he would have to watch the rabbit speak while moving his lips and letting out a loud booming low voice that was so ill befitting of a cute rabbit. The very thought was enough manufacture knots inside of Koike’s stomach. He turned his left eye brow into an arch and let out a snide comeback,”You think it’s any better to be stuck with a serious bastard like you. I would feel sorry for any enemy of yours. To be killed by a rabbit that won’t even let out a smile. How insignificant their existence must have been so that yours could continue. HEH!”

Even with that brutal insult Tenka continued to stare up at Koike with an icy stare as if he was unaffected. However, the vice-captain couldn’t help but think this was probably better than seeing a rabbit make an angry face, or perhaps not on second thought. The rabbit began to speak up once again as he talked much to Koike’s horror. “If you want you can be a victim on my list you ungrateful bastard. What kind of shinigami treats their zanpakuto spirit this way?” Koike was a little taken back that Tenka-san actually had a list of defeated opponents. He wondered how many had died from the fight of seeing a talking rabbit. He wanted to laugh at the idea but managed to keep his calm. If he wanted to learn bankai anytime in the near future it seemed he would have to lean on Tenka for help this time.

“Ok, Ok, I’m sorry Tenka-chan. Neeeeee, would you please help me with learning bankai. I really can’t do this on my own after all. It’s really impossible without you.” Koike’s pleas towards Tenka created a sickening feeling that reverberated throughout his body. However, whether it had worked on the white rabbit, he was at a lost for the moment. He just continued to stare upwards at Koike with that same almost vacant cold stare as before.
The two stood in silence for what felt like ages. Finally the rabbit made his move. ”I don’t think you would be able to reach bankai. You can’t even swing a sword. What good would it do if you did reach bankai and it wasn’t a kusarigama? It would be utterly useless. Maybe you’re better off without a bankai.”

Koike looked straight into Tenka Shiruetto’s licorice eyes and in a serious tone said,” I know what you are saying. You are probably right. I might not be able to use bankai, but I will learn to use it. I can’t reach my goals without it. If it’s a sword I will figure out how to use it. If it’s a gun I will learn how to fire it. If it’s a whip I will learn to crack it. Please help me Tenka-san.”

The rabbit turned his back towards Koike and answered,” Fine if you are really serious about this then I will take you to a place where you can reach bankai pretty fast. You’ve been there before. However, this time I can’t help you. Also if you fail inside here you will die. Not only that, but there is no reincarnation if you die in my world. Once you are dead if soul is gone. If knowing all this you still wants to proceed then stab me with your blade, and I will take you into my world. However, if you’re not ready then you can always say no, but I’m only offering this chance once. Take it or leave it.”

The sky had grown darker and the flicking candles seemed to be growing stronger as Koike listened to Tenka. “I am ready to go,” he said in a determined tone. The fuko-taicho unsheathed his zanpakuto and pierced the back of Tenka Shiruetto. Tenka’s back expanded and portal emerged sucking up Koike’s blade and eventually the owner as well. “What a sight to see Koike,” thought to himself.

A bluish light enveloped the young vice-captain and he soon emerged inside a tunnel. White crystals were scattered around throughout the air. When Koike went to touch one, it let out a small cry that vibrated between each other that seemed as if it could last forever. From then on Koike proceeded to avoid the crystals. Koike moved onwards walking towards the origin of the light. “This is the first time I’ve ever had my entire being swallowed by Tenka. It was always just his mind that had been transferred before. Eventually after what seemed like a good ten minutes Koike found the exit of the tunnel. It looked like a liquid mirror. Koike placed his hand on the mirror and pressed through. It was easy enough to pass. Once he was through the bluish light vanished and he stood before a familiar entrance. He began to wonder why he had to start here this time.

Tenka hopped into view giving the white haired fuko taicho a small startle. “Nee why am I here now Tenka? Thought I had to confront the red field this time,” questioned with a confused tone.

“You do, but this time you have to fight your way there again, except I can’t help you this time. Last time you used your shikai to progress through this world, and that was fine for shikai training. However, now you want to learn bankai. We both know you want and need a bankai, but you don’t really know why you need a bankai right. Fight with just your base zanpakuto from here on. No kidou, no hakudo, no shikai. If you make it to the red field you’ll have earned your chance to learn bankai. If you can’t make it then you would have died in that field anyway. It might take you years in here before you even reach that the field. Just remember there really is no turning back now you are stuck in this world until you reach bankai or you die.” The smug rabbit answered.

Koike was a bit shocked and worried about what he had gotten himself into, but he could only feel that he wouldn’t really understand the gravity of his situation until much later.

[chrollo]

Koike looked at the familiar entrance ahead of him. The edges were sharp and harsh covered in uneven points that jutted every which way. The floor was just as jagged and uncompromising. Koike placed his index finger and middle finger to his fore head and pushed back. His head now pointed toward the skies, he took one last long glance. With his left hand he raised his zanpakuto above him, but was shocked to see the pattern along the sheath had vanished. It was now completely blank. It seemed as if it was the final confirmation of the situation he now found himself in. He lowered his zanpakuto, and after absorbing the illuminating brilliance of the stars and moon with olive eyes he pushed his feet onwards leaving Tenka behind him.

Koike kept a loose grip on his zanpakuto as he made his way into the dark. He was familiar with the path laid out before him. However, it still made him quite uneasy to walk without the familiarity of his eyesight to guide him. The air was damp and full of dust that made it hard to breathe. He braced himself by placing his right hand along the wall and steadying himself with his sheathed sword. He walked at a reliable pace for what seemed liked hours. The darkness continued all the while. Koike was well aware of the narrowing walls. Beads of sweat dripped from his forehead and back as he felt the constraint become more and more noticeable. Soon enough he was forced to slow his progression to squeeze in between the walls. The sharp points of the caved walled scraped along his once flawless skin as he forced himself on. Koike grimaced as his skin blistered into smalls bloody lumps. It was around this time that the ceiling had begun to lower as well. After an hour of this he was now forced to stoop to his knees and crawl along. For the next two hours the small white haired youth was forced to crawl on hands and knees, then his stomach and finally on his side.

Koike came to an abrupt stop as felt the floor give way to nothingness. “Finally,” he let out in small hushed voice full of relief and fatigue. At this point his skin was a crimson red from head to toe. His white hair was full of clumps of dried blood. Using the last of his strength the vice-captain pushed himself head first down the open whole. He fell in to a free fall that lasted what seemed like 10 minutes. His tired body twirled through the air and he rested in peace floating peacefully through the air. Eventually an orange light enveloped his scarred face. Koike opened his eyes with a sudden fierceness that resonated throughout his face. He was reinvigorated. The young fuko taicho collapsed his stomach and rebalanced himself mid-air. Aiming for a nearby wall he pressed his cut feet into a smooth stone siding and thrust himself toward the ground. He landed in a safe manner bracing his body with one knee on the ground and an open hand.

The floor was just as smooth as the wall had been. The entire room was covered in an array of orange candles pointing towards the only exit, a long hallway that was lit with candles every few paces. Koike raised himself to his feet and once again pushed onwards. The air was much cleaner here and he could take deep breaths much to his relief. Koike began to shunpo down the hallways. He already knew the tricks of this world and no longer feared rushing ahead. Koike worked on his pace and balance as he moved. Every now and then the walls would expand and contract but the light that filled the room never changed. Sometimes the floor would become narrow but the walls would expand and disconnect. At these points he would often cross over large pools of water. Some of the pools were the size of small lakes. At least two took an entire day to cross while using shunpo. They were always crystal clear and lacked vegetation or life that usually made their home in such waters.

After several days of constant running the hallways began to narrow to its original size and Koike saw two large doors finally emerge in the distance. It took five minutes to reach them from this distance. When he finally came to a stop he took a knee and replenished his energy with a quick rest. He had constantly been on the move for almost three days. However, he wasn’t the least bit tired right now. He had experienced this phenomenon before. The last time he had faced this challenge he also spent the entire time in this world awake. Although it had taken him several times longer the last time as he was afraid to use shunpo. Koike walked towards an adjacent wall and rested for a few hours. By this time his wounds had healed up a bit. He was no longer bleeding and his sweat had mostly washed away the dried blood. However, his flesh still looked as if it had been mauled. He was covered in scabs from head to toe. Koike stared up at the doors. They were covered with very large carvings. About the 3 meters wide 4 meters tall. An impressive scene of two knights fighting was etched into the brown maple like wood. Two crystal handles were placed near their meeting pointing.

Koike began to dread his decision as he thought about the fight that would await him beyond this point. Inside were two warriors each as large as the doors. They were strong and fast. They were the knights whose story had been told in the carvings. The first night was covered in a golden armor, with helmet decorated like a lion’s head, and a large double edged sword. The Second warrior was clad in a sharp silver armoring, a wolf’s head, and a double bladed sword with a grip in the middle that connected both blades. From his last encounter with the pair he had noticed that the lion was stronger but the wolf was faster. However, at this moment either one was trouble. Without his kusarigama he felt pretty much defenseless let alone the ability to attack. All he would be able to rely on was his own zanjutsu. Of course he completely lacked any such skill without his released form.

Koike rose to his feet after regaining his strength. He drew his blade from its ivory sheath. Koike formed the grip he had been taught and moved his footing into a balanced position. He took several decisive swings. However, no matter how hard he swung the speed was mediocre at best. He had no idea why he could swing a kusarigama so fast let alone two when his swordsmanship was miserable. Koike took a deep breath and let out a sharp sigh. Maybe this isn’t the right style of fighting for me he thought. He had never been taught how to fight with kusarigamas. When his shikai had first released it was an instant understanding of how to fight with them. It was as if he had been born a genius. However, it had still taken him quite a long time to completely master their uses. Perhaps, he had gone about fighting with his zanpakuto all wrong. Koike looked at his sealed ken once more. Maybe there is a way to fight with this blade like I’m fighting with a kusarigama he thought to himself.

Koike took the grip of his blade into his right hand and whipped his arm to the right. His arm bent like jelly and the blade cut through the air like never before. Koike relaxed his pose and fought in what he considered a more natural stance. He continued whipping him arm from side to side fighting the shadow of the two nights. With his new found movements he was reminded of a falling snowflake. It fluttered effortlessly down, but would come to a decisive halt as it changed direction. Unlike the movements of water that were so constant and precise one could read their direction, his style was harsh and unpredictable. Stopping and changing direction at whim he could easily take the offensive and defend himself by countering with his sheath in his left hand. He could also support his blade by holding his sheath behind his zanpakuto to increase its defense when blocking or increase the blades speed by tapping it from behind. However, even though Koike was in awe of his new found style he could quickly see the downfalls as well. The erratic movements placed an immense strain on his wrists. During his practice the blade slipped from his hands several times, often being thrown halfway across the room. At the moment Koike wouldn’t be able to use such a style. Once again he looked down at his feet and let out an audible sigh. Then he came up with another idea staring at the torn leggings of his uniform. Koike unrolled his uniform leggings and cut them at the knees. Koike looked them over, but realized they were torn to use as a binding for his wrist. However, he folded them and tied them together and measured his waist. Combined they were more than long enough to act as a belt. Koike untied his own white belt that escaped excessive damage. He replaced it with his own makeshift belt and tied the white and blue belt around his zanpakuto and wrist with a strong knot. Koike tested his new invention and was surprised to see such a difference it had created. After a thousand erratic swings not once did his grip loosen. Even if it did he was now in no danger of letting his zanpakuto be thrown across the room.

The young fuko taicho had solved the most obvious problem with his new style, but he knew full well that this level would be far from good enough to beat the opponents that lay ahead of him. As much as Koike wanted to rush ahead and fight two warriors he was still too ill prepared to fight them. As far as he was concerned he would have no choice but to practice till he was confident in his ability. Luckily in this world he would not need sleep or food. There was also a lack of distraction in this world. The room he found himself in was completely empty aside from the candles that lit the room and the two imposing giant doors that would decide his fate once he opened them. Koike gripped his zanpakuto and focused two shadow fighters based on the memory he had of the two.

For the next six months Koike fought the two shadows in his mind’s eye. He had lost count of the amount of times he had been cut down. On the other hand he was unable to forget the number of times he had defeated them. It was a total of once for each warrior. Each time he had killed one he was cut down by the other eventually. However, his zanjutsu had come much farther. He also felt like his speed had slowly increased from flash stepping constantly back and forth throughout the room. His balance and strength had increased as well. His hair had grown a good 3 inches and his wounds had also healed up nicely. A large callus had formed on his hands from the constant grip around his zanpakuto and sheath. He had also grown accustomed to the pain from his aching muscles. It was no longer something that he noticed. He had named his new style futte no yuki for the way he used his arm to whip his blade through the air in an unpredictable manner like a snow flakes.

It took half a year before he had finally polished his skill. The once smooth walls and floors were now completely covered in deep scars. Millions of cuts were etched into their surface. They were the proof of his progress. It took longer than he wanted, but Koike was now able to last an entire day against the two knights. It was then that the white haired vice decided to take a rest. He eased his body into the corner of the room and closed his eyes. While he couldn’t sleep, he still remained still for several hours. He could now feel the pain that had been stored inside each of his muscles. He felt the strain of moving at high speeds for so long. Even though he had moved with ease for so long up till now, at this point he felt like he never wanted to move again. It took Koike an entire week before his body had rested. When he finally stood up he was surprised by how light he was. Even his zanpakuto felt lighter. His eye sight was sharper as well. Koike felt confident as he brought for the shadow images of the two knights once again. This time he felt different as he fought. His was able to handle the dangerous speed of the wolf and shield against the brute strength of the lion. After several hours, he cut down the wolf by forcing him off balance and taking away his speed, and then over whelmed the lion with a combination of speed and strong counters. The odds were still against him, but he now felt that if he could cut down one he had a hell of a good chance of surviving. Koike closed his eyes and made the shadows cease existence. He knew he was now ready to fight. He could defeat the shadows as much as he wanted, but they would be nothing like the real thing. The time had finally come. Koike walked towards the door and pulled the crystal handles. The doors opened effortlessly and stayed ajar for his entrance.

Koike walked through the entrance and into the well lit room. The room was completely circular and had a radius of what must have been a good three hundred meters. Hundreds of thousands of candles floated along the ceiling to Koike’s left, near the center of the room stood the lion half embedded in the wall. Directly across from him on the other side of the room was the wolf in a same manner. The doors slowly closed behind him, and the two knights began to move. Debris fell out as the two exited their resting places. Their expressions and eyes were hidden behind their helmets; so, Koike had really no clue what they were thinking as they looked on at his face once more. Koike greeted his old foes by raising his zanpakuto. He wondered if they were surprised by his new weapon, or his odd stance. Maybe it would be good if they were surprised. If it was even possible, it would be wonderful if they could somehow under estimate him zanjutsu. However, Koike thought it very unlikely they were capable of that.

Let’s go he thought to himself as he rushed towards the wolf using his flash step. His plan was simple he would surprise the wolf with his speed and cut him down right out the bat. Of course it wasn’t going to be that easy he thought as the wolf countered his blade. Koike continued his assault facing away from the oncoming danger of the lion. He whipped his arm around like a maniac making his blade dance around the wolf, but he couldn’t take a definitive advantage. He was able to stay on the offensive for now, but it was nothing decisive. Koike had wasted his opening. He was quickly forced to back away from the wolf once the lion had caught up.

Now Koike flash stepped away running up the walls and circling around the room. He went ahead at full speed, but the wolf was able chase him. He was faster than he had pictured him in his head. Even going at full speed the wolf was able to keep up. Once he created some distance between the lion and wolf Koike turned and collided with the wolf. He used his futte no yuki with a masterful grace against the wolf, but he was still unable to gain a decisive advantage as the wolf was a capable swordsmen in his own right. His double bladed style proved to be a strong shield. Koike felt that he could gain the advantage if he could only fight him long enough. Unfortunately, the lion was still fast enough to cause trouble for the olive eyed vice-captain. Every time he felt like he was gaining an advantage the brute would come crashing in and Koike was forced to retreat.

Koike wasn’t surprised by this though. He had practiced this pattern for the last six months. It was the only option he had. Over and over he continued to fight in this manner. Each time their fight was broken by the encroachment of the lion. The pattern continued for hours and hours. However, Koike was slowly turning the tides .He was starting to get faster and faster. The wolf was starting to fall behind him. Koike’s advantage was beginning to show. He could now launch his attack before the wolf had regained his balance. For a while the vice-captain pushed the wolf back with the force of his charge; however, the veteran warrior showed his experience and managed a counter. The pattern continued and the wolf managed to keep defending for the 2nd and 3rd charge, but it was getting closer and closer.

On the fourth charge Koike finally made it through. He dropped his blade under the wolf’s and cut through the armor of the wolf. In one decisive stroke Koike had taken the right leg of the wolf, but he wasn’t finished. The wolf was stunned in the air defenseless, and the lion was still far. Koike kicked the wolf's double bladed sword away and raised his up. The wolf seemed to know what was coming and raised his arms in defense, but it was to no use Koike cut through both his arms and proceeded to decapitate the fierce warrior.

The wolf fell through the hair and landed with a loud clank on the stone floor. Koike pushed against the wall and ran from the oncoming lion. Koike watched the lion as he heard the sounds of limbs falling to the floor after the body. He had finally defeated the wolf and was now faced with the intimidating strength of the lion. Koike kept his distance while regaining his composure. He knew full well that he was going to be faced with a foe that could withstand his attacks, but one who was also not able to keep up with his speed.

Koike's focus had returned, and now he changed his strategy from running to one of offense. Koike launched himself straight at the lion. He would meet head on against the warrior’s strength. He whipped his blade towards the lion with his sheath behind the base of his zanpakuto’s blade for support. The two met in mid-air and a tower of sparks flew out from their blades. Koike put everything into his attack but was still pushed back. It was just evidence of how strong the lion was. Blood dripped around the white belt attached to his wrist. However, even though the lion had won their first bout he had not completely knocked Koike back. He was still balanced. It was proof the Koike had make a huge advancement. This was more than enough assurance that he had grown during his time here. Koike looked up at the Lion with a new determination in his eyes.

This time it was the lion’s turn to charge. He rushed head first with his sword raised, but Koike was ready and the lion was slow. Koike dodge backwards. A large cloud of dust rose from the ground revealing a giant hole that had taken shape from the lion’s brute strength. Koike dashed forward countering the lion. The two met blade to blade again. The vice-captain was pushed back once again, but immediately charged back in whipping his arm faster and faster. The captain was pushed back over and over again but the lion was now on the defensive. Once again Koike charged again, but this time he kept his sheath behind his zanpakuto, and he used all his strength to increase the speed of his zanpakuto. He had held off from using this technique at first because he knew he would be cut in two if he wasn’t fast enough, but now he knew he had to in order to beat him. Koike drove through the air, pushing his blade faster with his sheath, but he knew it wasn’t fast enough. He was going to die. “FASTER,” he shouted inside his head. Koike closed his eyes and pushed his muscles farther than they had ever gone. The two blades cut through the air as the approached each other.

A loud clang rang throughout the room. Koike stood in an awkward silence as he heard the lion drop to the ground. He had felt his blade cut through the lion’s armor, but he was still afraid he had been cut in two. After a while he felt his chest and body and opened his eyes once he was certain that he had made it out alive. He turned around and looked onwards at the two fallen knights. He had done it, but what awaited him was an even more fearsome challenge. A large hole began to open up near the lion’s resting place. He walked towards the hole and without hesitating he plunged into the dark abyss.

[chrollo]

Koike plummeted down into more darkness. The aura of light faded from his memory as he fell. For now all Koike could see were a few feet in front of him at best. A thick layer of ice began to grow around the wall and the temperature dropped along with it. The walls were narrow, and Koike was falling straight down head first. That alone would shake the nerve of most. There were a constant number of obstacles that blocked Koike. Frozen spikes would jut out here and there every now and then. There were also bars of ice that that had grown together over time. Koike was forced to remain vigilant at all times to keep from losing his head as his body was propelled downward the by the force of gravity.

Koike’s eyes were growing tired from the strain as he finally saw a small light pierce through the darkness. The obstacles had finally receded and the young vice-captain pointed his body into the straightest position he could muster to increase his speed. In moments he burst through the opening and into the sky that was lit only by the stars and moon. He had finally made it through the first challenge now would come the hard part, he thought to himself.

Koike fell through the air rushing head first into the night sky below. However, this time he was completely prepared. Koike unsheathed his zanpakuto with a steady hand and flattened out his body to slow his approach towards a frozen lake. The lake was called mizubara, for the rose brambles that once grew across the surface. However, that was a long time ago. The lake had been plunged eternally into a frozen sleep since then, but the scent of roses still permeated the air. Memories rushed into Koike’s mind along with the overpowering scent.

The young vice-captain pushed aside his thoughts upon approach and stabbed ice with the end of his zanpakuto. Koike’s momentum was violently changed and he bounced into the air. Pain shot through his wrists as he held onto his zanpakuto’s grip. Koike came rushing back down once and landed on his feet. Most of the blow had been absorbed by his blade, but he was still shaken by the blow. He was forced to his knees by the aftershock. It was around this time that the ice began to break. A large split had formed in the ice where he had braced himself with his zanpakuto. The split in the ice grew and at a tremendous rate and a loud roar filled the area. The next trial had finally begun.

Koike flash stepped towards his zanpakuto retrieved his friend and made his way to safety. The white haired shinigami looked on as large chunks of ice were blown into the air with a rising cloud of white snow where his zanpakuto had just stood. The same phenomenon started occurring all throughout the lake. Giant chunks of ice were thrown into the air at Koike. He flashed stepped back several time, but they kept coming one after another until finally a large opening had formed. The clouds of snow began to clear and he could see a large hand grab hold of the edge of the ice. The creature was covered in a white mane, although Koike knew that without looking. He had seen the owner of that hand countless times before when he had summoned him in combat to fight alongside him. However, now he would be forced to fight his former ally once again. Except of course he was once again at a complete disadvantage. Sure he had learned how to fight against another sword but this wasn’t something he wanted to kill. Last time he had subdued the beast and made it his loyal servant. Unfortunately he was now without the restraints of kusarigamas to stop the beast, and he was unable to summon bakudo in this world.

Koike stared on as he watched the beast pull himself out of his icy resting place. According to legend he had been defeated by an ancient warrior who then froze the lake to seal him in it. Before that he had nearly destroyed the village single handily. The village, now only referred to him as the shiro no yajyuu. However, his real name was Kureno Touketsu with the kanji that meant a hero of winter. It was something only Koike knew. Although that did him little good as the beast charged straight ahead towards his now former owner.

Koike drew back and avoided the oncoming rush. He was still slow, but his strength was more than enough to make up for it. He was more than a match for the lion in pure strength. Touketsu slammed his fists into the ground where Koike had been standing. The ice quickly sank into the freezing water and more snow was pounded into the air. Koike retreated still further as he tried to think of his next move.

For now there was only one option at Koike’s disposal. He had no chains or bakudo to restrain the fierce opponent. Nor did he possess the abilities of his shikai that had enabled him to halt the monster. He was now only left with one option, zanjutsu. Light of the moon waxed over his olive pupils has he realized what must be done. He was left with a single tool. It was not a tool that one hunted with. It was only used to kill.

Koike straightened his stance and watched the Touketsu with a fierce gaze. Koike felt a terrible pit of anxiety forming inside his stomach. He knew quite well what must be done in this situation if he was too live. There really was no other option, but it didn’t change the fact that he hated doing this more than anything. Perhaps to the people in the village Touketsu was a monster, but to Koike he was simply a misunderstood being who had only found himself in the wrong place. Curses flew out of his mouth directed towards Tenka for making him do this. Of course Koike knew this was really his fault for wanting power, but never the less it did help ease his anxiety.

He took a deep breath, and he tightened the white and blue striped belt around his zanpakuto. Touketsu charged with a wild ferocity at the olive eyes shinigami. Koike flash stepped towards Touketsu. The two met head on and their fight was ended in a brilliant spray of crimson mist. Koike was just too fast for the giant beast. Touketsu fell back and tears of blood dripped across his face. Koike removed the zanpakuto from the chest cavity of Touketsu and wiped his own tears. He knew what had just happened. Even if he was faster than the beast there was no way someone who was strong enough to fight alongside him would fall so easily. The Koike heard a familiar voice mutter through the air.

“I’m glad you finally realized what you had to do. I wish I could fight alongside you in this world, but that is no longer possible. Be strong and you can win. You have to so we can fight together again. I’m …. I’m sorry we had to fight like this. Tenka will be upset, but I want to give you a small hint. The truth is you and I are not allies. We are the same. I am not a part of you. You are a part of us. Killing me is just the proof that you are the best part of me. I’m …..glad” Touketsu's voice had grown quieter as he spoke until finally he could no longer be heard. Tears streamed down Koike’s face for what seemed like ever; hoewever, Koike could only stare on as he watched the blood of his friend begin to be absorbed into his zanpakuto.

“Thank you,” he whispered to Touketsu. He was no longer alone. Even if his friend’s body could not fight alongside him he now had his spirit. Koike rose to his feet and wiped away the streaks of water from his face. They were fresh and already starting to freeze. The second challenge had been completed. Even though he still felt like his bankai was far away, he also realized that he had taken a step closer thanks to Touketsu’s words. Koike looked onward towards the village to the north of Mizubara. He sheathed his zanpakuto and set out towards his next challenge with a stride of confidence.

[chrollo]

Koike stared down at where a small blue path had once laid. Now it was nothing but cracked edges, and a pool of freezing water reforming into ice. Koike flash stepped around the holes and cracks as he made his way towards the warm light of the small village. The village had been named Yuutsuneni, for the constant night that surrounded the skies. A large blue barrier protected the villagers from the intense cold and converted the energy from the moon and the stars. They used that energy to grow their crops and as an everyday power source.

It only took Koike a few moments to reach the village while using shunpo. He passed through the pale blue barrier with a small hesitation. Koike felt a sharp cold rushing in his veins as he did so. It was quite an obnoxious feeling he thought to himself. Koike continued on into the village. The village seemed to be deserted. Same scenario, he thought to himself. A loud rang echoed through the village emanating from the center of town.

Koike rushed across the roof tops leaving behind him a path of destruction as he released his reikyoku to its fullest. He had no time to spare. “I’m faster now, I can stop it this time,” he muttered to himself. The fuko taicho drew his zanpakuto and dived over the crowd that was gathered in the market square. With a quick flash of his blade Koike cut into the arm of a man who had a gun pointed towards the head of a woman. The man’s shot was altered and flew into the ground behind her. He had made it this time.

A sharp cry rang out from the woman’s direction; however, it wasn’t her. It was the sound of the young child that was being carried inside her arms. Koike cut the man down with a second strike. He was a member of the yamibatsu. They were a clan of bandits that had taken over this town. They were nothing more than thugs and murderers. He was just a low level member. However, this time Koike was able to stop him from slaughtering a mother and her daughter. He wiped the blood from his blade in disgust thinking it wasn’t worthy of mixing with Touketsu’s. He placed his blade inside its ivory casing once again and offered his hand towards the mother. He helped her to her feet and gave a friendly smile that was perhaps scary for someone who had just nonchalantly cut down a man. However, the woman thanked him gently and rushed off while the child cried.

Koike couldn’t blame her after the experience she had just had. Koike let her be and turned his attention towards a man wearing a warm fitted brown jacket and an oval hat. He had gray hairs sprouting from underneath his cap stopping just above his sordid face. He was a stout man who was a bit vertically challenged. Koike knew this man well. He had spent an entire month with him inside village hall as the Yamibatsu shot at them. His name was Tetsujin Kyouryuu, the village leader. The hall also served as his home. He had felt a bit sad about what had happened to his home.

Koike wasn’t sure what to say to the man; however, he wasn’t given the chance as he spoke first,” Oh no, you really killed him, now we are all dead.” It was far too familiar although after saving her this time it felt worse to hear him say it. He wasn’t a bad person, and Koike knew the villagers were powerless against the thugs. Still, hearing him say that after having one of his own saved was a bit disheartening, for Koike.

“I will stop them……today,” he uttered in a soft voice while looking away from his former friend. Koike’s words were meant to be reassuring, but he also meant what he said. He was quite aware that he couldn’t withstand another hold out without his shikai. He would be at a complete disadvantage against the Yamibatsu and their leader if he didn’t attack them. They all used kidou weapons that propelled a deadly kidou bullet at a near unavoidable speed. Koike had no projectile attacks and lacked pretty much all range with his zanpakuto. Luckily Koike already knew they were holed up in the northern part of the village, and wouldn't know he would be coming.

Koike nodded in assurance towards Tetsujin and shunpo o shimashita towards the rooftops once again. Koike sped along at a rapid rate, but kept his reiatsu subjugated this time. He was quite aware that he would need an element of surprise. There were around 20 men in the Yamibatsu not counting their leader. Most were weaklings, but there were a few worthy opponents among them. Their reiatsu was similar to a seated member. The elites would most likely be holed up inside their compound. Meanwhile the lesser would serve as guards.

Koike kept his pace as he reached the northern section of the village. He spotted their compound and lowered his reiatsu till it was no longer noticeable. The white haired shinigami came to a halt at a nearby rooftop. It was titled in a triangular patter, and Koike used the siding to cover his small frame. He slowly poked his head out and surveyed the area. It was just like he had surmised. There were about 4 groups of three to five members guarding each corner. There were five in the front near the main entrance, 4 on either side, and three towards the back.

The estate was a large mansion just on the out skirts of the town. There was a plantation of fruit bearing trees behind the mansion, and the area was walled in, making it hard to see much more of the area. Koike wrapped around near a low point of the wall hiding his presence. He proceeded on towards the back wall in an efficient manner. He hoped the wall and landed in the dark shade of one of the trees.

Using the trees as cover Koike pursued the unaware Yamibatsu guards. They were barely paying attention, probably convinced of the notion that no one would dare challenge them. Koike leaped out of from beneath the shade and made three quick cuts in the air. Three headless bodies dropped to the ground followed by three thuds. Koike had already leapt to the roof top by the time they had reached the ground.

Koike wore a steady face as he watched the group on the left side. There were four this time, two on both ends. Koike would have preferred more time to watch his targets, but it seemed like they might be getting suspicious of the noise, or perhaps lack thereof coming from behind the mansion. He dropped down on top of the two towards the back. Their backs were turned towards the other two; so, Koike had no choice but to drop down in front of them. He quickly cut into their vocal cords and with a flash stabbed both through the heart. He used their bodies to block the view of the second patrol. Koike used his flash step to hurl himself along the wall. It took barely an instant before he was upon the other two guards. He made two quick cuts disarming them before they could ascertain what had happened. Two more cuts and Koike watched their bodies drop.

Once again he found himself atop the roof watching the other side now. This group was now congregated together. This fight proved much easier. Koike jumped down with a silent and balanced motion and cut through the air into flesh and blood. He repeated this action in different variations three times and received the same result. Upon dispatching the underlings the olive eyed shinigami crept along the walls of the mansion ducking under the windows so as to not be spotted by anyone who might be watching from within. He stealthily made his way towards the edge of the stone walls, and peered out his head to assess the situation.
Five guards were left. One stood with his back towards a tree about 50 meters ahead of Koike, and another was watching the gate with his back to the young fuko-taicho. Two stood in front of the stairs guarding the entrance, and lastly a guard was leaned against a wall taking a nap across from the guard underneath a tree. This would pose a far greater challenge than before. Koike had to make his movements perfect.

He took a deep breath and prepared himself. With focused eyes he launched off, appearing behind the guards in the doorway. He used their bodies to hide behind. He slammed his zanpakuto through the air with a brilliant flash and propelled his small frame once again towards the shade of leaves. Underneath their protection Koike cut through the bone of a think and muscular arm as a soft thud came from behind him. He stabbed a white haired Yamibatsu through their chest cavity and withdrew his blade. He then used his flash step to cut into the fourth guard who had only begun to turn his back.

Koike cut into the fellow’s spine and withdrew his blade and swiped down in a diagonal sweeping motion. Two more muted thuds could be heard throughout the yard. For a moment Koike considered walking towards the final guard but thought it too dangerous to take a chance here. He pushed towards the guard with a shunpo arriving above his target and dropping down with his blade pointed at the ground. Sixteen bodies lay spewing fast amounts of blood in the yard of the mansion. Their pistols lay beside them. Koike was covered in head to toe with their remains. However, he knew fully well he was far from finished here.

Koike walked towards the entrance with a careful stance. He poked his head against the window and saw one of the elites in the living room. His face was forced into a book. He had a strong build and white hair. The white hair was similar to Koike’s and was a trait shared among all the Yamibatsu. It had an eerie familiarity that he found hard to shake. He decided to leave this one for last and went to scout for the others.

There were two on the second floor and one on the third sitting in a chair in front of a door. Koike assumed he was watching the door for their boss. Their position changed his plans. He figured he would have to take out the first floor elite second instead of last. Koike broke through the glass window on the third floor and flash stepped through the glass leaving small cuts across his body. He grabbed a few shards and threw them at the stunned guard. Koike rushed into the guard impaling him. Koike’s element of surprised tactic was once again met by great success. He cut into the thick muscled man and kicked his pistol away.

After dropping the guard he could hear shouts coming from the second floor asking “What was that?” Upon hearing no reply he could hear footsteps reverberating towards the staircase. Koike wasn’t about to stay and greet the oncoming Yamibatsu. He used hoho and cut through a window on the opposite side. He ran along the grey walls on the right side of the stone mansion. He jumped down onto the porch and cut through the hinges off the door and kicked it in like a piece of paper at the Muscular white haired man. He flew in right behind the door. The Yamibatsu leapt over the door only to let a curse slip between his lips as Koike cut through his torso in midair. “They are downstairs,” he could hear someone shout alongside a rushing pounding aimed in the direction of the staircase.

Koike leapt backwards towards the doorway and then jumped up onto the roof. He hoped up again to the third floor and dropped through the left window. A thin white haired man with pale skin stood with his attention pointed towards the shinigami. He quickly pointed his weapon at the white haired fuko-taicho. Koike kicked the silver pistol that had been knocked away into the air at the Yamibatsu’s arm. An explosion of kidou rocked through the third floor as the bullet blew through the silver pistol. Koike and the thin man were blinded. The Yamibatsu fired wildly in the air, but his shots were a complete miss. A blind Koike launched forward towards where he thought the man still was. He released a wide heavy swing and cut through walls along with bones. A spray of mist confirmed his kill. The effects of the blast began to fade and he could make out his surroundings.

Koike was still a bit shaken when he realized the footsteps were rushing upwards. ‘Here we go,’ he thought to himself. With his blade raised the vice-captain dropped down on the last yamibatsu guard. Koike made a spiral in the air falling head first. He avoided the blast of kidou that burned through the air next to his ear. Koike cut down the last of the elites in a sudden rush of adrenaline. Koike took a deep breath as lay atop his slain foe. Blood poured down his face, arms, and legs. Some of the crimson liquid was the Yamibatsu, some his. Koike reached for the wooden stair case railing. It was slightly tilted from the impact of the young vice-captain. Koike, made his way towards the finish line. Burn marks scorched the walls. The door the guard had been in charge of remained mostly intact.

Koike kicked down the door, but this time didn’t rush in. He was too weak to do so now. The blast had taken quite a bit out of him. He was forced to limp to the door. Kicking it open was a miracle in his situation. Inside the room sat their leader in a brown armchair. He was clad in a white fur and had matching hair. It was short and combed back. His name was Miwa Tsunoda. A smile was etched across his face as if saying' congrats on making it here and besting his men. However, now you were going to die.' He pointed two black pistols at the vice-captain.

Koike’s head swayed from side to side and his breathing was heavy as he watched the man. ”Let’s do this,” he muttered to the man. He no longer was able to use hoho let alone flash step. Koike dragged his foot up and with a burst of adrenaline charged towards the man. He was 30 feet away from Koike, but against the man’s pistols it felt like eternity. Tsunoda fired his pistols in quick succession. White streaks of kidou burned into Koike’s arms, legs and torso. However, he pushed forwards to the surprise of Tsunoda. 10 feet away he leapt into the air pointing his zanpakuto at the man’s heart.

“You did it,” he whispered. ”I’m so proud; you finally realized not every battle can be won with a perfect strategy. Sometime sacrifices have to be made in order for someone to survive. You can’t save anyone if you can’t put your life on the line. I’m truly proud of you…my….” His voiced faded into the netherworld and Koike was left with wonder and tears. They streamed down his face at an uncontrollable clip, and he had no idea what they were for. This man was a criminal, and yet his heart was breaking as he watched his eyes fade to black.

Koike’s wounds were quite severe. He could no longer stand and his arms couldn’t grip his zanpakuto. He fell to the floor in an exhausted motion. His vision was beginning to fade. He wondered if his eyes were going to match Tsunoda’s soon. Koike lost consciousness soon after.

“Fuck, I went and died before I could avenge sempai,” he muttered in a quiet voice. His eyes were swollen shut, but a faint light was etched over them. Koike moved his right arm towards his eyes; however a sharp burning pain shot through his arm. “AHHH,” he yelled out.

“You shouldn’t move yet, you are still hurt,” said a voice close by. Where am I, he wondered to himself. Slowly his eyes began to open. The light poured into his pupils and burned his retinas with a tearful sensation. Koike closed them immediately, but the tears leaked out still. After a few minutes his eyes finally adjusted to the light and he looked around. He was in a small bed underneath a pair of covers. His body ached from head to toe. Koike looked towards a familiar face. She had long brown hair tied into a bun behind her head. Her eyes were a soft green that matched her elegant face. She seemed to have a solid frame, that was built upon manual labor and the blisters on her hands supported his theory. He finally remembered where he had seen. It was in the street when he arrived at the village. She was holding a tiny baby in her arms. That familiar face belonged to the woman he had saved. Now it seemed she had been his savior.

“How did I get here,” he asked her in a weak voice.

“I found you,” she quickly replied. She continued on in a steady warm voice,” when I heard that you had gone after those Yamibatsu I went to stop you. It felt awful that you had forced yourself to fight those men for my sake; so, I went to stop you. I guess I was too late. That home was covered in blood and you were nearly dead. I ran back to the village and made some of the men give me a hand. I had an extra bed, so I took you in.”

Koike looked up towards the woman who was now knitting, and questioned,” How long has it been since then?”

She put down her knitting and looked him steady on with her soft green eyes,” Almost a year. …..You’ve been in that bed without food or water for a year. The doctor said you would be dead in a week, but you just stayed there barely breathing. I don’t know what you are, or where you came from, but you did save my life. So, even if you are some kind of monster I felt like I owed you a bed and if it came to it a…grave site. You saved us.”

Koike wasn’t sure how to respond and ended up just letting out an,” I guess so. What’s your name?”

“Yuna.”

He closed his eyes and went back to sleep. It took another 6 months before Koike could lift himself from the bed. He immediately began training to recover his strength. He would often journey out into the night beyond the warm barrier of the town and train. Sometimes he would think about what had happened that day in the mansion. He still couldn’t understand why he cried then. Those same tears would spring forth from time to time when he thought about it.

Koike’s preferred training in the frozen tundra rather than stay in the town. Whenever he walked around the village he would get odd looks like he was just as scary as the yamibatsu. Koike did his best to avoid people and they in turn avoided him. It wasn't an easy peace but it was at least a livable one.

His excursions into the frozen night often lasted weeks, sometimes months, and when he would come back his clothes were always in tears and covered in his blood. He wondered if the Yuna-san was ever frightened by his appearance when he arrived back home, but she never said a word. Instead she would clean his clothes and mend them. The peace in the house hold was uneasy. Her husband had been killed by the Yamibatsu; so, to her, Koike was a savior and an avenger. It seemed she had promised to herself to watch after him. Koike hated the arrangement. He wished she would just get angry with him for constantly taking from her and ruining her hard work, but she never would.

Koike stayed in the home for three and a half years. He had long since regained his strength, and he was now much stronger. Touketsu and Tsunoda’s words still haunted him. Koike said goodbye to Yuna and put on his shinigami uniform that she had mended a countless number of times now, while thinking this will be the last time she had to do such a horrid task. The thought actually brought joy to Koike, but he wondered if she would be happy knowing that.

Koike walked towards the edge of town where an icy blue path led out of the village and the barrier. Beyond was a field filled with crimson flowers. Koike had no idea what lay before him, and he was confident he was not prepared. This would be his last challenge. It was the reason he had spent so much time training over the last couple of years. He shunpo had evolved and his swordsmanship had sharpened, and yet he still felt like he was about to be completely overwhelmed. However, he couldn’t wait any longer. Koike put his foot out and proceed onwards towards a field of crimson.

[chrollo]

Koike walked along the pastel blue bath at a normal pace. The crimson field lay just beyond the outskirts of the village. Koike walked a quick half hour before arriving at the edge of the field. The field was quite large. It rolled through hills and streams extending past Koike’s vision. The village was now far from sight. Countless red tinted flowers sat upright. Their roots were sewn into a deep rich brown soil layered by blades of green grass. There were thousands of different flowers. Some that had no business being red, and yet here they were bathed in crimson. Green dragon flies emitting a strange glow hovered from flower to flower. Since his entrance into Tenka Shiruetto’s world, this field was by far the most colorful thing he had seen. It was altogether bothersome. Nothing about this was right. As far as Koike was concerned red was his most hated color. A fact he knew was ironic after all the times he had been bathed in the color from his opponents. He had hated the color since he had woken up in that field alone without a memory. All he had back then was a name, fear, and the hatred of the color red.

Koike hesitated at the entrance to the field. The path ended where he stood and yet he felt a heavy presence of danger that held him back. Once he entered he felt he would never come back. Koike took a deep breath as he had done so many times before and pushed himself forward. The words of Tsunoda echoed through his ears. He had learned there would always be a time when you have to move forward into a danger you can’t even comprehend. Koike raised his legs and gently proceeded into the crimson field. He walked as carefully as he could to avoid crushing the flowers beneath his feet. It was a feat that proved to be very troublesome and utterly impossible. No matter how hard he tried there was a clear path of destruction left behind the vice-captain. Koike eventually just stopped trying and continued onward at his own natural pace.

He walked and walked and walked. He crossed through hills and frozen streams. He walked until he was completely surrounded in a field of red. The insect that fed on the flowers were no longer anywhere to be seen. Not even they dared to venture this far out. Koike was now the only living thing for miles out. ‘How much farther must I walk,’ he wondered. Despite his reluctance he was compelled to carry on. It was strange it almost felt like his feet wouldn’t let him turn back now even if he wanted to. Finally, Koike came to an abrupt stop. He was completely lost now. There was nowhere to run and nothing to take refuge behind. Of course there was nothing to run from. His breath was the single instrument. Not even the wind carried through the air.

Koike wasn’t quite sure why he had stopped but decided not to rest here, and moved forward only to stumble on something. He looked down and saw a pair of kusarigama’s. They were Tsukikage Ame and Suta Raito Hi. A look of surprise and happiness spread across his face. He quickly gathered the two beautiful tools. Once he touched them a brilliant light shown down from the sky. Koike looked up in surprise to see an orange sun staring down at him. The moon and stars were no longer held in the sky. Koike’s ivory sheath and zanpakuto were gone as well.

“Heh, You must be happy to have those back huh?” The voice rang through the field, but Koike was unable to see their face. It was quite eerie. The voice seemed to be coming from every direction. Yet no matter where he looked he seemed to be alone. A sense of panic began to swell inside of his chest. Koike grabbed his shikai and braced for a fight.

“Who’s there,” he asked back. “Seems you have a good idea of who I am, and that’s fine. It should be expected in this kind of place. I knew there was something off about this place, and I guess you’re the reason for it.”

“Hah, amusing but you are what doesn't belong here. You don’t belong anywhere. You know that’s right. I can’t believe I failed to kill you. Your stupid father saved you by taking your memories with a forbidden kidou, and throwing you away at the last moment. Of course he was weak and died right away. Heck I wasn’t even a trainee yet, and yet I dispatched him like he was nothing. I guess that’s the difference of justice. What a fool that …..uh what was his name back then,… oh yeah Ts,,ss.thats right Tsunoda.”

“WHAT,” Koike shouted. “What do you mean my father was Tsunoda?”

“Eh that kidou must still be active, I guess. I really should have killed you back then, when I finally found you. You are just so pathetic, but you were so god damn funny for some reason. You actually wanted to call me sempai. To be honest the thought of being your sempai made me sick at my stomach, but it was worth seeing you struggle.” Koike began to shake in anger at the voice. Tears began to drip down his cheeks at the same time. There was no way this was true he thought. “You couldn’t even swing a zanpakuto and you thought you could be my vice-captain. Did you really think I was going to let a piece of filthy yamibatsu scum be my vice-captain? I was so close to seeing your face in despair. If only I could have lived just a little longer I would have seen your face as I finally told you what a piece of filthy trash you are. Although the face your making right now is pretty good.”

“Shut up, you are not Ito-san,” Koike’s voice rang out in anger. However, the sound of the voice was disturbing. The soft high tenor sent chills down his spine.

“Hey, who said you had the right to say that name.” A figure rose from the ground, and Koike’s breath was halted. The situation felt like he was under a thousand pounds of pressure. He had the face and body of Ito-sempai. Koike shook his head and disbelief, and his nostrils began to flare as anger leaked from every poor.

“How dare you take that form,” he shouted, and whipped the weight of Tsukikage Ame towards the fake. The crescent blade curved through the air aimed for the neck of the impostor. However, the black haired shinigami repelled the weight as if it was a piece of paper with his zanpakuto. He even stole Ito-sempai’s zanpakuto, Koike thought to himself.

“I haven’t taken any form. This is the real me. I cut down your bandit family. I killed your father and mother. I destroyed your filthy clan. Accept that. I only spared you cause of how weak you are. You came here to learn bankai to avenge me. What for? I don’t need to be disgraced by having you avenge me. Besides do you honestly think you could ever best the man who killed me? Although it doesn’t really matter cause I’m going to finally finish you off here. Akai kaze.” A bright light appeared around man’s zanpakuto. He had released Ito-san’s shikai. Two red sabers took shape in Ito’s hands.

“Gousetsu.” Koike uttered. A large snow storm rained down over the field. The red petals were quickly covered in white powder. Koike began launching large icicles down towards his adversary, and swinging the weights at Ito. However, Ito repelled his weights with one sword and shot down every one of his icicles with a blast of red kidou that was shot from his right handed sword. Ito’s shikai enabled him to fire blast of condensed air at his target. Ito was able to shoot down several before they even got near him. If anything this strategy was putting Koike in danger of being hit by a random piece of shrapnel.

Koike stared at Ito with an agitated face. He was strong. He was practically the spitting image of Ito in every way. The fear that he was telling the truth began to creep further and further into his heart. He had been telling himself that there was no way Ito could be here in this world, but even that concrete evidence was beginning to slip the more he fought the man. “Shiro no Yajyuu.” He shouted. Koike had backed away while he focused on summoning his friend Touketsu. The figure of the large troll took shape behind Koike. He was a good 5 meters tall. A thick white mane rode down his arm chest and back. A single Ivory horn rose up from his massive head. Years ago, Koike would have been unable to continue Gousetsu and maintain the focus to summon Touketsu. However, the long years of training in the tundra had greatly improved his reikyoku and control. Of course he could only manage to keep the snowstorm up. He was still unable to fire off icicles while Touketsu was summoned.

Touketsu charged forward towards Ito, but Ito did not seem concerned. He easily dodged the oncoming charge with his flash step. Koike use the opportunity to launch the weighted ends of Tsukikage Ame and Suta Raito Hi at the point where Ito had dodged, but once again he simply parried his attack. Frustration was beginning to build up inside of the fuko-taicho. Touketsu seemed to sense this and let out a dealing roar. He began swinging his massive muscular arms at Ito-san and waving his ivory horn in an attempt to pierce his much smaller opponent. However, Ito seemed unfazed by this and instead incanted, “Akai no Tatsumak.” Gusts of red wind began kicking up around Ito’s arms until they formed a giant tornado around each arm. Ito was able to push back against Touketsu’s strength. Koike tried to aide his friend but his kusarigama’s were blown back by the strong gusts of wind.

Ito’s shikai seemed to be the perfect counterpart of Koike’s. Everything he tried was being repelled. This was his first fight against his dead friend. It was utterly depressing to see just how strong Ito could be and to still have lost. Koike began to think back to what he said. ‘Maybe the fake Ito was right, was there anyway he would be able to fight against someone who was stronger than this person.’ Koike continued to whip his kusarigama back and forth to no avail. Meanwhile all could do was watch Ito fight Touketsu. Ito-san shoved the giant back and began to lay into him. He moved the tornados around like they were his fists. He punched Touketsu over and over. Anguish was etched into Koike’s face as he watched helplessly. Finally he could watch no longer he recalled Touketsu. Ito recalled his ability as well and turned towards Koike with a triumphant look. “Thanks friend you bought me just enough time.” he whispered. “Touji.”

The falling snow began to rise and flow into the weights of his Kusarigama’s. Six minutes had finally passed since he had summoned Goutetsu. Koike began swinging his arms wildly firing off burst after burst of reikyoku. The air was filled with blue crescents and stars. Koike had lost sight of Ito in his anger. He wondered if he had used flash step to avoid his attack, but the truth was soon revealed to Koike. “This is my Akai Kuuki,” Ito shouted in a confident tone behind a wall of red air. Rage filled throughout his body as he stared down at Ito. He continued to fire volley after volley at red wall, but it was useless. His reikyoku was just absorbed and dispersed by the air. Koike kept firing still until he could no longer. Blood dripped from the grips of his blades. He no longer had the reikyoku to fire his Touji, not that it would matter. It was far too weak to reach Ito. Koike dropped to his knees in defeat.

“This is just sad you know. I think I will just end this now. Akai Shipped.” Two giant red tornadoes began to grow around his zanpakuto. They swelled to larger and larger sizes until they began to merge together. The reikyoku inside the hurricane was tremendous. ‘I’m going to be crushed by this aren’t I? I’m going to die weak and pathetic. Tenka is probably pissed off right now I bet. I don’t want to die, but I don’t think I can beat this. How do I beat this Tenka? Screw it.’

Koike rose to his feet. He figured it was better to die on his feet than on his knees. The anger and rage that had stirred to a boiling point by Ito’s words were now gone. All that was left was regret. All the words and actions he would no longer say and do. They weighed so heavy it was nearly unbearable. However, there was one thing that Koike wanted more than anything else. The weight on his soul was the size of this world. ‘I want to show Ito I’m strong, I’d sacrifice anything for it,’ he thought to himself. Suddenly a light began to emit from within the weights of Tsukikage Ame and Suta Raito Hi. They were lifted into the air and burst into energy. They swirled around beneath the sun forming a massive ball of white light.

Koike raised his hand toward the sky and formed a fist. He could feel the energy as if it were a part of his body. Koike motion forward and the ball flew towards Ito’s red hurricane. The two met and sparks flew as the two reiatsus bounced against each other. Koike’s was pushed back by the winds, but he pushed forwards using every last bit of his strength he walked towards Ito. He was now close enough to feel the ferocity of hurricane’s violent winds. They lashed against his skin leaving deep cuts, but Koike forced himself on. Everything he had gone through was coming down to this. “I’m not going to lose,” Koike shouted defiantly. The ball of white light expanded farther pushing apart the red winds. The two reiatsus met and caused a massive explosion.

Both shinigami were knocked backwards. Dust covered the area for several minutes. Koike could barely move. The ball of reikyoku had taken all the energy from him. He wasn't sure what happened to Ito. Eventually the dust began to settle, and the figure moved towards Koike. It was Ito. He had managed to make it out, but he seemed to be worn out and his clothes were scorched. “That was impressive. I will give you that Koike, but I win.”

“You right,” Koike responded. “You are the real Ito-sempai. I’m sorry for not believing. I guess you must have hated me so much, but despite that you were the reason I’m still alive. Ironic, your encouragement and kindness has been my anchor.” With the last bit of strength he could muster Koike forced himself up to face Ito. “Even if you can’t stand my existence, your actions created me. All the good in me is because of you. That’s more good than most people will ever have; so, the least I can do is embrace the bad in my friend without hesitation.”

Koike could barely keep his eyes open when he felt the two arms embrace his torso. “Why, are you such an idiot? You are supposed to hate me for destroying your family and making you suffer.” Koike was surprised. The cold voice that had insulted and threatened him over and over had vanished. The kind gentle voice of his friend had taken its place. Koike felt his energy being restored as he was embraced in the warm arms of Ito-san.

“I don’t care, I don’t remember them. Even if I’d still forgive you.” He answered back.

“I never wanted to kill your family, but I was the only one who could stop them at the time. Soul Society wouldn’t send anyone to protect our district. The Yamibatsu destroyed everything. I had to stand up to them. I let your father take your memory as a dying wish, and I left you in a field nearby. I never expected to see you again, but when I did I saw the state you were in and hated myself. Before I knew it I was trying to cheer up a person whose life I had destroyed. I’m a hypocrite. I did hate you, but only because you didn’t hate me. I let it fester inside and consume me. I knew I couldn’t beat Hitsugaya. It was punishment I fought him as a punishment for my sins, but that was wrong. It only caused you more pain. Now you want to follow after my mistake. There is no need for this revenge. You are certainly strong Koike. Use that strength to protect your family.”

As he listened patiently to his friend’s speech tears were rolling down his cheeks. ”How can I give up my revenge when it’s all I have now. Fine, I will try. I will try to, but I can’t promise it.”

“Thank you, but you know there is already someone who you need to protect stand by her. At least until I come back. Until then I’m going to leave a friend in your care.” Ito-sempai’s body began to fade and his voice had grown softer. Eventually he faded from his friends grasp. Koike pounded the cold ground over and over and over. He pounded so hard he could feel the earth shake, but he soon realized that his hands weren’t the cause. Koike Looked up and saw an elephant standing on his hind legs. He carried two swords on his side in sheaths. He was covered in a red and gold armor. An amethyst stone hung down from a horn on his head. He wore two red shoulders pads with matching wrist guards on his arms. Koike was reminded of Touketsu while looking at him. He also couldn't help but notice a familiar white rabbit riding atop the left shoulder pad. Koike gave Tenka a disapproving look.

“Eh hmm,” boomed out from the awkward creatures mouth. “I am Aka Zou. Eto, Ito-san sent me to this world so I wouldn’t be lonely before he died. He said he wanted me to look out for a friend of his. The Ito-san you just fought was created from the memories right up until his death. He sent me here in case you would try something stupid like seek revenge. Well, seems like you’re going to honor Ito-san’s wishes. As such I and Tenka Koike would like to honor you. Here is a part of your bankai.” Aka Zou opened his hands to revel a set of two silver rings. There were four rings in total but there were two chains. Each chain connected to a ring at the end of the chain. The chains themselves seemed to be made of iron. They were both the same length, about 3 meters long.

“Ahem look behind you,” Zou-san whispered. Koike turned around and saw the gold and silver knight, Touketsu, and Tsunoda. Each one carried a set of rings. One by one they handed them off. He now had a total of 10 rings 5 pairs. Aka Zou pointed at the rings and said,” You’ve learned a great deal here, and we recognize that and are awarding you with this.”

“Sooo this is my Bankai….ummm whats its do; cause, uh it looks useless.” Koike responded

“I don’t know. None of us do. You will just have to figure this out on your own won’t you. Well good luck with that. Now get out,” answered Tenka in a rude and irritating manner. Koike was about to lay into the rabbit but he was quietly transported back to the court yard in the first division.

Koike was shocked to see his bankai had attached itself. All ten rings were now bound to their own finger. His wardrobe had also taken a drastic change. Koike now wore fitted leather like trench coat. It was an off white color with three black diamond shapes forming a triangle on the lower back. Both sides of the coat had been cut off at a slanting side near his thighs; so, they taper off like cape would. The coat was left folded open on the sides near his torso and the collar was raised up. The inside of the jacket had a black lining. However the coat was not the only significant change. His black uniform was now a pale blue. A white crescent moon was embroidered on right side near his heart. Dozens of stars were embroidered on the left. His belt was now completely white. Furthermore he was now wearing sandals. The bottom was covered in metal similar to the iron in the chains. Koike was quite shocked at this new attire, but it beat showing up in old torn clothes he assumed. Koike was about to ponder what to do next when heard the sound of a visitor.

[Hirato Murano]

The newest to join the ranks of the white robed leaders of the Gotei 13 walked gracefully to the 1st division training grounds. He hadn't been here in a very long time, not since he was given a private lesson in Zanjutsu by the Captain Commander himself. It was only for one day, but he had learned so much from the indomitable and seemingly invincible Genryuusai Sotaicho in that short period of time. No one really realized how proficient he was at Zanjutsu and how many techniques he had created to use with his sealed weapon or how powerful they were unless he demonstrated them. Although most recalled his indomitable nature, few realized how compassionate the old man was for his subordinates. Even to the end, he was truly concerned about all of their well-being.

Hirato opened his eyes to see the long path in front of him. It would be a few minutes before he reached his destination if he didn't use Shunpo, but he didn't really mind. The stoic man desired some time alone to ponder everything that had been discussed in the Captain's meeting earlier. He was still wondering about the report concerning the former Captain-Commander's death. Why had it taken so long to figure out that the cause of death was natural? Unohana was not an incompetent or inexperienced, so why had she not been able to determine the cause of death within a week at most? Needless to say, it was extremely suspicious. His first thought was foul play, but too many people could have gained something from his death. There had to be some way to narrow down the possible suspects. Shaking his head again, the crimson haired Captain refocused. He was not here to ponder what had or had not happened to Yamamoto-dono.

He was there to assist a lieutenant in gaining his Bankai. According to his information, this one had thoughts of avenging a friend of his who had been slain by Hitsugaya. Terrible idea, of course, but it was unlikely that the Vice Captain would listen to his objections. In any case, it wasn't really any of his concern. His concern was assisting the young man in gaining control over his Bankai. If he attacked Hitsugaya and died, that was his own foolish decision to make. Hirato had almost arrived when he decided to cover the distance with a few Shunpo steps. He landed in front of the white haired Vice Captain of the 1st division, his haori ruffling slightly with his high-speed movement. "I've been requested to assist you with your Bankai training. We'll begin immediately." Hirato's tone was a serious and authoritative and his face was impassive as ever as he watched the white haired Vice Captain. The training would be difficult, but that was to be expected from attempting to gain the most powerful technique available to Shinigami. His own had been difficult, especially with how ruthless his Zanpakuto was about pushing him to his absolute limits. He would now push this lieutenant to his absolute limits so that he could learn how to control such power.

[chrollo]

Koike watched as a tall muscular man crept towards him. His crimson hair was so rich in color one would think his head had been lit a blaze. A pair of cerulean orbs pierced through the night. Koike was quite aware of the identity of the White robed man. He was none other than the newly appointed captain of the 9th division, Murano Hirato. The man used his flash step, and rushed towards the white haired shinigami. However, Koike was surprised to find he could see the movements of the captain. He could follow his flash steps now. It seemed his training in the world of ice had left him with some real benefits. Being able to see the captain's flash step gave him a new sense of awe for what he could do as well as inspiration for a goal to strive for. Even after all those years he knew his hoho was still just a notch below a captain's. Of course for now, being able to follow his movements was an accomplishment in and of itself.

Koike soon began to take in his surroundings for the first time. It had been years since he had set foot here. Yet, it felt as if barely anytime had passed. The night sky was still a masterful presence, and the candles still lit up the court yard. The lake was still ever peaceful as well. The only things that had changed were his wardrobe and Koike's new found company. Although there was one thing that had not changed, Koike's arms and chest were covered in the scars of battle. His thighs were stained in the faint traces of wounds. The physical proof of his challenge was forever present on his body. Koike was admittedly disappointed by this, but he had long since grown accustomed to his appearance.

A visage of surprise was sewn into his face as he watched the 9th division captain suddenly stop before him. He was quite unsure of why he had come. Koike waited patiently for the Captain to explain himself. "I've been requested to assist you with your Bankai training. We'll begin immediately." He spouted with a serious and, to Koike, authoritative tone. What exactly is going on he wondered as stared at the captain in a puzzled expression. His left eye brow arched up instinctively as he processed his words. 'How did he know that he was training bankai,' he wondered. 'I've should have barely left at the most minutes ago, how the heck did he know.' Koike was right to question him, when only he and Tenka Shiruetto should have known about his training. It wasn't a secret by any means. Anyone who knew Koike would have known he was someone who constantly sought a greater strength. It was just something in his personality that one could not avoid. Sometimes people would find it off putting, and he had lost out on many friendships because of it, However, it was simply too deeply entrenched in his being for Koike to fight it. So, in all likelihood the captain could have known he was thinking of obtaining bankai, and the events of tonight were not a secret. They were just not planned; so, then who was it that had requested that a captain who was surely busy with his own affairs come and aid a vice captain. Certainly it was someone with some clout to make a request of the captain. This requester must also be a person who knew Koike and had some ties to his gaining a bankai. The mystery began to consume his thoughts and his brain swirled around in the possibilities. Luckily the number of people who could request something such as this was fairly short.

"Did Xiao-sama send you?" Koike rose to his feet to meet the captain as he questioned the man. Now standing he was much more impressed by the man's stature. He was fairly imposing. If he meant to train immediately then most likely this giant was about to pounce. Koike, Swung the chains of his bankai around his arms in order to draw in the slack. He had no way to attack this person, and he had no idea how to use his bankai. The only thought he could come up with was using the chains to block the captain’s blade, and of course eliminate the chance of them tangling into his feet. Koike stood firm as he awaited the Captain's response and actions.

[Hirato Murano]

Hirato watched impassively as the lieutenant reacted to his sudden appearance. At first, he just seemed surprised, which was perfectly reasonable, but the white haired boy recovered quickly from that and inquired if the new Sotaicho of the Gotei 13 had sent. The crimson haired man nodded in response, walking a few feet from the white haired boy before sitting cross-legged and closing his eyes. Just by his first impression, the vice captain had unlocked his Bankai but had no idea about how to control it. That was why he was there, however. He could teach the vice captain to control his Bankai, although he would not recommend using it in combat unless absolutely necessary. There was a significant difference between the Bankai of someone who had been training with their Zanpakuto for centuries and someone who had been training with their Zanpakuto for a few years.

"Return your Zanpakuto to its sealed form," the cerulean eyed Captain said with authority, although his eyes remained closed still. Opening them slowly, Hirato pondered what the first lesson he should teach this young one should be. It didn't seem like he was that skilled in Zanjutsu from what the man had heard. The boy had chosen instead to become fairly proficient in Kido, a skill that had always been a struggle for the crimson haired man until he had finished his training with the current Captain of the Kido Corps. Now, despite it not being his strongest area of ability, the muscular noble could utilize Kido at a Captain's level so that it complimented his Zanjutsu and Hoho rather well. His gaze remained on the white haired vice captain while his mind focused on how best to train this one so that he might be able to become a decent Captain someday.

"Watch carefully" the man said, more in the tone of a polite request than that of a command being issued by a leader to his subordinate. He lifted his left arm and pulled the sleeve of his Haori and Shihakusho away from it until the clothing only barely reached his elbow. Tattooed on his forearm was a large black dragon that ran from just below his wrist to just above his elbow. It was a significant marking, as the boy would soon realize. He wouldn't have allowed it to be put on his body otherwise; Hirato was not one to indulge in such things or allow frivolous, permanent markings on his body for no reason. There was a very good reason for the tattoos that ran up both of his forearms, something he had learned during his Bankai training a few years ago. Hirato began to speak again. "The first thing you must realize is that your Zanpakuto is not simply a weapon or an extension of your body; it is your partner, your friend, a loyal ally. Do not misunderstand its importance. It is the second half of your soul. When you fight, your Zanpakuto fights alongside you, lending you its power to defeat your enemies." He spoke all of this with a knowledgeable tone of a teacher instructing a student. For now, the boy was his pupil and he would make sure that by the time they were finished, he would be able to control his Bankai. Otherwise, this was simply a waste of time and Hirato despised wasting time.

[chrollo]

The man in white quietly nodded, and then proceeded to instruct him to seal his zanpakuto. Koike realizing that he was not going to attack for now decided to follow his instructions. Koike began to imagine the ivory sheath and blade. The captain kept his gaze steady on the shinigami's small frame. He couldn't help but find his stare intimidating. Koike continued to focus on sealing his bankai, but no matter how hard he tried he couldn't seal it. He shook his bankai in the air, stretched the pen sized chains as far as they could go, tried to pound them into the green ground, but they would not change. Small droplets of hot sweat began to form over his brow and run over and into his eyes. A flash of warm heat began to rise over his cheeks, and Koike flailed around in the night as he struggled to hide his embarrassment at his inability to reseal his bankai.

The captain continued to speak, forcing him revert his attention back to the crimson haired figure. He suddenly became even more imposing as he flashed his muscular arms covered in a thick black dragon. Koike's olive eyes widened at the site. It was quite an impressive mark, and also quite frightening. Koike was beginning to see why this man had been chosen has a captain above others. His voice continued to echo throughout the courtyard as the cerulean eyes figure explained in further detail the concept of a bankai. His words were deep and far more impressive than the tattoo, he thought to himself. Koike stared up at the captain with a newly found awe and now realized he was standing in a hunched over position. He had somehow managed to tangle himself in the chains of his bankai. The fuko taicho was probably the least impressive sight of a released bankai in the history of seireitei. Koike tried to untangle himself walking and hopping in a circle until he finally declared, "Ummm.... I don't think I can release my bankai." Koike looked away in shame as he uttered the sentence. He immediately tensed up, and clamped his eyelids together in fear of the captain's response.

[Hirato Murano]

The 43rd head of the Murano family sighed when the boy attempted to seal his Bankai by force. That was not the proper way to return a Zanpakuto at all; it had to be performed with respect and consideration toward the one comrade that would never leave your side, no matter how hopeless the situation was or how close to death you were. It seemed like the vice captain had heard his words, but had not truly listened to or understood them. If he had, he wouldn't be attempting to seal his Bankai with physical power. The white haired boy had even managed to tangle himself up in the chains that were a part of the physical form of his Bankai. Hirato walked over and assisted the boy in untangling himself before returning to his chosen spot. His words were pointless and the newest Captain simply sighed in response, as if to wordless convey that that was already obvious to him.

"Don't attempt to seal your Bankai with force. Simply communicate with it and politely request that it return to its sealed form." Perhaps his words sounded ridiculous to the white haired boy, although it was the only way he himself had managed to compel Kaimetsu to return to its sealed form after he had released Bankai for the very first time. Hirato remembered the power, the fear, and the exhilaration of that moment very well, like it had occurred only yesterday. Also present in his memory was the lack of understanding that the boy in front of him was experiencing; however, he had moved past that fairly quickly, having an excellent relationship with his Zanpakuto. Kaimetsu was honestly his oldest friend and one of the only constants in the crimson haired man's life. There was one idea that he had that might give the vice captain a better understanding of how to control a Bankai.

"Stand as far back as you can," the man said with a tone of authority. There was no point in disguising it as a polite request, because it was obviously a command, one for the vice captain's benefit, in fact. Closing his eyes, the man of mixed heritage communicated with his Zanpakuto for a few moments before his cerulean eyes opened slowly. In the same relaxed manner, the Captain stood up and unsheathed his Zanpakuto, pointing the blade in the direction of the white haired boy. Its blade shone in the light as its master turned in his wrist and bent both of his knees slightly, resting in that peculiar stance for a moment just prior to his voice echoing across the training grounds. "Bankai," he began, his body glowing with blue reiatsu while the wind began whipping all around the training ground violently. His crimson hair fluttered in the powerful gale yet the tempest did not inspire even a moment of fear in him. "Execute, Jotenkeiri Kakushu," the young noble said, the wind becoming as strong as those of a tropical storm. He was engulfed in a tornado of blue reiatsu for a few moments, before a loud, resonating roar broke through the sound of the violent winds. The tornado vanished in an instant at this and the muscular form of the Captain of the 9th division appeared riding on top of a large, black dragon with two heads, two feet, a long tail, and thick scales covering its entire top side. Hirato glanced down from about ten feet in the air at the white haired vice Captain. He should realize what the form of a Bankai belonging to one really connected to his Zanpakuto was now.

[chrollo]

Koike could only assume the captain was exhausted with his antics. He kindly helped the poor captain untangle himself from the chains. The fuko-taicho's cheeks began to burn as red as the captain's crimson locks as he expected the his generous help. The cerulean eyed captain returned to his previous spot, which the olive eyed vice captain thought was rather strange that he was able to remember his previous position so easily. The captain then proceed to explain the process of resealing his bankai. Koike was already somewhat aware that it required a deep bond between him and his spirit. Of course there was practically no bond between him and Tenka. They barely saw eye to eye on anything. He always dragged him around wanting him to take things seriously. He forced him to go through that nightmare in his world, not once but twice. Koike thought it was impossible to have formed a relationship with the owner those cold black eyes, however, he knew that was probably not true. It was not Tenka's fault. He had helped him achieve his bankai. He had given him the chance at his own expense. Koike was well aware that was a sign of true friendship.

Koike continued to listen to the Crimson haired captain. His eyes stayed alert and his feet as well. He quickly jumped back at a rapid rate when the captain told him to retreat. The captain calmly released his bankai. It was by far the most impressive feat he had seen since, well the captain had appeared, towering before him. A gale of wind swept over Koike and quickly covered himself and closed his eyes. When he withdrew from cover and let loose his olive orbs he was astonished to see himself in the presence of a rather large dragon. The beast was layered in thick black scales that covered him from his two heads down to his two feet. Koike looked on in awe and admiration, thinking this is what a bankai should be. Instead here he was with 5 chains and ten rings. What kind of bankai was this he wondered.

I have to know, he thought to himself. Taking a relaxed stance Koike forced himself into a deep concentration. With an intense focus he began to try and establish a link with Tenka. "I will take it seriously. Everything that happened in your world. I get it. I was the one forcing you away. I will follow your lead," Koike spouted reminding himself of how he had surrendered to Ito. It seemed this time Tenka Shiruetto was listening. The chains and rings disintegrated, reforming the ivory sheath and handle that he was so accustomed to. The fuko-taicho gave the sword a look over and was surprised to find the engravings had returned. In fact they had not only returned to their former glory, but had been expanded on. There was now a stream of red flowers at the bottom of his sheath. Koike was impressed by the color and felt along the sheath. It was smooth and reminded him of the petals that had brushed against his arm countless times in that field.

Koike looked up towards the captain with a proud look of satisfaction and asked," Whats the next step?"

[Hirato Murano]

Even from his position perched on top of the large black dragon that was his Bankai's physical form, Hirato watched as the vice captain began to truly listen to his senior and successfully sealed his Bankai. He nodded in approval, pleased that the boy was starting to build a better relationship with his Zanpakuto. That was absolutely necessary for one to learn how to control their most powerful technique or else the end result could be akin to what happened to Zaraki, who had no real understanding of the importance of his blade and merely perceived it as a weapon to swing around and destroy enemies. Of course, it was so much more than that, yet some people would never learn to give it the proper respect. The boy eagerly inquired what the next step was, making his cerulean eyes glance over at him for a moment. Such enthusiasm could be beneficial in some ways, but it could also be dangerous.

In any case, it was well-advised to not make him wait that long, considering all the progress he had already made. The crimson haired captain snapped his fingers and the large, two headed black dragon he was standing on disappeared, returning to its sealed form of the katana on his waist. Hirato felt the ground tremble a little bit as his tall and muscular form landed gracefully on the soft grass. Over the years, resulting from countless battles and training, the man had learned how to land gracefully in practically any possible situation, mostly due to necessity. He glanced over at the boy with a thoughtful expression, wondering what powers and abilities the rings and chains were capable of. Certainly, it was completely different from his own abilities which involved manipulating wind. "I heard from Xiao-sama that your abilities involve controlling and manipulating snow and ice. Is that correct?" These words were uttered forth with an inquisitive and curios tone, since the newest Captain was actually interested in confirming that information. Aside from Hitsugaya, only the younger of the Kuchiki siblings possessed such a Zanpakuto, so this would be a chance to learn about another with a rare ability type.

This was an important step in him teaching the boy to control his Bankai, because knowledge about his abilities was very pertinent to what kind of curriculum he would employ to achieve that end. In addition to learning to control his Bankai, Hirato would instruct him in mastering the Kido he already knew and utilizing ones of higher levels. Captain Ise had done the same with him, pushing him to his limit and forcing him to use higher level Kido just to compete against her mastery of the art. He was not a master of it, yet he was still a Captain, so he could use it at a high level seemingly effortlessly. According to Xiao-sama, her vice captain was skilled in Bakudo, although he could use some improvement in Hado and in Hakudo. In respect to that, after this boy could control his Bankai, the crimson haired Captain would put him through a rigorous training regimen to make him more powerful overall. After all, he was a vice captain already and perhaps in the aftermath of enough training and more experience, he might make a decent Captain someday. To ensure that he was powerful enough for the position, Hirato would train him, constantly pushing him to his absolute limits so that he could break through them and reach a new height of power.

[chrollo]

Koike watched as the cerulean eyed man turned his wrist and let out a snap of his fingers. The dragon that had consumed the first division courtyard vanished as if it had never been there. The white haired fuko taicho stepped back in surprise. Captain Murano was truly a master of his bankai, he thought to himself swallowing down a quick gulp of hesitation. Koike stared on as the man effortlessly dropped down to the ground once again with his bankai now sealed and by his waist. After landing in a graceful pattern he asked Koike one single question. The question itself was quite simple obvious even, but somehow the question at hand had never been asked by Koike himself. Perhaps the answer was already obvious, yet he couldn't help but wonder why his thoughts ever arrived on the subject. He couldn't help but feel a bit foolish at the moment. He tilted his head with a very slight movement to the side as if signaling his confusion.

There was a long pause before Koike could finally answer. With a deep breath he spoke in the most frank way he could about his zanpakuto," I suppose my power has something to do with snow. Some of my attacks, more so than others. I.... I cannot be really sure if there is ice involved. The only time any form of ice is used it is an uh benefactor of snow, and it doesn't really last toooo long." He took another deep breath having said what he hoped would help. His lips parsed once again and words began to flow out in much more confident and serious tone than before, "So yes I suppose it is a snow type of zanpakuto, but perhaps it has more freedom than a pure elemental type." Koike nodded in approval of his own answer. He very much liked the way he was able to sum it up this time. He however wondered just what the Crimson Haired commander was planning with this bit of information. The thought bounced through his head as he stood in a less relaxed pose ready for the Captain Murano's next order.

[Hirato Murano]

The crimson haired Captain watched impassively, taking in the boy's surprise and hesitation in a moment's glance, a perfectly reasonable response to such an event from someone who had never witnessed the level of control most Captains possessed over their Zanpakuto's true and very powerful form. Despite his detached and analytical nature, when Captain Ise had so easily sealed her Bankai away with a simple motion of her hands, shock at her power shook him to his bones and he had experienced that primal fear that every living being felt in the aftermath of seeing something so magnificently beautiful. It was an instinctual fear, one ingrained in the deepest recesses of the human psyche since time immemorial and he sensed it in the white haired boy along with a mix of other emotions resulting from his display of power.

After a lengthy period of silence in which Hirato awaited a proper answer to his query, the boy finally spoke up, his adolescent voice filling the air. A frown appeared on the muscular man's face at the awkward phrasing of the reply, especially since it didn't really answer the question at all and only served to make him wait again for a better explanation of the lieutenant's Shikai abilities. Listening intently to the boy's second attempt at clarifying his own abilities, the crimson maned, white clothed lion of the Gotei nodded in understanding, approving of how much more logical and clear the second explanation was. It was a snow type Zanpakuto, remarkable just because of that, but the boy's later part of the statement was even more interesting. More freedom than an elemental type, eh? Even if the boy annoyed him sometimes, he was still capable of phrasing things well when he put his mind to it.

His hand drifted to his well-shaven and strong chin, merely the consequence of a long time habit. The topic could prove to be very interesting, indeed, as snow type Zanpakuto were extremely uncommon to begin with and now there might be one yet more tenuous than the legendary weapon of the boy-Captain. Mental processes began in earnest in the experienced warrior's mind, contemplating every possible meaning of the "freedom" the boy had mentioned. Xiao-sama had certainly made an intriguing choice for the individual to serve under her, the two of them united in leading the Gotei 13 hand-in-hand with the other white robed pillars and adorned sub-pillars onward to victory against any and all opposing forces. None could stand against a unified Shinigami force, not even the arrogant Quincy who so often threatened the balance of all three of the realms they claimed to protect.

Cerulean eyes opened slowly, accompanying the soft swish of his haori and the light movement of his crimson hair upon his face, his feet treading gracefully over the grass, his muscular and tall figure moving until it reached a spot about twenty feet from the boy's position. He was following the example of the raven haired woman who had trained him so that he activated his full power. She had been a very good instructor, demonstrating what mistakes were being made while offering praise for the progress made. Although Hirato's personality differed quite considerably from hers, the essential lesson of instruction had been absorbed by his intelligent and multifaceted mind: provide constructive criticism when necessary and praise when warranted. His gaze now rested on the white haired adolescent and words were uttered forth from the large man's mouth. "Discard your Zanpakuto and use only Kido to defend or attack, Koike-kun." The crimson haired man then fired a Shakkaho silently from the palm of his right hand before following it with a Byakurai, the small yet powerful red orb of energy firing out in a straight line from his right palm at Koike while a blast of lightning shot from his right index finger, slamming into the Shakkaho and causing it to explode. Yellow reiatsu crackled in his right palm and his hand moved to complete an inverted triangle which then sent three beak like beams of light from each of its points at Koike-kun. This was all low level Kido for now, but of course, he was just measuring the boy's skill at this point. After he had ascertained that, the real Kido battle would begin and the boy would have to summon every ounce of strength in his being and push himself to his absolute limit to succeed.