This is a One-shot idea that I got, and couldn't get rid of. If I get enough requests, I might make more. Please review!

Kenpachi Zaraki was a dangerous man. This much was obvious to the uncomfortable passerby who didn't notice him in time to cross the street before passing him, as well as the more attentive pedestrians who cut across traffic to avoid him. True, the small, pink haired child sitting on his shoulder and giggling seemed completely unafraid of the warrior, but then again, she was as eager to watch him fight as he was to simply fight. Their roles had long ago been defined; he was actor, and she was audience.

There were subtle hints to his dangerous nature. The almost eager look in his eye as he estimated the fighting capabilities of passerby with practiced skill, the slight, but noticeable scent of stale blood as one walked by, and the way he almost seemed to radiate blood-lust. Then again, it may have been the blood stains on his haori and the sword on his hip that gave him away. Almost everything about the man seemed to scream "War".

Ranma Saotome had been hoping sincerely to pass by the obviously bloodthirsty man, who's battle aura seemed to be turning the mild afternoon weather into a drought, but Ryoga simply couldn't have worse timing. If there was ever a time that I needed that idiot to be lost... he thought. But the surprise attack came without warning, as they most often do. Ranma decided he'd risk a potentially fatal fight over the humiliation of being caught off guard.

The martial artist nimbly flipped backwards in the air, avoiding Ryoga's attempt at subtlety. Ranma lashed out about twenty times with his foot, faster than the human eye could see. But the two shinigami across the street saw every detail. Ryoga turned, pained by the blows, but still itching for a fight. But before he could so much as move, the man across the street had his sword out and was charging Ranma. Ranma narrowly avoided the saw-like blade, and when the wall behind him split open, he knew how much danger the already gathering crowd was in.

"Wait!" Ranma cried out, causing Kenpachi to stop in mid swing. "What?" he asked, scowling in annoyance. "I won't be any match for you if you don't let me get a sword!" Ranma quickly said, mentally patting himself for coming up with something so fast. Kenpachi huffed in irritation. "Fine. Go get yourself a sword, but be quick about it. Otherwise, we're fighting, sword or not."

Ranma huffed. He'd had to run all over town before he finally got his hands on a sword. Now he was waiting somewhat away from the city, in a clearing that he hoped would prevent a crowd from gathering. His opponent was nowhere to be seen. Maybe I lucked out, he thought. Maybe this guy forgot all about me and started terrorizing someone else. Like Happosai. Oh, god, I would pay money to see that. He stood up. Then sat back down. After a while he did some push ups with his sword hand. Right when he was ready to leave, a voice came from behind him. "Sorry for the wait, kid."

"My name," the man began, "is Kenpachi Zaraki. If you survive, you'd do well to remember that." Ranma blinked. The thought that this guy would actually introduce himself was pretty damn polite, for someone who looked like a murderer. "I-I'm Ranma Saotome." he replied. Kenpachi grinned. "Well, Ranma, you might want to draw your weapon." and with that, he attacked.

Kenpachi Zaraki saw it as an even fight. Being in the living world meant that stupid limiter was on him. And the eye-patch had the same effect. He was down to some low percent of his power. He didn't remember the exact number, but it was single-digit. That was low.

Ranma Saotome, on the other hand, wanted to cry. And piss himself. And maybe turn into a girl. Because this guy was unmistakeably two things; the first being the greatest fighter Ranma had ever faced, and he had faced a LOT of fighters. The second, being that this man was absolutely bat-shit INSANE. He had laughed and congratulated Ranma the first time he drew blood! The man belonged in an asylum, with half-meter thick cement walls.

Yachiru Kusajishi, though, was planning what kind of victory candy she should have. Yeah, maybe Kenny was the one fighting, and she was just on his back, cheering him on. But she liked candy, darnit!

"HOLY SHIT!" Ranma cried, barely avoiding being decapitated. This is insane! he thought. I'm out of here! I don't care! This guy's simply too much!

Kenpachi frowned when his opponent turned and ran. He thought he had picked someone with balls to fight this time, not some chicken-shit coward. Sighing, he started running after him. No point in delaying the fight too long.

Ranma gasped for breath. He had ran so far, and stopped when he had come across a wide river. There was no way he would risk weakening himself by turning into a girl. "So you ran this far, but can't swim?" he heard, and he whirled around in fear, sword in hand. Kenpachi continued. "Can't say I'm complaining. I don't like chasing down cowards." he began to walk towards Ranma. Ranma gulped, but then tried his best to calm himself. If he could just stay perfectly calm...

Kenpachi lunged. Ranma dodged, leading Zaraki in a clockwise rotation. If he could use the dragon of the heavens blast... he neared the center of the rotation. Timing it absolutely perfectly, he twisted his hand up in an uppercut that sent the larger warrior flying with a flash of light. "Hiyryu Shoten Ha!" he shouted, thankful for the tide-turning technique. But his blood ran cold when Kenpachi stood back up.

Ranma had to think fast. There was no way he could win. He had been too stubborn to tell anyone else where he was going, so it was likely that nobody would even know he had died out here. He only had one chance. In a fit of desperation, he threw his sword as hard as he could at the monster of a swordsman. Kenpachi was surprised-nobody had ever thrown their sword at him before. The handle smacked into his exposed eye, causing him to blink for several moments. Ranma Jumped into the water, and swam to the other side. Pulling himself out, he looked down. His clothes were too big for him, and his jet-black hair had turned cherry-red. He had reverted to his female form, in a single, potentially final attempt of survival.

Kenpachi rubbed his eye, then looked around. The sneaky brat was gone, and across the river was a redheaded girl. Kenpachi might have flirted with her had she been older- and had Yachiru been absent. "Hey!" he called out, and the girl turned to him. "Did you see where my opponent went?" he asked, seeing no sign of the martial artist. "Sorry!" she replied, "I didn't see where he went! He just seemed to vanish!" Kenpachi grumbled to himself, then thanked the girl for her time. He returned to soul society without picking any other fights. Maybe someday that kid will end up here, he thought. Hopefully then we can have a better fight- and maybe bring him into the squad.

Yachiru ate much candy and chocolate that night in celebration, even though the fight didn't get finished.