"Isn't there anyone!" The woman shouted, dark eyes wild.
Everyone in the area quickly hid themselves behind their doors. Those who couldn't huddled together in groups against whatever they could find. The woman growled, pacing down the street.
"WEAK!" The woman shouted again, swinging her arm in a dangerous arc.
Someone whimpered beside her and she reached down, grabbing the man by his shirt. His eye's widened and shut tight just as quickly. He whimpered again in her grasp and the smell of warm piss hit her nose, causing her to look at him with disgust. She shoved the man to the ground harshly and he jumped to his feet, running away.
"Coward." She hissed to her zanpakuto.
"Mmm." The weapon agreed calmly.
The woman's search continued all over the District. Street after street but she was starting to loose her patience. No one dared challenge her. The idea not only thrilled but angered her. Was there no one who would test her? Her title as Ken-pa-chi meant nothing if no one dare fight her! Her hand lightly grasped her zanpakuto, letting a low growl escape her lips.
"Maybe we should move on? To a new District?" Her zanpakuto questioned.
"Oni-sama, please trust me." The woman thought softly.
Oni sighed for what seemed like the millionth time in his life, "Hai, Kodomo-san."
"Don't you think we should have asked the Sou-Taicho before leaving?" Yumichika asked.
"The Old Man won't give a damn," Kenpachi grinned, "And even if he does, I don't."
Yumichika sighed at his Taicho as another bout of silence consumed the running group. Ikkaku frowned, deep in thought. He was still having a hard time believing that another man had the nerve to call himself Kenpachi. Did this man know nothing about his Taicho? The legendary Zaraki, Kenpachi Taicho of the feared Eleventh Division? Apparently not.
Ikkaku grinned slightly. Oh well, it couldn't be helped. At least his Taicho seemed excited about the prospect of fighting someone.
The trees around them began to thin as they neared Inuzuri. Kenpachi slowed to a walk and the other's copied him. His lips pulled back against his cheeks and he practically hummed. There was a fight going on near by. Yachiru grinned down at Kenpachi, giggling at how excited he seemed. Apparently he wasn't in a hurry any longer.
"You will die!" The man yelled, pulling his weapon from it's sheath.
The woman grinned wolfishly, releasing her hold on her own. The man before her frowned raising his weapon higher. Just what was she playing at? They stared at each other a long while and he couldn't help but take in her wild appearance. She was tall, at least 5'11. Her entire upper body was wound tight with bandages, what looked like dried blood and dirt darkening it in area's. She wore shorts down to her knees which appeared to have been part of a Hakama at some point. Her feet were bare.
"Che."
The man's eyes froze when he realized her face was inches from his own. Her black eye's shown excitedly and her long, black hair seemed too slow to catch up with her speed as she drove her fist into his stomach.
"Ffuh!" He doubled over, holding his stomach tightly with one hand, weapon limp in the other.
"This is it?" She asked, stepping away.
There was silence all around as people peaked behind curtains and around doors.
"Che," She mumbled again, "Give me your name."
The man looked up, angrily. He stood quickly, wiping the blood away from his mouth. The woman chuckled and took a few steps back.
"Don't mock me!" The man shouted.
"I'm not mocking you," She supplied, "I only asked for your name. It's only honorable."
"There is nothing honorable about you!" He howled, running forward.
The woman turned slightly to the left as his blade skimmed past her. His eyes doubled in size and he jumped back to avoid the swing of her arm. She smiled at him, almost teasingly.
"You aren't from here. Or at least not anymore." She said.
He growled, running at her again. This time she caught the zanpakuto in her hand. It sliced deep into her palm and blood poured over his blade. He jerked his zanpakuto out of her grasp, stumbling back a few steps. She smiled at him again, bringing her wounded hand to her mouth. He shivered as she ran her tongue along the gash before it disappeared behind sharp teeth. When she smiled again, blood stained white.
"Can I make a guess?" She asked him.
He didn't make to respond so she took it as a yes. She hummed quietly to herself for a moment, eyes closed. Time seemed to go by painfully slow before she looked at him again.
"You are in the Shinigami Academy," She stated, "But you must have lived here before."
His eyes narrowed darkly and his grip tightened. The wild woman suddenly began to move, walking towards a group of women who had hidden themselves under a market table. She did not look at her opponent but his eyes never strayed from her. He growled when she bent down to eye level with them. She glanced at him quickly, a smirk playing on her lips as she reached forward. They all screamed, pushing closer into the wall behind them. Her hand gripped one of their forearms quickly and she jerked the small woman towards her.
"Let me guess again?" She asked, pulling the girl to her feet as she stood.
This time she didn't wait as a curtsy.
"You know someone here," She said cocking her head to the side and grinning widely, "You came to protect them."
In a flash the woman pulled her zanpakuto from it's sheath and placed it against the woman's neck. The others she had hidden with stifled screams and the man took a threatening step forward. The wild one had been correct, he did know someone and though this woman wasn't her, he couldn't help but grimace at the pleading look in her eyes.
"Release her." He demanded, she made no move to comply.
"I said release her!" He demanded again.
"It isn't her, is it?" She asked after a moment.
His eyes hardened. How could she possibly know that?
"You're making me feel cheap," She finally said, dropping her zanpakuto to her side, "But I don't take hostage's. I will let her go on one condition."
"And that is?" He asked, finally addressing her speaking to him.
"Tell me your name."
Really? That's all she wanted? She threatened that woman all for his name? He ground his jaws together, practically hissing. She was acting like this was some big game.
"Why is it so important?"
She gave him wide smirk before shoving the small woman away. The others under the table quickly pulled her back to them, hugging her tightly. The woman raised her zanpakuto again, pointing it at the man. A wild grin graced her lips and she laughed, sending shivers down everyone's spine. Her reiatsu spiked dramatically and a black mist swirled around her left hand, the hand holding her zanpakuto. Not to be outdone so soon the Shinigami-in-Training focused his reiatsu as well, causing the air around him to pick up speed.
When the mist stopped swirling the man gasped. The blade of her zanpakuto was solid black now and the guard had turned into a skull with glowing red eyes. The handle itself looked to be a bone as well. He had never seen such a terrifying zanpakuto. Not only that but she had gone into shikai without even a word. When he looked back into her eyes, they seemed to give off a red tint.
He grit his teeth as another wave of reiatsu rolled over him, almost forcing him to his knees.
"Did you feel that?" Ikkaku asked.
"Yes." Yumichika answered.
"We should hurry Ken-chan!" Yachiru yelled, "Or we'll miss all the fun!"
Kenpachi nodded, "Which way?"
Yachiru smiled and pointed left, "THIS WAY~!"
"Ahh, maybe Yumichika can help us this time?" Ikkaku said quickly.
The small girl pouted and glared at him from their Taicho's shoulder. Kenpachi turned towards Yumichika expectantly. The man grinned nervously before trying to focus on where the battle was taking place. It couldn't be far. He furrowed his eyebrows. Actually, it felt like it was getting closer.
"What is it Yumichika?" Kenpachi growled.
"It's like they're getting clo-."
"Ahhhhhh!" The group stopped talking as a man was sent flying into the building next to them.
He struggled to his feet, panting heavily. He seemed to be in really bad shape. Blood dripped from a deep wound in his right shoulder and his left leg seemed barely able to support his weight. Ikkaku's brow furrowed and he made to take a step forward but Kenpachi placed a hand on his shoulder. Ikkaku stared back at the man, noticing the conviction in his eyes. He raised his zanpakuto higher, glaring down an alley they couldn't see.
"I will tell you my name as a favor to the one I will kill!" The man shouted, "KENPACHI!"
Ikkaku glared and Yumichika frowned, this man was the one claiming to be the new Kenpachi now?
"Yay! Yay!" Yachiru yelled, throwing her fists in the air, "We found h-."
"My name is Hisako, Mamoru! And I will defeat you!"
The air suddenly went cold, even Kenpachi felt it. A powerful reiatsu was nearing.
"You defeat me?" A voice boomed and Yumichika was taken aback.
"Was that a w-."
"YOU CAN'T DEFEAT ME."
All eyes zeroed in on the direction of the alley. Ikkaku was hardly breathing as a long pale leg stepped into view. What followed next shocked him beyond belief. It had not, nor ever been, a powerful man behind the new claims.
"I AM KENPACHI!"
It was a woman.