'What the hell happened to "All fights in this city are one-on-one?" There's like three hundred coming after me!'


"I figured you'd come here- it was a simple matter of patience."

"Renji Abarai," Ichigo recalled the name of his opponent from before.

"So you do remember me, Ichigo Kurosaki."

"Yeah I remember- that I kicked your ass!"

"Insolent brat! I'll have you know that all Soul Reapers Lieutenant Rank and higher are required to wear limiters that suppress our strength to that of one-fifth our usual whenever we enter the World of the Living. So by facing me here, I am five time stronger!"

"Yeah, and? When we fought before I didn't even know about Shikia, let alone achieved it. But if you paid attention you would have noticed that I now have attained Shikia- I think that should about even us out… or it would, except for one thing, Renji, you don't know what my sword is capable of and I don't feel like telling- which means, I have the advantage!" Ichigo roared, charging forth.

"You're so conceited. You think that you could do anything? Remember Captain Kuchiki? Even if you could beat me- which will never happen- and eleven more just as strong, you would have to fight thirteen Soul Reapers at his level. And remember what I said about limiters? That applies to him too. But you don't have to worry about that- I'll defeat you here and now! Roar, Zabimaru!"

Ichigo found that his feet did not have enough friction to prevent him from being pushed back by his opponents extending sword. Neither, it seemed did the wall behind him. Well now his back ached, and his mask was a little more chipped- but other than that he was fine. Eleven more like him? Piece of cake, though the Captains might prove to be more of an issue. Still nothing like a sneak attack, even if at the distance he was at it didn't have a snowball's chance in hell of actually hitting his opponent. The look of shock would be worth it. It was for that reason alone he threw Zangestu without a hold on the cloth. He knew the attack would be dodged or blocked, but it didn't matter, because it was his way of saying "screw you."

If Renji and the observers of the match were surprised by his opener, then they were definitely surprised that he followed up the attack by charging straight at the Sixth Squad Lieutenant, right hand cocked back like he still had his blade. "What is he, crazy?" Ganju shouted. "That's just going to get him killed!" Renji, once he realized what was going on seemed to agree; redirecting the flying Zanpakuto to his right while sidestepping to his left, he launched his own blade at his unarmed opponent. It was a shame that he couldn't see under Ichigo's mask, because he was grinning like a loon, 'Just as planned. Time to rock your world, Renji!'

He swung his right arm forward, shouting out his Soul Cutter's attack, "Getsuga-" Zangetsu seemed to waver into existence in his hand. 'An illusion? But that's not possible- I felt the weight of that blade as I redirected it, and a Zanpakuto's abilities can only be used when their Soul Reaper has them in their hand!' "Tenshou!" The wave of pure spirit energy was not stopped by his blade, and only thanks to a last second dodge was he able to come out unscathed, but thoroughly unsettled. 'Just what kind of ability was that?'

The blindingly bright wave of energy had also resulted in him losing track of his opponent. Normally, this wasn't much of an issue. Renji's reflexes coupled with Zabimaru's special ability meant that there was a very small zone that someone could enter and be able to hit him before he could react. But that range did vary according to his opponent's abilities and once again Renji was afraid by just how much of an X-factor Ichigo was. 'Not in front, nor left, nor above, so either right or behind!'

"Found you!" Renji cried. Ichigo sidestepped the first swipe. Two flicks of two different wrists and he had blocked Zabimaru's second pass. "Don't you realize that if you die, Rukia might be able to get her powers back soon enough to get an appeal? As long as you cling to life, she's going to die!" A full swing to power the third attempt. Ichigo planted the blade into the ground. Zabimaru returned to its original length.

"I get where you're coming from, I really do," Ichigo stated. His blade began to swing by the cloth in his right hand. "But there are people back home that I have to protect as well, so I can't afford to die. But- I can't let Rukia die for saving my family! So I'm going to rescue her, and no one, not you, not your stuck-up Captain, not your Thirteen Squads can do a thing about it! And anyone who gets in my way, or tries to hurt my friends- I'll kill them."

"You're so naive!" Renji retorted, lashing out with Zabimaru again. Zangetsu met the front of the blade. Ichigo pulled the blade back into his hand as he dodged the other zanpakuto by jumping away. He had to see if three swings was the limit for which the blade could extend or if it was higher. Renji's swordsmanship showed as he was able to score a hit on Ichigo's side ripping it open as it returned.

"I think I've got it now," Ichigo said, clutching his side and waiting for Zangetsu's Hollow Side's High Speed Regeneration to kick in. 'Smoke and Mirrors,' he thought.

"What are you blabbering about?" Renji asked.

"I've got your sword-" he raised his head "-all figured out. Between this fight and our last you've never swung your blade in its extended state more than exactly three times. Which means, that's your limit. It's your long range technique, your short range technique, your go-to offence, and your primary defense." He enjoyed seeing the look that flooded the Lieutenant's entire body for a moment as he spoke- he had guessed right.

"Maybe it is," Renji conceded. "But that begs the question, 'what are you gonna do about it?' You haven't landed a hit on me yet, Ichigo."

"Well then, what do you say we change that?" Ichigo asked charging head first into his opponent. Renji struck out and Ichigo Flash Stepped past. Ichigo was now parallel to Zabimaru's blade, left hand resting on it to prevent a counter, his own blade swinging by the cloth about to connect with Renji's hip. Ichigo steadily had let the ribbon slide out of his grip extending the radius of his swing meaning that Renji had a nice cut going all the way from his left hip to right shoulder. Ichigo then backed off to see just what damage had been done. "This time my attack is going straight through your sword! Getsuga Tenshou!"

And he was good on his word. Renji had his blade broken and another cut to match the first. Ichigo walked up to his downed opponent but stopped when he began to speak.

"So now what? Are you going to eat me? Yeah that's right, I noticed your little healing, and that mask, you're a Hollow- so about to sample a Lieutenant's spirit energy?"

"Eww. That sounds completely gross. All I care about is if you're going to keep trying to stop me. You're in no condition to. You should probably wait for someone," he looked strongly at Hanataro, "to patch you up. And by that time no shortcuts are going to be able to allow you to catch me so I don't really care. And I don't care about what I have to become- I will protect everyone I set my mind on defending, who knows- one day that might include you. Ganju, let's go! We get up there and try to find someplace to sleep for the night."


'What the hell? Is this… a Captain's Spiritual Pressure? So hard to breathe… But if I focus on holding some of my own inside my body… That's better- but whoever this is… is a murdering psychopath. And they say Hollows are supposed to be bad!'

"Who's there? Hiding after that display seems kind of stupid, after all you practically announced yourself with that macabre Spirit Pressure."

Then a figure appeared before him. "I'm looking for the guy who beat up Ikkaku. And you fit the bill Orange Hair, or as Ikkaku told me Ichigo Kurosaki. You came out better in that fight so I assume that you can at least give me a warm up, but tell me- out of your pretty little group, who's the strongest? Because you see, Ichigo, I live for fights that take me to the edge of Death, and if I happen to be pushed over; oh well, that's the price of such a glorious battle!"

"Then I guess I'm the one you want, asshole. Ganju, go. I'll catch up. Just make sure you get Rukia out of here. If we can't do that then everything else is pointless."

"You sure? What about-" "JUST GO ALREADY!" "Fine, die in a two-on-one battle, see if I care," he said as he dashed away.

'Two-on-one? What's he talking about? Only the Captain's he… Wha- when did she get here? I couldn't sense her at all! But given this guy, it isn't as surprising… still I'm going to have to keep a tab on her so she doesn't pull a sneak attack.'

"Obviously your little friend doesn't know about the Eleventh Division," the Eleventh Captain sneered. "Having someone interfere in our fight is an insult to our pride. To rectify that we'd fight the interloper to the death to regain our honor- that's just who we are. Though if the fight isn't one-on-one to begin with then I might not kill them- but that is neither here nor there. The fact is I really don't care why you're here, so spare me all that philosophical crap. Let's keep this simple, my name is Kenpachi Zaraki, Captain of Squad Eleven, and I am here to fight you to the death."

"I am Kurosaki Ichigo, and sorry but I don't have a title to give you. I just know that you're in my way."

"Good, something tells me that you're going to be the most excitement I'm going to have in a long time. So let's have some fun, Ichigo!" Kepachi roared. As he moved forward Ichigo noticed something about the man's sword. Something disturbing. He was able to block fine, but his distracted state meant that he could not swing his blade, so he jumped back.

"Hey, what's wrong? A second ago you were all pumped up, but now- I feel as though if I'm not careful I'll cut your head off. Why are you holding back?" Kenpachi asked.

"Did you know… that your sword is screaming in pain? It's not something I can comprehend. Without both a logical reason and determination I cannot swing my blade- it is insulting to strike with a sword sheathed."

"You need logic to attack? What pussy shit is that? And it seems like you're one of those pansy Soul Reapers that needs to rely on their sword to make them strong. Bull. Shit. I've gotten to where I am today by my own power- not by relying on someone else!"

"That is how you feel? I truly cannot comprehend it. You said I should spare you my philosophy, but I feel that I must correct you and your misconceptions. Your sword is a part of you, just as your arms and legs are a part of you. Do you purposefully allow those to grow weak so that you do not rely on their power? So when you swing your blade you are making war with yourself- war, your blade is not even neutral! And for the record, my mask is also a manifestation of my power and due to the fact that it's awake- I understand my sword to such a degree that what you're saying is completely stupid!" Ichigo informed. "But perhaps you will better understand my position after seeing my strength in battle."

"Bring it!"


"Gestuga Tenshou" 'In a limited space like here a single direction burst is much more deadly than usual.'

Cut, stab, slice, parry, block, Flash Step, counter Flash Step, Getsuga, Gah- way to close, regenerate, no thought, no time, just one opponent and one of me, 'he's taking off his eye patch… damn what the hell? This guy's insane! Passive sealing I can understand but having something that actively drains your energy… dear god what are his normal, unhindered levels? We've been at this for what, fifteen minutes? Back to our deadly dance, I think those cuts are starting to get to him. A little more and- Chad!'

He disengaged Zangetsu from Zaraki's blade, his emotions beforehand signaling a temporary cease-fire. "Chad… Chad don't die- I don't care if I have to force my life energy into you from here! I will, just stay alive!" … "Sorry about this, Kenpachi. But now I really can't afford to stick around. So what do you say, how about we finish this in one blow?"

"It's a shame and we were having so much fun too. But I guess all good things come to an end. Fine, we finish this in the next blow, no dodging, no Flash Step just a frontal charge to see whose sword is stronger!" Zaraki agreed. "Ha! Even now you form a mask!"

"So says the skull man!" 'Horizontal slash- no wait, he's stabbing! Vertical! ... Damn he got my lung, but an inch further and he might have hit my heart- there would be no way for me to regenerate from that! What? No! Not now! I have to get away and this is going to hurt like a bitch. But ultimately this is a good thing. Gah… too much pain to even think… Nice kitty…'


"We don't have enough time for you to get Bankia- even with Urahara's Three Day method," Yoruichi told him. "Central Forty-Six decided to bump up her execution to tomorrow because a Vizard was able to penetrate so deeply with the expressed intention of saving her. It's a trap to get you out and keep you from gaining power. But I have a feeling that something more will happen then and the only captain you will have to worry about will be Byakuya. I grew up with him so I know his fighting style better than just about anyone else, as I helped him develop it- not that he'd ever admit it. So we train today to fight Senbonzakura and counter it, have I made myself clear?"

A white claw grabbed the wrapping of Zangetsu. "Crystal."


Kenpachi's got a potty mouth! Seriously, between him and the fact that I know people will eventually die could is what gave this fic the rating it has on its own! Ichigo swears too but since we hear him more often they are more spread out.

I hope I did these two fights justice.

Also since I don't know when I will say this in the story here's how Ichigo's mask forms work. His sword and mask are intrinsicly linked. What I mean is when the sword is in Shikia the Mask is supposed to be in Menos Grande Shikia- Adjuchas. Sword sealed-Gillian. Bankia- Vasto Lorde. And in a perfect world it would be like this from the beginning. However Ichigo is more used to his Soul Reaper powers so when he "levels up" his sword, it takes his mask a while to catch up. So until that last scene he ahs been using a Gillian class mask and a Shikia blade. Now they've caught up. Got it?

Oh and Gillian was that plain mask with three red stripes on the left forehead.