Firstly, I want to thank avatoa for telling me about my mistakes in this chapter. It was very embarrassing but I'm glad that the readers are paying attention, instead of just browsing through for a look on the plot. Thank you so much avatoa! You have no idea how grateful I am! My mistakes were: Rouge's name (Ace's mother) was mistyped as Rogue, Zaraki Kenpachi mistaking chakra for reiatsu and Kurotsuchi Mayuri is the 11th division instead of the 12th division. I've fixed them; but there are more mistakes littered around.

If you happen to find them, do tell!

Dream 3: Ripples of flames

- Ashes to Ashes -

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto stared at the report with a disturbed expression and clenched fists. The report consisted pages carrying a soul's profile when he was alive, right from the day he was born to his death. His hands and eyes were getting tired of scanning the report from the front to the back, and then repeating the process over and over again. He even was starting to remember its contents but alas, he was yet to be satisfied. He kept his gaze on them, going from page to page. When done, he turned to the front page with every intention to scan the report once more.

The front page carries the name.

Portgas D. Ace.

With a circle around the initial "D".

- Don't force it, just let it flow -

The news of Sosuke Aizen's defeat spread quickly throughout the spiritual worlds, repairs and helps were soon sent here and there- back and forth among worlds. As time progressively though very slowly starts to move on and things seem to fall into place, people can relax a bit again. And here in this world where Ace currently resides; which he humorously refers to as Davy Jones Locker was starting to laugh. When he first came, he noticed that the roads were mostly empty of other souls, but a few weeks later the newspaper came in. And in the matter of hours, the streets were filled with people celebrating and crying out in joy. They were free, they cried, no more fearful nights.

Ace had no idea who Aizen is, but with the how the people are acting- he assumes the guy's a jerk.

In a short while, he had started to live by comfortably, knowing his family more and more. He now knows a few facts (and confirmed some) from his parents he hardly knew- like Gol. D Roger (He childishly refused to call him as his father) had carried a terminal illness before he died, his mother had indeed carried him in her belly for longer than due date which later led to her death (this she had no regrets for).

Also, his mother on the contrary to her gentle looks can be quite strict. It was clear enough for him to not get on her bad side. Though with or without the threat he wouldn't try to break her heart, he loved and respected her far too much to do so. She had done so much for him and he'd be damned if he ain't a good enough son for her.

His childhood friend Sabo who took the shape of a small kid (Sabo interjected that he was an adolescence already) was often bullied in a playful manner, such as not allowed drinking sakes at parties by the elders. That doesn't mean he doesn't drink at all though, during his long stay here he soon got adapted and learnt well on how to sneak up a drink or two and get away with it.

Along with that, he now made sure to keep cards away from his old man (Whitebeard, not Roger!) the man was an expert in playing cards! He surprisingly found himself learning swordplay from Gol. D Roger; only because the loser should do everything the winner says (which in his opinion seems just plain childish but he really was just sulking). He wondered if it was all a tactic to get him closer to the former Pirate King... Their relationship is still acting like a fragile rotting blossom.

Respect him he did but call him a father?

It was foreign to his tongue.

Another fact he knew now was his Mera Mera no mi powers which stayed with him even after death (along with the weakness- a pity really, he was hoping to finally get a good swim in the sea) and somehow only selected people carried their devil fruit powers till death. Least, that's what his mother told him, but that last time he looked, it seemed he was the only one who still has their devil fruit powers. It was harder to control here though. The necklace supporting one single sea stone slid down to the side of his neck, functioning as a seal to keep his powers. It was small enough to do its job but not enough to drain him from all of his energy.

He doesn't know why there's a sea stone here, but his mother's grin is a very convincing factor in getting him to not ask.

Are all mothers this frightening?

And of course, crimes seemed to be something that was inevitable anywhere. Although the criminal rate was much lower than in the living world, daily crimes still happen. This is a very good exercise for our Logia. He wondered where all the dead souls of the criminals went to since he hadn't seen much of them. His mother replied they were in the area of a Noble, so thus the less numbers of crimes. When he asked where the place with no Nobles was she simply shook her head.

Nobles like Sabo's family?

He was horrified.

His mother had to calm him down.

Then he asked what Nobles were on their area, she simply smiled and said no more no matter how much he pestered her.

"Technically a place to train people or souls into shinigamis... seeing your spiritual powers I would dare say they'll let you in."

"I'm not planning to go there until I have a look at my new home."

With the wind blowing in his hair while he started to doze off into a nap, the shinigami's past comment on him being one of them was long forgotten.

- I'll sleep tonight -

Rouge was smiling; she softly placed the newly baked cake on the wide kitchen table, humming to herself. It was a large cake, pilling up with layers in all sizes. They were all vanilla flavoured- she may have decided on the flavour without his knowing but vanilla's a classic. No matter what Sabo says about chocolate! Nothing but the best for her son!

Food was scarce here since hunger was not a problem to souls, they don't get hungry after all- however, her all grown up child seemed to be immune to things like these. His stomach demands foods on daily basis (really, the sound of his tummy rumbling was loud!). This lead to the also daily use of the kitchen and people volunteering to help increasing in amount.

She didn't mind that her son felt hunger, it amused her that he was like Roger; both used to having endless pit of stomach. Ah, one of the motherly things she had a chance to do now with her son back in her arms...

But, she was worried.

They did go hungry but it was when they were alive.

And feeling hunger could only mean one thing.

"Everything's all right now…"

"M...mom?"

"Ace..."

She hugged him tightly, inhaling his scent. Her face hurt from width of her smile but she couldn't bring herself to care. Her son was here! He was here, in her arms and all grown up! She never felt this much happiness. It meant that he had lived and by the looks of it, he had been a pirate. Her efforts on that day had not gone asunder. His hair was soft and black a bit curled from her own genes, soft tanned skin and hard muscles. And he was tall! She pushed herself off of him and stepped back, just to look at him better.

"My, you've grown! Tell me, how's your adventure in life? And how did you get here so fast?"

"I found him in the docks with some shinigamis," Sabo spoke up, "By looks of it, they brought him here."

"Shinigami?"

Shinigamis perform their ritual on them, and then they were on their own. No soul was sent off by the shinigamis to their families, least if luck was not on their side. They'll just randomly pop out in Rokungai districts or in their case, the districts at their large island like home. A konso was performed, and then that was the end of the business between shinigamis and pluses (souls).

"Why would they personally escort him here?"

"This is bad! Shinigamis are here!"

She drew a breath sharply.

They never...

- To give freedom to your child is to trust them to stand -

"Vice Captain Sasakibe." Gol D. Rodger greeted. The man clad in dark black hakama nodded, "I'm seeking for a young man with the name Portgas D. Ace, and the reports I have received says that he is here." "What's so important that you need to see him?" He asked gruffly, eyes narrowing at the figure before him, "For you to even come personally to here?"

"What has he done to be graced upon by your high presence, Vice Captain Sakaskibe?"

Both men turned their gaze to the source of the voice, a shadow underneath the shade of the wall, coming into light. Sounds of slow steps seemed to resonate off the walls and ceilings, the rustle of dress accompanying in a soft tune. Her honey-brown eyes stared intensely to the shinigami, her breath even and calm. Rouge's light faded peach coloured dress reaching down elegantly to her feet moved and twirled slightly, a hibiscus decorated its bottom line. She repeated her question- though in a less... mocking way for the lack of the proper word.

"What has he done for you to be here...1st Division Lieutenant Chōjirō Sasakibe?"

"Yamamoto-genryūsai has requested his presence in Soul Society."

The couple turned their heads to each other, nodding in an agreement.

"And if we refuse?"

"We are allowed to take him by force."

- There's neither good nor bad; it's how you see it -

"Ace!"

"Yo Sabo! What's up?"

The younger boy growled and successfully managed to hit his adopted brother on the head with a large pole out of nowhere, "Don't 'What's up' me you bone-head! I swear you're much more trouble than you're worth it!" "What did I do now to deserve that?" He groaned at the pain, kneeling down till eye-height with him. "You tell me!" Sabo grunted, "We have to get out of here as fast as we can!" "What? Why? Someone's in danger or something?"

"Somewhat... Hurry up Ace! Or w-"

They barely managed to take two steps till black clothed men appeared around them.

"Great."

"I still don't know what's going on."

"Ace..."

"What?"

"Shut up and fight!"

Sabo growled and leapt, dodging a nice kidō attack from one of the unknown figures. This action was followed poorly by Ace, who ended up stumbling and falling into the ground. Getting up, he placed a nicely painful bruise on the face of the enemy by his fist.

"Hah!"

A firm movement of a pole brought down yet another of the men ambushing the two brothers. Sabo let out a grin of victory then swung his weapon low near the ground, sweeping more enemies off of their feet. He jumped up, and brought his weapon down on their backs; satisfied with the sound of breaking he heard later when contact was made between their skin and his cold steel stick. Jumping back, he avoided a swift thrust of a blade, then bowing low while running towards his attacker, pushing his pole to poke at the abdomen- hard. Then he went to the side, twisting his pole again before swinging it to the man's back, hearing that familiar crack of the bones once more. He pushed himself with his pole, hurling into another man behind Ace; head slamming straight to their chest and knocking them down.

He jumped down to land.

Ace jumped high backwards over Sabo, who knelt down in response and charged forward, steel clashing with blades with seemingly odd miracle letting the pole stay in one piece. Ace on the other hand was on his own once more and was moving backwards, avoiding swings of the blades, and then when he found a moment, he jumped up, and landed a blowing kick to the poor victim who dared to attack him.

He punched a guy in the jaw, before turning around to punch another one and by pure instinct bent down to avoid a swinging hit. He staggered back then went below the arm of his attacker, straightened himself up quickly then grabbed the back of the swinger's head and slammed it into the ground.

A crater formed from the force.

As more attacks were given, a large portion was focused on the logia, which in turn caused Sabo to fight even closer by his side, slipping from places to help him block attacks whilst he was busy dealing his own large blows.

"You're pretty good fighting Sabo."

"And you have greatly improved brother."

"I still think I should be the eldest."

"Damn it! Just because you are bigger now..."

"Heh, I expected you to grow."

"I am! It's just that time for aging moves too slow here!"

"Right..."

A sound of grunting behind both of them took their attention, and they turned to face two more enemies. Before they managed to hit them, said two enemies had already fallen with a smirking Thatch that stood behind them.

"Seems I was a bit late wasn't I?"

Ace could only nod with the similar expression to his old comrade.

"Anyway, we have to return!"

"Why? What's wrong?"

"It's your mother! The maids said that it looks like she's been caught!"

"What?"

- Things cannot be long hidden; the sun, the moon, and the truth -

"Now you're resorting too much cowardly methods Vice Captain Sasakibe, I expected more from you." Rouge huffed, her eyes fixed on the road leading up to their home, "But it seems that I was mistaken." "If the 1st division is this, then what of the rest of the lower division?" Roger bellowed with a trademark smile on his face. "Gotei 13 wishes to have no relation to your likes of the world." Sasakibe hissed, "It is not in my place to say against what our Captain Commander wishes." "Oh?" Rouge raised her right eyebrow, "Is it because of the devil fruits that exists in our world? Because my son just so happens to still have his powers that his fruit gave him?"

He sighed, "I do not understand either why your son has been called upon, Mrs. Gol. I was not given any information other than the basic information, which would be the existence of his powers. I do not support such ways of capturing a soul, if you understand what I mean."

"I am glad to hear that," Rouge smiled, "I am glad to hear you do not entirely approve of this."

"I thank you-"

"I do not however, approve of my son meeting your captain. He is to return alive or else. Wounded is something I can tolerate but I cannot- will not ignore death."

Sasakibe knew that the woman did not stand a chance against the captain commander, but the firm tone of her voice was enough to convince him that she indeed was. And that what she said was real.

He wasn't willing to find out what the 'or else' meant.

He doesn't tell her that he doesn't know if her son would even come back from all this.

"MOTHER!"

"Ace..." If she wasn't keeping her pride she would have face-palmed herself, "Of course he would come; what was I thinking? He is your son after all. Reckless as always" She sneaked a glare at the still grinning man, Roger. Said male merely shrugged in response.

"Portgas D. Ace. Under the orders of the Captain Commander of Gotei 13 Yamamoto Genryusai, we are to escort you to Soul Society for an arranged meeting with the captain."

"What? All this for that? There's no catch in this?"

Sasakibe shook his head, "We only require your presence in Soul Society, which is why we are here. We mean no absolute harm."

"Soul... Society?"

- Dilly dally Silly sally -

"Why in the world did you agree?" Sabo asked, "Haven't you heard of the Captain Commander of the Gotei 13? They say he's a real dangerous man!"

They were all gathered in the dining room, simply waiting for time to pass by. After the following events of Rouge (And Roger) who proclaimed that she was actually not captured yet annoyed when she found men were sent after her son. Her lovable but self sacrificing son who agreed to respond to the invitation extended to him. Which led him to getting ready to leave for Soul Society, in this situation.

Trouble likes him a lot- a bit too much actually.

"It's rude to decline an invitation you know," Ace grinned, "Besides, I want to see what he wants." "He should have came here himself." Whitebeard snorted, holding up his barrel of rum, "High and mighty asking someone else to take you to see him." "Yamamoto-genryūsai is the leader of Gotei 13, he is a very important man and also a powerful one," Rouge commented, "It would not be wise to cross blades with him, do remember that Ace." "Don't worry mom," Ace smiled, "I'll be fine." "If you can, would you avoid a fight with him?" Rouge asked him.

"I'll try."

They both know it's a no.

- I'm not afraid of man, I'm afraid of their minds -

Roger glanced up from the floor at the sound of low footsteps entering the room from the dining room, his gaze met his son. Ace passed the room without a word. He walked towards the door, and was about to slide it open when a sudden sound from the other man in the room halted his moves.

"Shigekuni Yamamoto-genryūsai is the leader of the 1st division in the Gotei 13- a group consisting of 13 divisions each with their own speciality." The first pirate king did not turn to face him, "You shouldn't worry about his zanpakūtou or the rumored heavy reiatsu; just worry about his punches, popping out of nowhere to attack you and his kīdo attacks." "I'm not going to fight him" Ace murmured, remembering what he said to his mother.

"You will," Even without seeing, Ace knew that the man was smiling, "You will, no matter who starts it- you do not back down from a fight."

"How do you know about him?" His tone was rough, "His zanpakūtou and reiatsu?"

"Come back alive then ask me," Roger stood up and left, "Ace."

Ace clenched his fists, rushed out to cool his head.

- Get mad then get over it -

"I'll try."

"Ace? Come here"

He slowly made his way to her, for some reason his guts felt as guilty as if he was a small child caught red-handed with a hand in the cookie jar. Rouge placed her hand on his cheek, breathing in the air. Her hand moved to the back of his neck and took hold of the necklace she had given him. Her other hand rose up, and with both of them she released the chain holding the accessory united and hanging on his neck. "Mom?" "Just in case," She told him, "I'll take hold of this, so when you return, do remember to take it from me alright?" She gave a tiny smile, her message was clear.

Just return home alive.

Ace stayed silent through the journey.

"Come on."

He nodded to the Shinigami before following him, his lips turning upwards for no apparent reason.

He just felt like smiling.

- Smile in the face of adversity; it irritates it -

"So, you are Portgas D. Ace?"

"Yes," He bowed, "May I ask w-"

"Enough of the talk boy," The Captain Commander stood, "Come, there's somewhere we must go."

Ace blinked stupidly.

"Well?"

"?"

"Stop wasting my time child, are you planning to stand there all day?"

He moved his feet stiffly, following the man.

- Surprises comes in all shapes and sizes and always unknown -

They had walked on and on till they reached a dark cave. Ace had made absolutely no comment on where they were going- well, he had but all was shot down by a glare. By the fourth try he had given up and settled for the uncomfortable silence stretching between them. Perhaps it was best if he kept his thoughts to himself, to respect the old man of course. Regardless, should he find something funny Ace knew he won't hesitate to fight. The ground was rock hard and it was dark inside that underground cave, even so they kept on walking and walking. Lower and deeper, twisting and turning, passing boulders and rocks, jumping down from high lands to lower ones they went.

It wasn't long before they finally stopped.

It looked more like a humongous wide hall with soaring high ceiling. It was more like a battle ground.

As large as the Marineford itself...

"We shall start here."

"Start fro-"

Ace cursed underneath his breath as he was just barely managed to dodge a direct hit with the much older man's fist, only the force of reiatsu and wind pushing him stumbling far back. He made an attempt to stand, though with much difficulty- while the hit didn't managed to hit him, the force itself was enough to wound him severely. He heaved slightly, finding it a bit suffocating as the powerful wave of the captain's reiatsu engulfed him (it was either that or the fact his ribs must have broken and hit his lungs- damn! Some warnings would have been nice!). He had heard of the man's strength but never did he expect this much level of power! He could practically feel it in the air, rolling off of his opponent leisurely. While heavy and powerful the reiatsu was emitting from this man, Ace however felt something- something familiar to him as if he was eating or even breathing, like it was a part of him.

His body lit up in flames; mentally reminding himself should he get out of this alive, he would apologize to his mother later.

She did know that he never backed down from a fight.

Yamamoto did none all but raise an eyebrow at the young man.

"Banshō issai kaijin to nase, Ryūjin Jakka!"

- Anyone know why the young never get along with the old? -

Retsu Unohana was at peace; there wasn't much to do as the paperwork was done and not much number of wounded was coming in. Things were finally falling into their place now. And here she was happily drinking with Isane. Sitting there on the porch of the house, just watching nature doing wonders to amaze them, the coolness of the wind blowing them, the warmth of the air even though the sun was shrouded in the skies and the soft sounds of the water running down the small hand-made stone's miniature version of a waterfall. The soft swirling fragrance of the Jasmine flower filled her nostrils, lulling her to a state of peacefulness. Not a single thi-

Yamamoto-genryūsai's?

A wave of a certain someone's reiatsu just had to bother the silence and calamity she was having. Of course something just had to-

"Ta-Taichōu?"

She looked across the small table, her vice-captain supporting the same horrified expression on her face, though the latter seemed worse.

"Isane, I'm going out."

"Uh... Unohana-taichou-"

"No, I will be going alone."

-/-/-/-/-

Jūshīro Ukitake laughed, picking up another chess piece from the chess board. Shunshui Kyōraku let out a sigh, placing his hands on his frowning face, "Ne... Shiro-chan, how is it that you keep winning these kinds of games?" Before his opponent had a chance to reply, he snatched out a bottle of sake earning a disapproving glare from his lieutenant sitting not too far away from him. "Ah... the same would be how you take sake out randomly Shunshui-san." "Ah..." The flamboyant captain smiled lazily, "Lil' trick I have learnt from a good drinker."

"Taichōu! Please stop drinking at daylight hours!" Nanao huffed, straightening her spectacles, "What if some emergency just popped itself out?"

"But Nanao-chan~" He whined, opening his mouth once more to speak.

The words never came out.

"Oh?"

"This is-!"

The entire colours had drained themselves from the face of the 8th division lieutenant.

She frowned at her captain who was readying himself to fight. This was ridiculous! The fight wouldn't end well, she noted, turning to see the enemy out of habit.

She let out a gasp when she caught his eyes.

Though they were in a very open area, she felt her surroundings were far too tight for her liking. Her heart was beating faster than the wind and it hurts a whole lot. In addition, her throat suddenly felt like it was being painfully squeezed and pressed upon. It was suffocating! She couldn't breathe- air! She needed air! Her hands they were shivering, her body was shivering, she was shivering and she still couldn't breathe. Is this feeling... fear? Totally paralyzed by fear - just by catching his eye, she already felt weak like a small mere insect in a presence of a much larger monstrous flames of hell itself. And yet... And yet! The elder had lifted neither a finger nor a blade yet!

"Listen well! Be gone from here! I have neither time nor the patience to teach a mere infant like you how to breathe."

A shiver ran down her spine.

'The poor soul fighting against him...'

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Hitsugaya Toshīro was grumbling. He secretly and childishly glared at the many stack of paperwork that was supposed to be filled by both him and his lieutenant who had gone missing...again. He twitched, tightening his grip at the writing utensil he was holding, wondering how in the world did he put up with the busty woman's antics that had gone on for who knows how long. Putting away the finished paper he had been working on previously, he sighed; that was one stack of paper done, more to go. He took the sheets of paper and started to work on it, the sounds of writing echoing in the empty room calming him almost instantly.

That was until a force of reiatsu washed over him and toppled the neat stack of paperwork he had worked hard to do.

If the reiatsu wasn't this familiar one he would have yelled.

But at the current moment, it was unnecessary, he told himself.

Scowling, he rushed out.

"Matsumoto, take care of the paper work."

"Should I bring the squad Taichou?"

"No."

-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-/-

Kuchiki Byakuya was not a man who shows his emotions easily nor was he a man filled with patience with the size of the moon. And because of those two facts he wondered why in the world was he standing here in front of the 12th division captain half-listening to his long line of complains on the damage that had been caused by his lieutenant. The keyword is his lieutenant; the damage that was cause by his lieutenant. Shouldn't Abarai be in his place instead of him? How come the aftermaths of his faults goes to him, just because he's his captain? Byakuya suppressed a growl; he decided without much consideration that he was going to murder the man- regardless of what his sister says. Hiding behind Rukia's protective back won't work against him anymore. He would make sure of it.

In fact he was going to track that man down right after he had this one-sided conversation with the scientist over and done with.

!

Who in the world is stupid enough to fight their Captain Commander?

"Oooh?"

Byakuya frowned at the tone of the hum; crazy scientist, he silently cursed in his head.

Scratch that previous idea, he's going to quench his curiosity first.

- And down Alice fell into that rabbit hole -

"We do not concern ourselves with the users of the devil-fruit," Yamomoto spoke lowly, "We do not even wish to concern ourselves of your world, people who hunger for power defying fate itself willing to turn to the temptation of the powers of the devil fruits. We, no matter how much our hatred for the fruits can never do anything to prevent them from regenerating once their users passed on. However, you whose powers should have been lost when you have died still posses your control over the curse." "Is that why you called me here?" Ace inquired, "To see if I still have them?"

"Enkai!"

His body already lit up in fiery flames which turned hotter and larger by his command.

"Now you've seen it!"

Not to mention he wasn't using much energy.

Not when fighting this guy.

Yamamoto-Genryūsai is the leader of Gotei 13, he is a very important man and also a powerful one.

Ace's eyebrows furrowed, if he were to win he would have to defeat this man. But wouldn't defeating him mean the whole spiritual world is going to go against him? No, he's not afraid but that would mean trouble to the people back in his world and trouble to his family. And he wasn't about to get his recklessness be the reason for his family's misery, not like in the in his previous life.

An image of a crying Luffy appeared in his mind.

He definitely won't repeat his mistake again.

His mother's face popped out, with an understanding smile.

Hopefully.

- This will not end well -

Zaraki Kenpachi was man who loved to fight. It was his fuel, source of excitement and practically his whole life. He would gladly accept any kind of handicap if it meant a longer and much more exciting battle. He depended on his brawns rather than his logic; it usually works that way anyhow. He just loved a good fight, so when a familiar yet rare flow of reiatsu came into his radar, he couldn't help but grin wider. Even a fool would be able to know this piece of reiatsu, and damn the paperwork- he would do that later.

After all, it wasn't everyday you sense the reiatsu of the old fart blaring hot like flames.

He shunpo-ed himself outside his barracks, following the source- it wasn't too hard really. The reiatsu was powerful, more than enough to even sense where it was coming from without much knowledge on kidō. Briefly, on the corner of his eyes, he spotted the rest of the captains, jumping from roof to roof to the source. His grin, beating the laws of nature, simply turned wider than possible. Then, jumping up and followed his comrades. Kenpachi counted the captains around him.

'Huh? Two captains missing?'

"Doggy-taichōu is behind us~" Yachiru sang, popping up on his shoulder out of nowhere.

'Komamura?'

So that leaves...

- Consume everything, demon of the blood-thirsty sword -

Soifon silently looked at the large wall of flames where their commander was battling in while her men stood behind her, shivering. She scowled, wondering why she brought such fools here. Sensing other presence of her fellow captains, she stepped back from the flames slowly.

"Took you all long enough."

"The way down is a long way."

"How's the situation?"

"Yamamoto-soutaichou's battling a soul."

"Only one?"

"Who in Seireitei is he fighting against with?"

"We didn't sense anything that can be any harm... so is this soul a threat?"

Soifon shook her head, "We don't know that yet, for all we know he could just be practicing."

"If you have thought of that you wouldn't have brought men with you," Mayuri pointed out, "Wouldn't you?"

"Yama-jii's reiatsu doesn't look like he's killing someone..."

"I can give us an opening," Hitsugaya took out Hyonrimaru, "It'll tak-"

"There's no need for that," Byakuya interjected, "Look."

- Reiatsu is like seastone, except with limits-

Flames circled around them, large roaring flames.

He briefly wondered when his opponent was going to tire himself out- probably not any time sooner. There were very small minor burnt marks on that man but other than that, there was no other injury what so ever. Yamamoto's endurance was amazing and deserved a well round of applause, managing to withstand flames that can even melt metal into liquid and evaporate it in the process with just miniscule wounds.

He coughed, wincing at the pain. His ribs hurt and he was positive those bones were poking his lungs right now; his throat was overflowing with blood. He coughed yet again to avoid drowning in his own blood that came from his injured respiration system. The muscles in his abdomen ache along with it, internal bleeding was happening in the lower area of his stomach. Of course not forgetting the tiny portion of his right shoulder missing (really, he wondered how come his arm was still even able to stick to his body). The upside was that the flames did minor injury to the captain commander but they couldn't hurt him. It helped a ton, and now he knew...

That familiar feeling in that man's reiatsu was because his zanpakūtou was a fire-type and heck Ace's body was practically made out of said heat. That was also why the heaviness of the reiatsu wasn't affecting him as much as it should. The reiatsu however, was able to prevent him into using his power fully, say, if a column of flames hit him he would have come out fine but if it was layered with reiatsu then he would have some trouble.

He shook it off as result of his lack of training, another one of those things he should do if he would live after this.

Now the poking of his ribs was really annoying the hell out of him, it hurt damn it! And his stomach wobbled like a balloon filled with water.

He felt sick, and tired and he couldn't breathe anymore.

These were the times he wished Marco was here, and those times were very rare.

The walls of fire surrounding their battling area was dissipating making him wonder if the fight was already over. From the middle of the sea of flames where he was standing he could see more shinigamis, each with powerful reiatsu. He felt them, some were cold while some were wild, and some were... suppressed? He stared at the man with scars on his face (He won't question about the kid on his shoulder, reminds him of Luffy clinging to him and Sabo). It wasn't unusual to him, so why should he ask?) , now there's a man who doesn't run from a fight. The-

Fire...

?

He snapped his head in time to face a large column of flames coming from above layered with strong impenetrable reiatsu. The fire around him suddenly rushing towards him to attack.

Shit, he had been distracted.

"Kusanagi no Tsurugi."

Yamamoto's eyes did not wander from his enemy and the area surrounding him. His gaze was transfixed there as well as the gaze of the rest of our captains. The flames suddenly twisted and gathered, rising up high in air dancing like the wind. This action, earned no more than a grin, several raised eyebrows and some silent questions. Licks of flames twisted in the sky similar to snakes, bursting into small petal-shaped figures whizzing around the area before fading away. The flames on the ground opted to merely open themselves up like a lotus blooming to reveal a kneeling figure of Portgas D. Ace coughing up more blood, complete with flames burning on his skin.

"Unohana."

Said woman understood and obeyed without further question, knowing that she needed to heal him (besides she couldn't ignore a wounded in need, enemy or not) and made an attempt to get closer her current patient. The flames surrounding Fire Fist roared back at her, shielding him from view. Unohana turned to Yamamoto, surprised. Wasn't he the one who requested the man to be healed? Why were the flames fighting her? Yamamoto merely shook his head. He turned from the healer to the wounded, eyes turning into slits.

"Tune out the fire brat; are you planning to cough the life out of you? She cannot heal you if you don't turn off those flames around you."

The captain of the 4th division watched the fire opening up a door-like hole, enough for her to enter through to reach the person inside the fire-like barrier. Once she had entered, the area surrounded by the protective flames grew wider to adjust to her presence; the door she had gone through sealed right up. Ignoring her mild amazement to focus at the task at hand, her expression turned grim at the amount of injury this young man had received; broken ribs, slightly scrapped lungs, horrible internal bleeding, cracks on the bones of his legs due to too much pressure inflicted, a sore migraine along with the steady pace of loss of blood. Not too bad from the others who had fought an opponent that strong before, in fact, they never even lived. It seems that the captain was holding himself back... though he certainly didn't look like he was doing so when he unleashed his fire. Speaking of fire...

?

Ah?

No burnt mark.

She rechecked him.

Not a single burnt mark was on him, even after he had been attacked by one of the strongest, hottest fire in all of Seireitei.

Not only he could withstand the fire, it seems that the fire protecting him now was his doings and yet...

He was unconscious.

- When in trouble, just survive it -

And the so supposed one-shot has just developed into a multi-chapter story... how in the world did that happen?

Explanation in worlds: Think of Ace's place as if it was one of the many areas outside of Seretei. Or the worlds just like Kingdom Hearts game. Why does the Rough Seas, which is basically the after life area for One Piece Universe seem to be so feared? Soul Society literally do not understand how One Piece, a world with so much monsters and fearful powered people can have such a peaceful after life that's balanced. So the Rough Seas is treated like the black sheep of the afterlife family.

Ace's devil fruit's powers: Eaten Devil fruits are free to respawn as soon as the user is dead thus, users lose both their powers and weakness upon entering death, but Ace's powers stuck with him. To be honest, I didn't know till further research so when I found out, I was shocked. But, what's done is done- I gave him access to his powers in chapter 1 so he's going to have to keep them. Making them slowly fade away is just... weird...

Lieutenant Sasakibe is addressed as Sasakibe-fukutaichou by some, same goes with Yamamoto. Bleach is heavy with Japanese cultures, and as much as I'd like to make the honorifics go to English, it's a bit tricky. Japanese is very formal, so when you turn it into English in turn, that itself becomes formal as hell. It's a tough nut to crack!

Here's the part in which I apologize for making lots of the characters OOC... I can't get their character right! I hope the readers aren't too disturbed by the characters. (Ugh, Sabo seems to be more like Chopper...) This story is fun to write as it is something new for me and I am happy to keep on writing just as I am happy people are reading this. And for that I thank you.

Hope you enjoyed chapter three! Thank you again to avatoa!