Ch. 6

"Ahhhhh!"

A loud yell rung out, echoing through the aqueducts. Immediately, Dante woke abruptly from his slumber, his heart beating rapidly. "The hell!?" Dante replied. Getting up from his spot, the swordsman walked down the path where he was reunited with Ichigo and Ganju. "What's going, man?" the black teen asked. "We've been snuffed out?"

"It's okay," Ichigo said nonchalantly. "Ganju was just overreacting from what happened with his pants."

"Huh?" Dante asked before turning to the large man. On his right leg was a large wet spot. Seeing this, Dante started to snicker, but held it in. "Wow man…" he said. "Did you slip in or did you have a real good sleep?"

Ganju, picking up on his comrade's accusation, quickly reacted. "Hey this ain't what it looks like!" the man said defensively. "Hanataro was sleeping on me and he drooled on my pants."

"Yeah, I bet," Dante said as he shook his head. "Anyway, you guys look well. Must be the cookies, eh?"

"While your snack did help, I think it's Hanataro who deserves most of the credit," Ichigo said. "Early this morning, he was hard at work tending to you guy's wounds, too."

"Is that so?" Ganju asked as he turned back to the sleeping Death God. A thankful smile grew on his face. "Who knew the little guy's been working so hard without us knowing."

"That would explain why I don't have that crook in my neck right now," Dante said as he rotated his neck and yawned. "I knew it was a good idea to make him my number 1."

"So Ichigo, are you sure you want to keep doing this?" Ganju asked with a serious expression. Ichigo turned his attention to his comrade. "It's gonna be harder from here on out. Our enemies are probably getting irritated." Ichigo turned away, his face expressing deep thought. "Tell us that you're really serious about this. That your heart's in this for the long haul."

As Ganju inquired the substitute's motivation, Ichigo replayed memories of his last minutes with Rukia. His supposed end and his friend's escort to her execution. Remembering this was only increasing his drive to succeed. "She's waiting," he said. "And I'm not here to take a tour through the sewers." Hearing this, Ganju and Ichigo smiled.

"That's what I'm talkin' about, man!" Dante said. "And besides, it's not like you can hit up your crew and turn back now."

"Exactly," Ichigo said. "It's all or nothing." Dante gave a nod to his remark.

"Argh!" Hanataro shouted in a half-sleeping state. Dante, Ichigo, and Ganju turned to their friend as he started to flail about scream. "Please stop it! You do not have the right to do something like that! I am not that kind of squad member!" Realizing what occurred, the 7th Seat turned to his team, embarrassed by the event which took place. "Oh… Good morning," he replied as he bowed.

"What in the fuck was that?" Dante asked with a cock-eyed glare.

"That? Um… It was just a dream… Nothing to worry about…"

"Sounded like a crazy-ass nightmare. What was it about?"

"Oh… You don't really need to know…"

Hearing this, the trio were rather skeptical. "Right…" Ganju said. "So should we get going?"

"It would be a good idea, but…" Ichigo turned his attention to Hanataro, who had dozed off while sitting on his knees. "I think we should wait until we are all well rested."

"No kidding," Dante said as he knelt down, poking the Death God on the side of his head. "Little man's been workin' since twilight. I don't blame him for wanting some extra z's."

"Ahhh! Stop doing that, please!" Hanataro shouted. "I beg of you! Please forgive me!" Once more, Hanataro returned to reality and just as abashed as before. "I must have dosed off again, didn't I?" he asked.

"Man, you be buggin' out like that hobo up on MLK! Take a nap or somethin', man."

"Don't worry. I have something here that can help," Hanataro said. The healer turned around and dug inside his medical bag. He sifted through his supplied until he grabbed what he wanted. Turning around, Hanataro held out his hand to reveal the desired item. "Check it out."

The three ryouka inched forward. All it appeared to be was a small yellow ball with a bold red skull on it. "So what's it supposed to be?" Ichigo asked.

"It's a special nutritional tablet given to all Squad 4 members that revives workers who are tired but still have a lot of work to do. It's required that everyone carries a supply in case of emergency."

"Seriously?"

"So it's your little pick-me-up," Dante said as he picked it up. He held it above his head and inspected the tablet. Needless to say, he wasn't impressed.

"But there's a skull on it, dude," Ganju pointed out. "You sure you didn't get cheated into carrying poison?"

"Here, I'll prove it." Hanataro held his hand out as Dante returned to capsule to his possession. Popping it in his mouth, the healer chewed its contents and swallowed. He sat in his place with a blank expression for about a moment. The three ryouka sat and watched in anticipation to see what effect might occur. "Alright, I'm restored," the healer said as he rose to his feet. "Let's get going."

"Hold on just a second!" the other members shouted with dumbstruck faces.

"Is something wrong you guys?" Hanataro asked in a calm manner.

"Don't ask us that!" Ichigo replied.

"That stuff didn't do anything!" Ganju added.

"What's the deal, homeboy!?" Dante shouted. "Where's the big flash and all that shit?"

"Nonsense, it was a success," Hanataro said in a leisurely tone. "Can't you see that my face is fully revitalized? I'm practically glowing."

"You look the same as you did a few seconds ago," Ichigo said.

"That thing is a croc. You got screwed over," Ganju said.

"I've seen Droopy Dog with more expression than you," Dante quipped.

"Whatever," Ichigo said as he gave a sigh. "If you're ready, then we should use the exit closest to the tower."

Ganju nodded in agreement. The group continued on their path, travelling through the subterranean waterways. The team were mostly silent on the trek, except for Dante. The black teen was too busy singing along to the rap songs on his I-Pod. After a few minutes, the group arrived at their last position near the stairway. The area was completely devastated from the battle which took place. Rubble littered the ground along with some craters. "Good. There's no one here."

With the coast clear, the four left their hiding spot. "Hey, what gives?" Ichigo asked with a rather skeptical tone. "You'd think that there would be some guards here."

"They probably didn't think we'd return to the same place after what happened."

"Or they're like the po-po in my world and are too busy takin' a donut break or are 'in fear for their life,'" Dante said with quoted fingers.

"Oh wow, I'm so full of energy now," Hanataro said in a flat tone as he tried to flex his arms.

"No offense, but I'm still not buying that," Ichigo said.

"Hey, I wonder how the others are doing?" Ganju wondered. "The guy with the white cape and the cutiepie with the big eyes."

"Right… The big 'eyes'," Dante thought as he thought about Orihime and her rather gifted physique. He couldn't help but chuckle. "Yeah, those was the features that got me…"

"Cutiepie, eh?" Ichigo asked. "That's not exactly a trendy word these days…"

"Some things that were trendy like 'trendy' may not be considered trendy either, wouldn't you think?" Hanataro inquired. Taking some offense from this, Ichigo twisted his fists on the side of the healers head. The Squad 4 officer screamed in pain from his punishment as a sweatdrop formed on Ganju's head. Dante, on the other hand, was snickering at Hanataro's punishment. "I'm sorry!" he replied.

"I met up wit' those two yesterday," Dante said.

"Really?" Ganju asked.

"Yep. We took on some chump that thought he was more fly than the Red Baron. Let's just say we proved his ass wrong after we clipped his wings. They're cool."

"I would think so," Ichigo said. "Compared to me, they're on the sharper end of the spectrum."

"If that's the case, then you're on the dumber end," Ganju replied.

"Hah hah! Big Ich is a big dumby!" Dante added before he laughed. Just as he did with the healer, Ichigo punished Dante by twisting his fists against the smaller teen's head. "Ow, man! You walked into it!" Dante replied as Ichigo applied more pain. "Ow! Damn it, I take it back! I take it back!"

Ganju and Hanataro only watched with a sweatdrop on the sides of their heads. "Glad that isn't me," Hanataro replied.

"My point is that they won't take on anyone stronger than themselves," Ichigo explained while Dante held his head, still feeling a slight sting on each side. "And judging by what Dante told us, they're more than capable of fending for themselves."

"Glad I could help…" Dante replied.

"But what about that Chad guy?" Ganju asked.

"Even less to worry about," Ichigo said.

"And why's that?"

"Because…" Ichigo started as he walked a couple of steps forward. "I've been feeling his spirit energy from the moment we fell from the sky and ended up here. Besides, I doubt he would loose. Chad's just too strong and too determined to fall so easily." Finishing his explanation, Ichigo continued forth toward the stairway. Dante, Ganju, and Hanataro glanced at one another before following their comrade. By the time they reached the flight of steps, the team stood before it. Staring in awe, they knew that their mission was close to fruition. Dante placed a hand on each zanpakuto as a sly smirk grew on his face. "I didn't think we would get here, but we finally made it. The Repentance Tower is just up there."

"Heh heh. About time," Dante said. "I haven't been this excited since that time me and Leonard Nimoy hit this club up in the Red Light District. Let's say we were beamin' them bitches to our mothership and lived it up long and prosper all night, knawmean!?"

"Who is Leonard Nimoy?" Hanataro asked, earning a raised eyebrow from Dante.

With no time to waste, the team raced up the steps. Their determination to save Rukia gave them the motivation they needed to press on. Dante, whose I-Pod was set to "Black President" by Young Jeezy and Nas, was driven by something else. He knew that the answers he was looking for (as well as the biggest obstacle in his life) were waiting for him at the top.

Ten minutes passed and the team were still running up the steps. This hike was starting to gnaw on their nerves. "Man, how many steps are there?" Ganju asked.

"I counted about 527," Dante answered. "Give or take six." Ichigo only glanced back at the black teen. "What? It keeps me busy. Left foot, right foot. Left foot, right foot."

"Why don't you just transform?" Ichigo asked. "You could get there in half the time."

"Well…" Dante began with a raised finger. However, he had nothing to say. He tried again, but with little success for an excuse. "Yeah, I got nothin'."

"I don't see what the big deal about a couple more steps," Hanataro said as he sped up the stairway. The other members were rather surprised by the healer's surprising vitality. "See, didn't I tell you that pill worked?"

"Alright we get it already!" the three shouted. In a few minutes, the group arrived at the top. Before them was a route towered by many arches and other tall structures.

"And I thought security guards slept on the job," Dante said.

"Good," Ichigo said. "That means we can get to the inner area."

Following Ichigo, the group ran to their destination. Unfortunately, they didn't get far before a powerful force effected the area. The group were paralyzed as it felt like the gravity in the immediate area had suddenly increased. "What the hell…! Is this some kind of enormous spiritual pressure!?" Ganju shouted. It didn't take long before the immense power started forcing them down on their hands and knees.

"Shit!" Dante shouted. "This power… It's over 9000!"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Ganju asked.

"It means we need to get the fuck outta here!"

"He's right," Ichigo replied. "The last thing we need is to meet the person responsible. Let's hurry to the tower before the enemy catches us!"

"Alright!" Hanataro said before the group followed Ichigo. The team hurried as fast as they could. However, with the enemy's spiritual pressure weighing them down, their speed was cut drastically.

Dante was feeling the effects. How the pressure made him feel like he was getting crushed. The only thing he can do was raise his spirit energy (or soul power as he refers to it), only by a little. "This is whack…" he said as he increased his soul power. The good news was that some of the pressure had been eased off. The bad news was that he was still feeling the exertion and knew he couldn't keep it up for long.

Suddenly, Hanataro crashed to the ground. Too tired to move thanks to the increased gravity around them. "What the hell is wrong with you!?" Ganju shouted.

"I can't keep running…" he said. "I don't have the strength."

Quickly, Ganju hurried over and picked his comrade off from the ground and onto his shoulder. "God, your such a pain in the ass, you know that?"

"Hey! You two okay?" Ichigo asked.

"Don't worry about us! Just keep going you two!"

"He's right!" Dante replied. "Time to fade!" The continued to move forward, making sure to not slow down. The last thing they needed was to be caught by their pursuer. As they were ran, Dante felt a something strange. Almost as if someone were right next to him. At this time, Ichigo was also sensing the same thing. Both swordsmen froze and glanced up at a nearby building's roof. There sat a massive figure roosting on its top who expelled more spiritual pressure. It stared the two ryouka down like a lion focused on its prey. Dante knew exactly who this person was and didn't know whether to be excited or (perhaps the first time in his life) 'scared out of his black ass' as he would say so eloquently. Sweat drenched his face as he knew this man's power dwarfed his own. Not by just a little, but by an entire level.

However, he was not prepared for what came next. From behind him, Dante heard a rough voice ask him, "Why are you looking over there?" Before he could react, a long blade exited through his stomach. Dante's own blood spilled from the wound. He could feel the sharp, searing pain followed by the sudden chill of death's approach.

However, everything he felt was for a brief minute. Dante looked down again and saw no blood and no blade. It was as if the event was an illusion. "I was just wiggin' out?" he thought nervously. "It's all just some freaky ass trip… Or one of those premonitions… No, no, no! That means it would happen! Maybe I'm in over my head. It's Ichigo he's after. This ain't got nothing to do with me."

Taking his well-versed advice to heart, Dante tried his best to sneak out of the area. Seeing that the man was preoccupied with Ichigo, Dante believed he had the opportunity. Sadly, he only made ten steps before hearing someone behind him call, "Where do you think you're going?" Dante froze in place before slowly tilting his head to the individual. He was a powerfully built man with a wide cheshire grin and an eye which peered right through the black teen (his right eye was covered in a patch). The left side of his face had a large scar. His hair was styled in long spikes adorned with small bells sitting on each one. With a white armless haori with a black one under it, he was none other than the captain of the famous (or infamous) 11th Squadron: Kenpachi Zaraki. "What's wrong? Are you scared?"

"Me? Scared?" Dante asked before chuckling nervously. He scratched the back of his forehead. "No, no! I'm just, uh… excited. I mean, actually meeting THE Kenpachi Zaraki face-to-face? It's just too much!"

"Heh. So you've heard of me."

"Heard of you!? You're like the Chuck Norris and the Kane of death gods, yo! And that whole entrance with the gravity and mind tricks. That is how it's done! That's how you do yo' business! Darth Sidious don't got shit on you!"

Kenpachi gave a light chuckle. "I see you're a fan of my work. So tell me. Who are you?"

"Me? I'm Dante Blaine. The only mo' fo' in the world who caught the Gingerbread Man, rode a herd of camel through San Diego with Mr. T, and beat Mike Knox in a game of Scrabble to win enough cheddar to buy me a motherfuckin' Proganochelys from Nigel Marven. 'Cause you know the ladies love a man with a 210 million year old turtle before they take the black anaconda and let it roam their Amazon Basin, you feel me?"

"What the...? God that's sounds so stupid," Ichigo commented. "You're making Kon sound sensitive. Where do you get this stuff?"

"Discovery Channel, foo'!" Dante defended. "Entertain yo' brain!"

"Dante Blaine, huh?" Inspecting the teen, he saw his released blade as well as his sealed weapon still in its scabbard. "Two zanpakuto. Interesting. At first, I thought I would meet one opponent. But now, it seems that I'll be facing two. In a fight to the death!"

"The death?" Dante replied with fear written on his face. "No. You don't simply mean me, too. Don't you mean him?" he asked pointing at Ichigo. "It must be his power just rubbing off me."

"What are you doing, Dante?" Ichigo asked.

Dante only gave a small laugh. "Don't take it personal, man."

"Do you think I'm a fool, kid?" Kenpachi replied. "True Ichigo is strong, but I can also tell that you are just as powerful. And I'm here to fight anyone that can last."

"Uh…" Dante was now trying to find an excuse. The last thing he needed was to antagonize a bloodthirsty man.

Kenpachi gave a light chuckle as his reiatsu grew in strength. His eye was filled with murderous intent. "It looks like you two aren't fighting," he said. "I guess this means I'll make the first move." Dante quickly drew his katanas out, ready for battle.

Ichigo was also about to pull out his sword, but stopped as he saw Hanataro and Ganju on the ground. The spiritual pressure was crushing the two due to their weaker reiatsu. "Ganju! Hanataro!" he called. Hanataro was unable to respond. Thanks to Zaraki, the Squad 4 healer was unconscious.

"Looks like the kid got K.O.'d from all the soul power."

"You idiots! Forget about us!" Ganju replied.

"But what about…?" Ichigo began.

"Don't worry about us. Stay focused on the enemy! It you don't he'll finish you without even trying."

"Wow, look at that drool!" a high-pitched voice called. Ichigo and Dante turned and saw a small girl with pink shoulder length hair and a black haori perched on Kenpachi's shoulder. Jumping off the captain, she hopped on top of Ichigo's shoulder. Upon impact, the substitute felt the young child's spirit energy. "I think you scared the poor guy pretty bad, Kenni." Quickly, Ichigo shrugged the girl off his body, who quickly evaded and landed right in front of Kenpachi. "I think I made him pretty angry."

"What do you expect?" Zaraki inquired. "That was pretty stupid."

"Well stupid is as stupid does."

"Your words, not mine."

"Hey, twerp with the pink hair," Ichigo called. "Who are you? Or what are you?"

"Wait, I think I've heard of you before," Dante said before scratching the side of his head with his sword. "What was it… Yichi… Satchi… Kasu… Gushi…"

"You mean me?" the girl asked as she pointed to herself. "My name Yachiru Kusajishi. I'm the lieutenant of the 11th Squad. I can't believe you've also heard of me too."

"Oh, that's the name!" Dante said. "Nice to meet you. Hey, you wouldn't happen to have a piece of candy on you right now do you?"

"Dante, what the hell do you think you're doing?" Ichigo hissed, glaring at his comrade with narrow eyes.

"What!?" the black teen asked defensively. "I'm just asking."

Ichigo gave a low growl. "Ganju! Take Hanataro and get out of here! Dante, you get out of here as well."

"But Ichigo you need he-!"

"Ganju!" Ichigo shouted in order to stop the argument. "Please." Reluctantly following orders, the bandana wearing man scooped

"Well, would you look at that," Dante said as he slowly tried backing away. "I don't think I can play today. I'm really busy. You know, guarding my homies from random Death Gods. Then after that, there's this 'Murder She Wrote' marathon that I just gotta watch. Plus there's that big pimp convention happening in L.A. and I haven't decided on which hat to wear. Looks like my schedule's really packed. Maybe I can fit you in on September 29th at around… say 4:30 maybe 6:00? But how about I your autograph instead?"

"Not so fast!" Dante's answer was only met by a release of Kenpachi's spirit pressure forcing down upon him and Ichigo.

"I'll take that as a no."

"Gee, you think so?" Ichigo asked sarcastically.

"You two don't get it," Kenpachi explained. "I've been waiting here for a while in hopes of a good battle. I could care less about your friends or your mission to free Rukia. But I will not allow a strong opponent to slip through my fingers."

"Oh yeah?" Ichigo said as he unleashed his sword from its protective cloth and took an offensive pose with his blade held in front.

"So much for running," Dante thought. "Then again, running was never my style. Might as well go along and have fun with it. 'Sides, if I go, might as well be with a bang." "Let's bust a move 'cause I'm finna be da captain of the 14th Squad!" Dante yelled. "Slash with the rage of the past! Kowa ro Shii Maru!" With his sword released, Dante also stood defensively with his large sword held in front and his sealed blade held behind his head.

Kenpachi stood with a smile as their spirit energy rose. He turned to Ichigo and inspected his pose. "Your stance is rigid and you have gaps in defense. As for you," he said as he turned to Dante and studied his form. "Your stance is too low and you're open on your right side. Still, your spiritual pressure is pretty impressive. No wonder you managed to defeat a few of the lieutenants. Still even with your combined strength, your power doesn't add up to mine."

"Too bad math was never my subject, G," Dante said. "The numbers were a real killer."

Kenpachi's smile widened as an idea came into his head. "You know what I'll do? I'll let you two have the first strike." Ichigo was taken aback by this. He thought this man was joking. No sane opponent would allow his enemy to attack him unarmed. At least, that was before Zaraki opened his uniform, revealing his bare chest and bandaged midsection. "Cut me wherever you want."

"Wow Kenni!" Yachiru replied. "You're such a giving person!"

"You think so? I guess I'm just a bleeding heart of generosity," Zaraki said in a humble yet cynical tone.

"Oh yeah! This feels like my last Thanksgiving or Christmas!" Dante said with a sick smile. Now his bloodlust was starting to reawaken. "I wonder if I'll get a brand new car or a puppy?"

"You can't be serious!" Ichigo replied. Dante turned his head to the substitute shinigami. "He doesn't even have a weapon drawn. The guy's just toying with us and you're falling for it!"

"Ich, is you out yo' damn mind!?" Dante replied. "He's the captain of the Seireitei's version of the Navy who wants to make us take a dirt nap. Right now, I see an opportunity and Imma take it. 'Cause death does not become me!"

"Your friend's got a point," Zaraki said. "What I'm doing is giving you a free shot. The fact that you don't want to attack an unarmed man is admirable. But this isn't the time for such noble actions. In battle the rules are simple: kill or be killed. I think it's a good way to spend the time."

Dante gave a light chuckle as he secured his footing. "Now you're talking my language, homeboy!" Dante charged at his target. His body driven by the thrill of the kill. Ichigo, tried to stop him, but had no choice but to strike alongside.

As soon as they were in range, the two's large swords collided with the captain. Direct hits were made. Ichigo to Kenpachi's right side and Dante just above his heart. However, their swords seemingly had as much effect as two twigs hitting against a boulder. Instead, the attackers were the ones who were damaged. The ryoukas' hands were coated in blood (even one of the spikes on Dante's zanbato had broke). "You're kidding me!?" Dante thought. "Even this sword can't bust him up!?" In a futile effort, the young maverick viciously struck the enemy with his sealed sword. He landed many thrusts on the foe's body. But with every attack, his hand was bleeding profusely. Ichigo stood dumbfounded while Kenpachi gazed at the two with an unimpressed eye.

"Wow, looks like he's really going at it, Kenni," Yachiru said.

"How pathetic," Kenpachi said. He pulled Ichigo's sword off his body and grabbed a hold of Dante's still moving blade. Ichigo leapt back as Dante tried his best to pry his held sword free, hoping not to break it in the process. Kenpachi scoffed as he tossed the black teen forward in the air. Dante quickly recovered and landed on his feet.

"Shit!" Dante hissed. "It's like two butter knives trying to cut a tank!"

"But how is he still standing after all of that and not get damaged at all!?" Ichigo replied.

"It's useless, you two," Yachiru said standing before them. "Your swords can't cut through him. It's like they have no edge at all to him."

Ichigo was shocked by this. His sword was an inferior tool against this man. This monster of a man. "Do you want me to tell you why?" Kenpachi asked in a nonchalant tone. "It's simple really. When two spiritual pressures come together, the weaker one gets damaged. In other words, the spiritual energy I leak is higher than either of your spiritual pressures when you hold your swords and kill the enemy.

"Dammit!" Ichigo yelled.

"What a waste. When I look back on how long I've been waiting for you weaklings to arrive, it's an unfunny joke. Now it's my turn." Zaraki raised his blade high above its head. The weapon had a bandaged hilt and weathered blade. "Ichigo, Dante. I hope you live long enough for me to at least clean the rust off this thing."

With Dante listening to "The End of a Thought" from Tales of Symphonia, Ichigo rushed forward with his blade held ahead. Zaraki only stood, his guard rather relaxed as his opponent charged him. Dante only stood his ground, charging his zanbato for a new attack. Its rectangular blade gradually glowing. Once their swords locked, Ichigo tried his best to shove the foe back. Unfortunately, Kenpachi did not budge an inch. The captain shoved the substitute back, before turning his attention to Dante. "Here's da Lagi remix!" he shouted. "Imma firin' mah lazers!" With a strong stroke, Dante launched five streaming lasers at his adversary. Kenpachi only smirked as the arrows of light collided with his being. Smoke filled the area and Dante and Ichigo stood waiting for the event. "What was that?" Kenpachi replied through the cloud. "It didn't even tickle!"

"Holy crap…" Dante said with a cock-eyed glance. Ichigo was surprised that a strong move like that was still not enough to stop the bloodthirsty monster. "He just unshooped da whoop!" At an instant, Kenpachi charged out of the dust, his blade landing on the black teen. Dante quickly reacted by bringing up his swords. Now he was trying his best not to get crushed or sliced in half. "Oh for the love of god! Give me a hand!" Rushing to his aid, Ichigo struck the foe numerous times. Kenpachi turned his head to the orange-haired teen and slashed. Both teens quickly evaded the swipe before going in. Kenpachi managed to block their attack and hold them at bay with relative ease. Unimpressed by their combined strength, he forced the teens away.

Ichigo gritted his teeth. This opponent was not like anyone he's faced before. Fighting this beast head-to-head was insanity. "We need to fall back!" he said.

"What was that?" Dante asked.

"He's too strong for us! We can't keep fighting like this!"

"But if we jet, we'll get caught!"

"Then what do you think we should do?"

"Yeah. What are you two going to do?" Kenpachi asked, earning a glare from the two ryouka. The two were intimidated by his towering built and reiatsu. Standing before him, Dante was also feeling doubtful as his comrade was. Acknowledging the power differential, Ichigo grudgingly retreated. "I figured that would happen." He then turned to Dante, who tightened his stance. "Are you going to run, too? Or do you wish to die by my blade."

As he said before, Dante never did learn how to properly retreat. However, this man was on a higher tier of power. "Part of me says I should back out. But the gangsta in me says to go off on this fool." Clutching his sword, Dante returned the sealed blade to his scabbard. "I still got a trick up my sleeve," Dante said as he turned his device to "Brain Cleaner" from F-Zero GX. Using his zanpakuto's ability, he transformed in his Deinonychus form. "Oh my brain feels so clean and it ain't 'cause of all the bleach!" he roared. "This goes to all my nyu-guhs up in ODB Boulevard where we do the shimmy shimmy up in the Brooklyn Zoo and bitch slap them Komodo Dragons!" With his claws and teeth bared, Dante was ready for battle.

"This is something new," the captain said. "I bet in this form, your spiritual pressure rose quite a bit." Dante snarled, his sickle foot claws tapping on the ground. "Bring it on! Let's see what you can do!"

"Time for this shit to start poppin'!" Dante screeched as his feathered arms crossed and the tall feathers on his head rose. He charged at Kenpachi and swung his clawed arms once he was in range. The captain managed to block with his blade and push him back. Quickly, the dromaeosaur swiped again with lightning fast movements. However, Kenpachi's reaction time was just as fast and he blocked the hits. Using flash steps just before Kenpachi slashed, Dante backed away and leapt in the air. Dropping to the ground, his foot talons were brandished and ready to rip into the captain like an eagle ready to snatch prey. However, the foe backed away just as the teen landed. He countered with a strong slash. Dante sidestepped the strike, but his arm was cut from the stroke. In retaliation, he lunged forth and snapped at the target with his bear trap maw. "Imma bite you, foo'!" he growled. "Imma eat ya!" Suddenly, Kenpachi disappeared from Dante's sight. The raptor scanned his surroundings. The enemy's scent was still near as was his spiritual pressure.

Suddenly, a faint ring caught Dante's attention. He looked up and saw Kenpachi above him, his zanpakuto ready to skewer him. Dante quickly backflipped before the attack could land. "Impressive, kid," Kenpachi said. "You can hear my bells. Not bad at all."

"Good thing being a raptor gives me an edge with all five senses," Dante thought. "Sure I could've heard them in my normal body, but no way as easily." With a snarl, Dante rushed his attacker. He then jumped on the wall to the left before leaping to the other side. Once he was near, he pounced and used a corkscrew kick. Twisting his body in midair, he kicked forward with his claw in hopes of cutting open the captain's face. Kenpachi managed to move his head back, just inches before the deadly weapon landed on its mark. "Shit! He dodged!" Again, Dante parried with the enemy, his clawed hands against Kenpachi's sword. Even with his speed, the raptor landed no hits.

Dante jumped back, catching his breath as he and Kenpachi eyed one another. "What's wrong?" Kenpachi asked rather calmly. "You getting tired? Guess you're gonna give up."

The Deinonychus bared its teeth. "You must be clownin'!" he snorted. "I've been waitin' for this kind of shit my whole mothafuckin' life! I ain't done yet!" Dante screeched.

"Guess you're not done, yet." Kenpachi charged at the raptor, his sword held out to the side. Just as he slashed, Dante somersaulted in the air, landing behind the foe and slashed his robe and back. Kenpachi turned swinging his blade to the other side. Dante managed to back away before lunging once more. However, his jaws were stopped as Kenpachi grabbed the teen by his throat. "Dammit! Get the fuck off me!" Dante growled as he continued biting and flailing his claws in the process. With a slash from one of his foot sickles, Dante managed to cut a gash in the captain's chest before releasing from the hold by pounding his wrist. Rubbing his neck, Dante tried getting air through his mouth. "That was too close." Just then, his body reverted back into human form. "What the-!?" he said in shock. "Did I just run out of time?"

"Well, look who's back," Kenpachi said. "What's wrong? Your animal instincts have taken a back seat? Too bad. I was just starting to have some fun."

Dante glared at the captain. "Don't worry. Playtime ain't over yet." The teen charged at the foe, his sword clashing into the enemy's. Shoving each other back, Dante went in low and made an upper slash, delivering another cut to his opponent. "Yes, I landed another one," the black teen thought as a smile grew on his face.

"Don't get carried away," the captain said. Kenpachi quickly slashed the teen, whose sword blocked the attack. "Just because you managed to deliver hits, doesn't mean you've won just yet." Grabbing Dante's zanpakuto, he pulled the teen in as his own sword drove forward straight at him. Dante quickly leaned to the right, evading the blow. He then pulled his blade from Zaraki's clutch and tried to slash. Once more his sword was blocked. Putting some distance between himself and the foe, Dante again charged his sword. "You think that's gonna work? Have you learned nothing?"

"Oh it will. Time to burn," Dante said as he unleashed his lasers (counting six this time) again. The trails managed to hit their target. Dante focused on his foe, who was still for a moment. The seconds went by until Kenpachi's blood trickled on the ground. The previous slashes, added with the lock-on strike, managed to injure him. "Did I win?"

"Nice try," Kenpachi said with a smile on his face. "Still not dead."

"What!?" Dante replied. Before he could say anything, the enemy had already appeared behind him with blinding speed. Dante could only turn before the foe's sword stabbed his chest. Upon impact, the black teen dropped his sword, which reverted into a basic katana. His face in disbelief, the teen looked down once Kenpachi drew back his sword. Though it was a shallow wound, blood still trickled from it. The black maverick was losing consciousness with every drop. "This… is… fucked…" he said weakly.

"Gotta say, Dante, you had me going for a moment," the captain said. "All I can say is that you fought like a warrior. Guess that means you'll die like one, too." Kenpachi turned around and walked off. "I hope your friend does not disappoint me. Maybe he'll give me a good fight as well."

"This can't end…!" Dante thought angrily. "I can't go out like this…! Not like some punk…!" He tried to move, but his body was too weak to respond. "Gotta get up… I ain't dying… Not today…!" The rogue tried his best to hang on and remain conscious. Unfortunately, he hadn't the strength nor blood to do so. His vision soon became blurry just before it all went black.

"Do you not want to die?" a voice called.

"What? Who is this?"

"Do you not want to die?"

"No, I don't!"

"Why do you wish to live?"

"I want payback. I want answers. I want to win"

"You have a determined spirit. Then it is time we finally meet. At last, I shall see the one who uses my power face to face!"

Author's Note 1: It looks like it's not over for Dante just yet. A mysterious voice calls upon him. Does Dante have the skill and ability to earn his second chance? Read and review to find out.