Chapter Twelve: Round 2 - II

Ukitake waited upon the cliffs that ran along the Easter ramparts of the castle. The winds were fierce and his silver hair was strewn about his face by each gale. He waited patiently as his foe arrived, none other than his comrade, 6th squad captain Byakuya Kuchiki. Ukitake smiled at him and placed his hands up in greeting.

"Byakuya! How fortunate that we must face each other. I've heard from Yoruichi-san and she mentioned that we are able to forfeit if no-one is looking. All the way out here no-one is supervising our duel so we can both move on to the next round unharmed. Isn't that great?"

Byakuya glared at him, his gaze as sharp as his sword. "I will not be beaten. I must continue."

"Of course. I will play dead for a while and then we can regroup when you finally have Shao Khan cornered. We can win this if-" Ukitake was cut short when a blade ran through his chest. His jaw dropped and blood around his lips. He stared at Byakuya in complete and utter shock. "W-Wha..."

"I will not cheat." Byakuya boasted, wrenching his blade free from his comrade's gut. Ukitake doubled over and fell on his hands and knees. He coughed violently and stared up at his former friend. Byakuya did not look at him, instead studying he blood on his sword. "I will leave you now. I shall give you the final gift of dying in peaceful solitude."

"Why?" Ukitake gasped, falling forward.

"I shall win this tournament. If Soul Society is to prove itself superior we must refrain from cheap tricks. I know you sought to resolve this with little bloodshed, but unfortunately your ideals have no place in this land. We are hereto fight and that is what we must do. If you have no will to fight then I shall end you now and remove you from the obstacles blocking my path forward."

Ukitake grit his teeth and snarled. "Damn you..." He said no more, his face dropping into the dirt.

Byakuya wiped his blade clean on his opponent's haori and set off back towards the main hall. Ukitake watched him go and cursed under his breath. He felt aches all over his body and his weakened lungs were tightening in agony. He found it hard to breathe. The pain was excruciating...

Ukitake screamed at the top of his lungs, his anguish echoing throughout the castle and beyond the cliffs to the darkened ocean below.


Rukia pointed the tip of her sword at Ichigo and the two held each other's gaze for some time. Ichigo showed no signs of fear, unusually calm. They just stared at each other for what felt like eternity, both lost in each other's eyes.

Ichigo placed his hands over those of his smaller opponent. Her hands were trembling but as he felt her touch they seemed to steady themselves. Rukia gazed up at him and within a few seconds she had to avert her gaze.

"This...Might not work. Few have ever survived this ritual..."

Ichigo kept his gaze centred upon her. "I do not care."

"But, you may die. To become a shinigami I must pierce your-"

"Rukia!" Ichigo roared, startling her out of her daze. "I do not care about the risks. I wish to protect my family and my friends and my world! If I need power then I shall claim it or I shall die trying. Either way I decided long ago!"

The young girl's eyes narrowed. She was amazed by this boy's conviction. He had resolved to die if he could not become strong enough. Many would cower and survive, but Ichigo was different. He had one purpose and one purpose only...To fight...To fight for the sake of those he loved.

Rukia took a deep breath and tightened her grip on her sword. She closed her eyes and drove her sword right through him. As soon as the blade collided she felt a jarring thud and then it sank through with ease like a knife through butter. In a matter of seconds a blinding white light enveloped them both and the room around them vanished behind heavenly brightness.


Ulquiorra, the pallid, emotionless demon stalked his wounded prey but suddenly he froze mid-stride. He craned his neck to one side and stared off into space as if in a trance.

Renji Abarai, his prey, scrambled to his feet and ran, crying out in terror. Ulquiorra did not look away, too fixated on the strange sensation he felt within his soul. His curiosity had been piqued and now he was certain he had to find out what was going on. He would have to ask Lord Aizen. His victim now forgotten Ulquiorra departed to find his master.

Renji meanwhile staggered away, dragging his mutilated right leg behind him. He was covered in blood and he felt tired and sick and sore, but he pushed himself on. He was too afraid to die. He had never felt so powerless before. Ulquiorra was a true monster. Even captains would stand little chance of defeating someone so otherworldly strong. Renji shook the negative thoughts from his head and cursed.

I can't think like that...No matter what, Soul Society must win! We have to win...We will win!


Meanwhile the behemoth Kenpachi Zaraki squared off against an equally bloodthirsty foe, Nnoitra Jiruga. The two both grinned as they set sights upon each other, both realising just how great their opponent would be. This would be a most glorious battle indeed.

"You're strong!" Kenpachi snarled.

"So are you! Don't die too fast!" Nnoitra charged, slamming his strangely shaped axe down upon the earth. It created a monstrous rift in the ground and Kenpachi struggled to stay up as the ground splintered and turned to dust beneath his feet. He took his chances and leapt forward, smashing a fist through his enemy's jaw and knocking the lanky warrior into the ground.

The white-robes warrior rolled into a crouch and lunged, launching a full offensive, swinging his weapon wildly. Kenpachi guarded as best he could, but he let many strike hit their mark just for the sick thrill of it. After a furious onslaught Kenpachi found an opening and launched his own counter attack, hacking away at his foe with untamed, unpredictable slashes. The two fought on like this for quite some time, letting each other wound them and wear them down, priming themselves up for the real test.

Nnoitra lunged forward but Kenpachi stepped aside and thrust his knee deep into his gut. He then picked up the fighter and three him into the dirt. In an instant Nnoitra was up again and he kicked out angrily, creating enough distance to swing his weapon, but Zaraki guarded with his sword and ducked in close, barging him over with his full bodyweight. As the two tumbled Kenpachi bared his fangs and bit down on Nnoitra's nose, tearing away a strip of flesh which he chewed up and swallowed shortly before bursting out in maniacal laughter.

In a fit of rage Nnoitra threw him of and drove the pole of his axe into Zaraki's side. He then swung it around 180 degrees so that the blade would collide with him next, slicing into the big warrior and forcing him onto his knees. He staggered forward but Nnoitra forced the blade back again and slashed back across Kenpachi's chest, creating a flattened 'X' which bled profusely.

Rather than fall, Kenpachi kept on going, advancing slowly but steadily, still with an ever-present smile on his face.

Nnoitra scowled and shoved him back with the pole of his axe. However this did not halt Zaraki's advance and he merely moved forward again. He gained ground and managed to get within striking distance but Nnoitra countered with a sharp roundhouse kick. Zaraki caught the soaring leg but it still knocked him around. As he staggered ever closer he drew his sword and wrenched his foe's leg closer, just as he hacked down on the thigh with his rusted, serrated blade.

Nnoitra screamed in agony as the blade cut down to the bone, finally getting stuck with a sickening grating sound like nails down a chalkboard. His body spasmed and he jerked about, only forcing the blade to cut through more of his flesh and bone. Kenpachi laughed mockingly as he played with his toy, punching and kicking him as he thrashed about wildly. When the novelty wore off Kenpachi pushed his body weight into his sword and cut down through Nnoitra's leg, cutting through and severing the limb. The gushing stump pumped blood out in thick gooey torrents and Zaraki relished in the display.

Nnoitra crawled about, trying to get up, but Kenpachi continued knocking him down, prodding him with his word or kicking out his arms.

"You bastard!" Nnoitra snarled. "You'll pay for this!"

Kenpachi chuckled. "Really, because it looks like you're just about finished. I don't have the time to waste on wounded pups. I'm going after the top prize! I want to fight Shao Khan! He will give me a battle worth fighting. Though I must admit, you were fun...A shame you're already spent."

"No! I'll keep fighting until I'm nothing but pulp! I swear I won't rest until I beat you!"

Kenpachi shook his head. "You fool. You aren't ready to fight me yet." Those words struck a chord with Nnoitra. They severed a nerve that for some time had been aching within him.

"No! Not you too! She said that too! She always said that! You are both wrong!"

Kenpachi dusted himself off and sighed. "I don't know what you're talking about, but you sound like an angry toddler. Save your tantrums for the afterlife kid. I don't have any more time to waste."

Nnoitra crawled towards his axe, screaming hysterically, "No! No! I can still fight! I can still-" Nnoitra's head rolled off from his shoulders and his thin, convulsing frame was showered in arterial spray.

Kenpachi soaked himself for a while and then he gaze up at the castle and the flickering lights at the top...He licked the blood from the tip of his blade and growled under his breath, "Soon Shao Khan...Soon I will find you and then I can truly unwind! These guys are nothing special. I thought they would be stronger but in the end it's up to you to satisfy my appetite! Don't dissapoint me!"


In a long abandoned torture chamber, Mayuri Kurotsuchi stood over his fallen opponent. Aaroniero writhed about helplessly but it was useless. He had been restrained by the mad scientist not just with ropes and chains, but with nails through his hands and feet.

Mayuri ignored his cries as he analysed the thick red fluid which held Aaroniero's two tiny heads. They moaned and cried and cursed but nothing seemed to rouse the scientist from his work. After an hour of torture Mayuri finally looked up and smiled at his experiment.

"You are quite an interesting specimen. My earlier research into you and the other Espada did not reveal as much as I had hoped, but so far I have had the pleasure of analysing a few of your comrades...However you are far more interesting. Your physiology is far different from the others...I wonder perhaps if it is because you are a Gillian? Or maybe you just prefer to look hideous?"

"Bastard!" The deep, mournful voice roared. "You will die!" The high pitched voice added.

Mayuri clapped his hands and laughed. "Oh please. Aizen must not have spared much intellect for his creations. You all spot the same nonsense, swearing vengeance that never comes. No wonder you are dropping like flies. I sensed another one of your friends vanish just then. Did you not feel it?"

The lower head snarled, contempt flaring within his empty eyes.

"I know time is a factor, so I had better wrap up this conversation and begin the dissection. I have much to learn from you before I face my next opponent."

"No!" The higher voice shrieked and it continued to shriek as Mayuri took out a scalpel. His grin grew to an inhuman extent, swallowing up his face in a distorted display of twisted joy. The second head started crying out soon after, especially after the first incision. And their screams lasted much longer. It seemed Mayuri did not stick to his word and instead decided to keep the subject alive while he underwent his experiments.

The tortured cries bounced around the barren halls and stretched on for ages, ensuring everyone else within the dark stone walls would be aware of the horrors occurring down below.


All throughout the castle, the emanating explosion of energy was noticeable. All the surviving contestants turned their heads in the direction of the sensation and many contemplated just what it could be.

Within the fire-lit arena Ichigo and Rukia remained. The two were lost amid thick plumes of smoke and dust and it was only when it briefly cleared that Ichigo looked down at himself. His clothes had changed. Now crisp black robes fluttered around him and for a second the boy was blinded by a shining white reflection to his side. When his vision cleared he caught the gleam of a massive sword. A pale hand held it in a tight grip and Ichigo soon realised it was he who was wielding the great weapon.

"What the..." Ichigo admired the mighty blade. The sharpened piece of steel stood as tall as he did and its razor edge shone in the light. Thick bandages wrapped around the handle and streamed off from the handle like ribbons. Strangely, the sword had no guard, giving it the appearance of a giant meat cleaver. Ichigo was stunned.

"This is a zanpakuto. With this weapon you can truly fight the shinigami and their enemies. But this sword alone is not enough. You still lack the experience needed to best the greatest fighters in all of Soul Society."

Ichigo chuckled to himself and hefted the great sword. "I don't care! With this I stand a better chance...That's good enough for me!"

"But-"

"Thank you," Ichigo interjected, "I won't forget this. I owe you one, Rukia." Ichigo placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled. The girl smiled back, weakly, but a smile nonetheless. Ichigo strolled past her and out the door. As he reached the exit he glanced over his shoulder at the shinigami girl and addressed her again. "I promise you," He called, "I will protect your world alongside mine. I won't allow Shao Khan to conquer anyone. I will make sure that no more innocent people are dragged into this vicious blood sport. I will end this horrible tournament once and for all!" With that, he was off, vanishing before Rukia could stop him.

The Kuchiki girl sat down against the wall and sighed. A part of her believed in him, but her mind discouraged her, prophesising his defeat and the violence to come. She did not want to trust her mind's eye and so she clutched her hands over her heart and prayed that the mysterious boy with flaming orange hair would end this abomination and curb the invasion of her homeland.


Aizen looked up from his cybernetic toy and grinned. "So...A new shinigami is born? Very well. This shall make things much more interesting..." Aizen laughed, laughed like a hyena, a madman and a psychopath. This was not a threat to him...It was merely another pawn in his deadly game...