Yes…this is on that recent filler series that was airing for some time ago. Thank goodness the anime is getting back on track with the original storyline. Anyways, I just wanted to include a little snippet in the storyline that shows how much stronger Naori has gotten over her training years. And you get to see how her zanpakuto is like.

Memories: Zanpakuto

Naori was walking steadily through the usual hallway while bringing the usual paperwork over towards her division. It was the usual day with the sun shining in the clear skies. Matsumoto was issued some paperwork, but she was too busy getting pissed off at her own zanpakuto to bother getting it. So, Naori had to be sent out to gather those stacks back. She really didn't mind since this stack wasn't really that heavy and it was only a couple of sheets in total. Yet just as she was walking down the sunlit halls, she felt something hit her shoulder and arm. In an instance, all the papers she was carrying were now floating around and scattering amongst the ground.

"Oh…sorry Naori." The person quickly apologized and got down to help her pick up those papers.

"It's okay. Hitsugaya-taicho." Naori responded back and gathered up the papers in her hands. "But is something wrong? You seem a little spaced out."

"That…that's nothing. There's nothing to worry about." Hitsugaya reassured her and quickly left.

Naori stared weirdly back at him before continuing on her way. That was…just a bit weird. She would usually never catch her captain in such a dazed state that he'd be bumping randomly into people. Something must be very troubling to him and he is stuck on that problem.

"It didn't work…but Shiro-chan really loves these sweets." She heard Hinamori complain as she entered the office.

"I don't know. Taicho was acting weird when he was with his zanpukuto a moment ago." Matsumoto answered.

"Hinamori-fukutaicho? Matsumoto-fukutaicho? Do you know what's wrong with Hitsugaya-taicho? I accidentally bumped into him a second ago." Naori curiously asked.

"He was acting strange after talking with his zanpakuto. Maybe it's something about that. Come to think of it. That Haineko's still not answering my commands at all!" Matsumoto grimly said and shot a dirty look at her sword being stuck in the ground.

"Rangiku-san! Maybe you should not get so angry over your zanpakuto." Hinamori scolded and pried out the sword from the ground before handing it to Matsumoto. "Tobiume is always so nice and caring towards me. Even when I'm in trouble, she always comforted me. I can never get angry at her."

Matsumoto pouted as she slid her zanpakuto back into her sheath. She then shot a glance at the puzzled Naori. "Hey Naori-chan? Has your zanpakuto been acting up too?" She curiously asked.

"Huh? Well I don't really know. I haven't contacted Denbaku-to recently. I can do it now if you want." Naori replied as she reached for her zanpakuto.

"Oh Naori-chan! There's no need to put you in our troubles. Maybe it's just us, you know?" Hinamori cheerfully reassured.

Naori weirdly gazed at her before plopping the paperwork on the short coffee table. Ignoring Matsumoto's whining of more work and Isane's offering of sweets, Naori left the office and headed out towards the courtyard. She sat down behind a huge rock and leaned back with her legs folded up only slightly. She unsheathed her sword and gently placed it in front of her on its side. Afterwards, she propped her head on her crossed hands and concentrated only on her zanpakuto.

"Denbaku-to, can I talk to you for a bit?" Naori asked.

Suddenly crackles and sparks emitted from her zanpakuto and an explosion of bright yellow came right out from it. It generated a booming sound with a booming force that created huge gusting winds. Naori frowned as she felt the long stalks of grass tickle her legs and her dark hair strand slapping her face from the huge winds. She quickly shielded her face with her arms once she saw a huge dust wind coming her way. Once the explosion was clear and when the dust finally faded away, Naori quickly glanced around to locate her brightly discharged zanpakuto. Unfortunately, she couldn't spot the glowing yellow thing amongst the slightly hilly plain of her inner-world.

"Are you answering me Denbaku-to?" Naori loudly called out, letting her voice echo throughout the wavering grass of the plain and the dark cloudy skies.

How could Denbaku-to not be answering her? That zanpakuto always appears in its glowing self after the huge flashy and explosive entrance. Naori frowned at her zanpakuto's unresponsive behavior and quickly got up from her seat. She picked up the sword and held it right up in front of her while trying to force it out. Yet nothing happened at all.

"Is my zanpakuto acting weird too? Is this what's happening to everyone else?" Naori asked herself as she sheathed her zanpakuto.

She found herself back at her division courtyard while only standing meters away from her previous stop. She glanced into a nearby window to see Isane, Matsumoto, and Hinamori having a joyful time together. Was this not an urgent thing since the three lieutenants don't seem to be having a tough time? Should she not worry about it too? She could still remember how strange her captain was when he bumped into her in the halls.

Naori could only wonder about these strange things as she continued on with her regular duties.

Naori stood at a considerably high building as she scouted through the division area for any more disturbances. It had only been a few hours difference and she completely lost communication of her zanpakuto. Yet her situation was not as bad since all the captains and lieutenants lost control of their zanpakuto as a whole. Apparently, some other force decided to pop out of nowhere and lead a zanpakuto rebellion. Yet because of this rebellion, everyone was getting ready for any dangerous possibilities like an attack or a siege. Naori was sent to patrol around her division area and be prepared for any attacks. She didn't like the fact that she had to manage a part of the entire 10th Division because she had to work non-stop. It was already near sunset and her members only managed to rebuild and reinforce one of the damaged buildings.

Yet this zanpakuto problem must be pretty important because Hitsugaya disappeared the night before. She hadn't seen him at all today and she did not even know what happened that night that caused him to vanish. But Matsumoto told her not to worry over it since she believes he knows what he's doing.

Naori sighed and stretched out her tired arms. She could really use someone to take over for her. She really needed to concentrate on trying to communicate back with her zanpakuto.

Suddenly, a huge flash sparked through her sight and a large explosion could be heard through the premises. Another one of the buildings was completely annihilated with a huge explosion inside. It was glowing bright with smoky fumes coming out and it produced noticeable lightning bolts from the huge explosion.

"Sir! We have more casualties!" One of the lower seats reported when they brought one of the victims back. The victim of the explosion slumped onto the floor, jolting slightly with a loud static sound.

Naori only took a seconds look before flash stepping away from her spot. She quickly arrived at the destroyed building and cautiously approached it, ignoring the fleeing officers. "Still the same flashy and over-the-top entrance. Am I right? Denbaku-to!" Naori loudly called into the debris.

"My Lady, I think it looks stylish!" A voice sounded through the air and another huge explosion happened right in front of Naori. Naori frowned as she braced herself for another gust of sand and stone heading her way. When it was clear, she saw a male only a few inches taller than her. He had her shikai-state zanpakuto in the sheath strapped to his side and it was glowing like the person itself. He looked pretty lanky while wearing a button up golden silk shirt and dark blue billowing pants. He wore slippers used in martial arts and metal cuffs on his wrists that were so tightly bounded that it looked like wristbands. His hair shone with the same tone and color of Naori's hair except it was shorter and messier.

"So…you're also a part of the mass materialization of zanpakutos?" Naori confirmed as she shot a look at her own zanpakuto. "Have I ever told you how much I hate that? That stupid explosion whenever I activate you. Every time I go into shikai, something needs to always blow up."

"Sorry, I can't help it. It's my style." Denbaku-to replied with a grin almost equivalent to hers.

"Style, my butt." Naori murmured under her breath. "Are you gay or something?"

"Apologies that you feel that way, My Lady. You're just going to have to deal with it like everyone else." Her zanpakuto replied, still smiling.

"Enough with this talking. Get back into your sword form." Naori commanded as she pulled her sword out and presented it towards her zanpakuto.

"Like hell I'm going back in there! Denbaku-to haughtily refused.

"I don't have time for this Denbaku-to! Stop being so stubborn and get back in here or I'll make you." Naori crossly replied back, jutting out her sword so close that the tip was near Denbaku-to's face.

"Or what? You'll try to hit me? Maybe stab me?" Denbaku-to mockingly teased as he flash-stepped away from her. "I'm one of the top powerful zanpakuto of the lightning elements and I get held by a weakling like you. In fact, do you know what I hate? I hate the fact that My Lady is so damn weak. All it takes is one punch to knock you out. You get so easily restrained with the simplest kido spells. You couldn't even handle yourself against some low level mobsters! Your captain had to come and bail you out of it!"

"Denbaku-to. Haven't you seen me all this time? You know I've been working hard to change that!" Naori retorted back.

"And nothing's changed so far. Face it, My Lady, all you can actually do at an advanced level is heal." Denbaku-to said with a disgusted face showing right afterwards. "And do you know what I hate even more than the fact that my master is weak? I hate that my place is so plain! I mean, it's a slightly hilly grass plain and nothing else. It's so bland and boring. You could have at least put in a tree!"

Naori shot an angered and confused glance at her zanpakuto. In this time, she just got abandoned and told off by her own zanpakuto. She had been insulted about her weakness in fighting and that she is a complete weakling. And yet, her zanpakuto was clearly pissed at her mostly because she wouldn't decorate her own inner-world. Like she would even care about decorating her inner world! She never even paid attention to styles or anything useless like that.

"My Lady, if you want me to come back to your side…" Denbaku-to offered up as he drew out his own sword. "Fight me and beat me."

A near second later, Naori already had her sword drawn out and she could have nearly cut off his head if he didn't block in time. Their swords clashed with a loud metallic noise with golden sparks flying out. Naori glared at him as she tried to push even further with her sword. Denbaku-to grimaced from the strength that was coming from his former master and forcefully pushed her back at least a couple of feet.

"That was not cool! Who said you can attack all of a sudden?" Denbaku-to complained at Naori.

"I dislike how you have to get so dramatically flashy with everything you do. I am going to turn you back into my zanpakuto." Naori replied with a frown and she pointed her sword back at him. She really despised it now if someone ever called her weak. She was working hard to get stronger yet people still reject the fact she is no longer a weakling. They still had their minds stuck in the past of when she was a 4th Division member and she couldn't handle simple criminals. She wanted to erase those memories completely. If her own zanpakuto also clung onto those memories, then she will annihilate them all.

"I see My Lady decided to get serious. Let's see what happens!" Denbaku-to grinned as he drew out his sword in front of him again. "Strike!"

Naori quickly dodged an incoming bolt coming from the tip of the zanpakuto. She could hear and feel it hit something behind her and blow it up completely. Paying no attention, she flash stepped closer to Denbaku-to with her sword ready to clash. They crossed swords and split, yet to clash swords again with sparks flying around. Naori left her sword in one hand as she charged full force at him, swinging down precisely in one shot. Denbaku-to, of course, blocked the careless swing only to have something connect with his head. Naori swiftly landed back on the ground with her heel slightly aching and her arm somewhat tired from swinging a heavy sword.

Denbaku-to landed in the ground in a large thud with his hand reaching for his head. He could already feel a noticeable bump forming right where Naori kicked him. He smirked and backed up a couple more meters with his sword ready and fully charged. One by one, bolts of high electricity shot out from the tip and all were aiming right at Naori.

Naori effortlessly dodged every single one of those bolts and she quickly brought out her hand, having it aimed directly at her opponent. "Byakurai!" Naori shouted as loud as she could as she concentrated her spiritual pressure into the very tips of her fingers. A large bolt of blue lightning shot out and aimed itself right at the opponent.

"Sorry My Lady, but cheap imitations never beat the real thing." Denbaku-to calmly said as he blocked the bolt of lightning.

"Denbaku-to…" Naori whispered from right behind him, making his eyes widen in pure surprise. "You're wide open."

With a quick slash from her end, Naori made a clean and bloody cut right down his back. A cough of blood red came right out of his mouth and he staggered slightly towards the ground. Naori still remained in stance and she rose up her sword again, preparing for another slash. This time, she brought it down right onto his legs and effectively made him unable to even move.

"What…how…?" Denbaku-to grumbled as he coughed out more blood.

Naori didn't say a word as she walked up to him and stood tall right before him. Her bloodied sword was still clutched in her hand and it waved dangerously near his face. Her eyes shone with only a dull golden color and her face showed no emotion. "Hey Denbaku-to. It's time for you to get back in here." Naori quietly said, gripping tightly onto her sword and her chest.

"Is that so…" Denbaku-to said, gazing back up at her. "Finish me off…if you can that is…"

"Do you still think of me as weak? Do you think that I can't kill you?" Naori questioned as her tone slightly rose. "I just defeated you. Your blood is on my sword. I am standing before you with that same bloodied sword. Do you still think that I don't have the heart to kill you?" She monotonously said as she drifted the dripping tip closer to the neck of Denbaku-to.

"No. I'm your zanpakuto, aren't I? You're just talking big. My Lady." He simply replied and grinned back with a mischievous smile that only Naori could recognize.

Naori's blank and dull eyes suddenly blinked in expression and a recognizable shine returned. Her lips began to quiver and her hand, that was holding the sword, drew away from her opponent. She slowly stepped back away from him and still kept her head down as he started to get up. "You are still so dramatic and flashy. So annoying. So damn annoying…but right…"

"Of course." Denbaku-to replied, rolling his eyes. As he got up, he ran his hand through his back and his legs, making his wounds heal up after a quiet sizzle.

"But you are still my zanpakuto." Naori replied, eyeing back at him. "I'm thinking of remodeling the place for a while. Maybe I'll put in a tree…and a pond too."

"Using bribes to make things go your way. Huh? Clever. Just like how my owner acts." Denbaku-to said, grinning as he ruffled with the dark strands of Naori's hair. His hand could only stay there for a moment for he dispersed into a bright energy of yellow light and flowed right back into the sword in Naori's hands.

"You're so mean, Denbaku-to. Scaring me like that." Naori softly said and she clutched her sword closer to her. She could only hold it there for a few seconds for her grip gradually loosened. Her legs also turned to mere strings that could hold up any longer. The darkness overcame her eyes and she fell unconscious towards the ground. Her sword was lying down in front of her as it gradually landed with a soft thud.

"Well, seems like My Lady's wasted for the day. Can't blame her though. It's been a long day." Denbaku-to remarked as he materialized again and picked up his master. "I think I'll bring her to that place Hyourinmaru mentioned. I think her captain is staying there too?"

Yeah...you people are probably going to kill me for including a filler. Well, I already included a movie so I can drop in a filler. By the way, if you didn't catch it, Naori's zanpakuto is...very feminine (you know what...nevermind). I wanted her zanpakuto to be the more feminine side of Naori because she is always a nuetral kind of person. Why I didn't just make her zanpakuto a girl...it's more interesting.

Good news! I'm ending this memory lane storyline and getting back on track with the main thing! Excited! Now you get to see how the characters are going to solve through this entire mess. Wonder who will end up with who? Who is going to be alive or dead?

Yet good news…comes with bad news. Bad news: FINALS.

Review! And I'll post next chapter after my finals.