Vincent felt himself falling as he was thrown out of the bar. He landed hard on the unpaved street, the stack of paintings he had made scattered.

"Don't come back until you have something to pay with, Vincent!" the bartender yelled at the fallen man.

"I can pay," Vincent responded, collecting his fallen parchments. "One painting for one drink."

"Yes, that would work if you had any talent. Your so-called artwork is not welcome here. Until you have something tangible to pay with I don't want to see your face anywhere near this establishment!"

The bartender stormed into the stuffy tavern and left the fallen man. Pedestrians who passed by did not offer a second glance as Vincent tenderly collected his paintings and brushed the dirt. Times were hard for him in nineteenth century England. He loved the world and portrayed it in his artwork, but his style was too abstract for anyone to truly appreciate.

Often scolded for his lack of talent, he continued to paint purely for his love of the world and of nature itself. Also, the people believed him to be raving mad due to his continual claims of seeing things that others could not. He could see the demons clear as day, but never brought himself to draw them. They were too hideous even for him. Demons who hid their faces behind white masks and bellowed in the night. Searching, always searching, for something to fill that unquenchable hunger.


Tamotsu woke up gasping. He shook his head and found it to be drenched in sweat. He had been dreaming. That much he knew. But this was unlike his others. It seemed so real, the establishments were so much alive in his dream. It was as if he had been there before. While in the dream, he was another person. Vincent? Vincent who, though? Normally he would have just shaken off the venture as nothing more than a dream and trick of his mind. But something bothered him. It was more than just merely a dream, it had to be.

It was then that Rangiku burst into Tamotsu's room. "Kiyoshi!" she cried out. "Is everything okay? We could feel your reiatsu spiking."

"I'm okay, Rangiku," Tamotsu responded. "It was only a dream."

Rangiku seemed unconvinced. Being siblings, they could read each other easier, but Rangiku knew that it would be best not to press the issue. Her brother had been through a lot. Whatever it was, she believed that he would approach her when he felt like he could talk about it.

Not being able to find any words, Rangiku only nodded as she closed the door. Tamotsu sighed and looked at the ceiling. He couldn't find any other explanation for the experience, but it would have to wait until morning. He would speak to Urahara about it. It seemed far fetched, but it was the only conclusion he could think of. Was this dream actually a memory of yet another past life?


Goro Ojima and Ayame Yamaguchi sat with Masao Rin at a parlor in downtown Karakura Town. "I appreciate the two of you joining me," Masao was saying.

"I could hardly refuse someone in the same profession as we are," Goro responded. "Sendai, was it?"

Masao nodded. "I had to come here on forced leave due to the condition I'm sure the both of you have experienced."

"It can be difficult to adjust to," Ayame said. "But why could we not just speak at the Urahara man's establishment?"

Masao took a sip of his coffee and closed his eyes. "There are things that we just can't discuss there. Namely about our proposed leader, Tamotsu Toshiyuki."

"What about him?" Goro asked. "He seems well enough. After all, it was through our investigation of him that we found out about others like ourselves. Finding out about a past life is difficult enough of a concept. Shouldn't we band together?"

Masao sighed. "Yes, but I've been able to find information about Tamotsu from his past life in the Soul Society. Things that traditional research wouldn't find."

Goro and Ayame sat silent, waiting for Masao to further explain himself.

"You see, Tamotsu isn't all that he appears to be. In my research, I have discovered that he was a student at the Academy far longer than anyone else on record. For forty years he trained and was unable to graduate. He was unable to perform basic battle techniques and yet he was able to sleaze his way into attaining the third seated position in the Tenth Division. You can ask Mr. Urahara. He can confirm this, as well as Rangiku Matsumoto as Tamotsu served directly under her."

"He seemed competent enough," Ayame said. "After all, we are all changed people. We are not the same as we were from Soul Society."

"We are exactly the same!" Masao said, almost losing his temper. Realizing his raised voice began to cause commotion and draw attention, he lowered his tone. "Listen to me. Nothing changes. People don't change. He is exactly as incompetent now as he was then. The lowest class of Shinigami is stronger than he ever could be. He was unable to control his own reiatsu and caused two craters outside of Seireitei. Traces can still be felt, I'm sure. We all died in Soul Society before he graduated. He can paint, I'll give him that much, and he has some minor skill. He fought with me once before in an attempt for me to regain my memories and only defeated me because I was too distraught over my own death."

"You seem adamant about this, Mr. Rin," Goro said. "You say we can check on these statements to prove their validity? Why come to us about this?"

"As fellow officers of the law, I'm sure you can understand I have decent reasons for not voicing these statements in the company of the other Shinigami. Urahara and Yoruichi are too closely attached to him to see the truth. We can't trust them. We can't trust anyone in the Soul Society."

Goro and Ayame exchanged glances before looking back to Masao. "Why do you say that?" Ayame asked.

"It wasn't until Mr. Toshiyuki came into the picture that anyone even began to care about us. The Captains do not deserve us to come crawling back to them as if nothing happened. If they did care, they would have searched for us. They should have fought harder to keep us from dying in the first place! My Captain could have protected me. Instead, she jumped away and allowed me to die. My blood is on her hands. The others are the same. And we have to show them that we will not be taken lightly."

The two recruits could only listen to Masao. His demeanor was serious, and it seemed that a lot of thought and planning came with these words. "What are you planning on doing?" Goro asked.

"We have to show the Captains of the Gotei Thirteen that we will not be ignored. They know of the reincarnation cycle. They know that we died in their service, yet they did nothing. All this time, our existence has been swept under the rug. We remember things now for a purpose. We have a destiny to fulfill. And it begins with taking back what is rightfully ours. Our lives from Soul Society. This is our day, and I intend to fight to regain my purpose and to have my former Captain atone for when she willfully spilt my blood that day."


Tamotsu knocked on Urahara's door. He was nervous about what he had to say to the man, but knew that Kisuke Urahara was the only one who could possibly have any answers.

"Come in," Urahara answered. Tamotsu slid open the door, then closed it behind him. "Tamotsu. What's on your mind?"

Tamotsu dropped to his knees, now sinking below Urahara's height. "I need some advice," he said. "I can't tell Rangiku, and I think you're the only one who can answer this."

Urahara narrowed his gaze. The way in which Tamotsu approached was something he hadn't seen before. There was sincerity, and a sense of fear even. "I can tell you didn't come here just for a friendly little chat, Tamotsu," he said. "So. What is on your mind?"

Still looking down, Tamotsu gave his response. "I've been starting to have some dreams. Like the ones when I started to regain my memories from the Soul Society. But these are different. Somewhere I've never laid eyes on. Mr. Urahara, is it at all possible that I'm regaining memories of a second past life? And if so, could that explain why I'm getting stronger now?"

Urahara closed his eyes and thought a moment before answering. "Well, it is entirely possible for someone to regain memories of a second past life. Naomi Kanagawa is proof of that. But as far as you getting stronger from it? I'll have to draw a blank on that note. You see, this is the first time in history something like this has ever happened. I'm sure its completely possible for a compilation of past reiatsu would begin to manifest itself. Are you scared of getting stronger? I thought that was what you always strove for."

"Yeah, but that's the thing. Last time I got even remotely close to being this strong in Soul Society I ended up blowing up from my reiatsu and leaving a crater a mile wide."

"Ah. I see. Your point is… well taken. But your power shouldn't be something that you fear. If you are able to control it and harness it, you can become quite powerful."

"But I don't want to be all-powerful."

"Well then, what do you want?"

Tamotsu was about to say something, but his mind went blank at the question. What did he want? Things just seemed so confusing for him right now. Was he a human? A Shinigami? Both? And these new memories becoming manifest. Who was he then?

"I- I don't know," Tamotsu finally said, his voice choking. "I'm kind of starting to have another identity crisis here, okay? Remembering one past life is one thing, but remembering another one? And how many more would I be capable of keeping straight before I lose it completely?"

Urahara smiled. "Well, believe it or not, I can't help you on this matter. In the meantime, why don't you go train with Yoruichi? Naomi hardly seems to be the type who would want to battle and Rangiku and the others are out. Besides, I'm sure there was something you've been wanting to learn from Yoruichi. Am I right?"

Tamotsu nodded. He had been denied being taught the Shunko technique by Captain Soi Fon, but there was something else. Thinking back, there seemed to be another reason for the denial and the information given to him about Masao Rin. It was almost as if she were trying to get rid of him. Was there something going on that Soi Fon didn't want him to know about?

Shrugging off the thought, he focused on the task at hand. Yoruichi was the only other person known to have been able to use the Shunko technique, a combination of physical fighting and Kido. It was surely a technique that required a lot of power, and now Tamotsu wanted to learn it for another reason. This may be a way to ease off some of the power he was accumulating.

Finding Lucky, Tamotsu changed into his Shinigami form and gave the artificial soul charge over his body. Yoruichi was already down in the training area by the time he arrived. She was in human form, dressed in her typical jumper and facing away from the ladder.

"I was wondering when you'd ask me," Yoruichi said, not looking at him from her position. "You do realize how much work this is going to take, and you won't get it right off don't you?"

"I have my reasons for wanting to learn this technique, Yoruichi," Tamotsu responded. Looking at the whip wrapped around his shoulder, he added, "Hinohebi. I won't need you for this training. You can come out."

A flash of red light erupted as the zanpakuto took a human form. Hinohebi stretched. "Oh, it feels good to get out again. I wasn't planning on this, so can I just sit and watch?"

Tamotsu nodded and Hinohebi jumped onto some rocks on the sidelines and watched.

"For Shunko to be effective," Yoruichi began explaining, "you have to have a clear mind about everything around you. First off, you need to raise you right hand into a fist and cry out 'The power of justice prevails!'"

Tamotsu sank his shoulders. "You're kidding, right?" he asked. "You honestly expect me to do that?"

Turning away and waving her hand, Yoruichi said, "Well if you don't want to learn it…"

"Wait! I'll do it." Focusing his inner energy and clenching his right hand into a fist, Tamotsu prepared himself. Then, thrusting his right hand into the air he cried with all his might, "The power of Justice Prevails!"

"Wow, you actually did it," Yoruichi said, a hint of surprise in her voice.

Tamotsu doubled over and he smacked himself on the forehead with his palm. "WHAT?! You mean to tell me that was just for your own amusement?!"

"Yeah, pretty much."

On the sidelines, Hinohebi burst out laughing and began to roll on the ground in amusement. Tamotsu could feel the rage inside himself building.

"Oh, come on," Yoruichi said. "Can't a girl have some fun? If you want, go ahead and attack me. I know you want to."

"Why you…" Tamotsu growled. Running forward, Tamotsu took a wide swing to which Yoruichi dodged easily using Shunpo.

"Oh, please," she said, almost yawning. "That blow looked like you were standing still. Try it again."

Tamotsu attacked again using kicks and punches in various combinations. To every strike, Yoruichi either managed to dodge or block with ease. She was too fast for him, and he was still unable to use the Shunpo in order to match her jumps from one location to another.

Shunpo… Shunko… Why did the two have to sound so similar? He kept mixing them up in his head. Another strike was met with another dodge. But there was something different that time. Tamotsu began to see a blue glow surrounding Yoruichi. Whenever she dodged, it thinned and began to collect where she would stop. But she was still too fast for him to match directly.

Thinking back to his first fight with Takeo, Tamotsu remembered something he had felt. He had thought it was the heat of battle, but it was like he could read the other man's techniques before or just as they were beginning to be used. Could he use this ability at will? It was worth a shot. After all, he knew that Yoruichi was once a Captain of the Gotei Thirteen. Any advantage would help. But not only was she faster than he was. She was stronger as well. Thinking of how to compensate for that, Tamotsu opened himself up and allowed his power to flow freely.

Yoruichi stopped her attacks momentarily as Tamotsu's reiatsu level spiked. A blue/white glow began to emerge around Tamotsu's body. When he opened his eyes, she noted that they were also glowing with that same brightness.

Turning to the offensive, Yoruichi started slow and pulled her techniques. She wasn't sure of Tamotsu's power and didn't want to strain him too much. Every strike was met with a block. Punch high, kick low, middle, low again, then high. She gradually increased the speed and power of the techniques. But something bothered her about the manner in which he blocked. He seemed too casual for blocking blows of that strength. She wasn't going full strength yet but could easily see that Tamotsu was matching her every move.

The level of reiatsu increased again and Tamotsu turned onto the offensive. He struck with punches first, following the momentum with a series of spinning kicks and finishing the set with a combination of jump spinning techniques. The final punch was aimed for Yoruichi's face, to which she dodged using Shunpo.

Watching the woman's reiatsu thin, Tamotsu could feel it collecting again behind him. Using the momentum from his punch, he turned around and began an upward kick. Everything moved slowly for him. He couldn't see Yoruichi, but knew exactly where she would be exiting Shunpo. The time came and Yoruichi pulled herself back in surprise at the kick.

She had expected him to do something like that, but the time came faster than she had anticipated. Tamotsu himself was unable to use Shunpo, she knew that much, and yet he was able to nearly match her speed. She came to a quick realization that whatever Tamotsu was using, it was anything but Shunko. Shunko was too difficult to control fully, even for her. Also, it was done in real time. Whatever Tamotsu was doing, it was expanding to something else and allowed him to increase the speed and adjust almost instantly.

More punches and kicks were met with more dodges and counterstrikes. There was nothing else she could do on this level, she soon realized. She knew that Tamotsu had great power within him, and it seemed that his true power was only beginning to awaken.

"Tamotsu," she said. "I think its time I take this to the next level." She knew the risks, both to herself and to Tamotsu. But this was no longer about teaching him Shunko. There was a power hidden deep within Tamotsu, and this was the only way to unlock it.

Clenching her fists, Yoruichi allowed her reiatsu to flow freely. White energy erupted from her arms and shoulders as she entered Shunko state. She wasn't able to remain in that state for too long she knew. The strain would become too much even for her. She hadn't used this before in training for anyone, but in the back of her mind she knew she had to.

The over shirt torn apart by the power of her Shunko, Yoruichi engaged Tamotsu. She could feel his own power growing by the minute. Her strikes were met with perfect blocks from Tamotsu, sparks flying from the contact. Using Shunpo, Yoruichi jumped behind Tamotsu and aimed a kick at his head. There was no dodge as she had expected. Fearing she would take the Shinigami's head off, she began to pull the strike but was stopped. Looking at her ankle, she was surprised to find that Tamotsu had actually caught her kick in mid-strike.

Unable to do anything while in the air, Yoruichi rolled with the blow as she was thrown. Tamotsu was charging now, but Yoruichi made no attempt to dodge. She held up her hand and caught Tamotsu as he came in with a punch. "That's enough, Tamotsu," she said.

Looking up, Tamotsu's eyes faded to their normal color along with the rest of his body.

"We're done?" Tamotsu asked.

"You have a lot of power built up in you, Tamotsu Toshiyuki," Yoruichi said.

"But I don't want to do this for the power. I want to be able to cleanse Hollows and make sure they're sent to Soul Society. I'm not doing this for the added strength."

"Despite that, you've managed to match me in my own Shunko. Tamotsu, why do you want to gain this power? Why do you want to learn Shunko?"

"I just told you . I want to cleanse Hollows. Not merely bash them so they will appear again elsewhere. Why? Did I do it? Did I learn the Shunko technique?"

Yoruichi narrowed her eyes. "No," she said. "That was not Shunko. Tamotsu, the technique you've created is something more powerful."

Tamotsu's knees collapsed under him. His eyes were wide, the breath escaping in ragged gasps of surprise. "More… powerful… than Shunko?" he asked. "But… how?"

"I don't know," Yoruichi responded. "My best guess is that somehow you are managing to tap into your full power. The power of lives past. The true power of a Reincarnate."


NOTES FROM THE AUTHOR

I know, I know. Tamotsu is managing to become more powerful. Not that he wants it, but finding out how to control this power will prove to be a challenge. The accumulation of memories of past lives is beginning to have a toll on him, and Masao's plan is entering its next stages. Only a matter of time now until another confrontation.