Kai was in a different place. He couldn't think straight. There were so many things rushing through his head, thoughts, questions, visions, but none of it made any sense and he couldn't put answers to the questions, and he couldn't follow the visions.

Ever since he had discovered Aizen to be alive each waking moment was spent thinking about when they meet again and how it would turn out. Kai didn't know if the Phoenix could be released again and he didn't want to risk injuring others. He wanted to finish Aizen off and he wanted to feel the life slip away from his former Lieutenant. But he knew fighting Aizen could mean the end of his life and he wouldn't be coming back.

"What is bothering you, Kai?"

Ever since the two had become more comfortable around one another she had resorted to calling him by his first name which the Captain didn't seem to mind, but his shingami called him by his title. He looked at her with a smile, "Nothing."

But he was lying and they both knew it. It didn't have to do with anything now, but what was going to happen soon and it had to due with Aizen. Her Captain was growing restless in the human world. Even with daily reports it wasn't enough for him he wanted to be back in the Soul Society. Momo could see it every time a messenger arrived with news to vital to be sent via phone. The last time a message did come over the phone Kai had snapped it in half.

"When's our replacement coming?" agitation in his voice.

"Sometime tomorrow," she stated. Lt. Hinamori could see his fists tighten. She didn't know if he could wait that long. They hadn't had a single incident since the day they were stationed in the real world and Captain Zetsumei was extremely frustrated. Aizen was playing with them. He hadn't sent a single hollow or Vasto Lorde, but other squads had experienced several encounters with the beasts. What are you getting Aizen?! You know I hate doing nothing. Show yourself!

There was silence nothing happened. Kai was standing near a light post when was smack of his hand the thing shattered into a million pieces. He startled his shingami and Momo. This act of violence seemed to trigger something. The spiritual pressure around them began to increase drastically. It wasn't hollows it was too intense. Some of the shingami couldn't move it was too great Momo was standing, but it could be seen pressing down on her. Kai was unaffected by it. The Captain didn't go for his sword or seem unaffected. He simply walked from the park out into the street and waited. His head turned in Momo's direction.

"I'm going to lure it away…I want you to get the squad out of here. I'll handle this," he said calmly.

"But Captain…"

"Don't question Momo just do as I tell you," he smiled.

She nodded and with a quick glance to him as he disappeared into the darkness. The last thing she saw was a flick of the end of his haori and then he was gone. Momo turned to Squad 5, "You heard Captain Zetsumei everyone back to the Soul Society," Lieutenant Hinamori commanded. Her squad forced themselves to their feet and she created a rift.

"But we were ordered to stay here until tomorrow…" stated Burakku while the rest of his comrades filed into the Soul Society.

"Captain Zetsumei gave me and you direct orders to report back to the Soul Society. He has deemed this situation too dangerous and will not endanger the lives of his squad. You will do as you are ordered, now go!" she shouted, but Burakku didn't budge.

"Burakku Kami I am ordering you back into the Soul Society. If you disobey a direct order you will be placed under arrest, do I make myself clear?"

"Crystal," before Lt. Hinamori could say another word Burakku had taken off after Captain Zetsumei, "Burakku!" she shouted. She quickly closed the rift and chased after him. They both disappeared into the darkness and when they reached Captain Zetsumei he was standing before a rather tall and lanky arrancar whose zanpakuto was drawn and rested on his shoulder.

Kai turned his head to his squad members, "I told you to go."

"I will not leave my Captain in a time of need," stated Burakku proudly.

"Aww how sweet, they've come to die for you," laughed the arrancar. Kai's eyes shifted to back to the arrancar, "I didn't ask for you two cents."

"I don't need your permission. Telling by the haori you wear you must be Kai Zetsumei the man who stole my master's position."

Kai snorted, "You shouldn't believe everything you hear. Your master is a notorious liar and traitor. I simply took it back."

"Either way I have orders to kill you," he laughed.

"I'm surprised I thought Aizen would have shown his face and killed me off, but then again he's too good for that."

"Enough talk, I'm tired and want to get this done and over with," the arrancar raised his sword high into the air, "My name is Nnoitra, and I will kill you."

"I don't care who you are, shut up and fight."

Nnoitra struck at blinding speed, but Kai was able to block the swinging zanpakuto. He pushed the arrancar away from him and did a series of kicks to pressure points on the creature's body. It didn't seem to have a great affect on the arrancar, but this didn't surprise Kai. He knew this wasn't going to be an easy fight.

"Aizen said you weren't going to be easy, and I can see why. It says he learned from the best. I assume you are it."

"We'll find out soon enough."

Momo and Burakku stood and watched the fight go on. Momo had seen her Captain fight Aizen, but that was a true fight that tested both of the shingami's strengths and abilities. This didn't seem to be affecting the Captain or the arrancar. What was going on? What was he waiting for?

Kai struck this time, Nnoitra brought his sword swinging in a circle trying to cut Kai in half as he ran straight for the arrancar, but the Captain ducked and avoided the blade and as it swung over his head nearly scalping him the grabbed the handle of the blade just below the crescent moons bringing the deadly weapon to a stop. The arrancar looked surprised that he was able to stop it. Kai pulled roughly on it bringing the skinny being towards him at a high rate. His sword waiting to impale him on, but as the arrancar drew closer and closer he leapt into the air to avoid being killed kicking Captain Zetsumei in the face, but it didn't affect the Captain who plunged his blade through the pale man's shoulder drawing blood. Kai let go of the zanpakuto as Nnoitra stumbled back clutching his bleeding shoulder.

A grin crossed the creature's face, but his eyes weren't on Kai, but instead on the people behind him. I might not be able to kill him, but I know I can kill them. Suddenly he was gone and darting past Kai using flash steps. Kai sliced him again, but it didn't stop the arrancar as he went straight for Burakku. Kai in two quick flash steps had placed himself between Nnoitra and his squad member, but the arrancar had already swung his blade and it cut into the Captain's back as he shielded the 3rd seat of Squad 5. Blood sprayed from the slice in his back, but as Burakku looked into his Captain's eyes he didn't see pain or anger just neutrality.

"Captain…" whispered the shingami. Nnoitra had fallen back and watched the scene before him. Kai still had his arms out and was bending over his squad member. Blood was soaking through his haori. It had nearly been cut in half by the arrancar's blade. Kai closed his eyes.

"Captain?" Burakku whispered again.

"I'll tell you this one last time Burakku, go and do not look back. Report this to the Soul Society, but do not return for I can not guarantee your life. Am I understood?"

"Yes, Captain Zetsumei."

Burakku quickly got to his feet and ran in the direction of the park. Kai straightened once his 3rd seat was out of sight. He turned back to Nniotra. As he gripped his sword blood ran down the handle.

"Clever, but stupid. You were sent here to kill me. Leave my squad alone."

"I was having a little fun."

Kai charged him, but he was too fast and Nnoitra wasn't able to detect him as he came right into his face slicing the arrancar's chest wide open. He had caught him off guard and Nniotra was sent stumbling backwards gaping at the gash in his chest. Momo quietly watched every movement of the two men.

They were now fighting ferociously, but Kai had the upper hand, and once again landed near fatal blows to the arrancar, but the arrancar wasn't too shabby. He was able to cut through the muscle in Kai's left arm incapacitating it. But Momo knew Kai wasn't fighting at his greatest level. I'm the 5th most powerful espada and yet this shingami is acting as if I'm an ordinary hollow.

Blood was stilling flowing from the wound in Kai's back. It was deep, but not once did Kai stumble or show pain.

"I'm growing tired of you, Captain Zetsumei. How about we finish this? Loser dies."

"I like those odds," smiled the Reaper and Nnoitra charged him. The two men collided and an explosion of spiritual energy erupted in the middle of the street. Kai sliced at the arrancar's throat missing by inches. It was hard to see clear in the dust. But the arrancar was able to push the shingami Captain away from him long enough for him to create a rift and escape. When the dust settled Kai was alone on the street, Nnoitra was gone. There were puddles of blood and a crater, but other then that there were no other signs of the fight.

Captain Zetsumei sheathed his sword and turned to Momo, "At least you stayed out of the fight, but I told you to return to the Soul Society with the rest of the squad."

At first Lieutenant Hinamori couldn't speak, but then she straightened, "A Lieutenant's duty is to be at their Captain's side no matter what."

Kai chuckled as Momo created the gateway back into the Soul Society, "I appreciate that, but please go back next time. You could have died like Burakku almost did."

"Yes sir," she muttered.

They stepped through the gateway back into the Soul Society. He wasn't immediately rushed by Yuroichi.

"Please don't…my back," she inspected the damage and was furious, "Why didn't you send for reinforcements?"

"He could have easily wiped them out, Aizen's followers are strong and only strong shingami stand a chance against them. My squad could barely stand the arrancar's spiritual pressure," he said as he removed haori and stripped off his shirt, "Aizen wasn't kidding. These arrancar could easily destroy and entire squad." He was being healed when he looked at Momo, "I want to speak with Burakku."

She nodded and quickly hurried off to fetch him.