NO, this is not an update! I'm sorry for brining your hopes up though, (hmmm sounds kinda arrogant, as if I actually think my story actually plays a large role in your life)

1st Let's Clear One thing up

Oh dear, I completely forgot about Byakuya's shikai. Whenever I think about his sword I always recall the massive swords flying around. Sorry everyone, I didn't realize how similar they are, Gin's shikai is similar but not the same idea. This weapon was actually inspired by Soul Calibur 2's Ivy Blade. (One of her attack causes her blade to break apart and hurl themselves into the opponent.) I'm really sorry about that but I can't change the sword since it is tied in with the storyline.

Questions and Answers

Who is Ikkau?

Ikkaku is a member of 11th squad's seated officers. He is 3rd among them and uses a naginata named Houzukimaru (Houzuki) which is basically a long spear. He can split the spear into a san-setsu-kon which is a three segmented staff/ spear. I know him as the bald guy that likes sake.

Does this fic take place at Bleach's current events like the arrival of the Viscars and Aizen's new half Hollow and Shinigami minions? One of Ichigo's sisters knows that Ichigo is a shinigami.

Originally this story was meant to go on before the appearance of the Viscars and the half-breeds yet after the return from Soul Society. The official timeline I refer to DBZ as an example. This story could not possibly happen according to the official timeline however the story still happens. Actually this fanfic was supposed to introduce Hollow/ Shinigami hybrids later on in the chapters however since in the real Bleach world hollows/ shinigamis have already appeared it would make me look like a copycat so I decided to go along with the flow and extend the story's timeline to match the story's but keep in mind that this fic will not follow the original storyline's timeline completely but I will try my best. Karin does know Ichigo is a shinigami as shown in the story yet I don't really want to introduce her yet seeing as I don't know how Ichigo will take it (last read chapter Karin just admitted to Ichigo that she knew the truth and I believe Ichigo took off to fight the new hollow hybrids).

Hmm, I need you to know one thing first. Every zanpaku-to has a different ability while they also only have one and one only. Such as Ichigo or Renji's.

Shinn I can't explain you without giving out spoilers. Let's just say Yami isn't a normal zanpaku-to spirit. Shinn's zanpaku-to is unpredictable due to the spirit that resides within it. It came grant him immense power or make him very weak. His own power is immense however whenever he emits a sense of doubt or negative emotion his zanpaku-to will darken indicating Yami's presence becoming stronger, that's all I can say without spoiling too much. I intended to release a new type of "shikai release". I didn't want them to level up to bankai right away (keep in mind these guys are patrol officers, powerful ones but patrol officers none the less). I wanted them to release their shikai but still have difficulty fighting hollows. When one of Miho's greatest fear was overcome I decided she should attain a new level of power that promised high potential for her. I created the 2nd shikai release where her sword would evolve halfway between shikai and bankai.

You cannot give the same zanpaku-to abilities to another zanpaku-to and I think Miho's zanpaku-to release is the same as Byakuya and Gin's zanpaku-to release.

I completely forgot about that as I stated above. I'm real sorry to any outraged Byakuya fans and Ichimaru fans (I'm real sorry to Ichimaru fans since he's my favorite captain). My friend Michelle whom the character Miho Clyne is based on (for the record the name Clyne I did indeed get from Gundam Seed's Lacus Clyne, one of my favorite anime series, and one of Michelle's favorite characters). While this story was still in development she stated her favorite zanpaku-to was Zabimaru and I thought cherry blossoms seemed to suit her cheerful nature so I created Sakuhana to reflect that. (Michelle is always a talented member of the school's choir so that's why her zanpaku-to sings)

Comments from the Author

Okay, to clear any further discrepancies in the future allow me the honor of setting the record straight. Several of the characters are tributes to my favorite anime characters of all time and it is time to give those series the credit they deserve.

Shinn Ichijouji is a combination of Kenshin Himura from Rurouni Kenshin (I so wanted Shinn to always refer to himself as "this one" but I figured I'd be brutally killed by RK fans) as well as my own attitudes towards others and life as well as how I often get beaten up because I never defend myself (Gary Sue, yes I know please forgive me,). Also Yami was inspired by Yami Bakura from Yugioh manga series but I've also noticed he bears a deep resemblance with Demon Eyes Kyo from Samurai Deeper but I had no clue till I read one of the manga volumes. Also the black sears Yami gets when he transforms early on in the series was inspired by Uchiha Sasuke's curse seal. I didn't really like his second curse seal but I thought the first one made him look so cool! Oh, and Shinn's zanpaku-to is a tribute to Final Fantasy 8 Squall's gunblade, I always thought it would make a sick shikai.

Miho Clyne is a combination of Lacus Clyne from Gundam Seed (favorite gundam series!), and my friend Michelle who is just as cheery as Lacus herself. (Almost till the point where she's scary) The pink hair she gets when releasing her second shikai is a tribute to Lacus Clyne as well as the song Miho sings during the Soul Society Festival.

Koji, Saito, and Cho are all actually real people however their real names are Aaron, Lucas, and Dave, and yes Dave really is a perverted little troll!

Hana Sango pays homage to several characters actually. First off Sango the Demon Exterminator from Inuyasha matches Hana's determination and loyalty. However I find I make her more like Narusegawa Naru from Love Hina. She's hard working and often beats up guys who she really gets pissed off at. My friend Ciara was used as the template for this character. Short tempered yet friendly to those who know her and she is VERY violent!

There are lots of other characters that I've based on other anime characters that I find very interesting. Feel free to try pointing them out and I'll tell you if you're right, wrong, or simply over-reacting.

That's all for now and I hope I've answered your questions. And once again I'm real sorry bout Miho's 2nd shikai. I completely forgot about Byakuya's shikai. I hope you guys won't mind if I keep it like that.