Hey everyone, another week has passed us by, and I'm sure it was a slow week for ya, considering this is a chapter that everyone has been waiting on.

So, after looking at the poll results, the total came up to 4 votes: 2 for Zaraki winning, and 2 for a draw. Not gonna tell you the result yet, I'll let you fellas find out by reading. Anyways, got 4 reviews in, so I'll get this going by dishing out some answers.

xXSpades231Xx: Yup, a cliffhanger, my friend. Sorry, but had to do it. It was just too perfect of an opportunity to pass up. But don't worry, many more coming up, lol. So I guess you only had one question this time? Ok then.

1: He is right handed. Typically, if a swordsman, a.k.a. soul reaper, is left handed, that person would wear their zanpakutō or weapon on their right hip instead of the left.

SoullessSora: I hope you are still alive and that the long week of anticipation didn't kill you, lol. Sorry.

GirlGuest99.99: Thanks for the vote, and really, it depends on what your genre of interest is. I'm going to assume that you are interested in Romance, and a great story that I really liked was 'The Shark in the Moonless Sky' by 'The Night Hunter'. Like I said, really great story, and very good writing; much, much better than mine I must admit. As far as OC recommendations, I've done it once in another story of mine, that unfortunately didn't turn out, but the character incorporation did pretty well. For this story though, I'd prefer not. Perhaps in a later story that will take place after this one ends.

'Guest': Nope, no mercy my friend, lol. I'm as evil as they come.

Ok, now that those are over, time for me to shut up and let you all get to why you are really here…

(I DO NOT OWN BLEACH; ITS CHARACTORS, NAMES, LOCATIONS, OR STORY! THAT HONOR BELONGS SOLELY TO TITE KUBO AND HIS TEAM! ONLY THE OC, AND RANDOM NAMES NOT MENTIONED IN THE BOOKS OR ANIME ARE MY OWN!)


Chapter 10

(Showdown: Brute vs. Brat)

Squad 7 Training Grounds, Seireitei, 15 Minutes ago

Timothy quickly held up his blade in a guard as Zaraki swung his own in an attempt to give him a deep gash across his chest. A loud clash of metal sounded out as the two blades came into contact with each other with an impressive amount of force.

Timothy's eyes went wide with the sheer amount of strength that the man in front of him was forcing on him. He had heard many things over the years regarding the strength of Captain Kenpachi Zaraki, but the man just proved to him that every one of those stories were highly understated.

At first Timothy was planning on using Susan's ability to vanish and show up a distance away to send a kidō at him. But he thought it wiser to take the first strike head on to get an estimate of his opponent's strength.

Now he was glad that he had made the right choice. Now that he had a grasp on what he was up against, he determined that he would be able to fight Zaraki much more effectively. Not only that, but that he also needed to keep his distance from the man.

Zaraki, obviously, was 'not' an opponent that Timothy wanted to try and take on going face-to-face. No, distance, planning, and cunning were the tactics that he was going to have to use here. In other words, 'his' type of fight.

Timothy was trying with every bit of strength he had to try and hold back Zaraki's blade, small sparks flying off the blades with every millimeter of movement against each other. But even with all the strength he was using, Zaraki was steadily pushing Timothy's blade back to him.

"What's wrong? Is that all you got? Are you really nothing but talk?" Zaraki asked with a narrowed gaze and a wide grin.

Zaraki pushed harder against Timothy's blade, forcing it to where it was about touching his chest.

"Tim, get out of there!" Susan yelled.

Her voice brought him back to his senses. He quickly shook his head and glared at the Captain.

"Not likely." He hissed back.

Timothy suddenly vanished using one of Susan's flames that were right behind him. The immediate loss of force against Zaraki's blade caused him to slightly lurch forward, almost losing his balance.

Timothy reappeared to Zaraki's right with his index and middle fingers of his offhand pointed at the Captain.

"Bakudō #61, Rikujōkōrō!" he chanted.

The iconic 6 yellow energy blades surrounded Zaraki for a split second before stabbing the man in his torso, freezing the man in place. Zaraki grinned more and turned his head to him.

"You think your pathetic tricks are going stop me? Don't make me laugh." he asked.

The man started tensing his muscles and pushing against the binding. Timothy narrowed his gaze a moment, but widened his eyes when he saw one of the yellow blades shatter, then another.

'He's breaking the kidō?! How?!' he fretted.

Another blade shattered from the man, then a second later the last three shattered all at once, freeing the man. Zaraki turned fully to him and tilted his head with a look of disgust.

"Did you honestly think that your pathetic 'kidō' could stop me? Try as hard as you want, but I have yet to come across a kidō that could hold me…at least for long. I came here hoping for a good fight, but so far you've been nothing but a disappointment." He stated.

Timothy narrowed his gaze once more and growled.

"Guess I'll have to try something else then." Timothy returned.

Using Susan's power, he extinguished some of the surrounding flames and respawned them closer to where Zaraki was standing. This caught Zaraki's attention as he turned to look at the newly spawned flames.

"Ah, so it seems you can move them around whenever you want, huh?" The man turned back to Timothy. "Well, go ahead and come at me. I'm ready for ya."

Timothy pulled his head in slightly, then vanished, reappearing right in front of Zaraki ready to cut down. Zaraki swung up from in front of himself up to stop Timothy's blade.

But the bare instant before their blades made contact, Timothy vanished again, now showing up behind Zaraki and swinging diagonally across the man's back. The blade struck true, slicing across Zaraki's back from his left shoulder to his right flank.

Zaraki slightly groaned and lurched forward from the sudden and unexpected strike. Using his quick reflexes, Zaraki quickly swung out and across, turning behind him to try and hit Timothy in the side.

But Timothy was not there anymore. Zaraki's brow above his one eye rose in confusion, but his eye widened when Timothy reappeared in front of where he was facing before, cutting down.

Timothy's blade hit the Captain in his shoulder, going down along the man's arm, almost to his elbow. Zaraki quickly turned back to sweep up with his blade, but again Timothy was gone.

This time Timothy remained hidden, and Zaraki stood straight and unmoving, watching the area around him. His eye glanced from side to side as he waited for his prey to make his move.

"Getting tired, Zaraki?" Timothy taunted from the man's right.

Zaraki turned his head to the voice, seeing nothing but the flames surround him.

"Ready to give up?" he added from the man's left side.

The man glanced left, only seeing more flames. He started quickly turning his head side to side looking for Timothy.

"Is that all you're gonna do, hide? Come on out and fight like a man." Zaraki said.

"As you wish." Timothy answered, now right behind him again.

Zaraki's eye widened as he turned to block the attack, but too late. Timothy hit him in the left side, but because of the direction that Zaraki turned, his blade didn't cut Zaraki as much.

Zaraki swung as fast as he could, managing to catch Timothy's blade before he could vanish. Timothy managed to block, but the speed of Zaraki's attack forced him off his feet and launched him back.

Timothy landed on his back and slid a few feet before rolling backwards onto his feet, dragging himself to a stop about twenty feet from his opponent.

He glanced up at the man, who was now running at him, from the crouched position that he landed in. Timothy held his position until Zaraki was only a couple feet from him before vanishing again.

Zaraki had learned from Timothy's previous attacks and swung out behind him, expecting Timothy to be there. But he wasn't

He reappeared right where he was before and stabbed Zaraki in his left flank. Timothy grinned at his successful trick, but that grin quickly faded when Zaraki turned his body back front.

With his blade stuck in the man's gut, the momentum pulled Timothy forward as Zaraki swung down. The man's blade caught Timothy in his flank, producing a deep gash, but luckily missing his internal organs.

Timothy yelled out in pain as his blade finally came free and he flew across the field, landing hard on the ground and rolling head over heel. Zaraki turned to him with a widened grin and stood there with his blade resting on his shoulder.

"So, that's it?" he asked.

Timothy, as quick as he could, pulled himself back up to his feet and turned to face the man. He winced in pain and quickly held his side where Zaraki had nailed him.

'How the hell can he take hits like that and stand there like it was nothing?! It's like I never even touched him once!' Timothy thought.

"Damn." He whispered.

"Tim, you can't fight him like this!" Susan panicked.

Timothy winced again and growled. "I know that now. What the hell is wrong with this guy? I've cut him at least three times, and bad ones at that! But he acts like he's not even scratched! he mentally observed.

That's because he's not human, he's a god damned demon! Tim…you need to take extra care with him, or he's gonna kill you!" she pointed out.

"Yeah…like I didn't notice that before." He retorted.

"Tim…if things keep up like this, you may have no choice but to release me." She offered.

Timothy lightly shook his head. "Well, let's hope it don't come to that."

Timothy dropped his soothing hand, now covered in blood, and returned it to his grip before vanishing again. Zaraki dropped his blade from his shoulder to a ready stance, prepared for Timothy's next attack.

He appeared to Zaraki's left, but a few feet away, causing the man to turn his head to him. But a second later he also appeared to Zaraki's front, again getting the man's attention.

Zaraki shifted his glance from one Timothy to the other. "What the?" he started. He quickly turned around to see a third Timothy behind him. "What the hell is this?" he asked to no one in annoyance.

Two more Timothy's appeared on either side of Zaraki, all of them in their ready stances. Zaraki narrowed his gaze as he kept an eye on the copies, waiting for a move.

"Behind you." Timothy stated.

Zaraki turned and swung his blade across his chest, successfully hitting him. Or at least he thought he did. Timothy seemed to 'flicker' a brief instant as his blade went right through him, like he wasn't even there.

"What the hell?" he said.

Timothy grinned as he slowly readied his sword to swing down and across the man's chest. Zaraki moved to parry as Timothy swung down, but Timothy briefly flickered again as his blade went right through Zaraki's, cutting him across his chest.

But Zaraki was surprised that the bit of pain he felt didn't come from his front, but instead his back. He glanced over his shoulder to see Timothy behind him, holding his grin, after a successful hit.

"What the hell is this nonsense?" he asked as he turned to strike.

Timothy vanished just before the blade struck him, and with him all of the copies. Zaraki turned around from side to side, looking everywhere to see no more copies.

Zaraki narrowed his gaze a bit. "This is such a nuisance." He moaned.

Timothy appeared in front of him as he finished, giving him a serious glare.

"You said no rules, Zaraki. You stated, 'I don't care what you do, just give me a damn good fight'. The fact is, I can't fight you the conventional way, you're way too strong for me. So, I'll fight you the way I know best." Timothy clarified.

"Yeah, the coward's way." Zaraki retorted.

Timothy shrugged his shoulders. "Say what you want, I don't care. You wanted a fight, and now you're gonna get it." He finished, then vanished.

Zaraki grinned madly and chuckled. "Bring it."

Timothy reappeared to the man's left with his palm held out.

"Hadō #31, Shakkahō!" he chanted.

A red ball of energy formed in his palm, then shot out at the deranged Captain. Zaraki smiled as the kidō sailed towards him, but suddenly swung his blade out, causing the kidō to explode before hitting its target.

"You're gonna have to do better than that." He taunted.

Timothy lowered his hand and vanished, appearing to Zaraki's rear.

"Hadō #31…" he started, getting the man's attention.

He quickly vanished again, showing up, yet again behind Zaraki.

"Shakkahō!" he finished.

The red energy ball left his hand, heading straight for the man's exposed back. Timothy smiled when the kidō hit the man in his upper back, but froze when he saw that it did absolutely nothing but leave a small soot mark at the point of impact on the man's haori.

Timothy stared wide eyed as the man turned to face him, chuckling.

"What?" Timothy fretted.

"Come on, you can do better than tickling me." The Captain stated.

Timothy continued to stare at the man, shocked that a 30's level hadō was compared to a tickle.

"Tim! I told you to get serious with this guy! Stop holding back!" Susan demanded.

Timothy flinched a bit but nodded. Yeah, let's try picking it up a notch. I just hope that Captain Komamura don't kill me for this."

He then vanished, along with some of his flames. Zaraki kept a close guard on his surroundings, but rose a brow to see flames respawn, now much farther than they were before.

"Keeping your distance?" he asked.

Timothy reappeared at one of the flames in front of him, several feet away.

"Gonna have to for this." He answered.

Zaraki turned to see multiple copies of Timothy surrounding him, holding his offhand in front of his face. He watched as every one of them suddenly emitted an aura of yellow energy from their hands.

"Sprinkled on the bones of the beast. Ye lord! Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Move and become the wind, stop and become the calm. On the wall of blue flame, inscribe a twin lotus. The sound of warring spears fills the empty castle! In the abyss of conflagration, wait at the far heavens!" he chanted, then held out his hand, fingers spaced out and angled in a half grip.

"Hadō #63…" he started.

All of the copies instantly vanished, except for the one behind Zaraki. The man quickly glanced over his shoulder.

"Raikōhō!"

A large bolt of lightning erupted from Timothy's palm, hurling towards the man's back. Zaraki turned with his zanpakutō, ready to block the incoming attack.

"Hadō #73…" Timothy started, now behind him again.

Zaraki glanced over his shoulder with a wide eye to see Timothy his both hands held out, wrist to wrist, palms open and facing at him.

"Sōren Sōkatsui!" he finishes.

A large blue storm of energy bursts from his palms, sailing right at them man, now trapped between two high levels kidōs. Both attacks closed in on the man at a high speed, causing Timothy to grin in victory.

Suddenly, a brief instant before the two attacks collided, an immense spiritual pressure erupted from the center of the attack. Timothy flinches and gasps for breath as the pressure starts pushing down hard on him, trying to choke the life from him.

"What…the…" he breathes as he shields his face with his off arm.

"Tim…what the hell is this?! It's putting stress on the seal! It can't take it!" Susan warns.

"I…I don't know. I've never felt spiritual pressure like this before! I feel like a damn truck is being dropped on me!" he mentally replies.

The density of the pressure causes both of Timothy's kidōs to fall apart and dispel before hitting their target, shocking him. Where Zaraki used to be was a large orb of yellow energy, pulsing at a high rate like the vast amount of spiritual pressure that weighed on him.

He stood there frozen in place for a moment until he saw the mass of energy start to dissipate. His gaze narrowed as he saw something standing in the center of the mass of energy, then his eyes widened to see what he could only describe as the center of a nightmare.

Standing in the field, where he was before, was Zaraki. Timothy fretted more when he realized that 'he' was the source of this monstrous spiritual pressure. Upon closer examination, he could see the man's eyes glowing with a yellow flair.

'Wait a minute…'eyes'?! That patch was a fake?!' he thought as he stared at the man.

The yellow mass of energy disappeared, but the spiritual pressured remained. Zaraki glared at Timothy with an evil, although Timothy could swear he was happy, grin, holding the patch from his eye in his hand.

"What…the hell…did you do?!" Timothy mumbled.

Zaraki chuckled at him for a second. "I'm impressed…impressed enough that I don't have to hold back on you anymore. Even though I view the use of kidō as cowardly, I will admit that you do have some skills." He answered, then twisted his wrist to show the patch.

"This is a little something that the research department cooked up for me…to cut back on my spiritual pressure. That way, I can make my fights last longer. The pressure you're feeling now is my true spiritual pressure. If I hadn't taken it off just now, I would have been rendered unable to fight you the way that I want. Now we can kick this up a notch." He continued.

Timothy was still frozen in shock from the pressure he was feeling, trying to comprehend the strength and power of it.

"Tim…you have to release me! The seal is not going to last much longer! And you can't fight him anymore with me sealed like this! Do it!" Susan demanded.

Timothy growled, but slightly nodded before holding his sword out in front of him.

"No choice then."

Squad 7 Headquarters, Present

Sajin and Tetsuzaemon ran out the back exit of the building and stopped when they saw Timothy standing, just barely, in front of Captain Zaraki, without his eyepatch.

"Damn it! What the hell has that fool done now?! What does he think he's doing, fighting Captain Zaraki like that?!" Tetsuzaemon yelled.

They were just about to flash down to the fields to stop them, but stopped when Head Captain Yamamoto, along with Captains Hitsugaya, Kyōraku, and Ukitake, all flashed into being a few yards to their left.

Sajin turned to the Head Captain to see that he was quite agitated, while the other Captains were switching glances between the training grounds and Sajin.

"Would you care to explain what is going on here, Captain Komamura? Who is it that Captain Zaraki is fighting, and why?" Yamamoto asked/demanded in his deep and gruff tone.

Sajin swallowed the lump in his throat, trying to find the best answer to explain the fight.

"Bankai!" a voice yelled in the distance.

The voice got the attention of everyone as they turned to see a man standing in front of Zaraki. They suddenly saw flames erupt from his zanpakutō and gather into a form next to him. This surprised the other Captains, but Yamamoto was intrigued.

'A bankai…who is this man?' Yamamoto pondered.

Yamamoto glanced to the squad's barracks to see multiple members leaving out the back to find out what was going on.

'This is causing quite a ruckus.' The powerful man concluded mentally.

"Lieutenant Iba." Yamamoto started.

The man turned to him and took a knee with his head bowed. "Yes, Head Captain?"

"Control your squad members. Keep them as far away from the fight as you can. I don't want any unneeded casualties from this nonsense." Yamamoto commanded.

Tetsuzaemon nodded. "Yes, Head Captain." He answered, then flashed away.

The Head Captain then turned back to Sajin. "Captain Komamura, what is the meaning of this? Who is that?" Yamamoto asks again, but in a more serious tone.

Sajin glanced to the fields, then back to Yamamoto. "His name is Timothy Durn, my 5th seat, Head Captain." Sajin answers.

Yamamoto opens his eyes only a little. "And why is your 5th seat fighting Captain Zaraki?!" he bellowed in anger.

Sajin could tell that the Head Captain was now getting angry, and he feared that the man's anger was directed towards Timothy. He needed to answer the man's question carefully, or this could end up very bad for his new 5th seat.

"Captain Zaraki approached 5th seat Durn a few days ago about wanting to fight him, regarding him defeating of some of his squad members in Rukongai. The squad members had been mistreating the residents for some time, so Timo…5th seat Durn fought them and defended the residents. Captain Zaraki appears to have been misled that 5th seat Durn would be an excellent opponent for him. I cannot say how this fight started, but I would assume that Captain Zaraki goaded my 5th seat to fight him, Head Captain."

As Sajin finished, Captain Unohana flashed in, landing next to Yamamoto. Jūshirō turned to the man.

"Should we try to stop them, Head Captain?" he asks.

Unohana steps in. "Regarding the current situation, I believe it would be unwise to interrupt this fight. If we were to interfere, that would only cause Captain Zaraki to become furious. It is unlikely that he would kill his opponent, but instead render him unable to continue the fight. So, it would be best to wait until the fight ends on its own." She advises with a bit of worry for the unfortunate opponent.

Yamamoto turns to look at the field as the two warriors stare each other down.

"We will wait, and find out the truth when those two fools have finished their quarrel. Captain Kyōraku, Captain Ukitake and Captain Hitsugaya, form a perimeter in order to prevent onlookers from getting too close. Captain Unohana and Captain Komamura, you two will wait here with me while we wait for this foolishness to end." Yamamoto orders.

The three fore-mentioned Captains nod, then disappear in a flash step while Yamamoto, Unohana, and Sajin turn to face to bloody execution in front of them.

Squad 7 Training Grounds, Present

Timothy and Susan, in her anthropomorphic form, stood side by side. Timothy with his unsealed sword that had returned to normal, and Susan with one of her flame converted swords, staring at Zaraki.

Zaraki tilted his head slightly as he looked Susan up and down. "And who is this? Your zanpakutō? I have to admit, you're the only one since that wolf-faced bastard that I've fought like this. This should be interesting." He said with a grin.

Timothy narrowed his gaze at him.

"Furasshu hi…Kitsune Hime. My bankai allows the spirit of my zanpakutō to literally fight with me in battle, while also increasing the effects of her abilities. If you thought my zanpakutō's abilities were a 'nuisance' before, just wait till you feel them now." Timothy answered, then turned to Susan.

"You ready?" he asked.

She turned to him and grinned, showing her pointed teeth.

"Oh…you know I am!" she answers, then turns back to Zaraki. "You ready for some real fun…Captain Zaraki?" she asks.

Zaraki grins back at her. "I'm ready for ya, bring it!" he yells.

Susan giggles at him. "As you wish. And when I'm done with you, I'll give you a nice haircut. The way your hair is now, sorry to say, is very hideous." She returns.

As she finishes her remark, both her and Timothy vanish. Zaraki chuckles to himself as he watches the field around him, patiently waiting for the attack to come.

But the attack doesn't come. Instead, Zaraki turns to see one of the flames slowly moving towards him, now only a few feet away. He turns to face the flame but keeps his head to where he can see behind him in his side view.

The flame is now right in front of him, too close for his comfort, so he takes his free hand and swings it out, trying to swat the flame aside. As soon as his hand touches the flames, his skin starts burning, so he quickly pulls it back and hops back a few steps as he swings his arm side to side to pull the fire out.

"What the hell?!" he growls as he looks at his hand. The entire hand, going past his wrist a few inches now had a first degree burn coating it.

"You should watch your surroundings." A female voice cooed.

Zaraki turned to see Susan swing her sword at his back. Although the weapon was made from one of her flames, it did not possess the ability to catch things on fire. The blade simply tore across Zaraki's back as he turned fully to face and strike her. She held her weapon up and blocked Zaraki's attack.

Timothy then appeared behind him and stabbed him in his side, causing the man to slightly grunt in pain. Zaraki turned and kick Susan away while bringing his sword to bare on Timothy, but the moment his foot touched her, the waraji on his foot caught fire and started burning his foot.

Although the flames surrounding Susan's body will catch any being that comes into contact with her on fire, her physical form can still take impacts.

Zaraki's foot makes full contact with her body, the force of the kick tossing her back to the ground. The Captain continues his swing at Timothy while his footwear burns, but Timothy blocks it, then vanishes again.

The Captain starts stomping his foot on the ground, trying to put the fire out. The fire causes too much damage to the straw sandal, so it simply falls off as he stamps. Zaraki turns to see that Susan is now gone.

He turns back around to find the pair staring him down a few yards away. Susan clearly has an annoyed look on her face.

"Come now Captain. I'll admit you surprised us both with your little patch trick, but to me it seems like you're no longer trying. I don't want to beat like this, so you can come back later and give us a hard time, crying that we weren't, 'worth your time'." She taunts.

Zaraki's evil grin returns. "Not worth my time?! I had to remove my eye patch for you! You may have cut me up and burned me a few times, but this fight is far from over! Now the fun begins!"

Zaraki charges at them both as he swings, his most 'happy' smile on his face. Susan vanishes while Timothy shunpos to the side to swing his blade.

Zaraki blocks Timothy's strike as Susan appears to strike with hers. Zaraki glances at her and swings his burned hand out at her, catching her shoulder and setting his hand on fire again.

Susan is forced to the side a bit as Timothy swings into the air and gives Zaraki a swift kick to the side of his head. Zaraki's head is deflected to the side, but his overall stance remained unchanged.

The man turns back to Timothy. "That's it! Keep it coming!" he encourages as he swings his hand to put the fire out.

Susan appears behind him to strike, but Zaraki turns quick enough and catches her sword wrist in his hand, that now has second degree burns, setting it on fire yet again. He kicks Timothy in the side the instant he appears to rescue her, tossing him back as he lifts Susan to be face level.

He stares into her eyes as he smiles, causing her to start worrying. "I'm having so much fun, I can't get enough of it! Keep it coming and don't stop!" he yells at her as he throws her towards Timothy.

Timothy manages to stand up in time to hold out his arms and catch her bridal style, her momentum pushing Timothy back on his feet a couple yards.

He set her down on her feet, then she vanishes while he shunpos up to Zaraki with a high attack. Zaraki blocks it and raises his leg to give him a hard kick.

Susan appears and swings down on the man's leg, producing a deep cut and stopping the man's attack. Instead, he slightly pivots and redirects the kick towards her instead.

She holds out her blade just in time for it to take the hit instead, the force pushing her back again. The force of the kick caused the blade to break, so Susan drops it, the blade turning back into a small flame and going out, then hops over to the nearest flame and grabs it, turning into another weapon.

Meanwhile, Timothy flashes away from Zaraki as the man brings a fist down towards his head. Unfortunately, Timothy missteps during shunpo, causing him to reappear and slide across the ground a few yards.

'Damn!' he growls internally as he gets back up and turns to Zaraki.

"What a time to trip. Guess I need more practice." He mumbles and uses the flames near him to vanish.

Susan was being berated with strike after strike by Zaraki. She was holding her guard well enough, but was steadily being pushed back with each hit. Timothy appears between the two and starts send a flurry of attacks of his own. Susan recovers quickly and joins Timothy on his assault.

"Tim, I can't keep this up much longer!" Susan warns in his mind.

"Damn! Already?!" he frets.

"I've been giving it just about everything I've got! He just won't go down! And he's not giving me the chance to get my flames near him! I can't focus on defending against his attacks and my flames at the same time!"

"We've only got one way to stop him now, we have to trap him and force him to submit!"

"You think a demon like this is going to submit?! Even if we manage to 'kill' him, he 'still' won't submit!"

Inch by very slow inch the duo pushed back against Zaraki, and his smile was only getting wider and wider.

"That's the stuff! Bring it! Bring it all!" he yells in a maniacal laugh.

"We have no choice! It's the only move we've got left with the time we have!" Timothy points out.

"I'll need time to prepare! He ain't exactly just going to sit in one spot, so we'll have to force him into it!"

"I can give you twenty seconds at the most! After this I'm not going to be able to fight, much less stand! Make em count!" he finishes.

The pair keeps up their barrage for almost a minute until Timothy jumps up and gives Zaraki the strongest dropkick he can muster while Susan swings her feet low to catch the man's legs from behind. His feet catch Zaraki in the chest, having just enough power to force the man back a few yards as his feet are swept under him by Susan, causing the man to fall onto his back.

"Now Tim!" Susan yells.

Timothy holds out both hands to Zaraki.

"Bakudō #61, Rikujōkōrō!" he chanted, looking the Captain with the six yellow blades. "Bakudō #63, Sajō Sabaku!" he furthers, the bright yellow energy chain wrapping around Zaraki's torso.

Timothy then slams his hands together and interlocks his fingers.

"Walls of iron sand, a priestly pagoda, glowing ironclad fireflies! Standing upright, silent to the end!" Timothy chants as he holds his fists into the air.

Five small yellow orbs of energy appear above his hands and started going in a circle around them.

"Bakudō #75, Gochūtekkan!" he yells as he slams his fists onto the ground.

A yellow portal suddenly appears, flashing above Zaraki. From the portal, five, very tall stone pillars, with chains attaching them to each other at the top, appears. The five pillars fall straight down, landing on top of Zaraki and pinning him down.

Timothy stands up straight, tilting side to side from exhaustion, then holds his hand out to the Captain, now locked down onto the ground, in a half grip.

"Chains of shadows, piercing and holding the skin. Stone coffin, sealing the soul for eternity. The light fades, leaving man to wander in darkness. Bakudō # 86…"

A black pulse of energy forms in the palm of his hand and quickly expands to consume his entire hand.

"Tsuin Sajō Sabaku!" he finishes as he balls his fist and twists his wrist clockwise and pulls his hand to him a bit.

Numerous black, ghostly chains appear from all directions around Zaraki; shooting forward and wrapping themselves around his limbs, torso, neck and head, before tightening and wrapping around his entire body once more. Where Zaraki's body had once been, now resided a body wrapped in black chains, looking like an Egyptian mummy.

Timothy becomes light headed and falls to his hands and knees with his head low, gasping for breath.

"Th…that won't…hold him for…for long!" he yells to Susan.

But he had spoken too soon. He raised his head and watched in shock and awe as the high level kidōs he put on Zaraki began buckle under the immense spiritual pressure the man was pushing out.

"Now!" he yells.

Timothy and Susan now watched as over one hundred of her flames surrounded Zaraki, still just barely in his binds. The flames got closer and closer, finally closing off any chance for Zaraki to escape.

With a last burst of pressure, Zaraki manages to break all of Timothy's kidōs at once. He slowly stands back up, breathing heavily, to see that it was already too late, he was now trapped in a prison of fire.

"Go Susan, burn his ass! He wanted a fight, HE GOT ONE!" Timothy yells out to her.

Susan grins at the flaming prison. "With pleasure."

Susan closed the flames in on Zaraki, leaving no room for him to move. She leaves the flames in place, slowly and painfully burning the man to a crisp. Victory, to them, had been won.

But something happened that they could never expect, even from Captain Zaraki. The man reached out with both hands and pushed the flames aside, like opening a set of curtains. Both of their eyes went wide as they watched the same man slowly walk out from his prison, dragging his sword on the ground, grinning.

"No…that's just not possible!" Susan mumbled under her breath.

Timothy slowly stood back up and got ready to defend himself, nearly loosing his balance and falling, as Susan appears next to him, matching his stance.

Zaraki looks up at the pair, his teeth and eyes the only things not harmed by the fiery prison. He grinned as wide as possible and chuckles. He gives out a quick pulse of spiritual pressure, extinguishing the flames on his body.

Just about all of his clothes were gone, only a tattered patch of what remained of his hakama hanging on to his mid-section; his entire body was covered in second and third-degree burns.

"So…is that it? Got any more?" he asks.

Timothy narrows his gaze at the man.

"Tim…I can't fight anymore…you need to seal me now…" Susan warns through deep pants.

Timothy flinches, but slightly nods.

"We gave it our best shot, Susan." He reassures.

He very quietly mumbled the chant to reseal Susan within the sword in his hands. Once he finished, Susan's form began to dissipate and pour into the sword, causing Zaraki to raise a brow.

"So, that 'is' it then." He says as he rests his sword on his shoulder. "I'll admit, that was fun. You gave me a better fight than I could have expected from someone who just came from the Rukongai. I'm impressed, and you should know, that's not an easy thing to do." Zaraki half comforts with a serious, but content face.

Timothy was still maintaining his stance, getting ready to go after Zaraki once again.

"I'm not done with you yet, Zaraki. It's not over until one of us is on the damn ground." Timothy growls as he respawns Susan's flames.

"Enough!" a powerful voice bellows from the sidelines.

Both men turn to see Head Captain Yamamoto, flanked on either side by Captains Komamura and Unohana, standing a few yards from them.

"No." Timothy returns, getting the man's attention and causing Sajin's eyes to widen.

"Don't you talk back to me, boy! This fight is over! Now, explain yourselves at once!" he demands.

Zaraki simply turns his head away and scoffs while Timothy narrows his gaze at the Head Captain.

"Simple, I challenged Zaraki to a duel, and he accepted. Nothing more." He returns.

Timothy is immediately forced to the ground from an unimaginable spiritual pressure, easily far more powerful than Zaraki's, and choking him.

"You best mind your tongue, you disrespectful brat! You will show me, as well as Captain Zaraki the proper respect, or I will teach it to you!" Yamamoto orders in a roaring voice.

The Head Captain keeps the pressure on Timothy for a moment longer to make sure he understands the man's words before finally suppressing it again. He then turns to Zaraki.

"Captain Zaraki, is this true?" he asks.

Zaraki lifts his head with eyes closed. "Tsk, yeah…he challenged me, and I accepted it. It was a fair fight, old man." He confirms.

Yamamoto then turns back to Timothy. "Stand up, 5th seat Durn." He commands.

Timothy slowly gathers his strength and lifts himself to one knee, finally noticing that the entire lower front part of his uniform is soaked with his blood. Captain Unohana widens her eyes a bit.

"Oh dear. Permission to take Squad 7, 5th seat Durn for medical treatment, Head Captain?" she asks.

Timothy quickly holds a hand up to her. "No need, Captain. I'm fine." He clarifies.

He takes a deep breath and slowly, yet shakily, manages to make it to his feet, standing straight. He wobbles very slightly and gets a bit dizzy, but stays on his feet. Now that the adrenaline from the fight was wearing off, he was starting to 'really' feel the effects of the wounds he received.

"Yes…Head Captain?" he answered between breaths, that were starting to shallow.

Yamamoto opens his eyes more to stare down the man in front of him before closing them again.

"5th seat Durn, you have quite a disrespectful mouth, and obviously a bad temper with it; yet you seem to be quite the avid fighter. While I am displeased that you fought against Captain Zaraki, you had rightfully challenged him, and he accepted. However, I will say this; do not take this defeat lightly. There are only a few people I know who can defeat Captain Zaraki, yet you still managed to cause him a great deal of damage, and forced him to put a great deal of effort into your fight. Not only that, but you had managed to walk away with minor scratches. Well done."

He then turns to Unohana. "Captain Unohana, take them both to Squad 4 and have them both treated. I expect a full report upon their discharge." He concluded, then disappeared in a flash step.

The sudden disappearance of the Head Captain's spiritual pressure caused Timothy to have a head rush, proving to be the last straw that his body could handle. His world went completely black as his mind shut down.

Timothy's body began to fall forward, so Sajin took two wide strides forward to catch him before he fell onto the ground. His sword fell from his grasp as his body falls limply into Sajin's arms.

Unohana steps forward and sets a hand on Sajin's shoulder. "I'll take him to my squad now, Captain Komamura." She states with a bright smile. She then turns to Zaraki. "You must come with me as well, Captain Zaraki. We must tend to those burns and injuries."

Zaraki glares at her. "I'll go when I'm ready to." He returns.

Unohana smiled even more, giving off an evil aura.

"I said, you must come with me as well, Captain Zaraki." She repeated.

The two Captain's glared at each other for a moment before Zaraki finally scoffed.

"Tsk, whatever."

Unohana's evil aura disappeared as she turned and picked up Timothy, bridal style, in her arms. She stands back straight and looks at Sajin.

"I will send you a report on his condition once he has been stabilized, Captain Komamura." She offers.

Sajin slightly bows back at his senior.

"Thank you, Captain Unohana."

He rises back to her and she nods before disappearing with Zaraki in shunpo.

Sajin drops his head back and moans as he begins to worry about the possible upcoming events. His thoughts are interrupted when Tetsuzaemon flashes in next to him.

"So, what now, Captain?" he asks.

Sajin turns his head to the Lieutenant. "For now, have our members return to their duties. We will discuss this matter in the office. I will meet you there in a moment."

The man nods and walks away towards the members huddled around the field. He turns back to his front when Lieutenant Kusajishi appears with a smile on her face.

"Kenny had fun, Bow-wow! Please tell Zippy thanks for playing with him!" she said.

Sajin sighs, but nods. The pink haired Lieutenant smiles more, then flashes away. Sajin then drops and shakes his head.

"Why do I have a feeling that this is only the beginning of many headaches to come?" he mumbles to himself before flashing away himself.

Squad 7 Headquarters, 10 minutes later

Sajin was sitting on one of his couches, his head leaned back against the top of the back of the it with his eyes closed. He wanted to get a few minutes to rest his mind, so he could think about the situation that he was about to face more clearly.

He was jostled back to his senses when he heard a knock on his door.

"Come in." he half moaned, not moving or opening his eyes.

The door opened and Captains Kyōraku, Ukitake, and Hitsugaya, and also Tetsuzaemon walked in, with the Lieutenant closing the door behind them.

"Hey Sajin. Care for a drink?" Kyōraku offered as he held up a pitcher of sake.

Sajin opened his eyes and leaned forward to him. "Considering everything that just happened, I wouldn't be in my right mind to refuse a drink right now." He returned, then gestured for the men to join him.

The two senior Captains joined Sajin on the couch while Tetsuzaemon brought his and Sajin's seats from the desks for Hitsugaya and himself. Shunsui poured them all saucers as Tetsuzaemon and Hitsugaya sat down in front of them.

"So…" Shunsui started as he handed out the saucers to everyone. "Tell me what happened." he finished and took a sip.

Sajin took a sip as well and sighed. "As of right now, I can only assume that Captain Zaraki taunted Timothy into a fight. Until he recovers, and I can ask him about it in person, that's all we know." He stated and took another sip.

Jūshirō leans forward to look at the furry Captain. "I'm sure he'll be alright, Sajin." He reassures.

Shunsui nods in agreeance. "Yeah. He was cut up pretty good, and worn out too, but he'll pull through." He adds and takes a sip.

"I must admit that I'm impressed, Captain Komamura." Hitsugaya offers. "For a 5th seat to possess a bankai is rare, but to be able to take a fight to someone like Captain Zaraki is unbelievable. However, I don't recall ever meeting him, or even seeing him before. How long has he been in your squad?" he asks and takes a sip.

"Almost two weeks." Sajin answers.

"And before that?" Jūshirō asks further.

"Rukongai."

Hitsugaya nearly chocks as he takes a sip as the two seniors look at Sajin in shock.

"Rukongai?! Am I correct to assume you mean that the man has only been a soul reaper for two weeks?!" Shunsui asks.

Sajin and Tetsuzaemon both nod, causing the three visitors finish what's left of their drinks before giving them to Shunsui to refill.

Shunsui immediately drinks his entire saucer while the other two try to comprehend Sajin's answer.

"That's just…amazing! How could he have possibly attained a Bankai in just two weeks?! I mean…Ichigo Kurosaki managed to obtain his bankai in a matter of months…but to do it in only two weeks can't be possible!" Jūshirō franticly pointed out.

"Not to mention that I didn't feel any rise in his spiritual pressure when he released it. And who was that that was fighting with him?" Hitsugaya asks as he grabs his saucer from Shunsui.

Sajin was now glad that Timothy had come up with idea about faking Susan's release as a 'Bankai', seeing as he wouldn't have to explain Timothy's powers entirely.

"It's part of his Bankai. Just like mine, he can call upon his zanpakutō's spirit to fight alongside him in battle. The other being you saw with him was his zanpakutō's spirit." He lied, trying to keep a straight face.

Unfortunately for him, Captain Kyōraku was no fool and was very adept at reading others. He had caught on immediately that Sajin was hiding something; an action that was very unusual for the furry Captain, so he chose not to voice it. He would bring the matter up later when it was just the two of them.

"That quite a unique power he has. Just like mine and Jūshirō's zanpakutōs being duel weapons, a zanpakutō that allows its spirit to physically be a part of the battle is just as rare." He said as he tipped his straw hat down.

Sajin finished his saucer and held it for Shunsui to refill. "Yes, it is. Now I fear what will happen once Timothy awakes." He states. Shunsui fills the man's saucer and Sajin takes a sip before continuing. "You know the Head Captain will take an interest in this matter. He will more than likely wonder why Timothy possesses a bankai, but only holds a 5th seat. Even more so after his fight with Captain Zaraki."

"Not to mention when he finds out just how long the guy's been a soul reaper. You have a difficult challenge ahead of you my friend." Shunsui states as he finishes his third saucer and pouring a fourth.

Squad 7 Barracks, Seireitei, Present

Hinata, Issei, and Kenta were sitting in Junya's room with Yuka and Narumi, telling them about the fight they saw with Timothy and Captain Zaraki.

Like everyone else in the Seireitei, they all had felt the immense spiritual pressure that Zaraki gave off when he took his eye patch off, but the three later friends were too busy handling things inside the barracks to go look.

"So…let me get this straight…Timothy fought Captain Zaraki?" Yuka asks, unable to believe her friends.

The three friends nodded back.

"And he almost beat him?" Junya asks further.

He gets another round of nods.

"Plus, he apparently has a Bankai as well." Issei adds.

Yuka and Junya stare at each other a moment while Narumi's jaw drops to the table. The siblings turn back to the three friends.

"No way, you're lying!" Yuka accuses.

Hinata quickly shakes her head. "No, we're not! He fought with Zaraki using a Bankai, I heard him call it! I even saw some…being come out from his zanpakutō and stand next to him!" she assures.

Issei and Kenta quickly nod in agreeance. "It's true! We saw it too!" Issei enforces.

"But…how?! I mean…he's only been here for like…two weeks?! How the hell could he 'possibly' have a Bankai that soon?! It's just 'not' possible!" Narumi almost yells.

Yuka and Junya both nod. "I agree. It's just not possible. You have to have seen something else. There's just no way he could have a Bankai in two weeks." Junya said.

Hinata raised a finger. "But don't forget, he had that zanpakutō while he was still in Rukongai. For all we know, he could have attained it while he was still out there." She points out and drops her hand.

Issei turns to her. "You know, now that I think about it, I don't remember feeling any rise in spiritual pressure when he released. It was like there was no change at all."

Kenta rests his chin in his hand. "It could have been drowned out by Captain Zaraki's ridiculous pressure." He offers.

Yuka holds out her hand. "Or, it might not have even been a Bankai, like we've been telling you. Even with the time he spent in Rukongai, it's still too short of a time to acquire it."

"What about that substitute soul reaper guy. Uh…Kurosaki I think it was? Rumors are that he managed to get his Bankai in only a few months." Kenta states.

"Yeah, I heard that too." Hinata agreed.

"I heard he managed to beat Captain Zaraki, 'and' Captain Kuchiki." Narumi adds.

"Well, Tim beat 'our' Captain! Even you guys saw that!" Hinata presses.

Everyone nods at her statement. "Yeah, he did. And I don't mean anything against him, but we can all agree that his spiritual pressure is not as high as the Captain's. He just has a zanpakutō with abilities that are hard to fight against." Yuka points out.

"Yeah, I'll agree on that. But I know what I saw…what the three of us saw. That was a Bankai, it just had too much power to not be." Kenta assures.

"Why don't we just ask him when he comes back from Squad 4? See if he'll show it to us?" Narumi offers.

"I don't think that will happen. In fact, he may even get in trouble for releasing his Bankai during the fight." Junya points.

"No, we're under the emergency wartime protocol. Bankais are allowed to be released, given proper circumstances. Besides, even if we weren't, the fight was supposedly a challenge; so that's one of the very few exceptions to the law in releasing a Bankai." Kenta corrects.

"I'm wondering what's going to happen with the team he was supposed to set up. With him being gone, who's going to take charge?" Hinata wonders aloud.

"No idea. But we'll have to worry about that later. We've got to get on with our daily things." Issei said as he stood up.

He holds out a hand to Hinata and gives her a boost to her feet as Kenta stands up as well.

"We just wanted to let you guys know what the hell happened out there." Issei adds.

"Well, thanks for telling us." Yuka said as she waved.

The three friends waved back and left the room to attend their duties.

Squad 7 Headquarters, Present

Sajin nods back at the three Captains as they give him a short bow before leaving the office. The Captain sighs and leans back into the couch as he relaxes to the warming feeling of the alcohol that he drank with his peers.

"Captain." His Lieutenant opens.

"What is it, Tetsuzaemon?" Sajin answers without looking at him.

"Captain…what are we going to do about Durn? With respect sir…"

Sajin holds up a hand to stop him. "Just speak your mind freely, Tetsuzaemon. I don't think right now is the time for honorifics."

The man nods in understanding. "Sir…we need to figure out what we're going to do with him by the time he comes back. Judging by his injuries, he won't be in Squad 4 for long."

Sajin sighs and leans back forward to the man. "I'm aware, Tetsuzaemon. As Captain Kyōraku stated, this is a difficult matter. He knowingly disobeyed my orders to 'not' fight Captain Zaraki, but I cannot punish him for issuing a legitimate challenge that was accepted. So, no action will be taken in that matter."

Sajin pauses for a moment to think before he continues. "Now we have to take his 'Bankai' into consideration. You and I both know the truth about it, but now his abilities have been revealed to five Captains, and the Head Captain. You know as well as I, that that will not go unaddressed; a 5th seat possessing a Bankai. And I'm sure that by now word has spread about him defeating you, myself, and almost Captain Zaraki."

He pauses once more for breath. "I believe it would be best to let this sit for the moment and see if the Head Captain, or any of the other Captains, say anything about it." He finishes.

Both men were slightly shaken by a loud knock on the door.

"You may enter." Sajin answered.

The door opened and a messenger from the Stealth Force takes a knee, facing the two officers.

"Forgive the interruption sir, but the Head Captain has ordered for you to see him." The man reports.

Sajin nods at the man. "Thank you. I will leave immediately." He answers.

The man nods and quickly leaves the office. Sajin gives a loud sigh as Tetsuzaemon turns to him.

"It looks like you didn't have to wait long, Captain. Shall I come with you?" he offers as Sajin stands.

"No, that won't be necessary Tetsuzaemon. Before I forget though, while Timothy is in Squad 4's care, you are to take over the training for the emergency team until he returns…if I decide to keep him on the team." He instructs before leaving the office.

He comes to a stop in the hallway as the door closes.

'Let's see how much trouble you're in, Timothy.' He mentally frets before disappearing in a flash step.

Squad 1 Headquarters, 5 minutes later

Sajin walked through the main hallway of the 1st squad's headquarters and came to a stop in front of the monstrous doors that led to the Head Captain's office. He lowered his head and began to prepare the answers for the questions that the Head Captain would be sure to ask him.

"Quit your dawdling and enter, Captain Komamura!" a gruff, and clearly annoyed voice bellowed from inside.

Sajin slightly flinched and took a deep breath before pushing the door open and entering the office. He turned to see Head Captain Yamamoto in the back of the office, sitting at his desk and staring at him.

"Well?! What are you waiting for?! Step forward!" he demanded.

Sajin swallowed the lump in his throat and started walking at a quick, yet respectful pace towards the powerful man, stopping a few feet from the man's desk. He stood at a ridged attention and swallowed again.

"You wished to see…"

"Enough with the pleasantries. You know why you are here, Captain Komamura." Yamamoto interrupted in annoyance.

Sajin bowed respectfully. "Yes, Head Captain." He replied and rose to the man.

Yamamoto stared at the furry Captain for a moment, then reached down to his right side and pulled out a zanpakutō, setting it on his desk. Sajin looked at the weapon and froze when he saw that it was Timothy's sword that contained Susan's soul.

"Now, explain yourself." Yamamoto instructed in a very slightly calmer tone.

Sajin began to panic inside as he tried to think of the best way to answer the man. He decided to take the risk and press for a clearer question.

"Forgive me, Head Captain. May I ask that you specify what…"

Sajin was suddenly burdened with a powerful amount of spiritual pressure from the man.

"Do not play dumb with me, Captain Komamura!" Yamamoto bellowed, then dropped the pressure on Sajin.

The man glared at Sajin for a moment, then looked down at the weapon.

"Speak! I know you can hear me, spirit!" he demanded.

Sajin froze again with widened eyes at the man, then glanced to the sword. Nothing was heard for a moment, then Yamamoto emitted his pressure again.

"I will not ask you again! Speak, 'now'!" he commanded, his eyes now more open with anger.

"Uhh…yes?" Susan quietly answered.

"Do not get cute with me, spirit! Are you one of the Bakkōtō?!" he asked very sternly as he dropped his pressure again.

"Uhh…a what? I'm sorry, but I have no idea what that is." She answered skittishly.

"I am no fool, spirit. If you are not one of those accursed weapons, then what are you?"

"Head Captain…" Sajin tried.

Yamamoto looked at him. "Silence! I will get back to you in a moment, Captain Komamura!" he interrupted, then turned back to Susan. "Answer me!"

"That's…a little…hard to explain sir" she tried.

Yamamoto narrowed his gaze. "Reveal yourself." He commanded.

"I…I can't sir."

"Nonsense! I saw you out on that field fighting with that brat against Captain Zaraki!"

"He is not a…" she attempted to defend.

"Silence! I can see you share the same disrespectful demeaner of your companion, and I will not allow it! Now reveal yourself! That is an order!" Yamamoto bellowed.

"She cannot do it, Head Captain." Sajin jumped in.

Yamamoto turned to the man. "Explain."

"I'm sealed within this sword, sir. I can't come out whenever I want. Tim has to release me." She clarified.

Yamamoto's gaze turned back to her. "Nonsense! I know there is a seal on this sword, so if you can't come out on your own, then I will break the seal and force you out!"

"Head Captain, she cannot remain unsealed for long, her soul with fade away. Tim…5th seat Durn has to reseal her before that happens, and he's currently unconscious in Squad 4's medical building." Sajin stated.

Yamamoto glares at him. "Then perhaps you would care to explain this matter, Captain Komamura. And do not lie to me."

Sajin closed his eyes and thought of the best way to tell the man what had happened to Timothy and Susan. He let out a deep sigh and looked back at the man.

"She is like this…because of Aizen, Head Captain." He admitted.

Yamamoto continued his stare for a moment, then closed his eyes. "Go on."

"That man…Aizen, cornered me and Tim while we were still spirits in the living world sir. He knocked Tim aside, then held out some…weird…rock, or something." She started.

Yamamoto lightly moaned. "Hmm…the Hōgyoku." He said.

"Uhh…I guess so sir. But, he held that rock up to me, saying that I would be a good test subject, or whatever. There was a bright flash of light, and the next thing I knew, I was sealed in the sword. Tim would be able to explain it better, sir." She finished.

Yamamoto thought on her answer a moment, then glanced to his left side a second. Lieutenant Sasakibe flashed into place on his knee, looking at the man.

"Tell Captain Kurotsuchi that I want him here, now. I do not care what experiments he is working on." He tells the man.

The Lieutenant nods, then flashes away. Yamamoto then turns back to Sajin.

"We will come back to this matter in a moment. For now, we will discuss your 5th seat, Durn. While most of his fighting abilities were from the help of this spirit, he seems to possess great skills regarding kidō, and seems to be fairly adept at sword skills. As well as managing to stand toe-to-toe with Captain Zaraki, word has reached me that your 5th seat has also managed to defeat your Lieutenant, as well as yourself. So, tell me, if this Durn is able to defeat you in combat, why is it he only holds a 5th seat, especially when you do not currently have a 3rd or 4th seat?"

Sajin takes another breath before answering. "It is because of his…unique situation, Head Captain."

"Explain." The man instructs.

"5th seat Durn has only been in the squad for two weeks, Head Captain. In fact…he has only been a soul reaper for that amount of time." Sajin clarifies.

Yamamoto slightly opens his eyes to the man. "Do not lie to me, Captain Komamura. Do you honestly expect me to believe that someone, with that high amount of skills in kidō, has only been a soul reaper for that short amount of time? And how is it that he has not been to the academy?" he asks, now more annoyed.

"Due to the wartime lift of restrictions, I gave 5th seat Durn a test through combat. I deemed that that he was fit to join the squad without having to attend the academy. It was during that fight that he had defeated me. Head Captain, I ask that you please consider everything that the traitor Aizen had done to him. Durn is a good man with a good head on his shoulders. He may be a bit lax in some areas, but ever since he has come to my squad he has strived, literally, nonstop to improve himself, as well as the other members. What happened to Susan was not their fault, and I believe it would be wrong to hold that against them." Sajin pleaded.

Yamamoto turned to Susan. "So, you have a name, do you?"

"Yes sir, my name is Susan." She answered.

"And what is your relation to 5th seat Durn?" he furthers.

"He's…my husband."

Yamamoto stares at her a moment, then closes his eyes. "I see."

The room suddenly echoed from a knock on the door and Yamamoto turned to it.

"Enter!" he commands.

The door opens and Captain Kurotsuchi walks in, stopping in front on Yamamoto, next to Sajin. It was evident that the man was clearly annoyed, more than likely from having been disturbed during his work.

"You wanted to see me, Head Captain?" he responds with an agitated look.

"Captain Kurotsuchi, everything that you are about to hear will remain in this room, is that understood?" Yamamoto demands.

"Yes, I understand. So, what is it you wanted to see me for?" the scientist asks, now interested in what the man had to say.

Yamamoto glares at the sword. "Speak."

"Hmm?" Mayuri breathes as he turns to the weapon.

"Um…hello sir?" she responds.

Mayuri's eyes slightly widen upon hearing her voice.

"Oh? And what is this? A zanpakutō that is able to communicate with others while sealed? I have never heard of such a thing. Very interesting." He says with a grin.

"This is the result of Aizen's work. He had used the Hōgyoku to turn this soul into something else and sealed it inside this sword. What do you make of it, Captain Kurotsuchi?" Yamamoto asks.

Mayuri steps forward and picks up the sword, drawing it from its sheath and holding it out to the light to examine it. Sajin kept a close watch on the mad scientist as he turned the blade different angles to get a good look at it.

"My, how interesting. It would seem that there is a decent strength seal on this blade. So, I assume that this seal is what keeps you locked within the sword?" Mayuri asks.

"One, I would appreciate if you would put me down. I don't too much care for others drawing me. And two, it is the seal that keeps me inside this blade." She retorts.

Yamamoto turns to her. "Mind your tongue, spirit. You are in no position to make demands." He points out.

Mayuri turns to the Head Captain. "Without taking this sword to my lab, I'm afraid there's not much I can tell you. Perhaps if we were to release this soul, I would be able to give you a better answer." He tries.

Sajin turns to him. "Her soul cannot remain unsealed for long before she fades away. She must be resealed before that happens, and Timothy is the only one who knows how to do it." He points out.

Mayuri turns to Sajin, offended. "Are you trying to tell me that I would be incapable of performing a seal as easy as this? The moment I picked this sword up, I was immediately able to determine the makeup of this seal and could very easily replicate it. So, Head Captain…" he pauses to turn to the man. "Shall I break the seal?" he asks with a toothy smile.

Yamamoto ponders on the question a minute, but nods. "Release her."

Sajin lowers his head slightly while Mayuri chuckles. "Wonderful!" he says and turns to the sword.

He pinches the guard of the sword with his thumb and index fingers and pours some energy into it.

"Now, release." He says with a wide, toothy smile.

All three men watch as a circular, orange energy disk appears on the guard, then shatters.

The whole weapon erupts in flames and Mayuri quickly drops it in fear of being burned. The sword falls, point down, and lands on the wooden floor, the tip digging in and holding the sword upright as the flames grow in intensity.

The flames then leave the weapon and begin gathering in a spot behind them and in front of Yamamoto's desk. The flames slowly start to take on a form, and after a few moments, Susan was now standing in front of all three men, her flames covering her entire body with a calm blue hue; an agitated look on her face..

Sajin looks at her with worry while Mayuri smiles more and Yamamoto stares at her.

"Oh my! How very exciting! To see something like this, I simply can't help but wonder…would you care to become one of my experiments?" Mayuri ponders.

Susan simply glares at him. "Unless you want a hug that you'll highly regret, I'd advise you to keep away from me." She threatens.

Mayuri chuckles and starts walking towards her, holding his hand out to touch her. Sajin reaches out and grabs the man's wrist, getting his attention.

"I would heed her warnings, Captain Kurotsuchi. If you were to touch her, you would end up severely burned." Sajin warns.

"Tsk…unhand me, you furry brute. I don't take orders from you." The scientist hisses.

"Enough!" Yamamoto bellows, getting everyone's attention. "I will not allow your bickering here. Now tell me what your observations are, Captain Kurotsuchi." He demands.

The man quickly pulls his arm away from Sajin's grip and stands straight, looking at Susan.

"Judging by the lack of any form of spiritual pressure, it would seem that this soul has somehow been converted into the spirit of a zanpakutō, one that has not been bound to the soul of a wielder." He observes.

Susan turns to him. "What do you mean?"

"The spirit of a zanpakutō is part of a soul reaper's soul, it resides within it. What Captain Kurotsuchi is saying, is that you are similar to one of these spirits, but your soul is not bound to the soul of a soul reaper. Instead, you are like a zanpakutō spirit that is not bound and can move freely." Sajin clarifies.

Susan raises a brow. "If that's the case, how is it I can talk to Tim in his mind?"

"It would seem that when the two of you had departed the world of the living, your souls had somehow formed a bond between you two. That, or it could be a result from your exposure to the Hōgyoku." Yamamoto observes.

Sajin sets his chin in his hand. "That would explain why Timothy is unaffected by your flames."

Yamamoto turns to Mayuri. "Reseal her, Captain Kurotsuchi." He instructs.

The scientist nods before reaching down and pulling the sword from the floorboards. He then turns and holds the blade out towards Susan and smiles.

"Are you sure I can't convince you to become one of my research subjects?" he presses again.

Susan simply gives him an evil glare without answering him. Mayuri smiles more, then mumbles a chant that no one could understand.

Susan's form begins to slowly fade away as her flames leave her body and start to be absorbed by the blade. After a few moments, she was completely sealed back within the blade, then Mayuri places the blade back in its scabbard and sets the weapon back on Yamamoto's desk.

Yamamoto looks to his side again and Lieutenant Sasakibe appears once more.

"Return this sword to 7th squad, 5th seat Durn in Squad 4's medical department." He instructs.

The man nods and walks forward to pick up the sword.

"One question sir." Susan said, getting Yamamoto's attention.

"What is it?"

"How did you know that I wasn't a real zanpakutō?" she asks in worry.

Yamamoto looks at her skeptically. "Do you take me for a fool? I have been the Head Captain for well over a thousand years. I have seen countless zanpakutōs, yet I have never come across something like you. I knew you were a fake the instant that brat released you. Also, you will not speak of this conversation with your companion. Is that understood?" He responds sternly.

"Yes sir." she answers reluctantly.

Sasakibe flashes away, leaving the three Captains alone in the office. The Head Captain turns to Mayuri.

"Captain Kurotsuchi, you are forbidden to discuss this matter with anyone, nor are you permitted to perform any research on the subject. That is an order." He demands.

Mayuri throws his head to the side with a scoff. "Tsk…very well."

"You are dismissed, Captain Kurotsuchi." Yamamoto finishes, then the scientist flashes away.

Yamamoto now turns back to Sajin.

"Captain Komamura, in light of the circumstances leading to this matter, I have decided that no negligible actions will be taken against your 5th seat. While the situation is quite unique, she is still the spirit of a zanpakutō, one that has merely not been bound to his soul. Considering the fact of what I had mentioned earlier, your 5th seat has proven to be quite a skilled soul reaper. With this in mind, I will be overriding you, and will be personally assigning him as your new Lieutenant. You are to teach him what it means to be a high-ranking officer and make sure he understands his duties." He pauses for breath.

"He may be a disrespectful brat, but I do see potential in him. With Aizen's betrayal, along with two other Captains, we cannot afford to let this potential go to waste. As for your current Lieutenant, I will be assigning him as a co-Lieutenant in Squad 5. With Aizen's betrayal, and Lieutenant Hinamori in intensive care, Squad 5 does not have any senior officers, and will need his help. Keep in mind that this will be temporary, as once Lieutenant Hinamori recovers, and is fit for duty, she with return to her squad and Lieutenant Iba will return to your squad." He finishes.

Sajin is frozen in place from the words of the Head Captain. He had expected Timothy to be punished, and more than likely Susan's soul to be destroyed. But now the powerful man has essentially ordered that exact opposite, making Timothy Sajin's Lieutenant.

But now he had to wonder about Timothy's secret. Now, besides himself and Tetsuzaemon, the mad scientist Kurotsuchi, and the Head Captain knew about it. If his secret got out into the open, Timothy would more than likely be scrutinized against.

"Head Captain, what about the matter regarding Susan? I know for a fact that Timothy would want this secret kept." He tries.

"Who else is aware of this matter?" Yamamoto asks in seriousness.

"Besides yourself and Captain Kurotsuchi, only Lieutenant Iba and myself." He answers.

"No, Captain Unohana is aware of this matter as well. Like me, she is no fool, Captain Komamura. She realized it as well when that brat released her." Yamamoto clarifies. "However, she has also been instructed not to say anything regarding the matter. I will say this, if she has realized that the brat's sword was a fake, I am sure Captain Kyōraku, and Captain Ukitake have more than likely realized it as well. I will inform them not to say anything on the matter as well. That will be all, Captain Komamura. Return to your squad and tell your Lieutenant that he is to report to Squad 5 once Durn has returned." The man concludes.

Sajin wanted to object to the man's demand of making Timothy a Lieutenant, he just simply wasn't ready for it. But nonetheless, he bows respectfully, then flashes away. Yamamoto turns to face out the balcony that made up his office to look out upon the Seireitei.

'That man…he reminds me of that substitute, Ichigo Kurosaki. He could prove to be one of our strongest assets. It is best to nurture him and force him to become better, if we are to stand a chance against Sōsuke Aizen.'

Yamamoto closed his eyes and lightly sighed before turning back to continue his paperwork.

Squad 7 Headquarters, 15 minutes later

After a brief stop at the Squad 4 medical department to check on Timothy, Sajin was relieved that learn that he had been stabilized and was on the road to recovery. Lieutenant Kotetsu had told him that it would most likely be a day before he woke up, and two more days before he could be discharged.

He was also relieved to see that Susan's blade had been returned and was leaning against the wall next to Timothy's bed.

Sajin entered his office with his head hung a little low to see Tetsuzaemon working on the morning paperwork. The man turned turn him with a worried look when he saw the Captain enter the office, clearly, yet patiently, waiting for word on the results of Sajin's meeting.

"Make us some tea, Tetsuzaemon. Then we'll discuss the meeting." Sajin said as he walked past the man towards his desk.

The man nodded and swiftly stood to begin boiling the water and getting the leaves. Sajin arrived at his desk and restlessly sat down with a heavy sigh.

He turned to the moderately sized stack of forms on his desk and took a quick glance through some of them. After a moment he sighed again as he carelessly set the forms back down, causing them to slide off the desk and scatter on the floor.

Tetsuzaemon peeked around the corner of the small room that housed a small sink and a single burner stove for making tea. He glanced at the forms on the floor, then back to Sajin who had a heavy face on.

"That bad, Captain?" he asked.

Sajin took a deep breath and let it out slowly to calm his nerves. He started to rub his temples before he replied.

"Not really…but I certainly didn't expect how it turned out." Sajin said in a low voice.

Tetsuzaemon could sense the worry in the Captain's voice, so he stood fully in the doorway to listen.

"So…may I ask what happened?" he tried.

Sajin lowered his hand to his lap and closed his eyes.

"The Head Captain knows about Susan." He starts, causing the Lieutenant to flinch.

"But…how did…?" Tetsuzaemon chokes.

Sajin turns to him as he opens his eyes slightly. "I guess it's all of our faults for thinking we could keep something like this from him. He said he knew the moment Timothy released her. It turns out that Captain Unohana also knew it right away. Captain Kurotsuchi knows as well, and gave us some insight on her…condition."

Both men heard a small whistle sound as the water started to boil, so Tetsuzaemon left the doorway to pour their tea.

"I figured the Head Captain would discover it sooner or later, but I never expected him to pick up on it that fast." Tetsuzaemon said from the other room.

The man walks back into the office a moment later with a tray carrying two small cups of tea. He sets the tray on the floor next to Sajin's desk and sets one of the cups on the desk in front of the man before grabbing his own.

"Thank you, Tetsuzaemon." The Captain says and begins blowing on his tea.

"So, what did Captain Kurotsuchi have to say about the girl's condition?" the man asks as he sits down next to Sajin.

Sajin takes a timid sip to test the temperature of his tea, then sighs.

"From what he could gather, it seems that whatever Aizen did, he managed to convert her soul into a zanpakutō spirit."

Tetsuzaemon nearly chokes on his tea and quickly turns to the man.

"Are you serious?! A zanpakutō spirit?!" he asks in shock.

Sajin nods and sets his tea down. "Yes. But unlike a normal zanpakutō's spirit, that is a part of the soul reaper's soul, her spirit is not bound to Timothy. However, when Aizen had done that to her with the Hōgyoku, it somehow formed a bond between them. That's how she and Timothy and converse within his mind. This also explains why her soul would disappear after a while if she was not sealed. As you are aware, the fate of a zanpakutō's spirit is bound to the fate of its master. If its master dies, the spirit dies. But because she is not bound to Timothy, her fate is not tied to his." Sajin clarifies.

Tetsuzaemon takes a sip and lowers his head. "So…what did the Head Captain say about her?"

Sajin takes a sip as well and holds the cup in his lap. "Because she is 'technically' a zanpakutō spirit, just one with a unique circumstance, the Head Captain is taking no action against Timothy." He answers.

Tetsuzaemon nods, then Sajin turns to him. "But he did issue an order that you will most likely not approve of." He said with dread. The lieutenant turns back to him. "He's ordered me to assign him as the squad's Lieutenant."

Tetsuzaemon's eyes widen. "Sir?!" he chokes.

Sajin nods. "Upon his return from Squad 4, he is to be assigned as the Lieutenant of Squad 7. The Head Captain wants me to instruct him on how to be a senior officer. He has also ordered for you to be temporarily transferred as the co-Lieutenant of Squad 5. As you know, they do not have a Captain, or Lieutenant at the moment, at least not until Lieutenant Hinamori recovers and returns to duty. He stated that when she does return to duty, you will be transferred back to Squad 7."

Tetsuzaemon made no expression at the Captain's words, he was too shocked to even begin to think of something to say.

"I am unsure as to what will become of Timothy when you return to the squad, but I would assume for now that you two would share the position together." Sajin adds and drinks his tea.

"But Captain…Durn has only been a soul reaper for two weeks! How could the Head Captain even consider him for the position?! Is he even aware of how long Durn has been here?!"

Sajin nods. "He is. He views him as an asset for when we have to fight Aizen. But even you must agree that, in the regards of his combat abilities, and his proficiency in kidō, he more than fits the criteria for the position. And you have seen how well he manages the squad during training."

Tetsuzaemon deeply sighs. "I can't deny that, Captain, I do agree that he is skilled and good with the other members. But to make someone a Lieutenant after being a soul reaper for only two weeks…and I hope that you'll forgive me for this Captain…is just plain absurd."

Sajin turns to the man. "You may speak freely here, Tetsuzaemon. And yes, I'll agree that is unheard of. But we cannot forget that Timothy spent years in Rukongai, and I can more than likely guarantee you that he spent a good amount of time there training. If it was anything like his training frenzy a few days ago, then it would be no surprise. How he managed to train himself in the arts of kidō during that time, I don't know. But the point is that he is highly skilled, and the Head Captain does not want his skills to go to waste."

Tetsuzaemon tilts his head. "Are you sure that Durn will accept the position? You remember how hesitant he was to take the 5th seat."

Sajin nods in agreeance. "I do, but I don't believe he has a choice in the matter. But I must warn you, Tetsuzaemon, you cannot say anything about this matter. This comes from the Head Captain." He says with a serious face.

The man nods in understanding. "Yes sir. And what about the emergency team?"

"Timothy will still be in charge of it. Everything in that regard will continue as previously planned. Timothy will just have to stretch himself between the team and handling his duties as Lieutenant. While you are with Squad 5, I would like to ask that you help him out and teach him some things about being a Lieutenant when you can. This is not an order, but merely a request." Sajin asks.

Tetsuzaemon nods again. "I'll give him some pointers, sir. I trust the Head Captain, as everyone does. I just hope this don't turn out to be a big mistake." He finishes and drinks his tea.

Sajin finishes his tea and nods. "So, do I, Tetsuzaemon. Now, let's get these forms finished so they can be turned in." he says as he starts picking up the forms from the floor.

"Yes sir." Tetsuzaemon responds and helps Sajin pick up the forms.

Squad 1 Headquarters, Office of the Head Captain, Present

Captains Kyōraku and Ukitake walk into Yamamoto's office without knocking, as the pair had a tendency to do, and begin approaching the old man.

"Hey, old man Yama." Shunsui greets.

"Good afternoon, Head Captain." Jūshirō follows.

Yamamoto looks up from his paperwork and lowly moans.

"Captain Kyōraku, Captain Ukitake. Why am I not surprised to see you two here?" he greets back in annoyance, knowing why they were there.

"Oh, come on, old man Yama. Surely you can tell us more about the fight between Captain Zaraki and that kid." Shunsui carelessly presses.

"Yes, what was that about, Master?" Jūshirō again follows.

Yamamoto stares at the two senior Captains a moment, then grunts in annoyance.

"The fight was between Captain Zaraki and Squad 7's 5th seat, Timothy Durn. That is all you need to know." Yamamoto offers, hoping that answer would sooth them.

"Now now, there's got to be more than that involved, old man Yama." Shunsui presses further.

It didn't.

"Head Captain, this fight is no simple matter. That man took on Kenpachi, and even forced him to remove his patch. The man even has a Bankai. Please tell us more about this, Head Captain." Jūshirō pleads.

Yamamoto groans in defeat, knowing that if he didn't tell them here, where he could control the information they receive, then they most definitely find the information they want somewhere else, where the information could 'not' be controlled.

"It's true, this man does indeed possess a Bankai, and it is also true that he has defeated Captain Komamura and Lieutenant Iba in battle in the past." He half answers.

Shunsui smirks as he tilts his hat forward while Jūshirō's eyes slightly widen.

"He defeated Sajin and Tetsuzaemon in battle?!" Jūshirō asks in surprise. He had known about Sajin's defeat, but not Tetsuzaemon's.

"That kids got some serious skills if he can defeat a Lieutenant and a Captain, and nearly defeat a second." Shunsui remarks, then lifts his hat back to look at Yamamoto. "So, what do you plan to do about him, old man Yama? Surely you don't expect him to remain as a 5th seat with that amount of skill."

"He is to be promoted to Lieutenant upon his discharge from Squad 4. He will become the Lieutenant of Squad 7 while Lieutenant Iba will be temporarily transferred to Squad 5 until their own Lieutenant recovers. He will then return to his own squad where the two will work hand in hand." Yamamoto answers.

"Head Captain, isn't it unwise to have two Lieutenants in the same squad?" Jūshirō asks.

Yamamoto turns to him. "Well, what would you suggest? Surely you do not mean to suggest that he be promoted to Captain?" he asks with a hint of worry for their answer.

Shunsui lifts his hat further. "Come now, old man Yama. We're not saying that at all." He said with little enthusiasm.

"Of course not, Head Captain. But wouldn't it be best to promote one of the current Lieutenants and then reassign this man?" Jūshirō clarifies.

"We have no Lieutenants that are fit for the position of Captain as of now. And besides, this brat has already defeated a Lieutenant and a Captain in combat. From what we have seen, he could very easily defeat any of the current Lieutenants in battle. Had he been here longer, I would have possibly considered him for the position. But with the short amount of time that he has been with us, it would be very unwise to place him in that position." The old man points out.

"Just how long 'has' he been with us, Head Captain?" Jūshirō asks to see just how aware the man was in Timothy's time of being a soul reaper.

At first Yamamoto didn't answer, causing Shunsui to raise a brow and Jūshirō to tilt his head. Yamamoto closes his eyes and deeply sighs.

"Two weeks."

Both men were already aware of the man's answer, complements of Sajin, but still gave a shocked look so as to not get the poor, furry Captain in trouble for saying anything.

"Excuse me, old man Yama, but did you say two weeks?" Shunsui asked in fake surprise.

"I did indeed. Squad 7, 5th seat Durn has only been a soul reaper for two weeks, with not having been to the academy."

Silence followed for a moment in the open office while Shunsui and Jūshirō stare at the Head Captain to grasp at his answer.

"Head Captain…how is that possible?!" Jūshirō asks, still giving a faked shocked look.

"That is not important. There is nothing more to discuss on this matter. Neither of you are to discuss this matter with anyone, and that is an order. Now both of you leave and find something constructive to do." Yamamoto concludes.

Both men bow to him, then turn and leave the office. They walk down the hallway a bit before Shunsui turns to his friend.

"Well Jūshirō, care to pay another visit to our friend Sajin?" he offers.

The man turns to him with worry. "The Head Captain said not to discuss this matter with anyone, Shunsui." He said hesitantly.

"Oh, come on. Sajin clearly already knows everything about this matter. So, it's not like we're spreading the word out if we talk to someone who already knows. Right? Besides, you could tell that old man Yama was holding something back." he asks with his hat covering his eyes.

Jūshirō sighs in defeat. "I don't believe that this will end well."

Both men walk out the front of the building and disappear in a flash step.


Well, there you have it fellas. For the result of the fight, we fall into a technicality. The fight was stopped by Yamamoto, but as we can all agree, if he had not stopped the fight, Timothy would have simply passed out before he could move again. So the win goes to Zaraki.

To put it simple, Ichigo won because his spiritual pressure exceeded Zaraki's for a brief moment, allowing him to defeat the brute. But as we all know, Ichigo passed out as well, so it was technically a draw (in my opinion). But Timothy's spiritual pressure is very low, while his spirit energy is very high. Kinda like a tradeoff. So, besides his unique fighting style and abilities that allowed him to keep going as long as he did, he was pretty much destined to lose. And if you are wondering how Zaraki made it out of the trap with only burns and not passing out or dying, his massive spiritual pressure basically shielded him from the brunt of the attack.

So now the Head Captain knows about Susan, as well as our favorite Captain duo, lol. And now, our poor Timothy is gonna be forced into a Lieutenant position…poor Tim. But again, most of it is 'because' of his unique abilities, or rather Susan's. So I guess she should be getting all the thanks and such.

Anyway, because it was a 50-50 in the poll for the win, I'll toss you fellas the metaphorical bone and give you all another chapter this week. However, please be patient. If it is not posted on Sunday, it 'will' be posted on Monday. Keep in mind I've got my finals coming up and I still have to proofread the chapter. Because you're getting two chapters this week, I will answer reviews for both chapters next week.

Hope you all enjoyed the fight, and we've got more coming up. Till next week, laters.