Their captains had told Stark, Ulquiorra, and Grimmjow that they needed to learn their Zanpakutō's names. They went to different rooms where they sat in solitude and meditated. Ulquiorra banished all unnecessary thoughts so he could concentrate solely on his goal. He sat in silence for a long while. Why is nothing happening? I have put all of my concentration into this and still, my sword does not speak to me. What am I doing wrong? he wondered.

"What the hell am I even supposed to be doing? Everybody just told me to meditate! But that isn't accomplishing anything!" Grimmjow growled as he threw his sword down.

Stark fell asleep.


Several Hours Later


My sword is nothing but trash that isn't even capable of speaking. I have done everything I was told and still, nothing happens Ulquiorra thought bitterly. He finally gave up and decided to rest before trying again. He laid down and slept. He had a dream. In his dream, he was in a pitch-black cave. Despite how dark it was he could still see something standing before him. It was a creature that stood on two legs like a human, but was covered in black fur and had the wings and face of a bat. "Who, or what, are you?" Ulquiorra asked.

"I wish I could tell you, Ulquiorra. However, you have kept your heart and mind closed to me and so I cannot tell you my name. If you wish to hear it, then you must accept me into your heart," the batman said.

"Heart? What do you mean by this? I wish to become stronger by learning your name. However, having a heart and feelings would make me weaker," Ulquiorra stated. The batman shook his head.

"I see that I will not be able to get through to you. It saddens me that I cannot help you. When you awaken, you should leave this place. Continuing to speak to me is futile," he said. And with that, he disappeared. Ulquiorra woke up. He sat there for a moment in silence.

A heart... If this power cannot be obtained without one, then it is obviously not worth obtaining he thought.


Meanwhile...


Stark was dreaming. He stood in a calm and peaceful forest. He was surrounded by pine trees and to his right was a beautiful stream. A large, gray female wolf came into the clearing. "I am pleased to meet you, Stark. I see you have been diligent in trying to uncover my name," she said sarcastically.

"Sorry, I couldn't help it. I was sitting in a silent room. I couldn't fight the need to sleep," Stark said with a shrug.

"You seem at ease around me," she commented.

"Of course, you are my Zanpakutō, after all," he said.

"You recognized me surprisingly fast. That is good. It means you have an open mind. If you are willing to accept me into your heart, then I shall tell you my name," she said.

"Why not? Friends are great, as long as they let me sleep. You will let me sleep, right?" Stark asked with a worried frown. She laughed.

"Of course. Now then, are you willing to accept the responsibilities of a shinigami?" she asked.

"I guess I gotta. Sleeping is great, but I don't mind helping my squad out," Stark said.

"Good, then you are ready. My name is Lilynette," she said.

"Thanks for telling me, though I'm sure the others probably learned theirs hours ago," Stark said with a yawn.

"Don't bet on it," Lilynette said as she disappeared. Stark woke up.

Huh, that was easier than I expected he thought.


Elsewhere


Grimmjow had thrown his sword at the wall a few times until he finally gave up and took a nap. Soon after, he had a dream. He was in a jungle. It was unlike any normal jungle, however, because there were no signs of animal life. He looked around in confusion until he heard a noise behind him. He spun around in time to see a man covered in sleek black fur. He had a face like a cat's and he had claws and a tail. "Hello," he purred.

"What the hell are you?" Grimmjow asked.

"I am your Zanpakutō, whom you have been throwing at a wall," he growled.

"So what? I wouldn't have if you would have talked to me sooner," Grimmjow growled back.

"Do you know why your inner world is a jungle? It is hot like your temper and harsh and cruel just like you," he said abruptly.

"What's your point?" Grimmjow questioned.

"It is hard living here. If you were to care for someone, it might become more hospitable," he said.

"Why would I want that?"

"I, just like you, love a good fight. However, I do not want to fight with you. We are meant to be one. Unless you can lay your pride aside and accept my help, you will never obtain the power you desire," he said.

"I want to win my fights myself, why should I let you win them for me?" Grimmjow demanded.

"You would be winning them! As I said before, we are one. I have always been with you. You just haven't noticed until now. Don't you want the strength to defeat Ulquiorra and Kurosaki?" he asked.

"Well, yeah... Fine, how do I get your power?" Grimmjow asked.

"You must accept my help willingly, and then I will tell you my name," it said.

"You mean I've got to ask you to help me in the middle of a fight?" Grimmjow asked. He nodded. "Fine, I guess I've gotta find someone strong to fight then," Grimmjow said. Then he woke up. Finally! I thought I'd never get to leave this room! Grimmjow thought.


The Next Day


"So, how did it go?" Ichigo asked. He had heard that they were trying to unlock their Shikai, so he had decided to visit them and find out if they had succeeded.

"Pretty easy for me, we get along well," Stark said.

"I haven't learned his name, but he told me what to do to learn it. Now I just gotta find a tough fight," Grimmjow said. Ulquiorra remained silent.

"Hey, aren't you going to tell us what happened?" Ichigo asked.

"I'm sure it was easy for him," Grimmjow remarked bitterly.

"No, I haven't learned its name. It said that I must open my heart and accept it. It sounds like a load of garbage to me," Ulquiorra muttered. Grimmjow burst into laughter.

"I had trouble too. But Zangetsu showed me how to conquer my fear and I've grown much stronger thanks to him," Ichigo said.

"Opening my heart would make me weaker," Ulquiorra stated.

"I've fought you at the academy and beat you every time and I've got an open heart," Ichigo pointed out.

"You are older and have more experience," Ulquiorra argued.

"If I hadn't learned my sword's name I wouldn't have amounted to anything and neither will you," Ichigo said. He then left the room. Ulquiorra stood silently for a little while and then left as well.

"I think it's a bit sad that you're more accepting than Ulquiorra," Stark said.

"Yeah, well, at least I feel emotion," Grimmjow muttered. Ichigo sighed as he walked into his quarters.

That guy is gonna turn out as bad as he was when he was an Espada... Ichigo thought.