Finally, I will update again! Anyway, this chapter is half a flashback because…. Well, you'll understand when you read it…

Chapter 16

Deaths: Shinigamis: 9

Hallows: 22

Vizards: 0

"You guys… STOP IT!" Rika yelled as she thumped Ikkaku for what was the tenth time that day.

Ikkaku cursed under his breath, rubbing his head. It was already the third day of practicing their release forms, but not many had gotten far.

Rika broke Ikkaku's chain of thoughts by saying, "Nice job you guys. At this rate, I think you can achieve your forms in around a week…"

Ichigo saying, "You know, I've been wondering something", had cut her off.

"Hm?" Rika asked.

Ichigo scratched his head and asked, "Well, I know that Shikai takes at least ten years to master, and Bankai even longer. It's not really in my right place to question because Yoruichi did teach me Bankai in a matter of weeks, but why is this release so easy to master?"

There was a murmur of agreement as many had been wondering the same thing, but at the same time, many had been afraid to question.

A dark shadow fell of Rika as Ichigo regretted each word he had spoken. In truth, there was no real reason why that question could have offended anyone, but it had.

"It's not," Rika slowly replied, raising her head.

"What?" Ichigo asked, confused at her words till he remembered his question.

"It's not easy to master," Rika slowly explained. "Not easy at all. The complete form of the Third Release takes years to master, sometimes even longer twice the time it takes to master Bankai.

"What?" Ikkaku exclaimed. "Then why'd it take strawberry such a short time to…"


"That's only the first step. The Bonding was what my dad called it. Both Hitsugaya, Ichigo, and Kuchiki-Kun have achieved the Bonding, or becoming one with their spirit. This will help them share their spirits power up to ninety percent. For example, a regular person and his or her spirit have bonded ten percent, and if he or she is a shinigami, they have bonded sixty percent. As they achieve Shikai, they have bonded up to seventy-five percent, and finally, at Bankai, the are up to eighty percent in unison. As one masters the Third Release, it allows the user to slowly build up to use all one hundred percent of their spirits full power," Rika allowed this to soak in.

There was a long pause as the rest waited for her to start taking again.

"For you guys to work on the Third Release for only a week, you will only be able to master at most, a little less than one tenth of its full power."

Shocked faces moved all around as one question hung in the air: Would it be enough to defeat Aizen?

Then to stop the bleak mood, Rika hit Ikkaku again, much to his protest. "See, that's why you guys can't give up. Even that much of the Third Release should be enough!"

Everyone cheered at her words. Then, looking at one another, they fell into deep concentration. There was no time to give up or stop.

Rika smiled at her handy work, but she knew it was near impossible to defeat… him. Even with access to half the Third Release form's power. Her fingers naturally went up to her crystal necklace…

Rika looked into the distance. Only one tenth. There was a way to give them all a power up… if only she had her necklace back!

So, yeah, that's it… well, hope you enjoyed it, and um… I know I'm forgetting to say something…. Well, please review…. Thanks to those who have reviewed.. (Very much!!!)