(A/N: Newly added note... ryugetsu does the writing for Wakka's major parts, and I do Suzaku and the two of them together. in case you didn't know, ryugetsu doesn't have the best grammar skills, but he's insanely creative. I sorta prefer that over lack of grammar and edit the rest as best I can. Anyway, SHIKAI!!)

Disclaimer: Once again, we do not own Bleach. Tite Kubo made that awesomeness happen, despite the fact that ryugetsu and I can make it so awesome in this particular fic.

Chapter 3: Release, Part 1

The Living World… This was a place Suzaku had rarely been to before since entering Soul Society. He and Wakka had been stationed there recently. They were walking through the streets of Northern Tokyo, wondering what to do with their newfound spare time.

A few months had passed since the two of them had graduated from the Shinigami Academy. Wakka had been telling Suzaku about his exciting first job on his first day. He normally didn't brag, but he liked to see Suzaku look jealous.

"Yeah, and all I got was a weird nickname from my Vice-Captain…" Suzaku stated. "Now she likes to sneak up behind me with the occasional "HI SUZY-CHAN!" every day, making the entire 11th Squad burst into laughter… It's not exactly fun…"

Wakka chuckled. "Well, then, why don't we see if there's any souls who need Soul Burial?" He asked. He didn't wait for an answer, but merely drew his Zanpakutoh and sped off in some random direction.

Man, he doesn't waste any time… Suzaku thought to himself. Oh well… I can work towards Shikai while helping souls…

Suzaku sat on top of a large skyscraper, concentrating. He knew how to enter the realm of the Zanpakutoh, as he needed to speak with its spirit in order to decrease the blade's size. Now, all he had to do was learn the name of the weapon.

After about an hour of pure concentration, Suzaku found himself floating in an endless blue sky. The clouds were all around him, pure white and flowing with the gentle wind. The sun was shining brightly, and he could feel its warmth. For a world that existed inside him, it wasn't half-bad.

As Suzaku was getting used to his surroundings again, he noticed something blocking the sun. It was actually something much smaller, but grew as it sped towards him. By the time the large object had reached him, it was five times his size. It had dark red-orange feathers, and would occasionally flare up in a bright burst of flame. It had golden armor-like markings chiseled out all over its body, and its gigantic wings were spread to their full length.

"Good to see you." Suzkau said. The large phoenix nodded.

"Good to see you, too." It replied. "I take it that your being here means that you feel ready to use my powers?"

Suzaku nodded. "Yes. I would like to finally learn your name."

"Very well… My name is Kairihou." The phoenix stated. "Remember this name. When you call for me to take to the sky, I shall appear. I expect you will find out what I can do on your own. I trust you enough."

With that, Suzaku was once again sitting on the skyscraper, with Wakka standing behind him.

"So, how is your Zanpakutoh?" he asked.

"How did you know I was talking to my sword?" Suzaku retorted.

"Well, it's about the only time you ever concentrate." Wakka joked. "Didn't you know that?"

Suzaku scoffed at his friend. With the joking over, the two of them heard a loud, hideous scream. A Hollow had appeared.

"Hey, Wakka," Suzaku started. "If you'll let me take care of this one, I'll show you something really cool."

Wakka merely looked at his friend. He nodded, and the two of them rushed to the location of the Hollow. It was rather large. Its face looked like that of a large bear, and its body looked like it would have taken up the entire training room in the 11th Squad barracks. The creature had blades of bone on either arm, and was about to strike the soul of a young boy whose Chain of Fate seemed extremely long.

"All right, I'll take this one for sure!" Suzaku exclaimed. Wakka was about to say something, but his friend was already off, Zanpakutoh drawn and ready.

He rushed forward and sliced part of the outstretched arm of the Hollow. The creature roared in pain as it reeled backwards. Suzaku merely smirked and charged forward again.

"He's definitely in Squad 11…" Wakka stated to no one in particular.

"All right…" the longhaired Shinigami began. He brought his sword up to the point where the blade was facing upward, and the point was towards his foe. His hand was pivoted, as if to make it look like the blade of the Zanpakutoh was coming out of his arm. "Take to the sky! Kairihou!" With that, the blade began to glow. There was a blinding white light covering the area. When the light cleared, Suzaku looked at his arm. His Zanpakutoh had become an arm-mounted sword, about two and a half feet in length. There was a handle for him to grasp under the blade that was sturdily attached to the rest of the weapon. On the back of the weapon, which was covering his entire forearm up to the start of his elbow, he noted the symbols for fire and wind. "Cool."

Wakka stared. His friend had finally achieved Shikai. He looked in slight amazement as the tall Shinigami continued the battle.

Suzaku was easily able to maneuver around the bear-like Hollow's massive attacks. Seeing as he was smaller than the creature, he was able to move faster than it was, making dodging, literally, a breeze. He couldn't explain it, but it felt like the wind was guiding him. He also felt this burning power, telling him just where and when to strike. He breezed between the strikes, and jumped up to land on the Hollow's oversized arm. He ran up the arm and made a single strike on the creature's face, cleaving its mask in two and causing it to disappear.

"Impressive." Wakka stated, walking up to his friend. "If you don't mind, I'll perform the Soul burial."

"Thanks." Suzaku answered. He brought his blade up and swung it downwards, turning it back into its sealed form. With that, he put his Zanpakutoh back into its scabbard, ready to go fight some more.