Ch. 7

"Oh man…" Dante muttered as he started opening his eyes. At first, his vision was blurred. After rubbing his eyes and standing back on his feet, the teen was astonished by his surroundings. Instead of the towered covered area of Soul Society where he fell, Dante was now on a tall stone column which overlooked a vast gray canyon. Towers of stone dotted the scene and a large fissure scarred the land. A thick sandstorm covered the land like a fog in a swampland. The skies above were dark red with a crescent moon hidden behind the clouds. "What the hell…?" the black teen asked. "This don't look like Soul Society. Hell, it barely looks like Hueco Mundo."

Dante carefully peered over the edge. Upon looking, he started getting dizzy just by the altitude. "Damn! That's a big ass drop!" he said as a sweatdrop formed on his face. He quickly scooted back and landed on the flat ground. He panted rapidly in terror as his head was turned to the sky. "How the hell did I wind up here?" he asked himself as he caught his breath.

"I am the one who brought you here," a voice echoed.

Upon hearing this, Dante jumped to his feet. "Who's there!?" he shouted with some tension in his voice. "Come on out!"

"You must know who I am, wielder," the voice said again. "You are the one who uses my power." Just then, a large shadow passed by Dante from overhead accompanied by a loud flapping sound. The black teen snapped his head up only to see the moon looming over him. "However, you have only scathed the surface of my full potential." Something then caught the corner of his eye. Dante could only catch a glimpse as it dived down the side of the platform. Then, a loud ear-splitting screech echoed through the area followed by a chilling roar.

Dante was now on guard. He reached for his waist, but found himself without a weapon. "Great. I ain't got my steel," he thought. "Guess I'll be going hand-to-hand up in here." With his fists balled, the black teen was ready to fight whatever was stalking him. What he did not know was that there was a large figure arising from behind. It's large finger-like wings supporting a thin purple membrane pulled its massive body up in the air. Once Dante felt the air hitting the back of his head, he quickly turned and instantly went pale once he saw the gigantic figure. The creature was a giant, grotesque beast with a red, heavily armored body with a whip-like tail ending with in a sharp hooked structure. The head (which was connected by a long neck stitched by teeth like structures) had no eyes or nostrils, but armed with short jaws carrying razor sharp fangs. Hanging below its wings were a pair of long and muscularly built legs with two long toes in the front and two shorter toes in the back (almost like a parrot's but with clawed cups on its instep) and another long toe sprouting from its backward pointing knee. Sitting on its back was a green, glowing core with a device further in front of it which housed a camera turning left and right which viewed in infrared thermography and soul energy. This beast, this monstrosity, was a creature bio-engineered from war and conquest: a Dragonmare. Dante's mouth hung wide open as the beast landed with a loud thud. It held its head up high and roared a nightmarish roar to the moon. "Oh… my… god…" he said with disbelief. "I think I just shitted myself…"

"Welcome to my world, wielder," the control nodule said as its lens focused on the black teen. The Dragonmare's head inched forward, the stench of its breath perforating from its mouth. "I am the spirit which resides in this zanpakuto."

"Wait… You're Akumu hi Ryuujin?" Dante replied. "You're the spirit!? But you're one of those ugly mothas from that game!"

"Really?" the Dragonmare replied. "Perhaps my creation and your entertainment software was mere coincidence."

"I'm really starting to doubt coincidences…" Dante muttered to himself. "Alright, what gives, Akumu? Shouldn't I be dead or something?"

"Indeed, Dante. At present, you are deceased. Killed in battle against a strong opponent. However, since you were able to hear me for the first time, I decided to be lenient and intercede. You have shown a flame that a true warrior possesses. One that is fueled by desire in the heat of battle. I shall give you one more chance to live."

"Okay…" Dante said, not sure exactly what is going on. "What's the catch?"

"I see you understand that there is always a bargain in the road of life. Very well. My only requirement is that you show me your ability. I want to test your skill and your drive. If not, then you have no choice but to continue your deathly road."

"So you saved my ass from the brink just to see if you can kick it over the edge." Dante rested his hands on his hips and shook his head. A sigh escaped his lips. "If I can face Spike back when I was alive, then why not you. But unless you have me throwing rocks, I don't think this is gonna work out."

"A practical problem met with an equally practical solution." The green core started to glow with a bright light. Forming from the sphere was a rather ordinary scythe with a long pole and a very slender blade. The weapon was hurled forth to Dante's direction. The black teen moved back a step just as the blade stabbed the ground. "This is your weapon."

Dante examined the tool after he plucked it from the ground. A look of distaste and confusion decorated his face. "What the hell is this? I thought I was wreaking havoc. Not cutting the crops on Ol' McDonald's barn."

"The weapon you hold is my basic form. As skillful as you might be, you have not truly mastered my power. As the old saying goes, 'you must crawl before you can walk.'"

"Grr…" Dante scowled as he looked at his weak weapon and back at the dragon's maul. He knew that there was no way this old thing could scratch its hide of a genetic terror such as this. "Fine. Let's get this shit started, Akumu!" Holding the scythe's blade behind his head, the black teen was ready to fight.

"Yes," the Dragonmare said with much anticipation. "Show me that you are worthy for another chance at life. Prove your mettle, wielder."

"Ahhhhhh!" Dante yelled at the top of his lungs as he ran toward the creature as "My Word Be Done" by Unearth played in the background. Akumu's head lunged at the fighter, its jaws ready to snap Dante in half. Quickly, the teen sidestepped the monster and slashed its neck. As expected, it had no effect against its tough skin. Reacting upon the scythe wielder's attacks, the Dragonmare pulled its neck to the side and swept it across the ground. Before it hit, Dante leapt on top and continued slashing. "I'm only pissing it off!" Dante thought. "How do I stop it?"

Suddenly, the dragon threw its head back, tossing the black teen into the air. Below, the Dragonmare's jaws opened wide as the teen fell. Seeing this, Dante quickly recovered and spun clockwise, his scythe held out. The black teen managed to steer away from the path to its jaws and cut the side of the mouth in the process. The Dragonmare screeched as a small amount of blood leaked from its maw.

Flapping its massive wings, Akumu took to the air and hovered above Dante. It then slammed its body on to the surface. Luckily, the black teen managed to the roll out of the dragon's way before it landed. With the bioluminary oscillator glowing a bright green in its throat as it aimed, the giant creature launched six balls of green laser. Dante sidestepped four of the attacks, but was pelted by the other two. He was now lying on the ground. "Do not tell that was all you had, wielder? Do you wish to live?" Dante balled his hands before he pulled his arms back, clenching some gravel in the process. Once he picked himself up, the black teen return to his fighting stance. Scanning his opponent, he knew his attacks were futile against the enemy. The weapon in his hand was nothing more than a simple gardening tool than the arm he was accustomed to. "What is wrong? Do you concede due to doubt? Do you believe that your scythe is inferior?" Dante turned to Akumu, his face scowling to hide the shock. "A true warrior uses his strength and intellect in order to triumph over a foe. No matter what the weapon they have on hand. I would assume after everything you have faced, you would know this."

Dante knew the dragon was right. Through his adventures, the black teen has faced numerous opponents and survived through unorthodox methods. Such as the time he fought five men with a pair of chopsticks at a Vietnamese restaurant. However, they weren't dragons with a hard exoskeleton capable of instant regeneration or lock-on lasers. Still, he knew that there was a weakness. "Alright. Now where is it you're ticklish…" he thought as his eyes examined the enemy. It didn't take long for Dante to notice the glowing green core on Akumu's back. "Found the kink!" he thought with a smirk. "If I could hit the core, I'd be able to drop this foo' no prob."

Akumu's camera zoomed in on Dante, noticing the rapscallion's smile on his face. The dragon responded by moving its legs to the side and snaking its neck as its tail wagged in all directions (like a dog ready to play fetch). "You have a strategy in mind, do you not?" Akumu asked as its jaws slowly opened. "Good. Then let us continue." With a loud screech, the Dragonmare quickly charged at Dante, moving across with its thick muscled legs. Dante quickly rolled to the left before the strike could connect. He then ran to the neck and hooked it with his scythe. The monster screeched as it threw its head up. As it did, Dante was swung up in the air and landed on top. The dragon bucked wildly, flapping its wings which kicked dust in the air. Dante held on tightly to the creature's scales, climbing up its back. Once it arrived at the control core, the black teen slashed with his blade.

Upon contact, the Dragonmare roared just before it finally tossed Dante off its body. Dante watched as the dragon shook its body, putting distance between him and itself. "Nicely played, wielder," Akumu replied as it regained control. "However, it shall take more than that to defeat me." With its throat glowing bright green, the Dragonmare was once again preparing to fire its laser. Dante hurried to the beast, knowing it would be wise to go in close. The dragon's lens was taking aim of the approaching teen, its sights locked on the black teen. "Feel my power!" it screeched as it launched a volley of laser fire. Dante zigzagged as fast as he could, his scythe spinning in front of him. He quickly slid under Akumu's body, knowing the lasers would not reach him from his cover. Running to the other side, Dante was about to jump on its back, his scythe raised for the strike. Akumu countered his attempt with a swing of its lengthy tail. Dante barely had time to react by blocking with his scythe. He was thrown to the side, sliding on his back from the force of the hit.

The Dragonmare's head turned to Dante roaring in his direction with wings raised. "Shit!" he said through his teeth as the sharp end of Akumu's tail raced toward him. The teen blocked the consecutive jabs by shielding himself with the weapon's pole. Suddenly, the dragon snagged Dante by its hook and threw him like a rag doll. His body bounced off the ground a couple of times before it stopped near the edge, his head slumping over it. Once he opened his eyes, Dante quickly rolled away and stood back up.

Flapping its wings, the Dragonmare took to the air. Dante tried to catch the beast, but it was already out of his aerial attack's reach. "Now it is time for the endgame!" Akumu screeched. Backing away with a flap, the Dragonmare flew forward at ramming speed. It skimmed over the surface as its long clawed toes raked the ground. Dante dashed toward the foe and made a calculating leap. Spinning in the air, his blade managed to cut the control core during one of his revolutions. The dragon lost its balance, flying awkwardly from the platform before it turned back. In retaliation, Akumu unleashed a volley of laser blasts at Dante. All the black teen could do was rely on his speed to evade the green bullets. Though he managed to dodge most of the attacks, he was still wounded by some of the lasers. Due to fatigue and wounds, Dante fell on one knee, his scythe being the only thing supporting him. "I am impressed that someone of such a young age has such vitality," Akumu said. "Indeed, I commend you on your ability. Now comes the deciding strike. Are you ready, wielder?"

Dante tightened the grip of his scythe. "Let's do this shit, Akumu!" the black teen shouted. "Don't take this personally, man, but I don't plan on dying yet. I'm in it to win it and nothing will change that!"

"Very well. Let us finish this quarrel and test your worth once and for all!" Both combatants dashed toward each other, yelling and roaring as they neared one another. Akumu's clawed feet and jaws were wide opened as Dante pulled his scythe back. As soon as they met, the Dragonmare lowered its head, ready to clamp onto the teen.

However, the smaller human jumped on the top of its head and ran down its neck. Akumu's camera was locked on Dante's face as he sped near and slashed it in two. Once Dante made it to the core, he raised his scythe and plunged its blade into the core. A bright glow started to resonate from the small dome. Seeing this, Dante knew exactly what this mean. "It's gonna blow!" he shouted as he pried his tool from its strike zone and ran forward. He jumped off Akumu's body as it began jerking violently. Dante watched his enemy before a small explosion from the Dragonmare's back sent the creature falling from its course. As soon as a loud collision rattled the earth, the black teen leaped in victory. "Yeah!" he cheered loudly. "That how I do what I do!" Feeling grateful and releasing a sigh of relief, Dante's body crashed to the ground. The battle had consumed his strength and he was unable to stand any longer. "Wonder how I get back now…" he thought before he lost consciousness.

Not long after he collapsed, a loud flapping sound came from behind. Using its aching wings to pull itself onto the rock platform, Akumu landed onto the surface. Its head inched toward Dante's body. It sensed that he was still alive, but too exhausted to move. "You have proven your worth to me, young warrior. From this moment on, I shall continue to offer my services to you anyway I can. Including my very form. As a result, I shall uphold my end of our bargain and return your soul to your vessel." Akumu gave a low growl before a green orb formed around Dante. It lifted his body from the ground and slowly floated him into the sky. "Continue on your quest, young Dante. Keep fighting and become stronger for the both of us."

Breathing heavily just as he regained consciousness, Dante slowly picked himself off the ground. The stab wound on his chest which nearly killed him was now nearly sealed. Sitting up and coughing heavily to clear his airways, the teen scanned his surroundings. On the ground before him was his zanpakuto Kowa ro Shii Maru in its sealed state. Reaching over and grabbing its hilt, he slid it back in its sheath before replying in a sing-song tone, "I'm back." Dante then heard a sudden crashing sound from his left. From that direction, a cloud of dust rose above the buildings. "Ich and Big Ken must be goin' at it." Drawing his other zanpakuto, he shouted, "Burst with the fury of the future! Akumu hi Ryuujin!" With his sword now in its scythe form, Dante stood still as he felt the surge of spirit energies clashing with one another. "A smart man would stay out of shit like this after he was just killed," he said. Then he cracked a smirk before adding, "But where would the fun be in that?" Gathering enough soul power, Dante used his transformation ability and became a Mare-Embryo (a dragonmare in the infant stage with a white exoskeleton, green wing membranes, and a straight tail). "Okay, not exactly my color scheme, but it'll do," Dante thought. "Alright Zaraki! I'm comin' fo' yo' ass!" Dante shouted with a screech escaping his jaws. With a flap of his wings, Dante roared as he took to the sky and traveled to the location of the battle.
At a fair distance from Dante's take off point, Ichigo was now fighting against Kenpachi. Not long ago, the substitute was also killed by the captain of the 11th Squad. That was before he returned from the dead with an increase in spiritual pressure and strength. Now back with a vengeance, he was landing strong attacks against the enemy. Attacks that would slay ordinary opponents and leave them as eviscerated bodies in pools of their own blood.

However, Kenpachi has proven himself to be no ordinary opponent. He was still parrying the orange-haired teen's strikes. It goes without saying, he can dish it out and take it. In fact, once the two locked blades once Ichigo had the upper hand, a smile that stretched ear-to-ear had formed on the large man. Noticing this, Ichigo quickly distanced himself from the captain. "This is wrong!" he shouted. "Do you love fighting so much that you're not afraid of dying!? You're insane!"

"Afraid of dying?" Kenpachi asked. "Why would you even ask such a thing? One who is as strong as you should love the heat of battle. Celebrate the sensation of death and pain. It is the price warriors like us must pay." Ichigo was at disbelief at hearing this. He knew before that this man was a bloodthirsty fighter. His ruthless fighting style and his vitality were clear indicators. But he had no idea Kenpachi was this savage. One would even argue he was borderline sociopathic.

Suddenly, an unearthly screech rang out from above the pair. Just as Ichigo was about to look up, a fast round of laser balls descended upon Kenpachi like smart bombs. The captain was shrouded in a dust cloud upon the barrage's impact and Ichigo was more astonished. "What the hell was that?" he thought to himself. He looked up and saw a grotesque white creature the size of a small elephant descend upon him, its eyeless face and gaping jaws aimed at the captain level shinigami. Ichigo brought his blade up, expecting to fight what he viewed as a new threat. However, that was before it transformed and was revealed to be Dante. "Surprise, motherfucker!" he shouted.

"Dante!?" Ichigo asked rather flabbergasted. "Is that really you?"

"Who were you expectin'? Charles Barkley?"

"I thought you were dead? That bastard said he killed you!"

"Maybe he did. But that scar on your chest looks pretty deep for a nick," Dante said as he referenced the orange-haired teen's clotted injury.

"Well, I see you also managed to escape death," Kenpachi said through the smoke. Both teens turned their attention to the enemy. Calling upon his soul energy, Kenpachi blew away the smoke as a yellow aura momentarily enveloped his body.

"Sorry to disappoint you, big man," Dante said. "But I ain't going down anytime soon, you feel me? We have things to take care of!"

"Is that so? Well until you defeat me, you're not going anywhere," Kenpachi said. "And this time, once I kill you, I will make sure you stay dead." Ichigo and Dante glanced at one another. They knew in order to defeat this captain, they had to use their combined power and fighting ability. They could not hold back against this foe. The two nodded their heads in silent confirmation before Dante turned his I-Pod to "Victory Must Be Grasped" from the .hack//G.U. games. He then rushed toward the captain, ready to strike with deadly intent. Kenpachi also charged ahead, his zanpakuto held in the air as a sick smile pasted on his face. Once they met, the two's weapons collided and they were now in a shoving match. Dante was slowly pushing the foe back. "I see you have gotten stronger than you were before," the captain said.

Dante smirked. "Guess getting killed and coming back from the dead can do that to ya," the black teen quipped. With a loud yell, the rogue pushed Kenpachi's sword away and slashed his midsection. Kenpachi did not flinch and tried striking again. However, Dante evaded the blow as Ichigo charged in and delivered a strike to the mad captain's chest. His cleaver spilling blood from the blow. The captain struck once more, as his sword came down upon the smaller redhead. However, the substitute shinigami brought his sword up to counter and the two blades bounced off one another followed in a loud clang. Dante quickly went in, leaping over his teammate and slashed Kenpachi. The high-ranked Death God quickly struck, but Dante spun to the side, slashing him in the process. Kenpachi quickly turned back and went to attack, but Ichigo used this opportunity to land a hit.

Soon the two made a joint attack, landing powerful, eviscerating blows upon the target. Kenpachi stepped back from each blow he took. The strikes were too fast and strong for him to counter or block. His blood dripped on the ground and stained the younger warriors' blades as they overpowered him. Even so, he only laughed as pain surged through his torn being. Perhaps it was the blood loss that had gotten to him. Or maybe he had truly went insane. Either way, the captain was loving this. "This is wonderful!" he replied. "After all these years, I have finally met not one, but two warriors who are a match for me. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if you were slightly better! This is truly an exhilarating experience!"

"Same here, man," Dante said. "Maybe after this we can be homies."

Kenpachi smirked at the black teen's comment. "Maybe. But for now…" The captain placed his hand over his eye patch. Seeing this, the two heroes braced themselves. "I'm going to face you with no limitations at all!" As soon as the man pulled off his patch, his spirit pressure went off the charts. Yellow, raw energy roared into the skies above and rocked the ground below the three combatants. Its power was being sensed by all who was nearby.

Captain Hitsugaya, who was at Squad 10 headquarters, was one of these people. For a while now, he's been observing the erratic fluctuations in spirit pressure near the Repentance Tower. "This is… inconceivable," he thought with gritted teeth as small drop of sweat poured down his head. "All of this just from three individuals alone." As a fellow captain, he had known Kenpachi to be a powerful individual among shinigami. However, for him to unleash his full reiatsu like this was a very rare occasion. And sensing spiritual pressure from opponents just as high was almost unheard of.

However, what really brought his attention to the battle was one of the individuals he was sensing. There was something familiar about one of the two ryouka. "That spiritual pressure… Could it be…" The child prodigy sifted through his memory like files in a cabinet. Then he realized that this power was the same that he sensed from the Deinonychus he encountered the other day. Or more specifically, the individual who took on that form. After everything that has occurred today, the only thing going through his mind was that he should have eliminated the anomaly when he had the chance.

Back on the battleground, Ichigo and Dante were shielding themselves from the strong winds Kenpachi's spirit pressure was creating. This power surprised Ichigo and Dante was also rather taken aback by it. "Oh man," Dante said. "This son of a bitch here is getting pumped!"

"Don't you think it's a little late to pull a stunt this late?" Ichigo asked. "Now what little secret have you been hiding under that patch?"

"Hiding? Oh please," Kenpachi began. "I wouldn't go so low to use such underhanded methods." He raised his cover for both fighters to see. The other side of the eye patch was covered with small snapping jaws filled with sharp teeth. "I had the Research Department create this little sucker for me. It consumes large amounts of spirit force from the wearer."

"Ugh. For something so small, that toy's pretty nasty," Dante replied.

"Now that I've pulled this handicap off, my power's at a full 100%!" Tossing his device aside, Kenpachi stroked his blade to the side, his spirit energy finally ceasing. Just then, the building beside him fell, slashed in half by his seemingly dull blade. "Now there is nothing to stop me from going all out. I will use all of my power to kill you."

Dante and Ichigo stood in their positions, accessing the situation. The power of Kenpachi's zanpakuto was gathering by the second. It was clear that the captain was preparing for a final attack. The two focused on their zanpakuto, concentrating for advice from the spirits which lied within. "Look at this fool," Dante heard before feeling a breeze from above. Hovering overhead was Akumu hi Ryuujin who studied Kenpachi. "His zanpakuto is screaming and he does not even know it." The black teen heard a loud cry emanating from the enemy's blade. The roar was loud and unnerving. "This man is not in synch with his sword. Dante, when a true warrior fights, their weapon and body are one. Companions who battle side by side as equals. This shinigami does not know this fact and as a price, his power is mitigated." Dante nodded in agreement. As strong as he is, Kenpachi was still at a disadvantage. In a battle as important as this, such disservice could lead to one's downfall. "Now Dante, are you and I on equal terms?"

"You know it, Akumu," Dante said. "Together, there's no way we can loose! We're gonna make sure of this guy drops." With that said, Dante's body and eyes emitted a dark red glow. Next to him, Ichigo was glowing bright blue with the matching color burning in his eyes.

Just then, both teens released their spiritual pressure. The warriors' reiatsu burned like infernos. It was clear that they were ready to give it their all. "It looks like your spiritual pressure is increasing even now," Kenpachi said.

"Of course it is," Ichigo replied. "That's because I'm borrowing the strength from Zangetsu and fighting alongside him. There's no way I can loose to someone like you who fights all alone. I'm twice as strong."

"And with me and Akumu hi Ryuujin here, we ain't gonna give in," Dante added. "You're gonna get knocked the fuck out."

"Zangetsu and Akumu hi Ryuujin, huh? Strong words. Especially from someone who think that borrowing the power from your weapons means a victory. How foolish." Both younger warriors glared the captain down. "Zanpakutos are simply weapons made to kill. The approach you take is for idealists and weaklings who do not have any confidence in their own power. That's not mine. And now you will DIE!" Just then, Zaraki's aura formed a large white skull which roared at the two.

"Dante, this may just be the exodus," Akumu called. "We shall unleash the final blow and lay waste to the opposition." With that said, Dante's aura formed a large dragon's skull which roared at the captain. At the same time, Ichigo's spirit energy shaped what appeared to be a hollow's mask. With their reiatsu at their limits, the three combatants charged. Kenpachi, Ichigo, and Dante were now ready to engage in the final attack. Once they met and struck the opponent, a large explosion formed due to the combined spirit force. The blast toppled surrounding buildings and sent shockwaves that shook the Seireitei to its core. Perched on one of the few nearby foundations standing, Yachiru sat as she scanned through the thick smoke that covered the floor.

Once it cleared, she saw the three swordsmen standing like bleeding statues. Ichigo's cleaver was imbedded in Kenpachi's shoulder. Dante's scythe had slashed the side of Kenpachi's midsection, but the blast opened some of the wounds on his body. Kenpachi's sword had been imbedded in Ichigo's right side. The blood of the fighters drenched the shattered ground below them from their wounds. "I'm sorry… my friends…" Ichigo said before he fell to the ground due to a quick loss of blood.

Dante stood a second longer before his leg gave out. However he gave a small chuckle as he tried pulling his head up. "That… felt… good…" he said before he, too, crashed to the floor from blood loss as his scythe reverted back to its zanpakuto form.

Now only Kenpachi remained standing. The victor, perhaps? The weakened warrior stared at Ichigo's lifeless body. Then he turned to Dante's limp form. A deep sigh escaped his lips as he eyed them with some confusion. Just then, blood from both wounds spurted from his body. With a nonchalant smile, Kenpachi pulled up his sword and rested it on his bleeding shoulder. "Why are you sorry…" he said just before his zanpakuto had broke in two. "You idiots… You won…" With that said, Kenpachi Zaraki, one of the strongest and unbeaten of the thirteen court squads, fell in defeat by the hands of the ryouka.

Silence and uneasy filled the air around them. A calm wind blew over their bodies before the sounds of small footsteps approached them. The maker was little Yachiru Kusajishi, who stood in the triangle of the near-dead bodies. She inspected them with an examining eye for about a minute. "Thank you so much," she said as she bowed her pink-haired head to Ichigo. "Kenni had a great time fighting you, Ichi." Ichigo, his eyes barely opened, was unable to speak. She then turned around to Dante, who had just opened his eyes. "You, too, Mr. Dragon," she replied before giving him a bow as well. "It's been such a long time since I've seen Kenni have so much fun. I appreciate what you two have done." In a surprising show of strength, Yachiru lifted her captain, who was twice her size and nearly five times her weight, onto her shoulders. "Hey, why don't you try to stay alive, okay? Maybe you can play with each other again real soon. Oh, and another thing." Walking over to Dante, the young shinigami dug into the pockets of her robe before pulling out a red lollipop. Tearing off its wrapper, she placed the sucker in Dante's mouth. "There you go," she replied with a smile. "Well, see you later!" Carrying Kenpachi's unconscious body, Yachiru leapt onto a building before bouncing on the surface of another. Soon she and Kenpachi were out of sight.

Dante laid still on the ground. Closing his jaw, he sucked on the small candy. "Mm… Strawberry…" was the last thing he thought before blacking out.

Author's Note 1: In the next chapter, Dante and Ichigo's plan to save Rukia is back on course. Also, they meet Yoruichi's human form for the first time. What hijinks will be unleashed? Read and review.

Author's Note 2: As a side note, the Mare-Embryo portrayed in this story is smaller than the monsters in Panzer Dragoon Orta. I did it because I didn't want something too so early in the story.