Ch. 8

"Yeah girl… Get over here with that fine ass and glass of gin…" Dante muttered in his sleep. Both he and Ichigo have been in a state of unconsciousness. Their battle with Kenpachi has left the two fighters on the edge of death. Aside from their spiritual power being dangerous low, they were also physically damaged as well. Major slashes, broken bones, punctured organs and loss of blood were attributed factors.

However, in a small hideout on a hillside not too far from the Sokyoku, the two were bandaged up as they rested and recovered. A couple of hours passed since they were brought to their location. Opening his eyes, Dante awoke to his new surroundings. His I-Pod was on "Get 'Em Daddy (Remix)" by Cam-ron, Hell Rell, JR Writer and Jim Jones. "Where am I…?" he asked himself after pulling out the stick that used to house a lollipop. He then cringed as he felt pain from his midsection. Gently, he began pushing against the area to make sure his body parts were accounted for. "Let's see… Ow… My liver's still there… Ow… That's my kidney… And… wait…" Dante started to feel around a certain area. "Hey, is that a… Is that a spleen?" His expression changed after he acknowledged the organ. "Hey, old buddy! How have you been? I ain't seen you since that time I traded you for those Ice Cube albums back in '06 on eBay. Oh happy day!"

"Well I see that you're up," a deep, calm voice said from his left.

"Hmm?" Dante turned to the direction, but saw nothing other than Ichigo's sleeping form. "Who's that? Is that you, Jam-Master Jay? I thought I had at least 9 more years left. Maybe a decade."

"Down here," the voice responded.

Dante looked down and saw a black cat. With its yellow eyes staring at him, the black teen only cocked his head. "Oh look, a kitty. Imma call you… Felix. 'Cause you sorta look like a Felix."

"As flattered as I am, I already have a name."

"Holy crap! It talks! Does this count as really, really bad luck, or really, really good luck? I'm so confused."

"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Yoruichi, a friend of Ichigo's. You must be Dante Blaine."

"How do you know my name?" Dante asked with a cock-eyed stare. "Don't tell me you're psychic, too. Oh crap… You gonna be using that telekinesis to blow up my brain. Or worse… turn me into a sitcom character who uses cheap, lowbrow humor in his jokes." The black teen shuddered at the thought.

Yoruichi only sighed. "No I am not," he said. "I witnessed your battle against Marechiyo Omaeda. That's how I know your name."

"Oh yeah?" Dante said with a smirk as he remembered his fight with the giant lieutenant. How he used his size and unorthodox skill to defeat the larger shinigami. He also remembered that he said my name. That may have been how Yoruichi heard it. "Wait, if you were there, how come I didn't feel you."

The black cat gave a nod. "That's because I've learned to mask my spiritual energy. Even the most sensitive individual cannot detect me."

"Damn. Can you teach me that? 'Cause, I'm sorta like a ninja and you know, the whole stealth thing is the top of the list. So…"

"Hmm… Perhaps when we have the chance."

"Alright," Dante said with a smile. "Oh, and thanks for the pick me up. If you didn't do some of your mojo, I would've been dead for sure."

"It was no problem at all, Dante. After all, you have been a big help to Ichigo and the others. However, I shouldn't take all the credit."

"What? You mean you had an assist?"

"Actually, your body was slowly healing itself."

"Wait, seriously?" Dante asked with a cock-eyed look of confusion. "You mean I was getting better."

"Yes, but not by much. The rate of regeneration was too slow. If I hadn't arrived when I did, you would not have survived." Dante did not know what Yoruichi meant. Sure he had close calls, in the past, but he never had the ability to heal himself. Just then, a rustle was heard in Ichigo's bed. Both Dante and Yoruichi turned and saw the substitute regaining conscious. "I see you're awake as well."

"Huh?" Turning his head, Ichigo saw Yoruichi inspecting his injured body. "Yoruichi?" He then looked up and saw Dante, who was in bandages like himself. "Dante, is that you?"

"Welcome back to the living… or dead… Fuck it. Welcome back to the spirit world, Ich."

"Nice to be back. And Yoruichi, thank you for saving our lives."

"You should be thankful to your strong life force, Ichigo. Without it, you'd have surely died from your injuries."

"What?" Ichigo said. He then remembered the fight he and Dante had against Kenpachi Zaraki. How the end of their fight resulted in their current situation. As he was thinking that, he couldn't help but worry about his friends. Were they still surviving or in dire trouble? "Shit!" Ichigo hissed as he quickly shot his body up from his bed.

"Don't sit up!" Yoruichi replied. However, the damage was already done. Ichigo cringed as the bandages wrapping around his abdomen were soaked with blood. "You idiot! Don't you realize how wounded you are!?"

"Chad and the others are in trouble!" Ichigo replied. The young shinigami was about to get up, despite his injured state. However his face was met by four small paws pressing on him with incredible force. Now that Ichigo's body returned to the bed, he now had to deal with the pain from both his midsection, and his face. "Your friends will be alright," Yoruichi assured. "Uryu and Orihime are safe, as well as Chad."

"Seriously?" Dante asked.

"Yes. He is injured, but still alive. It's a good thing he fought who he did. As for Uryu and Orihime, they managed to avoid detection from the enemy."

"That's a relief," Ichigo said thankfully.

"Now both you need to rest," the black cat advised as it pushed a mask along the ground. "Especially you, Ichigo, since half of your organs have been crushed. If it weren't for this object in your shirt, you would have been sliced in half from the torso."

Ichigo was surprised at the information as well as the mask. "That… was inside?"

"I'm surprised you had this on you."

"Hey, yo," Dante said. "Let me take a look at that." With the mask in hand, Dante held it up and inspected it. It appeared as a white face decorated with red stripes on its upper left side. The black teen knew what it was, but still was a little wet behind the ears. "You're telling me this broken thing saved Ichigo's ass from being a two for one special? Exactly how do you think it did that?"

"Perhaps it activated some sort of spiritual barrier that weakened Kenpachi's attack," Yoruichi suggested. "Or it may have increased Ichigo's spirit pressure."

"Aww, no fair! How come Ichigo gets all the cool toys to play with?" Dante pouted as he slid the object back to the cat. "Bullshit."

"But wait, I didn't even know that thing was on me," Ichigo said.

"What do you mean you didn't know it was on you?" Yoruichi inquired.

"After my fight with Renji, it seemed like it saved my life. I figured I should keep it for good luck. But then Hanataro took it from my hands. He said that it was evil or something and then he threw it into the water. I thought that was the last time I saw it."

"Hold on," Dante replied. "When was this? And where was I?"

"Before we met Kenpachi. You were too busy preening like a giant pigeon to listen."

"Watch yo' mouth, Carrot Top! You just jealous cause the ladies love the plume."

"Yeah right," Ichigo retorted. "Like I want to look like a lizard with an identity crisis."

"Don't make me roll over there and eat your liver," Dante warned. "That's the good shit right there."

"Whatever," Ichigo said. He picked up the mask and raised it over his head. "Still, it's pretty weird to see it here. I could've sworn it was thrown away."

"Ichigo, allow me to hold on to it," Yoruichi said in a generous voice.

"Are you kidding me?" Ichigo replied. "I'm keeping it."

"Hand it over! End of discussion!" the black cat replied in a more threatening tone. His spirit energy blanketed his coat, intimidating the orange-haired youth and making the black teen shudder.

"Yes, sir…" Ichigo said in defeat. "Here it is..." The substitute laid the object on the ground before Yoruichi, who eyed it cautiously. "Well, I have to say I'm impressed at how strong you are. You managed to carry both of us, despite being so small."

"And so adorable," Dante said under his breath. However, his comment did not go unheard as both Yoruichi and Ichigo turned to the black teen in confusion. "What? You were thinking it too."

"Lifting things is no problem for me once I return to my original form," Yoruichi replied in a humble tone.

"Ah yes, I almost forgot about your original form," Ichigo replied in a nonchalant tone. He then realized what Yoruichi said and was dumbstruck. "Wait, you have an original form?"

"Oh. I forgot I haven't shown it to either of you, yet. Since you came this far, I guess I can show you."

"Well come on!" Dante said anxiously, knowing full well what will happen. "Do it! Do it! Do it!"

"Calm down, Dante," Yoruichi said to the coaching teen. "Now, behold! This is my true form!" Releasing spirit energy, the cat's eyes began to glow. Both Ichigo and Dante (with a giddy smile) watched as the feline transformed. Smoke appeared from its paws as it started to rise upright. Front paws became slim fingers as the back ones turned into human shaped feet. With no hair except on the head (which was long and purple in color) and milk chocolate brown skin, the black cat was instead a young, slender woman.

Ichigo was struck with disbelief, his finger he pointed with shook out of control. At the same time, Dante's jaws virtually dropped to the ground as he was staring at the revealing form of one of his favorite female anime characters. "No way!" the orange-haired teen replied. "Y-You're a… Y-You're a woman!?"

"Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" Dante sung in his head, his arms held up high in triumph. "This is the best damn day of my life! God, a.k.a. Kubo, thank you!"

A smirk grew on Yoruichi's face. "I see that you two are pretty surprised," she said as her arms crossed her chest. "I guess you thought I was a man due to my voice." The young woman approached Ichigo, who was still a wreck. "You know, I've revealed my true nature like this many times in the past, and each time is always amusing. With most of them having stupefied expressions like yours." She then turned to Dante, who seemed to be enjoying the show. "So, do I look that good?" Yoruichi asked flirtatiously.

The black teen only answered with a slow nod. "The black snake moans…" he said in a low tone.

"But… But I thought… you were just a cat?" Ichigo replied.

"Cats don't talk, Ichigo. Use your head." Hearing this, the Soul Reaper's head dropped as well as his pointer finger. Yoruichi knelt down to Ichigo's level with a small object in hand. "That's quite enough shock for today. Now I'll tell you why I brought you two here." Once Ichigo picked his head up, he found it rather hard to focus on Yoruichi's face as her breasts were virtually in his face. His body became hot and red all over as his eyes started trailing from her face and to other areas of her body. It was too hard for him to remain collected when a woman's full anatomy was in his face. "First of all, let me give you an explanation of this ob-"

"God dammit! Would you just put some clothes on!?" Ichigo erupted. Both Dante and Yoruichi were rather stunned at how loud he objected.

Yoruichi sighed. "Alright. I guess it would make things a little easier." Standing back up, the young woman walked to the other side of the room as she grabbed her spare clothes.

"No wait! Don't go!" Dante said with an outreached arm. "Hey, you want to see the infamous one-eyed black python?" Yoruichi only smiled before continuing with her business.

Ichigo turned away as Yoruichi got dressed. Now he didn't have to worry about a naked body for the time being. However, he was somewhat nervous once his gaze met Dante's piercing glare. "What are you looking at?" the substitute whispered.

"Is you out yo' damn mind!?" he asked in a low-stern tone.

"But she was naked!" Ichigo said defensively. "What the hell was I supposed to do? Sit and act like nothing was happening?"

"At the very least!" the black teen replied. "What self-respecting man tells a fine-ass honey to go put some clothes on when she's naked!? Shit, I guess when you get some free cotton candy at a fair, you tell them to take it back, huh!"

"Man, you're starting to sound like Kon or Keigo. Are you this much of a pervert where you come from?"

"Hey! I just love the finer things in life. Including naked women!"

"You know I can hear you two," Yoruichi said nonchalantly. Both Dante and Ichigo became quiet as their cheeks went red.

"Don't mind Ich, over here. He just ain't got no play," Dante said. He then whispered, "He's really touchey about it."

"I would kill you right now if I wasn't so injured," Ichigo said with a piercing glance.

"Yeah, and I would be at a circus with all the cute little animals and hot tight-rope walking ladies if I didn't have such a strong, borderline homicidal hatred for clowns and mimes. What's your point?"

Ichigo only shook his head slowly. "What the hell is wrong with you?" he asked.

"Schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, MPD, ADD… And that's just from the brain tumor. But they're pretty controlled. Then I have a tapeworm, some scoliosis... Guess you can say I'm a madcap mixbag of madness and fun."

"Actually, I managed to cure your back and parasite problems," Yoruichi interjected. "I must say, it was a rather daunting and disturbing task. How did you get them?"

"The worm was from Tijuana when this girl and I wanted to get freaky with the can of guacamole sauce. The scolio… Cheny's last quail hunt. No survivors…"

"Okay, that was more than I need to know…" Ichigo said as a sweatdrop formed on Ichigo's head. How can somebody like Dante even be allowed to walk around in public was a mystery, much less still alive.

"Anyway, sorry about that. I've been a cat for so many years, clothes have been something of a forgotten memory," Yoruichi said as she slipped on her shirt. She then turned to Ichigo and smirked. "Still, I never thought you'd be such a shy individual. This must have been your first time seeing a woman's body."

"Shut up, alright," Ichigo replied.

"Are you sure you don't want another peek? Life is short and you might not have another chance."

"I said shut up!" Ichigo said as he turned around, his face fully reddened.

"Here you go," Yoruichi said as she pulled up her shirt, revealing everything below the torso. Ichigo was screamed in shock by what he had witnessed and quickly covered his face in both embarrassment and the embarrassment from the pain from his reopened wounds.

"Thank you, Kubo!" shouted Dante before he too succumbed from the stinging sensation of his bandaged body.

"Would you two stop doing that?" Yoruichi said. "Your screaming and sudden movements are opening your wounds.

"Shut the hell up!" Ichigo hollered. "And for god sakes, put some underwear on! Pants first before anything else! Geez!" Once more, the substitute buckled over.

A few minutes have passed before things died down. Yoruichi had just finished putting on her clothes (consisting of black track pants and undershirt and orange top shirt). "So tell me, how did you learn how to transform?" Dante asked. "You know, that whole kitty thing."

"Well, that ability is unique among my family. Only a few of us in my clan can perform such a skill. It takes high concentration and spiritual energy to execute such an ability."

"Makes sense, I guess."

"It almost sounds like how you transform," Ichigo asked. "Is it possible you two are related?"

"We ain't blood," Dante said. "Remember, I'm still alive and from a different world. Plus my transforming depends on what weapon I got on me and how much reiryoku's in my body to keep up the form."

"You mean you're also from the living world?" Yoruichi asked

"Right... Something like that."

"Anyway, how did you bring us here in the first place?" Ichigo asked.

"Simple," Yoruichi said as she held a small device decorated with a bird's head and long finger bones. "I used this device, which allowed me to fly you two here."

"I get it. And you activated it by placing soul energy inside it."

"That's right. What you have in your hand is a rarity. The only one of its kind in the entire Soul Society."

"But why would you have something like this?" Ichigo asked. Yoruichi only turned to him in silence. "You can transform, you have the power to heal, and you have precious items. Yoruichi, who in the world are you?"

Silence filled the room as both Dante and Ichigo turned to the dark-skinned woman, waiting for an answer. "Well-" Before Yoruichi could answer, a powerful spiritual pressure rattled the hideout. The three were stunned by the force and its close proximity.

Dante, in alarm, turned his head in all directions. "What the hell!? Is it Big Z again!? I thought we fucked his ass up!"

"No!" Ichigo replied. "It's him… Byakuya…"

"You know who's doing this?"

"Ichigo had an encounter with him the night Rukia was taken back here," Yoruichi clarified. "He's the Captain of Squad 6 and one of the strongest in the Soul Society."

"Alright," Dante muttered to himself with a smirk. "Another challenger."

"That spiritual pressure was coming from the Senzaikyu."

"You mean the white tower?"

Yoruichi answered with a nod. Hearing this Ichigo, bolted out his bed and ran to the exit. Seeing this Dante also left his mat and strapped his zanpakutos to his back. "What do you think you two are doing!?"

"Ganju and Hanataro may already be at that tower," Ichigo said.

"In other words, this is an emergency and we gotta save their asses. Besides, someone's got to watch the strawberry's back." Dante said he said as he released Akumu hi Ryuujin. However, his scythe had evolved. Now the top of its blade had sharp spike which worked like a chain saw and a smaller blade on the other side of its pole. Needless to say, the wielder was impressed by the design. "Nice."

"What can you two possibly do in the condition you're in!?" Yoruichi replied.

"If we don't go, who's gonna save them!?" Stretching out his right arm as he held Yoruichi's item, Ichigo released his spirit energy. The device activated, wrapping a long tendril tightly around his arm and sprouting a blue bat wing.

"Damn. Shit looks more pimp up close," Dante thought.

"Fly." Upon command, Ichigo crashed through the door and soared to the sky.

Dante ran to the ledge, with his scythe in hand. "It's been real, Yoruichi. See ya!" Activating his weapon's ability, the black teen transformed into a white dragonmare and followed Ichigo in quick haste. Speeding through the skies like an airplane, the nightmare dragon was able to catch up to the one-winged Soul Reaper. Ichigo looked up as he saw the strange winged beast floating above him. "So you're coming too?"

"You know it! Don't you know who I am!?" Dante screeched. "I'm Dante Blaine! The only motherfucker in the world that has done the Dolph Zigler, the Montreal Screwjob, the Leroy Jenkins, the Albuquerque Nutcracker, the Count Dooku, and the Dirty Dozen! You don't believe me? Ask the girls from That 70's Show, Power Girl, and Ms. Marvel."

Ichigo only stared at the dragonmare quixotically. All he heard were screeches and growls instead any true language. Still, knowing that the creature was still Dante, he had no doubt that obscene and inane comments were said and shook off his confusion. Once the duo arrived,, the substitute looked down, seeing the bridge which connected the headquarters with the tower. On the connecting path stood Hanataro, Ganju and Rukia as well as the enemy captain Byakuya Kuchiki. "We're here," Ichigo replied. "Are you ready?"

"Hell yeah, motherfucker! Let's do this!" Dante screeched as his body stretched and tail swung.

"I'll take that as a yes. When I release my spirit pressure, meet me down there." The two parted ways with Ichigo lowering altitude while Dante flew high above the tower.

Reverting to his original form, the black teen sat and waited for Ichigo. "So this is the big, bad Senzaikyu," Dante said. "I'll give them points on placement, but the whole prison tower: a little Dark Ages, don't you think?" For a few minutes, the black teen witnessed the battle between Ganju and the shinigami captain, all of which ended in the Shiba male's defeat at the hands of Senbonzakura. The shiki of the foe had left the large man an eviscerated vessel thanks to its seemingly fast and invisible petals. "Damn, talk about overkill!" Dante said. "That shit'll leave some marks!"

With a defeated Ganju lying on the ground, the foe was ready to go in for the kill. However, as luck would have it, another captain, this one with long white hair, stopped Byakuya in his tracks. Captain of Squad 13, this was Jushiro Ukitake. Not long after his intervention, a strong, captain-level spiritual pressure shook the area. Dante smiled before saying to himself, "Showtime." Pulling out one of his swords, the black teen jumped off the edge. With his sword embedded in the tower, the black teen slid down its surface, at the same time, Ichigo shot up into the sky before landing in front of Rukia. "Aww… That entrance was so awesome…" Sliding down enough feet, Dante leapt off the building and onto the bridge. "Yeah! That's what I'm talkin' about Ich!"

"Perfect timing, Dante," Ichigo replied.

"That entrance you just did was straight money! Shit, you need to show me how you do that!" he then walked over to Hanataro, who was rather surprised to see the two. "Yo' Hana, what it do, bro. You good, man?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. Coming here was a little tough, but we managed to get through."

"Good to hear, cuz."

"Rukia, I've come to get you out of here," Ichigo said. Rukia was speechless. Last time she saw this young man, he was lying bloody on a street. Fatally wounded and stripped of his soul reaper powers, there was no way he would survive. However, here he was, exuding amounts of spiritual pressure that make captain-level shinigami cringe. Ichigo noticed and shouted, "Why are you looking at me like that!? Don't you see I'm trying to save you? Show some gratitude!"

"Fool!" snapped Rukia, taking Ichigo aback. "I told you that… I wouldn't forgive you if you came. And now look at you. You're all injured. And if you stay here, there will be more to come."

"Yeah, I know," Ichigo said as he turned to Ganju.

"So, you must be Rukia, huh?" Dante said. The imprisoned soul reaper turned to face Dante's flirtatious smile. "I gotta say, you look pretty cute up close."

Rukia scanned the strange black teen, confused, but flustered by his comment. She then turned to the taller substitute and asked, "Who's this?"

"Him? He's Dante. The guy may be a little bit of a freak…"

"I prefer the term 'unorthodox enthusiast,'" Dante corrected with a finger in the air.

"But he was a big help in getting me here."

"Hell yeah. When you holler at yo' boy, you get the very best. Especially when it's for a pretty lady like you," he said to Rukia.

"Yeah, thanks…" Rukia said with a small, confused smile before turning to Ichigo again. "What was he just saying?"

"Trust me, you don't want to know," Ichigo replied. He then turned to Byakuya, who glared down upon the opposition. "Anyway, you can yell at me later all you want. But right now, I'm going to defeat him."

"Ichigo…"

"What? Don't tell me you actually think I should give up after coming this far."

"It's just…"

"I won't. After everything I've been through, I will not run away. I came here to save you and that's that!" The orange-haired teen then turned around. "And another thing: From now on, all of your suggestions are ignored. You're leaving even if I have to carry you kicking and screaming! You got that!? I'm the rescuer here, so you shut up!"

"Damn!" Dante replied.

"How dare you speak to me like that!" Rukia retorted. "The rescuer isn't supposed to ignore the rescuey!"

"Using that logic, why would the rescuey argue about the rescue, huh!? How about you sit back and be in distress shouting 'save me, save me!'" As the argument continued, Hanataro stood on the sidelines, wondering whether or not he should intervene. Dante, on the other hand, was trying hard not to laugh. On the other side of the bridge, Captain Ukitake was rather puzzled by how his former subordinate and her supposed savior were bickering. The only person who seemed unaffected was Byakuya Kuchiki, who saw this as a waste of time and wished to continue with his duties.

"I don't need to be saved! And I especially don't scream!" Despite this, Ichigo only wagged his tongue, ignoring Rukia's statements.

Dante moved to Hanataro's location. The healer was both speechless and confused. "If this is how they're acting now, you don't want to see the honeymoon," the black teen whispered, with Hanataro nodding in response. "Hey, Ichigo! You ready to kick these motherfucker's ass?" Dante pulled out his swords, the ends of the blades' pointing to the two captains. "Just say the word, man, 'cause you know how it is."

Upon Dante drawing his zanpakuto, Captain Ukitake noticed something odd about the swords. The energy they were releasing was odd, yet very familiar to him. "Those swords…" he muttered to himself. It's as if he had sensed this power before. However, he was unsure as to where.

"Right, about that… this is something I need to do alone," Ichigo replied.

"Are you serious? Look, Renji was one thing, but this fool's an El Capitan! Think of it as a mastiff over a doberman. A Flame-Broiled Whopper over a Cheeseburger. Ice Cube over MC Hammer, man! You're going up against a Number 1!"

"I understand that, Dante. Listen, if anything should happen, I want you to take Rukia and Hanataro out of here. You got it?"

Honestly, Dante didn't like the idea of being an auxiliary. After all, a fight with a captain as strong as Byakuya would not only help in his quest to increase his power, but it would be an exciting battle. However, he knew that this was something Ichigo had to do. "Fine, Ich," Dante said as he sat on the railing. "But don't do anything stupid, with your crazy ass. And if shit gets tight, tag in a brotha, 'ight?"

"Alright." Agreeing to Dante's proposal, Ichigo moved forward as did Byakuya. Once the two met at the center of the bridge, the captain shinigami released his spiritual pressure. Due to its strength, Rukia and Hanataro were forced to the floor while Dante got off the rail, not risking the chance of falling to the ground many stories below. Still, the black teen was able to stand, as was Ichigo and Captain Ukitake.

The battle started as the enemy used his shunpo, hoping to strike Ichigo from behind. However, the substitute was able to block the strike and react in good timing. Byakuya was surprised, but still kept his calm. The foe tried once more, but Ichigo managed to strike, his sword colliding with Byakuya's. Hanataro was shocked by how Ichigo was keeping up with such an experienced and powerful shinigami. "I can't believe it!" he replied. "Ichigo's fighting on an even level with Captain Kuchiki!"

"Of course he is, Hana," Dante replied confidently. "This is Ichigo we're talkin' about, you feel me? He's like the million dollar man up in here. Speaking of dollars… wanna wager?"

After a few minutes of parrying blows and blocking attacks, the two combatants distanced themselves. At the moment, this fight was at a stalemate. "I admit you have gotten stronger than what I believed was possible," Byakuya said before he turned the blade of his sword up in the air. "Even so, I will put an end to this before you get overtaken by your cockiness. I will show you the gap in power you cannot close even if your trained for thousands of years."

Everyone on the bridge was tensed as they knew what was coming next. "Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit!" Dante replied multiple times. "Watch yo'self, Ich! This foo's 'bout to pull that flower power shit on your ass! Get to steppin', nigga! Get to steppin'!"

"Run, Ichigo!" Rukia shouted.

"Scatter…" Before the captain could continue his command, the entirety of his zanpakuto was wrapped in cloth as a familiar figure appeared instantly before him. Everyone on the bridge was in a state of disbelief. In an orange shirt and black pants, it turned out to be none other than Yoruichi. "You…"

"It's been a long time, Byakuya."

"Yoruichi Shihoin…"

"Who is that?" Hanataro asked.

"That, my homies, is Yoruichi Shihoin, and she just went ninja-style on the fangirl magnet!" Dante replied.

"You two know her?" Rukia asked.

"Ichigo more than me, ya dig? She helped him and the others get inside the court. She also found us after the whole battle with Kenpachi Zaraki."

"You mean you two managed to win against Kenpachi Zaraki?" Hanataro asked in surprise.

"What is this? Twenty questions?" Dante replied. "Yeah, we won! Else we wouldn't be here!"

"I know I've heard that name before," Rukia replied.

"Former Commander of the Stealth Force and Corps. Commander of the First Division's Punishment Force. Yoruichi Shihoin. It's been nearly one hundred years since I've last seen your face. I had thought you died."

Dante whistled as he heard the accolades of their ally. "Damn! Talk about a big list of qualifications!" he said in an impressed manner. "Hey, would that go under 'Personal Skills' or 'Other Interests' in a job interview?" Both Hanataro and Rukia turned to the black teen in confusion. "What? You both were thinking it, too."

"Yoruichi, I understand that you came to rescue me," Ichigo said. "I appreciate it. Still, I need you to move out of the way. I am going to take this guy out."

"You actually think you can beat him?" Yoruichi asked. "You truly are a fool!" In the blink of an eye, the ex-captain used her speed, this time on Ichigo. Targeting the wound, Yoruichi delved her arm straight into his abdomen. Shock and awe decorated everyone's face (including the usually stoic Byakuya).

"Wh-What are you… doing, Yoruichi…!?" Ichigo asked weakly just before he became unconscious. Pulling her hand out of the wound, the woman caught the orange-haired warrior as he fell.

"What the-!? What the fuck was that for!?" Dante replied in horror. Just then, Yoruichi turned to him, showing a cold, remorseless gaze. "I-I ain't say nothin'…" Dante replied as he took a few steps back.

"That was medicine, wasn't it?" Captain Ukitake asked. "Either gaten or hoten, you forced a powerful anesthetic directly into his internal organs. What are your plans with this young man, Yoruichi?"

"Whatever you plan to do, it is meaningless," Byakuya said nonchalantly. "You will not escape here alive."

"Really?" Yoruichi said. "I'm amazed how you talk so big, Byakuya. If I remember correctly, I don't believe you have ever won a game of tag against me."

"Then let me give it another try." Quickly, the captain used his shunpo, ready to attack Yoruichi, but the woman was able to evade, appearing behind him instead. The foe then drew his zanpakuto and slashed. Using her agility again, Yoruichi backed away from the blow, but distanced herself once Byakuya arrived from behind. Once they distanced themselves, the two approached before they flash stepped forward. Quickly, Yoruichi managed the leap over the captain and continued forward. Thinking she was in the clear, she slowed her speed. However, that proved to be a fatal mistake once Byakuya towered over her. "Did you really believe you could escape with such slow flash steps?" he asked just before delivering a powerful slash. Blood spurted in the air as Yoruichi's body fell back, her life meeting its end.

Suddenly, the body changed into a couple sheets of paper. Byakuya was deceived and resting on his arm was Yoruichi. "Did you really believe you could catch me with such slow flash steps?" she asked playfully. She shunpoed off of his arms and stood on a roof before him. "Three days. In that amount of time, I will make this boy stronger than you. Until then, consider this fight between you a draw." She then turned to Dante. "Dante!"

"Who, me?" Dante asked as he pointed to himself. "What it is?"

"I want you to meet up with us back at the hideout. You will be trained, too."

"Seriously? You gonna train me? Hm… Why not? I'm game, babe."

"You can pursue us if you wish, Byakuya. The Goddess of Flash, Yoruichi Shihoin, will not be captured by the likes of you." With that said, Yoruichi quickly sped off.

"Whoa-hoa!" Dante replied. "Looks like Yoruichi got yo' number, son! You gonna get it good in 72 hours! I think I'd start writing my will." Byakuya turned his head to the black teen who instantly got into battle position. "Oh, so you wanna go? Shred with the rage of the past, Kowa ro Shii Maru!" Now in shiki mode, the sword (as is the case with his scythe) had changed shape. Now it became a long nodachi with a fiery red blade and sharp spikes on top. With it and his other sword drawn, Dante was rearing to go.

With his gaze glued on the individual, the captain sensed a spiritual power just as strong as Ichigo's. However, he did not feel like having another battle and turned his focus away. "A fool like you is not worth my time," he said as he continued on his path. "Be grateful I have lost interest in you."

"So you're going to let them go?" Ukitake asked.

"Like I said, this is not my problem. Do what you wish with them." With that said, Byakuya left the scene.

"Man, that guy's a douche!" Dante hissed. "He might be a magnet for the hearts of many fangirls, but if shit went down, it would've ended with a lot of strokes."

"Yeah, I'm sure that would be the case," Hanataro said, seeing this as the teenager's ego instead of fact as Dante believed. With Byakuya gone, Rukia, tired and weary, crashed to the floor. Both Hanataro and Dante hurried to her aid. "Rukia!" he called.

"Damn. Girl dropped like a ton of bricks."

"Hey Kiyone! Sentaro!" Ukitake called. "Come on down here!"

Leaping from the building, two figures appeared before the pale-looking captain. One of them, a young woman named Kiyone Kotetsu, had a golden ball haircut. The other, Sentaro Kotsubaki, was a taller man with bushy eyebrows and a pointed beard. Both of them were Ukitake's third seats. "At your service captain! What are your orders?" the two subordinates said in unison.

Ukitake turned back to see Hanataro and Dante guarding Rukia. Seeing their dedication, the captain smiled and turned back to his officers. "I thought you two were here. How long have you been watching?"

"We arrived just as soon as Captain Kuchiki swung his sword and told him his behavior was dangerous, Captain!" hastily explained Sentaro.

"So I guess that would mean from the beginning. I thought I told you two to stay at your posts until the matter was resolved?"

"I'm sorry, Captain! I was just driven to follow your lead as a precautionary measure in case something happened, sir!"

"No way is that the case!" interjected Kiyone. "I was the one who was driven due to my great amount of respect for you! In fact, you might say I love you! I-I mean, truly respect you!"

"What!? Why do you always have to butt in like that!? I'm the one who has the more respect for him!"

"You wish! How about you shut up, ya moron!"

"How about you make me!"

"Is that a fight!? Come on and let's go!"

"Yo, Hana," Dante said. "Who're the odd couple?"

"That's Squad 13's Kiyone Kotetsu and Sentaro Kotsubaki. They share the third seat position and are Ukitake's loyal subordinates."

"Huh. Didn't think it was possible to share a seat…"

"Usually it isn't, but due to their skills being on equal terms, the two were both chosen and have become rivals ever since. Not only that, but they were also born on the same day."

"Damn! Talk about eternal rivalry."

"Would you two stop it already?" Ukitake asked. "Kiyone, we need medical attention from Squad 8. This man is in dire need."

"Yes, sir!"

"Also have Squad 4 send a relief squad here. Sentaro, I want you to take Rukia back to her prison cell."

"Yes, sir." With his order given, the male third seat walked over to the trio's location. Staring down at Hanataro, Sentaro said with a stern face, "Get out of the way."

"No I won't! You won't put Rukia back in the cell!"

"Move, kid," Dante replied. Hanataro turned to the black teen in confusion. "Are you looking at Rukia? All that spirit pressure wore her out. If you want to help, let the man do his job." Hearing this, the healer knew that his ally was right. Staying out here was doing more harm than good. Reluctantly, Hanataro stepped aside, allowing Sentaro to lift the young woman and take her back. Kiyone was not far behind. Paying no attention to the bickering duo, Dante and Hanataro turned their attention to Jushiro, who was standing over Ganju's lacerated body.

"Um, sir…?" Hanataro started. "I-"

"You probably want to know why I'm helping you, correct?"

"Well, yeah," Dante said. "I mean, isn't it your job to beat our asses and take us in?"

"Dante!?" Hanataro replied.

"No, he is right," the captain replied. "However, with Aizen murdered, there is a chance you may have an idea as to who may be responsible. So there's a reason why we won't kill you right there."

Dante turned his head and snarl. Aizen was never one of his favorite characters. Especially with his ability to manipulate and deceive (something which the black teen might have some respect for). "Man, I would just love to blow the whistle on that bastard right now," he thought. "But first of all, I ain't no snitch. And secondly, even if I wanted to, I don't know where he is and no way would anyone believe my ass. Not only that, but who the hell knows what would happen to the plot."

"There is also another reason. Though your strategy was misguided, your intentions were in the right place. You tried to rescue my subordinate from her cell. My honor would not let me stand by and let you die."

"Honor, huh?" Dante said as he rested his hands on the back of his head as he cracked a smile. "Not bad for a samurai in all white. I'm starting to like this dude."

"Dante, was it?" Jushiro asked. "I have a question to ask you."

"Fire away, big man."

"The zanpakutos on your back. They're yours, aren't they?"

"Of course they are. Why do you ask, Cap?"

"Those soul-cutter swords… I know I've seen them before."

Dante was rather silent. Was there a chance that Ukitake had some idea as to the origins of his swords? "Well, I'll give you a hint. You know the saying 'you don't choose the weapon, the weapon chooses you?' Let's just say neither of us had a chance to decide." Silence filled the section of the bridge for a moment. Hanataro switched his gaze between the maverick and the Squad 13 Captain, who stares toward one another were rather uneasy. At least, until Dante jumped on the rail. "Well, it's been cool and all, but I have places to go and things to do."

"Dante! What do you think you're doing on there?" Hanataro replied.

"Hana, I'll see you later. After all, you still have a lot to learn young grasshopper. And Ukitake, nice to meet ya. Maybe after this, we can be buddies. Well, time for this bro to bounce." With that said, Dante flash stepped from the bridge and onto the roof of a building before heading off.

Ukitake stood silent as his eyes were still on the building he last saw Dante on. "Clawed Fear of the New Road..." he thought to himself. "Could it be possible...?"

After a few minutes, Dante had managed to distance himself away from Soul Society. Now he was focused on finding his way back to the hideout. However, he had to make a quick detour in order to use the bathroom (after all, he hasn't gone for nearly three days).

Unfortunately, once he finished and left the lavatory, fifteen Death Gods had found him and blocked his exit. "So you think you got me pinned? Think again! I'll show ya'll what's up!" Spinning both swords, the black teen's spirit energy started to charge. From above, a dark cloud loomed over the area. "Here comes the bug zappa!" Before the shinigami could react, Dante unleashed his new attack. "Lagi style! Laser Storm!" From the sky, powerful lightning bolts struck the ground. Unable to defend against the attacks, the shinigami fell by its power, yelling as they got hit. "Oh, yeah!" Dante shouted triumphantly as he was the only person in the alleyway standing. "That's what's up, bitches! Thought you asshole's had the best of me? Fuck that! Don't you know I'm the only mo' fo' in the world to have a foursome with them shinobi bitches Nel Zelpher, Sheena Fujibayashi, and Anko Mitarashi while bitchslappin' a motherfuckin' space dolphin as we flew on a 747 watching How High? Method and Red are my boys! Wu-Tang Clan and EPMD till I die, nigga!" Suddenly, the black teen saw a large shadow crossing past a nearby road. No doubt the ruckus attracted someone. "Oh shit…" Quickly, Dante grabbed one of his enemies and took his soul reaper robes. He then threw the underwear remaining body inside the bathroom and slammed the door.

Just as he turned, the new group of shinigami arrived on the scene. They were horrified by the number of defeated bodies that littered the tiled ground and the scorch marks caused by Dante's Laser Storm. "What happened here!?" one of the men replied.

"It was horrible!" Dante replied, feigning the profile of a scared warrior. "This ryouka, he was crazier than hell! He took out everyone, man! I just got here before that fool left and I was like 'holy shit!' He was a savage! Straight up beastly!"

"A ryouka!" another man replied. "Where did he go?"

"I think I saw him start climbing up the buildings hustle it that way!" Dante replied as he pointed to his right.

"Thanks, kid. Alright, men! This way!" The group of shinigami hurried off to the given direction, ready to fight this supposed ryouka.

Dante casually walked out of the alley and watched the men leave. The black teen blew in relief. "Losers," he said with a smile on his face before leaving the alley. Taking a light stroll, the swordsman placed his hands in his pockets while whistling to "Beam Katana Chronicles" from No More Heroes. However, once the theme had ended, Dante came to a crucial realization. He had lost his way to Sokyoku Hill, and more importantly, the hideout near it. The only thing that he could think of was, "Oh shit! Why didn't I ask Ukitake for a map!"

Author's Note 1: In the next chapter a lone Dante finds himself face to face with Nemu, a shinigami with a lot in common. Then he encounters Rangiku Matsumoto, Shuhei Hisagi, and Shunsui Kyoraku. What madness will be wrought? Tune in next time to find out.