Ch. 10

Leaping from roof to roof, Dante raced to the location as fast as his legs could take him. The spiritual pressure he tracked was becoming stronger with each step and a strange, putrid stench began to fill the air. His heart was now racing with anticipation as the hairs on the back of his neck were standing on ends. Just then the black warrior sensed a sudden burst in spiritual energy and saw a web of reiraku forming just a few blocks away. "Hey, I know that light… It's Uryu's little puppet technique," Dante said as he examined the trail of spirit particles. "That means the battle's about to really begin. Can't be late for this shit! After all, I want a piece of Clownface, too!"

Pulling up his hood and following the light, Dante arrived on a nearby rooftop where two figures in white stood poised for battle. On one side was the normally cool-headed soul archer with a marksman's aim, Uryu Ishida. Standing on the other side was perhaps the most cold-hearted, as well as oddest shinigami in the entire Court of the Thirteen Squads. With a face covered in black and white makeup, an odd forked hat adorning his head turned to the right and a captain's white haori, this was none other than the leader of the 12th Division and head of the Shinigami Research and Development Institute: Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Arming his left hand was the Soul Reaper's zanpakuto already in shiki its phase. With three long blades rising from the center which looked like a baby's head and a deadly toxic gas floating from the sword, it was Ashisogi Jizo.

At the moment, the captain stood with an examining eye, unsure as to what was going on. After all, the Quincy was just delivered a direct strike from his sword, whose poison had just paralyzed him. However, that was then. Now Uryu was now standing and ready to go against the captain. Then it occurred to Mayuri what may be going on. "I get what this is… Ransotengai..." he said rather impressed. "A technique involving the use of countless spirit particle threads and attaching them to immobile limbs to force them to move. Such an ability was invented by the Quincy elders in order for them to combat hollows in their decrepit old bodies. Broken bones or torn flesh are akin to minor cuts for those who are skilled, allowing a Quincy to continue battle until their bodies turn to dust."

Dante couldn't help but whistle at the explanation as he turned to Uryu. "For a geek, this foo's pretty hardcore," he said as he examined the Quincy. "That Pinocchio trick ain't too bad."

"For a long time, I thought this was a lost art. Forgotten by time and only found it historical texts. Yet here you are, the one Quincy, out of thousands I've dissected, who have learned Ransotengai. And at such a young age to boot. Someone so gifted... you may be a genius."

"A genius? Such generics don't even scratch the surface on description. For me, Ransotengai isn't just a defensive ability. Even if I'm reduced to a corpse, until I avenge my master, it's a symbol of my will to fight!"

Hearing this, Mayuri only sighed. "I'll retract the word genius. It would be more suiting if I call you a neophyte with a biting conscious."

"Fuck you, ya Joker-lookin' son of a bitch!" shouted Dante from the nearby rooftop. Both Uryu and Mayuri looked to the black teen. As the young warrior glared death at the pied shinigami, the scientist only turned to him, slightly annoyed.

"Oh dear. Another one," the captain said in an annoyed tone.

"Dante! What are you doing here!?" Uryu asked in surprise from the hooden teen's sudden appearance. "The last I saw you was a few days ago when you helped us fight off that large shinigami."

The black teen smirked. "Well I just happened to be in the hood and couldn't help but sense all the soul power going off all over this bitch," the black teen explained. Hopping down from his perch, Dante walked next to the Quincy, his blades spinning from his sides. "So where's my favorite busty-bodied cherry-haired star princess?" he asked.

"I had her leave the area," the Quincy responded. "I did not wish for Orihime to take part in this battle. After all, someone like her is not meant to be on the field of combat."

"Okay, I get that," Dante said. He then turned to the captain and went into a battle position. "But lucky for you, I am. So, we gonna take this foo' or what?"

"We're not doing anything," Uryu replied. "Only I am fighting this man."

"What!?" Dante replied with a dumbfounded expression. "Why should I let you have all the fun?"

"Because this fight is between me and him," Uryu said, still keeping his piercing gaze upon the captain. "It's a personal issue that will get resolved tonight at this moment."

"Oh come on!" Dante replied. A thought then popped into his head as he remembered the main focus on this battle. "I get it. You gonna go all Batman on the doc here for what happened to your gramps, huh?" Uryu turned to Dante, his eyes narrowing at him in response. It didn't take the black teen long to figure out such a personal matter was not meant to be public knowledge. "Yo, easy son! I couldn't help but overhear it," he replied while holding his hands up submissively to the archer. "But I get where you're coming from."

"Do you really? Have you ever felt the pain of loosing someone close to you? Someone you loved? Do you actually have any idea what it's like?"

Dante stood silent as he tried once more to remember his past. However, the only images he could recollect were of a home set ablaze and the experiments he endured. Acknowledging this, the black teen couldn't help but sigh. "You can say I've had that experience," Dante finally answered. Uryu was somewhat surprised by this. "Yo, let me in on this. In a way, I'm getting a piece of payback, too."

"What are you talking about?"

"It's because of these things, stuff's been fucked up. And last I checked, they came from here. It's possible the fool who threw these in my world and had those lab rats stick them to me is still here in the Seireitei."

"Really now," Mayuri spoke. Both ryouka turned their attention back to the mad scientist. Hearing Dante's announcement peeked the shinigami's interest. "Tell me, what are the names of your swords?" he asked cooly with a smile on his face.

Dante scowled at the captain, hesitant to do so. However, knowing he might gain more insight, the young maverick decided to appease the good doctor. "…Akumu hi Ryuujin and Kowa ro Shii Maru."

"Ah yes, I remember now. Those two blades were a couple of my finest creations. It's been so long, I've nearly forgot about them."

"Creations…? So you're the one who made these?" Dante asked in a mix of surprise and skepticism.

"Quite right. And I guess that would make you the Deinonychus who's been rampaging through the districts." Dante pulled down his hood and glared at Mayuri, his grip tightening on his weapons. "I hope you've been having fun with those blades. I've spent many years perfecting their combat abilities. The soul energy required to sustain such weapons was immense, you know? But now look at them: even basal sealed states, I can tell that their structures have regressed quite a bit. I guess I should not be surprised due to the lower concentrations of spirit particles found in the World of the Living. Still, it is good to see that they still functioning. After all, there aren't a few living beings with the abilities of a Soul Reaper. An interesting subject wouldn't you agree? This may be an opportunity to conduct my research on such a being. Unless my theory is correct about the other rogue shinigami the two of you are in cahoots with."

"So you're the one behind these things…?" Dante asked as his head tilted low. "Then tell it to me straight... Were you also the fool who hired those scientists in the other world… The ones that kidnapped me to be some weapon…?"

"Dante…" Uryu called as he watched the teen's rage rise with his spiritual energy.

"Don't jump to conclusions, kid," Mayuri replied. "However you may have come into possession of those zanpakutos, my involvement in that was nonexistent." Dante stood still as he glared at the Soul Reaper with a hateful gaze. "Be assured this: If it were me, you would have been an open autopsy by now."

"Is he for real?" Dante thought. "Did all he did was make the swords? No way! If he could kill off the Quincies like a flyswatter does with flies, hiring those scientists on my ass would be like a cakewalk."

"So now, how would you like to join me in my research lab? A specimen as unique as you would prove to be invaluable."

"Screw you," Dante replied with narrowed eyes as he got into a fighting position. "Let me share something with you. Over the years, I've developed a real hatred for two things: clowns and scientists. Looking at your right now and hearing you're voice that sounds like someone scratching a chalkboard and a sick parrot combined, I have the uncontrollable urge to give you a wedgie so big and tight that it will yank that make-up right off yo' face. Then slice you all up into tiny shreds, dance over your grave, and piss on your tombstone."

"Oh? That's some big talk for such an unstable worm," Mayuri said, undeterred by the spiritual pressure and killer intent by the black teen. "To be honest, I'm not at all impressed on how you try and overcompensate for your weak abilities."

"Overcompensating?" Dante replied, feeling insulted by the remark before turning to Uryu. "Did this motherfucker just say I was overcompensating!?"

"Um… I believe he did," the Quincy answered as he summoned his bow. "Don't let this man get to you, Dante. He's trying to mess around with your head."

"Oh you don't have to tell me, man," Dante replied. "'Cause unlike Ronald McDonald over here, I don't need to go all Frankenstein if I wanted a kid!"

"What are saying over there?" Mayuri replied.

"You heard me, chump! I bet you never got it up and in a woman. I bet a New Jersey hooker would pay you off just to get out of her face. Hell, not even Madonna would want to touch your mime looking ass. And she's fucked Dennis Rodman and Vanilla Ice! I'm bettin' you pop a pill just to get a good jerk, huh?"

Uryu was stunned by Dante's dialogue. Never has he heard someone ever talk so much smack. Especially to someone as strong as a captain-level shinigami. The Quincy turned to Mayuri.

The pied death god was infuriated by the insults as his left eye's lower lid quivered. Only a few people, such as Kenpachi Zaraki for example, could actually succeed in getting under his skin. However, this young upstart, who used weapons crafted from his very hands, was now on the top of his list. "You dare speak to me in such a way, you beligerent hoodlum!?" yelled Mayuri with animosity. "So be it. I was going to capture you with as minimal damage to your body as possible, just as I was with your Quincy friend. However, I'm sure you'll be just as useful with a few of your vital organs damaged. Or at the very least, unable to move your jaws and that silver tongue of yours."

"Yeah, like that's gonna happen," Dante replied. "But here's the thing: There's no way in the 36 chambers of Shaolin that our asses is gonna loose to a painted freak like you!"

"Using less candor, I also agree," Uryu added. "You will atone for what you have done to my people… To my grandfather… I'll make sure you will pay! "

"You two are going to make this really difficult," Mayuri replied as he grabbed the end of the cone like projection on the left side of his head. At the end of this muscule-made rope was the sickle-shaped blade of a kusarigama. He spun the blade at a leisurely speed, examining his two targets. Now he had a sword held in his right hand and a chain weapon in his left.

"Oh yeah! It's peanut butter jelly time, you Frankenstein motherfucka!" Dante shouted as he set his I-Pod to "Hate Me Now" by Nas and P. Diddy. "Stick a needle up yo' punk ass and call me Barry Bonds 'cause I got the Nasty Nas up in this bitch and a the goddamn baseball bats!" Quickly, Captain Mayuri tossed his weapon forward, but missed as the two evaded by going in different directions. Using Hirenkyaku to move quickly, Uryu appeared just above the shinigami, aiming his bow and ready to fire. The enemy quickly turned his attention to the Quincy and flung his weapon, only for the target dodge the attack once more. From behind, Dante fired his laser streams at the scientist. However, Dante's attack were reflected and he became a target for the sickle. Quickly, the black teen jumped in the air, avoiding the strike, and launched another round of lasers at the opponent. However, the strikes were ineffective once more and Mayuri countered again with his ranged weapon. Dante had no choice but to block the attack. Once he returned to the ground, the maverick regrouped to Uryu's location.

"We're getting nowhere by using far ranged tactics," the Quincy said just before dodging another strike. "Our attacks are only getting bounced off. One of us has to get in close while the other distracts him."

"If you want a head-to-head, then I'm yo' boy!" Dante replied. "Burst with the fury of the future! Akumu hi Ryuujin!" With his scythe released, Dante stood in a battle ready position as Uryu targeted an arrow to Captain Kurosuchi. "You do that mojo that you do so well, Quincy Boy. I got that fool!"

"So this is your zanpakuto's current shiki state," Mayuri said. "You have mastered a few of its attacks. However, your weapon is still not at it full power. Still, it is good to see one of my successful creations. Too bad it and its brother fell in the hands of a beligerent hoodlum."

"Shut your damn mouth, you make-up wearing freak!" Dante shouted. "I never asked to carry these blades and I never had the choice. But still, these zanpakutos and I have become strong from all the shit we've been through. I've used these weapons to get my revenge." He then turned to scientist with a deadly glare, his red eyes locked onto him. "And I won't stop until that business is taken care of."

"My, what resolve. You seem to be very motivated in your vendetta. Too bad your journey will soundly end here, boy!" The captain spun his kusarigama by his side, ready to attack.

"Rush 'im!" Dante shouted as he and Uryu used their speed. Uryu fired his arrows at the captain in rapid succession. Mayuri quickly blocked and flung his roped weapon at the Quincy, who quickly evaded the attack. With his comrade distracting the target, Dante charged forward, his scythe's chainsaw roof buzzing as he approached. Mayuri noticed this and tried his best to strike the foe. However, apart from Dante evading from side to side, Uryu was also occupying him with overhead arrows. Overwhelmed, Dante was able to get in range and slashed down upon the scientist. However, Mayuri blocked the strike with Ashisogi Jizo and used his strength to hold back Akumu hi Ryuujin's blade, which loomed over his head a few inches away.

After being locked for a couple of minutes, Mayuri shoved Dante back and tossed his small sickle to the teen. Quickly, the young warrior repelled the small weapon back with the scythe's pole before Uryu fired a quick round of spirit arrows. He managed to land a few good hits, though most were evaded by the captain. The shinigami flung his kusarigama to the Quincy, who backed out of its reach. Seeing this opportunity, Dante shunpoed to the Death God and slashed. Quickly, Mayuri dodged to the left and the two parried blows with their zanpakutos. Uryu tried to target the enemy, but Mayuri was moving too fast and his ally kept getting in the line of fire. Soon, Dante managed to find an opening and slashed Captain Kurotsuchi's arm. Mayuri stepped back, momentarily accessing the damage the two combatants delivered before tossing his sickle at the scythe-carrier with tremendous force. Dante was pushed back a few feet by the small weapon, while in a blocking stance. The scientist struck again, but before the weapon could arrive at its destination, Uryu shot the kusarigama's cord, causing the weapon to fly pass Dante.

"Argh!" Mayuri yelled as he held the left side of his head in pain. "Damn you, Quincy!" he snarled as he turned to the archer.

"Man, yo' ear's gotta be ringin' like a bitch right now!" Dante replied.

"Grrr… I'm not done with you yet!" Mayuri replied. He tossed his sword to his other arm before pulling on the cone on the right side of his head to produce another kusarigama.

"Hooks in the ears, regrowing limbs, and more make-up than all the performers of Cirque du Soleil. Shit, even Michael Jackson stopped after his fiftieth nose job." Dante thought loudly just as Mayuri tossed his new weapon at the black teen. Uryu shot a soul arrow from behind, but his attack was deflected by the scientist's zanpakuto just as he struck again at the black teen. Dante managed to avoid the initial attack, but as the sickle returned, it managed to cut his right shoulder. The black teen cringed at the strike and now found himself dependant on his left arm. Unlike Mayuri, who was obviously ambidextrous, Dante's main hand to control his large weapon was his right. Outclassed, his only method of survival was to go on the defensive. After a few minutes of blocking and evading, the black teen found himself on the ground, his body cut by the numerous long-ranged blows. Before Mayuri could attack again, a soul arrow from Uryu landed a hit on the foe's back. Now the captain's attention was turned to the Quincy, leaving Dante to gather his bearings.

Dante sat back up and began catching his breath. Tearing off one of his sleeves, the maverick wrapped the ripped piece of cloth over his shoulder. He then turned to the left and saw the body of a female Soul Reaper lying in the shadows. Dante quickly crawled to the form and checked for a pulse. Though it was shallow, it still indicated that she was still alive. He turned her over on her back and found himself face to face again with Nemu. Apparently, she had sustained some damaged prior to Dante's arrival. "Yo, Nemu!" Dante replied as he shook her lightly. "Hey, wake up!"

In about a moment, the young woman's purple eyes began to open. At first, her sight was too blurry to make out any object, but once her vision was adjusted, she saw the face of the young ryouka. "Hello, there…" she said weakly. "Mr. Dante was it…? Why are you here…? It's too dangerous…"

"Stuff was going down and I wanted to check it out," the black teen answered. "Looks like my boy met yo' pops."

"Dante, you must leave… My father…"

"Yeah, I know all about your daddy. But I can't just leave Glasses behind. Besides, it's not like I could even if I wanted to." Dante slowly picked himself up, his body weakened from all the energy he used. He ripped off the sleeves of his shirt to wrap around the cuts on his arms. "I haven't used this before, so let's see…" Gathering spirit energy, Dante used a new technique known as Healing Wing. With his body glowing a faint white, the black teen managed to regain some health and close some of the minor cuts. "That should give me some time."

"Dante, be careful... If you get cut by my father's zanpakuto… you will become paralyzed…"

Dante smiled. "Don't worry 'bout me. I'll get him."

Just then, a bright light illuminated the street. Dante and Nemu turned forward at the spectacle, stunned by the pillar which had engulfed Uryu. His spiritual pressure was tipping the scales and increasing by the second. "What did he do!?" Mayuri replied with shock. "What's going on!?" Just then, the pillar dispersed, revealing Uryu in a new outfit, with a long sarong covering his right leg and a short white vest on his chest. Adorning his right shoulder was a large wing-shaped appendage made entirely of spiritual energy. "His outfit had just changed! But how!? And where did all of this immense spiritual pressure come from." Just then, nearby objects nearby such as roofs and walls began to break down into spiritual particles and were being absorbed into the wing, steadily increasing his power. Mayuri was now somewhat intimidated and amazed at the same time by the display. Then a large, cocky smile grew on the scientist's face. "You have gone beyond the limit humans can handle, neophyte!" Using the added reishi, Uryu formed a new bow in his hand. Seeing this, Captain Kurotsuchi quickly leaped back, hoping to avoid the strike. The initial shot missed him, giving Mayuri some relief. However, that was before the Quincy appeared just above him. Unable to respond in time, the Soul Reaper was shot down to the ground. Upon impact, the ground started to shake as clouds of dust swept along the ground.

Dante crouched down and covered his face, shielding it from the debris that flew by as he tried to remain in one spot. "Damn! Uryu means business now!" he thought. "That speed and power is higher than mine or Ichigo's right now!" Using his shunpo, Dante stood by his comrade, an astonished expression on his face. Uryu turned to Dante, awaiting for any response. After a moment, Dante finally said with excitement, "Damn man, that shit you pulled was crazy! You's a bad-ass mo' fo'! Man, that punk-ass thought he would bounce! Then the next thing he knew, the foo' got capped! KABOOM! In that bitch's face!"

"Thank you… I think…" Uryu said, unsure of what his ally entirely said. He then turned to the smoke-filled cloud with a stern look on his face. "Beg for mercy now and I just might let you live. Provided you leave and never show yourself again. Refuse and my next arrow will deal the killing blow."

"Yeah, that's right! Cry like a bitch and go suck a dick!" Dante added.

The smoke started to clear, revealing a gravely wounded Kurotsuchi. The Quincy's attack managed to sever his left arm. Hearing the young combatants' warnings, something in Mayuri snapped. "Don't get carried away!" he shouted as he returned upright, trying to maintain his balance. It was apparent that this Soul Reaper, even with his handicap, still wanted to fight as he held his zanpakuto tightly in his right hand.

"Holy shit! This fool's still alive!" Dante replied. "Either this motherfucker T-Ray's uncle or one of the zombie rejects from Thriller!?"

"It's unnerving that a Quincy taunts me. But a fake Soul Reaper is something else."

"Fake? Who's Jigsaw over there calling fake?" the black teen replied as he stepped forward. "Bitch, don't make me go over there and pimpsmack yo' ass so hard yo' other arm pops out!"

"Shut up, you damn hoodlum!" Mayuri yelled. "If you two want to fight me like that, then I shall return the favor with equal power!" The captain started to cackle sinisterly.

"Oh shit…" Dante said to his comrade as the two readied themselves for whatever surprise the good doctor had in store. "Somethin's comin'. Brace yourself."

With Ashisogi Jizo released the enemy whispered one word: "Bankai." With Mayuri's spiritual pressure increasing and a crimson aura enveloping his body, the soul reaper's sword began to metamorphize into a large beast. Both Dante and Uryu watched in horror as the sword went into its final release. In a few moments, the a large creature towered before them. It had a large golden head shaped like a human baby's with thick front arms, and a massive silver halo above its cranium along with a red cape. Two-thirds of its body was shaped similarly to a large caterpillar. As it breathed, purple smoke started to blow from its mouth like a giant dragon. "Behold! Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo!"

"God damn! That's one long ass name for one ugly ass baby!" Dante replied. "And I thought the ones floating in tubes were creepy."

"How is this possible?" Uryu replied. "I thought zanpakuto only had one released stage."

Mayuri laughed at the Quincy's theory. "You didn't know!?" he replied. "All zanpakuto have two release states. Ashisogi Jizo was only the first stage, known as the shiki. Its second stage, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo, is the bankai. It's poison gas shall cause your painful deaths in minutes!" With its cheeks filled, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo released a stream of noxious toxins toward both targets. All Dante and Uryu could do was cover their faces in a futile attempt to shield themselves from the poison. "How pitiful. It's too bad that I won't be able to conduct any research on you two after all."

"Oh, so you wanna play some child shit? I'm game! Let's play!" After gathering spirit energy for his next action and turning his I-Pod to "Devil Within" from Tekken 5, Dante used Akumu hi Ryuujin's ability to transform into his Mare Embryo form. The nightmare dragon hovered above the Quincy and screeched at the Soul Reaper, stretching its muscular legs and wings in the air. Uryu was stunned by the sudden shapeshift. Especially since this beast was just as unattractive as the enemy's bankai.

Captain Kurotsuchi, on the other hand, only stared at the bio-engineered creature nonchalantly before giving a humorous smiling. "Do you really think that will save you!? Your transformation might boost your strength, but it is only an extension of your shiki, hoodlum. You're outclassed by someone like me, who has mastered true bankai!"

"Oh we'll see, bitch!" Dante growled.

"Attack!" Upon command, a number of sharp spikes appeared through Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo's underbelly before the creature charged forward, hoping to skewer the two opponents. With Uryu charging his next attack, Dante flew forward and fired his laser blasts at the beast. The balls of light hit the enemy dead in the face, but did not seem to stop the rampage. Once in range, Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo raised its body up, ready to stab the dragon. However, Dante quickly pulled up and went for the bankai's face. It slashed and bit at the bankai beast with all its might, leaving only a few scratches before he was shook off and sent spinning off to the side. Regaining his balance, the white dragonmare used an attack known as Hunting Scythe, firing a green blade of energy toward the foe. It slashed the foe in the side of its head, catching the grotesque insect's attention. Konjiki Ashisogi Jizo released a stream of poison in the air, but the Mare Embryo's maneuverability helped in evading the attacks before it fired another round of lasers. Seeing the dragon as a mere nuisance, the bankai beast continued advancing toward Uryu like a rampaging train.

The young Quincy managed to gathered enough spirit energy to deal the final strike and was waiting to fire. Closing in, the creature opened its mouth, ready to devour the Quincy. Then, at the last second, Uryu released his arrow, which tore right through the ghastly being's forehead and sped down the road and kicking up a cloud of dust. Still laying in her corner, Nemu turned her attention to her captain and creator with concern. "Master…?" she called with worry. Once the smokescreen subsided, Mayuri Kurotsuchi stood with speechlessly. The arrow ripped through his midsection as his blood covered parts of his head. His bankai, which was still and silent, split in two, both halves fell to the side, crushing nearby buildings as they landed.

Landing behind the tired Quincy, Dante reverted to his human form and surveyed the area. Whistling, he thought to himself, "Damn… I don't envy the chump that's got to clean this shit up…"

Glaring at Uryu with fueled hatred and evil intent, Mayuri shouted with all of his might, "Damn you, you Quincy bastard!" as he raised his sword and stabbed his broken zanpakuto straight through his neck. Dante and Uryu were shocked and flabbergasted by the suicidal attack. Coughing up blood one last time, the shinigami seemingly exploded into green slime, his remaining form melting to the ground.

"Ewww!" Dante replied. "That's just nasty!"

"That was too close, Quincy!" Mayuri's voice called out, surprising Uryu as he watched the contents seep. "One should always use their last ace when the need arises."

"I should've known better!" Uryu replied. "It's an escape tactic!" Acknowledging this, the Quincy activated his power, hoping to finish off the shinigami with another shot.

"Don't even bother trying, Quincy," Mayuri replied as his liquid state began to gather in one location. "In this state, I am unable to attack. However, that also means you cannot harm me either. In a few days, I will reconstruct my original form. So until then, I will return to my base and treat my injuries."

"Oh no you don't!" Dante said as he tried to catch up with the vagrant slime which was seeping through the cracks of a nearby building.

"As for you, mock Soul Reaper. I see that my weapons have been in service after all this time. As a scientist, it's always good to see that the products of my genius are being put to use instead of being tossed aside. Still, there are some secrets which you still have yet to understand."

"Hey, get back over here! I ain't done wit' you-!" before Dante could finish, the black teen doubled over coughing up blood.

"Farewell. Though this encounter did not turn out the way I had expected, the end result still stands. I will continue to live and you shall die." With the last of Mayuri escaping through the cracks, Uryu also knelt down and coughed blood.

"Mr. Quincy… Mr. Dante…" Nemu weakly called. "I possess the antidote… It's behind the emblem on my left arm… However I only have enough to treat one person."

Both Dante and Uryu exchanged glances. "Just one vial…" Uryu said. "You should take it. It's because of your help that I defeated Captain Kurotsuchi."

"Naw man!" Dante said with mock flattery. "You could've whooped him by yourself. I was just here for… added support. You take it."

"Are you sure?"

"Heh. I'll be cool. 'Sides, what would Ichigo say if you went down cause of a little purple gas?" Uryu could only picture the reaction the substitute soul reaper would have. Dying in such a way would have been pitiful. The Quincy nodded in agreement as the two returned their weapons to their holds and walked over to the lieutenant.

Dante helped her sit against the wall as he and Uryu knelt down to the ground. "Would you be more comfortable lying down," Uryu asked.

Nemu shook her head. "No thanks… Now please hurry." Uryu loosened the badge and took the medicine from its hiding place. It was inside a small brown bottle sealed by a cork.

"You sure you don't want some?" Dante asked. "You're not looking too good either."

"No, I'll be fine... This body of mine is made from the same substance as the captain's…"

"So that's why you're dad and daughter…"

"This poison has no effect on me… due to my composition…" Uryu glanced at medicine with some reservations in mind. "You seem to be hesitant… Do you believe it is poisoned? If you like, place some on my lips and I'll test it for you."

"No, I believe you," Uryu said. "After all, is there any reason to poison someone who is dying?"

"It would be if you were Bush," Dante quipped. Both Uryu and Nemu glanced at the black teen. Dante gave a sheepish laugh. "Sorry. Couldn't resist."

Taking one last look at the vile, the Quincy popped the cork. Before he could place the remedy to his lips, Nemu spoke once more saying, "Thank you for showing my captain mercy… If you had aimed for the head, he would surely have been killed… However, you chose to let him live."

"Don't thank me," Uryu said as he stood up. "I intended to kill him but I just missed."

"It's not all yours," Dante said. "If I had cleaved his head or go dragon sooner, he wouldn't have bugged."

Nemu looked up at the two and was rather surprised. However, she only smiled, nonetheless thankful that her captain had still survived. "Even so, I am glad that he is still alive and that antidote is still a token of my gratitude."

"You know, I don't get it," Dante said. "Here you is on the ground sliced open while your cap left you. Why do you care for that punk."

"To tell you the truth, it's hard to explain. Still, when I saw that Master Mayuri was still alive, I felt so relieved." Silence befell the three battle scarred warriors for a quick minute. "You should hurry up and drink that antidote. After my captain's release, there will be troops arriving soon."

Uryu looked at the bottle one last time before turning to Dante to see if he changed his mind. Dante smirked and bobbed his head up. Hesitantly, the Quincy drank the contents of the vial and placed the empty bottle to the ground. "Thank you for the antidote," Uryu said. "Farewell. And Dante, thank you for your assistance. I hope you get well soon and find the answers you're looking for."

"You too, Quincy Adams," Dante said. With a light nod the Quincy left the scene. "Well, there he goes." The black teen rested his head on the surface of the wall, a small sigh escaping his lips.

"Do you have any regrets?" Nemu asked. "You could have taken the antidote and saved yourself. Yet you risked your well being for your comrade."

"True, but that kid's got a future. He one of the main heroes who might save this joint. As for me? I'm here by accident. Still I got no regrets. I had some fun, got to meet some peeps, messed up a few fools, became relatively strong, and met one fine hunny." Nemu glanced at Dante with a quixotic glance. Dante noticed this and asked with a risen brow, "You okay?"

"Yes, I'll be fine. Mr. Dante, can you still move?"

"Yep. Why?"

"I believe I might have a solution… There is another antidote ready. But you must go to the Shinigami Research and Development Institute. If you procure it in time, you might be able to save yourself." Dante examined her form, noticing her curves, but mostly wondering whether he should take the soul reaper's advice. Nemu saw this and said, "I understand if you believe it is a trap and do not blame you for your unwillingness."

The black teen sighed. "Well what are we waiting for? Which way's the Institute?"

"The SRDI is located to the northeast of here," Nemu said as she pointed to the direction. "It's a large establishment at the center of this area."

"Got it." Dante returned to his feet and stretched his back. He then picked up Nemu from the ground and cradled her in his arms.

"Mr. Dante… But why?" Nemu asked in confusion. "Wouldn't it be preferable to leave me. My added weight may only slow you down."

"Don't you remember what I said when we first met? It's a little bit of chivalry. Plus you really ain't that heavy." Hearing this, Nemu couldn't help but feel rather surprised. Even though other motives were involved, no one has shown her such generosity. The lieutenant wrapped her arms tightly around Dante (who couldn't help but smile). The closeness between the two made each other blush. "Ready to get going?"

"Yes. Let's hurry." After jumping to the nearest rooftop, Dante hurried to the location as quick as he could.

Ten minutes passed and the two arrived in front of a large square arch which was the entrance to their destination. "So this is the place," Dante said. On the other side of the arch was a large tower with a few small silos and smaller buildings. Unlike the other barracks which dotted the territories of the Soul Society, this arrow seemed rather industrialized. "It looks… I don't know… a little out of place."

"I understand your reaction to this facility," Nemu responded. "The SRDI is the most technologically advanced sector in the Seireitei. We use this establishment to produce new weaponry and obtain studies."

"Great, a nerd hotspot. So, do you think you can walk?"

"Yes. I believe I have recovered my mobility. Thank you for transporting me, Mr. Dante."

"It was nothing," Dante said as he placed the lieutenant to her feet. However, before Nemu could take two steps, the young woman's legs started to buckle. "Whoa!" Dante replied as he quickly caught her before she hit the ground.

"Perhaps my injuries are more severe than I first theorized. I am sorry of burdening you."

"Hey, it's cool. But I think we should hurry before one of us drops. Permanently."

"Agreed." Carrying Nemu once again in bridal style, Dante raced past the arch and toward the tall main building of the SRDI. Opening the door, the entered the facility and found themselves in a room filled with monitors on the walls and a flight of stairs leading to the center of the room which was filled with PCs. "This is our data retrieval area. Here we use computer unit to gather and input any findings we come across which usually concerns the Soul Society."

"So how did you guys even get these computers? The rest of this place looks like something straight out of a Yojimbo movie. What's with this stuff?"

"Here in the SRDI, we wish to use any sufficient means of gathering information and advancing our combat ability. As such, members of the twelfth division take occasional trips to the living world in order to assimilate the technology found there."

"That sounds… useful…" Dante said. "Hey, do you guys get internet?"

"My quarters are on the next floor above us. You need not worry about any shinigami patrolling. These halls are usually silent at this time."

"That's good news." With destination in mind, Dante and Nemu left the computer lab and made their way to the next floor up. Once they arrived, the two encountered five creatures the size of humans. They walked on all fours and had large lizard-shaped skulls for heads. Noticing the two warriors, the ghastly beasts roared at the black teen and the lieutenant. "What the hell!? Are those hollows?"

"It appears that I forgot to mention about my father's security system."

"Security system?"

"My father created a system which utilized artificially created hollows which patrol these halls. He felt that using other shinigami would lead to errors."

"And I thought I was paranoid." Dante placed Nemu down against the wall and smirked at the monsters. "You test tube boneheads want some pimp juice? Well come and get it!" One of the hollows roared as its comrades approached. With "Get Em Up" Ice Cube and Paul Oakenfold playing in his ear, the black teen drew one of his swords and shouted "Shred with the rage of the past! Kowa ro Shii Maru!" With his red spiked katana in hand, Dante charged at the hollow group. Two of the foes leaped forward and slashed with their front claws, but Dante managed to block the strike and counter, defeating one of the hollows while throwing the other to the ground on its back. The other three hollows then rushed forward, their jaws wide open. Dante leapt behind the trio and used his used Laser Storm, striking the foes to the ground with powerful lightning bolts. He then turned his attention to Nemu's location and saw a sixth hollow dropping from the ceiling and towering over the lieutenant. Behind the black teen, one of the hollows that Dante took down earlier had returned to its feet and was about to attack. The black teen turned his sword around and stabbed the enemy through head, causing it to disappear. Making his way to his Nemu's destination, the black teen ran forward, jumped off one of the three electrified hollows, and slashed the sixth enemy in half with a downward strike as he landed. "You okay?" Dante asked.

"I'm alright, Mr. Dante," Nemu replied. "Behind you," she warned as the three enemy hollows recovered, their bodies still surging with electric current.

As the enemies tried to shack off the electricity Dante used Phantom Slashers. Five circular blades of green energy appeared around him, spinning like saws. With a stroke of his katana, the laser blades hurdled forward, cutting through the enemies masks and destroying them. The battle had finally ended and Dante sealed his weapon. "Too easy," he said as he returned the zanpakuto to its sheath.

"Impressive," Nemu said. "I have never seen such techniques before. It isn't kido, but a different type of spell casting. What do you call this unique style?"

"They're the Lagi Arts," Dante answered. "To tell you the truth, I just learn them as I go along. Thinkin' it might have to do with these swords." Just then, the black teen doubled over and started coughing up blood, his head feeling rather light while a sharp pain struck his chest.

"The poison," Nemu began. "It's starting to advance. You don't have to much time left." Dante breathed heavily as he slowly rose back to his feet. "My quarters is the third door on the right side. Let us hurry before more of my father's creations arrive."

Dante nodded in agreement. At the moment, there would be no chance he could survive another attack. In his condition, it's possible the poison would kill him before he could even strike a blow against the enemy. Lifting Nemu in his arms, Dante hurried through the hall and opened the door to Nemu's quarters.

It was a large and very clean and tidy room. On the left side was a large bed with a drawer next to its head. Sitting on it was a small lamp and a book lying right next to it. On the other side was a worktable with a few more books stacked neatly on two piles, each on opposite ends and in alphabetical order. On the other side of the room was a large wooden door which led to the bathroom. "Pretty nice digs," Dante said before he coughed.

"Thank you for your assistance, Dante. Um… I believe I have regained my mobility."

"You sure this time?" Dante asked with a flirtatious smile. "'Cause I don't mind carrying you a little while longer."

Nemu quickly turned away, her cheeks becoming red and hot. "I'll be fine, thank you. Please sit down on the bed as I retrieve the antidote."

"Aight." Turning slightly to allow Nemu's legs to touch the floor, the attractive lieutenant moved to her desk as she sifted through her desk's contents. Dante took a seat on Nemu's bed before lying his back on its purple covers. The black teen turned his head to Nemu, only to have a clear view of her behind. Noticing this, the maverick's cheeks began turning beat red and a lecherous smile grew on his face. "Damn that's one nice ass…" he thought.

"Is there something bothering you, Dante?" Nemu asked, rather unsure of the black teen's expression. "Has the toxin cause any nerve abnormalities?"

"Oh no, no! It's all good!" Dante quickly replied. "I was just… thinking about art."

"I see," Nemu said. She returned to her duty for about a moment before pulling a brown bottle from her desk. It was the antidote to cure Mayuri's toxin. "I found it," she said. Walking to the bed, she handed the bottle to Dante.

With antidote in hand, he threw his head back and chugged it down as if it were liquor. Once the container was empty, he exhaled and shivered. The antidote was starting to work its way through the warrior's symptoms. "Did anyone ever tell you this has a Kiwi aftertaste?"

"Not really."

"Anyway, thanks for the medicine, Nemu," Dante said with a smile. "I would've been a goner if it weren't for you."

"Oh, no need to thank me, Mr. Dante," she said. "It was my pleasure."

"So…" Dante became rather silent as he thought about what to say."

"Would it be acceptable if I asked you for a favor?" Nemu asked. "I have sustained some damage which include deep lacerations, as did you. Please grab the First Aid for me. It's in the bathroom under the sink." Nemu undid the front of her robe and lifted it up, making sure to cover the front portion of her body and reveal the large gash on her back.

Even with the slash, Dante couldn't help but bleed from his nose and drop his jaw. This woman sitting right in front of him with such smooth, creamy skin was just too much. He shook his head to return to reality. "Yeah, yeah! I'll, uh… I'll get it…" Dante left his seat and stood in front of the lieutenant and checked her out one more time. Walking around the bed, Dante opened the door and entered the bathroom. Looking under the sink, he found a small white box containing bandages and alcohol. With container in hand, he left the bathroom and returned to his seat. Back on the bed, Dante began cleaning up the wounds with the alcohol as he listened to "Swoop" from Afro Samurai: The Game. After a few minutes, he finished by bandaging her shoulder and abdomen. "Well, you're all patched up."

"Thank you. Now it is my turn, Mr. Dante," Nemu said as she grabbed the supplies.

"You know you don't have to call me 'Mr. Dante,'" the black teen replied. "It makes me sound like an old guy. Just stick with 'Dante', okay. That's if I can call you 'Nemu.'"

"Alright then, Dante. Now please, pull of your shirt so I can administer the treatment."

"Heh. The girl knows what she wants," Dante quipped flirtatiously. He slipped off his hooded cloak and pulled off his shirt, revealing a lean built underneath. His back was covered in scratches and shallow flesh wounds. Some have already sealed while others have yet to close. Nemu nodded to herself as she rubbed some alcohol on the wounds. "So Nemu, I got a question."

"Really?"

"Yeah. See it still bugs me, but you said that you still care about that scumbag Mayuri."

"Please, Dante. Can you not insult my captain with such vulgar language?" Nemu asked in a light tone.

"Right, I get it. But after all the things he's done, why do you stick with him?"

"To be honest, it's because I owe him. It was he who brought me into this world, and it was he who has shown me that I am of some use." As Nemu applied to one of the bruises on Dante's flesh, the black teen cringed in pain. "Oh, I'm sorry about that."

"No, it's cool. Keep going."

"Well, I feel that even with all the abuse I endure, it is the least I can do to show him how happy I am to even exist."

"Right. I get it…" Dante had some understanding of this. Of course, his rebirth at the hands of those scientists earlier on did not make him appreciative at first. At the time, he was a vengeful and angry young man who wanted nothing to do with the people who had erased his former life. Still, he felt he knew Nemu's predicament. After all, Mayuri is basically her father, as sadistic and tyrannical as he may be. "I have another question. What do you think about the stuff going on? You know, with Rukia being innocent and one of your big 13 supposedly dropped?"

"As for the convict of Squad 12 being executed, I am not really at liberty to say. True she may have broken the law by transferring her power to a human in the living world and all laws must be abided, but… I do not believe she should be killed. I believe she may have had a logical explanation. Still that is merely my opinion."

"Exactly," Dante said as Nemu now started to wrap him up. "See, I haven't been here for long, but my boy Ichigo's trying to save that chick. I think he said something about paying her back for helping to save his fam. At least, that's what I heard."

"So there was a logical reason…" With the last of the gauze wrapped, Nemu returned the remaining bandages and liquid in the medpack. "As for Captain Aizen's death, I honestly don't know what to think. Perhaps it was Gin who assassinated him. However, there are rumors that you and your fellow ryouka were also held responsible."

"Naw, we ain't got nothin' to do with that," Dante said defensively. "Ich and his friends are way too busy tryin' to bust Rukia out."

"Then what about you? Are you also assisting in her release?"

"Well… Yeah. But I've also got other plans," Dante said with a shrug. He then quickly turned to Nemu with an accusing eye. "Unless you're thinking I'm the one who cut him down?"

Nemu shook her head. "Not at all, Dante. I don't know what it is, but… I just know you aren't the culprit."

"Nemu…" The lieutenant grew a small smile at Dante, who gave a smile of his own back. "Well, thanks for the wraps, Nemu. You've done a lot."

"It was my pleasure," Nemu said with a bow. "Even though your sparing my master was a tactic error, I am still thankful nonetheless."

"Right, your master," Dante said. "Hey listen, how do I get to Sokyouku Hill from here?"

"Sokyouku Hill? It's to the west from here. Why?"

"It's… important."

"I see…"

"Again, thanks for everything, Nemu."

"You're welcome." Putting back on his clothes, Dante left the bed. Once he reached the door, the dark teen turned the knob and was ready to leave. However, he froze before he pulled the door open. "What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. Just…"

Nemu cocked her head to the side in bewilderment as Dante thought about what words to say. "I think I understand," she said, catching Dante attention. The black teen turned and noticed that she was starting to under the front of her robe. "If you wish to seduce me, then please do..."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!" Dante replied as he started shaking his arms and sweat poured from his face beet red face. Nemu had stopped halfway, exposing the top section of her breasts. "Hold on! I haven't even got you a drink yet!"

"Is it really customary to be treated to dining establishments before a sexual encounter?"

"Well, not right away," Dante said. "Not that I wouldn't want to, you know! I mean, there are some things I would do that are illegal in at least five countries that involve barbeque sauce. But not while there are children reading this and I do have my standards."

"There are children?" Nemu asked in confusion.

"Nevermind. What I wanted to ask you was if your injuries would get in the way of your fighting or movement."

"For fighting, I am not at my full strength. However, my body can recover quickly. As for movement, I believe it is possible."

Hearing this, Dante turned to face her. "Would you like to come with me?" he asked. "See, I'm thinking if the two of us teamed up, we can save Rukia and find out what supposedly killed that captain."

"Dante…" Nemu began. "If I join your party, I'll be…"

"Yeah, I know. A traitor to the Seireitei. Still, think about it. You know this whole killing off Rukia thing is screwed over and that Aizen's death is a little weird, right? Don't you think, there's a connection?" Nemu sat silently. Now that she thought about it, the site of Aizen's assassination seemed rather off. Not only that, but somehow, this prompted the execution's date to change for a closer time. What did all of this actually mean? "And here's an added bonus," Dante said, catching Nemu's attention once more. "Wouldn't you want to study someone like me or Ichigo? I mean think of all the valuable data you can gather. It would be a pretty welcomed gift for your pops all boxed up and wrapped in a bow. Just without opening up living bodies and the painfilled screams of torture." Nemu thought this over, as well. Perhaps such information about these ryouka would suit her captain well. However, Nemu's train of thought was interrupted as Dante took her hand and held it. "So, what do you think? Are you in?" he asked with a playful smile.

Nemu stood up from her bed and walked to the other side. She crouched down and reached under the furniture until she grabbed a hold of her zanpakuto. It was a long, slender katana encased in a purple hilt. "Though my swordsmanship is higher than average, I have yet to master its shiki state," the lieutenant said as she tied her sword to her waistband. "Still, my hand-to-hand combat abilities are enough to mask this handicap."

"Wait. So are you saying that-?"

"Yes, Dante. I shall lend you my services," Nemu said as she blushed. "We might be able to understand what is happening in the Seireitei."

"Sweet!" he said with excitement. "Now in the immortal words of my boy Optimus motherfuckin' Prime, 'Let's roll out!'" Opening the door to the hall, Dante and Nemu hurried out of the room. After facing a few guardian hollows and leaving the SRDI building, the two quickly ran to their destination: Sokyouku Hill. With the morning sun's glow peeking above the horizon, Dante smiled as he was about to reunite with his favorite ninja and substitute shinigami.

Author's Note 1: With Dante and Nemu soon joining with Yoruichi and Ichigo, the secret of unlocking the all powerful Bankai is looming over the horizon. Will Dante be able to learn this technique? What challenges will he need to face to actually unlock this hidden power? Read and review to find out.

Author's Note 2: Now with the inclusion of Nemu as Dante's sidekick, you are probably thinking there might be some romance. Perhaps, but then again, perhaps not. I'm not too sure. Judging from Dante's behavior and personality flaws, his relationships with woman seem like mere short flings or one night stands at the most. But what do you think? Should this become one of the few OcxNemu's stories, or maybe you think he would be better off paired with other female characters? Or more likely, should we just keep him as the ever charming, ever insane, gangsta rogue? Please give me a response on what you think.