Disclaimer: I do not own Bleach, its characters or any of the characters that are going to appear unless stated otherwise.

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Author's Note: There's going to be some back story for Dario and Rita this chapter, along with the some details on the Captain's Trial.

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-----Seireitei, Underground Training Area-----

Large, rocky, and full of space: this underground training area was used by the duo Urahara Kitsuke and Yoruichi Shihoin when they were much younger. Now, it is being used by the Gotei 13 as a special training ground to conduct the Captain's Trial for three candidates, among them Shuhei Hisagi. Shuhei just stood around in awe, surprised to see such a large space stay hidden for so long. "So, this is where the test will take place."

"Yes," said Yoruichi, who is chosen to oversee the Captain's Trial. "Along with the other candidates, you'll be tested to see if you can achieve Bankai in the next few days."

"So," asked Shuhei, "When will I meet the other candidates?"

"They'll be training in separate areas. Thankfully, this place is large enough to house all three trials at the same time," answered Yoruichi. She then revealed a familiar item to Shuhei, hidden from sight behind a large boulder. "This," she started to explain, "is a Tenshinitai. Just stab it with your Zanpakuto and your test shall begin. Are you ready, Shuhei Hisagi?"

Shuhei looked at his sheathed sword and remembered his former captain's words:

"Those who do not know fear are not fit for battle."

Finally unsheathing his sword, Shuhei said, "Alright then. I'm ready."

-----Karakura Town, Main Plaza-----

In the heart of Karakura Town, various shops and stores are set up to provide the needs (and wants) of the citizens. Outside a coffee shop, the Thanatos Agent Dario is relaxing, due to it being the weekend with his cover as a transfer teacher. He casually dressed in a white t-shirt, jeans, and brown shoes. He still sported his red sunglasses, but allowed his hair to spike up in the back. He's sitting down t a table, reading a newspaper and drinking a cup of coffee. Eventually, he was called upon by a familiar voice. "Dario?" Looking past the newspaper, Dario saw his cousin, Chad, standing in front of the table. Like Dario, Chad was also in casual wear, sporting a pink t-shirt, brown pants and shoes.

"Sado," said Dario. "I take it you want to ask some questions?"

"And you're saying you can answer them, right?"

Folding his newspaper down, Dario said, "We're family, Sado. I've got nothing to hide from you." Chad then pulled up the seat across from Dario, sitting across from his cousin. "So, how are your other friends, Sado?"

"They're fine, Dario. Ichigo is helping his family at their clinic today. Orihime is with another friend of ours, Tatsuki."

"Yea, she's in our class…What about Uryu?"

"His dad wants his help at the hospital, too."

"…and Rukia?"

Pausing to think for a moment, Chad answered, "…She lives with Ichigo, so I think helping him as well."

-----Karakura Town, Downtown-----

Chad was further from the truth then he realized. It seemed that Rukia was doing some questioning as well, having tracked down Rita to the local gym. Inside, Rita was already doing her routine exercises. She sported a green and yellow tanktop and shorts, along with white running shoes. Rukia was just in her blue dress and black shoes, keeping her distance from Rita as she was exercising. Staring in awe, Rukia just said, "Wow."

Confused, Rita said, "What?"

"I mean…I just haven't seen anything like you before."

"What? A fitness model?"

"Well…"

Laughing a bit, Rita said, "Don't worry. It's all right to feel a bit nervous. Heck, when I was younger, I swore I thought I was scared of my own shadow."

"Guess you've changed a lot since then."

"Considering I was the youngest girl in my family, it was only natural. I was always intimidated by people bigger than me: my teachers, my two brothers, my dad."

Interested, Rukia asked, "When did all that change?"

"Back in college, during my junior year, a friend of mine got a real jerk for a boyfriend. A bully, basically. Since I couldn't stand up for myself, I decided to stand up for my friend. The summer before seniorr year, I started to train. Lifting weight, running miles, taking martial arts, you name it. When junior year started, the boyfriend stood well away from my friend, even when I wasn't around. She was happy and so was I."

Sensing something else, Rukia said, "But…"

Sighing a bit, Rita answered, "One day, he jumped me and my friend one day. It seemed like he gotten a few friends of his to try and 'coerce' me to leave my friend alone. Even brought a shotgun to try to change my mind."

"How'd you reply?"

Smiling Rita said, "I snapped it in two."

"You're kidding."

"Nope. When I did, the gang just fled, terrified of what I may do to them. It wasn't till a few days later that Thanatos found out about me and offered me a position. I accepted."

"So, what if you possessed the courage you have now back when you were younger. Would it change much?"

Smiling again, Rita stated, "No."

-----Karakura Town, Shopping District-----

Several blocks away, Orihime Inoue and her friend, Tatsuki Arisawa, were finished shopping from the supermarket. Orihime wore a purple t-shirt, yellow skirt and shoes, while Tatsuki wore a black shirt, white jacket, green pants and black shoes. "Thanks again, Tatsuki. I usually don't have someone going shopping with me."

"Well," said Tatsuki, "I'd figure you could try out something different. Maybe some regular old ramen noodles?"

"Why just that? Add some wasabi, some eel, maybe even cheese-"

"Please," said Tatsuki, "Try not to make anything upsetting to the stomach."

Somewhat disappointed, Orihime said, "Alright. Maybe another time."

Sighing with relief, Tatsuki then asked, "Ya know, I haven't seen much of you recently. What gives?"

"Uh…" Orihime remembered how she and Ichigo, along with Chad, Uryu, and Rukia, were busy against Aizen and recently, the Thanatos Initiative. Wanting to protect Tatsuki from that like she was protected from the bullies, Orihime said, "Nothing really special."

"Uh. Fine." Tatsuki thought back when she saw the Arrancar Yammy try to suck her soul out, how Chad and Orihime tried to protect her, and when Ichigo, Chad, and Uryu went off to rescue Orihime. Knowing that Orihime wants to protect Tatsuki from that, she decided to play along. "Come on. We'll cut through park to get home faster.

"Alright." Tatsuki and Orihime walked through the nearby park, passing a group of kids playing with a ball. Unfortunately, the ball was tossed out into the street by accident. One kid shouted he'd get it, with Tatsuki and Orihime watching as they passed by.

-----Karakura Town, Main Plaza-----

"So," Chad asked, "How'd you get your powers?"

Scratching his head, Dario said, "It's complicated. Before, all I could do was see spirits. Even then it was a long time ago. On the day Grandfather Oscar died, he came to me at night. He asked me to keep a promise. He said: Look after Sado. Back then I barely knew you, though I did know you left for Japan not much later."

Curious, Chad asked, "Why didn't you follow me?"

"Well," Dairo casually said, "I wasn't exactly rolling in the greens around that time. Eventually, I graduated from college as a lawyer and worked in Mexico City. It was a good job: nice pay, well-kept apartment and I got to deal out some justice against some troublemakers. Unfortunately, it turned pretty quickly. A week after I helped put away a leader of a small gang, they set the building I worked in on fire. I helped rescue a few people, but falling debris knocked me unconscious. I awoke two days later in a hospital. Then bad turned to worst."

"Your powers manifested?"

Pointing to his glasses, Dario said, "When I opened my eyes, I blasted 3 floors in front of me straight out of the building. The good news was that nobody was hurt. The bad news…I can't control it. Not too long after, Commander Sanders himself came and offered a chance to control my powers. I accepted."

Somewhat confused, Chad asked, "How do the glasses-"

"Specially made gemstone, designed to absorb the blasts without breaking. That's how I can still see." Taking a sip from his coffee, Dario asked, "Anything else."

Chad shook his head, saying, "No, but its interesting. My power manifested when it came to save someone, too. I still don't know how I got them."

"Well, we figured out how humans can manifest these powers. It involves a build-up of spirit power inside the individual. Then, in two ways, the powers then show themselves."

"So, how do they come out?"

"The first one is uncommon, mainly the powers just come during adolescence or childhood." Dario then started to drink from his coffee cup.

"And the second?"

After a drink, Dario said, "Extreme emotional stress."

CRASH!