65 Years Ago

"I've been thinking about something," Satoshi said as he walked along the corridors of the Shino Academy main hall. He was accompanied by another instructor by the name of Kimiko Hara. The two had worked together for several years in teaching the next generations of Shinigami and had a mutual respect for one another.

"Regarding Tamotsu?" Kimiko asked. She did not look at Satoshi, nor did he look at her. But both had the others' undivided attention.

"I am wondering about his reiatsu level. It seems weak and yet has not developed as other students have."

"You're suggesting that there is something more than on the surface."

"I would like your opinion, Kimiko. I am proposing something before the chief instructors to run a test on Tamotsu. To see if anything is actually unusual with him or if his reiatsu level actually is that low."

The two instructors stopped before a large doorway. They looked out at students who were practicing their forms and other new students who were trying to find their way around the campus.

"If there is something different about him," Kimiko said. "I want you to be careful. For both your sakes."

"I appreciate that." Satoshi closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "We shall find out soon enough."

"You want me to what?!" Tamotsu felt as if his heart skipped a few beats.

"I want to take you outside of the Academy for a private lesson," Satoshi said. "Perhaps you have not progressed as the others because you need special attention. Are you willing to do this with me?"

"Yeah, I guess so. But what about my other training?"

"This will take priority. Also, we shall see why your senses are inhibited. Learn to control your reiatsu and you will pass. I promise you that."

Tamotsu nodded, then stood a little taller. "Where do we begin, Sensei?"

"First off, we will need to go somewhere isolated. We should leave now, since you are unable to perform the Shunpo technique."

Satoshi began walking and Tamotsu obediently followed. He didn't know what exactly was planned for him but if he could learn to properly perform a Kido spell, any Kido spell because of it, he would follow.

Three hours passed until Satoshi finally came to a rest. Tamotsu was straggling behind, covered head to toe in sweat. In his mostly white uniform the perspiration could be easily seen. He sat down with a loud sigh and threw his head back.

"Are we there yet?" Tamotsu asked.

Looking around, then closing his eyes for a moment, Satoshi nodded. "This will do."

Tamotsu sighed again and fell to his back. He opened his eyes and watched the clouds roll by for a few seconds until he saw Satoshi standing over him. Smiling awkwardly, Tamotsu stood and stretched. "So why bring me all the way out here?"

"I would like to test something, Tamotsu. The outcome is uncertain so I wanted us to be alone. I've been wondering about your lack of ability. Its something I haven't seen before. My guess is there is something... blocking your full potential. As such you haven't been able to perform a single successful Kido spell."

"Blocking my power? Like a seal?"

"If you would permit me, I would like to find out."

"Well, sure! If it'll help me out then go for it!"

Satoshi stood Tamotsu and then closed his eyes. Expanding his senses to surround his student, he examined the reishi flow from his body. There was a bright core, but the expulsion of reiatsu was barely detectable. Closing in on a particular area, he saw what he was looking for. It was like a doorway which was tightly closed, the light escaping from the cracks in the frame.

"I can sense it," Satoshi said, placing his hand over Tamotsu's chest. "I will try to open the doorway to your power..." Concentrating fully on a spell, the doorway to Tamotsu's power began to unlock.

"I can feel it," Tamotsu said. "It feels-" Tamotsu gasped suddenly. "It hurts- Sensei- Make it stop..."

Satoshi's eyes opened. He could see Tamotsu bathed in a bright blue glow, but the power was escaping faster than his student was able to handle. He should have known. Growing up with his power suppressed to such a degree... There was no way his body would be able to handle it.

Closing his eyes and concentrating, Satoshi concentrated on closing the door but the power flowed strongly. It was like trying to close a hole in a dam. The power was trying to force its way out of his body.

"Sensei!" Tamotsu collapsed, wrapping his arms tightly around himself. Satoshi poured as much of his own energy as he could into re-locking the seal. It was difficult work, but soon Tamotsu's breathing returned to normal.

"I am sorry, Tamotsu," Satoshi said. "I had no idea it would have that effect."

"You were only trying to help, Sensei."

Satoshi expanded his awareness to look back at the doorway he had tried to re-seal. It was locked once again, but a small crack had appeared on the frame. Light and power poured through this crack, but it seemed that it was stable.

"Now, Tamotsu. Do you see that tree there?"

Tamotsu looked and saw a large tree approximately fifteen paces away. It was the same distance as the targets in the training range. "I see it."

"I would like you to try performing a Kido spell on that tree."

Tamotsu nodded and prepared his stance, lifting his hands in front of him. He would attempt Hado number Thirty-one. He had seen it used thousands of times and the glowing crimson blast of energy had a certain appeal to him. Closing his eyes, he recited the spell.

"Ye lord," he began, a ball of red energy immediately forming in front of his hands. "Mask of blood and flesh, all creation, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of man." The crimson energy began to increase in size, glowing brighter than anything Tamotsu had seen before. He continued the spell with more earnest, the ball of power continuing to increase in size as he spoke. "Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges- march to the south! Hado number Thirty-One! Shakkaho-"

The end of his spell ended in more of a yelp than a yell as the crimson energy burst forth with incredible force. It struck the tree in the center, the bark shattering as a bright explosion erupted from the core. Dirt and debris flew in all directions as a powerful shock wave knocked everything within fifty feet to the ground, Satoshi included.

The light faded and Satoshi stood coughing. He barely had time to dodge as the top of the tree fell from the sky. Smoke and smaller bits of debris floated in the air. "Tamotsu!"

No answer came. Searching for Tamotsu's reiatsu signature, he found it several yards away from where he had cast the spell. He was lying slumped in front of a tree. He wasn't moving. Satoshi hurried over and lifted Tamotsu's head, only then noticing the dark red stain on the tree bark. Touching the back of Tamotsu's head he could feel the wet blood as it slowly flowed from the wound.

The smoke cleared slowly and Satoshi could see the damage which the single Kido spell had wrought. Where the tree once stood was a crater with a twenty foot diameter. Everything else was leveled flat in an outward direction. Satoshi looked at what remained of the tree, only then realizing it had bee blown completely off the base and blown into the air before landing.

Picking up Tamotsu, he turned to look once more at the destruction. "Soul King help us..." he said. "What have I done?"

"I have good news and bad news," the silver haired medical student from the infirmary said. "He will recover, but he has suffered a mild concussion. He cannot remember any of the events for the past several hours."

"Will it be permanent?" Satoshi asked. He looked into the medical room to see Tamotsu lying in bed with a bandage wrapped around his head.

"I'm sorry, I don't know."

"Thank you, Isane Kotetsu. You came highly recommended. I shall see you later in my class."

"Thank you, Sensei," Isane said.

Satoshi entered the room and closed the door behind him. Tamotsu rolled over to his side.

"Hey, Sensei," he said. "They said it was a training accident."

Satoshi nodded. "It was quite unfortunate."

"Whoever did a Kido blast like that must be pretty powerful."

"Perhaps the most powerful student I know. Tamotsu, I have spoken with the other instructors. It has been agreed that in the best interest of your progress you and I shall have private lessons. You will not be instructed alongside the others in terms of Kido training."

"I see. Thank you, Sensei. For everything."

"My pleasure."

Present Day

The air felt cool on his face as Tamotsu sat on the hilltop overlooking Seireitei. His eyes were closed, but he could sense everything going on around him. As had become his custom, he constantly sent his senses outward as a means of expelling some of his reiatsu. He felt a presence approaching from behind, but did not move. He knew this presence well.

"It feels good to have you near, Captain Komamura," Tamotsu said.

"It always feels good to be in the presence of a friend, Captain Toshiyuki," Komamura responded.

Tamotsu smiled, opening his eyes to see the giant fur-covered form or Sajin Komamura. The two had become friends long ago during his past lifetime as a Shinigami and frequently met to discuss deep, philosophical topics. "It still feels strange to be called by that title, my friend."

"It always does, but is only proper. You have progressed far and I feel there is so much more you can accomplish."

"Only if I can control my powers. And my memories."

"It is said that with age comes great wisdom. And one can only guess the great wisdom you have attained in your several lifetimes."

"If only it were that simple. So why have you come here?"

"If you wait too long you shall be late to the Captains' meeting."

Tamotsu straightened and turned around. "I was not informed of any meeting."

"Strange. It was announced recently. Did you not receive a notification from a Jigokucho?"

"No... Well, I believe it would be best we leave."

"Are you still unable to perform Shunpo?" Tamotsu nodded. "I shall assist you if you would like."

"Thank you."

Climbing onto Komamura's back, Tamotsu held on as the large form performed several Shunpo jumps to the First Division office where the meetings were held.

The Captains of the Gotei Thirteen stood in their assigned spots based on the number of their divisions, even numbers on one side and odd numbers on the left. Although Tamotsu would have rather stood on the opposite side next to Captain Ukitake, his position placed him next to Mayuri Kurotsuchi. Although his position as Captain of the Fourteenth Division remained unofficial, Tamotsu still did his best to be part of the Thirteen Court Guard Squads.

"Tamotsu Toshiyuki," Captain Commander Yamamoto started. "I find it strange that I was not made aware of your presence in Seireitei sooner."

"I am sorry, Captain Commander," Tamotsu responded. "There was an incident and I had to come quickly."

"So I see. As point of fact, it is actually your Division in which I have called this meeting. It would seem that Captain Kurotsuchi needs your approval in order to study members of your Division."

"Mayuri wants to study the Reincarnates?"

"While that is true," Mayuri responded, "this actually comes as an order from our own Captain Commander. It would seem that lately he has been interested in studying how you are able to obtain memories of your past life. Or, as in your case, your past lives."

"Well, that doesn't make much sense," Tamotsu said. "Why do you need to know this? And when has research ever been your point of interest?"

"The reasons do not matter," Yamamoto said. "But in order for us to proceed, I must first have your consent."

"This is... sudden... Couldn't we come back to this and I can give my answer later? I'm sure there's other things that-" Tamotsu's side suddenly felt pained as a burst of energy rippled over his body.

"Toshiyuki!" Captain Hitsugaya called.

"I- I'm fine," Tamotsu answered. "I'll be fine..."

"Very well," Yamamoto said. "We shall move on to other business. As you all know, with the recent-"

The Captain Commander's words were cut off as Tamotsu's ears began ringing. He could feel another spasm of energy approaching. There was nothing else to do but try releasing some of it. It was not the wisest of things to do, he knew that, but he couldn't think of anything else.

Tamotsu doubled over as his body began to glow bright blue, then faded once again. Another ripple of blue energy raced over him. The energy was coming too quickly for him to call off and soon all eyes were on him.

"Captain Toshiyuki," Yamamoto said. "What is the meaning of this? Are you not well?"

"No..." Tamotsu said, slowly lifting his head.

"No you are not well? Answer your Commander."

"No- You are not my Commander!"

Either from shock at his comment or the blast of energy that followed, none of the Captains could stop Tamotsu as he exploded into a torrent of energy and leapt toward Yamamoto. There was a crash and a crack of a whip, then the remaining twelve Captains stared at a large hole in the wall. Tamotsu and Yamamoto were gone.

"Traitor!" Tamotsu let loose his whip, cracking it and causing shock waves to go out in all directions.

"Watch your tongue, boy!" Yamamoto cried out, using Shunpo to dodge the attacks. "Do you have any idea what you are doing?"

Tamotsu responded by igniting his whip zanpakuto into a torrent of flames and sent a wave of yellow fire toward Yamamoto's direction.

"What's going on?" Rangiku asked as she looked up to the sky. Shuhei Hisagi came running next to her side. "Shuhei, what's happening up there?"

Hisagi shielded his eyes with his hand, looking at the bursts of energy in the sky. "That's Tamotsu!" he cried out. "And he's fighting- Captain Commander!"

Tamotsu spun around in a circle, throwing another torrent of flames at Yamamoto's position. When Yamamoto dodged, he fired several low level Kido spells after the man.

"You are a fool to challenge me, boy!" Yamamoto cried. "And an even bigger fool to do it in my own city!"

"This is not your city and you know it!" Tamotsu declared.

"Enough of this madness." Yamamoto placed his hand on top of his walking staff, which dissolved and revealed his zanpakuto. "Reduce all creation to ash- Ryujin Jakka!" A torrent of flames several times larger that Tamotsu's raced out from the length of the blade and engulfed the entire area into a burning inferno.

For a long moment the flames lit the area, but were disrupted with a burst of blue energy from Tamotsu's position. He emerged from the fire, his entire essence glowing bright blue and his eyes burning intensely. In his right hand, along with his zanpakuto, he held one of the restraining bracers for containing his power.

"Your Shikai has no power over me," Tamotsu said, his voice reverberating slightly. Tamotsu lashed out again, the energy release tripled as to what it was before. Different than regular reiatsu release Tamotsu's Hyper-mode, as it had become known as, greatly increased both speed and strength and also allowed him to sense and perceive the world using reishi itself. As such, he could now know exactly where someone would appear at the end of a Shunpo step.

Yamamoto gave ground as Tamotsu advanced, his whip moving wildly as he worked to find an open spot. With no reservation, he gave his all in his offensive assault. With one particularly strong crack of his whip, Tamotsu was able to cause a mid-air explosion. When the smoke cleared, Yamamoto was gone.

Rangiku ran as fast as she could, jumping into the air. She was interrupted only once in her flight to where the battle was taking place. Jumping up into the air, she stopped just below and to the rear of Tamotsu.

"Stop this!" she cried out. "You need to stop this madness!"

"Stay out of this!" Tamotsu responded. "Don't get involved here!"

"No, I won't let you do this!" Rangiku jumped up and grabbed Tamotsu's arm. "Captain Toshiyui, you have to stop!"

Grabbing Rangiku's arm, the world seemed to slow down. Firing up into Hyper Mode once again, Tamotsu spun around. In his free hand was a ball of crimson energy, to which he thrust point blank into Rangiku's chest.

Rangiku opened her eyes slowly. She was on the ground, lying on her back. She couldn't remember what happened. The last thing she knew was someone stopping her and asking her not to intervene with the battle. But looking down, she felt a sharp burning pain. She gasped as she saw the open wound on her chest, the flesh around the edges scorched. Through a combination of pain and shock, she passed out.

Tamotsu felt a spike of reiatsu behind him, turning just in time to block a giant ice dragon. There was an explosion of ice shards and mist as the intense heat of his own zanpakuto hit the extreme cold of the ice dragon.

"Toshiyuki!" the call came. It was Hitsugaya, the ice wings on his back showing that he was in his Bankai form. Blades clashed and mist erupted from the contact points of the two combatants. "Toshiyuki, you are not well! Stop this at once!"

"Stay out of this!" Tamotsu cried as he blocked several more of Hitsugaya's strikes.

"Toshiyuki, have you gone mad? You attacked your Commander! You attacked your sister!"

"LIAR!"

Another stream of ice formed from Hitsugaya's blade and was thrown across the air only to be broken up once again by Tamotsu's blast of fire. Ice and loose flames rained down on the city, all eyes on the battle but none willing to intervene. Clouds of steam erupted as the opposing zanpakuto elements collided.

With one of the strikes, Tamotsu charged up energy in is free hand. When Hitsugaya's blade moved aside, Tamotsu thrust his hand forward and several bolts of blue lightning erupted from the tips of his fingers. Although several of the bolts missed their intended target, two of them struck home and sent Hitsugaya back.

What was that? Hitsugaya asked silently once he regained his positioning. A modified Kido spell?

"You're as blind as the rest of them!" Tamotsu screamed.

"I didn't want it to end this way. You were my friend, but I will do what I must. Sennen Hyoro!" Several large pillars of ice shot up and surrounded Tamotsu, beginning to close in on him. "I am sorry, Toshiyuki-"

A sudden increase of energy was felt and Hitsugaya looked at his ice prison to see it was glowing fiercely from the inside. With a scream, Tamotsu shattered the walls of ice using the force of his reiatsu. Hitsugaya was thrown back by the force of the wave of energy suddenly being released from a confined area. When he opened his eyes once again he could see Tamotsu standing and appeared to be engulfed in blue fire. In his free hand was the second bracer meant to suppress his power.

Tamotsu cried out again and it seemed as if the whole of Seireitei shook. Having to brace himself against another blast of energy, Hitsugaya's eyes went wide as he saw Tamotsu escaping through a Gargantua.

"Toshiyuki..." Hitsugaya said, his hand shaking as he tried to comprehend what he had just witnessed. "What have you become?"

Notes from the Author

Okay, now things have gotten rolling and a very dark twist in the story. I know it was a lot take in, but I couldn't hold off what was going to happen forever.