Shuuhei vs. Ikkaku.
Iba vs Yumichika.
Tousen and Komamura vs. Zaraki.

In three different areas of Seireitei, three vicious battles are about to begin.

(Intro - Color page of Zaraki, Hitsugaya, Ichigo, and Renji. This is where it was first announced that Bleach would become an anime. October 5 on TV Tokyo at 6:30pm! Random note: Renji looks awesome in a sleeveless uniform.)

A sensation catches Zaraki's notice. He peers over his shoulder at the vast buildings of Seireitei as a smile stretches across his face, "...That spiritual pressure... I don't know who it is, but... but it seems like they're cutting the hell out of each other over there too..."

He turns back to give his two opponents a lopsided grin, "Ain't that nice..." Rushing forward eagerly, he yells, "It's finally turning into a real party...! Yeah!!!"

~*~*~

Flickers of light drift in the wind.

"One thousand blades that rise up from the ground. Those one thousand blades create countless more by scattering. Their numbers go far beyond what anyone can conceive," Byakuya stands with his back facing the fallen Renji. "One cannot read their movements. One cannot even escape them. Like being taken by the wind, they only turn into dust when nothing is left standing."

"You should be proud," he informs the bloodied mass on the ground, "You took the brunt of those blades, yet you were still able to retain a human shape." (1)

Renji's hand moves slightly, tightening his grasp on the remains of his sword hilt.

Byakuya pauses, "...What. You're still breathing, huh..."

Renji shifts, dragging his bloodied fist across the dirt to lift himself.

"...Don't move," Byakuya warns him. "Your life is dissipating."

The shattered bones of Renji's blade transform into energy and jump back into the hilt, returning the sword to its sealed state. Renji struggles to push himself up, "...Not yet... I can still... fight...!!" He leaps to his feet and lunges forward.

"Could you not hear me?" Byakuya turns and commands the light blades scattered in the air to merge and form long swords. "I said do not move." The light swords strike the ground - two of which pierce Renji's arm and hand. Renji screams and falls to his knees.

"I must commend you for taking my Bankai and still breathing," Byakuya steps forward and takes hold of the sword embedded in Renji's arm. He pulls it out smoothly, "However, I will not be merciful the next time you move. By my blade, all five parts of your body will be turned into dust."(2)

Renji is frozen stiff as the blade moves near his head. He tries to swallow the dry lump of fear stuck in his throat.

"...You know this as well," Byakuya says. "The Bankai has vanished. When the Bankai dissappears against one's will, it means that person's time is drawing near. Your breathing will cease soon. If you stand up, I will kill you..." Renji stares at the ground, silent.

"...I will ask you this only once," Byakuya forms several light swords around Renji's head as an obvious threat. "Are you still going to try my patience even now by saying you will save Rukia?"

I can't... breathe... Renji labors for each breath as he keeps his head bowed. It feels as if the spiritual pressure is turning me into ashes. I... can't even move a finger... It's no use... he's too far... He grimaces and grits his teeth in frustration, I knew it all along. When it's against this guy... I can't win!!

In the cave beneath the Dual Terminus, Ichigo kneels with his head bowed and his sword broken. Blood trails down his face and chest. Zangetsu stands above him, watching him struggle to get back up.

Renji's eyes open wide in surprise. Beaten to the ground, their situations are too similar to ignore.

"...Are you still going to get up?" Zangetsu asks, "...Ichigo...!"
Ichigo shows him a wide, confident smile, bearing his teeth.

Renji matches that smile with one of his own. "...Of course I will...!"

"...What?" Byakuya arches a slim eyebrow.

"I made a vow..." Ichigo starts to rise.

Renji echoes his movements as well as his words, "That I would save her no matter what..."

"...A vow... you say?" Byakuya asks. "To whom?"

"To nobody..." Renji pulls out the light blade stuck in his hand that was preventing him from using his sword. His words are matched perfectly with the memory of Ichigo's as they both move to stand. "It's just for my own..." Renji crushes the light blade. The two men scream, "SOUL!!!"

Byakuya stares in disbelief as Renji breaks the binding spell and lunges at him again with his sword raised.


(1) Meaning, usually those blades could've turned a man into a lump of ground beef. Ew.
(2) 5 parts = head, legs, and arms

Note:
-I'm assuming that the incident with Ichigo and Zangetsu is a recent memory, something that Renji witnessed while training. At first, I thought it all was happening at the same time... but it makes more sense if it's a memory. ^^;

-How does KT know these things!? o_0 A "Parthian Shaft" is also called a Parthian arrow. If I had known what that meant, I would've been able to guess how the next chapter turns out. ^^;

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