By the skin of his teeth...

"Aaahhhh!" The young Visored cries out, trading blows with his Zanpakutō, the blades ring loudly as they meet. They cast a shower of sparks upon the earth with every collision and a wave of power washes over them as they do so. Grimm clearly has the edge upon the young Visored after that last attack.

The bleeding his should shoulder is becoming quite profuse.'Was this a smart move', he questions himself, 'he could die.' He begins to move toward them, intending to break of the fight when a figure stops him. The black haired woman pushed gently against his chest.

'Let them be', she says. The young Captain is confused.

'Rukia', he quetsions, 'what if he gets killed?' She turns to gaze out at them before shaking her head.

'He won't...doesn't he remind you of someone', she questions him. 'Someone just as hard-headed', she turns to smirk at him and with a sigh he nods. No doubt she is refering to him...but he's willing to let it be. The two continue to dual, speed increasing, power rising.

This comes to an end as the Zanpakutō Spirit parry's his blade, laying open his chest. The field is silent once more and Ichigo crosses his arms across his chest. He had a feeling it would end like this. 'He wasn't ready from the beginning', he proclaims.

'Look again, Ichigo', he gazes carefully upon the two...and finds a blade jutting from the back of the Zanpakutō Spirit. 'He let himself be cut, he had to do that to win', she smiles. 'He really is your great-grandson,' she smiles at you...

• • +

  Coming to, once more in the Fourth Division barracks you immediately try to lean up, only to be stopped by Captain Unohana. "Relax, Valentine...you're going to be ok..." You look at her and nod.

  "Did I...win?" She smiles softly.

  "Rest, Valentine. We'll talk more when you're healed..." For several days you slept, waking only to be examined by Captain Unohana before going back to sleep. When you finally awaken you're surprised to find your body feels good...very good. Leaning up you look over at the corner where your Zanpakutō rests.

  It looks unchanged...apparently you lost. "Damn...I need to try harder next time."

  "Hey, Kid, you're lookin' better." You turn your gaze up toward the tall man standing in the doorway.

  "C-Captain Zaraki!" He grins at you and steps into the room.

  "I saw you the other day, you seem like a strong opponent...how about you and me go one on one, eh?" You feel the blood drain from your face at the very idea of that.

  "I...I wanna live!" You're up and outta the bed in a brief moment, darking from the Captain.

  "Hey! Get back here!" You can hear him following behind you. Your path is interupted by Captain Unohana, who seems a bit more then completely PISSED. She smiles as you.

  "What are you doing out of bed?" Suddenly fighting Zaraki seems like a better idea then arguing with Captain Unohana.

  "J-Just, um...stretching my legs, eh-heh..."

  "Please return to bed so your injuries don't reopen." Captain Zaraki finally catches up and looks from you to Unohana.

  "Maybe next time, Kid." He leaves you to your fate before an irritated Unohana, who sends you back to bed like a naughty child...

• • -

  You find standing before the same tree that Grimm perches in. "You beat...fair and square. I got careless and you stayed on your game." He lands in front of you, a slight smile playing at his lips. "You're pretty perceptive for such a young Shinigami."

  You thank him and he waves it off. "No thanks necessary. We are one and the same, so your power is my power. Your victory is my victory. Your loss...is my loss." Again you thank him. "For what? You unlocked your potental on your own...you'll be strong, Valentine...use that strength for something you believe in..."