Naturally...

"Why...what is your angle?"

"Angle? What're ya goin' on about, Partner? I just want your body! That's all!" You stand and spit out a mouth full of blood.

"I thought Grimm was surpressing you!"

"He was...but YOU weakened yourself! You let your guard down and now here we stand!" He laughed. "Thanks, Partner! I never woulda be able to overthrow Grimm myself!"

"Tch...haaa!" You charge forward, ducking his blade and slashing back. He leans his shoulder back to dodge it and kicks you away.

"I told you! That shit don't fly! It might work on Grimm or even a Shinigami but not me!" You stand and hold your ribs. "You'll never beat me because you don't have any killing intent! Your strikes are weak...!"

• • +

  He parry's the blade, knocking the Hollowfied Shinigami away in the process. He's completed his Hollowfication. Claws at the end of each foot and each hand. His mask has developed a mouth with jagged teeth. He fires a Cero at Ichigo who deflects it with his Zanpakuto.

  He's led him away from anything and everyone to avoid casualites and the two of them stand in a lone field. Ichigo is worn out, it's been too long without a good battle...but he's not yet begun to fight him seriously. 'Fifty six minutes', he thinks...'pull it together...'

• • +

  "Ahh-ha!" Your swords meet spinning you away from him and into a head-stone. You hold your Zanpakuto up to gaze at it. "I've had enough...all my life I've been discriminated against."

  "Huuuh? What are you blabbering on about now?"

  "As a Human...I was alone. Born half-american and half-Japanese. As a Shinigami because I've got a Hollow in my Soul. But not anymore..." Your power spikes as if you're angry, but you couldn't be more calm. Your body becomes light, as if Grimm is suppling you power. You stand and look at your opponent.

  "Not anymore..."

  "Oy, you gettin' serious now?"

  "...I'm gonna kill you..." You've crossed the distance between you and laid his chest open before he can react. He raises his blade to strike and you grasp the edge. "...This isn't your sword...it's mine..." Snapping it in two you swing again, this time nearly cleaving his arm from his body.

  He jumps back, spattering the earth with blood. You clean the blade with a swing of the sword, the wake destorying and upturning the earth. You approach him slowly, you feel...calm. No anger, no frustration...

  "What the hell?!"

  "Game..." You've crossed the distance and moved past his defenses. "...over..." You run him through, piercing his heart.

  "Huh...not bad, Partner. You've got some skills after all...some killing intent deep down." He looks back at you and grins. "But don't think you won. If you let doubt yourself for even a second I'll use that weakness to my advantage and take what I desire...!"

• • +

  Ichigo effortlessly blocks the Hollowfied Shinigami's blade, his attacks have become weaker...something is wrong. Suddenly, he seizes up. Grasping his head he cries out in fury and pain. Ichigo moves away as a huge explosion turns up some of the earth...when the smoke clears, there stands Valentine.

  He wears a mask...it has no features, only two eye holes. The young Shinigami reaches up, and removes the mask with ease. Something seems different about him...he seems more confident now. Ichigo smiles and would've congratulated him if he hadn't taken a face plant the next moment...

• • +

  Apparently...waking up in a hospital bed is your thing because you can't seem to avoid it. This time however, you're glad it's not for an getting beaten by Captain Kurosaki. You chuckle to yourself and lean up. Your muscles are a bit stiff...but you feel nothing short of amazing.

  You accomplished what you set out to do and now you can pick the Squad you want to be assigned to. Do you stay here? Maybe Captain Zaraki will take you. Or even Captain Kyōraku...he know's how to have a good time! But while the idea of a new Squad excites you, you definitely what to stay away from Twelfth Division.

  You've heard some nasty stories about Captain Kurotsuchi. They say he's a few cards short of a full deck...