It's a sound beating...

You two arrive at the area to test your skills. The lieutenants have also gathered to watch you two spar. He may only have one arm...but you know that you shouldn't let your guard down. "Begin when you feel--" He doesn't get to finish his sentence as you launch an attack.

He blocks with the cain and he doesn't even move. You smile. "Rend." The wave of energy crashes into him and kicks up a huge amount of dust and smoke. A bad feeling follows. You leap back and feel the bite of a blade in your shoulder.

"That was very good. You entangled me and used a powerful attack. I underestimated you, Valentine." The smoke clears and he's no longer hunched over. A very real bolt of fear courses through you as he reaches for the hilt of his Zanpakutō. 'Attack him now', your Hollow cries.

"Bankai!" The violent release of your Zanpakutō is a perfect distraction as you barrel toward him. He blocks with ease...and your hand suffers a very bad burn. The smell of seared flesh doesn't deter you. "Now...Reap him, Grimm." The blade pulses and a wave of black energy sails from it into him.

This time it's enough to send YOU flying away. You skid across the ground for a few moments before you get your feet under you and brace yourself with your hand. "Unh..." Blood spatters the ground under you. "I knew using that was a risk...but Grimm damn near killed me!"

"You risked your life for an attack to injure me? How foolish."

"Sometimes you have gamble...this time it didn't pay off."

"You gamble with the lives of your friends as well?"

"Never! My life is mine to throw away, but I won't order someone to their ****." You stand and sheathe the blade. "You've shown me just a little of how tough you are already...I like the way this is going. If I can overcome you, then my brothers will be no problem."

He actually laughed...and you get pissed. 'HE'S MAKIN' FUN OF US!', your Hollow roars into your head. Some of his spirital pressure leaks out tainting yours with a black aura. "You certainly are confident. But the reason I have been Head Captain for over twelve-hundred years is simple...I'm the strongest in the Soul-Society."

His spirital pressure bears down on you, nearly forcing you to a knee. "Everyone say's that until they fall, Old Man." You don your Hollow mask and rush him...even you're surprised when you lay open his shoulder. You move away, expecting a counter-attack.

Your coat bursts into flames at the ends and you smother it with your flash-step. "Damn...it's like a natural shield..." 'Heh...I guess we'll have to use it, Partner. I'll lend you my Cero...for now.' Raising your hand you smirk as a look of surprise crosses his usually calm face. The black orb grows in size at your finger-tips. Focusing itself you prepare to launch it. "Cero..."

The black orb barrels toward him, cracking the earth under it. There's a quick movement and it disappears. "He...blocked it. He didn't just block it...he destoryed it." You're too stunned to move as he quickly crossed the distance. "I...can't believe it..." There's a pain, white hot in your chest as he lays it open with his sword. "Damn..."

You come to a few moments after you've been cut. Captain Unohana is trying to heal your wounds...and you bat her hands away. You stand up. "Old man!" He stops in his tracks and turns to face you. "This ain't over yet!"

"You have been beaten."

"I'm still standing, Old man." Your vision swims and you sway on your feet. Shaking your head you approach.

"My Hollow...my Zanpakutō...neither of them would forgive me if I didn't die fighting. If I just gave up Grimm would take my Bankai, I wouldn't be worthy of it." Your blood spatters the ground as you near him. "Now fight me!" He turns and pushes you down with ease.

You fall straight back and hit the ground hard. "You barely have the energy to stand. You can't fight." You roll onto your stomach and crawl toward him. Grasping him by the ankle you look up at him.

"I said...fight me. Or at least finish me off...I wouldn't be worthy of their votes if I couldn't win..." He cracks you in the wrist with his Zanpakutō and you grit your teeth against the pain.

"You are persistant...but the test has been completed, so there is no need for it. You have passed..." Those words make you let go and you pass out again. This time when you come to you allow Unohana to continue healing your wounds. You can see Nel watching on in silence.

'Heh...peppy little fucker, ain't he, Grimm?' His chuckle echos in your mind. When you finally wake up you're lying in the Division Four barracks. Nel is reading quietly beside your bed. You look over at her and she notices the movement.

"You are awake. I shall fetch Captain Unohana." She stands and leaves the room, returning with the Captain. You sit up, and immediately are aware of the fact that you're naked. You stop the blanket from uncovering you fully as she examines you.

"You've made a full recovery...I'll tell the others..." While the Captain leaves you turn your attenion to Nel.

"How are you liking it here?"

"It's a nice place. There are plenty of books to read and silence. It is...peaceful." She opens her book once more and begins reading quietly. Just then you see a figure peeking into the room.

"Isane...are you going to--" She enters the room and all but tackles you in a hug. Thank god that you've healed already or that'd have opened the wound.

"I was so worried, Valentine." She looks over briefly at the reading Nel and then moves to your ear. "I thought you might have been hurt in the Human world."

"I can take care of myself, I'm a big boy after all, Isane." She blushes and nods. You hug her. "But thank you for worrying about me. I need at least ONE woman to do that."

"A-Any time, Valentine." The two of you chat for a bit before you're interupted by the arrival of Captain Kuchiki. Isane leans up and steps back from the bed.

"Good evening, Captain Frost." He approaches slowly. "How are you feeling?" The change in his attitude has you feeling...weird.

"Much better, thank you, Captain Kuchiki. And, um...feel free to call me Valentine in private. I'd like to think of you as a friend from now on." You could swear you saw a brief smile on his face.

"Well, in time I hope we can both see eye to eye." He looks down at Nel breifly, open disgust can be seen on his face. "Very well...good evening, then." With that he leaves the room and Isane sits down on the edge of the bed.

"He seems to like you, Captain." You shrug and lean back again. "Have you given any thought to who you want as a Lieutenant?"

"You mean I get to choose?"

"Of course. They aren't assigned."

"Hmm..."