"Captain Kuchiki, Captain Zaraki" started Yamamoto.

The two men ventured to let one eye sharply turn towards their Head Captain, neither man daring to let the other out of their sight. "Yes Head Captain" they both replied simultaneously.

"Your fated duel, to settle the differences between yourselves, shall now…."

A pregnant silence filled the air, as the sound of the howling wind echoed throughout the mountain ranges and beyond. Waving trees and fluttering shrubs moving in sync with the gasp of the gust that befell them.

"Commence!"

As soon as the final commandment left the Head Captain Yamamoto's mouth, swords unsheathed as the two warriors sprung towards each other at full speed, not planning to waste even another second waiting to cut each other into bloody ribbons and everything related. As their respective blades crashed into each other, glaring at each other with the fierceness of prowling lions, they uttered to each other parting words before the real battle commences.

"Troublesome times will fall to the Kuchiki house, when their strongest head falls to the mighty Kenpachi" said Zaraki with a toothy grin.

"You talk as if you've already won, I shall crush your arrogance and the Kenpachi name under the heel of my foot" growled Byakuya, the stoic mask slipping as he slowly descends into the ecstasy of battle.

As Byakuya flash steps out of sight and Kenpachi jumps backwards, they find no peace as Byakuya appears above Kenpachi and swings his sword downwards. Kenpachi parries with a smile, the ground beneath him shattering, and the force of the blow leaving Kenpachi in a small crater. Just before Kenpachi slices at him with a counterattack, Byakuya disappears again, this time appearing just behind him.

'This flash step again, I remember Renji telling me it was his favourite one time' mused Kenpachi.

Kenpachi blocks the imminent blade aiming straight for the convex of his back, and counterattacks, leaving Byakuya on the defensive. Byakuya parries strike after strike, making sure that Kenpachi's rugged excuse for a blade does not cut him in the process, or he will never hear the end of it from his annoying opponent.

As Kenpachi thrusts forward in a piercing move, Byakuya takes advantage of this, parries the blade and glides it across the rugged steel of the 11th Captain's Zanpackuto. He finishes his strike with a small scrap to the Kenpachi's shoulders, piercing through his captain's coat and drawing the smallest flicker of blood.

To this, Kenpachi's grin grows so large it looks to that of a shark, he flexes the damaged shoulder, and launches off to face Byakuya again.

Forcing Byakuya onto the defensive once more, Kenpachi takes no time in swinging his most powerful strikes, even though they are missing the target by quite a bit. His clumsy strikes however stop Byakuya from flash stepping to the sides to surprise him. the strategy works and then it doesn't. a strange tactic, but Kenpachi isn't really thinking at the moment. He just wants to swing his sword and hopefully nick (or accidently behead) his opponent.

This is what goes through Byakuya's head as he takes no time to dodge the Kenpachi's attacks and counterattack respectively. As an opening once again shows it face, Byakuya takes it, using his strength to throw off Kenpachi's balance, and go straight for the chest. Just before it reaches its intended mark, a grim, large hand, now covered in its own blood, grips his blade with a vice grip, leaving Byakuya and Kenpachi in a state of stalement.

"Nice job there Kuchiki, first the Shoulder and then going for the chest, these are small wounds but are no less wounds, and to think I haven't even hit you yet".

Byakuya doesn't reply, or even make any indication he is listening. He simply glares into the eyes of his opponent, no doubt waiting for his monologue to finally stop.

"But here, I could cut off your head with a single strike, and this battle would be over. Good moves Kuchiki, but they are risky".

"And who are you to lecture me, Kenpachi?! You've no idea of the situation you are getting yourself into".

"Oh Really? Then enlighten me Kuchiki, tell this great plan of yours, because from my point of view it doesn't look like its-"

"Scatter, Senbonzakura".

As the words left like a whisper from the Sixth Captains mouth, Kenpachi's eyes widened for a fraction of a second, then reacted as any man would. He let go of the blade before Senbonzakura ripped it apart, and jump back a fair distance. As the petals of sharpened steel settled around a circle around Byakuya, proving itself to be a valuable defence and offense, covering all angles from which the Kenpachi to attack.

'Now, Kuchiki was gone Shikai, which means I'm facing an uphill battle until I take off the eye patch, which then he will go Bankai. Plus, there's a good chance he will use Kido in both Shikai and Bankai, and perhaps in between. But at the very least I won't expect to flash step anywhere, because that would limit the usefulness of his Shikai's defence' deducted Kenpachi. Say what you want about the Ruthless captain of 11th Captain, but he is a shrewd tactician when it comes to his Opponents Abilities.

As Kenpachi was musing, Byakuya stood in the same spot thinking along the same lines. At the moment he was safe, but as soon as that eye-patch comes off Byakuya knows that Bankai will be needed to combat him. He briefly considered using Senkei, before rejecting that idea, as he reminded himself that killing your opponent is not viable in this scenario.

As the two then decided now was the time to strike, both were blissfully unaware that another presence was watching them, a presence that to some would be very unwelcome.

Meanwhile…

Captain Soi Fon and Flash Step Goddess Yoruichi made their spot amidst the murky green hills of the backdrop of the battle ensuing. As they continued to watch the chaos unfold Yoruichi came to lament just how far Byakuya-boy had come since she left.

"Look at him go, fighting Kenpachi's and everything. My little Byakuya-boy is growing up" said Yoruichi condescendingly.

"It's to be expected, Captain Kuchiki is a very capable man and treats his duties as captain seriously" intoned Soi Fon.

"It's okay for you to say that Soi Fon, but remember I knew him back when he was a kid. He was nothing like he is now, I wonder what changed him".

"If I may Yoruichi, I believe what changed him was the death of his wife".

"…..Oh…that"

An awkward quietness silenced all perceptions of sound and its derivatives, except the sound of the Crashing steel and the occasional explosion, as the result of either a Hado spell or an Energy Wave. As Soi Fon set up the camera, Yoruichi pondered on just how the little Byakuya that she trained a 100 years ago, the bratty, hot-headed Kuchiki Head-to-be, whom had only concerned himself with surpassing Yoruichi herself, had turned into a stoic widower, with cares only for his Captains duties, his sister and recently the spitting image of what he was when he was younger, Renji Abarai.

"Hey! Are you done with the Pictures yet?! I wanna see pictures of Kenny and Byakushi!" said a painfully obnoxious voice, as the hellion herself made her presence known.

It was at moment, that both Byakuya and Kenpachi stopped in their tracks, momentarily confused, and sneaked a looked at the countryside.

'My Yachiru senses are tingling' they both thought. After looking for a little longer, they were brought back to reality when the Head Captain gave an annoyed grunt. They shrugged their shoulders and continued their bout.

"Lieutenant Yachiru, don't be so loud! We nearly got caught!" half whispered, half yelled Soi Fon.

"It's okay Soi Fon, we got lucky this time. Yachiru, please calm down a little, and you'll get your pictures" said Yoruichi.

"Ok!" said Yachiru loudly, before clamping her mouth shut with her hand, if perhaps to atone for her obvious mistake.

"Right, now Soi Fon, how's the camera coming along?"

"Nearly done Yoruichi, I just have to do this and….done!"

"Perfect, now get to picture taking!"

"Yes Ma'am!"

Some Time Later…

"Alright, we have got 23 good shots so far out of 30. Soi Fon, how come you've never told me how good of a camerawoman you are?"

"It's a job I took up at the Shinigami Women's Association, in order to keep its profits above its costs. Most of their photography comes from me or Lieutenant Matsumoto".

"So, it's not a hobby?"

"No….not at all"

"I sense hesitation".

"I sense Kenny's going all out!"

"What!? To the Camera!" yelped Soi Fon.

"Imagine that as a poster…" said Yoruichi nonchalantly

"I know, I know".

"GO KENNY!"

Meanwhile…

As the great and wise Yachiru had predicted, the Kenpachi of Zaraki had indeed gone all out. He clutched his discarded eye-patch and threw it behind him. Neither warrior was in peak condition, both sport rather grotesque injuries. Kenpachi heralded large gashing wounds to both his shoulders, a slice across chin, bleeding profusely, whilst Byakuya sustained small head wounds, destroying his Kenseikan once again, there were also some small wounds across his pale arms and finally one large gash across his chest, his newest addition. It was gathered at some point both captains removed their captains' coats at the behest of their head captain, and now found their black shinigami uniforms missing completely, or to put it more simply, shirtless.

"It's a good thing we orchestrated this battle far from the Seireitei, given how things are progressing" said Captain Unohana.

"I take it you mean something else other than the impeding destruction sure to happen if I allowed such a thing".

"Indeed. I am aware that Seireitei holds both captains in high regard, and I feel in their current state both combatant and witness will find themselves distracted".

"Not singling one particular group at all, are you Captain Unohana?"

"Not everyone in the Soul Society is heterosexual Head Captain".

Before the Head Captain, in all of his wisdom could question just how Captain Unohana came about this knowledge, he heard bickering echoing from the battlefield, so before he returned his attention to what is in front of him, he merely assumed that the Squad 4 Captain was a doctor and therefore knew a great deal of information.

"Byakuya Kuchiki! From here on out I fight with no restraints, release your Bankai now!" Screamed Kenpachi.

"I do not recall taking orders from you!" barked back Byakuya.

"KUCHIKI, BANKAI, NOW!" repeated Kenpachi.

"Hado 33, Sokatsui"

A brilliant bright light flashed at Byakuya's finger tips, then exploded into a massive surge of energy head straight for Kenpachi, whilst the man himself brought his sword down, sending forth an even larger wave of energy to meet the Hado spell. They crashed at velocities unforeseeable by the human eye, and upon crashing the forces dispersed a thick smoke everywhere, drenching the battlefield in an impenetrable black fog.

Stricken with a renewed passion for war, Kenpachi jumped into the black cloud, to find his most invigorating opponent. He looked left and right, looking for the shadow of the noble combatant who consistently refuses him what he wants, even amongst the midst of combat.

"Oh Kuchiki, where are you?" said, or rather sang Kenpachi, his tonality and pitch wavering in a mockery of song.

Silence returned his call, and Kenpachi decided that name calling was in order. He couldn't have Byakuya Kuchiki regain his composure, how long would it be until he sees it again?

"Oi, Princess! Talk to me here!"

More silence, you could cut it with the prick of a knife.

"Come on out and fight me you lousy, prissy, useless, effeminate, stingy marionette of a warrior!"

"Oi, Bish-"

"I'm standing where I was before, you brainless buffoon" a voice returned.

The smoke loosened its hold, and the silhouette of Byakuya Kuchiki stood before him, and as he had indicated beforehand he was standing in the same place he was when he cast the Kido spell.

"Oh hey, I thought you would have jumped into the smoke like I did".

"That's just asking for trouble, have you not thought or mind for strategy?"

"Not in this fight, I just wanna slice and dice, get my drift?"

The smoke dissipated clearly, and as soon as it did, Byakuya glared at him, clear disapproval evident on his face.

"No".

Meanwhile, back at camp Women's Association…

As Yachiru left with the camera to get closer pictures at different angels (a different camera mind you, Soi Fon liked her camera how it is) Yoruichi and Soi Fon simply resigning to watch the duel unfold.

"Yoruichi, who do you think will win?"

"If Byakuya keeps showing off and not releasing his Bankai, Kenpachi will win, simple as that. If Byakuya does release Bankai, and we will see, what do you think Soi Fon?"

"Personally, I always thought Kenpachi was one of the weaker captains, but here he is proving me wrong".

"Why did you think that?" asked Yoruichi.

"He doesn't have a Shikai or Bankai, he doesn't flash step or even use kido. The most formal training he had received was one day of Kendo training and then stopped".

"Fair point, but for what he lacks in formal training, he makes up for in raw power and skill" reminded Yoruichi.

"As we can see at the moment, I still think Byakuya will win" finalised Soi Fon, if perhaps being a little biased towards the Sixth. After all, he has trained under Yoruichi. if he is worth his salt, he had better win, otherwise it tarnishes Yoruichi's good reputation (in her mind at least).

"I never said he couldn't Soi Fon".

"I still can't believe that Byakuya-boy has changed so much though".

"What do you mean?"

"Did you know what he used to call me? Demon-cat, sometimes Were-cat"

"…he what?"

"How rude he was back then, although it was kind of justifiable I suppose. But come on, Demon-cat!"

"…"

"Soi Fon?"

"Sting all enemies to death, Suzumebachi!" muttered Soi Fon, as her arm outstretched, revealing her released Zanpackuto.

"Soi Fon? What are you-"

And like that, she was gone. Soon afterward, after realising what she had just done, Yoruichi pursued her.

"No I don't, you uncouth plebeian. Can you not recognize that we are two completely different types of people?" said Byakuya, pointing his blade towards Kenpachi.

"Ahuh, is that right? So it's just me who enjoys fighting for the sake of it?" asked Kenpachi, pointing his ragged blade towards Byakuya, mirroring his actions.

"Indeed"

Their conversation interrupted itself as the wo warring fighters noticed a somewhat familiar Reiatsu coming towards them. Kenpachi saw it first, and at first glance he was quite confused seeing Soi Fon here in the outskirts of Southern Rukon, but as soon as he saw Suzumebachi he connected the pieces together.

"Hey! What do you think you are doing?" bellowed Kenpachi, as he watched Soi Fon make a beeline (no pun intended) for Byakuya. Soi Fon went forth to stab Byakuya in his naked chest, but the blade of Senbonzakura stood in its way.

"What is going on here?" asked Byakuya, more annoyed than anything. "Explain Yourself".

"You will pay for what you said to Yoruichi! You do not deserve the title of her Student!"

"I have no recollection of what you are talking about, but if it's two against one I cannot help but protest".

"Don't worry about it Kuchiki" said Kenpachi as he walked towards then both.

He clasped a hand on So Fon's shoulder, and with this powerful arm he threw her behind him. "Kuchiki's mine you hear me? You wanna kill him? you gotta go through me to do it!" he said, as his Golden Reiatsu exploded around him. Byakuya took the opportunity to flash step further backwards, and come up with a strategy to this conundrum.

Before Soi Fon could respond, she was tackled by Yachiru, whom despite herself looked quite pissed. Yachiru's appearance was followed seconds later by Yoruichi, whom grabbed Soi Fon and left with both Yachiru and Soi Fon with her.

Another silence passed, as all members, witness or combatant they were justifiably confused. A brief moment or two passed before Kenpachi turned around to face Byakuya.

"So, Hehe… where were we?"

"….we were fighting".

"Right then, thanks. Now show your Bankai!"

"No"

"Aw come on!"

Meanwhile…

After flash stepping past countless peaks of dusty mountain ranges, Yoruichi found herself a suitable location to scold her former subordinate for her reckless actions. In any other circumstance, she may have a good laugh and given her a pat on the back, but considering she was messing with official business, a fight approved of by the Head Captain, and also given the two fighters themselves. Soi Fon could have very well died back there.

After pointing the two females down, Yoruichi pulled out a bag of vicious looking candy and told Yachiru to bugger off back to the Seireitei, which she obliged mercifully. She then looked that Soi Fon with a powerful look, the kind of look mother give to their disrespectful daughters.

"Soi Fon, what was that exactly?"

"I was defending your name! Yoruichi I must-"

"Soi Fon, stop. We have been over this; you do not need to protect my reputation or anything like that. Remember how tarnished it became when I left Soul Society?"

"That doesn't excuse besmirching you Yoruichi! He deserved it!"

"Soi Fon, back when I was training him, I pushed all of his buttons, I made his life a partially living hell, I'm sure a little name calling was not that bad. Besides, it could have been worse".

"So what, it's training! What did he expect? It's not like you were invading his personal space the moment you meet!"

"…yeah, about that"

"Y-Yoruichi"

"Boobs to the face, every time"

Silence, stunned, Soi Fon couldn't even formulate words. Perhaps she was beginning to understand…

"I suppose you could say that's sexual harassment…"

More silence, could it be? Can Soi Fon break free from her obsession?

Well, depends on who you ask" added Yoruichi, a cheeky, cheesy smile on her face.

"It's still unwarranted" finalised Soi Fon

Damn, so close.

"You don't care do you?" asked Yoruichi.

"I can't say I'm too surprised"

"What are you saying?"

"Y-Yoruichi!"

Meanwhile, back to the plot

Kenpachi was getting pretty annoyed at this point, almost.

Byakuya had of course regained his composure and was for lack of a better word, trolling him. Instead of fighting like he was before, taking his strikes blade for blade, he was fighting him using hit and run tactics, or more precisely, hit and flash step tactics. A cowardly move to anyone else, but Byakuya was really just messing with him at this point.

He wasn't taking him seriously anymore, like he did in Hueco Mundo.

And this seriously pissed him off.

Kenpachi placed both hands on his ruined Zanpackuto and struck down upon the ground, creating a massive surge of energy heading straight for where Byakuya was now standing. Byakuya himself, made no effort to move, letting the energy surge blast straight for him.

"Bakudo Number 81: Danku" he uttered, just before the colossal force hit him. Kenpachi's kendo technique crashed against the Bakudo spell, proving it to be of little use against a Bakudo which shuns Hado up to 89.

This pissed off Kenpachi even more.

"Come on Kuchiki, what happened to that poise and fire you had at the start of this fight? You had a passion for fighting at the start, where did it go?"

"It disappeared (Along with my respect for the 2nd Division Captain it seems); I am now fighting now anyway. Where is the difference?

"There's plenty of difference, first you attacked with the intent to kill, and now you fight with distance aloofness, like I'm not good enough for you or something".

Byakuya ignored how he sounds like a whining boyfriend and replies with:

"You talk as if I enjoy fighting. I'll have you know Squad 11 Captain, that I treat combat as an inconceivably important duty to the Soul Society and its inhabitants" countered Byakuya.

"I know for a fact that you didn't always think this way Kuchiki"

"You know nothing of my mannerisms".

"It's a real shame; I guess marriage makes you soft after all".

Byakuya's eyes widened for a fraction of a second, and then returned to normal. He wouldn't dare….would he?

"What are you insinuating?" he asked monotonously

"I'm insinuating that your marriage to…what's her name? Rukia's late sister? Hisana, that's it. It made you soft, Kuchiki, softer than cotton".

"Stop this nonsense" uttered Byakuya.

"Why should i? It's because I'm right isn't it? Should I perhaps go fetch the girl's sister right n…"

"Stop!" said Byakuya, a little more forcefully than he intended.

"Why did you adopt the girl anyway? Oh I know, it's because you want a replac-"

Kenpachi was interrupted by the sheer density of Reiatsu emitting from Byakuya, a choking amount that stretched towards the mountains and beyond, inflicting all within them. Byakuya, in all of his majestic aristocracy, was now anything but; death glares in full force, teeth grinding at the stems, his face creasing in righteous anger. Even Kenpachi had to admit he never expected this.

But he didn't know the old tale from back before, for 'hell had no fury like a scorned Byakuya', coined by his grandfather no less. One could debate whether the Captain of Squad 11 knew just how serious the situation just got.

Byakuya Kuchiki, the undisputed king of icy stares and tranquil fury, was now literally losing it. he grasped his sword and dropped with as much force as he could dropping a sword, and shouted the two syllable word Kenpachi had been waiting all day to hear, as Byakuya's sword traversed the ground, as if it were water.

"BAN….KAI!"

As soon as the word left his throat, two rows of gargantuan blades appeared behind him from beneath the ground, towering above both fighters, ensuring thoughts of dominance of imminent battle. Byakuya's chest heaved, as if he was putting a great deal of effort into going Bankai. He managed enough inner calm to utter the release of his Bankai, before he intended to wipe the stain of Kenpachi forever from this world.

"Scatter, Senbonzakura Kageyoshi".

And just like that, the colossal blades vanished in a fury, scattering among the winds, then changing their course sharply, attacking the Kenpachi in a state of fury, millions of shredded shards of steel attacking like an immaculate barrage of lethal wasps.

Kenpachi's Reiatsu rampaged onwards as the warrior from Zaraki walked forward, towards the intimidating sight of deadly sakura petals circling all around you. A grin plastered upon his face.

'I didn't exactly want to pull the Hisana card, he may hate me now, and so called relations between our squads might never be a reality. But to be honest, it was never a goal in the first place' mused Kenpachi, his grin growling large by the second.

"Byakuya Kuchiki, I'm going to have fun cutting you up, like a chef preparing his masterpiece. Your corpse will be my magnum opus!" he screamed, his legs running him full speed ahead, blood-lust reaching its peak for the battle.

It was perhaps on this day, midday, the first Monday of the month, that Kenpachi realised something he may or may not take to heart later in life (most would bet on probably not).

The first and most prominent rule to dealing with Byakuya Kuchiki, Captain of Division 6, you are to never…NEVER, scorn the name of Hisana Kuchiki or her beloved sister. If you fail to take heed of this warning, you will suffer the grave consequences.

And there you go! Chapter three and the Pride/Bloodlust chapters are finished! for now...

Now, I go to you dear readers. Which captains shall be placed under the sword next? I leave it to you...or not. we shall see.

Sayonara.

- The Necropolis