I ran through the night, and the only light that guided my feet was from the stars above. The moon did not shine, because it was a new moon tonight. The children's park was not to far from where I am, and I could see it from where I stood.

   Golden eyes flashed in the darkness near the park, and I knew that it was Hichigo. He was waiting for me, just as he had promised earlier. As I approached the park, I heard his voice cut through the eerie silence.

   "There you are," Hichigo said as he unsheathed his sword. No. His Zanpakuto. Not a sword.

   "What? Did you think that I wouldn't show up?" I asked, raising an eyebrow in amusement. This guy was always acting as if I wouldn't do what he asked. I'm not that mean of a person.

   "It's not that," Hichigo said slowly," But, anyway! We need to start practicing now or we will run out of time."

   Hichigo took a long, cloth-covered object from inside his kimono. He tossed it to me, and I caught it. It was kinda heavy, and had to be about four feet long. When I opened it, I gasped.

   "Do you like it?" Hichigo asked with a smile that seemed to glow in the dark.

   "I love it, Hichigo!" I said with flushed cheeks.

   In my hands, I held a four-foot long katana. The hilt was turquoise, and a black chain hung from the bottom of the hilt. The blade was elegant and smooth, and surprisingly, it was made of a dark black metal.

   "How...how did you...?" I stuttered in amazement. Hichigo blushed and scratched his head.

   "I know a few people," Hichigo jested.

   "Anyway, we need to train. As you said, time is limited," I said, shooting his words back at him. Hichigo laughed and pointed his large Zanpakuto at me. In turn, I gripped the katana in my hands and pointed it at him. I knew a little bit of swordplay, and I wasn't afraid to do so.

   I tensed my muscles and prepared for impact, and sure enough, his Zanpakuto collided with my katana. I pushed against him, and he pushed against me. In a wild thrust of strength, I threw him back a few feet. Hichigo grunted and regained his footing.

   I ran at Hichigo with a loud battle cry, hefting my katana, but still careful to keep a guarded position. When our blades connected, sparks flew into the air. I moved my katana accordingly when he attempted to parry my attack, and I felt power flowing through my sword as I struck down his attack.

   I gasped in surprise when strange ribbons of energy twisted around my blade, and Hichigo was just as shocked. This next attack... will be lethal. I am sure of it.

   "Trust his strength as well as your own," a voice whispered into my ear. The voice was that of a woman, and I found it soothing. And strangely, it felt familiar, as if I knew this person. But I swear that I don't know who it is.

   In a furious strike, I brought the katana down towards Hichigo. His eyes were filled with awe, and even fear as my blade neared his head. He grinned evilly as he jumped to the side, and instead of ripping flesh, my blade tore into the ground. All of the pent up energy flowed out of my blade and sliced an enormous gash in the ground.

   "Amazing... You spiritual power is much higher than I expected," Hichigo said as he sheathed his Zanpakuto. I wiped the sweat from my forehead. What just happened? Who was that person? What was that power?

   "I didn't even know. Dang, my head hurts..." I groaned as my head began to spin. My body lurched forward in a sickening way, and the ground rushed towards me.

   Instead of hitting the scarred ground, I fell into Hichigo's soft arms. He helped me up and handed me a sheath for my katana that slung over my back. I feel like I'm about to pass out. Thank God, Hichigo was there to catch me.

   "You need to rest," Hichigo whispered in my ear," You can stay at my place." My heart caught in my throat at the idea of sleeping at his place, but that sounds better than nothing as of right now.

   "S-Sure..."