Training with Zanpakutos

I was walking toward the place where I had sensed Dami's spiritual pressure when I started to feel dizzy. I don't know why, but I could barely walk straight. Then I fell straight down face first and pasted out. I found myself in a deep dark abyss.
Voice 1: Does This place seem familiar Itami?
I looked toward the voice and saw Honoo Ryuukiba and Inazumi Ryuukiba standing beside each other at the stone from which I released them from.
Well why wouldn't. It was where I first met you 2.

They both just smirked at me, then walked toward me. They each stopped right beside me on each side and turned toward me.
We admit that you have been improving, but you are still weak.
You will train with us so that you can fully realize your potential and you will master Shikai.
I looked at them both.
Bring it on boys.

They each stepped diagonally away about 10 feet from me and just smirked.
Now activate your shikai and we will teach you its true power.
Burn and Electrify all creation in the universe. DESTROYYY ALLL HONOOO RYUUKIBA AND INAZUMI RYUUKIBA!!
I transformed into my shikai form. The fire lighting up the entire cave. My wings stretched out to their fullest and my tail was wrapped around my body. My claws and fangs sharp and ready to attack. I looked at Honoo and Inazumi.

They nodded at me.
Good good. Now remember that your rage is the key to your power, but is also your weakness so you must learn to control it.
They both rushed me and attacked. Each held their corresponding Zan. I tried to defend their attacks off as best I could, but they were fast and strong. They pushed me back against the wall of the abyss and kept pounding me. I felt my legs go out and they stepped back.

You are really disappointing us Itami. You must remember, your rage is the key. NOW IF YOU DON'T STOP BEING WEAK WE WILL STRIP OUR POWERS FROM YOU!
I looked at them both. My eyes transmitting my anger. I gripped my Zans and I charged at them both. I fought at them. My Zan bouncing off of theirs and vice versa.

I was attacking with all I had, but I couldn't push them back. They started pushing me back again and this time I could feel their Zans cutting at me. My right leg went down and I was fighting them back while on 1 knee. Then my other leg went down and I was punched straight out.

I stood back up and wiped the blood from my lip. I stared at them. My body beginning to radiate heat. I charged at Honoo and slash at him. He parried the attack and cut my side. I spinned then went back at him and started attacking. He parried each strike and cut me again across my chest. My regeneration healed my cuts and I attacked harder. He pushed me to the ground.

It's time for a lil lesson Itami.
I looked at him in confusion.
Itami you have the powers of fire and lightning. These are 2 of the most dangerous things to wield and you could hurt yourself if you don't learn to control it.
Remember this now. Look deep within you for your inner fire and inner lightning and let it surface through your attacks. This is how you will become stronger.

I stood up and nodded at them.
I understand. This is how you both are so much stronger. You let your element fuel your attacks which make them stronger. I will do this.
I looked deep within myself and charged at them. I tried to fuel my attacks, but they just blocked them and pushed me back.
You're letting nothing but rage fuel your attacks. Find your inner strength.

I tried again, but failed.
I can't.
They both looked at me with no expressions.
What did you say?
Did you not hear me the 1st time. I said I can't.
Why can't you.
Because I'm not strong enough.

They both nodded.
That is all we wanted to hear.
I felt my body get lighter. I felt myself falling and falling. It was nothing but darkness below. I tried to fly out, but my wings were gone. My entire Shikai was gone. I just kept falling. I couldn't talk or anything. I couldn't tell if I was near the end or anything.

Instead of continuing my fretting, I just relaxed. I let my body relax and fall. I didn't care when I landed or how, as long as I landed. It was then that I felt the body of the ground beneath my feet. I opened my eyes, and realized that I was now in a different abyss. At each end was a small orb floating. Each orb had something in them, but I couldn't see much cause of the darkness.

I headed toward the orb on my right and walked with a confident gait. When I was a few feet from the orb, a figure stepped out from behind it. It was Honoo.
I see you chose me first. I will teach you the was of the flame Itami. Lets go.
He drew his zan and I reached back to draw mine. It was then that I realized that I only had Honoo with me.
While facing me, you will just use Honoo since that is your flame.

We charged at each other and our blades collided. We were trying to push each other back, and I was losing. Honoo pushed me back and I flipped so that I wouldn't fall. I looked at him. Itami you must go shikai to defeat me. You can't obtain the power while in your sealed form.
Fine. Burn all creation in the universe. DESTROYYY ALL HONOO RYUUKIBA!
I transformed into my shikai form. We rushed once again, and I could feel that I was getting stronger.

We were exchanging attacks left and right. All I could do was parry his attacks, and he was still able to get hits in. His attacks were so powerful and forceful. He kept pounding at me. My legs began to give out and I quickly backed away.

Why can't I win? What is wrong with me?
You're asking yourself why you can't win and what's wrong with you huh.
I look at him.
You must realize. The flame is beautiful but deadly. It burns thru all and cares for none. It is hot and must be kept in check or will become to much to handle. You must find a way to control your flame. Only then will you have the power to defeat me Itami..

I think about what he just told me. I must keep my flame in check. I must learn to control my flame. I stand up and charge at him once more. We clash and I can feel my attacks getting stronger, but he was still better. We continued to exchange blows with neither side giving in.

You're getting the hang up of it now. But, you still won't beat me.
He started to strike harder and harder. His power pushing me back. I just couldn't keep up with him.

His power was great. His strength far greater than mine. I got back up, and looked down at my zan.
Itami. You must learn to use everything around you and not just your hands and us. You have powerful wings and a powerful tail. You may not have much to any control over your spiritual pressure, but you can still be very powerful. If you learn to use everything.

I thought about what he said. He was right. I needed to use more than my Zans and hands. I looked at him. My inner fire is what I need. It was right there behind him I could tell. I could feel it. I gripped my Zan even harder. It was time for me to stop with all this nonsense. I knew who I truly was. I cared for nobody. I only watched out for myself. It was time. It was time for me to burn.

I looked at Honoo. My eyes flaring up. My body temperature rising. Flames were dripping from my Zan.
Is this what you wanted Honoo? If so come and get it.

Honoo smiled and this time he charged at me. We clashed and this time I had the upper hand. I could see his every movement. It seemed as though he was fighting in slow motion. I slashed at him and cut a gash in his leg. It healed up and I cut another one across his chest.

I smiled as that cut healed. He looked at me and smiled. Then his face turned serious.
You have done well Itami and you have beaten me. The power of the flame is yours. But you've only gotten half the power of your shikai. When we call for you again, you will obtain the other half. Now go.

Honoo disappeared and I went up to grab the orb. As soon as I touched it, it seemed to melt away and spread across my body. It felt great and the power it gave me was incredible. Then in the blink of an eye I was awoke right where I had fell out at. I got up and walked away as I decided I wasn't ready yet.