Misplaced Enmity [Closed/Kiriko]

The rattle of her teacup was the first indication Acting Captain Chinda Kiriko had that there was anything wrong with this perfectly normal morning. She had already gotten quite a head start on her paperwork for the day and was penning one last signature when the cup of ginseng tea started to shake and rattle. Reaching out to steady the porcelain cup, the hot liquid spilled over onto her fingertips just as she touched it. Pulling back with a hiss of disdain Kiriko stood and threw open the shutters of her office trying to pinpoint the disturbance.

Whatever was happening it was to the west, near the barracks almost and close to the entrance that most people used to gain access to the Nibantai's abode. With walls blocking direct visual contact she had to reach out with her other senses, stretching thin her reiatsu perception until she alighted upon the brilliant pressures of her subordinates. All of them she recognized, but the wildly fluctuating person in their midst was a complete stranger. The way they were going at it, there had to be a massive fight of some kind. Not serious because no one was getting hurt very badly if she was sensing correctly. But this still involved a lot of her recruits and even a few seated officers. For whatever insane reason, someone had come into the Second and started a fight. The idea almost made her snort in amusement at whoever this was and their incredible stupidity. If you wanted a brawl you went to the Fifth. The Second was more apt to accidentally stab you to death from instinct alone. She was rather impressed that no one had gotten hurt yet though especially considering how skilled her members were after she'd ridden them into the practice fields once the Massacre was over and done with.

There was a knock at the door, a soft pause and then a different stacatto beat. The prescribed signal for incoming information. At least she wouldn't have to yell at anyone for being sloppy today. Opening the door she let a dark clad member slip in. He was direct and forthright in his speech, quickly summing up the battle that had just taken place. Or more aptly, the bar room spat as it more closely resembled. Letting her know that people were just about to arrive with the assaulter she gave her thanks and sent the informant away.

Returning to her desk, Kiriko sat down with a sigh. This was not what she had wanted to do with her free time today, but the story was intriguing. The attacking Shinigami had quickly been identified, but what was more interesting than his position was his fighting style. Completely loose and off balance if the report was accurate, but the improvisation was a curious effect. Using Kido to strengthen your hits, she'd taken that same concept to create Shunkou. It was rather strange that this boy had thought of it at his rather latent experience level. She schooled her expression into a forbidding mask, all frown lines and dark glares. This was nothing more then a brat who thought he could play game with her sharp knives. She'd inform him of his mistake and send him on his way. No one made a mockery of her people and got away blemishless.

Cleaning up the spilled tea she awaited the arrival of her men and was not disappointed as her Fifth Seat stepped in with the rather unhappy looking fool at his side. Listening to the second report without much focus she nodded absentmindedly at her subordinate and sent him away, her eyes focused on the true target in all of this. Just like a little bug the Fourth Division Shinigami squirmed around, blood dotting his face to mark where her men had gotten solid hits in. She was embarrassed it had taken them so long though especially against someone from the Fourth.

The brat finally managed to look her in the eye, though his lackluster and rude greeting left much to be desired. If he was going to be a mannerless child then she would just have to up the ante. Steepling her fingers, Kiriko inspected each sharp nail before slowly lifting her gaze to pin Sasaki to the wall with a piercing glare. “As a Fifth Seat, even if you're from the Fourth, I would expect that you would understand what kind of situation you've put yourself in here, Sasaki Tetsuya...” she trailed off delicately, her tone honeyed steel.

“And me as well. What do you think I should do with you?”

WC: 770 | GP: 15 | Total GP: 15

The deliberate, slow and meaningful inspection of each of her pointed nails was slightly unnerving but when her gaze met his again there was the slightest silver of a smile on the rise, hardly notable but it was there. It was just the dramatic expression on body language was something that he could see himself doing though in a much more lighthearted manner. Unfortunately this was a serious situation, one where cracking a joke would be severely out of place. His irises phased from the bright ocean hue to a lime green. Her voice was that of a sweet calm, the type that was the subtle yet not so subtle tone in which a threat might be uttered. Though that all said, she posed a question to him and it gave Tetsuya an opportunity in which to perhaps seek something new. Change was needed in his eyes. It only caused him pain being in the Fourth Division where the focus outside of combat no longer had any imperative to Tetsuya, where he had to avoid the gaze of his family members, all those whom were Shinigami within that said Division. The thoughts floated within his mind for a while. Gritting his teeth, he clenched his fists tightly and his head and eyes both fell from Chinda Kiriko's own once again as more past memories cascaded through the overstimulated mind of Tetsuya. His eyes again shifted through the spectrum, a fierce crimson. Tetsuya's Spiritual Pressure began to leak building rapidly before a hand gently placed itself on his shoulder before it escalated any further. His head rapidly darted back up level again, surprise on his face, completely in his own world for a moment his mind snapped back to reality. He glanced to his left and saw the soothing presence of Shi beside him visible to him and Kiriko as she materialised before them, a knowing look on her face before fading into obscurity again. His eyes once more turned to their natural blue as he looked up again at Kiriko, his tone more serious, more direct and more genuine.
 
"Ah... I apologise. I haven't been myself recently... I suppose you'd have to leave the implementation of any punishments to the Fourth Division. Only way to remedy that problem would to allow me to transfer into your Division so you would have full authority over me. I'm sure then you'd be able to do what you want. Such as; working me into the ground with the toughest training, beating me until I can actually stand up for myself decently with Hakuda. I'll of course pay for the damages I've caused out of my own pocket. You know, just a couple of ideal solutions..."
 
Yes, Tetsuya's words were indirectly conveying a completely different message than that of an answer to her question. It was obvious that Tetsuya was asking to be approved for a transfer into the Second Division and for her to teach him, to make him stronger. His face spoke something between degrees of pure seriousness and a level of pain and perhaps a bit deeper behind that, some form of deeper rooted anger. The acting Captain clearly was in no way going to be too impressed with the first real impression he had given her but just maybe she could understand part of his plight. Tetsuya, only a short while ago would never had pulled a stunt like this, it would be completely out of character but his character had already been forcefully distorted leaving behind a Shinigami with a vastly different goal, a far worse attitude, a personality twisting and a deep rooted desire for power.

608W // 12GP // 39GPT

Kiriko let one eyebrow rise up loftily, an arch expression that served to change her expression into something of bland questioning. This battered soul, who dared to show such ill manners as to leak reiatsu in her own office of all places, was so obviously crying out for help that she almost smacked him upside the head for not using a little bit of tact. He had to at least know how to do that, right? I mean, it wasn't like they didn't teach people anything over in the Fourth? Her estimation of that particular Division was slowly eroding the longer this man stood in front of her. And Sakuya had given her such hopes for the Fourth...

He was abrasive. His hopeful tone and puppy dog eyes made her want to throw up. She had surrounded herself here with efficiency, with professionalism. With seriousness. Her agents were strong as blades, they knew their place, they weren't flashy. When each recruit came here for the first time she sat them down and told them their place. This wasn't the glorious path that people imagined, and if you couldn't deal with that revelation then you were out. The Nibantai existed to help the other divisions, in secrecy. By doing what others couldn't. But that entire premise meant that the individual members here were not individuals at all. Everyone was just a small part of the whole, a tiny lever in the massive machine. You might take personal pride in your work, but no one else was going to ever know or remember your name. And that suited some people just fine, but others...

Kiriko stared darkly at this boy professing his need to join her Division. Others would flounder here like brightly jeweled koi, lost amidst the sea of herring. He was asking for something he didn't understand, and that helped her to calm down. To release the sparks of anger at such sacrilege. The Second, it was her home, her project, her life. And she would never have let someone like this, so out of control, into her heart like she let the Nibantai. Once she realized he simply didn't understand what he was trying for, it helped to dampen her desire to poke out his eyes. Sort of.

“As an Acting Captain I have purview over your actions while taken in my Division. I am certain that your Captain would understand if I were to enact my own punishment for you...” she said that daintily, as if speaking of the weather or cloud structure, but hidden beneath such floaty words was a real threat. Kiriko could do anything she wanted to Sasaki and he had no defense here. Perhaps the thought of Kiriko's own Captain's close relationship with Sasaki's Captain was threat enough. There were plenty of rumors about the Second's harsh tactics after all, and he could probably easily imagine all sorts of dastardly things that she might do to him.

It was enjoyable to make a brat like this squirm, after all of his rudeness, but Kiriko was still human and she hadn't ignored the signs of a wounded heart in the other Shinigami. Tapping one well manicured finger against her bottom lip, Kiriko looked away from the boy as she debated her options. Sliding her gaze back towards him, she looked him up and down with a piercing gaze that flayed the flesh from his slouched body as she interrogated that physical husk for signs of promise.

He looked... weak. Frail almost, without defined muscle or sleekness. This was the Fifth Seat of the Fourth Division? She almost laughed, again. There was a light in his eyes though, an ugly desire. She knew that kind of fervor, the thoughts that circled again and again around the same idea. If he was stronger, he would be a bully. She could taste it in the air, maybe not overtly, but he wanted that strength so badly to erase a past harm that she could tell he would never allow anyone to harm him again like that – if only he was strong enough that was. What a paltry little soul. She should feel derision for such a person, for a weakling, but instead Kiriko stared as if in a mirror.

That disgusting jealousy, she had been filled to the brim with it her whole life as well. Only now shedding that restrictive coat after Tova had helped her along into natural confidence. She had looked at those stronger than her and wished them dead, wished herself the power to squish them out. To destroy their power. She had stared ahead trying so valiantly to ignore the hurt of the past, the weakness of the past, the utter cowardice of the past. Sasaki was running from something similar and this outburst of his was just a sign that he could no longer hold in the vitriol inside. He was the ugly duckling, but unfortunately she had been in that very same position and instead of sending him off packing Kiriko stared as if looking at a copy of her younger self. She was oddly effected by this reminder of her own selfish beginnings. Of that ignoble time.

Picking up a set of documents she set it to her left, rearranging a few things on her desk to give her time to think. Letting her hands still, Kiriko decided the brat had stewed long enough, and she faced him full on, “I will be informing your Captain about this little incident and so rest assured that you will be punished for such folly. However I will not take it into my own hands, I expect your Captain knows you best and would be better suited to motivate you towards more restraint in the future.”

“As for your desire to join the Second, I will not allow this,” she leaned her elbows on the table and pressed forward, fierce and stalwart as she spoke, “Let me be blunt. You would not fit here, not with such outward bursts of wildness. Your need to find a different harbor, perhaps one more fitting for your reckless abandon, should be channeled elsewhere. I recommend the Fifth, they will know what to do with such wantonness and they could probably even use someone like you if you shaped up. Your best bet is to look laterally in that direction.”

Kiriko smiled, a small flash of an expression as she imagined the Fifth trying to make a fighter out of this boy. He had the gall, but not the body. Not yet at least. She wished them all sorts of luck, a devious side of her rather joyed by the prospects of their difficulty. The Fifth would like Sasaki's mindset and embrace him, they were bruisers like that.

Opening her hands, palms facing upward, she eased up and leaned back in her chair, “If you're so eager to receive a thrashing I won't throw away a chance to get out of the office and stretch, but realize this; your hopes of landing a position here amongst my men are aimless. I don't mind aiding you in your search for finesse, but until you find a whole lot of that ability suffusing your body you would never find a home here in the Nibantai,” she proffered the olive branch, hating herself for her weakness as she spoke every word. This brat didn't deserve her attention, but there was something gleaming beneath all that dirt, something familiar and painful. She wanted to force him to grow up, to escape that path of destruction. It had taken her a real beating, maybe that would suffice for Sasaki as well.

At the same time she looked at the younger Shinigami with such intimacy she also had that burning desire to make him bleed. To smack him until he let off this ugly path of his. To break his body so that he would realize how incredibly stupid he was being. She realized that said something about herself but didn't want to think too deeply about the past. She was different now. Better. She had learned her lesson. And Aneue was here too, family. Finally.  

WC: 1363 | GP: 27 | Total GP: 42

OOC: Oops, that got a little bit too long... XP

The response that Tetsuya got made him think a little more about both his actions as well as his request. Did he do something really stupid? Yes. Did he really want to join the Second Division? Not particularly. Was he currently suited to the Second Division? Not with his current temperateness. Tetsuya had always been an overly emotional character but recent times had pushed that even further. He did not particularly want to leave the Fourth Division, he just wanted to escape a number of the people that were there. He was acting rash and he knew it, unfitting of a model Shinigami not that he thought himself to be a exemplar figure. However as his mind sharpened up again so did his body language. Less so he displayed depressive weakness but instead, a refocus; he did not look so lost anymore. His acting out and the stern rebuttal following it was enough to allow a calm to pass over him. He knew what he had to do and he knew he was currently going about the wrong way in reaching that goal.
 
"I agree. I wasn't thinking straight. It's just... I... I... You know what, never mind. I apologise for the lack of control over myself. You know what's funny? Ironically I don't even like fighting, it's just that its become apparent to me that it's a necessity for Shinigami. Punishments aside, I'd like to take up that offer of yours. I'd be grateful for your guidance. I'll say it now. I'm going to become strong. Stronger than anyone before me, stronger than anyone after me. That way, even those without strength will have strength in me."
 
Tetsuya's words although they were a little cliched were spoken with truth and conviction. Not a single utterance from his mouth was a falsehood, he meant every word and sought to actualise them. It was something entwined to him, a simple fact about the youngest of the Sasaki family. His expression softened afterward just before he spoke the phrase that defined him. His appearance was blurry, unusually feminine as the two souls overlapped both their voices echoing without both of them speaking. Instead it was the connection between them becoming more outwardly apparent, his hand lightly touching the hilt of his blade.
 
"After all. My soul is one that protects."
 
'Tetsuya...'
 
"So uh... wanna head outside? I'm sure you'll enjoy... disciplining me after all the trouble I've caused you."
 
408W // 8GP // 47GPT

Kiriko found herself nearly showing strong emotion for the second time in the past minute. The brat, whose angry and weak facade was so strong before that she just wanted to beat it out of him, was now straightening up and actually taking heed of her words. As if, Spirit King knew why, he had actually listened to what she had said and found it valid. That had not been what Kiriko was expecting. At all. He had previously given off all the sullen appearance of a spoiled brat, someone who would ruin her day just to give his little temper tantrum a platform. But she had to reevaluate that concept when he straightened up, both physically and mentally, spouting some sort of dogma that was full of perseverance if not confidence.

If Kiriko had only ever seen Sasaki like he was now, she would have had vastly different opinions of him. In this moment he looked malleable, workable even. That all-encompassing pride from before had sloughed off and revealed someone who was willing to put in effort for their goals. Someone who understood the term grit and hard work. She kind of liked this new Shinigami standing in front of her, so in synch with his Zanpakutou spirit. It made her pat the sword at her side, her own preening spirit enjoying the attention and comparison. If someone could treat their sword spirit as a part of them, she had to respect that about them. It had taken her a long time to realize that Aneue was just a part of herself, her family, her older sister. It apparently hadn't taken this kid that long to see the light. That was remarkable, and something she wanted to praise, if not reward.

Feeling lighter now that she wasn't staring down some bratty problem child Kiriko merely nodded regally at the kid and stood in one graceful movement. Protection, huh? How curious, someone who wanted strength so badly but wanted it to save others? That was a warped perception, and Kiriko couldn't really understand it. You protected people simply by being strong and doing your duty, that was why the first goal was to become stronger. Focusing just on that aspect of strength, it was limiting. Naive even. But also... Also sort of commendable. Like the concept of honor that she had no right to claim for herself the idea of protection was the softer side of the Gotei that Kiriko only wished she could uphold in her duties.

Stepping around the table she lifted her tea cup and carried it with her. The boy had been brought into the inner parts of the Annex, though he seemed not to have noticed the strange layout of the Nibtantai compared to other Divisions. The Lieutenant's quarters were directly adjacent to the Captain's and they lived almost as a family unit in this area with the barracks nearby.

“Let's go,” she brushed past the Shinigami and pushed aside her door, stepping out into the empty hallway. Dropping her cup off in the kitchen Kiriko reminded herself to do the dishes when she came back. Any second now her Captain would return and she wanted his kitchen to be a precise and clean as it had been when he left. She wanted perfection for him, and that meant being ready for his arrival at any moment. That one dirty cup was too much, marring the otherwise pristine sink and counter-top.

Leading Sasaki outside she stepped across the engawa and down into the garden area that was in full bloom even at this time of year. The trees were awash in golds and reds, their branches gracefully sloping down towards the koi pond to trail leaves in the water. Flickers of movement alerted the eye to the glittering fish in the pond, their slow lethargic movements due to the chilly temperature that was becoming more and more common nowadays. Casting a hidden smile at the fish that she had taken upon herself to take care of, Kiriko turned back to the kid and nodded towards an empty space nearby.

“The dojo is currently in use and I think this space will suffice for now,” honestly she wasn't so sure this would even last five minutes as the kid wasn't exactly the picture of physical prowess. The small grassy area was perfect for now, they wouldn't need anything bigger unless he had reason to surprise her later on. Stepping backwards until there was two meters distance between the two Shinigami Kiriko inclined her head once more, “Are you prepared Sasaki-san?”

WC: 764 | GP: 15 | Total GP: 57

His words, his acknowledgement of his shortcomings and his resolve seemed to have had a positive effect on the dynamics between the pair. The simple yet meaningful curt nod of the head and the expression in her eyes were a stark difference when comparing it to the various non verbal threats shot his way with no sign of stopping so long as he was in her presence. Tetsuya was glad; he took no pleasure in leaving bad impressions on people the first time he acquainted himself with them. At least with this he had redeemed himself, if only just a little. She rose to her feet in a graceful motion, walking from her desk taking her tea cup with her. He wondered what tea might have been in there. Perhaps green tea, something with milk, maybe another herbal concoction. All of a sudden he found himself desiring a cup of tea himself.
 
'Let's go', they were the words uttered by Kiriko as she passed him by and pushed the door open with more force than needed. Combining that with her tone and mannerisms, she seemed very much suited to her position. She had the aura of a leader; a commanding tone and purposeful motion. That and stern; she did not seem the type that would really appreciate the light hearted attitude of Tetsuya. At least the light hearted attitude that he had before his nature was twisted into a far more serious one than previously. Flickers showed up now and again but for now he was not all about jokes and laughs. Following just behind her, he stayed quiet just looking around as she brought the porcelain cup to the kitchen. He never really visited the Second Division so most of the area was unfamiliar territory to him prompting him to draw a mental map in his mind. They headed outside into a spacious garden adorned with flora, trees of a warming autumn hue and a pond, home to aquatic life, under the surface. It was a rather quaint sight; pleasant. Tetsuya could happily relax out here on the grass with a book in hand. The area was one that emitted a feeling of peaceful tranquility. She directed him a distance from there into an empty grassy area before the journey came to an end.. So this was were he was about to most likely suffer a bit of pain, the dojo being used unsurprisingly. He laughed to himself in his head.  
 
And so it was that she was ready and the question was poised upon him. In response, his Zanpakuto at his side faded, her female figure appearing beside him. She walked a short distance from the pair before sitting down carefully on the grass. Her olive green hair adorned with two thin ribbon flowed gently with the light wind, her blue eyes trained on the pair, a soft smile on her face. Tetsuya sighed to himself. It was true he relied on her power greatly and without it he was far weaker than his strength allowed him. He shrugged slightly a small smile directed towards his kindred spirit before he turned back to Kiriko, raising his hands from his sides after he returned the same nod increasing the distance between them a few more metres as he did so.
 
"I guess I am. I'll do my best."
 
Without use of his blade, she absolutely, utterly and completely outclassed him. He could only trust in using the demon arts wisely. He could take a blow decently but giving them back was a lesser ability. If he was to face a mirror of himself fighting with his hands and feet only, the winner would be the one who got tired first, the possibility of knocking himself out with his own strength, minute. Tetsuya was not the epitome of speed either. To put things simply, physically Tetsuya was pathetically incompetent. If his skill in Kido and his connection with his Zanpakuto, Kanshisha Arashi no Tenjou was any less than it would, even he would have to consider himself a total failure when it came to the combat aspect of a Shinigami. His hands reached around his head, tightening the headband that he wore before he began to run forwards towards her. Tetsuya had to use his head, he could only combat her by using deceptive techniques. He did not expect to win at all, that all but an impossibility without his Zanpakutou to use but hopefully he could do something before being beaten into the ground. Fist clenched he threw a perfectly telegraphed punch towards her chest; blatantly obvious, an attack that would be seen through by someone without any fighting experience much less someone like Kiriko. However Tetsuya was still someone who knew how to engage in combat, if not with the greatest of strength.  His finger flicked forward from the fist long before it threatened to make contact, spiritual energy gathering and being released in an instant. The name of the spell, Shō uttered silently as he did so, an invisible concussive blast launched. In his other hand, cupped towards himself a minute red orb formed, compressed energy. The hand shifted towards her following the first instance of Kido sending the sphere towards Kiriko, an instance of Kongōbaku. He just hoped that she assumed that his seeming lack of ability would mask the sudden outburst of incantation omitted Kido spells.
 
902W // 18GP // 65GPT

Studying her opponent in that moment of silence before the fight she watched as his form hardened, as his eyes grew wary, and as his body shifted into the open stance they taught at the Academy. She allowed her weight to drop, sinking into her feet as she edged out the left one to engender balance. It had been a while since she had used such a simple opening, but there was often purpose and benefit in going back to the basics. It would be interesting to see if the kid knew anything more than Academy taught tactics, he should have had combat experience by now even being from the Fourth. The heavy stance reminded her strongly of her own training, long ago when she had just joined Seireitei. It had been a good time, a happy time. For the first time in her life she had had everything she needed, all the food, all the shelter, all the clothes, even all the attention as a strong pupil in the Academy. All of her classes she had passed at various levels but always adequately. Hakuda though, that had been her favorite. Learning how to position the body to move through an attack with force, it was a science all on its own.

She only regretted that in the sparring field she had never been as strong as most other Shinigami, the hard-hitters. Working tirelessly to build up muscle she certainly succeeded on some level, but that was still a sore point in her book. Something she took as a sign of ignoble weakness in her own fighting style. Pondering what she should do here against such a weak opponent Kiriko realized it would be a sort of training of its own. To fight with full effort but to calculate the blows so that they bruised but didn't break – it would take mastery over her body to achieve the right mix of energy. Excited by the prospect she was glad she was trying this out on someone who could stand to break a few bones anyway if she slipped up here or there.

The boy ran at her full-tilt and so many plans raced through her head. Her first instinct was to slip to his side while he raced forward, so easy to get a jab in at his unguarded soft spots. Her next instinct was to just duck and punch, such weak forward momentum when contrasted with a sharp forceful strike would have sent him flying back and then maybe he could practice running at the opponent in a better fashion. It must have been his sword training, using such a linear path as if they were in a duel. But Kiriko was supposed to be giving the brat a chance here, not outclassing him with each breath, so she stood still and let him approach unharmed.

She had heard the report about the kid using a Kido to enforce his punches but she wasn't exactly expecting him to pull out such an unorthodox skill in their first pass through. He wanted to work on Hakuda, right? Not this Kido fusion he had going on. The first punch had her moving without intention, her body simply flowing into action before she could remember to hold still. Surging down and to the right Kiriko spun on one heel and chambered a kick at the kid's knee just in time for the blast of Sho to strike her and push her backwards a foot or so – he might be a weakling physically but his Kido was strong enough. She was still better though, and against someone like her the force of his attacks were left wanting.

A small red orb of energy raced towards her on the air currents and Kiriko batted it away with one hand, feeling the sting but ignoring such a faint injury. She had long ago been inured to that type of physical pain, it wasn't very high up there on the rector scale. Why was he playing around like this? Wasn't he trying to train? Was he just mocking her, playing the fool? Stepping into his guard with a lightning quick lunge Kiriko slapped the boy harshly on the face before darting back out of his direct range. “What the hell are you doing! I though you wanted to train Hakuda, not throw around Hado?” she thundered, her voice raised loud enough to make spiders jump. Throwing a punch when you were using a ranged attack wasn't exactly hand to hand combat. In any sense of the word. 

WC: 761 | GP: 15 | Total GP: 72

His method of initiating the fight was met with chagrin; her voice raised exceptionally high, as well as a slap across his face for his troubles. Incidentally it was done quick enough that he did not have time to react to it. His shock wave saved a kick and the mini fiery sphere was swatted away. It was true that he wanted to train Hakuda but with his skill in Hakuda, he would not have any opportunity to create an opening. Maybe he should have just went with the pure Hakuda no matter how bad he was at it, after all it was the point of the session. He rubbed his cheek quickly; it stung, reigniting the uncomfortable feeling of the small cuts in his mouth, courtesy of his earlier adventure.
 
"Ah... sorry. It's just I wanted to create an opening and it wasn't going to happen with my strength or speed. Let's go again, I won't use it like that again."
 
With that he was fresh out of ideas of how to successfully combat her. Or perhaps more accurately he was out of ideas that would not be absolutely useless, though that in itself might not actually be a bad thing. He would learn most likely from this point henceforth with his body, remembering the various blows he would take, how they were executed and what he could do to counter, avoid or block them. It would be good experience which he lacked. To be honest Tetsuya had not lost many spars or the like but that was due to the few number that were participated in. Of all the skills he possessed, this was probably dead last. He was hoping to rectify that soon enough. His hands raised once again into a high guard. He shifted into a stance side on, his left leg in front of the right, weight distributed slightly greater on the rear leg. A few ideas popped into his mind of how he again could increase the potency of his Hakuda, though he was reluctant to try what he had envisioned, due to the potentially bad outcome.
 
This time there was no head first charges, instead he began to inch slightly closer towards her, checking forward as he circled around to the left carefully. Any straight charges would be met with swift resistance, he knew that already. Seeing as there was no surprising usage of Hado before, the idea of going in like that became rather silly to comprehend doing. Instead we watched for any little way points in for a quick strike, though the odds were severely stacked against him. Not only that, who said that Tetsuya would make the first move. He was preparing himself for another blow, his eyes watching hers carefully.
 
Meanwhile Kanshisha Arashi no Tenjou was calmly watching the fight ensue, her attention split between that and the blueish sliver butterflies fluttering around her, drawn by her gentle aura. She removed her hands from the sleeves of her green kimono and left a hand nearby. One of the butterflies took the opportunity to land on the tip of her finger. Smiling she redirected her attention once again to Tetsuya. Hopefully he would learn something useful here today. If anything pleased her, it was the better interest in improving his weaknesses. Hakuda was certainly one of them, and hopefully it would be better drilled into him this time.
 
568W // 11GP // 76GPT

Kiriko felt an internal sign being suppressed as she watched the kid. She had always been good at hand to hand combat, and it felt strange to be trying to recall what it was that she knew intuitively to impart in a lesson. If he had been better at this she would have found her time easier, fixing minor mistakes and things of that manner. Adding finesse. As it was she was almost building up from an entirely empty slate, and it felt irksome. Kiriko wasn't some Academy teacher, she'd never even taught anyone one on one before. It felt cumbersome, as if her own form was lacking when she couldn't effortlessly instruct in her medium like she should be able to. It was another mark against her that most every member of the Nibantai, recruit or not, already had a higher founding in Hakuda than other recruits in various Divisions. Even the Fifth was usually just full of brawlers who used brute force over tactics, and that was something she found even more annoying. At least this kid wasn't trying to beat her down – he was too weak for that.

The brat acquiesced to her order, agreeing to stop using his pretty Hado spells which weren't helping him train. He needed a good grounding in Hakuda before he could understand enough to experiment with that style of fighting. Maybe one day he would be able to seam those two things together, but not now. Not when he could barely throw a punch that wasn't telegraphed to the skies. He seemed to wince, as if not eager for what was to come. He must think her cold hearted, to deny his use of that skill. To force him into a losing uphill battle. But that was how you learned. This was reality they were in, not a cushy life at the Academy or in the Fourth. He probably could have benefited from reading advanced material on body mechanics before having done this, but that was his fault for coming unprepared. Not hers. So into the fire he went.

Except he didn't exactly race towards the fire, now too wary to approach her head on. Instead he began to take mincing circling steps, trying to find an opening in her perfect stance. Kiriko wanted to rub at her forehead in despair, this was never going to work out... She was almost ready to smack him again when Aneue grew cold at her side, the blade letting out a hushed thrumming in her head. Dropping a hand Kiriko stroked the sword, sending a wordless question through their link. The answer was derisive, a snorted laugh and a stinging prod, “Imoutou, you're such an idiot. Just go slow on him. Show him. Or better yet make the openings and see what he does with them. Really, what would you do without me Imoutou?”

Kiriko stared at the boy again, trying to calculate how much of a fool she would have to make herself out to be to give him openings to work with. Her Zanpakutou Spirit scoffed and let out an irritated rattle, “Not foolish Imoutou. Teaching! He knows that even if you can't seem to grasp it.” Now it was Kiriko's turn to wince in stupidity, although she hide her shame as another disguised movement, turning on one heel to face the slowly circling boy. Having her sword throw rhetoric at her about fighting was a smarting experience, but Aneue was right like always. She didn't have to act like a weak combatant because Sasaki would know she was purposefully giving him openings to utilize. There would be no loss of face, and instead she would gain traction in this fight.

“Tell me what you're looking for,” Kiriko instructed, wanting to listen to his response on the matter. Did he know what sort of things would give him an advantage? Could he list various types of openings that he was actively searching for? That would be impressive, for a kid like him. While spinning along with the boy, her movements slow and calculated just like his, she carefully put more and more weight on her left foot until she was standing in an unbalanced stance. It would be easier to topple her over and harder for her to put up a defense against a forceful attack like this, but would he be able to notice? That was the first question.

WC: 738 | GP: 14 | Total GP: 86

Tetsuya was waiting for an opening to appear but it was not something he was going to expect in someone who was a prodigiously skilled Hakuda user like the person currently leading the Second Division was. It was all he could do for now though; he would most likely have to wait for a chance to counter attack. A hand dropped to her side, perhaps a way point in. Her stance though was solid and seemed to even cover that particular uncovered area. He hesitated, noting her hand gently on her blade's hilt,a light stroke. She was communing with her Zanpakutou. Tetsuya's innate sense told him so, the slightest mannerisms, expressions, movements all were things that he understood when they were about communication. Perhaps it was because he spent so much time bonding with a being which seldom was sighted by others allowed him to understand when this unseen, unheard conversation was taking place. He glanced at Kanshisha Arashi no Tenjou who ran a hand through her shimmering olive locks then nodded and shook her head both once each, understanding the question posed to her. It was what she was doing and no, that did not qualify as an opening. His slow motion circle continued.

Her body pivoted to face the her circling opponent. A question was posed to him; what was he looking for? It was something he was utterly focused on so it did not escape his notice the heaviness increasing on the front foot, her left. An uneven weight distribution was a point in which to capitalise on. It was obviously done deliberately as, such a stance limited mobility. He may not have been a great Hakuda user but he had a fine enough tactical mind as well as the foundations of combat down solid. He checked forwards into range and threw a simple rising back fist forwards towards the side of her head but following it immediately was a heavy low turning kick with his right, the rear leg aiming to connect with to the knee of her left leg. His shihakushō sleeve intentionally positioned with the movement to cover sight of the rear leg's movement if only for an instance. He then ended the combination with a shoulder check, the kicking leg moving to be positioned between hers to execute the takedown which he did not expect to work yet, answering her as he made his moves.

"Bad weight distribution, bad positioning and blind spots. Though if this was real combat using only Hakuda I doubt I would have an opportunity like this!"

If anything he had recently been fighting a lot more than before and Kanshisha Arashi no Tenjou had made him focus hard on avoiding leaving openings through allowing blind spots or positioning one's body in a disadvantageous way leaving spots prone to attack that would be allow an attack through. Despite his barriers, it was not a perfect defense. She drilled that it was important to make it as hard as possible for anything to get through. Naturally applying this for offense was only natural to do.

516W // 10GP // 86GPT

Kiriko was careful in her study of the kid, her eyes never leaving his body. She had underestimated opponents before in her youth, all brash and arrogant. It wasn't a smart thing to do. Even the weakest of winds could bowl over an unprepared body, and as important as she considered her appearance to be it would look ludicrous if the Acting Captain of the Second was defeated by a mere sprig of a Shinigami. It didn't matter that there was no one here watching them. It didn't matter that the boy himself would likely think she had given him that chance. All that mattered was her own knowledge. And Kiriko demanded perfection from herself at all times, because anything less would be unforgivable.

He was a strange one though, constantly glancing to the side where she imagined his Zanpakutou spirit was. That was the only explanation, besides his facial features espoused confusion and then there would be a glance and he would relax into understanding. He was communicating with something, even if it wasn't his sword spirit. She was a little jealous. Aneue didn't materialize in the world and often she left Kiriko to her own devices even though the sword was much more talkative now that Kiriko had learned her true nature. The idea that they were family, sisters, it was so heartening that she wanted the blade to be as close to her as possible. But sometimes that jarring acidic tone or the patronizing methods of her Zanpakutou was too much for Kiriko and she almost resented the blade for her high-handed ways. It didn't matter though, now that she had found her family Kiriko was never letting go. If Aneue wanted to be a brat about some things, that was a small price to pay.

She saw the moment Sasaki spotted her opening, his eyes flickered and stared for a second too long at her left leg. It was a sign she caught only because of her own study in telegraphing and body language. He went for her with startling alacrity and she was pleased to see he didn't stand there trying to come up with a plan or something. At least the boy intuitively had a sense for capitalizing on his strengths and often attacking faster was the key to making more openings in the opponent. Sometimes it didn't matter how good your punch was if it came faster than the enemy was expecting. Throwing someone off guard was a good tactic, and while the kid wasn't the speediest he had the body type for it if he wanted to improve in that arena.

She saw through his movements, eyes catching each sign of attack and pattern. After fighting for so long she was capable of almost expecting a certain pattern or method when someone of this level confronted her, that didn't mean she still wasn't slightly impressed that the kid tried to hide his own movements with his sleeve. Or that his attacks were forward and fierce considering his total switch in combat style. He didn't do things half-assed, that was something. Even so she ignored the fist, turning her head a few centimeters as it slid past her. He had aimed not for the central parts of her face but instead more the ear and it was simple to evade. “First mistake, if you're not quick enough to ensure a hit, aim for the center of the body,” she exhaled as she dropped her center of gravity enough to ground her feet for her next move. Being short in battle was often a hindrance, but every once and a while... Grabbing his foot she lifted up, throwing her weight towards the sky as she tried to topple the boy onto his back. His shift to move forward into a tackle put him even further off balance as she applied her own strong steady stance against his lighter frame. Her hands crossed under his ankle she tossed with one heavy shove, aiming to throw him feet over head and away from herself.

Lowering her hands she inhaled and nodded succinctly, “You did well by trying to hide your attack, but a smart opponent will notice the oddity and expect something from below.” Brushing her hands off, she studied her target with that piercing gaze she was known for, “Try again.” She started to circle him, her footwork slow and precise. This time she moved with fluid grace, but one arm dropped faintly to cover her side as if protecting an old injury. It was a minute slip, but Kiriko now thought that Sasaki was ready for some tougher leads. 

WC: 775 | GP: 15 | Total GP: 101

Kiriko's skill far usurped his own, despite what tricks he may have pulled, the sheer difference in skill and experience both ultimately meant his attempts were doomed to fail. That still did not make them pointless though, a lesson in each movement he made combined with the movements she made. More than just his mind was set to remember but his body too, memories ingrained into muscle memory. His fist met empty air and his leg was greeted with sturdy arms sending it back where it came from. The motion forced Tetsuya back, landing heavily and rather awkwardly on his back. Despite that, he remained fine, something like that not enough to do him harm though in a real battle he would have been not allowed the chance to rise to his feet again. It counted as a 'death' in his mind.
 
"Thanks. But still, I'm not expecting to be able to combat you effectively at the moment but I'll learn from these attempts. I'll have to train my body to be able keep up."
 
Tetsuya traced Kiriko's steps following her motion as a mirror image pondering her words as he did so. It was true the centre of the body was the largest area in which to strike making it by that standard the easiest area to hit, guards and other various defenses aside. And so it was he should be more subtle about feints, hidden attacks and his own unconscious non verbal cues. At least they were things remedied by practice like that which he was currently doing. That all said, his mental attention shifted back to the female in front of him. Almost as soon as he did so her guard shifted ever so slightly to give her side that extra bit of cover. What was the need to lend the additional protection to that location. A weak spot perhaps but judging by who was before them and the current situation it was more likely a test of perception. He could bite and take the bait or ignore it; he chose to bite.
 
His gaze was locked onto Kiriko's before he dashed forwards. It was in that moment that something inside him stirred, deep within, something unfamiliar. Everything slowed down around him, his mind forcefully shift into a theta state. Tetsuya reiatsu flared up dramatically, flares of the green coloured visualisation of the spiritual pressure he possessed leaking from his body though it felt slightly different than before; if a characteristic were to describe it, it would be that it felt much darker, much more sinister. Memories rushed through his mind, a blur of images that he wished to forget flashing by in an instant, yet each picture remained ever so vivid. His eyes were still focused on Kiriko's being, though no longer on her eyes. They had phased from the blue they were to a glowing forest green, foreign to Tetsuya though not to the memories he possessed. Though his head felt foggy and his mind was split between his thoughts, his inner world into which he was slipping and the reality before his eyes. He could see it, his eyes widened slightly as he saw two shining points within Kiriko. Surely those points were the Saketsu and Hakusui, those vital points to a soul given the location. But how could he see that? His gaze floated up towards Kiriko's. Staring into her eyes, if her memory served her, she would draw parallels with the gaze of someone who had barged as rudely as devastatingly in her life, someone who taught her something important about her being. A friend? An enemy. Either way, the twin pair of eyes were sure to stir a few memories within her. Kanshisha Arashi no Tenjou had not failed to notice the changes within Tetsuya, the other half of her soul, she felt the same disturbances. Almost a reaction of shock, she vanished from sight, retreating back to Tetsuya, a deep need to protect each other overwhelming the two as she did so.
 
A mass of things happened in an instant halting Tetsuya's advance. He froze up, stood still staring at Kiriko, confusion in his expression. Blinking a few times his eyes returned to their normal hue and his Reiatsu calmed down in a heartbeat. His hand went to his face, resting on his forehead before he relaxed down. Three voices echoed out simultaneously. One was his spirit, one was himself to his spirit and the last was spoken aloud though it was more rhetorical than anything.
 
'What just happened...'
 
'What just happened...'
 
"What just happened..."
 
767W // 15GP // 101GPT

Kiriko watched gleefully as he struggled to his feet and studied her shifting body for a while. Of course he couldn't be expected to keep up with her, that was why she was going slow, giving him these educational openings, and providing the feedback. Today he would have no chance of anything, but tomorrow? In a few years? Who knew. That was the reason for this training, each time he could fight without it being life or death he would gain finesse. There was a lot for be said for battle experience, but if you really wanted to learn you had to study in a situation where you could pay the utmost attention and have things explained. In the thick of a fight there was no room to pause and asses and recreate, instead if was only death or life that occupied your mind. That was her intent today, to give Sasaki more knowledge, more deep experience. He might not be able to take these lessons and act on them until he grew a lot stronger, but at least the knowledge would be there. Waiting. For whenever he was ready.

Kiriko couldn't claim a lot of respect or loyalty to Seireitei itself, the Captain's hierarchy or the demands of their King. But she was loyal towards people, towards the Shinigami who were only doing their job. They were all in this together, to survive, to keep the balance, to protect. It wasn't in her nature to be a teacher, but despite her earlier misgivings Kiriko found this experience almost enlightening. Sasaki wasn't the only one benefiting here today.

He took his time in taking in her stance, in the careful state she kept herself in, and she was glad to watch his eyes light up when he caught sight of her favoring her side. He certainly didn't lack awareness, that was good. The boy charged, but mid step something strange happened. His eyes flashed and visible reiatsu flared around his body like someone had tossed a log into flames. Green coated him like a second skin and Kiriko stared perplexed. What was going on? The boy himself halted his forward path and looked around as if in a daze.

“Sasaki-san...”

There had been something about that gaze, a decidedly green tint to his reiatsu. She didn't want to make that connection, because it would mean that another one of her peers had been tainted by a Hollow-breed. King or not this was an abomination that had happened to Sakamoto, and even still Kiriko couldn't explain what it was that had occurred. Was Sasaki contaminated as well? Had he breached the taboo subject?

“What was that? Explain this to me,” her voice was whipcord sharp, lashing out with a heretofore unseen strength as Kiriko stared into his face. She had been playing earlier, in her office, but now, today, she glared at him with the full ramifications of her entire body. He would tell her what that had been, and she would deal with this accordingly. There was no resistance, she would not allow it. 

WC: 515 | GP: 10 | Total GP: 111

Explanation? He did not know what it was that just happened himself. The second thought which then ran through his mind was that the greatest lie one can tell is a lie that deceives oneself. He knew what it was that happened even though this was the first manifestation of that intensity. It was his power, a section of power he did not have he was birthed with nor was it one he had intimate knowledge of and it was power of which he held no dominion over. It was his power but the origin of that power lay with 'him'. Tetsuya and Shi were aware of the presence that was lurking somewhere deep within him, sectioned off unconsciously through their own strength and mental fortitude but the smoke had been leaking through the cracks.
 
His blade materialised back at his side once again, as the pair took a descent into their inner world together. In the instance they did, they could feel its spiritual pressure, closer to that of his Hollow kind than their own. A shadowed figure, a dot in the horizon but now an actuality to even vision. Their eyes met a wash of understanding between the two. This was their haven, this was their soul. It would not be desecrated by the hated foe. And not a moment after entering, Tetsuya returned to the garden. His expression became neutral as he straightened out. He knew what he would do, somehow something had latched onto his soul. As such he would simply fracture his divided soul again and obliterate the tainted part to purge himself. Tetsuya's tone was different this time as well, he spoke as he used to before he changed; freely, friendly and more spirited though it held a seriousness equally within it.
 
"Kiriko. I... saw it. Your Saketsu and Hakusui both with my eyes, in the literal sense. Something stirred within me just then though it's not first time I've noticed something strange like that; not to that degree anyway. Okay. Please. Relax. You'll be my first. At least the first person I decide to speak to about what happened."
 
His body twitched slightly, the plastered on smile wavering yet still remaining. His eyes red, as calm anger took root. Maybe it would not be such a good idea to tell her but perhaps she might understand. He hated to think about it but he had to get it off his chest right now, that was the ruling thought process going through his mind.
 
"During the invasion of Seireitei, Tova Diablo and I engaged in combat. Needless to say, this was not something I wanted to do. I did it to save my sister's life. I'm far stronger when I'm using my Zanpakutou. If there's one thing that is a strength I possess that exceeds virtually every living and deceased Shinigami, it's my bond with my Zanpakutou. I can draw all her powers out to the maximum my only downfall there being that I have a maximum capacity as I myself am far weaker than her.  I'm rambling now aren't I? Regardless, I was unable to stop him and I managed to survive despite being injured. Shi chan and I know our soul's depths in its entirety and we could feel a change in  our peace. Since that time something feels like its taken residence. It's something I plan to deal with as soon as I have enough strength to use my Bankai. Tova Diablo. He's the reason for this, all the pain I'm going through, all of Yumiko's pain. I can never forgive him. I won't be able to rest until he's dead and buried. His soul, I'll destroy it completely... Nothing will remain of him... I swear it or I'll die trying but I don't plan on dying."
 
He inhaled deeply and exhaled, a mental expulsion as much as a release of air. He relaxed, his calm returning to his blue irises. He had gone and spoken his feelings aloud for the first time since that day and it had come as a huge relief for him. Perhaps he was simply waiting for the moment someone approached the subject forcefully. That said the situation for the disclosure was not exactly preferable. Hopefully she would not she him as some sort of unforeseen threat to Seireitei, to Soul Society.
 
"I've troubled you far too much in a single day, Kiriko. I'm sorry. I'll make it up to you with some good sake later?"

750W // 15GP // 116GPT