Morning Wood: Hard Fists (Closed)

Kensei couldn't believe his orders for today. Find a Quincy take him on in close-quarters combat, and evaluate the standards to which they are capable in that regard. Seriously? Pick a fight with a random Quincy, as if they were easy to find due to the fact that there were so few on record these days. But still he had his job to do, he figured the best place to start looking was on the island of Japan where there were several occasions of Quincy activity in the region. He could at least make a sweep of the area, seeing as Quincy's spiritual pressure acted on a different frequency than other humans and shinigamis. It couldn't be that hard to find one right? He leapt from roof top to roof top scouring the city for a faint reitsu signature that was similar to a quincy. He stopped high above what appeared to be a some kind of cafe as he felt the signature at it's strongest.  

He narrowed his sight on a single man sitting by the window ordering his food, he smirked as descended into the shadows of the nearby alleyway to dawn his hood and mask to conceal his identity from the other man. He wasn't wearing the standard-issue shinigami uniform. Then again, he didn't wear that thing unless he absolutely had to on most days. The damn thing was so impractical, especially if the sandal strings snapped or God forbid that he step on a caltrop or some other sharp object. instead he wear a light black haori with a hood and mask in the front. It was specifically designed for covert operations for the Second Division and was certainly more comfortable to wear. He did his best to mask his own reitsu signature as he wanted to make sure Kemo didn't detect him until it was too late. His icy, blue stare targeted the quincy from a far. Much like a predatory animal, stalking its next meal. In a funny way, this was much like a food chain cycle right now. Kemo was eating his meal, and Kensei was about to prey on his.

 It was go time. He then reached into his utility belt to pop a smoke bomb through the window of the cafe. Kensei was going to get in, extract the Quincy and take him on away from any civilians. The sound of the smoke bomb crashing through the window made a large shattering noise as he rushed through to attack. He charged through the smoke filled room narrowing in on the Quincy about to use the Ikkotsu technique in a sort of Blitzkrieg fashion. (+5 Unarmed Precision, +30 Power and Precision for a total of 60 Power and 65 Precision for 6 stamina .) His intent was to cause sudden panic in the man he was targeting, plus the sudden attack, if successful, would worsen the panic. Who was attacking him and why? How did he find him? Was he intending to kill him? All of these questions would probably be racing through the other man's mind. Kensei wondered whether he would be able to counter or dodge the attack within enough time to get past the realization that he was being ambushed by an unknown shinigami. His aim was directed towards the square of the unassuming Quincy's jawline. This could very well cause him to be disoriented from the attack due to the blunt force trauma to the head.  

The crowd around the cafe ran for the doors screaming and wet from the sprinkler system going off. The smoke would clear in a few moments but the two of them would be long gone by the time anyone would think to stick around to see what caused the explosion of smoke in the first place. Most would just assume that a pipe busted or the chef in the back over cooked the roast in the oven. Funny thing about humans is that they don't usually stop to question these things too often; which, makes it that much easier for him and other shinigami to cover their tracks.  

''Target confirmed. Initiating Close Combat Analysis: Subject: Quincy.'' 

Kensei was wearing a headset that allowed him to transfer the data and recordings of this fight in real time back to the I.F.U of the Second Division. Hopefully, somebody back in the lab was getting some use out of this information. If they weren't all taking bets on who was going to kick who's ass in the process. 

WC: 753 GP:15

Another day as a woman...this was rather annoying for Ayato. It was more tolerable now, however, since she had gotten used to being female. Not only that, she did only have today and another day before she would be reverted back to her normal self. Today, she had decided she would go out for another leisure day in Japan, though this time she had gone to the more rural part of Japan. There was no particular reasoning for doing so, it had been an uncharacteristically impulsive decision on her part. The morning sun projected its enveloping warmth across the landscape, accompanied by the gentle kiss of an approaching spring's wind. She had initially wanted to enjoy such tranquility through her Gigai, but she had not bothered to get a female Gigai commissioned and had no intention of traipsing around Japan as a female within a male's body; the ironic inverse of her current situation. As such, she was of course donning the Shihakusho, but had once again tailored it to her own style. Sitting upon a riverside rock, a content sigh whispered from her lips as the calming breeze allowed her crimson locks to frolic through the air beside her. Despite the circumstances, she was at ease.

"You're in a really good mood today, Sister Ayato. You're...actually happy?" Ayato angled her head upward slightly at the question posed by her sword spirit before a smile parted her lips and she crested a few strands of hair back behind her ear.

"Yeah, I guess I am. I don't really know why, myself, I just feel....really relaxed right now. Maybe it's because of all the meditation I've been doing or something, but even what's going on with my body right now isn't really bothering me. I guess I'm starting to realize that I shouldn't really take things so seriously, I don't know." Her shoulders rose then fell in a quick shrug as she rose to her feet. The heels of her boots crunched softly on the dew-ridden grass as she hopped down from her earthen perch. The fabric of her uniform whispered contently with the movement of her hands across the surface, removing any stray dirt that may have accumulated during her sitting. She had decided that she would explore a bit of the nearby town. Perhaps she would find something interesting to occupy her time. She expect to run into any spiritually aware individuals in this part of Japan, so her expectations as far as interesting occurrences wasn't set too high. Surprisingly, despite the pleasant weather, the area around her was void of any other people. Only the sounds of local fauna foraging through the greenery and Ayato's own footsteps could initially be heard. As she drew nearer to the town, however, the sounds of urban living and industry mingled with the sounds of nature. The rustling crunch of grass was replaced by dull clicks of her heels as she crossed onto the paved sidewalks. As it would turn out, Ayato was in for another surprise.

Not even moments after she had crossed into the town limits did she begin to pick up on not one but two spiritual presences. There was a considerable distance between the two signatures and there wasn't much of a difference in strength between the pair. Still, it was enough to earn her curiosity. Taking a high leap onto a nearby roof, Ayato proceeded to utilize a quick succession of Shunpo bursts to bring her closer to the nearest presence she had detected. Within moments her short trek brought her to a roof overlooking a small cafe. Sitting upon the ledge and crossing her legs, she honed in on the owner of the presence. A dark-skinned male, perhaps in his early-to-mid twenties, most likely not a native of Japan. A tourist, perhaps? It was certainly possible, though his spiritual presence seemed different from her own, yet also familiar. Her foot swayed patiently as she watched the man enter the cafe. Presently she was unsure if the man was aware that she was there, though judging by the carefree feeling of his spiritual presence it was possible that he was in fact ignorant of her being there or simply not threatened by it. Either would be a logical response, as of yet she had made no actions that would be indicative of hostility nor did she have any reason to. Her attention was then drawn away from the diner towards her left, feeling the second presence drawing closer. 

Upon drawing closer, Ayato was able to get a better impression of the presence and realized that it was one that she recognized and had encountered before; Kensei, the recruit from the Interrogation Unit she had met the other day. What was his reason for being here? The answer to that inquiry came to her shortly after as he appeared atop another building roof overlooking the diner. The combat garbs he donned coupled with the hostile intent that was interwoven throughout his spiritual presence led her to the conclusion that he had some intention on bringing harm to the man within the diner. Perhaps she would get a better look at things from the ground. Pushing forward, Ayato descended from the roof in a rather curious manner. Rather than falling as she should have, her steps proceeded one in front of the other as if she were descending down a stairway. Settling down in a chair on the outdoor patio of the diner, a few confused glances shot in her direction as the chair slid back and shifted with her weight. It was likely that the spiritually unaware people around them attributed the chair's movement to an errant gust of wind, a fact that was made apparent as they resumed their previous conversations and meals. Once again she folded her arms and crossed her legs, swaying her foot patiently as she watched the events transpire. Kensei had chosen to make use of a smokescreen to mask his approach, though Ayato was able to follow his movements with ease. A rather direct punch arced towards the mystery man's jaw, followed by a low murmuring that Ayato was familiar with; Kensei was apparently sent here on a mission. 

"You're not going to join in? I thought you were looking for something interesting to do?"

"Not yet Kaori, let's see what happens first. If it turns out that it'll be fun to join in, then I will. In any case, keep an eye on how these guys fight, look for tells and openings we can exploit if necessary."

"Wow, even when you're in a good mood you're ruthless." Ayato chuckled quietly and ran her fingers back through her hair, shifting her bang away from her forehead. It was just part of her nature; she was always watching how others fought and always learning how to best exploit their weaknesses. She was a Second Division Shinigami, after all.

Word Count: 1,155

Current GP: 23

Total GP: 23

After finishing his meal he slid the plate back from him as he sat back in the booth he was sitting in and let out a soft sigh of enjoyment as apparently he needed it. The waitress then walked back by an picked up his plate and set a bill down next to him along with a extra slip of paper that looked to have some sort of number marked on it. Sure enough the waitress had indeed given him her number .

He just smiled and  chuckled softly as he paid the bill and handed the other copy of it to the woman with a smile and a wink. It was unusual though for someone like him to get attention from a woman, maybe it was because of his dark brown skin that seemed appealing to the eye. or maybe it was because she thought he was from some place ells like another country of sorts. No matter it did not cross his mind at all as he opened his phone an pecked the numbers right in along with her name "shelly''.  For the moment he just sat there allowing for his food to settle before he chose to move along further up the road into the deeper areas of the woods when he then suddenly notice something different.

Different was indeed the way to put it as he thought to himself, though it was not because of the food he had just eaten, no this was a feeling that he had felt once before. A feeling that someone ells not of the normal "human" life form was indeed someplace close by though he did not pay much attention to it at first as he was still allowing himself to recover from his meal. Suddenly without a blink of the eye something then came crashing through the window that he was sitting at as something rolled across the table and on to the floor quickly filling the place with smoke.

Kemotou could not see a thing as he jumped from his seat shielding himself from the glass that flew all over him and on to the table and floor as a masked subject entered the building faster than he was able to see as the unknown subject came in through the window. Kemotou did not waste time to think much of what was happening, who it was or why they had chose this place to attack as he had been in a situation like this before and knew what was likely to come.

By the time Kemo was able to grasp his footing and see the subject, the subject was lunging at him with a punch that would surly hit him in his jaw from what kemo could see and how the subject was coming at him. Although there was little time to react Kemotou did not have very many options in such time to counter or even move out of the way as it was very likely that he would take the punch directly, there for Kemotou focused his attention on himself and the spiritual particles that surrounded him and forced it to flow into his body filling his circulatory system. (Blut Vene: Increases Defense by +30 for a total of +50 to Defense for 15 stamina.) As the unknown subjects fist made contact with his jaw he staggered back from the blow but was not knocked down or disoriented from it as the punch merely left a slight bruise upon his jaw and the flow of spiritual particles through his body allowed him to withstand the blow almost completely unharmed.   

This would surly surprises the subject as it would likely be something the unknown person would not expect from such a punch, there for this gave Kemotou enough time to manifest his spiritual weapon. Upon his left wrist was a black leather wrist cuff bracelet that had 2 leather strap buckles underneath and on top contained a silver cross that had his name engraved on it. Kemo then held out his left hand out to his side as spiritual particals quickly fled to the center of his hand, with in a blink of an eye a long 72 inch (6 foot) pole that also contained a 24 inch (foot and a half) 4inch thick blade that was in total a 7 foot long weapon, that formed in the palm of his hand.

In that amount of time Kemotou was able to understand the spiritual pressure that the person before him gave off and quickly understood that it was that of a Shinigami. Kemotou then raised his blade, both hand upon the weapon as he pointed it directly at the Shinigami and demanded an explanation as to his actions that had taken place, all at the same time He then noticed another subject, this one was also of the same spiritual pressure and could tell that it was also of a Shinigami. Kemotou has ever only come in contact once with a shinigami but never understood who they are or even how they come to be part of this world. But one thing is for sure Kemotou felt as if he was being hunted by them.

Though the other subject did not seem to come in and assists the Shinigami that was standing face to face with him, he did not pay much mined to them but did not let their spiritual pressure out from his scope.

"Speak now! or be cut down! Who are you and what do you want with me!"  

WC: 924

GP: 18

total: 32

Stamina: 58/73

The Shinigami merely circled the quincy eyeing him up in silence. Odd, he didn't suspect that the quincy would have time to put up a reishi-like armor in the short amount of time that he allowed him. Fascinating even, the rumors were very true that Quincies, even when caught off guard, are hard to kill. Not that he had lethal intentions or anything like that. If he wanted to do that,he wouldn't have staged such a bold attack in broad day light. He rotated his neck feeling it crack with each turn on the axis on his shoulders. His gaze set upon Kemotou studying the man's perplexed look towards him. He couldn't blame him though. He was having such a perfect day until Kensei came and mucked it all up. He would have to use that frustration to his advantage if he could. 

What would he say to answer the quincy? That his life is not in any real danger? Perhaps to lure him into a false sense of security in that idea? No, that would be far too direct for Kensei's taste. Or perhaps he should say nothing at all and continue the mission as planned? That would probably be for the best. The least he knows about why this is happening the better it would be for him. Keep the other man guessing, confused, off-balance. That is the Second Division way. However, he felt that he should at least say a few words to taunt at the Quincy in order to keep things interesting. 

''Cut me down? Now there's an interesting thought. Tell you what, Quincy.. Since I've clearly ruined your afternoon stroll, You get a free shot at me, if you think you can?'' 

Kensei extended his arms, showing he had nothing in his sleeves, well as far as he knew anyways. He had a few throwing knives tucked away for special occasion and his zanpaktou sat at his side and on his back. Not many have seen him fight with a sword, this is probably due to the fact he rarely has need to draw his swords. This is either because his fights are over too quickly or his skill with Hakuda makes drawing the zanpaktou not needed at all. That and his silver tongue which often allows for him to recover his strength for a few moments while planning his next attack on the unsuspecting Quincy.  

He smiled underneath his mask in his usual wolfish grin with piercing blue eyes fixating on the other man. Anticipating his opponent's next attack and playing out his counter move and the next move afterward in his head. He was always taught to think two to three steps ahead of his opponent. To anticipate every angle that he may be attacked from and how he could exploit their weaknesses once exposed to the shinigami. 

His concentration broke for only the slightest moment when he felt the presence of another shinigami only a few yards away from him. 'Ayane'? What the hell was she doing here? Was she following him? Could it be that she is on to the fact that Kensei knows that she is hiding something and seeks to silence the man before he digs too deeply into her true intentions. She may have come only to watch him fight...for future reference or to attack Kensei once he has tired from the fight with the quincy. This could prove problematic in the grand scheme of things, should she decide to try for Kensei's life today. His eyes flickered at 'Ayane' only for a moment to give her a courtesy nod between two members of Squad Two. 

''If you can make this fight entertaining for me, I'll tell you my true purpose in order to satisfy your curiosity. Deal?'' 

Kensei spoke in his typical polite tone brushing off the smoke residue on his practical attire. Even though he was supposed to be fighting this man to gain information on the fighting prowess of the quincies, he could still offer the man some form of civility in this matter. After all, that was the one thing that separated proper men from savage beasts. At least that was Kensei's opinion on the matter. 

WC: 703 GP:14 Total: 29

It seemed that the dark-skinned male had not been totally caught off-guard, a rudimentary defense had been erected just moments before Kensei's fist struck. Although the hit appeared to have quite a bit of force behind it, the stranger gave no particular reaction that would indicate he had been harmed by the punch. A secondary reaction began, however, as Ayato detected a surge of spiritual power being exuded from the attacked male, manifesting itself into an ethereally-charged naginata. So her initial assumption of the man had been validated; this man not only was spiritually aware, but could also utilize spiritual power. There was something about his weapon, however, that had peaked Ayato's curiosity even more. It was familiar in some way, yet she could not pinpoint exactly how. The swaying movement of her foot halted as the attention of Shiori and Kaori focused on the man and their feelings of recognition resonated within her mind as well. Not too long ago they had combated an individual who possessed a similar spiritual composition. Her eyes narrowed by a small fraction. That woman of their combative past, Yumi Hikari, she had identified herself as a Quincy. Judging by the likenesses between her power and this man's, it was more than viable to deduce that this man was also a Quincy. As expected, the apparent Quincy demanded answers from Kensei about the attack, which in turn caused a small grin of amusement from the spectating woman. 

"Another Quincy, Sister Ayato. Do you think fighting this one will help you learn more about them?" 

"It's possible, though this one seems to be more privy to spear fighting and Yumi was an archer and swordsman. Still, I suppose categorizing them based on their weapon usage isn't a very effective method. One thing is certain....Quincy do seem to enjoy talking."

Her crimson eyes bore into the two combatants as they stared each other down, she had yet to decide whether to become involved in the brewing altercation before her. By sheer coincidence, Ayato's gaze happened to shift towards Kensei, only to find that he had already been looking at her. So he had finally noticed that she was here? Ayato wondered what type of thoughts were running through his mind. She had gleaned a small amount of apprehension and unease from the reiatsu that flowed through him. As if to compound and quite possibly exacerbate those feelings into full-blown paranoia, a devilishly sinister smile parted her lips and she twiddled her fingers in a taunting wave. Even more, for a passing moment she exuded an aura that seethed and pulsed with unbridled malice. There was no doubt that the Quincy would also pick up on the malicious intent in her aura; that was fine as well. A rigid nod was the response she received from Kensei, eliciting an equally malign chuckle. It wasn't that her intentions were centered on either of them in particular, in fact it was quite the opposite; she would be more than willing to combat them both on equal standing. Once more, Kensei spoke and diverted her attention majorly towards him. The overconfidence was showing yet again, perhaps it was time for her to get involved after all. The twins picked up on her thoughts and actually seemed to be excited.

"You're finally going to get involved? It's about damn time! But wait...are you still trying to make sure people don't recognize you? That'll go out the window if you use us, you know." 

"I've already got that covered, Shiori. You're aware of what a False Release is, right? Besides, I doubt I'll need to really use you two's power anyway." Ayato uncrossed her legs and shifted forward in her seat before vanishing (Intermediate Step; +40 speed for a total of 71 speed, 6 stamina). Just as Kensei had reached the middle of his sentence, Ayato appeared behind Kensei while crouching in an Iai drawing stance, her left hand grasping the hilt of her zanpakuto while the right hand was settled on the sheathe of the sword. Scarlet locks hid her lowered face from view. Her grip tightened on the sword's handle, holding it just beneath the handguard. The malevolent intent returned once more, transferred into the blade as she quickly drew and simultaneously performing a horizontal slash directed at the center of Kensei's abdomen, fully intending to cut him in half (Ryoudan; +30 Power and Precision and +5 Precision for Intermediate Zanjutsu for a total of 61 Power and 66 Precision, 6 stamina).

Word Count: 975

Current GP: 19

Total GP: 44