"So then you're my first opponent Mrs...?"

"I am captain Suì-Fēng and captain only to you"

"Of course you are"

Thomas stood in the courtyard staring up at the sky, hands on his back. Always the same. Can't anyone be civil nowadays? Thomas threw a mock bow, his cloak billowing. The bow was mainly for show but it signified the start of the battle. Suì-Fēng settled into a defensive stance with her hand resting on her hilt. Sighing theatrically he drew both swords from adjacent hips. Both waited for the first move to be made, the first mistake. Suddenly Suì-Fēng charged forwards her hands knifing forwards at his throat. He waited 'till the last moment and ducked. Suì-Fēng gasped astounded at his speed as he bought his wakizashi round in an arc at her stomach. She gasped as the air was pushed out of her and slip backwards coming to a stop. Thomas had hit her with the back of the blade!

"How dare you insult me like that! Do you think me a child?"

Thomas frowned "I don't like to draw blood on the first attack. Such a lack of potential"

"you may regret that decision" she cried leaping forwards, this time her blade was drawn.

Thomas settled into a defensive stance once again but as Suì-Fēng got near this time he leapt into the air wings snapping out. He flew over her and landed in a crouch behind her. He cut down with his wakizashi and it clashed with Suzumebachi. They both leaped back.

"Shall we turn things up a notch?" Thomas asked. He cocked his swords back and a veil of air swirled around his tachi and around his wakizashi formed a veil of electricity.

"Like them? Lightning and slipstream they're called, yes I know a bit odd but that's not the name of my zanpakutō. No, she hates the fact she's two swords but I like her this way."

"are we just going to stand here and narrate your life?"

"If we have over a thousand years..."

Suì-Fēng snarled and leapt forwards crying "Sting all Enemies to Death Suzumebachi" and she thrust her shiki forwards into his throat. He blocked her sword with his wakizashi and sparks flew up her arm. She gritted her teeth and leapt backwards.

"Impressed?"

"it's just a shiki"

Thomas laughed "no not yet, this is just natural ability"

He leapt forwards again intent on finishing the battle. He rolled under her initial attack and thrust his tachi upwards. Suì-Fēng staggered backwards as Thomas leapt up and threw his wakizashi at her feet. Leaping forwards he landed on the pommel of his blade and swung the tachi in an arc at her head. With a cry of "Shunkō" she raised her hand and stopped the blade. She stared right at Thomas and grinned at him then sent a savage bolt of lightning up his blade. He frowned, leaned down and pulled his wakizashi out of the ground. Letting go of the tachi he leaped onto the hilt of the tachi in Suì-Fēng's grip and jumped off of it. The lightning entered through his bare foot and into his body. Gritting his teeth he tightened his grip on his sword. The sparks on his wakizashi intensified. He hit the ground and shifting his grip so that the hilt was touching his palm and he thrust his blade forwards. Suì-Fēng gasped as the sword slid under her ribs. She fell to the ground, hands grasping at her wound. Thomas picked up his swords and sheathed them.

"I believe I've won."

Thomas walked out of the arena as the squad 4 medical team rushed to the fallen captain.