Not much time to complain though. Ren Saki had shoulder-length black hair with red streaks running down the sides. Her uniform was also laced with three red stripes running down the side, and a tattoo of a grey cat on her neck. She was about my height, with a slender build, and wore a relaxed expression. She was known for being a bit rough at times. Even Ikkaku, a seat higher said she could be quite vicious.
Yup. I think the healing units better get ready.
After the nod from Kenpachi, Ren simply snickered, closing her olive colored eyes. I wasn't one to inquire why such things happened, but I deduced that she was confident in victory. I never took into consideration that I was fighting a female, and I unsheathed my zanpakuto.
"Do you even want to be here?" she asked, cooly revealing her katana, purposely swinging it from hand to hand, then resting it on her shoulder. I had no idea of what to say. I really couldn't say whether or not I wanted to. I was kind of -
"You're indifferent, aren't you?" she said. I still didn't respond. I was more surprised that my first real duel was in front of many people. Most of whom were the rowdy 11-year olds cheering for Ren, who seemed to be waiting for my move. I reluctantly made a first move, running at Ren from a low angle, going for her knees. She wasn't moving, but with every step it took closer, she began to smile more. And before I swung my sword, I could've sworn I heard a full-fledged laugh. Before she vanished.
Yeah, I was in trouble. The first hit struck me in the back, lurching me forward. My body didn't have much time to really react as another strike connected to my left side. Just as fast as she vanished, she reappeared by my side. I could hear the low giggles she emitted. Her division was loving it. Meanwhile, Shoukou ran to the balcony, seeing me reeling. And Ren standing right next to me..
"Of all the people Moren could've faced," she said to Myoto, who now sported a cast with a support connected to his midsection.
"He may end up worse than me," Myoto said, watching with a mix of worry and interest.
I felt soreness in the two struck areas, but I wasn't down. Yet.
"I'm sorry. It's just been a while since I actually fought. Can you please stay up a little longer? It may be a while before this happens again," she said. She held her arm out, and hung her head. Slowly, the zanpakuto rose to her side, spinning.
" ...Nekomata..." Multi-colored strings slowly escaped the blade, then disappeared. what was it with this invisibile stuff?
She rose her head, then moved her right arm - and so did I. She tilted her head to the left. Again, I copied her. She reached for her zanpakuto, and held it in front of her. I copied her again. I did not like where this was going. My head began to swim. Whatever happened, I may not be around long enough to feel. I hoped.
"We're both going to the infirmary. If I see you again. I'll tell you what happened," she said. I wish I could say that this was the time that I found out the name of my zanpakuto through some drawn out sequence, or that I shouted a random name, but I didn't. My arms and legs were burning, and my skin felt as if a million needles were being forced from it. My stomach was rumbling and burning. All the while, Ren stayed calm, then closed her eyes, lifting the zanpakuto over her head.
Helplessly, I did the same. I closed my eyes, expecting the worst possible feeling I could imagine.
The zanpakuto swung down with frightening speed and - it stopped. My body, still in a pained state, didn't feel a thing. Was this it? Had I escaped my body before the final blow? I opened my eyes to see Shoukou between both Ren and I, her shikai glowing, revealing the strings. My body fell, as well as Ren's. All was black, and I was fortunate enough to hear footsteps...
"...thankfully, she cut the strings in time. Those strings can sap energy from every pore in the body. She was draining him the whole while. Shoukou, thanks." said an officer of the Fourth. I made a mental check of my body, and it hurt to even think of what happened.
"Moren, I'm sorry. I can get a little carried away during battle." said a weak, yet feminine voice on my side. My body seemed to enter a new level of pain after hearing her voice. Ren stretched her hand out to mine, which was laying limp off the cot. I gave a weak handshake, then lay on my back, staring at the ceiling.
"Moren, are you okay?" It was Rora, who had just walked in.
"This is your chance," said a fellow officer. Rora, lost in thought for a minute, quickly figured out what was being proposed.
"Illuminate, Hotaru" she said. Her katana glowed reddish orange, then expanded into the shape of a square.
"A sort of X-ray. Like Shoukou's?" asked a voice. Rora nodded, allowing the shape to pass over my body. I felt the warmth, and feeling coming back. Rora had learned her shikai at a fast pace, which according to some sources, had impressed even the captain herself.
"But this is used for medical purposes. Sort of like an X-ray." she replied. The rest of my day went as follows: I eventually got too tired to feel the hurt, and let my body relax and eventually dozed off...
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Author's Note: Thanks for reading, and don't be afraid to review as well!