SORRY THIS TOOK ME SO LONG TO WRITE, I HOPE TO NEVER HAVE TO WRITE A FIGHTING SCENE AGAIN. I'LL STICK TO DIALOGUE. I HOPE ZARAKI IS NOT OOC TOO MUCH.
THANK YOU TO AUTHOR BARBARA HAMBLY FOR NOUNS, VERBS, AND ADJECTIVE; AND MY HANDY THESAURUS.
HOPEFULLY NEXT CHAPTER WILL GO MUCH FASTER.
I DO NOT OWN BLEACH OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS, EXCEPT FOR KATSUMI(SHE'S MINE)
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Katsumi's POV
The 11th squad's old training grounds stood near the wall that separate them from the 10th squad. It was surrounded by a veil of trees, hiding it from passerbys. I sat on the grass beneath a large tree with my back toward the break in the foliage, my eyes closed in apparent meditation. Right...meditation, as if. I was too busy listening to all the conversations flowing around me to actually try to "find my deeper self". Conversations flowed not only from the 11th Squad, but from the 10th and 12th too. Haineko was just as self absorbed as the last time they spoke, but I must say I found Hyorinmaru a fascinating zanpakuto. His master, for all his youth, seems to be one of the most mature individuals in the seireitei, there are many individuals that can learn about responsibility from him. My attention was drawn by Ashisogi Jizo's comments on his master and the best way to handle him in certain situations, which will come in very handy latter on. Gleaning all the important information and filing it away in my mind for my report later on that evening.
A stray wisp of thought jumped to the forefront of my consciousness, I had to smile as I recognized the basic conversations of a nameless zan. The unmastered zanpakutos were used mainly by students who had not gained their own zan, and occasionally by shinigami that could not or would not use their own in battle. They were able to fulfill all the basic duties of a zanpakuto, but they lacked the intelligence, personalities, and ability to form a bond with shinigami. Only other zans have the ability to communicate with them, but the unnamed ones were beneath the notice of their exhaled kindred; but Himitsu Soyokaze, who talked to everyone. The katana at my side was one such weapon. It's conversation was stilted and faint, lacking in emotion in an almost computer like way; the one approaching me belonged to Zaraki Taichou. I drew my sword and placed it lightly across my lap, making sure to keep my hand next to it's hilt. I kept track of his progress as he headed into the practice grounds. His zan informed us it's master was upset, anticipation, and hostile. I was informed when he noticed the figure sitting on the ground, his feeling of disgust about something, his resolve to strike fast, unnoticed.
Kenpachi's POV
I had been looking to this afternoon all day. My morning sucked because of the captain's meeting I had to go to. If I had to look at that clown Kurotsuchi any longer, I would have split that little shit with my zan; straight through that ugly painted mug down to his navel...or groin. Yes, his Ahisogi Jizo is powerful, but he is a real whack job that should be locked up...or killed. If only to protect other people from the psychotic bastard. Sure some people feel that way about me, but hell...I got standards! I don't wanna play with weaklings; unlike that freak, I am have no interest in whimps.
As I walked through the trees I spotted that woman. Che, what is she doing sitting with her back to the entrance? And is she meditating? Does she have a death wish or something? If she feels that comfortable being a target maybe I should see just what she's got. I sneaked, God! I can't believe I'm actually sneaking, up to the edge of the trees and quietly drew my sword. I rushed forward and brought my zan down on her head...and blinked. Her blade rose to meet mine as automatic as jerking a burned finger from the flame. I had to chuckle. The woman felt my approach and was even able to defend herself from the initial blow. My blade hit her's then skittered down the angled blade in a shower of sparks till it sunk into the ground at her side. I guess she isn't going to be a push-over after all.
"Attacking from behind like that...not very sporting of you." She looked up over her shoulder at me with a little smile. "How unlike the 11th Squad, and here I thought you were all fight head on, one-on-one, till only one is left standing?" I watched as she rose to her feet.
"If you are going to sit with your back to an entrance when you know a powerful opponent is coming, then expect to be tested on how well you can sense reiatsu. What were you doing, anyway? You should be honing your fighting skills, not doing that meditation crap." Katsumi simple smiled. I noticed she did an awful lot of that, I wonder if I can get her so mad she will stop smiling.
"I'm all for a little sparing but I have a meeting with the commander-general later , so I am going to have to insist on a couple of rules." ,Katsumi stated.
" RULES..," What the fuck is she talking about? "There are no rules in fighting. Two opponents fight till one is dead, or cant move any more."
"As I said, I have a meeting with the old man later, so unless you want to explain to him why I am not there then you will simple have to wait till tomorrow for a fight. If you are unable to put an end to this when I call for a halt, it will be better to wait another day." She said all of this with a straight face.
Well I need to blow of a little steam from this morning, but I do not want to face Yamamoto. I still have the duo I can beat up...maybe I should ask about these rules of hers. "What kind of rules are you talking about?"
Katsumi's POV
This might actually work! Amazing. I know my sword can't take direct hits from someone with Kenpachi's strength; which is why I slanted my blade earlier, but if he agrees to this I may keep him interested for a while.
"First is stopping when I say too. I cant miss this meeting. Second, no maiming and limiting damage. I can not go to the meeting with broken bones, internal bleeding, or missing limbs. Third...I get to use Kido. You are stronger than me so I get to use all the weapons in my arsenal."
"Kido is for weaklings, why do you want to fool with something like that? And I'm not sure I can hold back enough not to hurt your "precious" hide." He sneered this last comment.
I had to sigh, prejudice has no place on the battlefield. "Kido is a weapon, nothing more...nothing less. Refusing to use a weapon because one thinks it is foolish is in itself foolish. Just as depending completely on kido is foolish. But refusing to use it, or letting anyone else from using it, is simple wrong. There are a few members of your squad who would do well with the demon arts; but they wont because of how you feel about it, and they do not want to disappoint you. If they die because of it, you will be responsible for their deaths. Just think about it, OK? Can you agree to these rules? Or do you just want to wait till tomorrow when we wont need to think about Yamamoto."
Kenpachi's POV
Che, kido is for weaklings...but not using something you already has is a bit...Damn! I hate thinking about stupid things like this. Should I just put this off till tomorrow? But I really want to...the old man sure knows how to ruin my fun. I do have the duo to take the edge off. I really wanted to find out about her fighting ability, but... "I suppose it can wait for tomorrow if,,,give me 30 minutes to see what kind of fighter you are. Maybe a little taste of blood will help to satisfy ..Shit!"
Her blade lunged at me with the swiftness of a striking snake, if she were fighting someone below the lieutenant level it would have landed a hit. My blood roared in my ears, my body tingling with the thought of battle. This is what I exist for...battle and blood. I rained my sword down on her again and again; but with her speed and agility, she managed to dodge the strokes of my zanpakutos.
Katsumi's POV
The lunges kept getting uncomfortable close, causing a sense of urgency to do something to change the pace if this deadly game. That is what this is to him...a game. Yet in this battle, precision and speed needs to count for more than just strength; where I sure of defeat. I don't have a chance at winning, but I must prove to him I am not a whimp. As I blocked one of his hits, I unexpectedly slid his sword down the length of my blade; allowing me to push it to my side. Spinning on my heel I moved at an increased speed; I slashed, ducked, and parried with the quick grace that was almost like a dance. I quickly retreated before the great swinging strokes of my opponent's blade, then stepped forward under the arc of his zan to land a solid hit. Only to shift back out of range before he could take advantage of my precarious position. The cold electricity of battle-lust spread an equally cold smile across his face. "You're not half bad. Tomorrow may prove entertaining after all." , he chuckled. The maniacal expression on his face can only be described as hellish. I can see why some people called him a demon.
Kenpachi's POV
As I brought my sword down on her again, there was a blur of movement as she vanished from in front of me. Without conscious thought I shifted the direction of my swing to the right. I suddenly realized that she would not be able to block my blade. Damn, and after I agreed to no maiming, too! I just hoped she would be able to stop it, but her blade was simple not in the correct position to deflect the metal that threaten to cleave her body in half. Expecting to register a hit with the razor edge, a faint blue-white glow of light stopped my sword mere inches before it hit the target's waist.
"If I did not know Bakudo 39, Enkosen, I would be dead right now." She said this with a serious look on her face. "Kido can be very useful when used correctly. Not just as an offense weapon, but as a defensive one too. If you ban the use of it completely, how with the members of your squad know how to defeat it in battle. Not everyone can win battles with strength alone, like you. And if it wasn't for kido, you would be explaining to the comander-gerneral right now as to why his Adjudicator was dead."
Katsumi turned and ran from me, so I gave chase. To my surprise she took several steps up the trunk of a nearby tree, then using it as a spring board to launch herself over my head. With her feet high in the air, our heads were level with each other. As she passed by me, she swung her katana with her left arm toward the back of my neck. Smiling, I turned slightly and blocked the blow. Fighting in that position is a very tough thing to do. I caught a flicker of red light in the corner of my eye, so quickly returned to my original direction. Just in time to see that her right hand, which had trailed behind her, was in front of my face.
Katsumi's POV
"Hado 31, Shakkaho"
The red glow of energy expanded till it enveloped Kenpachi's head. I continued arching through the air till I landed, skidding, along the grass in the training yard. As I looked up at Kenpachi, I was impressed; not very many people can take direct hits like that without injury. As the smoke cleared all the damage seemed to be superficial. His top of his haori and kosode were ripped and torn, his hair and eyebrows singed, but the most damage had been done to his hair style. Red fire cannon to the face and all it results in is a ruined hairdo. The elaborate spikes no longer existed, his hair fell about his face loosely. Oho...he should wear his hair like that more often. The bells so painstakingly applied could no longer be seen. I could feel a rise in his spiritual pressure and the waves of anger seemed to be rolling off of him. I think we should end this NOW!
"It seems we are past the 30 minute mark, so I am calling a halt to things." He just stood there staring at me, as if I had just spoken in Elvish or Klingon. I watched him carefully as he slowly shook his head, as if trying to clear it. If he doesn't stop now he is going to kill me. "You gave me your word, sir, your word that you will stop when I call a halt. It has been longer than the 30 minutes you originally asked for. You do not want to tell the commander-general that I could not go to his meeting because you killed me. I agreed to sparring with you tomorrow, but right now it has to stop." He is not attacking me, that is a plus. Now if he can only calm himself down a bit more. "I'm sure Ikkaku would like a fight; just don't injure him too much, because I am unsure when the meeting will be over. You just have to take him to the 4th Squad for any healing till I can get back."
Kenpachi's POV
Damn! She is hot, and more importantly...can fight. Maybe things are going to get better. It's been kind of dull after the war, I think I have found a new toy. I watched her as she approach me cautiously, I was so tempted to jump at her and yell boo! I detected a blue glow around her hands as she ran them over the cuts and abrasions on her face and arms. Her wounds visually healing right under her hands.
"Is it OK for me to heal the facial burns, or do you want to play the invincible man and pretend it doesn't sting?"
"What burns?" I reached up and felt the surface of my skin, it seemed to be tingling. "That's nothing, but if you feel you have to treat it, go right ahead." I could feel my smile stretching my scorched skin, but if she wants to lay her hands on me...sounds great. Her hands felt almost like cool water as they caressed my face.
She smiled up at me and said in a low voice, "You should fix your hair that way all the time. It looks really good on you, but I think you are going to have a hard time finding all your bells."
"My bells! I swear they take me forever to arrange." Looking from side to side, I could not spot a gleam of silver anywhere. I tried to remember how many I had left, maybe it was time for Yumichika to make another bell run for me.
Katsumi started chuckling at my antics. "If they mean that much to you, I might as well tell you now. One can be found by that elm tree about six feet away, two more are hidden in the tall grass by the far wall, four flew over the far wall into the 10th Squad's area, and the other four are in the azalea bush. I'm surprised you didn't notice where they fell."
"How the hell did you see where they went?" I demanded of her. Katsumi smiled, turned, and walked out of the grounds. I just had to smile myself. Fascinating times. Now...where was Ikkaku, I feel the need to pound someone into the ground.
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