TTGL: So this is the Heavens.

Chapter 8: Not like this! I…have to…win!

The next few days passed by in a frenzied blur. Kamina had an immediate goal again and nothing was going to stand in his way. Every hour of his waking day was taken up with training. His lessons became more and more intense each day, his out of class training with Kenpi and Myu consumed all of his free time.

Imagine a montage…Kamina training hard, battling in the dojo, exploding on the kido range, getting distracted by Nohime during zanpakuto communication lessons, a few random encounters with other pupils and secretly training with the Blazing sword kido… you know the sort, every anime has one, usually with a little background song. It ends with Kamina asleep in an uncomfortable position on the ground where he worked until he dropped.

This montage takes us to a day before the tournament. A month had passed since his arrival at the Academy. He still hadn't worked out the basics of kido and he still could get no connection with his zanpakuto but his physical strength and endurance had rocketed and his mental focus was unlike ever before. He hadn't revealed the new kido yet to anyone but he was able to fuel it for double the time than he could when he had first tried it. All in all he was pretty confident that he could win, but then that was his usual outlook whatever the odds so that didn't mean a great deal.

"You think you're ready then?" asked Kenpi as they sat down to dinner.

"I was ready from the second I arrived here." he boasted casually as he scoffed his face with rice. "As long as I keep standing back up, I can't loose."

"Man, what I'd give for your confidence. I mean, I'm happy with how much I've improved but some of the upper year students are on a totally different level. I've seen them training." Kenpi muttered between mouthfuls.

"Its only five rounds." murmured Myu through a chunk of half chewed meat. "That's only five people that we have to win. Not even those damn super-students can stand up to a lightning bolt to the groin." she grinned devilishly.

"Damn. I hope I don't have to fight her." muttered Kamina under his breath.

"You and me both." sighed Kempi.

They finished the meal and retired to their rooms. Kamina sat crossed legged upon the floor in deep concentration. Tomorrow was an important day which he couldn't afford to mess up. The same feeling that had preceded the battle to capture the Dai-Gunzan. This time though, he didn't have Yoko to ease his troubled emotions. He would win. He had to win, for Simon's sake.

Sleep came and then dawn broke. The morning was bright but cold, the sky an empty blue. Kamina grabbed a small breakfast then set out with Myu and Kenpi toward the grounds. A crowed was already gathered, filling the outside like a flood. Every student must have been present.

Five areas remained void of students. Large squares of open space outlined with thick ropes dotted the grounds, evidently intended for battlegrounds. In the centre square stood a monster of a man flanked by a smaller man with a bald head. Even from the edge of the crowed where Kamina stood he could feel the power oozing from them.

The taller man resembled some kind of demon. His black hair was raised into a series of tall spikes, his captain robes were tattered and a patch covered his right eye. His features were sharp and his skin held more scars than even captain Shuhei.

"Listen up, grunts." he grunted, instantly silencing the crowd. "You all know why you're here so I aint bothering with any showy crap. There are five rounds, win them all and you get a place in my squad. First round is three versus three so team up quickly, anyone not in a team of three in five minutes is disqualified."

Kamina took the obvious option of joining with Myu and Kempi. They waded through the frantic mass of students toward the registration desk. They were given a slip of paper stating them as Team 6.

Two minutes passed. "Right everyone ready?" some of the students were still running around searching for team-mates but the man continued regardless. "Give me a good show. Ikkaku, its all yours." The captain exited the ring.

The bald man took a piece of paper from a man at the ring side. "Okay, first up in ring one is Team 12 and Team 67. Ring two is Team 17 and 39. Ring three is Team 2 and 99, Ring four Team 6 and 70 and Ring five team 21 and 51. Get your asses up here now."

"That's us, Ring four!" shouted Myu excitedly.

Kamina barged through the students and leapt over the ropes and into the ring with his team mates at his side. Opposite them was a team of second year students. They didn't look very tough.

The referee from the sidelines called out: "At the ready…Fight!"

The rings occupants exploded into action. Myu fired off six rapid fireballs at her opposite member who dodged two and blocked a third but was impacted by the remaining three. Kempi blocked a lightning bolt with his zanpakuto, fired a weak bolt back at his attacker and as he sidestepped it Kenpi charged. His opponent lunged but Kenpi flowed around the attack and struck at his foes back. Kamina disregarded his sword completely, ducking under his opponent's initial attack then kicking up at his face with a sandaled foot.

It was over within seconds. The other team hadn't stood a chance.

"One down, four to go." observed Myu happily.

It was a long time before the first round was over. Hours passed before the last two teams fought. Now, half of the contenders were out and the remaining half looked more to Kamina's liking.

Out of the three, Myu was called up first for round two. Ironically she was up against a fifth year kido user. He sent a hail of attack upon her the second that the match started. Myu summoned a kido shield but it was quickly overpowered by the sheer force of attacks. A fireball got through, setting her robe ablaze. She ripped it off without any thought and as her opponent stared with his mouth open, she had time to fulfil her battle plan. Lightning bolt to the groin. Even Ikkaku winced from his position at the side of the ring.

Myu skipped happily back to Kamina and Kenpi as her opponent was carted away from the ring. No sooner had she returned than Kenpi was called up. His fight was a simple sword duel but his strange flowing style quickly enabled him to dispose his foe.

Several more matches were called before Kamina got his chance to fight. His opposition was a bulky man who was renown for his strength. He somewhat resembled Thymilph in build.

"You ready to be crushed?" taunted the student. Kamina sighed.

"Less talking, more ass kicking!" Kamina bellowed. The referee signalled to begin and Kamina threw himself forward. The hulk's attack and defence were both excellent but Kamina could run circles around him. This wasn't Kamina's style though.

He ran at full pelt to the man and dodged the earth splitting slash that was aimed at him. Kamina pushed himself off of the ground and ran up the hulk, leaping into the sky by using his head as a springboard. He span in the air, angling himself toward the tall walls of the nearby dojo. His feet hit the wall and he shoved off with all of his strength, rocketing back toward the man.

Kamina slashed down with his strongest swing. Normally it would have achieved little, but backed up with his current speed and velocity, the attacks power was multiplied several times. There was a huge crash. Kamina stood at the side of the ring, sheathing his sword while his opponent lay unconscious in a crater.

"You've got to learn to fight without ripping the place to shreds." Kenpi growled at him when he returned. "It holds up the fights while its repaired."

"Where is the fun in that though." yawned Kamina.

"That's round three over." announced Ikkaku, stood back within the centre ring. "Get some rest, the last two rounds will be finished tomorrow. Try not to die before then."

Back in their dorm, Kamina, Myu and Kenpi sat down to their first proper meal all day.

"That was easy. Is that really all this academy has to offer?" mocked Kamina.

"We got off easy." reflected Kenpi. "All the ace students got matched up with others. We were only fighting low skilled students. Tomorrow will be totally different."

"Prffft. I aint seen anything worth worrying about yet." muttered Kamina dismissively.

The next day came and again the crowds drew around the rings. The demonic looking captain and Ikkaku were back in the centre ring to open the day.

"You were all pathetic yesterday. Fight harder or I'll come here next week to give you a lesson or two about real fighting." said the captain threateningly. Many students visible shook at the prospect. Kamina welcome the idea.

Ikkaku grabbed another sheet of paper from the ringside. "First up today are Kamina…"

"Yes!"

"and Kenpi."

The two looked at each other. Kamina's face beamed. Kenpi sighed then made his way toward the ring.

"I've gotten a lot better and you know it." stated Kenpi as they stared each other down from opposite ends of the ring. "Cheap shots and luck won't help you again so don't underestimate me."

"Who the hell do you think I am! I fight everyone at my limit and don't forget it." retorted Kamina.

"Fight!" ordered the referee.

Kamina shot forward like a coiled spring. His attacks came thick and fast but Kenpi seemed to flow around the blade, always where the blade wasn't. Kenpi's blade flashed every so often, scoring a line of blood across Kamina's body each time.

"Heh, looks like frontal assault won't cut it here. And now for something completely different." He jumped back and held out his sword. "Flaming arc of Heaven's wrath, avenging hand of a vengeful angel. Mashi number one, Blazing Sword!"

Gurren became engulfed in blazing flames. Kamina's grin widened. "If frontal assault doesn't work then its time for a super frontal assault!"

"Don't you know any other form of attack?" asked Kenpi cynically.

Kamina renewed his attacks, each one now doubled in strength. Even though Kenpi still dodge every attack, the flames blistered his skin and the heat sapped at his stamina. After realising this, Kenpi changed his stance, taking the offensive.

Parry and attack merged into a seamless blur of motion. Even with Kamina's superior strength, Kenpi was easily able to force him back.

"Red flame cannon!" roared Kamina. The ensuing explosion knocked Kenpi back, giving Kamina enough time to recompose himself. He was mentally running through everything he had ever been taught, trying to find any advantage that he could. Then, like a jigsaw, everything fell into place.

Kenpi advanced again, his sword held ready to attack. Kamina's teeth showed in a feral grin. "Bring it on!"

Kamina ran to meet him. He channelled his spiritual energy as he ran as though he was about to try kido again. Rather than channelling the energy into his hand though, he forced the power further and further until it filled his zanpakuto. He swung.

"Explosion!"

As the sword clashed with Kenpi's it exploded, sending the other teen flying backwards. Since the explosion was not emanating directly from Kamina he was able to attack again instantly. Even as Kenpi hit the ground Kamina was upon him. He swung again, blasting Kenpi back across the ring.

He smashed into the ground. Slowly he rose onto his hands and knees, strained for a moment, and then collapsed.

"Victory to Kamina!" announced the referee enthusiastically. There was a roar as the crowd cheered.

"You win again." groined Kenpi. He tried again to stand but couldn't muster the strength. Kamina grabbed his shoulders and helped him back onto his feet.

"I can't afford to lose. Nothing personal." said Kamina as he helped Kenpi out of the ring.

An orange haired shinigami with a very large chest rushed over and took Kenpi's arm. Thoroughly she looked him over. She wore the small medical bag that squad Four members used. "You need healing. Come with me." She led him away, his body too battered to resist even as he argued his reluctance.

Kamina slumped to the grass and stared vacantly at the sky. Several minutes passed without him moving until another loud cheer snapped him from his reverie. He propped himself up and scanned the rings. Off to the side he could see Myu being carted away by two medics. He perked up his ears as the announcer began to speak.

"Ouch! That wasn't a fight, that was pure domination. And with that painful experience, round three comes to a close. Our victorious combatant may as well stay in the ring though as he is up first for round four. Fighting him will be the renown former leader of the near legendary Team Dai-Gurren, Kamina!"

"Near legendary?" blustered Kamina as he made his way to the ring. He popped his shades on for added effect. "It's the legendary Team Dai-Gurren! And I'm not its "Renown" leader but its universally famous, badass leader! Et it right."

"Whatever." replied the announcer in an enthusiastic voice used by spokespeople everywhere. "Are you both ready?"

"I was born ready!"

"Yes." answered the other man. He looked a year or two younger than Kamina but his facial features and demeanour was that of someone with vast experience in life. His hair was blonde and hung around his shoulders. Plain black shades covered his eyes.

"Then Fight!"

Neither made a move. They circled each other almost casually. "We haven't been introduced." said the teen in a dead voice. "I am Keero Masanori, sixth year student. It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Kamina."

"Enough with the pleasantries. You ready to fight?" Kamina asked, itching to battle.

"Always." answered Keero in his void filled voice before vanishing.

Kamina whipped around just in time to block an incoming blow to his back but before he could even counter, Keero was gone again. Kamina span but there was no sign of life within the ring. At the last second a shadow caused him to look up as the teen hurtled toward him from the sky. Rolling out of the way he glanced around to view an empty ring.

"Come out and fight me like a real man!" he bellowed, constantly checking his surroundings.

"As you wish." came a disembodied voice. Inches from Kamina's face appeared the emotionless face of Keero. Kamina leapt back but Keero was faster, instantly lashing out with his blade, sending Kamina flying across the ring.

"Damn." he grunted. "This guy is fast." Kamina stumbled to his feet expecting his foe to have vanished but instead, Keero was stood exactly where he had been.

Kamina roared out as he sped at Keero. He mustered all of his strength and speed but even compared to Kenpi, Keero moved with godlike speed. Kamina was determined though and he didn't relent.

Realising that his attempts were fruitless, Kamina mumbled the flaming sword kido under his breath. A second before the spell activated he shouted "Flame on!" just for the effect.

His blade lit up in a blazing inferno which he used to force his foe back. Before Keero could fully adjust to this new attack Kamina pulled out all of the stops. "Explosion!"

Keero sidestepped but was instantly attacked again. He ducked under it but the explosion forced him down further onto his knees. Kamina used the moment to strike for a third simultaneous time. Keero launched himself backwards far enough to avoid the brunt blast but his shades were shattered.

He looked up, a glare on his face. Kamina took note that his eyes were not normal. They were fully black except for where a normal pupil would be but instead there was a large white cross.

"-the hell?"

"Within my family, every six generations, a child is born with the ocular power of Lirr. As you may have guessed, it increases my general abilities by a wide margin. In other words, you physically cannot defeat me." stated Keero matter-of-factly.

"Wanna bet?

"Yes." Keero stood and pointed his zanpakuto at Kamina. "Tear at the heart, Ju Buredo. (AN/ Gun blade)

The boy's sword morphed into a gun, shorter than Yoko's rifle yet larger than the pistol that Kamina had been given. From the handle emerged a blade while along the top of the barrel was another blade. It was pointed directly at Kamina's heart.

"You lose." He pulled the trigger. There was a deafening bang.

Kamina clutched at his chest. Frightening quantities of blood gushed from a ragged hole in his flesh. He tried to step forward but fell flat onto the floor. Quickly, all sensations were leaving his body.

"Not like this! I…have to…win!" he growled, forcing himself into a press-up position.

"Do you really think that willpower alone can give victory. You yourself should know that it only goes so far otherwise you wouldn't be here. If a man swallows a hand grenade, no amount of determination is going to save him. Death comes when nature, or someone stronger, decides that it is over. For you, I deem that it is over."

He pulled the trigger and eternal darkness descended upon Kamina.

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AN/ Hey hey! Hello again and welcome to chapter 8. Hope you all enjoyed it.

If there are any holes in plots or explanations, then chances are I will fill them in over next few chapters so don't worry. I know that this whole chapter was just fight scene after fight scene without any story but it did serve a purpose so again, no worries.

Any hints, complaints or suggestion, just say. Thanks again for reading. Review are welcome. Until next week

-FWF