The Itsy Bitsy Spider [NDE, R]

[Douma]

Thread Title: The Itsy Bitsy Spider
Participants: Kagami Murai and Col Arana
World: Human World
Death Setting: Non Death Enabled
Rating: R
Location: New York City, New York
Special Conditions: None.
Circumstances: Kagami finally had enough free time for his first night off. Of course, he decided to spend it at an Irish Bar somewhere in the concrete jungle of New York City. However, after only his second drink, before he had even begun talking to any of the alluring girls enjoying their own drinks in the stools around him, the Vice Captain had felt a powerful reiatsu presence in an ally just a couple of blocks away. And in the same location, a human soul had vanished.

[Douma]

Life really sucks. The old geezer back at Soul Society had given Kagami stacks of paperwork to do and this was his reward after completing all of it? All the Vice Captain wanted was a night off with a chilled drink in his hand and one or two beautiful young girls on his lap. Apparently, that was too much to ask for. Life as a Shinigami is tough, and although being one of the Lieutenants of the Gotei 13 had its perks, the responsibilities and work that came with it. And, even worse, now his free nights that were meant for Kagami to enjoy himself and get just a little wasted are being taken away from him. Whatever is putting out so much reiatsu better be worth the Shinigami’s attention.

Kagami was walking down one of the busy streets of New York City with a bottle in his hand, sipping it casually. Frankly, he was taking his time. Whatever he was sensing must be able to afford to wait for him to at least finish his beer of course. He’d be in much better of a mood that way too, which is more bonus points for the creature waiting by the ally. He had finally reached the alley, but, before entering it, he instead leaned against the brick wall at the corner in a nonchalant manner. His drink wasn’t even half way done yet so he had to finish it quickly. Kagami pressed the glass bottle to his lips and tipped it up, pouring the remainder of the drink into his mouth and finishing it in a few quick gulps. After all, the human soul in the alley had disappeared before Kagami even left the bar. There was no harm in taking his time now. It was too late to save anyone.

“It’s show time,” the Vice Captain muttered under his breath, his voice heavy with excited anxiety. He could feel a fight starting. After all, it was his duty to protect humans and anyone that takes a human life is naturally an enemy of the Soul Reaper. A fight was definitely going to break out and if Kagami was correct, he wasn’t dealing with an average opponent. This person was strong, the type of person that wouldn’t go down easily. A bright grin, almost as bright as his violet eyes, illuminated Kagami’s youthful face. Maybe the night wouldn’t turn out too badly.

Kagami reached into his pocket and pulled out a small white pill. He would need to get out of his Gigai now before it’s too late, though there’s no chance his opponent hadn’t noticed him yet. Gikon into his mouth, he was instantly separated from his Gigai, which scurried away nervously to get away from the battle that was soon about to unfold. Now in his comfortable Shinigami uniform, the Lieutenant grabbed his released jade Zanpakuto, his right fingers wrapping around the familiar hilt. He already felt power surging through his body, a feeling that could only widen the smile on his face.

“Hate to break it to you, but you can’t expect to kill a man and get away with it so easily. At least not when I’m so close by.” Kagami spoke so freely, like he was having a light-hearted conversation with a close friend. But there was no mistaking the electrified look in his eyes as he stepped into the alley. He walked in like he owned the place, his sword arm freely hanging on his side. The Shinigami was relaxed, really. There wasn’t the slightest hint of tension in his body, but he was definitely flooded with eager anticipation.

“Kagami Murai, Lieutenant of Squad 1. Maybe you’ve heard of me?” Kagami took pride in his position and never missed an opportunity to brag about it. With his luck, his opponent would have already heard of him. And on the off chance that they had not, there was no better opportunity to beat his name into their memory. That is, of course, if they survive the battle.

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats and Abilities}

Stats

Strength - [150] Points

Speed - [350] Points

Spiritual Pressure - [400] (800) Points

Reiatsu Strength - [300] Points

Light Aura - [65] Points

Dark Aura - [35] Points

Instinct - [100] Points

Senses - [100] Points

Energy sensory - [200] Points

Healing Expertise - [0] Points


Total SP: [1600] Points

Abilities

• [Weapons: Sword] {3}
  
  
• [War Strategy] {3}
  
  
• [Analyzing] {3}
  
  
• [Calm Mind] {2}
  
  
• [Learning] {2}
  
  
• [Strength of Will] {1}
  
  
• [Leadership/Charisma] {2}
  

[Col Arana]

Hunger.... unbearable hunger. Col despised it. His stomach never growled or anything unseemly like that. But it was painful. Hunger pains wracked his body, to such an extent he had come to the human world to eat. He had recently raided a local supermarket, devouring the meat section. Raw. Didn't matter too much. Nothing. Col couldn't stand it! The hunger pains snarled at him, demanding he fill his endless stomach. But with what? He had slipped into an alleyway unseen, to try and focus his mind away from his stomach. He heard something. Footsteps.

And immediately he began to salivate. How despicable and barbaric[/color] chided himself on the thought. That I might even consider such a hideous act. But the thought didn't pass away, and before long, Col saw a human passing through the alleyway. A young man, in a business suit, carrying a briefcase. Staring right through the arrancar as though he weren't there at all. And to the man, he probably wasn't. He lacked the spiritual power to see Col at all. Col ground his fang-like teeth together in frustration. He knew he wasn't going to be strong enough to resist it. He knew it. And he despised himself for it.

The man walked closer and closer. Nearly there now. Col battled with himself. Not, particularly caring for the fate of the human before him. No, not at all. No, Col battled himself for his own sanity and control. He was above such animalistic urges! No! No! No![/color] He hissed into his own mind. The man took one more step closer.... Col couldn't resist. In a single blur of motion, one of Col's hands swept over the man's mouth, dragging him in to him. The man's eyes widened and he tried to struggle, unknowing of what invisible force had just grabbed him. His struggles would end soon enough. Col's mouth opened with a dry hiss, and in the next moment, his fangs dug into his neck, tearing out a massive bloody chunk. His jaws toiled onward, scything through human flesh like knives.

So hungry.... The man's struggles and muffled exclamation ceased, replaced by little more than the splattering of blood on the concrete floor of the alley. His blood ran down Col's chin. His legs dragged along the ground as Col drew him into the shadows behind a dumpster. And began to feast. His teeth cut through the skin and muscle with ease, and if there was a bone, it was crunched through, with savage jaw strength, chewed up and swallowed like the rest. Col ate voraciously, tearing chunks of flesh from his body with his teeth, his hands supporting the body, and moving it to a new spot to consume. Partially consumed by his hunger, but all that flashed through Col's mind was how disgusted with himself he felt, for what he was doing.

And then he sensed something else. Something new. Someone else was approaching. Col could hear them. He could smell them. ...They smelled different. Something Col hadn't smelt in a long time. Shinigami...[/color]Col dropped the body to the ground with a soft thud. He observed his clothing with disdain, noticing the copious amounts of blood that had splashed across his black jacket, in his feasting. His prey now, was virtually unrecognizable. His ribs were clearly visible-- Col had eaten away all the external fat. His lungs and heart could be seen, long since stopped working, and indeed, one of his lungs had a substantial section of it that had been eaten away. His face was unrecognizable, desecrated by teeth marks that had consumed everything they could. So messy it had been that his eye was literally laying on the ground near him. But... Col found, his hunger had subsided. For the moment at least. He stood up, and wiped the blood from his mouth with a torn off fragment of his foe's shirt.

The shinigami was getting closer. Col stepped away from his kill and awaited him to arrive. And there he was, his eyes finding Col immediately. He reacted quite calmly to Col's presence. Surely he knew what Col was? His form was humanoid, or yes, but the fragment of mask above his brow surely betrayed his nature as an arrancar. Could he perhaps not sense how powerful he was? Col was admittedly, very poor at concealing his reiatsu. And yet he faced Col with a quiet confidence. Ah.... a Vice Captain was it? Col seemed to enter a semblance of pondering as he said this. "Vice Captain you say.... that would make you.... ah yes." He said. "That would make you the.... second ranked in your division wouldn't it?" He frowned. "Oh, but that would mean.... there are.... 13 divisions aren't there? Then you cannot be more than the 14th strongest shinigami? Oh dear... I rather think you've made a terrible mistake." Col stated coolly and evenly.

Ah, his stomach had finally ceased its complaints, now that he had fed. He could think clearly now. "If you wish to battle me, I have no qualms with that." He explained reaching into his cloak, and procuring what looked like a small silver cylinder. It fit in his hand as neatly as the hilt of a sword might have. "But you see, I've just eaten and am feeling rather charitable today. Consider yourself lucky you did not see me a mere five minutes ago, you would not have survived our meeting. I will permit you to walk away now, if you please." He said. "Afterall, there is no cause for you to die today shinigami. But if you continue I assure you, you will meet an unpleasant end. Perhaps you will serve as my second course." All the while he spoke, the slightest twitch of a smirk was on his face. The smirk of one who believes to be in complete control of the situation. And there was an eerie way in which he spoke. Almost as if he were a lion speaking to a gazelle (if gazelle's could speak). Or perhaps, more fittingly, a spider to a fly....

SPOILER: Click to show

{Col's stats and Abilities}
Strength: 300 (100)
Speed: 400
Reiatsu Strength: 300 (1050)
Spirit Pressure: 310
Light Aura: 0
Dark Aura: 100
Senses: 150
Instincts: 390 (130)
Energy Sensory: 50 (175)
Healing Expertise: 100 (33)
Total: 2000

Skill Points:
Martial Arts: Blades: 3
Martial Arts: Wing Chun: 2
Special Skill: Climbing: 3
Stealth: 2
Battle Analysis: 3
Analysis: 2

[Douma]

Kagami’s suspicions had been confirmed as soon as he stepped into the alley. It was poorly lit, a little too dark for Kagami’s taste. However, Kagami’s eyes adjust rather quickly, and he could make out the figure and features of the creature standing at the other end. It was definitely an Arrancar, as opposed to the other possibility, a maliciously powerful hollow. Arrancar was more realistic, though. Besides its reiatsu output, the main give away was the bone mask that sat on top of his head like a crown on a King. Or horns on a devil. Depending on the situation, they can be one in the same. This was one of those cases.

Other than the Arrancar, another figure in the shadows drew Kagami’s attention. However, this one was a little harder to make out considering that it was unmoving in the dark shadows. It was the life-less body of the deceased human. Even in the darkness, it was quite obvious that the body had been torn apart and deformed by the actions of the Arrancar. What a disgusting way to best a far inferior opponent. Kagami’s only hope was that the human’s life was taken quickly so he wouldn’t have to feel too much of the pain from being consumed by the Arrancar. What a poor fate. That thought was all Lieutenant needed to remind himself what his duty as a Shinigami was. However, the time to protect humans as a Shinigami would come later. Now was the time to avenge them as himself, Kagami Murai. It was a test of his strength as well as the creature’s that stood across from him.

“Vice Captain you say.... “ Kagami didn’t resist the smug grin from crawling on to his face. So the Arrancar does know of my importance. After all, it recognized the title immediately and considering that Kagami is from the most superior Squad in the Goetei 13 that commands the remaining Squads, that should only reinforce the creature’s idea of his strength. It was nice to be recognized for his strength and position and it almost made all of the hard work that came with being a Vice Captain worth it. Almost, but not quite. Though the other bonuses weren’t bad too. And if there was just too much paperwork waiting for Kagami, he might give a good portion of it to the old man. As Captain Commander, it was his job to take care of the paperwork. Most of the time, Kagami stretches his feet enough for the both of them. And it seems that this would be another one of those times.

However, Kagami’s smirk was knocked right off his face just a second later. “Then you cannot be more than the 14th strongest shinigami? Oh dear... I rather think you've made a terrible mistake." That definitely set the Squad 1 Vice Captain off. His confident smile was replaced with an angry frown and his eyebrows bent down together in annoyance. What a cocky bastard! Kagami was done trying to talk to this guy much further. He usually enjoyed pre-battle conversation, but this would have to be an exception. The Arrancar became not just an enemy of the Gotei 13 but an enemy of Kagami after he opened his big mouth. He’s not even worth playing with. Let’s kill this punk. Mai’s sweet voice, his Zanpakuto, spoke into his thoughts. I was thinking the same thing, Kagami replied, flashing a dark grin.

“Do I get to know the name of the man I kill?” Kagami called out to him. His voice rang out in the alley and bounced between the walls. The echo only made the question more dramatic and suspenseful, which made the moment even better for Kagami to launch his sudden attack. Kagami didn’t want to start on the offensive, but this alley constricted their space so much that he didn’t want to be forced into a tight situation where he wouldn’t have room to retreat. And backing out onto the populated streets wouldn’t exactly be the smartest move either. It was best to fight on his terms for the time being. And the only way to do that would be to make the first move.

Kagami started with his signature technique. He summoned a mirror that stood in front of him, but slightly to his right. That way, he could take shelter behind it if he needed to but it wouldn’t prevent him from seeing his opponent. From there, he also summoned two other mirrors, one a good two meters above Col and another beside him pressed against the wall of the alley. Those were all key for his attack. From there, Kagami would point his free left hand at the Arrancar with his palm forward and activate "Hadou #67: Gobō Kōsen!" It fired six thin rays of white light from his palm that would travel at a very rapid speed towards the Vice Captain’s opponent as well as have their trajectories modified to follow the Arrancar. However, Kagami made it so that the technique would be very difficult for it to dodge, for it has been paired with Kagami’s released Zanpakuto. By changing the trajectories of the first two so that they travel into the mirror beside Kagami. Just before the beams hit, Kagami activated his Zanpakuto technique Gazō Rinku [Image Link]. He connected both the initial mirror not only to the other mirror above the Arrancar, but also to the mirror beside him. That way, if the Arrancar wanted to dodge the attack, one of the beams would also come in from above while another would strike from the side. And if he attempts to dodge by moving around the beams that Kagami sent straight towards him, not only will the mirrors pivot to remain trained on the Arrancar but also the other four beams of light will spin around and change trajectory in order to follow him. If one beam hits, the remainder will follow it, meaning there either the Arrancar avoids all of them or he takes the hit from all.

Kagami had the first step in his assault completely figured out, war on three fronts: above, in front, and from the side. But, just incase the arrancar was going to pull something funny, Kagami held his jade Zanpakuto at the ready, prepared to defend himself in close quarters. And God help the Arrancar if he challenges Kagami with a blade. Maybe the battle was progressing too quickly for Kagami to enjoy? If so, that would be the only regret the Lieutenant has after defeating the Arrancar. At least the sooner the battle ends, the faster he could get back to that bar and have a good time tonight. If not, then he’s counting on the Arrancar to at least put on a show and make the battle entertaining.

Reiatsu Remaining: 7425/8000 (-25x3 for the mirrors, - 50x2 for the two Image Links, -400 for Gobo Kosen: -575 total)

[Col Arana]

Oh, it seemed Col's comments had frustrated this shinigami. "I apologize if I insulted you. Surely, 14th best cannot be terrible, in the thousands of shinigami in Soul Society." Col remarked smoothly. "It's just that merely... oh, I suspect you would not have a chance against me unless you were perhaps at least the fifth strongest." He added slyly. His new adversary seemed to be requesting his name. "Oh dear. How terribly rude of me. You may refer to me as Col." He informed her. "Col Arana, that is. A pleasure~" He informed Kagami. "It seems you cannot be convinced otherwise, Mr. Kagami. I don't believe you will enjoy this." He stated, calmly, the smirk still present on his face. One hand slid into his longcoat, but the hand still holding the cylinder remained out.

His opponent then revealed his ability, by creating three mirrors. One beside him, one next to Col, and one above the Zarpa. Col took them in with a leisurely, almost bored expression. Mirrors. That might suggest an ability to do with reflection? Can he reflect my attacks? Though there's several mirrors. Perhaps he can move between them as well? A teleportation ability, perhaps? He pondered for a moment, before his opponent declared that he was casting a kido. Col's eyes focused in on him and saw him fire six rays of light at different angles. Four at him, two at the mirror beside him. Then... that would mean...

Col noticed the ray emerge from the mirror at his side through his peripheral vision. Only one. Then that clearly meant the second ray was coming down from above. Col decided to give Kagami a few feet of space, as he evaded the initial two beams by dodging backwards, creating some space. No sooner had he done so, however, but he noticed that the two beams that had come from above and the side changed trajectories to come at him! A technique that could alter its trajectories to pursue him? How interesting. Col didn't know how many times they could do that. So it was best to deal with them here and now.

Because of how Col had dodged, the two beams that had emerged from the mirrors would reach him before the four that Kagami had launched in a straight line. A blazing red blade of reiatsu shot from the metal cylinder Col was holding. A plasma blade! A red plasma blade! Col made a casual sweep of the blade across the first two beams, intercepting and negating the attack. As the second group came in, Col once again moved, this time to his left. He anticipated the beams to change their path again, and as they did, he would intercept each one with his sword, having moved to the left to space out the time each one would take to reach him, even if only by a millisecond. Each of the six beams was blocked by Col's plasma blade, and his eyes shifted back to Kagami.

"That is a wonderful trick. A redundantly simple ability~" He stated as he moved at a casual, but quick pace at Kagami. He was moving at about half his maximum speed-- an easy speed to maintain. He maintained an awareness of the mirrors and as he closed in with Kagami, performed a sudden diagonal slash with his plasma blade, coming down on Kagami's left, to slash through his shoulder. Notably, Col's hand was still in his jacket, and from its positioning, Kagami would see it was in a position that he might be gripping the hilt of the sword on his hip. However, the hilt was masked by the jacket, hidden on the inside and it would be difficult to be absolutely certain that was what Col was grasping.

[Douma]

“I wish I could say it is a pleasure to meet you...” Kagami started, his voice trailing off. However, as he found the words he was looking for, he continued his sentence with a loud exclamation. “Col Arana! Yes, I think that’s it. Anyways, I have big plans for tonight and you have somewhat interrupted them. As much as I would love to spend my night with you, I would appreciate the presence of that young, gorgeous blonde back there,” he admitted, nudging his head towards the bar a few blocks away. He hadn’t seen this specific woman that he described be there should definitely be some other drop-dead-gorgeous girl that was just waiting for a handsome young (or young-looking) man like Kagami to sweep her off her feet and probably never see her again. Though he wasn’t sure that would happen tonight, depending on the Arrancar’s strength. He certainly seemed to talk big. “So, Col, I’m looking forward to seeing the look on your face when the 14th strongest Shinigami wipes the floor with you.”

Kagami watched with an anticipating smile as his attacks stream toward the Arrancar. This was the test to see if the battle would be over in a flash like most that Kagami was involved with or if the Arrancar could possibly put on a nice show for Kagami. The bigger the performance, the better. And at best, Kagami might actually prefer this potentially exciting fight to a nice cool drink, though that wasn’t a very likely result. Again, it would all be up to Col. And the Arrancar did not disappoint. He jumped back to avoid the first two attacks. Of course, Kagami made the beams of light curved in order to continue to pursue the Arrancar. However, he dealt with them using more of a surprising manner; a red plasma blade. It was enough to negate the first two beams, giving him just a second to prepare himself for the remaining four.

Kagami is not the type of person to let a failed attack repeat itself, that’s not the way you become the Squad 1 Vice Captain. There is almost no doubt that now that the Arrancar had managed to make a minimal gap between the timing of the rays, Kagami would have to space them out so that Col could not possibly anticipate all of them right after each other. Considering that the Arrancar had moved to the left, Kagami would only let two of the remaining four beams change directions. One would make a sharp left turn at a depressed angle, heading straight for the Zarpa’s left foot and or shin. The other would curve more and circle around a little past the Arrancar in a U-turn, eventually heading straight towards the Arrancar’s right ribs, the side of its body that was opposite from Kagami. The strike toward the legs should reach the Arrancar just a split second before the one circling around. By looking down to keep his eye on the beam, Col wouldn’t be able to see the other one coming.

The other two rays would certainly not be going to waste. At the end of the alley, just in front of a brick wall, Kagami would summon another mirror and link it to two others that are already present. One would be the mirror that was originally above the Arrancar and the other mirror would be the one beside Kagami. Each of the remaining two beams would enter the first mirror and emerge from one of the others. And in order to compensate for where the Arrancar might move, the mirrors would pivot to ensure that they remained trained on Col perfectly. Both beams of light would converge on the target at the exact same time, making it difficult if not impossible for Col to block them both with his plasma blade.

But this time, Kagami wasn’t going to stand still. He leaped forward at maximum speed a moment before the two rays entered the mirror in order to make sure that he would reach his opponent a split seconds before the beams do. Kagami’s blade was at the ready. The jade Zanpakuto started at the Lieutenant’s right hip and streaked upward with blinding speed in a diagonal movement, slashing from bottom right to top left. The movement wouldn’t be over aggressive, for Kagami wasn’t going to leave himself open in case the attack failed. It would be contained enough so that Kagami could return his blade immediately to defend himself if the moment called for it. With attacks from so many directions, the Arrancar would have a much more difficult time ducking away like he did before. Simple my ass.

Remaining Reiatsu: 7300/8000 (-25 for a mirror, -50x2 for the Image Links)

[Col Arana]

"I'm sure I can enjoy her once you've been dealt with." Col taunted, making a note of licking his lips as he said so. "The feminine sex is far more tender than the male." Col gauged Kagami to see how he would react to that, even as he defended against Kagami's attacks. He wasn't fooled by the fact that only one of the rays had seemed to change directions. He knew that all of the four remaining lasers could change directions at least once-- possibly more times. Time for a moment of analysis. As the first laser changed direction and lanced towards Col's foot, the arrancar sprung into action, dodging to the side again, and causing the laser to pierce the ground where his foot had been only a moment prior. He'd managed to keep his focus on the other three, and noted one of them changing angles to come at him again. He also saw a mirror at the end of the alley begin to form. Ah. Clever child.[/color] Col remarked, with an amused smirk.

However, Kagami had given him the space to use timing, and so the Zarpa made good use of it, defending the fourth laser with his plasma blade, as he had the first two. That mirror at the end of the alley. He was doubtlessly going to use it to fire the beams back at him. Did that mean-- Col looked at the mirrors in the alley just in time. Col was often easily taunted, and not necessarily the most tactical of combatants, often relying on raw skill, unpredictability and raw power to defeat his opponents. However, his skill at analysis was top rate, and he had the senses to back it up. And he noticed the mirrors shifting their angle to face him. He also saw Kagami himself rushing to attack. A three pronged offensive!

But Col was unperturbed. If his opponent was revealing his hand this early, it was time to up the ante a little! As the two final lasers lanced at Col, Col realized his opponent would reach him a fraction of a second before the lasers did. Fine. On the inside of his longcoat, the hand that had been hidden within it gripped the hilt of a second plasma blade, hung on the inside of the coat itself! As Kagami launched his strike with his zanpakuto a yellow blade of reiatsu shot out of Cole's coat, aimed at Kagami's hip! The same side as his attack. The result, was that the yellow blade now stood between Col and Kagami's intended target, effectively cutting off his line of attack, defending Kagami's blow and attacking him simultaneously! As for the other two beams? Col was ready and struck with his blade at the perfect angle. The beams both struck the blade of plasma. Afterall, no matter how you arrayed two points, you could always draw a single line between them. That is, effectively, what Col did with his plasma blade. The three foot blade was long enough to do exactly this, effectively lining up between the two beams to block both of them!

Col's skill at swordsmanship was now eminently apparent, and it at least matched Kagami's own, if not exceeded it. His movements were terrifyingly precise and accurate. "I suppose it's my turn then, isn't it?" Col queried his opponent, as he pressed down against Kagami's sword with his yellow plasma blade. Yes, he was slicing through his own longcoat, but he did not seem particularly bothered by this fact. He kept pressure on Kagami's sword, so as to increase the difficulty he would have in reacting to Col's actual attack-- an overhand slash with his red plasma blade, aimed diagonally through Kagami's shoulder and through his chest! How would Kagami deal with the sudden appearance of a second blade-- one he had likely not expected, let alone Col's own proficiency at the attack!?

[Douma]

{Some Kickass Battle Music}

SPOILER: Click to show

Feminine sex is far more tender than male? He sure is good with words, Mai mused, cackling in amusement at the Arrancar's response. Kagami would have had a similar reaction had Col not licked his lips in such a disgusting manner that the Lieutenant's eyebrows bended in distaste. Even if he tried, there was no chance this guy could possibly get a girl over me. Kagami was getting more and more annoyed with their conversation, another bitter disappointment regarding the battle. Usually "fight talk" was something to be enjoyed as chaotic conflict continued around them. However, this Arrancar was not the most pleasant conversationalist, or person, frankly. He enjoyed a fight in a different way than Kagami did. It seemed that he was in it for the blood rather than the rush Kagami enjoyed so much, not to mention the challenge. The one thing they did have in common was the goal of victory, and there was no way Kagami would let that bony hollow take it from his open arms.

The battle was escalating more quickly. Kagami had already decided that it was about time for him to make an appearance in his strongest area of combat: close-quarters. In the mean time, his white lasers were streaking towards the Arrancar from two different directions. The only problem with this attack is that the Arrancar found a way to counter all three aspects. By activating another surprise plasma blade, which wasn’t exactly pleasing for Kagami to see, he had intercepted the attack by activating the blade of reiatsu so that it extended with its tip zooming towards Kagami’s hip. That counter attack required Kagami’s immediate attention. Although the Vice Captain had maintained control of his arm with his sword stroke, his body was still following through and adding strength by pivoting his hips in order to strengthen the slash. By pulling back his blade and transferring his momentum, Kagami instead did a spin move, pivoting on his foot in order to move his hip back and avoid the attack as a whole, twirling to the Arrancar’s side. However, since he had previously been moving at full speed, this attack would have sent him spinning uncontrollably until he eventually hit the brick wall of the alley. Therefore, he summoned three mirrors at that moment, two on each side of Col and one directly in front of him, leaving about an area of 0.5 Pi Squared for there fight to occur in the rough semi-circle. Kagami linked the mirror on his right that he was twirling towards along with the mirror on his left. That way, when he reemerged, he would use the force from his spin to launch a horizontal slash attack aimed at the Arrancar’s chest. However, since three mirrors were summoned while four are already present, Kagami’s limit of how many mirrors he can have active is breached. Therefore, the only mirrors that remain are the three summoned, the one at the end of the alley, and the one above where Col had been standing when the battle first began.

And, in the mean time, with his other plasma blade, Col had made an attempt to intercept both lasers with one stroke of his first blade. However, that would not do at all for Kagami. He instructed the beams to spin in a spiral formation in opposite directions from each other. If Col wanted to block both of them with his blade, he would have to twist his arm in order to intercept them in a straight line, a nearly impossible act for two reasons: the short amount of time and the painful shape that the Arrancar would have to twist his arm into in order to follow the opposite rotations of the beams. And he would find it difficult to dodge since he was surrounded by mirrors, not to mention having to deal with Kagami’s second sword stroke. Once again, Kagami had modified his attack method of striking from various angles.

And although this wasn’t enough, Kagami still feared for more potential plasma blades. It was highly unlikely that any more would appear, but a second weapon had already surprised him once before. Therefore, Kagami had another attack at the ready that would hit the target at around the same time as Kagami’s blade. While he is spinning, his one sword arm would connect either with the Arrancar’s body or some other means of counter, assuming that he doesn’t manage to dodge the attack. With Kagami’s free hand, he would extend it in the opposite direction of his sword arm, back at the mirror behind him. And from his fingertips, he would silently launch another Kido: Hado #35: Raikou Kawa. Since the link between the mirrors is still active, this attack would emerge were Kagami had been previously before he had traveled through the link between mirrors. If it hits, the general part of the body that was damaged would be significantly numbed. With a sword attack, lightning, and two beams to deal with, Col would be dealing with a quadruple attack. "Take this, Bones."

Reiatsu Remaining: 7075/8000(-25x3 for mirrors, -50 for Image Link, and -100 for Raikou Kawa: Total -225)

(( Since Kagami avoided locking blades with the second plasma bladed, I figured that the actions that were meant to occur after that would not. ))

[Col Arana]

Kagami had turned away to avoid Col's attack, but as a consequence of that action it left Col's second blade free. Free to defend himself. Had Kagami indeed gone for the blade lock, it was entirely plausible that one of his two beams from his opening kido would have struck their mark. However, despite his twisting of his hado spell, Col now had a second blade with which to defend himself. Which he did, his yellow blade intercepting the second beam, even as his red plasma blade blocked the first, dispelling both of them. This Col would have time to do, as Kagami's own timing would ensure the beams arrived at their mark, just as Kagami spun into the mirror that was forming beside him. Kagami's use of his mirror was fortunate, as Col's own defense of the kido spell had left the side to which Kagami had dodged, vulnerable to attack. But Col's skill at battle analysis was at such a level he could guess Kagami's aim from the instant the mirror appeared.

Using his momentum to further his attack? His opponent was resourceful and adapted quickly. Col wondered how that would play out once he began to move onto the offensive. But he had to deal with Kagami's spinning slash, which had sufficient timing that Col had to move immediately to defend against it. Let's see how the shinigami handles this![/color] Col thought as his opponent burst from the mirror in front of him. Col opened his mouth and a sudden violet colored blast of reiatsu exploded forwards! This was tremendous! It was clearly a Cero, that Col had just fired! A point blank Cero! But there was a problem with that analogy, if Kagami knew much about Arrancar combat techniques. Cero took a short time to charge. Even when mastered the charging would have been evident to someone with Kagami's level of energy sensing. This had been instantaneous. On command. Kagami would then realize (perhaps too late) that Col had just fired a Bala at him. But a colossal one! This bala was larger than most Arrancar's Cero could ever hope to be, and if it connected with him would cause devastating injury.

Already spinning into his own attack, it would be extremely difficult for Kagami to avoid this attack, especially given the immense size of the Bala which, when fully fired would have been sufficient to fill the entire space in which they resided-- possibly the entire alleyway, but Col had deliberately restricted the size of his Bala. Still, it was immense. Kagami wouldn't have much space to dodge it, even IF he managed to break out of his attack to do so. And if it hit... it wouldn't be pretty. Even though a Bala was one of the weakest attacks in an arrancar's arsenal, it was extremely fast, and when fired from one with Col's level of reiatsu strength, truly immense and shockingly powerful. It even had the potential to be lethal, if Kagami could find no defense against it-- to even mitigate the damage it could cause.

Suffice to say this would likely intercept Kagami's intended followup to his slash as well as the slash itself. Still, his opponent had proved resourceful and Col's bala was not intended as a finishing move-- despite its potential to do just that. It had been merely something to buy him a brief second to bring his plasma blades back to be able to defend himself against future attacks from Kagami. Or to begin an attack of his own. Still, actually launching into his own assault would not be possible before his Bala attack resolved, so Col decided to do a little test, an instant after firing the Bala stepped towards the mirror Kagami had dove through, and slashed against it with his yellow plasma blade, the red one still ready to defend. He wanted to test the durability of these mirrors. Could they be destroyed? Or would, perhaps, his blade pass through them as his opponent's kido had? Col had found himself the opening he needed to test his opponent's ability fully.

Reiatsu Remaining: 3050 (-50 for a Bala)

[Douma]

Oh shit!, Kagami thought the instant he reemerged from the mirror, his feet still spinning as he put a large amount of force into his next sword stroke. However, of course, he never got the chance to execute his attack. Hence, the “Oh Shit!” With Kagami’s body moving rapidly toward the Arrancar as a considerably large Bala was immediately launched, the Shinigami had few options to react. In fact, any other person less skilled in noticing when and how an opponent concentrates reiatsu into an attack would probably have been struck then and there without realizing what hit them. However, just as Kagami stepped out of the mirror, he could identify a Bala rapidly being formed and released. And this split second is what provided Kagami with the time necessary to evade the powerful technique. Considering its size, it would have done a massive amount of damage if it hit.

However, thanks again to Kagami’s mirrors, the Bala did not make contact with him. Just as he emerged from the reflective glass, the mirror swiftly rotated one hundred and eighty degrees, and, in one fluid motion, it sucked him back into the image. However, rather than reappearing from the same glass than he had entered from initially, the mirror on the other side of Col, he had linked this mirror through Image Link with the mirror at the end of the alley. Therefore, when the violent Bala crashed into the mirror behind where Kagami had just previously stood, Col would be in for a pleasant surprise. The violet orb would bounce right off the reflective surface and be launched back at the Escudo Zarpa. Even if he evaded it, it would bounce off the mirror on his opposite end and be handed off between the two rectangles of glass.

However, if he did choose to attempt to dodge, he would find that taking to the air would be an impossible act, for as soon as Kagami had appeared from the new mirror at the end of the alley, he would summon another mirror above the Arrancar, sealing the roof over the semi-circle created by three mirrors and the alley wall behind Col. And to continue his relentless attack, Kagami would then, whether or not the Bala hit, shatter two of the four mirrors surrounding the Arrancar, the one on the top and the one on between the mirrors that were playing tennis with the Bala. And as soon as they shattered, the shards would instantaneously spread out into clouds of microscopic glass with a radius of 1 meter each. And from each of the thousand shards, a green blade would emerged, the razor sharp edge two and three quarters feet from each shard. Even if the Arrancar had some sort of Hierro, it would manage to puncture the Hierror’s weak spots, considering thousands of shards breaking from each mirror would mean thousands of blades emerged.

“You’re lucky I’m only the Fourteenth strongest,” the Shinigami called out, his proud tone almost completely masking his frustration with the hollow. Let’s hope no one started the party without me, he thought as his mind wandered back to his previous plans at the bar.

Reiatsu Remaining: 6750/8000 (-25 for Mirror, -50 for Mirror Link, -300x2 for Shard Shatter: Total -675)

[Col Arana]

His opponent was certainly proving tenacious, and this maneuver would normally have caught Col off guard, had he not previously seen that Kagami could maneuver the mirrors. Still, the speed at which he could spin the mirror was quite surprising, given a Bala's speed, and his attack bounced from the mirror. Rather than dodge it, however, Col lunged forwards. He had brought both his blades to the front after deflecting Kagami's kido, and both blades were ready to defend him. The bala collided with his red plasma blade and was shunted into the ground beside him. There was a colossal blast, that, from Kagami's angle, he would not see the result of. The explosion itself would produce a massive cloud of dirt and dust, obscuring everything from view. Naturally, Kagami would be able to sense Col's survival through his energy sensory abilities. But his condition? That would likely be beyond his scope. He'd know in the next instant, however, as Col broke free of his mirror prison, by splitting the mirror in front of him into four pieces with his plasma blades, carving an 'x' shape through the mirror and passing through the opening like it was cardboard. This would also enable Col to evade Kagami's next follow-up attack, as the mirrors shattered. Kagami likely wouldn't be immediately aware of Col's escape due to the smoke cloud that covered it, giving Col a chance to see the mirrors shatter and blades pierce the space he had been in mere moments ago.

"A magnificent trick." He complimented. "And a curious ability." It seemed that Col would have to limit his use of Bala and Cero. He could not see Kagami through his own smoke cloud and mirrors, though he knew his opponent would still be there. His plasma blades continued to emit their constant humming sound. Col glanced around the alleyway, and determined it was a little too cramped now. His next move would be easily seen by Kagami, as the Zarpa kicked off the ground and used air ground to launch himself up to the roof of the building on his right, landing right on the ledge, and looking down at him with a smirk. "Ah. This is more fitting don't you believe? I, looking down at you?" He taunted, flashing his yellow plasma blade in a mock salute at Kagami.

A challenge. Col was challenging the Vice Captain to a swordfight, the smirk on his face suggesting his confidence. But just in case Kagami had missed it... "I don't suppose Soul Society actually instructed you in how to use that sword as anything other than a tool for your abilities?" Col mocked. "Or is your education in fencing as lamentable as your plebian looks might suggest?" He added just to dig at Kagami further. How might his opponent respond? Col had had enough of playing on the defensive. Time to force a close range fight. He wanted to draw this battle out. If his adversary forced a long range battle, Col in turn would be forced to end it prematurely. And that wouldn't do at all. It had been awhile since he'd had someone this strong to play with. He wanted to make him suffer. Col's smirk grew across his face as he watched Kagami below.

Reiatsu remaining: 3050

[Douma]

Kagami knew that his attack would not hit the moment it was activated. He noticed too late that Col, through the black smoke that had erupted from the ground, would make a quick escape, leaving Kagami’s mirror shards floating pointlessly in the dust with blades emerging from them. He could also feel the destruction of one of his mirrors, another tragedy. However, it gave him a clue regarding the full strength of his Arrancar adversary. Shattering Kagami’s mirrors is not an easy task and would require immense power, power that Col seems to posses in his reiatsu. Kagami would not be able to face Col in a direct assault, for he would be overwhelmed by his foe’s superior reiatsu strength. And although Kagami is an expert swordsman, he was not going to be foolish enough to face the Arrancar in a head-to-head fight again. After all, he had used a significant amount of reiatsu already only to have all of his attacks fail. This time, Kagami was going to lay back and allow Col to make the first move, a tactic the Vice Captain is far more comfortable with. It’s his normal way of fighting, as opposed to Kagami’s previous rush to end the battle. In fact, the Mirror Expert might just be enjoying the fight a little bit. Col has been the most powerful opponent he had ever faced previously, and it would be possible that this struggle against the Arrancar might be entertaining.

The Lieutenant did not mind Col’s empty compliments. In fact, he willed the mirror directly behind him to pivot against the wall so that it literally swept him off his feet until the mirror reached a slope of zero, allowing the Shinigami to lie down on it comfortably and relax. In the mean time, he allowed all but one of his remaining mirrors where Col was standing earlier to disappear. But the Vice Captain did not shut his eyes as he relaxed cockily, keeping his gaze focused on the Arrancar hovering above as he used his left hand as a pillow and his right arm to hold his blade. "Ah. This is more fitting don't you believe? I, looking down at you?" Now that ticked Kagami off. His anger was reflected, pun intended, through Mai’s furious yells in his mind. Teach that prick a lesson. Get the fuck up there and beat his ass.

I’ll definitely make him eat those words, but not right now. However, I wouldn’t be against reminding him who’s really on top. With those words to Mai, Kagami summoned a mirror that would appear 200 feet above the rooftops that formed the alley Kagami was currently in. By linking the glass he was lying on with the side of the mirror facing down, Kagami would appear to fall through his mirror and reappear in the air approximately 100 meters above the head of the Zarpa. The mirror would be standing about a foot above Kagami as he focuses his reiatsu onto his front so that he could use air-ground to lie down on his stomach and continue to look down at the Arrancar. “Who’s looking down on who, Bones?” Kagami asked mockingly, using the term “bones” as a title for hollows or Arrancar. The battle was beginning to have a little verbal touch, and Kagami easily trumped the petty insult Col had made earlier based on mere elevation. A competition of altitude was not going to make any progress in this fight, but Kagami couldn’t help but negate Col’s previous words. And to give the illusion that there are no mirrors present, Kagami linked the image on the mirror above him with the reflection on the opposite side, creating a perfectly clear mirror that is undetectable by the naked eye. Also, since any reiatsu released subconsciously by Kagami passes right through them as though they don’t exist, they wouldn’t be detectable through Energy Sensory means either.

And now, the Arrancar was slandering the Vice Captain’s swordsman ship, which were beyond superb to say the least about them. In fact, he would have confidentially taken up the challenge in swordsmanship had he not known how much stronger the Arrancar’s reiatsu strength was. Therefore, to make sure he wouldn’t let his ego shrink at all, Kagami rejected the invite to a close battle indifferently. “I could wipe the floor with you any day in a sword fight, but honestly, all of your cowardly dodging is starting to bore me.” To prove his point, Kagami let out a realistic yawn and covered it with the back of his right hand, the hand he was using to hold his sword. That way, if the Arrancar would launch his attack, the Vice Captain’s blade would be ready. “And honestly, I don’t think you’re in position to criticize my… uh, ‘plemboyan’ looks? I can’t say you look too shabby yourself, Bones.” All Kagami got out of Col’s words was that the Arrancar was trying to insult him in some way. However, Kagami knew he is quite dashing and there was no way he would be offended by the likes of Col through poking fun at his appearance. “Feel free to take your time, I’m just going to relax up here.” As he speaks, Kagami would summon two more mirrors, one at the opposite end of the roof Col stands on and one on 15 meters from the Arrancar. Both would be concealed in the same manner as the mirror above Kagami.

Remaining Reiatsu: 6475/8000 (-25x3 for Mirrors, -50x4 for Image Link: Total -275)

[Col Arana]

Col had already established a number of things. His opponent was crafty, and that he was extremely proud. Oh, and he had devised at least two properties of the mirrors. He could pass his own attacks through them and out another one. And he could reflect his enemy's attacks. Col decided to assume, for the sake of safety, that he could apply these freely to the inverse attack as well, thus he could rebound his own attacks for whatever purpose he may need, and that he could allow Col's own attacks to pass through them. Or at least his reiatsu attacks. A zanpakuto that focused on battlefield control was frustrating indeed. Col knew that if he released he could end this battle in an instant. And indeed, he was beginning to grow impatient. However, his opponent had yet to seriously pressure him. And Col had a few more tricks yet before he would resort to his release.

With that said, Col also recognized the near futility of his Cero. His opponent was likely attempting to goad him into using a long ranged attack. Col considered attacking with a Kido spell. Something a shinigami certainly wouldn't expect from an arrancar like himself. But no. The shinigami was boasting about his swordsmanship? Then perhaps he should put it to the test. "Don't you think." Col stated, before lunging into the air. His red plasma blade was held in a high guard position, point facing diagonally down, towards (had they been on level ground), his opponent's heart. His yellow blade was held diagonally across his body, the blade also facing downwards. He was leaving the left side of his body completely exposed, with not so much as a sword to cut off an angle of attack. What was Col's game?

Although Col certainly couldn't see the mirrors that Kagami had set up, he had seen the speed at which he could set them up and established that Cero and Bala would not be effective. Save, for perhaps, the Cero Durmiente. But there would be time enough for that later. If his opponent continued to frustrate him in this manner. As Col lunged, the blade he had held in the lower guard slashed at Kagami. Or at least where Kagami appeared to be. If his mirrors threw off Col's sense of distance, or perhaps made Kagami appear closer than he really, was, then Col's slash would merely cleave through the mirror. This would be the case, either way, truly. The mirror before Kagami would undoubtedly be split in two, revealing the farce for what it was.

In the same instant, Col would continue to track the mirror for the technique Kagami had demonstrated moments before, but, focusing on his offense, would allow his high guard, red sword to fluidly and flawlessly transition into a vertical cut, whether his first blow cut Kagami, or merely the mirror. The intent would be only marginally different, a follow-up blow or a finishing blow. "That your petty mirror tricks are unbecoming of a proper gentleman?" Col mocked. And then his face twisted into a cruel smirk. "Or is that the sort of man that you truly are?" He taunted, fully confident that Kagami's responses would be easily dealt with. Would he, perhaps, slip backwards into another mirror to avoid? That would certainly be frustrating. But it was becoming a predictable tactic, and if pressured and abused, would only force Col to develop a countermeasure for it. How would Kagami deal with Col's pressure to force a sword duel?

Reiatsu Remaining: 3050

[Douma]

The flow of battle had begun once again, this time with Kagami on the passive defensive while the Escudo Zarpa lunged into the air towards the Shinigami, clearing the distance between them in a very brief time. In fact, the Arrancar might be just as fast or a little bit faster than Kagami, which was a good thing to keep in mind if the Vice Captain was ever contemplating outmatching the Arrancar in speed. That would be a big no-no. It only established the idea again that Kagami would not have to big of a chance, as much as he hated to admit it, of beating Col unless he somehow tricked and outsmarted the Hollow.

Kagami knew a short window of opportunity was coming up, and he would have to leap at it. Literally. Col was rushing towards Kagami at speeds that the average person would perceive as a blur, but Kagami’s trained eyes could analyze his movements and pinpoint the perfect moment to put a plan into action. It seems that with the Arrancar’s sword at his hip, Kagami would be forced to defend against a diagonal slash, which truly wouldn’t be too difficult to handle. What Kagami would have to be cautious of is the other blade that his opponent wields.

Time to execute his plan. While the Arrancar was rushing at the Squad 1 Lieutenant, a transparent mirror would spring up a good five feet before Kagami. Therefore, the first thing Col’s plasma blade would make contact with was the reflective glass of the mirror. There would be no doubt that it would put up enough resistance to slow the Arrancar for a split moment, just enough time for Kagami to start his attack. Once the mirror cracks, the Image Link would dissipate so that it is no longer transparent but a reflective. Now that Col would be unable to see through the glass, Kagami would take advantage of this blind-spot to lunge forward, sword at the ready to lock blades with the Escudo’s unused hand that would be on Kagami’s right. And with the opponent’s opposite blade extended from its contact with the mirror, Kagami would grab Col’s wrist and thrust him back so that he would pass to Kagami’s side and continue toward the invisible mirror behind the Vice Captain. From then, Kagami’s free hand, if this maneuver is successful, would extend itself as he silently activated Bakudo #61: Rikujokoro (Six Rods Prison of Light). Six beams from each side of the Arrancar would converge on him, one of which would pass through the transparent mirror without compromising its secrecy. Only if the Bakudo trapped the Arrancar would Kagami, with the same hand, activate Hado #35: Raikou Kawa. The lightning would flow from his fingertips and directly into the Arrancar’s chest, powerfully numbing his body as a whole. In the mean time, the mirrors on the rooftop would cease to be concealed, for Kagami had no need to maintain the Image Link hiding them.

Reiatsu Remaing: If the maneuver doesn’t work 6350/8000 (-25 for mirror, -50x2 for Image Link), if maneuver works 6200/8000 (-150 for Rikujokoro), if Rikujokoro hits 6100/8000 (-100 for Raikou Kawa)

[Col Arana]

Col noticed the mirror appear in front of him as he slashed at Kagami, blocking his line of sight. Ah. So he could render the mirrors invisible? Or perhaps he could summon them extremely quickly? Regardless, Col knew that there was a reason for making them mirror appear before him, and suspected it had to do with blocking his line of sight. Was his opponent attempting to evade him, and using this as a split second opening? Or was he preparing an attack? Col assumed it was the latter. If it were the former, he wouldn't have needed to block his sight, with those charming little mirrors of his. It wouldn't have done him any good, anyways, as unless he was fleeing, he wouldn't have been able to come out at an angle Col wouldn't have noticed, with his heightened senses and energy sensing abilities of his own.

Indeed there was a flash of a blade and Col struck back with his second blade, driving it downwards into the path of Kagami's attack, defending his blow with a downward block. He noticed Kagami shifting off to his side. Kagami went for Col's extended wrist. If that was as he liked it Col would accommodate him. He used the momentum of his swing, to spin about, pulling his hand away from Kagami's grasp, and spun with Kagami. Fortunately for Kagami though, this circular movement would still maneuver the arrancar to where he had wanted him to go. The only problem, perhaps, being that Col was not nearly as far away as Kagami might have liked him to be. Kagami would still have an instant, however, to cast his Bakudo spell, and indeed, six rods of light cascaded in on Col and bound him in place.

"Oh my. It seems I've been caught." He stated in an unconcerned and nonchalant manner, as Kagami prepared a second kido. As the lightning blazed from Kagami's fingertips, Col reacted, moving and breaking through Kagami's Bakudo as it if were nothing but a mist. He moved in a diagonal motion, simultaneously dodging Kagami's Hado spell and closing in against him. His red plasma blade slashed diagonally in a crimson blur at Kagami's chest, intent on cutting him from his shoulder to the ribs, the yellow one still prepared for defense. Kagami would be beginning to understand the gap in raw power here. His Bakudo hadn't been able to hold Col at all. He had needed no technique to shatter it, indeed the slightest flex he had made was enough to break it. His movement had been virtually as unimpeded as it would have been had Kagami not cast the Bakudo in the first place. The gap in their spiritual power was immense. Col didn't even think that the kido itself was of much concern, but merely avoided it for the sake of good conduct.

Col would have now closed in on Kagami, and wasn't letting him away so easily. Following his first slash, his yellow blade arced across, slashing down on Kagami's arm. Not a blow to sever the limb, but merely to maim it horrendously, Col's red blade, being held, pointed skyward. "Perhaps I might witness my foe's skill at swordsmanship now." Col taunted. "Or have you spent so much time polishing your tricks that you are merely too humiliated to show it?" He mocked again, relentlessly hammering Kagami with a verbal assault and taunts.

Reiatsu remaining: 3050