Leaves In The Wind [NDE, Joint-Training]

[Deleted]

(OOC: This is a training thread between Kazuko Shiba and Takehiko Kuchiki in the wilderness. Kazuko will be teaching Advanced Air-Ground and Redirection Level 2 to Takehiko; since Takehiko is higher in class than either technique, he can learn them at proficient instantly for the regular cost, which in this case is 200 TTP. All left over TP after that 200 TTP point will be extra for him and be collected as such. Kazuko will be earning TP instead.)


From on top his perch, earthen eyes looked out, hidden behind leaves and brush, an air of calmness surrounding them. He was partly concealed in the shadows of the overhanging branches, but it was not his intention to be hidden. No, he wanted to enjoy the experience. Birds fluttered about, their wings a collage of colors, and their songs a serenade to him. Some birds even approached him, landing on his shoulder and on his outstretched hand; it was easy for him to tame the wild animals, but he found their presence more enjoyable than any task he could assign to them. Down below, he spotted a few animals, mostly small things, scurrying about, oblivious to the greater scheme of the world around them. He had to wonder, how enjoyable it must be to be ignorant to the times of trouble that slowly encroached on their way of life. What could be said about them? Living happily, as the world as they knew it slowly faded and crumbled. It might have been sad. Likewise, it may have been poetic. To lose everything before they even knew they had something. Not if I have anything to say about it. He said, his thoughts resolute even inside his head. He had grown strong to protect and serve, and he would not fail.

The air seemed to press down on his shoulders, and he knew that the man was close.

Guess he found the place easily enough. Said the figure internally as he took a few steps forward on the branch he was on, and dropped down to the forest floor below, landing with an audible thump. In the light of the noon sun, the figure, no longer shrouded by shadows, was nothing but a boy. Probably sixteen at best from the looks of him, and it showed on his body. His uniform, small by most standards, was still too large for his body. His dark brown hair, combed back neatly, made him look too serious and did not coincide with the youthful air around him. The boy wore his zanpakuto on his back, strapped there, with the hilt over his right shoulder. However, there were a number of things that set him apart from the rank-and-file Shinigami that he trained on a regular basis. His eyes spoke of experience decades beyond his time, sharp and intense in their hue. Likewise, despite being nothing more than a child, he seemed to move with the grace and confidence of a commander; there was a word for it: experience. The boy reeked of experience. He’d seen so many things as a Vice-Captain; wars, invasions, death, and much more. While at one point it tormented him, it no longer had the same effect. He had learned his lessons, and they were all over his body.

The last thing that set him apart, however, was the massive pressure that enveloped the forest; it was not severe enough to hurt the animals, as he cared for their wellbeing, but it was acute enough to alert any sensor or being of his location from quite a distance away. That was what he was counting on. Vice-Captain Shiba was waiting for the new Vice-Captain of the Third Squad to meet him. That was why he left his pressure out in the open, for him to track him down. Kazuko had heard of the man rise in the ranks of the cursed squad, and had felt delighted at the news of his promotion. The squad was rumored to be in disarray after so many blunders at leadership, that it was even rumored to broker on anarchy. There was little the boy could do in terms of help, however; the squad belonged to someone else, and he could not interfere in their matters. Now, though, he had a chance to meet someone who promised to make change. Whether he liked the man or not was another matter altogether; Kazuko remembered when he was a new to the Vice-Captaincy, and knew that the man likely wished to make connections as he had at one point. So, he had sent the invitation to train in the forest of the Rukongai as an offer to do just that.

When Kazuko saw the man approach, he would call out, a smile on his equally small face spreading out, having to look up to speak to the man. “Vice-Captain Kuchiki.” He said, a bit formally. The boy pushed off the tree he was leaning on, intent on greeting the man with a small bow of respect for making the journey. Of course, it was nothing but a formal gesture, and had no real meaning to him at all. The new Vice-Captain had done nothing so far to earn his respect, but pleasantries were a thing among the families. Kazuko’s family, as the man likely knew, was disgraced: the Shiba Clan. It had been a long time since the family had had any real power, and the boy before him was the only example of their might in generations. Kazuko, thus, always had something to prove, in one way other another. Still, he didn’t let it show on his face. He continued, his voice playful, “I’m glad you accepted my invitation. I’ve met a few of your cousins, and had the honor of fighting alongside them, so I hoped we could make due as well.” There was a mischievous glint in his eyes as he spoke; no matter how experienced the boy was, he was still a kid at heart, no matter how much he hated to admit it.

Takehiko would notice that underneath the large robes of the boy, there were bandages all over his body, covering his skin. They were of the same design that matched the ones that tied the Vice-Captains’ Badge of Squad Nine on his left arm. They may have been recent wounds, or maybe even some sort of style. Kazuko had kept their reason for being there a secret since he returned to his Squad from an extended leave of absence. There were many rumors floating around as well about that absence. Some said he left due to marriage proposals from other families, while others argued he was away on a secret mission. Whatever the reason, the boy had said nothing about it, and had stayed aloof. Not that he meant anything bad about it. He just wanted to keep some things a secret. Regardless, he had unlocked something very important to him; something that would help in his goals. In middle of his analysis of the other Vice-Captain, a decayed, and ancient voice spoke out, filling his mind. You spend too much time thinking, boy. Actions speak louder than words. Remember that. Kazuko sighed a bit at that. I understand, Gagoiru. I just want to know if this man is anything like Anastasia, or even Sozen.

Kazuko said, finally, inched on by his zanpakuto spirit, “Now then, about the training. Is there anything particular you would like to do?”

SPOILER: Click to show

{Stats/Skills}

Kazuko Shiba: Level 3: Soldier

Strength – [100] (50)
Speed – [300]
Spiritual Pressure – [400]
Reiatsu Strength – [400] (800)
Light Aura – [75]
Dark Aura – [25]
Instinct – [200]
Senses – [150]
Energy Sensory – [50]
Healing Expertise – [0]

Total SP: 1600

Skills:

Weapons: Sword {3}
Hakuda {3}
Battle Analysis {3}
Mental Incantation {3}
Calm Mind {2}
Pain Tolerance {1}
Analyzing {1}
Learning {1}

SKP Total: 17

[Amagai Kuchiki]

Takehiko had trouble judging people based off of first impressions. He largely didn't trust his own opinions of other people, he was overly aware of his own potential biases and blind spots. Because of this, he didn't judge people based off of how he saw them, but rather how other people saw them. In Kazuko's case, that meant Takehiko had a healthy amount of respect for the shinigami, largely because of how his family members viewed the Vice Captain. Anatasia spoke highly of him, and Takehiko could even recall Sozen commenting on him once. That alone was enough to earn Kazuko a comfortable spot in the eyes of Takehiko. So when Kazuko extended an invitation of training, Takehiko accepted immediately and with a degree of eagerness. Any chance to see what the other Vice Captains were capable of first hand was a welcome one. Thus far, he hadn't been exactly overwhelmed by any of them, although he still had a list of ones he wanted to spar with at one point or another. And although Kazuko wasn't exactly Kaen, he was still a respectable lad and a moderately powerful one at that.

The wilderness that surrounded Soul Society always put Takehiko on edge, and made his hand stay closer to his sword than normal. It was hard to forget the rogue Arrancar that he'd stumbled upon out here years and years ago, the creature that almost claimed his life if not for Sozen's opportune arrival. His lord had always had impeccable timing, as he slowly realized over the years. There was never a moment where Sozen's assistance would have been needed and helpful and Sozen was not there. Of course, Takehiko lived his life struggling to avoid needing Sozen's assistance, but the point remained. If the opportunity arose, he'd definitely ask Kazuko a bit about his interactions with Sozen. It always interested him how other people viewed Sozen. Most of them didn't see Sozen as the God that Takehiko did, but at least they respected him. Those that didn't....let's just say Takehiko convinces them.

As he moved through the forest, he could feel the pressure that the Shiba was exerting. It was subtle, but clearly left out in the open. Rather helpful, given that they hadn't actually picked a formal meeting place. Takehiko closed his eyes, and began to guide himself, devoid of his normal senses, in the direction of the source. As he carefully put one foot forward however, it touched against a tree root. With a sigh, he opened his eyes. Too much debris on the ground, if he tried to navigate purely via energy sensory he'd likely trip and break his nose. Not a great entrance. He moved through the forest quickly, eyes open, careful of pointy rocks and jutting roots. He didn't really want to show up uninvited, so he stopped suppressing his own pressure, letting it cascade over the living creatures that inhabited the forest. They'd have to be cleared away later, Takehiko didn't feel like manipulating his pressure into doing so.

Finally, he caught sight of Kazuko. The Shiba stood in front of a tree, a smile on his face. He was shorter than Takehiko had expected, he'd known that the boy was young, but he hadn't quite anticipated him being quite this young. For someone of that age to be a Vice Captain....His thoughts were interrupted by the boys voice. "Vice Captain Kuchiki. I'm glad you accepted my invitation. I’ve met a few of your cousins, and had the honor of fighting alongside them, so I hoped we could make due as well.” Takehiko returned the boy's smile and bow. "I am honored to have been invited, Vice Captain Shiba. I've heard stories of your prowess, and am eager to have the opportunity to learn beside you." Takehiko noted the boy's bandages, an indicator of some type of injury. He hadn't heard anything about Kazuko becoming injured, although of course rumors spread like wildfire at the slightest hint of such things. He made a mental note to avoid striking the Shiba in that area, he wanted to be invited back at a later point.

"I don't have anything in particular that I wish to learn. Assume, however, that I know nothing. Although my physical capabilities are high, and my fighting style is refined, my techniques are....somewhat lacking." Monarch hadn't really bothered to teach him any Hakuda, not that he had the talent for it, and he'd only learned basic foot techniques at the academy. Other than those, all of his non release techniques were Kuchiki family techniques, Speed Hana and Violent Autumn Style. He was eager to learn anything that Kazuko was willing to teach him, and highly looked forward to the events of the rest of the day.

[Deleted]

The other officer responded kindly to the boy, which was a good start to their relationship when compared to others he had throughout his years as an officer, he assumed. The manner in which he spoke was formal as well, which meant he had some semblance of care for his rank in nobility. Moreover, there was no snide attitude or arrogance from the man, or at least none he could detect at the moment, and there did not seem to be any ulterior motive likewise. He’s not like Anastasia. Though, he does seem a tad boring. Kazuko thought, still evaluating the man. In the midst of his thinking, the boy noticed the eyes of the man linger on the bandages on his body – which seemed to be everywhere underneath the robe. Kazuko assured the officer, “Don’t worry about the bandages. It’s nothing serious.” The boy had been injured on many occasions, some worse than others, but that was not the reason for the wrapping. However, he didn’t tell the other officer anything close to an explanation for now. For now, Kazuko was still trying to gauge whether he liked the Kuchiki or not. There were so many of them, and some, he grimaced mentally at the thought, had awful reputations and records. That was one of the prices of living in a large family, he presumed.

“Thank you for your kind words. It means a lot coming from a fellow peer such as yourself.” Kazuko answered the man just as formally, still trying to see if he had an angle. It was also to see that the man did not make assumptions just because of his size and age. Most people had a tendency to judge him based on just that. At least he seems humble. That could be an act though to get on my good side, but we’ll see soon enough. The boy heard the man give an appraisal of his own abilities, making note of it along with a few other things as well, like the quality of his pressure, and the sublime grace in which he moved his body. So he was a physical combatant was he? Kazuko had met a few physical combatants that used strength and speed as their primary means of power. The boy had fought a few dozen opponents like that, and knew the disadvantages of getting too close, but also shared weaknesses and styles. He even had a girlfriend that was physically superior to him in every way… which made getting close a safety hazard, he groaned. Regardless, she wasn’t around to hear him, so he felt safe at the moment. Yoko does have a bit of a temper…she can be scary actually. The boy was getting a bit distracted by his musing, and he wanted to get their training started off with a bit of a surprise.

Kazuko had been a Vice-Captain for a number of years, and had met many of the other Vice-Captains, saving a few of their lives on several occasions, both in and out of combat. Most of them, by his standards, were qualified for their position and respective duties, and that was satisfactory in and of itself. The Vice-Captaincy was not a laughing matter after all. They had to be the second strongest in their respect squads, able to instigate order on behalf of their Captains. This varied from squad to squad, but they basically played the same roles. If members broke out against the status quo, it was there job to put them down, and save them the wrath of the Captains. They also had to set order at times where there was anything but that. However, in Kazuko's case, his Captain Raion Souretsu was a bit carefree, and left most of the duties of Squad Nine to him. At first, when he was much smaller and younger, the boy had felt overwhelmed, almost to the point of interfering with his state of mind. But experience had taught him otherwise, and that was behind him now. After going through multiple invasions and wars, Kazuko had learned what he had to, to survive. Time sure does pass quickly, doesn't it, Gagoiru? There was a slight chuckle at the back of his mind. You're learning, boy. Gagoiru, after the training he gave the boy, had become a bit enigmatic and cryptic with his words, which were much more frequent than they've ever been.

There was a mischievous glint in his eyes as he continued, and the aura around the boy seemed to grow heavier, “I hope you don’t mind, but I want to test your combat instincts before we begin. I train all my officers, you see, and I want to know if you can compare to them.” That would be the only warning Takehiko would receive before the boy simply disappeared from his position. The next moment, Kazuko reappeared at his side, toward the back, his blade unsheathed: Senka, the Flash Blossom. His zanpakuto moved to cut the man at his Saketsu and Hakusui in one fluid motion; of course, the attack was not meant to be lethal, and if the man failed to react accordingly, the boy would stop his blade short. Kazuko just wanted to evaluate if the Kuchiki would actually perform as well physically as he claimed he could. Of course, it was a bit more than that. If the Kuchiki attempted to parry his blade, or use his zanpakuto somehow, the man would find his blade sheared through instantly. The difference in combat power between them was so great that the Kuchiki would not be able to use his sword to defend without the blade shattering. The boy had noted as much when they had met, and thus wanted to see how he would react to this sort of stimuli. Regardless of what happened, Kazuko would not pursue any further attack; he just wanted to evaluate him after all before they moved onto some fun stuff.


Remaining Reiatsu: 3900/4000 (-100 for Senka)

SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

Just a small note for future threads, always post Stats/Skills in every intro post, no matter what type of thread it is. Also, I made an edit in my last post concerning OOC thread information.

[Amagai Kuchiki]

It had been a long day of training, and Takehiko welcomed the chance to relax and eat. Monarch, for whatever reason, was a surprisingly good cook, especially given what he was working with. And although today's meal appeared to be relatively simple, Takehiko's rumbling stomach couldn't wait. As they sat down, Takehiko eagerly picked up a bowl and began to chow down. A flash of movement, and Monarch's hand collided with his chest, sending him tumbling backward, the bowl flying out of his hands and shattering against the wall. Takehiko was on his feet in an instant, meeting Monarch's oncoming palm strike with his forearm. The blow almost caused him to fall over again, but he barely held. "So now I guess meals aren't safe either, huh? Training never ends?" "Wrong. Meals were never safe. I just didn't chose to act on it. Fighting is a constant thing, young Kuchiki. A warrior can never relax, for no moment is safe, only safer. If you ever feel like you are in good hands, you are delusional. Always think of the best way to neutralize all those around you, and consider what they'd do to take you out as well. Otherwise, you're falling behind them at a rapid pace." With that, Monarch returned to his seat. "You can resume eating now. That is, if you think you are capable of doing so."

Takehiko had taken his master's words to heart; he trusted no one absolutely, except for Sozen. Every moment was a chance for his enemies to capitalize on his weaknesses, his vulnerabilities. The paranoia felt wrong at times, and Takehiko felt guilty on occasion for not trusting those who he cared about, those who he considered his peers. But every once and a while, his suspicions were justified and he found himself thanking Monarch for sucker punching him in the middle of a meal. Of course, he still wondered sometimes what the food would have tasted like had it not been flung from his hands.

As soon as he heard the phrase "Test your combat instincts", Takehiko prepared for the blow. It was kind of Kazuko to give him a warning, and it certainly showed that the Shiba had no intention of harming Takehiko. So Takehiko paid him the same respect, and the second the Vice Captain vanished, he simply flash stepped forward, turning around at the terminus of the movement to see Kazuko behind where he had been originally, sword part way in motion to slice. He contemplated counter attacking, truly showing the Shiba the extent of his combat reflexes, but decided against it. After all, the man had simply been testing him, no harm no foul. Besides, he had a sneaking suspicion that getting into an outright fight with the other Vice Captain would be a questionable choice. He wouldn't necessarily lose, but it would likely be one of the hardest fights he ever had. Which was an exciting thought, he had to admit. But now was neither the time nor the place.

Takehiko drew his sword, wincing slightly at his actions. If Kazuko was a trained swordsman, which seemed highly likely, and had done his homework, which was almost undoubtable, this gesture could be viewed as an empty threat, or a possible insult. Certainly if Takehiko was in Kazuko's shoes, he'd be annoyed. Takehiko had earned his fame throughout Soul Society for his Iaijutsu, a style heavy on quick drawing, attacking, then sheathing the blade once more. By drawing his blade slowly and visibly, Takehiko had practically defanged himself, even if the gesture looked menacing. But it was important to show that he was ready for combat, and simply touching his hand to his sheath didn't feel like it would do. So he did the stupid cinematic move, and hoped that Kazuko wouldn't call him out on it.

"I hope that satisfies your curiosity, sir. Another attack outside of a formal spar, regardless of warning, I'll assume is a real threat. I came here to train, not to be tested." He kept his tone respectful, for he did truly respect Kazuko, and hoped that his words wouldn't come across as posing.  However, Takehiko had no interest in games, in flash stepping around, in avoiding attacks to prove that he could. Unlike his drawn weapon, this statement wasn't an empty threat. He had drawn a line in the sand, and if the Shiba really wanted to cross it, Takehiko wouldn't be held responsible for the aftermath. With that, he bowed and sheathed his blade. "In any case, shall we start the training? What did you have in mind?" He wanted to get things started sooner rather than later, and put the testing behind them. Hopefully his actions would show the Vice Captain that he was a capable combatant and that he could be trusted.


Remaining Reiatsu: 1950/2000

SPOILER: Click to show

Strength: 400 (200 x 2)
Speed: 600 (300 x 2)
Reitsu Strength: 267(400 x .66)
Spiritual Pressure: 200 (300 x.66)
Instinct: 150
Senses: 150
Energy Sensory: 100
Healing Expertise: 0
Light Aura: 50
Dark Aura: 50

SPOILER: Click to show

• [Sword Style: Iaijutsu] 3
  
  
• [Weapon: Chain Weapons] 3
  
  
• [Pain Tolerance] 3
  
  
• [Strength of Will] 3
  
  
• [Battle Analysis] 3
  

[Deleted]

Kazuko smiled. Takehiko was not as boring as he thought. When the boy had used his Flash Blossom, Takehiko had used a step technique of his own to clear the zone of danger from the strike. The boy was glad that something that straight forward was dealt with properly; he had encountered a few opponents who, underestimating the boy, had actually tried to block his sword, which usually ended with broken blades, or needless openings. The boy turned, sheathing his sword as did so, and found the other officer where he had expected him to be. However, the man had his own sword drawn, this time, but the posture did not convey any killing intent, or any practiced rigidity. The other Vice-Captain probably meant it as some sort of gesture of defense, not as an actual means of doing so. Likewise, his words mirrored his stance, and gave the boy a warning about continuing any further attacks. He sure is formal though. Nobility never changes. The boy thought, as he laughed, waving his hands dismissingly at the other man, trying to settle his suspicions. Kazuko only wanted to test the man, not engage him in combat. For now, Takehiko had done well enough in his reaction and choices of defense.

“You reacted well.” The boy said simply, his manor of speech still cheerful and disarming toward the man. “Much better than your predecessors; both of them would have gone about it a different way, which may not have been the brightest or keenest ways.” Kazuko clasped his hands together loudly; finally ready to get down to business. No need recalling shadows or brief faces that no longer mattered. A grin broadened out across his small face… which was soon turned into a frown. Oh darn! I almost forgot! This is no place to have any training. Besides, I prepared something special at a nearby clearing. Kazuko waved at the man, trying to get his attention in case he was not paying attention. “Let’s take our training somewhere else. The animals may get hurt if we do something reckless here.” The boy said, hoping his reasoning would make sense to the man. Many Soul Reapers in the Seireitei had no qualms about collateral damage and harming things, like another peer he knew in the Corps, so he hoped that Takehiko was not one of those people. But he would never know for sure unless he said as much. Regardless, the boy would gesture for the other man to follow him as they proceeded to a nice place he had in store.

Kazuko would turn around, expecting the man to follow, and begin walking up into the air, plates of Reiatsu at his feet. With Advanced Air-Ground, he could make many things while airborne, anywhere he wanted; things like walls, ledges, ramps, and anything like that. He could even enhance his movements by adding an air push to his limbs and body, and things like that. For places like Soul Society and Hueco Mundo, this sort of mobility, in an environment where natural Air-Ground was impossible, was invaluable both in and out of combat. At the moment, the boy wanted to escape the canopy of the forest, and simply walk to the destination he had in mind. Kazuko was not in the mood to waste energy simply navigating through dense foliage, and he reasoned that the other officer would likely find the same conclusion. However, the boy noticed that the pressure of the other officer did not move to follow him, which made him wonder if he were actually willing to follow him to other location. Did he lose trust in me? He thought first, unsure of why the man could not follow. When he looked back, the answer struck him at that moment why Takehiko did not simply make his own Air-Ground as well. Ah! He might not know the technique. He reasoned.

The boy asked the other man, putting words to his thoughts, “Do you know Advanced Air-Ground, Takehiko?” Whatever the man said, the boy might as well check base and just give him a simple run through of the technique; sometimes, pride had a tendency to be thing with higher nobles, and he might not be inclined to reveal that he was lacking in an area. He paused a moment, waiting for any response from the man, then continued, “In case you do not know it, the technique is very simple to use.” The boy put his hands on his hips, unconsciously going through the same motions as if he were instructing his own squad members. He was not trying to show Takehiko any disrespect, but it was just a habit of his, that he hoped the other man would not mind. “Take the concept of Shunpo, and Air-Ground in the Land of the Living, and apply them together. Concentrate Reiatsu at your feet, and solidify it there, then bend the air around that Reiatsu to fit your needs.” He wondered whether he was clear enough in his instructions, then added, “Imagine using the concept Shunpo, basically, without actually taking the step.” With that said, the boy would wait and watch as the man tried to use the technique.

Of course, Kazuko expected that someone who was supposed to be at the level of a Vice-Captain would be able to use and apply a simple technique such as Advanced Air-Ground without much effort. The boy, considered a genius in his own clan, had learned the technique without even realizing what he was doing while he was small in his household. Mischievously, he used the technique to get up onto pantries, or sneak around the servants and, of course, his parents. He learned many techniques without knowing what they were in the same manner. It was only when he entered the Academy did he learn the names of what the other students were trying desperately to use. Only he had learned them while going through the motions of everyday living and the like. While gleaming on these thoughts, the boy also mused about other things. Like the scenery and the beauty of the day; his thoughts had a tendency to wander when he was bored, so he hoped the man could learn the Hoho quickly. Regardless, the boy would wait for Takehiko to accomplish the technique before proceeding where he had in mind. If the Vice-Captain required any assistance or clarification on something, the boy would be happy to comply in any way.


Remaining Reiatsu: 3875/4000 (-25 for Advanced Air-Ground)

SPOILER: Click to show

{OOC}

I made some assumptions on the actions of Takehiko, but it was to streamline learning AAG, so I hope you don't mind. Also, you don't need to post Stats/Skills in your combat posts, only in Intros. ^^

[Amagai Kuchiki]

Takehiko smiled at the compliment from Kazuko. He was growing more accustomed to the boy's mannerisms, and slowly becoming comfortable around him. Which was good, Takehiko needed to learn how to be less painfully formal around friends. He gave that idea some thought: was Kazuko really a friend? He'd known the boy for less than ten minutes, and although he seemed trustworthy, perhaps it would be best to give him some additional time to prove himself. There was that formal side again, Takehiko quickly suppressed the internal argument and focused on Kazuko's words. He agreed that the training would be best done elsewhere, and admired that the boy had similar sensibilities in regards to collateral damage. And of course, the further seclude they were, the better he'd feel about releasing. Because eventually, that's what he hoped to do in training: get more comfortable with release. And up against a, hypothetically, equal level opponent, he could actually get some solid practice out of it.

As Kazuko formed Air Ground however, Takehiko's heart sank. Of course, Advanced Air Ground. An incredibly simple technique in the grand scheme of things, one that allowed for an easy "Get Out Of Jail Free" card in many situations, and a technique that Takehiko had never gotten around to learning. It had screwed him over time and time again, but he'd been so focused on learning how to leverage his physical capabilities that he neglected most Hoho and Hakuda. He paused, and unconsciously stepped back a step as Kazuko turned back towards him, a look of expectation filling the boy's face. "Do you know Advanced Air Ground, Takehiko?"

"No," the Kuchiki admitted, "but I'm interested and willing to learn, if you can teach me." Even if Advanced Air Ground wasn't the original goal of training with the Shiba, it looked like it was shaping up to be a lucky byproduct of the encounter. "The technique is very simple to use." Takehiko followed the instructions that the Shiba provided, and took a step upwards, finding his foot landing on a step of Reiatsu. Was it really this easy and he just never bothered to learn it? It would have spared him so much hardship.

"Don't die." His master wasn't known for giving particularly helpful instructions, favoring a much more hands on approach. Takehiko took a combat stance as Monarch approached him slowly, arms loose at his sides. Of course, Takehiko knew that the arms wouldn't remain motionless for long, and it was best to prepare while he still had the ability to react. With a sudden burst of speed, Monarch was in his guard, throwing a flurry of strikes that Takehiko could barely dodge. The second one of them clipped his shoulder, Takehiko felt a pulse of reiatsu flow through his body. He hated his Master's Hakuda, it inevitably screwed up his ability to move and function correctly after a few blows. Which, of course, was kinda the point of it. Still, it made training difficult. He switched from dodging to blocking, using his sheathed sword to deflect the multitude of blows.

He had started to get the hang of it, and ventured a counter strike towards Monarch. This proved to be a bad idea, Monarch effortlessly caught the sheath, and with a flick of his wrist, sent it, and Takehiko with it, flying straight into the air. "Survive the fall," his master called as he went soaring up. Perhaps Monarch had intended it to be a simple task, all Takehiko had to do was use Air Ground. And yet as the Kuchiki began to near the ground at speeds beyond his control, he caught a look of disappointment in Monarch's eyes. Before impact, Takehiko twirled out his chain, and lashed out at the ground with it, his superhuman strength almost acting like a spring. When he landed a second later, he'd lost enough velocity that the fall wasn't fatal, or permanently damaging. However, it really freaking hurt. Monarch shook his head. "We're done for today. Get some rest. Tomorrow will be significantly harder."

The memory wasn't a pleasant one, and so he ran from it. "I know a good place. Follow me." With that, Takehiko launched off the floating stepping stone with a shunpo, moving incredibly quickly. He indulged himself, moving at full speed. Of course, the downside was that he'd likely start training slightly winded, but it was worth it. He needed the practice with his full range of motion. As the wind rushed by him, Takehiko navigated his way towards the training location he had in mind, a plateau near the northern end of the forest. It wasn't particularly high up, but the surrounding area was devoid of plants and animals, a side effect of a battle that happened long ago between two high class combatants. Stories of the fight were conflicting, some claiming that it was two Arrancars, others that two Captains chose to fully release and do battle. Others still suggested that a Quincy once battled an Arrancar to a standstill here, which seemed unlikely given the location. But entertaining the thought of each of the battles was amusing, and so Takehiko listened to the rumors and pretended to believe them.

He came to a halt above the plateau, stopping on another piece of Air Ground. The technique seemed easy enough, and the more practice he got with it the easier it would come. He needed it to be second nature, and soon. With that out of the way, he'd actually be able to focus on improving his Shikai, and getting a feel for the Shiba. He turned around, waiting for Kazuko. He didn't expect that he'd have to wait very long, the Vice Captain seemed like a relatively agile individual. The second his training partner arrived, Takehiko hopped down from the the stepping stone, landing on the plateau. He cocked his head towards the Vice Captain. "So, what did you have in mind? Just sparring? Or something more interesting?"

Remaining Reiatsu: 1900/2000 (-50 for two Advanced Air Ground, -50 for Shunpo)

[Deleted]

The other Vice-Captain learned how to use the technique not long after being instructed how to do so, which meant that the boy was not too bored while he waited. Takehiko instructed him to follow him, so the boy relented and nodded. He already a place in mind, but the man seemed to know one that was better, he guessed. Regardless, the man disappeared with Shunpo, utilizing his high speed – it seemed he was excited or eager to get things started. The boy, on the other hand, merely extended his Air-Ground and flew after him; in his mind, there was no need to rush things, or tire himself out. When Kazuko caught up to the man, they were on top of a plateau that was barren with the nearest signs of life a good ways away. It was a perfect place to have some training, he supposed. When he landed, the other man followed suit, looking a bit worn from traveling at such speeds, and asked him on how he would like to proceed. The boy pondered the words of the other man, trying to decide how to take this. He did say he wanted to spar, but that would spoil things for him. Besides, Takehiko did say he wanted to learn some new things or something like that. Kazuko said, pondering the question, “Let me think about it.” With that said, he turned back and began pacing around, his hand on his chin as if were some kind of detective.

A few seconds passed, and the boy snapped his fingers, an idea popping into his mind at that very moment. Of course! That would be perfect for him. The boy turned around, his palm aimed at the other man. This would probably come off as a surprise to the other man. Immediately, lightning enveloped the hand, growing and glowing until the earth in front of him was scorched from the mere proximity. “Do not move please. I want to show you something.” He told the other Vice-Captain as he aimed his hand upward directly over his head, the lightning continuing to grow violently, but the boy had slowed the technique speed: it was Raikoho. When the boy released the technique, it was massive, larger than a house and most cero, and done with relative ease. The blast of thunder flew upward rapidly, mapping a trail through the sky. Kazuko glanced at the other man, and said, “Watch this.” He disappeared in a step of Shunpo, appearing overheard above the spell, in the danger zone. With his left hand, he reached out just as the spell would overtake him, grabbing hold of the lightning, sucking it into his body and mixing another layer of his Reiatsu within the technique. The next moment, there was nothing left of the spell, and the sky was all but clear. Not for long though.

Kazuko, using his right hand for a change, flung it out, releasing the contained Raikoho at double its power, and more than that in size. This time, the spell was as large two or more houses stacked together, dwarfing the body of the boy. The redirected Raikoho careened upward in the sky, before it detonated in a mass of thunder, filling the sky with light. A moment later, and the boy appeared back on the ground of the plateau, his breath harder than before with a trail or two of sweat on his face, but his smile was still there. There was steam coming from his arms, but other than that, there was no damage whatsoever on his body. Well, on the outside at least. “What did you think? Cool right?” He said, shrugging off the feat. “After thinking about it, I thought this technique would be great for a physical fighter such as yourself.” Kazuko walked forward, making sure to lean in a bit to add drama or weight to his words, but he was just excited to get to have a bit more fun than usual. “The name of that technique is Redirection. With it, you could capture any Reiatsu-based attack, and send it back anywhere. It has different levels, which allow the user to even stack their Reiatsu on top of the Reiatsu in the technique for a bigger attack, like what I did.” Kazuko waited a few moments, letting the information sink in for a moment.

“I know all three levels of the technique, so I could teach you one if you’d like. You would have to master it on your own though.” The boy looked at his arms, which were already beginning to cool down, wincing at the burning feeling on his insides. “As you can see, the technique has a few drawbacks, but it’s useful against fighters with a heavy pressure.” He added, making sure the other man knew what he would be getting if he accepted the offer of the boy. For now, learning one technique would do fine for his purposes. If the boy attempted to teach him all three levels, it would probably take more than a day or two to even get started. Just teaching one level would be easier for now. With the same enthusiasm from before, the boy continued, “So! Do you want me to teach you how to use a level? If not, well, I know some other stuff that could be useful too, I suppose.” The decision was up to the other man, of course, whether he wanted to learn a level of Redirection or not. For a regular Shinigami, it would take weeks or months of constant practice to master it. But Kazuko supposed that learning just how to use it would be good enough for the man. He could master it on his own time if he wanted to fully utilize its power.


Remaining Reiatsu: 3450/4000 (-25 for Advanced Air-Ground, -150 for Raikoho, -100 for 2x Shunpo, -150 for Redirection Level 2)

(OOC: The actions with the Redirection in this post were Cinematic. You CANNOT redirect your own attacks, but in this case, I just used it as an example of what the technique can do.)

[Amagai Kuchiki]

(OOC: Since Andr has left the site, I'm just going to write a short post wrapping up the training thread and meeting the requirements to get AAG)

As the other Vice Captain contemplated what to do next, Takehiko absentmindedly began to consider his day thus far. Although rather uneventful, he was proud to have at least learned the ins and outs of Advanced Air Ground, which would certainly come in handy sooner rather than later. "Do not move please." Takehiko snapped back to focus as Kazuko motioned for him to remain stationary, before launching into a display of firepower that caused Takehiko to raise his eyebrows. He knew that the Vice Captain was capable, but a blast that large was seriously impressive. And what happened afterwards was more impressive still: the Shiba leapt up after the blast, and using a bit of reiatsu manipulation, sent it flying back down. Takehiko had heard of the tech, largely as a warning so as not to be surprised if an opponent used it against him, but seeing in action was a totally different story. Redirection. As the boy landed in front of him and began to explain it, Takehiko couldn't help but smile. This kid was on a whole 'nother level.

Then the realization hit him. "I am so sorry, Kazuko, but I have a prior commitment that I agreed to. I accepted your training offer so quickly I forgot of my other duties." And they were certainly duties that he couldn't afford to forget. Alexander had made it clear to Takehiko that he was to be punctual in squad three matters, and Takehiko had no interest in failing his Captain this early on. There was critical information that had to be recorded and processed, particularly regarding strange activity in Las Noches recently. Takehiko bowed deeply, and then turned and departed quickly, hoping that Kazuko wouldn't hold this early departure against him.

He shunpo'd away from the plateau, landing on Air Ground when he stopped. As long as he was ditching out on training, he may as well travel quickly and get a bit more practice and exercise in. The trick was knowing how to mould the reiatsu in a way that was stable, but not hard. Especially weaving shunpos in between steps made matters even more difficult because of how similar the techs were. One left the reiatsu behind, the other used it for explosive speed. But Takehiko was getting the hang of it, as was typical regarding him. He had a lot of room for growth, and by adding this technique to his arsenal, was one step closer to fully realizing that potential. With every passing day he was becoming a greater tool for Sozen, and approaching Captain level. And one day he'd fuffill his duties to his lord, and prove that saving him was worth the effort.

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

AAG and Redirection Class 2 earned at Proficient