Of Fierce Flames & Furious Winds [JT - Miyu]

[Ishikawa Seiji]

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{Mod Note}Training for SP

He was right. Today had sucked.

Going about his day after barely two hours of sleep was not the smartest decision he had ever made. Then again, no one ever said they required him to make intelligent choices to become a Shinigami. Only that he did not blast himself to bits during his Kidō lessons, which thankfully he hadn’t. A lack of rest, it seemed, did not affect his spiritual prowess with the art in question. He had to wonder if some instructors took genuine enjoyment from seeing freshmen suffer, or worse, completely panic and turn the individual in question into a laughingstock for the rest of the class. Maybe he could ask Shin at some point if his classes had been just as insufferable, a question he’d never thought to ask his older sibling even when he’d visited back home. Perhaps it was better that he hadn’t. Rumors alone from the senior students were more than enough to put him a touch on edge. Not that simply being within a new environment hadn’t done so plenty already. Oh, it was more than enough, as evidenced by the exhaustion weighing down his very bones as his last class for the day came to a close. That familiar loud bell rang once more.

Fun.

Despite his tiredness, or maybe it was because of it that Seiji wasted very little time in packing up and returning to the dormitories. His last two classes had been purely theoretical, and it had forced them all to leave their asauchi within their rooms. It was a complete pain if he was being honest. Not that anyone would bother with asking for his opinion, but that was perfectly fine. Hurried steps filled his hearing as he passed others by. The patter of rushing footsteps and the soft thwacking of doors closing were strange. More to adjust to still, always looking around, always on guard. The stray, as others had called him, always tried to ensure that he was safe, that he wasn’t about to be stabbed in the back with a rusted blade at any moment. Doubtful, sure, but he was not about to take any chances. Seireitei or not, nowhere was perfect. He knew that. Five minutes passed before he reached his own room, stepping in only for but a moment to retrieve the weapon. Not carried at his hip like most, but slung over his back. While a relatively practical weapon, he was used to things of a far smaller size, and so he would keep it like this for the time being. At least until he grew accustomed to the length and weight compared to his own far smaller tantō.

With the asauchi secured on his back, tied together with a simple grey sash that laid gently across his torso, he quickly stepped back out into the open air. Fresh air was always a wondrous thing. His pace now languid, relaxed as he wandered through the halls just as the sun appeared to have reached its peak. It would be dinnertime in a mere few hours, but before that, he’d rather do something at least relatively productive. Of course, that meant actually finding an empty training ground first, easier said than done in the academy. What a hassle. Were the Gotei 13 Divisions like this, constantly having to take turns to improve themselves? He really hoped not. It took him some time, most already in use by those far more superior in skill than he and he really didn’t feel like dealing with pompous fools that were overly arrogant about their abilities this evening. So, he opted for something more quiet and after a few minutes of darting between the two and looking; he at last found what he was after. Smaller than most of the other grounds, but it would suit him just fine.

With his choice made, he slipped into the grounds as quietly as he could. After taking the time to warm up for a few minutes, only then did he reach backwards. His left hand grasped the hilt of the asauchi to draw forth in one smooth motion, as effortlessly as he could, anyway. It certainly wasn’t anything to write home about, but he did not fumble the weapon either. A practiced swing in one hand, before switching to his right, then both and then back again. Practiced motions he’d watched his brother do a thousand times before, testing the weight, getting used to how it the hilt felt to hold. How much control he might have should he loosen his grip only to clasp it harshly and strike outwards. These motions were ones he would repeat silently until he was comfortable and only then did the young student build up speed alongside these strikes. Each step accompanied by a twist of his body, or the shifting of one foot to a different placement. He supposed from a distance, it may look as if he were dancing around an invisible foe, and really he was.

But for the moment, he paid the outside world no attention, placing his focus solely on his own intentions and stubborn drive to be better. Despite that determination, he was still smiling, expression light as he whirled about the grounds. Hopefully, no one would disturb him until dinner.

[Miyu Feng]

Training for SP as well

---

With the first day of class over Miyu could only think of one thing These next five years will be the longest, not that the classes were bad as for the first day the girl believes she did pretty decent but there was definitely room for improvement especially when it comes to kiddo, that class surely will be the end of her in the later years at least for now professor Shihoin was nice enough to begin with the very bases of it and she had Orimi who was natural to spiritual stuff to help.

All things considered it was OK but the feeling that this was just the beginning of a long journey didn’t fully make her excited to keep going after all the first steps are always the hardest and to be honest while all this Soul Society is nice she does want to see and explore the world of the living again, it’s been centuries since she was alive! (seven hundred and five years to be exact but who’s counting?) Surely a lot has changed and the idea of visiting her home again and seeing how things are going was exciting but she has to go through the academy first, well there’s another goal to her list!

Well there was only one thing she could do now, keep on improving! The path of the martial artist never ends and if she wants to graduate with the highest scores and leave a mark in the academy as one of the best she has to train harder than anyone, so after grabbing a bag with sweets and her Asauchi the girl made a straight line towards the training grounds and either find a partner or train on her own, sadly it seemed that most were already occupied with a group of students and being honest Miyu wasn’t the best at training with big groups, she enjoys the company of many people sure but when it comes to training she feels it’s better to be just one on one, it’s the way she learn during her time in the world of the living.

Luckily for her she saw a student training on his own practicing with an Asauchi and that was her cue to go and introduce herself like the social butterfly she is! Of course she first took some minutes to observe him before approaching to see if he was truly on his own or was waiting for someone, when that didn’t seem to be the case the Chinese girl walk up to him with a big smile on her face and said

“Hey! Need a partner? We can help each other improve a lot by working together and best of all I have sweets to offer!” She pull a couple of small multicolored fruit candies and offer them to Seiji “The name’s Feng, Miyu Feng” She finish her introduction with a wink~

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Of course it had to happen.

Nothing could ever be simple, could it? At first, he simply kept going. Continued the motions that were becoming like a habit to him. He’d started swinging a blade around long before he’d ever joined the academy. Although it was one far shorter than the one he currently held within his grasp. No matter the people passing by the training grounds, they all went ignored in favor of perfecting each sword swing. Until he did not need to think when drawing a blade until he could simply act on instinct and know that it would be a sure and powerful hit. Or at least a way of better protecting himself against those that might harm him. He’d had more than enough of some of his classmates glowering at him from afar.

He knew they wouldn’t keep their distance however, that they would not always treat him like an afterthought and not worth the trouble of bullying. It simply could not last. Better to be prepared, even if he was in no position to take on much of anyone right now. That would change in due time, that much he was all but certain of. After all, the difference in Shin had been a startling one at first and he wondered how much he would change from what he was now. Thoughts once again distracting him and slowing him down considerably, only when he realized, did the young male resume his fast pace. Slim fingers tightening their hold on the hilt of such a dangerous weapon before letting it arc outwards, following the path of his arm. If he kept this up, perhaps the Zanjustu classes wouldn’t be so bad at all. A thought for tomorrow, as his stomach complained at him. Still hungry even now, but he could manage until dinner.

With as little sensory capabilities as he possessed at present, it was still more than enough for him to be aware that he was being watched. And while outwardly he paid it no mind, his senses told him that this was another student, most likely. Judging by the small amount of spiritual pressure they were radiating from around them. Even if it wasn’t such an individual, that was no reason to be sidetracked from what he’d set himself up to do in these next few hours. First with a blade, then Kido. Simple enough, but it would drain what little reserves he had, and leave him more than starved enough to devour dinner before starting it all over again. Just maybe a little less intense, he wanted to avoid throwing up like he had the week before. Away from the academy then but still, he wanted no part in repeating that horrific feeling if he could avoid it.

The fact that he then felt this reiatsu signature nearing him, told him one of two things before he bothered to even look. That they were a fellow student, or someone wanting him out of the training grounds as soon as possible. Thankfully, he found they were the former, although he thought it rather foolish that they would approach when he was in the middle of swinging a very sharp weapon around. But each to their own, he supposed. The arc of his arm stopped mid movement as she approached, looking perhaps a little too happy for this time of day. Then again, he wore a constant smile, so he couldn’t really judge now could he?

Only as she introduces herself does he turn, head slightly tilted as a hidden gaze observes her. That same smile upon his lips as always, statically in place. “Ain’t no one told ya not ta go near someone who’s swinging a sword around?” He asked conversationally, his tone a near bored drawl as he addressed her and seemed to completely disregard her offer for a training partner altogether. Or so it appeared, syllables falling swiftly, the obvious accent a clear sign of someone who had lived in the worst parts of Runkongai for perhaps a little too long. Maybe he had, but that had been his choice and he was here now, so what did it matter?

It didn’t. Not one bit.

Despite hearing the offer of sweets, or even the way she winked at him when introducing herself, both acts went ignored. “Ya wanna train here, ain’ no business o’ mine.” Absent minded as he stepped around her, not outright anti-social but never did he directly speak to her. She was a stranger after all, he had more than enough common sense to not give out his name upon meeting someone. Fellow student or not. The instincts for his own survival imprinted into him from centuries alone were near impossible to let go of. If she wanted to train, she didn’t need to talk and jump about to do it. Maybe he was just cranky from lack of food and little sleep, but he couldn’t bring himself to care at the moment. He was busy.

[Miyu Feng]

Well that was harsh, while Miyu didn’t expect him to agree or something at the very least she expects the bare minimum when it comes to manners, even if he was smiling his tone and overall attitude really put Miyu on the sour mood too, dropping her happy attitude for a second just to glare at the student before eating one of the candies and return to her usual smiling self.

“Honey, we all have weapons here drop the tough guy act because if you’re trying to scare me or threaten me you’re not doing a good job” She said with a huff

She has seen this act all too many times they think just because they have a weapon on their hands they can intimidate anyone they come across and an overall jerk but considering everyone here is training to be a shinigami the least thing one needs to fear is someone carrying an asauchi, besides if there was one thing Miyu was confident it's on her physical skills trying to go one on one with her would prove to be a task to say the least, not because she’s strong but because she’s fast.

“I can tell this is all an act because if you really wanted you would’ve attacked me instead of giving me a warning” She said putting her hands on her hips “Not that it would’ve matter as I’m sure you wouldn’t be able to hit me”

Now in any other circumstance Miyu would’ve left by now but since the opportunity is right here she might as well take advantage of the situation, if he doesn’t want to train with her she can always trick him if anything one or two taunts should be enough to provoke him to take a swing and see where things go from there, eating another candy the Chinese girl then turn around showing her back to Seiji and raising her arms.

“Of course if you want to prove me wrong go ahead, I’ll even let you one free hit” She said still showing her back and shaking her hips as a taunt “Well, “free hit” you have to be able to land said hit first~” Her cheerful smile changing to one of smugness just to add more “insults” to the taunts.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

She wouldn’t take the hint.

He couldn’t be sure if she was socially dense, or just entirely ignoring the rather obvious signals in his mind that he wanted to be left alone to train in peace. They only had a few hours, he wanted to make the most of it. Instead, he was standing here, asauchi now hanging at his side and loosely held in his left hand, doing nothing. What a waste. It wasn’t that he hated being disturbed, in fact he was usually bothering others. But there were times in which he liked his own company, and throwing around a weapon was certainly one of those times. At least until he gained more skill, until he could feel adequate enough to not worry about missing a day due to complications or others sudden and bombarding interruptions. Like right now for instance but no, today would not be one such day where he was left to his own devices after a day of classes. Instead here he was, contemplating simply leaving and going to find somewhere else. Perhaps even abandoning Zanjustu training until this evening, he could always read up on something in the meantime.

The comment he gets after his warning, one that she should heed around other students, instead of seen as a reminder - is taken as a threat. Well, wasn’t that just fucking typical. While he has quite the urge to roll his eyes, Seiji refrains from doing so, expression fixed in place as he continues to step around her and return to what he was doing. Slower than before, letting such words pass over him like a gentle breeze, mind slowly returning to what he should be focusing on. But then she just kept on going, like a buzzing insect poking him consistently until she got the reaction she wanted out of him, he wouldn’t give her what she was after. He was not in much of a mood or form to be fighting anyone, considering his sleep schedule on that far too soft futon. So instead he simply let out a shallow breath as he stepped further away from her, back now completely to the other, even as he could hear her attempts at taunting him. Was that the right word for it? Either way, she wasn’t too good at it, or simply was too stubborn to do anything else now that she had found him alone.

“Take it however ya want. I ain’ out here ta fight nobody an’ I don’t give a damn ‘bout provin’ ya wrong. Go an’ find someone else ta bother that ain’t me would ya?”

The comment was said even as he worked, free hand waving briefly as a show of indifference. If she listened or not was her choice, but he was getting at least something done in this next hour, all of the Soul Society could freeze over and he’d still keep going. Some fool who seemed to lack common sense or basic decency when told ‘no’, was not about to prevent him after how long he’d had to travel to even get to the edge of the Seiretei. Let alone be admitted into the academy itself, his brother’s recommendation be damned, he still had to work for it just like anyone else. Really all he wanted was a bit of peace and quiet after the constant noise and chatter of the lessons that day, sure actually improving was a part of it, but having time to simply exist in his own space was nice. Like being back home, only with far better lodgings and more food than he could possibly consume in one go that was for sure.

Some girl demanding he attack her wasn’t helping.

[Miyu Feng]

And he walked away… Just like that! Not even batting an eye to her by now it was clear that it was not just a tough act but more so something bothering him (besides her), well at this point there was only one thing to do (besides giving him his space), the Chinese girl dropped the entire act and being serious for a second she walked up to catch Seiji and just stood by his side thinking on how to address this.

“Listen I got the message you want to be alone, just let me explain myself first and then I’ll let you go on your merry way.” She said, taking a pause to see how he reacts. “OK so the thing is we are both students from this academy and I’m sure we both want to become shinigami, my brother always said “no one reaches the top on their own nor by trampling on others, if we work together we will achieve greater heights” so I saw you on your own and thought that maybe we could just train, you know? Be friendly and help each other”

With that said Miyu took a couple of steps ahead and stood in front of Seiji to make sure he pays attention to her next action as it was very important for him to hear this, after that she would leave him be and move on maybe find someone else to train or something, at this point it wasn’t that important

“So I offer you my sincerest apologies if I overstep my boundaries.” She said bowing to Seiji “That said, I hope you have a nice night and find your peace to train.”

After that she would just walk past and go back to the training ground and not do much else aside from sitting and meditating, she wasn’t much of a spiritual person but currently she didn’t feel like doing any physical activity on her own. So maybe training her mind and patience for a bit would help after all she has to perfect her kido for future classes.

Extending her right hand she focuses to try and create a reiatsu orb like in the class following the instructions given by her classmate earlier, it certainly helps her create the orb much faster than before. Although the size was still small, no bigger than a baseball, she can work it out. The important thing is to keep stable and see for how long she can maintain the orb.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

It took long enough.

Yet it seemed at last she finally seemed to understand. Or at the very least, hadn’t immediately reached out a hand to pull him back and complain or attempt to taunt him some more. Granted, the obvious difference in height worked against her in that regard,given she’d likely have to stretch just to reach the top of his collar. Not that he was particularly enthused about the mental image of being dragged around by someone nearly half his size. Even less so when he was sure that meant more trouble for him in the long run. No, the fact that she had less him pass for now seemed signal enough that he might actually get to do as he wished. Until he heard the sound of quickened footsteps rushing to catch up with his retreating form and inwardly, he couldn’t help but sigh, even if his expression outwardly hadn’t changed one bit. Why him. Why did he always end up with the people who did not understand the meaning of the word ‘no’. Surely most here were far more literate than him and had been for years - even if he was working on that at a rapid pace to try and catch up and not seem like some kind of fool to those around him - yet they all failed to grasp such simple concepts. How pitiful.

Her talking continued to rattled on, and while he continued to hear such words, they were blurred and faded from his awareness quickly. Like being submerged underwater and listening to someone trying to shout at you. He’d heard the same spiel plenty of times across the academy, and he’d only been here two weeks! Perhaps he should have set up a counter of some sort or something. With how often he heard the phrase “help each other”, the young student was simply amazed that the instructors hadn’t planned out some kind of tally. Maybe they had, he’d have to have a look around and see if he could find one tomorrow. It was important to get to know the layout of the whole place after all, no one would bother him if he simply said he was getting his bearings about the place. Faking innocence about a matter really wasn’t that hard, certainly not when he was still a new student. Most of it was already laid out in his mind, but maybe he could find a new quiet spot outside if he doubled back around the entire academy grounds. Hm, an idea for later then.

While he did stop moving when she stepped before him, that didn’t mean he would blank her entirely. An eyebrow slowly raised quizzically as she blocked his path. He said not a word as she apologized, nor as she walked away, only turned his head to see her go across the training ground out of the corner of his vision. The girl had not left him much time to respond anyway and for a brief moment, he did not really move. Only watched as she sat down, left alone, but not entirely, a mask to be maintained as she seemed to be staying. He could simply go, return to his quarters and read for a while before rushing down to eat dinner. But it hardly felt worth it now. Not after all he’d seen and had to endure quietly from this one, just to be left to peacefully go about his business for the evening. Yet as he turned back, the sensation of reiatsu building, albeit slowly, caught his attention. Was she about to-? No. He turned to look again to see an orb of reiatsu being formed, the intention behind it rather obvious - at least to him. But maybe that was because he expected her to retaliate at him in some way or another for brushing her off.

Thankfully it seemed she wasn’t preparing to fire Kidō at him.

It is with a well-worn sigh falling from his lips, that he sheathed his asauchi. The blade snapping back into the scabbard smoothly and with a rather satisfying clink sound as everything lined up and fell into place. The weight was enough to handle being distributed upon his back that he barely felt it, he’d lifted heavier carrying food back in Rukongai. Soon enough, he would manage carrying it as his hip as many others did. As much as the idea of leaving and reading appeals to him, the fact that she has remained in the area, tells him that if he had accepted. She’d already be trying to either stab or punch his lights out. Not a pleasing future, but she wasn’t entirely wrong about growing stronger. Though he was sure that would naturally happen for most here, just by attending the academy. They wouldn’t be let in otherwise, those too weak in spiritual pressure would never make it as a Shinigami. That was why they were here, for having that excess power and needing some way to control it properly.

Even if he continued, he wouldn’t be left totally alone.

‘Might as well,’ was the thought that passed through his mind as he began to mumble an incantation quietly. To be stored and held for just a moment as he took a few long quick strides across the grounds, right over to where she was sitting. At first he debated approaching from behind her, but that didn’t feel entirely fair, even if it was exceedingly tempting. It would have to be short, he was not missing dinner, no ifs and or buts about that one. Nothing was going to make him miss getting large quantities of good food in his stomach, not when it was fresh, plus he’d rather it be hot. Rather then whatever scraps would be left after the first ten minutes had gone by, and most had grabbed anything remotely tasty.

“Feng-chan, wasn’t it? I’ll humor ya.” He said as he knelt down beside her, a hand now just barely touching her shoulder to gently and quietly gain her attention. To ensure she stopped focusing on that sphere of reiatsu without being startled and in turn blowing them both sky high. Spoken in that same accent, but calmer than before. Only after she let that fade, did he voice one more word - one that would be her undoing, in more ways than one.

“Sai.”

So simple and yet so wonderfully useful in subduing those trying to harm you. A smile upon his face as the Kidō in question took effect. He merely watched for a second, amusement ever so obvious now in his expression as he took a step back and got to his feet. He’d not bound her legs, so at least she might be able to stand if she was careful and didn’t flail about like some helpless child, but beyond that it wouldn’t be easy.

“Ya get outta that, and I’ll spar with ya. Or well, I suppose ya could consider this the sparrin’ eh? Call it payback for assumin’ stuff ‘bout me if ya like.”

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{Combat}
Current Reiatsu: 605 / 630

• Used Bakudo #1: Sai (Restrain).

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{Techniques Used}

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{Bakudo #1: Sai (Restrain)}Technique Name: Bakudo #1: Sai (Restrain)

Class: 7

Technique Type: Kido

Technique Element: None

Technique Reiatsu Cost: 25

Technique Description and Effects:

Causes the target's arms to lock in place behind their back.

Incantation and Effects:

Incantation increases the strength behind the technique by 10%. (I.E. A reiatsu strength of 100 would instead be valued at 110 for this technique.) "Man, shaped by Divine hands, revert to the form before limbs, clutch at your own throat and be afraid!"

[Miyu Feng]

Whether Seiji stay or leave was non of her concern right now, she just wanted to focus on her reiatsu orb and meditation since it was her weakest skill and her instructor said Kido 101 form the basis for all future classes in this long journey, and as someone that wants to graduate as the top she will have to work her hardest to improve her reiatsu strength even if it’s not the skill she wants to focus once she becomes a captain.

She was taking out of her thoughts by a light tap on her shoulder, she open her eyes and let the orb fade from her hands only to meet Seiji right next to her and to say she was confused was an understatement, for someone that wanted to be left alone it was certainly weird for him to come back but before the girl could say anything she realize the reason as her arms were forced to her back and she fall sideways.

It was hard to describe but it felt as if a tight invisible rope was constricting around her chest and arms, try as she might there was no way of breaking free from the bind clearly Seiji having a better control of his Kido than her or Miyu’s weak reiatsu strength showing, whichever the reason was the moment the surprise passed she couldn’t help but burst laughing at how easy was she caught by this Kido and how helpless she might be looking right now, that is until she realize she was able to move her legs and with that she roll to her back and with a swift move she perform a kip up to stand up.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” She ask looking at him in the eyes not struggling to break free anymore “As long as I can move my legs I can spar all day” she smiled

The Chinese girl would wait for his response and if it was positive then she would proceed to take a fighting stance or as much as one she could pull with her arms tied to her back, placing her left leg in front and the right behind while lowering herself a bit as if ready to start a sprint, she would observe Seiji for a moment before making her first move lowering her body to almost a kneeling position and making a 360 spin with her right leg to sweep Seiji of the ground, if effective then she’ll raise her right leg and bring it down in an axe kick motion.

While the sweep she perform it as her full speed the axe kick she significantly slow her move not only to give him a chance to stand up and dodge but just in case he doesn’t she won’t hurt him as much, besides this is just training no need to harm the other for real just practice and have fun!

[Ishikawa Seiji]

He’d made the right choice.

Knowing she was unlikely to leave and in turn, that meant he would be the one walking away from training that he knew he had to keep up with. Well, the whole idea just irked him a little. Not enough to be dramatic about, or even really complain about to anyone else, but enough that he would do something about it. If she wanted a spar so badly, she’d get one and more than she’d bargained for on top of that. Still it would be rather rude to just attack her while she was sitting down and her back was turned. He could at the very least alert her that he was nearby, and stop the girl from blowing herself up via her own reiatsu, as doing so would be very counter-productive. That and the young student was all but certain, if things ended up like that, he’d have more than a couple instructors rather annoyed at him for causing such harm to someone barely a week into his studies.

He was here to keep his head down, not stand out.

Only once she was aware and all too soon bound by his Kidō, did Seiji see fit to move from his crouched position. Getting to his feet and dusting himself off as he simply watched the young girl lay on his side, wriggling around and likely trying to figure out what had suddenly bound her movement in such a constricting way. As much as he was tempted to tighten those bonds, to cause just a touch more pain because of her rudeness, instead he merely stood there and watched. An eyebrow raising once more as she began to laugh, that was certainly an odd reaction to being trapped in such a way. Confusion, anger and frustration perhaps at being so limited, without access to half of their limbs many would not be able to cast Kidō or even think about drawing their weapon on him, yet instead she sounded almost joyful at being restrained. Weird and just a little creepy.

Yet despite the amusing scene before him, he kept his hands at his sides, awareness expanding to not just her but the immediate area around the both of them. He’d started it, so he expected her to strike back. Just how she intended to do so was the question. The fact that she managed to get to her feet, was more than most he supposed, many would just panic without access to the asauchi they were told to keep with them at all times. A way of bonding better with what would become their Zanpakuto, or so they were told. Kept at their sides to experience the trials and tribulations that came with learning everything they needed to become proper Shinigami. Seiji had always thought such a motion rather silly, but he kept such opinions to himself, it was better that way to not disturb the status quo. He doubted anyone would want a stray’s thoughts on the subject anyways. Her question returned him to the present, he’d roll his eyes for effect if she could see them, but that was a pointless endeavor. Instead he supposed it would be better to just get this over with.

“Wouldn’ ‘ave bound ya if I didn’t.”

He would have thought it should be obvious by the way he was simply standing there, as if waiting for her, rather than leaving her to suffer bound in that Kidō until dinner. When it seemed she finally got the hint and began to move, it was faster than he expected. A lot faster. Sweeping his legs out from under him before he could even consider the idea of moving, hitting the ground in turn with a loud thud, straight onto his right side. A landing that would certainly leave him with a bruise in the morning, but that didn’t matter. As he landed, he let out little more than a short grunt of pain before his instincts kicked into high gear. Shifting rapidly onto his front and spinning, moving not only into a position that he could defend from, but aiming to knock out Miyu’s left leg and topple her in turn. It likely wouldn’t work, but it was worth a shot.

Even if he didn’t, as he moved to kneel, his left hand shot up, grabbing at the hilt and drawing it in one fluid motion of force, not to attack, but to defend. Not outright blocking the attack coming for him, no that would be stupid and likely end up hurting him all the more, but deflecting it in such a way that left her off balance. Though he’d ensured he’d used the back of the blade, he wasn’t trying to cut off limbs after all. With such momentum he pushed forward, half standing as he deflected before he seemed to disappear altogether. It wasn’t teleportation, but something he knew she would be familiar with. Shunpo. Coming not from behind as many tended to do but from the left, at a rapid 650 speed, blade arching upwards from left to right. Intending to catch her just at her neck before stopping, and if she stepped back he could simply keep the swing going and cut deep into her shoulder.

A sparring match never meant blood wouldn’t be spilled, such a thing was almost implied and Seiji intended to use that to his advantage. As much as he possibly could, for as long as he could before she gave up and gave in. He wouldn’t have long before she figured out some of his tactics, so he had to act quickly. Keeping up the pressure with sheer momentum of his attacks, and hoping that troublesome speed of her’s was one of the few issues he’d have to manage.

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{Combat}
Current Reiatsu: 555 / 630

• Used Shunpo once to move at a speed of 650.

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{Techniques Used}

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{Shunpo (瞬歩; Flash Steps)}
Technique Name: Shunpo (瞬歩; Flash Steps)

Class: 7

Technique Type: Kidō

Technique Element: None

Technique Reiatsu Cost: 50 / Per Step

Technique Description and Effects

A movement technique that allows the user to move faster than the eye can follow. The focal point that determines the basis of this technique is speed. As speed is the main point of the technique, the method is best characterized by how fast one can get from Point A to Point B in the least amount of steps. Training and skill are what determines how fast a user of Shunpo can move. Those of little skill in the technique or those who haven't used it for an extended amount of time would obviously be out of practice, causing those individuals to be considerably slower. This requires the use of more steps to move the same distance and become tired more easily in a shorter amount of time. A single step magnifies speed for that step by ten times. Shunpo uses fifty Reiatsu per step. This one is automatically learned in the academy. All Shinigami know this when created. This technique does not take up a technique slot.

How to use technique

Focus of Reishi around the feet area and launch off into a single blurring step. It is not unlike teleportation in appearance, but it is simply extremely fast movement. It is often used to gain an edge in a single moment of combat or to dodge incoming attacks.

[Miyu Feng]

A smirk was drawn on the girl's face when her sweep connect with ease, clearly Seiji wasn't expecting her to move that fast but sadly her second attack didn't connect and she couldn't react in time to her opponents attempt to hit her left leg and she fell to the ground, she immediately roll out of the way and stood up once again observing Seiji's next move

Now things got interesting as the student unsheathe his Asauchi which puts Miyu in another disadvantage, not only Seiji had a stronger reiatsu seeing as she couldn't free herself of the Kido, but now he had a weapon and the Chinese girl still had her arms on her back, even worst in a blink of an eye he was out of her field of vision clearly using a stepping technique to catch her off guard.

Clearly the obvious choice is to appear behind her but Seiji was smarter than to just pull the oldest trick on the book and show himself at her left and took a upward swing aiming at her neck, while Miyu took a quick action and roll forward to avoid the attack she couldn't react faster and the swing cut a bit of her ponytail.

"Not bad, not bad" She nodded with a smile, she walk away creating some space and circling Seiji thinking on her next move

She did exactly the same as her opponent, using Shunpo to move towards him at an incredible speed, unlike Seiji she didn't move to a side or even back that would be the expected outcome, instead she appear right in front of him and before he could even have a second to process it she use her left foot to stomp one of his feet and then immediately after use the same leg to throw a straight kick to his stomach hoping to knock the wind out of him while also pushing him away and creating more space between them.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

Interesting.

Their encounter thus far hadn't been a boring one, frustrating perhaps, but something he could look past for the time being. He had time to kill until like every other student in the academy, rushed towards the cafeteria to get a helping of food hot food. And plenty of it in his case, the stuff they served was far better than anything he'd been served in Rukongai, or ever made for that matter. Not that many of his classmates thought the same, he'd seen one too many members of nobility spit up such things and call it vile. He saw no issue really, food was food, to let him survive - not something he picked over and analysed every little bit at differing angles each day like his sword form. He was sure such pompous fools would say he simply didn't have a refined palate and frankly, he didn't care. What he did care about at the moment, was the outcome of this little fight. And if he could find a way to irk out a win.

No he hadn't been fast enough, but neither had she in that moment. Countering one another and going back and forth, it was much like a never ending game of cat and mouse, he supposed it was useful in that case - given he'd always been good at playing the long game. That smile remained, even as she moved away from his reach, only to stand again. He moved as swiftly as he could with the aid of Shunpo, a strike he could guess for someone not as quick on their feet would have surely left them injured or at least fearing for the possibly of their neck being sliced open. Not that he would in a sparring match, but even so, fear could do ever so much to people if you just let it fester. And even if that didn't work, simply frustrating an individual was always an option, always seemed to work quite well with most people. Annoyance led to slip ups, momentary lapses in judgement that would give him an opening.

In other words: exactly what he needed.

Even as she stood and moved to back away, words sipping from her, he simply grinned. Not a second wasted as he rushed her, an onslaught of strikes thrown at her. From left to right as before, striking down, thrusts and everything he could mix into it as fast as he could. "So sorry Miyu-chan, ya ain't going nowhere right now. Tryin' to run ain't very nice either ya know?" He wasn't sorry, not in the slightest, not about his actions or his suddenly referring to her so informally. Was it rude? Yes. Did he care? No. A distraction really, to keep talking as he moved, to force her senses to try and pick between listening or avoiding. Or both, if she felt like stumbling with one or the other. No matter the case, he kept going and while he would certainly feel it in his arms come this evening, it seemed well worth it at the moment. If things would remain that way, well he would have to see. Still, at least he never had to content with evening classes, rest could soon be found after dinner if it was that bad.

But even at close range, she seemed to still want to fight back and that was fine with him. While sidestepping and serving around her stomping attack wasn't the most difficult, he knee did catch something. The side of his torso as he tried to move out of the way, grip tightening on his blade as he huffed out a breath, stepping back two paces, his relentless assault on her halting for just a moment. A short inhale before he came right back at her, ducking low and not aiming up as he had before, but to slip around her, footwork spinning him to her right. Blade stabbing downwards towards her foot only to arc upwards at the last moment, right towards her face. "Ya keep usin' yer knee like that Miyu-chan and you'll end up fallin' right inta the dirt, ought watch yer step ne?" He spoke conversationally even as he strikes, tone calm and even a little player as he continues his informal chatter, a reminder of what he held in his grasp and a vocal wonder as to if she may break something by trying like that.

[Miyu Feng]

Well her plan was cut short as Seiji didn't gave her a chance to use her own flash step and charge at her immediately after getting a second to breath, she would duck, side step and roll out of the way at every incoming attack trying to see an opening, yet such task was getting harder as Seiji started talking to distract her and all things considered it was working.

While her smile was gone and she was sporting a more serious face Miyu was still enjoying this sparring and it was time for her to counter attack, trying her original plan of stomping on Seiji's foot and then kick him to get some space between them before thinking on her next move, the plan sort of work as her opponent dodge the stomp and blocked the kick but was enough to make him step back.

Taking this chance she also took a step back and kept moving back as Seiji went ahead and charge again, clearly Miyu was on a big disadvantage so she needed to get clever with whatever she pulls to get an edge on this battle, but Seiji saw through her quick movements and swiftly feint an attack aiming at her foot and then arcing it to throw a slash at her face.

And so the first drop of blood was drawn as a cut on Miyu's cheek appear, it wasn't a deep cut whether be because Seiji didn't aim to make a deeper cut  or Miyu moving out of the way seconds after seeing the blade swinging up it didn't matter, the point was that Seiji manage what he wanted and landed a hit on the girl.

Miyu would've said something if it wasn't because she had to focus on dodging, not that she can't talk while fighting like Seiji clearly likes to do, but because she wanted to act "cornered" make him think that he had the advantage so he wouldn't see her next move, she pay close attention to his movements as she dodge the attacks trying to see an opening and when she finally saw the opportunity she took it

Jumping back to dodge a slash the Chinese girl will get ready for the next incoming attack, balancing on her left leg she would then do a full spin to kick the Asauchi of Seiji's hands and whether this move was effective on disarming him or if it simply deflected the incoming attack Miyu would follow it with a series of consecutive kicks at rapid speed, it was her time to put pressure and go on the offensive and with her natural speed that should be a rather easy task.

[Ishikawa Seiji]

It was working as intended. Good.

He wasn't about to allow her to dance around him doing as she pleased, she had been the one to pester him, to interrupt time in which he should have quiet focus and so if she wanted a spar so badly then he certainly wasn't about to allow her to run circles around him. Not when at least he, was on a time limit of sorts. even if her own smile had faded, his own remained and it was going to stay that way. Attacks made rapidly from one spot to the next, analyzing, seeing the moments in which she slipped up. Let her guard down just a little and as he was finding out, it was usually when she prepared to move or strike out. As was typical from most he'd observed even at a distance, there was always that slightest second of hesitation. Of uncertainty about what they were going to do, and that was often when a fight was decided. It was part of the many reasons why he practiced so much. To be rid of that hesitation, to fight back regardless of what level of power or skill was thrown at him without flinching. Because doing so would give the game away, and he did so enjoy the game of any fight.

Even if his opponent wasn't entirely aware of it.

It was this stop, this slowing of motion as he attempted to move, that gave him the edge he needed. Seconds not wasted, a simple faint turned into something almost deadly, though he did made sure to aim it in such a way as to not leave a massive wound. He wasn't here to kill anyone, not today at least. A simple nick would do fine and would heal within a day, no harm truly done save for bruised pride. Yet even as that strike ends, he begins another. Arm arcing upwards then down again in one smooth motion before he thrusts forward and the blows begin anew, he could keep this up for a while yet, alternating patterns both quick and slow to keep her off balance. To force her to always pay attention, and that is even before he begins to speak. "I'd be careful 'bout that cut if I were ya, blood really ain' fun ta get outta clothes." He spoke from experience, yet sounded as amused and blasé as ever. As if he heard the fact somewhere and was just repeating it aloud, rather than knowing it as true form having to clean many of his own yukata's after scraps with the thugs within his home turf.

Yet as she steps back from that another arc of his blade, he moves forward, rather determined to not give her the distance nor time she sought to properly prepare an attack. The only problem with that, was that she was just a little faster than him, something he'd witnessed already and so he'd have to be even more reactive. The slam of force into his left hand hurts and he hisses slightly, but his grip does not falter, only forces him to take a few steps back. And by then, she is already countering his previous offensive, kicking out at him. Although he notes rarely at his head, given their rather large height difference, still most blows are either parried or stepped around as quickly as he can, even if a one or two connect to his side, he doesn't stop. Ignoring whatever slight surge of pain, to keep going, even if he has no plans to stay on the defensive forever he takes those moments to let her believe she had some advantage, his smile dropping just a fraction before he moves as he knows he can. He's not done, far from it.

A burst of Shunpo is all he really needs to propel him into the direction he wishes to go. Not behind her, left, right, or even right before her once more. No, simply above her. Not so high that he falls forever, barely just above her head in hand and with enough space to land right behind her. Blade arcing downwards in his left hand towards her head, and even should that not land, his free hand reaches out. Grabbing at her interlocked arms and while he does not pull her bindings free, he does yank her backwards, hard, leg sweeping outward to knock her straight onto her back as he steps aside to let her fall. That same weapon, should she not find the time or enough balance to keep herself steady after being grabbed to stop the fall, now rests against her neck as he kneels to one side of her. The cool flush of steel touching bare skin, but never enough to cause a mark, only to imply the threat of what such a blade was capable of. "Feel like yieldin' yet? Otherwise ya arms might start crampin' soon." Hardly a worry, but it might be come tomorrow. If she cared about having proper use of her limbs anyway.

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{Combat}
Current Reiatsu: 505 / 630

• Used Shunpo once to move at a speed of 650.

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{Spoiler}{Techniques Used}

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{Spoiler}{Shunpo (瞬歩; Flash Steps)}
Technique Name: Shunpo (瞬歩; Flash Steps)

Class: 7

Technique Type: Kidō

Technique Element: None

Technique Reiatsu Cost: 50 / Per Step

Technique Description and Effects

A movement technique that allows the user to move faster than the eye can follow. The focal point that determines the basis of this technique is speed. As speed is the main point of the technique, the method is best characterized by how fast one can get from Point A to Point B in the least amount of steps. Training and skill are what determines how fast a user of Shunpo can move. Those of little skill in the technique or those who haven't used it for an extended amount of time would obviously be out of practice, causing those individuals to be considerably slower. This requires the use of more steps to move the same distance and become tired more easily in a shorter amount of time. A single step magnifies speed for that step by ten times. Shunpo uses fifty Reiatsu per step. This one is automatically learned in the academy. All Shinigami know this when created. This technique does not take up a technique slot.

How to use technique

Focus of Reishi around the feet area and launch off into a single blurring step. It is not unlike teleportation in appearance, but it is simply extremely fast movement. It is often used to gain an edge in a single moment of combat or to dodge incoming attacks.

[Miyu Feng]

The girl payed no attention to Seiji's comment about the blood nor she mind the small cut on her cheek, to be perfectly honest she was getting a little annoyed for real as she just wanted to be friendly and maybe spar a little and have a friend to work with as they move on the academy, everyone here is working to be a Shinigami so she assume befriending as many people was a nice idea to keep a circle of contacts big and wide when one needs help from other squads.

But now she just wanted to be over with this, she wasn't mad but this wasn't her idea of fun either, even if there was no real danger as she doubted Seiji would actually hurt her when he's on a place full of future shinigamis and teachers, either way she was done playing and throwing kicks as fast as she could.

Some of her kicks landed but most were dodge or parried, another layer to the annoyance was the fact that she couldn't use her arms or weapon while the other student could, if there was one thing she hated the most was a dishonorable fight and dirty fighters and this was as dishonorable as it could get right now, if she could use her arms things would be different for sure!

And that annoyance lead to her lowering her guard and the blink of an eye Seiji use shunpo again banishing from her line of sight and fell from above her getting a hold of her binded arms and pull her to the floor and Seiji's Asauchi pointing at her neck as he ask if she felt like giving up now, Miyu would sigh and relax her body not even trying to fight it anymore.

"Alright, you won" She let the annoyance of her voice speak louder than her overall attitude "Just unbind me already" When done the girl would stretch and move her arms a bit trying to take away the numb feeling she got from having them on her back for so long "Thanks for the quick little spar" She said with a small bow

[Ishikawa Seiji]

She seemed rather determined to ignore him. What a shame.

Given she had been the one that appeared rather insisting on sparring with him, despite his clear indication that he would've preferred this brief period of time alone, before he had to interact with others again over dinner - now it almost looked as if she'd rather not be here at all. Or at least, that was the impression he was getting based upon her reactions and body language. Rapidly moving though they both were, she still outclassed him in terms of raw speed and while not fast enough that he couldn't see her move, it was rather difficult to keep up. Forcing his body to react in ways he hadn't yet needed to in decades, despite his best attempts, some attacks still hit their mark. Leaving what he knew would be a fair few bruises come tomorrow, even as he pushed past that sudden stinging pain in his side - and then the other side moments later - as best he could. That small cut by now, was fair game and he would do little more than that, they weren't out to kill each other after all. And he doubted his instructors would be happy were he actually to attempt to. So he didn't.

A flicker of reiatsu was all he required really, as for just a moment she seemed more focused on her inner frustrations than the battle, and that was when he saw an opening. Moving to strike with a level of lethality that probably shouldn't be used in a spar, but oh well, soon disappearing with a faint whoosh before the young girl would feel herself yanked right off of her feet and to the hard ground below. Yet she didn't seem to react really, not cushioning her fall even slightly and it was almost enough to make him wince. Had he done so that fast? Or did she simply not care? Even with a blade of shimmering steel now less than an inch from her neck, from where a simple cut would do most in and cause them to bleed out. She did not even appear winded, surprisingly, and while it seemed rather strange unless she decided to use Shunpo as he just had, there were very few options left to her to continue this fight.

It appeared she knew that quite well.

Truthfully it did not feel like much of a victory as she announced his success, leaving him sighing and even as he removing his asauchi from her neck, she was already half demanding he remove her binds. As he reached behind him to hold the scabbard and let the weapon itself slide back into the sheath with a small click, that sound was a definitive one. He wouldn't be drawing the blade again today. "Impatient, aren't ya?" He murmured quietly, a brief flick of his wrist in her direction was all it took, while he got to his feet properly, for the bindings to fall away into nothing. As if they had never been there in the first place. Still he watched with a raised brow, as she bowed to him and thanked him. Though given what he'd just witnessed, it didn't seem all that genuine. Then again, very few individuals actually ever tried to be, not with him. Why bother with a stray, most had said, and that was fine with him.

Just as he was about to open his mouth and speak up, the sound of a bell ringing stopped him. Food, finally! It wasn't difficult to hear nor see students in the distance, away from the training ground, rapidly hurrying down the halls to get a hot meal before all the really good stuff disappeared. "I'd eat 'fore gettin' that cut looked at if I were ya, nothin'll be left otherwise." He inclined his head towards the small gathering of students and was soon quickening his own pace in that direction as well. Like hell he was going to miss out for anyone or anything, and if she wanted to follow and join him, well that was down to her. But he was not about to let himself be landed with a cold meal because someone wanted to fight him, or discuss the spar they had just had.