The Riddle of Steel [Hanako/Fuuko]

[Hanako Nozawa]

Another day, and another training class to attend. The late-morning sky was as blue as ever, with a strong breeze sometimes blowing across the training grounds. In the distance, the shockwaves of explosions could be heard coming from the kidō courses, and the wind would sometimes bring with it some of the debris from their practice. Hanako wasn't practicing her spell craft at this time, however. No, instead, she was being treated to a one-on-one class with a private instructor; part of the special training course, she'd been told. She wondered how different today might be from her time with Shihoin-taichou, but her thoughts were immediately stalled by remembrances of the gorgeous woman who would someday be her captain.

She bit her lip, and breathed deeply to push such things away for later. For now, she needed to be focused on the class and not embarrass herself again. So, as she walked to the perimeter of the large stone circle in the middle of the field, she turned her gaze and her senses outward. She had learned that she needed to keep herself habitually aware, even if it was kind of exhausting on her mind, but already, she was seeing the benefit of doing so. Instead of leaving herself open to being startled by a surprise appearance again, her blue eyes settled on the feeling of someone approaching from the other side of the wall. While tracking the stranger beyond the stone wall, she briefly ran her hands over her shikakushō to make sure everything was in order. Nothing seemed out of place, and her hand finally came to rest on her zanpakutō.

It remained quiet as ever. She thought back to her instructors explaining how imprinting on one's asauchi worked, and a subtle frown crossed her face. She still had yet to hear any voice from her zanpakutō. She wondered how long it might take, and tried not to think about how it might be decades, or even longer, before she makes any progress. However, that was a problem for later.

As the stranger approached the end of the wall, Hanako spun on her heel and raised each hand to make sure her ponytail was securely in place. Sure, the clip was doing its job wonderfully, but she'd already had her hair come undone during training once, and she didn't want to embarrass herself like that again. When she was satisfied, and her nerves over the coming class had more or less settled a little, she turned her attention back to the entrance to the training grounds to see who had just arrived.

[Satoshi Fuuko]

-Earlier in the day -

"Yeah, put that one over there." Fuuko said as she took a drag on her kiseru and blew a thin puff of smoke into the air. She watched as a redheaded demon girl carried what looked to be a very heavy barrel off to the side. She set it down and grunted and, after a moment of panting, looked back at Fuuko. Fuuko rolled her eyes before even a word came out. She knew what was coming. 

"This ain't fair, Anego!" Shukketsubuki whined. Fuuko's weapon was currently in her avatar form and had been setting the place up for some time. Fuuko had been wanting to get a look at the academy students for some time, but had yet to really figure out the best way to do it. She didn't really want to teach, but that was probably  the answer. Still, she wasn't sure if she was even any good  at it. As someone who wanted to recruit for the Yonbantai, she was embarrassingly awful at any kind of actual healing. 

She also wasn't particularly  good at teaching any kind of style. Fuuko was definitely  good at fighting. She had a reputation as not only the toughest member of Squad 4 (For what good that did her) but also as one of the tougher Shinigami in the Seireitei period. However, her fighting style was unorthodox to say the least. She didn't think it was something she  could teach because even she had yet to really master  it. 

"Yeah? Well, too fuckin bad. I'm the big sis around here!" Fuuko barked. "You need to get back in yer hole anyway. The student's comin soon." Fuuko said and tapped her sheath, even as she leaned against the wall and took another puff from her pipe. Apparently there was a student looking to join the nibantai and Fuuko's friend, Captain Shihoin, asked if Fuuko could put her through the ringer. Now that sounded like fun. She remembered the first time she fought her own sensei, Kimiko Nakajima, Captain of Squad 11, and how she sassed the woman something fierce despite knowing how badly Kimiko could kick her ass. "Heh." Fuuko smiled at the thought. 

"You better let me drink today, Anego!" Shukketsubuki whined one last time before she disappeared and became the tachi that hung at Fuuko's side.

"We'll see." Fuuko said. "What if I don't even need ya?" She mused. "I'm gonna grab a bite real quick. Don't wanna teach on a full stomach, right?" Fuuko said as she left the training area. 

------------

Fuuko yawned as she walked back. After a quick bite, she was back on the path to the training section. She could feel the presence of someone else and assumed it was her student. That was still such a weird thing to say! This time she had put away her pipe and was brandishing a cigarette that hung between her lips, bobbing up and down, almost in time with the bounce of her rather large and barely covered chest. As she walked up, she reached behind her and gave her ass a little scratch and de-wedgied herself. 

 As she walked in, she looked Hanako up and down. "Yo, you Hanakao?" She asked. "I'm Satoshi Fuuko." She said with a grin and pulled her cigarette out of her mouth after taking a drag. "But you can call me sensei. Heh." She grinned wider. She liked that. 

"You know Shihoin Taichou?" Fuuko asked. She extended a hand as she approached the woman. 

[Hanako Nozawa]

Who had just arrived, it turned out, was yet another absolutely gorgeous woman practically spilling out of her uniform shikakushō . Much as she tried to keep her composure, a part of Hanako's mind had still been on Shihoin-taichou, and so, she could do little more than blink and stare at the woman who approached her from the entrance to the training grounds. Her eyes practically followed the bouncing motion for a second or two before she was able to wrest her attention away and direct it to the woman's words, instead.

Reiō help me, she thought to herself.

"Yes!" Hanako smiled in return to the woman's greeting, though she did not think to bow. Her cheeks felt warm, but she couldn't tell if her blush was visible at all. Her eyes again swept over the woman's physique, drinking in the sight of the athletic figure before her and finally taking notice that her hakama had been replaced with a skirt. She might have to remember that for later, she thought before the smell of the woman's cigarette hit her nose and caused her to scowl momentarily. However, she kept her composure and instead took the offered hand, giving it an awkward squeeze and shake as she answered,

"Somewhat. She trained with me a few days ago." Her smile returned a little wider, and just as sincere as ever. To be honest, she was perfectly capable of looking passed the cigarette smell if this was the kind of eye candy she was going to get to enjoy while training. She only wished that all of her teachers looked like her! Maybe she would be more excited to attend her classes every day, if that were so! "So, what do you have planned for me, Fuuko-sensei~?" Habitually, her worse nature got away from her, and Hanako's mouth played with the words and honorific as she spoke to her new instructor. Her smile had changed a little, settling into a comfortable smirk as her eyes turned playful before the buxom shinigami who would be training her today.

[Satoshi Fuuko]

Hanako's ogling had not gone unnoticed by Fuuko as she greeted the student. Nor had it been unwanted. Though she didn't go about bragging about it too much, Fuuko was someone who enjoyed her vices. Smoking, drinking, and good company, often in that order, were things she partook in when she was off the clock. She also knew that she was about as buxom as they came and had no issues, even while on the clock, leaving one foot out the door in that regard, so to speak. The bold among her fellow shinigami might be fortunate enough to spend their off time with her, but even when she was doing something like teaching, as she was now, or even doing her duty as one of the Yonbantai's medical assistants, she couldn't, exactly, contain her own hotness. 

"At least keep it in yer pants until ya get out of the Academy." Fuuko quipped. "I thought that the Onmitsukidou couldn't be distracted. Maybe I should already put in a letter of failure to Kimiko~" Fuuko teased as she looked Hanoko over. A very lovely looking woman as well, but Fuuko needed to get to the point as well. 

"As far as today is concerned, well, Shihouin taichou wanted me to put you through the paces. I'm not exactly known for my stealth, but, that isn't the only qualification for Squad Two, you know?" Fuuko explained. She had heard the word, but only now registered it. "Fuuko Sensei?" She said and let it roll on her tongue. "Ha! Imagine me... I wonder how my  teacher would think about that?" Fuuko asked rhetorically. 

"Anyway, since it's just you and me, basically, I'm going to kick your ass until you quit, or until I think you pass what I think is Kimiko's bar for being tough enough to be in the Nibantai." Fuuko lifted up her finger. "However, are you sold  on Squad Two? I mean, I bet ya never thought you'd get any kind of battle trainin from a high rankin officer in the Yonbantai, huh?" Fuuko chukled. 

"I assure ya." She said and puffed out her chest as she gave it a smack. "I'll put my battle skills up against any member of any squad."

[Hanako Nozawa]

Hanako's smile broke into a wider grin, bearing a few teeth as she giggled in her throat at being called out. Surely, if she were going to be joining the stealth forces, she would be expected to work on covering her thoughts a little better. It did sound like it'd take the fun out of these interactions, though.

"Who said I was distracted?" Another chuckle, and she let her instructor continue on her explanation of today's activities. The way she gestured and expressed herself as she spoke was fun to watch, and not only for the two obvious reasons. Fuuko didn't appear to be the type to hold herself back at all, and as fun as some of the thoughts that brought to mind were, she was also simply -and sincerely innocently- fun to watch explain things. She was very confident in herself and her abilities, and that had grabbed hold of her attention and refused to let her go.

"To be honest?" Hanako blinked and visibly thought about the woman's question for a few seconds. "I'm only going for the Nibantai because I have a knack for it. I'm good at stealth, apparently." After a brief moment, she laughed and continued to admit, "Though Shihoin-taichou's beauty makes the decision easier to accept. Not that you're lacking in persuasiveness, either." She chuckled again, swaying her body a little with her hands clasped behind her in cute fashion. It had only lasted a few seconds before she straightened her posture, though remained noticeably relaxed in doing so.

"How are we going to be sparring, by the way? Hakuda or zanjutsu?" Hanako was curious how Fuuko would fight. Would she use her sword, or was she a hakuda specialist? There were many in her classes who got comfortable with one or the other, or even chose to devote their time to kidō instead of something physical, but she herself hadn't honestly made that decision yet. She was... a little unfocused in that regard. Maybe sparring with Fuuko could help her to find her niche.

[Satoshi Fuuko]

"Hmmmm...." Fuuko tapped her chin and grinned a little. Even more than Hanako's insinuation was her boldness. Fuuko liked it quite a bit. Still, she considered Hanako's actual  reasons a bit more silently at first than the other  options she presented. She laughed and tugged at her Shihakushou, letting her ample chest wobble a bit. 

"Is that so? Well, if ya like what ya see, you should check out my sis! Ha." Fuuko cupped her chest. "Sheabout as stacked as I am and." Fuuko stopped and blushed. "Wait. Actually, if you look at her the wrong way, today's sparrin is gonna seem like a tickle fight so, scratch that!" Fuuko snorted. Whether serious or not was hard to tell. She moved on quickly, though. 

"So, you can hide, huh? Well, except in certain  situations, I kinda suck at findin people, so I don't think we're gonna play hide and seek. Ain't really my forte." She said as she looked Hanako over. "As far as how  we're gonna spar? Well, There ain't nothin I love better than knuckles on flesh, so if you wanna go a few rounds bare fisted, then by all means." Fuuko said and hopped in place, shadowboxing for a moment. 

When she stopped, she tapped her zanpakutou. "Of course, steel suits me just fine too. Really, I just wanna test yer limits. Im one of the toughest Shinigami around and I'm in Squad Four, so, don't think for a second that we don't want capabel fighters. Shit, I can't even use  Kidou, let alone healin magic." Fuuko said with a shrug. "So, if we can find a spot for me, we can find a spot for you." Fuuko said with a smile. 

Fuuko cracked her knuckles. "How about, to start things off, let's see if you can get me to release my zanpakutou? Shukketsubuki ain't like most. She's, well, heh. Let me out it this way: only my sister  has seen her true form and, well, that ain't changin today, so for me to be able to even think about releasin her, I need a fight to get to a certain point." 

Fuuko took a step forward and put up her fists. "Fist or blade, I don't care, just come at me!" She beckoned. 

[Hanako Nozawa]

Hanako very much did like what she saw, but alas, the conversation carried forward before she'd had a chance to answer that particular comment. Instead, she committed such a sight to memory for later while still paying attention to what Fuuko was saying, and absorbing all she could of what was being divulged. To be honest, it felt true that someone like Fuuko was probably not the best at kidō, what with how physically fit she was. That was okay, Hanako thought to herself. She found spells to be particularly tiring, anyway, so using any today would only shorten the time she'd get to spend with her sensei~

"I can't say I'm the best healer, either." She chuckled from her throat, and winced a little at the unpleasant sound of Fuuko cracking her knuckles. "Though, we'll see how pushing you to use your zanpakutō goes. I've never been in a real fight, I can't say." It was the truth; she'd sparred with a few classmates and practiced her forms to exhaustion, but Hanako had never used what she'd been taught in a real fight, yet. She didn't know if she could push an experienced shinigami so far she'd need to release her zanpakutō.

That didn't mean she couldn't try, though!

After taking a step back from her teacher, Hanako breathed deeply and slowly, and raised her hands to a readied position. One foot slid in front of the other, and her wrists went almost limp as her hands curled inward, as though holding cups. Another breath, and her body relaxed noticeably, before she began to stagger erratically from side to side, as though she were unable to find her balance again. If Fuuko's style appeared rigid and strong, then hers was fluid and malleable. It would be a great pairing for a spar, if their level of experience were at all equal. Maybe she could make up for it in skill?

"Hah!" Hanako exploded forth on the ball of one foot, from where she'd tried to make it appear as though she were about to topple over! With a huff of breath, she struck out with her left fist as fast as she could towards Fuuko's clavicle! However, despite the chaos and unpredictable nature she tried to instill in her movements, she was still only a beginner. The rigidity of her own forms and practice remained in her movements.

[Satoshi Fuuko]

"Heh... Not at all." Fuuko replied, regarding her healing. "And yet..." She tilted her head. "Don't let yer dreams stay dreams, I guess. Heh." Fuuko mused and looked over Hanako a bit more, only to balk at the girl's words. "Not at all!?" She repeated, though, this time with a completely different inflection. 

Fuuko blinked and closed her mouth for the moment. With her fists up, Fuuko started to softly bounce in place, shaking out any stiffness she had and loosening up. She didn't hold her fists up like a real boxer, or any kind of professional, but it was the stance of someone who had thrown many fists and received as many back in return. She watched Hanako come at her and stood her ground. She didn't even try and stop the punch. She knew she was leagues  above Hanako in power, but her instinct kicked in and she flexed her chest. She watched the fist all but bounce off. 

Even as Hanako's fist was coming in, Fuuko's was going out. Her fist was aimed at Hanako's and zipped at her in a flash. As her mind snapped to attention, her body reacted. Her free hand clapped against Hanako's chest, palm flat and she used a little bit of power to shove Hanako as she stopped her other hand, making sure Hanako wouldn't get hit, even if Fuuko couldn't stop on a dime. 

"Hmph!" Fuuko snorted, leaning against Hanako as her head tilted and she dropped her fist. "I'm not really used ta holdin  back." She admitted. "Fightin is, well, kinda what I do." She explained as her free hand slipped back and scratched her head while she smiled sheepishly at Hanako. "Oh! Shit! S-Sorry!" Fuuko pulled the other hand off Hanako and pushed her knuckles against her forehead. "Well, we might need to figure out a different way." Fuuko said with a frown. 

"But, what was that? Did you get shitfaced before ya came here? I mean, if ya did, I would know!" Fuuko sniffed the air. "I got a nose  for it. I can smell alcohol from a mile away. So, if you weren't ever in a real  fight... someone told ya somethin." Fukko said, raising an eyebrow and looking suspiciously at Hanako. Fuuko turned her back at Hanako and paced away. "I just need to be able to gauge yer strength... So, just hit me as hard as ya can!" Fuuko's eyes lit up. "Anywhere, really." She said. "I'll focus on actually takin  it, so I can see what I'm workin with. Then we can try out yer fancy techniques." Fuuko said with a bright grin. 

[Hanako Nozawa]

To any experienced fighter, time might have seemed to slow. Seconds would become minutes. Attacks would come to a crawl. She'd heard others talk of this state of mind, this instance of hyper focus that took hold in a real fight between the most formidable of foes.

Hanako did not experience this in the slightest. As her fist connected with Fuuko's shoulder, she felt no give in the other woman's body. She felt no give at all, in fact, but for what came back into her wrist. Her hand crumbled against what might very well have been a wall of solid steel, and her wrist flared with pain as her face contorted in reflex. Of course, that was before the counter attack which sent her reeling back, as gentle in its impact as it was swift and deadly with its speed and precision. Hanako staggered, much like before but this time actually fighting to keep her balance for real, before coming to a stop a few steps away. She clutched her injured wrist to her chest, attempting to soothe both at once while she processed what had happened.

"Ow! Owowowow!" She seethed through her teeth, the fingers of her uninjured hand firmly feeling the delicate joints in her wrist and hand for any serious harm. Fortunately, it only appeared to hurt. Obviously, she didn't have much of a tolerance for pain to speak of. After a few seconds, however, the pain began to subside, and she turned her attention back to Fuuko, who was busy asking if she'd been drinking.

"No, no." Hanako laughed a little, realizing now that the only thing injured might have been her pride. "It's the style of kung fu I learned from sensei; she calls it her Eight Drunken Gods." She took a moment to shake and flex the tingling sensation from her fingers. "What about you? It felt like I punched a steel brick!" Another laugh, though one meant to cover up her still lingering aches. She should've guessed that someone as fit as Fuuko would be more... sturdy, but this was ridiculous! She was still made of flesh and bone, right?

Fuuko would have a few seconds to answer her rhetorical question while Hanako took her stance again. Just as before, her form appeared fluid and unsteady, but the rigidity of her practice and inexperience shown through for more trained eyes. However, she didn't resume her controlled staggering as before. Instead, rather than exaggerating the theatrical quality of her style, she balanced carefully on the heel of one foot and the toe of the other. Each hand was still held relaxed, and her eyes focused on her target: the beautiful woman standing in front of her. But, where should she aim? Anywhere that might get her hurt again was right out, obviously!

"Hah!" Hanako burst forth with all her speed again, seemingly putting no thought or effort into deceiving her teacher this time. However, her arms never came up to ready for a punch. Instead, she bounded into the air just in front of Fuuko, and twisted her body around to deliver a flying spinning kick! Rather than connect, though, her kick flew high, and Hanako continued to rotate... until the back of the second leg came for the side of Fuuko's head in an axe kick following her initial feint!