Will of Strength (NDE, Open, Asen + Takashi)

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

When Hotaru shunpo'ed and shot out the liquid from her sword and cannon, it seemed that he had shunpo'ed away. He also let out his stupid smoke bombs again. She was getting tired of the smoke bombs. Since she couldn't see through this mist and her energy sensory wasn't as strong as she would like, she didn't have a good idea of where he actually was at the moment. She had to think of something that could work as a defense without knowing where he was.

She had to think up something on the fly. She had to think of something that could protect her right now a complete 360 degrees. She took a deep breath and tried to think of something. Only one thing came to mind. She just hoped that it actually worked out for her. She started to spin in a circle with her cannon and sword out. She made her sword produce a lot of extra liquid. Once she started spinning fast, she moved both her sword and cannon, which was spewing out liquid. She kept moving them around, trying to pretty much cover the area around her with liquid. She hoped that helped.

OOC: 3/5, and 2/8 for shikai. Asen, u also didn't minus the 50 for shunpo

[Takashi Kuchiki]

The man definitely hadn't a plan it seemed....well that was reassuring. However, many times, these types of goals were pipe dreams. However, he felt that Asmoskon could do it if he put his mind to it. The man certain needed the aid of a few more people, that was for sure. What was it about this man that made him go solitary? Perhaps he had a grandfather that taught him right from wrong. It was sad that most of the other quicny were following along the path of evil. They themselves may have been benevolent people, however, they were still supporting this man. However, Takashi didn't know much of their race, as such, he kept most comments to himself.

He blinked a few times, studying Asmoskon and deducing more as he spoke. There was definitely something interesting about this man. This was good bonding as well. Asmoskon was certainly opening up to the man. In addition, he was telling him more about his goals and dreams. It was such an honorable dream that this man had. He blinkd again a few times, looking towards the man with the same bored eyes as usual, it was quite interesting the way the shinigami looked at everyone the same; it really was unlike how most people, whom were constantly showing emotion. However, for this shinigami, he had a troubled life, emotion came very difficult for him.

It was now where Asmoskon spoke to him. The man seemed to know his own limitation, which was good. The plan aspect was already established..there was none. As Takashi suspected, the man simply wished to get stronger and acquire allies. He didn't say it outright, but he did say it would take more than him to do it. It seemed as though the pieces were slowly coming together more and more. Takashi simply nodded towards the man's wishes. It seemed he didn't wish to stop the spar between these two, that was good of him to be so considerate.

It was then that the man had a small grin on his face. Takashi looked towards it, it had faded rather quickly. It didn't take long, but the man spoke of a comparison to his race. Takashi assumed there were rank in the Quincy class as well. He blinked a few more times as the name of the captain commander was mentioned. Takashi looked back towards the field where the two were training; looking down on them like a hawk. There was some silence as he looked down, it appeared his gaze was a bit further....more distant than before.

"I see". Was the reaction that he gave, his face didn't change at all. It was obvious that a man whom been that powerful would have great ability. The quincy weren't few in number, but it seemed interesting nonetheless they were that powerful. He knew the man would have strength, but it was brewing more excitement for Takashi. However, the outward appearance did not convey. The man wished to become as strong as the Captain Commander. It was interesting that there was yet another one as strong as him. It appeared as though Takashi could test himself with either this Quincy. It was a good idea, though he wondered if Asmoskon fully knew how powerful the Captain Commander really was. What he had really told Takashi was, 'If you defeat this opponent, you're as strong as the Captain Commander'.

"I wonder how you'd be able to gauge both of their strengths? I heard you hadn't met the man? I assume this is from stories and such that you have heard. Perhaps the two had fought. I do not have any quarrel with this man. However, I would wish to meet him and listen to what he has to say. Based off of that, I would perhaps take action. If nothing else, I would enjoy being able to test my skills against him.". The shinigami turned towards Asmoskon, blinking a little. "So, where may I find these Quincies that you speak of? I wish to learn more of them. Though, I'd imagine they'd kill me quite quickly. This man seems rather relentless, It seems i'd have to eventually cross weapons with him". The man let out a sigh before looking on towards the fight.

"Perhaps we should continue our training at some point as well. A spar between you three seems as though it would be beneficial to each of you. However, you are right that they require rest afterwards. I also would like to say I admire your goal. I would suggest you take a few of these shinigami with you. However, placing them into danger might compromise their position. They would be lead on a mission against a strong enemy without orders. Thus, they may as well be persecuted for their actions and exiled. You say no other Quincy will aid you, that leaves hollow...which...how do[/i[ you feel about the hollow? I imagine your group would cause great trouble, regardless of race, within their own respective factions". He said, letting the man think some more.

[Asen Mahawa]

She successfully spins around spewing liquid everywhere. It was good tactic to use especially when you're trying to make sure no one sneaks up behind you. It wasn't that Asen was being difficult or anything like that, but it certainly was fascinating as she spins around covering the 4 meter radius with her liquid. However not a sound was made as the smoke starts to lift and evaporate. When it's gone Asen appears to be no where in sight.

There are a few small boulders dotted in the field along with a line of barrels filled with weapons on the outskirts. Some of them appear to be either closed or empty. The only ones that seems to be in area is Hotaru, Takashi, and the new guy. Asen's spiritual pressure is low so it'll be difficult to simply locate him just by searching for his signature. Now it's really up to Hotaru to figure it out as nothing happens after she completes her action.

2/5
Shunpo - 50 (from previous post)
Reiatsu; 575/1860

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

After she stopped spinning, she noticed that the smoke had cleared away. Once the smoke was fully gone, she noticed that Asen was no where to be found. It was interesting that he didn't try to attack her once she stopped, or before she even started the attack. But, he decided to wait she assumed. They only had a few minutes left in the spar before they both lost. She stood for a minute and looked around.

She saw some boulders and barrels full of weapons. The only other things that she could see was herself, Takashi and Asmoskon. She smiled inwardly that he was still here. She hoped he enjoyed seeing Soul Society for the first time. She just hoped that no one would find him here, because she was pretty sure that if they did, it wouldn't end well. Not for Asmoskon or her, because she would protect him with her last breath.

But, she did notice on the ground that there was now a huge radius of her liquid on the ground. She could light it on fire and burn off his feet if he got close, but that wasn't her objective right now. She needed to burn his torso. But he wasn't attacking. So, she decided to do something that wouldn't cost much energy at all. She stood in a defensive stance. She put her flaming sword in front of her, held in her right hand. Her cannon was out in front of her, away from the sword so she could move it independently if she needed to. Then, she waited.

OOC: 2/5, 3/8 for Shikai

[Takashi Kuchiki]

The white hair shinigami looked down from above. He was now watching the fight, seeing how it was going to progress. He blinked a few times as he saw Hotaru and Asen; just barely. It seemed there was some sort of smoke that was protruding from the area. From the perch, he could barely make out two figures in the mist. Takashi's eyes narrowed upon them, wondering just exactly what was going on. He saw the vague outlines as the figures emerged and continued, it seemed he could see part of them. Hotaru was seemingly utilizing her shikai to spin liquid everywhere. Asen was taking more of a tactical approach it seemed. However, these two really needed to speed it up if they wanted to make a difference.

The shinigami knew that time was of the essence. It would be best to call out to them so they know exactly what the time was. "Two more minutes!" He called out towards them from a top. He knew they needed to focus, however, they needed to know the time. The shinigami simply waited, looking out towards the two. He simply blinked slowly, looking down from a top the mountain. He wondered how this fight would go. There was also something strange about Asmoskon. It seemed he didn't have questions about soul society; perhaps he'd been here before. The man's eye slowly fell on him for a second before looking back.

Why was this man not wanting to do other things like train? Nor did he want to do anything else? He was seemingly just watching the fight; why did he care? Well whatever, there was something but he would push it to his back burner. He had some theories but he would keep it to himself for now; Takashi liked to play detective after all. However, that didn't matter now. The point was now to watch these two and see how they'd progress. Time was running out and someone had to make a move next turn or else they were both going to fail the test.

[Asen Mahawa]

An eerie silence falls on the group's shoulders as it seemed as Asen had left. But that would be a mistake to assume. See, Asen knew it would be a mistake now that Hotaru is in her Shikai form to try to pull the same tricks over and over. It's not that he questions Hotaru's abilities for he's well aware of what she can do now. It's just that he's used all of the Kido he knows save for one. That one he won't use mainly because he's not sure if she's resistant to fire or worse is vulnerable to it. And Asen doesn't want to test it either for if it turns out that she can't resist the flames herself.

However Asen is aware that he doesn't have much time left, and he doesn't have that much Reiatsu left either. Which limits him to only a few options that he can use. His goal was to just grab her ribbon, but he doesn't believe that he can accomplish that task. 'I'm not going to be able to make it in time...' He thought to himself as he bit his lip drawing a thin line of blood down to his chin. He let's out a mental sigh. 'I suppose I'll just admit defeat already. There's just no way am I going to get close enough to her.' The mental image of Takashi almost taking his leg off flashed into his mind. 'Or else that'll happen all over again...' Again he wonders just what the Captain Commander saw in Asen that he was given the Seated Officer of Fifth Seat. 'If she can't hit me on my torso then she'll lose as well...' He recalls what Takashi said and Asen... Well... He'll admit mentally that he's just scared of getting close again. His Zanpakutou is practically useless in his hands, and even begins to wonder just why does he have a Zanpakutou. Simply because he lacks the strength to even face anyone in melee combat.

Finally he takes a deep, silent breath to calm his mind. 'I'll just make my next move my last one... And just hope that it'll go well... If I miss... Then I'll just have Hotaru to shoot me in the chest as Takashi told her to win...' He mainly anticipates that Hotaru will win, which the odds are looking that way. But the least he can do is just give it his best. That way he wouldn't disgrace her simply by giving up like that.

Off on the outskirts near the line of barrels, a cloud of red smoke appears to engulf a 4 meter radius as concealment. The second after that, Asen would suddenly appear with his legs from knee to feet hanging on to the air ground that'll be behind Hotaru and uses his speed to his full extent as he was upside down facing towards Hotaru's upper back by having his left arm extended at the speed of 113 (max) to grab her ribbon. He of course anticipates that she'll more likely turn around faster than him and shoot him with a scale or slice him with that sword of her's. Knowing this, he'll simultaneously reach with his right arm at the same speed to just touch her upper back. 'Horin.' The spell would be pointblank and will be 99% impossible to avoid should this happen. Of course by the time he completes and uses his second spell, he would also have grabbed the ribbon by then. Due to this, she'll feel a tug on her waist that'll let her know that 'hey I got you.' But without words.

1/5
Sekienton - 50
Air Ground - 25
Shunpo - 50
Horin - 25
Reiatsu; 425/1860

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

She quietly waited, moving her arm back and forth to keep it loose. She knew that Asen didn't just leave, but she had her Shikai active and he didn't have that yet. He was crafty, that was for sure, and very creative with the way he did things. She knew he was just biding his time, waiting for a good opening. She took a deep breath and concentrated. She could light the ground on fire if she had to, but that wouldn't work for what Takashi said.

So, she waited and kept to her deep breathing. It kept her mind calm and senses alert. She knew that this would probably be his last ditch effort to grab her ribbon. She knew that she had to make this her last ditch effort as well. She tried to figure out what way he would try to attack her from. He's attacked her from the sides before. He's even tried to attack her from the front, which didn't really work well for him.

It was then that she thought he might attack from behind. Because of this, she tried to make sure her back was more covered. She put her left arm behind her back, so it would be protected. Just a minute or two after she did that, she felt a presence behind her. She used her speed to turn around quickly, while keeping her cannon facing the way he was. While he was grabbing for her ribbon, she let loose a stream of fire from her cannon. So how it ended was Asen grabbed her ribbon, while Hotaru was able to fire up his torso. It was like a stalemate, but she figured it would make them both winners.

OOC: 1/5, 4/8 for shikai 345/395 -50 for shooting fire

[Takashi Kuchiki]

(Pox: keep going here)

Takashi looked out towards the smoke. Something was going I'm in there.. Or rather by there. The strange cloud of smoke made it so eh rally couldn't see much. He however was able to catch sight of the two making some rather dangerous maneuvers. It felt like they were ready to end it all for both the sides. The shinigs I had truthfully hoped they would have been smarter for now.

It seemed like they were at each other's throats and playing too close range. Both of these players were mainly far ranged. For hotaru, it was best if she actually stayed back and kept moving. She could have trapped the man with her fire instead of a direct attack. The problem was also the kido that asen used. He was actually trying to trap hotaru. However his methods at the beginning were far too straight forward. With that the white hair called out the remaining time. This was the last ditch outcome of everything that was to happen.

[Asen Mahawa]

His face was slightly shaking from wincing in pain. His chest blistered and has a bright red yet a little shiny burn that seems to swell up. Its like someone dumped a bucket full of pure lava on his chest, or at least that's what it feels like to Asen. The sensation was almost unbearable even for him, but he didn't make a fuss or much of a noise either. Nonetheless, his fingers were wrapped around the ribbon on Hotaru's waist. Not that it matters now for to him he still lost.

Though this officially makes it a draw or stalemate, Asen considers this to be a lost to him. If this was a real live combat fight to the death, Asen would be dead right now. Even though he has his fingers on the ribbon as Takashi told him to get, Asen would've been dead if that was a Cero, Byakurai, whatever that pierces through flesh. However despite the results, he still had the eyes of defeat about him. That's twice that he's been defeated by an Unseated Shinigami that could've killed him on the spot.

He felt so weak, not just because of exhaustion or anything that falls under fatigue. He felt weak mentally and believes he's a lost cause for he'll be forever weak. 'I knew it... No matter what I do... I'm always being defeated wherever I turn...' He thought to himself as he's always losing to everything he does. It just makes him reconsider on even being a Seated Officer at all. For the only thing he'll accomplish is getting everyone including himself killed.

Surprisingly, blood was filling in his mouth, causing him to fall to the ground as blood mixed with saliva spewed out of his mouth. Thankfully he did that only when he hit the ground on his back. 'Internal organ bleeding? Great.' That was the most logical conclusion he could come up with. But when did he received an internal damage? He couldn't recall any of it. However he believes that his left leg has internally reopened the wounds due to it was severed only a few hours ago.

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Once Hotaru actually attacked, she looked around. It looked like Asen had managed to get his fingers around the ribbon around her waist. But, she was also able to get Asen with her fire in the torso only. So, based off what Takashi had told them, they both won. She was happy to see that she was able to keep up with a seated officer. She lowered her cannon and took a breath. She felt Rivu~aiasan retreat back into her sword. Thank you my friend. I owe you more than I can ever repay. She felt a little more heat before he fully retreated. That was his way of saying you're welcome.

She looked up at Asen. He had let go of the ribbon at her waist, but he looked pretty bad. She looked him in the eye, trying to get his attention, but it seemed as though he had completely given up. She didn't know why, since they technically tied on this bout. But, he looked completely defeated. She didn't know what was going on with him, but she wanted to help him in anyway she could.

She walked closer to him. "Hey Asen, are you okay? We did both win this fight, since we both got our objectives. I hope that I didn't hit you too hard. I tried to hold back as much as I could. Hey, are you okay? Asen? Can you hear me? Asen? ASEN?!" While she was talking, she felt that he was going farther and farther into despair. She tried to snap him out of it by talking louder, but it obviously wasn't helping.

She quickly sheathed her sword and reattached it. While she was doing this, however, she noticed that something was going on with Asen. He was starting to fall over. Before she could reach him, he hit his back and watched as blood mixed with his saliva spewed out of his mouth. She ran over to him and looked him over. She had no idea what to do. She knew it had to be something internal and the only thing she could think of was his earlier injury. She turned towards the other two. "TAKASHI! ASMOSKON! GET OVER HERE! THERE'S SOMETHING UP WITH ASEN! I NEED HELP!" She stayed by his body. "Stay with me Asen, we'll get you help."

[Takashi Kuchiki]

The white haired shinigami looked at the two as they went out for an even matching. It wasn't really what he would consider ideal, but they fought to the fullest and that was good. Asen was able to keep up with opponents that were released in shikai, which was good. It seemed however that hotaru could have easily won if this were a battle, and not an exercise. However , they still did well and this was indeed training. Takashi wondered if they actually learned what he had hoped they would learn; though that was to be seen.

It was then that the man with white hair noticed Asen and his wound opening up from earlier. It was strange that it had done so. The fourth division were able to heal limbs with perfect ability to re attach. To most people it would feel as though nothing had happened and that they were fine. It seemed however that there was something that went array here and Asen quickly fell to the ground. Takashi let out a sigh as he looked towards the two before disappearing in a quick blur.

He arrived in a fraction of a second by the man. Looking down at him he noticed the blood that was trickling down from his mouth. Asen seemed defeated even though the match was a draw. It appeared as though his body could only take so much. At its limit, it was time for the man to give it a rest. Takashi looked at Hotaru. "hotaru, please take Asen to the fourth division. For now, I believe he should take rest. You both have done well. For now, the training session is complete" was all the man said. It was time now that they rested, Asen couldn't take any more of training for today.

(OC: submitting this now)

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Hotaru was standing by Asen, hoping that whatever was going on would be helped. She called out to the two that were standing close by and, thankfully, Takashi ended up coming by. He looked up to him to see what he would say. She pretty much has no knowledge whatsoever on anything healing, but she was sure that something like this shouldn't be happening with Squad Four fixing his leg. It was weird.

Takashi then told her that she would need to take Asen back to the Fourth Division. He also said that he would need the rest. She agreed with him. He added towards the end that they have done well. She thought so too. She had never fought against Kido, but now she has. It was interesting to say the least. She picked up Asen carefully before starting her walk to the Fourth Division. She passed Asmoskon very closely, and whispered so only he could hear. "It was good to see you Asmos. I hope that you enjoy Soul Society. I hope to see you again soon cutie." She then Shunpoes out to get Asen the help he needs.

[Asen Mahawa]

At this moment, when Takashi shunpo up close to Asen, his mind was no longer among them. Though his eyes remain open, he has submerged into his Inner World. It wasn't the fact that it was a draw, it was the fact that should this be a real battle then Asen would've been dead right then and there when he had grabbed the ribbon. Perhaps if he had used Horin before he grabbed the ribbon he might have not been hit. Then again, Asen was limited on what he can do. He doesn't have a release at his arsenal like everyone else. Not to mention he knows full well that using swords is also a disadvantage despite the skill Asen possess with it.

There was nothing but darkness in his world. Or at least that's what it looked like to Asen. "Augatsol..... Nardras....." He calls out in his Inner World for his Zanpakutous, but none of them replied back to him. It felt like they were ignoring Asen for some reason. He could feel their agitated emotions and bitterness that were directed at Asen.

He calls out to them once more, only this time he got double slapped across the face by both spirits. "You may be our host, but none of us will tolerate on being useless tools! If you continue to be weak, then consider us out of your battles for now on!" Though Asen didn't show it, but their words hurt him. He felt betrayed and unwanted. It was then that he had decided his next course of action.

Asen grew quiet as he just stared at the pitch black darkness. Though his spirits weren't speaking either, they didn't move away from Asen. When Hotaru shunpo them to fourth division, Asen's mind comes back as his eyes finally blinks. He didn't realize that his leg was hurting so much until now. Why did his leg open up? He wasn't sure himself. But then again his leg wasn't completely healed when they first started the training.

[Azumi Kasumi'Oji]

845 TP to each participant. Great thread. It'll be interesting to see if there are any repercussions for bringing a Quincy into Soul Society...