Spar Revisited

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Hotaru was still feeling the sting of her shikai flame while she stared up at Asmoskon. Once she had given him the okay to attack first, he told her "That's one mistake you won't last long to regret my love." Well, she thought to herself, he seems pretty sure that he would be the victor in this battle. It was true that he has seen her shikai before, but she had never performed any of her shikai techniques when she's released around him before. She saved them for emergencies.

When she thought about that, she did have an ace in the hole with him. But, right after he spoke, he pulled the drawstring of his bow back all the way. She actually looked up some archery techniques after they became a couple. It seems that this is what is referred to as a 'full draw.' It's when the arrow will reach a maximum velocity and archers use it for quick and powerful arrow release. This was definitely going to get interesting.

Once he let the string fly, she immediately Shunpoed out of the way. She had closed the distance between them to about ten feet. She watched as he let fly five arrows at once. This new bow was very interesting and she was going to have to keep an eye out for multiple arrows now. She also saw them accelerate quickly. She was glad that she got out of the way as soon as the arrows started going towards her.

Once she had landed from her Shunpo, she looked up towards Asmoskon. He wanted to see her here. She stood for about a minute or two, hoping that whatever he had planned, this would be a long enough break so he would have at least one attack be aimed for her position here. After her small wait, she started to move her sword in a cone shape and her cannon spewed out liquid towards it. Next, once they had made a good size cone shape, she Shunpo behind Asmoskon and yelled, "Doragonburesu!" She lets it fly, lighting it on fire and making it look like a dragon's breath. He was quick, and he only had a few precious seconds to avoid the attack, if he could.

OOC: Reiatsu: 650/850 -100 for Doragonburesu, -100 for Shunpo x2

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

It was plainly obvious to see the plan written across Hotaru's expression. Asmoskon might not be the best at analyzing other individuals based of physical body language however he knew enough to clearly see her plan. From her point of view it was obviously suicide to assume that his arrows were the same as a few minutes ago. Due to the lack of knowledge that Hotaru had on Gerechtigkeit it was best to assume that she would attempt to defeat Asmoskon as swiftly as possible. That meant that she would most likely utilize shunpo in the next few moments.

Asmoskon was focused to a point that he hadn't been previously. This battle was something different it felt like it held more heat and flare while his soul burned with enjoyment. In all truth Asmoskon had never felt like this before and he could only think of two different reason why he felt like this now. It was either the fact that he was facing off against his love yet that didn't seem correct to him due to his previous onslaught of dark depression thoughts due to that very fact. The only thing he could think of was that Gerechtigkeit was in his grasp and together his bow gave him a greater enjoyment of battle then he thought was previously possible.

An instant after the five arrows that had been fired left the slit of his bows outer spine Hotaru vanished from vision. Asmoskon was prepared however and concentrated his reiatsu into the souls of his feet once again preparing to vanish from the spot that he was currently standing. Hotaru appeared once again in his sight right in front of him only about ten feet away however now his arrows had soared past her. That though wasn't something that bothered or posed any kind of problem for the Dark Quincy. As Hotaru began her cone like movements preparing for her technique Asmoskon only gave her a grin that seemed to mirror tat of a snake catching its prey.

In that moment Hotaru vanished once again appearing behind Asmoskon. However, as she took aim and her fire began to rush outward Asmoskon himself vanished from all possible eyes. It's essential to keep one's eyes wary at all times and notice everything in order to turn or keep a battle in your own favor. One of the many wise teachings that Asmoskon's grandfather had taught him and one that Asmoskon used no matter what. He had noticed and knew that his arrows were tracking Hotaru and that they were now rushing toward her once again.

It would have been problematic if Asmoskon was in between Hotaru and his own arrows. That and her own fire forced Asmoskon's hand into utilizing Hirenkyaku once again. As he disappeared Hotaru would see the five arrows moving right toward her only about five feet coming right for her. Asmoskon had planned to simply out smart Hotaru in this encounter and hopefully that would succeed now. As he reappeared into sight Asmoskon fired off three additional arrows aimed for Hotaru's right side. He was now ten feet from her right side and the two new arrows would hit her only a moment or two after the first set managed too.

Remaining Reiatsu: 580/1350 ~Bow Release #1 "Gerechtigkeit"~ ~3 Arrows~

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Well, what Hotaru hoped for didn't happen. It was quite sad to see. She had shunpoed past the first of his arrows. But, when she stood to try to divert him, it seemed that he wasn't really taking the bait. She figured that he knew her so well already that he could tell through her body language alone of what she was planning on doing, or going to do. She definitely needed to fix this.

She could tell, from her pause, that Asmoskon seemed more involved in this battle than he had in his previous ones. She saw a new enjoyment and thrill. She had a few theories as to why he felt this way. But, the main theory that stuck out in her mind was that he had achieved a new level of power. She was happy for him that it seemed like he had a new spark in life. She was sure that he felt like he could protect everyone now.

She smiled towards him and she felt a bit of concentrating on his part, and felt a very small spike increase of his reiatsu. This must be the step technique that she assumed he was using to speed around as quickly as she could with her Shunpo. The arrows soared past her while she watched him. It was then that she had started her technique. Though, when she looked towards where she was going to step, Asmoskon just grinned at her, like he had caught her in a trap.

When she had got behind him and launched her attack towards him, he completely vanished. She had figured that he might be able to get away from her. This fight was going on longer than she thought it would and she was getting low on reiatsu. She assumed that he had to be getting low on reiatsu as well. Within the next few turns, this fight was going to be over. She just hoped that she would win.

She then noticed that the arrows were still active and bending around to follow her. This was definitely going to be a problem for her. She didn't know that the arrows would track her. She now had to either destroy these arrows or just make sure she stayed one step ahead of them. Asmoskon reappeared and let loose three arrows. He was only ten feet away and they were coming on fast. She did the only thing she could do. She Shunpo'ed and appeared to Asmoskon's right side, slashing towards him.

OOC: Reiatsu: 600/650 -50 for Shunpo

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Well Asmoskon knew that I this kept up for only around another minute he was going to be left with hardly any reiatsu at all. At that point he would be completely unable to fight off Hotaru and would need to concede defeat. Due to this understand of the situation Asmoskon watched closing as his eight arrows enclosed around Hotaru ready to finish for the spar and claim his victory. However, Hotaru vanished once again using Shunpo at the last possible moment to evade his arrows.

There would only be one situation that Hotaru was planning now. She favored striking from the sides just as he did due to both their honor forbidding an attack from behind. It did not matter which side Hotaru was going to appear from either way Asmoskon needed to start his plan for evasion. In all truth he didn't know if she planned to slash him with her sword or burn him with her cannon. Whichever the situation Asmoskon knew hoe to evade without straining the weakening muscles in his legs and dwindling reiatsu supply.

Asmoskon using his talents in acrobatics managed to execute a high backflip without the use of his hands. Just as his head switched places with his legs Hotaru entered his vision to the right side of where he'd been less than a moment beforehand. Asmoskon bend his left arm backwards while holding Gerechtigkeit at the ready. Now extending his left hand's index finger outward pointing toward Hotaru Asmoskon utilized Versteckte Pfeil to fire a small arrow from an area that would be almost impossible for Hotaru to notice due to her just entered the field of vision and Asmoskon being in mid flip.

In the next moment Asmoskon would land with his feet grinding against the grass as his weight caused him to slide slightly on the ground. He would move his left arm back in normal position while Gerechtigkeit vanished into nothingness. The use of his new bow was taxing and it seemed like everything would be coming to an end just the way he kept planning for now all of his arrows would be upon Hotaru. She would need to evade the new arrow that Asmoskon had just fired from her and take in his new position and by that time the arrows would already have zoned in to finish off the battle.

Remaining Reiatsu: 455/1350 ~Bow Release #1 "Gerechtigkeit"~ ~Versteckte Pfeil~

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Once she had Shunpoed away from his arrows and appeared, she saw that Asmoskon was in the middle of a backflip. He also managed to get pretty high. She was impressed by his new skill. She didn't know that he was that acrobatic. She wished that she could easily just jump around like he could. Obviously, due to his new skills, her slashed completely missed him. It was disheartening, but she expected nothing less from him.

While he was on the way down, she was trying to figure out something that she could use against him. Then, she had a very quick idea. Since one of her new Shunpo techniques caused a wave equal to her strength to be released when she performed the move, and he had to land soon, she would be able to hit him again. It was one of the only things she could think of doing, especially with his arrows coming after her.

She felt his reiatsu spike again and knew that he had to be reading another attack. She looked towards him and she didn't really see anything. But, her gut instincts and her senses were telling her that something was up and that he was going to strike out again rather quickly. So, once she felt a dip from his reiatsu, she performed another Shunpo Eichi. She hoped that the wave she would create would at least disrupt the arrows following her.

Before she Shunpoed, she tried her best to figure out where Asmoskon would land. Unfortunately, she wasn't too good with a thing like that. She shunpoed maybe three feet behind Asmoskon. She hoped that he would be landing right in front of her and when he would land, she would slash out at him. She didn't want to hurt him in this way, but she had to figure out something before one had to concede defeat.

OOC: Reiatsu: 450/600 -150 for Shunpo Eichi, Shikai 4/8

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Everything was a blur yet again however Asmoskon could sense a familiar spike in Hotaru's reiatsu as soon as she reappeared. It was already to late he knew what he was going to do just based of the feeling of her reiatsu. Although his arrows were little more then three feet away Hotaru was going to utilize that massive shunpo that she had preformed earlier. Asmoskon couldn't hope to keep Gerechtigkeit in his grasp once her shockwave hit him from whatever angle. So at the last moment jut as the small arrow was fired from his finger tip the pitch black longbow dematerialized causing it to simply vanish.

Although Asmoskon had already planned on deactivating his bow it just seemed rushed. However, he knew that its constant draining of his reiatsu was enough on its own, but without it's usage the drain was for nothing. That was the reason to deactivate it early and now Hotaru had vanished once again. Right as Asmoskon's body was upright again and his feet about ready to land on the grass of the ground the shockwave hit him from behind. This caused Asmoskon to be sent forward as if Hotaru herself had just tackled him from behind.

There was almost nothing that Asmoskon could do, but he wasn't going to give Hotaru the victory easy and accept this lose without fighting back to the best of his abilities. As the shockwave hit him Asmoskon pulled something from his coats pocket and dropped it in front of Hotaru. Over the next few moments Asmoskon was sent crashing and tumbling across the grass. As he tumbled blood began to seep out from his mouth as he coughed a handful of times releasing the liquid of life onto its conflicting color.

Laying on the ground in the next moment Asmoskon looked back at Hotaru with yet another grin. This one however hardly seemed fitting of the snake like appearance to the previous due to the blood covering his chin and his meshed up hair. "Heavenly father embrace your will upon the forsaken. Grasp of the darkness till there be light. Shall nothing fade from your fingers for the world will be engulfed in darkness." In the next instant the ginto would fade and then its effects would take effect on Hotaru.

Remaining Reiatsu: 355/1350 ~Heilig Opfer~

SPOILER: Click to show

Technique Name: Heilig Opfer

Class: 5

Technique Type: Human World Dweller

Usable By: Quincy

Technique Element: N/A

Technique Description and Effects: A Ginto technique that requires the incantiation be spoken. Once done the ginto is thrown toward a target. When the ginto gets within three feet of the targeted Reiatsu it vanished completely into nothingness. In the following post five silver spikes appear embedded in the target. The placements of the spikes are through the knees, elbows and the back of the neck. These spikes don’t possess the power to kill and if broken cause no damage to the body. This technique is meant to prevent movement for a limited amount of time.

How to use technique Speak the incantation and throw the ginto.

Technique Drawbacks The silver spikes can be broken if the opponent possesses an offensive stat greater than the user's Reiatsu Strength. The spikes begin to disappear after two posts reducing required break points by 50%. This technique can only be countered by preventing the ginto from getting close enough to vanish or destroying it.

Incantation and Effect (If Kido only): Heavenly father embrace your will upon the forsaken. Grasp of the darkness till there be light. Shall nothing fade from your fingers for the world will be engulfed in darkness.

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Once she had stopped her Shunpo and landed where she hoped Asmoskon would be, she started to feel the pain in her legs. She had done Shunpo too many times and she could now feel the strain on her leg muscles. It wasn't a lot of pain, but she could still feel some soreness coming into her legs. So, since she stopped and Asmos was still in the air, she shook them out really quickly to ease some of the pain. She needed them to fight with and didn't want to hassle with cramps.

Hotaru watched as Asmoskon's bow disappeared. She assumed that it was very draining on his body to keep it active. She only made this assumption based on the fact that it was made purely from his reiatsu. And, with reiatsu, you can only maintain things for so long before you don't have any more. And she knew that she was starting to get very low on her reserves. She hoped that Asmoskon was feeling the same way she was.

Then, she watched as her shockwave hit when she wanted it to hit. It got him right when she wanted, when he was landing from his backflip. She watched him crash and tumble on the grass, coughing up more blood. It made her sad that he was still coughing up blood like that. She really hoped that he wasn't hurt too badly. It was then that she noticed his arrows were still coming after her. It's like they never give up, which was crazy.

She was getting one of her techs ready, when she looked over to Asmoskon. He looked back at her with a grin. He had obviously done something that she didn't see. She needed to do something quickly before his plan took effect. He started to say what sounded like an incantation. But, she was finished making her grenade and didn't get to listen to what she was saying. Right before he said the last word, she threw her grenade on the ground and it exploded, propelling her into the air a good ten to fifteen feet.

She threw it behind her so it would propel her forward, towards Asmos. When she landed, she was about a foot away from Asmos. She then started to feel a little light headed and the pain from her wounds was starting to make themselves known. They were coming to the forefront and she knew that this battle needed to end soon. Neither of them can keep up the pace of this fight much longer.

OOC: Reiatsu 400/450 -50 for Kasai shuryūdan Shikai 5/8

SPOILER: Click to show

{Kasai Shuryudan}
The liquid she has control of is compressed inoto a small vessel, covered with her scales. Then, she will throw her grenade at her enemy, while her scales coat themselves with more of her liquid. When it hits the ground or the enemy, it immediately lights and explodes. It creates a big enough explosion to propel her up in the air if needed and creates a shockwave. The amount of reiatsu lost is 200.
Cost: 50 Reiatsu
Weakness: If your defense or strength is strong enough, you could power through the shockwave and initial explosion. If you are fast enough to get to Hotaru before she throws it, that will obviously negate the attack. If you are able to stop her liquid, that would negate the attack as well.

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

It seemed that luck was not in his favor yet again. Asmoskon watched as his arrows just about reached Hotaru and his last words left his lips only to see Hotaru blast her liquid into the ground. In a burst of fire Hotaru was high into the air and his arrows soared through the blaze no longer tracking her due to Asmoskon's bow no longer being present. This truly wasn't good and Asmoskon knew that with his reiatsu pool so low he wouldn't' be able to keep up his sequences of techniques an arrows for much longer.

Now he was also at a significant disadvantage due to Hotaru's shikai still being active. Asmoskon knew that he could have just finished her off with his bow, but that ability wasn't to be used on someone like Hotaru even if it meant defeat. It is because of that belief that Asmoskon hadn't used his most powerful arrow to obtain victory and now was in a dangerous situation that leans victory in Hotaru's favor. Just as Hotaru rushed forward however Asmoskon concentrated his reiatsu and utilized Hirenkyaku causing him to vanish.

In the next moment Asmoskon appeared just about four feet from where Hotaru had used her last technique to the left. He was now behind Hotaru and with that his short bow once again in the grasp of his left hand. Almost immediately after Asmoskon vanished from Hotaru's sight Asmoskon fired off a single arrow aimed to strike her in the right shoulder. This would be an attempt to disable her sword arm effectively halving her offensive potential. Right after the first arrow was firing from his bow Asmoskon was already pulling back the string and running sideways to the left.

This was also an attempt to make any counter attack Hotaru could manage fail. As he ran the second arrow was sent soaring from the black spine of his bow aimed for her left shoulder in the same location as the first. Asmoskon knew that due to his low reiatsu he was going to need to fight fast, basic and effective in order to gain victory. These were, but the first arrows and the third was already drawn back and ready to be sent forth at Hotaru's mid section a spot that Asmoskon wasn't sure he should reveal that he knew. The third arrow was aimed to strike her Soul Chain 2nd in order to take his victory.

Remaining Reiatsu: 325/1350 ~3 Arrows~

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Hotaru was feeling the drain on her reiatsu. She did before, but it was much more prominent now. She has never been taken this far to her limits before. It was refreshing. She either got hurt so badly that she couldn't continue the fight (like getting feet chopped off and almost passing out from blood loss), or she found a weaker opponent and completely laid waste to them. It was nice that her Asmos was able to bring out this in her.

When she landed, she noticed that he had vanished again. He hadn't been using his step technique as often as she had, so that was one advantage he had against her. But, one advantage she had was the fact that she still had her release active. Unlike his release, hers didn't drain on her as much, so she could keep it active for longer. It seemed like this fight may go in her favor, but knowing him like she does, that doesn't mean anything.

When Asmoskon appeared again, he was back to where she released her dragon grenade. It seemed like he was trying to keep the distance between them. But, she still had her cannon, which gave her a little bit of long range. But, as it turns out the position was somewhat behind her. She only knew where he was because she was able to sense him reappearing. She then felt the normal spike in his reiatsu, which meant an arrow was getting ready to be shot.

Once he shot that arrow, aiming for her right shoulder, she felt him running to her left, and shot two more arrows. She looked to the left quickly and noticed the trajectory of the arrows was her left shoulder and the center of her chest. It seems that he wanted to end this fight rather quickly. She has lost against him before. She didn't want to lose to him again. But, she had to admit, he had improved greatly since they last fought.

She felt all the arrows coming for her. She knew that if they all hit her, she would definitely be out of this fight. She had to make a quick decision or else it would be the end for her. She watched while Asmoskon went to her left, so that was the direction she Shunpo'ed, to her left. Her hope was than when she appeared again, she would be pretty close to Asmoskon. Right when she reappeared, she would use her cannon to blast liquid in his direction, hoping that some of it would actually hit him.

OOC: Reiatsu: 350/400 -50 for Shunpo, Shikai 6/8

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Asmoskon's complete focus was on Hotaru his eyes picking up any detail that they could on her movements. It was easy to see that his arrows were closing in very fast and in the next moment the first of three was going to shift the lead of battle. However, just then Asmoskon felt the change in Hotaru's reiatsu just as before. This time it was more settle and under control so Asmoskon presumed it to be a standard shunpo. There was no point in assuming that Hotaru was going to evade the three arrows in any other manner at this point even if her reiatsu reserves were low.

It was due to his swift thinking and understanding of Hotaru's battle style that Asmoskon halted his sideways running to the left. Once his legs ceased movement Asmoskon executed a handless cartwheel to the right in hopes to throw Hotaru off from what she had been expecting. In the next moment as his body was inverted up in the air with his head on the bottom instead of his feet Asmoskon began to spin his body. This caused him to land in the next moment with his front facing the direction that he had been running in although a full four feet to the right of the same path.

Just as he had planned as if he had found the correct answer to a hard question Hotaru appeared little more then three feet from him. It was easy to see that she had expected to spray her flames outwards and finish Asmoskon off yet her flames would only scorch air. His bow outward held in the left hand in a horizontal manner with his right hand holding the string and his arrow back Asmoskon released his arrow directly at Hotaru aiming for her left shoulder joint. Asmoskon had hoped that even if he defeated Hotaru right now she wouldn't suffer to much pain afterwards. It truly did pain him to have to utilize one of the few special things he had as an ace in the hole.

Asmoskon hadn't been to enthusiastic about having to use the ability of his bracelet. He knew however that every moment this battle continued to more at risk he and Hotaru both were at from one another. In truth there was another underlying reason for Asmoskon excessive need of victory against Hotaru. If she was able to defeat him here and now then how was he suppose to be able to protect her against those that she herself can't defeat. That would make him unworthy something that he wouldn't accept. It's because of this that the arrow he had just fired off had been enhanced with the ability of his bracelet increasing the speed it traveled the three foot distance between them right as Hotaru appeared in his sight. (Arrow Speed 500)

Remaining Reiatsu: 240/1350 ~Bracelet~ ~1 Arrow~

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Hotaru was only about half right with her assumption. When she did reappear, she was fairly close to Asmoskon. But, due to all of the acrobatics that he could now use, she didn't have the chance to hit him. When she did appear, she noticed that Asmoskon had landed with the front part of his body in the direction he was running previously, with his back in the opposite direction. She assumed he did some fancy back flip, front flip or cartwheel to get there.

He had to know that the only way that she could really avoid his arrows now was using her step techniques. It sucked for her that that was the only way to avoid them, but she didn't want to take all of his arrows, like she did in the beginning by taking four of his arrows. While she had been fighting, she tested her mid section and she was still holding up. Her leg was still in pain, but nothing she couldn't ignore.

Though, after she let her liquid out from her cannon, she knew that Asmoskon already had a plan to defeat her. She needed to pick his brain and find out how he was always able to do this, keep one step ahead of her. When her cannon was done, she saw Asmoskon draw the string back on his bow, holding the bow horizontally. She wondered if holding the bow that way actually affected the arrows as they were shot out of them.

She looked at his arms and she noticed the bracelet that he won from their first adventure together and where she planted the seeds in Asmoskon's head that she really liked her. What happened after that couldn't have made her happier. But, she had no idea what this bracelet did. After he shot the arrow, however, she could tell that the speed of the arrow was much greater. But, due to the speed, she couldn't get away and the arrow hit her on the shoulder.

She grimaced in pain and immediately ripped out the arrow and cauterized the wound. She then Shunpo'ed quickly to Asmoskon's side and let her cannon shoot out again. She hoped that this time the liquid would actually hit him this time. But, based on what she's seen of his skill, she doubted that it would work. Once she was done, she looked in the direction Asmoskon was and said, "After this battle is over, maybe I should tell you what I was dreaming about before you so suddenly woke me up my lovely. It was a rather nice dream."

OOC: Reiatsu 300/350 -50 for Shunpo, Shikai 7/8

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

Asmoskon watched as his arrow pierced into Hotaru's left shoulder. He couldn't help feel as if his heart just dropped into the depths of hell. He struggled against his emotions in order to continue on and prove to himself that he was still strong enough to protect Hotaru against those stronger than herself. If anyone should have that protect other than herself it should be the person that loved. It was something expected of him as an honorable man and he wasn't going to be a dishonor to her even if it meant inflicting harm upon both of them.

The blood flowed from her wound rather fast and although Asmoskon was ready to lea backwards or to the side in an attempt to evade a attack Hotaru raised her blade to herself. Asmoskon instantly knew what she was intending to do, but he couldn't allow it to occur. If Hotaru was able to stop the blood from flowing then the battle would be prolonged even further. Just as her zanpakuto blade was raised up toward her left shoulder Asmoskon pulled back on the bow string once again in perfect measure.

In less then a moment another dark red reiatsu arrow was held between the grasp of his fingers. Lowing the angle of his arrow from the previous Asmoskon bite down on his lower lip in defiance to his own self hatred at such an action. Releasing his grip of the arrow it was released and flew straight for Hotaru's right foot. Asmoskon knew that she had lost both of her feet previously and due to that knowledge this tactic made him find hatred toward himself. Yet the battle couldn't be allowed to continue that was something he knew.

Asmoskon would need to follow up the last arrow in order to finish off Hotaru and the battle for good. He knew this for sure and because of that Asmoskon concentrated his reiatsu into the souls of his feet. He hoped that when his arrow hit its mark Hotaru would be in to much pain to release his spike in reiatsu. In the next instant Asmoskon would vanish from sight only to appear behind Hotaru with his longbow now held in both hands. Asmoskon would swing from his right in an attempt to strike Hotaru over the back of her head from behind.

Remaining Reiatsu: 180/1350 ~1 Arrow~ ~Hirenkyaku~

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

Hotaru was in the middle of trying to patch herself up and she could see in Asmoskon's face that he realized it as well. She could tell from his face that he wasn't going to let her try to patch herself up like she did before. She needed to think of something rather quickly before he tried to advantage of her current situation. She tried to think rather quickly on her feet and she had an idea.

She knew that Asmoskon didn't like to see her in pain, but she thought that the main reason he was doing this was to prove something to himself. She knew that if anything ever happened to her, he would be beside himself with grief. She would be the same if something happened to him as well. She thought that maybe he was trying to prove it to himself that he was strong enough to protect her against anything.

It made her smile when she thought about that. She still had mobility in her left arm, so she willed her cannon to make one of her grenades. She knew that she couldn't use Shunpo or she would damage herself more. So, when she saw Asmoskon draw and shoot an arrow, she let the grenade drop and it exploded on the ground. By the time Asmoskon had gotten to where she was, she was already in the air.

She quickly cauterized her wound before making an air ground about ten feet in the air. She felt the tug of Rivu~aiasan retreating back into her sword and she knew she didn't have the strength left to keep him out. "Thank you for your power my sage. I hope I have wielded it well." Then, slowly, her sword reverted to its sealed state and she looked down over their battlefield. She knew the next turns would be the deciding factor in this fight.

OOC: Reiatsu 175/300 -50 for Kasai shuryūdan and -75 for Air Ground

[✠Asmoskon Masurao✠]

It just seemed like a tug of war match that neither side was ever going to lose. Neither Hotaru or Asmoskon were willing to accept defeat in this battle yet both were at one of the lowest points of reiatsu they could continue to sustain themselves with in such a battle. Asmoskon had been planning to finish the battle swiftly in that last attack however due to the sudden burst of flames in between them he had been forced to execute another back flip away as swiftly as possible.

It had proven worth it when he realized he was not burnt, but his breathing was getting much larger to control. His body was hurt and the muscles sore from executing for many acrobatic feats in such a short amount of time. However, Asmoskon knew that without his newly obtained talent he wouldn't have been able to still have the possibility of victory. Now he stood looking around the area left, right and then above. It took him a moment, but he did find Hotaru standing in the air.

"Damn it's like she's learning my maneuvers as swiftly as I do hers." Asmoskon couldn't help, but smile at the things running through his head. Not only was Hotaru keeping up to him this time, but throughout a lot of it she kept him on the defensive. "I'm going to need to end this in the next minute or so. If I can't manage that I'm not sure I'll be able to pull it off. Once this is finished I'm making sure she knows just how special she is."

As soon as he saw her figure in the air about ten feet off the ground and seven feet away from him he knew he only had so long before she used shunpo to close the new distance. Positioning his short bow now in a vertical manner and pulling back on the string Asmoskon fires off a single dark red arrow aimed to pierce through the lower gut on the right side. It would be an attempt to cause further bleeding and damage and slow her down further. He knew that this match was going to be finish soon he just hoped that he was victories. After that he couldn't wait to get some sleep yet only after caring for all the damage he dealt to his beloved.

Remaining Reiatsu: 230/1350 ~1 Arrow~

OOC: The remaining reiatsu went up from the last post due to the fact that your bomb caused both my reiatsu draining moves to become void. Also everything that is highlighted like he is talking in this post are just his thoughts.

[Hotaru Kuchiki-Masurao]

She stood on her air ground, breathing a little heavy. She wasn't breathing heavy due to her Shikai, she was just so run down. This fight has pushed her to the brink of her limits. But, she was glad that it was Asmoskon that kept her on her toes and took her to this extreme. She didn't think that anyone else could do that for her. But, right now, she needed to think of a way to end this battle.

She noticed that her grenade had given her some space to catch her breath, and it gave Asmoskon the same amount of breathing room. She didn't know what he was going to do next. Honestly, she didn't even know what she would do next. She didn't have enough reiatsu to call on Rivu~aiasan's power again and even if she did, she didn't think she would have the heart to use it against him again.

Once Asmoskon found her, she saw that a smile spread across his face. She returned the smile with one of her own. She hoped that was a he's impressed with her improvement smile. Hers was. She was proud that they both improved greatly since their first fight, which seemed like ages ago. She just hoped that after this, they could both take a breather. She was very tired from doing all this.

While still thinking to herself, she saw Asmoskon ready himself with his bow. It was vertical this time and he shot up at her one dark red arrow. She stood for a second and then jumped down from her air ground and landed. It took her a minute to actually steady herself once she landed, cause her legs were a little shaky. Her wounds were really starting to bother her, since her body was pretty rundown, but it wasn't going to stop her.

After she steadied herself on her feet she took a breath and tried to quickly figure out what she could do with her limited resources. She held her sword out in front of her and did one of the things that she knew she had to do to surprise him. She Shunpo'ed. She landed on his left side. She then took her sword and tried to hit him with the pommel of her sword. She didn't want to severely hurt him, just cause some discomfort.

OOC: Reiatsu 125/175 -50 for Shunpo