The Weak Latches on to The Strong

Mai ghosted along the path, eyes cast down towards the hard beaten earth beneath her feet. The swishswish of fabric brushing against itself was the only sound as she moved. It was a cool day, the sun was beginning to set far away and the shadows lengthened while growing darker as they reached out in an attempt to grasp something solid. Skirting around the shadowy fingers she made good time towards the building known as the Dojo.

It was odd, Mai mused to herself idly. She had only been in the Academy for a few days, and already she couldn't tell if she loved it or hated it. Perhaps it was simply the fact that the other Shinigami-in-training thought it strange that she had jumped into the last year. She would probably feel a bit annoyed if some child had done that after she had worked hard to get where she was. Probably. Still, they didn't have to all ignore her.

And she couldn't go home now. Not after that patronizing look her Otousama had last given her after he gave in to her pleading. She was stuck in Academy weather she liked it or not. Aside from the other students though, Mai rather enjoyed her lessons. They were a lot less stuffy, and she learned a lot of random things along with the actual course work.

Pulling herself out of her winding thoughts, Mai picked up her pace, intending to get to the Dojo and run through a kata by herself for lack of anything else productive to do.

Ishimaru heard word that there was a new student into the academy that was very young. To Ishimaru it was chance to one show his dominance and to face a strong opponent. He even acquired the student's name and what she looked like. He was very surprise that the new student was a woman and a very young one at that. Ishimaru always enjoyed a challenge which was one reason he was always training at the Dojo trying to catch any shinigami that wasn't in the Academy to train him.

Ishimaru begun to spin his wooden sword as he walked down the path to the Dojo. His pink color eyes caught the figure of a little girl in front of him in the distance. A gentle smile came cross his face as he Shunpo away from his position. Ishimaru landed right beside the little girl with a smile on his face. He placed his wooden sword over his right shoulder as he looked down at her. "So your Mai! The new student who is making all of the older students talk. Well I am Ishimaru Asuka. Its a pleasure to meet you" Ishimaru voice was very cold but yet relaxing. Just his presence alone was enough to make most people uncomfortable especially with his heart piercing pink eyes.

Mai paused, her left foot suspended in midair. For a breath's pace she held that position before slowly lowering her foot. Staring at the greenery in front of her with an oddly tender expression, she spoke without turning around, "Oh. Asuka-san, I don't believe I've heard anyone speaking of you. Then again, it would be rather odd for people to be buzzing about two people at the same time, yes?"

She turned, her motion sluggish as if she was moving through thickened air, or simply as if she was taking her sweet time. Cocking her head to the side, silky hair cascaded down her shoulder as she blinked up at the older student. Her dull eyes were half hidden behind lowered lids and full lashes.

Ishimaru looked at her with his continuous smile on his face. He slowly move his black hair from his face to get a better look at her. He eyes drifted up and down on her body wondering how such a cute little girl could be in her last year of the Academy. "Well people know not to talk about me. A lot of them think I am very cruel and cold hearted. They just hate to hear the truth about themselves." Ishimaru voice as calm and cold as ever. Sometimes his voice reached out enough to send goose bumps down someone's spine.

"Since your going to the Dojo, You will Spar with me! I am very interested to see what type of strength you have since your in your last year of the Academy" Ishimaru voice was now more of a command. He wasn't asking her to spar with him he was mainly telling her that she was going to spar with him.

Mai nodded absently, splaying the sleeves of her kimono out in a acquiescent motion. "Of course Asuka-san, I was hoping to have something interesting to do there anyway." Shrugging off his pushy nature, and the warning behind his first words, she seamlessly turned and walked back down the path towards the dojo. Sleeves fluttering behind her like the wings of a butterfly, Mai slowed only long enough to cast him a look over her shoulder.

She delicately pushed open the sliding screen door, kicking off her geta before slipping into the room. It was empty of any other practitioners, filled with polished wood and rice paper screens. Looking around Mai could see her distorted reflection in the wood. Treading over to the other side of the room, she shifted to face the door expectantly.

Ishimaru nodded with a gentle smile as he let her go in front of him. He looked up in the air with a smile on his face noticing that their wasn't anyone in the Dojo room for once. It would be the perfect time for to actually let loose and show Mai why a lot of people feared him. Ishimaru quickly spun his wooden sword in his right hand pointed it at Mai. "Just letting you know, I do not know hold back so prepare yourself" Ishimaru said with a smirk on his face. Usually he wouldn't have gave the warning that he was going to attack but since she was knew he would give her the proper warning.

Ishimaru quickly took off at Mai raising his sword up in the air with his right hand coming down aimming for her shoulder with enough pressure to dislocate her shoulder if connect. He was holding back a little bit as he was only using 75% of his speed against her as he had know idea what she was capable of. His left hand was tucked tightly against the left side of his body preparing for his next move.

Mai blinked serenely, her own wooden practice sword suddenly appearing in her hands. Shifting to a blocking position, Mai slid her left hand along the wooden 'blade' to further brace her weapon against the impact of Asuka-san's. Darting off to the side, she held her sword at the ready but merely stared at Asuka-san. Shaking her sword arm out, she made note of the tingly numb feeling that was spreading through the limb. His strikes were strong, which was to be expected from someone with a physique such as his.

"Don't you understand proper protocol Asuka-san?" she queried softly, one eyebrow arching in confusion, "We are to greet each other formally and settle on the rules of this spar before the first blows are exchanged," Mai spoke as if explaining to an unruly child, which was rather odd considering their age difference.

As if to show him the correct way to begin a spar, Mai tilted her head respectfully, "I am Mai of the Nayonayo Family, it is a pleasure to cross swords with you Asuka Ishimaru-san." Shifting one of her feet back to stabilize her stance, she eyed Asuka-san head on. "What are your terms to this spar?"

Ishimaru let out a chuckle shaking his head. Even a girl at her age was able to block his attack but she did half to use both of hands to stop the attack. Ishimaru spun the blade in his hand now holding it with a reverse grip letting the wooden blade point down towards the ground. "Do not down talk me Mai! The enemy doesn't care about who you are and this isn't a traditional way of a Spar. The only way to lose is to admit defeat or to get knocked out. We are not allowed to use Kido inside the building but if this fight happens to go outside. I will use Kido. Now prepare yourself for round 2" Ishimaru said with a smirk on his face disappearing.

Ishimaru quickly appeared in front of Mai bring his right hand up with his wooden blade following his motion. This time he had put more powerful into this attack than the last one. While his blade went straight up vertical Ishimaru lifted his left leg bring his knee up to his chest. His right leg held all of his weight but he slightly keep his knee bent. Ishimaru always prepared his next move in session of his last one.

Mai shook her head, slipping across the wooden floor as if she was gliding. She did not want to meet the attack Asuka-san had just thrown, knowing that her strength was no match for his. Still, he acted as if he believed himself so far ahead of her. They were both in the same year at this Academy, no matter the age, he should think on that before speaking so assuredly.

"I was not aware that anyone who fights you becomes the enemy, I apologize Asuka-san. Perhaps when next we spar it will be within the regulations that honor dictates."

Tilting her head ever so slightly, Mai observed the spiritual power that swirled inside of him for a moment. Darting forward, she used her lower height to angle an attack towards his side. The tip of her wooden sword thrusting towards his unprotected kidney.

Ishimaru smirked as he figured she would not let him hit hurt with such a powerful attack. Even if she was to block it would have lifted her off of her feet. The only advantage Ishimaru knew he had would be his power and with her small size it would be easy to push around with his strength. All he really needed to do was bring her in close enough to attack. Instead of being the attacker he was going to have to be the defender.

Ishimaru looked over his shoulder watching her as he still was standing on his right leg switching his blade into his left hand. When defending he always preferred to have his blade in his left hand leaving his strongest hand always ready to strike. His pink eyes lite up when he saw her coming in quickly for almost like a counter attack. Ishimaru knew he couldn't block the attack without being off balance for her to attack nor could he successfully dodge it while being on one foot. He did have an ace up his sleeve because he was an unorthodox fighter. Which is why alot of people feared him when it came to fighting.

Ishimaru quickly slide his right on the slick floor kicking back his left leg as he hit the ground instantly doing a split watching and feeling Mai's blade brush against the top of his head touching his hair. He quickly swung his blade with his left hand aiming for Mai's stomach. Ishimaru knew he wouldn't generate enough power alone since he really didn't have his body planted. So he did the next best thing and open palmed the back of the wooden sword with his right hand giving the motion of the attack about half the power he generated when standing.

Mai watched her sword cut through the air, surprised and delighted at Asuka-san's form of dodging. Instead of moving bodily out of the way, he simply dropped down, effectively lowering his height and thus her attack slipped over his head. They were in close quarters now, and Mai was quick to twist her wrists back and to the left, pulling her sword up into slightly tilted vertical hold. Shifting her blade so that the handle that stuck out beneath where her hands gripped would catch the edge of his incoming attack.

Wrenching upwards, Mai slid her hands fluidly along the length of her blade, attempting to pop the blade from Asuka-san's hold and out of his hands. It was unlikely to work, for even with her full force behind the motion it was still a mediocre motion.

Ishimaru was very surprise that Mai was such a quick thinker which was going to make this fight more interesting. A evil grin came across his face as Ishimaru allowed Mai to disarm him. It would take to much of an effort to stop her especially in the position he was in but he did have a quick surprise for her. Not even she would have been ready for what was about to happen next.

"Way of Destruction 1. Shō (衝, Thrust)" Ishimaru said softly placing his palm next to Mai's stomach. Instantly a quick force of spiritual enegry released from his palm. Sho was the weakest of all Way of Destruction due to the fact that it only pushes away whatever is in front of it. Even though Ishimaru said Kido was not allowed inside of the Dojo. That didn't mean you couldn't use it. It was something that would be frowned upon if someone saw it or if something was to happen to a student or the Dojo.

Mai moved to steady her grip on her sword, pleased that she had managed to disarm him. Before she could dance back away from him, Asuka-san lifted his palm. The swirls of reiatsu formed a familiar pattern as it was drawn up from his reservoir of spiritual power and out into the world taking the path of a Kidou.

She was too close, not even an arms length away, and there was no chance of dodging. Instinctively, she brought her free hand out as if to ward off the Kidou. The rush of reiatsu slammed into her, strong enough to shove her backwards and she stumbled. Mai smiled faintly as she gathered her balance, bringing her hand up, she licked a finger to taste the residue of reiatsu his attack had left behind.

"You should not break rules that you put into place so easily," she informed him blandly. "If you do, others may not hold to anything you say."

With that she was across the room, heading towards the blade she had forced from his hands. If she could get it before he could, then he would be weaponless. She smiled at the tang of reiatsu in her mouth. Or at least lacking a physical weapon that is.

Ishimaru smirked hoping up to his feet watching Mai slide back against the smooth floor of the Dojo. Even Ishimaru knew some rules were meant to be broken and some could be bend if the opportunity presented itself. Ishimaru ignored her words as he was already planning his next move to get his sword back. Lucky for him she wasted time exchanging words with him giving him the slight advantage.

Ishimaru quickly calculated the distance between him and his blade. Then realized even at full speed she would still get there before him unless he could interrupt her path by a fraction of a second. Which would allow him to regain his blade and allow the spar to continue on a even playing field again.

Ishimaru quickly took off at full speed heading for his blade. "Way of Binding 8. Seki (斥, Repulse)" Ishimaru said softly as a round shield formed around his blade, but giving the angle he was in he would be able to retrieve his blade without touching the shield. He knew she would have to stop dead in her tracks or she would risk becoming paralyze which would give Ishimaru more than enough time to deliver a powerful knock strike once he retrieved his blade.

Ishimaru also keep his hands up ready to defend himself just in case Mai would change her course to attack him since she knew she would not get to his blade first.


8. Seki (斥, Repulse) - Creates a round shield that seems to temporarily paralyze and repel whatever strikes it.

Mai moved forward, blank eyes focused on the residue of energy that coated his wooden sword where it lay on the floor. While her eyes couldn't see the actual object, she could make out enough details from the energy alone. Drawing closer, Mai sensed Asuka-san hastening to get there before her. His quiet words filtered towards her, and she paused a fraction of an inch away from the pulsing barrier.

"Seki?" she questioned incredulously as he reached his blade and retrieved it. Reaching out she tapped the barrier just lightly enough to not engage the paralytic effects, merely feeling the reiatsu crackle against her skin. "You would use such a Kidou against me?"

She laughed in a collected manner, fingers curling to mix reiatsu of her own. If he had no qualms about using Kidou in a spar which had previously been merely Kenjutsu, then she would hold no qualms either. Although it was rather ignorant of him. Given the circumstances. Mai shrugged her delicate shoulders, it wasn't like she minded. In a match of Kenjutsu, Asuka-san would most definitely have won. If he was mixing Kidou in with things, the tides would change.

Her hand lashed out, a viscous black whip crackled through the air on it's path towards his skin. It curled around the small shield meant for a sword looking for flesh. "Abraxas Snake Whip, Hado number seven," she murmured. Without the incantation the whip would do no severe damage, but she wasn't aiming to actually hurt Asuka-san, merely show him something. In any event, it would still have enough bite to it to sear wood if he tried to block with his sword.

~

7 - Abraxas Snake Whip - Creates a whip of black energy that can be snapped out to great lengths, slicing down and/or curling around what's in its path. Only lasts one or two whip cracks.

Ishimaru slide a little bit after stopping placing his blade back into his right hand. His breathing was beginning to increase due to the fact that he was using more Reiatsu then she was at the moment. His pink eyes begun to shine as the gentle smile around his face was still there. Ishimaru knew that this fight needed to come to a end before it got out of hand. A smirk came across his face as he felt her Reiatsu fluctuating meaning she was about to start using Kido of her own.

Ishimaru was wise of all kido and what they did. When a incantation wasn't used the Kido was very weak. He already knew that he would not be able to outrun the Whip. He also knew if he was to block the whip with his Sword that it was sear the wood and then she could easily rip the blade out of his hand. Staying calm and collective Ishimaru did the last thing she probably excepted but this was going to be the move the decided a winner and a loser.

Ishimaru quickly stuck out his left hand letting the whip around his entire arm. A loud grunt came from his mouth as the Whip begun to burn his skin more and more with each second that it was entangled with his arm. Ishimaru wrapped his arm around the whip grabbing it with his left hand. He instantly pulled at the whip using his strength to pull her towards him with all his might. A pink wave of Reiatsu built up behind Ishimaru as he focused it into his wooden blade. "And this is the end!" Ishimaru said calmly even through the pain that was surging through his left hand.

Ishimaru then lunged forwards after her making this next attack being twice as powerful as it would have been standing still. Ishimaru lifted his right hand high in the air as he planned to come down across her body. Even if blocked the force alone would be enough for his will and power to send his reiatsu through. He knew this was going to be the end of the fight for him and if connected it would be the end for her as well.

Mai flicked her wrist, watching the crackling whip wrap around his forearm with a vicious bite. As he tugged, her body moved forward several inches before the short Shinigami-in-training released her whip and thereby releasing Asuka-san's hold on her. Dropping lightly back to the wooden floor, she skated back a pace. Out of her hand, the whip flickered before dissipating into the air.

But Asuka-san was still on the move, lunging forward with a reiatsu empowered attack. Drawing on her own reiatsu, Mai pulled up a barrier around her slight form. The bluish green energy snapped up around her, akin to the shield he had used earlier in the fight. "Seki! Bakudō Number 8."

If he continued his attack, and hit the barrier surrounding her, he would be paralyzed by the energy along with pushed back. But he had put so much force behind his attack, that she wasn't sure if his momentum could be stopped now. Throwing as much spiritual pressure into her barrier as she could, Mai ignored the trickle of sweat the inched down her forehead or the way her breaths were coming in fast and hard.

~

8. - Seki (斥, Repulse) - Creates a round shield that seems to temporarily paralyze and repel whatever strikes it.

Ishimaru smirked when he noticed that his left hand was free. His pink eyes noticed the nice burn mark that was wrapped around his arm. Almost look like a black snake tattoo was imprinted on his left hand. Ishimaru sensed Mai's reiatsu fluctuating as she was about to pull some type of Kidou of but there was only a few numbers of Kidou she could actually use to protect herself.

The Pink reiatsu begun to form around Ishimaru's left hand as he noticed Mai had just created a Seki. With the force that Ishimaru was traveling there was no way of stopping his body in time without slamming into the shield but there was a way disrupt his body from hitting the shield. "Sho! Hado Number 1" Ishimaru said softly sending a push of Reiatsu against the shield. He had calculated it perfect as the Seki repel the Sho back into his body hitting him on his left shoulder sending him flying across the dojo in the same direction he was charging at Mai from. His body begun to tumble a couple of times before slamming against the wall. A little bit of blood ran from his mouth down to his jaw.

Ishimaru wasn't one to admit defeat or to give up. The only way he would lose this battle if he was going to be knock out unconscious. Ishimaru got up to his feet as his legs were shaking a bit. He then used his wooden blade as a cane as he looked up at Mai. His pink reiatsu which was like a flame before stood still behind him. He knew he didn't have any reiatsu left to pull from. The only way Mai was going to defeat him if she was going to strike him down right there. Ishimaru breath begun to slow down getting a very calm and slow pace of breathing. It kinda seem like he stopped breathing to save up his energy for the move which surely would be his last.

Mai lowered her hand, blinking past the clash of energy in the air. Her shield crackled and faded, having defended her as was it's purpose. Asuka-san was over by the opposite wall, slowly getting to his feet. Taking the action as a prompt to continue fighting, Mai readjusted her grip on the wooden practice sword and lunged towards him.

Arms held upright she slashed down with the thick piece of wood, aiming a heavy blow towards his shoulder which she quickly followed up with a horizontal attack intended for his solar plexus. Asuka-san's terms from earlier had come back to her, and Mai knew that the only way to end this battle on his side would be to incapacitate him.

She was lucky in that he had spent more reiatsu then her. She had only performed two Kidou, and both of them had been low ranking ones, hardly enough to drain her energy. While the action of fighting had taken it's toll, she wasn't anywhere near her limit yet. Putting as much speed behind her attacks as she could summon, Mai waited to see the outcome of their spar.

Ishimaru pink eyes noticed Mai was adjusting her grip on her blade which meant she was going to finish him off. Ishimaru placed both of his hands on his wooden blade but keep it down towards the ground. He was going to need to save as much energy as possible if he was going to even defend himself. A smirk came across his face as he knew even with amount of power he had left it would be enough to incapacitate her if he could make contact with her body.

Ishimaru would never let himself give up without giving it his all even if it meant death. Even though they were only sparring Ishimaru looked at it like a life and death situation. Which is why alot of the other students feared him because he took everything so seriously. Ishimaru noticed that Mai first attack was going to be a downward slash. Even if he was to block it, It would take energy and effort to bring his blade up. His back was against the wall so there was no chance of stepping back and moving to the side. Ishimaru only thought of one thing which was to move forward.

Ishimaru brought his arms in a little bit before stepping forward. He ignored her downward slash as he planned to put everything he had into an Horizontal attack across her chest. If timed right his blade would touch her body as soon as her blade touched his. By stepping into the attack it was dampen the full power of the blow but it would also allow him to generate more power into his attack. A evil grin came across Ishimaru face as he felt the wooden blade smack into his shoulder. His pink eyes went wide eyed but he was still not knocked out but he couldn't get his body to move. His body went through with his attack as his body went limp falling forward ready to smack into the Dojo floor.

Mai moved to step back, disconcerted to note that Asuka-san was moving forward and towards her. Her wooden sword smacked across his shoulders before following through with her second attack towards his solar plexus, but he did nothing to dodge instead throwing his weight into a retaliation of his own.

His sword came up, an arc of wood cutting through the air on it's path towards her. She was too close to dance away from the attack and her sword was too entangled with Asuka-san's body for her to pull it back in a block. Instead the training blade hit her stomach with enough force to send her slim form flying back.

Only training kept her grip firm on her own blade as Mai crumpled to a heap several feet away from Asuka-san. Her short body curled in on itself to try and absorb the bruising pain that was quickly spreading through her abdomen. Detachedly she appreciated the fact that she hadn't eaten that day, so there was nothing in her stomach other than air. Which she exhaled rather roughly in a hoarse ack of raspy pain.

Shoving her left hand down, Mai pushed herself into a sitting position before regarding Asuka-san's felled form where he lay across the room. She curled her free hand around her stomach, laying her sword across her knees where it was still in easy reach. "Hey... Asuka-san... Are you alright?" she called out hesitantly in a course whisper.

Ishimaru hit the ground with a thud. His wooden blade bounced off the floor making the sound of wood clacking against each other. Ishimaru hadn't had to push himself this hard in a while but it was what he needed. It was also a learning experience for him. Next time he would never underestimate his opponent but instead he would be more reserve letting them control the fight while he sits back and controls the pace.

He slowly moved his head letting his head rest on his right cheek. He blinked softly looking at Mai with a gentle smile using his bright pink eyes. Now the thing that happen next wasn't something Mai saw coming but it would be a surprise to her. A loud laughter begun to escape Ishimaru's mouth as he grabbed his wooden blade pulling himself up to his knee leaning his body against the wooden blade.

A huge pink flare of Reiatsu begun to emit from Ishimaru's body this time twice as strong as it was before the battle had begun. Ishimaru placed his head against his hands which was holding onto his wooden blade. His pink eyes pierced through Mai's soul as he stared at her. "I took...it...Easy on you" Ishimaru said before the pink flare of Reiatsu begun to get smaller and smaller til it was completely gone. After saying that Ishimaru's head dropped down as he passed out from exhaustion right in the middle of the Dojo.

"Mou..." she muttered morosely to herself, staring over at Asuka-san. He was rather stubborn. Maybe it was because he was male? Shaking her head in a bemused manner, she slipped her sword back through her obi. Pushing herself to her feet, Mai tottered over towards the prostrate Shinigami-in-training eying him warily. After he didn't move for a moment, she tried to rack her brain for the proper thing to do in such a situation.

Aaa, perhaps it had been stupid of her to leave home. Her eyes flickered back, staring at the room that had previously been filled with the clatter of swords and the swirl of determined energy. She could still feel the residue calling out to her, sparks of pink-purple trying to show the dogged actions of a few minutes ago.

Then again, perhaps not. Kneeling next to Asuka-san, Mai decided not to bring a teacher into this. The authority was probably what she was supposed to alert in cases such as this, but they had probably broken several rules in their 'spar', and Mai didn't feel like standing through being chastised. Holding her hands out over Asuka-san, she focused her spirit energy and watched as it flowed into the older student's body.

After several heavily concentrated moments, Mai leaned back before getting to her feet and retreating a few paces away. Her healing Kidou were acceptable, and hopefully enough to bring Asuka-san back to consciousness. Still, she didn't want to be too close. Half tempted to just leave in the lull between him actually fully waking up, Mai held her ground with a polished will. Brushing the sleeves of her kimono into silky smoothness, she effected an immaculate guise and waited.

Ishimaru pink eyes slowly opened as he looked up at Mai while she was healing him. A gentle smile came across his face as he stood up to his feet looking her with a smile. He enjoyed his spar with her and the fact that she healed him also made him have more respect for her. Ishimaru placed his wooden blade over his shoulder before walking over to Mai.

Ishimaru gave her a hug and then kissed her on her forehead. It was like Ishimaru was taking her in as his little sister. "I like you Mai, I will make sure no one ever hurts you!" Ishimaru said giving her a gentle smile before slowly walking out of the Dojo. He was still exhausted from the fight and the best thing for him to do. Was go back home and get some sleep.

*Exit*

Mai watched him warily, unsure that Asuka-san was not about to keep hold of his determination and attack again. The fact that he was smiling didn't mean much to her, because he had been smiling earlier during their spar. In fact, it put her on edge a bit, and Mai held herself perfectly still.

She blinked in a bemused manner, before watching Asuka-san leave the dojo, too shocked to say anything for a long while. As the silence stretched on, and the reiatsu in the room slowly dissipated removing all traces of their battle. Slowly a faint smile spread across her lips and her slim hand brushed against her forehead with a delicate touch. Well that was certainly strange. She wasn't used to people being so openly stubborn, nor so easily affable. It was refreshing.

Smoothing her sleeves one last time, Mai slipped out of the empty dojo.

---> Topic Exited