[BSD-RP] The Valley of Screams

[Shinigami]

How Long had it been? One...no, two hundred years? Two hundred since Maho Kojima Captain of the Ninth Division had stood in the same place as Shirogane as A young up and coming Shinigami who had aspirations of being a Captain of the Gotei thirteen. Two centuries prior, Maho had shown the entire soul society that he was indeed amongst their strongest. He and Captain Higen had caused wide-scale destruction to the Valley of Screams, eventually becoming one of the first to leave a fresh scar on Higen's old body. Very few could pull such an event off.
Maho Himself Walked out of the brightness of the Senkaimon only a second or so after the Kuchiki clan lord. His arms were folded over his chest and his eyes were sealed shut. Trails of smoke rose and dissipated in his stride. Back then, he had taken the experience serious, enough so that he did not arrive with anything unnecessary clothing or distractions. Today, With much more experience under his belt, he felt comfortable enough to smoke and still battle without worry. Despite his closed eyes and relaxed demeanor, he was highly alert. Every fluctuation in his opponent's spiritual energy was monitored closely. He could feel the depths of his reiryoku, and even discern the quality of his spiritual pressure without so much as a peek. He had little need to divert any resources to sensing the terrain around them. There was only one thing present that required any attention. The Shinigami standing just a foot or so in front of him. For a number of seconds the duo walked, that is until they had made it roughly thirty yards from where the Senkaimon doors had opened.
Maho had slowed his stride enough so that the gap between them would widen. By the time the two had reached their destination. By now, his eyes had opened, lightly studying his frame. He was "about six one...hunnid' and sixty pounds.. In his eyes, there was nothing else worthy to note besides the depths of his spiritual power. His wingspan, at best, gave the Kuchiki an inch or so on Maho, certainly not anything to complain about. Something told Maho that he would not be relying on his physical attributes in such a manner. Call it fighters intuition.
By the time the two came to a halt, Maho would have been roughly ten feet away from Shirogane. He'd call out to get his attention. "That's far enough newbie." He'd allow him to turn and face him, Given he was offering him up a test. Maho wore his hooded Captains jacket, though nothing else on his person was worth nothing of importance. His pants were black and he wore no shoes, allowing his bare feet to patter across the Stoney ground below. He took in a long breath, bringing with it plenty of smoke, then released it, creating a large white cloud to form.
"Kuchiki Shirogane, I'm Maho Kojima, Captain of the ninth division. As far as the paperwork goes, I am your superior. However...Today I am nothing more than your enemy. Someone to crush with everything you've got.
Maho took another massive pull from his blunt, it burned rapidly until it was tiny and mostly ash. He then released this cloud as well, releasing a sweet aroma to fill the immediate area around him.
"I'm going to give you the same spiel I got when I was in your place. This test is to see how well you perform in armed combat. Hold nothing back, Or you will die. Hesitate...and you dead. Miss the mark? And you dead. Leave yourself open? And you one dead muthafucka. Got it? Fight like everything is on the line. Including that clan you Kuchiki Love so much. Those are the last words you will hear of it. After this...it all falls on you.
With those words spoken, Maho's stance suddenly shifted. His knee's pent at rough forty degree angles. He'd spit out the last piece of the cigar he had left, allowing it to land on the floor and dissipate. The winds around them began to ebb and sway. He took a single clear breath, his eyes being hidden beneath his dark brown locs. His right arm raised upward, fingers protruding like a claw before him. His left arm, encased in some black substance, Lowered into a ninety-degree angle, adjacent to his hip. In this stance, Maho's lead leg would be his right, something very unorthodox for most fighters, who had grown up right-handed. Typically, Hand to hand combatants would lead with the left as this is the definitive stance. For whatever reason, Maho felt comfortable enough to take on a Southpaw stance against Shirgane. Besides full metal encasing his left arm and the captain's jacket on his back, Maho had nothing with him. His hands were wide open, yet free of obstruction. Did he hold a sword? Was he daring to fight Kuchiki Shirogane with nothing more than his bare hands? It was hard to discern exactly what Captain Maho was thinking.
A thin translucent film of silver spiritual pressure began to leak from his body, flowing and coursing like flames. He took a single clear breath, causing his chest to expand then expel in a rhythmic fashion. The Dragon of Kojima was ready for battle.
"Come SHIROGANE!
And with that, the gong was run. He had released his claws and squared up with his new opponent. Maho hadn't moved despite initiating the battle. It wasn't his place to make the first move, instead, he was to observe, and then act. How would the most recent potential Captain fair against the soul societies strongest hand to hand combatant? This battle would reveal all.

 

[Shinigami]

It is time for things to go underway while Shirogane had led the way out of the Senkaimon. Then followed the Captain, who was to test him. He didn't realize that he was behind him this entire time or rather, he didn't pay any mind to his presence. When exiting one world and entering anew, where their battle ought to take place, the left hand would rest on one of the sheaths that have carried among the hip — Tuck into the blue sash. Fingers wrapped around the black lacquer, hand placed just right under the guard of the sword. The other pair was sticking upwards, away from its counterpart. The space between them would allow access to grab hold of either blade when need be. In typical cases, he only wields one sword which he does as a way of holding back, himself. Using one is just him showing he doesn't need two weapons to handle an individual unless they have proven otherwise. That would be something the Captain would notice while staring at the back of Shirogane. He only stopped in his path, not because of the Captain's order but because he felt utterly disrespected. The choice of a word the Captain had decided to call out to him was a word he didn't take so lightly. But across his face, you wouldn't be able to tell what he was thinking or feeling. However, Shirogane did find himself turning around counter-clockwise halfway to where only the left shoulder would be pointing towards the individual, known as Captain Maho Kojima. Though he was a royal, he wouldn't allow such belligerence to get the best of him. He did want to get an excellent glance. The left eye of Shirogane had opened up and shifted to the left side to peer towards the person that has been thirty yards away though he could "sense" the individual from this gap and see the shape of him but not his appearance. Which the left eye, the only visible sight at this time that could take in the presence of the Captain. He was looking at him up and down with just that ONE eye. He had been relatively tall about, five foot eleven. Just a tad shorter than himself. Ebony complexion.
"Sniff. Sniff."
Shirogane could smell the aroma, something sweet of herbs, a familiar scent that he grown accustomed too with a few members of the family. The smell resembled that of Lathyrus odoratus, a plant that has a similar scent. The plant is also toxic much like this Captain's presence. Filth is what comes to the mind of Shirogane. The way he dresses and talks. Is this what the Gotei Thirteen has succumb too? Scrapping anything they can find to fill in spots for division? Surely they can do a lot better than this. Just by looking at him filled Shirogane with disgust, Captain or not. He couldn't stand the sight of him even worst that he could look at a peasant from the Rukon District than to take another second to look at him. Sadly, he would probably have to end this quickly as possible with his eyes closed. Before closing the left eye back, the one thing Shirogane did happen to notice, aside from the foolish speech.
"Kuchiki Shirogane, I'm Maho Kojima, Captain of the ninth division. As far as the paperwork goes, I am your superior. However...Today I am nothing more than your enemy. Someone to crush with everything you've got."
Maho took another massive pull from his blunt, it burned rapidly until it was tiny and mostly ash. He then released this cloud as well, releasing a sweet aroma to fill the immediate area around him.
"I'm going to give you the same spiel I got when I was in your place. This test is to see how well you perform in armed combat. Hold nothing back, Or you will die. Hesitate...and you dead. Miss the mark? And you dead. Leave yourself open? And you one dead muthafucka. Got it? Fight like everything is on the line. Including that clan you Kuchiki Love so much. Those are the last words you will hear of it. After this...it all falls on you."
Words that Shirogane didn't care to hear nor need it to be said. He had prepared for this day and carried the mindset coming in how he was going to go about strategy. He certainly didn't need a third-rate shinigami telling a noble what to do — using his name so formally like he has any right to call him by his first name. The level of disrespect is beyond all measures. Not too mention the audacity of this Captain arrived without a zanpakuto. Oh, it couldn't have been worse than this could it? Honestly, deep down Shirogane had been infuriated and even more so beginning to believe the Gotei Thirteen was nothing more than a joke at this point. An error that will be fixed by the hands of Shirogane, himself once he is in the rightful position to do so.

Nevertheless, showing up to a test without a zanpakuto is someone who doesn't deserve to be Captain. Shirogane will be sure to right this wrong by making sure he pays dearly for it. And whatever incident occurs for him to have that "burnt." arm will be something he can worry less about because it will be gone. The fool doesn't attack but position himself in an odd stance. He is forcing Shirogane to bust the first move, another mistake on his end. Though it is evident without a zanpakuto, he would have to focus on using close-range attacks, and without knowing what Shirogane is capable of; vice versa, he has no choice but to bait Shirogane into attacking first to get a feel of him. The left eye had soon closed shut for he does not need it at this time. He no longer has to stare at the humiliation of a Captain anymore. His senses were all that required of him. But due to the Captain's long list of lacking courtesy that he would have to pay for. He won't end the fight in one move. He plans to enjoy dismantling this disgrace once and for all. He would perform a more favorable technique in mind. With that, Shirogane monitor every fiber of the Captain's being, carefully. Sensing the use of leaked spiritual pressure, this boy was cocky. A characteristic Kuchiki loves most. Maybe if he wasn't so shameless, he could have been one of them. Then again, the boy would be too cocky for their taste to begin with. The right arm would slowly wave back and forth as he took several steps, need it towards the Captain, while the left hand continues to rest on the holder. Both eyes closed as the heart of the Captain was getting a bit louder and louder while the distance went from thirty yards to fifteen. He came to a stop within his tracks, eyes never open, and if the individual tried to initiate an attack during any time during his walking. He would realize Shirogane would have been aware and ready. With that said, after coming to a stop. Shirogane would soon circle the individual with a slow step, counter-clockwise. After the first lap, if the Captain never moves, he would quickly come to see blurry images of Shirogane. Whom, somehow multiplied from one to five while continuously walking in motion until the entire path of the circle filled with pictures of his being. Visually it would prove to be very difficult to tell which one was the real one. At first glance, this movement could seem very slow and disorienting. Making people visions a little hazy for those who aren't adept in hoho. This technique incorporates the use of hoho that requires focus and control by manipulating the reiryoku to shroud themselves, then focuses on the movement. That is what's expected of the technique — years of practice.
Shirogane kept this up until either the opponent decided to grow impatient or he awaited for two distinct sounds. One would be the sound of a step that could gather Kojima's attention from the right side — indicating where Shirogane could be, while simultaneously a "click." would also sound the area that would be very familiar to a swordsman who knows what's about to happen next. The question is, what would Kojima do at this point now? Do nothing, then die. Do something, still die. What Shirogane was planning wouldn't leave any chances for the shinigami who was about to lose his life in just one stroke. And the Gotei Thirteen was about to lose one of its members from a royal prospect. Now how would they handle such news? And with that stance that he placed himself in Shirogane was an expert at hand to hand so it could quickly tell the individual would focus on the left side to strike at any given moment. That gives Shirogane the chance to adapt to any strike he may try to do, given he has experience with melee combat.

 

[Shinigami]

"Too slow dumbass.." Maho Thought to himself.
With all formality out the way, Maho had willingly given Shirogane the opening gambit. He was a proctor after all. Maho's Normal style was one to rush an opponent down and end a battle as swiftly as possible. Today, he was not simply Maho Kojima, but rather, Captain Maho Kojima the proctor for this captains test. He would need to draw out the full scope of the shinigami's abilities in order to accurately gauge his usefulness to the Gotei Thirteen and he would do exactly that. All that to say, that the Kuchiki had done little more than
Waste it.
Shirogane had initiated his initial movement by dashing forward at what most would consider a snail's pace. One would suppose he was awaiting an opening, or for an attack to come. And he would be right because one would. With the most effortless of motions, Maho's left arm came surging forward, with a simple but rapid left jab. The black metal coating his arm shot forth like a gun from its barrel, prompting a small black blur to surge forth unhindered by any wind or obstructions. It was hardly noticeable to the naked eye. It was swift, cutting through the current Five foot gap in just under a second. (Maho and Shirogane were initially 10 feet apart, not 30 yards.) If he had missed it and been unable to escape, he would find his throat in the grasp of a large black hand, a product of Maho's Zanpakuto, Ippai Kinzoku ( いっぱい金属, “Lit. Full Metal”). This particular Zanpakuto, is what is referred to as a Constant Release Type. It is an uncommon type of Zanpakuto, belonging to those with the potential for high spiritual pressure. Their weapon takes on a constant Shikai State due to their inability to truly control all of it.
With such utility, Full Metal is typically cast around Maho's arm, hidden from view aside from a few quick glances when he struts about. Most are unaware of his true ability until it is used in combat. As such, the small metallic hand that was released was a product of this Shikai, able to be remotely controlled by the user from a near-infinite distance. By the time this hand was inches from grasping Shirogane throat, Maho's presence had shifted, even though his image did not. He was fleet of foot, having used Shunpo to clear the minuscule gap between them in a faster time frame than even his own auxiliary hand. He had circled around behind the Kuchiki, his left leg dug into the dirt below. Using this foundation, his body whipped around three hundred and sixty degrees in a counter-clockwise direction. His right leg shot outward amidst the rotation, like an ax, cleaving through the air and anything foolish enough to be in its path. The timing was nothing short of flawless. With Maho's impressive physical strength, taking this head-on could and would full fatal. Shirogane would have to avoid being latched on from the front, while simultaneously avoiding a struck from behind. He would also clench his fist, using the force of his rotation in order to prepare for his next maneuver.
The last thing Shirogane would see before hypothetically being kicked in his side, was Maho's Image, bleeding from view. With how swiftly he had moved, Shirogane would have never gotten the chance to initiate his strange walking technique. Any margin of Error on Maho's part was negligible, damn near non-existent. He observed his opponent closely however, his spiritual power and physical movements. Ready at any moment to alter his movements in order to gain an advantageous position on the drop of a dime. Would the Wannabe Captain have enough power to compete with Maho? Only time would tell.

 

[Shinigami]

As Maho appeared behind Shirogane, his own Reiatsu, which had already been escaping from his body suddenly erupted, spilling forth as if a glass had runneth over. It was uniquely explosive given his positioning but was controlled enough to counteract the shockwave given off from the Kuchiki clan member. His own senses had been watching his opponent's spiritual energy closely, as well as his movements. He had expected him to act and needed little change in order to shift his maneuver into a more advantageous one. Given Maho's physical awareness, and combat instincts he was more than capable of keeping track of all these things, even without having to see it directly with his eyes.

The act of increasing his reiatus had a direct effect on the black hand he had released previously. Within a minuscule fraction of a second, the hand's fingers shut closed as the fingers came together. Simultaneously, it grew significantly from the size of an above-average human hand to that of what would be a large bears claw. This rapid shift in size augmented its physical strength, occurring midflight. With its newfound strength and shape, the shockwave would blow right over it, like a wing cutting through the wind. With his attention orientated at Maho's 'knee in an attempt to slash, he would have to divert attention at this auxiliary limb in order to avoid being struck in the back.
On the defensive end, Maho in the act of kicking Shirogane, needn't abandon his action but instead alter it. Instead of allowing his leg to follow its original arc, his body contorted into a straightened motion, his right leg thrust backward like a lance rather than an ax. This was a spinning back kick, given with enough force to send Shirogane hurling into the Auxilary hand. This would position his torso adjacent to the ground, allowing his armored hand to be parallel to the opponent's sword itself. This last-second change took no thought and even less time to initiate allowing him the opportunity to defend and attack at the same time. He would rapidly throw his arm downward and back, palm facing outward in order to catch the swinging blade mid-stride. With his own speed and reflexes he would be able to do so without worry, Full Metal more than capable of catching an opponents zanpakuto without faltering. If it had moved anywhere out of range, in order to give himself a little extra room, it shot outward at least six inches, intercepting the sword's path. Even if he had decided to change his swords trajectory, Maho would be able to shift his arm to block or anything else that occurs with impressive reflexes. Such a maneuver was entirely awkward, but given the versatility of his zanpakuto, it was something only he could do.

With both, actions in place, the three-sixty nature of Shirogane's slash wouldn't be able to stunt the hand at Shirogane's rear. Even if it was capable of cleaving through, it would simply sift through like a blade through clay, molding back into shape in the same motion. If he was able to catch Shirogane's blade, he would pull with all his might, attempting to yank it from his hand, whilst he was being thrown back from the spinning back kick, which had been aimed at his torso now. Having turned he had been in the perfect position to take the kick in the front. With his first sword preoccupied, he would need to divert attention to his second, as the black metal would begin molding like a liquid, flowing down the length of the blade and toward his hands. All-the-while absorbing a large amount of reiatsu from him in the process. This process of absorbing his reiatsu would occur immediately upon contact, while the liquid-like metal coating itself around his sword would occur in half a second at most. If he hadn't let go of his sword, should it have been successfully caught in his grasp, it would begin to caste itself around his arms, melding them in place, while simultaneously absorbing reiatsu directly from his body at an increased rate.
If possible, taking the sword from his hand would prompt maho to dash forward, separating himself from what had literally melted off his own sword. He would quickly whip back around, orienting himself to face his now trapped opponent, though this was entirely dependent on what Shirogane Kuchiki could do. The battle was slowly but surely beginning to heat up.

 

[Shinigami]

Nothing he performed done anything to the Captain, which was a complete and utter waste. Jibun had the urge to use its fang to taste the Captain's leg, but neither the blade or the technique of the three sixty slashing arc completed their mission. His senses reacted to everything that took place. The shockwave manage to do nothing but been canceled out and overpowered. The destructive force behind the shockwave meant nothing; all it did was ruin the ground both shinigami stood on. While drawing slash did not connect due to the Kojima transitioning to better suit avoiding the loss of a limb. Not something Shirogane expected; he had been sure the strike was coming into fruition. It seems there's more to this soul reaper than on the surface. Disgust with himself that he allow such dirt to live after that move. With little time to stand and beat himself up. It has come to his attention the individual has revealed a few more things about himself.
Something that Shirogane isn't quite ready to deal with right now and for that. The drawing sword held in the air did not come down, even if the individual had been in a position that he wasn't very familiar with, for the attack not yet done. According to the ability to sense things by being aware of the surroundings, the Captain has put himself into a more advantageous spot, but he would not. Could not. Allow such rubbish to get in over on him. Both heels were still off the ground and with that Shirogane would enter what most shinigami were capable of doing had they train in the area to hone this skill. Shunpo (瞬歩, Flash Steps). One of the areas of the four necessary shinigami skills he is a master in and used it to evade the trap space by the opponent.
By performing this nimble technique, Shirogane had realized for some reason this man was already in Shikai? There was no other way to explain how he is capable of doing what he has been doing. The question that shall answer later is how? When did he activate it? Was it always that way before they arrived? To Shirogane, it was cheating and utterly disgraceful. By avoiding and gaining space away from the individual who was very close to achieving the upper hand if Shirogane did not act in time. Even his zanpakuto almost captured, which would be the ultimate disrespect if he allowed someone even to touch his sword. It only indicated to Shirogane that the individual does not wish for him to keep his sword. Perhaps he wanted to prevent another close encounter in that fashion? Or is he maybe wanting to disarm him to make him handicapped and rely on the second sword? Whatever the "filth" had planned wasn't going to succeed, but Shirogane knew to defeat this Captain. It would take a little more effort and having an idea of how fast the individual is. Given the distance of ten yards of space between them both, he did not wish to waste any more time for him to put on the pressure. The moment he stepped out of flash step and the second blade had been withdrawing from the scabbard swiftly and just.
"Transpose Jibun no Hansha."
It was him speaking the phrase rather quickly into existence. While simultaneously drawing the second zanpakuto. So soon? Was the Captain that much an of threat to push Shirogane into using both swords? Once reciting the sacred Scripture, the sword held in the right hand was no more and a mirror floated about just on the right of him about head high. If there was time for anything else, the reiatsu that has been present now vanished, rendering himself unseen by refracting light. A part of Jibun's unique ability. The image of Shirogane wielding the blade in the left hand immediately disappeared into nothing. He stood there no more. However, he would then made himself visible before the opponent, where the bangs that formerly covered the left eye, now hangs over the right. The sword that was once in the left hand now held on the right side. Is it something that matters to the like Captain Kojima? The technique itself is part of Jibun's ability, Tōritsu mirā (倒立ミラー; Inverted Mirror). When making himself visible almost instantly coming out of flash step appearing from the right side of the individual about no more than 10 feet like it was at the start of the action.
"You shall not reach me."
The only word he spoke out loud for the first time since they had been here in the Valley of Screams. At least the first words he ever said towards Captain Kojima. But was that all he had to say? He had the mirror still floating about around his head, ready to make his mark. Willing to hurt now that he has some knowledge of the fighter's ability. The question would be to what extent? That is something Shirogane would be aiming to find out and locating the weak point and strike when necessary. But for the first time, Shirogane's eyes have fully been visible and not close. Was he looking to take the individual more serious now? Things would have now been quite heated that Shirogane fully released into the first stage. He didn't bother attacking; he knew the Captain would continue to press on the attack, and no matter what. From bringing the second blade into play to this moment, his awareness of the opponent's whereabouts would have never diminished. The individual before Captain Kojima would unleash a powerful reiatsu from his person where the calm aura was letting off such a massive pressure of weight down. May not affect the likes of the Captain. But the atmosphere around him would feel slightly heavy as if gravity was decreasing.