Amayi Cho
Sighing, she sat down. Ayami had her eyes closed as she placed her hands on the object that laid on her lap. It was a sword sheathed in a scabbard. Nothing fancy or special as there were no decorations. Slowly Ayami started to breath slower while she focused her mind on the sword. Luckily she was in her own small cell, where nobody would hopefully bother her while she would perform Jinzen. It wasn't however that she did out for a wish to just become stronger and achieve a better relationship with her blade. Her very first encounter with the Zanpakutō wasn't really one she cherished.
Then she heard something.
''My, oh my. Seems I might get another chance for a conversation? How is the weather over there?~''
Amayi's nose wrinkled as she had heard the sarcastic tone in the voice. But she just kept on focusing. Last time she hadn't been able to face that annoying voice and it had always made her wonder. Why would one make blades with annoying spirits in them? Why not just weapons that had some power sealed in them, without annoying personalities? If she would ever meet the one that had smith her blade and sealed the annoying voice in it, she wouldn't think twice before loosing her cool to tell what she had on her mind about it.
''Aawww, are you just going to try to figure my name with just meditating? Come on, give me some fun!''
Though she was on the verge to pick up the blade and throw it out of the small window, Amayi kept focusing. She had to focus and then she could do something more satisfying than just throwing the sword out of the window. Then she slowly opened her eyes. Still in her room. Biting on her lower lip, Amayi started to grow frustrated.
''Aaawww, it didn't succeed. How sad am I? Well, probably not as sad or frustrated as you are, princess.~''
That was it. The cold anger started to boil up as Amayi narrowed her eyes.
''Why don't you step up and stop acting like a scared brat.'' Her tone was cold and she only realized a second later that she had let some of that cold boiling anger slip up. Closing her eyes again, she heard a soft chuckle.
''If you insist, princess. If you... insist.''
When she frowned and opened her eyes, Amayi found herself somewhere else. A soft gentle breeze passed her and she wasn't sitting any longer in a meditation sit in her own small cell. Standing on top of a hill, Amayi realized where she was. Holding the scabbard in her left hand, she slowly looked over her shoulder.
''Well? What do you think? Pretty isn't it? I must say it lack something to make my blood keep running. Though it is quite nice around here.''
Turning around, she noticed it was a suit of samurai armor that had spoken to her. There was no sign of life, nobody in the armor. But he was holding a sheathed sword in a scabbard in his left hand. Truth be told, she found it quite ironic. Weren't samurai not supposed to be disciplined warriors? As she considered herself cool and a level-headed person, she had a Zanpakuto that was more the embodiment of rude and wild. Perhaps there was some poetry beauty to it, but even if there was. It was lost on Amayi.
''Now your name.'' Amayi said on the same cold tone as before.
Slowly the right hand of the armor went up and the head trembled. No, he was shaking his head lightly.
''Now now, where are our manners? If you want my name, what do you offer in return?'' He asked as he placed his right hand on his hip.
Thinking about it, Amayi wasn't in the mood for any riddles and talk. But to straight forward attack and force him to give his name wouldn't probably work. Without any information on how to tackle him down in a fight, she could end up farther from where she wanted to be.
''And what would you ask from me? My name?''
''That sounds lovely, but I can't do anything with that. In contrary what you hope to do when you learn my name for example.'' There was another soft chuckle after the answer of the Zanpakuto and Amayi slightly narrowed her eyes.
''What about if we start to let our blood pumping a bit? I would love doing that.''
Great, she thought.
A mindless brute that loves fighting. How ironic. Though Amayi placed her right hand on the hilt of her katana, she didn't make any attempts on pulling the blade out of the scabbard.
''I wouldn't like to fight and face somebody who I would need later to rely on. Why not try to sign our-''
''Blah bla bla! Nice words, but no thanks.'' The right hand waved at her, as the Zanpakuto turned half around.
''You may speak of that you don't wish to fight, but ain't your Shinigami system based on fighting and swinging with weapons?'' Was his question.
''Or are you just a loyal dog that pretends to be different?''
Amayi stayed silent. She wanted to say no, but wasn't she? The whole system of the Gotei was based on that if you could beat your lieutenant or captain that you could take their place. If you could beat or kill them, you could claim their place and little would argue against that. But what form of promotion was that? Where was the reward for merit? For intelligent behavior and working your way up on base how you would lead others? No, the current system was one that promoted the savages and suppressed those who would use more than just brute force.
''Perhaps.''
''Perhaps?'' The Zanpakuto repeated slowly and then he nodded. At the same time, they draw out their blade. The Zanpakuto dropped the scabbard, but Amayi held it firmly in her left hand. Then at the same time they rushed towards each other. Exchanging blows, the steel of the katana's clashed against each other. Both singing their deadly song as they were being swung and thrust in hopes to topple the other.
Staying cool, Amayi noticed how he was merely playing with her. Quickly moving a step aside, she prevented that his blade would stab through her abdomen.
Now! With a quick slash, that was aimed for his blade, her katana slammed against the weapon of her opponent while she raised her left hand. A loud thud was heard as the samurai armor was stumbling backwards. Not wanting to give him a breather, Amayi kept up the attack.
With quick strikes and stabs, she managed so far to not allow him to strike back. Then when he blocked another strike from the right, their blades locked.
''Got you now.~'' He said, his free hand grabbing her wrist. She felt the pain as he started to tighten his grip on her wrist. Dropping her scabbard, Amayi narrowed her eyes. Grabbing the forearm of his left arm, she knew that trying to yank his hand off her arm or her arm away would be futile. His strength easily surpassed hers. ''Heheh, great ain't it? Pain. Can be such a good teacher.''
Deciding on something risky, Amayi tried to lean backwards and using her weight to try to pull him in. But he used his own weight to keep standing on his feet, yet had to take a step forwards.
''Bullshit.'' She sneered as she suddenly moved forwards with her left leg pulled up. Surprised by her movement and thinking she was trying to give him a knee in the stomach, the Zanpakuto released his grip on her arm. But instead of blocking a knee, Amayi planted her feet against a knee of his own. The knee of the leg that had taken a step forwards.
Using her weight again to lean backwards, Amayi would roll on her back as she would use the momentum to throw the Zanpakuto over her. Once she had managed to pull the move off, she swiftly moved on her feet and turned around.
Her lips curled down as she noticed that the Zanpakuto had managed to land on his feet and already turned around. Her action was based on how the instincts of another would work. But even if her move had worked, she had mistaken that he was more flexible than she had predicted him to be. Twirling her blade one round, she firmly grabbed the hilt and held it in front of her.
The Zanpakuto lowered himself a bit and then vanished. Amayi's widen as she then turned her head. The blade of the Zanpakuto was nearing her face at a fast speed as he was wielding it with both hands. Just in the nick of time, Amayi managed to duck and prepare her blade for a quick counter attack to drive the Zanpakuto backwards.
With a fast thrust, the samurai armor chuckled as he leaped backwards to avoid the fast thrust. Panting, Amayi noticed some strands of hair falling to the ground. Her eyes quickly went to the right as she noticed the small change. If she had acted a second later, then the blade would have cut more than just some hair.
''Well? Shall we?''
Amayi lowered her head and sighed. Then she smirked.
''Sounds... fun.''
One hour later.
Amayi opened her eyes and sighed softly. Back in her own small room. Looking down, she noticed that she wasn't covered in sweat, dirt and a bit of blood. For almost a hour long had she tried to subdue and outmatch the Zanpakuto. But even when she had managed to surprise and drive him into defense, it was always a moment where he managed to turn the tide again. Realizing the ugly truth that she had to train harder before she should attempt another time, Amayi decided to get up. Buckling her scabbard, Amayi decided to go for a small stroll.
Walking a bit around the barracks, she thought about her last duel. Her smart and wit were good enough to pull surprises, but her strength was lacking. Her speed not good enough. Raising her head up, Amayi considered to use her Kidõ next time. But first things first.
