(this is a closed thread for just me and Kuro Crowe)

Kuro had finished with all of his classes at the academy. Any day now, he'd be assigned into a squad and start performing missions for the gotei. He didn't know where he'd be assigned, but he knew it'd be fun. Just like the mission a few days ago when he and Saroki had taken down a menos. With some help of course.......

Kuro started walking around the academy grounds, taking time to remember his time there. He had always been quiet, so he didn't have many friends. But his time training was still precious to him. As he walked across the clear ground next to the academy, he remembered the Gotei 13 open day. He wished that he could spar with someone before he left, just like he'd sparred against Leden that day, but he had nobody to ask. He sat down next to a tree, his mind still wandering through the memories.

(lol, I got the title from our names. Kuro translates as "dark".)

Kuro walked slowly around the grounds. "A lovely day for a walk, or maybe a good place in the sun to read." Kuro smiled warmly as the warm air brushed against his flesh. He looked around noticing a student. He walked over to him squatting down to look at his face. "Hey, whats wrong? It's a good day? You should be enjoying yourself. Anything I can do to help you? I am Kuro Crowe!"

Kuro sighed and looked up at the newcomer. He seemed nice and Kuro answered with a slight bored tone in his voice. "My name's Kuro Akarui. Nothing's wrong exactly. I'm graduating soon and I was taking a look at academy. *chuckle* Guess I ended up strolling down memory lane. I was thinking I'd like to spar against someone before I left, but I have a few reputations brought on by my life in the rukongai as well as a few misdemeanors here in the academy that make other students here keep me at arm's length. Not that it bothers me that much. I'm mostly quiet and don't approach people that often."

Kuro wondered what this new guy thought of him. He seemed like a good guy if not a little geeky, but who was he to talk. His whole time in the academy, he'd been delved into his studies.

Kuro made a peace sign and laughed, "You need a final duel to remember the academy... Then I will give you one.... Remember the rumor of the academy nerd and the 11th Vice Captain fight. Well that nerd is me.. I hope I can make you enjoy your last duel..." Kuro bowed, he knew the Vice captain let him win. Yet, he wanted to give this other Kuro a bit of excitement. For, it was his last chance to duel.

Kuro stood up while letting a pleased grin spread over his face. He had heard pieces of the rumors regarding Kaiyo's latest fight. If this student was able to fight her and come out alright, he should be a fine opponent.

"The 11th vice captain eh? I see she still loves to fight as always. A duel with you should be interesting."

Kuro walked a decent distance away from Crowe for the start of their clash. Turning back to face him, his gaze gained an edge of stiffness as he dropped his carefree attitude. He held out his hands in a ready stance like a martial artist and spoke out to Crowe.

"You can make the first move."

(Spirit power)


Kuro looked at him, feeling the enemy's higher reiastu radiate.Damn, he is way stronger than I am.. I better put everything I have into this... Don't hold back boy, he might not be able to hold back on you like the other two did. Kuro nodded and began to breath slowly. He looked up taking a deep breath raising both of his hands, fingers all pointed towards his opponent. "Way of destruction #13 Killer Bee!" Dozens and dozens of tiny lightning blasts shot from his fingers about twice the size of a bee soared in the other Kuro's direction. Kuro reached his hand forward and called out, "Let those who toss the stone in the pond, be splashed by their own self doubt! Way of Destruction #24 Water Slicing Blade!" Kuro yanked his hand back. A highly pressurized water shot from the ground behind the opponent as the Killer bee blasts were about to reach him.

Kuro turned around and leaped a few feet further from his opponent, spinning around casting Oil Slick around himself. "Come on now Kuro, show me your moves!" Kuro said with a cocky smile.

"Oh great" Kuro groaned as he saw the small lightning blasts heading for him. They wouldn't hurt him much if they hit, but they'd be very annoying. It reminded him of the turret ability of one of the hollows he and Saroki had encountered in the living world. As he listened to Crowe's incantation for his second spell, Kuro noticed it beginning to take effect behind him. Clever, he's trying to box me in. Guess there's only one way to go at this point.

Kuro leapt up and over the incomming lightning blasts, leaving them to collide with the spiritual water blast heading for his back. While in the air, he aimed his hand toward the ground in front of Crowe. "Hado #3: Crimson Strike!" A small red blast sailed out of Kuro's palm and hit the oil slick kido that Crowe had spread around himself. The oil was immediately ignited in a quick, bright explosion. Kuro reached the ground and dashed forward, taking advantage of the bright flames, hoping they'd limit Crowe's vision. When he reached the edge of the flames he jumped right through them to the clear spot Crowe stood at in the center. Now that he was close to him, he quickly crouched down, sweeping his leg at Crowe's to trip him. After his kick, he stood up again and brought his hand down in an open palmed downward strike aiming to smash Crowe against the ground.

(ooc: I guess fighting skill fits best here)

((Intelligence, It's A Trap!!!!!!!!)

Kuro laughed as he pushed himself up quickly. He turned and hopped over the flames, spinning around quickly pointing his hands at the flames. "I am facing the muzzle of a cannon at you. You are a pistol. I am a cannon. In timing and power, my weapon surpasses yours. Have you seen... The Flying Blade Attack? Way of Destruction #23 36 Pound Cannon" The slicing wind plunged into the flames, the wind churning the flames higher. The direction of the wind caused the large flames to close on the other Kuro.

Kuro smiled at him, "I know you're alive in there..... This was simple logic, using myself as a lure to drag you into the flames. I hope out and use the wind attack, and just like a fan I cause the flames to rise and consume all... It is the basic chemistry of how things work together.... Understand how things work better." Kuro reached his arm to the side, sending most of his energy into his hand. "Way of binding #12 Ambush Flare." The thread came down as thick as a rope. Kuro smiled at the flames slowly spinning the rope as it slowly extends. "Come on, I promised you an amazing duel..." He raised his other hand in the air, "Oh the crescent moon of the lunar eclipse, where one of the purist of light and the shadows of darkness, show me your holy light! Way of Destruction #21 White Lunar Spear Shot!" A white ball of reiastu shot from his hand into the sky resembling the moon. A few moments later, a spear of reiastu shot down in the other Kuro's direction.

Kuro could barely hear Crowe's voice over the roar of the flames as they grew bigger, but he was able to guess from his actions so far in the battle that Crowe was firing more kido. The glow of the lunar shot rising into the air over the flames only confirmed this. Kuro figured that he'd have to counter with his own kido. The best spell he could cast at this time might work. He leapt high over the flames, smiling in pride at his speed and acrobatic skills, casting a kido to cancel out the shot that was homing in on him.

"Destruction! Surround my body! Send any around me to the realm of the the unconscious, where dreams do not reach! Hado #20: White Crawl!"

A quick explosion and a sudden surge of reiatsu flared around Kuro and nullified the lunar spear shot as it closed in. When Kuro hit the ground, he immediately began to dash as fast as he could. He ran in random directions around Crowe until he had picked up enough speed that would be hard for Crowe to follow. At this point, he began closing in tighter until he was directly behind Crowe. Too bad I haven't mastered shunpo yet. That would've made this move a lot easier.

Kuro closed in with a surprising running speed for someone not using shunpo. When he reached Crowe's back, he lashed out a flurry of punches that covered all over Crowe's body. Afterwards, he stepped back just a few feet, wating for Crowe's next move. He was positive that he knew how to cast white crawl as well. If he heard its incantation or any other threatening kidou, he was ready to jump even further away.

(ooc: speed attempt)

(OOC: Intelligence. You are now trapped! Lol yay working multiple different kidous at once."

Kuro frowned, "I will not fall in any traps, so just in case." Kuro slid out his zanpaktou one handed and swung it around himself, trying to cut away any Ambush Flares that could be there. One he was done swinging the blade, he sheathed it and looked at the other Kuro. "I don't think running can save you from this...low level kidou...." Kuro raised his spare arm. "Way of Destruction #2 Reel!" Kuro yanked his hand back causing the other Kuro to fly towards him. Kuro swung his other arm around causing the kidou rope to wrap around the other Kuro. As the other Kuro was getting closer to him, Kuro raised his hand. "May the black sounds of those who have felt death emit and destroy. Way of Destruction #7 Black Thunder!" A wave of black reiastu burst from Kuro's palm. The sound of the blast resembled thunder. Kuro looked at the hand he was holding the kidou rope with and casted a Crimson Strike without any incantation or anything for the matter. The kidou rope lit up with the burning energy of the Crimson Strike. Kuro closed his hand as the kidou rope was burnt away and gone. His hand was covered in burns from that attack. "Ow..."

Kuro was starting to get tired of all these kidos. This guy was skilled, but his power level couldn't be high enough to launch many more. As the reel spell pulled him in, he saw the ambush flare thread in Crowe's hand. His face grew dark with a tense look as he timed his counter attack. As the thread flew at him, hoping to tangle him in it and leave him defenseless against the other attacks, his hand flew down into his robes and whipped out his zanpakuto. It was a short blade, no longer than a wakizashi. Its short size made it perfect to use as a concealed weapon. Kuro slashed twice and tore the ambush flare. Kuro then surged his own reiatsu and cast kido back at Crowe.

"May the black sounds of those that have felt death emit and destroy! Hado #7: Black Thunder!"

A black, thundering wave of reiatsu burst from Kuro's whole body, leading his way towards Crowe. He hadn't used as much kido as Crowe yet, and he had concentrated his power before casting so his wave overwhelmed Crowe's and continued, severely weakened however, toward Crowe. Kuro resheathed his zanpakuto in his robes and followed the wave right up to Crowe. Kuro didn't know how many more blows his opponent could take, so he decided to conserve his stamina for now. Crouching into a lowered position, he was pulled the rest of the way beside Crowe and launched his palm straight up into Crowe's chin with enough force to knock him up and over onto his back.

(ooc: fighting skill)

(I just found the new kidou system.... I now understand I am too weak to use the advanced techniques... I will cast one more... And I will follow the new system.... ^^ Sorry for being stupid. This is for spirit power.)

Kuro choked as he landed on the ground. He laid there on the ground. Every thing starting to fade to black. Wake up boy! You are too proud of your kidou and you try things that you cannot pull off.You are wasting too much energy. I would recommend setting everything in that one technique. On a normal basis, you are not strong enough to pull it off. Hopefully if you put the rest of your energy in your next move.... It might work. Lets go child.. This is it.....Go! You did promise him a good duel... Give him the grand finale. Kuro's eyes lit with reiastu. He put his hand on the ground and pushed himself up. He glared at the other Kuro his eyes glowing bright blue. "Everything is going into this... I hope you enjoy the grand finale!!!!!!!" He threw his arm back, "Way of binding #12 Ambush Flare!" The thread shot from his hand as he swung it towards the other Kuro. It wrapped around the other Kuro. He looked up and rammed into the other Kuro, taking a deep breath he gathered all of his energy for one final spell. "Destruction! Surround my body! Send any around me to the realm of the the unconscious, where dreams do not reach! Way of destruction #20 White Crawl!" The white reiastu exploded around Kuro as well as the thread, Consuming the both of them in the light of the spell.

Kuro was impressed by Crowe's daring and his determination to advance in the fight. He'd make an excellent shinigami when he graduated. But it took both heart and strategy to win a fight. Kuro was happy with the way the duel had gone. He was leaving the academy, but if he ended the duel in the right manor at this point, he could leave behind the spark in this new Kuro that had pushed him to succeed and excel in his training.

"You're good for a beginner, and I see how you held your own against Kaiyo with those spells, but a warrior should never speak with such audacity unless all the opponent's options are eliminated!" Kuro's hand moved like a blur as he drew his zanpakuto again to slice the ambush thread before it wrapped him up. He resheathed his zanpakuto and spoke with an emotionless tone to Crowe that aimed to convey a few tips toward fighting, though he wondered if he came off as sounding pompous and cruel. "Your first error is overuse of the ambush flare. It's useful in most trap situations, but easy to avoid in a direct confrontation." Kuro charged toward Crowe as well and struck out at him multiple times. First he aimed for the pit of his stomach, next his throat, and finally his mouth. All three spots could interfere with Crowe's ability to recite kido spells. And if he couldn't recite them effectively, the resulting spell wouldn't be nearly as powerful. "Lesson two: it is best to observe the situation as well as your opponent and determine their strengths and their weaknesses. My speed is much faster than yours, so using a more accurate binding spell would have proven more effective." Kuro finished his assault by flipping Crowe over his head and back onto the ground. Kuro wasn't sure if Crowe was finished, but he turned around and offered his hand to help him back to his feet. He was likely being transferred to the 2nd squad, but that didn't take away all his honor in fighting. Attacking a fallen opponent in a friendly spar did not seem like a very nice move to him.

(ooc: Intelligence please )

(Spiritual power)

Kuro was in so much pain he couldn't move hardly at all. He struggled to look up barely seeing the other Kuro standing over him. "I won't give up.. I don't feel like I have lost yet...." He tried to say to the other Kuro. He noticed a old man in a cloak of black feathers. He walked next to Kuro looking down at him. Boy do not fear, I am the one you hear when you need help. Do not worry you are the only one who can see me. I want to know... Do you have the will to still fight?... Kuro forced himself to nod. Fine then... I will give you enough for one final attack... More than enough... The old man squatted down and placed his palm on Kuro's forehead. Now child... Make your final strike... The old man faded away and Kuro's eyes lit up. Kuro stood quickly reiastu pouring of him. Kuro's adrenaline rushed through his body as well. Kuro charged at the other Kuro swinging as hard as he could. Reiastu flowed off of him as he swung. He was not done.... He knew that this was the last move.

Kuro sensed Crowe's power and resolve. A smile came to him as he related it to the feeling that had poured from him with his determination during his spar with Kaiyo. He's putting everything he has into this. This is the true finale, so I shall fight accordingly.

Kuro surged his own reiatsu, the pressure shaking the dust on the ground into the air. His smiling eyes glowed bright with his power as he watched Crowe's advance. The time for strategy was over. Now it was an honorable finish to an excellent duel. He charged forward as well, concentrating his power into his left fist as he ran. When they reached each other, both fighters swung with all their might. Kuro's arm passed by Crowes and came into contact with his cheek. At the same moment, Kuro's front side recieved a nasty slice all down its front as Crowe's attack met his body. (ooc: I assume you're using your sword. Your post didn't clarify.) Kuro felt lucky. If Crowe hadn't of used so much energy before that exchange, his blow would have probably had the strength to cut Kuro much deeper. He stood while slowly dripping blood and waited to see if Crowe was alright. As he waited, a bodiless voice spoke out to him that he had not heard in a while.

"You could have come out of that exchange unharmed if you had concentrated on stopping his blade first. Such mercy could get you killed in a real fight. But it shows that your dedication to your training has not dulled your sense of honor. You may be ready to learn of me and gain my trust."

(ooc: spirit power)