Kuro stood in the middle of the brightly lit dojo hall. His trip to the seireitei had been uneventful and pretty boring. Luckily for him he had managed to find some nicer food sources in the more civilized districts of the rukongai he had passed through. His application into the academy had been approved, but he was deemed a lower class student due to his background in the violent regions. It was obvious to him that the instructors did not expect much from him. They probably thought that he would drop out soon.

He was dressed in a new academy robe, shining white with blue trim. He had been presented with this and a wooden sword in his room that morning. He took a deep breath and let out an annoyed sigh. "This outfit is really unbecomming of my true nature." he muttered to nobody in particular. He was hoping that class would lighten his mood a bit.

The instructor walked in and began the class by taking roll. As he read off the names on the list, Kuro's attention swayed to other parts of the class. Most of his classmates looked like they had never been in a fight in their whole life. Probably a bunch of rich kids that had grown up without ever knowing danger or hunger. The mere thought of that made Kuro feel a bit better. He might be lower class than them, but he had experience.

"KURO AKARUI!!" The instructor shouted, apparently annoyed with Kuro's lack of attention.

"Sir!" Kuro snapped to attention, his face turning red in embarassment at being caught "slacking".

The instructor gave an ugly grin that reminded Kuro of the smug looks of the rukongai bandits. "It seems that one of our newcommers feels no need to pay attention. Perhaps you would like to demonstrate your vast knowledge for the rest to see?"

Kuro shrunk back from the invisible spotlight he now felt upon him. This instructor was pissing him off. First, he hated being brought to the center of people's attention more than anything. Secondly, he never backed down from a challenge. And finally, he felt like the instructor was not really going to let him decline. "Sir, I accept."

Kuro walked out onto the dojo floor, his blade held limp at his side. The instructor stood across from him, still wearing the same ugly smile. Kuro made a silent promise to himself that he would remove that look from his face before they were done.

"Come at me whenever you like. Show me the toughness of the Rukongai."

So Kuro's suspicions were confirmed. The teachers were all probably of the same mind. Nothing much was expected from low quality "trash". Sighing again, Kuro narrowed his eyes in a glare towards the instructor. "Sir, your blade shall not as much as bruise my arm." He stared across the floor, hoping he would take the bait. Kuro was a covert and close range fighter by nature. Letting others make the first move was a favorite tactic when in a face-to-face fight.

"You cocky scum!" The instructor roared in fury and lunged toward Kuro, swinging his wooden sword down with all his might. Rather than try and block the move, Kuro danced to the left and dodged the blow. Taking his own weapon up, he swung swiftly aiming at the instructor's neck. But before the blow landed, he remembered that he was not a killer in the rukongain anymore. If his blow broke the instructor's neck, he could end up in deep trouble. Adjusting his swing, he smashed his blade into the instructor's shoulder blade. Everyone in the room heard two cracks echo off the walls. The classmates all gasps as the smashed tip of Kuro's sword clattered to the floor and the instructor collapsed in pain, cursing at the top of his lungs.

Kuro looked at the broken handle of his sword, thinking it odd that he had swung with that much force. He must have been angrier than even he thought. But now that the fight was over, he was sorry for losing control and wounding his superior. As the class all gathered around to try and help, Kuro quietly made his way to the door and left the room, searching for some medical aid and dreading the verdict he would most likely receive.

+1 to fighting skill

Kuro had grown used to academy life. Quite a while had passed since he had come to the seireitei, and he had enjoyed his time here. His classmates were talented and perfect for training with, as well as the shinigamis he had met from the gotei. He was working hard now to get better at his skills so that he could graduate. This week's zanjutsu class was taking form of a minor class tournament. For the next few days, the class would fight amongst themselves in a knockout style tournament using only fighting skills. Swords and fists were allowed, but the use of special speed techniques or kidou would result in disqualification.

Kuro's opponent for the first day was a tall, skinny guy that he had never noticed particularly. He didn't stick out of the class for anything more than his height. He stood about half a head taller than Kuro, but his face was kind so Kuro thought that he was a nice guy. They took their places on the dojo floor. Kuro glanced across at his opponent. His stance was a little stiff, but he did look like he was ready. Kuro bowed in respect before beginning.

"I'm Kuro. Let's have a nice match."

His opponent answered, "My name is Sai, same goes to you."

At a signal from the instrutor, both students lunged forward, clashing their wooden swords together with a loud crash. Sai was strong, something that Kuro had not expected from his lean appearance. He had begun to push Kuro back. Not wanting to be taken off guard, Kuro leapt back to gain some space, then charged forward again aiming a wide swing at Sai's right side. Sai's sword came around quickly to defend. Without warning, his left hand came off his handle and launched a sharp punch that struck Kuro right in his face. Kuro was knocked back and onto the floor.

So he's quick as well as strong. That could be a problem. Kuro thought to himself. He rolled out of the way as Sai's blade came down on the spot he had been laying. He swept with his leg, taking advantage of Sai's downward momentum from his swing, and tripped him. As Sai fell, Kuro jumped back to his feet. He darted in close and struck Sai twice in the back while he was down on the ground. But not wanting to be a bad sport, he backed off afterwards and let Sai get back to his feet.

Sai's face betrayed the pain he felt to Kuro and the watching classmates. His stance was starting to falter as his concentration was dimmed by the pain of Kuro's strikes on his back. Kuro saw this as a chance and charged at Sai again. This time he jumped and took a flying downward slash aimed at Sai's head. But Sai surprised him once again as his sword came up to block the blow for the second time with just one hand. The other hand reached out and grabbed hold of Kuro by the front of his robes as he came down behind his sword. Sai's sword hand came in three times, striking Kuro in the head and face with the Sword handle. Kuro was surpised that he was still conscious after such a beating, but his head was ringing and his vision had seen better days.

Kuro decided that the only way to beat Sai was doing the same thing as him. Beside tripping him earlier, Kuro had only used sword skills against Sai. But Sai was making wonderful usage of Swordplay mixed with martial arts. That was the way to win this. Kuro quickly swung his knee up into Sai's stomach, making him double over in pain and release Kuro with a gasp. Kuro jumped back again, waiting for the chance to put his new plan into motion.

Funny....I'm fighting just like Kaiyo did. Maybe she rubbed off on me a bit in that spar.

Sai stood up straight again and began to charge at Kuro, taking the initiative. Kuro bounded back further and charged forward as well, his body in a low crouch position that allowed him to sprint even faster. When they were almost at each other, Kuro pulled back his sword arm and flung his weapon at Sai's chest like a spear. Sai reacted instantly, stopping his run and swinging his own sword, swatting Kuro's aside as it approached. Kuro continued his charge however. His plan to get Sai's sword out of the way had worked perfectly. Pushing his sprint faster, Kuro closed the gap between them and started a furious flurry of punches at his defenseless body. 10 times he punched at Sai's figure until Sai collapsed on the dojo floor. Kuro felt drained and sore, but he had won his match for the day. He stumbled out of the dojo and headed for his room to recuperate.

+2 fighting skill

Once again, Kuro was in his zanjutsu class. A couple of days had passed since the open day festival for the Gotei 13. His actions there had earned him quite a few murmers following him around his classes. Luckily he wasn't known well around the academy, so he didn't hear much about it outside of class.

The festival had held off his zanjutsu class's tournament, but today they were resuming it. Kuro had qualified for the semi-finals. His opponent was a girl a few inches shorter than Kuro himself. He could tell by how she wore her outfit, she was a close combat specialist. Her hair was cut short to keep it out of her way and her sword was held loosely at her side. Kuro suspected that she would abandon it as soon as the fight began. He bowed and introduced himself respectfully.

"I am Kuro Akarui. I am happy to spar with you today."

The opposing girl's eye's glared Kuro from across the floor. "My name is Akari. I know of you and your attitude."

Kuro sighed. Apparently his actions at the festival had painted the wrong picture for his aquaintences. He began to think that maybe his quiet nature made it easier for misunderstandings. He pushed those thoughts from his mind and prepared to start the fight.

The instructor went over the rules and signaled the combatants to begin. Akari reacted like a blur, crouching down and flinging her wooden sword at Kuro like lightning. Kuro quickly knocked it away with his own, but Akari used the opening created by his lowered sword.....the same tactic he'd used on Sai on the tournament's first day. Her fists struck fast again and again. Kuro quickly put his arms up to block her flurry, but took many shots to the face before doing so. He jumped back to try and gain some recovery space, but she followed, sticking to him as close as she could. Kuro had the advantage of a slightly faster foot speed. He dropped his sword and raised his own hands in a stance of martial arts.

"Do you really think you can stop me by copying my specialty?" Akari snapped viciously while continuing her pursuit.

Kuro wasn't intimidated, but started to block Akari's fast flying punches. Their match quickly reached a neutral air, with neither of them landing any blows. She was incredibly good, offsetting his punches with a minor thrust of her palms, causing them to fly all around her without making contact. He was familiar with this style, but had not fought anyone else who was this good at it like he was. Their clash was brutal and blurring. The observers could not follow every exchange between them.

"You're very good." Kuro grunted as they continued.

Akari remained silent with a look of utmost concentration and killing intent. She aimed her next punch lower, finding her way under Kuro's defense and landing her fist right in Kuro's stomach. He doubled over, out of breath, but she did not stop her assault. She continued to thrust at his side, his back, and everywhere else she could reach. By the time Kuro caught his breath, he was covered all over with pink patches on his skin that were quickly turning into blue bruises. He glared in defiance at Akari and shot a straight kick at her stomach. She noticed this and jumped away from his blow, landing on the other side of the floor. Kuro panted as he bent down and picked up his forgotten wooden sword. Looking it over, he quickly formed a new plan and tucked the sword into his sash, waiting for the right time to use it again.

Akari wasted no more time. She charged straight at Kuro again and he did the same. Their back and forth of punching and blocking began again, but Kuro had a new idea that could finish Akari in one shot. When her fist came straight for him again, he stepped to the side and grabbed her arm before she could pull it back. He used the momentum from her punch to flip her over and tossed her to the floor back on the other side of the ring. As she dizzily began to get up, Kuro charged at her while drawing his wooden sword. Akari had just stood straight up when Kuro reached her and smashed the sword into her rib cage in a jumping slash. Kuro landed behind her, his sword still held parallel to the ground, as she collapsed onto the ground once again gasping in pain. Kuro's blow had broken three of her ribs and she wouldn't be back on her feet again for today. Kuro sat down and watched the remaining matches, too sore at the moment to walk back to his own room.

+2 fighting skill

The finals were here at last. If Kuro managed to beat his opponent today, he would be the champion of his zanjutsu class as well as graduate from it. His opponent was a tall, well built guy that towered over Kuro. His arms were thick and burly, causing Kuro to wonder if victory was even possible. They bowed to each other stiffly, both of them tense with the desire to bring their efforts to fruition. At the instructor's signal, they began.

Kuro bounced back to start off, tucking his wooden sword into his sash and saving it for later. His opponent followed with an average speed that let Kuro know that he had the advantage. When the big guy swung his sword down in a chopping motion, Kuro leapt above his range and came down on his side. Kuro's hands swung in fast, striking him again and again, trying to wear his brutish body down. His opponent grunted in annoyance and swung out his right arm, swatting Kuro aside as easily as a pesky fly. He raised his sword again and struck out at Kuro's figure on the floor, missing him as Kuro rolled out of the way. His sword cracked the floor as it smashed into the wood.

Kuro knew that the big guy was slower than him. Slower than Leden had been. So moves that hadn't worked on Leden just might work on this guy. He drew his sword and charged straight at the opponent, leaping over his shoulder and smashing his sword into the side of his head. His opponent had a dumbfounded look on his face for a moment before his eyes rolled up into his head and he passed out on the dojo floor, unconcious. Kuro sighed in relief and took his leave, glad that his struggles had brought him success.

+.5 fighting skill and thread locked