Open Sparring (Shirogane Ken/Kiriya Kunieda)

[Ken Shirogane]

The day was a little cloudy over the Seireitei, but Ken didn't mind it much. As long as it wasn't raining the weather was basically perfect in his mind. His black robes shifted casually in the breeze, gripping the white katana at his hip, hand placed casually against the pommel as he waited to meet his opponent for the day.

Some open practice had been arranged for all those who wanted to participate and test their skills. Both wooden swords and live blades were allowed, and battling by scoring points in the case of wooden blades, or first blood with live blades. Members from Squad 4 were on standby close to the various platforms that had been set up for multiple people to battle on.

Ken himself was from squad 11, but all squads were welcome and expected to participate today, at least any with some level of combat viability who wished to improve. Whether it was a blade or spell, all were welcome. But people were also expected not to challenge anyone too far above or below their skill level. So while challenges could be made, most people were sorted by members of Squad 12 to opponents of a simular level.

[Greyson]

"KUNIEDA!"

A voice called. Kiriya clicked his tongue, wincing at how loudly it was called. He was right there, no need to shout so loud. "KUNIEDA!" He felt a vein bulge in his forehead and he stood up, standing right behind the administrator. "HERE!" He shouted loudly, barking right in his ear.

The man jumped on the spot, dropping his clipboard of names. The man cursed, sticking his finger in his ears to stop the ringing. With a straight face he walked out onto the outdoor sparring ring. His opponent had white hair and a slender build. Hand resting on the pommel of his sword.

"Kunieda, 6th Division." In a normal voice.
With that he'd spread his legs at shoulder width. Right side forward. Right hand on the hilt the free hand on the sheathe. Wooden swords would have been better but there was nothing like the sting of an edge to really get you focused.

[Ken Shirogane]

"Shirogane Ken, 11th division, a pleasure to meet you, Kunieda. Let's have a good match." He said with a calm smile, golden eyes locked on the dark man across from him, crouching down with one hand gripping the sheath of his white sword, the right gripping the hilt of his blade ready to draw.

And Kunieda didn't need to wait long before Ken moved, dashing forward with impressive speed and practiced movements, his steps even, his breathing balanced, and once he was close enough he drew his sword in a blur. Aiming to cut Kunieda right across the chest, but even after making the attack, Ken shifted in the direction he had cut, stepping past to prepare a follow up, slashing from right to let aimed to catch Kunieda in the shoulder, where the first had been aimed at his chest. The blade shined like silver in the passing sunlight as it peaked out from behind those dark clouds.

[Greyson]

The clam quiet type, he wandered if there was any inkling of the El- The man dashed forward, only the distance between them saving Kunieda from a cut. Kiriya swore under his breathe. Unceremoniously having been engaged in battle. He had taken his lead foot back, tilting his body so that his left shoulder faced Ken. Lifting his Zanpakuto out so that the sheathe blocked the first strike. 

That technique, what was it called? Quick Painting? Ken moved past him, continuing his attacks with a strike to his right shoulder. The man wasted no time. Battle experienced. Kunieda took another two small steps back, giving him enough space so Ken's blade struck air. He was 11th afterall huh? 

Kiriya moved, the moment the blade has passed. holding the scabbard horizontally. He drew his blade away from Ken, his body language emphasized to swing the sword through his neck. However the first attack would come from the scabbard, looking to jab him straight in the stomach, the follow up strike looking to cut him on his exposed right forearm.

[Ken Shirogane]

Technically the cut that Ken had performed was a little outside anything he would call a technique. Iaido had 11 basic cuts and none of those 11 basic cuts were aimed at the chest with a horizontal slash. At best it could be considered a modified Hidari Ichimonji strike that aimed for the chest rather than the stomach as that particular strike was meant to do.

As the sheath jab was aimed to prod him in the stomach he slipped back, and moved to sheath his sword once more, clicking it into the scabbard, leaving him well out of range for the second cut that Kiriya might have performed, having slid back a couple feet to make space.

Only to dash back in the moment his blade clicked in place back into the sheath. His next strike was cut number six, Hidari Gyakugesa, a strike aimed from the left to right, tracing up from Kiriya's hip to shoulder in a diagonal cut. For Ken, the nice thing about the strike was that it was harder to block than the opening cut he had made aimed at the chest. Or so he felt at least, but he did have a little insurance as well.

"O power that tries souls..." He spoke as he made the attack. The question was did Kiriya know what these words meant? And if he did, would he be worried? This however was a bit of a verbal feint on Ken's part, since he didn't intend to use the spell, at least not yet. Though depending on how Kiriya reacted he might finish the incantation.

[Greyson]

His opponent was very nimble. Easily moving back a few feet to avoid the sheathed. Kariya would let the second swing through but let most of the strength fade. There was no reason to commit to it. Click! Ken was back on the offensive. Very nimble. He had seen many people open up with that style but hadn't seen someone resheathe and do it again.

Kiriya mimicked his opponents response to his. Using small quick strides to move out of range of the attack as much as possible. This time he was prepared, retracting his sheathed back, holding it like a false sword. Swinging at the oncoming blade. He'd hear the metal on wood, feeling it vibrate in his hand.

Ken would speak in a chant, a surprised expression on Kunieda. An eleventh division who used kido? That was very unusual. A bluff was possible but in the short time he did not have time to speak. Moving forward instead to swing at his forward ankle. The path however would rapidly change. Instead moving quickly up to aim at his chin.

[Ken Shirogane]

Ken was internally very pleased with the reaction that crossed Kiriya's face. Even if his next opening attack failed, blocked by the sheath, it was still amusing that his ploy had seemingly succeeded. But of course, Ken had no intention of finishing the chant, he'd spoken the words but wasn't focused on completing them.

The tricky kick Kiriya made was pretty impressive though, however when the kick initially aimed for his ankle he hadn't moved to stop Kiriya from landing it, he would have been willing to take the blow though it might have affected his stance to some small degree. The kick aimed at his chin though, he dodged, catching the movement rising to take him, he tilted his head swaying in the opposite direction that Kiriya had originally blocked from. Then he continued to move.

With that leg lifted between them Ken felt like he was in a great position, dragging his sword off the sheath that Kiriya had blocked with, to bring it across the back of Kiriya's thigh while it was lifted to where it had been meant to catch Ken in the chin. Suffice it to say he didn't think that Kiriya was in a good position to block or dodge with one leg lifted in the air like that. He'd have to pull some pretty impressive shenanigans if he wanted to get away unscathed from the cut that Ken was trying to make. But the cut was unlikely to be very deep at least, being that Ken was just dragging his blade over.

Either way, Ken intended to move past Kiriya once again, stepping away and sheathing his sword back into place with a practiced click.

---

Post Count: 4

[Greyson]

What had prompted him to kick? Bless the Soul King, not even he would know. The basic training alone wasn't enough to make him make an effective kick, he faltered the kick finding nothing but air.

He felt the familiar cold. Goose bumps on his skin. Ken moved over and Kiriya put his foot down. He felt the skin part, warmth spreading through his thigh. He had been cut. It wasn't his first time but it wasn't something one grew to ignore. You could grow accustomed to it, not letting your focus become consumed by but it still hurt.

"Well... serves me right for trying new things." He put weight on the leg, feeling a warm trickle of blood run down. It wasn't bad, his pride hurt more for now. Kiriya nodded, sheathing his sword in a clack. Leg parting a bit as he imitated the Stance of Ken. Kiriya faced Ken.

[Ken Shirogane]

Personally, Ken thought the kick was a rather skilled one. Perhaps unpracticed, but a less perceptive person than him likely would have just been kicked in the chin and been put in quite a bad situation. And while Ken had landed a light-cutting strike it was far from debilitating. A minor annoyance, but little else. But it seemed that while the strike was well placed it wasn't enough to have the fight called there.

He cocked his head when Kiriya decided he wanted to have a draw-off. Watching the man sheath his blade in preparation for an attack. "Have you practiced Iaido before? You just made some comments about trying new things, so I hope this is not your first time." It probably wasn't uncommon for people to at least practice bits of Iaido, but he didn't imagine most people practiced the style quite the way he did. Sheathing and drawing the blade was an art to Ken, he'd spent years honing that single style over any other. The art of drawing and sheathing the blade.

"Alright, well here we go then~" He offered pleasantly before bursting forward to draw his blade in a practiced horizontal cut. While all his cuts had been quick, this one was especially so.

Everything seemed to be put into it, his stance smooth, his breathing measured, his draw perfectly times, eyes sharp and locked on Kiriya, tracing a horizontal line across his throat for the drawn blade to follow. The blade was even coated in a bit of his raiatsu, adding just a hint of spiritual impact to the strike, sharpening it. It was the total culmination of his art so far, what he considered to be his most perfect drawing technique. The Chiheisen.

---

Post Count: 5

Name of Technique: Chiheisen
Description: Ken dashes forward to perform a single swift horizontal cut, often aimed to strike the head from an opponent empowered further by Reiatsu.
Attribute/Skill Make Up: Zanjutsu (1) + Agility (2) + Reiatsu (1)
Trait/Aspect Usage: Keen Perception + Steadfast

[Greyson]

"Nope, I've only seen it a few times." 

At the academy there were always the sons and daughters of prestigious houses. Using quick drawing techniques. They were flashy but had seemed impractical. The instructors explained the usefulness of it. Striking from an unsuspecting position, it could throw the opponent off guard. He hadn't seen someone use it over and over again. Choosing to sheathe their sword. There was a time frame where one put the zanpakuto back in. It would be the time to exploit but Ken was quick on his feet, stepping back each time to give him room to. 

Kiriya watched his opponent. He would not be able to replicate the speed and precision. Ken had years training in it, his muscles attuned to such movement. The left finger pushing against the guard, pulling back the sheathe, faster to draw yes. Kiriya wouldn't be able to outdraw his full blade and swing before Ken did but did he really have to?

The attack came, fast, play his own game. He only half drew his blade, using one hand on the hilt, one hand the sheathe, tightening the grip on them. The white on his knuckles showing. Relax, move. The impact came, It was heavy yet precise. If he had not lifted his katana vertically against the shadow of Ken's blade he would have certainly been...Focus. 

He let muscles in his leg relax, letting the impact move him back. Flow. The white on his knuckles showed, his hands numb from the impact. Return, don't stop. Kiriya quickly drew the rest of his blade a performing a less impressive horizontal slash towards Ken's own neck. He stepped forward, not intending him to give him space to sheathe.

Sheathe held at half way point, he would use it. Placing it at the crease of his right elbow, obstructing his sword hand on the inside. 

[Ken Shirogane]

Kiriya was trying to do a lot in a short amount of time. His decision to attempt a draw while having only seen it more than personally practicing it was interesting. But then it seemed Kiriya was somewhat prone to trying new things. But this was the perfect time to do it, wasn't it? To try new things when one was unlikely to die.

His blade was blocked, he felt the clang of steel between clashing blades, the way Kiriya shifted back to shift and draw his sword, and then push in to try using that sheath to keep him from making use of his own for another draw.

But considering how close Kiriya was pushing he would never have made such an attempt. He liked to sheath and draw his sword, it was his favorite part of his art, but it was somewhat unique to him, rather than the style he made use of.

Ken considered himself more of an out fighter, but that didn't mean he had no means at closer ranges. This was why he stepped forward into Kiriya and to his right rather than trying to escape when it was clear that Kiriya intended to chase him down.

So in one rapid movement, Ken was damn near nose to nose with Kiriya, meaning that his neck was no longer within range of his blade, putting himself ahead of the attack rather than trying to escape it by backing up.

Then using his right shoulder to press on Kiriya's right arm at the elbow to stop the momentum of the previous attack. Kiriya's sheath was also somewhat tangled with Ken's right arm at the elbow, but he didn't need his right arm for what he was about to do. The attack was simple, but if it hit it would be painful.

He brought his sheath up to slam it under Kiriya's armpit. Using his body to keep Kiriya's right arm raised at his shoulder while bringing his left hand up to hit the sensitive under spot. It wouldn't draw blood, but it would likely make swinging his sword with his right hand much harder since the blow would likely leave his armpit bruised, and his shoulder weaker as a result.

Ken didn't have much in the way of hand-to-hand skills, not any more than Kiriya seemed to have, but he could still make use of his sheath the way he might a blade had he possessed a second one. Using the sheath something like a dull dagger jammed into Kiriya's armpit.

---

- Ken quickly steps into the attack and around to catch Kiriya's arm on top of his shoulder, rather a blade in his neck.

- With both Kiriya's arms busy, one on Ken's shoulder, the other sliding the sheath into the crook of Ken's right arm, he uses his left hand to jam his sheath into Kiriya's right armpit.

Post Count: 6

[Greyson]

Ken considering his stature was an aggressive fighter. This, looked more like the 11th division. Drawing in closer to him to prevent the swing at his neck. Kiriya however would not back down, he'd set the pace now. Left foot, light and quickly would clamp down onto Ken's right foot, weight on it. At the same time, Kiriya would simply turn his left wrist, now letting his sheathe be between Ken's arms and Kiriya's body. Within that same motion,  he would pull his right leg back.

His sword arm, still on Ken's shoulder, would turn, the blade being pulled back, the edge aligned and looking to slice into the man's shoulder on the way back. Not deep to warrant a medical emergency but enough that his arm would become weak and limp from quick loss of blood. The damage would not be permanent but enough to give him an advantage. If Ken did nothing. 

Kiriya's foot would be holding down Ken's. Maybe it wasn't enough to keep him planted there but the weight would pin him down long enough to prevent him from moving backwards fast enough. Ken was resourceful and his Zanjutsu style was different to say the least. When Kunieda had a moment to look back upon the fight he would have things to learn from. 

[Ken Shirogane]

The moves that Kiriya used now were rather clever and a little tricky. But it seemed that he would not be reacting to Ken's sheath jab into his sword arms armpit. Kiriya hadn't moved to dodge it or block it. He'd decided to shift a foot onto Ken's to keep him from slipping away but did nothing to prevent the momentum of his attack as Ken moved into position for the strike.

And Kiriya used that sheath to prevent Ken from easily bringing his sword arm over, but that was a risky move, and Ken was about to teach him why.

With his foot trapped, Ken could not make great use of his agility, but he slammed his sheath into Kiriya'a armpit all the same. Would Kiriya even have the strength and dexterity to cut Ken after allowing him to land the blow? Ken half expected Kiriya to drop his sword, Ken probably would have. Would he even be able to pull his sword back? Regardless of whether or not he even had the strength to leave even a mild cut on Ken, let alone one that would end the match.

But his sword hand was still the greater threat, seeing Kiriya trying to intercept his sword arm he decided to simply slide his blade up the sheath and towards Kiriya's fingers. If the man tried to move the sheath and protect his hand, Ken could bring his blade around to cut at Kiriya's midsection. Blocking with the sheath had been clever, but doing it a few times now Ken could begin to counter such attempts. The sheath had no guard to keep Kiriya's hand safe after all, which made it a perfectly reasonable place to aim for.

Kiriya could win this though if his arm still had the strength to draw blood from Ken's shoulder, if he was quick enough to move his hand before Ken cut it, and if he was quick enough to dodge back if he chose to protect his hand over his body when Ken cut at it once the sheath was out of position. It was also possible they would both draw blood. Ken's shoulder, and Kiriya's hand or mid-section.

There were many possibilities, but only if Kiriya had enough strength in his arm to injure Ken in that moment, and protect his hand or body.

---

- Kiriya didn't react to the sheath jabbed up at his armpit, so Ken completed the attack and struck him there.

- Ken followed up by sliding his blade along the sheath Kiriya holds between them. If Kiriya protects his hand, Ken can cut his body, if he's not quick enough to avoid the cut altogether.

- If Kiriya still has enough strength in his sword arm after being hit in the armpit, he can cut Ken. But he still needs to react to the blade coming for his sheath hand, and potentially his body.

Post Count: 7

[Greyson]

With his arm extended at the time, the pit of his arm would relatively covered. The pain would be dulled but the blade was already on contact with his target, ripping it back with even a fraction of his strength was enough to cut through his uniform and draw blood. Though it would not be as deep as his leg cut the burden would be greater being closer to his sword arm and all the soft tendons.

Kiriya would disengage letting Ken's slice on his fingers miss completely. The jab hurt but nothing he hadn't felt before. He quickly flexed and unflexed his arm, letting the shock of the impact wear out.

Kiriya adjusted his grips. Sword hand relaxed for a second, letting the blood course through him at a normal pace once more. Ignore the pain. Once again the calloused hands firmly gripped at the top of the hilt. Sheathed held like a reverse gripped sword.

Right arm crossed his chest, pointed towards Ken from a left guard.

[Ken Shirogane]

It seemed that Ken had underestimated Kiriya's agility, and overestimated the value of the armpit strike he performed. Indeed while it seemed to discomfort Kiriya it didn't seem to take him long to shrug it off after disengaging and leaving Ken with a light cut across his right shoulder.

Testing his shoulder he didn't feel it would impact his fighting ability much if at all, but it was deep enough that he could feel the trickle of blood down his back, and the wind blowing through the cut in his robes.

He pondered the situation a moment before deciding with an internal shrug. Standing strait he sheathed his sword, but it wasn't to set up for another attack this time.

Looking to the man with a clipboard he raised his hand, and made a gesture to signal his defeat, who nodded in reply jotting the results down on said clipboard.

Then looked back to Kiriya with a grin. "I forfeit. It was a good match, but I'll take this as my loss." He said before offering a short respectful bow.

The match had been intended to be first blood, but it had been up to the fighters to decide when exactly the first blood was. Kiriya had taken a cut to his leg, but clearly, it had not been important enough to end the fight there nor impede him enough to make any sort of important impact. And considering he was able to land the cut on Ken's shoulder while disengaging and able to avoid any damage to his hand or body in the process, Ken decided that he'd just accept this as his loss.

"You're fighting spirit is impressive. It really is strange to me that you ended up in a squad other than 11, but I guess you must have rejected the idea for some personal reason." He mused with interest looking Kiriya over once more. "Either way, I hope we can both improve and meet again in the future. Good match." He said before turning to walk off the little stage that had been set up for them, and making his way over to one of the nearby healers.

---

Post Count: 8

- Ken has determined that the injury to his shoulder is severe enough that he has decided to take the match as his loss. Signaling to the one of the people keeping score that he has submitted to Kiriya.

- Ken expresses his gratitude to Kiriya for the match, and his interest in the fact that the man wasn't in Squad 11 before turning to leave so he could have his injury tended to.