A Spar Between Strangers

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Time was running down as the graduation exam loomed. There were many sounds you could hear throughout the dorms, chatter, the flipping of pages, everything you could possibly imagine. The training courtyard was filled with the clang of blades, the thud of wooden swords on wooden posts and the sound of low level kido. In a secluded corner of the courtyard Tetsuya could be found, his zanpakuto laying beside a hooded top folded neatly on the ground.

Tetsuya, standing 5'11", stood in front of a wooden post, a sheen of sweat visible across his shoulders and back. If one looked closely they could see lots of small scars covering his upper body from years of his families cruel training. Despite the years of training he was incredibly nervous for the impending exam, which squad would be interested in taking him and how his path forward to becoming one of the most powerful shinigami would begin.

His snowy hair flailed behind him as he struck the wooden post again with an open palm strike. His Hakuda needed serious work, though so did his skill with his zanpakuto. Choosing the lesser of two evils tonight he decided to focus on his hand to hand combat skills. The sound of flesh meeting wood echoed throughout the courtyard again as Tetsuya continued to strike, wincing slightly with each progressive strike.

He was a lone wolf by nature. He hadn't made many friends during his time in the academy, and by many he meant zero. The young shinigami was so goal focused, and so traumatized from his years being the forgotten child in his family that he had a built a wall that he wasn't sure anyone would be able to break down. I will earn their respect

Stepping forward again, this time moving into kicks, the sound of flesh meeting wood continued to be heard throughout the courtyard. It was almost trancelike and he doubted anyone would be able to break him out of his methodical training.

[z0pu]

Ren #1

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Ren decided that today was a good day to practice his combat skills, Hakuda was definitely one of his weaker skills along with Zanjutsu. not that he was not passable in either but he could definitely stand to improve on both.

For a good while Ren practice on his own against dummies, both his basic sword skills and later his hand to hand skills. There was one problem with such an approach training on your own you were more likely to exacerbate errors and mistakes then you were to actually improve.

Hmmm it would be best to find someone to train with. Normally Ren would ask Tagachi or Saeki but the first was too intense for sparring and the later preferred the confines of the library.

Ren glanced around the yard until someone finally caught his eyes. Sakata rarely interacted with others in classes and outside but he was definitely one of the more skilled Shinigami Trainees, at least his Kido was. Ren would judge that Sakata was actually pretty much a perfect match to him in most areas from what he saw.

So Ren casually approached his classmate. Waiting for a moment where Sakata Tetsuya stopped his own training to catch a breath Ren interupted by calling out in his usual calm tone.

"Hello there, it's Sakata-San isn't it?"

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Fukumoto Ren #27d3d3

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"Hello there, it's Sakata-San isn't it?"

Tetsuya's kick swung wildly over the top of the training post, causing him to nearly do a full three sixty and fall promptly on his behind. The last thing he expected was anyone to interrupt or perhaps even join his little training session. Looking up sheepishly through the white hair that hung loosely in front of his face, Tetsuya analyzed the face of the one who spoke. Tall, slender and the trademark messy black hair clearly made it obvious as to who the newcomer was.

"Hi. Yes. Sorry," rubbing the back of his head as the words stumbled out of his mouth, Tetsuya began to regain his composure. "It's Fukumoto-san right? I've seen you in class." Tetsuya was rather surprised that Ren was talking to him at all. He wasn't used to interacting with his classmates outside of said class. Standing up Tetsuya brushed himself off, realizing that he was still shirtless from his training session and moved towards his neatly folded shirt.

"I'm sorry if I took your training area, I can move", Tetsuya spoke rather softly as he slipped the black shirt over his head and picked up his Zanpakuto. Waiting for Ren's response before he left, he hoped to save himself anymore embarrassment, even though he was disappointed his training session was going to be cut short.

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Tetsuya Sakata #1158a9

[z0pu]

Ren #2

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Ren shook his head calmly in response to Sakata.

"Oh no! I should be the one to apologize for interrupting you."

Ren approached a little closer. "I was actually hoping you would perhaps agree to help me with my own training. I am looking for a sparring partner, not thing too serious of course, no one wishes to be injured so close to the final examinations."

Talking a few steps to the side Ren made his way to one of the benches while keeping eye contact with Sakata.

"I think over focusing on solo training can lead one to simply reinforce their own mistakes and bad habits as oppose to help us improve that's all. So from time to time sparring and training with someone can help everyone grow. As far as I can tell we are of similar levels of skills so surely we should be a good match up for one another."

Giving his usual calm smile Ren finally added.

"So what do you say?"

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Fukumoto Ren #27d3d3

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Train? With me? To say Tetsuya was shocked would be an understatement. Being the lone wolf that he was, the young shinigami was still trying to make sense of the offer. The look on his face was no doubt one of shock and he clutched his zanpakuto a little tighter because of his nerves.

Though Tetsuya had to admit, the offer had merit. Often while training by himself he wasn't able to analyze the faults in his form or any bad habits he had been picking up. Plus maybe, just maybe, he'd actually make a friend.

"I'm in, lets do it!"

His resolve hardened and his competitive juices began to flow. Tetsuya could feel his shirt still sticking to his sweat covered body and stretched a bit to loosen everything up.

"I could really work on my skill with my zanpakuto if you're amicable to that?"

Although he was in general a lone wolf, Tetsuya wanted to become a Captain one day. His competitive side was often hidden, but he would try his best not to become overly competitive about the spar. Awaiting Ren's response while he tensed and untensed his muscles, a small smile graced the boys features, ready for the fun battle ahead.

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Tetsuya Sakata #1158a9

[z0pu]

Ren #3

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Ren smiled and nodded in return. "Of course!" A spar to practice zanjustu was as useful as anything in preparation for exams.

However it would be problematic to get injured by using their real blades in a simple sparring match.

"One moment!" Asked Ren with a small bow before moving at a light jogging pace towards a rack of wooden swords by one of the walls of the training yard. There the young man grabbed two simple wooden sword of average lengths and jogged back to Sakata, offering the other young man on of the two weapons.

"It would be silly to get hurt so close to the graduation exams wouldn't it?"

Maybe Sakata would rather spar using swords however, there were certainly some advantages, the weight was more real and some skills were not possible with wooden blades. Ren himself preferred a iaido approach in swordplay which was not compatible with wooden blades. In the end the young shinigami would leave it to his classmate.

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Fukumoto Ren #27d3d3

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Happily taking one of the wooden swords offered, the young shinigami spun the wooden blade quickly in his hand, getting a feel for the weight. Ren's idea made sense, neither needed to get injured before the exams even started, but technique wise things would be a little tougher.

"You're absolutely right Ren, lets start with these to warm up for sure!"

Tetsuya turned and stepped away from Ren, leaving about ten feet between them. Taking a deep breath the white haired shinigami planted his front foot sideways, aligning it with his body and making himself a smaller target. Holding the wooden blade in his right hand, he held it shoulder height, the tip of the sword aimed at Ren, his left hand extended forward in a pointing motion. He hadn't sparred with anyone in a long time, the entire altercation may be sloppy but he needed the practice before the exam and he welcomed the challenge. I wonder what I can expect?

Tetsuya could feel the excitement radiating through his bones. His competitive side wanted to take over, even though it was just a spar. The last time he had sparred like this was with one of his siblings and he had the snot kicked out of him. He tightened his grip on his blade, ready to defend or attack.

"I'm ready whenever you are"

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Tetsuya Sakata #1158a9