(P) THE ONCOMING STORM

The release of her blade was, while anti-climatic, the true sign that the fight had reached a new height.

Nanami leveled the sword to her armpit, blade outstretched towards the false Spirit. Honey colored hues watched it's approach until the impatience of it's betrayal was too heavy a weight to bear. Like the sound of thunder that follows lightning, she set off. Despite their distance she could feel the shadow's anger bleeding from the ivory wound upon it's abdomen. It only fueled her desire for vengeance; a vengeance so powerful the walls quaked with the untempered reiatsu that flowed freely. The only reprieve felt by the entire environment was momentary, the duo's blades meeting in a spectacular display of sparks and metallic clangs. Despite being a silent being, the very crimson glow upon it's forehead spoke volumes in it's wake; an anger so venomous and defiant that it seemed to hum in anticipation.

There was more to fighting than blade work, however. Almost instantly the Shadow released a grip on the hilt of his own blade and, without any indications, reached out and punched Nanami across the cheek. A battle hardened veteran and former Captain herself, the hit only caused a spur of blood to line her teeth; most likely a bite to the tongue if anything. But he was not the only one who would take advantage of the situation. When he tried it again- which, of course he did, since he was still but a cub with the knowledge of a true cat- she was ready for him. Grabbing his wrist, she pulled it further along it's path and back past the opposite side of her head, rearing up her right foot and planting it flatly into his ribs. The effect didn't stumble him, but rather threw him off guard; his hilt holding hand losing it's advancing strength, and thus, leaving him on the defensive. Instead of pushing forward, she slid the metal of the blade against his own, and in a swift right motion, severed the arm completely from it's masters shoulder.

Gripping the creatures now useless appendage, she tossed it aside, the remnants of it turning into shadows and dispersing. "Central 46 expects you to stop me? How pathetic." Her words were cruel and laced with venom; a sneer crossing her lips. From the ruined left arm popped an ivory colored appendage, smaller in mass, but recognizable. With every piece that came back she became stronger-- their bond becoming stronger. Even the false spirit knew this as he backed off, a singular wing guiding him safely to his destination. The smooth area where it's mouth belonged began to shake vigorously, pieces of it's skin flaking off and crumbling back into wispy shadows. Narrowing her eyes, the former Captain watched with renewed interest, only to be disgusted and shocked as a jagged gap formed. The newly formed, crude maw opened and reared back it's head, releasing a roar so loud so savage, the air seemed to vibrate in response.

Die 

He spoke, voice sounding like a creature being dragged through an endless road of glass. Using it's only free arm, it created a series of precise and quick cuts, slicing through the air with little noticeable hums. Nanami recognized the technique instantly as one of her own. Yet.. when did he release the blade? She hadn't heard the phrase.. That could only mean..? Her jaw locked as the recognition flowed within' her. She needed to end this before he truly understood the power he held above her. But one thing at a time; she needed to deal with this. Repeating his steps, she did the same; the arcs of water that formed in front of her thin yet deadly as the shot forth, fusing together as they did. Their power was that of equals as of now; one with the experience and one with the knowledge of said experience. The confrontation was invisible up until the point of contact; water spraying in every direction, intermixed with a black liquid of some sort.

Likewise, they too had similar ideas; blades connecting half a dozen times in between the scattered mist. Their speed and blade prowess were impressive. With every connection a shockwave of reiatsu expanded outwards to clip the environment. A final confrontation ensued, both pushing with full strength when a senile, venomous laughter escaped the creatures maw in short strides. Her confusion was short lived before a piercing pain shot through her left shoulder. Turning her head slowly, her eyes wider than the distance between stars themselves, realization spread in. He had extended the tip of his blade using the water in the air- an ability shared by both using Harusame- but his creativity in the aspect was lost on the rusty fighter. He had increased it's length only a few feet before forcing the other half to curve at an angle and pierce her shoulder. Blood shot from the wound as he release it from within' and delivered a swift kick to the sternum, cracking 3 ribs and sending her back towards the ground in a crater. Dust shot forth and the surrounding rock face groaned as if in pain, cracks spreading across it's form from the impact of it's sister ground.

Meanwhile, above her, the creature's laughter echoed the dark halls as nothing stirred from within'.