tampered | Log; Ongoing

Rangiku slipped into the night without a word to her husband. It was unusual for her, but she found she was looking forward to a good round with someone. Once she hit the edge of the desert, the temperature dropped, but she didn't feel the chill through her robes. The chill was somewhere deeper in her bones and had been for some time.

Silently, she dropped down next to Zaheela, and found herself staring at the same stars.

"... thanks. For doing this."

Her ear flicked once again as she closed her eyes before nodding, pulling off the scarf she had wrapped around her neck, if only for appearance. It was no use to try and keep warm anymore.

"I think we both need this... really." Zaheela responded softly, her eyes watching as the stars shone quietly against the dark velvet sky. Minutes passed as they watched the heavenly bodies above before Zaheela stood silently and walked a few feet away, her hands drawing her twin fudo from their sheaths. 20 inches of sharpened, enchanted steel, both ready for blood.

"Both walk out alive, but don't hold back." Zaheela repeated, the cold blades of her weapons reflecting the moonlight. She reached into her satchel and removed a small pouch from the interior, throwing it at the woman.
"Incase I get knocked out. It's a healing infusion, enough for two." She stated simply before shifting into a fighting stance, eyes narrowed.

The pink scarf that normally wound about her shoulders ended up knotted in her hair, keeping it out of her eyes. A quick glance took in the stance and the twin blades, and Haineko was suddenly warm and solid in her own palm.

Rangiku settled into a careful stance of her own, Haineko steady before her as she let the tamped down reiatsu flow. It wasn't the amount she was used to, but it was enough.

"I don't plan on it."

Zaheela nodded, and waited, blades both raised in a ready position, one by her side, and the other by her hip. She waited a moment, taking in the blade, the shift in pressure, and let Mana take it's course, the circlet around her neck faintly glowing for a moment as her eyes improved. Behind her back, a paper burned, activating something, and she suddenly flung out a pin faster then eyes could see, the metal guided towards the target, but before it could stab into flesh, she made a small motion.
"Summoning the heavens, Raiton: Ni!" She whispered into the air as a column of lightning streaked downwards to incinerate anything below or near it.

Rangiku summoned the reiatsu to her feet, shunpyo-ing out of the way when she felt the subtle change in the power of the area. Under her breath, she called glowing energy to her fingers, the incantation, 'Oh ruler, mask of flesh and blood, all creations of the universe, fluttering of the wings, ye who bears the name of man! Truth and temperance, strike but slightly your claw upon this wall which feigns ignorance of sin! barely audible.

Blue flames erupted from her hand, streaking towards her friend as she used another burst of shunpyo to close in directly behind the flames.

Zaheela's ear twitched as she listened to the incantation and the shifting of position. She darted to the side momentarily, her own speed still impressive, and watched the flames streak by, barely singing the very tip of her hair. The advantage to her death was her increased hearing, and she could hear the other woman's breath disappear. She swung one fudo to counter the incoming woman, the other following closely from the opposite direction as the dance of the blades began.

Ran danced off to one side, smiling as the reiatsu answered her call easily. Haineko flicked up to catch the oncoming blade, a quietly muttered Kyoumon spell blocking the other. The spell shattered under her own hand, however as she made a grab for Zaheela's near hand.

A grin appeared on her own face as the blades clashed, sparks appearing briefly at the clash of the blades before the recoil forced both blades to bounce. It didn't disappear as her hand was grabbed and she flowed into the next stance, her body unusually flexible as she twisted under the woman's arm , wrist and blade still in the woman's grip. The sudden movement rubbed uncomfortably on her 'captor's' hand for a brief moment before she lashed her free elbow at the woman's side, all in a few moments Time.

Ran hissed softly at the grate against her hand, but didn't let go, even though she was in motion herself. The elbow landed in the soft part just under the side of her ribcage, but the motion was already sending her away from the hit. The smile a bit wider, she used her leverage to try and pull the other woman around and throw her.

Flowing with the movement, Zaheela was prepared for the throw partially, using the leverage to help herself right herself mid-air, much like the cat she resembled, landing on one foot even. A feline grin and a swish of the tail as she motioned again while landing. Her fingers glew slightly, if not for effect.

"Summoning the demon's left claw, Hyoton: Ni!" was all she murmured as the dropped packet of ice responded to the triggering Mana and surged upwards from where it was dropped, right by Rangiku's feet. As the ice surged, she lunged before the woman could disappear from the spot. Her speed may of been hampered, but she was still FAST, fast enough to reach the woman in time and slash at her side.

Ran cursed under her breath as her feet were frozen to the sand beneath them. Instead of trying to move, she slid a finger along the edge of her blade and called the shikai release with a shout and a flick of her arm.

"Unare, Haineko!"

The steel melted away and reformed into a cloud of ash. In less than the blink of an eye, half the ash was circling her foot, chipping away at the ice. The other half was spinning around Zaheela, a blinding tempest of razor sharp particles.

"Meet Haineko's first release..." With a chuckle, she pulled her foot free and scooted back a few yards, giving herself some more room.

She knew about the various releases, but this was not one she had been expecting at all. A snarl was ripped from her throat as she could feel the nip of the ash on her skin, but not before a small yellow fan snapped into her hand and opened. With a swinging motion, powerful gusts of wind came to her aide, blowing aside the ash for a moment.

"Nice to meet you, but it'll take more then that to take me down." Zaheela responded in jest before lifting a packet for her opponent to see and letting the shadows engulf her. They hid her form from Rangiku's sight and she darted forward, circling her prey quickly, sand barely disturbed at her feather like footsteps.

Rangiku called Haineko back to her as the wind caught at strands of her hair, but allowed the ash to settle in her spirit form. The large cat stood calmly beside her mistress, silver eyes peering at Zaheela as she finally stopped. Ran didn't try and move, knowing something had been placed around her. Odds were, if she moved, it would set off.

Or Zaheela would do it. Either way.

Oh there were traps, but she wasn't about to use them. No, they were traps for a reason, why use them so soon?

Hands reached into her satchel and she drew 4 kunai which were quickly launched at her opponent, each blade aimed at a limb. She watched from her hiding place, a little curious as to why the Haineko was staring directly at her. By all rights, she should of been invisible.

Rangiku jumped up and out of the way, flickering out of sight as the flash steps took over, wishing she'd chosen to play in the forest. Trees were great perches, after all. Haineko followed her, the sword back in its hilt. Without a word, Ran dropped into a low, defensive crouch, eyes scanning the area.

"Shame on you. Hiding is playing dirty."

"Now, didn't we agree to pull out all the stops?" Zaheela questioned, throwing her voice so that it sounded like it was coming from behind the woman. At the same time, she darted forward, one blade slicing through the air as the other followed close behind with another open fan, the wind eagerly coming to the catgirl's aide.
"I'd hate to think you're holding back on me Dear~" She teased half heartedly.

Ran's head snapped around to peek behind her, but her attention stayed centered in her immediate area. A gust of wind alerted her to the oncoming attack, so she swung Haineko around to deflect the blades.

Zaheela was right. She'd been holding back, but it wasn't for fear of hurting her friend. It was concern that her reiatsu still hadn't balanced out well after losing the baby.

With a grimace, she pulled at her limits, seeing if she could still break them.

Zaheela darted backwards, eyes watching the woman as she gathered power. At least she was getting serious, she waited quietly as she watched the woman test her limits, the power in the air slowly growing. It wasn't like when she fought Cirucci, but this still was a person from that world. She would have to take the fighting seriously at this point.

Her free hand drew the sheathed blade back out and she stood on guard, eyes hard. Now the real game began.

The reiatsu thrummed through her, filling her with warmth that had been missing for some time. It became visible, casting her in a silver light before soaking back into her skin.

"... not hold back now."

This time, when she moved towards her, it was much quicker. Haineko was a blur as she closed in on her target.

Zaheela raised both blades to catch the incoming blade, calm and silent as she pushed back against the woman and silently observed. Increased power, speed, and of course, the pressure, though it wasn't the heaviest she ever felt. Lips pressed together, she shoved Rangiku back and darted backwards.

"Sorry sorry." She said softly, hand touching the circlet around her neck and focusing her Mana completely. Her eyes heightened once again, the slits growing larger and she let the mana woven into both the metal and her clothes release. Around her the wind howled it's agreement, and she looked up calmly.

No longer playful, but a calm, deathly warrior. Leaning forward slightly, she used the gift of speed the ninja class granted her. It was slower now, but still fast enough for her to keep pace with Rangiku for the most part. Her left blade aiming to slash and her right aiming to parry whatever blow came.

"Bone of a straggling beast, spire, crimson crystal, disc of steel, when the wind shifts, and the emptiness ceases, let the clash of lances resonate through the relinquished castle."

Power crackled around Ran's hand again, this time a vivid yellow for a brief instant before she released it in a violent cascade of lightning. A mark glowed blood red just along the almost indecently low neckline of her robes as she let loose the barrage. She made no move to avoid the oncoming attack, trusting in her kidou.

The lightning hit home... if it wasn't for the fact that Zaheela had prepared for this a long time ago. The lightning came closer, closer, she could feel the heat. The shadow defense activated and rose from around her, an illusionary version of herself leaping in to take the blow. Power swallowed, the damage as she continued her movement forward, blades arcing in the moonlight to draw blood in a cross movement.

Ran stumbled back for a moment, crimson blossoming along long slices in her robes. She hadn't been expecting the defense, and made a mental note to ask her about it when they were done, but for now, she curled a hand around her wrist again and pulled her, full strength, to toss her to the side.

Haineko was released again, and this time, the ash glittered in the moonlight; harder due to the limit being broken.

Zaheela skidded to the side, foot digging into the sand as she landed harshly, sand kicking up and the 'skirt' (more like flaps) of her outfit flared, only to bite down a snarl as the ash was released at her again, her shadow defense taking the majority of the blow. It could not stop the stray particles that managed to slip through, and Zaheela frowned as the cuts began to weep blood.

She pulled out a fan once more, gripping it in two fingers before using the wind to blow the ash away, the strength much the same power as a hurricane wind, but this time, she placed a hand against the sand.
"TRIGGER!" She announced before the area around them exploded with fire, the wind whipping it higher and higher.

This time, the cursing was much louder. Rangiku had just enough time to throw up another Mirror Gate shield, but it still left her hands scorched. With a growl similar to something thet should be from Haineko, she willed the ash down and and thicker, putting out some of the flames around them by sheer weight. What didn't go out, she left alone and focused her attention on going on the offensive.

Haineko's empty hilt found its way into a hidden pocket just inside her right sleeve as her hands twist into a spell formation. "Disintegrate, black dog of Rondaniini. Look upon your burning soul and sever your throat."

A deep red light surrounds Zaheela as Ran attempts to seal her movement.

Zaheela frowned as the red light encircled her before she let the final shadow die, only to activate it once more, the human shapped tool burning in her palm. The ground not melted into glass was still glowing with the heat. She motioned as she flung two capsules of water into the air, filling the dry air of the desert with humidity. The effect could be seen as black clouds formed... Thunder clouds.

"Summoning the Heavens, Raiton...SAN" It was the only third tier ninja elemental spell she had, but it had all lead up to this moment. The clouds rumbled, oddly placed inside the desert, and lightning streaked downwards toward the conductors she had placed in the ground in a wide circle. The heavens danced and scorched whatever mortal lay in it's wake. She let the shadows wrap around her and take whatever stray bolt came to hit her, but she was outside the trap for the most part...

... but Ran wasn't. She poured as much power into the Mirror Gate as she could, keeping low to the ground and constantly moving. She took several strikes, but the Mirror Gate lessened the damage. Not much, though.

Haineko did what she could to help shield her mistress, but when the storm died down, Rangiku stood and dismissed the spell. She was scorched and burned in several places and her robes were smoking... but she was slightly smiling.

"....... glad we're... friends."

Zaheela just smiled before asking. "You think you're done for tonight then?" She didn't put the blades away yet though.

Ran waved a hand as she called Haineko back to her saya. "Yeah, yeah... I'm horribly out of shape. I got lazy when I was pregnant." She shadows were still in her eyes when she thought about that, but it they weren't as prominent as they had been recently.

With a tired laugh, rubbed at the back of her neck, wiping away sweat and sand.

"What about you?"

With a shrug, Zaheela resheathed the blades easily, her appearance lax. Truthfully, she wasn't that tired.
"I guess I've been more active with my training." She said before pulling out a satchel from her bag, similar to the one she had given Rangiku before. She pulled out the small vial containing two oddly glowing orbs and shook both out for Rangiku to take.

"It's the Healing infusion. Swallow it and It'll take care of the... scorch marks." She said, before actually taking one of the blue orbs and swallowing it. The effect could be seen visibly, her wounds closing painlessly, a soft blue glow coming from her skin.
"Still tastes like bad yagudo cherries though." She said with a grimace, tongue sticking out.

Ran peered at the little orb, then popped it into her mouth. A moment later, her lips curled down into a grimace of her own. "Oh, that's..... ick." Still, Ran didn't complain while she watched the wounds close up and heal over.

"That's amazing...."

"It's what I do in the library, research new ways to heal and help." Zaheela responded as she sat down on the cool sand once again. "What do you think I did at the library all day? Read romance novels?" She asked with half a smile before it died away and her eyes focused on the stars.

"If you ever need it, I'll fight you again." She said softly, eyes tired. "This city... requires it if we're to remain sane I think..."

"Some of those romance novels are pretty damn good, you know," Ran teased back, her smile matching Zaheela's before it, too, faded away.

"..... warriors shouldn't be locked away in one place. It... makes the soul grow dull, along with the blade."

Zaheela remained silent as she watched the sky, the last of the created storm fading back into the inky darkness. The stars and moon lit up their battleground, the now clear glass forming a winding pattern reminding her of a blooming flower. Her eyes flickered to the glass swirls, knowing full well the desert would engulf it soon.

She pursed her lips before closing her eyes and began to sing under her breath.
"We warriors fight for ourselves
Justice, pleasure, hate, revenge
Dancing across the sky as blades
Let not our surface tarnish with disuse
We are the blade, let us be strong..."

Her song echoed across the desert and was swallowed by the wind, but her eyes were calm.
"We won't dull, We're stronger then we think." She stated.

Log; Ongoing

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