tampered | Log; Ongoing

Current Mood: predatory

Log; Ongoing

When; Sunday 12th October
Rating; PG for some violence
Characters; Ren (

banditfox)
Summary; Very much cursed and aggravated at his current situation at home, Ren takes to the stadium to relieve stress. However, his opponant Kurama, someone who has for too long had to fight senselessly, make him see things differently. Now to see what shall happen in this great battle, and what sort of agreement the fighters will come to!~
Log;

Yes, he had heard about the stadium, and the fighting going on inside of it for the past few days, and needless to say, Ren had been sorely tempted to go and find himself an opponent.

While he had long ago given up fighting senselessly for sheer enjoyment (the fact alone that he used to still digusted him somewhat)but he still wanting to keep up with training his skills. He hadn't sparred in a while, mainly due to the bad effects of curses, and it was taking it's toll on him. Without an outlet for the stress between himself and his roommate of late, he was feeling more and frustrated.

Finally, he really couldn't take it anymore, and before he even realized it, he was at the huge stadium, weapon ready, seemingly waiting for someone to fight.

Horohoro would probably be downright furious at him when he came back and found out what he did, but at the moment he really couldn't care. He really needed this at the moment, and as he waited for any sign of another fighter entering the area, his grip of his Kwan Dao tightened in anticipation.

Bloodthirsty, he wasn't, not anymore. But that didn't mean he couldn't appreciate a good fight every now and then.

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Kurama really wasn't in the mood. He'd been a corpse less than twenty-four hours ago, and now the City had thrust him into the arena before he'd had a proper chance to recover and come to terms with the knowledge that, as one of the City dead, he could never go home. He appreciated the friendships he had built in this place, but his family was elsewhere, his partner was elsewhere, and Kurama loathed being cornered. More than that, he despised being forced into battles for entertainment. Memories of the Dark Tournament still rankled, and not just because of the disturbing fascination Karasu had had with torturing the fox in front of thousands.

Worn down though he was, and cut off from his powers, it was a particularly dangerous Kurama who stepped into the arena to face Ren, cold disdain clear in his amber eyes. He didn't have to be in his tall youko form, with a fox's ears and tail and claws tipping his fingers, to display the fact that he was a predator and was not amused.

Immediately wary, seeing the expression of the opponent before him, Ren put his guard up, raising his weapon front of his, positioned for both defence and offence if needed. All his tournament experience, so many battles, he knew the one thing you couldn't do was unestimate the challenger before you.

He knew he was limited here. Without Bason he couldn't perform and oversoul, which meant his Shaman abilities were pretty useless. He had long running experience of combat and weapon skills under his belt, but that would not amount to much against something like this. Ghosts and shamans were one thing, but whatever this man was, it was something he really had no idea how to handle. Hopefully his instincts would get him through it without too much injury; he really didn't want to go through dying again...

Shaking his head in disapproval, Kurama advanced until he was standing just out of easy reach. "You're really going to go through with this?" he asked. "Consider carefully. I don't want to give more blood to the masses, but I will if you force me to." Still, he was wary. The man was obviously well-prepared for battle, and Kurama couldn't be certain yet how closely matched they were. There was also the fact that the man was armed and the fox was not to consider. Kurama might be dead, but it was a point of pride not to be killed again, particularly so soon after having had his throat cut.

"There's no shame in taking precaution, particularly when I can recognise someone who clearly well rounded in battle." Ren replied, eyes narrowed as he kept watch over the others movements. He couldn't be too careful, that much he could tell from the look off the being before him.

However, he did cast a glance at the crowds watching the fight, only to roll his eyes and sigh. Really, anyone looking at such things as entertainment...that hit too close to home for his liking. Thus, he thought it best to set the record straight.

"I don't wish to either. I don't fight for anyone but myself."

Kurama sighed and held his hands open at his sides in invitation. "Then by all means, fight before I make certain that you can't."

Okay, if there's one thing that Ren didn't like, it was to be made to feel like he wasn't worth the effort, particularly in a fight. The tongari spike of his hair twitched in slight annoyance, as he adjusted his footing, getting into position.

"I've given the curtosy to not underestimate you, I would advise you do the same with me."

That, Kurama felt, wasn't worth a verbal answer. He struck, hard and fast, moving to disarm his opponent. Over a thousand years of experience, coupled with a demon's natural proclivity for violence, made his movements sure and deadly.

It was very lucky Ren had guarded at first, otherwise this would have been a lot worse. A long two years fighting in the tournament had been something, but he could see this person's experience was much more vast.Now he knew he couldn't leave anything to chance.

Gritting his teeth in pain at the blow, he backed up enough to keep a grip on the Kwan Dao. He would have to be quick in order to get any opening to retaliate, hesistanting would cost him dearly.

"You still have time to reconsider," Kurama said, easily maintaining conversation as he fought. He had plenty of concentration to spare. "If you don't want to fight for their entertainment, then don't. The only reason I'm bothering just now is that I don't feel like letting you win."

Ren barely took in the words as he continued blocking Kurama off, before attempting to sweep the blade in a low strike to slow his opponent down. Meanwhile he did his best to keep the distance between them, staring in a determined fashion on hearing the others words.

"I told you, I'm not. I'm fighting for myself. " he insisted, his grip tightening once more. "I've needed to get into a good fight for a while now."

"Are you really?" Kurama asked, dodging the strike and not bothering to take the offensive. "Listen to them. Do you think they care who you're fighting for?" He indicated the spectators with a jerk of his head. "They don't. You're simply feeding their desire to watch others suffer."

"I'm aware of their lust for blood...I know the feeling myself." he snapped. However, hearing the roar of the crowds ringing in his ears, the gears in Ren's head turned. He remembered the old ways of life, his father's insistance that you either kill or be killed, that there was pride in hatred. He was above and away from that now, wasn't he?

{OOC: I have work soon, just so you know if I disappear.}

"As do I, but I'm not so weak as to indulge it here, for them." The youko lashed out, not holding back, giving his opponent a glimpse of how quickly the fight could end if Kurama chose the expedience of death over the careful manipulation of perception he was currently engaged in, attempting to convince the the other that the fight wasn't worth it. "You can find better battles than this one, battles that have nothing to do with amusing a crowd."

Tensing, took the blow, while still using the Kwan Dao to slice through the air, propelling distance and doing some damage (at least he hoped) to Kurama.

"If you really do now what I'm talking about," he stated, catching his breath, not looking at the other with a better degree of calm around him, ignoring the protests from their audience. "Then you'll understand that during this situation, it's hard to let go of your pride, expecially to a worthy opponent."

The damage was minor, hardly enough to draw blood. Kurama's patience was waning, but he managed to maintain an impassive aspect.

"You sacrifice your pride now by continuing this farce when you've been offered the chance for honorable withdrawal." He turned his back on his opponent, saying over his shoulder in a frigid voice, "We're finished."

Well, this was a surprise. Ren had often been told he lacked social skills, but this person...he didn't seem to wish to have anything to do with anyone. Not only that, but it seemed he had muddled his words somewhat. Watching his opponent walk away, the shaman realized he best clarify things, this being the last chance he might get.

"You misunderstand. I said it was hard not impossible." he stated, and to emphasize the point, twirled his weapon in his fingers till it was upside down, stabbing the blade into the ground so it stood in place as he let go of the handle. He recognised the fight was over, but that didn't mean he regretted it starting. After all, he had met someone who had been a true challenge to him, something he'd been lacking for a while.

"You are...a worthy adversary." he stated, sharp eyes watching the retreating figure with both a small smirk, and a sense of pride and purpose.

The kitsune paused and looked back. He raised an eyebrow, and then in acknowledgment, he offered his name. "Youko Kurama."

"Tao Ren." he replied, nodding his head in a sign of respect to the other, a small, but meaningful smile on his face.

[OOC: There's a little note for Kurama in Ren's new journal post from after the fight, in case you want to comment. Thanks for the fun interaction~ ^^]

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Log; Ongoing

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