Feuled by Rivalry(Kuja, otherwise PM for permissio

[Reks Alazlam]

Reks stood in the Demon Arts pit alone. He reached his right hand around to his left side and drew his Zanpakuto. He widened his feet to shoulder width apart and bent his knees slightly. His right foot was forward and his left foot was back. His blade was pointed diagonally upward in front of himself. Reks smiled as he felt the wind blow through his fur and caused his shinigami robes to wave in the wind as well. He stared intently at the three training dummies that were tied to wooden posts in front of him.

It's been five and a half long years since I died. I've made it to the top of my class in the shinigami academy. Somehow, though, the identity and location of the shinigami that sent me to Soul Society before that Hollow that shot down my plane could corrupt my spirit.....has evaded me. I have to find some way to locate and repay that shinigami. Even if it's only a simple thanks that I give her. These thoughts ran through Reks' mind as he leaped forward and lashed out with his blade.

He did a quick downward slash with the force of his own weight aiding the power of the slash as he landed. He would then quickly execute a rapid spin to his right and bring his blade up for another swift slash. He jumped to his right side at top speed and executed a low horizontal swing of his Zanpakuto. He leaped away from the first Dummy that he'd nearly taken apart and muttered under his breath, "Way of Destruction number four.....White Lightening."

The first dummy's two arms and right leg both thudded as they hit the ground almost simultaneously. The second Dummy took the full power of his lightening from his left index finger and splintered near the top, catching on fire as it did so from the heat of the lightening.

I've come so far in these five years, and yet somehow you still do not show me your true face and your true name.....Why? Reks asked himself as he looked at his Zanpakuto. I long to know the name of my three year companion. You've helped me rise through the ranks of this place. Now I seek to know your name. If I must train a thousand fold harder then I will. I'll not be bested by anyone or anything, even if it is my own Zanpakuto.

[Kuja Xion]

Kuja was walking through the Academy by himself engaged in his own thoughts. He walked a t a moderate pace ignoring the other students who were walking away from The Demon Art's Pit. He didn't have many friends and it didn't bother him much. In fact, he was happy to have the ones he did.

Will I be able to save Kelly from the Hollows..if she's still alive at all that is... Kuja thinks as he folds his arms across his chest. No....no I won't think about that..I'll be able to save her and bring her to Soul Society..and I can show her everything here...she would really enjoy it... Kuja thinks as he steps up to the edge of the pit and glances down at the solitary figure within its depths.

"Oi! Reks..." Kuja yelled before leaping off the edge into the pit grinning.

[Reks Alazlam]

Reks sheathed his Zanpakuto as he heard a familiar voice from behind him and the sound of feet hitting the ground. He quickly whirled around to greet his good friend, "Hello, Kuja. I'm a bit surprised to see you here at the pit. You're usually off in the woods. So, what's up?" He welcomed the fact that his friend wanted to join him in the pit, even if it was only for some idle chit-chat.

Well, what a surprise. Not like Kuja to come to the pit like this. Either he has something really good to tell me , he has something really bad to tell me, or he's got something on his mind that bothers him. I'm hoping it's the first one as opposed the the second and third. These thoughts ran through Reks' mind as he extended his hand for a friendly handshake with a smile on his face. He scratched the back of his head as he awaited Kuja's reply to his question.

He looked over Kuja's shoulder to see several of their classmates, along with some younger students, had amassed on the edge of the pit. Are they hoping for another match? Aaahhh....that'd be the second one this week. I can't say I don't like our matches, but I have my limits. He thought as he watched the mass of people behind Kuja grow by the moment.

[Kuja Xion]

Kuja extended his own hand and shook his best friends. Before looking glancing down at the ground and clearing his thoughts.

"Nothing really...it's just that..I dunno man..there seems to be a lot on my mind right now...I guess your wondering why I'm not out in the woods? It's because I can't get my stupid mind to shut up...I'm about to give myself a lobotomy...because it keeps trying to tell me..well...that Kelly could be dead.." Kuja finishes exhaling deeply as he said the last bit.

I hope I'm just being stupid...

[Reks Alazlam]

Reks sighed as he now knew his assumptions were correct, or at least partially. Reks let his hand casually drop to his side and then commenced speaking, "Hey, all you people up there mind giving a couple of friends some privacy in their personal conversation? This guy has a lot on his mind. He doesn't need a bunch of groupies hoping he's come for a match. He's a living being too y'know, not a tool for your amusement." Reks shouted over Kuja's shoulder to all the people standing on the rim of the pit.

"Sorry about that, man." Reks said in a quieter and calmer tone than before. Man, he really is being bothered by this. He can barely talk straight. Reks thought before opening his mouth to speak once more, "I can't say for sure whether she is alright or whether she isn't, Kuja. I can tell you, however, what a very wise man once told me. He said that the only certain thing about the future is the fact that nothing is ever for certain until it's done and in the past." after finishing these words Reks fell silent and turned back to the dummies that he had destroyed, going up to them to get a closer and more detailed view of the damage he had done.

Alright. I can tell already that I'm improving with my kidou skill. This dummy is almost blown in half from the split that my white lightening caused. Heh, I guess I'm still not as good as Kuja at kidou, though. He can use the shot of red fire spell. Reks thought as he turned back to Kuja for a moment, peering over his shoulder as he remembered the time that Kuja nearly blasted him with the shot of red fire.

[Kuja Xion]

Kuja stares down at the ground between his feet and slowly nods. He's right..I can't be worrying about it...but it's so hard not to...with so much going on here...and almost being out of the Academy...once I get out...I am going to looking for her...even if it means going to Hueco Mundo.. Kuja thinks as his face gets more determined looking.

"Thanks man....that really helped..but I want to tell you..since your my only friend...once we graduate..I'm going looking for her...even if it means going to Hueco Mundo..." Kuja said softly as he glances around making sure there is no one else watching them. "And if I get killed..then I'll be dead..."

He looks up at his best friend his face set in a stony look of determination. I have to save her...no one else can..

[Reks Alazlam]

"Well, my friend, with a look like that and words to match, who would I be to stop you, let alone call myself your friend." Reks replied, still smiling as he looked over his shoulder yet again. He stood back up from being on one knee to look at the dummies and turned around to face Kuja. He really is in it deep this time. I hope he doesn't plan on doing anything so stupid by himself. Reks thought as he began to speak once more....

"I couldn't really call myself your friend if I didn't go with you on that wild and crazy venture. If I let you go alone what kind of friend would I be then? I'll tell you. A horrible one. So you just rest easy and train for now. Once we're out of here, we'll do what needs done." He finished his sentence and took a breath.

"I seem to have encountered a problem of my own though, Kuja. I can't seem to reach my shikai. I've tried and tried, but nothing ever happens. I think it's because I'm not skilled enough in kidou to control it yet, but i haven't been able to make any progress with my kidou either. Thuink you can help me out?" Reks said, hoping to take kuja's mind partially off of it's dark and dim path. What he had said wasn't just to get his friend to calm down a bit, though. Reks actually did need help furthering his skills in kidou, so he had asked the only person he could.

[Kuja Xion]

Kuja listens to Reks speak and closes his eyes as he hears that his friend will be joining him on his adventure. Thank you...Reks...your a good person..I just hope neither of us gets killed... Kuja thinks as he smiles slightly and shakes his head/

"I am having my own problems with Shikai as well..it seems to need an almost perfect balance in kidou...which is difficult to achieve ...especially if you lose control of your emotions easily..." Kuja said as he glances at Reks. They both knew they had trouble containing any kind of emotion..especially anger.

"But kidou is easier if you can clear your mind..or so it seems to me..."

[Reks Alazlam]

"Ah, well, although it seems to be a double edged sword I have to say I'm glad I'm not the only one who has a problem mastering shikai." Reks said with a half hearted chuckle. He didn't mean to say that he and his friend were inadequate, only that he felt like he fit in more since Kuja had the same problem. "Thanks for the calmness tip, by the way. You're probably right. Every time I've attempted Shikai in the past I've always been so frsutrated from failing so many times or I've been excited because of some other event or soemthing. That tip may be exactly what I needed."

As Reks spoke he unsheathed his Zanpakuto once more and suddenly a triumphant look would spread across his face. he put his left foot back and his right forward, both bent slightly at the knee. His blade pointed in front of him with his elbows bent slightly, too. I hadn't thought that my state of mind would play such a large role in determining the outcome of my attempted Shikai. I can't believe I missed that one small, yet crucial detail.

As he had his sword drawn Reks began to focus his power, raising his Reiatsu to it's highest possible. He then began to surge his might into his blade. Stay calm, Reks, don't get angry or excited. As these thoughts coursed through Reks' head he thought he ehard a voice right behind him, and it wasn't familiar so he whirled around to see who it was, but no one was there except Kuja.

Who said that? There was someone right behind me and then they're gone......hhhmmm is something going on that I'm missing?

[GoldenKitten]

Moved to Dead RP's.