Looking For Some Fun [Kichirou, Kai]

Wind whipped through Kichirou's hair as he walked along a busy street. It hadn't actually been windy that entire day, but the cars zipping by could make one feel like they were in a hurricane. That combined with crowded sidewalks and bright, flashing lights overhead made him feel a bit out of place, though he did tend to have plenty of walking space as when people noticed his Devil's Arm they usually moved around him. Still, Kichirou didn't really like being in a crowd. It wasn't because of the stares he got because of his demonic nature; he didn't really care about what other people thought of him for the most part. It was more that he liked having the freedom to move around and see what was around him without an ocean of other people restricting both. Because of this, he made a turn away from that street as soon as he was able, desperate to get away from the swarming crowds.

The reason Kichirou was in such an environment even though he generally disliked it was pretty simple: he was just passing through. Emphasis on the passing through part; he never liked staying in places like these for long. But this is where his travels had taken him, and this was where he was going to stay for the night. Kichirou did usually appreciate a change in scenery and some excitement. He often enjoyed the nightlife of larger cities, but he hated the mindless waves of the daytime where everyone was just marching through their boring lives. And sometimes he just liked having some peace and quiet, characteristics that cities like this usually didn't have. Kichirou had mixed feelings about large cities, some good and some bad, and he was currently experiencing most of the bad with none of the good.

After some time spent maneuvering crowded streets and dark alleyways, Kichirou finally came to a place much more associated with being calm and relaxing, seeming out of place among the tall buildings and other aspects of industrialization surrounding it. He had found a small, sheltered park capable of giving respite to the weary traveler or other individual looking to get away from the hustle of the city around them. It wasn't some place with equipment set up for children to play, it was just a small area given back to nature. It stood in stark contrast to the environment around it. Kichirou gladly walked into this park, delighted by the fact that the sounds of the city, while not drowned out, were at least muffled in this location. He walked up to one of the relatively many trees in the park and, after unhooking the holster of his zanpakuto, sat down and leaned back upon the base of the tree, setting his zanpakuto down beside him. Some relaxation was good every now and again, though Kichirou was using this more as a getaway from the crowds than to actually relax. A good fight would really help to loosen his muscles some and get him going, but finding one in a place like this was unlikely.

Having spent the last few months as a globetrotting adventurer, on days like this it was nice for Kai to sit back, relax, and enjoy the sunshine beating down on his face. Usually even on beautiful afternoons such as today's Kai would be stuck inside an office building growing ever more bored of a career he once loved. This intense boredom was what had originally caused him to begin seeking experiences and adventures he never would have otherwise, of which Kai was actually quite grateful. He never thought one day he would be glad to go be put through truly mind-numbing work day in and day out.

Today Kai was sitting on a park bench not too far from his workplace, simply enjoying the peacefulness in having no cares in the world. However this feeling was fleeting, temporary in its soothing presence in Kai's soul. Instead it would regularly be replaced by the insecurity in his own strength as the knowledge of his shortcomings was only reinforced by recent events as, no matter how hard he tried, he could not seem to find the power to save everyone in harm's way. This strong wanting to improve himself was part of what drew him to such intense, dangerous situations such as the recent incursion into China. Today though he fought hard to stay focused on just relaxing and enjoying the beautiful midsummer weather.

From his seat, positioned well to overlook much of the park, Kai's gaze bounced from person to person as he spent his time people watching. After experiencing the vibrant casts of characters in Mexico, Africa, and even Tampa Bay all these individuals seemed like the very definition of mundane. Most seemed to be your average everyday businessmen and workers on lunch or between meetings, flitting about among themselves in their boring white bread lives. This seemed the norm. Or at least it did until a man dressed quite peculiarly for the area and armed with a sword, also something not seen often in this neighborhood, walked up to a tree and sat in the shade. Figuring something was up with this guy, Kai figured Eh, I might as well go up and ask him... and did as his thoughts said.

Once only a few meters from the strange man, Kai introduced himself and began asking questions. "Hey, I'm Kai. This is gonna seem real weird, but are you um...what's the word...are you a warrior of some kind? I couldn't help but notice that fancy sword of yours, and figured if you were willing if you would want to have a bit of a bout with me?" Kai waited calmly for a response.

Kichirou would look up at the man approaching him. At first all he would say was a simple "Heh." He was somewhat surprised that someone would ask another for a "bout" in these parts, especially around this time of day. By bout he assumed the man meant a spar, as he had mentioned his sword. That was another thing that somewhat confused him. The man had called his sword, a pretty normal katana, "fancy". One would figure that his Devil's Arm would would catch more attention than his sword. He didn't really think too much about these things though, nor did he bother asking the man about them. Hefting himself to his feet and grabbing his sword as he did so, he addressed the man once more as he hooked his sword's holster back on his belt. "Name's Kichirou. Yes to both of your questions. By bout you do mean spar yes? A spar sounds quite fun right about now, though I do think this area wouldn't be the best of places to have one in. Don't wanna go messing up the scenery and disturbing folks, ya know?" Kichirou would examine the man closely. "I take it you're.. also some kind of.. warrior?"

When Kichirou stood up to his full height, Kai was able to get a good look at the man close up instead of from across the entire field. Being both taller and bulkier than Kai, to onlookers a fight between these two might seem quite one-sided. After battling a skeleton man in Mexico and entire regiments of enemy soldiers in Africa, appearances did not seem to frighten or intimidate the Chinese youth anymore. Even his new rival's strange demonic arm wasn't enough to garner a reaction from Kai, as it was hardly the strangest thing he'd seen even all week. Nothing would remove the gentle smile spread across his face as the anticipation of a new battle excited Kai.

In response to Kichirou's comment about changing scenery, Kai bowed his head slightly in approval. Obviously this individual was at least somewhat a good person if they were worried about causing chaos or potentially disrupting other people's day. "Uh well I don't know if I'd call myself a warrior, exactly, but I do enjoy a good spar as much as the next guy. Here, I know a clearing in the woods over there we can head to that won't be so....in the open." After responding to Kichirou, Kai turned in place and walked across the park and into the nearby forest kept in pristine shape by the city's parks and recreation department.

Once the sparring partners made it about halfway into the forest, walking along a dirt path made to prevent civilians from getting lost, the two were greeted by a reasonably large open field devoid of park goers. Kai walked calmly to the center, hiding his excitement as he did so, and held his hand out to shake Kichirou's hand. Regardless of whether the man responded in kind, Kai took a few steps back afterward and assumed a battle stance with his hands out, feet shoulder-width apart with his right foot forward, and knees bent slightly. Once ready, a small glowing light appeared in his hands followed by the appearance of a gigantic guandao in his grasp. "Alright! Let's get to it!"

This individual seemed to be somewhat unusual. They appeared to be unfazed by his apparent demonic heritage. Kichirou supposed that they were either well traveled, or that such things weren't abnormal around these parts. Kichirou didn't care whether or not this man was a warrior, as a spar was still a spar. After arriving at the clearing that they lead him to, Kichirou, assuming this was the place they planned for them to fight, began preparing himself. However, not having much to prepare, this only meant that he squared his shoulders and adopted a sort of boxer's stance, not yet drawing his zanpakuto. Upon seeing his opponent apparently summon a rather large weapon out of nothing, he wondered how strong his opponent was and whether or not he had gotten himself into something that would hurt a lot later. However, not wanting to back down for such a cowardly reason, he readied himself for the battle soon to come. "Ready when you are."

Figuring his sparring partner preferred to sit and wait to get a better read on opponents, Kai assumed an aggressive stance and then charged at the demonic man he'd met just a few minutes prior. Once within range Kai swung his guandao in a wide arc from right to left, hoping to force his opponent into drawing his weapon. After this attack he took a single step back, shifted his weight to his rear foot, and then pushed forward and slammed Erphtal straight down like an executor with a moderate level of force. Though his physical strength had quickly become his strongest physical trait, Kai did not use as much power as he was capable of producing due to it still being early in this battle. Regardless of what Kichirou did, Kai lifted his right leg and created a thrust of green fire from his foot, pushing himself away from his opponent a couple meters before slamming his foot back down on the ground. Kai quickly followed this up by sprinting forward at Kichirou again, this time ending with a powerful thrust of his massive polearm square into his opponent's chest. "Show me your best!"