~All-Star~ The Ice Maiden's Confusion

"Kuhu..." Dropping the tip of the sheer-white blade to her side, the girl slowly raised her gaze to meet that of the man before her. He stood there, tall, emblazoned with power that she'd never experienced before. In all her years, with all of her power, this strange creature that stood before her was human in appearance... but wholly inhuman. Dipping the sword slightly, the tip sparked on the solid earth below her feet, though Kuchiki Rukia paid no heed to that feeling. Her eyes were sharp, focusing directly on the man that she could not take her eyes off of. Slowly taking in a deep breath, the sword was raised up before her, Rukia suddenly pushing off of the earth and sprinting right for the man. "Come at me!" Ducking down, Rukia's eyes flickered up to the blade that he'd drawn, the white sword colliding with the pure black blade, Rukia's body being pushed backwards from the force as she coughed out slightly. "Kisa..." Another push, clash, attacks spread out between the pair as they danced around each other--the sounds of their blades clashing played a deadly tune from an exceptional orchestra. A staccato tune from within the depths of their dancing resonance played out towards the demise of one... or the other.

"D-damn you!" Her blade was pushed to the side, over and over again, each attack being paid no true heed by the man. Her attacks weren't coming in any closer! Jumping backwards, her hand was immediately raised into the air, pointed directly for him with palm outstretched. "Ye lord! Mask of flesh and bone, flutter of wings, ye who bears the name of Man! Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws. Hadō no Sanjuusan! Sokatsui!" The energy itself curled around her hand for a second, creating an azure ball of flames that suddenly shot forth towards the man, blasting through the air for a single second before colliding. It was strange. He should've expected it. He should've blocked it, but he didn't. He was distracted by... something. "Got you." She made another push, jumping towards him and slashing wildly with her own blade--controlled swings were readable, she needed to adapt, adapt, ADAPT! Each strike was curled around, manipulated to her own will, slashed down upon and countered. Her eyes had grown wild, but it seemed that her gamble had paid off. The last slash crossed down over his chest, the creature of shadow dissipating and the world around her calming down. Exhaling rapidly with a burst of breath, Rukia fell to her knees.

"I... what... what was...?" She would slowly shake her head, getting carefully to her feet and grasping her sword. That fight... why did that drain her so? Why did her entire body ache from the exertion of such a fight? Through such confusions, she felt the blade that was her Shikai dissipate, returning to its original state. She almost forced a chuckle at this--she had not used her abilities, simply relying on fighting skill. Her skill had been bested. She had lost all of her energy without fighting seriously... Turning away from the place that the creature had been, she made motions to sit down. She would need to gather up energy before continuing onwards.