Stalemate, Checkmate!

Siku was inside the walls of Seireitei with his generic black attire dragging along with his body as he entered an area where many Shinigami were known to spar. Having nothing better to do but pass time with either spectating or participating in these sparring events, he stopped walking and stood before a tree. Unsheathing his Zanpakutō swiftly, the sliding metal signaled his draw. Unfortunately for the tree before him, Siku's Zanpakutō cut into it horizontally from right-to-left, draining away a large amount of it's inner energy which kept it at a somewhat warm temperature. However, the severing motion made by his sword proved much more fatal, going through the bark and halfway into the tree, not even his strongest swing.

As a Shinigami, Siku had been trying his best to become a proper swordsman, with superior sword handling skills and tactics. However most of all Siku wanted his style of sword-play to be abstract, something out of the ordinary which would distract someone who knows not the difference between an actual sword style and someone throwing their blade around. It was his nature to keep his opponents unsure and the least confident in themselves. Regardless, Siku needed to find a sparring partner, so he got hold of the public's attention the only way he knew he could, with boldness.

" Which one of you bottom feeder's think you can compete on my level!? The name is Siku Maboroshi, unseated Shinigami of the 10th Division! I got all day if you're worth it, but if not get in the back of the line! I can't waste anymore of my time with a bunch of milk drinker's, y'know?! So...who wants to bleed first? "

It wasn't much like him to talk so big, rather to be quiet and evaluate others and let himself be a mystery. However this wasn't the real Siku, so he was still keeping himself as shady as possible, which worked in his favor. Now all he could do was hope for a formidable opponent to practice with. Maybe they would be from a well-known fighting division, like the 11th?

A stranger stepped through the crowd, his figure lean, similar to Siku's own stature. A physical specimen akin to Siku's own would provide useful and interesting in this spar, the superior would have to be determined by skill, rather than brute strength. So now that he had his opponent, it was time to make things interesting. The crowd dissolved away, people trying to act like they had little interest, making snide remarks of how Siku handled himself right there. Now was the beginning of a long day, hopefully.

" Well then, let's have a taste. "

Jumping towards Watanabe with the wind carrying behind his feet, Siku's right arm held the tsuka of his Zanpakutō, his left hand running along the spine of the blade. His Zanpakutō would be held horizontally, a test of the Shinigami's basic skills and reaction time. His aim went towards Watanabe's guts, and could do some hefty damage if he did not react.

With only one action made, Siku had enough comprehension to know that it would be possible to counter-strike if his tactics were advanced, but Siku could also try another strike if he was given the oppurtunity. It was in the first moments that Siku's Zanpakutō clashed with another that he felt a connection with his inner spirit, and right now he had that chance. Before clashing Zanpakutō, Siku asked himself in his mind, and his Zanpakutō, a very basic question.

" So, is anyone awake in there? "

Speaking in his mind, indicating his listener as his own Zanpakutō, he awaited both a response from him or her, and also kept his eyes looking forward at the 6th division Shinigami. He wanted a response from both of them, but could he get it?

As Siku moved forward, coming within one final stride, his Zanpakutō extended just enough to attempt contact before he landed on the next stride. As he enclosed, Toshiro dropped quickly, his left hand lining up with Siku's right foot. Stomping forth with his right foot, Siku aimed for the grounded hand, pressing into it with his wooden block sandals as he watched Toshiro hit the ground. With Siku's sword strike swinging forward from left-to-right and clearly missing, he made a quick leap off the hand and jumped.

Kicking off, Siku managed to keep the left hand of his opponents stuck into the ground, at least until Siku was airbound. This meant he couldn't exactly move far from that location until Siku was already on his way with a dodge. Landing some way's behind the Shinigami, Siku slid on his sandals, using his Zanpakutō in the ground to slow his momentum. Spinning around by tilting his Zanpakutō in the dirt to move him in a different direction, Siku turned to face where he last saw Watanabe. Deep inside himself, Siku noticed something, almost a presence of something. He couldn't tell if it was his Zanpakutō spirit, or the presence of fear. Regardless, Siku looked at Toshiro, knowing all too well to keep an eye on his opponent, as he was a slippery fellow who detered from direct contact.

" Well, that was different at least. Nothing like my Sensei, but still interesting. Now, use that Zanpakutō of yours to clash with my own, like a real spar. "

Siku looked at Toshiro and then at his Zanpakutō in his right hand, bringing his left hand up to wield it with both for a firm grip and stronger swings of his weapon. Looking forward at Toshiro, Siku decided he would now let him make a move, so that they could feel each other out and know what they can and can't do. However there was always a chance they would go all out, and Siku never liked to do that with strangers. And it was for a reason that actually made it easier for him. Speaking in his mind to his Zanpakutō spirit, Siku tried to start a conversation, to allow it to understand Siku more thoroughly as he kept an eye on Toshiro for movement(s).

" I can't say it's easy or hard to kill in cold blood, for I never have. But a stranger to me is alike any other. They don't know me, my worth, my valor, my will. If a stranger held his weapon to me with intent to kill, I say mutilate the very limbs he uses to do such a thing. That is how I have survived to this day as a Shinigami, and how I always will until the very moment I die. That is why you listen to me...am I right? "

Toshiro charged no sooner than a slight moment's delay after Siku's landing, coming in with his sword beginning to shift to his side for an upward strike. Siku, already holding his katana with both hands, flipped it upside down to grasp it similar to Toshiro. Holding his Zanpakutō vertically in front of his left hip, Siku leaned in aggressively, using his grounded center of gravity to apply forward force to prevent himself from staggering from the charging Toshiro.

Siku anticipated the clash, and awaited a reaction from his Zanpakutō. Never had he any real contact with it beyond mentally hearing words, and a blurry hallucination, likely induced by his own Zanpakutō. This was something Siku felt he needed to train himself in, wanting to become familiar with his Zanpakutō spirit. However, it took much discipline and patience, something Siku lacked in long durations.

So Mr. Zanpakutō spirit, what's your name?

As the screeching and grinding of their Zanpakutō began, a response was felt by Siku. From his Zanpakutō, he felt a pulse, or strobe of fluctuating Reiatsu. Maybe it was some sort of sign? Distracted from being in mid-combat, he reacted instinctively, keeping his Zanpakutō against Toshiro's, waiting to follow it.

Siku found himself moving forward as Toshiro practically pulled a bluff charge. As Toshiro held back on the tension between their Zanpakutō, allowing Siku to move forward, Siku allowed the momentum to push towards him, lifting his right foot in a step. With a sudden flicker of Toshiro's feet, Siku noticed a very widely known Shinigami technique take place from in front of him. Instinctively, his right foot kicked off the ground as Toshiro began moving past him, allowing Siku to maintain his forward motion and enter his own Shunpo roughly at the same time. A voice broke out in Siku's mind, mocking the cowardly attempt to attack Siku from behind.

" That's no way to do this. "

As Siku landed forward roughly 50 feet from where he stood, he made a small decline from the air into the dirt as he shifted himself to turn around, digging his wooden block sandals in the dirt to reduce his inertia. As he dug himself in, he knew that there was only one way to get out of the soil's clutches fast enough, so he had to make another flash step.

As soon as he landed his first Shunpo, Siku committed to another, chasing back to where Toshiro was, making his way in the air with his Zanpakutō held in both hands, the blade held diagonally to his left. It was beginning to burn within him, the deep desire to live the life of a Shinigami. To work, train, make sacrifices, learn to live with them, and how to die honorably. This was something Siku had no concept of, as this was indeed his first actual life past the age of 1. However, his instinctive trend for killing was adequate, having no real paranoia of fighting a Hollow.