Saya vs Snow

Stage0: Preliminaries

The Things Fox Hates Dojo

I think they may do Taekwondo here, and hey, is that a picture of John Cena?

A fighting arena of classical proportion, though those proportions don't have to be exactly defined. As long as the dojo has four walls, a roof and a floor, we're good with whatever size you decide on. The decor of course is just what you'd picture from an old kung-fu movie.

Terrain

General - Regular indoor floor, as interrupted occasionally by a mat for padding.

Weapons - One picture of John Cena.

Bonus Effects - Across the street one can occasionally hear mariachi music from the all night restaurant.

Red Player: Saya Sagara

Representing: Team Lu Bu

Played By: Seena Brighteyes

Blue Player: Snow

Representing: God Caliber

Played By: Nightsnow

Perhaps she was praying to the possible contender that shall be her opponent for today, a brief silhouette already appearing near the entrance of this dojo. Casting nothing but a striking demeanor to the otherwise peaceful setting, the figure of a young man finally emerged from that brief moment, a passing wind causing the enlarged but tattered cloak he wore over himself to billow and flutter from behind. Nothing can be actually read from the man's expression as the hood covered nearly half of his face, only subtle hints of extraordinary blood-red hair peeking through what his cloth tried to cover.

A dual set of katanas was hung ominously on both sides of his hips.

"......"

He noticed his opponent as he finally walked in, pulling his hood back and gazing at her with that set of deep, bloody red irises. Giving a brief smile - at least out of courtesy - the swordsman pulled his cloak back, revealing some surprising sets of plain dark shirt and pants, hanging it to the sides and taking his boots off -- to try not to get the dojo stained with all the dirt and travels he'd done prior to getting here.

"So you're the rival for today, yes?" He finally commented, turning around to face her. "I've heard much of you. Did I keep you waiting?"

Obviously he didn't hear enough. Hearing more or less from his teammate that spoke highly of his combatant, he had some presumed expectations when he walked in.

It's the strange language that took him off-guard instead, a brief flash of surprise fleeing through his gaze. The eyes blinked, taking back to composure before he could utter another word.

"Ah..."

There is definitely going to be a language barrier here. And if he can't communicate with his opponent, then...

The swordsman scratched a side of his cheek in thought. Noticing the familiar 'come-hither' action that accompanied the girl's response of the beads, it was hard to guess what she is actually trying to say. Is she saying something about him? Or...?

It can't be the first idea then, if she can't understand him just as he can't understand her. Therefore, it must mean that...

The swordsman took in a light breath, walking in just with whatever plain outfit he wore - long pants, long sleeves, and his weapons included - towards the girl. Bracer armor that he would've worn on a normal occasion was nuzzled within the cloak, as he stood just a few steps away from reaching her body.

"Uh...."

He stared at the beads shifting under her motion. Then back up at her eyes in curiosity. Then back at the beads, eventually reaching out with his left hand to form the shape of a cup underneath where the beads jiggled.

-- 1 --

Serious or not, had the swordsman been more inexperienced he would've just used both hands to cup itself underneath the beads just to be polite.

Yet he didn't, having only one hand outstretched to have the course work both ways --

For whatever formal duel just between swords that the swordsman had harbored prior to the fight diminished drastically after that stunt she pulled off, his head already tilting towards the right from the distraction. But she wasn't going to be the one that is going to be on the advantage for long, for something came intercepting her slash immediately with a dull, but resonant --

CLANG!

The sheathed blade on his right was pushed to point directly downwards, the tip of the scabbard rising up backwards and turning itself into a form of defensive means, blocking her Iaido slash that came for his back.

Whatever fleeting courtesy he had left for his opposition - by that split instant, it is safe to say that the intentions of the swordsman just went cold, at that moment.

Surprised he may be when she threw the beads at his face, it would've worked if she drew her blade simultaneously at the same time to not give him enough time to react against her strike. But perhaps harboring some saving grace which she - unfortunately - had the nerve to do so after that stunt, it only meant one thing to him;

The fight is on.

Quickly after the action, the swordsman twisted his body to the right halfway, pulling his left hand down to smash his left hilt towards his own hip. This caused the sheathed blade on his left side to whip outwards like a bludgeoning hammer, using his own left hip as a pivot point as the scabbard careened straight towards - presumably, her left torso. And because of his rotation to the right, it added more force to the whip of his left blade, while at the same time giving the swordsman an escape route from his disadvantage --

A motion to push off and away from the girl using his right foot immediately whether or not the strike hits her torso.

-- 2 --

No doubt the woman is playing around with the swordsman, but he didn't have the mind to pay attention to what she's trying to say. And when he whirled to confront her directly, something clicked in his mind, warning him about the stance the woman has now taken.

"...!"

In response, the swordsman unsheathed both of his katana blades in an instant, flipping his right blade over to hold it normally while leaving his left held in a reverse-dagger hold.

Odd for someone using a Nitoryuu style (Twin blade), but his actions speak for itself as he returned the gesture --

By putting himself at a left side stance, aiming the hilt end of his left blade towards her stomach, and having his right blade held aloft to the side, chest level. It was an implied motion of using stabs as a counter-offensive means with his right blade, while the left - judging from how he tucked it close to his left hip - meant that he would use that blade for defensive purposes only.

However, stances sometimes gives false analysis on how the swordsman would act, and as he waited with a blank stare for the girl to finish and prepare herself, he would only wait until she was ready before dashing off at her at a --

Slow speed?

When in range, the swordsman would stab towards her stomach with his right blade at a mediocre speed -- more than enough time for the girl to dodge or counter it however she sees fit.

-- 3 --

Assuming he interpreted the move correctly, the girl pushed his right sword to his own left, causing his sword arms to clash together and get mingled into a single, complex situation to get himself out of. A well-thought, logical way to counter stabs, but in this case, the swordsman had developed something out of the ordinary to combat her with.

It was no more than some ideas he'd integrated into his combat style, and as he would be showing her soon, the force behind the stab was unexpectedly light.

So light, coupled with the intentionally slow speed, that as soon as she brushed his stab to angle across his body, his right elbow came to be slightly bent accordingly in a pose that should alert the girl immediately, if she cared to pay attention;

A prepped slash in a left side stance.

In a surprisingly fast speed that went completely beyond the impression he gave to his opponent, the swordsman gave a sudden jolt on his right shoulder down diagonally like a whip, causing the countered sword on his right hand to slash right down the girl's body from right shoulder to central torso. The aim is especially for her right arm/wrist section, which would be in the path of his slash as he performs the motion like a blitzkrieg.

He is familiar of such techniques the girl is employing, having used those same moves himself back in the past. A quick-draw technique that is based as a counter or preemptive strike - before the opponent can draw the sword, or after the opponent has launched the attack - has many pros that benefit those who use that style. However, there is also cons in the style too, as the swordsman would demonstrate for her.

Facing a foe that uses quick-draw techniques, all he needed to do is to restrict the girl's motion of her right arm. A quick-draw style would work only if the blade is completely out of the sheath - which meant a full clockwise motion of the arm using that technique. If he is to merely place a blade directly in the path of where the arm or wrist has to pass before the sword is fully unsheathed, then the things that gave quick-draw techniques its prowess would also be its hinderance in an unexpected side-effect.

And placing the girl in such a situation...

Whether or not he was taking her seriously, this fight isn't going to be like any others the girl has fought before.

-- 4 --

The fact that the swordswoman has some bags of tricks up her sleeves, the swordsman wouldn't be too surprised about it. Techniques vary between each and every person that wields a sword, and many tend to overcome their style's weakness by ingenious methods or tactics when they're forced to do so. The swordsman himself is of no exception of course, as he usually mixes all forms of tactics and methods into his action.

So, while his attack was halted and grinded down by the girl's sudden interference with her sheath, it did not mean that he needed superior strength to overwhelm her current defense.

Instead, as he saw how the sheath was aligned, the swordsman quickly took a small, side step to the right by pushing off with his left leg, letting the sheath fly pass harmlessly over his left shoulder in reactive response. At the same time, the blade stuck in her sheath skidded in response to his motion just as he delivered a left thrust straight towards her liver/pelvis stomach with the butt-end of his left blade that he hasn't used until this moment.

That way, in a closing distance, the swordsman would have the ability to knock the wind out of her in a painful shot, while also putting himself in a preparatory position to lock her blade if he gets the chance to do so.

-- 5 -- (( :: EDIT:: ::EDIT:: ))

Even so, against the disadvantages presented to him, the swordsman still had some leverage in getting out of the misfortune through various means. For example, as the incoming sheath careening towards the left side of his face was about to hit, the swordsman still had some influence on the opponent's weapon.

Pushing his right blade away from him, he could feel the muscles on his right side stressing against her blow as it came dangerously close to his face. Through the last critical moment, the swordsman immediately dropped his height by bending his knees somewhat, forcing his already caught blade on his right higher than necessary -- the tsuba guard catching the ring strap on the girl's weapon and the scabbard skimming just above his head in a narrowly dodged miss.

At the same time, a split second later, the swordsman abandoned his right blade through an unexpected move--

-- The right blade aloft momentarily in the air, right side slackening a bit --

Before his empty right hand shot out like a lightning whip to grab her neck by going from her chest upwards, planning to either stop just short from delivering a palm strike or a firm lock right at her neck/chin area.

If necessary, he'll adjust accordingly to do something otherwise if this fails.

A small reason why he took a stance with his left leg in front; it is a typical stance used in boxing, though modified for people with weapons.

And at such close distance, even though he might get cut and recieve more damage than she does...

Well, he'll see how this'll develop. So just as she is having him take the bait by stepping in closer, the swordsman would also step closer and limit her range with his own body, putting both of them at a stalemate in action as best as he can. The left side would hug her back if she tries to do anything that would injure him more, giving him more leverage for counters, but wouldn't go after her if she tries to retreat instead.

Meanwhile, a mysterious cold front is starting to spill out of the swordsman's body with her at such close presence....

WHACK!

His head went off to the right, his eyes dazed over from the impact. Reeling to the side, his left blade that had already struck the girl's hips would be pulled back as his sense of balance is lost, causing him to stumble to his right. But that too failed him as he fell, his right leg buckling under his weight and causing him to collapse towards his right. Even the blade on his right had to be abandoned because of of the ring strap, the damn thing pulling him further out of balance as he released his grip on it, and used his right hand to support his weight by slamming it down on the ground behind him.

But to at least fend off the possible onslaught made by the girl's presence should she try to advance and deliver the blow, he had his left blade slash inward to his chest - the reverse hold dagger on his left side coming into another use as it went for the girl's thigh/knee in general.

Regardless if it hit or not, he'll scramble away from her as fast as possible - at least to build some distance between the two...

And force to confront her with only one of his original two blades.

-- 6 --

This is going to be a move that the swordsman will pull off instinctively without any intentions as everything is happening in a near-like blur.

While he 'flailed', as the girl has generously stated in her post, he is out of balance and not in the right mind to do something cool or anything that can be called an anti-climatic ending to this fight.

Instead, as the girl had wrapped her hand about his left blade, it gave the swordsman...a leverage.

And since she is petite and rather small compared to his height and slightly muscular build...it only meant one thing.

He was placing quite some weight into the motion, using his own body weight to pull her down as well. As if hugging her right side and having his left arm curl inwards to pull her into an embrace, his entire body is acting like the weight that would pull her right into him before he crashed into the ground - abandoning whatever plans to keep him upright or stable.

This means, before she can realize it quickly enough in those extremely short seconds, he'll have pulled her right down onto the ground next to him, and her initial intent at using her blade to pierce his right side would be met by his right forearm in defense, keeping away on his right side at bay.

This would essentially put him in a position where he can just roll right on top of her, and...well, do whatever that is needed to turn the odds to his favor, at least to some extent.

And if she thinks she can cut through his right forearm, there is one small thing that the swordsman mentioned just before the fight started.

He's wearing bracers that can withstand sword slashes underneath that long cloak and sleeves of his.

-- 7 --

Ah, but the female should pay more attention to how he's falling; in a clockwise motion, he's landing down on his right shoulder when he impacts the ground. Since he'd already stumbled in two posts prior to this incident, it was his right leg giving away that is causing him to fall down and to his side.

Hence the reason why he mentioned about rolling on top of her previously; because in that moment, she would be grabbed, hugged, and slammed to the ground right of him nearly the same time he fell, similar to a judo throw.

This would save him the agony of being actually pierced by the blade when it struck his back; his rotation would cause the sharp tip of her blade to miss the mark, but leave a glancing blow that would slice open that thick cloak of his and leave a rather long flesh wound near his left side/shoulder section. Nothing fatal, but the injury is going to just hurt like hell after a short while.

Of course, this would mean that her blade wouldn't snap, unfortunately, because of the clockwise rotation he's revolving in. This would give her an ample opportunity afterwards to retaliate if she's able to when he lands on his right shoulder; his right forearm, geared with the armor, would land literally on top of her blade when he rolls again to his right in attempt, pinning the weapon down. And since he wouldn't smack his head again onto the wooden floor due to his right shoulder cushioning his fall - although the muscles there weren't enough to absorb the impact and damage --

It means that admist the fumble, during that period where he'll be trying to focus his gaze on the opponent, his left hand - along with the hilt of his blade that would have avoided the rebound on the ground because of his clockwise revolution - would be pressing firmly just somewhat underneath her right breast as he tried to get up from his disorientated moment.

-- 8! --

It is rather hasty, and although his initial action didn't work as she scrambled up onto him before he could do the same thing to her, just that bit of extra time was just barely enough for him to at least have his dazed mind focus onto the girl's general body for one final counter.

Coughing out from his lips, his right hand moved sideways on the ground to his own respective chest, breaking her left hand's dominance over that limb only. He can't do anything much to get him out of this position, and certainly her planned attack is going to land much faster than his counter. Yet, as he snaked his right hand upwards to have it planted to the left side of her chest firmly, a sudden shearing pain ripped right through his left shoulder, and down his left chest.

"...!!"

Blood flowed out of the swordsman's left side like an overflowing bucket, while his eyes widened in surprise. He'd been directly slashed, he knew that very well from the sensation, and his mind thought of only one thing when his gaze focused onto her face from that surprise;

Aw, hell.

Something red, sharp, and unexpectedly cold would erupt right out of his right hand, tearing straight through the left portion of her kimono at point-blank range. It wouldn't stab that deep into the side of her left chest as she might expect, but once it pierces her skin and flesh, the sharp object would stretch temporarily within the wound to tear it even further apart, inflicting much more pain than a normal stab could even possibly do.

This isn't a complete counter that can turn the tide to his advantage; his left continued to bleed profusely and tainting parts of his cloak in a color that matched his eyes and hair. But since he would be able to assert a position to negotiate and not keep this a one-way battle...

With her Tanto dangerously close to where his vital organ is, and his own retaliation just as dangerously close to her vital organ as well...

It's painful, but he utters something at her at a grimace;

"Draw?"

A far shot at getting the message across, but it is worth a shot.

-- 9 --

Technically, it isn't a spike that just popped from nowhere at all. It was actually his own blood which he froze, having it pop right out of the veins near his hand at close range. As she might come to know later after this round, the swordsman has a particular feat in manipulating external or internal sources of water and ice to his will whenever and however he wants. It's just that there's a time displacement roughly proportional to the size or density he wants.

Of course, there is a method on how he's able to do it, but that shall be left for later explanations when it's needed.

Anyways.

....

Before the swordsman can do anything much to place himself at a stalemate against her, his eyes widened in disbelief at what the girl just did. In less than a second to even grit his teeth against the pain that continued to sear through his left chest, he found out - the hard way - that he just got the wind knocked out of him. A more pressing pain erupting from right where she slammed both her foot down.

He coughed, his body twitching in erratic throbs from the blow, both legs pressed together as if trying to mend the pain that burned fiercely between his groin.

"Ff.......aw.....hell...!!"

He gasped, gritting his teeth and - in sheer agony - rolled to his right side to close the wound on his left a bit - trying to keep more blood from seeping out of the injury. Breathing hard and seeing more black spots closing in near his view, his right hand - with the bloody spike still portruding out of it - slowly seeped back into his skin just as he pressed it against the injuries on his left.

Some cracking sound is heard, and only when he finally tried to prop himself up in a sitting position after a minute or so, the girl probably can see that he attempted some light healing; hard, reflective colors of blood that glistened near the injury. Freezing the wound shut so that he doesn't lose anymore blood. Of course, this didn't mean that he can heal or regenerate himself, since it is only a makeshift bandage at its best. However, there is a slight side effect of numbing the nerves on the injuries so it feels less painful than it should be...

The burning sensation continued to make his groin throb from the pain.

It still hurted like hell, and the swordsman didn't like it one bit, being hit there, yet....

Through pained coughs and the occasional throb of injured flesh that snuck past his somewhat numbed nerves, as his eyes locked onto the girl's presence...

He took his time staring at her firmly before he pointed his right hand right at where the girl is and made a 'come hither' gesture, pointing to where her injury is.

It seems that the swordsman doesn't plan on dragging this fight further than necessary, both sides already injured - with his injuries being more serious than the girl. Obviously he was trying to hide that fact, the pained look on his face changing to a firm stance, as if her blow didn't take him out as much as she'd expected it to. Through controlled efforts to keep himself from writhing on the floor in pain, he was trying to make gestures of a temporary truce - doing that 'come hither' motion so that he could also patch her wounds up before the injury worsens.

That is, if she can tell what the hell he's trying to imply with that language barrier in the way.

-- 10 --

If there was no rule to keep the opposition alive...

It's just different points of view, in the swordsman's opinion. Since each had their own methods of explaining what they could've done to each other, he avoided anymore unnecessary arguments needed, eventually forcing himself up to stand, despite his own injuries.

"Ugh!"

Damn, he winced.

The wounds still hurted like a b***h.

His eyes peered at the sprawled out girl, the end of the fight chiming throughout the building. Well, he CAN just walk away and let the medics come tend to her when they arrive...

But that would be rather offensive if misinterpreted. So, hobbling over to where she lay resting, he knelt down and hollered out to the sides with an irritated voice --

"MEDIC!"

-- Placing his hand close to where he stabbed her with his spike, and concentrating a bit to close her wound up with some light freezing.

At least that'll keep her healthy enough to get patched up by the pros when they arrive.

"Dunno if you can understand what the hell I'm saying, but -- whatever." He muttered under his breath.