Description: Hayato faces off against Natsu and Gan in a volleyball match at the Gorin Games! Some misunderstandings of the rules lead to a match which would probably not pass muster with an official volleyball organization, and then Hayato is forced to take a stand against some delinquent behavior from Gan. Warning: This match may contain images unsuitable for some audiences. Or all audiences, really. Oh god, the speedo... (Winner: Draw)
If there's one thing that Natsu Ayuhara is really, ridiculously good at, it's volleyball. Since she started playing it in primary school, she's been all about volleyball volleyball volleyball. She daydreams about volleyball in class, she strategizes on the way to and from classes, she has dreams about it when she lies down to sleep at night. Suffice to say, she's pretty dang good at one sport.
Suffice to say, when she walks into her home turf, the place where she dedicates half of her teenaged life... the scene she encounters is not what she expected. The bleachers are lined with people, sure, that's normal. But the volleyball court is marked off with a set of roll-out barriers to protect the crowd. Protect? From -what?-
For another thing, the net's too high -- it's practically tall enough for Natsu, or even Daigo Kazama, to casually saunter underneath it without even stooping. It's not really a problem for a master volleyballer like herself to surmount, but her teammates... well, she's not been told anything about the team makeup yet.
As she walks in, wearing her Gorin athletic department jacket, an official with a nervous look on his face runs up to her, thrusting a sheet of paper into her hands.
Natsu pauses to look at the piece of paper, and grows about two shades redder in that moment...
Unless a sport takes place in the water or, sometimes, the snow, Hayato Nekketsu only really has one athletic outfit he needs. His red Taiyo tracksuit is all he needs for comfort, style, and showing off his pride in Taiyo. When he heard about the theme for this SNF, the athletically inclined teacher couldn't resist signing up to participate, but once he started hearing about the particulars, that pride of Hayato's wouldn't let him face Natsu one on one. It's true that volleyball is her sport, and she almost certainly has better technical skills. But Hayato has a physical advantage, and even though he doesn't focus on volleyball specifically, his general athletic skills are not to be denied. There's almost no sport that he can't be considered at least 'good' at. Also, this probably isn't going to wind up being exactly a 'normal' volleyball match...
Hayato's not as familiar with the Gorin gymnasium as the one at Taiyo, but he's still been here plenty of times, and has no trouble making his way to the main floor. There's already plenty of cheering from Natsu's entrance when the Burning Phys Ed Teacher strides in, and it doesn't let up. He smiles broadly, waving to the audience as he strolls across the gym floor, making his way toward his side of the net. "Ready for this, Ayuhara-kun? Don't go taking it easy on me, I want to see your full power!"
If there's one thing that Gan Isurugi is not good at.
It's volleyball.
The last time he tried, the ball was destroyed.
It may be because he stepped on it. It might be because he didn't want to play. It might be because, all in all, he doesn't really care about sports - and Judo is one of those things that he just excelled at. Gan does not naturally come 'good' at anything... except in one case. Being large - and /using/ it.
Why did Gan join the SNF this week? To get something nifty, something nice, something he could use - and because it was specifically close to Southtown. That one was nice. When he was told there wasn't anything nice to get, that sort of set him walking out the door. Until it was informed to him, while he was stuck in the door, that it was with a Gorin student. Right before he busted out - he would be fighting a TAIYO TEACHER.
He was okay with it, suddenly.
His fists slamming together, a small shockwave due to the size, Gan saunters forwards across the ring - sand? Floor? Whichever, his feet were bare - which they usually were, it was just a small chunk of wood under them. Small being the same as two cutting boards. Small for Gan.
Something... different about him. "Gahahah! So where's this teacher from Taiyo we got to beat up?" Gan asks the official, grinning down at him. The man, suddenly wide eyed and dreading the match, points towards the volleyball court. "... Well, guess I'll just have to beat him up both ways!" Maybe hitting a ball into the man at high speed - or just throwing him AT the ball - will be just as fun.
He SEEMS normal, but as he stomps over to Natsu, it's obvious about her color.
Gan has no barrel - he has no outfit, he has, of all things, a speedo. One that must be made for the likes of Rainbow Mika, actually. It is equally a natural disaster as a wonder of the world - for all the wrong reasons.
At Natsu is looking over at the piece of paper, darkness shrouds her. Gan speaks. "What are you looking at?" Does Gan have no shame!? Well, of course he does! But even as the fabric, stretched to it's painful limits, holds on for the sake of the audiance, Gan's head snaps up to Hayato. "If she doesn't, /I/ SURE WILL! GYAHAHA! This'll be fun!" Gan is /clearly ready/.
But volleyball is supposed to be about -teams- of players, insists the metaphorical devil hovering over Natsu's shoulder. This is stupid! You can't play under these conditions. One teacher? With a G...g... /Gedo/ student as a teammate? Deal's off! Natsu's indecision shows as Gan stomps up, the paper crinkling as she grips it ever more tightly.
Then the metaphorical angel takes charge. These are the Gorin games. If this is what -Gorin- expects her to do, then it only behooves her to give Gorin her best. She turns the paper so that Gan can see it -- can he even read? -- while averting her eyes down in a tactful show of humility.
... GUH.
She looks right back up into Gan's eyes with a hesitant smile. "Right, we'll do this. For the audience!"
Confidence renewed -- or at least challenged into making an appearance -- she removes her outer jacket and strides down to the ring, the sight of her official red volleyball outfit with 'NATSU - 10' printed on the back igniting a fresh wave of cheering amongst the assembled crowd. "We'll do our best, sensei!"
COMBATSYS: Natsu has started a fight here on the left meter side.
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Natsu 0/-------/-------|
One of the assistants helping with the running of the games picks up a volleyball and tosses it toward Hayato. The teacher holds out one hand, stopping the ball dead in mid-air and catching it right in his palm. He pulls it in closer to his body, looking at Gan for a moment. The outfit doesn't particularly bother him, but Gan /is/ a Gedo student. Still, even students from Gedo are deserving of Hayato's help as a teacher... they may just need to be watched a bit more closely than some other students. "Right! Let's give them a good show, and have some fun!"
Of course, fun means not holding back. And while if he was playing against normal students, Hayato would hold back in some regards, against Natsu and Gan he can go with his full power... and rely on his combat skills as well as his athletic ones. Holding the ball in his left hand, Hayato hurls it upwards, far higher than would normally be appropriate for a volleyball serve, even with the unusually high net. And that is because rather than hit it on the way down, Hayato leaps up to meet it, right arm coming around in an overhand swing. His hand slams into the ball with a loud smack, sending it rocketing down in Natsu's general direction.
COMBATSYS: Hayato has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hayato
COMBATSYS: Gan has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hayato
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/-------|
Gan is pretty much a team.
At least in size!
Natsu isn't fighting about it much, anyways.
Instead, Gan gets the paper being crinkled, timed perfectly as he looks away, otherwise there would be /more issues/. The timely intervention causes Gan to not immediately take it as an insult from Natsu! At least, not currently! Finally, she looks up, right into his eyes - and he isn't looking at her. He is looking at /sensei/.
"Oh, I'll give them a show! Gyahaha!" Gan certainly is happy about something!
Turning about, he looks at the paper, eyes wincing a bit. Trying... to read! "Kinda small, isn't it?" He asks, "Who is supposed to be able to read that!" He protests, before shaking his head and losing interest basically immediately! Him and his speedo get into position, but Hayato is given the ball! This is what Gan hates the most.
Now what does he do!? He has to wait for Hayato and Natsu!? Well maybe he'll - but he doesn't! Hayato serves it to /Natsu/. Deal is off. Gan saunters over to the edge of the volleyball ring as Natsu is fielding the ball, grasping the chair a ref is sitting in, and hefts it upwards as the ref scambles off. "FORE!"
That's not what you say - but it's what GAN is saying!
Before the metal chain is hit, spiralling, over the net towards Hayato, Gan swinging his entire mass with it! A bit awkwards.
COMBATSYS: Natsu slows Thrown Object from Hayato with Tokkun Spike.
Glancing Hit
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hayato
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Gan 0/-------/-------|
Natsu smiles hesitantly at Gan. Keeping things professional is the crutch she usually relies on -- there's a crowd watching, and that usually keeps her from saying the sorts of embarassing things that she can get away with saying offstage. Not that Gan is being especially rude or anything, but he does represent her least favorite Southtown school... and he just dissed some poor official for typing in a 12-point font rather than 36-point.
Luckily, she doesn't have much time to dwell on those thoughts -- volleyball battle pushes its way to the forefront of her concentration, and she's happy for that. "I've got it," she calls out, striding into the volleyball court and leaping into the air.
... Just as she notices Gan reach for a chair out of the corner of her eye. And then swing it like a golf club. What?
The insanity of the gesture makes her lose focus for just a moment. When her arm scythes downward to slam into the ball, her aim is just a bit off -- the ball glances off her forearm in an unplanned manner, glancing the ball across her stomach rather than sending it flying back towards Hayato.
The impact is enough to send her reeling backwards, but she lands in a three-point crouch. Now her irritation with Gan is a bit more evident: a stern and disapproving look tossed his way. What the heck is he =doing?=
COMBATSYS: Hayato dodges Gan's Large Thrown Object.
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hayato
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/-------|
Hayato blinks as Gan dislodges the ref from his chair. "Hey!" The teacher is okay with having a folding chair thrown at him, but interferring with the ref like that just isn't kosher. Hayato would have stormed over to confront Gan, except Gan returns to the court and decides to treat the chair as a makeshift volleyball, apparently. Hayato springs out of the way, with the intention of smoothly spinning about to grab the chair, then sling it back over toward the ref. That'd be pretty cool! That idea gets dashed, however, by the sound of crunching metal as the chair slams into the floor. When Gan throws something, he doesn't kid around.
Instead Hayato ducks down for a moment, snatching up the chair himself. "That was rather rude, you know. And look what you did to this chair! At the very least you can bring it back over, and apologize!" And then, as Hayato is not necessarily one to always listen to his own advice, he leaps up into the air and hurls the chair back over the net, at Gan.
COMBATSYS: Gan fails to slow Large Thrown Object from Hayato with Huge Thrown Object.
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/------=|
What WAS Gan doing?
He was representing Gedo High!
In such a case, he had to be the BEST he could be.
That doesn't mean he would follow rules, listen to the actual plan, or even give two bothers about what is the actual plan - as long as Hayato ended up face down in the dirt with a 1 on their side and a 0 on his, /Gan/ and thus Gedo High, were GREAT. Although Gan, tossing the chair over to Hayato, glances back at Natsu.
Just in time to see her fail to cause it to go over the net! She even gets HIT by it!
"HEY!" Is this where Gan makes fun of Natsu!? "Don't suck! I know you're better than that! Even if you're Gorin High!" What an oddly mixed message towards Natsu! He then flexes, raising on arm skywards to point upwards and oh the rest is better not described, specifically not the way he stands and the way the speed, burning like the rash he will get from it all, do not spare the eyes.
Then Hayato tells him it's rude, and then Gan has to spare the audiance, eyes narrowing. "I know what I did! Doesn't matter, because I'm not going to!" Which is when Gan looks around. Nothing here.
Wait, no, that's not true. "So I'm supposed to hit things over the net?" Gan asks a very scared supervisor, now chairless. "Y-yes...." "Got it! Gyahaha!" At which point Gan hunches down, grasping the side of the net. "And if I remember, if he's on the wrong side of this... HE'S OUT!" Gan begins to grasp the section of net and pole as he begins UNEARTH IT, apparently to meet the chair and send both flying back at Hayato.
"No, not really." The ref explains. "...No?!"
That's when the chair hits Gan, causing him to crash backwards, rubbing his head, at least having been hunkered down! "Geeze! You got some strength for an old teacher!"
There's respecting the grand and storied sport of volleyball, and then there's what Gan and Hayato are doing! "You can't just..." protests Natsu, but it doesn't take a rocket scientist to realize that her words are probably falling on deaf ears. Gritting her teeth, she resolves to at least bring -some- honor to the match. It's still technically a volleyball match, right?
But there is a pattern emerging, just the same. Hayato's -trying- to play, and Gan's never seen the game played at all. "Yes.. yes, Gan, you hit the ball -over- the net." She leans over, swiping the ball off the floor with her long arms, and tosses it into the air. Technically, it should still be Hayato's serve, but sticking to the 'rules' at this point just guarantees Gan will mess them up. "Like this, see?!" She can bite back her frustration with the oversized brawler, but she has to have -some- outlet for it.
That outlet is the volleyball, which is summarily sent hurtling over the net, and towards Hayato, at breakneck speed.
COMBATSYS: Hayato blocks Natsu's Jikkon Serve.
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Natsu 0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/------=|
Natsu's serve comes in at high speed, but not so fast that Hayato isn't able to get ready for it. Of course, since this nominally a volleyball match, getting out of the way of a flying volleyball doesn't really fit the spirit of the competition. And so Hayato holds his ground, swinging back at the ball as it comes flying at him. The impact stings more than a bit, since an angry serve from Natsu has enough force to actually knock a normal player right off their feet. For Hayato it just hurts, and means that there's a fair bit of energy to redirect as he sends the ball flying back over the net.
Which is still standing, thankfully, but no thanks to Gan. Who is no getting a finger pointed at him by Hayato. "No damaging school property! If you want to hit me, then fine, but don't break anything!" Hayato will not brook any of that sort of nonsense, oh no! In fact, the spectre of vandalism is enough to awaken his Burning Spirit! Visibly, even, as orange energy starts flaring up around his body.
COMBATSYS: Hayato gathers his will.
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Natsu 0/-------/------=|======-\-------\0 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/------=|
"Sure I can! I just did it!" Gan protests!
Crossing his arms, Gan is too stubborn!
Yet, Hayato is still on the PROWL.
Except he has chosen to watch. Gan nods, then nods again to Natsu, 'listening', as she displays exactly what she is doing. She explains, biting back her frustration with it - and sends it towards Hayato. Hayato, meanwhile, swings the ball back at the Natsu, sending it over the net again. "Yeah! Exactly, like that! you keep that up!" Gan exclaims, as he suddenly makes a beeline towards Hayato!
"I GOT AN IDEA!" He roars out, Gan charging /under the net/ towards Hayato! Even with the burning energy, even with the flaring energy, Gan doesn't let that disturb him! No! He charges under the net, speedo and all, as he ducks - he has to - and, arms outstretched, closes in on Hayato!
"Don't think that energy is going to scare me, just because you're all fire-y!" Gan proclaims, reaching out to grasp him and then spin him about over his head - to shake up his mind!
"While you're busy dealing with me - we're going to score! Gyahaha!"
Of course it's a bad idea /that's the point/.
Natsu frowns as Gan throws all pretenses of listening to her out the window. They're -supposed- to stay on one side of the net! And he already demonstrated knowing -that- much when he tried to sling the net over to Hayato's side.
Her voice reaches a feverish pitch as she folds her arms in front of her like a spoiled child. "I'm not sure why I'm bothering, you obviously haven't ever watched a game before!"
And from the look of the audience, it doesn't seem like it -really- much matters, as they're pumping their fists anyway. Primed for the fight.
"... fine, whatever..." she mutters under her breath. The match is already pretty much a farce, so why not indulge her teammate's wishes, right? Then maybe Gorin would set her up with a real volleyball match against an actual team...
The volleybrawler decides to charge under the net and join the fray. Hayato -did- basically just say that it'd be fine to attack, after all. And she keeps an eye on Hayato as Gan strikes, aiming to make contact with him on the downstroke.
Contact with what? Contact with both her fists balled together in an upward axehandle blow. That could be considered a volleyball 'bump' in the right context, instead of trying to sock the Taiyo teacher and move onto greener pastures. "Let's get on with this!!"
COMBATSYS: Gan successfully hits Hayato with Ooran.
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\1 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/----===|
COMBATSYS: Hayato blocks Natsu's Fierce Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////////////////////// ]
Natsu 0/-------/-------|=======\=------\1 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/----===|
Once Gan is in motion, stopping him is not an easy task, as Hayato finds. The teacher is lifted, spun around and slammed into the ground, getting up just in time for Natsu to try to smash both of her fists into his jaw. The teacher manages to get one of his arms in the way instead, deflecting Natsu's fists away from his mouth. He's a little off guard from both of his opponents deciding to rush over to his side of the court, but the disorientation doesn't last for long. "Oh, okay then! This is fine too!" He cracks his knuckles. "But I think you'll find I'm still ahead in points."
Hayato grins, then suddenly springs forward with his right arm drawn back. He's not one to pull his punches against students, and definitely not one as burly as Gan. And so he's running at full tilt when he throws a right straight toward Gan's jaw. Even if the blow doesn't land cleanly, there might be some effect from Hayato charging right into him. ...Or possibly not, given that for once Hayato isn't larger than his opponent.
COMBATSYS: Hayato successfully hits Gan with Fierce Strike.
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/-======|
"Why would I if they're all sorta like this!?" Gan laughs!
As if he was going to play a game by the RULES.
Did no one follow Gedo High?
Still, Gan had no problem charging right across and under, to straight up strike Hayato! not directly strike him, but certainly leave him with something to remember him by! "Loser gets used as a volleyball!" Gan laughs once more!
With Hayato lifted above and spun around, Gan smashes him into the ground, dusting his hands off.
"Well, I found out you're a light weight!" Gan declares, though it ends with Hayato's fist suddenly cracking against Gan's jaw, slamming it hard into him - Gan attempts to prevent it, but the speedo wearing Gan, burning with PAIN rears back, taking a step backwards as he attempts to take it - but grits it.
"Ghh - Ghahaha... you don't hit like one though!"
The pain only made him more Gedo like!? How can it be!?
Still, with Hayato making such a strike, Gan thinks about it. "So you gotta serve the ball like you said, Not-you?" He gets her name wrong - perhaps on purpose. She was GORIN, not GEDO.
"SERVES UP, BUDDY!"
Magic, dark or perhaps divine, allows Gan to use those muscles in his feet and legs to suddenly launch STRAIGHT UPWARDS hands, body all splaying - which is like seeing a moon wearing a speedo eclipse the sun, before Gan comes straight down towards Hayato, speedo first.
It's normally not this terrifying. But Gan is following the important rule.
BE the ball.
Natsu is somewhat pleased that Gan is able to work out some of his aggression. She figures that fighting is pretty much in his blood, and the sooner he can work all that off, the sooner she can get her match! She's less pleased about her strike getting stuffed, but she has to admit: contacting Hayato is a bit more rewarding than watching him trounce her volleyballs.
She belatedly notes that she'd let one slip past in her frustration with Gan. Ah well.
She seems a bit -concerned-, though, when Gan pretty much just laughs at getting struck by Hayato. She knows from experience that, while not being as -big- as Gan, he certainly hits like a truck.
Even still. You don't look at the sun during an eclipse. This is sage advice. She prefers to just dash forward, contributing a good swift kick to the mid-torso as a little added boost to seeing Taiyo's Burning Schoolteacher get blasted into a barrier. "I thought it was more about -fun- than -points-, sensei!"
COMBATSYS: Hayato dodges Gan's Kashiwade Yaburi.
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Hayato counters Strong Kick from Natsu with Counter Thrust.
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Natsu 0/-------/----===|=======\===----\1 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/--=====|
With gravity and a speedo on his side, Gan is unto a force of nature. One could try to stop him, but the cost is too much for most people to pay. Hayato briefly considers trying to stop him in mid-flight, but even the Burning Phys Ed Teacher is capable of exercising discretion on occasion. And so he leaps to one side, managing to get out of the way just before Gan slams into the floor with an unstoppable force. In contract, an incoming kick from Natsu is a relief!
Hayato springs back to his feet after his dodge, thankfully leaving him facing Natsu as she kicks at him. There's no time to think, but Hayato's reactions are honed to a point where he can get away without doing so on occasion. He's moving to one side while driving out one fist. He slams a punch into Natsu's torso, stopping the kick cold and sending her flying back to free up a bit of room. "Of course it is! But that doesn't mean we can't keep score." He grins, not having considered that Gan might have just scored! On the one hand, a ref would probably have to approve that. On the other, the refs have probably given up on this match.
It's quite a spectacle.
Especially... as the moon touches down.
As Hayato pulls away, Gan slams into the ground, nearly bouncing!
Natsu's kick, as strong as it is, faces Hayato and Gan watches it end rather /badly/. "Competition's fun too, jsut because you're used to losing doesn't make it bad, Not-yu!" Gan exclaims, absolutely not interested in women - or at least perhaps Natsu. WHAT IS his preferred woman!? Gan may never say.
It is, however, clear that Gan has exhausted his options - and maybe himself with them. Which may be why, after landing, Gan begins to move towards Hayato as he strikes Natsu repeatedly! That'll teach her to be weak! Nevermind that Gan, pained as he is, is in worse shape than her!
It's really just a little wound, and Gan can take it! Even if it isn't.
"Think we should try something else! GO FOR A SPIKE!" Gan exclaims to Natsu - then tries to heave up Hayato, grasping him, and then 'bend' him a little, before sending him skywards towards Natsu - if he /gets/ that far. Things could go sour! But does Hayato want Speedo-Gan Gan-handling him!?
If so, better get the principal
!
Natsu's eyes go wide as her fearsomely powerful kick is sidestepped, and reciprocated with a strong punch to the torso. She's rather proud of her torso for standing up to most attacks. This kind of lets her down.
The Gorin athlete has struck the net a few times during matches, but it's usually something the refs are quick to call out as a foul. But the refs... ? What are those shiny things in their hands, are those -flasks?!-
As she rebounds back into the throes of gravity, her hands plant on the floor, allowing her to catch her breath. That took a -lot- out of her, and if she keeps pushing herself harder... well.
Gan's attitude is so not helping. First off, he's insulting her. Calling her, straight out, a -loser-. And then he's demanding help from her?
"Isurugi-san..." she starts, her breath catching in her mouth. "... I need a moment first." Yes, she's turning down what could have been an -awesome- setup -- out of spite.
But mostly because she can't leap right back up after the strike she's just been dealt, preferring instead to regain her breath and focus on the battle at hand.
COMBATSYS: Natsu focuses on her next action.
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Natsu 0/-------/----===|=======\===----\1 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Hayato dodges Gan's Strong Throw.
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Natsu 0/-------/----===|=======\===----\1 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/--=====|
Hayato backpedals and circles around Gan, avoiding his grasping hands. "That's really not called for, Isurugi-kun. You're going to apologize to Ayuhara-kun." Says the man who just sent her flying with a punch to the stomach. Hayato frowns at Gan, shaking his head. "I know they do things differently at Gedo, but that doesn't mean you can just go around throwing out insults like that!" And Hayato, of course, is a proponent of corporal punishment. I mean, that should be obvious, right? Some might consider his methods a bit harsh. But most of them don't need to deal with someone like Gan.
They also usually can't do things like taking a running leap toward Gan, arms extended while spinning around rapidly and blazing with chi, forming a brightly glowing drill. So, granted, it's not a teaching style that is easily applicable to different situations, but Hayato finds it works pretty well for him.
COMBATSYS: Gan fails to interrupt Burning Windmill from Hayato with Setsuhou Otoshi.
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Natsu 0/-------/----===|==-----\-------\0 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/--=====|
The grasp made towards Hayato fails -
Gan will believe was due to lack of teamwork.
It is, however, and Gan truly knows it, /Hayato is too fast/.
Grasping for Hayato, Gan attempts to lift him upwards, but the man is backpedaling and circling around him! Hands that fail to grasp are lashed out once more - and then again, shortly after! The Gedo Student is doing his /darnest/ to try and catch this burning PE teacher! It seems, perhaps, Gan needed a few more laps around a gym!
Full laps, not just running around the small circle in the middle.
"It isn't, but I'm not going to make-ghhh- her feel better!" The Gedo giant steps forwards, lashing hand out after hand, as Natsu simply /watches/, telling him even that she needs a moment! "Yeah? I'll get you that moment then! Gyahaha!" Gan charges forwards with abandon - and isn't it unexpected when that seems to end with Gan, speedo and all, charging into a LITERATELLY BURNING PE teacher. "You ain't so tough! - LET'S SEE HOW YOU LIKE IT!" Burning hands, more like tree trunks, are pulled upwards as Hayato comes downwards as a burning spiral! A palm slams into Hayato's burning drill of feet and chi, chi meeting chi to withhold it! The next, a palm of flesh striking - chi?! Oh no! It is isn't it!?
Gan moves to slam his palm once more forwards - but the foot connects Gan's mid-section before he can, throwing the Gedo student backwards, causing him to stagger rapidly backwards, arms flailing! That is before rolling once and then skidding, on his back, to a stop.
It is a miracle the speedo stays upon him.
"Guess you... ain't so washed up, teach." Damn, didn't Daigo hit that hard? If he's like the boss!!!?! Oof!
Natsu has had the luck of facing Daigo on more than one occasion: she knows what it's like to deal with someone who is both stubborn and the size of a kei car. And she is pleased to know that his casual disrespect isn't going totally unnoticed by the Taiyo phys ed teacher. Her cheeks color a light pink color -- probably from embarassment.
Probably. It's not from Gan getting treated like a target dummy for a spinning torpedo of doom, that's for sure.
But as much as she can stand to appreciate the Gedo student getting, well, burned for acting like a jerk to her, Hayato-sensei is still healthy and hale after the duo's poorly-coordinated attacks. And Gan did, in fact, buy her that moment to rest. She's not going to let Gorin -or- Gedo down by simply lying down.
No, she's going to reach for the volleyball that's rolling around the gymnasium floor. With a stretch of her fingers, she's able to reach it and toss it into the air. And by narrowing her eyes upon Hayato, she's able to attain a state of focus that practically ignites the air around her, heat waves making it difficult to see the audience on the opposite side of her.
The flat of her wrist slams into the airborne volleyball, igniting it with the burning vigor of a young woman determined to show Hayato-sensei, once more, just how much her honor means to her. Yes, he's defending her honor right now -- but he's also expecting her best. And that means attacking with all her heart.
The volleyball screams towards Hayato at breakneck speed, the ball eclipsed from the fiery embrace surrounding it. Perhaps now the two's attacks can be coordinated?!
COMBATSYS: Natsu successfully hits Hayato with Blazing Serve.
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|=====--\-------\0 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/--=====|
Washed up?! "I'm still a long way from being washed up, thanks! And admitting you were wrong is a good start, but that's still not an apology!" Though Hayato does have to take a break from lecturing Gan for a moment, as a flaming volleyball comes flying in toward him. He shifts to face it, trying to hold his ground and catch it, rather than just let it slam into him... but the key part of that plan is actually catching it. The ball slams into Hayato and knocks the wind out of him with a "Ooof!" sending him staggering backwards. After he catches his breath a bit he manages a, "...Good one!"
But then Hayato's gaze turns back to Gan. "Now, you're going to apologize. And if it takes getting beaten by a 'mere teacher' to make you do it, well that's just fine by me." He cracks his knuckles, then runs toward Gan and leaps into the air. His right leg raises up to point toward the ceiling as he rises, and then he brings it swinging down toward Gan, with the intention of dropping a heel right on the top of Gan's head.
COMBATSYS: Gan interrupts Strong Kick from Hayato with Buchikamashi.
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/--=====|
Laying out on his back, Gan groans.
Is that it - is Gan done!?
No, not while his soul burns - and the speedo, too.
The rash - it will burn. Oh will it burn. With a burning star going across the sky, Gan stares upwards - and makes a wish. "Wish Not-you would do someth-" Wait. The sports dome isn't outside, is it? Gan sits up quickly, glancing over to Hayato and Natsu - just in time to see her ignite the airborne volleyball and send it spiralling towards Hayato. Just as it screams into him, Gan is able to rise to his feet to try and make up the distance towards Hayato! Charging, lumbering, like some kind of baywatch - it's not very impressive, however.
"I ain't apologizing!" Gan answers, "Until you make me! Gyahahah!" Even better, as Gan continues on, Hayato informs him that he will apologize - "That's how it'll be then!" Gan agrees! Hayato making that mistake of telling him how to /not/ apologize. That's where the effort will all go now.
All of it.
A lumbering baywatch beauty, Gan, the heel swooping down towards Gan's head. Surprisingly, Gan's head moves towards Hayato. The foot connects - on his back. At which point the head connects straight into Hayato's midsection, like a bull charging forwards, before Gan uses the slight bit of impact to grasp Hayato, bend forwards and then LAUNCH him over the volleyball net!
Breathing heavily, Gan leans forwards, hand balled, Gan resting on his fist. "You better know who you're dealing with - I'm not going to back down from a challenge like that!"
Hayato's compliment does not go unnoticed by Natsu, but he would have to be looking awfully close to notice the nigh-imperceptible uptick in her smile.
That smile goes away once Gan quickly interrupts Hayato's charge. That... that's using his head. Ayuhara winces somewhat, her fiery aura starting to fade out a bit. She resonates with the teacher's attitude, so even though she's technically an opponent, she feels some pangs of guilt for the attack. Especially with Gan's poor attitude -- and even -moreso- as he's showing the same pigheaded attitude that she detests about Daigo.
But if she couldn't flip that switch and turn off the guilt, she would make a terrible volleyball captain. Steeling herself, she clenches her fists and makes a mad rush to close the distance between herself and the Burning Phys Ed Teacher. Dashing underneath the net, she leaps up to intercept him -- bringing her right forearm down in an attempt to spike the teacher back into the floor! "Haaaaa!"
COMBATSYS: Hayato dodges Natsu's Strong Punch.
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|=======\-------\0 Hayato
[ \\\\\\\\\ <
Gan 0/-------/--=====|
And so Hayato gets the wind knocked out of him again, this time by Gan's head. Landing a kick like that doesn't leave him in a good position to defend, so the headbutt lands cleanly. And then he's sent sailing over the volleyball net. And then here comes Natsu. Not that Hayato would expect anything less! She shouldn't just stand back and watch, even if he's trying to do something for her sake. They're competing, after all! Things aren't looking too good for Hayato... but then he reaches out a hand, managing to snag the top of the volleyball net as he's flying over. The net stretches under the force, but it holds and allows Hayato to swing himself down and land heavily on his feet, away from the line of Natsu's attack.
He spares her a grin. "Keep it up!" But then he looks back to Gan. "Right! Then it's a deal between men!" And woe unto Gan if he doesn't hold up his end! Daigo might not approve, either. Hayato takes a deep breath, some fresh fire flashing in his eyes, then launches himself at Gan. He runs in close, then turns and unleashes a lightning fast side-kick, blazing chi bursting into being around his leg as he attempts to drive a foot into Gan's stomach.
COMBATSYS: Hayato successfully hits Gan with Devastation Kick.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Natsu 0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0 Hayato
[ \ <
Gan 1/-----==/=======|
Gan uses his head /often/.
Not always for the intended purpose.
Very little, actually.
With Isurugi tired - he attempts, for once, to get a breather. Finally Hayato comes towards him again - and Gan is not feeling up to meeting him face to face - for once. Arms come up as Hayato comes after him, but Hayato doesn't pull punches. With fire flashing in his eyes, Hayato comes at him with full force and burning desire - and Gan raises his arms, trying to hunker down despite the furious onslaught!
Launching at Gan, Hayato manages to send out a terrifyingly fast side-kick, blazing chi bursting into him as that kick drives into his arms - and hammers home. Gan tries to hold up, but he ends up being driven back, arms parting as it impacts, heavily, into his midsection! Thrown backwards, Gan staggers - and knows it's ... too late.
"Gyahaa... ha... looks like... I owe you that apology..." He remarks. "But ... I still got just A LITTLE to give!"
Burning hands alight as Gan begins to charge towards Hayato once more, swinging wide, heavy swathes that... may be pretty easy for the man to side-step. Gan is certainly losing it! With one single swipe more, he falls forwards, flat on his face ... but the large part of his body does not fall.
The speedo, unfortunately, is presented - in all it's anti-glory.
COMBATSYS: Gan can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////////// ]
Natsu 0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0 Hayato
Natsu's normally in very full control of herself whenever she's competing, whether by volleyball game or in a fight such as this one. But Hayato...
Why couldn't he have been a Gorin teacher instead? "Sure thing, sensei!" Not to say her teachers are -bad-, but they've got a fraction of the passion and dedication that Hayato demonstrates in just a few minutes.
And Hayato's net acrobatics and subsequent recovery seem to have been enough to beat an apology out of her uncouth teammate. She's already moving to take advantage of Gan's charge, though -- without knowing it might be his last for this battle. With Gan attacking Nekketsu-sensei from the front, she moves around to strike the phys ed teacher from behind, aiming to latch the crook of her arm about the back of his neck. She'd continue hurling her body forward, kicking her legs outward to transfer her full momentum forward to SLAM his forehead down -- if not into Gan's fists, then into the floor of the gymnasium! "Hrrnn!"
COMBATSYS: Hayato dodges Gan's Midare Teppou Zuki.
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Natsu 0/-------/-------|======-\-------\0 Hayato
COMBATSYS: Natsu successfully hits Hayato with Bulldog.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Natsu 0/-------/------=|=======\-------\1 Hayato
With Gan so unsteady on his feet, Hayato manages to slip to one side, avoiding the heavy swinging of Gan's arms. One swing does come pretty close to coming into contact with Hayato, but then Gan goes tumbling forward and collapsing to the floor. He may not actually be in a condition to deliver the apology /now/, but Hayato is confident that Gan will do it once he's able, even if he won't like it. Because if Gan were to break a promise between men, oh, what's been dished out here would be a mild punishment. And Hayato might not be the only one to feel that way!
While Hayato is feeling pleased about that, though, Natsu manages to slip around behind him, and then catch him by the back of the neck. "He-" And then he's slammed forward, face smashing into the gymnasium floor. He clutches at his nose for a moment, thinking, but not actually saying, a few curses. There's kids around! He's not seriously mad, though, it just hurt quite a bit. He's got a grin back on his face as he flips onto his back and then up to his feet, facing Natsu head-on. Even with some blood trickling from his nose. "Okay! Didn't mean to ignore you, but that was something that had to be taken care of! Now, let's see who'll be the last one standing!" He reaches out toward Natsu, attempting to grab her by one shoulder with his left hand, while driving his right fist into the base of her ribcage with enough force to lift her up off the ground. The intention being to then use the leverage on her shoulder to throw her to the floor.
COMBATSYS: Natsu blocks Hayato's Power Punch.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > //////// ]
Natsu 0/-------/----===|=======\=------\1 Hayato
As Natsu hops back to her feet, she notes with dismay that Gan doesn't seem to be moving. And maybe that's better -- the guy's strong, but even he can't take a beating from the teacher forever! "Don't worry, Isurugi-san," she calls out, "we'll finish this!" And Natsu hopes that it ends up in the students' favor, of course!
Turning back around, she raises her guard, hands at the ready. "No, no, it's okay! I... I understand completely!" she stammers, trying (and probably failing) not to seem -too- eager to reply. When Hayato's hand grasps at her shoulder, she pivots slightly, anticipating the strike to her abdomen based on his earlier success with such. She interposes her palm into the blow, neatly catching it to dull the force, but not eliminate it completely -- she's still rocked backwards, but she's able to twist out of the hold that would be a lot -more- painful.
But while she's up close and personal, she decides to leverage her shoulder for good, as well. She quickly reverses direction, hoping to take advantage of the teacher's recovery time as she slams her elbow into his midsection. Her palm's still a bit numb from blocking the strike, so she probably wouldn't feel her own followup: an open-handed slap aimed at transferring her full forward momentum into Hayato's left shoulder, forceful enough to send him spinning about like a top if it connects. "I'll give you everything I've got!"
COMBATSYS: Hayato blocks Natsu's Aggressive Strike.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Natsu 0/-------/----===|=======\=------\1 Hayato
Hayato correctly predicts what Natsu is moving to do, dropping an arm to intercept her elbow. She does manage to land a blow on his shoulder, but he's already braced and leaning into it when it lands, meaning that rather than sending him spinning off his feet it's more like connecting with a statue. Staying still like that isn't going to help him in the long run, though, so once the blow has landed Hayato quickly shifts his position, trying to see if he can take advantage of any shock Natsu might have from her blow not landing as she was expecting.
The teacher reaches out, trying to grab her by the arm she was attacking with, then grip firmly and whip his entire body around. If he pulls it off, the idea is to drag Natsu off her feet, fling her into the floor and send her skidding. As he's doing so, though, his other hand tries to get on her opposite shoulder, pushing from that side as well. It wouldn't do to dislocate her arm, after all.
COMBATSYS: Natsu interrupts Medium Throw from Hayato with Knock It Off!.
COMBATSYS: Hayato refuses to stay down!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Natsu 0/-------/----===|=======\===----\1 Hayato
The volleybrawler is quick to notice that Hayato has toughened his defenses, bracing against her slap. Her palm may still be stinging from that punch, but she can still tell that her arm isn't budging. So she takes a cautious half-step backwards, bracing a bit of her own.
The tall Gorin athlete bends her knees just a bit, giving her room to work with. And when he aims to pull, she unleashes that coiled potential, sending her momentum backwards in an equal but opposite gesture. It wrenches her arm a bit, but considering her plan, she considers the pain to be worth it for the moment of opportunity she needs.
For while Hayato's arms are wrapping outside, she's digging her heel into the gymnasium floor she knows so well and driving herself forward. Her numbed hand finds a use as she reaches up to box Hayato about an ear -- causing his grip on her arm to slacken. Pulling her arm free, she manages to gain purchase upon his shirt, and then unchamber two more slaps with her left hand -- palm, then backhand -- before releasing his shirt, so as not to tear it when she puts her whole upper torso into a more committed open-hand slap.
"Never bet against Gorin!" she offers -- though it's more to Gan than to her direct opponent, as she tries to knead some bloodflow back into her insensate right hand.
Hayato's head is ringing as he goes spinning to the ground after that last slap from Natsu, hitting hard. He puts a hand to his head as he starts climbing back to his feet, shaking it a few times in an attempt to clear it up. "Okay..." He looks over toward one of the games assistants near the sidelines. "I'll take that now!" The man tosses Hayato his shinai, which had been set aside for the sake of the volleyball match. At least, when it was actually about volleyball. He catches it out of the air, turning his attention back to Natsu. "You're doing great, Ayuhara-kun. Doesn't look like I can afford any handicaps." He grins, then lunges at her with the shinai. He's looking shaky at this point, but he's still lashing out with a flurry of blows, the shinai coming in from multiple angles at high speed.
COMBATSYS: Natsu just-defends Hayato's Scolding Slash!
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ < > ////// ]
Natsu 0/-------/----===|=======\==-----\1 Hayato
Natsu seems pleased that her attacks seem to be hitting home now -- the two-on-one battle having provided the slight tactical advantage. Natsu's field experience in volleyball gives her the insight to know that when the other team has a weakness, it's her team's prerogative to attack it.
And, it would seem, Hayato's tactical weakness was to have forgone the long reach of his favored shinai. It's a practice weapon, and its bamboo bark is much louder than its bite, but it can still sting like all heck if it's allowed to connect.
Natsu tenses her jaw, eyeing the weapon warily. "I suppose it's only fair, you've let me have -my- weapon of choice till now..." she notes with a faintly bemused smile. She backs up, cautiously keeping her distance from the weary shinai-wielder, especially when he starts to swing the weapon and make full use of the additional reach.
For one moment, she raises her arm, leaving her ribcage undefended. Hayato, appropriately, leverages the shinai into a side strike to catch her there.
That's when Natsu drops her arm, pinching the blade against her, effectively preventing the followup attacks that -would- have followed. "-hhha..." she breathes, gaining a momentary rush of adrenaline that her tactic actually seemed to work!
And that would be when Natsu steps forward, slamming her heel at Hayato's shin, keeping the shinai clamped under her elbow as she aims to twist his legs out from under him, and thus leverage him to the floor. "Hrrr!"
COMBATSYS: Hayato counters Combo Grapple from Natsu with Burning Cross Counter.
? Strange Hit! ?
[ \\\\\\\ < > /////// ]
Natsu 0/-------/=======|=------\-------\0 Hayato
Being made of bamboo, the shinai is rather easier to stop than a regular sword would be. It's certainly less painful to hold onto once you do stop it. So Natsu is able to keep the shinai pinned, and that leaves Hayato having to make a split-second decision about what to do. He doesn't hesitate, letting go of the weapon as Natsu starts stepping forward. Hayato swings his own leg back in response, moving his shin out of the immediate path of Natsu's foot. And while he's doing that, the other side of his body is moving toward Natsu, and his arm is already cocked back.
Hayato's fist shoots forward like a cannonball toward Natsu's head, a trail of orange chi left behind it, the intensity increasing to white around his fist itself. And then...! Hayato's foot catches on a bit of floor damaged all the way back when Gan hurled that metal folding chair into it. It's not enough to /stop/ Hayato's fist at this point, but it does make him stumble slightly, throwing his punch ever so slightly off target. Will that be the chance Natsu needs?!
It was a bit of a surprise for Natsu to see the phys ed teacher so willing to drop the weapon so soon -- in all actuality, she just hadn't planned that far ahead. So when her leg sweep connects with nothing, she's horrifically off-balance -- leaving her as a perfect target for Hayato's fist and the flames that envelop it.
She's pretty unprepared for that, if her wide eyes are any indication. As the shinai clack-clacks to the floor, her head snaps sharply to the side, towing her body along behind it. The volleybrawler rockets backwards, sailing right under the net. The material of her volleyball uniform makes for a slippery slide across the slick gymnasium floor, meaning that she only comes to a stop at the end of the safety barriers surrounding the court -- a rather -sudden- stop, at that.
Panting heavily, Natsu finds herself staring up at the gymnasium lights. She's looked up at them before, but... for one languid moment, her body doesn't seem to be obeying her command to get up.
And then she remembers what's -under- the lights. The cameras, and the fans.
They came for a volleyball match, and while this quickly became something else entirely, Natsu's not about to leave a match unfinished. Maybe she got hit in the head a bit too hard? Maybe? "I probably -ought- to stay down... but I promised to show you my best!" ... Well, sometimes she can be a bit dense anyway. She kicks away from the barrier, tumbling back to her feet. But she doesn't stand there -- she hurls her momentum into an all-out run.
And taking full advantage of the slipperiness of the floor, she powerslides under the net once again -- only to spring up to half her height to deliver a full-on, left-handed chop at the shins of her opponent. "HRAAAAAA!"
COMBATSYS: Natsu successfully hits Hayato with Sliding Receive.
[ \\\\\\ < > //// ]
Natsu 1/-------/=======|==-----\-------\0 Hayato
Even now that he's been back on his feet for a bit, Hayato's head is still ringing, and he's feeling a bit woozy. At least he only sees one Natsu charging toward him, but that's one more than he's capable of dealing with at the moment. She comes in lower than he expected, and the teacher is unable to get out of the way before she slams into his legs, sweeping them out from under him. He goes toppling forward, too battered at the moment to arrange the coordination to stop his fall, or even break it very much.
But, Hayato does have enough energy left for one last thing! He manages to twist his body just enough as he falls to lead with his elbow, jutting it out and trying to bring the limb crashing down into Natsu. The attack's got some speed behind it, thanks to Natsu and gravity, and some power thanks to gravity again and Hayato's muscles. If it misses, though, it's going to make things that much worse for Hayato when he hits the floor, and it already looks like he may not be able to stand back up under his own power for a bit.
COMBATSYS: Hayato can no longer fight.
[ \\\\\\ <
Natsu 1/-------/=======|
COMBATSYS: Natsu interrupts Crushing Strike from Hayato with Set and Spike.
COMBATSYS: Natsu can no longer fight.
The good news for Hayato is -- yes, his elbow connects squarely against Natsu, ringing her bell just one more time. Oww! It'll leave a nasty bruise on her cheek!
The less good news is, though -- Natsu had already been planning on reacting to Taiyo High's nigh-unstoppable phys ed teacher. Just -one- chop wasn't enough, she'd felt, to take him down -- and she's already been coiling up for a followup. So that when his elbow slams Natsu, the Gorin athlete's palms are also rising upwards to slam into his face and torso. "Hrrk...!" It's an unsteady, unbalanced attack, but Natsu's trained reflexes allow her to adjust her pressure to compensate for the weight differential -- and overcome the teacher's attack and gravity in one fell swoop.
Blasting him upwards, she follows through by hopping into the air -- and spiking him right back into one barrier, just so the teacher doesn't feel left out!
While, to her credit, she does land on both feet, her hands hanging limply at either side in her usual volleyball stance... she doesn't stay standing for long enough to amount to anything. Knees give way, and Natsu obeys the call of gravity once more, her form seemingly collapse into gelatin. "Nngh.. see? All... all part of the plan..." she states, eyes losing focus as she crumples to the floor.
The refs look warily at one another. Is... is it a tie match, or is it a do-over since it was never volleyball to begin with?!
Log created on 17:58:12 03/28/2015 by Hayato, and last modified on 22:16:49 03/29/2015.