Match of the Millennium

Description: Now begins the Rising Star Tournament. The young heroine with the Strongest Style, Hurricane Himeko, faces off against the Iajutsu Artist Fumiko Abe. The two clash in the lot of the dojo of the strongest style. Watch as swords clash with style in a bout amid the softly falling snow of a late winter flurry.

[HIMEKO]
Oh me oh my, it appears the Rising Star Tournament is under way! When Himeko found out that the match would take place at the Saikyo Dojo, she was incredibly excited! But then it turned out that the place wasn't nearly large enough to hold all of the attendees plus all of the announcer sets and recording equipment. Quite the bummer, but getting to fight in front of the somewhat worn down building is still pretty decent? The single story building has a simply massive sign atop it that reads 'Saiko-Ryu Karate Dojo' and surely that's enough to be considered publicity. Yes, that'll do. There are your typical objects about; trash bins, recyling bins, fire hydrants, parking cones, and large boards of wood leftover from repairing a couple of broken windows.

So while the match does take place on a strip-mall like parking lot, with the fighting area itself taped off for conveniences sake, there is a slight issue: Completely out of nowhere the weather has turned into massive flurries that's sticking to the ground and there is the occasional big gust of wind, but thankfully neither has an effect on the announcer that introduces the two fighters.
The first goes by the name of the dojo's so-called mascot, Hurrican Hime; a messy-haired teenage girl proudly adorn in pink attire, fists and feet wrapped up and clearly ready to battle! And yet, strangely, she doesn't seem to have the majority of fans in attendance- It makes sense in a way, as her opponent clearly has the bigger presence in the fighting scene. But she plays it up regardless, as she strikes several exaggerated sentai-hero like poses, "Challengers beware! All who stand here must face this districts strongest fighter and champion of knowleee- eeee-- EEEEH!!!" before suddenly turning her head to the side to sneeze, "HACHOOOO!!" .. "W- Wow, pretty cold out today, huh? Ha ha ha!"

[FUMIKO]
"Rising Star". The title of such a tournament was not one that Fumiko Abe expected herself to take place in. She was not, in her mind, a rising star. She was someone who came into the world much too late. She was one that performed. She was an artist. She had so long denied the call of competition, of combat. To her, it was not her place to fight. But here she was, fighting as a Rising Star? To become a Rising Star? What sort of meaning did that title have for her?

The woman stood to her side. She inspected the cracked lacquer of her sibling scabbards, their pink blossom motif marred by wear and stress. She belted the swords to her waist, and she adjusted to their weight. For a moment, she considers the belt she brought. It was her title, the worldwide Rookie belt, but she leaves it behind. It was no matter to brag. She was scheduled to fight a child. What good would it do to be ostentatious?

A short exhalation, a centering of breath, and Fumiko Abe finalizes her readying with her wrist stabilizing gloves. Modern gear at odds with her traditional dress, but at home with the equally modern sport sneakers she has on. Ready now, she pauses to listen to her opponent whip up the crowd. It makes Fumiko smile to herself. Eagerness in youth is a blessing.

She approaches now, hair tied back and white as the falling snow. Fumiko steps forward and speaks simply, firmly, "I am your challenger, miss. I hope to see what the youth of Japan bring to the world of fighting. Will you show these people what they have to hope for in our future?"

She bows, and when she rises, she rests a hand on the hilt of her two blades. Poised, ready, and eager to see what this young woman brings with her flash and showmanship.

[HIMEKO]
On the other hand, a 'Rising Star' is most certainly what Himeko considers herself, but her motivation is less about herself and more for promoting both the martial art she practices under and the dojo itself. Should she make it far enough, or heck even make it to the top, it will surely bring in a huge wave of new would-be saikyo masters! After brushing off the top of her nose, Hime looks to her opponent with a large, confident smile. "Hoho, look at Tomoe Gozen over here trying to throw me off my game with her admirable etiquette!"
As she speaks she does bow in return, but then she shifts her stance to almost perfectly mimic her opponents- but since she only has a fanny-pack at her hip it doesn't look quite... Right.

"Hope.. I'd like to think that in this match, there is one hope that shines above all others! And that is the hope.." She draws open its zipper. DRAMATICALLY. "THAT I WIN!!"

...

"... Hmn, that sounded a lot better in my head."

COMBATSYS: Himeko has started a fight here.

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Himeko           0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Fumiko has joined the fight here.

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Himeko           0/-------/-------|=------\-------\0           Fumiko

What Fumiko probably doesn't know is that Himeko has done some research on her opponent; she's held her own quite impressively against the likes of M.Bison, Mei Lin and Abigail so as much as she'd like to go all out with the flash and glimmer, she knows that doing so would put her at a disadvantage. So rather than dash in guns blazing, she instead takes in a deep breath and tightens her stance. Core tightened. Feet apart just so. Deep breath inward... Then outw- "HACHOO!"

COMBATSYS: Himeko focuses on her next action.

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Himeko           0/-------/-------|>------\-------\0           Fumiko

[FUMIKO]
Clever and intelligent, not making too much of a hustle. No rushing into the waiting Iajutsu's blade. Fumiko nods in a subtle show of appreciation. Intellect is as much a matter of the art of fighting as is the blazing fighting spirit. That this youth displays it is admirable. Something that lifts this girl above some of the others that show themselves among the competitors of the Neo-League.

But she isn't here to talk or direct. She is here to display. So it would fall to Fumiko to open the gates of war. And open she does. A flash of steel, a burst of motion, and Fumiko cuts the distance between herself and her opponent in a bleedingly fluid approach. The light catches as Fumiko draws her blade. The arc of the cut scythes wide. The edge splits the air, dancing between the falling heavy flakes of snow. The first, silent strike of the Rookie Champion's gambit against the youth.

COMBATSYS: Himeko blocks Fumiko's Bamboo Splitter EX.

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Himeko           0/-------/------=|>------\-------\0           Fumiko

[HIMEKO]
Himeko doesn't have a lot of experience when it comes to dueling against steel swords, the closest she's probably gotten is against the schools gym teacher! And yet she doesn't appear to be the slightest bit intimidated once it's drawn out and slashed her way, her arms are crossed in front of her, "HOSHYAAH!" and when the strike collides with her taped forearms, now aglow in a white light, she ends up stumbling back a steps looking no worse for wear, "Hah!" until the after shock kicks in and she grits her teeth as she shakes her arms out, "Hnn- nnnnghh...!! D- Didn't... Feel a thing!"
Forced to fight through the pain, Himeko rushes forward and crouches low, the ribbons about her arms unwravel and the energy about it take a drill-like shape that she attempts to slam against her foe in a flurry of strikes, "Ora ora ORA ORA!" finished off by taking hold of the upper part of Fumiko's clothing, foot planted against her stomach, then rolls backward once, twice, thrice, before releasing!

COMBATSYS: Fumiko Toughs Out Himeko's A B See Ya!

[   \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Himeko           0/-------/-----==|>>>>---\-------\0           Fumiko

[FUMIKO]
Fumiko had once used a pair of bokken in order to be fair. She did not wish to kill anyone, after all. However, she swiftly learned from her opponent that such cases are insults to their power. She could see now the slight it must be to announce to the world that you will not give your all against your peers.

She resolved to never do such things again.

That light! A fighter's inner power in tune with the world around. Always a joy to see for Fumiko. She herself has turned from such things. She doesn't feel that. Only the expression of her swords as an extension of herself. That is her art, as the light is her opponent's.

Up close, Fumiko leans herself into the energy, letting it cut and tear. She turns, angles, directs each blow as it comes in. Patience, timing, that is the key to Fumiko's art. And if one must endure the pain and torment of opposition, then that is the price one must pay for the perfect stroke.

It is in the mid roll when Fumiko calls the time. She has matched Himeko's positioning now, she feels the dance of combat moving to her moment. And when it comes, it comes with two blades sweeping out at once. A wave of steel, drawing with both hands toward the center of Himeko's mass.

The iajutsu practitioner is still silent, but she is smiling. Always with the ora ora ora. It's a cute expression of youth.

COMBATSYS: Fumiko successfully hits Himeko with Goryo's Wrath.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////////   ]
Himeko           0/-------/--=====|>>>>>--\-------\0           Fumiko

[HIMEKO]
"What the-" Of all things, Himeko most certainly wasn't expecting the kind of defense that Fumiko displayed, but in a way it's a pretty delightful surprise that's enough to slow her down just a smidge as she gets back to her feet. Unfortunately that tiny bit of time appears to be enough for Fumiko's counter-attack to slip past her defenses and the two blades meet that mark which knocks her flat onto her back!
In one smooth motion, though, her knees tuck inward, the momentum is used to roll backward twice then stand again with two wide slashes across her costume, now stained in a bit of red, "RRrhgh... Pretty decent! I have to hand it to you, your style going to toe to against the STRONGEST style like this is just the bit of dramatic flair this match needs!"

Hmn but.. Something doesn't feel quite right. She glances at her palms for just a moment, then shakes it off to get right back into the thick of it, "HUP!" another dash forward, them Himeko tumbles along the snowy ground to try an position herself behind her opponent then slip her arms about their midsection. With a grunt she'd hoist herself backward, "Now...!" to slam Fumiko onto her shoulders then, while keeping her hold, flips over to suplex her a second time! "Check THIS out!!"

COMBATSYS: Fumiko fails to interrupt Rolling Journal Suplex from Himeko with Flashing Blade EX.

[         \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Himeko           0/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\-------\0           Fumiko

[FUMIKO]
Patience, timing, the moment to strike. The combat is direct, simplistic even. A grappler of sorts. It reminded her of Koto. Another young man with great potential to help Japan in the future. If this girl was anything like him, then Fumiko would have to see to it that Himeko would need to learn quickly.

Learn, she clearly had.

The blade flashes. The air sings. But Hurricane Hime is already in the air. Fumiko had dulled, waiting a moment too late, and soon she would pay for it. The world turns upside down. The air whips around her. The ground is hard and cold and wet.

Slam! to the ground. Slam! sent rolling in the wake of the suplex. Over the snow, over the cracked pavement, over the ground. Her ears rang and flushed. A mixture of rising anger and wounded pride mingled and hot embarrassment.

She opened herself. She should not have taken things so lightly. She should not be so crass and smugly confident against the young. This is how people hurt. This is how people die. The rage boils in Fumiko's blood, her eyes widen, her stance, as she rises, stiffens and she grips the hilt of her main blade.

"Again," she bids her younger opponent. One word. One challenge.

[HIMEKO]
'Whew', Himeko thinks to herself as she stands once more, followed by a particularly large gust of wind that sends the ends of her bandanna flapping backward; truth be told she is a bit worried but then she catches something she didn't expect- It looks like Fumiko is angry. No, maybe flustered? Either way its an opportunity she hoped she could try to take advantage of. "'Again'?? This isn't kendo pre-school, Tomoe, there aren't any do-overs!" she barks as she raises her fists then hops upon the front of her feet, then closes the distance with a couple dash-steps forward, another flurry of drill-shaped energy surrounds her fist, with a short flurry of high and low attacks, "Try this! Get it together! Too slow!"

COMBATSYS: Fumiko blocks Himeko's Irony Punchuation.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Himeko           1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\-------\1           Fumiko

[FUMIKO]
A deep breath. The cool of the air. The still of the moment. The crowd melts away from Fumiko Abe's ears. There is only the snow. There is only her opponent. A child rushing. A child shouting. A child that does not understand what is being asked of her.

The scabbard is used to block. Clacking, cracking strikes punctuate the air as the flashes of energy pop against the well motioned angle of Fumiko's protective blade case. The woman showing little worse for wear from the coming storm of attacks. She shows little of the fury that moments ago she nearly unleashed.

For now, everything falls into line. She is in control. She will maintain control. She is calm as the falling snow, she is clear as the skies afterwards. Her eyes open. She smiles.

COMBATSYS: Fumiko enters a meditative state.

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Himeko           1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>------\1           Fumiko

[HIMEKO]
Hmmn. Himeko thought she had slowed down her opponent a little but with the way that Fumiko defends against her attacks without too much difficulty shows to her that only the chip in the armor isn't as big as suspected. On the other hand she still is on the offensive here so that's good right? Well, maybe not as the smile that returns to Fumiko's face catches the pink Hurricane completely by surprise and she takes a step back, "G'ah!!" ... "I might actually be in trouble here after all!"
Her jaw tensed, she goes right back in with a two snapping kicks, one low, the second high, "I don't know if this style does well against masochists!!"

COMBATSYS: Fumiko blocks Himeko's Light Kick.

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Himeko           1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>-----\1           Fumiko

[FUMIKO]
Fumiko continues to play defensive in the moment. She has opened herself up and she has reclaimed the moment for her own. Even if the appearances have her on the back foot. "No trouble at all. I wish to see what the future holds for Japan. Are you a hero, as you dress, or a lowly advertising mascot. Show me!"

The scabbard once more comes into play. Clack. Clack! Each time the snapping kick finds a solid guard. Jolting as it may, it does only a little to push Fumiko out of her comfort. "If you are unwilling to take pain, you are unwilling to succeed." And with that line, Fumiko moves to the offense.

She slips to the side, her stance changing from one directly facing Himeko, to one sidelongs. A slipping, swift and rotating motion moves the swordswoman past her opponent, standing at awkward angles, moving quickly, shifting her approach. It's an oblique spiral of footwork, and it comes with a lashing, pushing strike from Fumiko's shorter blade.

COMBATSYS: Himeko just-defends Fumiko's Positioned Strike!

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Himeko           1/-------/=======|>>>>>>>\>>-----\1           Fumiko

[HIMEKO]
'A hero as you dress or a lowly advertising mascot?'
Himeko's brow twitches and her smirk becomes a forced smile while her kicks are fended off, ".. H- Hey.. Not cool." she mutters to herself. And if that weren't bad enough, the way Fumiko verbally turns the tables afterward is nothing short of astounding to the younger fighter. Fumiko's really gotten herself back to 100 percent mentally after all, she thinks. Geez.. What would Dan do in a pinch like this?

Dealing with the next attack is a start, her free hand slips into her pack, and when the blade slings in her direction what she withdraws appears to be a make-shift cardboard tube sword glowing with the same chi as displayed before, "ENGARDE!" that clashes and seems to hold up against the steel, only to explode into a flurry of index cards once the shorter blade strikes. ".. Ah. Um- You're WIDE OPEN!!"

Her right hand balled into a fist, Himeko takes a single step forward, then launches herself into a propelling uppercut, "KORYUKEN!!"

COMBATSYS: Fumiko fails to interrupt Koryuken from Himeko with Kamae Tachi.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Himeko           1/-------/=======|>>>----\-------\0           Fumiko

[FUMIKO]
Strike! A lashing snap of the blade. A spin to counteract the rising uppercut. A cut to clip the wings from the bird. It should be simple for Fumiko Abe, this was something of a matter of course. Strike when her opponent pushes herself.

Only she is a moment to short. The blade does not get drawn in full. Only the beginning as the blade clicks to draw when Himeko's rising fist. The girl was skilled, moreso than even she herself may know. And the connection takes Fumiko up with Himeko before she parts and soars through the air before crashing to the ground among the snow.

[HIMEKO]
Seemingly unaware of the bullet she dodged, Hurricane Hime drops to her feet with an incredibly pleased smile on her face- She's practically glowing in pride, "Oh yeah!! How cool did *that* look!" she asks to no one in particular as she hops from one foot to the other.
Ah but what does she do here? Has her foe exhausted her options? Is this the time to start going all out? Really, it's difficult for the young student to tell if the swordswoman is shaken up enough to get away with going all out just yet.
So she opts to instead try to goad some annoyance, "Hey, no comment? Don't be a spoil sport, Tomoe, praise me!" she says with a cheeky grin and seeming to wait for the other woman to get back up, but actually is taking a moment to focus her chi to her feet and arms.

COMBATSYS: Himeko focuses on her next action.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Himeko           1/-------/=======|>>>----\-------\0           Fumiko

[FUMIKO]
Fumiko Abe smiles from her downed position. The girl is quite skilled. Good for the future. Fumiko pushes herself up to her feet. Once standing, she adjusts the belt at her waist and moves on to fix her hair. "I apologize for not giving you the praise you deserve," she says. "But I must ask, is the joy of competition not enough for you? Do you do this for a love of what you do, or simply for attention of others?"

She shakes her wrists out and resumes her position. "If you live for the praise of others, you will always feel hollow. I am simply a widow, my praise does not matter."

She moves simply this time. A quick stride forward, and a false draw that ends with a simple, taunting hilt crack for Himeko's forehead.

COMBATSYS: Himeko fails to interrupt Random Strike from Fumiko with Cool Story Poe.

[             \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////////     ]
Himeko           0/-------/-======|>------\-------\0           Fumiko

[HIMEKO]
".. Eh?" An apology wasn't expected, that much is for certain, and a bead of sweat falls down the side of her face. The words that follow are hit hard enough to knock the wind out of her sails- Not so much because what was said was true or anything, but that the swordswoman again completely turns her taunt around and she doesn't know what to think about it but a part of her *really* admires it, whether Fumiko is aware she's doing it or not.
Regardless she goes forward with her plan and it would seem that the slight hesitation in releasing a massive ball of energy is just what Fumiko needed to connect with her deceptively simple looking attack; Himeko's palm thrusts forward but her head snaps back as her eyes cross from the impact, "G'UUUH!"
She staggers back a couple of steps with her hands upon her forehead apparently dazed! At least for the moment.

[FUMIKO]
Fumiko has an almost playful expression on her as she steps back from Himeko. She shifts her grip on both of her swords and bows her head to her young opponent. "I have faced older and more sharpened opponents than yourself," she says, "And they have not fared so well. Consider the effort of your opponent, rather than their words, as the praise you are due."

She skips forward toward Himeko, her motions fluid as water as she dances through the snow fall. She is pleased, at peace, and one with her art as she bares closer to the young hero. And it's when she is close that she opens wide. Both blades, the long and short, are draw synchronous. One cuts a horizontal stripe, the other vertical. They should clash, but the subtle timing of Fumiko's art leaves them humming just apart from one another as she cuts a crossing slash to cover the totality of her young opponent.

COMBATSYS: Himeko blocks Fumiko's Soul and Steel EX.

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Himeko           1/-------/=======|>>-----\-------\0           Fumiko

[HIMEKO]
Dazed as she may be, it thankfully doesn't last long enough for her to fail in her defense as even though there appears to be two Fumikos swinging at her, she manages to cross her arms against the 'correct' one with her almost golden aura again present when the blades clash each time. At this point she believes she has a feel for the attack, which may have also aided in that as far as she thinks. Oddly enough the sword doesn't appear to leave anything more than scratches upon the girls' ribbons.
Another quick shake of her head and she's back in action, "First of all, sure, you may have faced many bigger, stronger fighters.. But ask yourself this; did any of them practice the STRONGEST style?"
"Himeko proudly declares as she twirls away with index cards present between the fingers of her right hand. "I think not! Ole'!" She strikes in a most unusual manner yet- She leaps forward as if going for a pouncing attack, but instead drops to the ground then rolls into a ball. The cards blaze into golden chi that she attempts to slash against Fumiko's lower section with the three times she extends them, "Hoshyaaah!"
Whether she hits or misses, the energy does fizzle out.

COMBATSYS: Himeko successfully hits Fumiko with Ballad of Timothy McSweeney.

[                 \\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Himeko           1/------=/=======|>>>>>--\-------\0           Fumiko

[FUMIKO]
Strongest style? A question that comes to Fumiko with loaded intent. Fumiko Abe knows for certain that the girl is advertising her dojo. She knows the livelyhood of many a family is dependent on their style or their technique. Fumiko Abe is a stranger to that world. Her family wealth was not in such pursuits. She undertook the sword and its arts as her own, as an extension of her more modern artistic sentiments. It was historical strength. It was a way to demonstrate the style and technique of the draw more than to fight things.

Perhaps if things had been more serious earlier. . .

Lost in thought, Fumiko is open when Himeko displays just what the strongest style of all has in store. A rolling landing, and then cards? The slashing, chi charged weapons slice and slit the long blue hakama Fumiko wears. The cold air slipping through. The shock of the strange style is just as much a reason to cry out as the pain of the multiple cuts. Enough as well that Fumiko slips back into her defensive positioning.

She considers her approach. And that approach is a slow one. She slips one side, she slips the other. She eyes up her young opponent. She hums. She nods. "Show me, young miss, what the strongest style is, then."

And then she moves. A dancing strike, stepping through, stepping past. It's almost blindingly swift, but the short blade strike is one of a skirmisher. A quick sting and a slipping away with her eyes on the future of the fight.

COMBATSYS: Himeko blocks Fumiko's Evasive Strike.

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Himeko           1/-----==/=======|>>>>>>-\-------\0           Fumiko

[HIMEKO]
Himeko smirks a little to Fumiko's response; of course she was going to show her even if she didn't ask! But at the same time she's aware that she's getting pretty close to reaching her limits and, despite the blows she's landed, she still isn't confident that she's really slowed Fumiko down, from the very beginning her movements are fluid and patient. Of course Himeko is in her own way, which the short blade is most certainly quick, she's able to ward it off, right arm raised then grunting as it collides with the ribbon the the point that it splits and frays, a long red line marks her skin, "nNgh! That's fast!"
She slips her hand into her pack, twirls her hands about then, in just moments, crafts a lengthy bowstaff made completely of the withdrawn papers. "Unorthodox Saikyo Art: Stick it to the Opponent!" she declares as she thrusts the makeshift woman toward her opponents gut, then chest, then back, with the weapon seeming to threaten to break under the pressure with each. "Hyah! Hah! HYAH!"

COMBATSYS: Fumiko dodges Himeko's Paper View.

[                  \\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Himeko           1/----===/=======|>>>>>>-\-------\0           Fumiko

[FUMIKO]
Each strike finds air. Fumiko Abe, Iajutsu artist, is still within her mindset. She feels the falling of the snow, the pleasant peace of an afternoon, the simple rush of competition. Himeko was eager and prideful, but not foolishly stubborn. And the ebb and flow of the moment has kept Fumiko on her stride. And so she can see this papercraft weapon come at her as though in slow motion.

Hair flowing, sleeves billowing, Fumiko dances past Himeko, landing with a scuffling as her athletic shoe grips the damp pavement of the parking lot. Art is anywhere, and art is expression, and Fumiko's is light. "I believe it is time for you to show me just what you are really capable of," she says, and the moment turns steely and still.

"Allow me to demonstrate my art."

Now she moves with a steady, swift vengeance. She moves as quick and as steady as an avalanche, bearing down upon Himeko as she cuts through the snow. Her hand slips from the long blade to the short and as she gets in, the close cut comes crashing upwards.

COMBATSYS: Himeko fails to interrupt Second Blade Strike from Fumiko with Cool Story Poe.

[                         \\\\\  < >  //////////////////////        ]
Himeko           0/-------/--=====|>>>>>>>\-------\0           Fumiko

[HIMEKO]
"Hmmn, not bad.." For the first time Fumiko had shown how slippery she can actually be, but Himeko had actually considered it, thus isn't caught too by surprise. What does surprise her a little though is her opponent's challenge of sorts- But it makes her grin, with a bit of a fire in her eyes that wasn't there before, "You want it? You got it!"

Himeko draws her right hand back balled into a tight fist, still light on her feet even while taking a wider stance, more the ready to deal with the next blade attack- Or so she had thought.
Once the blade is unsheathed, Hurricane Hime is already dashing forward as her fist flares with energy, "TOO SLO-" her palm thrusts forward, but the energy she releases ends up completely misfiring once a) the weapon meets her wrist and b) she somehow ends up losing her footing upon the snow and ends up falling downward into the attack. There's a yelp of pain, pink fabric of her tunic flies off as she crashes and slides forward face down in quite an embarrassing fashion! To say it hurts would be an understament, but she plants her hands onto the ground to push herself up once more, her breathing heavy, fists raised once again. "Hah... Haha.. Lucky you Tomoe, slight miscalculation looks like!"

[FUMIKO]
No further words. Fumiko the artist is acting. She has stepped forward once, and now she is flowing around toward the Hurricane Hime. Her hand slips toward her hilt to grip tight. Her hair flows behind her, the ribbon holding it tight. She slides toward Himeko and the snow follows in her wake.

The strike that comes isn't one from the blade alone. Fumiko's left hand clicks the attachment to her belt. She swings forward with a draw of both the blade and the lacquer sheath that encases it.

It's almost a chastising strike more than a killing blow, a heavy, gut crunching smack of a scabbard to bludgeon Himeko across the breastbone.

COMBATSYS: Fumiko successfully hits Himeko with Crushing Strike.

[                                < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Himeko           1/------=/=======|>>>>>>>\>------\1           Fumiko

[HIMEKO]
There's no getting around it; even though she puts on a confident face, the swords at this point are making Himeko nervous, the focus upon the weapon more than enough to keep from getting dazzled by her opponents graceful movements. Still now she decides to remain sticking close, she looking for a glint of metal- That doesn't come.
By the time she reacts to the scabbards strike it's too late, her eyes cross from the impact followed by a burst of cold air shooting from her mouth upon impact.
Her knees buckle. She staggers a couple of steps backward.

'Geez.. I still have so much to learn.'

Finally she crumples to her knees and collapses to the ground, sending up a small cloud of snow in the process. What follows is a brief count, then Fumiko is declared the winner of the bout!

COMBATSYS: Himeko takes no action.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Fumiko           1/------</<<<<<<<|

COMBATSYS: Himeko can no longer fight.

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Fumiko           1/------</<<<<<<<|

[FUMIKO]
Victory.

This has not been the first for Fumiko since her stepping into the world of competitions. A fight with a metal armed American soldier. It was shock to Fumiko then. Now, not so much. It is just another moment in time. One somewhat hollow in its perfunctory performance.

She closes her eyes. The count continues to assure her moving forward in this rising star tournament. "You fought well," she says, speaking quietly toward Himeko. "The next we meet, I would like you to defeat me. Of the hungry young ones, you are the one I most favor to taking the belt from me."

The final count finishes and Fumiko takes on the mantle of performer and artist. She turns to those gathered, the ones who follow the champion among "Rookies". She bows to them, and she reattaches her blades to her side. There is no grand ceremony this early in a tournament. There is just the knowing that there is more fight to come.

She leaves the eye of cameras and crowd, and to the privacy she can find to reclaim the title, and to take off her wrist protectors. Where she can rest, and watch her breath rise among the snow, and feel victorious.

COMBATSYS: Fumiko has ended the fight here.

Log created on 00:22:56 03/23/2021 by Fumiko, and last modified on 09:03:37 03/27/2021.