Description: SNF battle at Taiyo High. THRILL as Shingo tries the same thing over and over again in the hope that it does something different! BE AMAZED as Nadine actually manages to hit something! WATCH IN AWE as no counters whatsoever succeed! (Winner: Shingo/Nadine)
Why they keep sending Kurow to Taiyo's auditorium he'll never know; isn't he a Justice student? Sure, he keeps /fighting/ Taiyo students, but it seems a little odd to him that Taiyo keeps getting top billing. Oh well, he thinks -- it's not exactly a /tremendous/ deal where the fights happen, really. Still, a change in scenery might be nice -- Kurow really prefers areas with a little more... convenient scenery.
he Taiyo home team is, of course, getting in the habit of booing him upon his entry to the auditorium stage; even if he isn't really earning true /enemies/ here, he isn't exactly making a lot of friends with any of the things he does when he shows up here. His prefight ritual is simple; all he does is put those nasty claws on, do a few quick arm stretches, and go into stance. Last week was personal; this week, however, is all business.
Nadine doesn't go to Taiyo either, but she supposes her teammate does and /one/ of them was going to get home ground. Unless they just assigned them somewhere random, at least.
Unlike Kurow, Nadine is not booed when she walks out. She isn't cheered either. Most of them have no idea who she is, other than what they've been told; that she's a Pacific student. She has a slightly sour expression on her face, only because she's not exactly looking forward to working with Shingo. From what she's heard, she won't like him .
Not that that's unusual.
Sometimes when Shingo Yabuki gets an invitation to an SNF, he strikes it lucky. Sometimes, not so much. In this case, it's a mixed bag at best.
On the plus side, it's happening in Taiyo High's Auditorium, which is as close to home turf as Shingo is going to get. Not to mention, there might be a few folks in the audience who MIGHT cheer him on. Maybe.
On the downside? Besides the random onlookers, Shingo isn't exactly too sure of who he's working with. Mind you, he's familiar with Kurow, somewhat, but that's another story.
Dressed in his normal Taiyo High uniform, Shingo flashes his normal wide over-happy smile as he walks into the auditorium, and begins waving at various members of the crowd, saying hello to a number of people he knows from classes on the way. Kurow might've been booed. Nadine might have gotten no reaction. Shingo? Shingo's mere presence causes the students to both cheer, and heckle! In some cases, at the same time.
Retaining his jovial grin, Shingo hops onto the stage, gives the other fighters a deep acknowledging bow and wave, and makes his way over next to Nadine before extending a hand in greeting. "I assume you'll be my fighting partner here. My name's Shingo Yabuki, and I give you my word, as Kyo Kusanagi's number one student, that I shall give this fight my all!"
COMBATSYS: Nadine has started a fight here on the left meter side.
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kurow has joined the fight here on the right meter side.
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kurow
Shingo Yabuki. It figures. Thanks to certain recent events, Kurow has gained something that seems to find all less-than-heroic fighters eventually: a deep-seated hatred of Kyo Kusanagi. Needless to say, some of that spills over to Kyo's 'disciple,' Shingo -- and since Nadine is a member of the Darkside Student Congress... it's likely that Kurow is going to focus on Kyo's #1 fan first and foremost.
The grin that Kurow gives Shingo is a little less plasant than the one that Shingo wears; it's more predatory, like an animal sizing up a kill. Needless to say, for a man like Kurow, this means the fight 'begins' even before the bell rings; he gives Nadine a cursory glance, since he's already familiar with what she can do, but keeps most of his attention on Shingo.
The look in his eyes indicates just what he's doing. He's studying Shingo intensely, looking over every inch of well-trained musculature, feeling out every (noticeably lacking) spark of the energy of the world, trying to know what he's going to think and do before he even thinks or does it.
The bell goes off. Kurow does not aggress -- only beckons his opponents to come in.
COMBATSYS: Shingo has joined the fight here on the left meter side.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kurow focuses on his next action.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
Not wanting to be rude to his opponent, Shingo bows slightly to Nadine before turning his full attention, and his gleeful smile, upon Kurow. His smile beaming brightly, almost glinting in the lights of the Auditorium, Shingo feverishly waves at Kurow.
"Hello again there! You may not remember me, but we were involved in a fight of sorts a few weeks back. I was dressed differently at the time though...just wanted to say, that was a great fight then, and I look forward to our fight today! Just be forewarned, there's no way I'm going to hold back!" Shingo calls out towards Kurow, and oddly, in perhaps the most pleasant of voices. Of course, no sooner does Shingo finish his words, that part of the crowd that was heckling Shingo, raises their voices, calling Shingo a wuss for not just attacking Kurow and getting it over with.
Sighing, Shingo shrugs his shoulders, and looking to the crowd, raises a finger to shake it from side to side, unknowingly turning his back to Kurow as he does so. "Listen folks, there is a time and a place for combat. This may be the place, but the time will be very soon. Patience! Patience..." Yabuki would normally continue this speech, but being that everyone in Taiyo has heard it a dozen times, he merely turns to his partner and nods, hoping she understands that he's merely signalling her that he's ready whenever she is.
COMBATSYS: Shingo takes no action.
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
Nadine does not wait.
Nadine can tell when Kurow goes from 'waiting' to 'watching', learning as much as he can in a short period of time. All in the same motion, she reaches down, retrieves one of her knives from its thigh sheath, and flicks it directly at Kurow's forehead to make him flinch or duck. Perhaps unwisely, she's angled her knife so that it hits hilt-first to concuss rather than pierce. It's more distracting because it just looks bigger coming at you, even if it doesn't hurt so much.
"Do something," Nadine suggests to Shingo, in a rather cold tone of voice. "Do you intend to have me fight him myself?"
COMBATSYS: Nadine successfully hits Kurow with Quick Shot.
- Power hit! -
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Shingo 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
The knife hits Kurow squarely in the forehead, throwing off his focus a little; it doesn't really hurt him all that much, though the form is /spot on/. At the very least, it makes Kurow rather confident that his current plan of mostly ignoring Nadine is a sound one. He runs the heel of his hand along the point of impact once, then says, "Yes, Yabuki, I remember you -- and I remember that you don't seem to have much of a killer instinct," his tone about as cool as Nadine's.
His eyes stay on Shingo, and more specifically on his neck -- but then, suddenly, he seems to think better of it. If Shingo's been paying attention, he'd expect that... which means Kurow has to try something a little bit different. And since Shingo is much the same height as Kurow himself... he has just the thing. Running forward, he launches into a forward somersault kick, aiming his foot for Yabuki's throat; if he lands it, he uses the split second that he slows down to grab onto Yabuki's /head/ and finish the somersault, flinging him down to the ground in the process.
COMBATSYS: Shingo fails to counter Strong Throw from Kurow with Tsuki Hiji.
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Shingo 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
Shingo can't help but blink at Nadine a few times. Partly because she just told him what to do, and at that he blushes slightly, and partly because she just threw a knife at Kurow's head. A knife that actually connected with its target.
Doing a double-take, Shingo's attentions are slightly divided. Clearly they're both going to be using sharp objects/weapons, and he's only got the power of his fists. Seems like Mr. Yabuki might be at a disadvantage.
Just when Shingo regains enough of his composure to actually address Nadine, and perhaps jump in with an attack on Kurow...the most expected thing happened! Namely, Kurow rushing in towards him foot first. The unexpected part, is that the so-called 'foot of Kurow' was aimed directly at poor Shingo's very fragile delicate lovely neck...which takes the brunt of the initial blow, and catches Shingo completely off guard - it's only when Kurow grabs Shingo's head, that the youth begins flailing about wildly, almost comically, before being flipped around and tossed to the ground.
After impact, Shingo hops almost instantly back on his feet, and assumes his usual Kusanagi style fighting stance, his smile wider than ever as he looks over at Kurow and thumbs at his nose. "You know, you're right Kurow, I don't have much of a killer instinct...but what I lack in murderous intent, I make up for with my tenacity, and my inner desire to never give up, no matter the odds. You may have got one hit in, but the next move *I* make, will leave you feeling burned."
Shingo looks down at his uniform and dusts himself off, smirking slightly as he does so, quite proud of himself. Sure, his throat and neck hurt like hell, but he can still talk without too much pain, since the impact of Kurow's boot hasn't fully registered yet. Thankfully. Plus, he practically used one of Kyo's one phrases! If he can survive this fight, he might actually have to go out and reward himself with an ice cream.
Nadine thinks to herself: Oh God, he gives speeches.
She doesn't say that, though. Nadine holds out her hand, and a gust of wind catches her fallen knife, blowing it back over to where she can scoop it up, holding it in her left hand loosely.
After watching Kurow for a moment, Nadine speaks again. Not to Kurow, of course, but to Shingo. "Watch how he moves," she directs, pointing in Kurow's general direction with her knife and tracing arcs with its point - arcs that represent how Kurow is likely to move, if Shingo is watching.
Abruptly, she darts forward, using her knife as a bar to keep Kurow moving the other direction - toward Shingo - and limit his available actions. If she can keep him pinned down and unable to jump around quite so much, maybe Shingo can have an easier time of things.
COMBATSYS: Nadine assists Shingo.
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Shingo 0/-------/----===|=------\-------\0 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
Moving toward Shingo is something Kurow is more than happy to keep doing, even if he knows it's coming this time -- after all, Shingo isn't really too much of a fighter, in Kurow's eyes. It's unlikely that Shingo will be able to pull /too/ many fast ones on Kirishima, at least in his mind. He does't quite /move/ immediately, though, is the thing -- as Shingo speaks and Nadine boxes him in, he just stands there, a hand raised in front of him, energy gathering around it.
"You're going to leave me 'feeling burned,' hm?" Kurow asks of Yabuki, as that energy, a swirling mixture of red, purple, black, and white, continues to amass around his hand. "Heh. If you're so confident..." There's that glint in his eye again, as he glances to Nadine. He knew this was coming -- he thinks he can handle it anyway. After all... he /does/ have a good grasp on Nadine's tactics.
The youth's does not /run/ toward Shingo so much as slide, still standing, perhaps changing the friction of the ground with his chi. The chi that was swirling around his hands focuses itself into his claws, extending them to a dangerous length as he tries to drive them right into Shingo's chest with crippling force. "Roppu Zuki!"
COMBATSYS: Shingo fails to counter Roppu Zuki from Kurow with Tsuki Hiji.
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Shingo 1/-------/=======|===----\-------\0 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
Maybe today just isn't Shingo's day. Maybe it started when he woke up late, and then ended up merely being ON TIME for class. The rest of the day has just felt odd. Off kilter. Not altogether there. This fight is no different.
Oh sure, from moment one it SEEMED like maybe things were potentially going to line themselves up and correct themselves, but since the combat itself was unleashed, all Shingo's been feeling are various aches, pains and little worries.
That is of course until a plan formed in his mind...for you see, if Shingo is good at anything, it's in long term planning. Short term fight planning...not so much. Long term fight planning? Forte.
Granted, Shingo may have spoken a little soon when he said Kurow would feel burned...but, he meant it. The next time Shingo actually bothers attacking, as long as he can hit that pesky ninja, Kurow will feel it. Unfortunately for Shingo, he's still in the 'get hit by Kurow' mode. Thankfully there's a good plan behind all of this, but...
And so, Shingo merely smiles defiantly, hands on his hips as he watches Kurow 'slide' towards him, and drive chi laced claws right at Shingo's chest with what would appear to be enough force to take down an average man.
Shingo isn't average. He's not at Kyo's level of being able to endure pain...but, he can manage some of the mediocre stuff. In this case, Shingo can't help but cry out in pain after a moment or two of the assault, as his good shirt ends up being shredded, his flesh scratched at, and bleeding...though the wounds thankfully not deep enough to cause him any immediate danger.
Staggering backwards from the attack, Shingo moves a hand to hold at his chest, as the rest of his body reassumes his fighting stance, his breathing coming slower now...more pained as Kurow's initial blow begins setting in, forcing the youth to cough a little. Looking up at Kurow, Shingo can't help but continue smiling. "That was two. You get one more freebie."
In all honesty, he's bluffing...but Shingo figures it's better to at least show some degree of confidence in this case, than to show weakness. Besides, if his plan pans out, the next attack should be the last one he blindly lets Kurow take from him.
Nadine either sees right through Shingo's bluff or simply doesn't care. Giving up hits is stupid. "You," Nadine says, sharply, "are useless. I could do as well without your help." She backs up, no longer pressing Kurow; actually, she moves some distance back, standing very close to the podium. "If you want to actually do anything beneficial, please, feel free, once something actually manages to work its way into your skull."
After a moment's delay to watch how Kurow moves, Nadine pitches one of her knives again. This time it doesn't just arc through the air; it actually swerves in flight, striking from a slightly unexpected direction, and whether it slashes Kurow or misses, it glides back to Nadine's hand on that same gust of air.
COMBATSYS: Nadine successfully hits Kurow with Zephyr Dart.
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Shingo 1/-------/=======|====---\-------\0 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
Even expecting an attack from Nadine, Kurow can't quite get out of the way in time; he makes a good effort, but the swerve is just a little too forceful, and it gently cleaves across his back. Again, it's mostly a superficial blow, nothing he can't handle -- but the fact that Nadine is striking him and Shingo just isn't is somewhat pleasing. He's made a good choice of subordinates, it seems.
Kirishima stays on Shingo, rather than deviating from his chosen course; he knows that when fighting several people, it is ideal to work one at a time; it minimizes incoming damage by reducing its potential sources. There are times when it's important to deviate from such a course, admittedly, but now is not one of them. "And here I thought /Taiyo/ was supposed to be the breeding ground of the next generation of heroes," he says, smirking at Shingo. "All I see from /Taiyo/ is someone sitting there and letting me destroy them. Perhaps you should stop 'giving me freebies' and fight."
At this point, Kurow thinks that Shingo is probably expecting something like before -- some sort of conventional striking technique, at least in part. His primary course of action, then, is to destroy that expectation. To this end, he actually /rolls/ past Shingo, looking to snag one of his legs and send him right to the ground in passing.
COMBATSYS: Shingo endures Kurow's Medium Throw.
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Shingo 1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
Perhaps Nadine is right, perhaps Shingo IS useless. Or perhaps he knows exactly what he's doing. No fair or good fight ends in a mere few rounds. It's a delicate balance. A dance. A thing of beauty. At least in Shingo's mind it's all that and more. And so he merely continues smiling. He smiles widely at Nadine. He smiles even more widely at Kurow. He's not wiping that smile off of his face, until he can't smile any more.
Does Kurow's comment sting him, about Taiyo not living up to expectations? Not really. The fight is far from over, and Shingo's already said all he needs to, until his plan is in full effect. Does he take Kurow's advice? THAT he does...since everything has finally come together. And so Kurow rolls past Shingo, but Shingo grins madly, already ready for what's about to come next as one of his legs is snagged, and he begins falling towards the ground...
...only he takes the momentum of the fall, and throws himself into a full blown roll, the impact bruising his shoulder, but giving him a fair bit of distance between himself and Kurow. Of course, he'd love to comment. He'd love to say something...but it's not time yet. No, Yabuki has other things in mind. A two part plan to get the ball back in his court, the first part, completely inconsequential begins now! Eyes falling back on Kurow, Shingo begins sprinting towards his opponent, and leaps into the air, leg arcing straight upwards, and then rapidly coming down at an angle to his Kurow square in the head. "SHINGOOOOOOOO KICKKKUUUUUUUUUU!!!!" Is he going for the element of surprise? No. He might miss, and if he does, he'll land as best as he can, and spin around to face Kurow, adopting his standard stance. Should he connect, he'll merely go along with phase two of his plan depending on Kurow's reaction.
Nadine smiles, just a little, as Shingo actually appears to exert himself for a change. Maybe scolding him really does work.
Nadine swings herself up in a half-jump, landing on top of the podium in a crouch, as her free hand reaches toward her other thigh sheath for the second knife. Drawing it, she throws herself from the podium in a leap, arcing toward Kurow's back and swinging in a double overhand slash.
She doesn't land on his back, though, just behind him. The damage comes from the knives, not her shoes.
COMBATSYS: Kurow dodges Nadine's Fierce Strike.
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Shingo 1/----===/=======|=====--\-------\0 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Kurow fails to counter Shingo Kick from Shingo with Double Slash.
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Shingo 1/--=====/=======|====---\-------\0 Kurow
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Nadine 0/-------/-------|
Kirishima looks Shingo's forceful kick square-on -- he's been hit with this before. He knows how Shingo overcommits to it, and he thinks he can handle it this time. He steps forward, removing himself from the path of Nadine's double-slash at his back, and rears back a clawed hand --
-- only to have his face immediately introduced to Shingo's feet. He staggers back, wordlessly, glaring at Shingo... but doing nothing else. He keeps his eyes right on Shingo, though, not about to let up on him. After all, Nadine is someone he knows he can handle, even if it seems like it'll result in a few minor cuts and bruises if what's going on now is any indication; Shingo is a little more dangerous, and also a lot more hurt.
FINALLY! Shingo's luck is turning around! Either that, or part one of his elaborate plan succeeded. Either or. Oh sure, Kurow may have to contend with dodging knives that are being flung at him, but he's a ninja! Shingo might be quick, but he's not ninja quick, so the moment he connects with Kurow's face, and lands on the ground, he gets right into business - namely Kusanagi style business. For the moment, he ignores the cheering. He ignores the chants calling out his name. He ignores the heckles, wondering why he didn't just start the fight off like this. Grinning at Kurow, Shingo looks his opponent right in the eye as he pulls back a fingerless gloved fist. "Kurow. If anything, I'm good to my word. I told you I'd give you three freebies. You got your three. I told you when I finally started my assault, you'd feel burned. Well Kurow, now's that time. Time you find out not only what Kyo Kusanagi's number one student is capable of, but also what Taiyo High is made of! So get ready, because I'm going all out...prepare to be BURNED! BURRRRNIINNNNNGGGGGG!!!!!!!"
Twisting his body backwards, grin still present on his face, Shingo pulls the fist back another inch or two, before letting out his final scream before letting his attempted pummelling commence. "SHINGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!" And before the last ounce of breath leaves his lips, before the very words of his attack that are now echoing throughout the auditorium can die down, Shingo makes his attempt to plow his fist right into Kurow torso. Should that connect, his other fist would follow-up rapidly, driving itself to his torso. Then his first fist would attempt to hit again. Seven blows in total, some aimed towards the torso, some towards the face, never letting up their barrage. Should that all connect, both Shingo's elbows would be raised, and with a hop in the air, come down towards Kurow's shoulders, followed by Shingo looking utterly ridiculous as he swings his hip away from Kurow, and ends off with a mighty hip check that even the most aggressive of hockey enforcers would be proud of. If he should miss...then he'll merely end up swinging his fist in Kurow's direction, and will end up stumbling forward and past Kurow in a very clumsy embarrassing display.
Nadine, after her rather wide swing, clears out of the way. She has no real interest in getting slashed by Kurow, or probably even more embarassingly, struck by Shingo, whether intentionally or by mistake.
This puts her in an excellent position to watch Shingo's crazy charge. On one hand, she approves of anything that is likely to get through Kurow's defense; on the other hand, leaving yourself so open and attacking so recklessly is a bad idea at the best of times. Her eyes narrow. She keeps back and watches, not even bothering to provide a knife (she might hit Shingo) or a slash.
COMBATSYS: Nadine focuses on her next action.
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Shingo 0/-------/-----==|====---\-------\0 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Shingo successfully hits Kurow with Burning Shingo.
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Shingo 0/-------/-----==|=======\=------\1 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
Shingo's aim is true -- his fists plow right into Kurow, one after another, with all the force of a freight train. When all is said and done, Kurow is left lying on the ground from that hip check, and needs to severely reevaluate his tactics. He pries himself off the ground, severely hurting and actually bleeding from the face a little -- and more than anything, he's embarassed. This is not the kind of showing he wants to be making in front of one of his subordinates.
So naturally, he does what any man would do in such a situation: he decides on a single show of brutal force, yet again, to finish Shingo. After that it's all downhill, after all. And yet again, he has to ask himself -- what won't Shingo expect? This time, he borrows from the book of a man far more forceful than he, hoping the techniques will not be that much less effective. He runs up toward Shingo with the last of his strength, and tries to whirl around behind him and grab him around the waist; from there, it's just a massive leap up... and a quick flip, to bomb Yabuki into the ground in a manner not unlike one Mike Haggar.
COMBATSYS: Shingo fails to counter Strong Throw from Kurow with Tsuki Hiji.
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Shingo 0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/-------|
The major problem with Shingo's plan, is that it only accounted up to the point of his last action. In other words, beyond pummelling the living hell out of Kurow, there wasn't much of a plan. Had he been actually hitting Kurow for a while, this plan may have been enough, and therefore the exhausted Yabuki could merely be triumphant and go take a nap. Unfortunately for Shingo, the moment he provided Kurow with a one way hip-check express ticket, he hunched over to catch his breath. The unfortunate part about this, is that for Shingo to catch his breath in this case, his focus went AWAY from Kurow - which in turn provided Kurow a very delicious opportunity, and one, a currently weak as a kitten Shingo couldn't stop.
So, naturally, Shingo merely stands there as Kurow whirls about, and ends up flying throw the air gracefully with the ninja, then smashed head first into the ground a moment later. Lying on the ground of the auditorium stage is where the young Yabuki stays for minutes upon minutes. In fact, if anything, he's not moving, his breathing is shallow.
Seconds turn almost into minutes, before a muffling coughing can be heard underneath the semi-motionless Shingo, as he visibly strains himself back to his feet, minor cuts and abbrasions all over his exposed flesh including his face - and yet, he still smiles as he very sluggishly resumes his Kusanagi fighting stance. He doesn't have enough energy to talk just yet, but he still has a little fight left in him, and he'll be damned if he's not going to give this all he's got!
Nadine's technique of 'watching' means that she was in a very good position to see all of what happened - Kurow lash out, and Shingo fail to deal with him doing so. Her nose wrinkles. Shingo may have actually been able to do some serious damage to Kurow, but that doesn't mean he likes him any more, and it certainly doesn't mean she doesn't think that his battle plans are really, really awful.
"Work harder," she suggests, before actually rushing forward. Yes, she does occasionally do that...like right now. Nadine plants her left foot one step away from Kurow, bringing her right up and around in a kick aimed nearly head-high at the Kirishima fighter - although it is just barely too far away to strike him.
That's because she's trying to hit with the contrail of air formed around her leg and trailing behind it.
COMBATSYS: Nadine successfully hits Kurow with Gale Press.
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Shingo 0/-------/--=====|=======\==-----\1 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/------=|
The reprieve from Shingo is welcome, but perhaps too relieving for Kurow; once again, Nadine gets the drop on him, striking him with that energy and sending him staggering once again. He's finally completely run out of options... but Shingo's almost down. All he has to do after he tips Shingo over is take down Nadine, he thinks -- and that should hardly be a problem, even in his severely injured state.
"Take a message to Kusanagi," Kurow hisses to Yabuki. "Tell him I haven't forgotten what he did in Thailand." That, it seems, is all Kurow has to say... but he punctuates the sentence with what may be the most humiliating thing he could conceivably do to Shingo in these circumstances. He knows Shingo is weary, knows that even a stiff wind might take him down at this point... so all he does is swing a quick backhand directly for his headband.
COMBATSYS: Kurow successfully hits Shingo with Weapon Jab.
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Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/------=|
This folks, very well, could be it. Shingo's breathing becomes more laboured by the moment, but he doesn't avert his gaze from Kurow. Not in the slightest. Kurow's words register in Shingo's mind, get filed away, as he merely watches Kurow swing a backhand at him, and it hits him square in the forehead, knocking Shingo back a few feet in the process.
Shaking his head from side to side, attempting to shake off the grogginess that's beginning to set in, Shingo steels his resolved as best as he can, and making the best dash he can, hops into the air with weary legs, and goes for the one thing that Kurow would be expecting at this point from him - the arcing kick of doom. Sure, Shingo may seem slowed, may seem drained of energy, of strength, but he puts the last of his effort into this, his voice barely a whisper as he cries out "shingo kickkuuuuu...."
If the kick hits or not is irrelevant, as the youth will hit the ground and slump over, motionless as can be except for very faint breathing. As it stands for the time being...this is Shingo's kick. This, is Taiyo.
COMBATSYS: Shingo has reached second wind!
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Shingo 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/------=|
The kick doesn't really impress Nadine. She just doesn't care that much about burning spirit; she'd much rather have a reasonable battle plan than someone who yells really loud and gives her a headache. Fortunately, SHingo gets quieter when he's about to pass out. Most of them get worse.
Nadine plants her foot after her high kick, spending a moment to smooth the side of her skirt down against her leg. It looks for a moment as if she's not going to attack at all.
And then she does, suddenly passing both knives to one hand and then throwing them simultaneously. The blast of wind that follows them is enough to blow her hair as she throws it, and make an audible gusting sound throughout the entire auditorium. Hit or miss, the knives break to either side afterwards, returning to Nadine.
COMBATSYS: Shingo successfully hits Kurow with Shingo Kick.
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Shingo 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Kurow dodges Nadine's Zephyr Lance.
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Shingo 1/-------/=======|=======\====---\1 Kurow
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Nadine 0/-------/------=|
That burning spirit once again pays off; even though Shingo's hurting, his aim rings true, and -- while it /does/ knock Kurow out of the way of the knives -- it also sends him down to the ground, clean. What may be surprising to Shingo, though, and may even surprise /Nadine/, is the fact that Kurow doesn't get up at all. There is no surge of energy, no desperate attempt to drag Shingo down with him, just the sound of a limp body hitting the floorboards.
That... looked like it hurt.
COMBATSYS: Kurow takes no action.
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Shingo 1/-------/=======|
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Nadine 0/-------/------=|
COMBATSYS: Kurow can no longer fight.
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Shingo 1/-------/=======|
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Nadine 0/-------/------=|
For a few brief moments, both Shingo and Kurow lie on the floorboards, close to each other, motionless. Of course, it's only a very few brief moments, as suddenly out of the blue Shingo heaves upwards with a deep gasp, inhaling as much air as he can. Regaining his bearings, but without enough energy to immediately get to his feet, Shingo pushes himself away from Kurow and props himself up on his elbows, looking over at the fallen fighter, before looking over at Nadine, and then back to Kurow, before hoisting himself shakily up as the auditorium fills with grandiose cheers.
Stumbling slightly, Shingo kneels towards Kurow, and whispers softly to the other fighter. Letting him know that it was a good fight, and that it was an honour to do battle against such a worthy foe. The words said, Shingo gets up as best he can, and hobbles over to Nadine - clearly the Taiyo High fighter has seen MUCH better days. With a voice as hoarse as can be, Shingo speaks low to his fighting companion. "So, I told you I'd give it my all. Much as I appreciated your words during the fight, sometimes you gotta trust that your partners know what they're doing. I may not be the most experienced of fighters...but I've watched the most experienced. It's why I never give up." With that, Shingo merely grins his toothy grin, expending far too much energy for the natural gesture, as he waves out to the crowd, to his fellow Taiyo High students, and thrusts a gloved fist in the air in victory.
Pushing his vocal chords beyond what they can probably handle for the moment, which'll mean he won't have a voice for a few days, Yabuki addresses the crowd and exclaims "I claim this victory, not only for Kyo Kusanagi, but for all of Taiyo High!"
Nadine actually shows surprise for about half a second when Kurow drops. It vanishes before Shingo looks at her again, as Nadine walks over to prod Kurow with her foot. This is mostly to make sure he's not dead. She might ordinarily do more, but not with Taiyo High watching; she figures he'll understand that.
That done, she replaces both knives in their sheaths after discreetly stepping behind the podium for a moment. "And Pacific," she adds, loud enough to carry without screaming like Shingo. Nadine doesn't even bother responding to him; once her knives are away and her skirt is straight again, she steps out and toward the exit.
COMBATSYS: Nadine has left the fight here.
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Shingo 1/-------/=======|
Log created on 20:19:24 08/04/2007 by Nadine, and last modified on 19:09:10 08/07/2007.