Description: Mizuki and Kentou have themselves a little training spar down at the Youth Center. While getting a measure of one another, truths are unveiled as the Miko reveals her fears and Kentou offers her comfort and what small advice he can give her. What is more important than victory?
It's been a day or so since Ayame's assault on Mizuki. The miko took the time to heal her wounds right... and that meant she had lots of time to think. She's gotten stronger, recently; she knows it, she can feel it. But still, something is missing. Something that all her training won't help with. Something that all the heavy bag work, that all the forms, that all the exercise can't emulate.
Mizuki needs more active practice. She needs to fight more--she needs to fight other people. Experience is what is holding her back. She knows it--she could feel it. Ayame, if that was her real name, was a far more experienced combatant than Mizuki, even if they have had about the same level of training... and now the miko has had it hammered into her.
Well, it's time to change that. Mizuki arranged this fight with Kentou; she's waiting in one of the large practice rooms, kneeling in seiza position.
Truth be told, Kentou doesn't particularly like fighting girls.
This is not a measure of disrespect or inability to acknowledge the fighting skills of women. Perhaps once he entertained such misogynist thoughts, but having fought truly superior female opponents has long-since disabused him of this notion. Not to mention, his Master is a small, frail-looking girly girl and easily one of the best martial artists he's ever seen.
No, the truth is, its because of his Mother and what she told him so many years ago. 'Be nice to girls, Kentou!'. One of the few edicts she had ever given him, and a simple enough one to obey. He simply doesn't go out of his way to start fights with them or challenge them unless they're clearly superior opponents and a mark of honor to fight them.
When word came down that Mizuki challenged him, Kentou will admit to being a bit perplexed.
The boy was just happy the girl had survived her ordeal with her rival. However, she's seemed curiously driven in the brief times they've met since that fateful encounter. Something is up with her..
..But! Kentou isn't going to refuse a friendly match-up. Besides! Maybe she just wants to see the results of his training with Hotaru-sensei? A fair enough request.
Kentou races into the large practice room, stepping out of his new-looking Chinese-style slippers once he reaches the mat and runs across the padded floor, "I'm here! I'm here!" The boy huffs, arms flailing a bit at his sides until he skids to a halt a short distance away. He had to run here straight from the Futaba Dojo after losing track of time during his training. His wild bangs look just a fraction wilder, clearly having finished a rigorous workout.
He immediately palms his fist and bows deeply in greeting, "Mizuki-san!" Smiling to her brightly, "I'm ready!"
It's true, Kentou should be nice to girls. And he has been! Kind of. Well, he's been nice to Mizuki, anyways. So she won't take it badly if he beats her up a little, or a lot. She asked for it, actually, which is...
... well, here he is. Mizuki smiles at Kentou, with a bit of a giggle at his disheveled look. "Thank you for agreeing to this, Kentou-kun." She rises up, stretching her legs a little bit.
"Hotaru-san told me that you didn't like to fight girls, so I'm glad you said yes... the truth is, Kentou-kun... I really need to practice more. To use my skills. I can't proclaim myself a fighter if I can't really fight. I've trained all my life... but training isn't enough."
As she talks, she also walks--forward, to the starting spot on the mat. "So this is what I want... I want to experience as many fights as I can, to gain the experience I need." Reaching that spot, she raises her hands up, into battle stance, her feet spread apart on the mat to shoulder-width.
"So... whenever you're ready..."
To be sure, Kentou has no notion that he can beat Mizuki in a full-on spar. One thing that has been fully made clear to him is that the YFCC only hires the best of the best. The trainers and instructors here are amongst the greatest in the world. After all, Hotaru and Frei both teach here and they've forgotten more about fighting than Kentou knows! While he's only peripherally aware of Mizuki's skill, the fact that she's doubtlessly mastered martial arts was made clear to him with her power to heal.
After all, if he can't really hurt her, how can he possibly defeat her?
But then, the youth certainly doesn't want to start smacking her down to the point where such healing powers will become necessary. Not that he plans on getting many hits in on her unquestionably superior defenses. He can only hope he'll acquit his training well and demonstrate the power of the Ondori!
As Mizuki explains herself, the boy smiles and nods with a measure of understanding, "Ah.. I see. Yup! A real opponent means a lot more than a punching bag, you can learn a lot more that way!" And he speaks with experience. His frequent sparring matches with Hotaru have taught him a -lot- more than just practicing routines.
More important is getting experience fighting different individuals. Coming to understand how other people can fight, and learning how to adapt quickly as you realize more and more.
The boy similarly approaches the center of the mat. Taking the appropriate place across from her at the fighting circle. Hopping on his toes a bit, Kentou bounces in place and whirls his arms about, limbering up from his run moments ago, "I'll try to test your skills as best as I can!" Kentou states definitively.
Whirling his arms in a complex sequence he settles into his stance. Leading fist even with his turned shoulder and the other just beneath his chin. Energetically rocking on the balls of his feet like a boxer, "Ready!" Tongue wetting his lips as his eyes focus, expelling his breath in a sharp, "HUT!"
COMBATSYS: Kentou has started a fight here.
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Kentou 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Mizuki has joined the fight here.
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Mizuki 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Kentou
The 'best of the best', huh? Mizuki ought to go watch that movie then. She certainly doesn't -feel- like the best of the best. Has she mastered her arts? Arguably yes, but 'mastery' means many different things. Mizuki looks at Kentou, past her hands, and nods. "Alright then..."
Her voice sounds a little hesitant, of course.. or just calm. Now, usually, when Mizuki is taking the initiative in a fight, she's spending it just building her energies. It's a way for her to prepare herself, to center upon her self, to concentrate. However, this match, she decides to be more active, and not just proactive.
So, after a moment.. she lunges.
"Here I come!" she cries, and just like that, the match is on. Her first two steps are full-on; and then she slows a touch, as she approaches Kentou, feinting a high palm strike, but instead firing a short, swift low kick to the shins.
COMBATSYS: Mizuki successfully hits Kentou with Light Kick.
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Mizuki 0/-------/-------|==-----\-------\0 Kentou
The boy charges ahead as Mizuki calls her battle-cry! Racing to meet her head to head as the boy rushes to intercept, "HaaHA!"
As that palm strikes forth, Kentou falls for the feint completely as his arms raise to block swiftly.. Only for that kick to completely sweep him off his feet! His charge completely derailed the boy flops heels over head and crashes to the mat in a heap at her side. @_x "HRK!"
Yup! Definitely the best!
Kentou shakes his head swiftly as he kips back up to his feet in a whirling spin. Hardly dismayed as this just reconfirms what he already knows about YFCC instructors! The youth attempts to continue his spin another revolution, hopping a single step forward and terminating the motion with a close-fisted strike for her middle! "HUP!"
COMBATSYS: Kentou successfully hits Mizuki with Strong Punch.
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Mizuki 0/-------/-----==|===----\-------\0 Kentou
Well, it's a little encouraging, although Mizuki doesn't really want to -hurt- Kentou... she knows that she will be able to fix any of his injuries afterwards, so she probably shouldn't hold back. The boy recovers well enough as it is, and then he comes at her, seeking to even the odds with a spectacular spinning strike. Mizuki can see it coming from a mile away! Or so she thinks. What she thought was going to be a high strike ended up being a mid strike...
... and though she moved to lean away, since the strike was for her gut she instead takes it there and stumbles back, gasping a little. Yow. That was pretty painful, all told. "G-good strike, Kentou-kun..." Maybe it's time to up the odds a little--Mizuki shakes off the pain and lunges forward again, her hands moving, left hand seeking Kentou's right wrist.
Should she grab, she'll pull his arm wide, away from his body, and deliver three swift chops to his midsection, then plant her left hand on his hip, lift, and toss Kentou over, bodily, using his wrist as the fulcrum to spin him around.
Mizuki kiais sharply as she lunges forward, hoping to freeze him for a moment with the intensity of the sound.
COMBATSYS: Kentou interrupts Hyouryuu no Koki from Mizuki with Tekkoudan.
- Power hit! -
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Mizuki 0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0 Kentou
As Mizuki compliments him, the boy grins brighter with a small chuckle of delight. ^.^ But immediately focuses his expression once more and begins rocking on his feet in that kinetic stance of his. Letting her recover and this time measuring his advance, keeping Hotaru's teachings in mind.
Be observant. Be cautious. Wait for opportunities.
The boy keeps his eyes glued upon the girl's movements, not underestimating her speed or her wily cunning again. As she lunges for his wrist, his eyes spot a moment.. just a small moment of her over-extending her balance to reach. It's barely a fraction of a moment, and perhaps simple luck that he found it.. And the boy acts immediately and decisively.
"HUT!"
As she grabs his wrist, rather than pull away as an opponent would normally seem to, the boy actually -twirls- inwards towards her. Spinning inside of her reach and letting her chopping strikes deflect off his whirling shoulders where they do much less damage than the intended, stunning targets.
Using this momentum the boy jerks his hand free then holds his wrists together, LUNGING forth with his fists vertically oriented to each other yet parallel to the ground. Bending into the attack like a diving spear and driving a surprising amount of force with the totality of his body. His own kiai shout managing to actually drown out Mizuki's own, as the boy's tradition of calling out his techniques actually saves him from that surprising and disorienting shout,
"TEKKOUDAN!"
... oh, ow. Mizuki has a frown on her face for the moments before she's slammed into. It seems like she can't take a risk anymore... every time she tries it's turned back upon her and most forcefully, at that. A gasp of pain is choked off as she's sent reeling from Kentou's Tekkoudan, shaking her head and trying to get her bearings back. Well, this -is- what she asked for...
"Nnh..." she murmurs, to herself, as she finally stops her reel, straightening herself. The damage isn't really -too- bad, yet, but... well, she can't help but wonder why she can't choose her risks better... of course, the answer is echoing around in her skull. Experience, experience, experience.
Once again, Mizuki moves in, however... determined to keep pressuring Kentou, as she snaps her hands out for his left arm, intending to grasp it, pull him forward, and step around to her left to add force as she'd throw him to the ground.
COMBATSYS: Mizuki successfully hits Kentou with Quick Throw.
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Mizuki 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Kentou
Ah-hah! Mizuki feels first-hand the strength of the Ondori technique!
The boy is giving the girl his all, to do any less would insult her! Clearly, the youth's training has begun to pay off under Hotaru's tutelage. Mere months ago he would never have been able to see that tiny opening, much less exploit it!
As Mizuki recovers, the boy similar recoils from his inside strike. Hopping on his feet once again as he switches his stance to the opposite foot and leading with the other fist. To the boy's sensibilities, Mizuki is clearly going easy on him so far. Probably just to make certain he was worthy of her real effort!
And as she lunges for his wrist again.. Kentou hesitates. The same attack? Or a trick this time, like the earlier feint? She wouldn't try the same thing twice in a row, would she? She-
..And you know what they say about he whom hesitates? Sometimes over-thinking can be a liability as Mizuki successfully grips the faltering boy's wrist.
With a squack the youth is taken on a ride as he stumbles forth, yanked clean out of his stance and -hurled- a distance away with a thunderous crash. *WHOMP*
Ooogh.. She definitely stopped going easy!
Kentou remains flat on the mat for a moment, regaining breath in his lungs as he blinks away the stars. Yow.
"HAAA-HUP!" Dragging air back into his chest, the boy spin-kips to his feet once more. Facing Mizuki again as he decides to take a little risk of his own. "HaaaAA!" His voice picking up volume as he -dashes- straight for her, employing a bit of his excellent speed as he darts forth with flailing tassels and braids. Changing-up on her defenses at the last moment by -leaping- high, channeling the momentum into a high vault and -stamping- both feet at her shoulder! "HUT!"
Trying to use a little of the method Hotaru had shown him.. Lets see if constant wall-running is starting to pay off..
COMBATSYS: Mizuki dodges Kentou's Heavy Kick.
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Mizuki 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Kentou
Excellent speed, indeed! Mizuki is truly impressed at what she's seeing. She doesn't know if it's an improvement or if he's just been this good naturally--she hasn't had too many details on his training with Hotaru and Frei and everyone else--but what she is seeing is definitely good stuff. That doesn't, however, mean that she'll let him just hit her with whatever he's doing. It's a pretty near thing, though, as Mizuki literally tumbles forward at the last second, spinning as she comes back up. And she's grinning, not at her success, but at the interplay she's found between Kentou and herself. This is certainly preferable as a method of gaining experience to a tense Neo League fight... though, Mizuki considers, she should also do that, once the new season starts...
Having risen back to her feet, once again she starts forward... but stops, after just a moment. No, it's time to change the pace of the fight, she thinks... and so she waits and watches, arms raised, left leading, both hands open...
COMBATSYS: Mizuki focuses on her next action.
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Mizuki 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Kentou
As the boy expected, moving targets are a vastly different story than static training walls.
The boy's feet whirl through empty air in a vaguely comical motion as Mizuki deftly rolls away. Managing to land on his feet, he stumbles half a step. Hopping once more before whirling about to face her with his arms raised in hasty defense of the follow-up attack he was -sure- would be on the way!
Instead, Kentou sees her carefully watching and waiting. Immediately the youth freezes, fighting back the urge to rush her again in a continuous assault.
No no.. That's a trap! She's waiting for him. Her style bares a striking resemblance to Aikido in his estimation. Lots of throws, lots of using momentum against one's opponent. Giving her an opening for another grab could prove disastrous.
Instead, the neophyte fighter employs a bit more of his recent lessons. Exhaling deeply in a slowing, calming breath as he reaches out with his senses. Attuning himself to his surroundings, his opponent, and his own body as he waits patiently. Mirroring her own waiting-game as he stops rocking on his heels.
Remarkably astute of the otherwise impetuous youth!
COMBATSYS: Kentou focuses on his next action.
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Mizuki 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Kentou
Disastrous, huh? It could be... and it couldn't be. Mizuki nods slightly, seeing Kentou recognize the semi-trap--a full trap would be a feint completely. But watching Kentou still garners Mizuki some insight into his fighting style, and really... she's as well-equipped to play the waiting game as anyone else. Perhaps even more so; the tools at her disposal mean that every fraction of time she isn't being attacked she can be doing something to affect the flow of the fight.
However, for the purposes of this match... Mizuki grins, and darts forward again. As she rushes at Kentou, her steps become more of a shuffle, helping her keep her balance... pulling her arms in, she spins them in a wide circle as she reaches a point just a few feet away from Kentou, then lunges forward, ducking low, and bringing her right arm up behind her, crooked forward, her left hand shooting out in a palm strike for Kentou's chest.
"Kiii-yah!!" is the shout this time, from keep within Mizuki's abdomen, though it naturally has a bit of a high edge to it too.
COMBATSYS: Mizuki successfully hits Kentou with Strong Punch.
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Mizuki 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Kentou
And Mizuki proves that, while Kentou certainly is a fine up-and-coming fighter, she definitely belongs on the YFCC staff as she advances upon him in a complex pattern. The boy's eyes narrow as he tries to interpret her footwork, shaking loose from his previously rock-solid stance as he retreats a fraction of a step back.. Which proves more than enough opportunity. By the time he realizes the depth of his error, its way too late.
She spins her arms and lunges in a low assault, the dexterous movements deceive his arms yet more out of position as her striking arm -solidly- whomps him in the chest!
The boy's breathe is blasted from him as he flies backwards and crashes upon the mat, sliding back several feet until grinding to a halt!
Oogh! The youth takes a moment to painfully re-inflate his lungs, a hand moving to his chest before slowly sitting up. Supporting himself with his offhand he grins warmly despite the soreness as he coughs, "Aah.. Y..You got me.. Great, erf.. Great form, Mizuki-san!" Conceding the spar. After all, no need to fight to real injury! Its only practice, after all.
Perhaps Mizuki could use more experience, but alas there's only so much a young starting fighter like Kentou can give her. If anything, the encounter was much more educational for him! And he's clearly thankful for it as he slowly gets to his feet and bows formally, sword-in-sheath.
COMBATSYS: Kentou takes no action.
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Mizuki 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Kentou
Mizuki recognizes that this would be considered an 'easy win' by some. But it doesn't feel like it. She feels as though she fought hard, and that Kentou did too. It was a good experience for her; she can only hope the same is true for him. Pulling herself up into a full standing stance, Mizuki bows deeply.
"Thank you very much for sparring with me, Kentou-kun," she says, sounding actually rather formal as she does so. "Truly, it was a very educational experience; I'd like to do it again, sometime, after we've both trained and continued to grow," she says, smiling.
Relaxing her formal attitude, she murmurs, "I still have so much to learn..." A shake of the head. "Tell me honestly, Kentou-kun, what did you think of my movements in that fight? Sometimes I don't know if I'm being... too aggressive, or not aggressive enough..."
COMBATSYS: Mizuki takes no action.
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Mizuki 0/-------/=======|=======\==-----\1 Kentou
One thing is for sure, Kentou needs to work harder on those new Futaba-style techniques he's been learning! It seems so simple in principle, and Hotaru makes them look soooo easy to pull off. It certainly goes to show that learning new methods of fighting is always difficult. Interpreting other styles, even if they are extremely compatible, is always a lot of hard work. Fighting Mizuki definitely opened his eyes to many flaws with his approaches, and he'll definitely use that for his own training.
As the boy straightens from the bow, he's already starting to look better and breath easier. A couple hard hits but he'll be okay once he walks it off. He's taken harder abuse than that from Hotaru, thats for sure!
Wiping his brow with the back of his head, the boy starts to wander a moment only to blink at Mizuki's formality. Grinning in turn the boy only chortles and waves a hand, dismissive to her formality, "Sure, sure! I'm usually around.. No problem!" The boy can always use more regular sparring partners of good calibur! Certainly would be a great addition to his broadening list of fellow fighters he can train with.
Still, as she murmurs about herself, Kentou can only blink once more. A bit puzzled, "..W..Well.."
A Frei-category answer would be to ask, 'Who doesn't have much to learn?' but the boy can only gloss the answer with a slight nod of agreement. They're both training, of course there's much to learn! But it sounds like there's something on her mind above and beyond the usual training and self-improvement all fighters are concerned with.
"I.." Kentou's voice trails. Rubbing the back of his neck a moment while brushing one of his braids back over his shoulder.
If Kentou could understand her movements and properly judge her skill.. He certainly would have been a much more competant opponent! From his perspective, she was about perfect. She was fast, decisive, cunning and struck hard. The boy is simply not yet capable of further wisdom as.. He hasn't learned it yet, "..Think .. I think you were fine? I mean.. I.. Erm.. I ... didn't really see anything like a .. major weakness or anything.. Um."
Tilting his head he then asserts, "...Why? Do you think there was something wrong?"
Mizuki shakes her head, after a moment. "I... I'm not sure. I don't know if you know this but, just a couple of days ago or so, I was attacked, here, in the YFCC... by a young woman calling herself Ayame. I..."
Mizuki sits down, just on the mat, leaning back on the palms of her hands. "She took me apart, Kentou-kun. It was brutal and ruthless. Were it not for Alma-kun showing up to save me, I might have -died- then..." That's about how serious that fight was. Mizuki reflects on it.
"I've been thinking a lot about my movements... about what I did right and what I did wrong. I--I don't want to be beaten like that again. Not as if I'd never trained a day in my life. Do you--do you understand that? I felt helpless..." Mizuki shakes her head, collecting herself.
"I'm sorry, it's unfair to burden you with my problems." She rises, and bows, again, formally. "I thank you for this opportunity. You're a fine martial artist, Kentou-kun, and I am sure that you will be a truly great one in your time, especially with Hotaru-san and Frei-san training you." It seems to be a dismissal, of sorts.
Kentou's brow furrows as he listens to the unfolding story. Taking a step closer as he tilts his head, listening intently. Ayame? Hm. Never heard of her.
Of course, the boy certainly has faced down many powerful, violent young women lately. Mizuki's rival for instance. And there was that thief with the knives who really, really hurt. But he never did catch her name.
Whomever this Ayame is, she certainly sounds like a tough customer!
As Mizuki despairs, the boy seems completely out of his element. Eyes shifting about as he begins to understand the gravity of what she's saying. Of what happened to her. The boy exhales slowly as sympathy plays over his features, genuinely saddened by her emotions.
The boy felt a similar measure of sorrow not long ago. But it was not over being defeated and crushed. No, his only terror is being a coward.
"Y.. You know.." Kentou finally murmurs after a moment. Standing at her side as she rises to her feet to bow, returning the gesture as well and smiles brightly at her compliment. But, clearly, if he was dismissed he isn't taking the hint.
".. I never fought anybody really.. really strong until I first met Hotaru. I.. uh. Heh.. I never really knew how much I had to learn until I fought her.." Grinning sheepishly, "I guess it kinda was ego bruising n'all but.. you know.. I've .. I've fought a lot of really tough people since then. Southtown is filled with just.. just amazing people."
His hand gently touching her shoulder in reassurance, "Getting beaten up is just.. the price for this. All of this stuff we do. There's always.. always someone better than you.. And I know that."
Then stepping away as his eyes brighten with encouragement, "The only thing that really matters.. is fighting with honor. Victory or defeat."
The boy then grins warmly as he folds his arms behind the small of his back and steps away, "And you have honor to spare, Mizuki-san. Don't cut yourself short!"
Mizuki offers Kentou a warm smile. "Thanks. I--you're right, of course. I shouldn't let a single loss... or one vicious, brutal person... get me down. I'll get better, just as you, and Hotaru-san and Frei-san." She brightens, and bestows Kentou a prize--a quick hug.
"Thanks, Kentou-kun, for everything! I appreciate it. Now," she says, smiling, "I have a class to teach and students who are waiting for me." Another bow, and then she's out the door, on her way to one of the other classrooms.
Log created on 22:15:35 01/04/2008 by Kentou, and last modified on 01:40:57 01/05/2008.