Description: Gato, knowing the prestige of the style Ryu Zui Ken, approaches the dojo and challenges the current head. That happens to be Lynn, who is unable to stem the tide of his strikes despite impressive efforts. In the aftermath, a voyeuristic Hyo reveals himself and makes a proposal. Finding the seed of the sort of battle he craves in a brief spar, he agrees to help... in exchange for reliving that fight a second time!
God...whowever did this is going to pay. They will pay in spades. She swears to heaven, they will pay!!!
...for all the damages done to her lawn. With a handful of scorched, dead grass gripped in one fist, the young head of the Dojo sighs. Just who thought of allowing the fight to go on like this 1) while there was no real dojo master around when she was in the hospital, and 2) fully knowing of the fiery-nature of one of the fighters combined with a well-tended lawn? Seriously, went over her head to allow the charity match like this?! Sighing, the grip of her fist relaxed, dropping the dead burnt grass back down to the unsavable lawn. She has a right mind to ask someone to make a stone courtyard later...something to bring up to her parents when they get back into the city. For now, she just surveyed the rest of the area, hands on her hips. It felt so...empty without the kids around. Or the T-bird...or....
Slapping her hands onto her cheeks, the young fighter just tried to shove that out of her head. It's for their own good and safety. Eying the broom in her other hand....she wonders though, if she should've bothered to ask for a helping hand cleaning up this mess. "I need to talk to the tournament board about this."
Ryu Zui Ken.
Gato is familiar with many of the styles in this world. Those who have a Master he could respect are locked within the depths of his mind. Raised within a more classical regiment of martial arts immersion, it is only natural for him to desire being the best. And within Japan, there has always been a rather simple method of finding this out. The solemn figure stood outside the walls, taking in the grandiose, impressive structure that was once the forefront of Sunshine City's greatest fighter. Yet he has heard the grandmaster passed away. Certainly a shame... but he has three disciples. It might be a more appropriate test, then. If not, to the cold warrior, nearly as fair.
The few people who are within the Dojo have suddenly been buzzing like insects, and for good reason. Gato bursts out of the building behind Lynn, and upon his shoulders is something massive. Even she would likely instantly recognize it, and what precisely the motion entails. It is the Ryu Zui Ken dojo sign; actually slightly larger then Gato himself, but he wields it effortlessly with a single arm.
Twisting, the end of the sign slams into the ground beside him, cracking the wood walkway surrounding the pagoda behind. Hard, impatient eyes are leveraged at Lynn. Yet she would see no recognition of herself as a fighter. She is appraised like the help, or perhaps the very lowest tier of follower.
"I am here for a Dojo Yaburi against Ryu Zui Ken's sensei." His voice is deep and authoritive, housing a crisp weight and power clearly visible in the intense fighter. "Present me either your Master, or the two eldest disciples...!" Apparently, this is not optional. Having the audacity to take the sign before declaring his intentions is a show of sheer arrogance and disrespect that even Lynn can likely fully understand! A glance follows, and distaste creases his attractive features. "Your grass is apprehensible. Have you no pride?!"
The commotion is hard to miss, loud as it is. Turning her head, confused at the sounds coming from the dojo building itself, the young instructor's eyes go wide as someone suddenly bursts OUT of the dojo itself, carrying the sign for it in one hand like something out of the movies. The broom falling from her hands, Lynn simply....gawks and stares at the braided man. As he barks toward him, several questions race through her head...but the first thing that comes to mind is...
"...HOW THE HELL DID YOU GET INTO MY HOUSE?!" Nevermind the fact that the considers the Dojo to be her home figuratively and literally, just how did he get in without her even realizing it? Security systems are going to be the next thing on the list that she'll have to give her parents to consider when all this is done. "And secondly, what you doing tramping around like something out of an old martial arts movie anyhow?" She may be supposed to have a calm, harmonious spirit as the keeper of the White Dragon, but there is a breaking point, considering all that's been going on lately. And Lynn's just hit hers.
Stomping up to stand right in front of the strange challenger, despite being dressed more for a casual trip to the store or household chores currently (Yes, a white tanktop and jeans do not exactly scream 'head instructor'), she shows no fear of the larger man, even going so far as to jab her finger in his direction. Maybe they make dojos differently in West Coast USA... "I am the head instructor of the Ryu Zui Ken Dojo, and I want to hear NOTHING about this lawn from you or anyone else today!"
"That is not important!" Gato replies in regards to the entire breaking and entering thing, although it probably is to most people. Apparently, not to people raised in the Futaba household. Just look at his sister, and the horrible slight she inflicted herself. Unmoved by the spirit boiling up from the normally calm and resolved Lynn, Gato crosses his arms, as the sign tilts rakishly. He apparently slammed it hard enough into the walkway that it's able to stay up on it's own. Probably a few hundred dollars in repairs, assuming he didn't break anything ELSE in the process of jumping the wall or retrieving it.
Gato looks Lynn up and down with a discerning eye. Before he turns and spits upon the ground nearby. "I REFUSE." A simple, direct statement follows. "You are not worthy to represent Ryu Zui Ken. Has it fallen to such dishonor that a lowly female, dressed like a common whore," No, she is not remotely like that, but apparently if you aren't in a gi of some sort, it counts to him. "Must walk around, wielding a broom with more proficiency then she might ever hold in martial arts?" Oh, this is probably the worst time in the world for someone like Gato to arrive.
"I heard that there was a female disciple of the late Master! I would face her, but not you!"
After a long moment, he then states, "The lawn. ...Is unacceptable." Very clearly repeating exactly what he was instructed not to.
....ok. Whoever this guy is, he is SERIOUSLY pushing buttons that were not meant to be pushed. And it's not like it's Lynn's fault that Freeman trashed her usual qipao while...you know, trying to MURDER her. "You think...just because I'm a girl, and that I'm not dressed in a perfect robe or something else that I'm not capable or even allowed to be head of this dojo? Considering Grandfather taught me since I was able to walk, I'm still apparently not 'fit' to be a head of the dojo?" It's a good thing her blood pressure wasn't one of the things wrong with her when they checked on her in the hospital, since it certainly is rising NOW.
"I /AM/ Lee Song's female disciple. I am Lynn Baker, Granddaughter to Lee Song, and heir to Ryu Zui Ken. And you dare to trash the dojo my grandfather built for our style and this city, then denigrate me as his disciple." A deep breath is taken, that scowl never leaving Lynn's face. She just backs up....and extends one palm out, her other hand loose at chin level. Even if this is not exactly ideal fighting clothing.... "Prepare youself." She's not quite fully calmed down yet...but at least she's not screaming anymore.
"Yes. That is exactly what I think." Gato replies to Lynn, actually lifting up his chin in the most basic defiance. Quite literally looking down his nose at the younger girl. "I do not see the heart of a warrior within you. Lacking that, you can only bring shame to the Ryu Zui Ken name. I know well the humiliation of someone not suited to this path, playing it like some game or obligation..." There's a momentary darkness washing over his sharp features, although there is something else similarly hiding further from sight.
Lynn then makes the direct acceptance, and even goes so far as to assume a fighting stance. Only for Gato to look even more angry. His fist slams out, striking the large dojo sign with a closed fist. It marks it; making a noticeable dent in the fine wood.
"I SAID I REFUSE." There's a raw focus now being leveled at Lynn, one that has nothing to do with chi. It is the sheer strength of his will and resolve. The true condensed form of a fighting spirit, almost made manifest. "Will you bear the brunt of shame, if you fall before me? Knowing that you tarnished the name of your style, even more then the blackened grass? Go back to your sweeping... girl."
The stance remained up, Lynn's expression hardened as she focused herself back on the man in the yellow tunic, still looking down upon her as if she were just a maid, his impressions and judgment made solely on her clothes and her broom earlier. It's something that just makes her even more frustrated...but rather than lashing out angrily now, like she was earlier, she just becomes all that more....determined.
"Yes, I will bear the brunt of shame if I fall, I will accept your challenge. If you will bear the shame of being defeated by a 'mere whore' if you fall, and recognize me as who I say I am, a disciple of Lee Song and inheritor to the style of Ryu Zui Ken." A deep breath comes, and exhales just as fast, the young instructor refusing to budge at this point. Not even as she feels the pangs of pain coursing through her chest from her wounds from before, just the barest of grimaces coming to her face as they haunt her.
No excuses. Not to crazy killers, not to dojo busters, not to people trying to squeeze this city down like a fist. Stand up or fall down.
Gato looks at Lynn, long and hard. Obviously measuring the girl. In the end, his expression firms, but his tirade of insults cease. "Very well. You have stated your conviction. Whether you can prove a worthy disciple of Lee Song has yet to be judged." Gato walks down the steps to the charred expanse of blackened grass, before flowing into his own stance. Leading with his right arm, the other settling lower and near his side. There is a strong power to it, but none of the rigidity usually associated with such. "My name is Gato. My style is an amalgamation of Chinese Kenpo. Come at me!" It is peculiar his last name was not offered, but it is obvious to Lynn that the eldest Futaba is ready. At least he has finally acknowledged her as an opponent... one step at a time.
One step at a time indeed. While she no longer feels like she has to grit her teeth to keep herself grounded now, there's still an obvious tense determination left in Lynn's form, even as she finally gets the challenger to her dojo to recognize her as an opponent. With her palm still extended out she leveled her furrowed gaze straight at Gato when he puts up his own stance.
There's a few tense seconds of silence left between when he beckons her, and she tries to quickly make a plan of attack. Finally. she moves, running in quick and low toward the Kenpo artist. Trying to sweep in, she rises just at the last second, thrusting out a palm heel strike toward Gato's abdomen with her chambered right hand, loose changing to rigid in an instant.
COMBATSYS: Lynn has started a fight here.
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Lynn 0/-------/-------|
COMBATSYS: Gato has joined the fight here.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Lynn
COMBATSYS: Gato blocks Lynn's Medium Punch.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Lynn
The rushing assault is observed evenly, Gato learning much about Lynn in those moments. Her form is good. The center of balance flows appropriately. He would acknowledge her talent as a fighter, simply within the first few seconds and a lone attack. But that was never the question when he came here. She is supposed to show him the distilled essence of Ryu Zui Ken, as a rival and martial artist. In that... he can sense a considerable gulf. His forearm shifts, flowing slightly backwards at the same moment the blow lands. Only for his leg to snap up, attempting to impact Lynn in the midsection. Intending to whirl her overhead, and then twist with intent to send her flying with a sharp kick away in the opposite direction towards the dojo!
COMBATSYS: Lynn just-defends Gato's Dai-en Shin!
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Gato 0/-------/-------|-------\-------\0 Lynn
She's not Lee Song, or is she even Billy Lee. But Lynn isn't joking when she said she trained with him since she was young. She had moments where she wished she could just be a normal girl, but dutiful as she is, she's remained as determined to learn and represent her grandfather's style with all honor. Those days and years of training show through, even as her attack is guarded against by Gato's forearm. As his leg rises up to try and slam into her stomach and fling her away, her left arm, now loose as her right arm was rigid, sweeps in, her body flowing against the rising attack and turning off it, rather than simply absorbing the blow on her own guard.
Pivoting away further, Lynn gains some distance away. Just enough for her to leap up and close the distance again, her body turning and leg whipping out to try and back kick the man straight to the face with a shout and call. "KYAKU BINTA!"
COMBATSYS: Gato counters Kyaku Binta from Lynn with Ou-Ga.
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|=====--\-------\0 Lynn
Impressive. Gato is seeing that dedication in full spades. But he is also seeing those moments of doubts and yearning, when her mind turned to simpler times. There is far more needed then simple time with a master. With training. With sparring. If that were the case, Dan Hibiki would stand at the top of the world, a man of strong blood and opportunities others could only dream. Many people are capable of engaging in a short term conflict with the eldest Futaba. But few can turn that into an advantage, and less can win. Without hesitation, after her flawless defense he slams his feet on the ground, kicking up a plume of dust. His entire body turns away, and she finds there's no longer a face to kick. But such turns out irrelevant. He /drives/ forward, entire body relaxing into an explosive compression, the simplicity of the technique hiding the immense skill and conditioning required to execute it. Lynn's leg bounces off his shoulder harmlessly, before she's struck full body by all that condensed force. Both his arms extend in the opposite direction, one high and one low, following through with the assault. It's likely she's going to be sent quite a distance away as a result. "HNGH!"
Her flying 'kick slap' meets hard shoulder...and then a technique that Lynn is sure to recognize in retrospect later as a textbook Kempo technique slams into her, the force sending her clear across that scorched lawn like a stone skipping across the water. "WAAAGH!" she screams as she's sent back with such force before finally coming to a rest painfully.
Feeling her entire body tremble from the sheer force she was just driven back with, Lynn finds herself well at distance now...a distance she doesn't close. Not yet anyways. Instead, she takes a deep breath, her hands drawning back inward as she tries to focus herself. Summoning the power of the very dragon she keeps, trying to find a calm center and still herself before she gets overwhelmed like that again. Energy can be felt not so much surging, as swelling up, trying to synch with the forces around her rather than bend them to her will.
COMBATSYS: Lynn gathers her will.
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|=======\=------\1 Lynn
There is absolutely no hesitation from Gato after Lynn is sent hurtling across the lawn. He bursts into a run of his own, an almost airy maneuver that keeps his center of balance put to the maximum degree forward. Tufts of blackened grass are kicked up in his wake. No sooner does the White Dragon heir begin to concentrate then he kicks into the ground, the force launching him a meter forward. And then he roars, suddenly launching himself across the remaining distance in an eyeblink. One leg swishes through the air, aiming for a guard-crushing blow into her midsection!
COMBATSYS: Lynn just-defends Gato's Ura Fuu-Ga!
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|=======\=------\1 Lynn
It's an interesting dichotomy, between Gato's explosive style, and Lynn's Tai Chi-inspired style of Ryu Zui Ken. The explosive flying kick meets a foil in the young instructor's guard, her time attuning herself with her Dragon again seeming to last a lot longer than the few seconds Gato actually afforded her. Much like the kick earlier, she manages to guide the strike off to her side, while pivoting away from the strike, flowing with it and letting it pass over like a breeze rather than meeting it like a wall.
Her flowing movements don't stop there, though. Facing Gato, and trying to move before he recovers from his own strike, her hands sweep upward with a leg lifting from the ground, the classic and parodied Crane stance. She doesn't maintain it for more than a half-second though, energy gathering through her hands as they sweep back downward, and her foot replants again. "KORYU SHOZAN!" she shouts, thrusting both palms straight out, a stream of fiery-orange energy surging out straight toward the would-be Dojo Buster.
COMBATSYS: Gato dodges Lynn's Koryu Shozan.
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|=======\=------\1 Lynn
That is twice now that Lynn has demonstrated her mastery of the core of Tai-Chi. Despite the undeniable pressure of his relentless advanced, she has made no flaw in her defenses. Only in her attempted assault did she truly fail. Landing in a crouch, twisting to face Lynn. His expression turns into mild surprise at the prepared ball of chi, although his reaction is straightforward. He suddenly slams into the ground once more, launching straight up. The blast of energy passes beneath him, as he exhales in focus before striking out. The air distends lightly, before the ground at Lynn's feet expldoes in a flash of cerulean chi, sending chunks of dirt and rocks in all directions. "Hrrm! You are doing well."
COMBATSYS: Lynn blocks Gato's Kou-Ga.
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Gato 0/-------/------=|=======\==-----\1 Lynn
While her own chi projection missed, Lynn isn't quite so fast in reacting to avoid Gato's riposte, and unlike physical movements, a blast of energy isn't quite so easily to deflect and redirect. As thus...she simply brings out her palms and 'catches' the blast, wincing as she's pushed back and skids across her lawn from the force. "Nnn....."
She hears his words...but she cannot bring herself to respond with more than a nod and a simple "Nnn," before she renews her stance again. She's well aware now that this is not a man to be careless against. Thus, she tries to compact her movements. By no means does she approaches afraid, but she's much more cautious, almost testing of his reactions and his blows as she closes in, then drops a swinging hammer of her palm heel toward him, trying to smash at his shoulder.
COMBATSYS: Gato dodges Lynn's Down Palm.
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Gato 0/-------/------=|=======\===----\1 Lynn
It would be hard for Lynn to say if the enigmatic ninja of christmas present was true to his word or not. In that her day to day routine in the dojo hasn't been bothered by alleged guardians, and that Freeman hasn't yet returned to feast on her entrails, Hyo seems to have delivered. The presence of the actual sentries, though? That would likely seem more arguable; it's easy to miss the pair of nondescript young men camped out next door, surveilling the building with the aid of a shifting four person team of lookouts working a circuit of the nearby streets and businesses.
The likeness of Gato Futaba was on its way to mission control even before he leapt in and made his boistrous challenge; one of the agents in the bordering lookout opposite the courtyard? He'd /swear/ he recognized Gato, just on the glance.. perhaps the sense of the wandering warrior. It doesn't take the Initiative long to decide to let the duel happen uncontested; Gato is hardly known for wanton murder, and word from the top is that it will be a good opportunity to see exactly what Lynn Baker is actually /made/ of.
Oddsmaking quietly going through a distant rec center doesn't give her the greatest of odds, but military men have a bad habit of underestimating determined young women; a tendency that Gato Futaba, reputedly, may also share. The timing of their duel, in the rumbles of a gathering storm, brings the return of the operation's field commander himself to oversee the conflict. He perches at the far corner of the courtyard, concealed behind the leafy limbs of one only partially charred tree, clad in the midnight black, agility-focused suit he seems to favour on field operations; tonight, however, his hood is withdrawn. Imawano's most identifying feature, beyond being a young ninja entirely too poised and focused for his years, is thusly that formal topknot in his impressively long, white hair.
Crouched, concealed, he does not reveal himself or his identity willingly - not yet. The falcon circles high, above and through the clouds in near silence, as if Hyo were drifting on the winds themselves as he waits there with uncanny balance, considering the combatants wordlessly, counting on their own focus to keep him hidden; that, and the shinobi's own mastery of the forces that ebb and flow within and around him. The predictable, placating current of the winds themselves answer the call of ancient jutsus, and whisper of the battle in the shinobi's ear. It's difficult to say precisely /when/ the silver-haired shinobi arrived, were he summarily discovered despite his efforts.
Gato watches closely as Lynn advances, ceding to her own initiative. Yet as she strikes out with her forearm, he lunges backwards a short distance in another of his rather explosive hops, clearing it cleanly. She's yet to cleanly hit him... only the lone punch to his forearm. Whatever flaws his personality might have, he's certainly not lacking in his capabilities as a martial artist. Digging his feet into the scorched soil, he launches himself forward once more. His arm rears backwards, leading with his other palm to aim. He strikes out towards her solar plexus as he lands, taking another step before whirling the attacking arm and then dropping it a second time for another palm thrust to her shoulder with a "HRRNGH!" of focus. Yet then, Gato suddenly stiffens. Whirling, his gaze turns in the direction of Hyo's concealed perch for a few long moments. Something intangible, closest to instinct, appears to have made him take stock. There's absolutely no sign that Hyo has actually been seen or even directly sensed, but it at least proves that his martial pursuits extend beyond the ability to directly fight. His guard is never dropped, even in a heated conflict with Lynn.
COMBATSYS: Gato knocks away Lynn with Aggressive Strike.
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\1 Lynn
The challenger is certainly proving himself to be elusive. Even that quick hammer palmheel only finds air as he hops back away from it, leaving Lynn to strike only the space he previously occupied. And this time, when he attacks, she's not able to turn it away like before. The first palm strike drops hard into her solar plexus, forcing all the air out of her lugs and causing her eyes to drop wide. And the second strike strikes her in the shoulder, sending her spinning and skidding away again, this time worse than before. Her body clearly rocked, she's loath and slow to stand up....but stand she does. She's clearly favoring the shoulder that was struck, but her whole body seems a lot less steady as is. He's clearly winning this fight by leaps and bounds.
But she's not about to let him run away with it either. Gritting her teeth, he wills herself back into her stance, before charging in again. She comes in low again this time, trying to sweep in just like with that palm strike. But this time, as she rises, she twists her body, instead trying to slam a hard upward thrust kick toward Gato's chin, energy focused around her foot as she rises up and tries to bring this Dojo Buster with her. And if she can? She'd follow up with a hard diving kick toward his midsection, hoping to drive him down into the already ruined lawn and plow him straight into it wtih all the force she has left to muster. "SHIN TOBI RYU!!" she shouts, small hope that this will be enough to salvage this challenge.
COMBATSYS: Gato counters Shin Tobi Ryu from Lynn with Hou-zan Sai Meki-Ga.
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Lynn
Gato can sense the resolve within Lynn as she slowly picks herself up to her feet. She must know that this battle is lost. That has been made clear; her best efforts and perfect defenses ultimately did not allow her any gain on the solemn figure still standing opposite. So it must be her pride. In herself? No, he does not believe that. Gato is confident his assessment of her soul was accurate. So her pride for the martial art is what brings her into this assault. Interesting.
But she is not the only one who can use the absolute minimum to perfection. As she breaches the last meter, all of his tension leaves. He exhales heavily, chest expanding as eyes close. Arms drop down before him, seeming completely open. And the moment her burning foot contacts him, his eyes snap open. As if his entire body were a fist, his muscles again explosively crash out, barely shrugging to external eyes. Lynn would feel a sharp pain crack through her joints, before the blow sloughs off Gato like water from a duck, the kinetic force expended above him rather then into him.
"...Enough." Gato states, clearly. "You have lost. I have seen the heart of your technique already." Unlike at the onset, there is not the harsh, judgemental tone. "You will prove nothing more to me falling beneath my blows."
She put her heart and determination into the attack, trying to pour everthing she could summon into the rising kick...and it's all for naught. Just as it seems like she would hit, she feels Gato's entire body suddenly explode out, the force of her own blow instead reverberating back into her and back down her leg, sending her back down into a heap. "GHNNNNNNNN!!" The sound of pain is muted this time, but no less sincere, as she tries to force herself back up. She could feel the wounds Freeman left too starting to throb again....
But even as Gato implores her to admit defeat, Lynn forces herself back up to her feet. It's obvious she's totally and completely outmatched, and the state of her body tells that story....but she still rises, trying her best to bring her stance back up even as her leg buckles and sends her faltering a little before she comes back up again. "I....can't. Grandfather trusted me to...." She falters again, this time grimacing as one arm cringes inward before trying to renew her stance.
COMBATSYS: Lynn takes no action.
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Lynn
Gato slowly shifts his stance back into an aggressive one. A palm raises towards Lynn, and then the other settles nearby. His fighting spirit surges once more, and his eyes narrow as his bangs swirl in the wake of his own internal chi. An ominous pressure, of a fighter unscathed even before her greatest assault. "If you come at me." Arms cross overhead and then solidly snap back down into place, causing a burst of air in all directions that kicks up more dust from the ruined grass. "I will not hold back. Choose."
COMBATSYS: Gato takes no action.
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Lynn
Remarkable promise, able defense, it caves abruptly to Gato's relentless force. There is no shame in Lynn's sudden decimation; her form was perfect, her skill exceptional. She stood against Gato Futaba for some time, defeated techniques that could cripple without injury.. that Gato's technique should eventually overwhelm that able defense is not seen as a flaw in Lynn Baker, not for Imawano - but rather as an intrinsic facet of the young woman's own sheltered experiences and style. As with them all, it will grow.. if both nurtured and pressed. Which the silver-haired shinobi prefers may shift moment to moment, but he offers no forewarning.
There's a light, polite applause as Hyo drops otherwise from his wallbound perch, approaching rather than stalking forward, topknot trailing the motions as the childlike warlord looks from one combatant, to the other, gloved hands meeting in approving, quiet respect. "Part of defending your home is knowing which battles are fought, for which reasons." The high schooler notes this to Lynn with the calm of a much older mentor; this behaviour? Quite maddening to some, Hyo is led to believe.
The shinobi's left hand rests easily near his blade as his dark eyes consider Gato, "Impressive as I was led to understand, F.. Gato." Imawano offers, the slightest narrowing of his eyes a glint of the intentional slip. "Are you here hoping for challenge? I can offer you both further battle; but it will not be safe, and the enemy has little observable honour. I cannot guarantee life or limb." Is it meant to entice, or dissuade, or both? Lynn /did/ mention wanting to make a difference, and Gato? Well, Gato is a whole different equation. "I am prepared to strike at the heart of this city's madness, and expect both blood and meaning to come from it." He doesn't mince words.
Despite the obvious gulf in ability, Lynn seems determined to stand and fight....but all it takes is the momentary distraction. As Hyo interrupts the tenseness of the fight with mere applause, Lynn's focus falters, her eyes cast over toward the wall here he watches. The moment she lets her arms down, it feels like her whole body gives way, like puppets on a string. She's barely able to catch herself with her hands on the ground before she completely falls flat to the ground. "Nnnnhhhhh..."
Stand up or Fall down...seems Lynn tried the first, ended up doing the second, for all she tried.
"Tch. Pathetic. Is that the heart of your style?" Gato states, looking at the girl as she fails to continue the battle. "Failure to acknowledge defeat is not strength. It is right to feel shame in it. Use it, to get stronger...!" There's assuredly some evidence of personal experience in this arena. A hand reaching up to rub at his shoulderblade, hidden beneath the yellow cheongsam. However, then the sound of clapping is heard, which he is not particularly used to. Hyo pretty much backs up his own analysis, but attention is better settled on the ninja who has newly arrived. "Tch. I thought I sensed a spectator." A slow turn makes the eldest Futaba face the new arrival, and that lone 'F' causes a crisp snap of his stance once more. "Be wary of your tongue, ninja. I am no brute, lead by the nose into pointless fighting..." Yet it is obvious that Gato fully senses Hyo's true strength. That he does not back down is a testament to his own resolve.
"I suspect the heart of her style is clouded, now." Hyo observes, in that same detached, cool tone, as he circles the battleground in a slow, relaxed arc of unhurried steps. "Clearer, moments before; then shrouded, hammered to darkness and defeat. Unfortunate." Dark eyes are turned on Lynn a moment, despite mostly keeping wary watch on Gato. "It may cost you your very life if you walk where you wished to go." Into the dark heart of the conflict.
"I have chosen my words carefully, nomad. If you wish to take offense to them, do so, and we will dispense with another challenge. Do not mistake my offer for more than it is - your strength is apparent, it would be of use to me, and you seem a man keen to temper yourself in.. uncompromised battle." Imawano doesn't seem to waste any time with deceit, here, whether or not he's telling either of them the entirety of the truth. "As I am sure is your preference..." the observation is punctuated with a polite half-bow, a smoothly stoic, silken, "It is of course your own choice."
Lynn hears the two of them talk, but she's definitely clouded at the moment. Their words seem to pierce deep into the girl as she tries to push herself back up, eyes squeezed shut. Gritting her teeth, she finally manages to get enough strength back into her legs to push back up to her feet. Whatever admiration they held for her tenacity in their inner thoughts, she's only hearing their voiced criticsm, which just makes her all the more frustrated at the moment.
"Leave....both of you, leave. You won, do with the sign what you wish, I don't have the right to stop you," she says, steely voiced, like a pot lid barely bolding back bubbling emotion.
"Tch. I told you from the start you would be on your knees before me. Do you take such pitiful offense that it turned out to be true? There are warriors beyond you in this world. And to think, you took offense to me saying you lacked the soul of a warrior." His back turns towards Lynn, not immediately seeming to care that she just demanded they leave. After all, what's she going to do? Make them? Hyo is the focus of his more immediate interest. What he feels burning within him is not a desire to go on an adventure in pugilizing. But to test that steel, where the heart of the dragon failed. "I will do nothing for an unknown, ninja." A slow exhale follows, as he spreads his stance and lowers his head. "Prove to me... you are a man who is worth listening to. I have no time for more trash...!"
COMBATSYS: Gato drops his guard to recover.
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|======-\-------\0 Lynn
The frown is entirely in Hyo's eyes at Lynn's response - for his part, however, the swordsman simply nods assent to the request. It's apparently an acceptable outcome, in this situation. Gato's own conditions are not entirely surprising, either. A similar, secondary nod is spared for Futaba as Imawano turns to regard the wandering warrior. The predator's fire in the scarred scion's eyes, in his very poise and being, is not something Hyo has missed to that point. The raptor ascends, gracefully, back to that bordering wall at its nearest point, balanced perfectly atop it, sharp eyes intent on Gato.
"A man such as you already knows the weight of my words, and that strength alone gives words no intrinsic merit." Save, perhaps, the view to the mind of the speaker. Hyo observes all this calmly. He's not arguing, not in the least - just noting it, evenly and frankly. "I do, however, honour your challenge. Come when you are ready." Until then, the falcon circles, awaits the other warrior's own telling choices, revealing words.
COMBATSYS: Hyo has joined the fight here.
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Lynn 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Hyo
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|
COMBATSYS: Hyo takes no action.
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Lynn 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Hyo
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|
Lynn shudders even more, trying to keep a tighter lid on Gato's scathing words, as she seems powerless even to keep them from renewing another fight on her lawn, one presumably more even than she could have ever offered. Fists balled up, teeth gritted, she just...silently turned away. Whatever she has to say, she swallows, obviously of no concern to either man anymore.
She just ends up finding her way up to the wall just next to the door to the dojo, still recovering from her right. She'll watch for now, but internally, her mind is focused on everything but Hyo and Gato, everything colored by her own self-doubt now.
"Perhaps it does." Gato states simply, his cheongsam rustling in the breeze behind him as he once more slowly resumes his fighting stance. "If your strength disappoints me... then I have no interest in men you would consider an enemy worth fighting." His eyes drop to the sword, before slowly Gato edges forward... and then erupts into a short-ranged charge, wasting no time with further semantics. His leg whirls around, leveraging the heel of his foot with all his might at Hyo's midsection. The message is clear... this could easily be dodged. But the purpose is a test of strength... whether that smaller frame and sword might be capable of stopping the leveraged strength of Gato Futaba.
COMBATSYS: Hyo just-defends Gato's Strong Kick!
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Lynn 0/-------/-======|-------\-------\0 Hyo
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Gato 0/-------/-----==|
For the moment, Lynn Baker is forgotten. It doesn't matter that the shinobi had considered her central to this conflict... doesn't matter that under the right circumstances, the aspect of the White Dragon might dwarf both young men. What matters, today, here and now, is that Lynn is not ready to fight, and Hyo does not have the time to coach her. Another time, another operation, and perhaps the Justice scion would debate the Dragon's descended spirits.. but faced with Gato's formidable challenge, and the daunting list of preparations and proposals to finalize before they -have- to strike, Imawano is forced to prioritize. As Futaba joins him atop the wall, the wandering warrior's reaving leg has /all/ of the ninja's attention.
He doesn't waver from the blow, perhaps would not even if his strength were /not/ directly in question, instead.. well, it's somewhat hard to explain, is how the story would later go. Imawano all but /rides/ that roundhousing blow, palm and knee light as he ascends in the exact instant of impact, black cloth fluttering like the edges of feathers in flight as the shinobi simply circles Gato one full rotation, courtesy of the nomad's own violent force. This puts Hyo abruptly on the other side of Gato, as his katana exits its saya. No words are spoken, but the steel sings. No confirmation of understanding, boast of confidence, or kiai of focusing fury. There is only ice, and the melodic note of the blade as it carves air, and seeks to deeply penetrate Gato Futaba's muscular flesh in a flashing instant.
That razor shimmers, wavy edge cutting even as it exits its sheathe, drawn across in a horizontal slice that carries enough kinetic force to sent Gato spinning free should it cut his own midsection in return. Before he could get far, however, Imawano would twist, as if the same motion brought his blade low, and then abruptly high, a flashing vertical cut that reaves, carrying over force and icy intensity that threatens to remove Gato from the wall anew, now. Easy to avoid or no, Gato Futaba asked for /strength/. In this case, it's expressed in a stoic instant, a furrow of perfect clarity intent on the silver-haired shinobi's austere brow.
COMBATSYS: Hyo successfully hits Gato with Juumonji-giri EX.
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Lynn 0/-------/-======|==-----\-------\0 Hyo
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Gato 0/-------/--=====|
COMBATSYS: Lynn has left the fight here.
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Gato 0/-------/--=====|==-----\-------\0 Hyo
Landing nimbly on the edge of the wall with one foot, Gato looks rather surprised at how nimble Hyo works. Although the acrobatic motion might seem full of flourish, the reality of how difficult it is to execute in practice, let alone against a true martial artist who could not properly be described as 'dwarfed', is another matter entirely. In a split second he maneuvers, palms of his hands attempting to collide together in a blade catching maneuver. But it dances past, and indeed the eldest Futaba is sent into the air, cut a second time when defense is not even a remote possibility. His knees, however, curl up into his chest. Flipping neatly, he lands in a crouch a distance from Hyo. Fingers trace the cut in his torso, coming back with blood. "Tch." It is clear now that this is the precise type of opponent he has been looking for. Hyo stands above him... but not in a world he cannot reach. Instead, it is a world he desires climbing to. Yet Lynn was not so trivial he could be called unscathed; he is far from his optimum ability now. Yet this is not intended to be a fight until one collapses coughing up blood. It is a mutual measurement, questions asked with a strike of steel or palm, to be answered to satisfaction by the other. "Come, then."
COMBATSYS: Gato gains composure.
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Gato 0/-------/---====|===----\-------\0 Hyo
As Lynn retreats into her dojo, for at least the third time this week its courtyard hosts deadly combat, a clash of wills borne in this case of the one moments before it. As Futaba falls back into the scorched, grassy battleground, Imawano is already following. The shinobi drops once more, landing on the grass with an easy poise, at relaxed attention, his flashing sword... already back in its saya. It is as if the ancient blade teleports there and from again of its own accord. To the attuned, it is difficult to see the young shinobi and his weapon as different elements; rather, one composite temper of the same alloyed weapon. Not unlike the balance Gato himself seeks, visible weapon or no. It's not a fact that goes unnoticed by the ninja, nor, he expects, from his battle-hungry new acquaintance.
Gato's conditions were clear, Hyo's acceptance implicit. He does not hesitate, booted feet touching ground one after another, the rustle of grass doing more to announce the ninja than his own uncanny sprint. At least, until Nihonto tastes air once more, a blazing cut drawn in horizontal flash of steel as Imawano concedes to the continuing challenge by seeking, simply, to slice Gato smoothly once more, a precise blow set still not to kill his opponent. This, however, may come as small comfort as Hyo continues to target important muscle, heartlessly maiming lesser men who might dare to force the Justice Gakuen paragon's very capable hand. Tachi-kazi is crisp in the suddenly stiller air, as if nature itself gathers inward, forces the Earth's energies have followed, perhaps forever, clasing in quick succession in this unassuming space, in the heart of a corrupt metropolis. Fate itself takes another breath.
COMBATSYS: Gato endures Hyo's Iai-giri.
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Gato 0/-------/-======|=====--\-------\0 Hyo
Gato can see the depths of Hyo's techniques. His weapon is as much an extension as Gato's own fist. Although many weapon users feel arrogant, believing such techniques will always be superior to the unarmed, the Futaba cares little. He can sense none of that in his opponent. And more importantly, his Chinese Kenpo has multiple techniques for defending against swordsmen. More importantly, there is also those for attacking them! A firm step forward is suddenly done. His foot slams into the ground nearly between Hyo's legs. Although he made the seemingly insane decision to not only ignore the blade but also advance towards it, another observer might miss the fact that although it resulted in a deeper cut, the area was less vital. And now, before the sword can be immediately drawn back, the Futaba is on the offense. His right arm hurtles through the intervening distance, twisting along perfectly. Every clench of tension and whirl of balance building up more and more momentum... with the goal of an explosive impact with his palm to Hyo's solar plexus. But that would not end the assault... launching forward afterwards and hopping yet again, he'd whirl his left arm around for another strike, aimed towards the same area. "HNNGH!!" The only appropriate way to respond to confirmed strength... is allowing it to be confirmed in turn.
COMBATSYS: Hyo blocks Gato's Shin-Ga.
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Gato 0/-------/-======|=======\-------\0 Hyo
It would be hard for any onlooker not honed by combat to even understand what happens, indeed. It's all locked in a space the size of a split thread, a moment of time wherein men of deadly ability are suspended in a potentially lethal dance. While neither Gato nor Hyo seek to slay the other, the ability to do so is a mainstay of both their aged dynasties. While source of ability, course of destiny may vary wildly between the two men, there is no denying the clash of living weapons, born to do battle against their like and opposite numbers.
As Gato steps into Hyo's cut, his blade is momentarily caught; it is, indeed, to Futaba's advantage, even as Imawano /does/ wrench the weapon free in a sudden, blood-spattering withdrawal. Steel exposed, live, Imawano does not immediately drop back to ready - there is not even half an instant to do so. Braced forearm drives Gato's first strike to the side with reverberating force, the silver-haired shinobi's limbs rattling as he falls back a half-step, rotating and abusing that left arm once more. It aches, but it doesn't show on his face. Bone rattles, threatens to crack, but Imawano Hyo does not even flinch. He's kept his right hand free, wide; drawn and ready, tight beneath the hilt of his longsword. That steel cries out, the essence of predation coming with the killing stroke, delivered by a hand disciplined enough to seek not to open Gato's neck, but rather his shoulder; the side of his chest. Left hand joins right, leveraging at the base of the tsuka to accelerate that razor's edge. The cut descends at a sharp angle, before darting suddenly to Hyo's left, and in, seeking to pierce Futaba about the other breast in swift followthrough. Only then, ideally, would blood be whipped in a dramatic spatter from the blade, before it came smoothly and suddenly back to rest in the saya.
COMBATSYS: Hyo successfully hits Gato with Power Strike.
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Gato 1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1 Hyo
This is it. The defining moment of the fight, to Gato. He is losing; that is a simple statement of fact. Yet it's not by a considerable margin. The two blows that have been struck clean are things he knows he has the capacity to reliably avoid. But the fatigue from Lynn and his somewhat disheveled focus are giving small pieces of advantage to Hyo. Pieces that he carefully accumulates, like some diabolical squirrel with bulging secrets of ninja ruthlessness. Both were brutally forged into weapons; the only difference being that Hyo's training was completed, and his was not. Is that what separates these two, who might have a close core talent? No matter. The steel plunges deep, but causes no reaction of pain and discomfort. He actually flexes his pectoral, making it difficult to yank free. It might take 0.03 seconds more; but in that spray of blood, before even a single drop reaches the ground, he makes his final gambit. Moving forward in a blur, faster then many eyes could notice, his arm strikes out. This is not particularly damaging; but the force is entirely spent in trying to knock Hyo clear off his feet with an open palm, with his defense utterly shattered. It should require no further exposition on just how dangerous that would be. "Kiba...!!"
Hyo says, "Lord that's amazingly quick, haha"
COMBATSYS: Gato successfully hits Hyo with Zero Kiba.
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Gato 0/-------/-------|>>>>>>>\>>>>>>>\2 Hyo
And it strikes true. Hyo is only truly vulnerable for half a second, at the most. Before the blow to his torso and the wind resistance, along with the stunning from the blow, could be compensated for and fully recovered. Yet Gato has already exploded off the ground once more, leaving a mild divet in the broken grass. Both his legs hurtle forward, scissoring around Hyo's throat. In a swooshing motion of clothing, he then perches on his shoulder, arms crossed near his chest. The raw power within those muscled gams as they tense would herald the move to follow. "ZERO." A full-body twist and snapping flex follow. Something cracks loudly, although it's impossible to tell where or what. Before he leans backwards and snaps out his legs, intending to hurl Hyo away towards the ground while he lands nimbly upon one foot and flows back into his stance.
The sudden escalation is impressive, alarming even. If one is utilizing metaphor, this knife fight just became a gunfight. Of course, both warriors are far more at ease with their own chosen set of weapons than any technological terror. The only arms race is the internal one, a contest faced by all who would fight for a cause.. some sooner, and some later. The all out burst of speed and fury is enough to catch Hyo vulnerable, yes; that split second is enough, and he's hammered, hurtled, and wrenched into the ground with a thunderclap of intense impact, cracking earth as he careens to the dirt. Where such a sudden burst of fury gained advantage, and then ended Gato's previous bout, all that he pours out is not enough to slow his new opponent.
Neck crying its protest, muscles torn to protect his spine, Imawano simply rolls up into a crouch, eyes /narrowed/ on his challenger. Time and again, he echoes Gato's motion in his own way. This time, he answers in classic form. Futaba may be able to see the sprint, the sudden lunge missed by most onlookers, a traditional end to many a samurai duel on the beach at dawn. The shinobi seeks to abruptly pass Gato by, drawing and slicing him several impossible to count times in an abrupt flash.
Steel sings as one motion, its tip reaching for shallow, but brutal gashes in the Kenpo expert's already bloodied form. Should the passing ninja find his mark, those new bleeding etches would /burn/, surging forth with purging fire, as Imawano again calmly sheathes his blade, breath returning to normal. As if totally unfettered by the pain, prepared to continue... indefinitely. Gato seeks to match their progress, to climb back to the top of the ledge Imawano occupies on his own ascent; silently, wordlessly, the silver-haired shinobi begs to differ.
COMBATSYS: Hyo successfully hits Gato with Ankoku Shippuuzan.
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Gato 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Hyo
Indeed, Gato roars out his own defiance. His arms cross before slamming his feet down. Muscles bulge out, veins prominent, as he summons up the last vestiges of his own power. In the moment that Hyp's sword dances free, he lunges and strikes out with his own palm, for a moment the respective weapons crossing paths. It takes a moment to see who won. And once more, an uncouth eye might believe it was close. But the inch that separated them is a massive gulf, as the remnants of his cheongsam part before erupting into fire. Gato spasms backwards, but while trembling heavily, his stance spreads and both feet sink back into the grass. As the last of the flames whirl away, the back of his yellow outfit flutters down across his legs, revealing the broad, muscled expanse of his back. It is riddled with scars, the signs of fierce blows of fist and palm. And three brutal, jagged lines, as if a great demonic claw had raked him nearly asunder. Turning back towards Hyo, blackened line across his chest still sizzling, he holds up his hand. "Enough." There is no look of satisfaction on Gato's face. "I am satisfied." There is no sign of this being any manner of cop-out. The ninja will know this ceding means he won. Nobody else, perhaps, has to know his pride allowed even that much acknowledgement. "I do not particularly care for battlefields... but I wish our duel to be fully settled. I will acquiesce... on the condition that afterwards, we fight once more. With both of us at full strength."
COMBATSYS: Gato takes no action.
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Gato 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Hyo
It's a battle of brutal precision, of statements neither man needs to lend to words. It would only diminish the clarity, the raw graceful fluence of the debate. It covers potentially hours of philosophy and searching queries in the passage of moments, a few strokes of steel, the fervent defiance of the scarred Vagabond of Violence meeting the Justice scion's calm, disciplined precision with his own fiery fervour. In the end, ice does not melt, does not yield, its cold edge slicing through the attempts to crack that placid armor.
Gato's own path, his own incomplete training, and missing father... well, Hyo understands those scars, that weight, that.. morbid curiousity all too well. The spirit of Mugen Imawano lingers in more than his progeny's style and ancestral swords; it is the path ahead of him by which Imawano Hyo hopes to truly fulfill his promise, to temper himself to match the perfection achieved by Masamune - By the shadowed Lords of Order responsible for founding the influential Imawano line; and maintaining her through hundreds upon hundreds of years of warfare, overt and covert. The ninja's right hand releases the navy-clad tsuka of his katana, and he inclines his head respectfully to Gato.
"I will need extra hands to make this work, and even if this were not the case, I would be honoured to clash with you again." The deceptively youthful killer, the already-veteran general, he's surprisingly polite, in a certain sense. It's likely not nearly as hard for Gato to understand as it is for many, even when he coolly observes, "Your skill is formidable.. even with your purpose clouded and volatile." The ninja's brow furrows, as if looking through Futaba, rather than at him, somewhere beyond the violent vagabond's eyes. He's sure this other predator has tricks left, techniques unshown; they may even surprise the decisively assured shinobi. Any possibility pleases Hyo, in this case. It makes the decision easy.
"As to our battleground, I can promise you several things with relative levels of certainty." After all, nothing is certain upon first contact. "We will be outnumbered, horribly, by fighters who are not negligible foes. There will be at least one or two warriors of challenge to one such as you, perhaps even one such as I." He's matter of fact, rather than strictly arrogant. Imawano is aware of his lethal skill, however. "And you will find other worthy opponents, assuming any of us survive." The possibility of impending death, well. That doesn't seem to faze the childlike warleader, either. He's stoic as ever, appending simply, "I'll even provide an arena." It's a bargain. Perhaps for them both
COMBATSYS: Hyo takes no action.
[ \\\\\\ < > /////////////////// ]
Gato 0/-------/---====|=======\-------\1 Hyo
"I do not care for your analysis." Gato growls lightly, still presenting his scarred back towards Hyo. It is an old wound; many years, in fact. Stretched and gouged from his continued growth in it's wake. He listens otherwise, with only a minimal amount of rebuttal. "Do not place me so easily beneath yourself yet, child. Our duel is not settled." A hard glance backwards, but other then that he brooks no argument. "So be it. I will keep my word." He walks back towards the central dojo, before gripping the large sign of Ryu Zui Ken and tossing it aside towards the grass. "Taking such a prestigious sign from a child grants me no honor." With that he moves to walk towards the distant gates, seeming to have nothing left to say to Hyo. But at least one spot on his roster appears to have been tentatively filled.
COMBATSYS: Gato has left the fight here.
[ \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ <
Hyo 1/-------/=======|
Log created on 17:55:34 06/24/2012 by Gato, and last modified on 00:34:26 06/25/2012.