Benitsubasa snarled, blood flying from her mouth as her spine impacted with the cement, her back gashing as her kimono tore against the jagged ground, leaving trails of blood on her back. She grunted in pain, picking herself up, shaking her head several times to clear the daze she was forced into. But, realized she was actually dazed. "Fucking shit..." She gripped her forehead, shaking again, but the haze didn't clear anymore than before. The ground looked as if it was moving and rippling outwards-it would be a disorienting experience for someone less experienced than she was.
Damn it, I've dragged this fight on too long! She realized, raising her head, catching a flare of bright pink energy coalescing several feet away from her. She forced her eyes to stay open despite them screaming to be shut. "So, you're going to use your Noritos?" She asked, sneering in anger at the duo, she could barely see them but she could sense them. The energy literally waving off of them in streaks. "It's... Not going to make a difference! I'm going to crush you both!" Benitsubasa declared, heaving a breath, taking steps forward.
She's still walking after that? Ahiko's eyes widened. I thought for sure at the very least she'd be dazed or groggy... She strained, narrowing her eyes as she achieved total calm. She couldn't afford to lose herself to doubt and fear while charging up this attack, it required every ounce of her concentration to bring her full power to the surface augmented by the kiss. "Musubi-san!"
"Ready!" The brunette exclaimed, bending at her knees, flowing energy into her powerful hip and leg muscles. She inhaled deeply, almost fainting from the feeling that overcame her. Her wounds were nonexistent, she felt alive, brimming with power and warmth. She could win! They could pull through and win this thing! Benitsubasa, vision now much more clear than before forced energy into her small legs, propelling herself forward at super speeds shattering the cement where she stood, zooming towards the duo. She knew when she was going to be in for a world of hurting, when she was outmatched-that time was now. She had to strike before these two got the chance to unleash their Noritos in sync, it'd be too much for her to overcome.
"This is over!" Benitsubasa yelled, balling both of her fists. "You're both strong, but it's not enough! IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO DEFEAT ME!" Her fists clenched tighter, gloves making a cracking sound as they were stretched to their limits, an eerie pinkish glow coalesced around each fist growing more violent and stable as the gap got smaller and smaller. "PULVERIZER!"
"Fist of my contract! Break the unhappiness of my Ashikabi!" Musubi shouted, propelling herself forward with a powerful lunge from both legs, cracking the cement where she once stood, keeping her clenched fist at her side. This was it, her full power against Benitsubasa's, this would decide the fight. Defeat or victory. Life or death. "HYYYAAAH! BEAR FIST" She cried forcing the last of energy into her fist, the bright pink glow flaring even brighter than before, casting a glow around her, obscuring the darkness.
"This time you won't get back up!" Ahiko shouted, lunging forward with a powerful lunge, shattering the cement, the red aura that enveloped her body bruning brighter as she brought her fist to her side. She wasn't going to make a speech like Musubi just did or exclaim her attack out loud like Benitsubasa did, she didn't find the need in the chanting and went straight away to her attack. "HAAAHHH!" She screamed, forcing the energy she had left to the surface, flaring her aura, her teeth gritting as she strained, keeping complete focus.
The three lashed out their fists in unison, exclaiming as their blows collided. The area where they stood quaked, as cement flaked upwards shooting up hundreds of feet over them as their auras swirled and lashed out around the other. Pink and red swiveled and clashed as the trio pushed against the other their screams silent to them, but they could feel the strain of their vocal cords, their muscles and bodies burning with unbearable heat, their bones jarring and quaking as they pushed against the other for total dominance. There was no holding back, only a furious collision, wills and strength pushed against the other neither willing to give an inch. "RAAAHHHH!" The trio screamed to the heavens, the ground exploding under and around them flinging them in every direction tumbling and flipping into and over each other, slamming into the ground with a loud smack cracking the cement for miles around them.
"Agh..." Ahiko whined, coughing up blood, moving to sit up, but found that her body didn't respond. She was completely motionless, every last ounce of her energy was spent on the last attack, it was a battle to stay conscious. "I can't move..." She wheezed, trying to quell the burning in her lungs, but was failing.
"Ugh, shut up melon tits!" Benitsubasa rasped, unable to move herself, settling to glare at where she thought Ahiko was. "I am going to kick both of your asses for this!"
"I don't get it!" Musubi groaned painfully, massaging her stomach. "How are we melon tits, our breasts are soft like marshmallows!"
"S-Shut up!" Benitsubasa grunted, exhaustion and her injuries finally catching up to her. "Just shut up..."
""You didn't say please." Ahiko said in a teasing tone.
"Shut your mouth before I sew it shut!"
"You really are a loudmouth!"
"State the obvious!"
"Be quiet melon tits!" Musubi spoke up, Ahiko and Benitsubasa blinking wearily.
"Ugh... just shut up..."
They were relentless in their now frenzied attack, Yomi swiping from every direction just trying to hit her, Yashima flanked her swinging her obnoxiously large hammer in timed sequences, lining up her shots before taking them. Training with Ryu was rough, not as rough as with Miya but unlike her he didn't hold back, he was intense... Thought aside, she had been training.
"Yashima you use that hammer, while it does have power it requires a lot of energy and you can't guard by any means." Ryu said looking at her, already speaking to the rest of his Sekirei that he had gathered. He had enough of not knowing enough, as funny or ironic as that sounded. In ability terms his Sekirei were diverse in that regard, but his focus was on Yashima.
Yashima lowered her head, struggling to keep tears back. She always let him down, she could never do anything right. She could admit fighting wasn't her forte, she couldn't deliver the killing blow-if push came to shove she'd pound them six miles away, but not kill them... 'I'm just a failure, but how could I ever dream of competing with Karasuba, I feel so... Useless...' Tears slowly crept into her eyes before she realized it, whipping them away quickly.
"However..." Ryu said rubbing his chin deep in thought, Yashima wasn't powerful, direct, and smooth as Toyotama, nor as flexible, swift, ferocious as Ahiko. There was Nanaha who used a spear, but that was easy to work with, and she had a intricate knowledge of the entire art, he was certainly surprised in that regard. But, she always very eloquent when she spoke, but still modest, despite her choice of fighting attire.
Yashima raised her head, tears gone, hope in her doe eyes. For once she just wanted to make him happy, she had been forceful as of late clashing with Toyotama over time spent with him. In the end she'd win and would snuggle into Ryu giggling in delight, while Toyotama fumed like mad. But, maybe it wasn't right to do, but she didn't want to prove that man... Was right, her early years spent in hiding and cowering. "That just means we have to adjust the regimen..." He nodded once. "You'll have to measure each strike, and focus, you don't want the fight to drag on. Read into their movements. End this fight as quickly as you can."
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I can't fail! Yashima shouted mentally, hefting her hammer up and around. She'd have to push Luna to stay on the defensive, but she was difficult to deal with. Her attack style was unpredictable and blindingly fast and accurate, her chain sword lashed out in quick successions. She dodged most of them, get her shoulders cut. Luna focused energy into her legs, leaping up into the air twisting her body into a wild spin, Yashima's hammer swiping inches below her. Her technique... I've never fought someone quite like this. Luna completed her rotation, spinning to the side dodging a deft slash from Yomi.
They won't listen to reason... Luna dimmed her eyes for a moment, as if internally conflicted.
"I'm not going to lose!" Yashima exclaimed, eyes glistening, she tightened her grip around the shaft of her hammer lifting it to her side, raising her left arm up a few inches. She focused on her inner power, she could feel it, ready to burst. "The hammer of my pledge! Shatter the enemy of my Ashikabi!" She chanted her Norito, gasping as her power surged forward, outlining her entire body and her hammer, bending at the knees she hardened her gaze, glaring at Luna.
"I was going to say it's a bit early." Yomi mused. "But, can't risk it against her, I'm walking on a razor's edge."
Luna titled her head, noticing the look her two opponents were giving her, those eyes. Resolved, her against them. I have no choice. At least you won't feel any pain. She shifted her stance, snapping her wrist to the side, the segmented blades snapping into motion, merging and forming one blade just as quickly. "Two Noritos... Talk about stacking the odds."
"I'm sick of you not taking me serious!" Yomi snarled, lifting her scythe back, focusing on her inner power and brought it all out. Her eyes widened, and a gasp escaped her lips as was almost brought to her knees by the overwhelming surge gushing from her body. It had been a long time since she used her Norito, in fact she couldn't remember a time when she had to-Miya explicitly told her and the rest of the Sekirei that lived at the inn at that time no Noritos were to be used ever. And, naturally she listenend terrified of Miya and that hannya, how did Ryu just sit there unaffected? "Take this!" She swung her scythe in a dizzying fashion changing her grip to over and under, finally stopping abruptly swiping it to her side, an invisible field of energy surging around her, tearing up the cement.
"You've got it all wrong." Luna said, her voice stern. Which came as a surprise since it was always light and cheerful.
"Explain!" Yashima piped up.
"I've taken you two serious since the beginning." Luna narrowed her eyes. "I'll put an end to this."
"You're way too arrogant." Yomi growled, sliding her feet further apart. "All because you're more buxom than I am doesn't mean anything!"
Luna sputtered for a few seconds, she wasn't expecting that. From Benitsubasa she could only wait to hear something like that come out of her mouth, but coming from Yomi it was a bit surprising. It wasn't her fault she was buxom!
Brushing the comment aside, she measured up her two opponents. Yashima the shorter of the two was braced and ready, her eyes glistening with determination-Luna could see fear in them, but the determination overrode it. She wasn't as quick or agile as Yomi, but made up for it ten fold wielding that giant hammer, Luna was forced to block several times, leaving herself open, and Yomi would take advantage of that opening. Power was Yashima's ploy, power and directness. Yomi was the opposite, she wasn't as strong as Yashima but made up for that with her speed, unique weapon, and her ability to produce gale force air blades. So to an extent she had control over wind. It's been a long time... Luna mused to herself. "You mistake arrogance for honesty." Luna bent at her knees focusing her energy into her tightly knitted muscles and powerful hip flexors, powering through them wasn't an option. She'd need to calculate and then strike.
Minutes of silence crept by, the trio's eyes locked onto another, deadlocked in a silent battle. Yashima forced back the urge to wipe the water running down her face, all that mattered was this battle. Her victory! "Here I come!" She declared, lunging forward with a powerful sweep, sprinting towards Luna, speed doubling, and she rocketed towards the light haired woman.
Yomi hung back, her body brimming with power, flaring and gushing. She'd let Yashima charge in. She'd flank her, hanging back and deducing her strike. Luna was wild and fluid in her movements, twirling and spinning, flipping above them and even corkscrewing. It was the highest display of dexterity that would make even a profession gymnast faint from amazement and green with envy. It reminded her of Ahiko, how the tall woman would spin and dash around, but it wasn't as swift as hers. More fluid and graceful. "She won't be able to dodge Yashima-san's attack..." Yomi muttered to herself, carefully positioning her legs. "Either way, the attack will at least clip her, knocking her off balance if even by a few degrees. She'll block, then I'll strike!"
Luna didn't charge forward with a battle cry, she didn't even move from her spot, she was motionless. Completely focused. Yashima was like a small rhino, each step vibrated the entire bridge-that could also be the other battles going on around her, a combination of both. She knew most of the Sekirei, being in the Discipline Squad gave her access to more privy information; Yashima from what she had gathered was frail, hyper sensitive, and extremely obsessive. Her early life with her adjuster was shrouded with mystery, all that she found out was that he was middle aged, arrogant, and has a bad temper. However, as Yashima got closer and closer, seconds feeling like entire hours-days even, Luna didn't see that frail little girl.
Don't worry. I won't hold back. Luna promised the Hammer Sekirei mentally. With a cry Yashima lunged as if going for a strike, Luna debated to dodge or stand still-it was better to move, and she did so flipping back to evade entirely. Her eyes widened as she caught a flash of light blue, Yashima's form vanishing completely from sight. Luna whirled from left to right, eyes darting upwards at the last second.
"GRAVITY HAMMER!" Yashima cried out, grunting as she heaved her arms forward, hammer trailing behind them with supersonic speed. The air itself tore and blistered around the massive frame. Yashima focused all of her power into this attack, she couldn't afford to hold back, she needed to win! She'd pound this girl through the bridge and to the bottom of the river below. Every muscle tightened, her nerves flaring with an unbearable fire, she gritted her teeth, forcing her reserves into the attack. Luna visibly grimaced, sputtering a curse as she lashed out with her wrist, her sword cleaving through the air crashing into Yashima's with an audible clap.
"Now is my chance!" Yomi bolted forward. "By the power of my scythe! Bring death to those who oppose my Ashikabi!
The collision was deafening, they clashed with the power to split entire city blocks in two. Yashima's weapon obviously had an edge in the power struggle, it looked as if Luna was a mere ant trying to fend off a mammoth from crushing her. One would consider it comical, another amazing, but Luna was hard pressed, boots sliding, digging into the cement. She lured me into this one... Luna thought, neither upset or sad about it. Yashima's voice was deafening, her scream echoing as she forced her hammer forward inch by inch, surprise crossing over Luna's features. She heard a whistle at her side, followed by a glint that got close way too quick. "YAAAHH!" She flared her energy throughout her entire body, an ear wrenching screech blasting the area as Yashima's hammer severed and cracked. Luna bit her lips holding back the cry of pain that wanted to escape her lips as Yomi's scythe sliced into her side, tearing the fabric of her outfit.
Yashima stumbled forward, her legs giving out from exhaustion, but she struggled to stay standing. She finally tottered over bracing herself with her hands and gasping loudly, inhaling as much oxygen as she could. She looked at her hammer critically a good margin just hanging off-she hadn't been expecting this. She could use it still, but it wouldn't be as effective and it was off balance, though that didn't weigh heavily on her, she was victorious! "Hah!" She laughed weakly. "Take that!"
"Good job Yashima-san!" Yomi complimented, giving a painful smile. "Couldn't have done it without ya!"
"T-Thanks!" Yashima smiled at the kind words, it felt good to help her fellow sister. For so long she argued, spited, and aggravated them finding anything to throw in their face. "After this, I... I have to apologize to everyone for everything." She said softly.
They heard the tack of a heel hitting the ground, Yomi and Yashima's eyes both widened like saucers, they whirled around. Wiping the blood away from her left side, which was bleeding steadily Luna stood with a mysterious expression as if a million emotions were milling through her at the moment. "You assume you defeated me..." Luna lashed her wrist side to side, letting her blade extend and flail around menacingly. "Now, who is arrogant?"
"I still got you!" Yomi snapped back.
"Yeah!" Yashima agreed.
"You sure did, congratulations." Luna said with a honest tone, her facial expression one of honesty as well. "But, you used your Noritos, you put all of your energy into those last two attacks thinking... Hoping it would defeat me." She steadied her wrist, retracting the segments. "I'm still standing however, and you both have no more energy, this battle is over. Don't be ashamed you fought well." Luna gave a weak smile. "That combination was very impressive..." Her gaze hardened.
"I can still kick your ass you bimbo-!" Yomi's eyes widened, she felt a burning pang and something flowing out of her. The air filled her skin, and her lungs shriveled for a moment leaving her breathless. She traced her eyes to the side, seeing a geyser of blood exploding from somewhere-was it her?! I didn't even see her move... Is that my blood? The world heightened, and raindrops crashed onto her face, a wet thud sounded as she hit the cement.
"Yomi!" Yashima screamed, her terrified and scream cutting out into a hoarse gasp. She flicked her eyes frantically spotting tresses of silver hair. I couldn't read her movements... She felt weak, so weak, the wind was extra cold and biting filling up her insides, something cold flowed from her-out of her, she would have gasped if she could, but she could only muster to widen her eyes and agape her mouth. A fountain of blood exploded all around her, she could smell it coating the air around her, splattering on the ground. That can't be my blood...!
Luna slid to a stop, sword drenched with blood, she raised her slender arm swiping it to the side, splattering the blood on the soaked ground where it would wash away eventually. She took a deep breath, steeling herself as she felt a wave of regret smack her. It never got any easier having to do this, but Yashima and Yomi wouldn't listen to reason.
Karasuba, standing several feet away smiled in appreciation. Things were wrapping up quite nicely if she had to say so herself. "Good fucking riddance, those two never deserved to be Ryu-kun's Sekirei... So weak, feeble, and deluded." She gave an acknowledging nod to Luna as the younger Sekirei crouched tending to her wound the best she could at this moment, she'd be down for a while but she completed her task. "I should have killed them a long time ago myself. They have no right to even be within the same room as him, trollops..."
Haihane widened her stance, keeping her hands at her sides, talons fanning out menacingly as she kept her gaze locked with the trio's. She enjoyed a good fight, but she could feel their energy getting lower-Kuruse was running one fumes, and their wounds weren't doing them any favors. Case and point Haihane was starting to get bored. Once she got passed Toyotama's power and Nanaha's swiftness she could time their attacks-even when attacking in unison and find a small weakness to exploit. Kuruse was flanking and dodging in and out, Haihane couldn't pinpoint her exactly.
"Three Noritos, just my luck..." Haihane sighed, almost as if this was worst. "I think I forgot to record Yu-Gi-Oh-there was a marathon today." She mused to herself, unaware that the trio could in fact hear her.
"Hey airhead!" Nanaha called. "We're in the middle of a fight and if you think we're going to take a break just so you can muse about animations. You're mistaken."
"Too bad I kind of liked you." Haihane shrugged taking several steps forward, grinning when she seen Nanaha shrink back just slightly, Toyotama and Kuruse remained defiant standing their ground. Haihane stopped just a few feet away from them, taking a deep breath, relishing the suspense that coated them. It was one moment, their moment. Benitsubasa's big mouth couldn't chime in, Koto couldn't intervene, Karasuba couldn't stop her. "Well, okay then..." She chuckled here, inclining her head. "I'll finish you three off then, it was a good warm up."
"You're so full of it..." Kuruse growled, glaring at the white haired Sekirei.
"Usually, I can tolerate some trash talk. Hell, I trash talk." Toyotama interjected, narrowing her beautiful blue eyes in anger and defiance. "But, you talk too much even for my taste..." She positioned her legs further apart.
"So, you're either defiant, beyond stupid, or a mix of both." Haihane grinned. "I'd say a combination of both. So, you don't believe me when I say this has been but a mere warm up for me... Well then, come at me with everything you've got!"
Toyotama didn't need to be told twice, she closed her eyes calming herself, reigning in her anger as she achieved total harmony. And, like a light switch she let her inner power burst forward, cracking the cement and whipping up a mist bank around her. A thin green outline conformed around her body, fitting every curve, every edge perfectly. "Let's see you talk all that shit after I hit you with this!" Toyotama compacted her powerful legs, dashing forward in open bound breaking off into a sprint. "This my pact! Swipe down those who oppose my Ashikabi!" Her speed tripled, she almost vanished from complete sight.
"Kuruse-san." Nanaha said, focusing on her inner power. "That attack you did before, don't do it again."
"But, why?" Kuruse asked, focusing on her own inner power, pulling it to the surface. "Wait..." She nodded once, understanding. "She uses her environment to attack, she'd just lure me into it and expend my energy."
"Correct." Nanaha nodded, sliding her right foot forward. "So, we have to focus all of energy into one attack, you take the right side and I'll take the left!" As she said this she let her power burst forward, forcing her to gasp as she was overcome with euphoria, her wounds numbing instantly as if they never even existed. Kuruse nodded in agreement, with a grunt she brought her power to the surface, their two auras flaring around them shattering the cement. "We have one shot at this!" Kuruse set her jaw, steeling herself as she chanted.
"By the power of my trident! Bludgeon all of those who dare to harm my Ashikabi!"
"By my pact! May my spear! Pierce through the despair that befalls my Ashikabi!"
Haihane grinned with demented glee, with no shout she sprinted forward in a head on collision with Toyotama. Closer and closer the green haired beauty got, seconds turned into minutes, dragging by. Haihane knew it'd be one powerful shot, if she could dodge the blow she was in the clear and could attack, chances were she'd need to take the blow and then lash out in retaliation. "TAKE THIS!" Toyotama screamed, swinging her staff forward with numbing speed, the air around her and the staff screamed as it cut an invisible line. Haihane jumped, shouting in pain as the staff smashed against her ribs, buckling them, and she swore she had one or two cracked!
"You're done!" Haihane shouted, slashing her right gauntlet into the metal staff, sending sparks flying as she cleaved a quarter of the way through it. She retracted her one arm arm back, talons fanning, and she swiped forward with ferocity.
"YAAAAHHH!" Two piercing screams brought her back to reality, followed by a burning pain in her sides that almost made her buckle. If it wasn't for her training she'd be on the ground writhing in agony. She flicked her eyes to the side, spotting Nanaha and Kuruse at her sides, taking a chunk out of both sides with their spear and trident respectively.
"That's it!" Haihane screamed, enraged. "You think you could distract me long enough!?" She grinned at Toyotama. "CLAWS OF DEATH!" She shouted, spinning rapidly her arms lashing out in seemingly every direction, Toyotama's eyes snapped wide before she screamed in agony, feeling skin shed from her face as blood poured down freely, running over her left eye. she strained shoving her staff forward, sending Haihane flying back as she collapsed gasping, bringing a hand to her face. Haihane still in mid attac continued her vicious rotations, slicing clean through Nanaha's side and a part of her chest, spraying blood everywhere, next was Kuruse who lashed out to the side to block one swipe, but couldn't block the second which tore into her abdomen, inches away from her ribs. Exhausted and wounded Kuruse fell to her knees, bracing herself with her hands, Nanaha staggered for a few steps before collapsing completely.
"Nanaha!" Toyotama exclaimed, pushing her pain aside and dashed for the fallen Sekirei. "Hang on! Just hang on!" She yelled, pleading as she hefted one arm over her shoulder, supporting Nanaha the best she could, shaking her head furiously to clear her vision of red. "I swear I won't let you fall!" Nanaha's only answer was a hoarse cough, that left a lot of blood by her boots, Toyotama's eyes widened in shock. "Just hang on!" Toyotama tore a piece of her arm stocking off, hastily trying to wrap it around Nanaha's torso.
"You..." Hahiahne growled, shoulders shaking as she staggered, struggling to adjust to the burning pain that rippled with every step. "You stupid bitches! That's it! I'm done playing games! I'll impale the three of you at once!" She roared, her visible eye widening as she spat out the crimson substance-a painful reminder of her condition. Which was caused by these three. "You skanks are finished!"
"Damn it..." Kuruse hissed, struggling to move an inch. "These guys are too much... Even with those wounds she can still fight..."
"Damn right troll, I hope you enjoyed it while it lasted!" Haihane dashed forward, her pain subsiding as fury and adrenaline rushed through her veins. She was always one for a good fight, but this was ridiculous. To sustain these wounds by these three, an amazon, and two skirt wearing trollops was ridiculous, it was insulting! She'd enjoy raking her talons through their flesh, tearing them free and leaving jagged gashes running down them, she'd enjoy watching them fade away from this reality impaled by her talons like trophies. Toyotama gritted her teeth, growling like a cornered animal. Damn it... I'm sorry Ryu, I tried, I really did... Nanaha... She looked to the girl she was supporting just barely.
"WATER CELEBRATION!" A haughty voice shouted, followed by dozens of tendrils of water rocketing right for Haihane. The clawed Sekirei swiped at the water, destroying the attack but felt an unbearable sting, she hand planted perfectly, sprining back and away from the tendrils that receded into the cement. Tsukiumi frowned as she landed in front of the wounded trio, blue eyes narrowed and arms folded under her developed breasts.
"Number 09?" Toyotama rasped.
"Even that Ryu's Sekirei came before I did..." She muttered to herself, whirling her head from side to side spotting Minato making a run for Musubi who was out on the ground barely staying conscious. She felt the fear and despair through their bond, Minato was also angry and furious at certain points. She wondered what could have pushed her husband to such anger.
"Another one..." Haihane fanned her talons, a demented grin crossing her features as she took a step forward. "You're a single number... This really is my lucky day! Took down three Sekirei and now I have me a single number all for myself! Beni is going to yell after she hears this."
"Stay put, you can't fight anymore." Tsukumi told Toyotama, keeping her focus forward on Haihane though. For a moment she glanced at Kuruse, this was the girl that Minato winged recently? She wasn't much to look at, but she could see resolve in her eyes, something they both shared, but there would need to be a talk after all of this, but for now she had to worry about Haihane. "I am number 09, Tsukiumi!" She declared, water tendrils flying up around her. "I am your opponent!"
"Number 104, Haihane." The clawed Sekirei said with a bored tone. "Die!"
Another attack was deflected. Ryu sent three more slashes towards Koto's neck. Koto dodged the first one, bringing his sword up in a tight curve blocking the second, and swung it again, leaning into it deflecting the third slash. Ryu jumped back, avoiding a powerful thrust that would have taken his arm right out from its socket, he slid back swinging up, the ground heaving under him as he blocked Koto's follow up swing, their blades screeching against the other.
Koto couldn't say he was surprised. This was after all Karasuba's Ashikabi-she had to see something inside of him to even consider allowing him to be within three feet of her, yet alone her initiate the kiss and even go out to spend time with him. They broke their stalemate, Koto jumping back while Ryu let his momentum carry him, they stopped just a few meters from each other.
Koto leapt forward, putting on a burst of speed that rippled the air around him, shattering the drops of rain in an instant. Ryu jumped to the side, swinging his sword in front of him-just in time too as Koto cleaved his upwards resounding in a deafening screech. With both feet still on the ground, he turned sharply, using his momentum and stable base to launch Ryu to the side, quickly chasing after him, Ryu landed deftly, flicking his eyes forward, and on reflex jumped forward, slashing down, halting Koto's swift cut for his neck. They dug their feet into the ground, both pushing against the other for supremacy. They broke off hacking and slashing at the other, blocking each other's blows at the last second with crisp and laser precision.
"You're not bad!" Koto commented, leaning forward, adding strength to his blow.
Ryu didn't respond merely leaning forward, hands clutching on his hilt about to tear his callous. Koto had an edge in technique and strength, but Ryu has an edge in speed and agility. Seeing as this was going nowhere, Ryu drew his arms back, a resounding shriek echoing around him as he dashed back narrowly escaping Koto's slash, a small cut tearing near his abdomen of the kimono. "You're not bad either." Ryu commented, staring at his kimono for a moment. Koto took the opening, appearing in front of the tall man and jabbing forward with his sword skewing his trajectory by mere millimeters to centimeters forcing Ryu to go on the defensive entirely as he read into the swift jabs. Finally, Ryu found an opening to counter, and dashed in swinging for Koto's legs. He seethed painfully, as Koto jumped several feet back eyes wide for just a second before he narrowed them. "What in the world..." Ryu grunted, struggling to keep the pain under control.
"What's going on with you?" Koto questioned, curious but weary.
"I don't know..." Ryu muttered angrily as he rubbed his temples. He was upset. He almost had Koto where he wanted them, until the pain just came out of nowhere about to split his head wide open.
"You're bleeding." Koto remarked.
"Huh...?"
"Your nose, there's blood coming from it." Koto pointed at his face. "I know I kneed you there, but it shouldn't be bleeding that bad."
Master what the hell is going on!? Ryu telepathically sent a message to his tenant for lack of a better term. It was blunt and abrupt but he didn't care at the moment, whatever was happening caused him to miss. He was more upset with the fact he almost got cut across the neck in the lapse. The fastest way to get an answer was to go to the source.
I'm busy! His mater replied, voice straining.
With what? Sleeping?
No, you idiot! Fending off an attack on your mind!
Ryu sputtered in surprise. His mind was under attack? His master didn't lie, it wasn't in him. This meant something very serious and potentially bad was going to happen. It would explain the sharp pain ripping through his head.
Ryu turned, dodging Koto's speedy slash, jumping back to put distance between them. "I don't know what's going on with you, but I'm tired of waiting."
What kind of attack are we talking about here? Where did it come from? Ryu asked, much more respectful now that he knew the severity of the situation.
Still busy! Whatever it is, it's powerful. I have no idea what sort of attack it is, but I'm not taking any chances with it. His voice sounded more strained than before. Whatever it was his master was fighting against it was taking a lot out of him.
How did someone even manage to attack my mind? I didn't see anything or anyone that could have done it.
I'd be surprised if you did kid. Remember how I told you your Sekireis' bond was connected to something outside of your mind. Well, something is attacking your mind through that connection. He explained to Ryu. Enough with your questions whatever is attacking you is strong.
How strong!? Ryu got no response, his master had gone back to combating whatever was attacking him. Ryu would have gone in to help before he could even blink, but he had his own concerns and problems out here.
Koto sped forward, swiping forward at blistering speeds. Ryu cursed softly, jumping back to put distance between them, he was still distracted at the moment. What he and his master feared was happening, and it couldn't be at a worse time. Koto didn't stop his pursuit of his opponent putting on another burst of speed beaming through the gap separating them. Ryu gritted his teeth, still in midair, he couldn't hope to dodge or block it at that speed. He threw himself to the side, the blade tearing into his torso splattering blood as it exited. Koto slid to a stop, as Ryu slammed onto the ground, struggling to stay upright.
Koto scoffed, jumping forward, cleaving his sword from the left and adding a half spin, gathering momentum instantly. Ryu heaved for oxygen, blood pouring freely from the wound on his side, just below his ribs. He avoided being impaled but this was a nasty wound, it burned and ached. Pulsing as blood flowed out from it. He quickly sheathed his blade, jumping forward, meeting Koto head on, and drew it with super speed-not expecting this Koto snapped his head back the tip of Ryu's blade slicing his forehead leaving a gash. "Nghh..." Koto grunted, sliding back away from Ryu who swiped his sword to his side, slowly Koto raised a hand wiping the crimson substance from his forehead. "I see why Karasuba-san holds you in a high regard." He smirked wolfishly. "You really can be ruthless, if it was anyone else you would have taken their head clean off."
"Hah... Hah..." Ryu panted, teeth grit as he pushed his pain aside. His left leg buckled for a split instant, and Koto took advantage closing their gap and slamming a fist into his stomach forcing Ryu to wheeze, his bones buckling from the force. Ryu roared, swinging his right arm as fast and as hard as he could, slamming it into Koto's raised forearm feeling the orange haired man's bones buckle. "Damn it..."
"I guess that does it for the warm up." Koto struggled to move his right arm, a sharp pain pulsing through him forcing him to grit his teeth. "I think you may have broken my arm..."
"You... Broke my ribs." Ryu grunted. He cried out in agony, falling to his knees and clutching his temples. Another wave of sheer pain scorched his brain. It felt as if his mind was being pulled in every direction, torn into a thousand pieces. Ryu, never experienced this degree of pain before in his life. He coughed, noting the iron her tasted, blood trickling from the corners of his mouth.
Hate to be rude, but what in the hell is going on up there!? Ryu shouted at his master. For a second he felt as if he was going to die.
This is beyond ridiculous! I feel like I'm fighting Shan in here! His master shouted back.
Whatever you're doing in there it's killing me! End it now, I don't care how you do it, but end it! I'm dead otherwise! Ryu yelled back.
Don't bitch about the results! This damn attack is homing in on Yomi's, Yashima's, and Nanaha's connections, I'm going to try and re-imprint them to myself. Without any destination it should be easy to force out.
You didn't do this in the first place?
For all I know it could have killed them! Too much of this shit is still a mystery, despite how much we've learned! His master growled out, he was just as frustrated as Ryu was. He was the master of the sword, unbeatable, he shouldn't be having this much trouble!
Do it!
If he died their connections to him would be severed, as well as the others. He'd have to rely on his luck in this situation. Not that he believed in luck, and wasn't having any today, but something had to go right.
With a loud grunt his master concentrated all of his power into a single focused burst and lashed out at the mental attack. He instantly began to overwrite the connection Yashima, Nanaha, and Yomi had with the outside world using their bright varying color orbs as his medium. With a loud snap swapped over and the strain of trying to hold of the attack disappeared suddenly.
Shit...!
Shit!? I don't like the sound of that! Shit what? Ryu shouted in a panic. His master didn't respond as it happened.
Ryu's mouth snapped wide open as a soundless scream erupted from him. An enormous shockwave rippled outwards from Ryu and knocked him onto his back. Minato, Haruka, and Kuno cried out in pain as they too were hit by the shockwave. They were launched backwards for dozens of feet landing on their backs. Haihane's claws did little to stop the wave of force and her backpedal. The shockwave of mental energy continued on, rippling across the city. Every Sekirei was affected by the shockwave and every Ashikabi bonded to their Sekirei experienced the same pain as they did. Even Koto, Luna, and Tsukiumi were flung back.
Only Karasuba seemed to be unaffected by it.
Ryu groaned, retching harshly as he sat himself up, bracing his weight on his knees. Master?! Ryu asked as he struggled to shake off his swimming and blurring vision.
There wasn't a response. Ryu could feel something leaking through him cold and overwhelming.