A New Dawn, A New Day [Hoshi]

Ahh finally. After Zyxis's pretty embarrassing moves it's clear that the gap between Hoshi and Zyxis has not only grown, But reversed in who's behind and who's in front. Though it could just be that Ryuka has become much more stronger. Hoshi started shaking not in fear but excitement as it was his time to fight Ryuka after all his fighting now. "I'm ready to fight ya Ryuka. But be warned. This wont be like last time. I plan on holding back a bit to begin with if that's ok with with ya." Hoshi followed that bold statement by sticking his tongue out.

After doing that Hoshi planted his feet at a distance of 2 metre in front of Ryuka. "Here. I'll try not to go all out from the get go and start this close to you." Hoshi was planning to hold back and only use low level technique's. Not out of cockiness but just too see how strong Ryuka is compared to him. The test between their levels would begin the moment Ryuka tried to assault him. This could easily cost Hoshi the match, But if Ryuka started out too much than Hoshi wouldn't hesitate to start going all out at that instant.

"So come at me Ryuka. Try to best me if you can." The words Hoshi said weren't said with the intent of malice, But rather his attempt to aggravate Ryuka so he could experience a great battle.

Ryūka sighed. "This wont be like last time?" he repeated, his expressionless face slowly becoming one with a wide smile on it, "You better pray not.". He swung his katana, still sheathed, in the air in front of him. He looked at the fixed sheath, then looked back at Hoshi, pointing the end of the katana at him.

"You're all talk and monologue Hoshi. Do something for once. Give me something to respect.". 

Ryūka was planning to hold back on Hoshi as well. He didn't want to make it obvious though. He wanted to see how easy Hoshi was to trigger, and how strong he was when he was trying. He wanted to be able to tell how far the boy had come since their last fight. The last time he had taken a huge leap forward, and every other tie they met, Hoshi seemed to have progressed more than Smokeperf. The test was simple. The move Hoshi decided to make next would have effected Ryūka's decision and judgment.

[WC: 4573]

Zyxis looked at Hoshi, waiting to see what would happen.

He wasn't sure who would win, as he didn't know how strong Hoshi was right now. But what happened between his two teammates? He would have to ask later.

Spoiler:

Hoshi smiled. Something to respect? That would probably be easier to do if he went all out but instead of wanting respect, Hoshi wanted Ryuka to enjoy the fight as much as he will. Though fighting Ryuka in a one on one fight will not be an easy task to gain respect, Since Ryuka is faster and too Hoshi's knowledge still incredibly strong and has never really gone all out. The sign of a swordsman going all out would be a drawn blade and yet Hoshi had never seen Ryuka seriously attack someone so his statement of also holding back is nothing new. 

Within a fight you should always be the one trying to make the first move, Instead of letting your opponent get the jump on you. With this is mind Hoshi dashed forwards towards Ryuka. Carefully not going full speed in this dash [30] so he could easily stop his momentum at anytime during the attempt to close 2 metre's. Since Ryuka was a swordsmen Hoshi would also try to cross "blades" of sorts with him. Subtly putting two fingers ,index and middle of his right hand, Together to quickly strike at Ryuka with the Nukite spear hand. Aiming not at his chest ,but between the chest and shoulder, going at 3/4 the power and speed he would usually [55 speed (30+25), 75 power (45+30)]. As Hoshi attacked he would keep his left arm close to his side. Ready to block at any moment.

Ryūka smiled as he saw Hoshi moving towards him. He was moving at a slower speed than usual. With the momentum he got, Ryūka realized that the attack wouldn't have reached enough speed to match Ryūka's own. So when Hoshi was close enough, Ryūka just took a few steps back, long enough for the attack to miss him, not ever getting into range. As soon as it missed, Smokeperf himself attacked back, with a simple horizontal slash aimed at the middle of Hoshi's chest and stomach.

[WC: 4659]

Wow, what a start.

Zyxis wish he had some popcorn or something.

Spoiler:

Of course as Hoshi went went in for a slow dash Ryuka would go for a small step backwards and strike, The strike would go from Ryuka's right to left ,Hoshi's left to right, towards Hoshi's chest. Unlike all their other fights Hoshi was prepared for this kind of approach from their last spar, With his left arm close to himself Hoshi blocked the strike with a Taijutsu style block performed via the ready left hand by his side ,was waiting by the side in case this event ever occurred, blocking with the back of it [20 Power]. 

Today ,in Hoshi's mind, could finally be the day Ryuka takes him seriously within their fights! The thought of Ryuka going all out against Hoshi was an exciting one and yet the battle at hand needed to be finished. The sheath right next to Hoshi's side would be an easy target to go against and so Hoshi will twist his hand and grab the Sheath at max speed [40]. If he grabs the sheath Hoshi would pull Ryuka towards him with superior strength and headbutt him with enough force to even knock out Ryuka if taken directly on. This was Hoshi's chance to win and he will try his best to take it.

[TWC-4791]

OOC:

With Hoshi's arm taking the hit bluntly, Ryūka was happy to take this trade, rather than linger on and potential get into a disadvantageous position. Even though Hoshi was quick to act, Ryūka was even faster to do so. The instant his sheath made contact with Hoshi's arm, Smokeperf used every little advantage he had. First, he was inherently faster. Second, Hoshi's arm was pushed back by the hit, giving Ryūka a little more time to pull his katana back before Hoshi would be able to grab it. With that, the katana would be and stay out of Hoshi's reach for now, as Ryūka himself kept stepping back a bit more, knowing his back was an empty training ground for at least 50 more meters. Ryūka would still be moving slighly left as well, so he have even more range in the direction of his movement. 

He watched Hoshi for anything he would try. More than anything, he was watching his speed closely, mentally getting ready for when it was boosted. 

[WC: 4830]

Ryuka miscalculated the power of his swing. If it was unsheathed then maybe Hoshi would feel affected but the power of his swing seemed alot weaker compared to the last time they fought, Making Hoshi not even nudge at the force applied as Hoshi easily grasps the sheath which is right next to his hand and as previously stated pulling Ryuka towards him with his Superior strength and headbutting Ryuka. Hoshi's strong grip on the sheath would be held throughout this action as once again Hoshi goes for a headbutt ,whilst pulling Ryuka in,.

Yet this scenario reminded him of the last time he had gripped the weapon and so ,unlike before when he got surprised by the sheath Coming out, Hoshi was fully aware of that possibility. Leaving the element of surprise gone in case Ryuka did try to once again remove his sheath to attack him with the blade.

[TWC-4942]

Hoshi grabbed. And pulled, the sheath. It didn't pull Ryūka towards him, as physics would suggest; unless Ryūka himself moved towards him, which he did not. His escape though, did get cut for a second as Hoshi held the katana in its place, after which Ryūka simply unsheathed the katana and continued his movement away from his friend, as Hoshi's headbutt missed him.

Still, if Hoshi's head managed to catch up before Smokeperf was out of the range, Perf would turn his head into smoke, then back into his head once he was out of the headbutt range again.

Never touch a man's sword without asking.

More importantly never break their sheath. 

But most importantly, never repeat the same mistake.

The katana was unsheathed now, as Ryūka waited for Hoshi next move. He took a deep breath, getting ready to escalate this spar.

[WC: 4937]