Itou vs Aramis (DE, PG-13)

[Itou Kasui]

It was official... Itou’s luck sucked. Aramis’s head just happened to move forward just as Itou was going to head butt him. Itou’s luck sucked, simple as that. Their head collided however the groin kick wouldn’t happen. When Itou was dazed he knew he couldn’t keep his grip on Aramis, he was vulnerable, stunned and he needed to retreat back quickly or he would be screwed for sure. So he pushed Aramis away and kicked off the ground, however because he was dizzy he ended up landing on his back, however he had managed to avoid what could be a potentially crippling blow for him. Itou had managed to push Aramis away and get out of the grapple so he would need to find another opportunity.

Itou rolled over so he could avoid any potential attacks that were coming at him while he was on the floor, he would then scramble up, he was recovering from his dazed state. He shook his head left and right a few times and then got back into his fighting stance. How would he be able to get past his guard? There has to be a way. Every single stance, guard, attack, fighting style has a weakness, I just need to find his. And when I do find his I’ll catch him like a python...

Reiatsu:1400

[Aramis Tezuka]

Aramis was by no means a martial arts expert, and the blow had taken its toll on him as well. It was not a one-sided headbutt, and he also staggered back when Itou released him, his opponent avoiding further damage to his shoulder. Out of nothing more or less than sheer practice and instinct, Aramis's sword flashed up as a physical barrier, to prevent Itou taking advantage of his weakened state. Fortunately, it seeemed Itou was recovering as well. Aramis gave his head one or two good shakes, and used his free hand to adjust his glasses.

Aramis's fencing guard was lower than usual, aimed at Itou's abdominals rather than his throat, like before. He mentally examined the injuries on both of them. Both of Itou's shoulders were badly injured and he had a moderate cut on his leg, and a smaller cut on the other. The headbutt would be a minor irritant and nothing more. Comparably, Aramis was in much better shape, having taken relatively few blows, besides a few hard knocks to his shadow arm, which could take quite a beating anyways.

Aramis could keep up his defense in this condition. While Itou's mobility wouldn't be hampered too much by his leg wounds, his shoulder injuries would definitely cut the power from his punches. Aramis used fencing footwork to close in on Itou briefly, as he considered his next attack. He was not moving in quickly, but certainly. Thoughts on his next blow whirled through his head at blitzkrieg speeds, but Itou's attacks and reactions would help determine this.

[Itou Kasui]

As Aramis closed on Itou he got in a defensive stance. What to do? Itou couldn’t try and counter, he had the disadvantage. So since Aramis was coming in slowly Itou simply moved back, trying to gauge his actions, he moved back slowly, still giving Aramis time to get towards him. He waited, he waited and he waited until Aramis was close, not too close because right now Itou was at a disadvantage. Itou wasn’t going to hit back however. As soon as Aramis was at the distance he wanted Itou used shunpo diagonally, going towards Aramis’s unarmed arm. As soon as he was right there he didn’t grab him.

He ducked down and swung his right leg around, hoping to catch Aramis at the back of the legs and send him tumbling to the floor. He made sure to duck in case Aramis tried to strike out at him with either his claw or sword. So either way if Aramis struck out he’d miss because Itou was faster and it was a pre-emptive dodge. After he knocked Aramis to the ground Itou used his fist to strike him in his abdomen, hoping to wind him and leave a big bruise on his stomach. Itou made sure to stay in range, he would keep in this range so they would exchange blows.

Reiatsu:1350

[Aramis Tezuka]

As Itou emerged from Shunpo, he'd have a very unwelcome surprise. Aramis's sword was being thrust, right at his gut. He'd gotten too reliant on Shunpo. Aramis was able to anticipate his attack now. He'd gotten too predictable and now he was going to pay the price for it. As fast as Shunpo was, Aramis had already turned. Itou's reflexes were being used against him, but would also save him. His movement of ducking would cause Aramis's blade to pierce through his injured right shoulder, instead of a potentially finishing move through the belly. Still, this would be a very deep cut. However, Itou's anticipation of Aramis's strike while good, wouldn't allow him to avoid it entirely, as Aramis had already been aiming at a lower target.

As for Itou's attack, Aramis had taken a single step back, when Itou had initiated his Shunpo. This meant that he would be JUST out of range of Itou's kick, while the reach of his sword would ensure that his thrust landed. Aramis then took a second step back, to pull his sword free, simultaneously whipping the tip up, to slice a narrow wound across Itou's cheek. It wasn't deep, but it'd certainly sting. With that thrust, it was extremely unlikely Itou would be able to move his arms anymore. He was now, functionally reliant on using his legs and his legs alone at this point.

Aramis held his sword in an unusually high fencing pose, the tip of the blade pointed at Itou's face, rather than his throat or sternum. He had retreated four steps away from Itou. Four steps separated them. But with Itou's serious wounds, and virtually disabled arms, would he be able to continue? Aramis had no qualms with allowing Itou to dash himself into the void against him. "The matador may be finished, if gored on the bulls' horns, but a bull can be avoided and cut down." He stated.

[Kyomei Kuchiki]

+1350 TP to Itou
+1350 TP to Aramis